Hopefully some good stuff
Probably worth mentioning that we’ve got a bunch of new rosé in for you right?
Am I going to recommend any of it in this particular newsletter? Hell no. Instead, I’ve got a bunch of other stuff for you from all over the place, some of it seasonally appropriate, some of it just because.
Muses Estate Mouhtaro
As a certified wine nerd nothing gets my blood pumping like near extinct varietals rescued from oenological oblivion. Mouhtaro is an incredibly rare varietal that was nearly wiped out in the 1970s but for the efforts of Athanasios Zaharias of Muses Estate. Grown in the area of Askri at the foot of Mt. Helikon in Thiva, this is an intense red with ripe red fruit, a touch of sour cherry and a delicate dusting of spice. Magnificent stuff, just try it.
Single bottle £31.99
6 bottle mix £27.99
Rouge Clair by Michel Chapoutier
You know what’s proving to be a winner this Summer? Chilled red wine. Light little guys that you can stick in the fridge for a bit and don’t need to be spooned out of the bottle. After years of people demanding only the palest rosés imaginable, certain enterprising wine producers seem to have brought back the dark rosé by stealth.
Rouge Clair is the mighty Michel Chapoutier’s entrance into the arena, a Grenache, Syrah blend packed with juicy red fruit and lovely fresh acidity. Perfect on an overcast Summer’s day, chilled, but not too cold.
Single bottle £16.49
6 bottle mix £14.49
Ippolito Calabrise
Joining the Ippolito Pecorello we now have the Ippolito Calabrese, another indigenous varietal I’d never heard of from Calabria. Or so I thought… Calabrese is the Calabrian name for Nero D’Avola, our old Sicilian fave. The trouble with Italy is there are more than 350 different varietals authorised for wine production, meaning even with 20 years in the game I’m still coming across new grapes. Or, as in this case, new regional names for varieties I know well.
Regardless, it’s great, big black fruit, a whack of spice, juicy, crunchy stuff.
Single bottle £22.49
6 bottle mix £19.99
Jim Barry Watervale Riesling
Celebrating their 50th Anniversary with a sick new label, what about some iconic Clare Valley Riesling? At the shop we’ve got a somewhat strained relationship with Australian Riesling, never the fastest seller and often austere, it can be a struggle. Which is what makes the appearance of this little number on our shelves so remarkable. When the juice is this good you’ve just gotta roll with it. I had it with super spicy sweet and sour tofu, brilliant.
Single bottle £29.99
6 bottle mix £26.49
What about…
Doghouse - Doppelganger Aperitivo
Doghouse are a distillery in Battersea, working from grain to glass. Doppelganger is their take on an Italian Aperitivo, made with 19 botanicals with a big hit of the flavour coming from citrus and hibiscus.
With a bit more oomph than Aperol it makes an amazing spritz, just add a splash or two of prosecco, top up with soda and ice and you’re away.
Now Playing…
Wormot - Hiss
The fourth album from the Singaporean grindcore gods somehow manages to do more in its brief 33 minute run time than some bands manage in a career. Epic - Matt
That’s all for now, see you next time.
All the best,
Matt