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Occasional jottings from the cellars of D. Byrne & Co.
www.dbyrne-finewines.co.uk
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UPDATE
It's dangerous when Philip thinks in the bath!
We are now delivering wine to your door.
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A fantastic & versatile curry recipe and wines to go with it
.....a grateful nod to Nigel Slater
( I hope he forgives us for the many adaptations)
You can always rely on Nigel Slater for a versatile recipe and this is no exception, the original appears in his classic book 'Appetite', this is a family favourite for Philip, Judith and Kate.
We all have those certain recipes that, by the food stained finger prints on the page, tell anyone how fondly they are regarded. This is no exception, our copy has so many turmeric and tomato stains some of the recipe we have to remember by heart because it's no longer readable.
The recipe below allows for 2-3 servings, but feel free to add or subtract depending on how greedy you are feeling.
We use a mixture of white fish and raw prawns, but have also made it with vegetables (it is amazing with cauliflower and cooked new potatoes).
2 medium sized onions (garlic too, depending on how sociable you want to be afterwards!)
vegetable oil
550g assorted fish and/or shellfish, whatever looks good on the fishmonger's slab
black mustard seeds
red chillies (to be honest the dish works well with or without these, how hot do you like it?)
garam masala, ground turmeric, dried chilli flakes, cumin seeds - one teaspoon of each
4 big plump ripe tomatoes (it's worth using fresh, tinned just don't taste as fresh)
500ml stock (fish or vegetable stock cube is fine)
100ml coconut milk
A few generous handfuls of chopped spinach
Get your aprons on, a little bit of turmeric can go a long way! Chop the onions and let them cook slowly down in the vegetable oil. Prepare your fish, cutting it into large chunks while the onions soften. Add a good teaspoon of mustard seeds to the onions and then the other spices, stir for a minute or two. Chop up the tomatoes into generous chunks (it's up to you if you can be bothered to be cheffy and skin and seed them, we skin them, but feel that life is too short to be deseeding tomatoes) and add them to the pan, letting them soften for a few minutes. By now things are smelling fantastic. Add the stock and simmer. At this point the world is your oyster/squid/salmon/cod/prawn and you can add any fishy product you want. Vegetarians amongst you can add almost any vegetable you want, we swear by cauliflower and chunks of pre-cooked potato, but green beans are fab, go wild, almost anything goes here. Stir in the chopped spinach and if using fish slide it into the pan now. The fish will take no longer than 6 or 7 minutes to cook. Very gently stir in the coconut milk, season with salt and serve with rice or naan bread, we've even been known to eat it with chips.
Now, what to drink!
Cape Heights Viognier £5.89
Viognier can be great and great value at the same time... and here's how! A powerful palate packed with jasmine and white spice, this is tight, focused, an almost crunchy Viognier with all the classic varietal flavours yet remains lean and almost muscular.
This wine is suitable for both Vegetarians and Vegans.
Rag & Bone Riesling £10.29
The fruit for Rag & Bone is sourced from Binder’s single vineyard, high up on the Eastern side of Eden Valley. Warm days and cool nights ensure that the grapes develop ripe, intense fruit flavours whilst retaining appealing zing and acidity.
The nose classically expresses the vineyard... it's like having a fresh lime in your hand that you crush gently over minerals... literally lime on the rocks!! The palate is bright, zingy, singing with natural acidity and really textural. It reflects the vineyard with its fine sandy texture with really bright, white textural fruit. Just a cracking Eden Valley Riesling. Dry, textural, limey - everything you want from an Aussie Riesling. It finishes lean, fresh, linear, crisp, fine, brittle and clean. -
Burns Night with The Byrnes
Though the spelling of our BYRNE surname denotes our Irish heritage we have ancestors on the other side of the tree who originated in Scotland, mixed heritage that we are extremely proud of.You may never see the Byrne boys wearing kilts but you do know them as whisky experts so on 25 January when Scots and Scots-at-heart celebrate the life and poetry of their national poet, Robert Burns, they will be toasting our heritage with a glass of usquebae (water of life).Here's a selection of whiskies to suit all tastes.For more information about Burns Night
Light & Delicate:SPEYBURN Bradan Orach SPEYSIDE SINGLE MALT £19.29Outstanding price for Single Malt Whisky. On the nose it reveals green apples, honey, lemon and floral vanilla spices. It’s a wonderfully balanced, full-flavoured whisky, with a long lasting finish.TOMATIN Legacy Highland Single Malt £21.99Light sweetness, which boasts aromas of vanilla, marshmallow, pineapple and lemon. On the palate gentle flavours of candy, pine, lemon sherbet, apples and sponge cake emerge.TOMINTOUL T’Lath Speyside Single Malt £22.99Light and creamy. Lively white pepper and some oak-driven spiciness dance on the tongue withbackground layers of nutmeg and toasted vanilla. Spicy with notes of shortbread and fresh mint.JURA 10 Year Old Origin Isles Single Malt £27.99Soft nuances of American white oak with a smooth, sweet aroma of honey. A refined, smooth and clean tasting liquid with gentle oak flavours, followed by highlights of caramel and soft liquorice. The warmth of roasted coffee beans lingers long in the mouth.ABERFELDY 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt £29.99Creamy on the nose withs ome sherried fruit with a trailing hint of smoke. Sweet, malty, a gentle peat but nonetheless the mouth feel is very clean, with a hint of citrus at the end.Soft & Full Flavoured:GLENCADAM Origin 1825 Highland Single Malt £22.99Aromas of mixed fruit – red fruit from the sherry casks and tropical fruit from American oak – with creamy Glencadam character. The palate has sweet winter spice, vanilla, malt and stewed fruits.GREAT KING STREET ‘Artist’s Blend’ Blended Whisky 50cl £24.99Sweet and creamy nose, with lots of cereal notes, some vanilla, dried fruits, citrus and apple crumble. The palate has notes of Christmas spices, lemon, Bakewell tart, rose petals and raisins.GLENGOYNE 10 Year Old Highland Single Malt £27.99Smooth, fruity and incredibly moreish. Fresh green apples, toffee and a hint of nuttiness. This is the taste of distilling slower than anyone else in Scotland, of barley they dry by air and hand-selected sherry casks.DALMORE 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt £39.99The Dalmore 12 year old, with its intricate aromas and flavours, is recognised as a whisky with character far beyond its age. Aromas of citrus fruit, chocolate and aromatic spices. Orange peel, Oloroso sherry and vanilla pod on the palate followed by a finish of roasted coffee and more chocolate notes.SPRINGBANK 15 Year Old Campbelltown Single Malt £50.99Like a storm gathering off the Kintyre coast, 15-year-old Springbank is dark and ominous, yet delicious. Demerara sugar, dark chocolate, Christmas cake, almonds and toffee on the nose. Creamy palate with raisins, cocoa, figs, marzipan, brazil nuts and vanilla. Oak and sherry notes sustain and mingle with hints of leather. Utterly delicious if you fancy splashing out!Smoky & Peaty:THE ILEACH Islay Single Malt £22.99We recommended this a lot, but it’s such outstanding value for a heavily peated single malt. Strong yet gentle, warm yet mellow, but with maturity beyond its years. Robustly peaty, with that unmistakable breath of the seashore.GREAT KING STREET ‘Glasgow Blend’ Blended Whisky 50cl £24.99Rich spice with dried fruit and peaty notes on the nose. Full flavoured and smoky on the palate, with notes of baking spices and sherry wine notes. A lingering peaty finish.JURA Superstition Isles Single Malt £29.99Lightly peated - that’s nicely smoky to you. Light phenolic aromas with subtle nuances of honey and spice result in a sweet yet smoky delight. The warmth of the tongue releases spice, honey, pine and peat. Prince Charles had a glass of this whilst wandering our cellars when he came to visit us last year.CU BOCAN by Tomatin Highland Single Malt £29.99Initially feather light, followed by honey smoke and toasted almonds. The rich spice of cloves, cinnamon and star anise create an enigmatic elegance., Imagine a café latte with chocolate and of course sweet, smoky peat.LAGAVULIN The Distillers Edition Islay Single Malt £67.99 Double MaturedA touch pricy yet this is my all-time favourite Whisky! Most of you will know Lagavulin, but this doublematured, that’s finished in PX sherry casks, just has an extra dimension to it. Firstly aromas of well-roastedbarley and wafts of iodine. A creaminess of vanilla and yoghurt coated raisins. Seville orange and cherry.More medicinal peat initially on the palate, hints of Seville orange, cherry and a touch of seaweed, driedapricot and chewy pecans. An extremely long smoky finish, yet the sweetness from the sherry cask give touches of chocolate and boozy soaked fruits.Something a Little SweeterSTROMA Malt Whisky Liqueur Old Pulteney 50cl £17.99Hailing from the far North East of Scotland, off the Caithness coast, Stroma Malt Whisky Liqueur takes it name from the windswept Orcadian Isle. Stroma originates from the Norse meaning ‘island in the stream’ which also refers to the dangerous currents on the island’s shores, including the infamous ‘Swilkie’ whirlpool. Charming whisky aroma with notes of toffee. Smooth, sweet and warming and is packed full of robust and unmistakable rugged undertones of Old Pulteney.Something a Little DifferentEDEN MILL Oak Gin St. Andrews 50cl £24.99A cask aged gin from craft brewers and distillers Eden Mill. Unsurprisingly, the casks used are oak aged beer casks! The result is a rich oak spice gin with notes of caramel, vanilla, and a touch of fudge. Delicious on its own or in a long drink with ginger ale and a sliver of orange peel. -
D. Byrne & Co.
Christmas Cases 2017The Christmas Case is finally here!Quite simply the best value for money Christmas selection around, twelve carefully chosen wines which will compliment any food you are likely to serve over the Christmas period. Any of our cases make ideal presents, which can be collected from the shop or can be delivered to any address in mainland UK in time for Christmas. The cases also make excellent corporate gifts, please call us for details. All of our staff have fought to include their favourites in this one box of fabulous wines. Twelve wines to fill your wine rack, so light the fire, put your feet up and enjoy!
We also have our famous Connoisseur’s Case, perfect as a gift for the wine expert in your life (if you can bear to part with it), but equally perfect for drinking at home over Christmas, some of the best wines at an amazing price.
As usual, we also managed to get Andrew to finally decide on his special case of six wines; this year with a nod to his recent travels in the wine world, more about that later (if you see him, ask about his very short lived career as an international honey smuggler!)Drum roll……………..Your next newsletter, following shortly in a very different format will give you much more information about all we will be offering over Christmas. This year it has been taken over by younger members of our staff and will be an exciting and fascinating read. I’m not allowed to reveal too much about it other than to say it has been designed and put together by Philip’s daughter Kate, a recent Illustration degree graduate, with contributions by staff member and budding photographer Matt, both of whom you may have met in the shop. With the amazing Byrne family wine and spirit knowledge of Andrew, Philip and Joseph, combined with the creative skills of our younger staff we hope you will look forward with bated breath to the next major Byrne Production, our Christmas Newsletter.For orders or enquiries about any of the cases or wines in this newsletter, please contact us by phone at the shop on 01200 423152 or 01200 422281,thank you. These prices & offers are current for the Christmas 2017 seasonTHE CHRISTMAS CASE
Monte Schiavo Ruviano Verdicchio Classico - ItalyDelicate apricot and orchard fruit aromas, hints of white flower, and a refreshing lemon citrus acidity. The palate has minerality and texture with ripe stone fruit characteristics, a touch of salinity and a crisp zesty finish.False Bay ‘Slow’ Chenin Blanc - South AfricaD. Byrne & Co. White Wine of the Year, first of two in the caseThe grapes here do not take just three weeks to get from vineyard to bottle. This wine is crafted the wild way, old-vine fruit fermented with wild yeast – magic like this takes at least six months. Sampled at a recent tasting in Manchester, Philip, Judith and Kate were blown away by the quality. Vegetarian & VeganJoyau Gros Manseng Chardonnay - Pays the Côtes de Gascogne – FranceFresh, racy and instantly appealing, fruit salad in a glass! Its lovely grassy, aromatic nose is balanced by ripe, tropical melon and pink grapefruit notes. The palate is a lot softer and creamier than you would expect with real depth of flavour finishing in a fresh, lemony tang. Vegetarian & VeganRude Mechanicals ‘Ephemera’ - South Wales AustraliaMade by the brilliant Keith Tulloch. The Viognier/Pinot Gris blend combines depth and freshness in this real belter. On the nose there are the honeysuckle and orange-blossom signatures of Viognier, spice and ripe pear coming from the Pinot Gris. Tight and elegant, poised and precise with hints of lemongrass and fresh ginger. This wine is bright and fine but has real depth and a fresh, long finish. And, for a wine called ‘Ephemera’ this wine is actually ironically long on the finish.Sileni Sauvignon Blanc - Marlbourgh - New ZealandThe second D. Byrne & Co. White of the YearThis Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc is rich, complex and exotic. Its tangy grapefruit aromas lead to a zingy yet, impeccably balanced finish. Reminds you what made Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc famous!Soldiers’ Block Malbec – Victoria - AustraliaOne of our two D. Byrne & Co. Red Wines of the YearThis fabulous value Malbec from the Victoria region of Australia is the first of our red wines of the year, and it’s a dark, aromatic Malbec for the soul. Appealingly chocolatey with an abundance of crisp, mineral fruit and notes of Morello cherry compote. Vegetarian & VeganBoutinot ‘Les Coteaux’ Côtes du Rhône Villages - FranceWe simply couldn’t resist putting this in the case again, it really is that good!This wine epitomises the D. Byrne & Co. philosophy: quality and drinkability. Due to its soft, approachable and very easy drinking nature it remains a firm favourite amongst our team and this 2014 vintage is one of the best they’ve produced yet! Brambly fruit is underpinned by subtle oaky nuances leading to lovely sweet spicy notes of warm star anise and cinnamon. Vegetarian & VeganGinestet Classique Lussac - Saint EmilionA very classy Claret nose leads on to a ripe, flavoursome Merlot palate, smooth, with a surprisingly long finish. This Merlot dominant blend is packed with delicate black mulberry flavours, subtle cigar box notes and firm, yet smooth tannins. Slight perfume from the 5% Cabernet Franc addition adds elegance and complexity. Vegetarian & VeganOntañón Ecologico Rioja (Organic) Rioja – SpainOrganicBright cherry and raspberry aromas are balanced by sweet spice. The palate is structured with complex, ripe red fruit, clove and black pepper. Just five months spent in French and American oak is enough to give this bright 100% Rioja Baja Tempranillo a character upgrade; harmonious and elegant, this is everything modern Rioja should be.Showdown ‘The Man with the Ax’ Cabernet Sauvignon - USARipe blackcurrant and wild berry fruit on the nose compliment sweet vanilla oak notes, with rich cassis and black cherry on the palate leading to a soft and juicy, yet long finish. This is deep, dark and delectably smoky, the perfect wine to crack open in front of the fire on a cold winters evening. Framed by the subtle American oak. Vegetarian & VeganNovas Gran Reserva Carmenère/Cabernet Sauvignon – ChileOrganicAnother fabulous wine under this trophy winning label. Blackcurrant and strawberries give way to a light touch of black pepper, tobacco leaf and chocolate. Its medium body and smooth, lush tannins make this a very easy drinking red which stands out for its great balance and fine yet fresh finish. Vegetarian & VeganThe Rude Mechanicals ‘Three Monkeys’ Grenache/Shiraz/Mataro - South AustraliaWhat a wine to finish the case with! A sensuous blend of Barossa classics. Warm plum and raspberry fruit dominate the nose with subtle hints of rocky earth, spice and violets. Lovely and ripe, it is medium to full-bodied with juicy plum and raspberry on the palate leading to flavours of black cherry, spice and a lick of creamy oak. It’s a generous mouthful with bags of flavour.£89.99 if collected from the shop or £98 if delivered anywhere in mainland UK
THE CONNOISSEURS CASE
Feudo Maccari Grillo, SiciliaFresh and lightly floral on the nose with savoury, nutty notes. The palate is complex with crisp citrus flavours, ripe stone fruit, and tropical characters on the textured mid-palate. A subtle and multi-layered wine with immediately appealing freshness and fruit leading to a taut, savoury, mineral finish.Les Heritieres de Saint-Genys Haut Cotes de Beune Blanc, BurgundyThis estate has an artisanal approach in order to offer high quality Burgundy wines. Its philosophy is based on respect of land and vine linked to wine passion. All the vineyards are worked traditionally, in a reasoned way, limiting chemical products and favouring the soil work. With white peach and citrus on the nose, this is a deliciously ripe and rich Chardonnay with a lovely citrus character, tangy mineral notes and some salinity. Full flavoured and approachable this wine shows great character.Saint Clair Pioneer Block 1 Sauvignon Blanc, MarlboroughA powerful and intense wine with an aromatic nose of white currant and fragrant tropical fruit with a hint of cut grass. Luscious ripe grapefruit and green guava flavours envelop the palate, which has a chalky texture. A refreshing and beautifully balanced Sauvignon Blanc with a long, lingering finish.Cline Cellars North Coast Viognier, CaliforniaVegetarian & VeganAn honest and expressive Viognier. Wonderfully fragrant with notes of stone fruits, jasmine and honeysuckle. The palate follows through with a richness of fruit including ripe peach and apricot. The finish is given finesse by the refreshing acidity.Le Riche Chardonnay, Stellenbosch Vegetarian & VeganChablis freshness with lees contact and a light wood influence. A fresh, lemony style with rich minerality, melon and citrus characters and hints of lemongrass and butterscotch. In the words of Christo Le Riche, "We make it to drink it!" This wine has all the best of the Chardonnay character whilst remaining poised, elegant, clean and fresh.Chateau Lanessan Haut-Medoc, BordeauxVegetarianFine Haut-Médoc from a good vintage. A blend of predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot and a touch of Petit Verdot. Drinking beautifully now, this has a classic Médoc cigar box nose, followed by a textured, plum fruit and aniseed palate. Harmonious, elegant and reasonably rich.Vallone ‘Vereto’ Salice Salentino Riserva, PugliaVereto is a blend of rigorously selected negroamaro grapes with a touch of malvasia nera to add complexity and elegance. Generous nose of spice and dark fruits. On the palate there is an exotic profile of sweet herbs, tobacco and candied cherries with layers of dried fruits, brown spice and liquorice - complex and characterful.Vina Real Reserva, RiojaDeep ruby and cherry red with the slightest hint of a terracotta rim. There’s good intensity on the nose with ripe autumn fruits, warm spices and elegant toasted oak. The palate is rich, warming and velvety with good acidity and fine tannins. The vanilla from the oak is well integrated with the raspberry fruit of the Tempranillo producing a rich complex palate and a long finish.Domaine Tourelles Vielles Vignes Cinsault, Bekka ValleyVegetarian & VeganThis extraordinary old vine Cinsault is wonderfully unique. The nose has an exotic mix of ripe fig, bright red cherry and plum fruit with star anise spice, it’s lifted and pronounced. The palate has beautifully ripe red fruit characteristics alongside the fig and date notes. The acidity perfectly balances the generous flavours and leaves a pure, clean finish.Sileni ‘The Plateau’ Pinot Noir, Hawkes BayA ripe, savoury Pinot Noir showing tremendous regional and varietal character. There are complex aromas of varietal dark berry fruit and florals. The palate is rich with flavours of sweet dark cherry, spice and silky tannins. This is a food-friendly style, which will pair beautifully with mushroom risotto, lamb or pasta with truffle and parmesan.The Songlines Grenache, Barossa ValleyThe ancient peoples of Australia navigated the vast emptiness of the continent using mind maps; instructions remembered in song and passed down through generations, a kind of pre-GPS tom-tom. This enticing wine celebrates this near-lost tradition and the Barossa’s well-trodden red earth in its deep, warbling fruit - a song of the soil. Juicy and forward with its ripe red fruits and tasty confected fruit punch. This is a bright and primary Grenache that’s fit for all occasions.Kloovenburg Eight Feet Red, SwartlandIn 2003 Pieter du Toit thought it would be a good idea to get his four sons involved; a good opportunity for some father-son bonding. They picked grapes, stomped it themselves in a few barrels and they made wine! His wife suggested calling it Eight Feet to remind them all of that special family time they had together. Aromas of red berries, hints of perfume, dark fruit, black olive and spice. The palate is medium to full-bodied and has a good structure with soft and silky tannins. Pairs well with grilled and roast beef, stew, mildly spicy foods and game.£152 if collected from the shop or £160 if delivered anywhere in mainland UKAndrew’s Six Case
SIGNOS DE ORIGEN ‘LA VINILLA’My biggest adventure so far in the wine trade took me to Chile and Argentina and this beautiful place, I christened it the ‘happy vineyard’ – everyone that worked there, even the animals seemed to smile. The ethos of this winery is strictly organic, this wine is a fantastic example of their produce.From the La Vinilla estate vineyard – a seriously good Rhone style blend… better than ever! Translucent golden yellow in colour, the nose features fruity aromas of apricots and white fruits with a floral side and notes of toasted almonds and butter. Robust and creamy on the palate with good acidity.VILLA RAIANO VENTIDUE FIANO DI AVELLINOA young lady came into the shop with some samples of her family’s produce, reminding me of how good the wines of Campania are. Looking for an example of what this region produces I selected this wine as being great value and interesting.A rich and textural Fiano from Raiano's finest vineyard plots. Stone fruit aromas with some savoury, flinty and herbal notes. The palate is complex with peach, nectarine, mineral, and slight leesy characters. Textural with crisp acidity and great length.SAN FELICE CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA ‘IL GRIGIO’Travelling to Florence earlier this year, an American gentleman at the back of the plane was talking to somebody about a tasting he was going to. On arriving I made further enquiries in a local wine shop and discovered that a huge Chianti tasting was taking place in the city. A few phone calls later I had secured us some tickets and this wine stood out as one of the wines of the day.A nose of plush red fruit and blackberries, with spicy, savoury tobacco characteristics. The textured palate opens up to show dense rich fruit, with layers of black cherry, spice and savoury notes. A lush and complex red - long and full on the finish.SAVOIR-FAIRE D’AUTREFOIS MOURVEDREMy annual holiday this summer found me in Ireland. Not knowing what to expect from the local wine shops I made sure there was a nice case in the boot of the car. Working our way through whilst enjoying all Ireland has to offer, this wine really stood out as being fantastic value for money.Selected from two vineyard plots in the southernmost part of the Rhône valley, Savoir-Faire d'Autrefois showcases our skill in taming the wild Mourvèdre grape. An intriguing nose of tobacco, cloves and leather is followed by a luxuriant yet sleek and supple palate. Dark cherries and chocolate are interwoven with fine French oak and supported by firm tannins.CADUS GUALTALLARY APPELLATION MALBECLast year’s young wine maker of the year and a fanatic! Santiago shows real passion for what he does and his hard work pays off with the wines he produces. This was the second part of my trip to Chile and Argentina and I had the pleasure of meeting him at the Nieto vineyards where he is the Enologist. Cadus is where Santiago makes his greatest wines at these unique vineyards high in the Uco Valley.High quality Malbec from this standout producer. The combination of altitude (1300m) and rocky, calcareous soils provide a platform for Malbec to excel. Intense purple in colour, the wine displays great minerality, fresh herbal notes, spice and beautifully expressive black fruits. The palate is elegant with nice fresh acidity, silky tannins and a long finish.LUSTAU EAST INDIA SOLERA SHERRYMy favourite alternative to a Tawny Port or sweet Madeira.The name refers to the East India Company, a British trading company that transported cotton, silk, spices, tea, saltpetre and other commodities from the East Indies. As a fortified wine (which lasted longer), sherry was taken along as ballast and to serve the ship’s crew on its transatlantic journey. It is made from a selection of around 80% Oloroso and 20% Pedro Ximénez butts that have aged separately. The Pedro Ximénez is up front, with its thick raisiny notes and dates. However the slightly tangy Oloroso is nicely balancing this nose. Hints of toffee and walnuts. Plum jam. Chocolate and coffee. Nice hints of tobacco as well. Very thick and right in the middle between two styles. Sweet but nowhere near as intense as PX. Notes of brown sugar and caramel come through at first, followed by prunes with a spicy background. There’s a very light salty edge and a good acidity from the Oloroso, with a very long finish with hints of Turkish coffee.£78 if collected from the shop or £86 if delivered anywhere in mainland UK
For orders or enquiries about any of the cases or wines in this newsletter, please contact us by phone at the shop on 01200 423152 or 01200 422281,thank you.
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Autumn Newsletter 2017
Now that Autumn is upon us and you are digging in the wardrobe for those cosy jumpers and arguing whether the heating should be switched on, we've changed our 'wine-wardrobe' for you. Nothing too heavy, but a gentle segue from light summer drinking to something a little more warming.An autumnal theme is pervading our choices in this newsletter with a recurrence of apples, blackberries, plums and wood smoke, all things seasonal.First of all our Autumn Case is launched, offering its usual great value for money, then we move to some great offers from Spain and finish with some great choices of spirits.If you would like to order anything you see here please give us a ring on 01200 423152 or 01200 422281
D. BYRNE & CO. AUTUMN CASEWHITES
Alasia Gavi, Piemonte, Italy
Appealing aromas of citrus fruit and white flower with a touch of white spice. The palate has more citrus characters with hints of harvest and stone fruits. Crisp, refreshing acidity balances underlying minerality.
K-Naia Verdejo, Rueda, Spain
A nose of pink grapefruit, passion fruit, mandarin oil notes and lightly herbaceous characters. The palate is rich with minerality, racy lime zest acidity and a touch of stone fruit - giving a lovely texture and intensity, and just a touch of fennel on the finish.
Pazo de Monterrey Godello, Monterrei, Spain
A crisp, aromatic white with a lifted nose of apricot blossom, citrus fruits and a touch of honey. Very fresh acidity and mineral notes balance rich, ripe fruit characters of apple and pear on the palate. The finish has a touch of white spice and good length with a lightly bitter twist.
Silver Myn Sauvignon Blanc, Banghoek, South Africa
The nose shows wonderful aromas multi-layered greener tropical fruit such as green melon, kiwi fruit and fig. This character is true to the Banghoek terroir - lots of gooseberry zip, linear, crisp and racy. This is a mouth filling wine with firm acidity leading to a multi-layered complex palate showing distinct mineral and fig flavours on the finish.
Tabali Pedregoso Gran Reserva Viognier, Limari Valley, Chile
Rich aromas of citrus, orange peel and dried apricot, fresh pears and white peaches, plus hints of candied fruit. Delivers on the palate as well as the nose, with floral, honeyed and citrus flavours combining with chalky minerality so typical of Limari. Bright and expressive, this has a soft rounded texture and great purity.
REDSPasquiers Grenache Noir, Pays d’Oc, France
The black Grenache from the deep South of France is steeped in texture and character. Rich mulberry fruit, sweet spice and cinnamon on the nose with more intense berry fruit and liquorice spice on the palate, gluggable, sinewy and fleshy with some gentle acidity.
Uggiano Chianti Colli Fiorentini Prestige, Tuscany, Italy
A classic structured style of Chianti aged for 6 months in large oak casks. Cherry and spice aromas lead to a fresh and vibrant palate of black cherry and ripe plum. This is all backed by more spice, savoury notes and supple tannins to give real depth.
Artesa Organic Tempranillo, Rioja, Spain
Matured in a high proportion of new barrels each vintage. The result is a wine that has had the benefit of maturation in the best possible new oak! Vibrant plum and cherry aromas combine with woody, herbal notes. The palate is complex with juicy bramble fruit, black pepper, and lifted, savoury characters.
Honoro Vera Merlot, Jumilla, Spain
Aromas of wild cherry and bramble fruits. The palate is smooth and elegant with blackberry and blueberry characters, and a touch of spice. There are further layers of dark plum fruit, mocha and hints of vanilla. Refreshing acidity balances the well-integrated oak and supple tannins.
Indaba Mosaic, Western Cape, South Africa
This Bordeaux Blend displays alluring aromas and juicy flavours of blackcurrant, ripe brambly berry fruit and dark chocolate, with subtle spice notes. Soft, gentle tannins coat the palate, enticing you to take another sip.
Magpie Estate The Mixed Thing, Barossa Valley, Australia
Alarmingly easy to drink. This is a hugely vibrant glass of Barossa red. All the red varietals from the Nuriootpa nursery are co-fermented then judiciously blended with Barossa Grenache. Summer pudding in a glass – really refreshing fresh crushed fruit… this simply must be good for you!
Molinillo Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina
This Malbec showcases the vibrancy of this wonderful grape variety from Mendoza. Lucid notes of violet and red berries give a fragrant, lifted nose. The palate is fine, with bright bramble fruit characters and a silky finish.
£89.99 if collected from the shop
£98 delivered anywhere in mainland UK
free delivery within 30 mile radius
SPANISH WINE SELECTION:
As the weather is changing and we're all dreaming of being somewhere sunny, we've decided to bring you a selection of the best of Spain, lots of interesting new wines, new vintages and some great deals.
Sparkling - two extremely high quality Cava’s from a top estate. They’re all about finesse and elegance.
2014 La Vida al Camp Cava Brut Organic, Penedes £11.99
Pure elegance. A delightfully fresh, fruity and elegant style of Cava with lively citrus characters and lovely balancing acidity. The Parellada gives finesse and acidity, whilst the Xarel-lo develops to give full fruity aromas and flavours.
2014 La Vida al Camp Cava Brut Rose Organic, Penedes £13.99
Fresh and feminine rosé Cava - beautifully presented! The Trepat (grape) adds an attractive, pale pink to the wine. Delicate red fruit aromas lead on to a palate of citrus and white flower characters, with a touch of cassis. The fizz is fresh and persistent.
Whites – plenty of classics and some slightly lesser known grape varietals
2016 El Tesoro Verdejo,Castilla Leon £5.99
Aromas of tropical fruit with hints of citrus. The palate has some passion fruit and grapefruit characters backed by broader stone fruit notes. Well-balanced and textural palate with a fresh, bright finish.
2016 Fuenteseca Macabeo/Sauvignon Organic,Utiel Requena £6.59
Lightly aromatic, with white peach and jasmine on the nose, as well as delicate herbaceous notes and citrus. The palate is textured with fresh and zesty citrus fruit acidity, mineral notes and a clean, crisp finish.
2016 Cien Malvasia,Toro £6.99
Classic Malvasia aromas - lightly spicy with lychee, citrus and ripe stone fruit characters offering immediate appeal. The palate has some weight and texture balanced by racy acidity, a twist of exotic spice and baked stone fruit on the finish.
2016 Mas Macia Xarel-lo,Catalunha £7.59
A delicious crisp Spanish white from this historic Catalan estate. Aromas of ripe apple and citrus fruit. The palate is nutty and textural with a touch of citrus and salinity, balanced by orchard fruits, and a hint of spice on the finish.
2016 K-Naia,Rueda £7.59
Top class Verdejo from Rueda - with a dash of Sauvignon. A nose of pink grapefruit, passion fruit, mandarin oil notes and lightly herbaceous characters. The palate is rich with minerality, racy lime zest acidity and a touch of stone fruit - giving a lovely texture and intensity, and just a touch of fennel on the finish.
2016 Juan Gil Moscatel Seco,Jumilla £8.59
Refreshingly dry style of Moscatel from southern Spain. Aromatic fresh peach and lychee aromas - backed by notes of jasmine and white spice. The palate is soft and textured - with stone fruit and balancing acidity.
2016 Ontanon Tempranillo Blanco,Rioja £9.59
A rarity of the usually red Tempranillo grape. Intense tropical fruit aromas with hints of pineapple, white flower and citrus. The palate has texture, minerality and balance with ripe stone fruit characters, a hint of orange blossom, crisp acidity and a lengthy finish.
2016 Mas Que 2 (Albarino, Loureiro, Treixadure),Rias Baixas £9.59
Pronounced floral, citrus and herb aromas. The palate has the refreshing crisp, citrus flavours of Albariño balanced by touches of green apple from the Treixadura and herbal, lightly smoky notes from Loureiro.
2015 Capricho Val de Paxarinas Modelo, Bierzo £11.99
A fantastically complex Godello from the fashionable Bierzo region of north-west Spain. Perfumed, with hints of exotic fruit, apple, and citrus with a hint of white flower. The ripe, textural and complex palate has a stone fruit minerality, lifted herbal notes and crisp acidity, with white spice and a lengthy finish.
2016 Gorka Izagirre Txakoli,Bizkaiko Txakolina £11.99
Possibly the only winery in the world to have a 3 Michelin-starred restaurant! Aromas of green apples, white blossom, lime, pithy grapefruit and greengage. The palate is bright and racy with citrus acidity and an underlying minerality and bright salinity. A poised and pure wine with a refreshing bitter twist on the finish.
2015 Valenciso Blanco,Rioja £14.29
An exceptional, classic, fine white Rioja from old vines in Rioja Alta. Complex aromas combining floral characters with preserved lemon and gently smoky notes. The palate is intense and broad with nuts, stone fruit, minerality and balancing citrus acidity on the finish. Will continue to develop in the bottle.
2010 La Val Albarino Sobre Lias,Rias Baixas £20.59
The Albarino Sobre Lias remains on its fine lees for 3 years - these lees are 'refreshed' (ie. the old lees are replaced with fresh lees from the new vintage) - a rather unique process! The result is a complex and serious Albariño which is only produced in the very best vintages. Complex aromas with citrus, pineapple, hay and dried flower. On the palate a ripe citrus character is balanced by a hint of stone fruit and minerality. The result is a white with great texture and weight, with a refreshing saline twist balancing notes of marmalade on the finish.
Rose– no longer just for Spring and Summer, especially these Spanish styles of Rose which are rich and full flavoured
2016 Artesa Rioja Rosado,Rioja £6.99
Well-made and down to earth. Fruity and refreshing. A dry, approachable Rioja rosé with raspberry fruit on the nose. The palate has redcurrant and strawberry characters and a bright, juicy finish.
2015 Borsao Selección Rosado,Campo de Borja £6.99
Grapes for Borsao's Selección range are sourced from the higher vineyard slopes where soils have more sand and complexity. Intense aromas of bright red fruits, raspberries and strawberries. The palate has ripe red berry and cherry fruit characters, balancing acidity, and an appealing red fruit finish.
2015 Senorio de Sarria Vinedo No.5 Rosado,Navarra £8.99
An unapologetically pink and full flavoured rose from Spain's classic Navarra region - the home of some of the finest Spanish roses! Bright and intense red cherry and berry characters with hints of strawberry. Ripe, mouth-filling and concentrated with some tannic grip, yet balanced by fresh acidity.
2016 Macia Batle Rosado,Mallorca £9.59
Top quality Mallorcan dry rosé from one of the island's best producers. Aromas of red fruit, plum, savoury notes and a hint of spice. The palate is soft and textural with red berry fruit, creamy notes, balancing acidity and generous depth of flavour, with a touch of spice on the finish.
Reds - a wide variety of wines covering all regions of Spain
2016 El Tesoro Monastrell-Shiraz,Jumilla £5.99
A ripe, open nose of plums and blackberries, with sweet herbs and a light note of coffee. Warm and spicy on the palate with black fruit and a touch of pepper - all backed by sweet, ripe, and supple tannins.
2015 Fuenteseca Bobal/Cabernet Organic,Utiel Requena £6.59
Bright, juicy fruit aromas with appealing cassis and cherry characters. The palate has a silky texture with ripe, soft, plum and herbal notes. The mouthfeel is generous and rounded with gentle tannins and an appealing finish.
2014 Cien Tinta de Toro Roble,Toro £6.99
An eye-catching, chunky red from Toro's high, rugged vineyards. A nose of ripe plums and blackberries, with a twist of smoke, liquorice and spice. The well-structured palate has abundant damson and black fruit flavours; ripe and long.
2013 Guelbenzu ‘Vierlas’,Ribera del Queiles £7.99
A 'roble' style of red from Ribera del Queiles - which lies between Rioja, Navarra and Aragon. The wine is named after the local village. Interesting aromas of black fruit, tar, and an unusual yet appealing black olive character! The palate is vibrant and juicy with more ripe black fruit balanced by spice, toasty oak and bright acidity.
2013 Senorio de Sarria Crianza,Navarra £7.99
Complex and spicy alternative to Rioja, made up of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon. Vibrant berry fruits offset spicy red cherry, balsamic and cedar notes from 12 months in oak. Typically spicy black fruit palate with some structure and weight.
2015 Honoro Vera Merlot,Jumilla £7.99
Aromas of wild cherry and bramble fruits. The palate is smooth and elegant with blackberry and blueberry characters, and a touch of spice. There are further layers of dark plum fruit, mocha and hints of vanilla. Refreshing acidity balances the well-integrated oak and supple tannins.
2015 Ontanon Ecológico Organic,Rioja £8.29
Ontañón have invested in 57 ha of organic vineyard within Rioja. Bright cherry and raspberry aromas balanced by sweet spice. The palate is structured with complex, ripe red fruit, clove and black pepper characters. Poised and well-balanced with fresh acidity and a touch of mocha on the long finish.
2014 Bodegas Murviedro Bobal Cepas Viejas,Valencia £9.59
Complex yet approachable old vine, low yielding Bobal from Eastern Spain. Aromas of forest fruit aromas together with notes of toffee and vanilla. The palate is complex and structured, with more blackberry and plum characters, smooth tannins, a touch of mocha and a long finish.
2015 Macia Batle Tinto Anada,Mallorca £9.59
A joyful, lightly oaked blend of local Manto Negro, Callet and international varieties. Attractive aromas of juicy plum fruit, black berries and spice. Richly-fruited with chocolate, berry fruit and sour cherry acidity. Balanced with ripe, broad tannins, spice and a complex, approachable and generous finish.
2015 Madai Origen Mencia,Bierzo £9.99
Lovely elegant, light alternative to Pinot Noir. Vibrant aromas of cherry and red berry with a hint of violet. The palate is complex with crunchy berry fruit, a hint of liquorice and spice, and more floral characters - all balanced by fresh acidity.
2012 Laderas de Cabama Tempranillo,Rioja £11.59
Cabama is a single vineyard on the clay / limestone soils of Ollauri in Rioja Alta. Planted with Tempranillo vines around 30-35 years old. Pure, poised and dark-fruited with balsamic notes, elegance and a lightness of touch.
2014 Mineral del Monsant, Monsant £11.59
This wine is the result of a special project by Tomas Cusiné - it's a fantastic Cariñena Garnacha blend from the Montsant region which encircles Priorat. Appealing aromas of raspberry and a touch of slate. The palate has fresh, vibrant berry fruits, minerality and lightly smoky, spicy notes. An intense and broad wine balanced by refreshing acidity.
2013 Borsao Zarihs (Shiraz),Campo de Borja £13.99
An absolute blockbuster red. Ripe aromas of black fruits, blackcurrant pastilles and a hint of coffee and vanilla. The palate has wild blackberries, toasty oak and black pepper notes - all balanced by fresh acidity and a touch of dark chocolate.
2014 Merum Priorati Ardiles,Priorat £14.99
Chunky and complex red -a must for heavy red lovers. The wine is deep and moody yet captures a brightness and elegance remarkable for such a powerful wine. Sweet mulberry fruit is surrounded by herbal notes of thyme and fennel and underpinned with a hint of vanilla. Very ripe, fine tannins allow the sweet, juicy fruit to dominate but with the seriousness of leather, tobacco and coffee notes adding complexity.
2014 Parada de Atauta,Ribera del Duero £14.99
A stunner from the amazing Dominio de Atauta estate in eastern Ribera del Duero. A warm, spicy, open nose with intense black fruit, juicy black cherries, mocha and baked earth characters. The palate is fine with good structure, concentrated blackcurrant fruit, cedar and minerality with perfumed violets to the finish.
2014 Huerta de Albala Taberner,Cadiz £19.59
Super-charged Vino de la Tierra from near Cadiz. A lifted and perfumed nose of black fruit and plum, plus floral, spicy and savoury notes. Complex and layered on the palate with developed, well-integrated characters of dark fruit, leather and tar. Voluptuous, with fine grained ripe tannins - the well-balanced rich fruit, acidity and oak gives a long finish.
Autumnal Spirit RecommendationsGlen Moray Port Cask Finish, Speyside Single Malt £22.99
A wonderful burst of spice hits the tongue combined with a refreshing citrus tang, As it develops a rich caramel sweetness with traces of cinnamon and red fruits come to the fore.
Glen Moray Sherry Cask Finish, Speyside Single Malt £22.99
Bursting with dried fruits, cinnamon and toffee candy. Incredible layers of sweet vanilla oak, dark chocolate and oriental spice, with a satisfyingly long finish.
Sacred Microdistillery Gin £29.99
Sacred Gin magic taking place
A creamy aromatic gin with a bouquet of juniper berries, fresh cut orange, lime and lemon combined, with cardamom, angelica root and enhanced by distilled frankincense (Bosewellia Sacra) from which the name Sacred is derived. A very versatile gin best served with tonic water and either orange peel, pink grapefruit or diced strawberries.
Sacred Pink Grapefruit Gin £29.99
This is a delightful gin made unique with whole pink grapefruit including peel, juice and pips, macerated with English grain spirit and cold-distilled by Ian Hart to produce an exuberant gin. Amazingly refreshing as a G&T with a slice of fresh pink grapefruit and a sprig of rosemary.
Two Birds Salted Caramel Vodka £27.59
At Two Birds they like to tinker in the distillery.... sometimes it doesn’t work, and then every so often you strike gold (or caramel!) The true definition of indulgence... Premium English Vodka is infused with a wonderfully rich caramel and finished with a hint of salt, to create a spirit of pure loveliness! Great on its own or as a long drink with soda water and slices of apple.
Chase Sherry Cask Aged Vodka £35.99
This special-edition vodka from Chase has been aged in oloroso-sherry casks. This is warm, spicy and fruity with notes of blackberries and apple peel, along with a delicate smokiness. A delicious sipping Vodka well worth a try if you’re into Whisky/Brandy. We also have it open in the shop to sample.
Kings Ginger Liqueur 50cl £22.99
One of our biggest selling liqueurs, especially perfect at this time of the year. It’s rich and zesty, with real heat from the ginger and not too sweet. Fantastically warming as the nights get colder. Also worth trying with tonic and a dash of Angostura Bitters as a long aperitif.
