Twelve First Birthday Shop Favourites

1753 Rose, Chateau de Campuget, Nimes, France

This Provence-esque pink always had to be on the list. It’s been our most-opened, best-selling wine of the year and will always be associated with the “Summer of ‘18” for me. Still gaining followers, this will continue to be poured well into the winter.

Litoral Sauvignon Blanc, Leyda Valley, Chile

So many Sauvignons to choose from, we even had a whole evening dedicated to the grape in June. The Quincy – our Loire Valley contender - has gained quite a following in Highams Park, but it’s the Litoral’s razor sharp style, akin to a “salty splash of sea water in the face” (Kate’s words) that have set it apart. Cool-climate-coastal Chilean Sauvignon at its best.

Vigneau Chevreau Vouvray Sec “Silex”, Loire, France

This is my “any occasion” wine, often opened in the shop when you need a wine that will just set the taste-buds off and please just about everyone on a Friday evening. Not too dry, not too sweet, one of only two Biodynamic producers in the region, this is a true expression of mineral and mouth-watering Chenin Blanc. It was very (very) difficult to pick just one wine from the Loire. Sorry Saumur.

Gerovassilliou Malagousia, Epanomi, Greece

The word Malagousia, the Greek grape that Gerovassilliou resurrected in the 1970’s, has become synonymous with smiling faces in the shop. When we opened this for the public before the shop was even open (October 2017, anyone remember it?) it was the top-rated white of the night and continues to bring delighted faces to HP. Any doubts, just ask Big Dave for his opinion.

Scheurebe Weingut Weegmuller, Pfalz, Germany

With so many Rieslings to choose from… we just had to pick the Scheurebe (pronounced Shoy-ray-bur). Technically not a Riesling, it’s a Riesling that was crossed with *unknown grape variety* by Dr Georg Scheu in the olden days. Thank you Georg, we think this grape can be even better than Riesling in some cases, particularly in the Pfalz, with its riper, tropical, grapefruity zing.

Domaine des Carabiniers, Cotes du Rhone, France

So many French favourites (Mercurey, Chinon, Burle Est-Ce Que, Madiran, Minervois…) but in the end I keep coming back to the Carabiniers. One of my most recommended wines, for that person that doesn’t necessarily have a particular food or occasion in mind, but just wants something perfumed, delicate and delicious for the evening. An unoaked, biodynamic Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault blend.

Massaya Le Colombier, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon

We always love to do an “xyz-off” in the shop, so we move from one Rhone blend to another, this time from Lebanon. Thanks to lots of sunshine and a cooling balance from Bekaa’s altitude, this is one of the juiciest, fruitiest, softest wines in the shop. This is a wine that has a habit of disappearing very quickly and was actually voted the top wine for our 60 bottle tasting before the shop opened. May the “Grenache-off” commence!

Altolandon Mil Historias Bobal, Manchuela, Spain

I first tasted this in January and it instantly ticked all of the boxes for the shop so we got it on the shelves as quickly as we could. A standard Sunday afternoon now usually involves someone rushing into the shop for a couple of bottles of Bobal for the barbecue, steak, cheese, curry, bath, or bed-time. A soft, juicy, sweet-spiced Rioja alternative from the South of Spain.

Perez Cruz Limited Release Carmenere, Maipo Andes, Chile

Based on gravelly soils in the foothills of the Andes, Perez Cruz specialise in classic Southern French red grapes, Carmenere being the lesser-seen Bordeaux variety that was known as late-ripening merlot in Chile for many years. What always get me about these wines (we also stock their Cot aka Malbec) are there intense aromatics and smooth, balanced texture. Saturday night in the shop is “recommend a wine to match curry” night, and we think this is one of the contenders for best match.

San Marzano Anniversario Primitivo, Puglia, Italy

This is a bit of a “break in case of emergency” type of wine in the shop, but in a slightly different way to the Malagousia. Another on of those wines that always gets people smiling, whether they can drink a whole glass or not. Ancient vine Primitivo with plenty of new oak ageing, this is full-bodied, almost port-ish, yet so very smooth. Certain customers still go a little teary-eyed when this wine is mentioned. Saved for special occasions, always leaves a lasting impression and a heavy bag of recycling the next day.

Marc Hebrart Brut Rose 1er, Champagne, France

Of all of the Champagnes to choose from, in the end it always comes back to Marc Herbrart, at least for celebrations in the Vinoramica household. You won’t find a glitzy website (or any website for that matter) from Marc Hebart, just immaculately made wines from their own Premier and Grand Cru vineyards. We also have a very special new wine coming in from them this week.

And finally…

…for number 12 their were so many options, but the wine that has probably started off the most evenings in Highams Park, right from the day we opened, has to be Pignoletto. From Emilia Romagna, a little further south than Prosecco-land, this frizzante is just a little lighter and drier than the other sparkling wine from Italy.

And don’t worry, its spot on the top-left of the fridge is safe!

Matt

(anyone remember this opening selection of wines?)