Hello! It is hard to believe that just a few weeks ago we were in glorious sunshine in Italy and now we are back and Autumn has most definitely arrived! We hosted our Autumn wine tasting last week and sampled some delicious wines, almost all of which were brand new in. The winner of the evening was the Gabrielskloof, a Bordeaux blend from South Africa. It is the perfect wine for a cheese board or a hearty Sunday roast!

Our next wine tasting – Spice up your life!

Our last ticketed event of 2024 is on Thursday 31^st October. We promise there won’t be a pumpkin in sight, but fancy dress or a nod to Halloween is encouraged (but also optional!). The theme is wines that either have characteristics of spice or which pair well with spicy food! Our normal format of a welcome drink at 6.30pm and then 5 wonderful wines to try, together with some nibbles! Tickets are now available. Head to www.alteuswines.co.uk and search for ‘Tasting’. Tickets are £17.50 each.

Save the date – Grand Christmas Tasting

Yes, it is coming up to that time of year again! You know the drill by now…..we lay on around 15+ wines that we believe will be fantastic to enjoy across the festive period. It is a non-ticketed event and you just drop in and sample away. It’s a great way to try lots of different wines and loads of our new lines. We will give you a tasting sheet so you can score the wines as you go. This year we will host this during the day on Saturday 30^th November. We will remind you again nearer the time, but for now pop the date in your diary!

Harvey’s Mini-Kegs

After a few production issues with the kegs, which Harvey’s have been working hard to resolve we are glad to be able to confirm they are finally back in stock. They are so popular, especially with Bonfire night and Christmas coming up. They are 5 Litre barrels (just under 9 pints) and last for a few days once opened. The kegs are dated well into January so will comfortably last beyond Christmas…..if you can resist opening them!

Wine recommendations

We continue to bring new lines in to entice you with and this month is no exception!

Al’s recommendation

Not only is this a handsome looking bottle, but what’s inside isn’t too shabby either! This lovely red is a Bordeaux blend, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. It is from the Klein River region in South Africa, which is in the Western Cape just near Hermanus where you find some seriously talented wine makers. This is a wine full of luscious blackberries, plums and cedar. The oak influence has softened the tannins and this wine has a silky finish. It’s a real Autumnal wine and good value at £17.95.

T’s recommendation

We have a new Gavi in: The 150 +1 Casali dei Barone is beautifully refined. Many of you may well recognise the branding on this one as it is from the same producer as the 150+1 Barbera red that we sell and it is one of our most popular red wines.! This white wine is from the same region in the north west of Italy (Piedmont). It is very mineral, with a lovely freshness of citrus fruits and a touch of pear. It has great mouth-watering acidity. It’s a very good example of a well made Gavi and it’s £16.95.

We have been a bit greedy this month and thought we’d tempt you with a 3^rd recommendation! The Rippa Dorii wines are such great value and really popular. A bit like the 150+1 Barbera, the two reds we stock are so popular and people come back time and time again for them.

The Rippa Dorii Verdejo is from Rueda, an area north west of Madrid known for its white wines. Wines made from the Verdejo grape are known to be aromatic and this one is packed with stone fruits, herbs, white peach and some citrus notes. It is elegant and mineral, but with a good mouth feel and slightly saline on the finish. It’s a great food wine with grilled fish and chicken and cracking value at £12.95.