Fine Wine Cellars

Bargain basement time here! The Coteaux du Layon is one of the prettiest regions of the Loire, as well as being home to some of the very best value, sweet Chenin Blancs anywhere in the world. Domaine des Forges remains a closely guarded secret despite our efforts over the past fifteen years to raise their profile! 2005 offers us all the opportunity to put away a few more bottles of these incredibly good value wines. Case contains 2 bottles each of Chaume, Chaume Les Onis, St Aubin Les Chavagnes.

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TEsting…

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Our friend and Beaujolais expert, Bernard Perrin, was so excited about this vintage that we agreed to buy a selection of wines before they'd been bottled and we had the chance to taste them. We have since received the finished wines and we're now as excited as Bernard. A lovely, ripe vintage.

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This is a serious and superior deuxieme vin at an approachable price. Made from 70% Cabernet, 15% Merlot and some Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. With much of the density of colour as Leoville Barton, this has heady black fruit and soft cedar aromas - and considerably less of a tannic attack than the grand vin.

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Each wine in this case has been chosen for early summer months in mind, when the weather can turn hot, or wet, or dismal in the span of just a few hours. A fresh, crisp Sauvignon Blanc and an elegant, gently fragrant Soave for warmer day s. A fruity, ripe rose for summer salads and al fresco dining. And three very different reds; a rustic lighter-bodied Beaujolais for picnics; a warm and spicy red made from the same varieties as used for Port; and a rich, generous, powerful red to pair alongside barbecues and grilled meats. All you need is the time to enjoy them.

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We have a real mix of flavours here. All are Sauvignon Blanc but are from a wide range of countries. The Loire Valley is Sauvignon Blanc's homeland but we see it in its richer, fuller guise from the warmer climes of the New World. The grape is renowned for its fresh, citrus and green-fruit flavours, making this case ideal for spring and summer drinking.

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For many years we've been publishing a green leaf symbol in our Wine Lists to mark out wines that have been made in an environmentally respectful manner. We have always had an affinity with growers who prefer to let nature keep herself in check. Some carry an organic or biodynamic certification, but the growers of these green leaf wines are all committed to sustainable methods of viticulture. For more information on organic and biodynamic wines, log on to adnams.co.uk/greenleaf.

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Being a Wine Buyer might just be one of the very best of all possible jobs as it enables me to pay regular visits to some of the most beautiful areas of the world. It now seems that I have to share this privilege, as recent years have seen a trend for owners of wine estates to develop what resources they have and outhouses, cow sheds and abandoned cottages have all been the focus of redevelopment into attractive French gîtes or, in this case, Italian agriturismo. The possibility now exists for all those of you who enjoy travel away from big cities to stay in spectacular countryside locations. This is not some basic B&B, these are very well appointed rooms with all that you could ask for. To highlight this I have selected two of the growers that we deal with in northern Italy. www.barolomeriame.com www.cortedaibo.it

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What is fashionable to drink, in terms of dry white, lurches from the likes of Pinot Grigio to Viognier with more obscure grapes like Fiano waiting in the wings. Sauvignon Blanc is remarkably resistant to the vagaries of fashion and has consistently offered up delightful variations from all over the world. Despite its success further afield, its natural home is in the Loire valley and it is from here that we offer this celebration of the master of fresh, dry white styles. The Sauvignon grape does not really get going until you reach the town of Tours but from here plantings stretch along the banks of the Loire and Cher rivers and cluster in small sub-regions like Quincy and Reuilly until you reach the town of Sancerre where the river turns and heads south. The cool climate suits this grape and the variety of soils means that all levels of quality are catered for. From easy drinking to a grand dinner, it is all here.

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