Wee Vee No.1

WEE VEE GOOD WINE, GOOD FOOD, GOOD TIMES LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON: FRANCE’S MOST EXCITING REGION?

PRODUCER PROFILE: SAN MARZANO JAN - FEB 2024 | ISSUE 01

OVERRATED AND UNDERRATED: WINE TRENDS FOR 2024

by Sky_Blue from Getty Images Signature WWW.WEEVINOTECA.COM

PRODUCER FOCUS:

SAN MARZANO, PUGLIA, ITALY

BY MATTHEW JUGGINS

by Ladiras from Getty Images In 1962, 19 vine growers in Puglia whose families had farmed the land for generations combined their efforts to establish 'Cantine San Marzano'. Through the decades this cooperative has grown significantly, attracting over 1,200 top-quality vine growers. In 2021, San Marzano was awarded the ‘Cooperative Winery of the Year Award’ by Gambero Rosso, and has been a major driver behind the rapidly burgeoning reputation of southern Italian wine. Today, let's explore four of our favourite San Marzano wines: Il Pumo Primitivo, Talò Primitivo di Manduria, Edda lei Bianco, and Susco Salento.

Let's kick things off in their ‘Il Pumo’ range with the famous Primitivo grape variety. Intense aromas of plum, cherry and spice, with hints of rosemary and vanilla, immediately grab your attention. It’s soft and balanced, full of ripe fruit flavours in an easy drinking style. Pair this gem with hearty dishes like roast lamb or cheese and charcuterie for an unforgettable experience.

Next up, we have ‘Talò’ Primitivo di Manduria, a wine that showcases the epitome of Puglian winemaking, bursting with flavours of ripe cherries and plums combined with subtle overtones of cocoa and vanilla. Velvety and textured with well-integrated tannins and intense flavour, this opulent wine is an excellent companion for rich pasta dishes, barbecues or slow-cooked red meats.

If you’re seeking a lighter red but want something unique and intriguing, look no further than the ‘Susco’ Salento. Hailing from the Salento Peninsula, this elegant showcase of the indigenous Susumaniello grape shows an intriguing nose, with floral notes, red berried fruit and spicy balsamic nuances interwoven through a finely textured and elegant palate. Its light body, soft tannins and punchy flavour make it a perfect companion for classic Italian vegetable dishes such as parmigiana or risotto.

Last but certainly not least, let us introduce you to your new favourite white wine: the luscious ‘Edda lei Bianco’. A rich, buttery blend of oaky Chardonnay, fruity Fiano and mellow Moscatel, this wine delights with its aromas of sun-ripened peach, floral notes and delicate hints of vanilla.

Fresh and beautifully balanced with a touch of minerality on the finish, it is fabulous alongside a range of food, particularly shellfish pasta, hearty chicken dishes and decadent pork belly.

San Marzano wines embody the spirit of southern Italy, capturing the region's warmth, passion, and rich culinary traditions in each bottle. So, the next time you're in the mood for an Italian adventure, drop by to visit us and give one of these remarkable wines a try!

NEW TO THE SHELVES 01

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SEYVAL BLANC “GMF”: £32

DANDY WHITE £17

CORBIÈRES BLANC £16

A bold new natural sparkling wine from the UK.

Old school winery, modern new wine.

From Languedoc: think peach & apricot.

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CLIO, THE RED MUSE £15

SOLI ROUGE £16

TOURIGA NACIONAL, VINHAS DE PEGÕES: £11.50

Greek blend: think chocolate and raspberry.

Bordeaux blend from Bulgaria.

Outstanding value, full-bodied, Sunday roast red.

RETURNING FAVOURITES 01

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LAMBRUSCO PERFRANCO BERGIANTI £33

ROLA TINTO £17.50

SEMBRO TINTO £16

Limited availability, pale, sparkling red.

Trust us.

Our Portuguese superstar in a stumpy bottle.

Move over Rioja, this amazing Ribera del Duero is back.

Prices do not include subscription members’ discount

UNDERRATED AND OVERRATED

BY DUNCAN GAMMIE

UNDERRATED: PETIT VERDOT

This variety is often discarded as a small component of a Bordeaux blend, to add depth of colour. However, when treated properly, it can produce excellent wines. Our new Solar del Alma Cellar Reserve Petit Verdot it testament to this. Think deep black fruit, subtle hints of olive and soft, silky tannins. Ideal for a Sunday Roast.

by Kichigin JillWellington from pixabay

OVERRATED: NON-ALCOHOLIC WINES

With dry January the topic of conversation at the moment, it’s worth talking about non-alcoholic wines. After lots of research, we find that nonalcoholic wines fall into 2 categories: Absolutely awful, or wildly over-priced.

We have seen some fantastic “lower alcoholic wines” that show great promise: think 7 - 9% instead of 12-14%.

Michael Lane from Getty Images Pro

UNDERRATED: N.V. STILL WINES

Typically, Non-Vintage wines (wines blended from multiple years) are reserved for sparkling & fortified wines. However, we have seen an increase in N.V. still wines. A great example if this is the La Moreno and La Rubia wines from Bodegas La Purísima. Blending across vintages adds complexity to the wine while keeping the price down, so a great option for your everyday wines.

IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON

BY MATTHEW JUGGINS

CHATEAU DE CAMPUGET, LANGUEDOC

by Chateau de Campuget

Chateau de Campuget was established in 1753. It produces exceptional wines at a variety of prices.

by Chateau de Campuget

Welcome to Languedoc-Roussillon (or simply Languedoc), a region in the south of France that could easily be mistaken for paradise.

It’s also one of the only regions in France to do varietal labelling, making it more approachable and less intimidating!

First and foremost, let's get our bearings straight.

Languedoc is a huge, sprawling wine region on the Mediterranean coast, spanning from the Pyrenees all the way to the Camargue and taking up about a third of France's wine-growing territory. It boasts a Mediterranean climate with buckets of sunshine, ensuring grapes are kissed by those golden rays day after day.

We always have a wide variety of Languedoc wines; some of our favourites at the moment are:

When it comes to wine styles, Languedoc has very much got your taste buds covered, with a huge range of grape varieties grown to exquisite ripeness thanks to its range of terroirs and hot, dry climate.

These include superstar international grape varieties such as Merlot, Cab Sauv, Sauv Blanc and Chardonnay, along with some lesser known or lesser heralded varieties such as Carignan, Cinsault, Piquepoul and Vermentino. The traditional Rhône grapes of Mourvèdre, Grenache, Syrah, and Viognier are also very prominent. From robust reds like Minervois to crisp whites like Picpoul de Pinet and elegant sparkling wines like Blanquette de Limoux, there's something for everyone.

Domaine de Joÿ ‘La Vie en Joy’ – a wonderfully aromatic blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Gros Manseng, with hints of lemon and honey around a core of peach, apricot and pineapple. Savoury and rich with a balancing freshness. It’s superb with seafood risotto.

What truly sets Languedoc apart is its unrivalled value for money. While other French wine regions might empty your pockets quicker than you can say "Châteauneuf-du-Pape," Languedoc offers exceptional wines at a fraction of the price.

Château de l'Ou ‘I Love L’Ou’ – a light, fresh blend of Marselan, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah with delicious notes of crunchy red and black fruits on a smooth, juicy palate in an easy-drinking style. A great wine for lamb and a range of cheese.

Château de Campuget ‘Le Campuget’ Blanc – a Grenache Blanc-Viognier blend with inviting aromas of fresh peach, leading to a vibrant palate of grapefruit and pear with a delicate hint of spice on the finish. One to enjoy with sharing foods like tapas or a BBQ. Château de Campuget ‘Le Campuget’ Rouge – a Syrah-Viognier blend with a fragrant nose of violet and soft black fruit, characteristics which are echoed on the smooth palate. A refreshing, easydrinking style that’s perfect for those lovely onepot, meaty casseroles.

CHILLI PEANUT BEEF WITH RED PEPPERS, SWEETCORN AND SPRING ONIONS

BY RUKMINI IYER INGREDIENTS 400g rump steak sliced into 1.5cm slices 200g green beans 175g baby sweetcorn 1 red pepper - finely sliced 1 red chilli - finely grated 2 cloves of garlic finely grated 5cm fresh ginger, grated 1 tsp sea salt flakes 1 tbsp sesame oil For the dressing 45g crunchy peanut butter 1 tbsp dark soya sauce 1 tbsp rice vinegar or lime juice 1 tbsp water To Serve 50g spinach roughly chopped 3 spring onions - finely sliced a handful of salted peanuts, roughly chopped Quick cook noodles or rice

HOW WE MAKE IT STEP 1 Preheat the oven to 220'c 200c fan / gas 7. Tip the sliced steak, greenbeans, sweetcorn and pepper into a roasting tin large enough to old all the veg in a single layer.

STEP 2 Add the grated chilli, garlic, ginger, sea salt and sesame oil and mix to make sure everything is coated.

STEP 3 Move the slices of steak to the top of the tin, as you want them to char nicely, then transfer to the over and roast for 25 minutes.

STEP 4 Meanwhile, mix the peanut butter, soy sauce and rice vinegar or lime juice with the water STEP 5 Once the beef is cooked, stir through the spinach, pour over the dressing, scatter with the spring onions and salted peanuts and serve with the cooked noodles or rice.

Wine Pairings 'Clio, The Red Muse', Sterea Ellada, Muses Estate Soli Rouge Malbec 'This is Not Another Lovely Malbec', Uco Valley, Matias Riccitelli

EVENTS

14th Feb

Valentine’s Day Supper Club

WV Hitchin

14th Feb

Valentine’s Day Wine & Cheese

WV Burwash Manor

17th Feb

Self-Guided: Portugal

WV Hitchin

21st Feb

Blind Tasting: White Wines

WV Hitchin

24th Feb

Self-Guided: Orange Wine

WV Hitchin

28th Feb

Quiz Night

WV Hitchin

2nd Mar

Self Guided: Rioja

WV Burwash Manor

16th Mar

Self Guided: Bordeaux

WV Burwash Manor

17th Mar

Comedy night

Lucas Lane Sports Club

27th Mar

Burgers & Wine with Cafe 77

WV Hitchin