Commune Spring 2021

COMMUNE EDITION 4

MAY 2020

Commune is a regular digital newsletter produced by Neill Wine an independent importer of natural wines, craft beers and spirits from passionate, quality focused producers.

GRAPE EXPECTATIONS | STUNNING SIMONSIG | AMAZING ALSACE | THURSDAY TABLE

SPRING TIME AND A NEW BEGINNING...

COMMUNE | MAY 2021 | NEILL WINE | 2

SPRING HAS NEVER FELT MORE APPROPRIATE Spring. It’s a time for rebirth and this year it couldn’t feel more appropriate.

Recent weeks have seen a long overdue and warm return to our hospitality industry across Northern Ireland, and we couldn’t be happier. We’ve witnessed first-hand the hard work, enthusiasm and energy that has gone into making the grand re-opening a reality and it’s been inspiring.

In response, our Trade Division has been working day and night in preparation for the welcome re-opening of bars and restaurants.

We’ve refreshed, redesigned and re-energised our wine lists and have a new dynamic wine offering that has arrived to enhance our core range.

To say we’re excited about the rest of spring and the summer for the entire hospitality industry would be an understatement.

It isn’t just the reopening of our beloved pubs, bars and restaurants that makes this spring feel significant for us either. We’re now well into an exciting regeneration project of our Victorian Groomsport shop premises - a project that has been three years in the making.

COMMUNE | MAY 2021 | NEILL WINE | 3

We’re lovingly restoring the unique building that dates back to around 1850. What it means to you, our customers, is that it will provide a greater shopping area with new features all of which flow into a beautifully designed garden area. In short, it’s a total restoration of the ground, first and second floor of the building.

We’ve also got a separate but equally exciting concept coming soon that we can’t wait to update you on. All in all, we really believe the restoration of the Groomsport store will enhance not just the shopping experience, but the centre feature of the village - something we’re immensely proud of.

Alongside all of the exciting changes that are taking place and coming soon, one thing from the last year of lockdowns and restrictions will remain - our very popular Call A Cave FREE home delivery service will stay a permanent feature. We know just how popular it has been and we’re delighted to keep it.

As we step into the next phase of restrictions being lifted and we can see the light at the end of the tunnel shine brighter than it has for a long time, I want to take the opportunity to say thank you for your incredible support.

Without you, our customers, there is no Neill Wine. On behalf of myself, my family and the entire team at Neill Wine - thank you.

Stay safe, look after each other and we can’t wait to raise a glass with you all soon.

BACKGROUND PIC AND LEFT: The beauty of our home County Down

COMMUNE | MAY 2021 | NEILL WINE | 4

WHAT WE’RE DRINKING A selection of our favourites and recent additions to our range

WALT PINOT NOIR 2019

MICHEL & POMPILIA GUIRAUD COMME A CAYENNE SAINT-CHINIAN 2019,

Pfalz, Germany|13%| £10.95

85% Grenache 15% Carignan

German red wine is on the rise!

With perhaps a nod to global warming, the quality of German Pinot Noir or Spatburgunder has never been higher.

Languedoc-Roussillon, France|13.5%| £14.95

The area surrounding the village of Saint-Chinian in Southern France produces wonderfully intense wines from Grenache, Carignan and Syrah grapes.

Forget about the over-priced Chateauneuf de Pape and treat yourself to a stunning value for money alternative. This wine is deep garnet red in colour with aromas of black fruits and spices. A concentrated wine, intense and elegant on the palate, it is well rounded with a hint of liquorice spice and a dark fruit explosion of cherries and blackcurrants.

Match this wine with roasted new season lamb rack.

EDITION 4

100% Pinot Noir

The 2019 vintage in the Pfalz had periods of extreme heat but also moderate temperatures and some cool summer evenings leading to a very harmonious wine.

Walt Pinot Noir is elegant, light and fruity with ripe red berries and hints of spice. Watch out Burgundy, Germany is coming for you!

Match this wine with Roast Duck

ALESSANDRO RIVETTO LANGHE NEBBIOLO DOC 2018

Piedmont, Italy|14%| £17.50 100% Nebbiolo

Nebbiolo is the king of Piedmont and is rightly famed for the Barolo and Barbaresco it produces. The Langhe region produces fabulous value for money wines from Nebbiolo that act as a wonderful introduction to this regal grape without breaking the bank.

This wine has a brilliant ruby red colour that softens as it ages. Its aroma is delicate, fruity and reminiscent of raspberries and violets. The palate is dry and softens as it ages to become velvety with a long persistence.

Match with a barbequed Tomahawk steak and a generous grating of truffle.

COMMUNE | MAY 2021 | NEILL WINE | 5

WHAT WE’RE DRINKING A selection of our favourites and recent additions to our range

CAPRICE COLOMBELLE 2019

Cotes de Gascogne, France|12% £9.50

80% Colombard 20% Gros Manseng Caprice is a sophisticated wine from a unique selection of fruit from the best parcels of the Colombelle vineyards, located in the heart of the Gascony region. The colour is classic Colombard with pale green highlights, yet some golden nuances from the Gros Manseng grape also come through. The nose is dominated by lemon notes and grapefruit aromas, develops with great intricacy towards subtler hints of white peach and quince. The initial attack is lively and delicious, the Colombard’s crispness offsets the sweetness of the Gros Manseng. Caprice is characterised by exceptional length and leaves the palate with a sensation of pineapple and passion fruit end notes.

Match with good friends and enjoy!

VINA SALCEDA VERDEJO 2020

CHIVITE LAS FINCAS ROSADO

Rueda, Spain|13%| £12.50

Navarra, Spain|13.5%| £14.95

100% Verdejo

70% Garnacha 30% Tempranillo

Vina Salceda Verdejo is made exclusively from grapes coming from vineyards located high in the north-east of the Rueda denomination, at about 720m altitude. These cooler climate vineyards are essential for achieving just such a fresh, ample and very varietal wine.

Winemaker Cesar Munoz describes the wine as "Intense and very aromatic, pleasant herbal notes in the mouth and a good balance between fruit and acidity." Think tropical fruits with hints of honey dew melon.

This is a Michelin starred wine! Julian Chivite sat down with his lifelong friend Juan-Mari Arzak to come up with the perfect rosé to go with the 3 star food served at the famous San Sebastian Arzak restaurant. Their aim was to create a rosé with a subtle balance between structure and finesse, a fresh wine with a very complex nose dominated by discreet and elegant red fruit and hints of white fruit and flowers.

Match with Ensalada de Pulpo (Octopus Salad) Verdejo is one of the few grape varieties that works well with tomatoes.

Very pale pink colour. Intense nose.

Very fruity, with a delicate floral finish.

In the mouth it is smooth, balanced and lively, with a character and persistence that are surprising given the wine’s delicate appearance.

Match with Oysters Rockefeller EDITION 4

COMMUNE | MAY 2021 | NEILL WINE | 6

GR APE EXPECTATIONS We take a close look at the most grown grape variety in the world

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Say the words Cabernet Sauvignon and a number of different images more than likely come to the mind. Deep, rich reds. Bottles of some of the finest wines in the world. Perhaps even some of the most spectacular and scenic wine producing regions around the globe, including Bordeaux or Napa Valley in California.

All of this is true but there is so much more to arguably the world’s most famous grape.

HISTORY Like many great inventions, the creation of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape was an accident. In 1996 researchers at the University of California, Davis, discovered that Cabernet Sauvignon was created when, during the seventeenth century, in the Aquitaine Department of France, a red Cabernet Franc grape plant and a Sauvignon Blanc grape plant bred by mistake - thus creating one of the most popular grapes in the world.

Due to its durable nature, the new grape was adapted by winemakers across France, because alongside its durability, it was easy to grow.

They also discovered that the wine was able to age particularly well in oak barrels - with the wood introducing new flavours to the wine. This made it easy to store and age at a time when the ability to do so was at a premium.

JEFF CARREL VILLA DES ANGES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 | 9.95

REGIONS The Cabernet Sauvignon grape is most widely associated with the Bordeaux region of France, where it has a history of more than four hundred years. However, the other regions where the grape is grown are plentiful.

California has a proven track record for producing great Cabernet Sauvignon wines, with the historic 1976 ‘Judgement of Paris’ proving how Napa Valley wines could go toeto-toe with their French contemporaries.

Just up the Pacific Coast from California, Washington State is developing a reputation for worldclass Cabernet Sauvignon wines too.

The 1970s was a major year for the grape closer to home too, as Tuscan winemakers were breaking with centuries of tradition and made the decision to plant Cabernet Sauvignon - instead of doing what had always been done and sticking with native grapes.

COMMUNE | MAY 2021 | NEILL WINE | 7

WHERE IT’S GROWN

TASTES LIKE...

Blackcurrants Cedar Cassis Liquorice Roasted Coffee Beans Green Pepper

On the other side of the world, after the Shiraz grape, Cabernet Sauvignon is the second most planted grape in Australia, with the grape’s history in the country dating back to the 1800s.

In South America, Chile and Argentina both have strong, well established records of producing brilliant bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon, in a variety of different styles.

In South Africa, Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted red variety of grape in the entire country, with a style that sits somewhere between Old World and New World.

One country to watch for Cabernet Sauvignon is China. As the country expands at pace into winemaking, the grape plays a part in around 70 per cent of the country’s production of wine.

FAMOUS WINES Cabernet's hall of fame can be found within the globally renowned commune of Pauillac in Bordeaux, on the left bank of the Gironde estuary, known as the Médoc. Creators of the greatest bottles of long-lived Cabernet Sauvignon, namely Chateaux; Lafite Rothschild, Mouton Rothschild and Latour.

EDITION 4

COMMUNE | MAY 2021 | NEILL WINE | 8

V I S I T A V I N E Y A R D | MEET OUR SUPPLIERS We visit the vineyard of Simonsig in Stellenbosch, a name synonymous with wine making in South Africa

FIVE DECADES AND THREE GENERATIONS GET TO KNOW SIMONSIG

EDITION 4

COMMUNE | MAY 2021 | NEILL WINE | 9

The Simonsig wine estate has been in the Malan family since 1942. It’s a name that is instantly recognisable, both in its home country and around the world.

Founded by Frans Malan, for three generations the family has produced a variety of wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinotage, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and its world famous Kaapse Vonkel.

Located around 50km from Cape Town in South Africa, the legislative capital of the country, the 214-hectare estate is perfectly positioned in the world famous winemaking region of Stellenbosch. >

COMMUNE | MAY 2021 | NEILL WINE | 10

The area itself is situated in the foothills of the Simonsberg mountains, from which the winery takes its name. The cool wet winters, proximity to the Atlantic Ocean with its cool afternoon breezes teamed with long warm

Frans was one of the founding members of South Africa’s first wine route, appropriately located in Stellenbosch.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the wine route,

2021 is a landmark year for the Simonsig wine estate as it celebrates 50 years of its world renowned Kaapse Vonkel. The sparkling wine was created after Frans Malan took a trip to France in 1968 and was inspired by what he saw and tasted.

In the decades since that first bottle, the Kaapse Vonkel has become the standard bearer for South African Cap Classique. There are now 200 wineries in South Africa that make the Cap Classique style of wine.

In 1995, International Wine Challenge named Kaapse Vonkel the “Queen of White Wine” with numerous other accolades and achievements coming since. The wine has also birthed a portfolio of other Cap Classiques that continue to win awards both in South Africa and internationally.

summer days provide this spectacular part of the world the climate to create wines that have to be tasted to be believed.

The climate in the province is actually similar to some of the most well-known Mediterranean wine producing regions, such as France, Spain and Italy. Paired with unrivaled soil quality, Stellenbosch is an area that provides the ideal environment for the making of highquality wines in a myriad of varieties, which Simonsberg does to great aplomb.

Whilst the land that the estate is situated on has been in the Malan family since 1942, the first bottle to come from the estate was in 1968 a Chenin Blanc.

Produced by family patriarch Frans Malan, he was an entrepreneur and winemaker that championed the region - something that the family continues to do today. Alongside his work on the Simonsig wine estate,

something that would not have been possible without the work from Frans and his fellow cofounders.

In 1971, Simonsig saw another huge landmark for the Malan family, with the production of South Africa’s

first-ever bottle fermented wine the now iconic Kaapse Vonkel. It was a momentous decision for the winemaker as it has gone on to become the international benchmark of quality and standard bearer for South African-made, bottle-fermented sparkling wine, better known as Cap Classique.

Two generations on from those first bottles, the families of Francios and Johan continue with the traditions created by Frans. The winery now features five distinct ranges: The Garland, The Malan Family Selection, Methode Cap Classique, Cultivar Range and The Grapesmith.

Today, the Simonsig wine estate is managed by brothers Francios Malan, the viticulturist and Johan Malan, the cellar master and winemaker, the brothers taking on the mantle from their father. Now, the respective children of Francois and Johan - Francois-Jacques, Christelle and Michael - are part of the Simonsig legacy, working for the business, bringing three generations to the Simonsig wine estate.

The family has also worked tirelessly to champion the wines produced not only by them but by the region, with the Stellenbosch region a powerhouse in the global wine community.

OPPOSITE PAGE | FOR THE FULL SIMONSIG RANGE CLICK HERE 1. SIMONSIG CUVÉE ROYALE 2017 | £19.50 2. SIMONSIG STELLENBOSCH CHARDONNAY 2017 | 12.50

3.SIMONSIG STELLENBOSCH CHENIN BLANC 2019 | 9.50 4. SIMONSIG KAAPSE VONKEL BRUT 2017 | 14.95

1.

2.

3.

4.

COMMUNE | MAY 2021 | NEILL WINE | 12

A F E W W O R D S A B O U T | AL SACE The story behind the small but mighty wine producing region in France

ALSACE

Don’t let its size deceive you. Alsace is a powerhouse region when it comes to wine and wine production.

With its close proximity to the German border, shelter from the Vosge mountain range and its location on the west bank of the river Rhine, it’s the perfect home to almost 1,000 wine producers.>

EDITION 4

COMMUNE | MAY 2021 | NEILL WINE | 13

Harvest time in the vineyards of Domaine G. Metz

EDITION 4

COMMUNE | MAY 2021 | NEILL WINE | 14

A unique, blended history Alsace has a fascinating history and a culture unlike any other region of France. Historically, the region was a part of the German-speaking area of central Europe and over the past two centuries, ownership of the region has changed multiple times.

The result of its history is a culture that combines French and German, to form its own unique blend. Today, a large proportion of its population speak or understand Alsacian - a dialectal form of German, closely resembling the German spoken in Switzerland.

As you can imagine from an area that has changed ownership and national connections multiple times, the region features centuries of European history.

BAS-RHIN STRASBOURG

OBERNAI

GERMANY

BARR

FRANCE

RIBEAUVILLE

SELESTAT

COLMAR

HAUT-RHIN

Rhin e

THAN

SWITZERLAND

The landscape is dotted with colourful villages that feature brightly-painted houses with steep timber roofs with a distinctly Germanic feel. Medieval castles are not out of place and can be seen regularly when exploring, adding to the feeling and connection to the remarkable history of the area.

To further illustrate the incredible history of the Alsace region, is the fact that the oldest wine in the world aged 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

in casks is kept in Alsace. Situated in the historic cellar of the Hospices de Strasbourg, a superb place steeped in history. The white wine is from Alsace and dates back to 1472. Whilst the remarkable cuvée can still be tasted, you’ll have to time it perfectly, as tastings have only happened three times in five centuries!

The joy of variety Wine in the region boasts both German and Roman influences. It’s a culture that was created and led by the Romans and revived by the Merovingian and Carolingian dynasties. It’s history means that the region has been known as a wine producer across Europe since the Middle Ages.

Alsace benefits from a real diversity of mirco-climates, soils and sub-soils that allows producers to create a wide variety of wines. The tradition of wine-making in the region is based on seven major grape varieties Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noirs, Slyvaner and Muscat - which gives the ‘Vins DOMAINE G METZ 1. PINOT NOIR VIEILLES VIGNES 2019 | £14.95 2. MUSCAT D’ALSACE 2018 | £14.95 3. GEWURZTRAMINER VIEILLES VIGNES 2019 | £14.95 4. PINOT GRIS 2018 | £14.95 5. RIESLING VIEILLES VIGNES 2019 | £14.95 6. PINOT BLANC VIEILLES VIGNES 2019 | £14.95

EDITION 4

COMMUNE | MAY 2021 | NEILL WINE | 15

d’Alsace their aromatic characters and names. Around 90 per cent of the wine in the region is white.

Nature comes first In Alsace, there is a real emphasis on working with nature to create the best wines. Growers stimulate vine defenses, limit their input of chemicals, work to boost deep root systems and focus on natural biodiversity.

In the region, there are rigorous production rules that help growers keep to these methods. Constraints are implemented at selected degrees, depending on terroirspecific levels.

A unique climate It’s not just the history of the region that makes Alsace unique. The entire wine growing area is sheleted from any oceanic influences by the towering Vosge mountain range.

The natural barrier of the mountain range creates a climate that is specific to the area. Alsace features very hot summers and cold winters.

The result of which means very favourable growing conditions for vines. The unique climate is most noticeable in the autumn, when hot days and cold evenings provide the perfect conditions for grapes to ripen slowly.

Alsace also has one of the lowest average rainfalls in all of France, giving the region a semi-continental warm, sunny and dry climate. The low rain total - around 600 to 650mm on average per year - and strong, dry winds from the Vosges reduces the risk of rot for vines.

This allows for vineyards to receive less treatment and vines to grow uninterrupted.

The oldest wine route in the country Alongside it’s incredibly rich history that dates back to the Romans, Alsace is home to the oldest wine route in France.

It winds its way through 170km of

hills, full of vineyards from the north to the south of the region. There are nearly 70 individual winegrowing villages, with almost 1,000 different vineyards to sample wines from.

Growers are passionate about the wines that they produce and are always willing to share that passion with visitors on the wine route.

Choices, choices and more choices As you can imagine, when a remarkable history and unique climate combine, the choice of wines to be had spans far and wide.

Fresh, dry whites sit alongside powerful full bodied reds, sparkling wines are complemented by sweet

desert whites whilst light and reds and powerful whites also feature.

A unique feature of the area is the 51 grand crus of Alsace. In total, there are just 51 grand cru plots that are only allowed to use a single variety or blend just four official grape varieties.

Grand Cru Grape Varieties: Riesling Pinot Gris Muscat Gewurztraminer They must be tried to be believed.

EDITION 4

COMMUNE | MAY 2021 | NEILL WINE | 16

T H U R S D A Y T A B L E | T H E P E R F E C T M AT C H Our social media feature has proven to be a big hit - here are some highlights and new suggestions

POTATO SALAD

Served with Domaine G Metz Pinot Gris Vieilles Vignes | £14.95

RHUBARB CRUMBLE

Served with Ghiga Ultimo Grappolo Passito di Moscato | £18.50

VENISON AND CHIPS

Served with Chateau du Neurin Haut-Médoc 2018 | £18.50

EDITION 4

LAMB BIRYANI

Served with Bullhouse Beer Small Axe Session IPA | £3.15 (50cl)

SEAFOOD PIE

Served with Adega de Moncao Muralhas Rosé 2018 | £8.95

CRAB LINGUINE

Served with Moulin de Gassac Viognier 2019 Languedoc | £10.95

PORK STIR FRY

Served with Terranoble Gran Reserve Pinot Noir Las Dichas 2017 | £3.15

MOULES MARINIERE

Served with Caprice Colombelle Côtes de Gascogne | £9.50

BEEF BOURGIGNON

Served with Jean Loron Pinot Noir Les Pierres Dorées 2018 Burgundy | £14.50

COMMUNE | MAY 2021 | NEILL WINE | 17

COMPETITION TIME! #ThursdayTable Competition - eat and drink and win a case of wine!

It’s safe to say that we’re passionate about pairing food and drink together to bring out the best of both and over recent weeks you may have noticed our #ThursdayTable posts across our Facebook and Instagram pages.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our posts as much as we’ve enjoyed creating them, and that they inspired you to head to the kitchen to cook up a storm, as you pair your favourite foods with your favourite wines and beers.

Whether it’s great local seafood paired with crisp white wines, a homemade curry teamed with a beer or a delicious dessert and sweet wine, we’d love to see what you’ve been eating and drinking.

From June 1st to June 17th, we’re inviting you to post your #ThursdayTable inspirations to Instagram, use the hashtag #ThursdayTable and tag us in it.

We’ll select our favourite and post them on our social media channels, and tag you in the posts. We’ll be giving away a case of six wines of your choice* to the winner, along with two half cases of three wines to two runners up.

Get snapping! We can’t wait to see what you’ve created! *Cases are six bottles to a value of £70 in total. Three half cases are to the value of £35 in total. Final decision of the winners and the selection of wines rests with Neill Wine. All decisions are final. To be considered for entry, you must use the hashtag #ThursdayTable and tag @neillwine. Pictures must be posted by midnight on 17th June.

Any entries posted before June 1st 2021 will not be considered.

EDITION 4

COMMUNE | DECEMBER 2020 | NEILL WINE | 18

W H E R E W E A R E | G RO O M S P O RT & H E L E N ’ S B AY Pop in for a chat and a browse - we’d be delighted to see you

GROOMSPORT 49 Main St, Groomsport, Bangor BT19 6JR | Tel: 028 9145 0114 | Email: info@neillwine.com FIND US ON GOOGLE MAPS

HELEN’S BAY 2 Station Square, Helen's Bay, Bangor BT19 1TN | Tel: 028 9185 3650 | Email: info@neillwine.com FIND US ON GOOGLE MAPS

EDITION 4

COMMUNE | DECEMBER 2020 | NEILL WINE | 19

CLICK & COLLECT | OR WE’LL DELIVER You can call & collect at our Groomsport shop - otherwise browse & order online and we’ll come to you

ORDER ONLINE NEILLWINE.CO.UK

OUR SHOPS

TEL 028 9145 0114 MOB 07766 477 443

ANY QUESTIONS?

SEND A GIFT

WE’LL WRAP & DELIVER

RETURNS

OPENING HOURS

PHONE US OR EMAIL

NO QUESTIONS ASKED

QUALITY GUARANTEED NO QUIBBLES!

BY PHONE OR ONLINE

SECURE PAYMENT

CALL A CAVE FREE DELIVERY TUE-SAT CLICK FOR DETAILS

EDITION 4