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Friday, 31 January 2014
Monday, 27 January 2014
This week I 'ave been mostly drinking...
Russell Wallace, General Manager
Bodegas Protos Verdejo – For those of you not in the know about this wonderful variety
from Rueda, just outside the Ribera del Duero, I strongly urge you to
familiarise yourself as I think this is one that you will be seeing a lot more
of.
It is probably fair to say that to a British consumer the
most common wines from Spain all tend to be medium-bodied reds. Even the Spanish themselves would tend to
keep their white wines just for a lunchtime treat. Light, fresh and fruity are
the general hallmarks which makes me wonder why they have not taken off so
well before now in the UK market. It is
almost like this style of wine was created just for our palette.
Bodegas Protos are one of my Spanish
favourites that we have been following for a long time. Yes, the reds are to die for as well, but it is
in their white un-oaked Verdejo grape that they have found a fabulous value,
highly adaptable wine. I choose this to
go with my weekend favourite of a Thai Green Curry (home-made paste to an
authentic Thai recipe of course). They
always say that pairing with spicy foods is quite difficult, but if you follow
my principle of thinking to what sort of foods would be eaten by those native
to the wines region you can get a few reasonable options. What makes a Thai Curry particularly hard to
pair is the creamy coconut milk, too acidic and you will in essence curdle the
sauce whilst too little and the wine will be destroyed by the chilli.
Most recommendations cite something like a Gewurtztraminer
or Riesling for the heat which is spot on, but for me too many are a little
afraid of these wines or just do not enjoy them. My solution therefore is the Verdejo. When I
think of the country that widely produces wine, but also enjoys a little heat in
their food it is always Spain and the Verdejo charms that fit the bill. Balanced acidity, zippy citrus flavours but
not overly so that you risk the curdling effect.
Clive Holroyd, Database Manager
Seems like a while back now, but let me tell you about my major miscalculation on Christmas
Day. My strategy (which has worked flawlessly for the last hundred years or so)
is to drink the fuller bodied wine with the meal and have
another slightly lighter bottle in reserve for postprandial
quaffing. I've found that the the time taken for the roast to rest is
about right for the wine to breath, so while my good lady removed the turkey
from the oven, I popped the cork out of a bottle of the Welgegund
Pinotage. "Ooh" she says, "that's that lovely South African
one isn't it? No harm in having a wee glass just now." Well I hate to see
someone drinking alone so once we sorted out the vegetables I poured two glasses
and we went and sat down in the lounge. "What's that you’re
drinking?" asks number one son, so of course he went and helped
himself to a glass. You can see where this is going can't you? A few minutes
later son number two has poured himself a very generous glass and before it's
even had time to breath properly the bottle is empty. (I seem to recollect
something similar happening the first time I tried the Welgegund).
Well it's not too unhappy an ending, because a quickly opened bottle of Torrres
Celeste was perfect with the meal and I still had a bottle of Cousino
Macul Antiguas Reservas Merlot in reserve (as it were) for the rest of
the day.
Tuesday, 21 January 2014
Raise your glass to the Bard this Burns Night!
Then let us toast John Barleycorn,
Each man a glass in hand;
And may his great posterity
Ne'er fail in old Scotland!
Burns Night is approaching, and it's time to turn our attention to the fantastic range of whisky in our shop...so, no matter whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or a newbie to the 'water of life' we have something to suit you!
Here are some of our suggestions...
Robert Burns Blended Scotch Whisky - Dry and light with subtle hints of vanilla and sweet fruits - a snip at £19.99
Robert Burns Single Malt - Sweet fruity notes and beautifully rounded - a great buy at £30.99
Robbie Burns Famed Old Scotch Whisky - To be found wherever good company meets - a respectable £85.00
Dalmore 12 - Free nosing glass with every purchase - a very popular £39.99
Dalmore Cigar Malt 2012 - Free nosing glass with every purchase - a fantastic buy for £76.95
Dalmore King Alexander III - Free nosing glass with every purchase - you won't be disappointed at £150.00
Old Perth - this one has been flying off the shelves since it was relaunched - well worth £24.99
Shackleton Rare Old 2nd Edition - Free Shackleton book with every purchase (2nd Edition only) - £106.85
Why not drop in to 47 South Street to see our full selection and enjoy a dram this Burns Night with your haggis, neeps and tatties!
Friday, 10 January 2014
It's January, and that can mean only one thing...
...the Exel Wines BIG JANUARY SALE IS NOW ON!
Yes folks that's right, our January sale starts today with muchas bargains to be had on an array of fabulous wines - here's a little rundown of our favs...
Moulin De Gassac Premier Selection White 2011 – Our house go-to wines, we tip
the characteristic whites over the reds!
Moulin De Gassac Premier Selection Red 2011 – But it is not like we are saying the
reds are bad, they are most peoples favourites!
Martinez Bujanda Casa Solar Tempranillo Joven 2010 – Possibly
one of the best value wines available on our site.
Vina Apaltagua Huaquen Pinot Noir Reserva 2010 – Soft with more character than a New
Zealand version and at a better price than a Burgundy!
Heredad Ugarte Viura 2012 – The lightest, softest, most delicious thing this world has
produced, honestly!
Chateau Cotors 2009 – Entry level Bordeaux, 100% Merlot 100% delicious.
Bodegas Valsacro Tudejem Spain 2009 – Drinking perfectly now and we have stock to drink! Rich and full most unexpected for Castilla.
Trapezio Tinto 2008 – Premium Malbec/Merlot/Cabernet blend and it's just divine to sip.
Heredad Ugarte Reserva 2008 – Hugely rated by Robert Parker and Exel Wines alike.
Bodegas Ortubia Rioja Tinto 2007 – Over a tenner cheaper than Harrods, what more can we say!
Aaldering Pinotage 2007 – Now listed in the First class lounge of KLM airlines.
Domaine Chapelle Chassagne Montrachet 1Er Cru Morgeot Red 2008 – Organic, sublime and handmade.
Domaine Debray Aloxe Corton 2008 – Haven't you tried it yet?! Yum
Paul Jaboulet-Aine Cotes Du Rhone Blanc Parallele 45 2010 – Cracking entry Rhone
from possibly the best producer in the region.
Domaines Baron De Rothschild Aussieres Blanc 2010 – Chardonnay from the best wine family
in the world…at this price, come on!
Grant Burge GB56 Shiraz 2012 – We have no idea why we have this in our sale there is just no need, so grab the deal
while you can people!
Tyrrell's Old Winery Shiraz 2010 – A great wine rack staple for these cold January nights.
Ponte Del Diavolo Pinot Grigio Grave Del Friuli 2011 – Cast away those dodgy wine list preconceptions - this is a fresh and characterful Pinot Grigio!
Mongeard Mugneret Richebourg Grand Cru 2009 – a huge discount for a seriously special
purchase this has to be seen to be believed.
Pascal Jolivet Attitude Sauvignon Blanc 2011 – Sancerre in all but name, believe
me. From the same region the same grape the producer makes Sancerre so give this budget version a whirl.
Chateau Arnauton Grand Sol 2004 – Hugely rated Bordeaux that is under appreciated in the UK and greatly under priced before the sale!
Check out our website now to find out what else is in the Exel Wines BIG JANUARY SALE!
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