November 21st, 2011
An Italian Merlot from the boutique Fiegl vineyard

Fine Wines Online

Fine Wines Online

ITL271largeThe Azienda Agricola Fiegl vineyards are located on the gentle slopes of Oslavia, a village north of Gorizia in Italy. It is here that for long generations, the Fiegls have been producing wines which have gained world-wide recognition. Century-old tradition meets modern technology in the wise and insightful research for quality, to reach the harmony and balance which can be found in every single drop of the Fiegl and Villa Dugo selections of wines. The history of the property can be traced back to 1782 when a vineyard called “Meja” was sold to Valentino Fiegl. And now, after two centuries the Fiegl brothers, Alessio, Giuseppe and Rinaldo are still running the 30 hectare estate, 25 of which are planted with vines. It is a family-run company that has achieved important results in the field of wine making, continuing its tradition in genuine products and unchanged respect for nature.

This Merlot is a deep ruby red wine – a full and fragrant aroma with a soft bouquet of wild berries, fruits and an underlying hint of vanilla. With a 13.5% vol alcohol content, it is ideal with roasted meat and game…serve at 16-18°C for perfection.  This is another exclusive wine that we carry from this boutique Italian producer – click here to order.

oslaviaThe Area:  The Collio Goriziano stretches across the hills north of the province of Gorizia on the Slovenian border. The particular soil of the region, called “ponca” in the local dialect, technically flysch, provides the vine with important minerals which clearly mark Olsavia’s wines.
Flysch is made up of marnas’ (calcareous clay) and sandstone’s (calcified sand) stratified submarine sediments. Flysch is typically a deposit formed at the beginning of the orogenetic phase (about 50 million years ago), contemporaneously with the mountains’ building, composed by fissile sedimentary rocks. It is definitely the best ground for vine-growing – aided also by the climate, which is particularly temperate thanks to the influence of the nearby Adriatic Sea and the airiness of the area because of the Northeast wind (Bora). For these reasons Oslavia, can justly be considered one of the best vineyard terrains of the Collio.

We also have the following wines from this small producer;

  1. 2005 Sauvignon, Villa Dugo – Fruili Isonzo
  2. 2005 Chardonnay, Villa Dugo – Fruili Isonzo
  3. 2005 Tocai Fruilano, Azienda Fiegl
  4. 2005 Ribolla Gialla, Azienda Fiegl

November 11th, 2011
New Zealand Merlot Malbec Red wine from Quarry Road

Quarry Road is a small boutique winery located in Te Kauwhata, in the upper half of the North Island of New Zealand.

Te Kauwhata has been a traditional winemaking region of New Zealand, since the New Zealand Viticultural Research Station was established there in 1897. The region boasts a unique micro-climate ideally suited to quality viticulture. On the shores of Lake Waikare, the third largest lake in New Zealand, Te Kauwhata enjoys typically dry, warm conditions through March and April, the key ripening months for grapes. With cool nights and warm sunny days, the vines ripen their crop steadily and without pressure from adverse weather patterns.

Merlot Malbec from Quarry road

Merlot Malbec from Quarry road

The main Quarry Road vineyard was first planted in 1963 by an ex-director of the research station. As the name Quarry Road implies, the vineyard is situated in rocky soils which maximise the terroir of the region. Since its original planting, the vineyard has changed hands and the winery is now being developed by the current owners, Toby Cooper and Jenny Gander. Toby and Jenny have kept production levels limited to only a few thousand cases pa in order to retain the hands-on relationship they have with both the vines themselves and the wines they produce.

Te Kauwhata Vines Te Kauwhata Vines

The focus of the winemaking style is to produce wines that truly reflect the grapes from which they were made, with minimal adulteration through winemaking practices. A secondary objective is to produce wines that are tailored to the palates of the customers rather than the industry. The popularity of the wines is testament to the efficacy of this ideal, whilst the more than 20 awards from major wine competitions in the last few years shows that the judges know a good thing when they taste it too!

All the wines made are from grapes grown in and around Te Kauwhata, 95% being under the direct control of Jenny, the viticulturalist. This control allows for consistency of quality, the primary requirement of any boutique winery.

Tasting notes: This Merlot Malbec blend is a marriage of juicy damsons and layered melted chocolate. Dark fruits carry onto an oaky richness and spiciness on the palate.

Quarry Road Wines Other Quarry Road wines include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir -  of these, some are relatively new plantings which are just reaching full production.

The quality can be testified by numerous medals and therefore is a wine which cannot be missed. This Merlot Malbec  can be purchased exclusively from Vin Vino Direct click here.

We also carry in this range the following amazing wines;

Pinot Gris, Te Kauwhata, Quarry Road Estate to view click here
Riesling, Te Kauwhata, Quarry Road Estate to view click here
Cabernet Merlot, Te Kauwhata – Quarry Road Estate to view click here
Sauvignon Blanc – Te Kauwhata – Quarry Hill to view click here
Pinot Noir -Te Kauwhata – Quarry Road Estate to view click here
Merlot Rosé, Te Kauwhata, Quarry Road Estate to view click here
Chardonnay – Te Kauwhata – Quarry Hill to view click here

November 9th, 2011
Affordable Italian Merlot wine that tastes too good to be true ..

ITL215Grower Profile
Linteo is the latest Italian ‘hot property’ -  substantial viticultural resources and obvious inherent quality has earnt it this reputation. We have subscribed to this by establishing a wine making partnership with Mario, who exclusively brings us this modern Venetian style of wine, which breathes the warm air of sun-beaten vines from the glass. This wine is dynamic and fresh.

Tasting Notes
The dark ruby colour reveals a young fruity wine with a bouquet of raspberries. Medium bodied and fresh it has a pleasing good firmness to the fruit-filled finish.

One of our favourite wines for enjoying with simple Italian Pizza and Pasta dishes, uplifting with a good weight – well made and value for money….

To buy this wine today  click here

November 20th, 2010
A classic Roast Lamb and fine red wine pairing…

RoastLamb1Lamb is a rich, fatty meat and so is best complimented by confident, well-structured robust reds which stand their ground.

A classic wine pairing is a good quality red Bordeaux, or any of the better Cabernet Sauvignons or Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blends from California, Chile, Argentina,  South Africa or Australia. Otherwise, Reserva or Gran Reserva Rioja, Ribera del Duero,RoastLamb2 or a heartier red Burgundy or New World Pinot Noir, are all a fantastic match, as are chunky, spicy but not-too-young reds from the Rhône.

 

To pair really powerful bastings of anchovies and capers or lashings of rosemary and garlic, your finest wines may suffer, so choose the fullest examples you can find of the recommended wines. Finally, beware too much mint sauce; the vinegary bite plays havoc with the fruit in wines…