Category — Australia

Another Western Australia specialist, albeit with an idiosyncratic diversion into Irish Whiskey. Based in deepest Dorset they also offer regular tastings -

We hold regular, free, local tastings here at Castle Hill Cottage, Cattistock at which new wines, as well as some on our list, are open for tasting. Our customers have been able to taste many different Western Australian wines in the last year.

The site offers an interesting range of wines including tasting notes, but the background information on the region and winemakers is a bit thin at the moment. That said its the wines that are important and these include, in addition to the tradtional Shiraz, Chardonnays, Merlots and Cabernets, some Pinot Noirs, a Tempranillo a Sangiovese/Cabernet, a Verdelho and a pink Muscat!

Western Australia is quite a diverse wine region made up of numerous distinct wine producing areas. On the continent’s West coast, there is the relatively cool climate of the Margaret River, although it is bascially a continental climate, with high summer daytime temperatures and cold nights.
The Great Southern Region runs along the south coast of Western Australia and includes 5 very different sub regions, whilst Perth Hills is known for hot dry summers and cool, wet winters.
Hence I doubt if there is a Western Australia style, but a wide range of interesting and innovative wines.

John Gerard Wines will be exhibiting at the Real Food Show in London 24-27 April 2008.

John Gerard Wines, Castle Hill Cottage, Cattistock, Dorchester, Dorset DT2 9JH
www.johngerardwines.co.uk/
T:01300 320987

What is it about Henley and Australian wines? After a recent entry about Henley Wines who specialise in Western Australia, we now discover Henley Fine Wines who specialise in the wines of South Australia!

Proprietor Joanne Humphrey lived in South Australia for 6 years and worked with some of the big name producers in the region.
Amongst their current offerings are the Black Duck range from Willunga Creek, the 2005 Black Duck Merlot winning a Gold Medal at the 2007 International Wine Challenge “attractive, spicy, concentrated briary fruit, excellent concentration and balance. Enormous length with a long silky finish. Excellent.”

Henley Fine Wines is firmly committed to introducing an even greater range of South Australian fine wines to the UK market place, with a particular emphasis on boutique wineries often with limited quantities to sell. The company commits a great deal of time to researching the market and keeping up-to-date with new developments and business trends. A founding principle of Henley Fine Wines is that customers, winemakers and other suppliers will all receive pro-active and top quality customer service throughout the business relationship.

Henley Fine Wines

T: 0118 940 5219 E: joanne@henleyfinewines.co.uk

Henley Wines specialise in the wines of Western Australia and despite initial assumptions are not based in Henley-on-Thames, but are named after the proprietor Alan Henley and operate primarily on the internet.

“Henley wines have been in the wine business for many years. We are specialist wine merchants offering quality wines from Western Australia. We can and do provide other wines for our customers but have found that by offering a limited collection of select wines that we would be happy to drink ourselves, we can guarantee quality and satisfaction.Operating from our offices in the South East of England, we also offer wine tasting for that region. This offers an ideal opportunity to invite friends over to sample fine wine with stock available for immediate purchase. If this is of interest please go to our wine tasting section.”

Their wines include producers such as Palandri, Leeuwin Estate, Voyager, Haughton and Madfish and currently feature Madfish’s Unwooded Chardonnay - “In the glass, the wine appears crisp displaying fresh green tinges to the pale straw colour. The nose is typical of cool climate Chardonnay – melons and peach supported by finer grapefruit and mandarin aromas. The array of flavours and the fine structure of the palate are an indication of the quality of the vintage, with the lower alcohol in the wine bringing a delicate softness to the palate.” £53.94 for 6 bottles including VAT.
Henley Wines, Stranvaesia, Kent Avenue, Minster Sheerness, Kent ME12 2DX
T: 01795 872368

A refreshingly different approach is evident as soon as you enter Cadman Fine Wines website. Its crisp design and great graphics tempt you with some good special offers, yet also provides easy navigation of the site to find what you want.

The tagline “Quality is merely a starting point…” is more than merely words - they do seem to have a real commitment to sourcing their wines:-

Cadman Fine Wines stands for quality, exclusivity and selection

We bring you the world’s finest wines from the world’s finest producers: classic labels from famous names and regions that sit at the pinnacle of their craft; rare gems that have never been seen in the UK, plus exciting, cutting-edge wines from newly emerging stars of the fine wine world.

Our wines are intelligently and skillfully sourced by an international team of experts based in Italy, France, Spain and the UK. Through desk research, field trips and tastings, our experts seek and source hand-crafted wines from producers and winemakers who reaclly care about the contents of the bottle. To achieve a Cadman Fine Wines listing, a wine must score at least 88 points on our quality rating system or from the world’s most authoritative wine critics.

The wine list is extensive covering a wide range from New and Old World, some classic fine Bordeaux and Burgundies together with an eclectic mix of lesser-known wines such as Spanish Jumilla DO, French Cour-Cheverny AC and Otago wines from South Island, New Zealand.

Yet for each and every wine there are thoughtful tasting notes and good background information - very impressive. What’s more each delivery comes with “full tasting notes and background information for each wine, including grape varieties, when to drink the wine and reviews from our own experts and the world’s leading critics where applicable. This leaves you free to argue/ discuss the merits of wines with your friends and family. Their inclusion also makes each order an ideal gift.”

Cadman Fine Wines
Freepost NAT21632, Northampton NN3 6BR
Tel: 0845 121 4011
sales@cadmanfinewines.co.uk

Region Wine is a new Chester-based online merchant with a retail shop in the heart of historic Chester. The website is attractive and offers a wide range from around the world, including Greece, Oregon USA and Hungary in addition to the usual New and Old World sources. In addition to offering selections by region, grape variety and price there is also the opportunity to choose from a selection by “experience” - i.e. Aromatic white, exotic white, fruity white, quaffable red, red with herby notes, red with spicy notes, red, big and dark, refreshing rose, refreshing white, smooth red etc

Our company started out as a quality online wine merchant in 2006 by Ian Wildboar, fulfilling a twenty year ambition to turn his love of food and drink into a business. His aim is to help maintain diversity in wine choice throughout the UK at excellent prices and value for money.

Cooden Cellars is an independent wine merchant established by Colin Barnes and Ian Jarman in 1997. In May 2001 we opened our retail shop in the Grand Hotel Buildings, Compton Street, Eastbourne. They were awarded Independent Merchant of the Year 2007 as well as Regional Wine Merchant of the Year in the IWC Awards for the last three years, in 2003 and 2004 as runner-up and in 2005 outright.

For those not lucky enough to live within the bounds of Eastbourne they maintain a very functional and informative website. Registered users can login and leave their own tasting notes. The only thing that is lacking are images of the wine bottles (perhaps they should engage this budding photographer?)

The range is excellent across the board - lots of interesting wines from Argentina and Australia, New Zealand and Portugal are particularly interesting with several wines we are yet to discover. Regular offers, a regularly updated blog section and a decent range of spirits plus a regular payment wine club complete the picture. Perhaps the perfect wine merchant?

Small independent merchant HC Wines will be holding their seasonal tasting on Sat 8 December 2007 at 7.45pm in York. John Hattam and Andy Clarke ’s motto is “Life is too short to drink bad wine”!. Their selection of interesting wines come from France, Spain, Portugal, South Africa, Australia and Italy.

“….an informal evening with eight wines to try, with an opportunity to buy should you wish.
Cost remains at £6 per head including bread and cheese.
A great opportunity to sort out all your Christmas wines and have them delivered free of charge to your door.”

HC Wines

Lovers of wine and all things organic can rejoice at the launch of Organi.co.uk – the new website dedicated solely to first class organic and biodynamic wines that offers a truly exclusive and unique selection of organic and biodynamic wines and champagnes.

The website helps “discerning online shoppers find organic wine for every occasion” Purchases must be in cases of 12, which can be one of several pre-mixed selections or select themselves.

Run by the Jackson family, Peter, Sue and son Chris, Organi.co.uk offers a very specialised and unique collection of organic wines brought together over a period of years. The Jacksons take pride in building personal relationships with only those farmers and vineyards who are passionate about producing wonderful wines in an environmentally and socially responsible way. Many of the vineyards have been visited personally before wines are purchased and the family show a real passion for the way the crops are cultivated and chosen.

With a directory of over 120 exclusive products that includes wines from the likes of Tuscany, Sicily, Bordeaux, Champagne and Mudgee in New South Wales Organi.co.uk lets you choose wines listed by wine type, country, region, grape type and even specific vineyard.

Founder of Organico, Peter Jackson, says:

“At last Organic and biodynamic wine drinking is on the increase and there are so many excellent organic wines and champagnes to choose from – for many years I have heard people talking about and buying organic food but not thinking about organic wine. Why would you cook a delicious organic meal and top it off with a non organic wine which may contain harmful chemical residues.

I think there is the misconception that organic wines are more expensive and not as good and at last that is changing as people realize that excellent organic wines are available and at sensible prices. Other than the pleasure of the taste there are several potential health benefits of drinking organic wines whilst the wildlife across the vineyards works to its natural cycle having not been interrupted by harmful chemicals.”

Organico also boasts the first ever UK shop dedicated to solely organic wine, located in Ambleside in the heart of the Lake District.

Key wines to be found on Organi.co.uk include:

Prosecco del Veneto Empiria 2005 “A great value prosecco from arguably Italy’s best white wine region. A drink much loved by the locals. This prosecco is hugely drinkable with lots of aroma and zing!” Price: £7.50

Colli Della Toscana Centrale Rosso Dominico 2004 “This is the first of Organico’s own ‘branded’ wines. It has a typically rounded and fruity Chianti style withthe subtle addition of 10% Merlot. It is a wine that the Tuscans drink themselves and we consider ourselves fortunate to have managed to persuade them to make a special bottling for our UK clients.” Price: £6.35

Staffa Daunia Rosato Contessa 2006 “This rosato has been created from the Montipulciano grape. A delightful drink on its own or with food it has a lovely pink colour and the wine is reminiscent of wild strawberries and other small red berries. On the palate the wine carries forwardits aromatic character and strikes a perfect balance between velvety soft and crisp.” Price: £6.20

ORGANICO

Fisherbeck Mill, Old Lake Road,
Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0DH

Telephone: +44 (0)15394 31122

Zelas is the on-line arm of North London merchant Wine of Course.

The range is not huge - just one wine form the Languedoc for example, 7 from Australia, 4 from South Africa etc. But the quality is top notch. Prices generally are in the £12+ bracket and include such delights as Sequillo Eben Sadie (South Africa) £17.99, Daniel Schuster Pinot Noir “Twin Vineyards” (New Zealand) £16.99 and Bolgheri Tenuta Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato (Italy) £17.99. Prices for unmixed cases are generally £1 or so cheaper.

The site is nice to use, each wine having a picture and brief tasting notes. You can add your own notes too on the site if you feel inclined; although I didn’t spot any during my forage. Delivery is free for purchases of 6 or more bottles and £8.50 for anything less.

Wine courses are held on the last Thursday of the month. These cost £25/£35 each, cheaper for 2 or more people, and are held in the store. Their Wines for Christmas tasting session is described as

If you have ever wondered which wines to serve with your Christmas meal, consume over your Boxing Day leftovers, or have just wanted to learn more about wine in general, then this is the tasting event for you. We will taste our way through a range of ten fantastic wines, featuring examples both traditional and modern, for pairing with the rich and varied foods of the season. The tasting will include a champagne, a sweet wine, and a port as well as a spread of festive nibbles.

Wine of Course / Zelas
216 Archway Road,
London N6 5AX

Sympathies to the guys at Le Bon Vin; this Sheffield based web and premises wine merchant has suffered badly during the recent floods. The warehouse and shop suffered an estimated £250,000 of damage.

Web-sales though have been unaffected.

We have just launched our all new website with new features and even more wines than before. Please take the time to have a look at www.lebonvin.co.uk We have some excellent prices for branded champagne as always and a massive selection of wines that are top quality. As our main business is to the trade we pass on big saving to retail customers who want to buy the wines without the restaurant mark-up. We specialise in French wines but we also have decent offerings from around the world.

They have created a great little website. Fully search-able they have plenty of special offers, pre-mixed cases and a wine range that encompasses the world. Champagne is a big feature with 40 wines listed but Australia, France, Spain and Italy are all well covered.

There is a reliance on stocking the full range from a single estate (New Zealand for example) and a tendency to the lower end of the price scale but you are sure to find plenty of interest. A few spirits - around 110 different products - pop up in the search results to complete the offering.

Le Bon Vin
340 Brightside Lane
Sheffield
S9 2SB

Operational since 1988 Surf4Wine was one of the pioneers of the internet-based mail order wine merchant scene in the UK.

It’s a dynamic little operation and while they admit that the website has lacked in the update department recently a chat with Andrew Chapman indicates that things are about to improve. Not only is an expansion of the Oxfordshire warehouse and offices about to begin a new ‘backend’ of the website is soon to be launched. Coupled with a new staff and a range of new wines things are going from strength to strength for Surf4Wine.

The wine range is world encompassing with a slight slant of favouritism to the new world. There are many gems on the list ranging from Brokenwood, Bremerton and Qupe through to Kim Crawford and Vergelegen. Plenty of gift packs - such as a seasonal six pack rosé case (£36) and gift packs for Father’s Day, a smattering of spirits and some unusual beers completes the range.

Delivery is £7.50 per order regardless of size (up to a case) which is pretty much standard (and at cost). Personal service is vital to the success of the company shown through Chapman’s professional staff and attention to detail. Buy with confidence.

Surf4Wine/Andrew Chapman Fine Wines
Unit T2-27 & 28,
Milton Park,
Near Abingdon,
Oxfordshire OX14 4TA
United Kingdom

The store just opposite the railway station has a wine bar above. This is Five Reasons Wine, a mighty fine looking shop offering 400 or so wines. All are listed on the website but sadly there is no online ordering.

Owner/manager Irene writes

Our approach is to operate a one in one out policy at our optimum number of 400 wines This means that we aim to ensure that our range is continuously improving over time rather than expanding willy nilly, and our customers aren’t met by a bewildering wall of wine, creating the illusion of choice, but actually risking alienating all except the most dogged wine enthusiasts.

This discipline ensures we can keep in touch with how our wines are tasting, and give knowledgeable advice - following a high quality service rather than largely product-driven/cult-wine-chasing model of an independent wine merchant.

Tastings are at the heart of what we do. We’d like to think we are getting a pretty good local reputation for our fortnightly tasting events.

This rolling wine range has resulted in some choice pickings from New Zealand, Alsace (Zind Humbrecht, Clos Wintzenheim, Gewurztraminer for example), Australia (Coriole Shiraz amongst many choice bottles), the Americas, Spain, Italy and across the regions of France. On the bubbly front the Billecart Salmon and Jacquesson bottles would be my recommendations.

Prices are generally in the £10plus range with many in the super-fine league of £30+ a bottle. Delivery is free locally in Tunbridge Wells while overnight delivery elsewhere in the UK is £10.80.

FIVE REASONS WINE
7 Vale Road
Tunbridge Wells
TN1 1BS

Easy Wine/Wine Of Course probably have the largest range of Bulgarian wine in the UK. A total of 18 different wines at the last count, ranging in price from £4.99 up to one at £14.99!

But there is a lot more available from the company than just Bulgarian wines. The nicely designed website holds vinous treasures from across the globe.

Strengths are in Australia (look out for Vasse Felix, Innocent Bystander and a Sangiovese from Uleybury), California (expensive but Ceago, Hirsch and Shafer are listed), Italy, New Zealand (Dog Point, Akarua and Isobel), The Rhone and Spain. Chile is a little light at just four and there are no listings for Austria or Germany.

We’re an independent wine specialists with shops in leafy north London and beautiful Ongar, Essex. Our goal is to source top quality wines from around the world from producers who are individualistic, small (but perfectly formed), and who represent the best that their respective regions have to offer. We deliver across the mainland UK at no additional delivery charge* and offer monthly wine courses and additional events to suit the casual enthusiast to the hardened connoisseur.

Free delivery across the UK.

Wine of Course (London)
216 Archway Rd
London N6 5AX
T: + 44 (0) 20 8347 9006

Wine of Course (Essex)
135 High Street
Ongar, Essex CM5 9JD
T: + 44 (0) 1277 365116

From their Eastbourne base the Sussex Wine Company are rather active on the tasting/gourmet dinner front. Their calendar brims with delights, that quickly sell out by all accounts.

We’re an Independent Wine Merchant based in Eastbourne supplying quality wines from boutique producers around the world. We have a comprehensive selection of whisky, spirits, Champagne, organic wines, and luxury goods such as caviar, foie gras and handmade East Sussex organic chocolates. We deliver to the UK and now the EU, offer free (UK) delivery over £100 and feature many discounted mixed cases. We also produce a monthly newsletter with further subscriber offers.

The range is strong on France, Italy and Australia. Other areas are a bit light but offer ’selected quality’ - Millton Opu Riesling an organic wine from New Zealand or Quinta da Boavista Espiga Tinto from Portugal for example.

For the gourmet the deli section holds many, mostly French, delicacies plus a wide range of caviar for those with deep pockets. Glasses, gift packs and gift certificates complete a good, broad range. Nothing wrong with the website either - easily navigable, clear and with just the right level of details on the products.

Delivery for orders under £100 is charged at £6.95.

The Sussex Wine Company
47 South Street
Little Chelsea
Eastbourne BN21 4UT
Tel/Fax: 01323 431143

Following our last visit the Vineking website has been given a bit of a spruce up (well done Eric!). We can only conclude that the Vineking is an independent not to ignore.

I have been following the developments of Eric Lann, The Vineking himself, from hesitant start-up through to fully fledged wine shop. The wine list, fully searchable online, has plenty to explore. The list has been updated with those gaps in the range - New Zealand, South Africa and America - now filled. The Australian range and France are well represented with a smattering from across the various regions and, more importantly, interesting producers.

Tasting events are an important way of discovering a merchants range. The Vineking has regular tastings with Vergelegen, the Loire, California and Champagne/Sparkling planned through the Summer. These cost £30 per person and are held in Reigate.

On all orders up to £300 delivery is charged at £10. Orders of £300 or more attract free delivery for UK mainland.

The Vineking
4 West Road
Reigate
Surrey
RH2 7JT

Retail: 01737 248 833
Wholesale: 0870 850 8997