The Christmas Carol Case
A festive case with 2 bottles each of a sparkling, 2 whites and 3 reds with a saving of 12% off normal bottle prices
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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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Forges, Sauvignon Blanc, IGP Val de Loire, 2024
There’s much to praise here: an accessible, fruity, Loire Sauvignon Blanc that comes in at just 11% this year. Crisp, grassy, green apple fruit to the fore. Enjoyable with or without food. Now-2026
ColourWhite
RegionLoire
GrowerForges
Grape VarietySauvignon Blanc
Vintage2024
ABV11%
Bottle75cl
CodeFOR724
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
Sauvignon Blanc
Origins
- Probably in Bordeaux region
- Parent of red grape Cabernet Sauvignon (established by DNA analysis)
Characteristics
- Vigorous plant, so can be too leafy and overproductive
- Aromas and flavours described as: herbaceous, grassy and nettley; Gooseberries; but can also show more tropical fruits...
La Combe Saint-Paul, Viognier, IGP Pays d'Oc, 2024
We are going big on this wine this summer. It's unmistakable Viognier - expressive and packed full of aromatic peach and apricot fruit - but it's light and effortlessly drinkable too. There's none of the heaviness that mars many examples of this grape. Just delicious. Now-2026
ColourWhite
RegionLanguedoc
GrowerLa Combe Saint-Paul
Grape VarietyViognier
Vintage2024
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
ClosureCork
CodeCSP324
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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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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Viognier
Viognier
Characteristics
- Fickle grape to grow, subject to problems in the flowering and setting of fruit
- Best picked late and fully ripe, with high alcohol, at least 13.5 degree
- ...but can be too fat and overblown if grown in too hot temperatures
- Very aromatic, with scents of apricot and...
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
L’Estabel, Languedoc-Cabrieres, Grande Cuvee Comtesse Rouge, 2022
We had a lengthy flirtation with L’Estabel, a small co-op in the schistous hills of Cabrieres in the Languedoc, before taking the plunge two years ago. The wines here seem to get better and better, with a pile of local character.
Supple and fruity but, very importantly, not too soft. Hints of myrtilles and wild blackberries. Very democratic, this is a crowd pleaser that will go down well at summer parties and barbecues. Drink this year to enjoy the juicy fruit at its best.
ColourRed
RegionLanguedoc-Roussillon
Grape VarietyGrenache & Syrah
Vintage2022
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeLES622
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...
Discover More
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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Carinae, Malbec, Odile, Mendoza, 2023
Under a gold-starred, somewhat revolutionary label. From Carinae’s 90 year old vines at Cruz de Piedra, Maipú, just to the south of Mendoza. Terrific raspberry and blackberry flavours. Lovely fat and texture with gentle tannins. Easy-drinking but with plenty of substance too. Now-2028
ColourRed
RegionMendoza
GrowerCarinae
Grape VarietyMalbec
Vintage2023
ABV13.6%
Bottle75cl
ClosureCork
CodeCAE123
Carinae
Mendoza, Argentina
Frenchman Philippe Subra, with his wife Brigitte, came to Argentina as the national boss of EDF, the French energy giant - but loved the country so much he cleverly bought some long-established vineyards and settled there, on the south side of Mendoza. He has built a small cellar - boutique indeed, whilst wholly lacking the pretension that word implies!
What...
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Malbec
Malbec is a red grape whose home is in south-west France, and specifically in the appellation of Cahors.
There (known as Cot) it makes a strongly flavoured wine which is, all too often, tannic and rustic and needs several years ageing to show its best.
Like Carmenère in Chile, it is much more successful in Argentina than in its homeland. Introduced in the mid 19th...
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Here’s the full tasting note for...
The Christmas Carol Case
A festive case with 2 bottles each of a sparkling, 2 whites and 3 reds with a saving of 12% off normal bottle prices
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
