What's new at execellars?

We have once again been scouting the wine world to bring you the latest and best offerings, that we think are too good not to list.

From Felton Road in Central Otago, New Zealand we now have their truly wonderful and iconic Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. These two wines epitomise the enthusiasm and expertise that is coming out of this relatively new wine region. These are must-have wines.

Albariño is not only trendy it is also exceedingly good. We have managed to get our hands on some Albariño Rubines from Adegas Galegas, and we are very glad we have. Aromatic, peachy and complex - it is very serious stuff.

Limoux Autan Chardonnay Toques et Clocher, is a great little find. It is wonderfully reminiscent of Mersault, with a rich butteriness and rounded tropical fruit. This gem is one of our happiest discoveries. The Toques et Clocher sobriquet is a mark of excellence for whites from Limoux and originated with a fund-raising auction for the local church bells.

For those of you who would like to drink Château Dauzac every day, we have good news. We now have in stock La Bastide de Dauzac, the estate's second label, with which we are most impressed. Full of rich, spicy, tobacco fruit and an elegant fine-tannin structure it shows plenty of class - and we still have some of the fabulous 2000 vintage available

What's new in the world of wine

Cure for cork taint?

A new company called Platinum Wine claims to have designed a ‘Platinum Cartridge’ that removes TCA from corked wines by ‘bonding the TCA molecules on to a silica matrix’. The matrix sits inside a disposable cartridge, which is designed to fit inside a special ‘hand-blown decanter’. If it works, that really would be a break through. For more information have a look at their website.

Counterfeit wines

Serena Sutcliffe of Sotheby's auction house warns that the number of fraudulent investment-grade wines is ready to ‘explode’. She has outlined how the ‘sheer density of wealth’ in New York, which she called ‘the hub’ of the international fine-wine market, has led to huge prices being fetched by the most prestigious wines, which in turn has created a rash of counterfeit bottles.

You have been warned! If you are buying a special bottle for an occasion or are dabbling in the investment wine market, make sure your wine has good provenance, and don't buy anything that looks remotely suspect.

White cabernet sauvignon!

The world’s first table wine to be made from the Cabernet Cygne Blanc variety – a new variety of ‘Cabernet’ that produces white grapes – will hit the UK later this autumn.

The wine, so far produced only in tiny quantities, is made by Port Robe Estate near Mount Benson, South Australia. ‘We haven’t got much of the wine so far – only 67 cases of the 2005 – but we are expecting to produce around 1,000 cases of the 2006 and build up from there until we are producing up to 50,000 cases. We are very pleased with the performance of the grape so far. It is almost like Semillon on the nose, but the palate is more like a Roussanne or Marsanne; there is also a distinct Cabernet character to it'

What's new in Devon

The Orestone Manor Hotel in Torquay has just been awarded Devon's first Michelin star for their very fine restaurant. Our congratulations go to Mark and Rose for their great achievement. The Mason's Arms at Knowstone, off Exmoor, have also been awarded a Michelin Star, which is great recognition for the relatively new owners there. Well done all round.

The Tanner Brothers are extending their empire and in April will open the Brasserie Kitchen at the Plymouth Gin Distillery. These well known chefs aim to open an informal, affordable brasserie using the best, fresh ingredients in contrast to the fine dining experience that is their restaurant Tanners.

back to top