Fellow Wine Lovers,
If I’m honest it’s been kinda slow on the news front this week, with a keen sense of loss flowing through Park Vintners after what was probably one of the most thrilling Tour de France in years, only gently brightened up by the arrival of game 3 in The Ashes.
Elsewhere we discovered the Labour leadership contest has surprised the Parliamentary party with how left wing their supporters are, regardless of your sympathies it is certainly an entertaining story to follow! We could be watching the redemption of the Lib-Dems!
We also learnt that the European Commission is to recognise Bramley apple pie filling as a delicacy! Yorkshire Puds are still waiting.
Wine Stuff
We often get asked about buying wine for investment purposes, and always suggest that wine is for drinking not investing, and that it is very easy to get sucked in and lose a lot of money in the process.
A prime example would be Chateau Lafite 2010, a great wine for sure, and should anyone wander in with a bottle we’d be happy to have a glass and chat about its merits.
The release price for this wine (at a premium over some of its peers) was £12000 per case, a price that has since fallen to around £5700 a case. This new lower price compares fairly favourably with 2005 and 2009 prices at around £6300 each and now represents a more tempting proposition. Clearly now much better value than it was, and fabulous not only in the glass but also in illustrating our point.
Wine News
We read in one of the daily’s that sparkling red wine is getting a bit of a following. This doesn’t surprise us, it has long been a bit of a lovely surprise for attendees of our Wine School, in fact we sold a few cases as the toast wine for a wedding recently.
We’re not sure it’s quite ready to push the prosecco down the purchase list yet, but if you haven’t had the pleasure, we’d suggest trying it with a barbecue. Pauletts Sparkling Red NV (£14.49). This is made in the traditional method but using a red wine base, it has a lovely richness and also the magic of bubbles!
Wine School
Summers over, the kids are back at school and you’re free on Wednesday nights so why not join us and gain some life skills! Full details attached but suffice to say… 60 wines tasted, wine faults discussed and your Wednesdays may never be the same again. Term starts Wednesday 16th September at 8pm and costs £150 per person. Lots of leaflets going for this now so don’t be shy if you’re wondering about coming along. Wednesdays might never be the same again!
Summer Saturdays – Just for the month of August our opening hours will be 10am-7pm on Saturdays.
Back by popular demand…
Chateau Miravel Côtes de Provence Rose (£19.99) Our first tranche disappeared in a flash. Seemed churlish not to get some more really.
Le Volte dell’Ornellaia 2013 (£19.99) The new vintage is as delicious as any we can remember, real Tuscan class.
Sesti Monteleccio 2013 (£17.99) Giuseppe is still doing his fine work in Montalcino, you’ve all nagged us for running out, we listened.
Domaine Treloar Three Peaks 2011 (£12.99) “50% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre. Rich aniseed and liquorice character on the nose, with a really charming violet scent. Very fine tannins, fresh acid. Chocolate and spice. 17+ Drink 2013-2023” Richard Hemming, Jancis Robinson’s Purple Pages
Tasting this Weekend
Defending the crease in the red end this week is Botham Merrill Willis Shiraz 2011 (£16.99) a beefy glass of shiraz that’ll be tip top with some grilled meat, whilst bowling from the white end will be Barton Vineyards Chenin Blanc 2013 (£9.79) which is less ashes connected but still really rather tasty.
Have a great weekend everyone,
Wayne & Alex