14th January 2020 by Rachel Wallhouse

Tastings,

‘Try’ January is an initiative to spark positivity at the start of the year and encourage people to try new food and drink, rather than stay indoors and stick to ‘the usual’. Here at The Whalley Wine Shop we love trying new wines, which is why we’ve selected fun and quirky wines to crack open in our enomatic machine. Why not pop down and try a few! Samples start from just £1. 


Kayagatake ‘Grace’, 2017
Grapes: Koshu
Region: Yamanashi, Japan
Alcohol: 11.5%
Nugget of Usefulness: Grace Wine was established in 1923, in the Katsunuma province, the birthplace of the Japanese wine industry.
Tasting Note: Floral, light fruit notes. Lots of peach and grapey flavours. Fresh finish. Easy drinking with friends round.

Pascual Larrieta Asun, 2018
Grapes: Viura
Region: Rioja Alavesa, Spain
Alcohol: 12.5%
Nugget of Usefulness: This tiny family winery is producing the very best example of Rioja fruit. From grape to bottle everything at this very niche winery is done by hand.
Tasting Note: Honeysuckle aromas. Peach and apricot flavours. Hints of cream and a nutty finish. Enjoy with chicken in a cream sauce.

Vina Progreso ‘Overground’, 2019
Grapes: Viognier
Region: Progreso, Uruguay
Alcohol: 12.5%
Nugget of Usefulness: The village of Progreso is situated 25km north from the sea, in the centre of one of the best vine growing areas in Uruguay.
Tasting Note: Aromatic, lots of floral notes. Lots of citrus zesty flavours. Hint of grapefruit on the finish. Enjoy with lighter goats cheese starters/cheese course.

Tyrrells HVD, 2013
Grapes: Semillon
Region: Hunter Valley, Australia
Alcohol: 11.5%
Nugget of Usefulness: The vines in the HVD (Hunter Valley Distillery) vineyard were planted in 1908 and form the “Sign Post Block”.
Tasting Note: Aromatic, smoky nose. More lime than lemon, slight biscuit notes. Lots of texture and honey in the finish. Enjoy with something lightly spiced, such as, prawns and chicken.

Sauska Villany, 2013
Grapes: Cabernet Franc
Region: Villany, Hungary
Alcohol: 14.5%
Nugget of Usefulness: Several international critics in the 2000’s have said that Cabernet Franc has found its new home in Villany.
Tasting Note: Lots of blackcurrant, Ribena aromas. Full of ripe cherry and plum flavours, a hint of herb with lighter tannins. Very polished finish. Enjoy with slow cooked shoulder of lamb.

Hamilton Russell, 2017
Grapes: Pinot Noir
Region: Hemel-En-Aarde
Alcohol: 13.5%
Nugget of Usefulness: One of the most southerly wine Estates in Africa, this Pinot Noir and Chardonnay specialist pioneered viticulture in the beautiful, cool, maritime climate.
Tasting note: Creamy plum and cherry aromas. Lots of oak spices and cherries on the palate. A savoury rich finish. Enjoy with charcutier, pate and cheeses.

Trefethen Family Vineyards, 2017
Grapes: Cabernet Franc
Region: Napa, California
Alcohol: 13.7%
Nugget of Usefulness: The team at Trefethen have been firm favourites here at the shop for several years. Offering finesse and value in a bottle.
Tasting Note: Ripe blueberry and blackberry aromas, a floral hint too. There’s flavours of black fruits and a hint of menthol, vanilla and spices from oak. Enjoy with meaty stews.

Pisano Vina Progresso, 2015
Grapes: Tannat
Region: Progresso, Uraguay
Alcohol: 14%
Nugget of Usefulness: Winemaker Gabriel Pisano started to make more experimental wines and when a buyer snapped them up, he quickly had to make a legal company.
Tasting Note: Ripe Blackberry and dark plum. Smooth, fine tannins and a long finish. One to dwell on. Matts Fav! Enjoy with Pasta Ragu.

Not used our enomatic machine before? We’re here to help!

To access the machines, you get a (free) card at the till, top it up with money, and insert it into the machine whenever you’re ready for a wine. These machines work by replacing wine taken out of the bottle with inert gas, which protects the wine remaining in the bottle from oxygen. This means that the wine stays fresh for some time after being opened, enabling multiple pouring’s over the course of several days. Enomatic machines are increasingly popular in bars and wine shops as a means of giving customers a taste of a wide range of wines that they may go on to buy. It’s also possible to choose between 25ml, 75ml or 125ml servings if you’re looking for a glass of wine rather than a sample.

Why not come pay us a visit and we’ll be able to find your perfect tipple! Want to get in touch? We’d love to hear from you! Message us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.