By Andrew Hooper on 03/07/2014
Recommended in last weekend’s Telegraph were Victoria Moore’s “Best wines on offer this summer” and a fine trio of these came from the shelves of LEA & SANDEMAN.
By Andrew Hooper on 01/07/2014
Just when you may have started to tire of the cut grass, gooseberries, asparagus, sprinkling felines and tropical fruit character of “typical” New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, allow us to tempt you back in to the genre with Nick Mills’ outrageously tasty offering from Central Otago…
By Andrew Hooper on 30/06/2014
Recommended by Hamish Anderson in The Telegraph last week - Dolcetto d'Alba 2012 Serra Cigliuti. "Claudia and Silvia Cigliuti make one of the finest versions of dolcetto. Where others can be aggressively herbaceous, this is a seductive wine. The floral, expressive nose makes you want to dive in for a sip and when you do, damsons and a delicate hit of spice are to the fore.
By Ed H-B on 26/06/2014
It is said that Sir Alex Ferguson, amongst his famously impressively appointed wine collection, retains a soft spot for Ribera del Duero (‘a lovely little Spanish wine-making region’, Daily Mail, February 2009). To the south-west of Rioja, hugging the banks of the Douro River & a few tributaries, lie the vineyards of Ribera del Duero & Bodegas y Viñedos Montecastro
By Andrew Hooper on 24/06/2014
Austrian wines are finally shaking free from the shackles of being assumed to be sweet and German-like, and have for some time been the darling of sommeliers in high-end restaurants. Leading the way is Austria’s own grape variety, Grüner Veltliner.
By David Porter on 23/06/2014
Our Wednesday afternoon a couple of weeks ago was cheered up enormously by a flying visit from Paul Symington. A more charming man it is hard to imagine, but not in a laid back, calm sort of way. ‘Ne Oublie’ – a very rare and very old release of a tawny port from barrels at the family’s Lodge in Porto.
By Charles Lea on 19/06/2014
‘The 2010 vintage in Barolo is shaping up to be a modern-day classic. The cool growing season produced transparent, vibrant Barolos that pulsate with tension, crystalline purity and site-specific nuance.’ (Antonio Galloni, vinousmedia.com)
By Charles Lea on 18/06/2014
“A real find. French winemaker Jean-Marie Royer makes sublime Châteaneuf-du-pape, but this is straight vin de table. Gloriously fresh, it is a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre, with bright red fruits, cracked pepper and a grippy finish.”
By Charles Lea on 17/06/2014
2013 PICPOUL DE PINET - Domaine Reine Juliette 'Regarded as one of the classic matches for shellfish. Lean but not mean, a bright, crystalline mineral white with lovely saline fruit, from the Languedoc Mediterranean coast.' L&S £8.95 per single bottle, £7.
By Andrew Hooper on 16/06/2014
Among David Williams’ 20 Best Summer Wines in The Observer: 2012 PUY-DE-DÔME PINOT NOIR Cave de Verny and 2013 CASA DA SENRA VINHO VERDE LOUREIRO Lima Quinta dos Abrigueiros
By Ed H-B on 12/06/2014
Rarely does a group of established independent London wine merchants come together in such a way and it was heartening to see everyone working together with the organisers, food suppliers and musicians to create a fun and relaxed setting for consumers to sample and buy great wines for under £20.
By Ed H-B on 10/06/2014
This week’s WOTW is one of the classics of the L&S list. This is the flagship wine of the estate, the main production, the most popular, and this is really its time of year too. Perfect precision, delicate aromas, refreshing in the warmth, a gorgeous foil to classic summer cuisine as well as more contemporary dishes with eastern spice.