Thank goodness May is here! It’s the final month of spring and the days are warming up. We are getting a little more sunshine and there is a (slim!) chance of an al fresco lunch with a refreshing glass of white, but there can be a chill in the evenings, so a warming glass of red is still welcome. Asparagus and Jersey Royals herald the start of a new season for fresh produce and shellfish is in good supply. Our wines of the month are the perfect partner to these seasonal goodies and they will be available throughout May to taste in our shop, Cellar 21, in North Yorkshire. If you can, pop in for a sample or a coffee and a homemade biscuit or cake.
Viu Manent Secret Sauvignon Blanc Gran Reserva, Colchagua Valley, Chile 2020
The Colchagua Valley, 150km south of Santiago, has 33,000 hectares planted to vines and a long history of winemaking. In the 19th century many new vineyards were created by wealthy mining families as a sign of prestige. Originally focussing on blended wines with a high proportion of inferior Pais grapes, single varietals using premium grapes came to the fore in the mid to late 20th century, with Carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignon taking centre stage. In The early 2000’s the development of the cooler coastal area led to many fine Sauvignon Blanc being produced.
Viu Manent is a family run winery, founded in 1935 and now under the direction of the third generation. Situated in the Colchagua district in the heart of the Central Valley, Viu Manent is consistently nominated as one of the top 50 wineries in the world.
Secreto is the backbone of the range of wines produced by the family. While respecting the history and tradition of the area, they also are known for their innovative approach to winemaking.
Taste: Intense, lively nose of stone fruits, and a hint of passion fruit and minerals. Excellent mouthfeel, really refreshing with underlying citrus and added tropical tones.
Try: With some fresh asparagus wrapped in Serrano ham, or a spring salad of little gem, peas, lemon, mint and feta dressed with olive oil and lemon juice.
£13.75 MAY OFFER £11.75
Cave Talmard Macon Uchizy, Burgundy, France 2022
Macon is the southernmost area of Burgundy. Primarily known for its white wines made from Chardonnay, it also produces red and rose made from Gamay and Pinot Noir. It is an area of rolling limestone slopes and dotted with fine classical churches. The churches are an indicator of the wealth of the area, generated by its location on the border of France and the holy Roman Empire which allowed the collection of huge sums in customs duties from the 9th to 17th centuries.
Warmer average temperatures than the rest of Burgundy and lower rainfall give excellent conditions for ripening Chardonnay grapes, and the wines are considerably richer and fuller-bodied than the lean, mineral examples from Chablis in the far north of Burgundy. Maconnais wines have a broad palette of flavours due to their scattered geography, but typical examples include white flowers, honeysuckle, lemon verbena and orange citrus.
Taste: Aromas of ripe apple and pear with floral overtones. A creamy, rounded texture underpinned by bright, linear acidity with an exotic core of peach apricot and nectarine, fused with white pepper and a lingering finish.
Try: With a home-made chicken Kiev or, as a weekend treat, a Dover sole Meuniere.
£15.35 MAY OFFER £13.30
Kaiken Clasico Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina 2021
Mendoza is Argentina’s most important wine growing region. The completion of the Mendoza to Buenos Aires rail link in 1885 stimulated demand to the point where Argentina became the 5th largest producer in the world. Until the mid-19th Century, production was focussed on bulk wine from Criolla Grande grapes but by 1910, 80% of production had switched to French varieties, with Malbec in particular finding favour.
Situated in Lujan de Cuyo, in the west of Mendoza, Kaiken is owned by Aurelio Montes who makes the celebrated Montes Alpha wines in Chile. Kaiken have over 240ha of their own vineyards throughout Mendoza and they also buy fruit from other growers to ensure their wines offer a reflection of the whole of Mendoza. Some of their Malbec vines exceed 100 years of age, while many of their Cabernet vines are up to 70 years old.
Taste: Rich, dark and full-bodied with aromas and flavours of black cherry and liquorice, smooth, silky tannin and a long satisfying finish with bitter chocolate and delicate floral notes.
Try: The great Argentinian Carbonada Criolla, a hearty beef stew with sweet and white potato, peppers, squash and sweetcorn with the addition of dried apricots or raisins for a touch of sweetness. Perfecto!
£13.20 MAY OFFER £11.00
Fryer's Cove Grenache Cinsault, Western Cape, South Africa 2021
The founding of Fryer’s cove is an inspirational story of one man’s pursuit of a dream. Situated on a rather bleak promontory, with the cold Atlantic waves breaking just 500m from the vines, it is the only vineyard in Bamboes Bay, formerly an area known for fish processing it was largely abandoned by industry.
Though right next to the sea, the area is prone to drought and any groundwater is too salty for cultivating vines. Wynand Hamman was forced to build a 29km pipeline to get fresh water. Through an exchange of shares for land and by promising his neighbours water from the pipeline, he was able to complete his project.
Today, Fryer’s Cove is a thriving vineyard at the centre of a hardy fishing community. Heavily involved in local projects such as school sponsorship, Fryer’s Cove is also a tourist attraction which has opened a restaurant to serve the best local produce from both sea and land. The restaurant is 70% community owned with the 30% remaining under ownership of Fryer’s Cove. The community and Fryer’s cove form a vital partnership in an otherwise difficult area.
Taste: Attractive aromas of raspberry, red and black cherry with a touch of clove fill the glass. Medium-bodied with ripe, fine and velvety tannins. Hedgerow and bramble fruit lead into a fine, elegant finish.
Try: with a fillet of pork and boudin noir with sweet potato mash and grain mustard sauce. Or soft sticky maple glazed pig’s cheek with Pommes mousseline..a kind of superfine mashed potato.
£15.35 MAY OFFER £13.20
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