Tried and Tasted - this week's Staff Recommendations

This week, the Exel Wines team have been tasting:
Conde Villar Alvarinho Portugal 2011

Russell Wallace, General Manager

Alvarinho is, not surprisingly, the same thing as the Spanish Albariño. A crisp fresh tropical white wine style but this time from Portugal or more specifically from Minho in the Vinho Verde region of the North West. Personally I had always thought of Vinho Verde as being a type of Portuguese wine rather than just a region, I can only presume that many others who have not been to Portugal think just the same (much like Rioja I guess).

Susan Ross, Logistics Manager

Well, having tempted Russell into letting us taste some Portuguese wines this week, I really wasn’t disappointed with his choice. I’ve recently tried quite a few different Portuguese reds over the last few months and have been extremely impressed with both the quality, value for money, and more importantly the taste, so I was especially looking forward to trying one of the whites.

On the nose, loads of tropical fruit, pineapples in particular, and a touch of green apples, very fresh and appealing. The same aromas lead into a mouthful of fresh pineapple, with not too much acidity which you might expect from a Portuguese wine, quite soft but a good medium bodied weight and depth of flavour. Food match? Mmmm, it didn’t actually make it that far! Another bottle required I think! A nice crisp green salad, bit of seabass with risotto, or just enjoy it on its own.. bring on the summer. Score: 18/20

Ally Moir, Exel Wines Shop

Beautiful presentation, nice pale light colour and a very pleasant pineappley nose. An initial light zing with soft pineapple flavours but unfortunately a rather dry, mineral, almost metallic taste and finish. Well chilled on a sunny Sunday afternoon relaxing and sharing with friends type of wine. Not a great success for me I’m afraid. Score: 13/20

Mark Powrie, Orders Team

In the past, I was a white wine drinker. Of late, I have been enjoying the reds more and more, however I thought that I would go back a in time and try the Conde Villar Albarino. Looking at this wine, it is very light in colour, as soon as I started to pour, I got a aromas apple, lemon, lime and melon coming through. It seemed to be quite fresh, something that could be enjoyed on a spring/summer evening.

First taste gave me those fresh fruits coming through, the zesty lemon and lime hitting the back of my throat, followed by the melon, apple and even a slight hint of pineapple. All reminding me of the summer days. Perfect wine to enjoy in the garden with a fresh fruit salad by your side. I was having chicken last night for tea and it went quite nicely with that also. The flavours did not hang around for long, but I found the wine quite light and fresh.

Being more of a Red wine drinker these days, it was an enjoyable white to take me back a few years and reminisce. Score: 9/20

Dianne Barrie, Company Administrator

Appearance: Clear pale golden. Aroma: Subtle gooseberry with slight herbal notes. Taste: Crisp and dry with pronounced notes of gooseberry, melon and grapefruit, along with a hint of ginger and honey at the end which warms the palate. Light and fresh, but with a good length. Food Matching: Delicate fish dishes like lemon sole or a light coconut-based fish curry. Score: 18/20

Leanne Brodie, Data Administration Assistant

Loved this wine, very easy to drink and probably one of the nicest white wines I have had for a while. A pale yellow colour with slight hints of green and a very pleasant scent of green apples. I found it very fresh and soft and had lovely flavours of pineapple and mango. Very yummy indeed. Can see this one appearing on my staff orders alot! Score: 18/20

Clive Holroyd, Database Manager

Colour: Pale golden yellow with a hint of green.

Bouquet: Lemon, Fresh Linen & Gooseberries.

Palate: Crisp and Crunchy with Olives, Lemon and gooseberry.

Food Matching: Barbecued Salmon Steaks, Oriental food.

Comments: Many many years ago when Mrs. H and I were newly wed we went to a Chinese restaurant in Glasgow. The waiter recommended a Vinho Verde to go with our food and we were delighted as the lemony acidity worked beautifully with Asian spices. We have searched ever since to find an equal and with this wine we have finally succeeded. Score: 18/20

Tried and Tasted - this week's Staff Recommendations

This week, the Exel Wines team have been tasting:
Bodegas Valsacro Tudejem Spain 2009

Russell Wallace, General Manager

The Escudero family love to do something just that little bit different.  More often than not it means a wine with more flavour and quality than you thought possible, and a lifespan that beggars belief.  In general, Spanish Castilla wines are best known in the UK for being cheap house wine fodder, fear not though as the Tudejem is so far from this stereo type.  A big voluptuous wine, full of dark fruits and an elegant evolving finish that just lasts onto the oaky last notes. Score: 17/20

Ally Moir, Exel Wines Shop

I have to admit to being pleasantly surprised by this one.

My apprehensions were kinda growing as the initial aroma wasn’t shouting come and get me, however once up to room temperature (and yes again using my Vinturi) the is a big mouthful of vanilla and soft tannins to match, this has a nice feel about it having aged well in the bottle.  And hey , what’s this on the finish – it reminds me a little bit of  a very light tawny port, but, no it’s not that, is it a little bit of Pedro Ximenex, no but its very definitely some sultanas, raisins on quite a long finish. Lovely. Score: 14.5/20

Clive Holroyd, Database Manager

Delicious. Bramble and Cherry flavours with moderate tannins and a smoky wood finish makes for an extremely drinkable wine. Would be great with hearty red meat dishes but equally brilliant for drinking on its own. Looking forward to emptying a bottle as the embers of the barbecue die away. Score: 15/20

Susan Ross, Logistics Manager

Powerful, medium weight wine with sweet cherry fruit.  Not for drinking on its own! – more of a food wine.

Still drinking pretty well and I would say it has a while to go yet.  Found it pretty strong – would go well with cheese and rich meats such as Venison.

Leanne Brodie, Data Administration Assistant

Nice smell, but too sweet for my palate though!

Mark Powrie, Orders Team
This has a punch when the bottle is first opened. I got a whiff of ripe red cherries, leading onto softer red fruits. After savouring the smell for a couple of minutes, the first taste was very powerful, hitting the back of my throat. I thought that this was going to be a very dry wine, however, after a couple of sips, the fruits began to work and the flavours of red berries, aniseed and even a little burn flavour came through. 

This was a lovely red wine, I might have lost the edge with drinking it on its own, but it certainly did not disappoint.

Tried and Tasted - this week's Staff Recommendations

Here at Exel Wines we believe it is extremely important for all our staff to have a sound understanding of the wines in our portfolio, not only to become better educated and gain greater knowledge on the different wine styles produced, but also to help us make good recommendations to our customers based on their individual taste preferences. As such, from time-to-time we sample these wines ourselves so that we can provide helpful suggestions to those customers who might appreciate a little guidance.

This week, the Exel Wines team have been tasting:

Domaines Baron De Rothschild Legende Medoc France Bordeaux 2006

Russell Wallace, General Manager

Selected this wine for a staff review as I knew it would be a Marmite sort of wine. The smoky full body will appeal to many but not all. Full and robust on the palate it is the sort of wine you really need to allow a chance to breath in the glass.

Ally Moir, Exel Wines Shop

Very typically Medoc, with that initial dry tannin flavour due to its high proportion of Cab Sauv. However, given a little bit of time to come up to room temperature, and with the aid of my Vinturi [Wine Aerator], I was soon getting the deep blackberry flavours on the palate with a wee hint of liquorice at the end. This is very definitely one for having with food rather than just as a friendly convivial glass of wine with friends (game pie or a lamb casserole). A couple of weeks ago I had the Legende Bordeaux which has a greater proportion of Merlot, and on a purely personal note I preferred the softer overall fruitiness of that. Score: 15/20

Clive Holroyd, Database Manager

Appearance: Deep intensity, garnet-tawny in colour. Nose: Clear and pronounced with initial sherry and acetone softening to vanilla and oak as the wine breathed. Palate: High tannins, medium to full bodied with dried herbs, blackcurrant and hot smoked salmon flavours. Long finish. Conclusions: Very good. Score: 18/20

Susan Ross, Logistics Manager

I’m not a great fan of Bordeaux, although I tried not to let this colour my judgement. 
Colour: Dark rim and pretty dark in colour. Taste: strong smoky taste, bitter cherries, very dry in texture. Food matching: strong cheese.
For my taste, it was too strong and not enough smooth fruit.

Leanne Brodie, Data Administration Assistant

A nice smell, fruity like blackberries I thought, but I found it quite smoky on tasting.

Dianne Barrie, Company Administrator
Appearance: Deep red with a tawny rim. Aroma: At first there are distinct notes of bitter cherries with a hint of beeswax which develop in to stronger aromas of prunes once the wine has been given time to breath. Taste: Strong, very dry and robust earthy flavours of leather/suede, truffle and oak. Waxy in texture. Food matching: Pheasant with truffles or strong chesses with figs. Score: 14/20

Reflections on a days tasting.... Part 1

Tuesday the 4th of March 2014, 3 company tastings, 1 city and just 1 afternoon to complete it! It is always great to get the opportunity to get out and see what is happening at the annual Spring Wine fairs, what is new what is trending and how new vintages are coming along. For a company like Exel Wines it is always a mission to be able to keep on top of some 10,000 wine listings. Then again we can hardly complain about this being one of our biggest challenges now can we!!

Today we will be going back to some old favourites, discovering some wines we sell but have yet truly discovered ourselves and then the most enjoyable task of discovering a, hopefully new supplier with lots of new treats in store for us! All in all over 100 wines tasted in one afternoon, not bad going even for my good self but don’t worry I will keep this to just the highlights of the day! I am going to, having just read this war and peace type essay on wine back, split the events into two if not three chapters, pre and post lunch.

I must confess we got off to a bad start, an unmanned table and an intriguing sounding Brown Brothers Cienna “serve Chilled.” We missed the serving suggestion and with no-one at the table on hand, helped ourselves to the ambient temperature bottle. Cienna is a delicately sparkling red Pinot Noir, tasting along the lines of a quality Sangria. I have to say it is the first time I have found a sparkling red I have actually said yes, yes I actually enjoyed that in it’s own right. Probably it is the light frizzante nature (not full of Champagne style fizz). At just over £40 per 6 this does not break the bank either.

Then there was the Brown Brothers Orange Muscat & Flora, at £9 for a half bottle I just had to try this. I do not partake in dessert wine every day but when I do find the need for it it tends to be on an occasion where I need a different one each night for a week so I do like to have a few options up my sleeve. I loved that this one did not pour out of the bottle and out of the glass like thick treacle. This carried on to the palette that was refreshingly delicate and I would say great with Pastries and lighter fruit based desserts. Cracking Value.

The Finca Las Moras Cabernet-Syrah was one of the newer offerings, not yet online at Exel but coming soon. I loved this blend the Cabernet keeps it dry and evolving with a punch but the Syrah just adds weight, spice and incredible depth. Expect this to be around £11 a bottle when it comes.

Fresita, this is my first huge top tip. Now it is no surprise that every wine tasting is in danger of getting a bit far removed from the reality of the everyday wine drinker. Fresita is one of those wines that gets somewhat mocked amongst the serious connoisseurs. Me, however, I love it! It is a pink sparkler (Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay) with the addition of fresh strawberries, honestly it is genius and I am ashamed not to have thought of it myself! 8% ABV, slightly sweet but really what is one of the most common notes on light reds and rose wines? Strawberries, well this is the real deal. Think picnic, barbeque and a warm(ish) summers day and a wine that does not take itself too seriously. This one will be communing to Exel Wines VERY soon and I urge you to pre-order it!

Need a Pink Champagne but not a fan of the sweeter, fruitier options out there? Well the Champagne Legras & Haas brut Rose is just for you. If you were blind you would never pick it as a rose.

Terre del Barolo, Barolo. I would not say Barolo would be my first choice and I have no idea why as I love the stuff, honestly it is probably my tight fisted value loving nature. When it comes to this kind of wine I honestly think that the difference an extra couple of quid makes is usually hugely worth it. Well I just found an exception! Terre del Barolo has that wonderful light brown hue, not overly complex but delicious and coming in at under £17 per bottle you simple will not find better value for money than this in any Barolo. The flavours are all there and evolve in the palette, yes there are better examples but usually at twice the price (we will be discussing one in the next chapter).

Misha’s Vineyard provided the undisputed highlight of the day in the form (surprising even to me) of a Riesling! Based out of Central Otago this is cold, southern New Zealand and consequently the Riesling does amazingly well. Medium or off dry in style but in reality 28 grams of residual sugar (I layman’s terms…. Lot’s!). Honestly though it tastes about the same sweetness as a rose prosecco. There are hints of butteriness but it is the fruit explosion that caught me off guard, here is how it goes in your mind. Riesling, mmmmm ok let’s try it but I am expecting the usual mustiness. Oh, not much must a little hint but pleasantly so nice and ripe. Boom, wow I have just had a fruit explosion in my mouth. It is that delay of release of flavour that got me and that makes this wine. At 10/11% ABV this is nice and light and at around £20 or so once it goes online it is not in every ones Monday night budget, but this is a special wine. Oh and the High Note Pinot Noir? Rich, full and complex, this is no ordinary New Zealand Pinot.

Pinotage, I used to hate it then I discovered the more expensive “real” Pinotage. It seems that every time I try a Pinotage the person next to me is commenting on how they just dislike anything red from South Africa. I understand the sentiment and I agree there are some truly awful wines especially in the screw top 3 for £10 category, but please if you find yourself in that position stop for a moment and think of the size and the diversity of the country you are writing off! You will also be writing off the Spier Signature Pinotage. Nice and meaty flavour lighter than expected colour (and this is where many fall down) mild tannins so it does not cling to your enamel for the rest of the day. At under £9 a bottle this is one of just a very few Pinotage I would happily recommend.

Vinho Verde, I have never visited Portugal and consequently I have never before tried this flagship of Portugal, and I call myself a Professional! Well today I did in the form of Enoport’s Vinhas Altas and actually wonderful it was too. If I am honest I had preconceptions of all-inclusive hotel, cheap and frankly only nice on the second or third bottle from this wine and mostly based on comments from others. Well this one has a light spritz on the tongue, and a real lively taste with good but not excessive acidity. Under £7.50 a bottle. There was a rose too, now this reminded me of a time as a youngster in the Grand Canaries when as part of lunch on a tour the tour guide was mixing, and encouraging everyone else to do the same, red and white wine left over’s to make a rose. I was well underage at the time so either I snuck a quick try or I have replicated the effect at University, but the taste is ingrained in my subconscious forever, which I have just rediscovered. The taste is actually pleasant, I think, certainly it is not bad but I am sorry that I can find not better descriptive. You will just have to order and try a bottle!