Mouton to Ornellaia

Not bad weather this weekend, in fact how a weekend in the Cotswolds can be transformed by a bit of sunshine.

A picnic at Waddesdon (south of the Cotswolds) with a group of friends was an ideal opportunity to sup a few glasses of Ca dei Frati Rose. It's quite amazing that this is our best selling rose and it retails at £11.75 even though we have a wide selection well under this mark, how many merchants could claim that their best selling rose is over the £11.00 price point?

What does it taste like? This seductive blend of Marzemino, Sangiovese and Barbera has such a softness along with a creaminess interwoven with raspberries and strawberry fruit. As we often say 'once tasted forever smitten'.

Waddesdon Manor is seriously impressive, a late 19c manor house in the French style sited in the heart of the Buckinghamshire countryside. The attention to detail they put into the Manor is similar to the effort they have put into their wines. At the present time Mouton seems to be on a roll.

Tasted the 2006 Volte from Ornellaia this weekend (effectively their third wine). A blend of 52% Sangiovese, 36% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon made from young Cabernet and Merlot vines with some contracted in Sangiovese. Aged for 10 months in 2-4 year old French oak previously used for Ornellaia and Masseto. When first opened it seemed to be pretty closed up, quite hard and tough and not very giving. After two or three hours it really started to show it's true colours and on the nose it was delightfully perfumed with cassis and spice and a hint of cedar. The palate was elegant, soft and refined with charming bramble fruit and an elegant finish with appealing finesse. and polish. Not a wine to cellar long term but at its peak over the next couple of years. It was a great match to some old spot sausauges, in fact some of my greatest matches are to simple dishes (try serious white burgundy or vintage Champagne to fish and chips).

Awards.....the Oscars of the Wine Trade

Last week we happened to have a visit from a mystery shopper working for the International Wine Challenge. The chap bowled in bright and early and was dressed like a country gent, I had nothing to suspect when he pulled out a detailed menu that he wanted wines matched to, in fact this is no rare occurence, many of our regulars trust us with food matches for their important dining occasions.
Twenty minutes later after coming up with some suitable suggestions for the array of dishes (tuna with a salsa, pork with a PX sauce and lemon shortbread) he let it slip he was not a genuine customer. Last year we were one of two Central England Small Merchant Finalists, perhaps we may better our second place - watch this blog, the results are out in early September.

We also have been shortlisted as one of eleven merchants for the Decanter Small Merchant of the year award. This is a great honour as we are in some exhalted company and whilst our customers are the most important judge of what we do, to be picked out by a team of respected judges such as those at Decanter means alot to us. Need to keep an eye out for another mystery shopper lurking in the shadows.......

Cotswold Wine Blog..........

Welcome to the blog of a Cotswold Wine Merchant.

I am Richard and run the business on a day to day basis, Bennetts Fine Wines is based in Chipping Campden and this happens to be one of the most picturesque and historic of all the Cotswold Towns. We happened to be featured in Decanter Wine Magazine a couple of months ago their quote 'this shop is more than a pretty facade, it's a serious wine merchant' certainly rings true.

It seems like this summer is likely to be rather unsettled, but for now the sun is shining and there are so many new summer wines that deserve to be drunk............

I'll keep you posted as to how I am getting on.....

I tasted the 2006 Soave Classico from Inama last week and what a beauty it was! The white wines from Northern Italy are some of the most overlooked wines and Veneto produces some real gems. This wine is made from pergola trained Garganaga grapes (try saying that after a few glasses) grown on volcanic soils with no oak ageing whatsoever. It had wonderful flavour and great purity and depth. Such a refreshing change from Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Our summer wine tasting takes place a week on Saturday. I spent yesterday finalising the tasting list of over 100 wines (105 to be exact), such a wide and great range and some very special stuff; 2000 Roederer Blanc de Blancs, 2005 Beaune Clos de Mouches - Drouhin, 2004 Mount Edelstone from Henschke to quote a few. Besides the 'specials' there are lots of more affordable wines including some superb rose's. Let's hope we have a good turnout. It's always such a fun event.