Fancy trying a bottle of something new but not sure what to pick? That’s why we’re here. Drop in to see us and we’ll happily provide some grape related inspiration.
We regularly select some wines that we think are interesting and let you know why. You’ll see these wines in our shop with a ‘Vino Gusto recommends’ sticker on. Take away a copy of our tasting notes or have a read of them here…
Dorset Crémant, Chardonnay/Pinot Noir/Pinot Meunier, Bride Valley, Dorset, England, NV, 11.5%
It’s English Wine Week!
Steven Spurrier is one of the world’s leading authorities on wine. He is a celebrated critic, retailer, teacher and consultant – as well as the visionary behind the legendary Judgement of Paris wine tasting (which practically kickstarted the American wine trade). Now he turns his hand to viticulture…
This wine has a fresh light-yellow colour. The Crémant has a much less aggressive fizz than a Champagne. Because of this, the wine gently slides onto the palate which creates a fantastic creamy mouthfeel which is then backed by hints of white flowers and fresh summer fruits.
Organic Vermentino, Poggiotondo, Tuscany, Italy, 2019, 12.5%
Jake says ‘A couple of years back, I travelled to Tuscany for a trade tour of Chianti. After a long morning of travelling (with a group of egotistical sommeliers), the winery at Poggiotondo was our first stop. Having barely adjusted to my fellow travellers & blisteringly dry Italian heat, this wine was a cooling & welcome aperitif. It is still one of the most memorable & savoured sips of wine that I can remember.
The wine itself is just delicious. It has a wonderful, aromatic nose with plenty of fresh stone fruit & white flower aromas. On the palette, it has great texture matched by a refreshing acidity & a lovely peppery finish. There is nothing overly complex about the wine but in a completely charming & drinkable way.’
Pour Ma Gueule, Clos Des Fous, Itata Valley, Chile, 2017, 13.5%
The name is a cheeky French expression to describe the stash of wine the producer is keeping to drink himself. It literally translates from French to ‘for my gob’…
Clos des Fous is a project by four Chilean wine makers and professionals, all dedicated to producing wines that showcase the very best of the distinct ‘terroir’ that Chile has to offer.
In this case, Pour Ma Gueule is a fruit-forward wine with aromas of red berries, black cherry and black pepper with hints of violets. These elements come through to the palate, building a juicy medium-bodied wine with fine tannins and lively acidity.
Dino, Fontodi, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy, 2015, 15
Jake says ‘Giovanni Manetti, Proprietor of Fontodi, really is the king of Chianti. Famous for producing some of the most classic wines of Tuscany and for being the most gracious, considered gentleman in the wine business. I’d like to be him when I grow up.’
‘Dino’ (named after Giovanni’s late father) is 100% Sangiovese and is aged for a total of 15 months in terracotta amphora with very minimal intervention. This is a ‘natural wine’, made with restraint and care to produce an impressively ‘clean’ and exciting wine. Earthy and savoury, as you would expect from Chianti, but with raw, fresh and lively fruit focus.
