Yes, ok, another gem from Christophe Chapillon in Aragon. Another red too, this time his Harmonié, a subtle and yet robust combination of two red grapes: Petit Verdot, normally a fill in grape in Bordeaux and Tannat from SW France. It sounds complicated but the the winemaker subtlety and deftly combines them to make a beautiful and powerful red wine.
Mr Whirly says;
” A lovely combination of grapes from Bordeaux and South West France, Petit Verdot and Tannat. It’s unusual to find these grapes growing in the middle of Spain and yet these varietals clearly love the terroir here in Aragon.”
James Suckling, 90 Points:
“A blend of 90% petit verdot and 10% tannat, expressing notes of sweet spices, baked cherries, vanilla and smoke. Medium body with creamy tannins. Voluptuous with creamy fruit and chocolate. Fruity finish”
Another gem from Christophe Chapillon in Aragon, imported recently and selling oh so well in the present UK market since the October 2025 when it arrived into England.
There are two main Red grapes in Spain and this is the main one. Well the most readily planted throughout the lands of Spain. Tempranillo. The other grape was featured in last months wine of the month: Garnacha. This wine evokes subtlety and purity of spirit in terms of the winemaking. Some Tempranillo’s can be over extracted and juicy ( I find a great deal of Rioja’s like this) but this is not. Its subtle and cool: Paul and Rémy Tempranillo 2024
Mr Whirly Says:
” Another beautifully made wine from Christophe Chapillon. 100% Tempranillo. Mulberry and plums, refined and elegant. Soft tannins. Not in anyway edgy. This wine has been on French oak for 6 months. Slightly smokey finish. Vegan friendly and sustainable vineyard . A recent client at Crow Farm shop bought one bottle and came back for the other 11 bottles the next day. Must be alright.”
It’s February, yeah! March will almost be here, its a time to celebrate, Spring is around the corner.
The wine of the Month for February is some delicious Garnacha from Christophe Chaplillon in Aragon. I have been working with Christophe for over 10 years now and I love his wines. I visited Zaragoza and the surrounding areas in 2025 and its a fascinating wine region with so much to offer in terms of terroir, different terrains, food styles and of course wines and grapes of distinction and quality! I love the grapes from this region, hoepfully in May I can introduce you to some lovely Rosé from the high hills of the Pyrenee’s near to Somontano made from its local grape, Moristel, which is a joy to behold!
But let’s not deviate from this lovely wine Mr whirly, Chapillon’s flag ship red, ” Cuvée Paul” 2022, 100% Garnacha, they hang their hat on this grape in Aragon. The red grape of choice is Garnacha in Aragon and this wine sings through this robust varietal. It’s deliciously soft and elegant with enough fruits to keep you wanting more. delicious with a lovely stew this winter February it really cheers you up!
Despite the efforts of so many not to drink wine beyond midnight at the turn of the year I thought I should get us fervent few to express ourselves in a different way! Let’s try some Port! a long lost wine that had almost become extinct in our cellars or under our stairs!
So let’s start with some sensational wine, a port from the turn of the century!
Cockburns 2000. I tried this wine over Christmas ( 2025) and it’s absolutely ready to go now but at the same time could wait for another 10 years! I love this kind of versatility in a wine! It’s full of the most luscious fruits and raisin almonds and it needs time to come into its own after 4-5 hours.
A late Rosé arrival for the summer completes the set of 6 wines already here in the UK from Spain. 100% Garnacha, 100% cool, 100% dry, 100% fresh, 100% zingy, 100% very drinkable!
Limited availability and stock since imported at the end of the summer and almost sold out in Spain!
£10.75 per bottle. Free delivery to local SW postcodes otherwise £10.00 delivery charge. Minimum order 6 bottles
Please contact Simon on 07821 968111 to order or email simon@whirlywine.co.uk
ORGANIC, “Chateau Les Graves de Viaud”, Côtes de Bourg, 2015, ” Cuvée Prestige”, “Bio Dynamic” and “Vegan” Bordeaux
New wine! Arrived December 2019.
Mr Whirly says:
” Certified Organic , Vegan & Biodynamic ” Bordeaux is hard to find. Finding subtle and exciting Bordeaux with these add on’s even more tricky. The Bordelais are reluctant to change their philosophy over centuries, which is understandable and many grow their grapes in a ” Sustainable” way too.
Philippe Betschart is a man I have known since 2009 when I first visited the vineyard and he was converting to this ” Organic” way. I subsequently bought the 2009 and 2010 vintages which were great vintages and very successful here in the UK. We now continue this relationship with the wonderful 2015 vintage, which is soft and so alluring. This wine is gentle at 13.5% alc vol, with some Autumnal berry fruit, tabacco and forest floor notes on the nose and palate. Its a beautifully balanced wine that I would recommend anyone who loves Bordeaux, but is often disappointed, to taste.”
” Sustainability and Individuality: “Organic” and “Vegan “wines imported for the Autumn of 2020.”
It’s been a busy few months and despite the very tricky times in our lives, one still has to believe that one is doing the right thing. And standing still is not an option. After the importing of some delightful Organic wines from Mehofer, please see the blog for the write up on Jancis Robinson’s website, Whirly wines have recently imported another new ” Organic and Vegan ” wine from Spain!
” Red wine for Tapas” 2019, “Organic and Vegan”
750ml
13.0% alc vol
Mr whirly says:
” Soft and gentle Tempranillo and Syrah. A delight to taste. Rich in plum, blackberry and cherry. Soft tannins. Great gentle Autumn wine for only £10.75.”
” This month is a time of change for all of us. The season’s are changing and so are we, as human beings. One thing I have learn’t from the last six months is the importance of eating and drinking well. Shopping for good food and wine locally. In the last few weeks there has been a lovely fishmonger open up on Moyser road and it’s such a joy to walk down there and purchase something some freshly caught fish or prawns or urchin from someone as passionate as you about their product. Check them out below & support them if you can.
https://www.lifeof.fish/
I have discovered so many new recipes from old cookbooks tucked away on the shelf and matched that perfect wine! So, let’s this September match the perfect wine with two styles of cooking. Let’s look at two completely different styles of Gruner Veltliner from Austria, their main white varietal and a grape they ” hang their hat on” in this up and coming wine country.
The wines we are going to look at are from two small vineyards, “Mehofer” in Wagram about an hour north west of Vienna, and their newly arrived 2019 Gruner Veltliner Klassik. Mehofer are ” Organic” & have been so for over 20 years. They make beautiful wines that are a joy to drink.
The other wine is from “ Beyer“, another small winery in Austria, made by Josef Beyer in Roselfdorf, Lower Austria ( south of Vienna). This wine could not be more different. The grape was picked later, In November rather than now, when the Mehofer grapes are being collected. This difference in harvest time means the grapes have more sugar within themselves. This equates to more sugar in the wine and also slightly more alcohol. But don’t let ‘ Mr Whirly” put you off, I know how we in England run a mile when we hear the word sweet with wine. Open up to this!
These two wines could not be more different. But with the delight of food and the different cultures of food we now absorb, I would love you all to enjoy these wines with something outstanding!
So for September, if you buy a bottle each of these wines I shall give you a massive 30% discount on the bottle price! £33. 95 slashed to £28.30. I will also send you the perfect pairing menu for each wine so you can enjoy cooking and matching the wine. One of the most important and enjoyable experiences in life is to find that perfect match! Delivered free to your door in local SW postcodes!
Here is the link below for the two wines to buy in this September deal!
Mehofer, ” Organic” Rosé, ” La vie en Rose”, 2019 and Gruner Veltliner 2019: Just arrived July 2020!
Winemakers tasting notes:
“ We can at least wish for it: La vie en Rosé Fresh, wild strawberries, ripe raspberries and hints of papaya unite with lime and green apple. A very pleasant creaminess in the finish. Juicy and refreshing at the same time. Certainly, one wants to have more!”
Variety: 100% Zweigelt
750ml
10.5% alc vol
£13.95 ( pre-order online now, wine arrives 15th July 2020)
Wine tastings notes for the Gruner Veltliner to follow. This wine can also be pre- ordered now online, the link is below)
“Summer wines are wonderful. Are they not? It’s early June and the middle of summer, the longest day will soon be on us. I am going to take on another British fashion with wine and champion the slightly sweet, or even half dry, ” demi sec” wine now, since in this country, as soon as we say sweet we complete 3 doughnuts in our vehicle and head in the opposite direction. Why? Because rather like the colour of our rose we are averse to thinking anything slightly sweet is nice and enjoyable to drink. Moscato D’Asti is the most delightful and classy of wines, it really puts most Procecco in this country ( in the supermarkets at £7-£14 a bottle) in its place, since its so delicate and full of passion. This wine, from Asti in Northern Italy has so much class and on a joyful, happy June evening, sipping with some some close family and friends, in the garden, before you sit down for dinner it could not be more perfect. This wine is DOCG, a very specific and guaranteed area for the grapes, its like an elderflower frizzante, with summer flowers such roses and Jasmin too and its only 5% alc vol so perfect for a hot summers day or for my Mother in law to sip at over 80 years old too.”
Give it whirl, click on the link below to buy.
Give it a whirl, don’t let ” demi sec” or sweet put you off!
