Red Wine Stefano Accordini Recioto Della Valpolicella 2019. Serve lightly chilled. The story of the Stefano Accordini estate begins back in the 1900s when Stefano’s father, Gaetano, made wine as a share cropper. In the 1970s share cropping contracts were abolished in Italy and Stefano was able to buy the family’s first vineyard called Il Fornetto in the Negrar Valley. In recent years the estate has been taken over by Stefano’s sons and grandchildren who have expanded into the Valpolicella Classica appellation The estate’s Recioto Della Valpolicella is crafted using time-honoured techniques which transform the ripe Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara grapes into a lusciously sweet dessert wine. The finest grapes are carefully selected and left to dry for a period of 120 days to concentrate the sugar content and flavour compounds. The must then undergoes a fermentation process which is stopped when an acceptable alcohol level has been reached. The result is a richly sweet wine with a generous full body and intense flavours of cherries soaked in brandy, figs, dark chocolate, and molasses. Thanks to the high sugar content, this is an ideal partner for desserts like chocolate fondants, fruit cakes, and sticky toffee pudding. It can also be served on its own slightly chilled as a charming alternative to dessert.
2019
Red Wine Stefano Accordini Recioto Della Valpolicella 2019
Red Wine Clos de la Roilette Fleurie Griffe du Marquis 2019. Clos de la Roilette sits on the edge of the Moulin-à-Vent cru which helps create a bolder style of Fleurie than the more traditional style. The clay soils here are rich in manganese in contrast with the more typical granite soils of Fleurie and are planted with old vines of up to 80 years in age. A portion of these old vines are used to craft the Griffe du Marquis which is the estate’s only barrel-aged Beaujolais. To ensure exceptional quality in the finished wine, the vineyards are carefully farmed manually and the grapes are harvested by hand. In the winery fermentation is carried out using wild yeasts in large open vats. The Griffe du Marquis produced in extremely limited quantities each year and is widely regarded as a benchmark wine for Fleurie and for the wider Beaujolais region. The wine opens with seductive hints of bright red berries and cherries while the first sip reveals a crisp acidity balanced by smooth tannins and hints of dried herbs and licorice. The medium body and well-developed structure make this a great wine to enjoy alongside red meats and charcuterie as well as hard cheeses.
2019
Red Wine Escorihuela Gascon Sangiovese 2019. Founded in 1884 in Mendoza’s Godoy Cruz neighbourhood, Escorihuela Gascon is the oldest winery in Mendoza that is still in operation. As one of the first wineries to start producing 100% Malbec wines in the 1940s, the estate has played a key role in Mendoza’s history and remains one of Argentina’s most popular wineries. Escorihuela Gascon’s vineyards are located in the Agrelo and Altamira sub-regions of Mendoza where the warm summers are moderated by cooling breezes from the nearby Andes Mountains and the high altitude. These unique conditions help ensure the grapes ripen slowly and preserves ample freshness and aromas in the fruit at harvest time. This bottling is crafted from the Italian Sangiovese grape which thrives in these conditions and produces a wine of great elegance and complexity. On the nose there are hints of wild roses, ripe cherries and blackberries while the first sip reveals ample freshness and intense dark fruit flavours. On the palate there is a medium body, smooth tannins and long finish with spicy notes from the 8 months of barrel maturation. An excellent wine to enjoy with tomato-based dishes like fresh pasta with ragu or hunter’s chicken thanks to the vibrant freshness.
2019