Drinking positively
When we're not making sure those around us and close to us are well, our own wellbeing should be taking some priority. By all means get out for your brief, daily exercise and do remember to breathe. But we don't want to be too worthy, we sometimes just need to escape: to stimulate our senses with aroma and taste and texture. You may find yourself busier than ever, with little time to do the reading you fantasise about, but let's share a glass of wine, whether remotely over a video app or with family or flatmates.
Some of you have already been constructing your own case for quarantine and many of you took advantage of our custom case idea. This week, we thought we'd take a slightly different approach and suggest some of our favourite, good value, easy drinking wines you can buy by the case (and therefore take advantage of our generous sealed case discounts!). This way, the wine can be delivered directly from the warehouses, further reducing the amount of human contact involved, while continuing (we hope) to alleviate some of the tedium of home working and take you to areas you might otherwise be missing. So, to get things started, here's a selection of some of the wines that the Uncorked team have been quarantining with during these first weeks of lockdown: /CW
2018 Antica Cascina Conti di Roero Sru Arneis: Intense crispness and a melding of citrus, melon and stonefruit flavours of Arneis give a perfect white wine for springtime. As happy with bass or bream as it is with early season vegetable dishes.
2018 Terredora Falanghina Campania IGT: A bit softer than the Arneis, but with a delicious fruit character and great underlying acidity and volcanic minerals. It's a really successful vintage for Terredora and this stonefruited wine is extremely charming.
2017 Marc Colin Bourgogne Chardonnay: This is modern, approachable white Burgundy. It is on the leaner end of the spectrum, with plenty of acidity, fresh, vibrant white fruit and and citrus. It is a beautifully balanced, uplifting Chardonnay with a subtle chalkiness you detect on the finish.
2017 Kumeu River Chardonnay Coddington: We've always got behind Kumeu River because of their restrained, Old World approach to winemaking and their fantastic value for money, particularly compared with modern day Burgundy prices. The Coddington is the richest of their cuvees, and this has plenty of creaminess and a silky texture, but is cut through with elegant minerality and bright citrus.
N.V. Le Soula Trigone Fenouilledes Rouge No18: Fabulous value for money, delivering a pure red fruit and forest floor set of flavours. Its very existence is a triumph over the local wild boar (a great food match if you can find one), who were racing the pickers to harvest the fruit. It always goes very well with mushroomy and slow-cooked food. The high altitude, very poor soils and biodynamics contribute to its character.
2018 Corte Sant'Alda Valpolicella Ca Fiui: This is a characterful and also biodynamic red wine that's juicy and fun and serious. Marinella Caminara is a great cheese lover who happens to make wonderful wines at every level in her lair in the hills north east of Verona. She's a character who believes uninhibitedly in home and celebration and her wines reflect that.
2017 Rocca di Montegrossi Chianti Classico: Ripe, dense and concentrated, this is Sangiovese that is full of life and packed with blood orange and cranberry flavours. It's young and has great structure and acidity, making a fantastically food-friendly wine. Perfect with your tomato pasta or grilled red meats.
2017 L'Hetre (Cotes de Castillon): We're always interested in affordable Bordeaux at Uncorked, and Jacques Thienpont (owner of top Right Bank properties Le Pin and L'If) is producing some really super, easy-drinking and good value claret with his latest arboreal themed project in Castillon. The 2017 L'Hetre is warm and brimming with dark fruits like blackberry, as well as damson and plum. It's a great food wine but can equally be enjoyed on its own.
Offered subject to remaining unsold
To place an order, click on the wine name below, reply to this email, or call 020 7638 5998
The Bishopsgate shop is now open again, but only for collection by appointment and card payment at the door. Web, email and phone ordering is available as usual, for delivery or collection. Thank you again for your continued support.
