For something a little bit special this Christmas, try our treat selection. This is a collection of my favourite wines from boutique estates; a real treat for Christmas drinking
WHITE
Albarino DO Rias Baixas, Mar de Frades, Spain
Clonale Chardonnay, Kooyong, Australia
RED
Crozes-Hermitage Cuvée Albéric Bouvet, Domaine Gilles Robin, France
Ulterior Mazuelo Parcela No.4 Organic, Bodegas Verum, Spain
Brancaia Tre IGT Rosso di Toscana, Casa Brancaia, Italy
FIZZ
Champagne Brut, Alfred Gratien
Albarino DO Rias Baixas, Mar de Frades, Spain
Mar de Frades is an up-and-coming new winery which is taking the Spanish restaurant scene by storm. They are completely focused on Albarino, which comes from their seaside vineyards in North-East Spain. The wine is crisp, fresh and delicate with pale lemon and peach fruit and a whiff of the sea.
Clonale Chardonnay, Kooyong, Australia
From the cool climate of Mornington Peninsula just outside Melbourne, Kooyong is one of Australia’s top producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir which it makes in a very elegant, Burgundian style. Clonale is 100% Chardonnay, naturally fermented and aged in French oak. It has complex citrus, mineral and stone fruit notes over layers of delicate oak. A fascinating testimony to cooler climate Australian winemaking.
Crozes-Hermitage Cuvée Albéric Bouvet, Domaine Gilles Robin, France
When Gilles Robin took over his family vineyards in 1996 he immediately switched to organic production using traditional natural fertilizers. As a result this Crozes-Hermitage is bright and intense, combining black Syrah fruit with herby “garrigue” notes from the perfumed plants which adorn the area.
Ulterior Mazuelo Parcela No.4 Organic, Bodegas Verum, Spain
The centre of Spain is home to vast fields of industrial vineyards. We are very excited by new producer Bodgeas Verum who scour this central area for interesting old vineyards. The result is some of the best value and most interesting wines I have tasted this year, and the Mazuelo is my favourite of the lot. It has lovely ripe but elegant fruit, incredible complexity and richness, and beautifully balanced oak to bring it all together.
Brancaia Tre IGT Rosso di Toscana, Casa Brancaia, Italy
Super-Tuscan producer Brancaia makes elegant but modern Chianti and Tuscan wines. Tre is a blend of wines from their three main vineyards combining the richness of central Tuscany with the freshness of seaside vineyard Poggio al Sasso. The result is a beautifully elegant wine in the Tuscan style with leather, cherry and blackberry notes
NV Brut Classique, Alfred Gratien
Alfred Gratien is a small grower producing top quality Champagnes in a complex but fresh style. Their Brut Classique is a glorious, biscuity Champagne with citrus, white flowers and fresh butter on the nose and fine minerality balancing the flavours of sweet pastry and orchard fruit.
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