In keeping with ‘Try January’ this week we've got a firm favourite on our shelves, the warming and cosy Rive Barbera, alongside a bit of a hidden gem from Portugal's Dao region, the Maias Branco. These are two wines that really over deliver on quality so don't miss your chance to pick up a couple at this weeks bargain prices!
We want to continue to say thank you for all the support we have been given over the last year the best way we know how...by offering incredible wines at honest prices with some amazing weekly treat wines thrown in! We aren't trying to move stock with these wines, we haven't inflated any prices to give a discount, we genuinely aren't making any money on these wines... hence why we are only letting you take TWO BOTTLES MAXIMUM.
Quinta das Maias Branco
This is a Malvasia dominated dry white from Maias' registered organic, high-altitude estate. Citric, clear and brilliant, there's floral notes intertwined with fresh limes and lemons. On the palate it's fresh, elegant and structured, in the classic style of the Dao white wines.
In the foothills of the Serra de Estrela (Star Mountain), Quinta das Maias was first established in 1893. Newly registered as organic, sustainability is at the core of the estate's ethos, as well as capturing the freshness and focus that their vineyards offer. The name of the estate derives from the Portuguese word for the month of May, which is when the Weaver's Broom plant (also known as Giesta, but here as Maias) flowers, as depicted on their wine labels.
Here the wine is kept as fresh as possible, so soft pressing and cool fermentation is implemented in stainless steel vats to preserve the fine bouquet and aromatic nuances that are so precise in the final wine.
Beautifully fresh, this is a versatile food wine and can take on spice really well. Try with these Thai Style Prawns.
Tenuta Il Cascinone Rive Barbera d'Asti Superiore
This is a deep, garnet hued Barbera with vibrant aromas of black cherries and prunes with chocolate and toasty oak undertones and a touch of mint. The palate follows with an abundance of lively redcurrants, black cherries and a touch of spicy that lingers on the finish. A wonderfully rich wine, there's a voluptuous texture balanced by taught acidity and fine grained tannins.
This exceptional estate in the Monferrato hills was bought by Araldica in 1999. After 15 years of replanting, 60 hectares of the 102 have now been reclaimed and are in full production, with the warmer southwest facing slopes used to grow Barbera. The ‘Il Cascinone’ range is produced with grapes from the oldest vineyards on the estate, always with the aim to make expressive, yet uncomplicated wines from good quality grapes. Their commitment to the little details ensures the production of consistently fantastic wine.
The Barbera fruit here is sourced mainly from the Rive (Piemontese for ‘very steep’) and the Baldizzone vineyards, in the communes of Montabone and Castel Boglione, with low yielding 70 year old vines. After the grapes are hand-picked, fermented and racked, the wine is aged for 18 months in French oak before a further development of 6 months in the bottle before being released.
Perfect in a large glass by a roaring fire. In terms of food matching, It's just at home alongside mature hard cheese, pepperoni pizzas, smoked meats and hearty pasta dishes. Enjoy with this Traditional Beef Ragu.
To order either click through on the bottles, give us a call or come and visit us in the shop.
We hope you enjoy this week's pairings, let us know how you get on and feel free to tag us on social media showcasing your efforts!