June Newsletter

Gold Medal Winners at the Sommelier Wine Awards
The Sommelier Wine Awards are close to our heart because they are a real Independent Wine merchants Wine award, it is a competition with a difference since wines designed exclusively for the supermarkets are not permitted to enter. The tasters are sommeliers themselves and during judging they are looking for wines with balance, personality, versatility, food-friendliness and value for money.

WHITES
2008 Riesling Vieilles Vignes Turckheim - France  £8.69
From over 30 year old vines, rich and concentrated whilst remaining dry and racy.

2011 Tabali Reserva Viognier (Organic) - Chile £6.99
Rich aromas of citrus and apricots combine to make a wine of great purity.

2011 Gavi La Battistina - Italy £7.39
High quality, single estate Gavi - fresh yet weighty and complex. Excellent value.

2011 Adobe Sauvignon Blanc (Organic) - Chile £6.69
A dazzling Sauvignon Blanc made from organically grown grapes, with hints of peaches and lime and a full, rich palate.

2010 Pazo De Monterrey - Spain £8.9
An aromatic and sophisticated Godello from the intriguing Monterrei region.

2010 The Rude Mechanicals Ephemera - Australia £8.99
Pinot Gris and Viognier - the palate is voluptuous with tropical fruit flavours.

REDS
2010 Pedrera Monastrell - Spain £5.89
Medium-bodied, fresh, ripe, juicy and very easy to drink.

2008 Domaine Bresquieres, Ventoux - France £6.09
Rich and fine, subtle and enticing, juicy Grenache.

2010 58 Guineas Claret - France £6.69
A delightful and excellent expression of true claret.

2010 Adobe Carmenere (Organic) - Chile £6.69
Ripe fruit balanced by rich toasted notes. A long lingering palate with great persistence.

2009 Les Coteaux Cotes du Rhone Villages - France £6.99
A classic Rhone red - intense yet elegant and delectable - D. Byrne & Co. STAR BUY.

2009 Chianti Classico San Felice - Italy £9.89
Very attractive cedar and spice on the nose, with lifted perfume notes.

2007 Taberner, Huerta de Albala - Spain £16.99
The rave reviews and awards should leave you in no doubt - a stunning wine that will not leave you disappointed.

Everyday Case

WHITE
2010/11  Floria Pays des Cotes de Gascogne - France
Pale lime in colour, very zingy, fresh and citrusy. A fresh, just off-dry, ultra fruity white Gascogne, beautifully balanced, with hints of lemons. A perfect drink on a warm day!

2011  GPG Garganega Pinot Grigio - Italy
Lightly aromatic with ripe citrus and baked apple characters, light, crisp and easy to drink.

2011  El Tesoro Verdejo - Spain
Aromas of stone fruit, lightly honeyed. The palate has texture with tropical fruit characters, a stunning value white.

2011  Cape Heights Sauvignon Blanc - Chile
The sun ripened grapes of this Sauvignon Colombard from the Western cape displays fresh ripe tropical fruit flavours with a twist of citrus. Zippy, racy and quaffable.

2010/11  Emiliana Chardonnay - Chile
On the nose there are aromas that recall tropical fruits such as pineapple and peaches, pure and vibrant, a real crowd pleaser.

ROSE
2011  Ca di Ponti Rosato - Italy
A very approachable rosé with an attractive dark berry and blackcurrant fruit characters. A touch of spice balanced by fresh acidity and clean juicy fruit.

RED
2010  Ancora Montepulciano d'Abruzzo - Italy
A medium-bodied, warm and spicy red with aromas of damson and dried fruits. The palate displays light redcurrant flavours, lightly smokey notes and red cherry fruit on the finish.

2011  Andes Peak Merlot - Chile
Vibrant crimson in colour, this wine is packed with blackberry and plummy fruit flavours. The nose has the peppery, herbal edge so typical of Chilean Merlot.

2011  Paarl Heights Shiraz - South Africa
A ripe and juicy Shiraz, packed with dark fruit flavours and black pepper notes on the palate, very easy to drink.

2011 Ca di Ponti Nero d'Avola - Italy
A deeply coloured, medium-bodied, spicy red with aromas of ripe plum and black cherry, an easy drinker with real personality.

2010 Chat-en-Oeuf Pays d'Oc - France
After you have had a giggle at the label and play on words, this wine has a nose of fresh mouth-watering red berries which leads to a truly mouth-filling wine packed with ripe juicy fruit flavours. There are cherries and strawberries and finishes with a subtle hint of spice.

2011  Vin de Pays Bouquet de Nos Vignes - France
This is a delicious uncomplicated, medium-bodied, soft, fruity and very drinkable red.

£58.99 if collected from the shop
Free delivery within a 30 mile radius
£67.00 delivered anywhere in mainland UK

Barbecue Case

WHITE
2010  Domaine des Cretes Marsanne Roussanne, Pays d'Oc - France
Fresh aromas, subtly cultured but quiet. The palate is contrastingly lush from the start, rich and smooth, building in power and mouth-feel to a big everlasting finish.

2011  Cher et Tendre Vouvray Sec - France
A treasure chest of flavours and aromas, Vouvray sec is an unusual and precious, off-dry style of wine, smooth with rich ripe fruit balanced by good acidity.

2011  Gavi Conchetta La Battistina - Italy
Classic and elegant. A gently aromatic dry white with green apple, lime and herbaceous characters. Lightly herbal and savoury notes combine with the fruit for a great finish.

2011  Adobe Gewurztraminer - Chile
A beautifully floral award-winning Gewurztraminer. The nose shows high jasmine tea notes and white roses with a touch of lychee and has a lingering spicy and exotic finish.

2009  Vetiver Rioja Blanco Ontanon - Spain
Stylish with subtle floral hints, followed by a voluptuous mouth-feel of tropical fruit, ripe peppers and balanced by great natural acidity.

ROSE
2011  Percheron Grenache Rosé - South Africa
Packed with bright, juicy wild strawberry fruit and full of poise. this is a delightfully refreshing rosé with depth and complexity.

RED
2011  Domaine Mas Bahourat Cabernet Sauvignon, Pays du Gard - France
Its heady scents and rich smooth flavours hit the spot. Typical characteristics of freshly cut green peppers and blackcurrant fruit on the nose are backed up on the palate with rich, soft bramble fruit flavours.

2009  1489 Chianti Riserva Baroncini - Italy
Deep ruby in colour with aromas of violets, wild cherries and subtle spice notes, a hint of vanilla and cinnamon, coupled with a long lingering finish.

2009 Zarabanda Rioja - Spain
A delicious modern Rioja with a deep colour and ripe plum and cherry fruit aromas. Richly flavoured and substantial with a dominant smoky, spicy finish - a real crowd pleaser!

2010  Alabastro Alentejo Quinta da Terrugem - Portugal
A warm, ripe, generously flavoured wine packed with fruity aromas reminiscent of ripe plums and blueberries. The palate is rich and spicy with plenty of black fruit.

2011  False Bay Pinotage - South Africa
Perfect Pinotage - bright, vibrant and juicy and deep garnet in colour. On the nose there are hints of dark fruits, chocolate and eucalyptus leads to a heady mix of fruit, rich chocolate and plums supported by soft tannins.

2010  Montevista Merlot - Chile
Soft and juicy with plum, cherry and bramble fruit aromas. The ripe fruit palate has excellent balance, weight and a delicate dusting of spice.

£71.95 if collected from the shop
Free delivery within a 30 mile radius
£80.00 delivered anywhere in mainland UK


A selection of wine perfect for summer drinking

The pretty village of Turckheim is situated just slightly north west of Colmar in the Alsace region of France. Cave Turckheim is firmly established as one of the best co-operatives in the world, always paying the utmost respect for the wine, combining rigour, know-how and patience to produce exceptional wine at great prices.

Cave Turckheim

2010 Cave Tradition Pinot Blanc £6.99
Fantastic quality Pinot Blanc, dry yet fleshy, rounded and full of body.

2010 Cave Tradition Pinot Gris £7.99
Lovely, ripe and aromatic, quite full and rich, with a smooth dryish finish.

2010 Cave Tradition Gewurztraminer £8.99
Fragrant rose petal and grapefruit aromas with a hint of sweet spice.

2010 Pinot Blanc Reserve £7.39
Pale golden in colour with perfumed aromatics of peaches and citrus and a touch of spice.

2009 Riesling Reserve £8.59
An elegant wine with a crisp finish and good length - Riesling at its best!

2010 Pinot Gris Reserve £8.59
Aromatic but beautifully restrained - the perfect all rounder.

2010 Gewurztraminer Reserve £9.59
Full and perfumed, spicy and rich, a fantastic wine with great complexity.

2008 Sables et Galets Pinot Gris, Terroirs d'Alsace  £9.99
Instantly tasty, the palate opens up dramatically with big, rich, round, honeyed fruit.

2009 Sables et Galets Gewurztraminer, Terroirs d'Alsace £10.59
Just a perfect expression of Alsace Gewurztraminer - clean and perfectly poised.

2008 Grand Cru Brand Pinot Gris £14.99
A richly concentrated elegant wine oozing quality and style.

2007 Grand Cru Brand Riesling £14.99
Classy and typical of a fine Riesling - the flavours broaden and get richer in the mouth.

2010 Grand Cru Brand Gewurztraminer £15.59
Deliciously exotic, lychee and apricot aromas with a hint of sweet spice.

2007 Vendage Tardive Gewurztraminer 50cl £16.39
Packed full of juicy fruit flavours that go on and on, this leads to an intense sweet honeyed finish.

Sparkling
N.V. Mayerling Brut Cremant d'Alsace £10.69
Winning Gold at the Sommelier Wine Awards - this superbly crafted wine will satisfy time and time again.

N.V. Mayerling Brut Rosé d'Alsace £11.19
Pale salmon in colour, it's a lovely light and persistent bubbly with a fine mousse.


Beaujolais and Cru Beaujolais
not too heavy, perfect for a warm summers night

2011 Les Pivoines, Beaujolais Villages £6.99
Exuberant fruity red wine with juicy crushed strawberries and cherry characters.

2010 Morgon Cotes de Py, Le Cru aux Roches Pourries £6.99
Fruit and spice, with intense flavours make it a stunning beauty.

2010 Domaine Champs du Chene, Julienas £7.99
This wine oozes with full, juicy fruit flavours that linger on the palate.

2010 Domaine les Roches Bleues, les Cru de Volcan, Brouilly £8.69
Bursting with flavours to tantalize the taste buds, an explosion of sweet brambly raspberry fruit.

2010 Domaine Les Riches Bleues, Cotes de Brouilly, Reserve de Vieilles Vignes £8.99
Gold medal winner in the 2012 Sommelier Wine Awards, intense and pure, with great complexity.

2010 Fleurie, La Madone, La Reine de L'Arenite £8.69
Floral, elegant and aromatic. Red berry fruit flavours are typically vivacious and are backed by a touch of spice.

2010 Domaine de la Porte du Paradis, St. Amour, Les Cru des Amoureux £8.99
Ripe fruit gives way to hidden depths of character, smooth rich and satisfying. A polished gem!

no better time than to enjoy a great glass of rosé......

2010/11 Les Cerisiers, Cotes du Rhone Rosé £6.99
A strawberries and cream rosé that works perfectly as an easy drinking aperitif.

2010/11 Domaine de la Vieille Tour Rosé, Cotes de Provence £7.99
Clean, well balanced with some depth, really lovely and proves why Provence rosé is just so drinkable.

2011 Chateau La Moutete Grande Reserve Rosé, Cotes de Provence £9.39
Impeccably true to style, superior Provence rosé. the finish is superb, a deft touch with considerable depth.

2010/11 Rimauresq cru Classe Rosé, Provence £10.39
Ultra pale in colour, clean and fresh on the nose and the palate. this is pure finesse!

To order any of the wines or cases above please phone us on 01200 423152
Please do not email us with orders or you may not receive an immediate reply
Please note that there is one set charge of £8 per delivery over 30 miles

Easter Newsletter 2012

As I'm typing this the sunshine is streaming in through the window and though Spring doesn't technically begin until 20th March, it is very difficult to ignore that feeling of warmth and vigour it generates. At this time of year the number of wine tasting opportunities for our staff increases and newly discovered wines start to fly into the shop, most of the team will shortly be off to various wine growing regions of the world, so watch this space for the ideas they will be bringing back with them. And yes, before you say anything, we know it's a tough job, but someone has to do it!
A British Spring might bring snow one day and sun the next, so our wine rack needs to be able to accommodate our fickle tastes. With this in mind we have put together two beautiful cases of wine which should have everything you might need; firstly the Easter case and a brand new Everyday Drinking Case which constitutes great value for money.
We are also offering En Primeur wines from the brilliant Rhone 2010 vintage. If this is of interest to you please reply to this email with the word 'Rhone' in the subject line and a list will be sent out to you shortly.

In this blog:
Five Star wines from Decanter Magazine
Brilliant new wines selected by Philip & Judith at a recent tasting
Offer of French country wines recently tasted by Andrew whilst in France
A case of wines specially selected for drinking over the Easter period
Our new outstanding value for money 'Everyday case'

To order any of the wines or cases mentioned in the blog please phone us on 01200 423152 or 01200 422281. Please do not email us with orders or you amy not receive an immediate reply.
For any order over 12 bottles within a 30 mile radius there will be no delivery charge. Any wines ordered together with one of our seasonal cases to be delivered over a 30 mile radius will not receive an extra delivery charge. If you are simply ordering wines from the non case selection, there will be just one charge of £8 per delivery.

Five star Decanter Magazine wines

Bodegas Darien Reserva Rioja 2007 19/20 points 12.99
This was the top wine in the tasting of 177 Rioja wines ranging in price from £8.00 to £70
"High toned baked fruit, spice, raisin, mint and vanilla on the nose. Super wine which is sweet, upfront and approachable, typically supple and juicy, balanced by crisp acidity and chalky tannins. Elegant". (Decanter Magazine)

Vega del Rayo Reserva Rioja Alta 8.39 (four stars Decanter Magazine)
"Smoke, oak, baked fruit, cinnamon, damson, pepper, spice and herbaceous aromas. Tight crisp palate with baked fruit and supple juiciness. Delicate use of spicy oak and tannins on the almost glorious finish". (Decanter Magazine)

All the following wines were selected for a Decanter tasting of South African wines at over £10 per bottle, it is interesting to note our prices for them!

Rustenberg John X Merriman - South Africa 9.95 (Decanter price £12-£14)
"This wine punches well above its weight, making it one of the most consistently reliable and best value wines on the market. The classic Bordeaux blend of grapes - ripe but with poise" (Decanter Magazine)

Spice Route Chakalaka - South Africa 8.69 (Decanter price £10-£11)
"A Rhone blend boasting attractive dark berries and cherries on the nose followed by ripe and forward fruit on the palate. The alcohol is tempered by lively acidity and refined tannins. Stylish va-va-voom." (Decanter Magazine)

Paul Cluver Chardonnay - South Africa 11.79 (Decanter price £14-£15)
"Extremely toasty, oaky nose but then a lovely complexity of flavours: apple, toasted almond and hazelnut, plus excellent fruit-acid balance and dynamic minerality. Vigorous, with great charisma." (Decanter Magazine)

Some brilliant new Chilean wines
selected by Philip & Judith at a recent tasting
All the wines in this section below are organic.
2011 Novas Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 8.19
2011 Novas Gran Reserva Chardonnay 8.19
2010/11 Novas Gran Reserva Viognier 8.19
2010 Novas Chardonnay/Marsanne/Viognier/Roussanne 10.59
2008 Novas Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 8.19
2009/10 Novas Gran Reserva Carmenere/Cabernet Sauvignon 8.19
2008/9 Emiliana Coyam (a cult wine) 15.39

Three more exceptional Chilean wines which are stunning value for the quality:
2007 Tabali 'Payen' 28.99
2007 Sideral Altair 13.99
2005/6 Altair 33.69

A selection of other superb wines we tasted:

2009 Piere Fine Grenat Grenache Noir Vieilles Vignes - France 8.19
Not a fashionable grape, but a brilliant wine. The quality at this price completely over-delivers.
2010 Chateau Fleurus St. Emilion - France 10.39
Soft gentle tannins and bags of fruit. Great with the Sunday roast. A very good St. Emilion

2006 Vallet Freres Santenay Premier Cru - France 21.89
Nice mature Burgundy made in the old fashioned style, sweet beguiling fruit and complex flavours.

2008 Turckheim Sables et Galet Pinot Gris - France 9.89
Rich and beautifully balanced with great concentration of ripe tropical fruit, exceptional

2006 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes Domaine Chante Cigal - France 28.39
Nice and savoury, with soft tannins and spice laden rich fruit. This wine really put a smile on my face, decant, put your feet up and relax!

2011 Catalan Eagle White Garnacha Blanca/Viognier - Spain 7.99
Fresh vibrant fruit with lovely crisp acidity and bags of flavour, superb value.

2010 Catalan Eagle Red Garnacha/Cairinena/Syrah - Spain 7.99
Packed full of juicy black fruit, nice and soft with great complexity. Another brilliant wine.

2009 Byron Santa Barbara Chardonnay - USA 12.89
This stunning Chardonnay is packed with stone fruit, fig, honey, spice and red apple characters, wrapped up with crisp, concentrated minerality on the finish.

2006 Dominio de Atauta Ribera del Duero - Spain 20.69
Fantastic wine  from Ribera produced from very old vines. Rich concentrated fruit flavours combine with a darker more brooding character which opens up in the glass to give an elegant sophisticated drink.

2009 Clio Bodegas El Nido Jumilla - Spain 28.99
Tried this against its big brother El Nido that sells for 85.00 and thought it superb at the price. Dark cherry red with an intense nose of ripe cassis fruit, toasted coffee and liquorice and all the power and finesse you come to expect from a wine of this quality.

Andrew's choice of French Country Wines
"The things we do for our customers! I have just returned from a week in the south of France being wined and dined in some very fine places. I was there to taste some more recent vintages, starting in Montpellier and finishing in the Provence. The overall impression of the wines I tasted was very encouraging, the quality everywhere was high and nearly all represented excellent value for money. The growers, in this part of France in particular, maintain a very high standard of viticultural practice and I think this is amply reflected in the wines. One of the great privileges of being in the wine trade is being given the opportunity to taste old vintages, one such wine was the 1959 Domaine de Montcalmes, tasted with proprietor Frederic Pourtalier, a great treat. The quality and breed of the wine was amazing and could easily pass for a top Chateauneuf-du-Pape or Cru Classe Bordeaux. For shear value for money I was most impressed by the wines of Vigneros de la Vicomte, a large co-operative in the Languedoc from where we are shipping at the moment. The Vin de Pays red, white and rose are all delicious and a bargain at £4.99 a bottle.
Also tasted a selection of single varietals at £5.39 per bottle listed below:
Sauvignon Blanc - Lovely gooseberry nose, nettley fresh, crisp and clean.
Chardonnay - Fine nose, richly fruited, round and creamy, no oak used.
Cinsault Rose - Nice crisp fruit (raspberries), with a good refreshing crisp acidity. Roll on summer!
Merlot - Red berry nose and a soft rounded palate, light tannins, fruity finish.
Cabernet Sauvignon - Rich cassis nose which follows on to the palate, rich and rounded, delicious!
I have a buying trip organised to Spain fairly soon and will let you know what I find."
Andrew Byrne









Whites
Cape Heights Chenin Blanc - South Africa
Lovely Guava aromas on the nose leading to a full and ripe citrusy white wine. A long and lingering finish with gentle acidity make this wine perfect to match with food.
Sierra Grande Chardonnay - Chile
Tropical island fruit, lemon, peach and passion fruit, easy to drink with a variety of fruits emerging on the long clean finish.
Sanvigilio Pinot Grigio - Italy
A crisp and lively dry white, lightly aromatic with characters of peach and baked apple, medium-bodied with a fresh citrus finish.
Borsao Macabeo - Spain
Fresh light savoury nose of fennel, lemon and cashew nut characters on the palate are backed by a broad textural palate and a nice clean finish.
Les Oliviers Sauvignon/Colombard - France
Smooth supple and fresh with a lasting finish. Lovely crisp citrus flavours lead to a very satisfying finish, very easy drinking.
Reds
Montevista Carmenere - Chile
Delicious bramble fruit aromas complement the rich fruit flavours which are backed up with a hint of cloves and cinnamon. Luscious, full, rich and easy to drink as the tannins are smooth and supple.
Cape Heights Shiraz - South Africa
On the nose fresh and forward, lively red fruit backed by real depth, perfectly balanced with a delightful spicy finish.
Castanzu Cannonau di Sardegna - Sardinia
Fresh and medium-bodied with aromas of raspberry, black cherry and a hint of eucalyptus - attractive and forward, a good every day food wine with some substance.
Champs du Moulin Grenache - France
Subtle spice and a luscious fruit combination go to make a wonderfully juicy red.
Ancora Sangiovese - Italy
A perfect food wine, fresh and lively on the palate with ripe berry fruit and a hint of spiciness.
El Tesoro Monastrell/Shiraz - Spain
A medium-bodied warm, soft spicy red, with aromas of damson fruits on the palate, light redcurrant flavours and a subtle red cherry fruit on the finish.
Marktree Red - Australia
A blockbuster Aussie blend offering fruit, weight and texture, making it a great food wine.
£58.99 if collected from the shop or £67 if delivered over a 30 mile radius.

Easter Case

Whites
Diez Siglos de Verdejo - Spain
Diez Siglos are a fantastic new source of top quality Verdejo, located in the heart of Rueda DO. Old bush vines have been re-grafted to produce a zingy citrus style of Verdejo.
IMV Nosiola - Italy
Floral, aromatic nose with hints of green apple, the palate is deliciously nutty, ripe and spicy with a balancing acidity and a dry, crisp finish.
Pra Soave- Italy
Big and fat and ripe with great poise and balance, from one of the best producers in Soave, a truly delicious wine.
Montevista Reserva Viognier - Chile
This aromatic and subtle Viognier presents aromas of citrus and floral notes. On the palate gentle floral, honeyed and citrus flavours mingle with a soft, rounded texture and great purity, this is a real find!
The Cloud Factory Sauvignon Blanc - New Zealand
Up, up and away - an uplifting Sauvignon Blanc with crisp fresh gooseberry fruit and nice aromatics and just a hint of hidden sweetness - a great wine.
Reds
Ceppi Storici Barbera - Italy
This juicy, lip-smacking, damson packed Barbera is dense, smoky and seductive with complexity coming from 40 year old vines. This is just about the greatest value for money red we list.
Novas Gran Reserva Pinot Noir - Chile
Immediately juicy with lots of raspberry fruits and polished complexity, creamy, soft and deliciously pure.
Marques de la Villa Tinto de Toro - Spain
An open nose of blackberry and blueberry with lightly toasty notes, medium-bodied, on the palate this wine is hugely appealing with balanced fine tannins.
Soldiers Block Malbec - Australia
The Malbec is sourced from low yielding vines. This is a classically textural, violet black and exotically perfumed wine.
Montevista Reserva Carmenere - Chile
Bold, black and foodie, this is a serious Carmenere from a single, cool rocky site high in the Andes, with a hint of spice and nice soft tannins.
Ciconia Red - Portugal
Deep vibrant in colour, an inviting nose of toasted nuts and blackberry fruit and an intense spicy finish. Lashings of rich fruit flavours balanced by subtle tannins make for a very enjoyable drink.
La Chapelle du Marin Cote du Rhone - France
D. Byrne & Co. Red Wine of the Year
We have had such a fantastic response to this wine we just had to put it back on. Delicious bramble fruit aromas compliment the rich fruit flavours, with a hint of cloves and cinnamon. Luscious, full, rich and very easy to drink.
Rich and fruity with soft tannins and vibrant black fruit. Great with food or just on its own. Another wine we are excited about!
£71.95 if collected from the shop or £80 if delivered over a 30 mile radius.

Our January Newsletter

Welcome to the first edition of our newsletter for 2012 and a special welcome for all the customers old and new who have joined us here for the first time over the festive season. May we take the opportunity to thank you all for your custom and wish you a very happy and prosperous New Year.
The time has come when the pine needles have all gone from your carpet and socks, the last of the Christmas chocolate has been eaten and you wander hopefully to the wine rack only to find it inexplicably bare. Surely there was a bottle there last time you looked? Worry not, here are some ideas which might hopefully restore that wine rack to its cheerful self.

In this issue:
Our outstanding value for money 'Everyday Case'
Exclusive new releases from Australia
A feature on the wines of Spain

WHITE WINES
Mas de Vigneron Sec Pays des Cotes de Gascogne - France
Delicious fresh fragrant nose, zesty invigorating, clean fresh and zippy, with crisp green fruit on the palate and lovely acidity, a lovely drink.

Pasquieres Sauvignon Blanc V. Pays d'Oc - France
A refreshing change from plain Sauvignon Blanc. The luscious fruit aromas from the Vermentino gives a tangy, more complete flavour, balanced by the clean zingy fruit of the Sauvignon.

GPG Garganega Pinot Grigio - Italy
More interesting than most basic PGS. Pale straw yellow colour, lightly aromatic with ripe citrus and baked apple characters, a soft easy to drink white.

Emiliana Chardonnay - Chile
Un-oaked Chardonnay, pure vibrant and aromatic with a nice lingering fresh fruit driven palate, a real crowd pleaser.

Paarl Chenin Blanc - South Africa
Extended lees contact give this great value wine some real weight and character, fresh and dry with ripe guava and citrus and a succulent tropical fruit finish.

RED WINES
Domaine de Vedilhan Serica Syrah Viognier - France
Lush, rich berry fruit, superb concentration, smoky Syrah lifted with a lick of creamy oak on the finish.

Conviviale Primitivo del Salento - Italy
A warm, richly flavoured red with aromas of plums, dried fruit and brown spices. On the palate there is a good concentration of ripe plum and hints of dried figs, liquorice and dark chocolate - blockbusting wine!

Piemonte Barbera - Italy
A light juicy red with nice crushed red fruit aromas, very easy drinking with nice gentle tannins and a touch of spice.

Vega Piedra Rioja - Spain
A great oak-aged Rioja. Soft and approachable with ripe berry fruit aromas, a rich and plummy palate with supple tannins and a long juicy finish.

Borsao Garnacha Bodegas Borsao - Spain
It would be hard to find at the price, a more highly praised and award winning wine than this. Juicy bramble fruit and fresh redcurrants dominate this very approachable wine.

Alianca Foral Douro - Portugal
Juicy fruit on the palate which is dominated by ripe blackcurrant a twist of spice and a nice fresh rounded palate.

Montevista Shiraz - Chile
A powerful fruit bomb with a spicy kick. Aromas of ripe fruit, vanilla and mocha, with a hint of crushed black pepper and a smooth rounded finish.

£58.39 if collected from the shop
Free delivery within a 30 mile radius
£66.00 delivered anywhere in mainland UK

NEW RELEASES FROM AUSTRALIA
A selection of very fine wines that we purchased en-primeur to bring you the best possible prices .....
NOW IN STOCK

HENSCHKE Eden Valley
2005    Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon 53.59
2006    Mount Edelstone Shiraz 51.99
2005    Hill of Grace 244.99

BEN GLAETZER Barossa Valley
2010    Heartland Directors Club Shiraz 19.99
2010    Bishop Shiraz 22.59
2010    Anaperenna Shiraz/Cabernet 37.59
2010    Amon Ra Shiraz 53.99

PARKER ESTATE Coonawarra
2006    Parker Estate First Growth 38.99

KOOYONG Mornington Peninsula
2009    Haven Pinot Noir 34.99

D'ARENBERG McLaren Vale
2009    The Fruit Bat Shiraz 36.99
2009    Eight Iron Shiraz 36.99
2009    Little Venice Shiraz 36.99
2008    Laughing Magpie Magnums 31.99   Double Magnums   63.99
2007    Dead Arm Double Magnums 119.99
2008    Dead Arm Half Bottles 12.99

SHORTLISTED
SPANISH SPECIALIST RETAILER
OF THE YEAR AWARD
2011 INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE

Pound for pound Spain offers some of the best value drinking in the entire wine world. We carry a huge range of Spanish wines and listed below are a selection of what we consider to be particular highlights - in other words, our favourites!

SIX STUNNING BARGAINS

2009 Quinta el Refugio - Toro 6.19
Rich and intense with plenty of body, fruit driven with a touch of toasty oak.

2010 Pinna Fidelis Roble - Ribera del Duero 6.99
This is superb, full of sweet spices and creamy oak.

2008 Castell del Remei Gotim Bru - Costers del Segre 7.99
Ripe and fleshy with plenty of freshness.

2010 Huerta de Albala Barbazul - Cadiz 8.59
This is a well-structured wine with complex cocoa bean aromas and elegant plum and damson palate flavour.

2009 Bodegas Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha - Campo de Borja 12.89
100% Garnacha from very old vines, this is deliciously plump and aromatic.

2008 Artadi Vinas de Gain - Rioja 13.99
Highly aromatic with an amazing depth of rich spicy red fruits, cedar and warm tannins.

SIX OF THE FINEST

2005 Pintia - Toro 34.99
This estate is owned by Vega Sicilia, a flamboyantly rich and powerful example of the Tinta de Toro grape (Tempranillo).

2004 Alion - Ribera del Duero 39.99
This estate is also owned by Vega Sicilia and consistently produces one of the Ribera del Duero's finest wines. 2004 is a stunning vintage.

2000 Artadi Vina el Pison - Rioja 49.99
2000 Artadi Grandes Anadas - Rioja 49.99
Two superb Reservas from one of Rioja's most sought after producers. Very fine wines with real polish.

2000 Sot Lefriec - Penedes 31.99
This is a wonderfully elegant wine blended from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carinena.

1998 Lo Givot - Priorat 22.99
A full-bodied and voluptuous wine with plum, kirsch and minerals.

If you would like to order any of the above, or have any further queries about them, please give us a ring on 01200 423152 and we would be delighted to help.

Wines & Spirits for drinking this Christmas

D. Byrne & Co. Christmas Newsletter
Despite the lack, as yet, of seasonal snow and ice so far this winter, Christmas is definitely upon us. With that in mind, Andrew, Philip and Tim have put together a selection of champagnes, wines and spirits to enjoy over the Christmas period. We have stunning present ideas for every budget and beautiful wines and spirits to match your Christmas menus.

May we take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support and wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

In this issue:
Launch of our new website
Champagnes for Christmas
Recommended wines for Christmas
Single malt whisky offers
A selection of Irish Whiskey
Seasonal Tasting Cases
Our Christmas Beer Keg

D. Byrne & Co.

Champagne Specialist Retailer of the Year

2011 International Wine Challenge

With over 150 different Champagnes in stock we carry one of the most comprehensive selections in the UK. We pride ourselves on sourcing what we consider to be the finest wines of the region and concentrate purely on small growers and quality conscious negociants.

The experts' recommendations for Christmas:
House Champagne Stephane Breton Brut N.V. £15.99
Our exclusive House Champagne has won some very well deserved and favourable plaudits this year and offers outstanding value for money.
Louis Roederer N.V. Brut Premier *very special price* £24.99
Easily the finest of the more famous non vintage Champagnes, a gloriously well-balanced wine that is fresh, fruity and refined.
Lallier 2005 Grand Cru Brut £29.99
An absolute steal for Grand Cru Vintage Champagne.
This is classically styled full-bodied wine with plenty of complex and tasty brioche character.
Louis Roederer Cristal 2004 *very special price* £134.99
The ultimate deluxe cuvee presented in a stunning limited edition gift pack (limited quantities)
Laurent Perrier Rose N.V. *very special price* £38.59
One of the most popular Roses, this is full and well rounded with plenty of fruit.

Some recommended wines for Christmas

White Wines
Boutinot La Fleur Solitaire Cotes du Rhone 2010 £7.99
Predominantly Grenache Blanc and Viognier, overtly fruity and silky smooth with white flowers on the nose and some savoury butterscotch complexity - delicious!
Chateau Loudenne Bordeaux Blanc 2009 £12.99
This is a very classy wine that would be delicious with shellfish.
Joseph Matrot St. Romain 2008 £16.99
Matrot produces very elegant white Burgundy, a wine with plenty of minerality.
Vallet Freres Pernand Vergelesses 2009 £18.99
This has real weight and class, a very smooth and buttery white Burgundy.
Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2011 - Marlborough £13.99
The second vintage of this modern Kiwi classic - while stocks last.
El Bandito Cortez Chenin Blanc 2009 - Swartland, South Africa £21.99
One of our favourite white wines of the year. Rich and textural, simply gorgeous.

Red Wines
Recommended with the turkey
Quinta el Refugio Crianza 2008 Toro £8.99
A multi award-winning Spanish wine packed with plum fruit and sweet vanilla oak, full-bodied and delicious.
Moko Black Pinot Noir 2009 Central Otago £8.99
This is a light and fragrant silky smooth Pinot from New Zealand's best Pinot producing region. 2009 is an excellent vintage.
Naked On Roller Skates Shiraz/Mataro £11.99
From the cult Some Young Punks winery, this is a brilliantly modern interpretation of an Australian classic.
Les Hautes Marone Gigondas 2009 £11.99
The 2009 Southern Rhones are stunning, a similar wine to Chateauneuf-du-Pape, but much better value for money.
Magnums 2007 Boutinot Seguret £18.99
This is an outstanding bargain, rich and silky smooth. The large format is a perfect centre piece for the Christmas table.
Sideral 2006 Rapel Valley £14.59
A full-bodied wine with intense blackcurrant fruit flowers, we consider this to be one of Chile's best value fine wines.
Burguet Bourgogne Rouge 2007 £16.69
A fully ripe and silky smooth Bourgogne, a lovely, elegant glass of wine.
Burguet Gevrey Chambertin Vielles Vignes 2006 £37.99
A full and intense Gevrey that is very complex.
Robert Arnoux Nuits St Georges 2006 £25.99
Arnoux produces some of Nuits St George's finest wines.
Meerlust Rubicon 2007 Stellenbosch £18.99
***** John Platter's guide. One of the New World's finest Bordeaux blends.
Chateaux de Pez 2007 St. Esteph *very special price* £22.99
De Pez is a very reliable Chateau, the '07 is a charming and forwardly fruity example.
Chateau Grand Cru Puy Ducasse 2007 Paulliac *very special price* £25.99
This is a wine with plenty of finesse and all the class you would expect from a top Paulliac.
Valenciso 2005 Reserva - Rioja £16.89
From the outstanding 2004 vintage, this is a concentrated multi-layerd wine.

Single Malt Whisy Offers

The Great Glen - Highland                                     £12.99
Drumguish - Highland                                            £14.99
Speyburn Bradan Orach - Speyside                      £15.99
Glen Burgie 10 year old - Speyside                        £17.99
Ancnoc 12 year old - Speyside                                £18.19
Old Pultney 12 year old - Highland                       £18.59
Isle of Jura 10 year old - Jura                                £19.99
The Ileach Gold Medal Winning - Islay                £19.99
Cu Dhub Black Whisky - Highland                       £19.99
The Macallan Fine Oak 10 year old - Speyside    £23.99
The Singleton 12 year old - Speyside                     £24.99
Highland Park 12 year old - Orkney                     £24.99
Dalwhinnie 15 year old - Highland                        £26.99
Talisker 10 year old - Skye                                      £27.99
Oban 14 year old - Highland                                  £34.89
Caol Ila 12 year old - Islay                                      £28.99
Dalwhinnie Distillers Edition                                 £29.99
Lagavulin 16 year old - Islay                                  £39.99
Balblair 1989 - Highland                                        £45.99

Old and Rare Whiskies

We keep a huge selection of old and rare whiskies, including:
Bunnahabhain 32 year old 54.3% vol - Islay      £186.99

Cognac
New House Cognac V.S. Deluxe Godet £19.99
........and from our vast range of Cognacs we recommend:
Maxime Trijol Elegance grande Champagne £30.69
Ragnaud-Sabourin Grand Cru No. 20 Reserve Speciale £59.99


Gin
.......and from our range of over 40 of the finest Gins we recommend:
Caorunn (a delicious Scottish gin with hints of apple) £18.19
The botanist from the Bruichladdich Distillery, Islay   £27.99
Tanqueray £15.99

Port
D. Byrne & Co. Christmas Port Krohn 2003 Vintage Port £16.99
Krohn are a small family owned Port house run by brother and sister Jose and Iolanda Carneiro. The port has a full structure and body, with intense red berry and spice aromas - layers of flavour.

Irish Whiskey

Cooley Distillery multi award-winning independent Irish Whiskey producers recently invited Andrew to their Kilbeggan Distillery, half an hour from Dublin. This is well worth a visit, particularly if you have the good fortune to be shown round by Brian Quinn, a lovely old Irish gentleman who could tell a tale or two. We have a really good deal on some of the products for Christmas.
Kilbeggan - the world's oldest distillery. A blend of finest grain and malt whiskeys, producing a beautiful sweet taste and malty finish £18.99
Tyrconnel - named after an historic Irsh race horse which won a legendary race at odds of 100-i. the whiskey is a well balanced single malt with a unique fruity bouquet and a delicate dry finish. £25.29
Connemara - created by drying maltying abrley over peat fires, this single malt revives one of the anciect distilling traditions of ireland and imparts a distinctive smoky flavour to the whiskey £18.99

Seasonal Tasting Cases

In November we launched our Christmas, Connoisseurs and Luxury cases of wine. Each has a beautiful selection of twelve bottles of wine to drink over the Christmas period.
So whether you want to send a gift, thank a loved one, turn up with something special at a house party or simply light the fire, put your feet up and indulge, we have something for you. Each case comes complete with a set of tasting notes.
For the very first time this year we have put together a Luxury case of wines, persuading Philip to part with some limited gems that he has had squirrelled away.
The cases also make perfect corporate gifts, please phone us on 01200 422281 for details
Click the link for details:
Christmas Case
Connoisseurs Case
Luxury Case

Christmas Beer Keg
As usual we have the D. Byrne & Co. Christmas Beer Keg
A 5 litre keg of gorgeous Bowland Brewery Beer prepared specially for us
£17.99

Fine Wine & Gourmet Evening at The Parkers Arms

Fine Wine & Gourmet Evening

For those of you who were not able to join us at this event, or were there and just wanted to relive the moment, I've compiled a brief blog of the evening.

Bernard Vallet, wine maker, of Vallet Freres joined us for the evening at The Parkers Arms, Newton-in-Bowland, together with Deborah Brooks of Boutinot. We thank them both for being with us for the evening. It should be mentioned that Bernard, holder of a pilot's licence, flew himself into the country to join us!

The Vallet family (also known as Bouree Pere et Fils) own holdings in Gevrey-Chambertin - the entire single vineyard of Clos de la Justice - Beaune Epenottes (Premier Cru) and Charmes-Chambertin (Grand Cru). The Burgundies they produce are complex, fine and taste of the old-fashioned production that their provenance would suggest. Their enthusiasm and passion for producing quality wines is inspiring, which came across in Bernard's presentation of wines on the night.

I have included here the wines we drank (including their prices should you wish to sample them for yourselves) and the food we ate with them. Needless to say Stosie and Kathy and all their staff at The Parkers Arms produced a stunning and varied menu which complimented the wines perfectly - a huge thank you to all involved! Stosie would not come out of the kitchen to take a bow, maybe one day we will persuade her.

Firstly the wines:

N. V. Mayerling Brut Crémant d’Alsace  £10.59

2009 Vallet Frères Pernand Vergelesses  £18.99

2006 Vallet Frères Gevrey Chambertin ‘Clos de la Justice’ Monopole  £27.99

2007 Domaine de Grange Neuve Monbazillac  £8.39

2007 Vallet Freres Beaune Premier Cru 'Les Epenottes'  £23.89

The Menu:

Canapés

Partridge & pear pasties

Dunsop Bridge trout caviar, potato blinis, chive cream

Three Lancashire cheese tartlettes

Starter

Olive oil poached Loch Duart salmon, fennel, sea greens & orange salad, Southport brown shrimp & queen scallop vinaigrette

Homemade white baguettini, Caron Lodge unsalted butter

Mains

Confit 8oz shin of beef, roast bone marrow, petits legume,

Bourguignon sauce, pommes mousselines

Afters

Apple tarte, apple cream, caramel ice cream

Cheese

A selection of three artisan cheeses, Parkers water crackers, beer bread,

frozen grapes, British Cox apples, Lancashire celery & Parkers chutney

Coffee

Cafetiere of ‘espresso Lusso’ by J. Atkinson of Lancaster

served with Parkers salted caramel & chocolate truffles

Olive oil poached salmon, brown shrimp & queen scallops

Confit shin of Beef

Apple tart, apple cram & caramel ice cream

Please also visit the website of www.parkersarms.co.uk