With Spring almost underway, the team have put together a few recommendations; wines that we love and will be sharing with friends and family over the coming weeks.

 

Domaine de Piaugier ‘Le Grange de Piaugier’ Blanc 2024

was £15.49 NOW £13.17

The idea of making Blanc de Grenache Noir came to Maude during last year’s vintage. With a background of working in Champagne, she found herself asking “Why don’t we try and vinify our young Grenache Noir like Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier in Champagne?”

Grenache Noir is not a particularly colourful grape and when harvested early, pressed very lightly, and vinified in stainless steel, it can produce a white wine with super mid-weight texture, and delicious stone fruit aromatics, all balanced with lovely sappy acidity.

This is Maude’s first attempt at making a Blanc de Grenache Noir and she’s nailed it!

Tarquin de Burgh – Managing Director

 

 

Ingrid Groiss ‘Hasenhaide’ Rose 2024

was £15.99 NOW £13.59

The dream was always to sell wines that were in such high demand we had waiting lists and queues at the door. Over ten years in, and we finally have one! Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would be an Austrian Rose made from a blend of Pinot Noir and Zweigelt, but that says a lot more about what I know rather than the quality of this marvellous wine.

The 2024 has just landed in time for Spring and as in previous years, there won’t be enough to see us through the year. Fresh strawberry, cherry and a long mineral-laced finish defines this wine which has become a summer staple for me. Stock up!

Will Nicolson – Director

 

Saint Veran ‘La Grande Bruyere’ Maison Matisco 2022

was £24.99 NOW £21.24

Just recently back into the warehouse after a bit of a spell out of stock, this super-polished 2022 Saint Veran is, to my mind, top-of-the-range white Burgundy without busting the bank. Think diamond sharp Meursault or Puligny at a third of the price.

It is rich and luxurious, with beautiful toffee and caramel notes from the oak ageing combining wonderfully with the fresh citrus and tropical fruits. Pair it with a shellfish stew or a creamy chicken dish and there is some major pleasure to be had with this wine.

Ross McKenzie – Director

 

 

 

Cremant de Loire Cuvee 1917 Domaine Jean Christophe Mandard NV

was £21.49 NOW £18.27

I was delighted to meet Jean-Baptiste Mandard when he was visiting last month, and fortunate to taste with him his full range. Touraine Chenonceaux (Sauvignon) has long been one of my favourites at de Burgh, so I was excited to meet the charming maker and try the rest of his wines.

We started with this smart-looking crémant, which is uniquely made using Orbois grapes.  It’s very fresh – zesty lemon tempered with sweet fig notes and exactly the kind of luxurious melt-in-the-mouth finish that I like in my fizz.

I then tasted L’Orbois, a non-sparkling white wine made with the same grapes, which was also delicious.  It was a treat to taste them side by side and to see the winemaker’s alchemy at work – same grapes, different method.  It was also citrusy, but I got more pineapple and honey flavours, balanced with a lovely minerality.

The crémant 1917 takes its name from the year that the single plot of Orbois was planted, although the Mandard family didn’t take over the land until the 1990s.  This relatively obscure grape variety is primarily planted in the Loire, probably a descendant of Gouais, the mother of many modern grape types.

Fiona Holt – Accounts

 

 

Rocche Costamagna Langhe Nebbiolo ‘Roccardo’ 2023

£19.99 NOW £16.99

As a fan of Piedmontese reds, I was delighted when we added Roche Costamagna to our portfolio.

Much like Pinot Noir, the Nebbiolo grape can be challenging to grow and vinify. It thrives in specific terroirs, particularly in the Alba region, where it has been cultivated since the 14th century. While Barolo is the most renowned wine made from Nebbiolo—a heady wine, best made in the traditional style— you can find exceptional value in the Langhe area.

Alessandro, the owner of Roche Costamagna makes wines in the style we love. His wines can be characterised as traditional yet infused with modern charm.

This particular Nebbiolo is a beautiful expression of the variety, brimming with intense flavours of raspberry, blackberry, and black cherry, complemented by delightful sweet spice notes. It is an ideal wine for spring, perfect for pairing with lamb or antipasti with homemade Foccacia!

Christine Nicolson – Marketing

 

 

Picpoul de Pinet Domaine Font Mars 2023

was £14.49 NOW £12.32

March is when the vineyards in France start to stir from their winter slumber — and while Spring may not always arrive on time, there’s usually a hint of it in the air.

Enter Domaine Font-Mars Picpoul de Pinet. With a label featuring dinosaurs that once roamed the land, this wine effortlessly connects the distant past to the present.

Named after the “Spring of Mars,” the Roman God of war, the winery is nestled in a region rich with history. This crisp, mineral-driven Picpoul de Pinet mirrors that timeless character, offering bright citrus notes and refreshing acidity — just the thing to welcome in the season. A glass of history that’s as fresh as the uncertain March weather.

Al Carnie – Office & Logistics

 

 

Latido de Sara Garnacha Blanca 2023

was £10.99 NOW £9.34

With the sun beginning to feel a tiny bit warmer at this time of year, my thoughts turned to sunnier climes and with a Spring in my step, I turned to a Spanish white this week.

This is a great value white when you just fancy a glass of something a bit more interesting. It has some tropical notes on the nose that follow on to the palate along with a lovely zesty freshness. This isn’t too rich or too light and that fresh acidity makes it versatile enough to drink on its own with food.

I enjoyed this with some homemade fish and chips, but this would be great with any fish or chicken dish, or why not go all out and make some tapas for the full Spanish experience. Summer is on its way!  

 

Niina Cunynghame-Lang  – PA & Sales Support