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.

April Tasting Schedule

10% Discount on all featured products, when you buy 2 or more bottles, for the whole of April

April’s Featured Liquor

Each month we will feature a spirit that we are particularly proud to stock. Tasting stock will be available throughout April in the shop, as well as 10% discount when you buy 2 or more bottles.

Ocho Tequila

Ocho is a tequila created by Tom Estes, with the help of the Camarena Family. This combination of distilling experience (the Camarena Family, famous for producing Tapatio and El Tesoro) and marketing know how (Tom Estes is credited with introducing the UK to quality tequila, at Café Pacifico and as the CRT Official Tequila Ambassador to Europe) has resulted in a spirit that should take the nation by storm… The brand is the first to show a “tequila vintage”, the aim is to introduce those outside of Mexico to the effect of terroir and vintage on the agave plant. The unaged Blanco and the Reposado are harvested from different soil and altitudes, and show vastly different qualities. The brand is the result of the final of 8 recipes, and the Reposado is aged for 8 weeks and 8 days, hence the Ocho moniker. These are connoisseur’s, sipping tequilas that show great complexity and length.

April 3^rd

Reds of the Languedoc Tasting

The rise and rise of the Euro against Sterling has, unfortunately, pushed the price of the French Fine Wine Regions up and up over the last 12 months. The most upsetting fact is that the French producers have been embracing modern technology, and the quality of the wines is improving with every vintage, but for the Rhone, Bordeaux and Burgundy, this quality, under £10, is hard to come by. Thank the Lord for the lesser known regions, which have been improving at the same rate, but lack the notoriety to command such prices. Here’s a pair of Reds from the Languedoc to help prove the point:

Saint Chinian, Domaine du Barres

The Appelation of St. Chinian in the Languedoc sits in the warmth of the Cevennes foothills. This blend of 70% Shiraz and 30% Grenache is fermented in stainless steel and sees no oak; it has fruit to spare, and a generous finish, proving the point that high quality French wine making need not cost the earth.

Domaine des Deux Anes, Fontanilles Corbieres

Domaine des Deux Anes’ 20 hectares of vineyards are situated about 10km North of Narbonne on an area of deep, red Mediterranean soil. Parcels of Grenache, Carignan, Syrah and Mourverdre are hand harvested and vinified in a modern, state of the art winery, using natural yeasts and the minimum of intervention. The Domaine is currently striving for organic accreditation. The wine is concentrated, deep and elegant, and is a great demonstration of the value for money that the Languedoc represents.

April 10^th

Easter Weekend Bordeaux special – A bank holiday tasting to celebrate spring:

If you are planning on roasting some spring lamb this weekend, we’ve got the Claret to drink with it, from Chateau Tour Saint Bonnet; and a master class in complex, sunshine flavours from Chateau Haut Bertinerie Blanc.

Chateau Haut Bertinerie Blanc, Premieres Cote de Blaye, 2006

“Chateau Haut Bertinerie leads where others in the Blaye region should follow”: Oz Clarke. The Chateau’s Sauvignon Blanc vines sit on a limestone ridge at the Northern end of the Gironde’s right bank. Their winery is noted for readily embracing modern innovation and technology. This is a rich barrel fermented white that has bright summer fruit scents, spice, floral nuances and minerality.

Chateau Tour Saint Bonnet, Cru Bourgeois, Medoc 2002

A chance to try a Bordeaux that is entering peak maturity. Chateau Tour Saint Bonnet, in the Medoc, is a Cru Bourgeois estate noted for its consistency and quality. 2002 benefited from an extended Indian summer which produced a small but high quality vintage, particularly in the Medoc. The 40 hectares of vineyards average 35 years of age and are predominantly on a gravel ridge above the Gironde. An equal blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with a small proportion and Malbec and Petit Verdot; the wine sees 18 months in large, new oak barrels before bottling.

April 17^th

Old World vs. New World Pinot Grigio Tasting

Thanks to bland, bargain basement wines from high yield, quantity over quality growers, Pinot Grigio has seen its popularity dwindle recently. But, as is the way with the wine world, as some try to make a quick profit, to the detriment of the grape’s popularity, others are tirelessly working to produce the best wines they can from Pinot Grigio, as demonstrated by our Old World vs. New World taste off: Venezia-Guila in Italy vs. San Juan in Argentina:

Graffigna Centenario Pinot Grigio Reserva, San Juan Valley, Argentina, 2007

In the New World Corner we have a wine grown at 600 metres above sea level in the Tulum Valley in San Juan, Argentina. This altitude allows for a great temperature range from day to night. Add to this low rainfall and reliable melt water from the Andes, for irrigation, and you have near perfect conditions to create an award winning Pinot Grgio (Gold Medal at the International Wine Challenge). The wine displays powerful floral notes, stone fruit and rich acidity.

Borgo Dei Vassalli, Pinot Grigio, Venezia-Guila, Italy

Representing the Old World is a wine from Azienda Agricola Lorenzon. The Borgo Dei Vassalli vineyards are hand tended in the centre of the Venezia-Guila region. The wine is vinified at one of the most impressive, state of the art wineries in North East Italy, near Lake Garda. The family run operation produces wines that have a seductive texture, refreshing minerality and great length.

April 24^th

Vina Tabali, Limari Valley, Chile

Here’s another opportunity to try one of our favourite South American producers; particularly now that the Special Reserve Pinot Noir is back in the country.

Vina Tabali is a relatively young winery but the awards and accolades are stacking up: The Pinot Noir was featured in Simon Woods Top 20 Wines of the World 2008; the Syrah Reserve won a Decanter Trophy in 2007 (aswell as being one of the wines of 2008 for us at Latitude!); The Viognier was shortlisted at the Sommelier Awards; and the Sauvignon Blanc gained 3 Stars in Decanter Magazine. All of this, and the vineyards are still young, so the quality is improving with every vintage.

The Limari Valley is the most Northerly wine producing region in Chile, a coastal location that borders the Atacama Dessert and the Pacific Ocean. The region is dry, but benefits from the waters of the Limari River for irrigation. A daily blanket of fog comes up the valley from the Pacific Ocean, tempering the climate and moderating the ripening of the grapes. The resultant wines are powerful, yet restrained, showing great depth and minerality.

April 31^st

South African Chenin Blanc’s compared

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.

March Tasting Schedule

Friday 5pm – 7pm, every week

10% discount on featured producers and wines for the week following the tasting, when you buy 2 or more bottles.

For further information and regular updates, join our database or Facebook Group

Friday 6^th March

Thelema, Stellenbosch, South Africa.

The first featured producer this month comes from the wine region of the moment. South Africa’s wines are improving with every vintage. A dramatic restructuring of the country’s industry has taken place in the last 2 decades. Most wineries have taken this opportunity to modernise. Small, quality-focused producers have become the norm. The new generation of growers soak up the latest technology and research, keen to make their mark on the world of fine wine.

The Thelema Estate occupies a unique 157 hectares of Stellenbosch. The former farm is one of the highest, and coolest, vineyards in the region. The Chardonnay comes from 22 year old vines, undergoes barrel fermentation and 10 months in oak. It’s brimming with melon and tropical fruit, balanced with mineral and nutty notes, the texture is soft and succulent. The Merlot is smoky and bright, with ripe tannins. The spicy 04 Shiraz is at its peak with hints of blackberry, liquorice and toasty oak, its full body cries out for a good steak.

Friday 13^th March

Vina Chocalan, Maipo Valley, Chile

Chilean wines have gained unbelievable market share in the UK over the past 15 years. This can be put down to great value and fruit-forward, approachable wines that offer immediate appeal in the glass. But, as the Chilean wine industry has grown, so has the ambition of the nation’s winemakers. Vineyard site selection has become much more rigorous, as winemakers explore the varied micro-climates and terroir.

Vina Chocalan’s 80 hectares of vines in the Maipo Valley lie in close proximity to the Pacific Ocean with cool coastal breezes funnelling down the valley at night, tempering the heat of the day: perfect conditions for extended ripening of the grapes. Add to this an ultra modern winery, completed in 2003, and you have a recipe for success, as demonstrated by the estates many awards.

Biggest award to date goes to the Carmenere Seleccion, scooping the Decanter World Wine Awards Trophy for Chilean Red Varietal under £10: Spicy, dark fruits with chocolate notes and a seductive texture. The Merlot and Syrah are equally impressive, and all show great value at £7.50.

Friday 20^th March – How much do you love your Mumm! Mother’s Day Special

GH Mumm Champagne, Reims, France

We will be celebrating Mothers Day with an extended discount period. 10% discount will be available on the GH Mumm range from Saturday 14^th March until Monday 23^rd. We will also be giving you the chance to try before you buy on Friday 20^th March, between 5pm and 7pm.

Mumm was established in 1827 by a family of German wine merchants. They quickly established a tradition of innovation in the vineyard and cellars, matched by the strong international marketing. The Brand is now the third biggest selling Champagne in the world, and the biggest selling International Champagne in France.

The house prides itself on a higher proportion of Pinot Noir, and ages all of its wines for significantly longer than is required by law. The result is a style that is full and rich, while balanced and elegant. The Rosé and the 1998 Vintage have been very well received at the 2008 awards, both scooping Silver at the Decanter World Wine Awards.

Friday 27^th March

Mandrarossa, Sicily, Italy

The Mandrarossa range is produced by Cantina Settesoli, a very modern cooperative that brings together Sicily’s grape growers with 1 aim: to show off the potential of Sicilian wine. The island is blessed with baking Mediterranean sun, a myriad of different soil types and a landscape that provides enough altitude to temper the climate.

Mandrarossa has introduced a detailed computer tracking system that allows them to track the grapes from vineyard to bottle. This means that individual parcels of wine can be picked at optimum ripeness, vinified separately and blended to create a harmonious whole. This attention to details has made Cantina Settesoli one of the most respected and successful cooperatives on the continent.

Their most successful wine is the Mandrarossa Fiano: International Trophy: White Single Varietal Under £10, Decanter World Wine Awards, 2008; Silver Medal at the International Wine Challenge, 2008; International Trophy, Under £10, International wine Challenge 2007. It is the wine that has made Fiano one of the most talked about varieties, and justifiably so. The Nero d’Avola is another example of the winemaker’s skill with local Sicilian varieties: dark fruited, spicy and powerful. Both wines are amazing value at £6.99.

New Rum Range, just arrived

We are very pleased to announce the arrival of several new products. Our constant mission to find the finest Boutique spirits has been particularly successful so far in 2009…

First up are the fine Martinique Rhum Agricoles from Trois Rivieres, ranging from the 50% Blanc, a fruit led, spicy white rum, to the “Fut Unique” single cask, a true connoisseurs rhum of amazing complexity.

Next up we have the XM range from Banks, including the fantastic value 7 year old VXO and the XM 10 year old, which has to be one of the best rum to come out of Guyana.

Finally, we have the Diplomatico Rums from Venezuela. This multi award winning range includes a 4 year old Anejo, an 8 year old Reserva and the 12 year old Reserva Exclusivia. Without doubt, they are some of the best rums we’ve tried, but you don’t have to take our word for it, we’ve got some tasting stock available, so you can try before you buy!

Valentine’s Tasting with Saint Germain Elderflower Liqueur

Why not come and join us on Friday February 13th to sample the delights of Saint Germain Elderflower Liqueur.

Saint Germain is a stunning French Liqueur made from a century old recipe with freshly picked Elderflower blossoms that are harvested, by hand, in just a few fleeting spring days every year. It’s delicate, aromatic and an amazing ingredient in cocktails and spritzers.

Free cocktails and samples will be available between 5pm and 7pm.

Learn to make the Saint Germain cocktail for your loved 1 on the 14th, a glorious blend of elderflower, Prosecco and soda water.

Valentine’s Rose Offers!

10% discount on selected pink Champagne and Rose wines, including Laurent Perrier Rose and GH Mumm Cordon Rose…

Perfect with Saint Germain Liqueur in a Rosata cocktail…

See you there!

January Sale Now On!

For a limited period only we are offering some great deals including:

20% discount on selected French, Australian and South American wines.

The return of the Mix and Match Double Deals; many wines at 2 for £8 with savings of up to 30%.

Limited availability, when the stock’s gone, the deals end, so hurry!

Christmas Tasting Schedule

From the Thursday 20th November we are extending our opening hours for the festive period. We will be open for late night shopping on Thursdays, until 8pm; Sunday opening, from 11am - 5pm, begins on the 23rd November.

To make the burden of Christmas Shopping a little less stressful, we are expanding and developing our free Friday night tastings.

Not only are we going to be incorporating festive food-matching, but we are also happy to welcome some very special guests to our late night shopping evenings, starting Thursday 20^th November.

Thursday 20^th November, 6pm-8pm

Smoked Salmon and Chardonnay, Burgundy vs. California

Thursday 27^th November, 6pm-8pm

Cocktail Master Class - The perfect Caiprinha, with Nick Ord, UK Brand Ambassador for Sagatiba Cachaca

Thursday 4^th December, 6pm-8pm

Poultry and Pinot Noir, what’s the best wine for your Christmas dinner?

Thursday 11^th December, 6pm-8pm

Antique Bourbon Tasting with Julian Howard of Buffalo Trace, Whiskey Distillery of the Year 2008

Thursday 18^th December, 6pm-8pm

Champagne Tasting with Helen Balfour of Perrier Jouet, including Grand Brut, Blason Rosé and Belle Epoque

Christmas Eve, 3pm-5pm

Mince Pies and dessert wines, Merry Christmas!

Christmas and New Year Opening

Christmas Eve: 10am – 5pm

Christmas Day: Closed

Boxing Day: Closed

Saturday 27^th December: 10am – 7pm

Sunday 28^th December 11am – 5pm

Monday 29^th: 10am – 7pm

Tuesday 30^th December: 10am – 7pm

New Years Eve: 10am – 5pm

New Years Day: Closed

Friday 2^nd January: Closed

Saturday 3^rd January: 11am – 7pm