July 2016
COVER Pascual Olivares Fernandez - Jumilla, Spain winesdirect.ie - Voted Best Wine Website 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016
Wines Direct are proud recipients of the McKennas Guides ‘Best in Ireland’ Award for the 18th consecutive year
Sylvie & Marie Courselle of Chateau Thieuley with Gavin & Gareth Keogh
The silly season ends for most people when
between our current winemakers get
Direct, however, that’s when it begins. I’ve
from them.
the Christmas trees come down. For Wines spent the last few months travelling from
vineyard to vineyard to make sure that the
2016 assemblage is as exciting for you as it has been for me. Whirlwind weekends in
Spain, sunshine laden days in Langudeoc
and muddy jaunts around Bordeaux are just a few of the journeys from this year. Every second of it is absolutely worth it. New Recruits We stick to a specific algorithm at Wines
Direct when it comes to sourcing wines. We meet the winemaker, walk their lands, and taste the wine before it comes to Ireland.
stronger, we blithely take recommendations We’ve whittled down the potential new
recruits to 21 wines that ticked all our boxes. Vibrant, dynamic, small ‒ batch wines from family run vineyards are exactly what we
look for. Wines which have character and a
story to tell, and can take you on a journey. While many of the wines come from
vineyards we have been working with for many years, Colutta’s Schioppetino or
Langa’s Frenesi to name a few, we have some new names to add to the list, and
we’re delighted to share them all with you.
We research areas and vineyards for months before we visit, and as relationships
Gareth Keogh
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20 lan d joi ne d ran ks wi th On Jun e 16t h 20 16, Ire rld leb rat e the ina ugu ral Wo dif fe ren t cou ntr ies to ce ec t r pa rti cip an ts, Wi ne s Dir Ta pa s Da y. Ev er the ea ge wi th an ish wi ne s an d pa ire d it ch ose on e of our ne w Sp all to en joy ! a sim ple tap as rec ipe for fam ily as La ng a on e of the on ly La ng a Fre ne si, fro m Bo dge Dir ec t d, ha s joi ne d the Wi ne s run vin ey ard s in Ca tal ayu fro m , an d mu scu lar red wi ne ran ks . A de ns e, me aty of fou r s, thi s int rig uin g ble nd org an ica lly gro wn gra pe be rne t ac he , Sy rah , Me rlo t & Ca dif fe ren t va rie tal s (Gr en e wi th sw ee t fru its on the pa lat Sa uvi gn on ) pr es en ts da rk ice . A n an d bla ck pe pp er sp som e ove rly ing cin na mo ch ori zo rec ipe be low ! wo nd erf ul ma tch wi th our
11065 Langa Frenesi 2015
Calatayud, Spain Garnacha, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon - 13.5%
€14.50 Now €13.75
Sticky C h o r iz o 250g Chorizo As many cloves of garlic as you need (we will never make your garlic decisions for you) 4 tablespoons of red wine vinegar 1 tablespoon of runny honey Slice up the chorizo and add it to a hot pan with the crushed garlic cloves. Let it cook until crispy. Drain away most of the fat, but leave a smidgen, and add the red wine vinegar and honey. Turn the heat down to reduce the liquids down to a sticky glaze. Once optimum stick has been achieved, serve it up!
Don’t forget to take a sip of your Langa Frenesi with each bite!
DISCOVER OUR NEW VARIETALS!
so attractive to fortified winemakers, but
Friulano is the most significant white grape
there is more to Grillo than Marsala. Grillo is
Italy is infamous for its Pinot Grigio
blending grape. At Feudo Luparello it is
lie vineyards full of vines indigenous to the
oiliness, to create a succulent, well
variety of Colli Orientali de Friuli. Northern
robust and lemony, making it a perfect
production, but on the roads less travelled
blended with Viognier, known for its
region. Believed to have originated in
balanced wine.
Veneto, Friulano has been cultivated in Colli
The origins of Trebbiano can be traced to Orientali de Friuli since the 1600’s. Friulano is the Eastern Mediterranean before becoming a medium-bodied white wine with popular in Italy during Roman times. moderate acidity, floral aromas and elegant fruit flavours.
Generally known for producing Marsala, Grillo is native to Sicily. Its potential to
produce high alcohol levels is what makes it
01
11061
€14.75 Now €14.00 Fresh and unoaked, it has fruit flavours of peach, pear and melon.
4
commonly known Trebbiano Toscano. Over half of the white grape population of Italy is
Trebbiano, renowned for its high acidity and typically dry but fruit-forward wines.
02
11062
Feudo Luparello 2014 Sicily Nero D’Avola, Syrah - 13.5%
Red Wine
Friuli Grave DOC Friulano - 12%
White Wine
Bidoli Friulano 2015
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo is a clone of the more
€16.75 Now €15.85 Full bodied, yet elegant and smooth. Flavours of blackcurrant, plum and a slight hint of white pepper on the palate.
Nero d’Avola is one of Italy’s most important A grand total of fifteen winemakers produce indigenous grapes. Known for its sweet
Schioppettino in its native Friuli.
“Black Grape of Avola” found its roots in
left to its own devices will overgrow and
tannins with plum and pepper flavours, the Sicily many moons ago. Nero d’Avola’s bold fruit flavours and hearty tannins make it a wonderful match for rich meats. Think
chargrilled steak in the summer and roasted game in the winter.
Schioppettino is a large, robust grape and if become too acidic. To prevent this from
happening winemakers use a technique known as “green harvesting”, which
concentrates the quality of the juices to
ensure the smoky, luscious flavours of the grape prosper.
05
11064
Trebbiano D’Abruzzo DOC Trebbiano - 13%
White Wine
Villamedoro Trebbiano 2015
€14.50 Now €13.80 A Family Affair at Bidoli. Wine bottling, Friuli-Grave Italy circa 1924.
03
11063
€16.75 Now €15.85 A revelation! A refreshingly fruity wine with complex floral notes and smooth, fresh finish.
04
11055
Colutta Schioppettino 2012 Friuli Grave DOC Schioppettino - 13%
Red Wine
Sicily Grillo, Viognier - 13%
White Wine
Feudo Luparello 2014
Intense nose of citrus, light almond and tropical fruit. Fresh on the palate with mineral and citrus accents.
€28.75 Now €27.25 Intense ruby red with a fresh aroma of raspberries and blackcurrants. On the palate a slight hint of oak, autumn leaves, moss and fruit.
5
Certain regions come with certain
expectations, and at Wines Direct we like to
wine region, Priorat has been thriving for
the last thirty years and following years of
exceed those expectations. Ribera del Duero extensive searching, we are delighted to add Mas d’en Gil’s wines to our repertoire. and Priorat are two such regions where, after many years of searching, we have finally found the wines we’ve been
Jose de las Heras, the King of Jamon, put his lifelong dream of becoming a winemaker
looking for.
Marta Rovira Carbonell, winemaker at
into action, over a decade ago. High in the hills of Ribera del Duero, Jose and his son
Mas d’en Gil, told us that she makes wine for George, work together on the estate producing exciting wines with a personal her grandfather’s palate, producing fresh, terroir-driven wines that Priorat was
touch. There’s a long history of winemaking
outbreak, Priorat was stripped from
that is was awarded DO status. Most
renowned for. Following a phylloxera thousands of hectares under vine to just
600. Now known as Spain’s most expensive
01
11067
Coma Vella 2010
€37.75 Now €36.00 Cherry colour with a touch of garnet around the edges. Intense, expressive aromas and an elegant finish.
6
vineyards in Ribera del Duero average at 740 metres above sea-level, but we’ve been
02
11066
Bellmunt 2013 Priorat DOQ Grenache, Carignan - 14.5%
Red Wine
Red Wine
Priorat DOQ Grenache, Carignan, Syrah - 15%
in Ribera del Duero, but it wasn’t until 1982
€25.25 Now €24.25 Deep, red cherry fruit with refreshing mineral notes and the classic, chalk mineral character known to the region.
France
~ La Coruna
Bilbao
Ribera del Duero Barcelona
lucky enough to find Montelaguna
Portugal
where vines grow a gargantuan 900
Priorat Madrid
metres above sea-level, in the sleepy
Valencia
village of Pesquera de Duero.
Jumilla
Jumilla isn’t new to us, but the
Olivares’ family are. Pascual Olivares,
Ibiza Alicante
Sevilla
third-generation winemaker, is a
master of high-altitude winemaking.
An astonishing 825 metres above sea level, Bodegas Olivares is home to vibrant and vivacious wines which reflect both the altitude and terroir. Pascual Olivares’ vineyard is surrounded by a natural
amphitheatre which protects his vines from freshness and vitality in his wines.
11072
Olivares Altos De La Hoya 2014 Jumilla DO Monastrell - 14%
Red Wine
the stifling Jumilla heat. This ensures
05
€14.25 Now €13.50
03
11069
04
Olivares Crianza 2012
€25.75 Now €24.50
Jumilla DO Monastrell - 14.5%
Mature fruit and toasted oak, with a rich spicy bouquet.
€19.75
11073 Red Wine
Ribera del Duero DO Tempranillo - 15%
Red Wine
Montelaguna Crianza 2012
Full-bodied with dark, red fruit aromas and flavours. A balancing edge of drying vanilla and cedar on the finish.
A dark, rich and ripe palate with a floral edge which is vibrant and refreshing alongside some hints of tobacco and cedar.
7
While several trips a month to continental Europe may seem glamourous, often times it’s anything but. Languedoc in
Belgium
February, the sun is shining, but high on the hills of Faugeres, or Pic St Loup, it is colder than cold. Bordeaux in March, the height of their wet season, you will find yourself splodging through the fertile soils of the vineyards. Northern Spain any
Caen
the Irish midlands. It’s hard work, but it’s worth it.
Le Mans
Paris
time before May is identical to the micro-climate of
Adding to our list is no mean feat. As relationships with our
current suppliers grow stronger each year, we explore their
portfolio to see if there are more delights in their cellars. Prolific imbibers that we are, choosing the right wine is a bittersweet
experience when there’s a whole assortment we’d like to take
Bordeaux
back! Lo and behold, we found four outstanding wines from
Toulouse
winemakers you know and love.
Montpellier
Enjoy!
Spain
01
11058
8
Languedoc Carignan, Grenache, Syrah Mourvèdrefosco - 13%
€13.50
€22.75
Medium bodied and fresh with flavours of damson and blackberry.
A spicy nose with deep, dark fruit flavours. A clean, balanced finish.
Red Wine
Pays d’Oc IGP Merlot - 13%
106661
Chateau La Baronne Les Chemins 2013 Red Wine
Domaine De Belle Mare 2014
02
We are delighted to welcome Le Fief du Breil to Wines Direct as the first Cru Communal in our repertoire. Le Fief du Breil grows from 40-year-old
vines on a four-hectare site of the same name.
Muscadet de Sevre-et-Maine can include wines that have been aged sur lie for a period of time
chosen by the winemaker. Le Fief du Breil ages, with time sur lie, from 14 to 24 months. Ageing is
what makes Le Fief du Breil so wonderfully floral and gives it a slight weightiness that isn’t usually noted in Muscadet. Germany
05
11059
Cru Communal “La Haye Fouassière” AOC Melon de Bourgogne - 13%
White Wine
Le Fief Du Breil 2013
€24.75 Marseille
From 40 year old vines. A fresh and lively wine with floral, apple and mineral flavours.
03
11060
€24.25 Now €23.25 A rich and aromatic white wine with smooth peach and pineapple flavours and a long, clean finish.
04
11057
Cremant de Loire Alain Marcadet Val de Loire AOP Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc - 12%
Sparkling
Jurançon Sec AOP Petit Manseng - 13%
White Wine
Chateau Jolys Cuvee Pauline 2013
Leslie Williams, Irish Examiner, Jo Landron, Winemaker & Gavin Keogh
€25.50 Now €24.50 Lively and fresh with flavours of citrus and apple as well as a hint of minerality and yeast.
9
Editor’s Choice
This month we’ve rounded up some of our favourite wines which have recently been revered in the Irish press. Six bottles that have been tried and tested by the best in the game, lovingly chosen and packed for you to enjoy.
6 Bottle Case
3x Red
3x White
12 Bottle Case
6x Red
6x White 2 Bottles of each wine
Order Code: Editor6
Order Code: Editor12
Was €123.45
1 Bottle of each wine
Now €99.00
Was €239.40 Now €195.00
What’s in the Case? Reds
Whites
Chateau Saint Esteve Grand Reserve 2012 Cotes du Rhone Villages A/C France Grenache, Syrah - 14.5% “Lashings of brambly fruit with attractive liquorish notes” Martin Moran, The Sunday Times
Tahbilk 2014 Goulburn Valley Nagambie Lakes, Australia Viognier - 13.8% "Very nicely crafted wine with rich peach and nectarine fruits" John Wilson, The Irish Times
Rondan Reserva 2010 Rioja, Spain Tempranillo, Mazuelo - 13.5% "Classic stewed berries with liquorice and vanilla" Liam Campbell, Irish Independent
Domaine des Terres Dorees 'Classe' 2014 Beaujolais, France Chardonnay - 12% "A smart and compelling wine" Tomas Clancy, The Sunday Business Post
Paddy Borthwick 'Paper Road' Wairarapa, New Zealand Pinot Noir - 14.8% "This is beautiful from beginning to end" Blake Creedon, Irish Examiner
Winemaking came to Paddy as more of a necessity than a vocation when his father’s sheep farming took a turn for the worst. After obtaining his degree in Oenology, Paddy Borthwick became a travelling winemaker. During his travels, Paddy worked a stint in Burgundy which lit the flames for his Pinot Noir passion. Upon returning to Wairarapa he set up his now renowned 25 hectare estate on the old Borthwick farm.
Castellari Bergaglio Gavi 2015 Gavi DOCG Italy Cortese - 12.5% "Honeyed, tastes of fresh figs and ripe melon" Tom Doorley, tomdoorley.com
Choose your monthly budget €69, €89, or €109
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The Wine Explorers Club is a wine club in the comfort of your own home. Every month we handpick 6 bottles from our award winning range and send them direct to your door. With 15% off compared to normal retail prices, and free delivery it’s the smarter way to discover new wines! Exclusive Benefits • FREE €20 selection upgrade every quarter (Mar-Jun-Sep-Dec) • FREE delivery on any extra orders if you include them with your Wine Explorers • A first taste of our new wines PLUS exclusive member offers
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