Archives

November 2008

**********

New Loretello 2007 just in!

We have just taken delivery of a new shipment of Loretello, our best selling white wine. This popular white, made by Giuditta Politi in the wine hills of the Castelli di Jesi, in the region of Le Marche, has a huge following among Club Vino members and those who frequent the Pebblebed Tasting Cellar. Loretello is always a special wine, beautifully clean fruit, big in structure, body and flavour, a white wine for lovers of red wine that is gorgeous to drink on its own yet man enough to stand up to robust and full flavoured foods. At a recent wine and cheese tasting, Freddie Dudbridge partnered this wine with a pungently aromatic and assertive rind-washed cheese and the match was perfect.

2007 is the fifth vintage of Loretello that Vino friends will enjoy. The 2008 harvest is in the tank right now, so a full year has passed before the release to us of this wine. That is because Loretello is a serious and complex white that always benefits from time in the bottle prior to release. While some producers of Verdicchio may release their wines as early as March or April following the vintage, Giuditta only releases Loretello when she feels that it is ready to be enjoyed at its best. Loretello 2006 is still drinking beautifully now, and will continue to evolve and develop in the bottle for some years. Loretello 2007, by contrast, is fresher, with clean pear drop and apple fruit and a refreshing light acidity that overlays its usual big structure. Please drop by and taste this special wine to remind yourselves how good it is.

***********

Bin end wine sale

In clearing space in our 'cellar' for the arrival of Loretello, I've found some bin end wines, especially some small quantities of excellent white wines that we have enjoyed over the past year at some of the wine tastings that we regularly do. I'm having a clear out and these wines (all in very small quantities) are now on special offer. To keep things simple, I've cut £2 per bottle off the price which means that in some cases these wines are offered at cost price or below.

Here are a few examples:

Tormaresca Chardonnay 2005 usual CV bottle price £7.50 bin end price £5.50
Maculan Pino & Toi 2005 usual CV bottle price £8.50 bin end price £6.50
Serego Alighieri Possessioni Bianco 2006 usual CV bottle price £8.75 bin end price £6.75
Arneis Blangé Langhe 2005 usual CV bottle price £11.50 bin end price £9.50
Vernaccia di S Gimignano Tradizionale 2004 usual CV bottle price £10.35 bin end price £8.35

If you would like any of these wines, please email me as quantities are very limited.

***********

Vino events

December 1 -- India meets Italy wine dinner at Essence of India - an amazing evening of fine Indian foods matched with Vino Italian wines - here's the menu. Cost for evening will be £37.50 inclusive for CV members.

17 December -- Annual Vino Christmas party at The Globe - this will be an informal occasion centred on the wood-fired oven - indoors if too cold!, enjoying our most popular Vino wines together with simple wood-cooked foods.

mid-January -- Barolo and Nebbiolo Masterclass - banish the winter blues by enjoying these great warming wines in the Pebblebed Tasting Cellar together with some equally warming foods. A rare opportunity to enjoy a vertical tasting (different vintages) of Mario Fontana's special flagship wines: Cascina Fontana Nebbiolo delle Langhe, Barolo and Barbaresco.

***********

Vino gifts; wine tastings

How quickly a year goes by! The holiday season is now just around the corner. We have as usual a selection of gift boxes of wines available, and can make any custom selection to suit your requirements. We also have beautiful Italian plain glass decanters - a decanter and a bottle of Barolo is a wonderful present for the wine lover in your life! And our Wine Drop Stop disk foil pourers are the perfect stocking filler.

See more here.

We can supply wines for our corporate friends, too, and are happy to arrange a wine tasting as a special Christmas event or gift, either privately or at your workplace or other venue. Simply call 01392 873778 to discuss.

***********

Slow Food Market this Sunday November 16th; Carlo Petrini at Dartington on Wed November 19th

Just a reminder that another Slow Food Devon Topsham Market takes place this Sunday in Matthews Hall from 11am to 2pm. We have a great line-up of producers who are bringing some wonderful produce to share with you, we will be having a slideshow of images from Terra Madre, and Natasha's Market Kitchen, The Cafe Globe, and Antonia's Kitchen will be cooking up a storm. So come along and enjoy some great local foods, beers, ciders, and of course Vino and Pebblebed wines.

For those interested in learning more about Slow Food, Carlo Petrini, the inspirational founder of this global movement, will be speaking at Dartington Hall this Wednesday, November 19. For more information contact Freddie at freddieduds@googlemail.com or book your tickets direct by emailing tickets@dartingtonarts.org.

***********

Best to all,

Marc and Kim