Served with crackers and cheeses:
Cornwall 24 months aged vintage Cheddar
Butlers Farmhouse Parlick sheep’s milk cheese
Cricket St Thomas Somerset Camembert
1. Villa Cialdini, Lambrusco Grasparossa 2022
Region: Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Grapes: 100% Lambrusco Grasparossa
ABV: 11%
Villa Cialdini is the main house of the Azienda Agricola Castelvetro, an estate south-east of Modena that has been owned by the Chiarli family since 1860. This Lambrusco, made from the best clone – Lambrusco Grasparossa – is ruby red in colour, with plenty of bright bubbles. On the nose, it has a fresh and very fine fruity scent. On the palate, the wine is delicate, tangy and well-balanced, with pleasant refreshing acidity, frothy floral notes and forest fruits such as redcurrant on the finish. Perfect as an aperitif, or with charcuterie and cheese.
Symposium £16.50
2. Kumeu River Estate Auckland Chardonnay 2023
Region: Auckland, New Zealand
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
ABV: 12.5%
Focused, fine and elegant Chardonnay from arguably the greatest Chardonnay producer in the southern hemisphere. The grapes are hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressed. Barrel fermentation takes place with indigenous yeast. Citrus, flint and savoury oatmeal on the nose, leading to a layered palate with Braeburn apple, cinnamon and stone-fruit notes.
The Wine Society £24.50
3. Encantado Reserva Viognier 2022
Region: Limarí Valley, Chile
Grape: 100% Viognier
ABV: 13.5%
From one of the first wineries to settle in the Limarí Valley, this Viognier presents rich aromas of citrus, orange peel and dried apricot, plus hints of candied fruit. Delivers on the palate as well as the nose, with floral, honeyed and citrus flavours.
Waitrose Cellar £11.50
4. Léon Beyer, Pinot Gris, Alsace 2023
Region: Eguisheim, Alsace, France
Grapes: 100% Pinot Gris
ABV: 13.5%
From one of the great wine estates in Alsace, this Pinot Gris displays lots of red apple, ginger and ripe stone fruits. With its full-bodied and waxy palate this is a food-friendly wine, something for which the Beyers’ wine is particularly known.
The Wine Society £18.50
5. Lemelson, ‘Thea’s Selection’ Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2022
Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
ABV: 13.5%
This elegant and complex Oregon Pinot Noir is Lemelson’s house cuvée, a blend of fruit sourced from all five of their organic estate vineyards. The nose is inviting with bright cherry and raspberry fruit that is nuanced by subtle notes of dried lavender, black liquorice, black tea, cinnamon and graham cracker. The rich, silky tannins give in to a long and robust finish that leaves the taste of black cherries and sweet cocoa powder lingering on the palate.
The Wine Society £27
6. Lanzerac Pionier Pinotage 2021
Region: Stellenbosch, South Africa
Grape: 100% Pinotage
ABV: 14%
Steeped in a history dating back to 1692, the Lanzerac Wine Estate, home to the first bottled Pinotage, is situated at the foot of the majestic Jonkershoek Valley of Stellenbosch. Cellar Master Wynand Lategan has been in charge of making the Lanzerac range of award-winning wines since 2005. Together with his team the range has been honed to maintain the excellent quality that Lanzerac has become known for. The Pionier has an excellent deep colour, with typical varietal aromas like ripe, plummy red fruit on the nose and palate. A big mouthfeel, complex and velvety palate and long and lingering aftertaste rounds off this wine perfectly.
Quaff £34.99
7. Recchia Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2020
Region: Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy
Grapes: Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara
ABV: 16%
For over a hundred years the Recchia family have been master winemakers. For many generations the family has lived in the heart of Valpolicella in the valley of Negrar, and their love for the local terroir and the traditions make their wines special. The grapes are harvested on the highest slopes of the Valpolicella valleys. The grapes are slowly dried, then softly pressed and left on the skins to obtain full colour. The wine is matured in oak barrels and then left to age in the bottle. Deep ruby red in colour with intense flavours of fruit, jam and Mediterranean spices. Fantastic velvety texture and well-rounded full-bodied taste. A perfect balance between acidity and softness. Pairs well with red meats, braised joints, game and hard cheeses.
Quaff £32.99
8. Kopke Colheita Tawny Port 2005
Region: Douro Valley, Portugal
Grapes: Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca
ABV: 20%
The Oldest Port Wine House. A wine of high quality, made from one single harvest. A Colheita wine matures in oak barrels for periods of time that can vary, but never less than 7 years. Intense brown colour with reddish hues. Exuberant nose, with aromas of red fruit intertwined with notes of wood and subtle hints of spice. In the mouth, it is rich and balanced, with round tannins combined with the silkiness of fruit, giving the wine the unique trait of a Kopke Colheita. A long and delicate finish.
Waitrose Cellar £37
The Group’s favourite white was the Pinot Gris and favourite red was the Amarone Valpolicella – all agreed the Aged Port was also excellent.