Category: Wine Shop

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Whirly Wine’s goes ‘On Trade’ as well as ‘Off Trade’, Easter wine’s and opening hours….

I am delighted to announce that Whirly Wine’s will be opening an ‘Aperitif’ bar at the Whirly Wine shop in April 2016. We have successfully applied for a variation of the license and as soon as Spring has officially arrived, we will launch the new project. We aim to make Whirly Wine’s far more accessible to our local customers, by allowing you to taste the wines before actually buying them ( 75ml and 125ml glasses will be served).We will be looking to change the wine list every week, offering wines that suit the climate as well as newly arrived wines from the various countries Whirly Wine’s carefully sources from.  In time we will also be offering a fine array of cold foods that have been carefully selected to compliment the wine.

We are in the process of creating the outside seating area at the front of the shop. Ideally we would like to have some old French bistro collapsable style tables and chairs but they are difficult to source. If anyone has anything fitting the description that they no longer want, do let us know!

We will keep you informed about the opening day but please feel free to pop in and discuss your thoughts with Mr Whirly and his rascal dog Dash!

I have some lovely Easter wines here in the shop too so please come down and have a chat about what wines you would like to go with your Easter lunch! My top suggestions would be some Veyovis Verdejo from Rueda at £10.95; lovely Spring wine, full of verve and freshness! Also lovely for Easter would be the Domaine Prevote Sauvignon Tourraine 2014 at £10.75; stunning SB at a lovely price, really zingy and full of energy but not in anyway flowery! For reds try some Perusini Refosco 2014 at £16.75 from one of the most exciting wine regions in Italy, Collio in Fruili. This wine has great acidity and is fruit led but in a very restrained way and would be be a perfect accompaniment to a shoulder of lamb for your Easter Sunday lunch. Lastly if you think some fizzy would kick off your day well I have good stock of the Lemoss Prosecco NV from Ca di Rajo in Treviso at £8.99. This wine is going through a second fermentation in the bottle, is slightly cloudy and unfiltered and tastes like a well made cider from Calvados, full of fresh apples and yeast. Its well worth a whirl!

So please do pop in for a chat in the coming days and let me know what you plan to eat and I shall try to match some Whirly wines for your special lunch or dinner.

The shop is open Good Friday from 11.30 am to 5pm and Saturday 26th March from 11am to 5pm. The shop will be closed Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.

Thank you for your continued support and a very Happy Easter to you all!

 

Mr Whirly

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Whirly Wine tasting – 25th Feb

The first Whirly Wine tasting on 25th February went down a storm with my wholesale clients! These included ‘Hakkasan Restaurants‘, ‘The Palmerston‘ in Dulwich, Balham’s ‘Lambert’s‘ and ‘The Exhibit‘, ‘The Hood‘ Restaurant on Streatham High Road and ‘The Begging Bowl‘ in Peckham.

The outstanding wines of the day were the Willespie Margaret River Red 2010 and White 2011 and Jean Michel Sorbe’s Quincy 2014. But to be honest, all 20 wines shown on the day were showing extremely well.

Don’t worry if you missed out, Whirly Wine’s is constantly sourcing exciting, individual wines from small producers from all over the world consequently we will be hosting another trade tasting at the end of the summer.

Mr Whirly

Here is the list of the wines tasted:

Bernard Remy NV, Allemant: “ Carte Blanche”, NV Brut: £18.30

“ Lemoss” Vino Frizzante Bianco, Non Filtrato, Ca di Rajo, Treviso: £7.50

“Domaine de Prevote”, Amboise. Sauvignon Tourraine, “ Les Tonnes Barils” 2014: £8.95

Jean Michel Sorbe, Quincy, Cher sur Loire 2014: £15.00

Luc Percher, Cour- Cheverny, Loire, VSIG Blanc,  Organic and Bio ,“ Racines” 2010: £13.25

Villa de Puppi, Friuli, IGT Venezia Giulia, Sauvignon Blanc 2014: £11.90

Luc Percher, Cour- Cheverny, Loire sur Cher,  Organic and Bio, VSIG Blanc 2012: £11.90

Veyovis, 100% Verdejo, Rueda, 2014: £9.45

Perusini, Friuli Colli Orientali, Friuli, Pinot Grigio 2014: £13.50

Perusini, Friuli Colli Orientali,  Friuli, Ribolla Gialla 2014: £13.60

Lillypilly, NSW, Australia, “Tramillon’ 2014: £10.30

Villa de Puppi, Friuli, IGT Venezia Giulia, Taj Blanc ( 100% Fruilano) 2014: £11.95

Graziano, Montevolpe, Redwood valley, Mendocino, USA,  Tocai Friulano 2013: £13.45

Willespie. Margaret River,  Western Australia, Margaret river white 2011: £11.90

Graziano, Redwood valley, Mendocino, USA, Chenin Blanc 2011: £13.40

Luc Percher, Cour- Cheverny, Cher sur Loire, “ Mosaique” 2011: £13.25

Zivo, Eola Amity Hills, Willamette valley, Oregon, USA, “ Whole cluster Project ” 2009: £32.90

Perusini, Friuli Colli Orientali,Friuli,  Refosco 2013: £13.95

Cobaw Ridge, Macedon ranges, Victoria, Australia, Shiraz- Viognier 2003: £25.00

Meloso, de calvo Arroyd, Tempranillo 2014, Ribera de Duero: £9.20

Graziano, Montevolpe, Redwood Valley, Mendocino, USA, Sangiovese 2010: £13.75

Willespie, Margaret river, Western Australia, Margaret River red 2010: £11.90

Velenosi, Marche, Italy, “Rosso Piceno Superiore” 2010: £24.75

Passing Clouds, Bendigo, Victoria, Graeme’s blend 2010: £15.95

Willespie, Margaret River, WA, Cabernet 2001: £45.80

Spring Mountain, Napa, USA, Organic Napa Cabernet 2009: £65.00

Graziano, Montevolpe, Mendocino, USA, Late Harvest Tocai Fruilano 2011: £16.45

Lillypilly, Leeton, NSW, Fiumara 7: £16.25

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Mauro Manzone, Monforte D’Alba, Piemonte visits the Whirly shop, 22 Ritherdon road, SW17 8QD

I have always loved Barolo. To me its always been the epitome of Italian Winemaking; the “Creme de la Creme”, “The Parsons nose”, The knob-end of the baguette” ( there’s no other way of saying it!). I have thought this since my first visit to this part of Piedmont, on my Ducati 900ss on my way down to see my twin David, who was dancing near Livorno, in 1994. It’s the typical and yet beautiful little hillside town as many wine based towns are in Italy. In fact the vineyards have to be located on the hillside to qualify as a Barolo.

So for many years I have been looking for some great Barolo and its only now, 15 years into commencing with Whirly wines that I have at last found some wines that I feel are deserving of such a place on my wine shelves here in SW17.

Mauro ( picture below in the Whirly shop this week) is young and a fourth generation winemaker in a little town of Monforte D’Alba, a few miles south of Barolo. His energy and excitement about the wines he showed me was obvious and I am now planning a trip to Piedmont in May for their annual wine tasting.

It did not take long for me to realise that I was tasting some special wines. Mauro had been at Cambridge university the night before tasting with one of the colleges there ( a possible clue to their quality) and he had less than a quarter empty bottles to taste. No matter, the wines, despite being shaken and not at the right temperature were very exciting and I was soon to discover that single vineyard Barolo’s are very much where its at in terms of desire and influence.

We started by tasting their Langhe Rossese Bianco 2014 from their Rosserto vineyard. This is a rare white grape rediscovered by Giovanni Manzone. This indigenous varietal was saved from extinction in an old family vineyard in Monforte D’Alba. Slightly cloudy yet full of citrus and exotic fruit’s, the wine would be a perfect wine for the new Aperitif bar this summer outside 22 Ritherdon Road.

We then tasted another wine from the DOC Langhe, their Nebbiolo ” Il Crutin” 2013 and also a DOC Barbera D’Alba      ” Le Ciliegie” 2013 that were beautifully structured. These wine are great introductory wines to Manzone at clever prices. But by far the most individual and serious wines were the Single Vineyard Barolo wines with the 2011 “Castelletto” wine taking my five star award. It was to me what top Nebbiolo should be about, velvety and yet not too fruit driven with some real leather and delicate smokey fruits showing through. I also enjoyed the    ” Gramolere” 2010 and this vineyards 1998  and 2007 Reserve. I found the 2009 “Bricat”  a little tight and with some tannins so to me it needed anther few years in the bottle.

So In May I hope to start to work with Manzone so watch this space. I cannot wait since these wines have great presence and will shine in the Whirly shop

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Mauro Manzone

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We have delicious Olive Oil!

Happy Thursday!

The sun is beaming into the shop on Ritherdon Road and I thought you may like to know we now stock a beautiful olive oil. I was going to write about our fabulous selection of Sauvignon Blanc (will be my next post), but I am sitting here dreaming of fresh ciabatta to dip into this perfect olive oil.

Let me tell you a little bit about it…

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Velenosi Vini Extra Virgin Olive Oil is from Velenosi’s very own olive tree groves, located in the areas of Ascoli Piceno, Offida and Castel Di Lama.

They are handpicked from the end of October to November while the olives are still green. These are then pressed within 24 hours of harvesting. They use mechanical cold milling, without filtering. The colour of the oil is green with gold yellow hues. It tastes wonderfully fruity and floral with a slightly bitter almond aftertaste. It is intensely full bodied and we just love it!

Why not transport yourself to warmer climates and try this delight.

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Now I must taste some Sauvignon for “research” purposes ….

Holly

 

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A very happy and prosperous new year from Mr Whirly!

I wish you all a very Happy New Year ahead first of all and thank you so much for your support of the new Whirly wine shop at 22 Ritherdon road in the last 10 weeks since we opened on the 15th October.

The shop is open again on the 30th December from 11.30am to 4pm and then again on New years eve from 11.30am to 6pm for last minute fizz needed for your party! We will then open again from the 6th January for normal shop hours. If you need wines outside of these hours please call me on 07821 968111

Mr whirly

 

 

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Made in England

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Happy Friday to you all! It’s Holly here again. I arrived in the shop this evening to find a wonderful selection of English wines. I must admit that I have not tried many English wines, but have a great passion for all things local.

Nutbourne Vineyards  in West Sussex is a family business, owned and run by the Gladwins. The winery was first opened in 2010 and now all Nutbourne wines are produced on site. They make between 40,000 and 60,000 bottles per year. Their winemaking is headed up by our consultant Owen Elias, who has won the UK Wine Maker of the Year several time. Owen has great expertise, and for ten years he was Director of Winemaking and Head winemaker at Chapel Down.

Nutbourne regularly wins awards, medals and trophies in both national and international competitions. They are clean, fresh, exciting and I think it is fantastic that we have such good quality wines right here in the UK! So do come and check their selection out at the shop.

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Keeping on the English theme, we also have a brilliant beer from Harveys in Sussex. Harveys in renowned for its wonderful range of traditional cask ales. These ales are unpasteurised and known as the “champagne of beers”. We currently have ‘Blue Label’ which is  well-hopped beer. It is a blend of four different ‘aroma’ hop varieties, which imparts a delicate bitterness, balanced by the sweetness of malt sugars. We love it at Whirly Wines! Perfect if you still need to stock up your alcohol selection over Christmas!

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I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. I shall be taking a bottle of Lillypilly, “Fiumara 7” home to have with my Christmas pudding. It is proving very popular with anyone who tastes it in the shop!

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Holly’s Whirly Wines for Christmas Day

Hollys Xmas wines

Hello! It’s Holly here,I am new to Whirly Wines and shall be updating you on our events and general goings on in the shop. Last night we had a wonderful wine tasting, where the selection of wines were specifically chosen for Christmas Day. Everyone has they own traditions, but these wines are absolutely perfect for different moments throughout the day.

I thought it would be best to share this lovely selection. They are all available at the shop now (22 Ritherdon Road)…

1. Wake up to ‘Veyovis’

Perfect to wake up to on Christmas morning – elegant, light, and exciting! 

“Vevyovis”, Verdigo 2014, Rueda – £10.60

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2. Sauvignon with your mid-morning smoked salmon

I adore smoked salmon on Christmas morning. This Sauvignon Blanc is from Coteaux du Giennois in the Loire Valley. It is slightly floral, layered, and perfect with fish.

Emilie Ballard “Les Beaux Jours”, Sauvignon Blanc 2012 – £13.60

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3. The perfect Pinot Noir to have with your Turkey

This wonderful Pinot Noir is from the Willamette Valley, which is the home of Pinot in North America. It is beautifully aged, light with hints of strawberries and autumn berries. Perfect with your Christmas dinner, especially if you are cooking turkey.

Bethnel Heights, Willamette Valley, Oregon, “Estate” Pinot Noir, 2008 – £25.00

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4. Don’t forget the Christmas Pud!

Sometimes it is hard to match a wine with Christmas pudding, however this one is truly special and works perfectly. Lillypilly in Australia have created a selection of fortified reds over the last 31 years. This one is made with a blend of vintages and would also work wonderfully well with cheeses such as Stilton. You won’t be disappointed!

Lillypilly, “Fiumara 7”, Leeton, New South Wales, Australia – £19.50

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Please do pop by our shop to see our wonderful selection of wines for Christmas – 22 Ritherdon Road, London, SW17 8QD – 020 8672 2572

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Whirly Wines shop now open! Thursday Night tastings, Christmas hampers, Craft beer and new wines just in from Margaret River and Riverina in Australia

 

 

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The fantastic new Whirly Wine shop is now open at 22 Ritherdon Road, London, SW17 8QD.

Every Thursday I shall be hosting a tasting of new wines or wines suitable for the festive season.

This Thursday 3rd December I plan to taste two lovely wines that would be perfect for your Christmas party: carefully made wines from Corbiere in South west France from Fontareche in Domaines de Lamy. Both wines are priced at £7.99 yet offer some really lovely drinking for this price. The white is delicate and so easy to drink, made from 70% Colambard and 30% Vermentino. The red is made from in a similar vain, soft sweet tannins and so, so easy to drink. Made from 35% Mourvedre, 35% Syrah, 15% Grenache and 15% Carignan. Black fruit and Gamay undertones.

I have also put together my Christmas Hamper that includes some lovely Venison Charcuteries and Chorizo, Spiced Cranberry sauce, Black Gold Ale Mustard  from the Cairngorms and Seville Orange Marmalade; mixed in with this some amazing Oloroso Sherry from Don Gonzalo, some Glengoyne Single Malt Scotch Whiskey, Visciole NV ( Cherry and LaCrima  grape pudding wine perfect with Chocolate) as well as some delightful LeMoss Prosecco from Ca di Rajo in Treviso. Oh! I forgot theirs an amazing Dundee cake in there too!  Price: £110.00 ( above is a photo of the hamper and tree!)

Also just in some lovely Harveys beers from Lewes in Sussex. 500ml btls priced at £3.25. Also if you would like a polypin for Christmas I can order them for you. 32 Pints at £2.75 a pint ( £88.00). Great fun if you are having a Christmas party!

New wines have just arrived this week from Willespie in Margaret river: this is the home of Cabernet in Australia, they ” hang their hat ” on this grape and I have a Margaret river red that introduces this  Premium red wine region at £14.20. Its 2010 and its made from Cabernet, Merlot and Shiraz. I also have some lovely Margaret river white made from the four White grapes this family vineyard grows: Verdelho, Semillon, Sauvignon and Riesling. Another delight to drink and again priced at £14.20.

Lillypiilly ( great name!) make lovely pudding wines ( stickies as the Aussies call them) and this is what they are famous for. They are based in Leeton on the Sturt highway that loops across NSW and South Australia from Adelaide to Sydney. I have new Shiraz 2012 prices at £12.20,  a caramel wine yet with some lovely juicy notes  and not at all overpowering,; some delightful Sauvignon Blanc 2014 priced at £12.20 and at last Tramillon is back! This demi sec wine is a real wonder wine and I have done so well with it over the years. Its a blend of Gewurtztraminer and Semillon and is pretty good with Thai curries as well as Foie gras. The new Noble Harvest 2012, a botrytised wine made from four tropical grapes is also here in this parcel of wines and priced at £18.95. I also have older vintages of this wine and its a wonder with a steamed ginger pudding or something tropical if you plan to have a desert like this over Christmas then please come in and have a chat about it. Lastly, the Fiumara 7 is here, a blend of the best cuvees of fortified wines that date back to 1982 when the winery opened and grapes included are Shiraz, Cabernet and Chambourcin to name but three. A fab wine with Christmas pudding and very special indeed. £19.50

I look forward to seeing you tomorrow night when we can talk wines, beer, food and hampers and maybe even Christmas since its not too early to talk about this now.

Thanks for reading this!

 

Mr Whirly