Wine
The French Connection Proudly displaying the Welsh dragon on its label, Château du Seuil (available exclusively from Fine Wines Direct) produces great wine with a surprising link to Cymru. We speak to owner Nicola Allison to find out more. taste.blas: How did a Welsh family end up owning one of France’s oldest and most illustrious vineyards? Nicola Allison: My parents, Bob and Sue Watts moved here in 1988, buying Château du Seuil which was a run-down property they fell in love with. It had been making wine for over 200 years but in the last 20 years the owner had leased the vineyards out, so they started a programme of re-planting and expanding. I and my husband Sean took over from my parents in 2001. I was a doctor, having studied in the Welsh National School of Medicine. In fact, all my schooling was done in Wales having grown up in Llancarfan, but in 1989 I moved to New Zealand to work and subsequently met my husband Sean there. t.b: Can you tell us a little about Chateau du Seuil’s history and the wines that come from the region? NA: Château du Seuil is in a small village called Cerons, about 30 minutes south of Bordeaux city in the Graves appellation. We make Graves red, Graves white, rosé and Cerons à botrytis dessert wine - indeed Cerons is the smallest appellation in Bordeaux. Graves is the birth place of all Bordeaux wines with Haut Brion being one of our most illustrious members. t.b: We understand most of your wines are organic – what exactly does this mean and what are the benefits? NA: We’ve been organic since 2009. We believe firmly in not using insecticides, fungicides and weed killer for many reasons. Not least for our health and our employees as we live and work in the vineyards but also for the benefit of the environment and our consumers. As far as the quality of the wine is concerned, we have seen a return to the true expression of the terroir and the vine itself in our wines. t.b: Broadly speaking, what are the types and taste characteristics of Château du Seuil’s wines? NA: The red wines have aromas of red berries and soft supple tannins and the white stone fruit and citrus with a vibrant finish on the mouth.
t.b: We’ve heard a lot about how climate change has enabled increased and better wine production in the UK and Wales, how has it affected you? NA: Climate change is a real entity. In Bordeaux a good year is when the Cabernet ripens (Cabernet being the last variety to ripen) and over the last 5 years unlike 20 years ago, we have been able to pick the Cabernet at its full ripeness before the rain sets in. There are also late frosts, drought and severe hail storms in the middle of the summer all of which can damage the vine and its fruit. t.b: How did you get involved with Fine Wines Direct? NA: I started working with FWD after meeting Nigel at a function. I was looking for a local company and FWD was a perfect match. Although they are like a family, their level of professionalism is outstanding. They have an outstanding portfolio and Château du Seuil wines are proud to be amongst some of the best wines in the world. I am often over hosting wine dinners that range from gourmet pubs in the mountains to 5 star hotels such is the breadth of their distribution. t.b: How did the connection with the Royal Welsh come about? NA: I met Ben, a captain, at a FWD wine dinner. I have had family in the Welsh Guards and we hit it off immediately. It helped that he loved the wines! Subsequently, Château du Seuil wines have been served at ceremonial occasions including a private lunch with Her Majesty which was a great honour. t.b: If you could take just one of your wines with you to a desert island, what would it be? NA: A desert island wine would have to be our top wine Heritage, we only make it in very special years and it is a very small production. I would be a bit worried about storage though on this island!
Fine Wines Direct UK are an independent, vastly experienced, specialist importer of wines offering a range of exciting wines from both leading, as well as exciting, niche producers from across the wine world. As a 3-time finalist at the prestigious Harpers award for ‘Wine Wholesaler of the Year’, they supply many of the country’s top restaurants, as well as having a fully stocked shop and a tasting room to host events, meeting the producers and tasting the wines. A unique for Wales on-site bonded warehouse means wines come direct from producers. The majority of wines are exclusive in Wales and cannot be seen in any supermarkets or high street outlets, and include unique family estates such as Allan Scott, Los Picos, Maison Michel Picard and Marques de Caceres - all at great prices. Fine Wines Direct, 242 Penarth Rd, Cardiff CF11 8TU. 029 2078 7500 www.finewinesdirectuk.com
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