Spirited Wines Christmas Magazine

The Penfolds ColleCTion. A fAmily of fine wines, eACh wiTh A disTinCT

ChArACTer, quAliTy And ProvenAnCe. A TesTAmenT To The enduring ‘house sTyle’

And winemAking PhilosoPhy ThAT Penfolds hAs Proudly uPheld sinCe 1844.

1844

grAnge • bin 707 • rwT • mAgill esTATe • yATTArnA • sT henri

reserve bin A • bin 389 • bin 407 • bin 150 • bin 28 • bin 51 • bin 8 • bin 2

numbers CAn be eXTrAordinAry

Penfolds.Com




1844




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IN THIS ISSUE

2 Why we love Champagne - Champagne de Castelnau

3 Our Guide to Bubbles

4 Italian wine with Feudi di San Grego

5 The Lowdown on Organic & Biodynamic Wine

6 Christmas Made Easy - Perfect Gift for...

7 Richard Bampfield MW on beloved Burgundy

8 Classic Burgundy - Louis Latour

9 A Sceptic’s Guide to Cheese & Wine Pairing

1 0 Wineries that do things differently...

1 1 How to do - Mixology From Your Fridge

1 2 / 13 When personalities meet, history changes: the story of Staritsky & Levitsky Vodka

14 Speyside Whisky - The Glen Moray Distillery

1 5 Our Guide: Whisky or Whiskey?

16/ 17 Our Staff Favourites!

1 8 Penfolds Spotlight

1 9 Gift Ideas for Christmas and some Great Value buys

2 0 How to make - Three Classic Winter Cocktails (with a twist)

2 1 How to make - Christmas Cocktails with El Dorado Rum

2 2 Our Store List

Let’s not get too obsessive about food and wine pairing. There is no such thing as the perfect wine for a table laden with the feast that Christmas often is. Whether wine or cocktails, beer or gin straight up is your thing, own your taste buds, they know better than any expert what makes you happy. To help you out a bit we have collated choice tips from some serious drinks experts in this magazine. We understand that it is not always that simple stocking up your cellar, fridge... or bottom of the stairwell.

Let’s not get too worried about knowing which vintage to buy for a self professed ‘wine expert’—the beauty of vintage variation is that they offer us choices in style and price. For gift buying go to our ‘Perfect Gift For…’ section—if your intended gift recipient can answer our geeky drinks question, that section is theirs.

Let’s do away with the mystery that often surrounds the world of whisky. One of our resident whisky lovers, Mark Connolly, breaks it down for you in ‘Whisky or Whiskey? Our Guide’. A quick read will answer your questions about where the peaty ones come from and how to spot them.

Finally, sit back, take a sip of something warming and congratulate yourself for letting our expert staff do the thinking (and the wrapping) for you. You heard Christmas was supposed to be stressful. Nah.

Wishing you all a gloriously smooth festive season, with a spectacular finish!

AnnA ChiltonMarketing Manager at Spirited Wines, Nicolas UK and Bistrovin

‘‘ Take a glass and allow the wine to tell its story.’’

Olivier Krug Krug Champagne

EDITORS NOTE

1

WHy WE lovE

ChampagNE DE CaSTElNauthis award winning Champagne house is led by Elisabeth Sarcelet, one of just a handful of female Chef de Caves in the region. located in the heart of Reims the winery is on the same road as Champagne Mumm and Champagne Roederer. De Castelnau dates back to 1916 when it was created in honour of the celebrated First World War veteran General de Castelnau.

We could go on to tell you how exceptional their Champagnes are; how each cuvée is made from the first pressing of the grape (the crème de la crème of grape juice), how the base wine for the Brut Réserve NV is from the 2006 vintage—giving it the spirit of a Vintage Champagne with the price tag of a Non Vintage. De Castelnau Champagne is a little insider’s secret; these wines are designed for the savvy connoisseur. However, maybe we should just let the medals do the talking!

Champagne de Castelnau Brut Réserve £29.99 Champagne de Castelnau Blanc de Blancs 2002* £40.80

Award winning Champagne

*Available from Spirited Wines stores only

2014SILV E R

2014GO L D LIST

22

NEW

oUr GUIdE To

bubblESSparkling wine is produced around the world but the countries below arguably lead the rest in terms of quality, range and popularity (England being a more recent addition). A sparkling wine can be made in several different ways, from simple carbonation for the very cheapest wines, through to the complex ‘traditional method’ used in Champagne and elsewhere. the latter allows for ageing ‘on the lees’ (dead yeast cells) in the bottle for any length of time which gives the wine extra complexity and texture. this is a laborious and expensive production process, and explains why some wines can be more expensive, particularly if they have been ageing for several years. Well worth it, especially when you know you deserve a treat (and in the festive season), as the results can be magnificent!

FRaNCE

The original home of sparkling wine. The ‘traditional method’ was developed in Champagne and is now imitated around the world. There are other quality sparkling wines produced elsewhere in the country using this method called Cremants that can offer excellent value.

De Chanceny Crémant de Loire Brut £12.70

Patriarche Crémant de Bourgogne Rosé £13.30

Champagne de Castelnau Brut Réserve £29.99

Champagne Gosset Grande Réserve £49.95

ITaly

The now ubiqitous Prosecco is produced in northern Italy and offers a great value alternative to more expensive sparkling wines. They are produced using the more cost effective tank or Charmat method that allows for a secondary fermentation in bulk. Proseccos are generally not aged and their light, fruity style is designed for immediate enjoyment.

Sacchetto Prosecco Brut £11.89

Ruggeri Prosecco Superiore Quartese Brut £14.85

Ruggeri Pinot Nero Brut* £14.85

SpaIN

Cava is made in exactly the same way as Champagne using native grapes giving it its distinctive floral character. Increasingly Chardonnay is being used in the blend to add some extra sophistication.

Olivella Ferrari Cava Brut Reserve* £11.46

Olivella Ferrari Cava Brut Rosé* £11.52

ENglaND

There is now a growing number of wineries, largely in the south of England, that are starting to produce high quality wines. Of particular note are the sparkling wines which are winning awards and giving Champagne a run for its money. While still relatively unknown outside of the UK they are quickly gaining popularity at home.

Ambriel Classic Cuvée and Blanc de Noirs £29.94

Knightor Sparkling Brut* £28.31

Bolney Estate Bubbly* £25.54

Hoffmann & Rathbone Classic Cuvée and Rosé† £33.63/£38.24

*Available from Spirited Wines stores only. †Available from selected Spirited Wines stores only.

3

BEST ITalIaN WINEry IN 2013

FEuDI DI SaN gREgORIO

Feudi di San Gregorio

Falanghina* £11

Fermented in stainless steel tanks followed by four months maturation in tank before bottling, this bright white wine has intense and persistent with notes of delicate white flowers and stone fruits on the nose, while the palate is fresh and well balanced with a long, clean finish. Ideal with seafood linguine or fruit de mer.


Rubrato Aglianico*

£17.50

On the nose this wine shows wild black fruit and liquorice aromas. On the palate, it is well balanced with juicy black fruits and spicy notes supported by soft well-structured tannins. Ideal with roast duck, braised beef or aubergine parmigiana.


Taurasi* £24.94

This 91-point winning wine (Wine Spectator, 2014) is fermented and macerated in stainless steel tanks for three weeks followed by around 18 months maturation in medium-toasted French barrels. The wine is then aged for nine months in bottle before release. It has fragrant aromas of maraschino cherry, cinnamon and nutmeg. On the palate there are undertones of vanilla and anise which enhance the rich juicy black fruit f lavours. Ideal with steak, venison pie or poultry braised in red wine.

Try this trio

one of the main protagonists in the renaissance of southern italian wines, Feudi di San Gregorio has carved out a reputation for making truly world-class wines in less than 30 years.

The company began life in 1986 with a simple agenda; to safeguard local traditions and unlock the potential of key indigenous grapes. It has achieved this and more, with the Fiano, Greco, Falanghina and Aglianico varieties all receiving exposure and praise thanks to Feudi’s outstanding single variety offerings.

The winery has also helped to rediscover less-planted grapes, such as Syrica, and continues to plant and source fruit for its exciting portfolio on its own 300 hectares of vineyards and through long-term rental contract with local farmers.

Situated in Irpinia in the historic region of Campania, its vineyards are among the fruit trees, forests, olives and wild herbs of the area, and encompass rich and varied soil types that add to the complexity and individuality of its wines.

Tasting these wines it’s easy to see why Feudi was voted Best Italian Winery in 2013 by the Association of Italian Sommeliers, and why its wines and ethos continue to turn heads the world over.


44

As well as the myriad different styles of wine available, from light, easy-drinking whites to bold, heavy reds and everything in-between there’s an increasing array of wines on the market produced using organic and biodynamic practices.

More so than ever, customers are keen try wines that have been produced in a sustainable way and that carry the ‘organic’ or ‘biodynamic’ label, but what don these terms actually mean, and do wines produced this way taste better? Let’s take a look…

organic WineOrganic wine is produced from grapes grown in accordance with the principles of organic farming. Essentially, the use of artificial pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilisers is prohibited, while fertilisers derived from animal or vegetable matter is allowed. So long as the grapes are grown following these rules then the wine can be labelled organic - so what many consumers think of as organic wines are actually wines made from organic grapes. These wines generally have lower levels of ‘winery chemicals’ such as SO2 as well, and are considered a ‘greener’ option by many.

Biodynamic WineWine produced following the spiritual, ethical and ecological approach to agriculture as laid out by philosopher Rudolf Steiner in the 1920s can be labelled biodynamic. These procedures see vineyards and grapes treated with special preparations applied following the phases of the moon, such as burying a cow’s horn filled with manure in the corner of your vineyard. There is an increasing consumer awareness of biodynamic wine, making it a popular choice among those who see it as a more environmentally friendly option to wine made by more mainstream methods.

THE loWdoWN oN

ORgaNIC & bIODyNamIC WINE

Some Organic to try

Michel Torino, Cuma Torrontes

2013/14 £9.94

Cuma line takes environmentally friendly farming and processing a step further with certified organic status. Cuma means pure and clean in the Aymara language, the pre-Incan ancestral inhabitants of the area. These wines are meant to be enjoyed youthful and fresh, with vibrant fruit and bracing acidity preserved with time in stainless steel. Bright lifted lime, white blossoms and perfume jump out of the glass. Racy lime peel acidity leads a palate of jasmine, white peach, tea and musky papaya. There is a lot going on in this refreshing and jubilant Torrontes. Pour with a Thai Curry with spot prawns, coconut milk and basmati rice.

Efe Organic Monastrell/Garnacha 2011 £11.18

With grapes from 48 year old Monastrell vines and aged 4 months in American oak barrels. Cherry red, bright colour intensity. Plenty of ripened, spicy fruit, toasted flavours, well balanced and easy drinking.

Chateau les Valentines Organic

Cotes de Provence Rosé 2013 £15.41

The beautiful mineral-laden finish is what marks this rosé out from many others. The ripe citrus and red berry fruit notes are delicate and refined. Made for Mediterranean fish dishes.

Biodynamic to try

Didier Montchovet 2011 Bourgogne Aligote £13.98

Lesser-known grape variety from Burgundy, Aligote has a distinct citrus fruit character, offset with a distinct mineral note. This fruity, ethereal wine is perfect as an aperitif,

sea food is the perfect accompaniment.

La Chapelle de Romanin 2010 £16.93

A tasty red from a fully biodynamic winery in Provence; smooth and accessible with classic aromas of garrigue/wild herbs and ripe black fruit.


5

CHrISTMaS MadE EaSy

pERFECT gIFT FOR...if your gift recipient can answer our geeky question that section is for them! (see below for answers)

SImplE SluRpER

IF JamES bOND WERE a C O Ck TaIl, WhICh WOulD hE bE?

Saumur Loire red and

white 2013 £8.99

Light, easy drinking that is uncomplicated but very satisfying. Perfect lunchtime wines

Patriarche Cremant de

Bourgogne

Brut £13.30

Made in exactly the same way as Champagne and with the same grapes but for a much better price. Creamy bubbles that will make anybody happy

Tomatin Legacy

Single Malt

Whisky £31.50

A perfect introduction to the world of malts – soft dried fruits, citrus, f loral characters and a nicely rounded finish.

DEDICaTED DRINkER

WhERE D OES mEuRSaulT C OmE FROm?

Andeluna 1300 Malbec

2012 £11.98

Consistently among our bestsellers as it displays all the hallmark fruit concentration and exuberance of an Argentine Malbec

Kopke 10 Year

Old Tawny

Port £19.56

From the oldest port house comes a luscious caramel-tinged delight with a soft, long finish. Comes with a gift box

Timorous Beastie

Highland Blended

Malt £45

A blend of the finest Highland single malts, resulting in a rich, satisfying dram full of honeyed, tropical fruit, sweet toasted spice and dried nut flavours.

ThE gEEkaRE bOTh ICE WINE aND ICE WEIN C ORRECT ?

Penfolds Kalimna

Shiraz 2012 £23.99

One of many Bin releases from the great Australian producer. From the excellent 2012 vintage this is drinking very well now but will age for 10 years plus

Tullibardine 228

Burgundy

Finish Single Malt

Whisky £43.14

This little-known distillery is producing exciting whiskies. This is aged in ex-Burgundy barrels that gives it an intriguing red fruit character and a slightly savoury finish

Kopke 1984 Colheita

Tawny Port £51.78

A magnificent example of a long aged tawny port from the oldest port house; complex with notes of dried fig, coffee, caramel, roasted nuts, sweet spices and more...

Answers: 1. vodka Martini, shaken, not stirred 2. Burgundy, France. 3. Both! Ice wine is a wine style, produced around the world in cooler wine regions, such as, some parts of Germany, France, Canada, etc.

The name changes based on where the wine is produced and its destination market. ‘vin de Glace’ for France, ‘Ice Wein’ for German and Ice Wine for English speaking countries.

66

0 100kmN

EW

S

I SÈR

E

RHÔNE

LOIRE SA

ÔNE

Coteaux du Lyonnais

MÂCONMâconnais

Beaujolais

LYON

Côtes de Nuits

Côtes de Beaune

Côtes de Châlonnaise

Chablis

Côtes d'Auxerre

SEINE

AUBE

SAÔN

E

YONNE

PARIS

AUXERRE

CHABLIS

DIJON

BEAUNE

if you ask older wine professionals which French region’s wines they admire above all others, many will answer Burgundy.

Although Bordeaux is often a favourite when we are younger and we then enthuse over Alsace, the South-West and Languedoc-Roussillon as we become more adventurous, we tend to home in on Burgundy as our palates reach full maturity. Paradoxically this is not because Burgundy produces wines with the richest and most complex range of flavours: it is rather because, as our palates mature, I think we tend to favour wines with finesse rather than power.

I am fortunate that I work with one of Burgundy’s foremost producers, Maison Albert Bichot, so have regular opportunities to taste top class Burgundy. Nowhere in the wine world are nuances of flavour better defined than in Burgundy and the best way to experience these is to try different appellations from the same producer and vintage so that the only variable is terroir, that subtle combination of site and micro-climate which makes Burgundy’s vineyards so magical. Bichot make wines that can be enjoyed and appreciated relatively young which makes it easier to understand the differences between villages without having to worry about how long to cellar the wines for first.

Nicolas and Spirited Wines have an especially wide range of Burgundy, including both well known names and also some of the smaller of the region’s myriad appellations. This is especially welcome at the moment because Burgundy has had 3 small vintages in a row so the wines are in short supply. As a result Burgundy prices have been rising and, when conducting tastings in the shops, I have noticed that, not surprisingly, customers are looking for good value alternatives to the big names. As a general rule, if you are looking for white Burgundy, names like Montagny, Saint Véran, Mercurey, Rully and Saint Aubin (right next to the great villages of Puligny- and Chassagne-Montrachet) are well worth looking out for. Chablis too has never been better and will appeal to those who prefer their Chardonnay without too much oak. For red wines, good value is found in Mercurey, Givry, Santenay and better regional wines like Côte de Nuits Villages.

Mind you, if ever there is a time to indulge in some of Burgundy’s more famous wines, it has to be Christmas. Fuller-bodied reds like Pommard and Nuits Saint Georges are an ideal accompaniment to Roast Turkey or Goose. The whites and lighter reds, such as those mentioned above, make a good match for cold meats.

A votre Santé!

RiChARD BAMpFiElD MW

Richard Bampfield is one of just 320 Masters of

Wine in the world and has been fortunate enough

to visit Burgundy 3 or 4 times a year for the last 10

years, so he knows the region well.

Top wine tip: Saint aubin 2011 albert Bichot;

Perfectly balanced white Burgundy that is drinking

well right now and tastes more expensive than it is.

Favourite Wine Moment: I love drinking wine in the

vineyard that it comes from. a special memory is

drinking Chablis Grand Cru Moutonne from domaine

long-depaquit in the heart of the vineyard on a

warm, spring day. Never has wine tasted better.

BaMPFIEld oN

buRguNDy

Nowhere in the wine world are nuances of flavour better defined than in Burgundy

7

louis latour is one of the great family names of Burgundy; the house was founded more than 200 years ago in 1797 and, has its roots in the village of Aloxe-Corton where the family have been vine growers since the 17th century.

Maison Louis Latour owns 50 hectares of vineyard in the Côte d’Or, including the largest single collection of Grand Cru vineyards in Burgundy. Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru and Aloxe-Corton Premier Cru Les Chaillots are from the family’s vineyards in the village of

Aloxe-Corton. Corton-Charlemagne is one of the world’s greatest white wines. It is particularly close to the Latour family’s hearts because they were responsible for planting the first Chardonnay vines on this site in the 19th century. Aloxe-Corton Les Chaillots is from a walled vineyard surrounding their Château Corton Grancey, where particularly stony soils impart a unique characteristic to the wine.

To make their Maranges, Saint Véran Les Deux Moulins and Viré-Clessé wines, Maison Louis Latour

work hand-in-hand with a network of vine growers. Maranges is the most southerly village in the Côte d’Or, and is known for its full and rich Pinot Noirs. Saint Véran and Viré-Clessé are in the very south of the Burgundy in an area known as the Mâconnais. Here Chardonnay is king and takes on a fruitier, more opulent character thanks to the warmer climate. Louis Latour makes both without oak to accentuate these characteristic.

From l e f t to r ight

Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2008 £110Rich and powerful, the special occasion wine

Saint Véran Les Deux Moulins* £18.53Opulent and aromatic

Viré-Clessé* £13.50Elegant and f loral

Aloxe-Corton Les Chaillots Premier Cru* £46.53Deeply perfumed, cherry and liquorice scented

Maranges* £23.54Full and sumptuously fruity

Five to try

ClaSSIC BUrGUNdy

lOuIS laTOuR

Here, Chardonnay is king


88

a SCEPTICS GUIdE To

ChEESE & WINE paIRINg

ZAC pAlMER lApoRtEManager at Bistro Montpelier

Top wine tip: ask shop attendants for

recommendations. We don’t do this for power

or for glory. Besides, what do you have to lose?

Favourite wine: 1978 drC Grands Echezeaux

Visit Zac and his team and sample some amazing cheese and wine at:

Bistro Montpelier

Montpelier St, Knightsbridge, london SW7 1Hd

I am a pairing sceptic. Received wisdom is that cheese and wine were made for each other. My experience is that this is far from true.

Often either the cheese or the wine will overwhelm the other. Sometimes – weirdly – the flavours seem to cancel each other out. Sometimes a wine and a cheese taste awful together. Of course, there are some classic combinations. But one of them – port with stilton – proves my point. Blue cheese is an acquired taste, and port is not exactly the archetype for red wine – let alone wine in general. That the two go together so well does not support the claim that cheese and wine are great together.

Don’t get me wrong though. I love cheese (and I love wine) and I often have wine with cheese. But more often than not I choose the cheeses I think are most delicious, and I eat them with the most delicious wines I own. The important point is that I choose my wine and cheese on their merits – on grounds of sheer tastiness and not because I think they’re a perfect pairing.

We – at Bistro Montpelier – stock over 80 different kinds of cheeses and hundreds of kinds of wine. Only a liar would tell you

that every cheese has a perfect wine and every wine has a perfect cheese. I am no liar. But I will say this: somewhere in our range are a number of wines and a number of cheeses that – when eaten together – will make you smile with satisfaction. Our products are superior. And if you let us know the sorts of things you enjoy or the kinds of things you’d like to discover I am confident that our recommendations will reward your visit. Sometimes one particular cheese will even pair magnificently with a particular wine – but these are rare moments of intense gustatory joy, and they deserve to be seen as such.

Now I don’t know about you but when I have cheese and wine I often have several different kinds of cheese. I don’t expect the wine I’m drinking to be a perfect match for all of the cheeses on the board. Here’s the thing though: I don’t think this takes anything away from the experience. In fact, I wouldn’t want to end a meal in any other way.

9

A FAMiLY AFFAiR

TWO hIghly aWaRDED WINERIES DOINg ThINgS DIFFERENTlyplaneta and d’Arenberg are committed to creating new styles of wine – both have gained recognition for new terroirs and have honed their craft through research, trial and error. through their determination and experimentation, these respected producers have become the benchmarks for their countries, regions, styles and varieties.

1010

Planeta

La Segreta £10.18

An unusual Sicilian blend of Grecanico, Chardonnay, Fiano and Viognier, this wine really does confirm Planeta’s status as one of the most innovative producers in Sicily. It’s beautifully aromatic, showing tropical notes and zesty Granny Smith apple. This is an unoaked style, finishing crisp, clean and completely moreish!

d’Arenberg

The Dead Arm Shiraz* £34.11

The nose is brooding and complex, think liquorice and dark fruits. The longer this wine sits in the glass, the further it unfurls, showing intense red berry and blackcurrant fruit, soft spice and dried figs. It’s a show stopper of a wine, and the perfect accompaniment to Christmas.

Did you know?

dead arm is a vine disease

caused by the fungus

Eutypa lata that randomly

affects vineyards all over

the world. often vines

affected are severely

pruned or replanted.

one half, or an ‘arm’ of

the vine slowly becomes

reduced to dead wood.

That side may be lifeless

and brittle, but the grapes

on the other side (while

increasingly fewer in

number!) always have

amazing intensity.

planeta

This Sicilian winery has become a byword for innovation and they have developed an understanding of the island and its unique regions that clearly gives them the edge. They adopted an unconventional approach to grape growing and winemaking and quickly established themselves as a producer with a commitment to quality and experimentation. Sunshine and passion continue to be the hallmarks of life at Planeta, and the resulting wines are nothing short of fantastic.

Planeta has opened the world’s eyes to the charms of Sicily’s indigenous grape varieties, ushering in a broad range of wines that show finesse and character in equal measure.

d’Arenberg

Hailing from the breathtaking McLaren Vale in South Australia, d’Arenberg produces an enviable range of wines. From humble beginnings, these wines quickly gained cult status amongst imbibers and judges alike – it’s a deft combination of winemaking tradition and a very Australian ‘can do’ attitude. A tall order for some, but one that d’Arenberg takes in their stride as they continue to push the boundaries.

The Osborn family are as committed today as they were over 100 years ago to crafting the best possible wine...for your finely tuned palate!

*Available from Spirited Wines stores only.

SpICED mullED STaRITSk y

Combine into a jug, stir then refrigerate for 24 hours.Serve with cranberry juice or over ice and garnish with orange slice.

bERRy mERRy

Muddle into a jam jar or shaker. Strain into chilled martini glass with cocoa powder rim and raspberry garnish.

WhITE ChRISTmaS

Shake with ice and pour into chilled highball glass. Garnish with cocoa powder and serve with peppermint candy cane.

mINCE pIE maRTINI

Muddle into a jam jar or shaker. Strain into chilled martini glass. Float a layer of double cream, garnish with brown sugar.

STARiSTSKY & LEViTSKY GUiDE TO

mIXOlOgy FROm yOuR FRIDgEAs the nights begin to draw in, the season of entertaining from the warmth of our homes is upon us.

The world’s first Ukrainian super-premium vodka—Staritsky & Levitsky Reserve— is encouraging hosts to get creative and learn the art of Mixology this season.

By following a few simple steps you’ll soon discover how cocktails don’t have to be complicated. Serving guests delicious drinks using ingredients from your fridge and Christmas cupboards has never been easier.

11

a paCT WaS maDEa lEgEND WaS bORN

WhEN pERSONalITIES mEEThISTORy ChaNgES

A person’s life is shaped by those cherished momentswhen meeting with friends enriches and changes our planned paths and futures.

STaRITSky & lEVITSky VODka

It’s been 100 years in the making; Ukraine’s first and only super-premium vodka has arrived at Nicolas and Spirited Wines stores.

Staritsky & Levitsky Reserve Vodka has been discreetly positioning itself in the UK market since October 2013, when the brand was launched at the Q Magazine Awards. Now the official vodka of Q Magazine, supporting it’s events for the second year running - consequently with a strong following in the music industry – Staritsky & Levitsky Vodka has turned its brand focus onto retail via a partnership with Nicolas and Spirited Wines. The stores launched Staritsky & Levitsky Reserve

Vodka in July of this year, with a nationwide advertising campaign called #youareartist which featured specially created window-displays in partnership with the iconic brand Marshall Amplification offering customers the opportunity to enter a competition to win VIP tickets to the 2014 Xperia Access Q Awards.

Using only the best local ingredients from the vicinity of where the vodka is produced – it’s own private distillery near Lviv, Startisky & Levitsky Reserve Vodka uses pure, single grain wheat from Ukraine’s highly fertile black soil (or ‘Chernozem’) in a process which combines the wisdom

1212

“OuR aNCESTORS kNEW WhaT ThEy WERE DOINg WhEN ThEy CREaTED ThE RECIpE FOR ThIS gREaT SpIRIT. IN ThE paST gENTlEmEN WOulD COmE TOgEThER, paSS TImE aND ShaRE TalES OF aDVENTuRE OVER a glaSS OF SmOOTh VODka. FOR CENTuRIES, maNy mEN aND WOmEN bONDED WhIlE SIppINg VODka aND haNDED DOWN ThIS TRaDITION FROm ONE gENERaTION TO aNOThER.”

of previous generations with contemporary technology to produce a truly refined spirit. Quality is sustained via the distillation and filtration process, where the ethanol is distilled five times through traditional copper stills, married with the purest water from Carpathian mountain springs, then filtered four times through charcoal and rhinestone and laid to rest for thirty days before bottles.

It’s aroma is pleasantly pure and crisp, with a light touch of freshly cut grass, while the taste is rich with a hint of spice. The aftertaste is pronounced – yet undeniably smooth – a classically Slavic characteristic. Highly valued, and soon after launching Staritsky & Levitsky Reserve Vodka received one of the highest accolades on drinks encyclopedia and highly respected connoisseur Simon Difford’s Diffordsguide.com of 4/5 stars and an ‘excellent’ recommendation. Indeed, few people know the spirit of vodka the way Mr. Difford does – and few spirits receive such a high score.

As the birthplace of vodka, the process of making it is part of Ukraine’s diverse and culturally rich history. Vodka is glorified in folklore and always present when people make personal contacts and new relationships. Ukraine has always been renowned for producing excellent quality vodka, in small quantities from family run or boutique distilleries using the finest locally sourced ingredients – a luxury, when surrounded by some of the most fertile soil in the world. Not a terrible breeding ground for quality.

Staritsky & Levitsky

Staritsky & Levitsky

Reserve Vodka

£33.85

Small batch distilled in a copper pot

still from top grade winter wheat

giving it a smooth finish and subtle

taste, with suggestions of cut grass

and aniseed.

13

SPEySIdE WHISKy

ThE glEN mORay DISTIllERythe Glen Moray Distillery has been producing fine Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Elgin, the capital of Speyside, Scotland’s most famous whisky region, since 1897. the craft of distilling this elegant and well-rounded Single Malt Whisky in traditional copper pot stills has been passed from generation to generation, ensuring the legacy of the Glen Moray Distillery continues to this day.

Serving Whisky with Chocolate

And so, an exciting collaboration with award-winning Master Chocolatier, Paul A. Young, was born. Paul is the only chocolatier in London to work in a truly artisan way, experimenting with daring flavour combinations. Inspired by the Glen Moray Port Cask Finish, Paul has incorporated the rich dried fruit flavours of the malt whisky into his signature dark chocolate hand-made truffles, which he sells in his London shops.

The pairing of chocolate and Glen Moray Malt Whisky is truly a match made in heaven and the perfect fusion of texture and flavours to round off an evening.

www.paulayoung.co.uk

the Glen Moray Master Distiller

In its lifetime the distillery has known only five distillery managers and the current Master Distiller, Graham Coull, uses the same ingredients and distilling skills that have been used for over 100 years. As Master Distiller, he has been responsible for introducing a range of exciting wine and port cask maturations and finishes to the Glen Moray range.

the Glen Moray Single Malt Whisky port Cask Finish £38.90

Glen Moray Single Malt Whisky’s latest expression is the Port Cask Finish - an award-winning small batch release, matured in the finest American Oak barrels and finished for eight months in Port pipes sourced from Gran Cruz in the Douro Valley in Portugal.

The resulting sumptuous whisky combines the best of the soft gentle Glen Moray Classic Single Malt with the spicy, plum, wine-like elements from the port pipes.

Master Distiller, Graham Coull, says, “The rich wine f lavours have combined with vanilla oak notes to produce a whisky which is well balanced and full of character with a lingering finish of honey sweetness combined with spices and subtle hints of dark chocolate and leather.”

He adds, “I am very proud of the Glen Moray Port Cask Finish. Here is a limited edition whisky which allows Glen Moray’s classic spirit to shine through. By choosing the right port pipes for maturation, I am able to allow the rich port wine f lavours to play their part, making them the perfect partner for dark chocolate.”

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oUr GUIdE

WhISky OR WhISkEy? the sheer variety and complexity of whisky (or whiskey) now is breathtaking. here’s some explanations to help you navigate the range

WhISky TypES EXplaINEDSingle Malt Whisky — the product of just one distillery. Only 100% barley grain is used which goes through a malting process to extract the sugars and is then fermented. The resulting beer (called a wash) is then distilled twice to create a whisky using a copper pot still. This process is consistent for all distilleries, but there are many variables within this, from the size and shape of the still to the type of wooden barrel used for ageing.

Blended Malt Whisky — also referred to as a vatted malt, this is a blend of several distilleries’ single malts from the same region.

Blended Whisky — the most commonly available and affordable. A selection of various single malts is blended with grain whisky. The latter can be produced from wheat and no malting is required. This style delivers a readily available whisky, with stylistic consistency. These three types are produced in countries around the world, including Ireland, Japan, Germany, France, New Zealand, India and many more.

Bourbon/Tennessee/Rye Whiskey — these are all specific to North America, and although malted barley can feature to a lesser extent the main component in most is maize (at least 51%). As the name would suggest, the exception is rye whisky. This consists mainly of rye grain, giving it a drier, spicier quality than most American whiskies. Bourbon has to be aged in new, charred oak barrels, resulting in a distinct sweet f lavour. In the state of Tennessee they use a charcoal filtration process which they claim differentiates their whisky from standard Bourbon.

REgIONS OF SCOTlaNDScotland is commonly thought of as the spiritual home of whisky production and there are several key regions with their own characteristics, although it is hard to generalise, as there is plenty of variation and exceptions within this!

Lowland – there are now only a few distilleries in operation in this region around Glasgow and Edinburgh, although most blended whisky is produced here. Typically the style is light and grassy.

Speyside – really a sub-region of the Highlands, but there is such a proliferation of distilleries here, due to the natural water sources, that they are considered a separate entity. Whiskies produced here are typically mellow and smooth, with notes of dried fruit and malt.

Highland – this large region covers much of Scotland and the distilleries are scattered all over the place making it difficult to generalise on the style. Some of the coastal distilleries produce whiskies with a salty tang to them. Many display notes of heather, f lowers and wild honey.

Island – there are many large islands dotted around Scotland, particularly on the west side, and they produce big, powerful malts that often have a peat inf luence.

Islay – probably the most famous island for whisky production as, like Speyside, there is a real concentration of distilleries. Peat is the main aspect here as many distilleries use a water source that runs through heavily peated soils. Several also show a distinctive coastal inf luence with suggestions of seaweed, iodine, brine and sea spray.

Did you know?

• All Scotch whiskies must be aged for a minimum of three years in oak barrels before they can be labelled as such.

• A cask strength whisky denotes a spirit which has been bottled at natural strength straight from the barrel rather than being cut down to a lower alcoholic strength with spring water. Any whisky over 46% that has not been chill filtered can develop a haze in the glass when water is added; this is a natural reaction and does not imply a bad product!

• It’s spelt whiskey in Ireland and North America, and whisky everywhere else.

A few of our favourites

From l e f t to r ight

Benromach 10 Year Old Single Malt Whisky £36.56

Isle of Jura 12 Year Old Elixir Single Malt Whisky £45.97

Dalmore 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky £49.29

Teeling Premium Irish Blended Whiskey £39.76

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“Bogle Vineyards Chenin Blanc 2012: Everything is amazing about this wine: delicate yet

powerful peach, pineapple and citrus flavours, sweet spices and

balanced acidity, warm body and velvety palate.”

“Domaine Gerovassiliou is a real find. This white wine is made from two indigenous varieties from Greece. This is a complex, delicate, very well balanced white wine.

Our curiosity about flavours takes us on a journey through cooking and wine tasting. We like to spread the love for food and wine in our shop.”

STaFF

FaVOuRITES

“Castelnau Vintage 2002: An incredible Vintage Champagne, with bready, toasty and some honey-like f lavours with superb balance. Probably one of the best Vintage Champagnes out there for under £40.”

Did you know? Alsacien wines are neither typically French nor German in style, unique and original, much like Alsace itself. Single varietal white wines dominate and Alsace provides some exceptional examples.

Anthony MAhou Fleet Street nicolas 148 Fleet Street london EC4A 2Bu 020 7353 9368

JADE BouSSinESq & tAMiA DiAZ Spirited Wines of henley-on-thames 22 Market place RG9 2Ah 01491 414 454

MéDERiC hAuChARD Marylebone nicolas 3 Marylebone high St london, W1u 4nG 02074867144

oliviER lARiCq Spirited Wines of Bayswater 12 Westbourne Grove london W2 5RA 020 7243 1459

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Biferno Rosso Riserva, Camillo de Lellis. A fantastic all-rounder; cheap enough for a party, and classy enough for a dinner table. Smooth as silk, with hints of fig and prune behind the bold cherry flavours - and all for under a tenner!

Ledaig Connoisseurs

Choice 1998. Subtle ashy peat, sweet cured meat

and citrus aromas make this a well

balanced, rich and unique whisky.

Penfolds Winemaker’s Selection. I also love Bin 707 and Bin 407. These are wines of character

- full bodied, fragrant, fruity and spicy, with long elegant and silky finish.

AnDy BAilliE Spirited Wines of Cardiff 23 St Mary Street CF10 1AA 029 2037 7449

StEFAniA EGEi Spirited Wines of Connaught Street 65 Connaught St. london W2 2AE 020 7262 1657

ALEXANDRE BAL Spirited Wines of Stratford Road 2 Stratford Road London, W8 6QD 020 7937 1858

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penfolds Bin 389 is the quintessential Australian red wine blend, celebrating over half a century of perfectly balanced Cabernet and Shiraz.

It’s easy to take for granted the important and influential role that Australia plays in today’s fine wine market. But half a century ago, the idea of finding Australian wines on fine wine lists was all but unthinkable.

In this historical context, during the early 1960s, a spirit of feverish creativity, innovation and experimentation gripped one Australian winery in particular: Penfolds. In fact, even when the first Penfolds Bin 389 blend was released, in 1960, that period of intense but secretive activity had already lasted almost a decade.

Bin 389 – the name comes from the wine’s original ‘binning’ compartment in Penfolds’ Magill cellars – belongs to that era, and its connections to its even more illustrious older sibling, Grange, run deeper still.

Indeed, the wine, one of the most collected in Australia, is often referred to as ‘Baby Grange’, ref lecting its style, somewhat more affordable price – and the fact that the wine is part-matured in barrels used to age the previous vintage of Grange itself. Not that Bin 389 deserves to languish in anyone else’s shadow: the wine’s combination of approachability and its ability to age gracefully has made it a sentimental favourite for long-time Penfolds fans.

Over the years, the wine has continued to evolve as winemaking techniques have been honed and different sources of grapes have emerged. But it remains true to its roots as the archetypically Australian blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, making it a consistent fixture in the ‘Outstanding’ rating of Langton’s Classification of Australian Wine since it began in 1991.

Bin 389 owes its distinctive character to an intricate, cross-regional blend of warm climate fruit from some of South Australia’s finest vineyards. These names form a roll-call of grape quality, from the Barossa Valley to Coonawarra, Padthaway, McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek, Wrattonbully and Robe, supplying highly perfumed, elegantly structured and intensely flavoured Cabernet Sauvignon, plus opulent, f leshy, powerful and generously fruity Shiraz.

The result is a wine that encapsulates the Penfolds winemaking philosophy and is a classic expression of the art of multi-regional blending. As the Penfolds wine bible, The Rewards of Patience, puts it: ‘For almost 50 years it has developed a strong identity for its consistency, reliability and value.

PENFoldS SPoTlIGHT

pENFOlDS bIN 389 CabERNET ShIRaz 2012 It is this remarkable winemaking heritage and wide appeal that distinguishes Bin 389 from the rest of its field

Ordinary wine consumers buy it because it’s delicious to drink – even when first released. Collectors appreciate it because the wine, especially in top vintages, has an enduring and memorable quality The Rewards of Patience

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gIFT IDEaS

Ormes de Cambras Pays d’Oc

red, white and rosé

£6.99 each

A perennial favourite that offers superb value. Perfect for everyday drinking or big events

Chateau Haut Rian

Bordeaux 2012

£9.52, or £7.33 if you buy 6!

Consistently excellent, medium-bodied Bordeaux with red berry fruit and a satisfying finish

Touraine Grande Reserve

Sauvignon Blanc 2013

£9.97, or £7.50 if you buy 6!

A great value alternative to Sancerre with classic grassy and citrus aromas and a light, crisp palate

Sacchetto Prosecco Brut N/V

£11.89, or £9.16 if you buy 6!

Classic light and fruity bubbles from northern Italy. Perfect for any celebration

A selection of other cases deals are available in store subject to availability

Barros Colheita

Tawny Port 1996 £31.67

A distinctive port that is produced in the tawny style

using wine from only one particularly good vintage

Secco-Bertani

Vintage Edition 2010 £22.78

Wow, what a wine! Produced by Bertani as a kind of homage

to the wines that were being produced in the early 20th

Century around Verona

Champagne de Castelnau 1998

Vintage Magnum £98

A rare chance to snap up a fantastic mature vintage

Champagne presented in its own wooden case

Dalmore 15 Year Old gift set with glasses £68.58

A rich and sophisticated malt from one of the best Highland distilleries in a smart gift set

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gREaT ValuENEW CASE DEAL NEW CASE DEAL NEW CASE DEAL

HoW To do

ThREE ClaSSIC WINTER COCkTaIlS (WITh a TWIST) by haymaN’S gIN

hayman’s, the English gin distiller have been making gins since 1863. here, they celebrate Christmas with a twist on three classic cocktails, all of which are superb for the winter months. uncomplicated to mix whilst delivering time-honoured drinks, the three cocktails are truly compelling for gin and cocktail-lovers alike.

ThE bl aCk ThORN

the Blackthorn is a fruity, dry and warming classic cocktail dating back to approximately 1860. the name derives not from the sloe shrubs but from master mixologist harry Johnson who, back in 1860, named it as a nod to a previous cocktail recipe, the thorn Cocktail.

Glass• Wine goblet or martini glass

ingredients• 50ml of Hayman’s Sloe Gin

• 5ml Sweet Italian Vermouth

• Dash of Orange Bitters

• Garnish: Orange zest or a twist

MethodStir ingredients together in a

mixing glass over cubed ice until

chilled. Strain and serve into

a pre-chilled martini or wine

goblet

SlOE gIN TODDy

Sloe Gin is often considered to be the ultimate spirit for a winter warming cocktail. the hayman’s Sloe Gin toddy is easy to mix and the heat allows the spices to infuse into the drink producing a hearty, warm winter drink.

Glass• Irish coffee glass

ingredients• 1 tsp honey

• 4 whole cloves or star anises

• 35ml Hayman’s Sloe Gin

• 1tsp vanilla sugar or 12.5ml vanilla liqueur

• Hot water

• Garnish: Slice of orange

Methodadd honey & spices to a heat-proof glass or mug.

Pour in water leaving room for the sloe gin. add

Hayman’s Sloe gin (and liqueur if using), squeeze

orange in and leave in glass. Stir until honey is

melted. Serve with a cinnamon stick.

Cheat’s versionAdd lemonade and a squeeze of an orange to 50ml

Hayman’s Sloe Gin, mix with spices in a pan and

warm on the stove.

FRENCh 75

the French 75, a classic gin cocktail mixed with hayman’s london Dry, was first recorded in the Savoy Cocktail Book in 1930 and continues to be a favourite of bartenders worldwide delivering a sophisticated, timeless fresh taste.

Glass• Champagne Flute/Coupe

ingredients• 50ml Hayman’s London Dry

• 25ml Fresh Lemon Juice

• 10ml Sugar Syrup (mix a small

amount of sugar with warm water)

• Prosecco

• Garnish: Lemon Zest

MethodShake the sugar syrup, lemon juice

and Hayman’s london dry together

and add to a champagne flute. Top up

with Prosecco and stir.

Cheat’s versionif you don’t have sugar syrup,

add 10ml of lemonade.

2020

ChRISTmaS COCkTaIlS WITh El DORaDO Rum

pineapple pepper Daiquiri

ingredients • 50ml El Dorado 3 Year Old • 25ml of Pineapple juice • 25ml of fresh lime juice • 10-15ml Agave syrup • A pinch of freshly

ground peppercorn

Method Add ingredients into a shaker. Shake and double strain into a pre-chilled Martini glass. Garnish with some pepper-dusted pineapple.

Spiced hot punch

ingredients • 50ml El Dorado 5 Year Old • 50ml Apple juice • 25ml Cranberry juice • An orange slice studded

with cloves• A cinnamon stick • 1 tsp vanilla sugar

Method Add all ingredients into a saucepan and heat. Pour into a heatproof glass and garnish with slices of apple. This recipe is easy to make for a group of friends, just up the quantities for the amount of people you’re catering for.

treacle

ingredients • 50ml El Dorado 12 Year Old • 25ml Apple juice • 1 tsp of honey • 2 dashes of cocktail bitters• We recommend either:

The Bitter Truth Orange or Aromatic Bitters

Method Using a rocks glass, dissolve the honey in the rum and add the bitters. Add cubed ice and apple juice and gently stir. Garnish with a slice of orange peel.

lured by the legend of a City of Gold ruled by a gilded king, early explorers braved the ancient heartland of old Guiana in South America in search of the golden one – El Dorado.

Discover the true liquid gold of modern Guyana in the form of the award-winning range of El Dorado rums – a rum that has been voted the world’s best rum a record eight times. Available in Spirited Wine stores and through the website, El Dorado rums are made with sugar cane grown on the banks of the Demerara River. They are aged in American Oak barrels and then blended to perfection by the master blender.

Depending on the age statement of the rums, they can be mixed into cocktails or sipped and savoured. Here, we’ve created three cocktails using the expressions of El Dorado rums that are available in Spirited Wines; El Dorado 3 Year Old, 5 Year Old and 12 Year Old. We’re sure Yule love them! Each drink makes one serve.

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BARNES56 Church Road, Barnes,London, SW13 0DQ020 8748 4400

BAYSWATER12 Westbourne Grove,London, W2 5RA020 7243 1459

BELLEVUE ROAD21 Bellevue Road, Wandsworth Common,London, SW17 7EB020 8682 0446

BLACKHEATH13 Tranquil Vale,London, SE3 0BU020 8852 3627

CARDiFF23 St Mary Street,Cardiff, CF10 1AA02920 377 449

CONNAUGHT STREET65 Connaught Street,London, W2 2AE020 7262 1657

DEANSGATE8 Barton Arcade, 59 Deansgate,Manchester, M3 2BB0161 834 7328

ENGLANDS LANE12 Englands Lane, London, NW3 4TG020 7586 0493

FREDERiCK STREET34 Frederick Street,Edinburgh, EH2 2JR0131 629 1560

FULHAM SW6795—797 Fulham Road,London, SW6 5HE020 7371 8947

HENLEY-ON-THAMES22 Market Place, Henley-on Thames,Oxfordshire, RG9 2AH01491 414 454

MARLOW57a High Street, Marlow,Buckinghamshire, SL7 1AB01628 299 371

MUSWELL HiLL97 The Broadway,London, N10 3RS020 8444 8599

PUTNEY195/197 Lower Richmond Road,London, SW15 1HL020 8785 2939

SAiNT JOHN’S WOOD75 Saint John’s Wood High Street,London, NW8 7NL020 7586 1196

STRATFORD ROAD2 Stratford Road,London, W8 6QD020 79371858

TWiCKENHAM14 Heath Road, Twickenham,Middlesex, TW1 4BZ020 8607 9852

Canary WharfUnit R.P. 480, 1 Canada Square; Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AXTel/Fax : 020 7512 9092

fleet Street148 Fleet Street, London, EC4A 2BUTel/Fax: 020 7353 9368

fulham roadBrompton Cross, 6 Fulham Road, London, SW3 6HG 020 7584 1450

Great Portland St157 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 6QR020 7580 1622

holland Park98 Holland Park Avenue, London, W11 3RB020 7727 5148

kenSinGton ChurCh St17 Kensington Church Street,London, W8 4LF020 7937 5232

marylebone3 Marylebone High Street, London, W1U 4NG020 7486 7144

neW kinG’S road38 New Kings Road,London, SW6 4ST

PrimroSe hill67 Regent’s Park Road, London, NW1 8XD020 7722 8576

Smithfield90 Cowcross Street, London, EC1M 6BH020 7336 0281

Buy online:www.spiritedwines.co.uk

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www.spiritedwines.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter:@SpiritedWines

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TEST WITH TEXT.indd 1 31/10/2014 16:09

Spirited Wines Christmas Magazine

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