February 2010: Rhone Varietals

10% Discount on all featured wines when you buy 2 or more bottles

There are many noble grape varieties from the Rhone. Uniquely they travel very well, so this month we’re taking an International Tasting Tour inspired by the Historic Region in the South of France.

Friday February 5^th: Free Tasting

Mourverdre

Varieties that thrive in the Rhone tend to be late ripening, perfect for hot Mediterranean conditions. Little wonder they are also widely planted in Spain, where Mourverdre is known and Monastrell. The award winning Juan Gil Monastrell, from Jumilla on the Spanish South Coast, shows seductive black fruit and sweet tannins, and quality way beyond its price tag. The Spice Route Mouverdre is from the warm Malmesbury region of South Africa and is made by one of the most respected winemakers in the Southern Hemisphere, Charles Back.

Juan Gil Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain, 2008: £8.50

Spice Route Mourverdre, South Africa, 2006: £9.99

Friday February 12^th: Free Tasting

Grenache Noir

Widely planted throughout the wine world now, Grenache (Garnacha in Spain) is the grape that adds warm berry fruit and spice to the blend of one of the most Ancient appellations in the world, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, a style that has been copied to great effect in South Australia and California. Its qualities are appreciated in blends throughout Spain, from Rioja to Priorat. As a Valentines special we line up another “Old World vs. New World” battle, with 2 shop favourites, both from low yielding, old Grenache vines: Boutinot Seguret, from the Cotes du Rhone Village to the North East of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and Willunga 100 Grenache from McLaren Vale in South Australia.

Seguret, Cotes du Rhone Villages, Boutinot, France, 2006: £10.50

Willunga 100 Grencahe, McLaren Vale, Australia, 2006: £8.50

Friday February 19^th: Free Tasting

Syrah

Syrah, the Grape of the great appellations of the Northern Rhone, Hermitage and Cote-Rotie, has to be the best ravelled of all the Rhone varietals. Wines made from Syrah/Shiraz have an amazing ability to show a “sense of place”. It crops up in practically every red blend from the South of France, it is in some of the most sought after Australian Wines and some of the best recent releases from Chile all contain the dark skinned, spicy variety. Randall Grahm of the Bonny Doon Vineyards in California was one of the first “Rhone Rangers” to experiment with Syrah. His Coastal Monterey Vineyards are perfectly suited, producing ripe, elegant wines. The Dignite Syrah comes from a handful of ancient vines in the Languedoc, Gold Medal Winner at the Syrah du Monde Awards.

Syrah “Le Posseur”, Bonny Doon, Monterey, USA, 2005: £14.99

Dignite Syrah, Vin de Pays d’Oc, France, 2005: £9.99

Friday February 26^th: Free Tasting

Viognier

White grapes generally play second fiddle to red in the Rhone, but the Northern Rhone Village of Condrieu has built an International reputation for Viognier. Richly textured with apricot and ginger notes, the best whites of the Rhone are hugely expensive. The Viognier du Campuget we are showing tonight is from VDP du Gard to the South and demonstrates the quality of Viognier from the Rhone at a fraction of the price. A small proportion of Viognier is also used to add perfume to the Northern Rhone Syrah of Cote-Rotie, a style that is becoming hugely popular with winemakers around the world. The blend is particularly well suited to the Hunter Valley Climate in Australia, as demonstrated, here, by Kieth Tulloch, one of the region’s pioneers.

Viognier du Campuget, VDP du Gard, France, 2008: £10.50

Keith Tulloch Shiraz/Viognier, Hunter Valley, Australia, 2005: £11.99

Christmas Tasting Schedule

Christmas is coming, so we’re doubling our tasting schedule for December. Free tastings every Friday, 5-7pm as usual, plus special late night shopping tastings on Thursday’s, 6-8pm. Join us and some very special guests for some a chance to try some of our finest wines and spirits.

Thursday 3^rd December

Whisky and Chocolate Tasting: Chivas 18 and Glenlivet 18 with Valrohna Chocolate

A chance to try the multi award winning 18 year old blend from Chivas Regal along-side an equally awarded 18 year old Malt from Glenlivet. Both are perfect after-dinner drams, made even better when matched with Valrohna Chocolate

Friday 4^th December

Port and Cheese Tasting: Quinta do Noval Port

Quinta do Noval ports really prove that small is beautiful in the Port world, they keep their production small enabling maximum quality control. Established in 1715 the wines come from the highest quality vineyards in the Douro and are produced in one of the most forward thinking wineries in the region.

Thursday 11^th December

Four Roses: Distillery of the Year, Malt Advocate Magazine

A chance to taste both the Small Batch and the Single Barrel Bourbons from the 2008 Distillery of the Year: Four Roses. These whiskies are uniquely smooth and mellow, the result of careful blending and aging of 10 different recipes by Master Distiller Jim Rutledge, the man who has single handedly developed Four Roses’ reputation as one of the best American Distilleries.

Friday 12^th December

The Finest Rums in the World: Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva and XM Royal 10

Joining us will be Robert Skippy Jupp of Speciality Brands as he shows off 2 amazing, multi award winning rums from his portfolio: From Venezuela, Diplomatico Reserva Exsclusivia and from Guyana, Banks XM 10yo, these are the spirit connoisseurs’ ultimate Christmas presents!

Thursday 17^th December

Coole Swan: The Best Liqueur in the World

Joining us will be Fabrice Limon of Mangrove Brands as we set out to prove that not all Cream Liqueurs are the same. Coole Swan contains Single Malt Irish Whisky, Madagascan Vanilla, Venezuelan Cocoa and fresh Irish dairy cream. The result is officially the Best Liqueur in the World: Double Gold, Best in Class, San Francisco World Spirits Challenge, 2009

Friday 18^th December

Perrier Jouet Belle Epoque 2002 Vintage Launch

For our final Tasting of 2009 we are very pleased to welcome Helen Balfour of Perrier Jouet Champagnes back as we have the first opportunity to sample the Grande Marque 2002 Belle Epoque in the North.

November Tastings

November’s Friday tastings are all about hearty autumnal reds from around the world; warming spicy wines to help you through the winter months.

Case (10%) discount on all featured wines when you buy 2 or more bottles.

Free Tasting 5-7pm, November 6th
Argentine Classics
La Flor Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, 2007, £8.99
Graffigna Centenario Malbec, Mendoza, 2006, £8.99

Free Tasting 5-7pm, November 13th
Spanish Regions
Alaia, Dehesa des Rubailes, Castilla Y Leon, 2006, £7.99
Vinas del Vero Cabernet-Merlot, Somontano, 2007, £7.50

Free Tasting 5-7pm, November 20th
Cape Classics
Thelema Mountain Vineyard Merlot, Stellenbosch, 2007, £14.99
Fairview Pinotage, Paarl, 2008, £8.99

Free Tasting 5-7pm, November 27th
The Rhone
Parallel 45, Cotes du Rhone, Jaboulet, 2006, £8.99
Seguret, Les Coteaux Shisteaux, Cote du Rhone Villages, Boutinot, 2006, £10.50

See you on Friday!

October 09, Chilean Month

10% Discount on all Chilean Wines when you buy 2 or more bottles

Following the Chilean Wine Industry’s unrivalled performance at both the Decanter World Wine Awards and the International Wine Challenge this year we have decided to celebrate the World’s most dynamic wine nation this October.

Free Tasting 5-7pm, October 2^nd

Cefiro by Vina Casablanca, Casablanca Valley

Vina Casablanca is recognised as the first winery to produce Chilean Sauvignon Blanc, from cool climate Casablanca fruit. Since the mid ‘90’s they have expanded their vineyard holdings into other regions, with rich Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from Maipo in addition to the Casablanca Pinot Noir.

Cefiro Sauvignon Blanc, £7.99

Cefiro Pinot Noir, £8.99

Cefiro Merlot, £7.99

Cefiro Cabernet Sauvignon, £7.99

Free Tasting 5-7pm, October 9th

Vina Chocalan, Maipo Valley

Vina Chocalan’s Estate vineyards are in the most established of the Chilean growing regions, Maipo. The vines straddle a valley between the Coastal Mountains and the Andes offering ideal conditions for a wide variety of grapes. All vineyards offer close proximity to the winery, where minimal handling produce an award winning range of wines that offer amazing value for money.

Vina Chocalan Syrah/Petit Verdot Rose Seleccion, £7.50

Vina Chocalan Merlot Seleccion, £7.50

Vina Chocalan Syrah Seleccion, £7.50

Vins Chocalan Carmenere Seleccion, £7.50

Free Tasting 5-7pm, October 16^th

Vina Tabali, Limari Valley

Vina Tabali is a relatively young winery, but the wines have been very well received by the press. The Limari Valley offers a unique terroir. The region is the most Northerly in Chile, benefitting from the cooling effects of a pacific fog that covers the valley on a daily basis. A cooler, longer growing period produces precise wines of depth and complexity

Vina Tabali Sauvignon Blanc, £8.50

Vina Tabali Viognier, £8.50

VIna Tabali Pinot Noir Special Reserve, £10.50

Vina Tabali Syrah Reserve, £10.50

Free Tasting 5-7pm, October 23^rd

Cousino Macul, Maipo Valley

Cousino Macul is the oldest family owned wine estate in Chile, dating back to 1856. The company has 2 vineyards both in the Alto Maipo region at the foot of the Andes. The whites are fresh but powerful, the reds, from the Antiguus Reserva range benefit from some time in oak.

Cousino Macul, Dona Isadora Riesling, £7.50

Cousino Macul, Antiguus Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, £8.99

Free Tasting 5-7pm, October 30^th

Echeverria, Curico Valley

The Echeverria family have been producing wines for over a Century now from their Molina base in the Curico Valley. The Reserva range is noted for its complexity and oak influence; powerful, food worthy wines that really show off the quality of modern Chilean winemaking.

Echeverria Chardonnay Reserva, £9.99

Echeverria Syrah Reserva, £9.99

Echeverria Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva, £9.99

September Tastings

This September we will be taking a short Tour de France, with a few of our favourite tipples from the home of wine.

FREE Tastings every Friday 5-7pm, 10% Discount on all featured wines, all month, when you buy 2 or more bottles:

Friday 4th September Free Tasting 5-7pm
Southern Rosé
Domaine de la Vielle Tour, Cotes de Provence Rose, 2008: £8.99
Paralelle 45 Rose, Paul Jaboulet Ainée, Côtes du Rhone, 2008: £8.99

Friday 11th September Free Tasting 5-7pm
White Burgundy
La Colombe Chablis, Burgundy 2007: £11.99
Cuvee a l’Ancienne Viré-Clessé, 2005: £11.99

Friday 18th September Free Tasting 5-7pm
Southern Reds
Dignité Syrah, Vin de Pays d’Oc, 2005: £9.99
Domaine Brusset, Cotes Du Ventoux Rouge, 2007: £8.99

Friday 25th September Free Tasting 5-7pm
Burgundy: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Domaine Moreau, Bourgogne Blanc: £13.99
Domaine Moreau Bourgogne Rouge: £13.99

See you there!

August 09

Australia Month

10% Discount on all Australian wines when you buy 2 or more bottles

Join us in August as we take a tour of the Australian wine regions, from West to East, celebrating the diversity of one of the great wine making nations.

Free Tasting 5-7pm, July 31^st

Omrah by Plantagenet, Great Southern

The Omrah Range is a project from the award winning Plantagenet winery in Great Southern. Chief wine maker, John Durham, sources fruit from throughout the Great Southern region. The cool, coastal influence ensures the freshness and clarity of the wines.

Omrah Sauvignon Blanc, £9.99

Omrah Pinot Noir, £9.99

Omrah Cabernet Sauvignon, £9.99

Free Tasting 5-7pm, August 7^th

Willunga 100, McLaren Vale

McLaren Vale, South of Adelaide, has a warm Mediterranean Climate, tempered by the cooling effect of the Gulf of Saint Vincent. Willunga 100 fruit is sourced from extremely well established vineyards producing bright, intense wines that show great value for money.

Willunga 100 Viognier, £8.50

Willunga 100 Grenache, £8.50

Willunga 100 Shiraz-Viognier, £8.50

Willunga 100 Cabernet-Shiraz, £8.50

Free Tasting 5-7pm, August 14^th

Henschke, Eden Valley

The Henschke family first planted vines in Barossa and Eden Valleys in the 1860’s. The family is still tending some 150 year old, ungrafted, Shiraz now. The reds from Henschke are among the most sought after in Australia, the whites celebrate the unique Eden Valley terroir that the vineyard sites occupy. A rare opportunity to try one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most celebrated wine makers.

Henschke Henry’s Seven (Shiraz, Viognier, Grenache), £19.99

Henschke Louis Semillon, £17.99

Henschke Edelstone Shiraz, £55.00

Free Tasting 5-7pm, August 21^st

Yering Station, Yarra Valley

Yarra Valley is only 30 miles from Melbourne. The location is ideally suited for the Burgundian varieties. Relatively high rainfall and cooling coastal breezes allow for long, slow ripening conditions. The wines show more elegance and minerality than warmer Australian regions, particularly so with the scented Shiraz/Viognier which achieved Gold at the Decanter Awards 08.

Yering Station Chardonnay, £12.99

Yering Station Pinot Noir, £12.99

Yering Station Shiraz-Viognier, £12.99

Free Tasting 5-7pm, August 28^th

Brokenwood, Hunter Valley

Brokenwood was one of the first to plant in the Hunter Valley, a region that has growing conditions that produce fresh but persistent wines. The multi award winning Semillon is their flagship white. Slightly lower in alcohol (11.5%) the wine retains a zesty freshness while packing a lip-smacking citrus punch. The Hunter Valley Shiraz offers more subtlety than your average Aussie Shiraz, but always showing a supple complexity and elegance.

Brokenwood Semillon, £9.99

Brokenwood Hunter Valley, £15.99

Bank Holiday Special, August 28^th 5-7pm

Beija-Flor Cachaça Tasting and Caipirinha Demo

July 09

Come and celebrate with us as we raise several glasses to Latitude’s first full year in existence!

On July 2^nd we are taking over the private dining room of the Piazza by Anthony for our First Birthday Portfolio Tasting. We will be showing wines and liquor from many of our favourite wineries and distilleries; products that embody everything we want in our glass: personality, value and a sense of place.

We’ve searched all corners of the globe to bring you the best booze there is and along the way we’ve found some wines and spirits that have truly amazed us.

For 52 Fridays we’ve shown them off, and July will be no different. Between 5 and 7pm every Friday we will be revisiting some of the wines that have really impressed: tried and tested classics, all of them!

Best of all, we are offering case discount (10%) when you buy 2 or more bottles on any of the wines featured in any tasting in July.

Portfolio Tasting: Thursday 2^nd July

Perrier Jouet (Champagne), Paul Jaboulet Ainé (The Rhone), Mandrarossa (Sicily), Plantagenet (Western Australia), Trinity Hill (Hawkes Bay, New Zealand), Vina Tabali (Limari Valley, Chile), Thelema Mountain Vineyards (Stellenbosch, South Africa)

Free Tasting: Friday 3^rd July (5-7pm)

Pulenta Estate, Mendoza, Argentina

Free Tasting: Friday 10^th July (5-7pm)

False Bay, Western Cape, South Africa

Free Tasting: Friday 17^th July (5-7pm)

Vina Tabli, Limari Valley, Chile

Free Tasting: Friday 24^th July (5-7pm)

Trinity Hill, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

June 09: New Zealand Month

10% Discount on all New Zealand wines when you buy 2 or more bottles

Free Tastings every Friday 5-7pm

This June we will be celebrating one of the most exciting and dynamic wine producing regions : New Zealand.

The Country has blazed an impressive trail over the last 30 years, revolutionising the production of wine in the process.

To find out more, join us, every Friday, 5-7pm when we will be showing some seriously impressive wines, and there’s case discount (10% off) when you buy 2 or more Kiwi wines throughout the Month.

June 5^th

It’s not all about Sauvignon Blanc

Saint Clair Riesling, Marlborough

A great example of New World Riesling from Matt Thompson, International White Wine Maker of the Year, IWC 2008

Kim Crawford Pinot Gris, Marlborough

A Pinot Gris that is in the rich, Alsace style but with lifted, refreshing acidity.

June 12^th

It’s not all about Marlborough

Trinity Hill Trinity, Hawkes Bay

The Trinity is a blend of Merlot, the Cabernets (Sauvignon and Franc) and Syrah, aged for 16 months, that displays succulent tannins, red and black fruit with leather and spice notes.

Tinpot Hut Syrah, Hawkes Bay

A Syrah that shows restraint and elegance, selected from a single vineyard at altitude in Hawkes Bay.

June 19^th

Kiwi Pinots compared

Stoneleigh Pinot Noir, Rapaura Series, Marlborough

Pinot Noir selected from the Rapaura Vineyards, which have deep, gravel soils, in the North of the Wairau Valley, Silver Medal at the IWC 08.

Wild Earth Pinot Noir, Central Otago

Winner of 4 Trophies at the International Wine Challenge, Including Best International Pinot Noir, no other wine in New Zealand can match its success!

June 26^th

Marlborough Sauvignons

Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough

James Healy and Ivan Sutherland have got Sauvignon Blanc form: as former Chief Winemaker and Vineyard Manager for Cloudy Bay. They set up on their own in the mid-‘90’s and produced their first vintage in 2002. It shows all the quality of their former project, at a fraction of the price.

Saint Clair Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough

“Perhaps the World’s best Sauvignon Blanc”: Bob Campbell MW, New Zealand Wine Writer. Matt Thompson’s, (IWC White Wine Maker of the Year 2008) Saint Clair winery is one of the most celebrated in Marlborough. The 2007 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scooped the Trophy for International Sauvignon Blanc at the IWC 2008 and the Best NZ Sauvignon Blanc over £10 at DWA 2008… What more can I say?

May 2009 Tasting Schedule

10% discount on featured wines, when you buy 2 or more

Free tastings every Friday 5-7pm

Friday May 1^st

South African Chenin Blancs

Not all South African Chenin Blancs are the same, trust us! Terroir, viticultural practice, fermentation and the vinification process can alter the flavour of the wine in the glass immeasurably, and here’s an opportunity to try the results.

Fairview Darling Chenin Blanc

Fairview’s vineyard estate dates back to the late 17^th Century, but has been under the family ownership of Charles Back since the late ‘30’s. The winery is in Paarl, but they own vineyards in all the leading, Coastal areas of South Africa. This Chenin is produced in Darling, 300 metres above sea level, on granite soils. The wine undergoes temperature controlled fermentation in stainless steel, seeing no oak at all. The result is a fresh, spritely wine showing stone and tropical fruit, with a clean refreshing finish.

Spice Route Chenin Blanc

The fruit for this wine comes from Malmesbury in Swartland, a region with long, warm summers temepered by cooling, overnight coastal breezes. These conditions produce rich, ripe and full fruit. The biggest difference comes in the cellar. Fermentation in new French oak, followed by a further 10 months in Barriques, which enhances the tropical fruits in the wines, and imparts spicy, vanilla and nutty notes.

Friday May 8^th

Regional Spanish Whites

Aura Vedejo, Rueda

The region of Rueda has undergone significant modernisation in recent years. Located in the region of Castilla Y Leon, to the South West of Ribera del Duero, the wines historically produced were fortified, usually a pale imitation of Jerez. The introduction of temperature controlled fermentation and winemaking into the region’s wineries has allowed producers to make a new style of white from the indigenous Verdejo variety that is lip-smacking and refreshing, not unlike Sauvignon Blanc. The Aura Verdejo is typical of this new wave, balanced grapefruit acidity with melon and peach aromatics.

Don Pedro de Soutomaior Albarino, Rias Bixas

The region of Rias Biaxas, on the coast in Western Spain, has a climate that is unique among Spanish regions, far cooler and significantly wetter, thanks to the close proximity of the Atlantic. Until the ‘90’s, the quality of the white wines from the Albarino variety barely registered outside of Galicia, but over the last 15 years a few producers, like Don Pedro e Soutomaior, have employed modern techniques in the winery to produce wines worthy of International recognition. A wine that is perfectly suited to anything in a shell, it shows bright floral notes, stone fruit and a balance that earned the ‘07 vintage Silver at the Decanter World Wine Awards and Bronze at the International Wine Challenge.

Friday May 15^th

Summer Reds

Chateau de Souzy, Beaujolais-Villages

Beaujolais is the home of Gamay, a variety that produces juicy, vibrant reds that are perfect for a winemaking process called carbonic maceration, that produces wines low in tannin but high in summer fruit flavours and refreshing acidity. These are the perfect red wines for hot summer days, stick them in the fridge for 20 minutes and enjoy! Chateau de Souzy comes from the negotiant Signe Vigneron, a company set up in 1997 to promote quality in Beaujoulais. The Estate has been under vine for over 300 years and the grapes are hand harvested for quality.

J.Lohr Widflower Valdigué, Monterey

This vibrant wine from California is made from vines that were originally thought to be Gamay Noir, but have subsequently been found to be the Southern French variety of Valdigué. Undeterred, J. Lohr have continued to create a vibrant, juicy wine in the style of Beaujolais, with a proportion of the grapes undergoing carbonic maceration. The effect is a wine that has all the softness and approachability of a good Beaujolais, but deeper, darker fruit flavours.

Friday May 22^nd

Regional French Whites

Domaine la Taste, Vin de Pays des Cotes de Gascogne

Domaine la Taste was one of the first Gascogne producers to produce and bottle their own wines. This control of the means of production means that, unlike many others, they are quality rather than quantity focused. The Gascogne region may be better known as Armagnac territory to the drinking public but the reputation for producing juicy, citrus led whites is growing, led by Estates like la Taste.

Viognier de Campuget, Vine de Pays du Gard

Chateau du Campuget located near Nimes dates back to 1640, it is generally regarded as on of the best estates in the Costieres de Nimes region. The wines are very much reminiscent of the Rhone, but with 1 major benefit, they represent great value for money. The Viognier is rich and opulent, showing tropical fruit and spice, mango and ginger with honeysuckle and stone fruit; a very complex wine for the price.

Friday May 29^th

North Italy, Everyday Reds

Allegrini Valpolicella

Franco Allegrini took the unique step in 2007 of bottling his Valpolicella with a screw cap for the UK market. To us this may not seem like a big deal, but in Italy it takes real guts. Not only has he flown in the face of Italian hostility to Stelvin closures but he has also had to declassify his wine. Despite the fact that every inch of the 70 hectare estate lies in the Valpolicella Classico region, screw caps are not permitted under the classification. Nevertheless he believes that the bright cherry fruit, purity and vibrancy is best preserved under a screw cap and it is the wine in the bottle that counts, not the legislators.

Ca del Matt Barbera d’Asti

Nizza Monferrato’s vineyards are among the best exposed and warmest in the Asti region, allowing the Barbera grapes to develop and reach optimum ripeness more consistently. Since the ‘90’s the cooperative Nizza has paid it’s growers by the hectare, rather than the Kilo, so quality of crop is the focus, not quantity. This ground breaking vineyard management is then combined with the skills of Award winning Kiwi winemaker, Matt Thompson, to produce bright, herbaceous, modern Italian Red.