The Good Summer Dozen
Twelve keenly priced wines for people that like a bit of variety in their drinking. Includes 1 bottle of each of the following wines:
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Inside the case you'll get...
Diamant, Cremant de Loire, NV
An easy-drinking, light, perfectly clean and fresh sparkling wine from Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay - produced in the same way as Champagne (i.e with a secondary fermentation in the bottle to create the fizz). Ripe, gently appley fruit, lightly creamy, with a little structure too. Easy to like, and wins encouraging feedback. Now-2026Sparkling wine has been produced in Saumur in the same way as Champagne (i.e with a secondary fermentation in the bottle to create the fizz) since the early...
ColourWhite
StyleSparkling
RegionLoire
Sub RegionAnjou-Saumur
GrowerCaves de la Loire
Grape VarietyChenin Blanc & Chardonnay
VintageNV
ABV12.5%
Bottle75cl
ClosureCork
CodeDIA1NV
Loire Valley
In early February I undertook our annual visit to the wine fair in Angers, escaping the snow which engulfed much of the UK during that week.
This is the yearly opportunity for the vast majority of vignerons in the Loire valley to show off their latest offerings to the rest of the world. The early season’s weather in 2008 was not kind, with variously frost, hail and torrential...
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Chardonnay
Chardonnay is one of the most-widely planted varieties in the world.
Arguably not the most characterful grape, hence its common ageing in oak, yet at its pinnacle in Burgundy it produces some of the greatest (and certainly most expensive) white wines in the world. Look out for unoaked Chardonnay, it can make a pleasant change, and usually goes down very well with all those people who...
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Guardia dei Mori, Vermentino, Terre Siciliane, 2024
The Rocca family make wines in Piedmont and the south of Italy, using a combination of estate and negociant fruit. This Vermentino is a real winner - pear and honeysuckle aromas; followed by a fresh, lightly herby mouthful with impressive concentration for a wine at this price. Now-2026
ColourWhite
RegionSicily
GrowerGuardia dei Mori
Grape VarietyVermentino
Vintage2024
ABV12.5%
Bottle75cl
ClosureCork
CodeGUA124
Forges, Chenin de Loire, 2024
We have been buying from Domaine des Forges for over twenty years. They make a terrific range of dry and sweet Chenin Blancs, plus reds too, all offering remarkable value.
This is lighter than previous vintages thanks to the cooler summer, with notes of white peach and apricot. As always, this goes excellently with spicy food, especially Thai with its vibrant lemongrass and lime leaf flavours. Now-2027
We love this unoaked Chenin Blanc. Full of Seville orange...
ColourWhite
RegionLoire
GrowerForges
Grape VarietyChenin Blanc
Vintage2024
ABV11.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeFOR824
Loire Valley
In early February I undertook our annual visit to the wine fair in Angers, escaping the snow which engulfed much of the UK during that week.
This is the yearly opportunity for the vast majority of vignerons in the Loire valley to show off their latest offerings to the rest of the world. The early season’s weather in 2008 was not kind, with variously frost, hail and torrential...
Discover More
Chenin Blanc
Origins
- Anjou in the Loire, where documented in the 9thC
- Also known as Pineau in the Loire, Steen in South Africa
Characteristics
- Naturally productive and high yielding
- Huge range of styles: bone dry (e.g. Savennières); off-dry (e.g. old fashioned South African "Steen"); medium dry (e.g....
Les Reuilles, Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc, 2024
100% Sauvignon from Entre Deux Mers; classic expression of Sauvignon Blanc, a light fresh, citrus accented example. Simple and straightforward, it performed well in the cooler 2024 vintage and delivers crisp lemon and green apple fruit. This makes a refreshing aperitif or could be enjoyed with smoked salmon. Bottled under screwcap to preserve freshness. Drink now-2026.
ColourWhite
RegionBordeaux
GrowerChateau Les Reuilles
Vintage2024
ABV12.5%
Bottle75cl
ClosureScrewcap
CodeREU124
Le Tende, Custoza, 2024
Despite having its DOC since 1971, Custoza is one of the hidden gems of Italian whites. Located between Verona and Lake Garda, it has long been in the shadow of wines such as Soave and Gavi. It deserves much better recognition – especially when made this well. A blend of Garganega, Tocai, Cortese, Trebbianello, this (certified) organic white is fresh, zesty and full of citrus fruit with some mineral notes too. It is fantastic with seafood, lighter pastas and salads. 12.5%. Now-2026
ColourWhite
Grape VarietyGarganega, Cortese & Trebbiano
Vintage2024
ABV12.5%
Bottle75cl
MethodOrganic
CodeLET124
Garganega
Garganega is a white grape variety grown widely in the Veneto region of North East Italy where it is most famous for the production of Soave.
Though it can be inoffensively neutral, it has a distinct pea-pod character, and can deliver considerable weight and character.
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Consentido, Macabeo, Yecla, 2024
This has rightly become one of our go-to good value whites and it’s again impressive in this latest vintage. Macabeo is the same grape as Viura, the principal ingredient in most white Rioja. Fresh and lively; with mid-palate nougat-like notes of cream and nuts; and kumquats and apricots on the long finish. Classy, interesting, equally good as a light aperitif as with food - and excellent value. Now-2026
ColourWhite
RegionYecla
GrowerLa Purisima
Grape VarietyMacabeo
Vintage2024
ABV12%
Bottle75cl
ClosureCork
CodeCON124
La Combe Saint-Paul, Les Amandiers, Rosé, IGP Pays d’Oc, 2024
A blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah from the Maurys’ vineyards near the Med south of Narbonne. Back by popular demand! Very attractive food-friendly rosé from Paul Maury's estate near Narbonne. Very versatile - enjoy with or without food. Now-2026
ColourRosé
RegionPays d'Oc
GrowerLa Combe Saint-Paul
Grape VarietyGrenache, Syrah & Mourvedre
Vintage2024
ABV12.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeCSP524
La Combe Saint-Paul
La Clape, France
Paul and Line Maury might be our youngest producers but winemaking runs in the genes.
Paul’s grandparents and great grandparents were winemakers specialising in single varietal wines, and we list his fine examples of Vermentino, Chardonnay and Viognier.
In 2008 Paul came across the opportunity to buy vines on La Clape and create his own domaine....
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Grenache / Garnacha
Grenache / Garnacha
Grenache grows well in hot, dry regions, though it can develop very high (15 degrees+) alcohol.
As such it is grown principally in Southern France and Spain (as Garnacha). It is usually blended with other varieties in the Southern Rhône and Languedoc (Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan, Cinsaut and others).
Its flavour usually encompasses the...
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Sur, Carmenere, Maule, 2023
Textbook Carmenere from Chile with a classic combination of blackcurrant fruit with herbal elements. The aromas show that characteristic combination of berries with currant leaf. This offers a light and fresh mouthful of blackcurrant and blueberry. Pure, uncomplicated and finishes brightly. Great on its own, it is versatile with food too and is very happy matching up with spice. Now-2026
ColourRed
RegionMaule
GrowerValle Frio
Grape VarietyCarmenere
Vintage2021
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
ClosureCork
CodeSUR123
La Liquiere, Tutti Frutti Rouge, Vin de France 2024
60% Cinsault, 20% Syrah, and 20% Grenache. The vines are all from AOC Faugères but declassified to VDF to match the fun, modern packaging. The wine is delicious too. Young, pure and primary with crunchy black fruit - try it lightly chilled in summer. Now-2026
ColourRed
RegionLanguedoc-Roussillon
Sub RegionFaugeres
GrowerChateau de la Liquiere
Grape VarietyCinsault, Syrah & Grenache
Vintage2024
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
ClosureCork
MethodOrganic
CodeTUT124
Languedoc-Roussillon
There’s something very complete about our annual offer of wines from the Languedoc and Roussillon: with whites, rosés and reds, and wonderful fortified wines, the Vins Doux Naturels which are such a speciality of the region, there should be something for all tastes. Secondly, there are wines for every budget; at every level we believe these wines continue to offer terrific...
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Grenache / Garnacha
Grenache / Garnacha
Grenache grows well in hot, dry regions, though it can develop very high (15 degrees+) alcohol.
As such it is grown principally in Southern France and Spain (as Garnacha). It is usually blended with other varieties in the Southern Rhône and Languedoc (Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan, Cinsaut and others).
Its flavour usually encompasses the...
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Artisan Wines, Blauer Zweigelt Pure, Burgenland, 2022
Franz Schneider’s Pure wines are aged in 2,000-3,000 litre, old (and therefore neutral) acacia vats. Sankt Laurent (or St Laurent) is a genetic offspring of Pinot Noir. Aromas of crushed black fruit; and then sappy, blackberry and sour cherry flavours. Open and juicy, with splendid aromatics for a wine at this price and a lightly peppery finish. Perfect for drinking with a light lunch, for example charcuterie or chicken. Now-2027
ColourRed
RegionBurgenland
GrowerArtisan Wines
Grape VarietyZweigelt
Vintage2022
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
ClosureScrewcap
CodeART022
Artisan Wines
Artisan Wines, Burgenland
The artisans
The vineyard is owned and managed by Franz Schneider and Ulrike Schmied
Franz Schneider worked as an aeronautical engineer before taking over his family’s tiny (just 7 hectares) vineyard holding dispersed around Halbturn in Burgenland at the far eastern edge of Austria, south-east of Vienna and just a few...
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Six Hats, Cabernet Sauvignon, Western Cape, 2024
Piekenierskloof’s Six Hats is a new label for us. We’ve shipped it following a small vintage where the Cabernet fruit went into this wine as there wasn’t enough to make the ‘regular’ Piekenierskloof estate wine. Certified Fairtrade, it has lot of juicy ripe fruit and soft, approachable tannins. An easy and fun Cape Cabernets that is well-made and very well priced. Perfect with barbecued sausages or halloumi. Now-2027
ColourRed
RegionWestern Cape
GrowerPiekenierskloof
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon
Vintage2024
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
ClosureScrewcap
CodeSIX824
Piekenierskloof
South Africa
For years I had been hearing about Piekenierskloof – not as a wine producer but as a source of grapes for numerous other winemakers, young and old.
I didn’t realise that Piekenierskloof wasn’t just a ward (the smallest geographical unit in the South African regional classification) but one large estate, formerly a...
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Cabernet Sauvignon
The most prestigious red grape?
Origins
- Bordeaux region, as a natural cross of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc (established 1997 by DNA analysis)
- Was known as Vidure or Petit-Vidure
- Spread throughout left bank of Bordeaux, supplanting white grapes
Characteristics
- Fairly easy to grow: hardy, buds...
Valle Frio, Pinot Noir, Maule, 2021
Many of you have already adopted this supple and fruity Pinot Noir as your go-to Pinot. Valle Frio is an offshoot of a familyowned business with 19th century origins: Maule used to be the old heart of wine production within Chile. Pale hue. Pretty strawberry and cherry fruit. Surprisingly authentic – this exhibits both Pinot’s aromatics with attractive juiciness and pleasing lightly savoury hints. Very easy drinking. Drink this year.
ColourRed
RegionMaule
GrowerValle Frio
Grape VarietyPinot Noir
Vintage2021
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
ClosureCork
CodeFRI321
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir
Origins
- Ancient vine, perhaps 2,000 years old
Distant origins in France - first documented mention in France in 1375
Characteristics
- Finicky grape: notoriously difficult to grow (which is partly why it is hugely intriguing to New World...
Here’s the full tasting note for...
The Good Summer Dozen
Twelve keenly priced wines for people that like a bit of variety in their drinking. Includes 1 bottle of each of the following wines:
Great choice of good-value wines in the January sales. The website is really easy to use to make up an order. Delivery, as is often the case, was within 24 hours and, as usual, was well-packed.Read More
I've bought a couple of cases recently, and many more in years gone by, and have really enjoyed their selection. They have a good range of interesting wines from some classic and some more…Read More
Judging by the wines I have had, someone is doing a very good job in selecting the wines to put before the public, and at a very fair price. Delivery from online purchases as also been quick and…Read More
Great company with good service and good prices. Highly recommended.Read More
One of my favourite independents. Been enjoying these special wines for more than 10 years. Always interesting choices, and always great value in the sales!Read More
This was yet another quick and painless transaction, as I have come to expect from SV&S.Read More
