revelstoke blog

To speak of Carta Vieja is to speak of the history and tradition of Chilean wine. The winery dates to the early 19th century when Carlos Adolfo del Pedregal left his home in Asturias (Spain) and settled in the heart of the Loncomilla Valley. Here in these generous new lands, he embarked upon his mission to become one of the best wine producers of the New World.

After 180 years and seven generations in the hands of the del Pedregal family, Carta Vieja has successfully taken up the beautiful challenge of continuing the family traditions as well as adapting it to new trends in the wine-making world. Aided by the oenologist Héctor Saldivia since 2005, and the latest technology, they are dedicated to achieving great quality whilst using sustainable agricultural methods.

Wines produced under Héctor’s responsibility have a style distinguished by his travel abroad, and are marked by modernity, elegance and optimum concentration. The perseverant and rigorous work entailed in every wine bottle produced has obtained wide international recognition, great commercial success and has given rise to a new perception regarding the Valle de Loncomilla.

My two favourites would be his Cabernet Sauvignon and his Merlot. Whilst the former is powerful and velvety (ideal with charred meats), the letter is lighter but still very smooth on the palate (perfect with greens and mushroom-based dishes). Please note the difference in serving temperatures, as I very much believe that each grape variety needs its very own ideal temperature to open properly and release the desired aromas and flavours.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Attractive red colour with soft purplish tones. Fruity and typical nose of this variety (green bell pepper, mint, eucalyptus, blackcurrants). Black cherries and berries aromas are mixed with sweet notes of chocolate and mocha. On the palate, it is balanced and with a velvety texture. Bilberries, cassis and mature blackberries appear, supported by soft and elegant tannins that leave a long and pleasant sensation. Serving Suggestions 18-20 ºC / 64-68 Fº.

Merlot 2010

Purple red colour with purplish tones. Great aromatic impression of fresh red fruit such as cherries and prunes. Wide, silky on mouth with soft and well condensed tannins. A tasty mixture of candied fruits, toffee and vanilla flavours leave a long and velvety final sensation. Serving Suggestions 12-13 ºC / 54-56 Fº.

Both are available this month with 30% off the normal retail price (£4.86 in a mixed case, instead of £6.75), but only while stocks last ... so hurry and order today, online or by phoning Mark on 020 8879 1810!

The whole Revelstoke team is very excited to announce the launch of their fun and educational wine courses … so get ready to learn more about wines and champagnes, from small growers to massive estates, from France to Chile, from light whites to heavy reds, from well-known grapes to rare and beautiful little gems. It is everything you ever wanted to know about wines and never dared asking!

The wine course is held bi-monthly at Cannizaro House, and is priced at £35 per person and per session, but we will only charge you £25 per session if you book all six classes in advance. The price includes wines, materials and a light meal.

Richard, Mark and I sincerely hope that you are now as excited about our numerous forthcoming events as we are, and we can’t wait to see you all again soon and share with you a delicious glass of wine. Bye-bye February melancholy. Hello fun, wine-filled evenings!

To book your place please email Mark Donovan or call 0208 8791810

Located in the western extreme of the Duero Valley, not far from Rueda, the DO of Toro is one of the oldest viticultural regions in Spain. The severe climate and poor rocky soils of the area produce rich, vigorous wines from the dominant red variety, Tempranillo. The wines produced are full-bodied and rich, with the intense aromas and flavors of old-vine fruit marked by the fabulous minerality and stony earthiness of this superb terroir.

Constantly looking for quality improvement and rich of his Bordeaux experience, François Lurton initiated a change in the cultivation process which provides more fruity and less alcoholic wines. In changing viticultural techniques, Francois declassified the wines since these new cultivation methods are not currently accepted by the rigid DO TORO laws. Therefore, the wines from the 2006 to 2008 vintage are now classified into the broader “Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Léon” appellation.

And though François Lurton seems to own vineyards in nearly every major wine country in the world, many of his bottles are shockingly delicious. Even more impressive, they tend to reflect the characteristics of grape, soil, and national traditions rather than one winemaker’s personal style. This Tempranillo 2008, for instance, has the meaty, herbal, Old World flavours that we love in Spanish wines, along with a crowd-pleasing burst of fruit. Its nose is dense, full of sour cherries, vegetal aromas, and a yeasty note rule here.

A real winner at my house on telly nights, when I serve my family with generous platters of cooked meats, chorizo, sun-dried tomatoes, grilled artichokes, olives and spicy taboulé, as this wine’s soft acidity and tannins are so food-friendly. A little gem for £9.75 (and only £8.78 in a mixed case of 12 bottles, with free local delivery)!

Last Monday, Richard took the entire team (except for poor old Rob, who was holidaying in Thailand, so we didn’t feel too sorry for him!) to Plumpton racecourse to celebrate the New Year in style. As a thank you for all our hard work throughout 2011, we were served a delicious 3-course lunch catered by none other than one of our very own clients, create, and a selection of our best-selling wines, whilst enjoying the horse racing from our corporate balcony.

What a wonderful day, and what a lovely way for the team to bond … as we all managed to win at least one race between us! We congratulate Oli and Frances for winning the highest number of races, but we all had so much fun betting, discussing our wins and laughing about our losses.

We had the following wines to taste, and I would highly recommend them, having tasted these stunning wines and champagnes first hand for you (what a tough job we have!): Bernard Brémont Champagne Brut NV and Brut Rosé NV; Dr Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett Riesling 2009; Domaine Fourrey, Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons 2010; Lucien Muzard et Fils, Pommard les Cras Vieilles Vignes 2008; Domaine Le Clos des Cazaux, Gigondas 'Sarrazine' 2007; Château Filhot 2001, Sauternes (37.5cl).

Left: Cecile and her champagne bottle-inspired fascinator, Right: Oli awarding the trophy for ‘best-dressed horse’ to its owners

I’ve been talking about vintages a lot lately in my blogs, and it is about time I explain what makes a good year as far as wines and champagnes are concerned. Essentially, the difference between good and bad years comes down to Mother Nature.

For starters, we should clarify what we mean by “year”. The year (or “vintage” as it’s known in the wine world) that appears on a bottle of wine refers to the year in which the grapes were harvested. Few wines appear without a vintage on the label; exceptions to the rule include champagne, port and sherry, where (even though single vintage examples are produced) wines are created by blending a number of different years in order to maintain a consistent House style year in, year out.

The weather is the real key to a good vintage. Grapes are delicate creatures, which need sun and water (although not too much of either) and long dry growing seasons, but fear frosts and hail. Beyond that, other factors play a role, such as pollution, the way vineyards are managed and how the wine was handled in the winery. To this end, the appearance of a vintage also acts as a valuable reference point for knowing when the perfect time for drinking your wine is.

Here are some very good vintages I would recommend you buying and/or investing in:

I would like to wish you all a very happy 2012, and I sincerely hope you enjoyed New Year’s Eve as much as I did. It is always a big event in my calendar and I simply love that particular evening. I spend the night reminiscing about the past, whilst also acknowledging the present and dreaming about the future. It is a time to share memories and make new ones.

This year was no different, and as I welcomed close family members and best friends around a large table, a few bottles of champagne got popped. Last year I opened a 2001 Vintage to remind us of my daughter’s birth, 10 years ago already. So this New Year Eve, I thought fit to treat us to a 2005 Vintage to commemorate the birth of my son. No sibling jealousy, please!

As I was cooking fresh tagliatelle in a creamy sauce with shavings of white and black truffles, the champagne I had to serve jumped at me … it simply had to be a bottle of Péhu-Simonet Champagne Brut Vintage 2005! With its mineral notes and grassy aromas, it was going to match the earthy flavour of the truffle to perfection. And indeed, the combination was astounding, and the powerful (and yet subtle) flavours in both complimented each other ever so well. Not for the faint-hearted though, as it is a wine that shows its strong terroir and earthy background … but worth trying if you fancy a real treat! (NB: Bottles are available to buy direct from our Revelstoke offices. Please call us on 020 8879 1810 for orders.)

Our other Pehu-Simonet Wines (all available online or in the shop)