If you are wondering which drinks and what quantities you’ll need for your event we’re here to help.
What makes our service at Flunder Wines different is the fact we go above and beyond to make sure every aspect of your event is taken into consideration. Our expert team with years of experience will make sure your event is a complete success.
If you’d like a bespoke wedding tasting in please contact us via our events page
]]>Luke's Case is a project I have been thinking about and working on for quite some time now. During my time working for Majestic Wines I started to notice the disconnect between professional and casual wine drinker. I always had a rough idea of creating a case that makes understanding wine more simple and therefore drinking wine more pleasurable.
The Wines
Fundamentally the objective was to find fantastic wines that were stand-out expressions of the grape or region. This evolved by producing detailed tasting notes of the wines that I selected.
The Country
Before I joined Majestic I was working as a sub-editor in London. I wanted to use my skills to put together a booklet that makes that particular country easier to understand.
Food
A big part of my wine journey has been my love for food. I wanted to make pairing wine with food easier so I started to build up a collection of recipes to match with the wines and I use these in the case.
A surprise
I think the 'unknown' is what makes wine so exciting. Every time we try a new bottle it could be our favourite wine for years to come. That's why I wanted to include a gift from the country the wines come from inside the case.
Now Luke's Case is in it's fifth month and we are having new subscribers hop on board the train it feels like the vision is now a reality!
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Müller-Thurgau: Floral, nutmeg, and citrus aromas dominate this grape in Alto Adige. Northern Italy’s old vines and steep, high-altitude vineyards give this varietal wine great ageing potential and serious character.
Sylvaner: This is a variety whose origins may be German. It is a crisp, delicate wine with fruity notes of apple and lime, accompanied by a solid minerality.
Trentino
Trentino is south of Alto Adige, technically part of the same province that includes both regions: Trentino-Alto Adige. Its valley widens and the vines are still planted at high altitudes in pergolas. It’s another stunning region with postcard perfect views of the Alps.
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
This northeastern region of Italy borders Slovenia; you’ll also hear it called simply Friuli. It’s a region known for Pinot Grigio, particularly from the Collio region.
Pinot Grigio: This grape and wine may not normally be synonymous with “concentrated,” but in this corner of Italy, they can be complex and more layered than any other PG off the shelf. Look for Friuli Grave DOC, Collio DOC, or Colli Orientali DOC. Try Pighin Pinot Grigio Collio DOC, which is a pure expression of the grape and region. Aged in stainless steel with no oak contact, the wine has notes of white fruit and citrus and a lively complexity.
Piemonte
This northwestern region bordering on France is most famous for its world-renowned reds like Barolo and Barbaresco. But its whites can be just as excellent a match for their white and black truffles, egg-rich pastas, and bounty of cheeses.
Gavi: Alpine and Apennine altitudes plus sea breezes help prolong the ripening seasoning of this white. Made from 100% Cortese grapes, these are light-bodied with high acidity and are very aromatic: notes of green apple, pear, and citrus dominate. You’ll find these labeled Gavi DOC or Gavi di Gavi DOCG. Our Ke Bonta is a fantastic example of why this grape is so popular.
Moscato d’Asti: Our only sweet wine on this list, Moscato d’Asti is a treat for your palate. At 7% ABV, it is light and easy to drink, especially because of its frizzante No overwhelming sweetness here—just delightful notes of honeysuckle, orange blossom, pear, and mandarin orange. Michele Chiarlo Nivole Moscato d’Asti DOCG tends towards peach and apricot.
Veneto
Another region known primarily for its reds like Amarone, don’t overlook the Veneto’s white wine Soave.
Soave: This is grown at higher altitudes in clay soils—both factors that slow down ripening and create a backbone of acidity plus complexity. It’s made from 100% Garganega. Still up-and-coming compared to the other whites on this list, you should be able to find Soave at a more specialized wine store. It is medium-bodied with notes of melon, tangerine, peach, and herbs.
It is famous for its powerful, full-bodied red wine, largely made from the classic southern Rhône grape trio of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre.
But why is it one of the most recognised names in the wine world? Well apart from producing big wines with plenty of personality Châteauneuf-du-Pape is known to be the first "appellation" in France. (a geographical name (as of a region, village, or vineyard) under which a winegrower is authorised to identify and market wine).
Its rules and regulations form the blueprint for many other prestigious appellations all over the world. Add to this that there are some producers with a substantial reputation and you can start to see why its so popular.
Christmas time is where Châteauneuf-du-Pape really comes to the forefront and that's why we are super excited to share the details with you on two small parcels we have recently picked up - so keep your eyes peeled!
]]>Everyone who has had Greek wine loves it - the problem is they can't remember what they have had. Even taking a photo of the bottle doesn't always lead to success in remembering it either as it is usually in Greek!
So Luke's November's case is set to be a fantastic representation of the country from north to south. As well as this it is set to help make Greece just that little bit easier to understand.
In the case is:
- 3 x red wines
- 3 x white wines
- a simple guide to understanding Greek wines.
- recipes from a top Greek chef.
- a special Greek present specifically for this case.
- plus further
- exclusive perks only on offer to subscribers.
So why not Greek it up....
]]>Somontano is a wine region in Aragon, northern Spain, roughly 100km (60 miles) northeast of the city of Zaragoza (Saragossa). The region, which covers a wide range of terrain south of the Pyrenees, was granted DO status (now DOP) in 1984. It has a name for varietal wines of both interational and national grapes.
The name Somontano means "under the mountains" and the region, which counts over 4,000 hectares (nearly 10,000 acres) of vineyard, sits in the foothills of the central Pyrenees mountains. This lush, green, hilly region lies less than 60km (35 miles) from France and roughly equidistant from Getariako Txakolina on the Atlantic coast and the city of Barcelona (and the likes of Penedes and Emporda) on the Mediterranean.
]]>They are the same grape!
However some winemakers would argue that, stylistically speaking, Shiraz and Syrah are not the same. Syrah might be used to denote a more restrained ‘old world’ style of wine, for instance.
But be warned; there are no rules to govern this distinction and such a crude demarcation cannot be so easily drawn.
A traditional Shiraz from South Australia would be considered bolder, with riper and more concentrated fruit, perhaps with earthy and dark chocolate notes plus some extra spiciness from the use of new oak. One might also expect higher alcohol levels, given the hotter climate.
Syrah wines from the northern Rhône can also have a robust structure with dense dark fruit, but one might classically expect a leaner, more austere character alongside greater prominence for floral aromas and black or white pepper.
However, you’ll probably know by now that the wine world loves to defy sweeping generalisations.
You can find Syrah / Shiraz wines in both southern France and Australia that place greater emphasis on luscious, plummy fruit and are subsequently more approachable at a younger age. Likewise, you’ll find Syrah and Shiraz-labelled wines that are more structured and built to last.
While the 2021 harvest was smaller than hoped for, the quality of the vintage has been described as “exceptional” throughout the country’s various wine regions."
I am already starting to see classic household brands up near the ten pound mark. So my advice is:
1. Find an alternative - such as Picpoul de Pinet or cool climate Chilean Sauvignon.
2. Stock up now for the winter if you see a deal.
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To understand everything Pinot, let’s define it, recount the history of this legendary grape and analyse some of the delicious vino it yields.
Pinot defined
The word Pinot comes from the French term for “pine cone,” but what does that have to do with grapes?
If you take a close look at a cluster of a sumptuous and juicy Pinot variety on the vine, you will quickly see that its grapes bunch together in a tight, pine cone-like shape.
Diving further into vino linguistics, you will also notice that each Pinot wine comes with a descriptor: Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, etc.
Each of these descriptors refers to the colour of a specific type of Pinot, as this variety can vary widely in hue.
In French, Pinot Noir means “black pine cone,” Pinot Blanc means “white pine cone” and Pinot Gris means “gray pine cone” — though this grape’s colour actually falls somewhere between gray, blue and purple.
In Italian, Pinot Grigio also roughly translates to “gray pine cone,” keeping the French prefix and substituting in the Italian word for “gray.” Similarly, Pinot Bianco is the Italian version of Pinot Blanc.
While it may be more challenging to pronounce, it is also worth noting “Grauburgunder,” the German word for Pinot Gris/Grigio, “Spätburgunder,” the German word for Pinot Noir and “Weissburgunder,” the German word for Pinot Blanc.
History of Pinot Wines
If you find the linguistic intricacies of Pinot-based wines fascinating, the history of these wines is even more intriguing.
While the most prevalent variation, Pinot Noir, originated in the Gaul regions, which would become modern-day France, widespread production of Pinot Noir wine began later in the 1st century.
At this time, the Ancient Romans controlled Gaul, and they took inspiration from native Pinot Noir grapes to create a version of the wine with distinct personality and flavour that became wildly popular as it spread throughout the world.
While Pinot Gris also originated in France, its popularity came about many centuries later in the Middle Ages.
After centuries as a mostly French delicacy, this vino spread to other parts of Europe, such as Switzerland, in the 1300s. This migration introduced the wine to a larger audience and eventually led to the development of Italy’s take: Pinot Grigio.
Lastly, Pinot Blanc, another wine of French origin, has an unknown date of birth but first rose to prominence in 1896 when leaders of the French wine industry deemed it a grape suitable for mass production and blending.
Though Pinot Blanc was primarily a blending wine for years, recent decades saw the white grow in popularity outside its native France as an affordable, high-quality alternative to Chardonnay.
Different Types of Pinot Wines to Try
Let’s dive into the most popular Pinot wines to help you find the best varietal for your next meal or special occasion.
Pinot Noir
Wine lovers worldwide cherish Pinot Noir as an easy-to-drink red with an approachable structure and an excellent flavour profile that pairs well with various meals.
This dry vino is famous for its relatively low tannin levels, prominent acidity and light-to-medium body, subverting some potentially abrasive qualities of red wine for a smooth drinking experience.
This charming structure may seem simple, but it belies a wonderful core.
Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio
These both come from the same grape, but each offers a slightly divergent personality that separates it from the other.
Pinot Gris originated in modern-day Burgundy, France, but is now primarily produced in the country’s Alsace region.
This cherished, dry white wine is relatively medium-bodied with medium-to-high acidity and features a lovely medley of tropical, stone and citrus fruit flavours that harmonize with nuttiness and hints of sweet spice.
Pinot Grigio originally hails from Italy, and its personality and flavor profile serve as a lovely, albeit similar, alternative to its French counterpart.
This crisp white is drier and lighter than the Gris, with a light, refreshing body and prominent acidity highlighting its stone, tropical and citrus fruitiness, gentle spiciness, minerality and floral notes of honeysuckle.
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Blanc is another originally French white making a name for itself on the global wine stage.
Often unfairly compared to Chardonnay, this vino maintains a distinct personality that mixes desirable qualities of other French whites with a distinct personality.
In a delicious bottle of Pinot Blanc or Pinot Bianco, as it is known in Italy, you will find a somewhat dry vino with a light body and medium acidity that are approachable for wine lovers of all backgrounds.
You will also discover a fresh, lovely balance of creamy stone fruit flavors, subtle spice, floral undertones, gentle hints of nuttiness and earthy notes of stone.
Though this wine may not be as quintessential as its iconic French counterparts, it is certainly worth a try at its typically affordable price point.
Now that you better understand the wonderful world of Pinot, have a look round the Flunder Wines website to see if our Pinots tickle your fancy.
The zippy acidity in the wine matches the acidity in the cheese. The combination brings out the base flavours and completely changes the texture and taste in a fantastic way.
Try it and let us know what you think....
]]>Torrontes is Argentina's signature white grape. It's been rising in popularity for a while because of it's attractive and pronounced floral flavours whilst being bone dry. It works superbly with food and offers serious value for money.
Malbec from Argentina has been one of the biggest success stories in the industry since the turn of the century - is Torrontes about to follow suit....
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Wine is a highly regulated sector in the European Union and in the case of Spain the regulations are established at regional level by the “Consejos reguladores” or regulatory bodies. In the case of Rioja this is the Consejor Regulador del vino de Rioja, which establishes the regulation for Rioja wines on things like which varieties can be planted, maximum yield per acre permitted and most importantly the Consejo establishes a classification system for Rioja wines which is based on the criteria of ageing.
The following are the classifications that often determine the price level.
Joven
Joven is the term for the youngest wines that require no oak ageing. These are usually the lowest priced category and used for house wines.
Crianza
The term is applied to wines which mature for at least 2 years at the winery before being released to the market. Part of this time is to be spent in oak barrels, part in the bottle
Reserva
Selected Red wines of the best vintages with an excellent potential that have been aged for a minimum of 3 years, with at least one year in oak.
At the Reserva level, winemakers often age their wines longer than the minimum and select better grapes. Many Rioja wine enthusiasts swear by Reserva level because they are a medium between super fruity Crianza and oakey-bottle-aged Gran Reserva.
Gran Reserva
The final category is Gran Reserva. These wines need to spend at least 5 years before they reach the market. Out of these 5 years, 2 at least are to be spent in oak barrel. In the case of white wines, the time before they can be released to the market is 4 years, of which 6 months would apply to oak barrel aging.
What’s interesting about Gran Reserva is that most winemakers select the best grapes for this level and age them for as long as the wine needs. This means most of the new release Gran Reservas are around 10 years old or older when you first see them available.
Pinot Noir is best know for its origins in Burgundy but has now been adopted (and extensively studied) in wine regions all over the world. The variety's elusive charm has carried it to all manner of vineyards.
It comes at a cost though as Pinot Noir is one of the most expensive grapes out there though because it is an awkward customer in the vineyard. Being thin skinned it makes it more prone to bacterial spoilage, skin splitting,
It's the contradiction that I love. On one hand you have a very light and delicate wine and on the other hand you have this hidden depth of flavour that changes depending where in the world it has been grown.
My favourite Pinot Noir (within budget) comes from New Zealand. That depth mentioned above comes in the form of an earthiness that just brings together an experience you just don't want to end.
]]>Boxed wine has some great advantages compared to the humble classic wine bottle which are:
- it lasts for longer when opened. This is particularly helpful if you are a solo drinker or just like a tipple once in a while.
- it's easy to transport and it won't break in transit like a bottle can do.
- it is the same quality. Gone are the days of boxed wine = budget wine.
- it's great for parties to share around enjoy with friends.
- it often works out as being a more cost effective option.
In our eyes boxed wine will never replace the bottle in terms of experience and aesthetics. However it definitely has its use and I certainly wouldn't turn my nose up if someone offered me a glass!
]]>I last experienced this phenomenon whilst sitting down on a bench drinking our new Paper Road Pinot Noir watching the tide slowly go out.
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