“Dear March—Come in—
How glad I am—
I hoped for you before—
Put down your Hat—
You must have walked—
How out of Breath you are”……—Emily Dickinson 1830 –1886
With the arrival of March spirits are lifted, Easter is fast approaching, wild garlic is abundant (see this month’s wine and dine for a wild garlic recipe) and daffodils are putting a smile on our faces. The weather swings from sun to storm in the blink of an eye, so our Wines of the Month are a mix of fresh and brisk as well as rich and warm.
Cielo Primitivo, Puglia IGT, Italy 2021
From the sun-drenched heel of Italy. After languishing for decades as the poor relation of Italian tourist destinations, Puglia is now getting the attention it deserves for its food and wine. Originally from the Dalmatian coast around Croatia, Primitivo is now prized as southern Italy’s leading grape and has spread from Puglia to many parts of the world, most notably California where it is known as Zinfandel.
Cielo have over 100 years of wine making experience and produce wines which all offer great fruit and complexity. We are proud to be involved with such a forward-thinking winery.
Taste: Lots of ripe plums, cherry jam and tobacco fill the glass followed by deft hints of cocoa, vanilla and coffee due to twelve months of aging in wooden casks. Medium-bodied with lots of ripe fruit balanced by the round and velvety tannins. A touch of spiciness on the long, lingering finish.
Enjoy: Try with Bombette Pugilese. A roll of well-seasoned pork, filled with pancetta and cheese, then grilled. A long simmered ragu of beef shin and pork belly with tomatoes and garlic, served with Pappardelle would be perfect for a chilly evening.
£11.66 MARCH OFFER £9.50
Fleurie, Maison de la Madriere, Stephane Aviron, Beaujolais, France, 2020
The Gamay grape of Beaujolais has a chequered past. First appearing in around 1360, it quickly gained popularity, making inroads into the heart of Burgundy… Pinot Noir territory. The Dukes of Burgundy were so angered at the progress of Gamay, at the expense of Pinot Noir, that in 1395 they ordered it banished from their lands and uprooted. The result was that growers were forced south, to present day Beaujolais. Here, the granite and limestone soils proved ideal for its cultivation and Gamay thrived, accounting for 40% of crops in the area by the 17th Century. Improved transport had already led to a huge increase in trade, but the Braire canal, which took 40 years to build was the real game changer. It allowed the wines of Beaujolais to be shipped straight to Paris, where it was quickly adopted as the wine of choice for thirsty workers in the Bistros of the city.
In 1936 Fleurie was granted status as one of the 10 Crus of Beaujolais in recognition of its particular silky, bright and supple characteristics.
Taste: Wonderful, vibrant nose with violet, tayberry and cherry fruit fused with spice. Lovely velvety texture with a luscious, ripe concentration of blackcurrant and cherry integrated with cinnamon. Uplifting acidity that adds another dimension.
Enjoy: with a classic bistro dish found in the “Bouchons” of Lyons such as Poulet au Vinaigre. Chicken cooked in a sauce of stock and red wine, finished with vinegar and cream. A perfect weekend dinner.
£16.45 MARCH OFFER £14.10
Tyrrells Old Winery Verdelho, Hunter Valley, Australia 2021
The Hunter Valley area is about two hours north of Sydney and has a warm, humid subtropical climate and frost is almost unknown. Altitudes of up to 1500m and cooling breezes from the Pacific are drawn into the valley and keep the air moving, reducing the risk of mildew. Wine grapes were first planted in the early 1820’s and the first commercial wines were produced in 1835. The growth of the area has been exponential since Europeans developed a taste for Australian wine, going from just 460ha in the late 1950’s to 4600 ha today.
Verdelho has long been appreciated in the area and was among the first vines planted. Principally known as a grape used in Madeira, it has been producing table wines for a long time with plantings all over the globe from Argentina to California, Spain and the Azores.
Tyrrells are one of the oldest established wine growing families in Hunter and have been producing wine since 1859, currently headed by the fifth generation. The Verdelho grapes for this wine were harvested from selected vineyards in the Hunter Valley, and the resulting free-run juice was cool-fermented to retain its inherent fragrant qualities. A small amount of residual sugar was left in the wine for added complexity and fruit weight. Soon after fermentation the finished wine was fined, filtered and bottled.
Taste: Old Winery Verdelho is fresh and lively with an intense, sweet tropical-fruit nose that offers an exotic touch of spice. The well-rounded palate is awash with rich tropical-fruit and honey flavours that merge seamlessly with a crisp, lemony finish.
Enjoy: As an aperitif or with a lively starter of a fish taco or a zingy ceviche.
£15.40 MARCH OFFER £13.20
Rupert and Rothschild Baroness Nadine Chardonnay, Western Cape, South Africa, 2022
Wine has been produced in South Africa since 1659. French Huguenot settlers arrived in 1688, bringing with them vine cuttings, new techniques and a wealth of experience. The Cape soon became known for the quality of its wines and by the mid 18h Century they were to be found on all the most prestigious tables of Europe.
A difficult period in the 20th Century, with prohibition, over production, quality issues and the isolation of South Africa during the apartheid era led to a slump in the fortunes of Cape wineries. The opening up of the country after the elections of 1994 led to rejuvenation with an influx of fresh investment, new equipment and a fresh approach to making wines more suited to export markets.
In 1997, under the leadership of Dr Anton Rupert and Baron Edmond de Rothschild, Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons was established. Both men later relinquished the reigns to their respective sons; Anthonij Rupert and Baron Benjamin de Rothschild. Following the passing of Anthonij Rupert in 2001, his older brother Johann Rupert and sister Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg assumed his position.
Taste: Charming nose of lemon citrus fused and tropical fruit fused with delicate hints of honey, hazelnut and vanilla. Rich and round on the palate yet extremely well-balanced thanks to the uplifting, bright streak of acidity, which complements the creaminess from the oak and wraps around a core of lemon curd, gooseberries and toasted almonds. A confident wine that oozes class and sophistication with a deft nod to Burgundy.
Try: Especially good with Vitello Tonnata, a Piedmotese dish of Veal with a tuna dressing. Alternatively, a chicken breast with a creamy tarragon and mushroom sauce would be lovely.
£25.30 MARCH OFFER £22.25
All of these wines will be open to taste in our Cellar 21 shop throughout Mrach. Pop in and have a taste!
We would love to see your pictures of you enjoying our wines or if you have made any delicious food pairings, please join the conversation and tag us on Instagram @boncoeurfinewines.
