A wonderful event, celebrating 20 years of this great restaurant and Luthful’s incredible efforts in fund raising - £100,000 has been raised through events at this restaurant and we need congratulate him for such an amazing achievement indeed!!
Joining us last night for this auspicious event was Peter and Colleen Grove of Mood Food & Menu Magazine and authors of “Curry Culture”, TV Chef and International Best Selling Author – Mridula Baljekar as well as David and Linda Carr Taylor of Carr Taylor Vineyards and Taylor & Shroff Wines UK Ltd.
As usual all five wines from Taylor & Shroff were open for sampling with the great food from Taste of India on offer. In fact Luthful had included a free glass of wine along with the meal in the price, a really good offer indeed. Luthful set off sampling everyone who even came in for a take away – Mr Keith Sherry was one, collecting an order for himself and his good lady on the occasion of her birthday. So impressed with the wine that he bagged a bottle to take home with his meal. Thanks Keith!!
Peter Grove and Mridula Baljekar both spoke eloquently indeed and both have been instrumental in all the progress and exposure that Taylor & Shroff have received to date, so many many thanks to both of them as well.
The next venture and launch event for Taylor & Shroff is to the multi-award winning Indian Ocean Restaurant in Manchester. Launching to around 100 guests and promises to be another fantastic evening indeed. 2nd December.
Ben Furst – 07787448506 (Taylor & Shroff, Made For Curry!!)
Thursday, 26 November 2009
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Mother India in Glasgow and Taylor & Shroff Wines
Meeting with Monir Mohammed was a rare treat indeed! Operating arguably the most famous of all the Indian Restaurant Groups in Scotland you may have thought that he would have been on the edge, hard wired and Sir Alan Sugar “like”? Well quite the opposite, a more laid back guy I have yet to meet. Monir met me at his (Imli-esq) tapas curry house – Mother India Café, opposite the magnificent Kelvingrove Art Gallery. Similar to Imli’s in Soho (Rajesh Suri), Monir has created a relaxed, fun environment that brings in the whole family to share dishes and that is not too taxing even on the lighter wallets.
We sampled Taylor & Shroff that evening, Monday in a cold and very wet Glasgow, full!! Not a table empty, couples and families alike waiting for up to 15 minutes for tables. The wines were extremely well received, in some cases there were discussions as to which wines each preferred and indeed some of the ladies requested second helpings of their freebie samplings – well I never!! Indeed a couple of ladies were so enamoured that they simply had to buy some bottles there and then!! Many thanks to all the team at Mother India Café in Glasgow for their superb effort and assistance on the night!
Mother India have also recently expanded into Deli/Diners and once their alcohol licenses are in place, they will be able to sell the wines by the bottle for that Mother India take-home and dine-in experience. However, we are delighted to announce that Monir has agreed to list and launch the wines at his Glasgow restaurants from the end of Jan 2010 with a small, quality and bijou launch to take place at his new “Dining In” Deli/Diner on Argyle Street in the West End of Glasgow. Following on from this we are also hopeful to be launching with him in Edinburgh too!
Mother India Glasgow – 0141 334 3815, a must eat experience!!
Imli Soho/London – 0208 287 42 43, a must eat experience!!
Taylor & Shroff – 07787448506, a must drink with my curry experience!!
We sampled Taylor & Shroff that evening, Monday in a cold and very wet Glasgow, full!! Not a table empty, couples and families alike waiting for up to 15 minutes for tables. The wines were extremely well received, in some cases there were discussions as to which wines each preferred and indeed some of the ladies requested second helpings of their freebie samplings – well I never!! Indeed a couple of ladies were so enamoured that they simply had to buy some bottles there and then!! Many thanks to all the team at Mother India Café in Glasgow for their superb effort and assistance on the night!
Mother India have also recently expanded into Deli/Diners and once their alcohol licenses are in place, they will be able to sell the wines by the bottle for that Mother India take-home and dine-in experience. However, we are delighted to announce that Monir has agreed to list and launch the wines at his Glasgow restaurants from the end of Jan 2010 with a small, quality and bijou launch to take place at his new “Dining In” Deli/Diner on Argyle Street in the West End of Glasgow. Following on from this we are also hopeful to be launching with him in Edinburgh too!
Mother India Glasgow – 0141 334 3815, a must eat experience!!
Imli Soho/London – 0208 287 42 43, a must eat experience!!
Taylor & Shroff – 07787448506, a must drink with my curry experience!!
Thursday, 19 November 2009
The Waterside Hotel - Eastbourne Wine Tasting
The Waterside Series
“The New World”
18th November 2009
Finca La Chamiza Sparkling Brut
Argentina – Mendoza
Chardonnay & Chenin Blanc
Soft and creamy mousse with apple and pear drop nose. Fairly light on the palate but smooth and very easy quaffing. Not too sure why they used Chenin though as not enough acidity bite I felt!
De Bortoli Sauvignon Blanc VAT 2 – 2008
Australia – SE Australia
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Light and floral with notes of citrus and apples. An easy going wine that whilst didn’t jump up and announce itself was pleasant none the less.
Old Coach Road Sauvignon Blanc 2008
New Zealand – Nelson
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Classic NZ SB, aromatic nose of cut grass, asparagus, nettles etc etc. Clean with crisp acidity. A nice wine indeed.
Mountain Range Carmenere 2006
Chile – Maipo Valley
100% Carmenere
An interesting fellow. Soft grippy tannins with decent black and red berry fruits. I liked this as it was more European in style. Rustic, pleasant and quaffable.
Ferngrove Shiraz 2004/5
Australia – Western Australia
100% Shiraz
Difficult to say if I enjoyed this as I really am not a fan of Ozzy reds per-say. However it was enjoyed by most present at the tasting so who am I to disagree!?
Trivento Malbec The Professional 2007
Argentina – Mendoza
100% Malbec
Ahh, now we are talking. I could rabbit on and on as to the merits of Argentinean Malbec. The new Cabernet Sauvignon for sure, positioning Argentina is a strong place to become the premium producer of New World world-class red wines!
Next Event…December 16th, A Taste of France.
The Waterside Hotel, Eastbourne.
£16 per ticket
The Waterside Hotel, 11-12 Royal Parade, Eastbourne. Tel – 01323 646 566, Mark Coleman.
Or
Ben Furst, Tel – 01323 732 001 or 07787448506
“The New World”
18th November 2009
Finca La Chamiza Sparkling Brut
Argentina – Mendoza
Chardonnay & Chenin Blanc
Soft and creamy mousse with apple and pear drop nose. Fairly light on the palate but smooth and very easy quaffing. Not too sure why they used Chenin though as not enough acidity bite I felt!
De Bortoli Sauvignon Blanc VAT 2 – 2008
Australia – SE Australia
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Light and floral with notes of citrus and apples. An easy going wine that whilst didn’t jump up and announce itself was pleasant none the less.
Old Coach Road Sauvignon Blanc 2008
New Zealand – Nelson
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Classic NZ SB, aromatic nose of cut grass, asparagus, nettles etc etc. Clean with crisp acidity. A nice wine indeed.
Mountain Range Carmenere 2006
Chile – Maipo Valley
100% Carmenere
An interesting fellow. Soft grippy tannins with decent black and red berry fruits. I liked this as it was more European in style. Rustic, pleasant and quaffable.
Ferngrove Shiraz 2004/5
Australia – Western Australia
100% Shiraz
Difficult to say if I enjoyed this as I really am not a fan of Ozzy reds per-say. However it was enjoyed by most present at the tasting so who am I to disagree!?
Trivento Malbec The Professional 2007
Argentina – Mendoza
100% Malbec
Ahh, now we are talking. I could rabbit on and on as to the merits of Argentinean Malbec. The new Cabernet Sauvignon for sure, positioning Argentina is a strong place to become the premium producer of New World world-class red wines!
Next Event…December 16th, A Taste of France.
The Waterside Hotel, Eastbourne.
£16 per ticket
The Waterside Hotel, 11-12 Royal Parade, Eastbourne. Tel – 01323 646 566, Mark Coleman.
Or
Ben Furst, Tel – 01323 732 001 or 07787448506
Sunday, 15 November 2009
MayaSurbiton
Another year and another UK Curry Awards ceremony which seems to grow each year. The 2009 event, as organised by the highly influential Enam Ali MBE was hosted and presented by Sir Trevor McDonald and David Cameron.
Amongst the winners was Indian Ocean in Manchester (3rd year running!!) and Maya Surbiton. MayaSurbiton were finalists in the New Comer category, having only opened in March this year (2009) this is no mean feat but a tremendous accolade indeed.
Meeting with the dynamic Shamim Malek for the first time I was struck by his ease and comfort in his surroundings. Confident with his very slick and modern take on the cuisine, decor and whole feel of his restaurant.
Having discussed the Taylor & Shroff wine concept with Shamin Hoque of Curries Online (the UK's premier portal for on-line curry ordering) a meeting was set. Taylor & Shroff are delighted to announce, from this recent meeting, that MayaSurbiton are now serving Taylor & Shroff Wines by the glass. A possible small launch event will be discussed for the early part of 2010 also.
To visit MayaSurbiton - 31-33 Brighton Road, Surbiton - 0208 399 4434.
To Stock Taylor & Shroff - 01424 752501/07787448506
To Be Listed With Curries On-Line - 0845 051 4252/0797697 1549
Amongst the winners was Indian Ocean in Manchester (3rd year running!!) and Maya Surbiton. MayaSurbiton were finalists in the New Comer category, having only opened in March this year (2009) this is no mean feat but a tremendous accolade indeed.
Meeting with the dynamic Shamim Malek for the first time I was struck by his ease and comfort in his surroundings. Confident with his very slick and modern take on the cuisine, decor and whole feel of his restaurant.
Having discussed the Taylor & Shroff wine concept with Shamin Hoque of Curries Online (the UK's premier portal for on-line curry ordering) a meeting was set. Taylor & Shroff are delighted to announce, from this recent meeting, that MayaSurbiton are now serving Taylor & Shroff Wines by the glass. A possible small launch event will be discussed for the early part of 2010 also.
To visit MayaSurbiton - 31-33 Brighton Road, Surbiton - 0208 399 4434.
To Stock Taylor & Shroff - 01424 752501/07787448506
To Be Listed With Curries On-Line - 0845 051 4252/0797697 1549
Monday, 12 October 2009
London Launch with Rajesh Suri and Imli. Taylor & Shroff come to town!
Thursday 8th October 2009, a date to remember. The date that Taylor and Shroff, British Wines for a British Dish, was launched with tremendous success with the famous Rajesh Suri at his Imli Restaurant in Soho/London.
The guest list included a range of Curry-istas and Asian "AllStars" as Imli's was the hottest ticket in town that night with late requests of attendance having to be turned down! Guests such as Rajesh Suri (of-course), Mridula Baljekar, Manju Malhi, Tiny Deol, Monisha Bharadwaj, Paul Sagoo (Asian Runway), Emma Harvey (The Big Curry, Tesh Parmer (Indian Ocean), Arfan Razak (The Curry Lounge), Shamin Hoque (curries Onine) etc etc...
Having been launched successfully now in India, the production of Taylor & Shroff (made at Carr Taylor in East Sussex by the award winning Alex Carr Taylor), was brought forward early due to the successes of launches and listings with The Curry Lounge in Nottingham, Jali in Hastings and interest gathering from other cities throughout the UK.
Rajesh had created 5 unique canapes, made exclusively to match the 5 flavours of Taylor and Shroff. White, Red, Apricot, Cherry and Ginger were all poured, either with the canapes, with the main buffet or with the Gulab Jamin ice cream dessert. What a feast and what a great night indeed. With guests arriving promptly for 6pm and staying through until 10ish. As we left Imli was still heaving, filling us with tremendous confidence that Taylor and Shroff will be poured like the Niagra Flows at Imli!
Further launches to be held with Assam in Glasgow, Indian Ocean in Manchester and Birmingham as well as in Jersey where a distribution deal has been agreed with Michael McCabe.
For further details about these unique wines, orders, samples or general queries please call or e-mail Ben Furst - 07787448506/01424 752501 (ben.furst@btinternet.com or sales@taylor&shroff.com
The guest list included a range of Curry-istas and Asian "AllStars" as Imli's was the hottest ticket in town that night with late requests of attendance having to be turned down! Guests such as Rajesh Suri (of-course), Mridula Baljekar, Manju Malhi, Tiny Deol, Monisha Bharadwaj, Paul Sagoo (Asian Runway), Emma Harvey (The Big Curry, Tesh Parmer (Indian Ocean), Arfan Razak (The Curry Lounge), Shamin Hoque (curries Onine) etc etc...
Having been launched successfully now in India, the production of Taylor & Shroff (made at Carr Taylor in East Sussex by the award winning Alex Carr Taylor), was brought forward early due to the successes of launches and listings with The Curry Lounge in Nottingham, Jali in Hastings and interest gathering from other cities throughout the UK.
Rajesh had created 5 unique canapes, made exclusively to match the 5 flavours of Taylor and Shroff. White, Red, Apricot, Cherry and Ginger were all poured, either with the canapes, with the main buffet or with the Gulab Jamin ice cream dessert. What a feast and what a great night indeed. With guests arriving promptly for 6pm and staying through until 10ish. As we left Imli was still heaving, filling us with tremendous confidence that Taylor and Shroff will be poured like the Niagra Flows at Imli!
Further launches to be held with Assam in Glasgow, Indian Ocean in Manchester and Birmingham as well as in Jersey where a distribution deal has been agreed with Michael McCabe.
For further details about these unique wines, orders, samples or general queries please call or e-mail Ben Furst - 07787448506/01424 752501 (ben.furst@btinternet.com or sales@taylor&shroff.com
Monday, 28 September 2009
A collaberational event between The South Lodge Hotel in rural Horsham/Mid-Sussex, Carr Taylor (award winning English Vineyards) and Ben Furst of English Vine Tours.
The award winning chefs of South Lodge, in-conjunction with hotel manager Rupert Spurgeon had created a unique menu specifically to match a range of elegant, beautifully made English wines from Carr Taylor Vineyards. A glorious evening, the sun setting over the lush fields of green on what had become a magnificent Indian Summer September. Not only creating a wonderful atmosphere for the evening but further ensuring that 2009 is going to be a bumper crop for the English Vigneron.
Smoked Chicken Salad with Rapeseed Oil Dressing and Quails Eggs - Matched with Carr Taylor Sparkling Brut NV. Bordeaux Wine Challenge Winner 2009.
Slow Cooked Sussex Fillet of Beef, Caramelised Onions with Honey Jus - Matched with Carr Taylor Sparkling Rose. Mainly Made from Pinot Noir and the first commercially available sparkling rose made in England.
Vanilla Panna Cotta with Prune Compote - Matched with Carr Taylor Ginger Wine. Gold Medal Sussex Taste Awards.
Cocoa Loco Organic Chocolate Mille Feuille with Praline - Matched with Carr Taylor Mead.
And to finish....fresh coffee and petit-fours. A fantastic event, set in a wonderful location and executed magnificently by arguably one of the very finest hotels in the UK. Thank you to Rupert, his superb team and the The South Lodge Hotel in Sussex. Look out for Hot & Spicy Foods matched with English Wines next...
Carr Taylor Sparkling Brut NV
2009 Award Winning Wine!
This terrific wine is the only British winner of a medal at this year's "Challenge International du Vin 2009"!
It won the Bronze, an achievement which makes it, quite literally, a unique British Sparkling Wine!
Made from a carefully selected blend, the Brut has an aromatic nose, a hint of honeyed sweetness and a warm, full flavour. It is ideal for parties and barbecues and other celebrations.
Carr Taylor Sparkling Rose NV
Having rested briefly on the skins to produce the delicate colour, the secondary fermentation has enhanced the fruit flavours of the Pinot Noir grape, creating this mellow, flavoursome sparkling wine. It was the first commercial quality sparkling Rosé in England. Grape Varieties: 75% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier.
Carr Taylor Ginger Wine
Gold Star Award Winner at Great Taste Awards 2009 Ginger Fruit Wine
Sweet - 11.5% vol - 50cl It has a delicious, warming flavour. It can be mixed with whisky to make a Whisky Mac, or brandy to make a Horse’s neck. Good with pears and rhubarb or poured over ice cream. Wonderful in stir fries to give an oriental flavour. Great with Christmas pudding.
Carr Taylor Mead
A sweet honey based wine ideal for summer!
This sweet wine made from honey has been popular in England since Medieval times. We follow the age- old tradition of fermenting grape and apple juices with honey, using modern fermentation techniques to produce this invigorating beverage. It is even said to be an aphrodisiac. It makes a good hot toddy when mixed with whisky or makes a mouth- watering dessert when added to thick natural yogourt. A perfect honeymoon or wedding wine.
The award winning chefs of South Lodge, in-conjunction with hotel manager Rupert Spurgeon had created a unique menu specifically to match a range of elegant, beautifully made English wines from Carr Taylor Vineyards. A glorious evening, the sun setting over the lush fields of green on what had become a magnificent Indian Summer September. Not only creating a wonderful atmosphere for the evening but further ensuring that 2009 is going to be a bumper crop for the English Vigneron.
Smoked Chicken Salad with Rapeseed Oil Dressing and Quails Eggs - Matched with Carr Taylor Sparkling Brut NV. Bordeaux Wine Challenge Winner 2009.
Slow Cooked Sussex Fillet of Beef, Caramelised Onions with Honey Jus - Matched with Carr Taylor Sparkling Rose. Mainly Made from Pinot Noir and the first commercially available sparkling rose made in England.
Vanilla Panna Cotta with Prune Compote - Matched with Carr Taylor Ginger Wine. Gold Medal Sussex Taste Awards.
Cocoa Loco Organic Chocolate Mille Feuille with Praline - Matched with Carr Taylor Mead.
And to finish....fresh coffee and petit-fours. A fantastic event, set in a wonderful location and executed magnificently by arguably one of the very finest hotels in the UK. Thank you to Rupert, his superb team and the The South Lodge Hotel in Sussex. Look out for Hot & Spicy Foods matched with English Wines next...
Carr Taylor Sparkling Brut NV
2009 Award Winning Wine!
This terrific wine is the only British winner of a medal at this year's "Challenge International du Vin 2009"!
It won the Bronze, an achievement which makes it, quite literally, a unique British Sparkling Wine!
Made from a carefully selected blend, the Brut has an aromatic nose, a hint of honeyed sweetness and a warm, full flavour. It is ideal for parties and barbecues and other celebrations.
Carr Taylor Sparkling Rose NV
Having rested briefly on the skins to produce the delicate colour, the secondary fermentation has enhanced the fruit flavours of the Pinot Noir grape, creating this mellow, flavoursome sparkling wine. It was the first commercial quality sparkling Rosé in England. Grape Varieties: 75% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier.
Carr Taylor Ginger Wine
Gold Star Award Winner at Great Taste Awards 2009 Ginger Fruit Wine
Sweet - 11.5% vol - 50cl It has a delicious, warming flavour. It can be mixed with whisky to make a Whisky Mac, or brandy to make a Horse’s neck. Good with pears and rhubarb or poured over ice cream. Wonderful in stir fries to give an oriental flavour. Great with Christmas pudding.
Carr Taylor Mead
A sweet honey based wine ideal for summer!
This sweet wine made from honey has been popular in England since Medieval times. We follow the age- old tradition of fermenting grape and apple juices with honey, using modern fermentation techniques to produce this invigorating beverage. It is even said to be an aphrodisiac. It makes a good hot toddy when mixed with whisky or makes a mouth- watering dessert when added to thick natural yogourt. A perfect honeymoon or wedding wine.
Friday, 18 September 2009
Ockenden Manor Fine Wine Tasting
The evening setting of Ockenden Manor in West Sussex is simply stunning. The sun was starting to set, the air was cool and refreshing and the wines were opened!
A nice group of 7 directors from a London based firm were the tastees, they were staying at Ockenden for a power meeting with a wee stay-over, cause they can!!
On show I was presenting 6 mixed and interesting wines; Bloomsbury 2006 Sparkling Wine from Ridgeview in Ditchling, Clos de Ratier Menetou Salon 2006, Saint-Aubin 1er Cru La Chanteniere 2007, Crozes Hermitage Les Gravieres 2006 Jean-Luc Colombo, Chateau Liversan Cru Bourgeis 2006 and Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2006 Cantina di Negrar.
Suffice to stay they were all superb, the white were served chilled but not too cold as to close them down, the reds were are carefully decanted;
Bloomsbury Sparkling Wine 2006
Ridgeview Vineyards/Ditchling
61% Chardonnay, 27% Pinot Noir & 12% Pinot Meunier
An award winning estate run by Mike Roberts. Quality English sparkling wine made in the Traditional or Champenois method, the same grape varieties as Champagne, similar soil and sub-soil structures. One of the many internationally acclaimed English Vineyards and wines today.
Clos de Ratier Menetou Salon 2006
Domaine Henry Pelle/France
100% Sauvignon Blanc. A lesser know classic Loire wine region. Just South West of its more famous cousins Sancerre and Pouilly Fume. The vines are grown on similar soils as Sancerre and the best wines from the region are hard to tell apart from Sancerre. The wine is produced and aged in tanks on the dead yeast cells or lees until bottling, adding a weightier and more aromatic style of wine. A similar process is carried out with Muscadet (Sur Lie), which lies at the mouth or estuary of the Loire near Nantes.
Saint-Aubin 1er Cru La Chateniere 2007
Domaine Gerard Thomas/Burgundy-France
100% Chardonnay
The white wines of Saint-Aubin (1er Cru), are classic white Burgundians. A stone’s throw away from both the villages of Puligny and Chassagne Montrachet situated in southern Burgundy. 20% of this wine is in new oak and ageing is for 10 months. Whilst good young this wine will mature and fatten over the next 3-5 years.
Crozes Hermitage Les Gravieres 2006
Jean-Luc Colombo/Northern Rhone
100% Syrah
Arguably one of the finest producers in Northern Rhone today. The vineyards of Crozes Hermitage are just on the outskirts or the surrounding lower slopes of the Hermitage. The vines are on average 40 years old, hand harvested and matured in small, new oak barrels for no less than 6 moths. The resultant wines are deep in colour (long maceration period during fermentation), notes of raspberries, blackcurrants and vanilla hints. Smooth with soft tannins and will mature further over the next 2-4 years.
Chateau Liversan Cru Bourgeois 2006
Grand Vin de Bordeaux
60% Merlot, 49% Cabernet Sauvignon & 1% Cabernet Franc
Liversan has been a classified growth in Bordeaux since 1932 and has never lost this classification, which is testament to its consistency of quality. Each grape is fermented separately then blended after a period of rest then matured in new French oak for no less than 12 months. The heavier depth of Merlot makes a more forward style of Bordeaux and is more easily accessible from a younger age, yet will/can benefit from further ageing.
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2006
Cantina di Negrar/North Eastern Italy
Corvina, Rondinella & Molinara
One of the most famous wines from Italy. A blend of three indigenous grape varieties that have been hand harvested and left to dry over straw mats for a period of 3-4 months. The resultant grapes are shrivelled leaving less water and higher sugar and potential alcohol. Soft and rich on the palate with heady notes of dried fruit, prunes and red berries.
Ben Furst has been involved in the wine industry for 20 years. Having gained his WSET Diploma several years ago, Ben regularly presents wines to corporate and private groups throughout Sussex as well in London. Ben also consults for an English Vineyard as well as arranges group tours (and tastings) of English Vineyards, in addition to sourcing and advising on fine wines to private clients.
ben.furst@btinternet.com
07787448506
A nice group of 7 directors from a London based firm were the tastees, they were staying at Ockenden for a power meeting with a wee stay-over, cause they can!!
On show I was presenting 6 mixed and interesting wines; Bloomsbury 2006 Sparkling Wine from Ridgeview in Ditchling, Clos de Ratier Menetou Salon 2006, Saint-Aubin 1er Cru La Chanteniere 2007, Crozes Hermitage Les Gravieres 2006 Jean-Luc Colombo, Chateau Liversan Cru Bourgeis 2006 and Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2006 Cantina di Negrar.
Suffice to stay they were all superb, the white were served chilled but not too cold as to close them down, the reds were are carefully decanted;
Bloomsbury Sparkling Wine 2006
Ridgeview Vineyards/Ditchling
61% Chardonnay, 27% Pinot Noir & 12% Pinot Meunier
An award winning estate run by Mike Roberts. Quality English sparkling wine made in the Traditional or Champenois method, the same grape varieties as Champagne, similar soil and sub-soil structures. One of the many internationally acclaimed English Vineyards and wines today.
Clos de Ratier Menetou Salon 2006
Domaine Henry Pelle/France
100% Sauvignon Blanc. A lesser know classic Loire wine region. Just South West of its more famous cousins Sancerre and Pouilly Fume. The vines are grown on similar soils as Sancerre and the best wines from the region are hard to tell apart from Sancerre. The wine is produced and aged in tanks on the dead yeast cells or lees until bottling, adding a weightier and more aromatic style of wine. A similar process is carried out with Muscadet (Sur Lie), which lies at the mouth or estuary of the Loire near Nantes.
Saint-Aubin 1er Cru La Chateniere 2007
Domaine Gerard Thomas/Burgundy-France
100% Chardonnay
The white wines of Saint-Aubin (1er Cru), are classic white Burgundians. A stone’s throw away from both the villages of Puligny and Chassagne Montrachet situated in southern Burgundy. 20% of this wine is in new oak and ageing is for 10 months. Whilst good young this wine will mature and fatten over the next 3-5 years.
Crozes Hermitage Les Gravieres 2006
Jean-Luc Colombo/Northern Rhone
100% Syrah
Arguably one of the finest producers in Northern Rhone today. The vineyards of Crozes Hermitage are just on the outskirts or the surrounding lower slopes of the Hermitage. The vines are on average 40 years old, hand harvested and matured in small, new oak barrels for no less than 6 moths. The resultant wines are deep in colour (long maceration period during fermentation), notes of raspberries, blackcurrants and vanilla hints. Smooth with soft tannins and will mature further over the next 2-4 years.
Chateau Liversan Cru Bourgeois 2006
Grand Vin de Bordeaux
60% Merlot, 49% Cabernet Sauvignon & 1% Cabernet Franc
Liversan has been a classified growth in Bordeaux since 1932 and has never lost this classification, which is testament to its consistency of quality. Each grape is fermented separately then blended after a period of rest then matured in new French oak for no less than 12 months. The heavier depth of Merlot makes a more forward style of Bordeaux and is more easily accessible from a younger age, yet will/can benefit from further ageing.
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2006
Cantina di Negrar/North Eastern Italy
Corvina, Rondinella & Molinara
One of the most famous wines from Italy. A blend of three indigenous grape varieties that have been hand harvested and left to dry over straw mats for a period of 3-4 months. The resultant grapes are shrivelled leaving less water and higher sugar and potential alcohol. Soft and rich on the palate with heady notes of dried fruit, prunes and red berries.
Ben Furst has been involved in the wine industry for 20 years. Having gained his WSET Diploma several years ago, Ben regularly presents wines to corporate and private groups throughout Sussex as well in London. Ben also consults for an English Vineyard as well as arranges group tours (and tastings) of English Vineyards, in addition to sourcing and advising on fine wines to private clients.
ben.furst@btinternet.com
07787448506
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