More new juice!

Despite my repeated promises to leave the portfolio alone once it had been printed, there’s lots more new wines arriving at the moment! From Spain, we have two new whites which are just superb:

A new pretender to the throne of Spain’s greatest white wine grape in a Godello from Valdeorras – called “Tempestad” – rated 91 from Parker and retailing at €14.99 this is a great one to satisfy the anorak within.

Also, at the risk of going too far, we’ve got our hands on the wine that I consider to be the best white wine in Spain – Moraima Albarino – from Rias Baixas. There’s Albarino, and then there’s Albarino from ungrafted, 100 year old vines. Honestly this is up there as the best unoaked white I have ever had the pleasure of tasting.

From France, our best new friend Christophe Coquard showed us his 2009 Beaujolais Rose at ProWein and we fell in love with it – that will arrive next week along with his much awaited Bourgogne Chardonnay and Bourgogne Pinot Noir. Our old friends at Danielle de l’Ansee also dispatched the 2009 vintage of their deliciously good value Touraine Sauvignon Blanc which is arriving tomorrow. So keep your eyes peeled as we’re adding new wines and new vintages every week!

 

Ramón Bilbao: Winery of the Year 2009, among other things

Bodegas Ramon Bilbao has been awarded the title of “Winery of the Year 2009” by the Grupo Gourmets (Gourmets Club). It is the only prize in the winery category of the Gourmet Awards and the result is made from the votes sent by the readers of the Gourmet Wine Guide.

This prestigious award follows some other recent awards: Mar de Frades, Albarino won the White Wine of the Year award at the 2009 Nariz de Oro awards, and Ramon Bilbao’s own flagship wine, Mirto, won the Spanish Trophy at the 2008 International Wine Challenge.

 

More friends for our Spanish wines

It seems that Tom Doorley is not alone in his appreciation of our Spanish wines as we had a couple of wines reviewed from the Wines From Spain: The Rising Stars 2009 tasting held on September 3rd. Once again it was a great event, this time held in the wonderful Ballroom of the Shelbourne Hotel. Both Martin Moran MW of the Evening Herald and Katherine Donnelly of the Irish Independent were struck by Carchelo and Arrocal respectively:

“My first Jumilla, 20 years ago, came in a Tetra Pak and was cheap and not very cheerful. Boy, how times have changed. This Monastrell/Syrah/Cabernet blend is rich and silky smooth and the price is as sharp as the cool label.”
– Martin Moran MW, HQ Food & Drink, The Evening Herald (17.9.09)

“A blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from Spain’s Ribera del Duero. Layers of ripe, dark fruit, such as plums and blackberries, topped up with plenty of soft spice, wrapped in sleek tannins that will go down well at any table.”
– Katherine Donnelly, Irish Independent Weekend (12.9.09)