Wines Direct July 2016

July 2016

COVER Pascual Olivares Fernandez - Jumilla, Spain winesdirect.ie - Voted Best Wine Website 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016

Wines Direct are proud recipients of the McKennas Guides ‘Best in Ireland’ Award for the 18th consecutive year

Sylvie & Marie Courselle of Chateau Thieuley with Gavin & Gareth Keogh

The silly season ends for most people when

between our current winemakers get

Direct, however, that’s when it begins. I’ve

from them.

the Christmas trees come down. For Wines spent the last few months travelling from

vineyard to vineyard to make sure that the

2016 assemblage is as exciting for you as it has been for me. Whirlwind weekends in

Spain, sunshine laden days in Langudeoc

and muddy jaunts around Bordeaux are just a few of the journeys from this year. Every second of it is absolutely worth it.

New Recruits We stick to a specific algorithm at Wines

Direct when it comes to sourcing wines. We meet the winemaker, walk their lands, and taste the wine before it comes to Ireland.

stronger, we blithely take recommendations We’ve whittled down the potential new

recruits to 21 wines that ticked all our boxes.

Vibrant, dynamic, small ‒ batch wines from family run vineyards are exactly what we

look for. Wines which have character and a

story to tell, and can take you on a journey.

While many of the wines come from

vineyards we have been working with for many years, Colutta’s Schioppetino or

Langa’s Frenesi to name a few, we have some new names to add to the list, and

we’re delighted to share them all with you.

We research areas and vineyards for months before we visit, and as relationships

Gareth Keogh

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20 lan d joi ne d ran ks wi th On Jun e 16t h 20 16, Ire rld leb rat e the ina ugu ral Wo dif fe ren t cou ntr ies to ce ec t r pa rti cip an ts, Wi ne s Dir Ta pa s Da y. Ev er the ea ge wi th an ish wi ne s an d pa ire d it ch ose on e of our ne w Sp all to en joy ! a sim ple tap as rec ipe for fam ily as La ng a on e of the on ly La ng a Fre ne si, fro m Bo dge Dir ec t d, ha s joi ne d the Wi ne s run vin ey ard s in Ca tal ayu fro m , an d mu scu lar red wi ne ran ks . A de ns e, me aty of fou r s, thi s int rig uin g ble nd org an ica lly gro wn gra pe be rne t ac he , Sy rah , Me rlo t & Ca dif fe ren t va rie tal s (Gr en e wi th sw ee t fru its on the pa lat Sa uvi gn on ) pr es en ts da rk ice . A n an d bla ck pe pp er sp som e ove rly ing cin na mo ch ori zo rec ipe be low ! wo nd erf ul ma tch wi th our

11065 Langa Frenesi 2015

Calatayud, Spain Garnacha, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon - 13.5%

€14.50 Now €13.75

Sticky C h o r iz o 250g Chorizo As many cloves of garlic as you need (we will never make your garlic decisions for you) 4 tablespoons of red wine vinegar 1 tablespoon of runny honey Slice up the chorizo and add it to a hot pan with the crushed garlic cloves. Let it cook until crispy.

Drain away most of the fat, but leave a smidgen, and add the red wine vinegar and honey. Turn the heat down to reduce the liquids down to a sticky glaze.

Once optimum stick has been achieved, serve it up!

Don’t forget to take a sip of your Langa Frenesi with each bite!

DISCOVER OUR NEW VARIETALS!

so attractive to fortified winemakers, but

Friulano is the most significant white grape

there is more to Grillo than Marsala. Grillo is

Italy is infamous for its Pinot Grigio

blending grape. At Feudo Luparello it is

lie vineyards full of vines indigenous to the

oiliness, to create a succulent, well

variety of Colli Orientali de Friuli. Northern

robust and lemony, making it a perfect

production, but on the roads less travelled

blended with Viognier, known for its

region. Believed to have originated in

balanced wine.

Veneto, Friulano has been cultivated in Colli

The origins of Trebbiano can be traced to Orientali de Friuli since the 1600’s. Friulano is the Eastern Mediterranean before becoming a medium-bodied white wine with popular in Italy during Roman times. moderate acidity, floral aromas and elegant fruit flavours.

Generally known for producing Marsala, Grillo is native to Sicily. Its potential to

produce high alcohol levels is what makes it

01

11061

€14.75 Now €14.00 Fresh and unoaked, it has fruit flavours of peach, pear and melon.

4

commonly known Trebbiano Toscano. Over half of the white grape population of Italy is

Trebbiano, renowned for its high acidity and typically dry but fruit-forward wines.

02

11062

Feudo Luparello 2014 Sicily Nero D’Avola, Syrah - 13.5%

Red Wine

Friuli Grave DOC Friulano - 12%

White Wine

Bidoli Friulano 2015

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo is a clone of the more

€16.75 Now €15.85 Full bodied, yet elegant and smooth. Flavours of blackcurrant, plum and a slight hint of white pepper on the palate.

Nero d’Avola is one of Italy’s most important A grand total of fifteen winemakers produce indigenous grapes. Known for its sweet

Schioppettino in its native Friuli.

“Black Grape of Avola” found its roots in

left to its own devices will overgrow and

tannins with plum and pepper flavours, the Sicily many moons ago. Nero d’Avola’s bold fruit flavours and hearty tannins make it a wonderful match for rich meats. Think

chargrilled steak in the summer and roasted game in the winter.

Schioppettino is a large, robust grape and if become too acidic. To prevent this from

happening winemakers use a technique known as “green harvesting”, which

concentrates the quality of the juices to

ensure the smoky, luscious flavours of the grape prosper.

05

11064

Trebbiano D’Abruzzo DOC Trebbiano - 13%

White Wine

Villamedoro Trebbiano 2015

€14.50 Now €13.80 A Family Affair at Bidoli.

Wine bottling, Friuli-Grave Italy circa 1924.

03

11063

€16.75 Now €15.85 A revelation! A refreshingly fruity wine with complex floral notes and smooth, fresh finish.

04

11055

Colutta Schioppettino 2012 Friuli Grave DOC Schioppettino - 13%

Red Wine

Sicily Grillo, Viognier - 13%

White Wine

Feudo Luparello 2014

Intense nose of citrus, light almond and tropical fruit.

Fresh on the palate with mineral and citrus accents.

€28.75 Now €27.25 Intense ruby red with a fresh aroma of raspberries and blackcurrants. On the palate a slight hint of oak, autumn leaves, moss and fruit.

5

Certain regions come with certain

expectations, and at Wines Direct we like to

wine region, Priorat has been thriving for

the last thirty years and following years of

exceed those expectations. Ribera del Duero extensive searching, we are delighted to add Mas d’en Gil’s wines to our repertoire. and Priorat are two such regions where, after many years of searching, we have finally found the wines we’ve been

Jose de las Heras, the King of Jamon, put his lifelong dream of becoming a winemaker

looking for.

Marta Rovira Carbonell, winemaker at

into action, over a decade ago. High in the hills of Ribera del Duero, Jose and his son

Mas d’en Gil, told us that she makes wine for George, work together on the estate producing exciting wines with a personal her grandfather’s palate, producing fresh, terroir-driven wines that Priorat was

touch. There’s a long history of winemaking

outbreak, Priorat was stripped from

that is was awarded DO status. Most

renowned for. Following a phylloxera thousands of hectares under vine to just

600. Now known as Spain’s most expensive

01

11067

Coma Vella 2010

€37.75 Now €36.00 Cherry colour with a touch of garnet around the edges. Intense, expressive aromas and an elegant finish.

6

vineyards in Ribera del Duero average at 740 metres above sea-level, but we’ve been

02

11066

Bellmunt 2013 Priorat DOQ Grenache, Carignan - 14.5%

Red Wine

Red Wine

Priorat DOQ Grenache, Carignan, Syrah - 15%

in Ribera del Duero, but it wasn’t until 1982

€25.25 Now €24.25 Deep, red cherry fruit with refreshing mineral notes and the classic, chalk mineral character known to the region.

France

~ La Coruna

Bilbao

Ribera del Duero Barcelona

lucky enough to find Montelaguna

Portugal

where vines grow a gargantuan 900

Priorat Madrid

metres above sea-level, in the sleepy

Valencia

village of Pesquera de Duero.

Jumilla

Jumilla isn’t new to us, but the

Olivares’ family are. Pascual Olivares,

Ibiza Alicante

Sevilla

third-generation winemaker, is a

master of high-altitude winemaking.

An astonishing 825 metres above sea level, Bodegas Olivares is home to vibrant and vivacious wines which reflect both the altitude and terroir. Pascual Olivares’ vineyard is surrounded by a natural

amphitheatre which protects his vines from freshness and vitality in his wines.

11072

Olivares Altos De La Hoya 2014 Jumilla DO Monastrell - 14%

Red Wine

the stifling Jumilla heat. This ensures

05

€14.25 Now €13.50

03

11069

04

Olivares Crianza 2012

€25.75 Now €24.50

Jumilla DO Monastrell - 14.5%

Mature fruit and toasted oak, with a rich spicy bouquet.

€19.75

11073 Red Wine

Ribera del Duero DO Tempranillo - 15%

Red Wine

Montelaguna Crianza 2012

Full-bodied with dark, red fruit aromas and flavours.

A balancing edge of drying vanilla and cedar on the finish.

A dark, rich and ripe palate with a floral edge which is vibrant and refreshing alongside some hints of tobacco and cedar.

7

While several trips a month to continental Europe may seem glamourous, often times it’s anything but. Languedoc in

Belgium

February, the sun is shining, but high on the hills of Faugeres, or Pic St Loup, it is colder than cold. Bordeaux in March, the height of their wet season, you will find yourself splodging through the fertile soils of the vineyards. Northern Spain any

Caen

the Irish midlands. It’s hard work, but it’s worth it.

Le Mans

Paris

time before May is identical to the micro-climate of

Adding to our list is no mean feat. As relationships with our

current suppliers grow stronger each year, we explore their

portfolio to see if there are more delights in their cellars. Prolific imbibers that we are, choosing the right wine is a bittersweet

experience when there’s a whole assortment we’d like to take

Bordeaux

back! Lo and behold, we found four outstanding wines from

Toulouse

winemakers you know and love.

Montpellier

Enjoy!

Spain

01

11058

8

Languedoc Carignan, Grenache, Syrah Mourvèdrefosco - 13%

€13.50

€22.75

Medium bodied and fresh with flavours of damson and blackberry.

A spicy nose with deep, dark fruit flavours. A clean, balanced finish.

Red Wine

Pays d’Oc IGP Merlot - 13%

106661

Chateau La Baronne Les Chemins 2013 Red Wine

Domaine De Belle Mare 2014

02

We are delighted to welcome Le Fief du Breil to Wines Direct as the first Cru Communal in our repertoire. Le Fief du Breil grows from 40-year-old

vines on a four-hectare site of the same name.

Muscadet de Sevre-et-Maine can include wines that have been aged sur lie for a period of time

chosen by the winemaker. Le Fief du Breil ages, with time sur lie, from 14 to 24 months. Ageing is

what makes Le Fief du Breil so wonderfully floral and gives it a slight weightiness that isn’t usually noted in Muscadet.

Germany

05

11059

Cru Communal “La Haye Fouassière” AOC Melon de Bourgogne - 13%

White Wine

Le Fief Du Breil 2013

€24.75 Marseille

From 40 year old vines. A fresh and lively wine with floral, apple and mineral flavours.

03

11060

€24.25 Now €23.25 A rich and aromatic white wine with smooth peach and pineapple flavours and a long, clean finish.

04

11057

Cremant de Loire Alain Marcadet Val de Loire AOP Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc - 12%

Sparkling

Jurançon Sec AOP Petit Manseng - 13%

White Wine

Chateau Jolys Cuvee Pauline 2013

Leslie Williams, Irish Examiner, Jo Landron, Winemaker & Gavin Keogh

€25.50 Now €24.50 Lively and fresh with flavours of citrus and apple as well as a hint of minerality and yeast.

9

Editor’s Choice

This month we’ve rounded up some of our favourite wines which have recently been revered in the Irish press. Six bottles that have been tried and tested by the best in the game, lovingly chosen and packed for you to enjoy.

6 Bottle Case

3x Red

3x White

12 Bottle Case

6x Red

6x White 2 Bottles of each wine

Order Code: Editor6

Order Code: Editor12

Was €123.45

1 Bottle of each wine

Now €99.00

Was €239.40 Now €195.00

What’s in the Case?

Reds

Whites

Chateau Saint Esteve Grand Reserve 2012 Cotes du Rhone Villages A/C France Grenache, Syrah - 14.5% “Lashings of brambly fruit with attractive liquorish notes” Martin Moran, The Sunday Times

Tahbilk 2014 Goulburn Valley Nagambie Lakes, Australia Viognier - 13.8% "Very nicely crafted wine with rich peach and nectarine fruits" John Wilson, The Irish Times

Rondan Reserva 2010 Rioja, Spain Tempranillo, Mazuelo - 13.5% "Classic stewed berries with liquorice and vanilla" Liam Campbell, Irish Independent

Domaine des Terres Dorees 'Classe' 2014 Beaujolais, France Chardonnay - 12% "A smart and compelling wine" Tomas Clancy, The Sunday Business Post

Paddy Borthwick 'Paper Road' Wairarapa, New Zealand Pinot Noir - 14.8% "This is beautiful from beginning to end" Blake Creedon, Irish Examiner

Winemaking came to Paddy as more of a necessity than a vocation when his father’s sheep farming took a turn for the worst. After obtaining his degree in Oenology, Paddy Borthwick became a travelling winemaker.

During his travels, Paddy worked a stint in Burgundy which lit the flames for his Pinot Noir passion. Upon returning to Wairarapa he set up his now renowned 25 hectare estate on the old Borthwick farm.

Castellari Bergaglio Gavi 2015 Gavi DOCG Italy Cortese - 12.5% "Honeyed, tastes of fresh figs and ripe melon" Tom Doorley, tomdoorley.com

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