Staff Picks
Sales Team
Doug Wregg
Red
Brunello di Montalcino, Il Paradiso di Manfredi 2001
Magical, evocative, quite beautiful – hedonism with purity.
White
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, Edoardo Valentini 2001
Because it teases the intellect, stimulates the appetite and slowly envelops the senses.
Adrian Scholes
Red
Corbieres Classique Rouge, Ollieux Romanis 2005
It’s just great value for money.
White
Jurancon La Magendia, Clos Lapeyre 2004
I first tried this 20 years ago, loved the acidity, until then I had only experienced really cloying, sticky dessert wines.
Gideon Clow
Red
Very difficult decision, but would have to be from SW France, the Marcillac at my wedding (Lo Sang del Pais from Domaine du Cros), the Cahors Prestige from Chateau du Cedre and the Bandol from Domaine la Suffrene both of which I have a long history and affection for.
White
Albarino San Campio, Bodegas Terras Gauda 2006
Great with seafood, full flavoured but easy drinking and never seems to fail to impress the friends I show it to. For the same reasons I also have to mention the Picpoul de Pinet from Domaine Mirande (firm fave with her indoors).
Philip Barnett
Red
When not paying! – Brunello di Montalcino, Il Paradiso di Manfredi 2000
Simply one of the best wines I have had the fortune to try.
When paying – Segna de Cor, Domaine Roc des Anges 2005
It’s all about taste, texture and balance.
White
Mas de Daumas Gassac Blanc 2007
Complex and delicious.
Patricia Sliwa
Red
Moulin des Dames, Chateau Tour des Gendres 2002
Chunky, my style of wine.
White
Mas de Daumas Gassac Blanc 2006
It’s superb, easy to drink with food or simply by itself, and I love the fact there are so many odd grape varieties in it.
Fred Feyler
Red
Cuvee Persia, Domaine de Fondreche 2006
Full flavoured, deeply coloured, rich in fruit with layers and layers of dark berries and spicy flavours.
White
Gewurztraminer ‘Holzweg’, Andre Scherer 2004
A classic Gewurz bursting with lychee fruit, rose petal and white pepper aromas, quite a big wine on the palate yet smooth and refreshing.
Dario Poddana
Red
Granato, Dolomitit Rosso, Elisabetta Foradori
I love reds with great acidity when it is balanced by all the other components and enriched by stunning minerality. Great wines have to be fine, not big, Fabulous and as unique as the region, as charming and elegant as the producer (soft spot methinks)
White
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, Edoardo Valentini 2001
It is unique – nobody else has ‘real’ trebbiano planted, nobody else in Italy produces such an untouched and natural wine, more than anything else every bottle is different and exciting in its own way (for some this is a weakness, but I just LOVE it!!)
Didier Cappa
Red
Barolo Giacomo Borgogno 1961
I tried this in the winery, a tear came in to the eye and I went weak at the knees. The 1982 is drinking exceptionally well now, and just the fantastic Nebbiolo grape variety in general
White
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, Edoardo Valentini 2001
A real wine with no concession (do you ever get the feeling that you ought to try this wine)
The whole range of wines from Kofererhof (Valle d’Isarco) I love the minerality and it goes down well for breakfast.
Tim Wildman
Red
Luddite Shiraz 2004
It brings back memories of a fantastic trip to South Africa last year
White
Gringet Les Alpes, Domaine Belluard 2006
The force is strong with this one.
Ewan Lacey
Red
Vui 1, Viu Manent 2004
It’s really big and bold, awesomely delicious, and for a fine wine, incredibly good value
White
Soave Classico, Tamellini 2006
Just delicious, wonderfully balanced and moreish, everything an affordable wine wants to be
Office Squad
Will Johnston
Red
Cahors ‘Prestige’ Chateau du Cedre 2004
Dark, inky Cahors as it should be. A serious food wine with appealing rasp and bite
White
Fiano di Avellino, Guido Marsella 2005
Delicious almond nuanced Italian white with great balance and purity
Charles Porter
Red
Cahors ‘Prestige’ Chateau du Cedre 2004
A pure expression of real wine as a signature of Les Caves de Pyrene
White
Pacherenc Sec, Domaine Berthoumieu 2006
Totally undersold, underestimated and good value. Reminds me of my first wine trip experience to the South West with Eric
Paul Jackson
Red
Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Craipillot, Jacques Confuron 1996
The subtle aromas of barnyard and manure first tempted me a number of years past, beckoning me to sup gently and drift away, after all that I have still not managed to find a red Burgundy with such huge extraction (inky black), supple tannins and length, the only downside is the fact it is no longer available, if anyone stumbles across a bottle please let me know!
White
Anthologia Blanc, Chateau Tour des Gendres 2001
Aaaaah, the magic of Bergerac, the lunacy of Luc, hunting for truffles with a dog (we were stiffed - found out later the hunted down truffle was a plant), having a vertical of this nectar of the gods thrust upon you over lunch....................
Sometimes this job is really trying.
James Sacha
Red
That one from the South West with French writing on the label and a cork in the top, because it encapsulates ‘La Croix Occitane’
White
Blue Dot Bin End
Life on the edge, you never know what you’re gonna get
Ellie Stilgoe
Red
Principio Rosso, Antonio Camillo 2006
Memories of Tuscany! I suppose I should say something like Chateau Gruaud Larose 82 but I’m a simple girl really. I’m sure my colleagues would agree.
White
Alture Bianco, Antonio Camillo 2006
No, I’m not a black market seller for Camillo – I just love the zesty, crisp, lime-sherbet explosive freshness of this wine, like a bubbly burst on the tongue (in a good way!).
Justine Cresswell
Red
Don’t like red !
White
Any will do !
Shop Team
Virginie Champalou
Red
Terrano Rosso, Zidarich 2005
Capatosta, Poggio Argentiera 2005
White
Hegoxuri Irouleguy Blanc, Domaine Arretxea 2006
Alture Bianco, Antonio Camillo 2006
Moscato d’Asti, Vittorio Bera 2006
Vin d’Autan, Robert Palgeoles 2004/05
These are not necessarily my ‘favourite’ wines but they are wines that all hold a special place in my heart, as they can be all linked with very fond memories.
Stephen Ince
Red
Minervois Rouge Vielles Vignes, Pierre Cros 2005
Complex, juicy, seasoned, dark and brooding wine from 100 year old Carignan vines. Taste the earth in this wine.
White
Santenay Blanc Beaurepaire, Remoissenet 1995
12 year old burgundian Chardonnay, surely not? It is and it’s fantastic. Superbly integrated fruit and oak all balanced by the impressively lively acidity. I don’t care if you don’t like chardonnay, try it anyway.
Sweet
Brumaire Pacherenc Moelleux, Alain Brumont 2005
A simply divine (and fantastically good value) dessert wine made from Petit Manseng. Fabulous sweetness and racy acidity keep the wine in balance. One bottle is never enough.
Anthony Williams
Red
Rioja Tinto, Bodegas Navajas 2006
Delicious with lamb, and I like the scented flavours
White
Verdicchio, Colle Stefano 2006
Crisp and fruity flavours