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New wines: July 2018

Chateau Molhiere, Cote de Duras, Dordogne: “Terroir de Ducs”, Rose, Sauvignon Blanc and Cab Franc-Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon

Its rose time so it’s very much time to talk about the New wines in from the old stalwart, Chateau Molhiere in the Dordogne.


I have been lucky enough to work with The Blancheton Brothers at Chateau Molhiere in Duras, 25 miles south of Bergerac in the Dordogne for 15 years. I have been drinking their wines since the 1980’s when my parents bought a ramshackle of a cottage down in this beautiful part of SW France. These brothers make exquisite wines at great prices, tiny production, ultra care and attention. Their rose has been a great success over the last three years here in the Whirly wine shop and it arrived into the UK this last week with their zingy Sauvignon Blanc, tight and citrusy with its own Cote de Duras indentity and their Cab Franc, Sauvignon and Merlot red. Order some rose now if you can, since when its gone it won’t be back! Made from Cabernet Franc and Merlot varietals its pale pink in colour and dry with some lovely summer fruits on the palate and ample weight to take food as well. 

Also imported with the Rose is their ‘Terroir de Ducs’ Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet franc based red, which is blended with a little Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Pop into the shop soon and order some or Buy online. The rose won’t be around for ever so don’t delay! £12.95 per bottle, 13.0 % alc vol

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Wine of the Month: July….

Chateau Molhiere, Terroir de Ducs, Rose 2018, Cote de Duras, Dordogne

Wine of the month for July has to be the Rose from Chateau Molhiere, 2018 and just arrived in time for the summer.

I have been lucky enough to work with The Blancheton Brothers at Chateau Molhiere in Duras, 25 miles south of Bergerac in the Dordogne for 15 years. I have been drinking their wines since the 1980’s when my parents bought a ramshackle of a cottage down in this beautiful part of SW France. These brothers make exquisite wines at great prices, tiny production, ultra care and attention. Their rose has been a great success over the last three years here in the Whirly wine shop and it arrived into the UK this last week with their zingy Sauvignon Blanc, tight and citrusy with its own Cote de Duras indentity and their Cab Franc, Sauvignon and Merlot red. Order some rose now if you can, since when its gone it won’t be back! Made from Cabernet Franc and Merlot varietals its pale pink in colour and dry with some lovely summer fruits on the palate and ample weight to take food as well. 

£12.95 per bottle, 750ml

Order online and get a bottle free if you order a case of 12….

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Wine of the Month: June

” Organic” Moscato D’Asti, DOCG, Asti, Piedmont

The wine of the month for June 2019 is something a little bit different. What do you think of when you think of Muscat? Sweet wine from the Rhone potentially? And for some reason the Brits don’t like sweet wines do we? Well this Frizzante ( very small bubbles) wine from Asti does have a hint of sweetness on the palate but we must embrace this and enjoy it and in this world of cheap Prosecco in Supermarkets with nothing to say for itself, we must try something that had everything to say about itself! Its the most perfect summer sparkling, full of elderflower and Spring apple blossom on the nose and with a light, delicate mousse and fizz. Its also only 5% alc vol so its great if you want to drink something light at lunch or if you want a wine with less alcohol too. Well worth ‘a whirl’ at Whirly wines, 22 Ritherdon road, London SW17 8QD and also being served outside on the Patio this summer!

£16.95 a bottle. Buy online on the Whirly wine shop page….

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Spring wine tastings….

Book online on the online page and search for the £25 wine voucher.

Plan your personal tasting with Mr Whirly. Book online £25 p/p inclusive of snacks, 5 wines, 75 ml. 7.00pm-9.00pm1

18th April: 

“ Wines from the New, Old world” An array of wines from the new world countries of  Eastern Europe.

25th April: 

. “A taste of Pinot noir from around the World”: some fab ” Organic Pinot” from the Languedoc, Oregon and Tasmania ( and Burgundy too!)

2nd May:

 “ Mediterranean Island wines”

9th May :

” Wines with Altitude”

[email protected] 0208 672 2572

Whirly wines, 22 Ritherdon road, SW17 8QD

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Christmas Cases now available to buy! Online and in the shop

Whirly wine festive cases 2018!

Mr Whirly’s Christmas cases, chosen to match classic Christmas fare for you this Christmas. Including new wines imported this November from Manzone in Piedmont, Bonfanti in Lombardy

All three Christmas mixed  cases  can be purchased online, simply go onto my website, click onto the online shop link at the top of the menu and scroll down to the bottom to find the 3 Christmas offerings.

Mr Whirly’s Christmas “ Budget” Half dozen case)

Prosecco, Giol, NV “ Organic” : a Frizzante Prosecco. Its important to have something sparkling on Christmas day and this wine fits the bill. Well made and classy, light and creamy.

Lillypilly Sauvignon Blanc 2015: Old aged SB from Leeton, NSW, Australia. Savoury notes beginning to show through yet still a wine with verve and energy.

Villa Aganoor, Pinot Grigio 2016, Verona, Italy: Really exciting PG! Yes I mean it, pear and apple and good acidity and depth

Azienda Marzuco, Vermentino 2016, Castelvetrano, Sicily: The grape is from Sardinia

but this is made in Sicily. Linear clean white wine with some mediterranean salt on the palate with ripe melon. Great with shellfish, fish or even Turkey.

Velenosi, Montepulciano D’Abruzzo, 2017, Ascoli Piceno, Marche: New wine just arrived from Marche November 2018.

Malaville, Charmille, Vin de pay de L’Herault, 2015: fabulous new wine just in from the Languedoc. Seriously one of my favourite wines imported in the last 10 years. Soft tannins and very elegant, great combination of Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet.

Price: £68 .00

Mr Whirly’s Christmas “ Half dozen”

Moscato D’Asti 2016, DOCG, light delicate sparkling wine from Piedmont ( alba). its sightly sweet but in the most delicious way and very much worth trying out. Only 5% alc vol too, so perfect for an indulgent morning on Christmas day as you start to prepare the lunch! Elderflower on the nose and palate. Pure joy.

Manzone, Rossese Bianco, 2016, Monforte D’Alba, Barolo, Piedmont: Rare grape, sadly most of it ripped up over the last 30 years due to the rise in price and fortune of the Nebbiolo grape. 12 Months on oak. Serious white that rates highly on Mr whirls radar in terms of top end white wines that can hold the oak and deliver a wine that is improved by this process.

“ Organic’ Gruner Veltliner, 2017, Mehofer, Wagram. Top wine just imported in November 2018. Gruner is Green. Not a green wine but close, young and vibrant, the perfect Christmas morning wine whilst preparing the lunch. 11.0 % alc vol. Apples and pears with a hint of spice. A pure Organic delight.

Stefano Lubiana, Merlot 2008, Granton, Tasmania: Aged, 10 years now, and for 7 of these in Mr Whirly’s cellar. Good provenance. Decant and enjoy on Christmas day with your beef, if that’s what you are having. Rich ripe plums, tobacco and a hint of field mushroom and forest floor.

Dolcetto D’Alba, 2016, Manzone, Monforte D’Alba, ( Barolo), Piedmont, Italy: Dolcetto takes a back step to Nebbiolo, rather like the Rossese Bianco, its also been closed to extinction due to fashion. It will have its time again though, so lets Hail this wine and grape and enjoy. Soft notes, well expressed and elegant. Will work well with goose, duck on the day.

Venetica, Bonfanti, 2016, Lombardy, Italy: New in, 1st December 2018. One of the best northern italian wines I have tasted, a deliciously soft blend of red grapes like Rondinello and Corvione, the same grapes as used in Amarone. Great wine with beef if thats what you are eating over Christmas. Big and juicy yet pure and velvety.

Price: £119.00

Mr Whirly’s Christmas “Dozen”

“Nutty 2014”, English Sparkling, Nutbourne Vineyards, West Sussex: top Sparkling from vineyard next door to Nyetimber: smaller and less commercial than them and not as pricey. Chardonnay and Pinot noir. Classic Champagne grapes. Dry, crisp ad clean. Small bubbles, A delight on christmas day morning!

“ Organic’ Gruner Veltliner, 2017, Mehofer, Wagram. Top wine just imported in November 2018. Gruner is Green. Not a green wine but close, young and vibrant, the perfect Christmas morning wine whilst preparing the lunch. 11.0 % alc vol. Apples and pears with a hint of spice. A pure Organic delight.

Manzone, Rossese Bianco, 2016, Monforte D’Alba, Barolo, Piedmont: Rare grape, sadly most of it ripped up over the last 30 years due to the rise in price and fortune of the Nebbiolo grape. 12 Months on oak. Serious white that rates highly on Mr whirls radar in terms of top end white wines that can hold the oak and deliver a wine that is improved by this process.

Mehofer,  “ Organic” Roter Veltliner 2017, Mehofer,Wagram, Austria: Roter means red, Gruner is green. Richer and creamier than the gruner, lovely with a soft goats cheese or white cheese like Camembert, Brie etc.

Stefano Lubiana, Riesling 2011, Granton, Tasmania: limey fresh with hints of Petrol on the nose too. A Classic Riesling from down under, old and exciting and yet bursting with energy. Dry of course.

Graziano Chenin Blanc 2011, Mendocino, California: top end Chenin, not from the

Loure, its home but from cool climate Mendocino in Northern California. Vanilla and cream

bounce out of the glass. This wine is drinking beautifully for a 7 year old wine from California

and shows that wines of this age can be made to last and develop in the bottle over this sort of

Ripasso, Bonfanti, 2012: oh yes now we are talking. Second cousin to Amarone but in now way overshadowed. “ Ripasso” means ) “ passed through again”. This wine goes through a second fermentation using the dried skins from the Amarone winemaking. Big yet slick and fun! Beef and Yorkshire. Decant all day!

Stefano Lubiana, Merlot 2008, Granton, Tasmania: Aged, 10 years now, and for 7 of these in Mr Whirly’s cellar. Good provenance. Decant and enjoy on Christmas day with your beef, if that’s what you are having. Rich ripe plums, tobacco and a hint of field mushroom and forest floor.

Dolcetto D’Alba,  “ Le Ciliegie” Manzone, 2016, Monforte D’Alba: Dolcetto has taken a back seat to Nebbiolo which is a shame since this grape really should have more of a presence in Piedmont. Softer than Nebbiolo but with these guys at Manzone you get great quality. Soft, plums and berries, light and delicate.

Lillypilly Noble Blend 2006: Lillypilly Noble Blend 2006: Noble rot, blend of Semillon, Gewurtz, pineapple with orange blossom. Perfect  Aussie sticky with a steamed ginger pudding or something similar.  From Leeton NSW, near Griffith, the best “ Botrytis” region of Oz.

Velenosi, Visciole, NV, Marche, Italy: Old traditional way of making pudding wines in

Marche, italy. They pick cherries in late Spring and make a syrup from the grapes then add

grape juice from La Crima and Rosso Piceno grapes in September. Great freshness and acidity,

you can really taste the red cherries. Perfect with Black forest Gateau ( the wine matches perfectly

with chocolate)

 

Book Online or call me on 07821 968111

Email: [email protected]

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Autumn and Festive season wine tastings: Organic wines from the Wagram in Austria and Piedmont and Marche in Italy

Why not plan you own personalised wine tasting this Autumn and into the Festive season and utilise the expertise and individuality of your local wine shop and importer?

Organise your own wine tasting event at your local wine shop that imports all their own wines from the smaller producer.

Easy to organise:  Book online, get a group of 8-16 together for your party or event for this Autumn and Christmas. Fun and informative tastings ( not too serious don’t worry!)

What’s tasting good?

  • Autumnal wines, soft Austiran and Marche reds
  • Kick off with a lovely Nutty Sparkling from Nutbourne ( next door to Nyetimber) and then a couple of Whites from Nutbourne ( Bacchus and Chardonnay). Finish with a soft alluring ” Organic Zweigelt” from Austria and a big Syrah from Mount Barker, W. Australia. In December the focus will be on festive wines for Christmas.
  • 4-5 wines per tasting, 75ml measure and snacks for only £25.00

 

How to book?

email [email protected] then book online on the website
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Whirly wine ” Online shop” launched! New ” Organic Pinot Noir from “Ricardelle de Lautrec” just arrived; Rose and sauvignon Blanc from Chateau Molhiere from ” The Barrel” from 5th June 2018

You might have already noticed but we have just launched  the Whirly wine “ Online shop” in the last week, The aim is to have twenty wines on there that I can get to you quickly and easily ( therefore have good stock of the wines here in the shop). At the moment there is a small selection of good wines on there including the ” Organic Pinot Noir” from Ricardelle de Lautrec in the Languedoc, 2015, full of Raspberry and Strawberry summer fruits, light and subtle and great chilled too. £ 15.50 per bottle ( picture below). Also next week I will add the Rose from Chateau Molhiere that has just arrived into the UK, by the bottle as well as from the barrel, so as of the 5th June you can pop in and fill up your bottle with french country rose from Cote de Duras for only £8.70 a bottle as well as their Sauvignon Blanc 2017 too. So Whirly wines can offer you 5 wines from the barrel next week!

Please do check out the online shop and if you would like to order something let me know? Delivery is free to local postcodes and will be priced at £4.95 for other postcodes with free delivery for orders over £100.

 

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Spring Aperitif bar list, April 2017, focuing on low alcohol wines with zest and great acidity, an array of hand sourced wines with some delightful Organic options too!

The new Whirly wine Aperitif bar list for April is below!

Come on down soon and experience the Whirly effect of drinking beautiful wines at beautiful prices. Mr Whirly has focused on some great wines from the smaller producer, Organic wines as well as wines from far flung wine regions that you might not have heard of. I look forward to welcoming you to the Whirly wine shop soon for a glass of wine outside on the terrace!

 

 

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“Whirly’s gig”, 30th April 2016, 2-10pm: Book tickets online in the Voucher link at the top of the home page.

 

 

So What’s It All About?

On 30th April we kick off what I hope will be a series of summer music events here at Whirly Wines Shop, 22 Ritherdon road, Tooting. A few months ago I met Kinvara Jenkins at a wine tasting here at the shop. She was indeed a bundle of fun and during the evening I discovered she was a singer and actress. After a little chat (and a little wine) Kinvara revealed to me that she is the youngest of 7 children. She spoke about her father, Nigel, and his impressive career as a guitarist and about her mother, Marie-Eve , a music publisher. So it’s a family affair! Nigel and Kinvara will play two acoustic sessions, 45 minutes each with an interval between.

A few details…

  • Things will kick off at 2pm for a 3pm start.
  • Mr Whirly shall provide some fine wines, a lot of fun and a BBQ too!
  • Maximum tickets available: 50
  • Price: £30 Includes: 3 glasses of wine, BBQ and music! Please click on the link below to book tickets online.
  • Children are welcome as long as they are supervised. No children inside the shop for health and safety reasons.

 

 

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Mr Whirly’s Christmas cases!

Mr Whirly has hand selected cases of 6 and 12 with wines chosen to match classic Christmas fare!
From Blanquette Limoux whilst cooking to “La Roche Vineuse” Macon Gamay for the Turkey, to Lillypilly’s Fiumara No. 7 for your plum pudding, and everything in between, you are sure to find a wine for every course and every guest!
Discounted for a limited time only, until this Saturday 17th December

Half a dozen:

 

1. Blanquette de Limoux, Carte Ivoire, Domaine Fourn de Robert: 

unknown sparkling wine from south of Carcassone; top stuff and great to try something new!

 

2. Amboise Tourraine, Bonnigal Vignerons, Limeray, Loire: richer than most Sauvignons from Tourraine since its been left on the lees for 5 months. Great match with smoked salmon.

 

3. Chateau Domaine de Viaud, Cote de Bourg, 2010, Bordeaux: soft tannins elegant Merlot based Bordeaux from Blaye, a mile across the Gironde from St Estephe. Wonderful with beef and cheese as well as most festive red meats and cheese

 

4. Alain Normand, La Roche Vineuse, Gamay 2014, Macon: lovely soft strawberry on the nose and palate and unusual that this grape is from Macon. Fabulous with turkey, duck and goose.

 

5. Mas Rous, Muscat 2012, Cotes Catalane: dry Muscat, firm and grippy with some lovely orange zest on the finish. Great with goats cheese and Monchego.

 

6. Lillpilly, Fiumara no 7, Leeton, NSW, Australia: Cross between a port and Pedro Ximenez A blend of special cuvee’s from over many years, this wine is the perfect match for Plum pudding on Christmas day!

 

Total: £93.50 With discount of 7%: £6.54 Total: £86.96

 

 

 

A dozen: 

 

 

1. Champagne: Remy Bernard “Carte Blanche” NV, Allemant: small bubbles, delicate and moussey. Top quality wine made from the three classic Champagne grapes, Pinot Noir and Me- unier and Chardonnay.

 

2. Blanquette de Limoux, Carte Ivoire, Domaine Fourn de Robert: unknown sparkling wine from south of Carcassone; top stuff and great to try something new.

 

3. Amboise Tourraine, Bonnigal Vignerons, Limeray, Loire: richer than most Sauvignons from Tourraine since its been left on the lees for 5 months. Great match with smoked salmon on Christmas day morning as the lunch is prepared.

 

4. Perusini, Pinot Grigio 2015, Friuli, N. E. Italy: Pinot grigio as it should be in the glass from Fruili, the top white wine region of Italy.

 

5. Mehofer, “Organic” Gruner Veltliner, 2015, Wagram, Austria: light in alc, only 10.5%, and wonderful wine for the start of the day! Apples and pears, simple yet perfect.

 

6. Willespie, Margaret river white 2011, WA: a blend Of chardonnay,Verdelho, Riesling and Semillon from one of the top wine regions of Australia: takes Pork ands spicy dishes oh so well.

 

7. Chateau Domaine de Viaud, Cote de Bourg, 2010, Bordeaux: soft tannins elegant Merlot based Bordeaux from Blaye, a mile across the Gironde from St Estephe. Wonderful with beef and cheese as well as most festive red meats and cheese.

 

8. Alain Normand, La Roche Vineuse, Gamay 2014, Macon: lovely soft strawberry on the nose and palate and unusual that this grape is from Macon. Fabulous with Turkey, duck and Goose.

 

9. Bonfanti, DOC Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2014: small producer in Verona that makes very special wines indeed. Ripasso means two fermentations: rich yet sublime. Lovely Christmas day wine. New wine that has just arrived. 18 months in Barrel.

 

10. Mas Rous, Muscat 2012, Cotes Catalane: dry Muscat, firm and grippy with some lovely orange zest on the finish. Great with goats cheese and Monchego.

 

11. Lillypilly Noble Blend 2012: Noble rot, blend of Semillon, Gewurtz, pineapple with orange blossom. Perfect sticky with a steamed ginger pudding or something similar.

 

12. Lillpilly, Fiumara no 7, Leeton, NSW, Australia: Cross between a port and Pedro Ximenez A blend of special cuvee’s from over many years, this wine is the perfect match for Plum pudding on Christmas day!

 

Total: £195.00 With 10% discout: £19.50 

Total: £175.50