Rak10 – my current recommendations!


 

This is a great mixed case of wines from around the world and showcasing some of the best producers that we work with and also why estate bottled wine is the only way to go! I have also noted wines that are Vegan if that’s your bag. Within this case I have put a mixture of reds, whites, rose, dessert, sparkling and port. Enjoy for yourself but this also makes a great present for family and friends – when ordering you can get delivered straight to your door or to the lucky recipient of your generosity, just fill in the shipping address for where you want it to go .

Whites

Vermentino, Coquille de Mer, Xavier Roger - Languedoc, France - Vegan
Xavier combines modern and traditional winemaking to great effect. Pale lemon in appearance with citrus, apricot and gentle floral aromas. . Ripe peach, and tropical notes on the palate. A fruity easy drinking style with good, balanced acidity. Crisp and refreshing. A fabulous accompaniment to all seafood, creamy chicken dishes or asparagus risotto.
Code COQU001

Grillo, Ruppe Secca - Sicily, Italy - Vegan
We have worked with Stefano Girelli of ‘The Wine People’ for over 25 years and this shows why! Grillo, also known as Riddu and Rossese bianco, is a white Italian wine grape variety which withstands high temperatures and is widely used in Sicilian wine-making. The Grillo, Rupe Secca is a superb example of what can be achieved from this grape. Intense bouquet and lovely palate of citrus and tropical fruit flavours and refreshing acidity. Try with marinated shrimps, scallops or a Caesar salad.
Code SECC001

Albarino, “Bernon” Bodegas Aquitania - Rias Baixas, Spain - Vegan
The major wine farms of the cellar, Iglesario vineyard, Currás, Lourido, Montarrán, etc are situated in surrounding plots. The land has granitic soil, where on occasions the bedrock comes to the surface which provides the wine with a delicate minerality. Yellow-green in colour with golden highlights. Fresh, intense aromas of citrus with some minerality. Fruity and fresh on the palate, with a balanced acidity and a persistent finish. This wine pairs perfectly with Galician cuisine. Try with grilled fish, seafood, white meat and fresh cheese.
CODE ALBA040

Feteasca Regala, Cramele Recas - Banat, Romania - Vegan

Cramele (Literally “Cellar”) is a premium wine estate in the far west of Romania. All the fruit is selected from their own 980 ha estate and bottled in their state of the art winery completed in 2010. Their wines are modern and fruit driven and express perfectly the traditions and terroir of the Recas vineyard where wine has been produced continuously since the 1st century AD The Feteasca Regala grape is an old eastern European variety, which produces aromatic wines in a similar style to a Gewurtztraminer or a dry Muscat. A great everyday bottle, notes of crisp apple and pear fruit with a hint of grapefruit on the light, juicy vibrant palate. This shows why Eastern Europe is now the staple of many a restaurant wine list. An ideal accompaniment to fish, poultry and salads.
CODE PAPA015
 

Rose

Granbeau Rose, Xavier Roger - Languedoc, Rousillon France
Another one of Xavier’s stunners. 60% Grenache, 30% Cinsault and 10% Syrah- this was my go to Rose for the Lockdown- absolutely lovely tipple, if you have never tried Languedoc rose before this make you regret it! Bright salmon pink in colour with lovely aromas of small red berries on the nose. On the palate, lively, well-balanced and fruity flavours. Idea as an aperitif, or alternatively try with seafood and fish dishes
CODE GRAN145
 

Dessert Wine

Pacherenc de Vic Bilh Collection, Plaimont - Southern France
Situated in the heart of South-West France, the Plaimont vineyards stretch from the foothills of the Pyrenees to the hills and valleys of Gascony covering a uniquely rich terroir. With a combination of local grape varieties, knowledge and rigorous hard work, the members of Plaimont Wine Cooperative have succeeded in producing extremely high quality wines from the terroirs of Madiran, Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh, Saint Mont and Côtes de Gascogne. Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh is a revival of an 18th century wine style. Local Gascogne grapes are harvested late in autumn in several pickings. The resulting sweet wine offers rich, concentrated flavours, with notes of marmalade and caramel coated tropical fruits, lifted by a fine citric acidity.
CODE PACH035
 

Reds

Malbec, Hornhead, Pays d’Oc - Languedoc, France 
I make no apologies for picking another wine from Xavier- this is great Malbec a bit softer than the more robust Mendoza style and it exemplifies the quality of fruit that he uses. Deep dark red. Beautiful flavours of dark fruits, amplified with hints of coffee, cocoa and subtle rosemary. Wonderfully harmonic with a round and juicy mouthfeel. Try alongside roast beef with thyme and fennel crust.
CODE HORN005

Cabernet Franc, Gran Reserva, Alto Los Romeros, Valle Centrale, Chile-Vegan
Produced by Luis Felipe Edwards one of Chile’s top winemakers this grape normally associated with Bordeaux blends shows that when done on its own and by someone with the skill of Luis can be stunning. Intense and bright ruby red in colour. The wine reveals aromas of plum and dark cherry, combined with spiced and toasted notes from oak barrel ageing. On the palate, the wine is weighty with firm tannins and the finish reveals dark fruit, coffee and light vanilla flavours. This is a wine with great character and body. An ideal accompaniment to grilled meat, salmon and pork ribs.
CODE ROME015

Rioja Vega Crianza- Rioja, Spain - Vegan
I know that there is a lot of Rioja around but this is what it is all about – Vega are the top dogs when it comes to Rioja winning award after award. An intense cherry red colour. On the nose, there are notes of ripe fruit (blackcurrants and cherries) which are well integrated with toasted aromas of cinnamon, caramelised toffee and butter.On the palate, this is a velvety wine with good structure and good fruit levels. High quality tannins abound. Gold Medal - Sommelier Wine Awards 2018. A big wine like this can handle big meaty flavours. Lovely with lamb cutlets with salsa verde and new potatoes. I love this with rosemary and garlic marinated lamb done on the grill- a firm family favourite.
CODE RIOJ010

Nero d’Avola, Rupe Secca - Sicily, Italy - Vegan
Another wine from Stefano Girelli- "Nero d'Avola" is the most important red wine grape in Sicily and is one of Italy's most important indigenous varieties. It is named after Avola in the far south of Sicily. It is frequently compared with New World Shiraz wines due to its sweet tannins and plum or peppery flavours. Intense and smooth red wine, full of ripe red berry aromas and flavours supported by soft tannins. Smooth & rich on the finish with spicy notes. An ideal accompaniment to any tomato based pasta dishes or red meat. Or, perhaps try with parmigiana aubergines.
CODE SECC005
 

Sparkling Wine

Cremant d’Alsace Brut Blanc de Blanc, Dopff & Irion - Alsace, France
Based in the Hansel and Gretal-like village of Riquewihr in the heart of Alsace, this highly respected producer, dating back to the 16th century is now in the hands of the Cave de Pfaffenheim. Established in 1957 by the growers of the villages of Pfaffenheim and Gueberschwir, this is one of the top cooperatives in Alsace. There is a very focused and environmentally friendly vineyard regime, all grapes are handpicked and a great deal of investment has gone into the winery. Light golden in appearance with silver tints, transparent and luminous. Sophisticated notes of apple and almost floral hints. The palate is fresh and supple, with refined citrus notes, fruit and almond on the finish. 50% Pinot Blanc, 50% Auxerrois- both white great grapes hence the Blanc de Blanc. Perfect as an aperitif with dried fruit, or at the dinner table with salmon rillettes, prawns, Carpaccio of sea bream with basil, sushi, tabbouleh, vegetable terrine, grilled sole with lemon. It goes wonderfully well with fresh goat’s cheese. Equally worth trying at dessert time with vacherin and cheesecake.
CODE DOPF020

Port

Pocas 10 YR old Tawny- Douro, Portugal
This is my favourite Port! being an aged Tawny you are ok to open and still be able to drink for at least 2 months once opened (keep in the fridge and make sure you put the cork back in- please serve slightly chilled!) however once I open the bottle I find it very hard not to drink it all in one go – with friends obviously!! It all began in 1918 when, a few months before the Armistice, Manoel Domingues Poças Júnior, born in the heart of the Port Wine hustle and bustle, decided to establish his own company. Manoel Poças was 30 years old and he had some experience in this business. With his uncle, he created a company to sell grape spirits to large Port Wine shippers. Soon afterwards he opened the head offices in Vila Nova de Gaia, where they remain to this date. Today, with three quintas in the best winemaking areas of the Douro Demarcated Region, Poças ensures its total control over the quality of its wines and the family is more involved than ever before. Woody bouquet of dried fruits and raisins. Fruity and well matched with the wood. Full-bodied, irresistible and complex, with a long lasting finish of dried plums. Enjoy this wine with stilton, blue veined French cheese, walnuts or a treacle tart.
CODE POPO015

 

Rak
Regional Sales Manager
House of Townend Wines Ltd
E-mail rak.jain@houseoftownend.co.uk

 



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