A very carefully selected wine tasted by us that either punches above its weight or is particularly worthy of recommendation.
‘Tis the season for aperitifs to provide sparkle and pep and many other invigorating nouns during the endurance test that is La Festa di Natale. If crowdpleasing fizz is your desire, then La Jara is your only man. Their rosé frizzante (frizzante means it’s slightly less fizzy than spumante) is made from Glera with a little added Raboso which gives it its swoonworthy peach-pink colour and a little raspberry fruit to add to the juicy apple and pear from the Glera. The perfect refreshment to kick off your party.
"Prosecco of the Year" - Matthew Jukes, Weekend Mail The classic Venetian aperitif which will make your patio feel like the Piazza San Marco.
Fully sparkling pink Prosecco – a great idea for celebrations
If you are looking to Prosecco as an alternative to Champagne, this is the one to go for. The current bottling of the fully sparkling Brut is superb. Super fresh, juicy, sherbert; lovely bubbles. Decanter Magazine's top Proseccos by Ian D'Agata - "This high quality little producer a name to look for. Bright and fresh, with precise apple and apricot notes on the soft mouthfeel."
We guarantee that your first sip of Marco Collavo's 'Collfondo' will completely change your perception of Prosecco and have you head over heels in an instant. This is savoury and grown up with layers of citrus, white peach and freshly baked bread. Where other Proseccos are gone as soon as they are supped, this has a long, lingering finish, an unctuous texture and a super-fine, stylish mousse. One of the great joy's of a recent weeks Italian tasting was watching the glint in Marco's eyes as he helped customer after customer discover the joy that is this ancient-method Prosecco. So, be one of the cool kids and get ahead of the game.
Bulgarian Sparkling Wine?! Just trust us on this one! The Edoardo Miroglio Cellar has quite the reputation for their still wines, and the same can be said for their fizzes. This sees just the same treatment as champagne, and the results are absolutely stellar.
Chances are that you’ll be entertaining guests at some point this Chrimbo season, and chances are that among said guests there’ll be a wine buff, some know-it-all who will tell you in tedious detail why the wine you serve would have been better from such and such producer, why the vintage you’ve chosen doesn’t quite reach the heights of whichever he or she has read is better, and why wines from the former eastern bloc are all shameful swill and best avoided. Pour such guests a glass of this blanc de blancs pretending it’s Champagne and delight in their embarrassed squirming when you later reveal it to be from BULGARIA of all places. This sparkler is actually as classy as they come: 24 months on lees adds brioche richness to crisp citrus and white currant fruit.
The wine used by Her Majesty The Queen in 2015 to launch P&O’s Britannia cruise liner!
“An elegant and complete sparkling wine showing great finesse and a long finish. A perfect wine to pair with any seafood as its clean fresh acidity cuts through and complements the richness.” Wiston Estate
‘Great discovery…exquisite…warm brioche…lovely richness’ "A sip is a proper sliver of luxury" - Victoria Moore (The Telegraph) Now made from 7 vintages, aged for a further 3 years in bottle. Collard-Picard is one of the great independent Champagne houses.
The best grower Champagne we have tasted in a very long time – a wonderful discovery! A blend of 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 kept in large oak foudres for 15 months and aged for a further three years on the lees before disgorgement.This is special! WINNER OF the COUP DE COEUR for BEST CHAMPAGNE IN ITS REGION.