Welcome!

As the world of wine has changed we are no longer restricted to just wines from France, we are able to enjoy wines as far afield as Chile and New Zealand plus a dazzling array of grape varieties.

In partnership with our wine supplier we have created a wine list that will changing every quarter reflecting the seasons but the modern world of wine. Please click into each wine to find out more about the wine region and a Quite Interesting fact about each wine. We hope you enjoy our wine list.

White

Advances in winemaking technology and understanding has meant that it is perfectly possible to make good modern fresh and fruity almost anywhere where there is sunshine, even the UK! These wines are light, fresh and zippy.

  • 2012 De Chansac Sauvignon Blanc
    IGP Côtes de Gascogne, France

    Highly aromatic wine full of green fruit aromas mixed with capsicum. The palate is crisp, broad textured and has great intensity. Crisp and bone dry. Touch here for further details.

    NAME

    2012 De Chansac Sauvignon Blanc, IGP Côtes de Gascogne, France

    PRODUCER

    Alain Grignon. He had formerly been head of co-operatives in Gascogny and was frustrated by many aspects of the domestic French wine industry, so with his partners, he set up a business to cater solely to export markets. As well as running a team of winemakers and viticulturalists sourcing fruit in the Languedoc, predominantly in St. Chinian and also in the Côtes de Gascogne, he is involved with a selection of top class individual domaines. His company is now one of the most respected sources of high quality and reliable wines from the region.

    GRAPE VARIETAL

    100% Sauvignon Blanc

    AREA

    Winemaking in Gascony goes back centuries, but for much of that time grapes were grown to make wine for distillation. It was the slump in sales of spirits that drove the growers of Gascony to try out something different and produce table wine. 20 years later, their style of wine, which is fruity and genuinely light, has become a classic in its own right.

    FOOD & WINE MATCH

    A perfect wine to be drunk on its own, it will also accompany many dishes and is light and refreshing enough to be good enough with an array of light dishes.

    TASTING NOTE

    Highly aromatic wine full of green fruit aromas mixed with capsicum. The palate is crisp, broad textured and has great intensity. Crisp and bone dry.

    QI FACT

    Famed Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc; Cloudy Bay is in fact owned by the French company LVMH.

  • 2012 Klippenkop Chenin Blanc
    Robertson, South Africa

    Very pale lemon coloured, the nose is of honeydew melon and lemon sherbet. The palate is clean and fresh with pink grapefruit and melon flavours with a well-rounded, refreshingly crisp finish. Touch here for further details.

    NAME

    2012 KlippenKop, Chenin Blanc, Robertson, South Africa

    PRODUCER

    Robertson Winery is the leading producer in the Valley of the same name, 160km from Cape Town. Founded in 1941 as a cooperative of local growers, it is still run by 40 member families, of which 26 are descendants of the original founders. The winery had its humble beginnings in a charming missionary church on the outskirts of Robertson.

    GRAPE VARIETAL

    100% Chenin Blanc

    AREA

    The town was founded in 1852 and named after the Scottish Dutch Reformed Church Minister, Dr William Robertson. The wine industry in Robertson has grown from less than 25 cellars in 1995 to more than 50 registered wine cellars as of today.

    FOOD & WINE MATCH

    Perfectly suited to fish dishes particularly with some heat or spice.

    TASTING NOTE

    Very pale lemon coloured, the nose is of honeydew melon and lemon sherbet. The palate is clean and fresh with pink grapefruit and melon flavours with a well-rounded, refreshingly crisp finish.

    QI FACT

    The first recorded reference to a sports terrace as "Kop" related to Woolwich Arsenal's Manor Ground in 1904. A local newsman likened the silhouette of fans standing on a newly raised bank of earth to soldiers standing atop the hill at the Battle of Spion Kop. In 1906 Liverpool Echo sports editor Ernest Edwards noted of a new open-air embankment at Anfield: "This huge wall of earth has been termed 'Spion Kop', and no doubt this apt name will always be used in future in referring to this spot.

  • 2012 Signum Bianco Salento
    Megale Hellas, Italy

    Pale lemon coloured with a nose of fresh citrus fruits backed by more exotic aromas. The palate is medium bodied and fruity, with lemon sherbet, banana and guava flavours backed by fresh acidity. Touch here for further details.

    NAME

    2012 Signum Bianco, Megale Hellas, Apulia, Italy

    PRODUCER

    Megale Hellas wines are produced under the supervision of Beppe Caragnulo, one of the most famous Apulian enologists, from local varieties. The ultra-modern winery and beautiful climate make for fresh and fruity wines with a definite Italian character.

    GRAPE VARIETAL

    70% Trebbiano and 30% Malvasia

    AREA

    Puglia (Apulia to many English speakers) is a long, thin wine region in the far south-eastern corner of the 'boot' of Italy. To continue the footwear analogy often used to illustrate Italy’s shape, Puglia runs from the very point of the heel to just below mid-calf height, where the 'spur' of the Gargano Peninsula juts out into the Adriatic Sea. The heel (the Salento Peninsula) occupies the southern half of the region, and is of great significance to Puglia's identity. Not only are there cultural and geographical differences when compared to northern Puglia, but the wines are also different. Where the north is slightly hillier and more connected to the customs and winemaking practices of central Italy, the south is almost entirely flat and retains a strong connection with its Greco-Roman past.
    The one factor which unites northern and southern Puglia is the choice of crops grown: olives and grapes, in that order. The region is responsible for almost half of Italy’s total olive-oil production and has a long-held reputation as a prolific source of wine.

    FOOD & WINE MATCH

    A lovely wine to match with light Mediterranean dishes, especially seafood salad.

    TASTING NOTE

    Pale lemon coloured with a nose of fresh citrus fruits backed by more exotic aromas. The palate is medium bodied and fruity, with lemon sherbet, banana and guava flavours backed by fresh acidity.

    QI FACT

    Trebbiano is in fact Italy’s most planted grape varietal not Pinot Grigio. In France the grape is called Ugni Blanc.

Red

We no longer want to wait for years or fight over impenetrable tannins. These wines are broad shouldered yet supple and rounded with masses of good red fruit flavours.

  • 2012 Duc de Belmonde, Cabernet/Syrah
    IGP Pays d'Oc, France

    Deep coloured, the nose shows spice, blackberry and cassis and a hint of oak. The palate is round, smooth and spicy. Touch here for further details.

    NAME

    2012 Duc de Belmonde, Cabernet/Syrah, IGP Pays d'Oc, France

    PRODUCER

    Alain Grignon. He had formerly been head of co-operatives in Gascogny and was frustrated by many aspects of the domestic French wine industry, so with his partners, he set up a business to cater solely to export markets. As well as running a team of winemakers and viticulturalists sourcing fruit in the Languedoc, predominantly in St. Chinian and also in the Côtes de Gascogne, he is involved with a selection of top class individual domaines. His company is now one of the most respected sources of high quality and reliable wines from the region.

    GRAPE VARIETAL

    55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Syrah

    AREA

    In 2009, the Vin de pays classification was replaced by the new IGP - Indication Géographique Protégée, or Protected Geographical Region – designation for the Languedoc-Roussillon area in Mediterranean France.

    FOOD & WINE MATCH

    A great wine with any meat dish and a fine glass on its own.

    TASTING NOTE

    Deep Coloured, the nose shows spice, blackberry and cassis and a hint of oak. The palate is round, smooth and spicy.

    QI FACT

    Languedoc is one of the most important regions for supplying the UK and the source of some excellent value wines. Although many vineyards have been pulled out under EU subsidised schemes, this is still the largest vineyard in the world at nearly 300,000 hectares.

  • 2012 Tantehue Merlot
    Central Valley, Chile

    Deep coloured, it has great aromatic intensity with plum, cherry, raspberry and strawberry and a hint of spice. Medium to full bodied with ripe tannins, balanced acidity and a hint of oak. Touch here for further details.

    NAME

    2012 Tantehue Merlot, Central Valley, Chile

    PRODUCER

    Vinâ Ventisquero was founded in 1998 by Gonzalo Vial, the president of Agrosuper, Chile’s largest producer of fresh food. From the beginning, the aim was to produce environmentally sustainable high class wines, exclusively from estate grown fruit. The head winemaker from the first vintage in 2000 has been Felipe Tosso, former engineer, guitar player and would-be professional tennis player. He works with the fruits of 6 different vineyards totalling nearly 1000 hectares, located in some of the best sites in the country, including significant holdings in Casablanca, Apalta in Colchagua and in Leyda. Minimising environmental impact is of primary importance and to this end the vineyards are farmed using precision viticulture, whilst the ultra-modern winery employs energy saving technology and water recycling. Ventisquero was also the first winery in Chile to offset their CO2 emissions.

    GRAPE VARIETAL

    100% Merlot

    AREA

    The Central Valley (El Valle Central) of Chile is one of the most important wine-producing areas in South America in terms of volume. It is also one of the largest wine regions, stretching from the Maipo Valley (just south of Santiago) to the southern end of the Maule Valley. This is a distance of almost 250 miles (400km) and covers a number of climate types. The Central Valley wine region is easily (and often) confused with the geological Central Valley, which runs north–south for more than 620 miles (1000km) between the Pacific Coastal Ranges and the lower Andes.

    FOOD & WINE MATCH

    A lovely match with grilled white meats and poultry.

    TASTING NOTE

    Deep coloured, it has great aromatic intensity with plum, cherry, raspberry and strawberry and a hint of spice. Medium to full bodied with ripe tannins, balanced acidity and a hint of oak.

    QI FACT

    Chile has attracted many foreign collaborators and investors including Robert Mondavi of California (Caliterra), The Rothschilds of Bordeaux's Château Lafite (Los Vacos) and Miguel Torres of Spain (Torres). These estates have either set up operations in Chile, or have formed partnerships with the best Chilean houses.

  • 2012 Cantiga Tinto, Garnacha/Tempranillo
    Campo de Borja, Spain

    Deep cherry red, the nose shows plum and cherry fruits and some spice. The palate is medium bodied with rich red and dark fruits, some vanilla and cinnamon and very supple tannins. Touch here for further details.

    NAME

    2012 Cantiga Tinto, Garnacha/Tempranillo, Campo de Borja, Spain

    PRODUCER

    Bodegas Aragonesas is an ultra-modern cooperative controlling 3,500 hectares in Campo de Borja, a region on the river Ebro downstream from Rioja and Navarra. They are the principal producer in the DO and the wines are made in a clean and modern style, with American oak used for ageing the reds. The Cantiga wines offer bundles of fruit and all the elegance you would expect in a Denominacion wine.

    GRAPE VARIETAL

    75% Garnacha and 25% Tempranillo

    AREA

    Campo de Borja is a DO wine zone in Aragon, northern Spain. This extremely arid area is situated just south of the Ebro River and north of La Huecha River, and borders the southern stretches of the Navarra wine region. It is centered on Borja, a small town laden with history, having been founded in 5 BC by the Celtiberians (tribes thought to be of mixed Iberian and Celtic stock). The campo in the DO's name means 'field' or 'land'. Campo de Borja attained DO status in 1980 and the designation is administered by a local Consejo Regulador (wine authority). Winemaking here dates back to Roman times, and was continued by Cistercian monks at the foot of the imposing Sierra de Moncayo mountain range.

    FOOD & WINE MATCH

    A fine glass of wine with lamb dishes or simply on its own.

    TASTING NOTE

    Deep cherry red, the nose shows plum and cherry fruits and some spice. The palate is medium bodied with rich red and dark fruits, some vanilla and cinnamon and very supple tannins.

    QI FACT

    The Borgia family, who came to prominence in Italy during the Renaissance and produced two Popes, were of Borjan origin.

Rosé

The wonderful rebirth of Rosé wines in the last few years has seen a mass of great new styles, enjoy a glass of refreshing rosé before your flight.

  • 2012 Pinot Grigio Rosé
    IGT delle Venezia, Italy

    Very pale pink, with aromas of orchard fruit and fresh strawberries. The palate is medium bodied with berry fruits, a creamy texture, yet totally dry. Touch here for further details.

    NAME

    2012 Pinot Grigio Rosé, Ca' del Bianco, Carlo Botter, IGT delle Venezia, Italy

    PRODUCER

    Founded in 1928 by Carlo Botter, the company is still family owned and is run by the third generation, Luca, Annalisa and Alessandro. As well as buying in locally sourced fruit, they own a 100 hectare estate in Friuli and also work with estates in Montepulciano, Tuscany and Apulia, advising during the production and commercialising the wines. 98% of their production is exported and they are one of the leading wine makers in the region. The vast majority of Pinot Grigio rosé is made by adding a small percentage of red grapes to the press (as good Champagne rosé is made). This blend has 7% Merlot added, which adds a very pale pink colour and flavours of strawberries to the pear and spice flavours of the Pinot Grigio. Dry and refreshing.

    GRAPE VARIETAL

    93% Pinot Grigio and 7% Merlot

    AREA

    IGT delle Venezie, one of Italy's best-known wine appellations, has been made famous by the ocean of crisp, light Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie that makes its way westwards to the United Kingdom and the United States from north-eastern Italy each year.
    The Venezie in the title is not Venice (the historic city of canals, islands and bridges) but the Tre Venezie (the 'three Venices') – Venezia Euganea, Venezia Giulia and Venezia Tridentina. These are the names of three Italian administrative regions which existed between 1866 and 1919 and correspond to the modern-day regions of Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Trentino-Alto Adige. The IGT delle Venezie appellation covers this whole area, with the exception of Alto-Adige (Südtirol). Roughly seven bottles in every 10 of delle Venezie wine are varietal Pinot Grigio. Pinot Grigio is more than just the Italian name for Pinot Gris – it has become a wine style in its own right, wholly Italian. And here in the Venezie, it continues to confidently hold back the invasion of French varieties Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, each of which is restricted to between 3% and 10% of all IGT delle Venezie wine.

    FOOD & WINE MATCH

    The perfect chilled glass of Rosé wine, or with light plates.

    TASTING NOTE

    Very pale pink, with aromas of orchard fruit and fresh strawberries. The palate is medium bodied with berry fruits, a creamy texture, yet totally dry.

    QI FACT

    California winemaker Bob Trinchero of Sutter Home salvaged a stuck fermentation of his 1972 red Zinfandel wine by releasing a paler, sweeter rosé colored wine that he labeled as "White Zinfandel". Though he wasn't the first Californian winemaker to make a white wine out of Zinfandel, he was the first to aggressively market it as a new wine style and Sutter Home saw sales of "White Zin" soar from 25,000 cases in 1980 to more than 1.5 million in 1986. The wine became so popular that it actually saved old vine Zinfandel plantings that were in danger of being uprooted and replanted with more "marketable" international varieties and even encouraged newer plantings.

Sparkling/Champagne

Never has it been a better time to enjoy a glass with bubbles. From the modern style of the all-conquering Prosecco to the international renowned champagne from Laurent Perrier we have a something to tempt and treat you.

  • N.V. Arcobello Prosecco, Ermes Mansue, Vino Spumante
    DOC Treviso, Italy

    Fully sparkling and very pale straw coloured. The nose shows aromas of golden delicious apples and ripe pear. The palate is dry but fruity, with fresh apple and pear fruit and a clean refreshing finish. Touch here for further details.

    NAME

    N.V. Arcobello Prosecco, Ermes Mansue, Vino Spumante, DOC Treviso, Italy

    PRODUCER

    Ermes Mansue is located in Treviso and was founded as recently as 2008. They have 305 hectares of vineyards planted to Glera (which is what Prosecco must now be called), Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and are something of a sparkling wine specialist. The Arcobello is a delightful aperitif, full of flavours of fresh dessert apples.

    GRAPE VARIETAL

    100% Glera

    AREA

    Prosecco di Treviso is the title used for wines produced under the Prosecco DOC of north-eastern Italy, specifically from vineyards within the Treviso province of Veneto. When the Prosecco DOC was introduced in 2009, two provincial sub-regions were identified, the other being Trieste in Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
    The Prosecco di Treviso title is available to all Prosecco wines from the Treviso province, provided they conform to the DOC production regulations. The other Veneto provinces which produce Prosecco (Belluno, Padova, Venezia and Vicenza) label their Prosecco without the province name appended. Treviso has continually proved itself to be the home of the finest examples of Prosecco.

    FOOD & WINE MATCH

    The perfect glass to unwind with before your flight.

    TASTING NOTE

    Fully sparkling and very pale straw coloured. The nose shows aromas of golden delicious apples and ripe pear. The palate is dry but fruity, with fresh apple and pear fruit and a clean refreshing finish.

    QI FACT

    According to figures released by the Italian Sparkling Wine Observatory (OVSE) in April 2014, Prosecco sales edged ahead of Champagne sales in 2013. The Italian sparkler shifted 307 million bottles globally last year, while Champagne sales lagged behind at 304 million bottles. The OVSE also reported that global value sales were up 16%, while volume sales increased by 11.5%.

  • N.V. Dominio de la Vega Cava Brut
    Utiel-Requena, Spain

    Hand harvested, Quite deep coloured with a rich, leesy nose. The palate is rich and broad textured, with floral and citrus fruit flavours ant hints of straw. Dry and fresh, the finish is long and shows hints of pastry and orange peel. Touch here for further details.

    NAME

    N.V. Dominio de la Vega Cava Brut, Utiel-Requena, Spain

    PRODUCER

    Dominio de la Vega is a small winery in Utiel-Requena, 2,500 feet above sea level inland from Valencia. Founded in 2001 by three families, the Pardo, Exposito and Faubels who had previously built up Cavas Y Vinos Torre Oria in the region, before disagreements with their shareholders led them to strike out on their own. The domaine is housed in 19th century buildings, lovingly restored. They own 17 hectares of vineyards from which they make a range of red and white wines, and some of Spain’s finest Cavas for which they have become famous. They have been highly rated by Robert Parker and consistently achieve high scores in the Peñin Guide, as well as the Brut Reserva Especial being voted best Cava in Spain in 2003 and again in 2006.

    GRAPE VARIETAL

    100% Macabeo

    AREA

    Utiel-Requena, located west of Valencia city, is the largest wine region (in terms of area under vine) in the Valencia region on Spain's east coast.
    Grape growing is Utiel-Requena's driving economic force, and archaeological finds show viticulture dates back to at least the 7th Century BC, from the time of the early Iberians. In 1BC, Ancient Romans settled there and introduced improved winemaking techniques. The region has enjoyed fame and demand since, particularly during the late 19th Century when outbreaks of phylloxera and powdery mildew devastated production in France – Utiel-Requena's wines helped to fill the void.
    Utiel-Requena was established as a DO in 1957, deriving its name from the towns of Utiel and Requena, to the northwest and southeast of the designation respectively.
    The south-eastern half of the region, aside from qualifying for the Utiel-Requena DO, is also authorized to produce the espumoso (sparkling) Cava, Spain's answer to Champagne. Typically it is made from Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada, although Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, among other varieties, are now permitted in the Cava blend.

    FOOD & WINE MATCH

    A beautiful glass of modern Cava, which will work with classic bar snacks or with any fish dish.

    TASTING NOTE

    Hand harvested, Quite deep coloured with a rich, leesy nose. The palate is rich and broad textured, with floral and citrus fruit flavours ant hints of straw. Dry and fresh, the finish is long and shows hints of pastry and orange peel.

    QI FACT

    Cava’s name comes not from a place, grape variety or winemaking technique, but from the stone cellars (cavas) in which the wine is matured. The style was first produced in the 1870s, by a Josep Raventós, on his return to Catalonia after a visit to France. For the first century of their existence, the wines were called Champaña. Raventós had, after all, intentionally tried to imitate Champagne, making them in the méthode traditionnelle. In the 1970s, however, the Champagne authorities clamped down on use and abuse of the name 'Champagne', backed by international laws, creating the need for an alternative name for these Spanish sparkling wines. The name cava was chosen, and in 1970 the official Cava DO (Denominación de Origen) title was introduced, to cover exclusively sparkling white and rosé wines.

  • N.V. Rodier Pere et Fils Brut
    Reims, Champagne, France

    A blend of 55% Pinot Meunier, 42% Pinot Noir, 3% Chardonnay. Medium lemon colour, fine mousse. The nose has good richness and depth of toasty fruit, showing elements of lemon zest and brioche. The palate is refreshing yet also quite full, with a long and balanced finish developing nice yeasty notes. Touch here for further details.

    NAME

    N.V. Rodier Pere et Fils Brut, Reims, Champagne, France

    PRODUCER

    Maison Burtin is a historic Champagne house that is now a part of the Lanson group. Our own label Champagne is an exclusive blend that undergoes a minimum of 18 months ageing before release. It has real depth and complexity and we are rightly proud that Rodier Brut is regularly cited in the press as one of the best ‘own label’ Champagnes on the market.

    GRAPE VARIETAL

    47% Pinot Noir, 42% Pinot Meunier and 11% Chardonnay

    AREA

    Champagne is the name of the world’s most famous sparkling wine, the appellation under which it is sold, and the French wine region from which it comes. While it has been used to refer to sparkling wines from all over the world – a point of much controversy and legal wrangling in recent decades – Champagne is a legally controlled and restricted name.
    It's difficult to attribute Champagne's fame to a discrete set of factors, but there are three key reasons of which we can be reasonably certain. First are the all-important bubbles, which make it stand out from less ‘exciting’ wines. Second are its high prices, which endow an air of exclusivity. Third (and perhaps most important), are two centuries of clever marketing, to a willingly receptive consumer base.
    Located at a northern latitude of 49°N, Champagne lies at the northern edge of the world’s vineyard-growing areas, with lower average temperatures than any other French wine region. In this kind of cool climate, the growing season is rarely warm enough to ripen grapes to the levels required for standard winemaking. Even in temperate years, Champagne’s grapes still bear the hallmark acidity of a marginal climate, and it was only the discovery of secondary fermentation that provided a wine style capable of harnessing – and even embracing – this tartness.

    FOOD & WINE MATCH

    The perfect appertif Champagne, would work well light snacks or simply a glass before you start your journey.

    TASTING NOTE

    Medium lemon colour, fine mousse. The nose has good richness and depth of toasty fruit, showing elements of lemon zest and brioche. The palate is refreshing yet also quite full, with a long and balanced finish developing nice yeasty notes.

    QI FACT

    While Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay are the primary grape varieties used to make Champagne – a recipe which is used for sparkling wines across the world. It is a little-known fact that four other varieties are also permitted for use in Champagne and are still employed today, albeit in tiny quantities. They are Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris (Fromenteau Gris) and Arbane (Arbanne).

  • N.V. Laurent Perrier
    Tours sur Marne, Champagne, France

    A blend of 45% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, 15% Pinot Meunier. An ideal aperitif style of Champagne; elegant, refined and with charming purity. Aged on its lees for 3 years with little dosage it presents itself as a wine of finesse and vitality. Touch here for further details.

    NAME

    N.V. Laurent Perrier Brut, Tours sur Marne, Champagne, France

    PRODUCER

    Founded in 1812, it did not acquire its current name until the late 19th Century. The real modern day success story of this house starts in 1939 when Laurent Perrier was a virtually bankrupt house and was purchased by Marie-Louise Lanson de Nonancourt as an inheritance to secure a future in Champagne for her eldest sons, Maurice and Bernard de Nonancourt, with Bernard taking over in 1949, having survived the war that saw his brother killed.
    ‘Grand’ Bernard as he became known became a huge driving presence for Laurent Perrier and for the Champagne region. Bernard died in late 2010 but this is very much a family owned and run business with his two daughters at the helm.
    At the forefront of innovation, they were the first house to introduce a multi-vintage prestige cuvée - Grand Siècle - and were at the vanguard of the growth in rosé Champagne, launching their iconic wine in 1968. The wines from Laurent-Perrier are dominated by Chardonnay, giving medium bodied champagnes, with a delightful freshness and a rich toasty finish.

    GRAPE VARIETAL

    45% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, 15% Pinot Meunier

    STYLE BACKGROUND

    Champagne Brut is by far the most common style of Champagne wine. The word brut means 'crude' or 'raw' in French. In the context of Champagne production it indicates that the wine is bottled (almost) unsweetened – in its natural, 'raw' state.
    In practice almost all Brut Champagnes do receive a small addition of sweetness prior to final bottling. Nowadays, the terms 'brut nature' and 'zero dosage' are used to indicate champagnes with no dosage at all. The brut style was pioneered by Perrier-Jouet in the mid-19th century, originally for the extensive Champagne markets of Great Britain. According to the INAO and EU laws, the technical definition of brut is 'less than 15 grams per liter of residual sugar' (this applies to all sparkling wines from Europe). In still wines, which lack the sparkle and high acidity of Champagne, this much sugar would leave the wine perceptibly sweet. The other official sweetness levels of champagne are:
    Doux (50+ g/L)
    Demi-sec (33–50 g/L)
    Sec (17–35 g/L)
    Extra-Sec (12–20 g/L)
    Brut (0–15 g/L)
    Extra Brut (0–6 g/L)
    Brut Nature/Zero (0–3 g/L)

    FOOD & WINE MATCH

    We think Laurent-Perrier Brut as a ‘vin de plaisir’ and as such it makes a perfect aperitif to start any journey with United Airlines.

    TASTING NOTE

    A blend of 45% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, 15% Pinot Meunier. An ideal aperitif style of Champagne; elegant, refined and with charming purity. Aged on its lees for 3 years with little dosage it presents itself as a wine of finesse and vitality.

    QI FACT

    In 1945, Sergeant Bernard de Nonancourt and his Free French Armored division reached Adolf Hitler's private wine cellar at Berchtesgaden in Bavaria. Upon scaling the steep mountainside De Nonancourt blew off the steel doors leading to the cellar, uncovering approximately 500,000 bottles, including hundreds of cases of 1928 Champagne Salon, which had been stolen from the family owned cellars by German soldiers in 1940. This legendary champagne was one that de Nonancourt had known well while working as an apprentice and had personally seen taken from the cellars. He personally oversaw the safe repatriation of the Salon back into the family cellars! De Nonancourt, who served in the 2nd Armoured Division under General Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque, was awarded the Croix de guerre for his service.

Whiskies

  • The Macallan Gold

    Zesty citrus, candied lemon peel and a hint of honey suckle on the nose. More citrus and confected lemon on the palate, a light delicate style with toasted apples and barley on the finish. Touch here for further details.

    NAME

    The Macallan Gold

    PRODUCER

    The Macallan distillery is nestled in the heart of Speyside near the small village of Craigellachie. The distillery was founded by Alexander Reid in 1824, just one year after the Excise Act which aimed to reduce the number of elicit distilleries in the Highlands, it went on to become one of the most popular single malts in the World.

    WHISKY PRODUCTION

    Matured exclusively in Sherry seasoned Spanish oak casks for the entirety of the ageing process. Named Gold for the colour desired of the spirit from each cask, the whisky should only be delicately influenced by the Spanish oak.

    AREA

    Built on The Macallan estate near the famed Easter Elchies Manor, the estate covers 390 acres of land and lies just north of the famed River Spey in which the region takes its name.

    FOOD & WHISKY MATCH

    Dark chocolate and dried fruits.

    TASTING NOTE

    Zesty citrus and orange on the nose. Vanilla, lemon peel and just a hint of the Sherry oak’s signature chocolate and dried fruits.

    QI FACT

    Macallan plan to build a new distillery in a £100million project that may begin production as early as 2014.

  • The Macallan Amber

    Subtle citrus, vanilla and a hint of spice on the nose. An array of dried fruits on the palate from apple to raisin with some syrupy notes, with spicy oak on the finish. Touch here for further details.

    NAME

    The Macallan Amber

    PRODUCER

    The Macallan distillery is nestled in the heart of Speyside near the small village of Craigellachie. The distillery was founded by Alexander Reid in 1824, just one year after the Excise Act which aimed to reduce the number of elicit distilleries in the Highlands, going on to become one of the most popular single malts in the World.

    WHISKY PRODUCTION

    Matured exclusively in Sherry seasoned Spanish oak casks for the entirety of the ageing process. Named Gold for the colour desired of the spirit from each cask, the whisky should only be delicately influenced by the Spanish oak.

    AREA

    Built on The Macallan estate near the famed Easter Elchies Manor, the estate covers 390 acres of land and lies just North of the famed River Spey in which the region takes its name.

    FOOD & WHISKY MATCH

    Rich desserts would suit the Amber perfectly, a great after dinner dram.

    TASTING NOTE

    Citrus and floral notes on the nose, leading to raisins, chocolate and cinnamon on the palate, a hint of nutmeg and barley on the finish.

    QI FACT

    The Macallan stills in which the spirit is distilled are among the smallest in Scotland, helping to create The Macallan’s distinctive rich style of whisky.

  • Highland Park 12 Years Old

    Very aromatic, floral with a hint of smoke some dried fruits and even a hint of barley. Honey and orange dominate the palate leading to spicy oak and gentle peppery sweetness on the finish. Touch here for further details.

    NAME

    Highland Park 12 Years Old

    PRODUCER

    The most northerly of the Scottish whisky distilleries, Highland Park was founded in 1798 by Magnus Eunson, a church officer who was chased for many years for illicit distilling, legend has it he stored the casks of whisky below the church pulpit.

    WHISKY PRODUCTION

    Matured for a minimum of 12 years in ex-Sherry casks, Highland Park uses local Orcadian peat to give the signature delicate smoky flavour.

    AREA

    Built on the original illicit distillery on Park Hill, Highland Park distillery is set in the Neolithic surroundings of the Orkney Islands. The distillery uses the Crantit Spring, which supplies plentiful hard water for distillation.

    FOOD & WHISKY MATCH

    Smoked seafood and rich Cheddar.

    TASTING NOTE

    Notes of heather and subtle smoke, with floral rich honey flavours on the palate with just a hint of smoke and dry oak on the finish.

    QI FACT

    During World War II some 60,000 British soldiers bathed in the distillery’s huge wooden washbacks (think of a 40ft cask sat on its end).

  • Lagavulin 16 Years Old

    An initial hit of peat and brine on the nose followed by welcome vanilla and spicy oak notes. On the palate more of the same this time with a hint of dried fruit and coconut. A very long spicy and smoky finish. Touch here for further details.

    NAME

    Lagavulin 16 Years Old

    PRODUCER

    Lagavulin meaning “hollow by the mill” was founded in 1817, now owned by Diageo, the distillery is seen as one of the most prestigious in the company’s vast portfolio of distilleries. Lagavulin has been a part of the Classic Malts Selection since 1987, the aim of the Selection was to show off the finest that Scotch malt whisky had to offer whilst also highlighting the different flavour profiles, Lagavulin covering the smoky style of whisky.

    WHISKY PRODUCTION

    Matured in predominantly ex-Bourbon American oak casks, these impart flavours of vanilla and tobacco in the finished whisky. Lagavulin is amongst the most powerful whiskies showing a strong smoky flavour derived from Islay’s abundant peat bogs.

    AREA

    Situated on the South coast of Islay, a small Island off the West coast of Scotland with Eight active distilleries and at least one more planned. The Island lies just South of Jura, where George Orwell wrote his famous novel 1984.

    FOOD & WHISKY MATCH

    Blue cheese is a classic pairing with the powerful smoky flavour.

    TASTING NOTE

    A big hit of smoky iodine on the nose, toasty oak and rich sweet vanilla on the palate, Lagavulin’s unmistakable tea notes creep in towards the finish, which is again dominated by the coastal sea and heavy smoke flavours.

    QI FACT

    Lagavulin is the distillery which created the much prized Malt Mill, which features heavily in Ken Loach’s film Angels’ Share.

  • Ardbeg 10 Years Old

    Huge peaty hit followed by delicate apple fruit notes on the nose. A very light bodied whisky on the palate but with huge flavour, more of those smoke notes with citrus and apple. Incredibly complex finish, leaves a warm smoky flavour. Touch here for further details.

    NAME

    Ardbeg 10 Years Old

    PRODUCER

    Founded in 1815 Ardbeg is rightly considered amongst the best whiskies in the World. An unmistakable smoky yet fruit driven character sets it apart from many of the other Islay distilleries. Ardbeg has endured an uncertain past, closing and reopening many times since being founded, and as recently as the 1990s the distillery had to cut production due to lack of funding.

    WHISKY PRODUCTION

    Matured in ex Bourbon casks, Ardbeg is amongst the smokiest whiskies produced on the Island of Islay. Ardbeg uses peat, an earth like substance which, once burned, creates a very powerful smoky flavour much like the aroma of this whisky.

    AREA

    Situated on the South coast of the Island of Islay, a small Island on the West coast of Scotland with Eight active distilleries and at least one more planned. The Island lies just South of Jura, where George Orwell wrote his famous novel 1984.

    FOOD & WHISKY MATCH

    Can be enjoyed with rich game dishes or light blue cheese.

    TASTING NOTE

    Distinctive peat and lemon peel, some tropical fruit on the palate with gentle earthy smoke building in the background, leaving a long ash-like finish.

    QI FACT

    Ardbeg 10 Years Old was named World Whisky of the Year in 2008 and by the highly regarded Jim Murray.