Dulwich

A treat for the weekend

Sat, 19 May 2012 09:28:17 UT

As an extra treat in store today we will have open to try Pelorus Vintage Sparkling and Petaluma Riesling Dessert Wine. Both excellent and currently on great offers with 20% of the Australian Range and the Pelorus down to £16.99

Pelorus Vintage
From Cloudy Bay Vineyards in Marlborough's Wairau Valley, Pelorus Vintage is made in the style of Champagne, by the same production method, from the free-run juice of hand-picked grapes. With 3 years of lees-ageing, this really is a match for any Champagne. Aromas of apple and citrus fruit, with baked bread, brioche and nutty characters. A full, creamy mid palate that leads in to an elegant long finish. As with Champagne, this is a classic match with caviar or smoked
salmon. But being slightly fruitier, this could partner Asian cuisine.

Petaluma Cane Cut Riesling
Made in very small quantities, this dessert wine was originally intended for sale only at Petaluma's cellar door. Taken from a specific vineyard in Hamlin Hill, this is an unusual variation on the usually dry Riesling's of the Clare Valley region. Luscious and sticky, but offset by a crisp lemon-lime citrus streak, and a sherbety zing. Will develop more of a toast and honey character with extended cellaring. Drink with tropical fruit puddings, or with a creamy duck liver pâte.

Wines of the week 16th May

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:40:29 UT

Red Wine Of The Week

Wirra Wirra Church Block, Cabernet- Shiraz-Merlot 2010, McLaren Vale

http://www.majestic.co.uk/find/keyword-is-wirra/product-is-19015

£9.99 (when buying two or more)
£12.49 single bottle price

This is powerful but fleet of foot. A cornucopia of bright cherries, plums and black currants is matched by spice, chocolate and cedar. Crisp acidity prevents it becoming too rich whilst gentle tannins will stand up to grilled meats.

White Wine Of The Week

Grüner Veltliner Kamptaler Terrassen, Weingut, Austria

http://www.majestic.co.uk/find/keyword-is-wirra/product-is-12548

£14.99

This wine is a real live-wire and shows why Grüner Veltliner is rapidly growing in popularity. Lean, zesty and effervescent it's packed with citrus and minerality with a touch of pineapple. A ray of sunshine during spring showers.

Sparkling Saturday!

Sat, 12 May 2012 08:43:20 UT

We have LaMarca Prosecco Cuvée open to try today as part of our Italian tasting week,great for the sunny weather we've got here in Dulwich. At £10.99 it's a bit of a bargain to boot.

La Marca Prosecco is a sparkling wine made in the Trevisio area of
Northern Italy. This wine is made from 100% Prosecco harvested from
selected vineyards, made using the Charmat method.Delicate and elegant with a distinctive aroma of apple and apricot. Medium bodied, soft, velvety and well-balanced.

Food and Wine

Tue, 08 May 2012 11:12:26 UT

Wine is a wonderful liquid. As a social lubricant at a party or an accompaniment to an evening's television it is rarely bested, but it is whilst enjoyed with food that it really excels.

Food and wine matching is a subject that lends itself to much discussion, interest and also pretension. With the many layers and complexities that exist in fine wine and exotic dishes it can seem bewildering, overwhelming and probably not worth the effort. However, it needn't be a headache - there are a handful of simple rules that will allow you to fully enjoy both wine and food.

The Rules

Weight/body vs richness

The first, and arguably most important, is to match the richness/lightness of a dish to the weight/body of the wine. A light wine such as a touraine sauvignon or simple pinot grigio will be overwhelmed by rich, meaty dishes. In practice, there is nothing 'wrong' with this, it just means you will miss out on some of the subtleties of the wine and perhaps just be left with a mouthful of acidity. Naturally the same is true in reverse, a big, bold red will spoil the simple pleasures of poached fish or salads.

Acidity

Acidity is a key component in wine, making it fresh and mouthwatering but also serves a useful purpose when enjoyed with food. If the dish has high acidity itself, such as something tomato based or perhaps with a citrus dressing, a wine that doesn't will seem bland and 'flat' in comparison. For this reason Italian reds are generally excellent with tomatoey pasta and sauvignon is perfect with salads.

Acidity can also be used to compliment through contrast. The high acidity in Italians reds such as Chianit cuts through fattiness well making them an ideal partner for cured meats - think about it acting in a similar manner to pickles or chutney. Equally, a crisp white such as chablis or sancerre is perfect with the subtle butteryness in fish because the acidity is working in a similar manner to a squeeze of lemon.

Sweetness

It's important to match the sweetness in food, such as puddings, with sweetness in the wine or else the wine's flavours can be overpowered leaving you with only acidity and tannin. It may seem natural to match the chocolatey, plummy flavours in a merlot to a chocolate pudding however, without sweetness it just won't stand up. Therefore you would be far better served with a rich and sweet wine such as tawny port.

Sweet wines though needn't always be matched with sweet foods. As I will mention below they can be excellent with spicy foods, but they can also act as an ideal foil to rich, savoury, salty foods. The sugar, and acidity, in a Sauternes makes it a perfect match for fois grois or blue cheeses such as Stilton and Roquefort.

Heat (chilli)

It is often suggested that curries are hard to find wines to match with and you're better going for beer. To an extent this is often true. One reason for this is that chilli heat clashes with the tannins found in red wines and leaves a bitter and sharp taste. It's preferable then to choose low-tannin reds such as beaujolais or pinot noir, or if you have a richer curry perhaps a new world carmenere.

Whites can work as well and this allows us to introduce sweetness to the wine. Sugar helps neutralise chilli heat thus allowing an appreciation of the flavours in both food and wine - a prawn curry with a slightly sweet pinot gris is a wonderful thing.

Flavours

Whilst some of the rules mentioned above offer objective benefits by allowing food and wine to express themselves, considering flavour matching can be more of a subjective consideration.

You can look to echo flavours in both wine and food, so the earthiness in mature Burgundian Pinot Noir can be lovely with well hung game or mushrooms. Alternatively, the bright red fruits such as cherries and redcurrants found in a youthful pinot noir can offer a pleasing contrast in the same way that you would enjoy redcurrant sauce.

I also prefer contrasting the complex spicing in a curry or middle eastern dish with a relatively simple and uncomplex wine. When there is a lot to enjoy in the food, it can almost be overwhelming or tiresome to also have a complex wine like an old gran reserva Rioja or some such competing for attention. Equally, when enjoying relatively simple foods such as hard cheeses, a mature claret can really be allowed to shine.

These are just guidelines and we mustn't get too carried away with the rights and wrongs, it's supposed to be fun and enjoyable. In that spirit the I recently enjoyed an old vine carignan (red) with pan fried salmon and asparagus risotto, and it was very nice.

Stay tuned for recipes and wine matching.

Its Fine Wine Friday

Fri, 04 May 2012 13:28:03 UT

Au Bon Climate "Bien Nacido" Chardonnay 2008, Santa Maria Valley

What a classy little number, complex and intense on the nose the palate is even better. Mouthwatering acidity keep the wine balanced as flavours of pineapple, lemon sherbert, butterscotch, hazelnut and cinder toffee develop and unfold. A fantastic match for slow cooked pork and at £23 a great alternative to Meursault

Wines of the Week

Wed, 02 May 2012 10:08:40 UT

Red Wine Of The Week
Errazuriz Max Reserva, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
2009

£9.99 (£12.49 single bottle price (20% off))

Wow, what a beauty. Grown in the stunning Aconcagua Valley, this wine offers a bright ruby appearance with red fruits, cinnamon and cloves left dancing on your palate. The perfect steak or meaty-pasta-partner.

White Wine Of The Week

Giesen Sauvignon Blanc,Marlborough 2011
£6.99 (£8.74 single bottle price (20% off))

Blended from 32 separate vineyard parcels this wine is a cracker. Herbs, lemongrass, lime and tropical fruits are the characters which perfectly describe this Marlborough classic. And ideal buddy for Seafood risotto and, heaven forbid, Paella!!

Fine Wine Fridays

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:01:45 UT

Fine Wine Fridays

Here in Majestic Wine Dulwich we like to welcome in the weekend by opening something a little more special. Below is a list of forthcoming wines that we'd be delighted if you'd come in and try with us:

Friday 27th April:

Peregrine Pinot Noir 2010, Central Otago, NZ £19.99 (down from £22)

Central Otago in New Zealand is proving to be a leading contender in producing wines, such as this one, that are capable of competing with top Burgundy like Nuits St Georges. More concentrated than some of it's French equivalents, it's rich notes of black cherries, mocha and spice make it ideal with duck or game.

Friday 4th May:

Au Bon Climat Chardonnay 2008, Santa Maria Valley, California £23

Ignore the '2 buck chuck' bottles that make up the bulk of Californian production and you have arguably the greatest wine producing region outside of the 'old world'. This classy chardonnay has all the grace and charm of the best of burgundy, but with a subtle depth and power that recalls it's roots in the sun-drenched West coast.

Friday 11th May:

Soave 'La Rocca' 2010, Pieropan Veneto, Italy £22.00 (down from £25)

Italy is spoiled with an almost infinite range of exceptional terroirs and this fabulous single vineyard Soave is evidence of such. Graced with body, elegance and poise this wine will be a perfect foil for Meaty fish or fresh crab linguine.

Friday 18th May:

Château Grand Corbin, Grand Cru St- Emilion, £15.99 (down from £19.99)

Bordeaux is the undisputed home of fine wine production in the world, with eye-watering amounts paid annually for legendary names like Latour, Lafite and Petrus. However, 'value' is still possible to find with mature bottles like this from Chateau Grand Corbin. Ripe black fruits, plum compote, tobacco and spice echo it's illustrious neighbours and show a wine that could only have come from Bordeaux.

Summer Wine Tasting

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:05:34 UT

It's the big one!

Our bi-annual tasting is almost upon us. Some of you will have enjoyed our winter evening back in November so will know what's in store, but for those who didn't , I would encourage you to try and make this one.

On Thursday 17th May, with arrival from 18:30 - 20:00, we will have a delicious range of wines open free to taste. The selection will include celebratory fizz, wines for parties and barbecues along wth several fine wines for more special occasions. We will also have various culinary delights from Vallebona such as cheeses and meats.

In addition, for those of you with an interest in more premium wines, we will have a couple of colleagues from our sister company Lay and Wheeler in to talk about the services they have available - en pimeur, safe storage, mature vintages and the fine wine plan - and hopefully they'll be bringing along a few samples for us to try as well. For more details about Lay and Wheeler have a look at their website - http://www.laywheeler.com/

If you would like to attend please RSVP to the store by phone - 020 8761 6976 - or email - dul@majestic.co.uk

We look forward to seeing you all.

Summer at Majestic has begun

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:51:01 UT

Summer at Majestic has begun!

We have now moved on to our summer price list with country-wide promotions on New Zealand, Australia, Italy and Chile as well as Beaujolais.

There are also special offers throughout our rosés as well as excellent champagne and sparkling deals – particularly, we're proud to say, our fine English selection including new addition Nyetimber.

So whether you are picking up your weekly wines, planning a Jubilee street party or preparing for a wedding you'll be spoilt for choice.

Wines of the week

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:20:53 UT

Red Wine Of The Week

Rioja Reserva Imperial 2004, CVNE

£15.99

(when buying two or more Spanish wines)

This is a cracking Rioja and a wine of pleasing contrasts – Robust and powerful but refined and elegant, with sweet fruits including strawberry and currants competing with spice and savoury notes.

White Wine Of The Week

Rueda Blanco 2011, Marqués de Riscal
£6.79

(when buying two or more Spanish wines)

Famous for their wire-clad red Riojas, Marqués de Riscal also produce fantastic whites like this. Aromatic and surprisingly complex, the wine reveals honey dew melon, stone fruits, citrus, almonds and a hint of smoky minerality. Enjoy with seafood, salads and/or sunshine...

http://www.majestic.co.uk/find/keyword-is-riscal/product-is-14209

Spring offers end Monday 23rd April

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:03:38 UT

This weekend is your last chance to make the most of the exceptional Spring offers we have at the moment.

We have country-wide promotions on Spain, South Africa and Portugal, along with various others throughout the store.

So, be it red, white, rosé or fizz there are some great wines to be enjoyed either right away or saved for more barbecue-friendly weather – hopefully not too far away.

Malbec World Day

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:12:40 UT

It may have escaped the attention of some of you but this coming Tuesday (17th April) is Malbec World Day!

We'll be celebrating with plenty of malbecs free to try on our tasting counter so why not pop in on your way to the butchers for a big chunk of beef. Most of them are on offer at the moment so there are some real bargains to be had.

Aix magnums have landed

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:08:42 UT

We have just been restocked with one of last years' surprise hits - Aix provence rose, in magnum, £19.99.

This is a lovely, elegant and classic provencal rose which, in the magnum format, makes for a delightful addition to barbecues and parties throughout summer.

But don't take my word for it, pop in this weekend (14th -15th April) for a free taste...

Wines of the week

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:35:46 UT

Red Wine Of The Week

Ben Marco Malbec 2008, Dominio del Plata, Mendoza

£11.99 when buying two or more

Malbec world day (17th April) awards us the opportunity to taste this stunning example from BenMarco. Rich with dark blackberries, currrants, vanilla and mocha, it's hard to think of a better match for sirloin or ongelet steak.

White Wine Of The Week

Catena Alta Chardonnay 2009, Mendoza

£17 when buying two or more

Ripe fruits including pineapple, mango and pear mingle seamlessly with sweet vanilla and butterscotch. Rich and buttery, but balanced by a keen acidity, this could be enjoyed with some halibut en papillote (steamed fish in a bag) or pan roast chicken breasts.

Stuck on Sauvy? Why not give one of these a go?

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 13:29:44 UT

Even with thousands of different grape varieties, it's easy to get stuck buying the same old wines. Below are three examples of Southern French white wines that might get you swapping your Sauvignon Blanc or chucking the Chardonnay! We also have some great whites from Austria and Germany, but we'll save that for another day.

Vermentino

Paul Mas Vermentino 2011 PGI Pays d'Oc - £7.99

This grape originates from Italy, and is the same grape as the Pigato grape from Liguria and the Favoria grape from Piedmont. Fed up of Pinot Grigio? Then this wine from Paul Mas will open up a whole new window for you. Offering an array of flavours, slightly citrus with a hint of smokiness. Perfect partner for an Arbroath smokie perhaps!

Grenache Blanc

Paul Mas 'Valmont' Grenache Blanc 2010 Pays d'Oc - £7.99

This grape is believed to have been a mutation of the better known red Grenace grape. Generally found in the Côtes du Rhône and Roussillon regions of France, but it is also grown in Spain and the United States. Mostly used as a blending grape and is found in white Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but in this instance is bottled as a single variety. Apples, pears, a touch of citrus fruit and a well balanced acidity makes this the perfect party wine alternative to a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

Roussanne

Domaine Sainte Rose 'La Nuit Blanche' Roussanne 2009, PGI Cotes de Thongue - £8.99

Roussanne is a wine makers nightmare whilst also being a wine makers dream! Late ripening, irregular yields and has a tendency to suffer from rot. However, it blends well, can benefit from oak aging and has good aging potential. It is predominantly used as a blending grape but drinks equally well on its own as shown by this offering by Domaine Sainte Rose. Fermentation and aging in Oak has given this wine a rich and full flavoured quality, generally found in an oak aged Burgundian chardonnay. Try this with roast pork or creamy chicken dishes.

Easter opening hours

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:38:09 UT

You will be relieved to learn that we will be open for the whole of Easter for all your last minute vinous requirements.

We have normal trading hours Friday - Sunday, whilst Monday we will be be closing early:

Friday 6th 10:00 - 20:00

Saturday 7th 09:00 - 19:00

Sunday 8th 10:00 - 17:00

Monday 9th 10:00 - 17:00

Wines of the week

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:01:27 UT

This week sees our tasting counter focus on our major offer of the moment - South Africa with 20% off.

It may not, therefore, be a coincidence that both our wines of the week come from this dramatic landscape, but nonetheless they are an exceptional pair:

Red Wine Of The Week

Meerlust Merlot 2009, Robertson, South Africa
£15.99 when buying two or more

http://www.majestic.co.uk/find/keyword-is-meerlust/product-is-20092

Rich with blackcurrant and plum compote and a touch of spice and cedar, this merlot recalls the classic wines of Pomerol. However, a hint of the smoky, savoury notes South African wines are famous for places this wine, and make it ideal with roasts and casseroles.

White Wine Of The Week

Springfield 'Wild Yeast' Chardonnay 2009, South Africa
£10.99 when buying two or more

http://www.majestic.co.uk/find/keyword-is-springfield/product-is-20247

A combination of wild yeasts and extended lees contact have resulted in an elegant wine which balances freshness, structure and complexity. Unoaked, but with a subtle richness, this will be perfect with meaty white fish.

The Majestic Bargain Hunt

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:10:22 UT

Our new spring promotion is the perfect time for a bit of a clear-out to make way for 2012's exciting new wines, so we have just knocked a third off the price of loads of bin ends in the first ever Majestic Bargain Hunt!

The selection is available in-store now - if you can't visit us in person to hunt out your bargain, please call us or email for more details of what's available.

At the time of writing we have the following wines available:

Heritage Road NV Brut    -    £3.66
Heritage Road Sauvignon Blanc    -    £3.32
Heritage Road Chardonnay/Semillion    -    £2.99
Clos d'yvigne Le Prince Cabernet Franc/ Merlot    -    ££6.66
Domaine PY Merlot    -    £4.66
Clos d'yvigne Rouge et Noir Caberet Sauvignon/ Merlot    -    £6.66

Louis Roederer Vintage 2004 - £33.33

Louis Roederer Demi Sec - £26.66

There is a small and finite supply of these wines so come in or call us ASAP!

Fine Wine at Majestic

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 11:47:39 UT

How much do you know about Fine Wine? What is Fine Wine? Find out below...

Here at Majestic, we class any wine priced at £19.99 or above as a Fine Wine. Essentially these wines are regarded as better quality, more exclusive and rare, a one-off treat as well as having more ageing potential.

The majority of our Fine Wines are from the classic wine regions of the world; Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhône, Rioja, Barossa Valley, Piedmont, Napa, Tuscany, Margaret River, Mosel and many more. Producers in these regions have years (in many cases centuries) of knowledge, experience, dedication and ambition to strive to be the best .

At Majestic we have a wide selection of Fine Wine in store, and we are able to source stock from our dedicated Fine Wine Centre. We also have a fine wine to try on our Tasting Counter opened on the first Friday of every month (make a note in the diary to pop in!)

In addition, last year Majestic, in collaboration with Lay & Wheeler launched the Fine Wine Plan! The Fine Wine Plan is designed specifically for customers who appreciate drinking great wine, and who aspire to build a fine wine collection for future enjoyment.

We recognise that time is a precious commodity for many of our customers and not everyone can spend hours carefully researching the world of fine wine. We also understand that often it's the hassle and administration involved with owning fine wine which can put off otherwise enthusiastic potential collectors.

So in partnership with our en primeur specialist Lay & Wheeler, we've introduced the Majestic Wine Fine Wine Plan - the simplest and most affordable way to gradually build your own fine wine cellar. At a financial pace that suits you - starting from as little as £50 per month - you get access to the expertise and in depth knowledge of our small, dedicated team of Fine Wine specialists.

You will benefit from Lay & Wheeler's ability to access great, high demand wines en primeur, plus you gain full use of the perfect storage conditions found in our industry leading facility Vinothèque but please don't let all this stop you from coming to see us in store too!

For more information and for how to join please follow this link or visit the Fine Wine pages on the Majestic website.

http://www.majesticfinewineplan.co.uk/index.html

Getting Some Bang For Your Buck!

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:25:30 UT

With a week still left before the January paycheck we thought I would be a good opportunity to see just how far ten of your finiest pound sterling can get you! Here's a few of our favourites for under a tenner:

Prosecco Conegliano Valdobbiadene £9.49
Who says you can't enjoy a bottle of fizz after Christmas? For under £10 you can get our benchmark Prosecco that comes from the best vineyards in the Prosecco region. With a classic off dry palate of peaches and apricots, you can see why this is one of our best-sellers.

Waimea, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough £7.49 (2+)
Waimea's Sauvignon Blanc won the 'Best Sauvignon Blanc under £10' trophy in last years Decanter Magazine awards. Enough said.

Domaine L'aigle, Chardonnay £8.49 (2+)
This is one of the best estates owned by Gerard Bertrand, ex France rugby star and now celebrated winemaker. A rich peachey style of chardonnay which is beautifully balanced with limey acidity.

Louis Latour, Macon Lugny £8.00 (2+)
A bit of a Majestic classic this one. A great drinking white burgundy at under £10. Why not?

Viu Manent, Viognier £7.99 (2+)
Viu Manent are a new producer for us and so far we're impressed. This is a modern style viognier that is rich but not oily and retains plenty of acidity to balance the stone fruit and floral flavours.

Louis Jadot, Macon Rouge £7.99 (2+)
You'll never find a bad wine from Louis Jadot! He is a superb producer and negociant. This classic Pinot Noir from the Macon balances cherried fruit and soft spice in a soft and easy going style

McGuigan, Signiature Shiraz £7.59 (2+)
Typical Aussie shiraz, full of blackcurrants, damsons and pepper but at a very untypical price.

Cheateau Aigues Vives Corbieres £6.99 (2+)
Southern French wine is, at the moment, the place to go for value and character. It doesn't get much better than this, a top-class Corbieres.

Marques de la Concordia, Rioja Reserva £7.99
Another “go-to” region for value, Rioja wines are unique but don't cost the earth. Try this easy going and fruity Reserva for well under £10.

Wines of the week

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:40:27 UT

We've got a couple of great wines of the week this week:

Red Wine Of The Week

Rioja Reserva 2006, Viña Pomal
£9.99 when buying two or more

http://www.majestic.co.uk/find/keyword-is-pomal/product-is-14431

This is a great wine for these long, cold winter months. A rich, dark nose of blackcurrants, tobacco and a touch of spice is underpinned by a firm structure which makes this ideal with stews and roast meats.

White Wine Of The Week

Riesling 'Les Princes Abbés' 2009, Domaines Schlumberger
£10.99 when buying two or more

(so new it's not yet on our website)

This is a really fine example of the wonderfully elegant wines Alsace is famed for. Delicate and subtle, this wine slowly reveals aromas of lemon zest, grapefruit and pebbles whilst a racy acidity draws out a long and delightful finish.

New Zealand Sauvignon Reigns Supreme?

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:04:50 UT

The first vineyard in Marlborough was first established in 1973, by Montana, however it was the Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, 1985, that put Marlborough on the international map. The large flat river valley with deep gravel and silt deposits, changing the soil composition across the valley, leading to a huge variation in quality and style across Marlborough. Cloudy Bay is still available today in Majestic Dulwich, with the Sauvignon Blanc costing £24, or £19 when you buy 2 or more. However, there are many other wines we have available which are a lot easier on the wallet! Waimea at £9.99, or £6.99 when you buy 2 or more bottles has recently won the Decanter award for the best Sauvignon Blanc under £10. In Marlborough, quality wines are also available from the larger producers, as exemplified by Villa Maria Cellar Selection, now available at £10.99 each or £8.49 when you purchase 2 or more.

Globally there are a range of Sauvignon Blancs which can not only compete with these New Zealand heavyweights, but also offer an interesting alternative if you fancy a change. The Buitenverwachting Sauvignon Blanc, 2010 from Constantia, resting beneath Table Mountain in South Africa, founded in 1685, offers a more traditional old-world style, than the ultra-zesty wines coming out of New Zealand, fantastically balanced on the palate would offer a great companion to seafood and chicken. The name Buitenverwachting actually means 'Beyond expectations' which is exactly what this wine offers, especially at the price of £10.99 each, or £8.79 when you buy 2 or more South African wines.

In any wine comparison the French cannot be discounted, and here a great contestant would be the Pouilly-Fumé 'Les Griottes', Jean-Pierre Bailly, from the upper Loire valley, where wine has been produced for the past 2000 years, at £12.99 each or £11.99 when you buy 2 or more bottles. A palate of fresh, clean, vibrant acidity, citrus fruits, and flinty minerality with a long finish. The dry body would accompany shellfish fantastically on a bright sunny day.

These two wines offer very interesting alternatives if you are looking to explore beyond the New Zealand range we offer. They are also a good choice if you are not a fan of the New Zealand style, but are looking for a dry white to accompany seafood.

Elsewhere in the world can offer great alternatives to compete with New Zealand, but nowhere can offer the range and variety. With our range starting at £5.99 and going through to £30, we have a wine for all tastes and budgets, and it is for this range and choice, that New Zealand must still remain the King of Sauvignon Blancs...........for now anyway!

Its now our last week of promotion for New Zealand with 20% off the range when you buy any two wines as a part of your mixed case, so hurry down before the offer ends (31/1/12).

Recommend and a friend and have a drink on us!

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 11:18:58 UT

To receive your bottle of prosecco, follow these 3 simple steps.

1. Pick up the recommend a friend leaflet in-store, fill it in and hand it back to a member of staff or post it back to us.

2. We'll send your friend a voucher for a bottle of prosecco, redeemable when they make their first purchase in-store and have their details added to the Majestic database.

3. Once your friend has redeemed their voucher Majestic will send you a voucher for your free bottle of prosecco, no purchase necessary.

We look forward to seeing you in store soon

Please note: Terms and Conditions do apply, please see in store for details.

Red wine of the week

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 11:20:51 UT

Vinalba Reseva, Cabenet Sauvingon, Malbec, Petit Verdot 2010 Mendoza

A brooding deep Ruby colour, with a fantastic nose of black fruits and warming spice. On the palet there is a whole forest of fruits with cassis and black Cherry dominating mixing it up with soft warming spice and well structured tannins a lovely full bodied wine and a good alternitive to Bordeaux and great value. I thought I will give this wine a chance last night and was a fantstic match to a good steak and kidney pie.

WIne Courses and Wine Walks

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:56:58 UT

We are pleased to confirm our first tasting evenings of the new year - both wine courses and wine walks.

The wine courses are a fantastic introduction to wine tasting in which one of our knowledgeable members of staff provides a structured 2 hour course on how to approach and taste a glass of wine, descibes how wine is produced and also covers the basics of food and wine matching. Kneedless to say all this is backed up with samples of various wines and nibbles too!

On the wine walks we take you on a journey around our store tasting a selection of some our newest and most exciting wines. On this informal tour we'll provide a little background on the wines and you'll get to try them alongside some delicious meats and cheeses.

Both these evenings are free but we do ask that you call us at the store to let us know how many of you will be attending as places are limited.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Sipsmith summer cup

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 18:06:39 UT

Last weekend we decided to open Sipsmith's new 'Summer cup'. Mixing one part summer cup to 3 parts lemonade (Fever tree) Sipsmith present it as a premium version of a summer drink, which we also stock.

With a complex nose of orange peel, Earl grey tea and cinamon, the Summer cup is perfectly complemented by the lemonade (Fever tree) and not over powered by it.

This follows on to the palate, with the aroma's developing into complex flavourings with make the drink thoroughly enjoyable even without the 'summer fruits or ice' that are suggested accompaniments.

At £18 a bottle (50cl) this drink is truly a delight, and perfect to drink in the garden on a summer afternoon.

Regional Fine Wine Evening

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:01:36 UT

Just the other evening, a few of my colleagues and I congregated in the Clapham store to try some of the finer wines that Majestic has to offer. Among this veritable feast of vinous joy were the imperious Hacienda Monasterio Reserva 2005 and the height of sophistication that is Krug NV. The Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru wasn't half bad either! Eventually we came to the wine I had chosen to present to the group, Chateau Lynch-Moussas 2006. This is an estate that, since its renovation under the watchful gaze of Emile Casteja, has been producing some really excellent examples of classic Claret. With bold blackcurrant and vanilla flavours and hints of tobacco and licorice, this is a delightfully complex wine that can certainly be enjoyed now but will definitely improve over the next ten years. At £25 this is an absolute steal for a classified growth from the Pauillac appellation and I cannot urge you enough to purchase this highly impressive wine. The evening itself was an absolute triumph with great wine drunk and good fun had by all. Sign me up for the next one!

Pukka Pinot

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:46:18 UT

Newly arrived Pinot Noir from Central Otago in New Zealand, made by specialist producer Peregrine. The most southerly wine producing region in the world, Central Otago has gained a reputation for producing wines of great elegance and pure fruit character. Having just tried the wine I can vouch that this is no exception. Bramble fruit and a hint of Sloe on the nose. The palate is full bodied for a Pinot Noir but with restrained alcohol, compared with some examples, it retains it's balance. All in all I think it's a snip at £20 when you buy two or more, if you think about how far your money might get you with Burgundy. Come in and try it for yourself...

Provence Rose Tasting Weekend. Friday 17th - Monday 20th June

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:55:51 UT

This weekend we shall be opening a selection of Provence Roses on our tasting counter. Come along and get some inspiration for those long summer afternoons inb the garden!

Sarget Gruaud Larose 2001 just arrived!

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:30:18 UT

Sarget de Gruaud Larose was introduced in 1979 as the second wine of the famous St-Julien second grouth Gurand Larose. Only 16,000 cases are made every year.

This is an excellent example of a classic St-Julien, and a steal at only £25.

With a fruity yet silky texture, this St-Julien is a great match for a traditional lamb roast. 2001 was a great drinking vintage. This wine is ready to be drunk now or over the next couple of years.

Come along and try it this Friday (10th June).