This week I 'ave been mostly drinking...

Dianne Barrie, Company Administrator

It was a busy week last week, but despite this I did manage to enjoy a glass or three of some nice wine! Exel Wines attended the Three Wine Men event in Edinburgh over the weekend with Oz Clarke, Olly Smith and Tim Atkins, and I was lucky enough to be helping out  at the Sunday session…and taste some of the lovely wines we had on display! One of the wines we took with us was Songlines Shiraz 2005 which I had never tried before - I have tasted the Bylines Shiraz 2005 by the same producer, and this has become one of our office favourites. The Songlines Shiraz is quite different in style to the Bylines Shiraz however, and while both are the same vintage and both are made from 100% Shiraz there are reasons for this distinct difference. Firstly, the grapes in the Bylines Shiraz are grown on younger vines than that of the Songlines Shiraz, and therefore give a higher yield. This makes the Bylines Shiraz more punchy with an intense aroma and a rich, full-flavoured fruitiness. The grapes in the Songlines Shiraz, on the other hand, come from much older vines and therefore, the structure and balance of this wine is quite different. Songlines Shiraz is a mellow wine, ample and round with more subtle tannins…a wine to be appreciated with a nice roast rib of beef! 

Mark Powrie, Orders Team

This week I have enjoyed Chateau Reynon 2006, which I would describe as a wine of considerable character for the price-tag. Deep ruby in colour; brambley fruits to the nose and a firm backbone of fine tannins. I had this with pie and mash and it was a great match. Regular readers may note that I prefer wines which have had a few years in the bottle, which don’t break the bank. I would add this to that list.

Russell Wallace, General Manager

This week I ‘ave been mostly drinking a genuine new discovery in the Ca Dei Frati Lugana Brolettino 2011.  This 100% Turbiana grape (somewhat linked to the Trebbiano di Lugana and Verdicchio varietals) is a stunning wine of the Lake Garda region, full at 14% Abv and with a nice gentle oak ageing that softens the acidity.  Despite the oak this wine remains fresh and vibrant, crisp and elegant.  Rather than reading my usual sprawl why not check out this video, and don’t forget to subscribe to the Exel Wines You tube Channel.

Ally Moir, Shop Assistant

Well what a weekend it has been for barbecues and what greater pleasure than drinking wine with a friend on a sunny Sunday afternoon.  We shared some Biferno Rosso, a lovely Italian red from the Molise region, a lovely fruity wine with just the right amounts of tannin to go with the barbie food. We also enjoyed a very light, easy on the alcohol Frascati – also very easy on the wallet – just great for the hot summer day.

Clive Holroyd, Database Developer

Whilst everyone else chose to watch Andy's triumph with the traditional Pimms, strawberries and cream, I chose instead to drink Stellar Organics Running Duck Cabernet Sauvignon paired with Wensleydale with cranberries. Lovely and no headache the following morning despite the stress of those four match points. Also this week my first bottle (and there will be many more) of the amazing Welgegund Pinotage. Delicious. Buy some. Enough said.

Susan Ross, Logistics Manager

Well, summer is finally here, and following on from our stint at the Three Wine Men event in Edinburgh last week, I ‘ave mostly been drinking Aigner GrunerVeltliner Sandgrube.  This is a perfect cooler for the hot weather we've had over the last few days but also a great wine to match up with Asian food, green salads and seafood.  Try it with grilled asparagus with a scoosh of lemon and grated parmesan.  A good belter of acidity along with softer earthy notes from a small family run producer which oozes quality.  If you want to try something completely different, give this one a go.