We added over a dozen new kosher wines yesterday – including new wines from Israel. All Kosher for Passover and largely Mevushal. We intend to have the largest selection of kosher wines online, at least in the UK.
The European Union has told the Australian wine industry that they cannot label their wine ”Prosecco”. The ban was imposed in April and the Australians have been trying to overturn it since then. The EU have designated ‘Prosecco’ a protected name, ensuring that only producers abiding by standards set in a specific region of northern Italy can use the name on their labels.
The Australians can still use the name Prosecco on the wines in their home market but not on any wines that are destined for the EU market.
Want to find the perfect gift for that cricket mad person in your life? Well why not treat them to a bottle of Jim Barry Silly Mid On Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon or for the red wine drinker, The Cover Drive Cabernet Sauvignon.
The added irony is that they are both Aussie wines! (For those who have no interest in cricket or spent this summer on a desert island – England thrashed the Aussies to win The Ashes)
For the more cerebral friends or relatives you could send a bottle of The Scribbler Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz from the Yalumba family owned winery. A great wine and an unusual presentation; with a label in the form of a sheet of lined paper torn out of a spiral bound notebook.
You can find them here Australian Wines
Château de Claribès is a small family run vineyard producing red, white and rosé wines under the controlling appellations of Bordeaux and Sainte Foy Bordeaux. They produce wines that are allergen free and have very low levels of sulphites.
The château sits high above a limestone valley south of the Dordogne river half way between St Emilion and Monbazillac. This beautiful countryside in the Bordeaux wine region has its own appellation, Sainte Foy Bordeaux.
Claribès is an historic site inhabited by man for several thousand years. Excavations carried out by archeologists from the University of Bordeaux revealed many artifacts, pottery and even the remains of primitive man, from the caves that run beneath the château. Vineyards were first planted in the area during the Roman occupation with wine production continuing through to today.
“The wines of this small relatively unknown Appellation in the eastern part of Bordeaux distinguish themselves by their complexity and opulence, with Merlot as their base. A discovery worth making.” Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux.
Hand Picked 2006 Sauvignon Blanc
Exactly what I want from a Sauvignon Blanc – dry, crisp, fruity, not overly tropical. Good balance between fruit and acidity.."Robert Joseph – Wine Critic
The Sauvignon grapes are hand picked and cold fermented. The 2006 is delicate, mineral and has a lighter acidity. In the words of Robert Joseph this means "It’s great when just standing around chatting, it doesn’t demand food." The wine is Allergen free, vegan, vegetarian and produced using sustainable agriculture.
"..The rounded balanced tannins on first impression evolve with freshness, fruit and lively acidity.."Le Guide Hachette des Vins 2008. An even blend Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark fruit flavours blackcurrant, blackberry and black cherry. Aromas of vanilla and oak, long and smooth.Suitable for vegetarians and produced using sustainable agriculture. (Allergen – Albumen)
"Good rounded tannins, dry, ripe fruit, mmm…now you’ve got me interested what else have you got?" Oz Clarke – Author and Wine Critic.
Cabernet Sauvignon (80%) with a small amount of Merlot (20%) The wine has a good tannic structure which means it will age well. Its full of complex ripe fruit flavours with hints of chocolate and liquorice.Suitable for vegetarians and produced using sustainable agriculture. (Allergen – Albumen)
Great news – we now produce your corporate branded wine labels and champagne labels and can add a gold or silver overprint for that added touch of class.
We can design your label for you or accept high res files of your own in house design. Give George or Lynn a call on 0161 273 6070 today.
We will be offering Chateau Calon Segur 2003 Parker 91, Chateau Leoville Les Cases 2000 Parker 99 and Chateau Gruaud Larose 2000 Parker 94 on www.smithfieldwine.com very soon.
Only partly true. The concept of serving red wine at ‘room temperature’ was developed before the days of central heating. Now room temperature is too hot for many reds. Don’t be afraid to put them in the fridge or even ask for an ice bucket in a restaurant. The lighter wines, like Beaujolais can be served cooler than a Bordeaux.
While whites should be served colder, over-chilling diminishes their flavours. A label that says ‘serve well chilled’ often means ‘tastes foul at higher temperatures.’ A general rule of thumb is that Chardonnays can be served warmer than Sauvignon Blanc. Like everything else with wine though – temperature is down to personal preference.
Jordan Estates was one of several wine estates under threat from an application from the African Exploration Mining and Finance Corporation to prospect for tin, silver and other minerals in the Stellenbosch and Cape Town winelands.
Happily for Jordan, sanity has prevailed and the application has been withdrawn. Unfortunately there are still a number of applications being processed, which threaten other producers in the region. Jordan has pledged their support to any other producers still under threat.
It would appear that the advertising industry has just discovered what we at Smithfield Wine have known and done for the last ten years.
Sir John Hegarty – worldwide creative director of BBH ad agency said in a recent interview” The truth is the finest strategy you can employ. Tell the truth. Explain to people why a Chardonnay is different from Chablis. Just explain it. It’s colder, the climate sharpens it. There is no future in confusing the consumer”
It’s nice to know we have been ahead of the game and a trendsetter for so long!!
This is something that kitchen designers and their salesmen seem to think is true. Wine likes to be stored somewhere dark, cool, fairly constant in temperature and free from major vibrations. Most modern kitchens fail on virtually every count!
No No No !!