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!

This week I 'ave been mostly drinking...

This week I 'ave been mostly drinking...

Russell Wallace, General Manager

This week I ‘ave been mostly drinking Spanish wines from outside Rioja. When it comes to Spanish wine I am always surprised at the level to which there appears to be a feeling (almost like the 'Anything But Chardonnay' mentality) that if it is not Rioja then it is not Spanish and I will not like it. Well, over the last few years I have fallen deeper and deeper in love with Spanish wines. The negative part of me believes that it is because you can get such a bargain from there these days. Meanwhile, the positive side of me has come to understand the versatility of this country when it comes to making wines in a small scale hand-crafted fashion.

Combine the two, however, and you come up with a rather formidable reason to get to know the wines of España better. For me, outside of Rioja my favourite place is Castilla.  First word of warning is to be careful there are 2 sides of Castilla, the first is mass production free from the constraints and rules of Rioja. Bland, characterless wines that are exploited due to their price alone by the usual suspects. There is, however another side of this wonderful area, one that allows the masters of Rioja to expand their production in a more economical region and experiment with new varietals and blends that the rest of the country would frown upon. In Castilla, for me at least, there is only one name to remember and that is the wines of Eguren Ugarte a serious up and comer in the world of Spanish brand wines, but one that, again for me, has a real right to become a household name. The Ugarte side of this family business refers to the Heredad Ugarte wines of Rioja, top quality Tempranillo heavy wines at a surprisingly affordable price relative their 90+ ratings. The Eguren side of this name though refers to the underdog side of the business the great wines of Castilla from the Mercedes Eguren range (they are currently renaming to Mercedes Egunon).

These wines span a crisp fresh Sauvignon Blanc, a surprise in a Cabernet based Rose that is rich and satisfying, and my personal star of the show, the Blend of Tempranillo and Shiraz. Before this wine I had never heard of the blend of Shiraz and Tempranillo, but it is an inspired choice. The Tempranillo lends a soft but complex flavour, whilst the Shiraz brings up the rear with a good dose of what I believe they call backbone! This is a wine that regularly attains 89-90 points from Wine Spectator which is impressive for a wine under £9.

News from Down at the Shop

Another hectic week in the shop as customers 'shop 'til they drop' in preparation for the BIG DAY! 

Our Malt of the Month, The Dalmore continues to be a big hit, as does the Isle of Jura and Mackinlay's Shackleton range (which has almost sold out completely!).

Wine of the Week 

This week we're featuring two wonderful wines from Bodgeas Escudero, one of our favourite producers from Rioja. 

The Es­cud­ero fam­i­ly owns 150 hectares of vine­yards. Most are lo­cat­ed on the south­ern slope of Mount Yer­ga, at al­ti­tudes between 400 and 800 me­tres above sea lev­el, with poor and peb­bly soils en­sur­ing low pro­duc­tion vol­umes and high qual­i­ty. Vines av­er­age 50 years of age, with some more than a cen­tu­ry old. 

The Becquer Blanco 2012 is a seductive wine with an in­tense fruity pre­dom­i­nance and spicy notes of the bar­rique. On the palate, it is rich in nu­ances with a perfect acid­i­ty and bal­ance.  

The Becquer De Autor is cher­ry red in colour with an in­tense aro­ma of dark fruit and oak well con­joined. This wine has lovely round tannins, a depth of ripe fruit and spiciness with a great struc­ture.

Pop by the shop to pick up some of these superb wines today.

Our craft beer selection is as popular as ever, and right now our Ale of the Fortnight includes Cromarty Brewing Company's Cone Head and Inveralmond Brewery's Santa's Swallie - so don't forget to pick up some in time for Christmas!

We also want to remind you that our tasting with Nick Whyte from Liberty Wines takes place this evening from 6pm (to reserve your place please call 01738 629 979), and on Friday from 12 noon, Ailish Laughlin from Strathearn Distillery will be in-store introducing our customers to the new Strathearn Gin range so be sure to drop in for a taste!

Our opening hours are Monday and Tuesday 11am-6pm, Wednesday-Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 12 noon-4pm. Please note, however, that we will be closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.