Monthly Letters

  • A little selection of Summer Favourites - June 2023

    A little selection of Summer Favourites - June 2023

    Below is a little selection of some favourite summer bottles. You may recognise some old friends (Gallimard Champagne, Sorg Pinot etc.) , others are new to Whitfield Wines in recent weeks.

    Please don’t hesitate to be in touch with any questions.  It’s worth noting that I can deliver to holiday houses and friends if you are getting organised..

    Deliveries next week or sooner in London.

    Thanks!

    Ben

    ben@whitfieldwines.com

     

    Wine

    Year

    June Favourites – why?

    Price (£)

     

    White

    Domaine Cheysson Beaujolais Blanc L'Exception’

     

    2020

    Incredible value white burgundy, quirky in that is made in Beaujolais. A classic Whitfield Wine, priced to stock up. Perfect before, during and after an al fresco dinner and for under £20 a bottle, not to be missed.

     

    114 for 6 bottles

    Caves Yves Cuilleron, Viognier 'Les Vignes d'a Côte', Rhône

    2022

    WW baby Condrieu, made by Rhône royalty, perfect for summer as an aperitif or with dinner. All peaches, dried fruit and white flowers this wine achieves brilliant balance in response to Viognier's low acidity.

     

    120 for 6 bottles

    Pieropan ‘Calvarino’ Soave Classico

     

    2021

    An absolute classic of a restaurant wine, every present on the best Italian lists around. Super versatile, with flavours of green apple, almond, blossom, and oyster shell.

     

    156 for 6 bottles

    Domaine Cyril Testut Chablis ‘Rive Droite’

     

    2019

    Produced from some of the finest terroir in the Chablis region, this is wonderfully, elegant, complex, Chablis at a good price. Snap it up while stocks last.

     

    150 for 6 bottles

    Fontanassa Ca'Adua Gavi, Piedmont

     

    2021

    A classic Gavi and a big restaurant favourite. Straw yellow colour with greenish reflection, aromas of citrus, grapefruit, cut grass, good freshness, persistent and mineral taste with a long-lasting finish. Super moreish.

     

    114 for 6 bottles

    Rosé

    Massaya Rosé Bekaa Valley

     

    2021

    Made in a crisp Provençal style, Massaya Rosé is an elegant combination of wild strawberry, redcurrants, Mediterranean spices, aromatic thyme and cooling mint. Moro, Dorian, Andrew Edmunds have this rosé as it’s so versatile with or without food. Made a stone’s throw from the temple of Bacchus in Lebanon.  How apt.

     

    108 for 6 bottles

    Domaine de Triennes, Rosé, Méditerranée

     

    2022

    There's Provence rosé, and then there's Domaine de Triennes. A collaboration between two of Burgundy's finest producers (Dujac and DRC), this is a thoughtfully made, organically grown wine that does real justice to this idyllic coastal region. Bright berry fruit, wild strawberry and citrus. Available in large formats.

     

    177 for 12 bottles

    Magnums 31

     

    Champagne:

    Gallimard Champagne Père et Fils.

     

    NV

    Whitfield Wines’ house champagne with its tantalising pinkish hue and pinot noir mouth fill. Such an exciting growers’ champagne, and staggeringly popular with those lucky enough to try it. Should be your house champagne in large formats too.

     

    186 for 6 bottles

    Magnums 62

    Red:

    Pinot Noir, Domaine Bruno Sorg

     

    2021

    I discovered Bruno Sorg during my time at Zédel, as it is the perfect expression of those wonderful bright red fruit wines so prevalent in the brasseries of Alsace. Low yielding, hand-picked fruit and careful vinification in temperature-controlled conditions gives an elegant and restrained Pinot Noir. Soft textured with a mineral finish, it’s amazing with roast chicken.

     

    120 for 6 bottles

    Langhe Nebbiolo Simane, Reverdito

     

    2020

    100% Nebbiolo, the wine has deep, delicious red fruit notes you expect from the grape variety as well as hints of liquorice and tobacco.  These are soft wines, light in body, but still with plenty of backbone and authority. You will love for barbeques and long summer lunches.

     

    112.50 for 6 bottles

    'La Grola' Veronese IGT, Allegrini

     

    2019

    This is a prestigious wine of great renown, a super Veronese in name, super good value and a real restaurant wine.  A River Café favourite, it’s a classic Whitfield Wine. A blend of Corvina and Oseleta, This is a lot of wine in the best possible way. Luscious aromas of blackberries, blueberry compote and baking spices define the wine.

    168 for 6 bottles

     

    *Minimum order is 12 bottles

    *Free delivery over £250

  • Dorian Notting Hill

    Dorian Notting Hill

    It has been a busy few months for Whitfield Wines, but not, as you may noticed, in the wine letter department, for which I apologise!

    I have a good excuse though, as there has been a birth in the family.  Not a human child, but one of the restaurant variety. Dorian (Notting Hill) was born in mid-September and I am happy to report is healthy and happy. Very noisy at night, and quite exhausting in general, everyone that has encountered Dorian seems to be delighted. 

    For my loyal Whitfield Wines followers it is hopefully good news, as the list at Dorian is predominantly French and Italian, and there has been a lot of wine tasted over recent weeks. 

    Dorian is a seasonal British bistro with an emphasis on grill, and a focus on sourcing the very best produce from around Britain, whilst keeping pricing accessible. Young Chef Max Coen (ex-Ikoyu and Kitchen Table) leads at the stoves.  Drinks are a big deal with the brilliant wine list put together with my help, and cocktails curated by former Core bar manager, Ale Villa. 

    Do drop me a line if you would like to book a table!

    In other news, Whitfield Wines has a tasting with plenty of new wines on 23 November in West London.  Please drop me a message if you would like to come.

  • Jubilee 2022

    Jubilee 2022

     The Greased Piglet (AKA Boris) wriggles free again, with Boris and Rishi timing the release of the Sue Gray report perfectly, allowing a good week for some mega freebies to help pay our gas bills and perhaps even an English team bringing Champion’s League glory home (to Liverpool) on Saturday evening. Then of course we have the ultimate British feel-good festival; a four-day, coronation chicken fuelled, bunting festooned jamboree, to celebrate 70 years of Elizabethan rule and to help us forget all that naughty partying in Downing Street during 2020. 

    Here at Whitfield Wines, we have been working on some exciting new bottles which will be launched in the June Letter once we are through all the hilarities and need something new to try after half term. 

    For now, we are here to help stock up, with a Top Twelve Long Weekend / Jubilee Wines. All these wines are easy drinking, priced below £20 a bottle (minimum order 12 bottles) and perfect for fêtes, street parties (keep the wine in the kitchen) or barbeques at home. 

    Order today, and your wines will be with you for by Wednesday, 1st June.  Some of my own Jubilee favourites are: 

    The ultimate pairing with Coronation chicken, check out the Cazes family Viognier or try a gorgeous Piedmont white from Sarotto. Perhaps order an old favourite - Bruno Sorg Pinot Noir a moreish light red from Alsace, maybe grab some Triennes Provence Rosé from master Burgundian winemakers. You could stock up on Gallimard champagne, priced to buy in magnums or go red, with brilliant Chianti from Italy, and the infamous Hawksmoor red, a blend from Braida and the perfect accompaniment for grilling over the weekend. 

    Happy perusing and have fun over the Jubilee,

    Ben

    www.whitfieldwines.com

    07711 168510

     

    Jubilee Top 12:

    Wine

    Year

    Perfect for the long weekend – why?

    Price (£)

    Fizz:

    Domaine Bruno Sorg, Crémant d'Alsace

     

    NV

    Bruno Sorg at his sparkling best, with the freshness of chardonnay, fineness of pinot blanc and the richness of pinot gris. Perfect for long barbeques and a Tuesday night treat in the garden.

     

    112.50 (case of 6) 18.75 bt

    Gallimard Champagne Pere et Fils

     

    NV

    Whitfield Wines’ house champagne with its tantalising pinkish hue and pinot noir mouth fill. Such an exciting growers’ champagne, and staggeringly popular with those lucky enough to try it. 

     

    159 (case of 6) 26.50 bottle 

    Magnums 55

    Rosé:

    Domaine de Triennes, Rosé, Méditerranée (Provence)

     

    2020

    This is the Whitfield Wines entry level, buy-in-size-or-in-huge bottles, totally moreish, pale coloured and packed with flavour rosé. This rosé is mostly Cinsault, with Grenache, Syrah and Merlot for seasoning. The pale colour, forward strawberry fruit and zingy finish make this the solution for any sunny occasion, particularly a Jubilee long weekend. 

     

     

    153 (case of 12) – 

    12.75 bt

    Magnums available at 29

    Quinta da Boa Esperança, Atlântico Rosé 

     

    2021

    This rosé is very special. Made from the grapes - Touriga Nacional, Syrah and Castelaõ - the ABV is 12.7% so it’s perfect for hot days. It’s a complex and textural rosé. Crisp berry fruits with a juicy, singular acidity and a healthy lick of Atlantic salinity. Sells in many of the best fish restaurants in Devon & Cornwall.

     

    120 (case of 6) -

    20 bt

    White:

    Domaine Cheysson Beaujolais Blanc L'Exception’

     

    2020

    Incredible value White Burgundy, quirky in that is made in Beaujolais. A classic Whitfield Wine, priced to stock up.

    99 (case of 6) - 

    16.50 bt

    Roberto Sarotto Langhe DOC Arneis ‘Runcneuv’

     

    2020

    Centuries ago, Arneis grapes were planted next to the noble Nebbiolo vines in Barolo and Langhe to give Piedmont bird life something alternative to feast upon. In modern times, Arneis wines are enthusiastically quaffed in the enotecas of Turin as if nothing much has changed.

    Full bodied, rich, moreish, fragrant, lively, with delicious minerality on the finish. Classy, balanced and a snip at this price. 

     

    83.40 (case of 6) - 13.90 bt

    Viognier L'Ostal Cazes Languedoc 2020

     

    2020

    The Lynch-Bages people turn their hand to a mini-Condrieu, gorgeous Viognier, and they do a great job. This attractive, fresh, exotically fruited Viognier comes from the coolest site on Cazes estate and undergoes a short cool fermentation in tank to keep its exotic fragrance and flavours. Snap this up for perfect ‘Coronation’ white wine.

     

    81 (case of 6) - 

    13.50 bt

    Montenidori Vernaccia di San Gimignano 'Tradizionale'

     

    2020

    Quickly becoming a big WW favourite, bold gorgeous, golden Vernaccia di San Gimignano deeply textured yellow fruit with staying power and an unmistakeable tang. Organic, very low in sulphur. Just perfect for early summer!

     

    119.40 (case of 6) - 19.90 bt

    Red:

    Domaine Bruno Sorg Alsace Pinot Noir, 2020

     

     

    I urge you to try this, it is refreshing and delicate, and perfect with roast chicken!  It is pale in colour and unlike more full-bodied reds, its texture is soft and gentle. Very tough not to open a second bottle, so get a case.

    Refreshing and delicate, pale in colour and unlike more full-bodied reds, its texture is soft and gentle. Very tough not to open a second bottle, so get a case.

     

    111 (case of 6) – 

    18.50 bt

    Chianti Colli Aretini, Mannucci Droandi 2019

    2019

    An exceptional Chianti at a brilliant price this should be hard to resist as a Whitfield Wines house wine. The wine in oak barrels for a year then in bottle for three months to balance body and aroma. An absolute classic of a Chianti and by far the best I have tasted at this price point.

    85.50 (case of 6) – 

    14.25 bt

    Domaine Clotilde Davenne, Irancy

     

    2017

    Pinot noir made near Chablis, wines from Irancy are right on message at around the £20 mark. Proper tannins balancing the cherry-driven fruits, this is a perfect companion for strong meaty dishes followed by lots and lots of French cheeses.  A second bottle is almost inevitable. 

     

    132 (case of 6)

    22 bt

    Rosso Braida, Barbera/Cab Sav/Merlot

     

    2018

    So proud of having this wine on the list, as it is the archetypal restaurant wine, in that it was specially made by the Hawksmoor team and is in all their restaurants, even the new one in New York. Perfect for steaks of all kinds    made at home too.

     

    114 (case of 6)

    19 bt

     

    *Minimum order is 12 bottles

    *Free delivery over £250