As our knowledge of wine increases more of us want to know
about the origin of the corkers we quaff and the producers who make them. Wines
that come from smaller vineyards are often bursting with character and you get
to sample interesting and rare ones.
It is a trend that Waitrose are well and truly on top of.
With the increasing drive for true value (and not just price promotions) people
are also more interested, according to the
Waitrose wine buying team, in the care that has been taken in
getting it from grape to bottle.
“At Waitrose, we are very proud of the close and sustainable relationships that we have with a number of small producers, working together to create the best possible product for our customers,” say the wine buying team.
“At Waitrose, we are very proud of the close and sustainable relationships that we have with a number of small producers, working together to create the best possible product for our customers,” say the wine buying team.
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| Cederberg |
One example is the Cederberg Wine Estate, which
produces the Waitrose Foundation sustainable range. This is an amazing place. I
was lucky enough to visit this winery not so long ago which is in South
Africa’s Cederberg Wilderness Area, It was hard to believe that the Cape
winelands’ highest-altitude wine farm, which now produces such amazing wines,
was once a rugged, fynbos-covered area.
Waitrose also have relationships with small producers
in more unusual wine-producing
countries such as Puklavec and Friends in Slovenia.
“We also work closely with suppliers (small on the world
stage) such as Domäne Wachau with our 'Terraces' Grüner Veltliner,” say the
wine buying team.
Here are five you can impress your friends with this Christmas:
Domäne Wachau Terraces Grüner Veltliner 2011 Wachau,
Austria £9.29, Waitrose
A lovely, light easy-to-drink white wine with punchy, spicy aromas and a peppery edge.
A lovely, light easy-to-drink white wine with punchy, spicy aromas and a peppery edge.
Cederberg Waitrose Foundation Shiraz 2009/10, South
Africa, £8.99, Waitrose
This deliciously smooth red wine is packed with blackberry flavours with a hint of black pepper. This would work well with your Christmas turkey.
This deliciously smooth red wine is packed with blackberry flavours with a hint of black pepper. This would work well with your Christmas turkey.
Puklavec & Friends Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Štajevska , Solvenia £8.99, Waitrose
Definitely one to tantalise your taste buds alight. Fruity and crisp on the palate.
Casa Marin Cipreses Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2010,
£15.95, ndjohn.co.uk
Bursting with fruit flavours, this is a wonderfully refreshing dry and crisp wine from this highly-respected small producer in Chile.
Bursting with fruit flavours, this is a wonderfully refreshing dry and crisp wine from this highly-respected small producer in Chile.
Langlois-Chateau, Crémant de Loire Brut, £13.03,
thedrinkshop.com
Small in price and a good alternative to champagne! The family company, Langlois-Chateau, founded in 1912 and now under the auspices of Bollinger, produces a sparkler that zings with appley freshness.
Small in price and a good alternative to champagne! The family company, Langlois-Chateau, founded in 1912 and now under the auspices of Bollinger, produces a sparkler that zings with appley freshness.
By Daralyn Danns
