Sales of the sweet, slightly fizzy low alcohol wine have exploded in the USA in the last few years, increasing by over 100% in 2011 alone and wine industry sources are predicting a similar boost in the UK. Part of Moscato's current popularity can probably be attributed to it's adoption as the drink of choice for a number of prominent American Rap Artists- it's been named dropped by Kanye West, Lil' Kim and others and it's especially popular among twentysomethings. Another issue is the increasing interest in lower alcohol wines - Moscatos are typically around 5-6% ABV.
Much of the Moscato sold in the United States, and over here, is cheap, mass-produced and to many palates overly sweet and lacking in balance and complexity. But it doesn't have to be that way! Moscato D'Asti is made from the Muscat grape (Moscato is Italian for Muscat) in the Piedmont region in the North West of Italy - the home of Barolo, Barbaresco and Gavi. At it's best it can be a delightfully light wine with aromas of peaches, nectarines and orange blossom and a refreshing spritz. Our Moscato d'Asti is from Gianni Voerzio, one of Piedmont's most respected winemakers and is considered among the best in the world. It's not the cheapest but as an occasional weekend treat it's sure to please.
Of course the quality New World producers haven't been resting on their laurels. From Australia's Murray River region Innocent Bystander Pink Moscato is great fun and really scrummy (there's no other word for it!) Think watermelon, sherbet and rose Turkish Delight. At just 5.5% alcohol it's ideal for afternoon drinking.
We'll be looking to expand our range of Moscato in the coming months so if it sounds like your kind of wine watch this space!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Twelve Wines for Your Valentine
It’s only a few days 'till St.Valentines Day and in order to solve your Valentines Day gift headaches we’ve put together a list of twelve wonderful wines they’re sure to love.
Red Wines
Pasion de Bobal, Bodegas Sierra Norte, Utiel Requena, Spain
£10.75
We had to include this one given it’s very apt name and the fact that the label and capsule are covered in hearts! Fortunately it’s also truly delicious (we wouldn’t stock it otherwise!) Made with organically grown grapes from old, low-yeilding Bobal vines in the cool hills inland from Valencia, Pasion is an impressive, rich spicy wine with lush, ripe fruit and toasty oak balanced by fresh acidity and rounded tannins. Brilliant with full-flavoured beef or lamb dishes, or with hard cheeses and charcuterie.
Chateau de la Riviere, 2005, Fronsac, France
£23.95
One of the few Bordeaux Chateaux which are truly a castle (in this case a fairytale one complete with pointy turrets), Riviere is one of the leading estates in Fronsac, an unfashionable but brilliant district next to Pomerol. Its cellars run for miles and contain an array of vintage wines, including this beauty from the legendary 2005 vintage. A good slug of Cabernet Franc adds freshness and structure to the dominant, plummy Merlot grape in a wine which is now well into a glorious period of drinkability.
Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste, 1998, Paullac, France
£55
If you really want to spoil your other half then this brilliant wine from Pauillac on the left bank of the Gironde would really do the job. A wine for the Bordeaux connoisseur - a classic Pauillac with dense notes of cassis, smoky oak and a lovely weight on the palate. Great balance of acidity, fine tannins and rich full fruit lead to a long spicy finish. Drinking beautifully now but will happily cellar for 8-10 years.
White Wines
Red Wines
Pasion de Bobal, Bodegas Sierra Norte, Utiel Requena, Spain
£10.75
We had to include this one given it’s very apt name and the fact that the label and capsule are covered in hearts! Fortunately it’s also truly delicious (we wouldn’t stock it otherwise!) Made with organically grown grapes from old, low-yeilding Bobal vines in the cool hills inland from Valencia, Pasion is an impressive, rich spicy wine with lush, ripe fruit and toasty oak balanced by fresh acidity and rounded tannins. Brilliant with full-flavoured beef or lamb dishes, or with hard cheeses and charcuterie.
Chateau de la Riviere, 2005, Fronsac, France
£23.95
One of the few Bordeaux Chateaux which are truly a castle (in this case a fairytale one complete with pointy turrets), Riviere is one of the leading estates in Fronsac, an unfashionable but brilliant district next to Pomerol. Its cellars run for miles and contain an array of vintage wines, including this beauty from the legendary 2005 vintage. A good slug of Cabernet Franc adds freshness and structure to the dominant, plummy Merlot grape in a wine which is now well into a glorious period of drinkability.
Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste, 1998, Paullac, France
£55
If you really want to spoil your other half then this brilliant wine from Pauillac on the left bank of the Gironde would really do the job. A wine for the Bordeaux connoisseur - a classic Pauillac with dense notes of cassis, smoky oak and a lovely weight on the palate. Great balance of acidity, fine tannins and rich full fruit lead to a long spicy finish. Drinking beautifully now but will happily cellar for 8-10 years.
White Wines
The Darling, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand
£12.00
Delicious Marlborough Sauvignon with just a hint of passionfruit in behind the green capsicum, tomato leaf and gooseberry flavours.
Chablis 1er Cru 'Vaillons' 2008, Domaine Billaud-Simon. Burgundy, France
£25.50
Purity and elegance are the aim of this family owned domaine, so no oak and temperature controlled fermentation. The style perfectly suits the fantastic 2008 vintage in Chablis where taut minerality is the name of the game. One of our favourites!
Meursault 'Les Charmes', Domaine Yves Boyer Martinot
£41.00
The wine for which winemaker Yves Boyer-Martenot is particularly renowned. Full-bodied and honeyed, it exploits the rich butteriness of the fruit. Floral and almond aromas abound on the nose, balanced out with a crisp acidity. It fills the palate with complex flavours of vanilla, buttered bread and peaches and cream with some vibrant mineral notes coming through.
Rosé Wines
Les Oliviers' Rosé, Domaine de Montmarin
£6.75
A textbook Southern French rose with red cherry fruit and a hint of peppery spice - this style of rose is great with Indian food.
Corbieres Rosé 'Cuvée Prestige', Domaine Ollieux-Romanis
£10.50
This Corbieres rosé is lively, spritzy and fresh with a touch of lychee on the tangy palate. Ollieux Romanis cultivate their vines organically with great care and attention which certainly shows through here.
Sancerre Rose 'Le Grand Fricambault', Domaine Andre Neveu
£16.00
Although Sancerre is best known for its Sauvignon Blancs, some excellent roses are also produced. This wine is very attractive with light & aromatic strawberry flavours & a bone dry finish.
Fizz!
Il Follo 'Cuvee Rosato' Spumante Brut, Valdobbiadene, NV
£10.00
A delicate pink sparkling wine made from the Raboso grape grown in fertile vineyards of northeast Italy in the region of Treviso. It is fragrant with summer fruit aromas, fresh and lively on the palate, dry, crisp and easy to drink.
Champagne Pannier 'Brut Selection', Chateau Thierry, NV
£23
We chose this as our 'house' champagne in a totally blind tasting of a range of wines, which is a real testament to its quality. Extra age gives it a waxy, nutty edge but the deftly handled fruit make this a truly quaffable champagne.
Billecart Salmon 'Brut Rose', Ay
£50.00
Rapidly becoming the benchmark Rose champagne this is delicacy at its best with red fruit and toasted nut overtones. Heavenly. From a recent article in GQ magazine:
"A darling of New York wine lovers. Its special method of creation gives this cuvée a light, elegant flavour, followed by a fresh finish with a taste of raspberry. Can be drunk on its own or with food - it has excellent structure and complexity. Light, sharp and powerful."
£12.00
Delicious Marlborough Sauvignon with just a hint of passionfruit in behind the green capsicum, tomato leaf and gooseberry flavours.
Chablis 1er Cru 'Vaillons' 2008, Domaine Billaud-Simon. Burgundy, France
£25.50
Purity and elegance are the aim of this family owned domaine, so no oak and temperature controlled fermentation. The style perfectly suits the fantastic 2008 vintage in Chablis where taut minerality is the name of the game. One of our favourites!
Meursault 'Les Charmes', Domaine Yves Boyer Martinot
£41.00
The wine for which winemaker Yves Boyer-Martenot is particularly renowned. Full-bodied and honeyed, it exploits the rich butteriness of the fruit. Floral and almond aromas abound on the nose, balanced out with a crisp acidity. It fills the palate with complex flavours of vanilla, buttered bread and peaches and cream with some vibrant mineral notes coming through.
Rosé Wines
Les Oliviers' Rosé, Domaine de Montmarin
£6.75
A textbook Southern French rose with red cherry fruit and a hint of peppery spice - this style of rose is great with Indian food.
Corbieres Rosé 'Cuvée Prestige', Domaine Ollieux-Romanis
£10.50
This Corbieres rosé is lively, spritzy and fresh with a touch of lychee on the tangy palate. Ollieux Romanis cultivate their vines organically with great care and attention which certainly shows through here.
Sancerre Rose 'Le Grand Fricambault', Domaine Andre Neveu
£16.00
Although Sancerre is best known for its Sauvignon Blancs, some excellent roses are also produced. This wine is very attractive with light & aromatic strawberry flavours & a bone dry finish.
Fizz!
Il Follo 'Cuvee Rosato' Spumante Brut, Valdobbiadene, NV
£10.00
A delicate pink sparkling wine made from the Raboso grape grown in fertile vineyards of northeast Italy in the region of Treviso. It is fragrant with summer fruit aromas, fresh and lively on the palate, dry, crisp and easy to drink.
Champagne Pannier 'Brut Selection', Chateau Thierry, NV
£23
We chose this as our 'house' champagne in a totally blind tasting of a range of wines, which is a real testament to its quality. Extra age gives it a waxy, nutty edge but the deftly handled fruit make this a truly quaffable champagne.
Billecart Salmon 'Brut Rose', Ay
£50.00
Rapidly becoming the benchmark Rose champagne this is delicacy at its best with red fruit and toasted nut overtones. Heavenly. From a recent article in GQ magazine:
"A darling of New York wine lovers. Its special method of creation gives this cuvée a light, elegant flavour, followed by a fresh finish with a taste of raspberry. Can be drunk on its own or with food - it has excellent structure and complexity. Light, sharp and powerful."
There are, of course, lots more choices on offer at the WineStore in Kingsbridge and to buy online at www.red-white.co.uk.
We'll even gift wrap your bottle for free if you spend over £10 in store.
We'll even gift wrap your bottle for free if you spend over £10 in store.
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