Hogsback Traditional English Ale, 4.2% abv is a classic English bitter;
Hogsback's verdict: "Our top selling, award winning, best bitter in a bottle. A deep golden colour. TEA is refreshing, hoppy and well balanced. Surely the best drink of the day"
Here at Majestic Ealing we'd have to agree, a fantastic ale, slightly chilled and perfect for Summer.

Wine of the Week: Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano

Fantastic Tuscan red from vinyards around the town of Montepulciano. Made from Sangiovese and aged for a minimum of two years this wine displays complex aromas or dark cherry, graphite and savoury spice. Great Tannin structure and fresh acidity, it's made for rich, hearty Italian dishes. Fantastic value at only £14.99 when you buy 2 or more Italian Wines. Winner!

One of my favourite wines of our recent summer wine evening. We are now making the Laughing Magpie the wine of the week. 

The wine is made by D'Arenberg who offer a wide range of Australian reds. This particular wine gets its name from its composition of 92% Shiraz and 8% Viognier combining black and white grapes, and the fact that the children of the fourth generation winemaker used to call their pet Kookaburras "laughing magpies" although they bore no resemblance to the birds.

On the palate the wine has a deep backbone of dark cherry fruit, peppery spice and a slight twist of jasmine and vanilla due to the influence of the Viognier grape.  The wine is rich and powerful and a modern take on the Cote Rotie style. Be sure to enjoy as the sun is going down with dark meat dishes. 

The Laughing Magpie is on offer at the moment for £13.99 when you buy two or more Australian wines so there has never been a better time to try it!

Hogsback Traditional English Ale, 4.2% abv is a classic English bitter;
Hogsback's verdict: "Our top selling, award winning, best bitter in a bottle. A deep golden colour. TEA is refreshing, hoppy and well balanced. Surely the best drink of the day"
Here at Majestic Ealing we'd have to agree, a fantastic ale, slightly chilled and perfect for Summer.

Wine of the Week: Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano

Fantastic Tuscan red from vinyards around the town of Montepulciano. Made from Sangiovese and aged for a minimum of two years this wine displays complex aromas or dark cherry, graphite and savoury spice. Great Tannin structure and fresh acidity, it's made for rich, hearty Italian dishes. Fantastic value at only £14.99 when you buy 2 or more Italian Wines. Winner!

One of my favourite wines of our recent summer wine evening. We are now making the Laughing Magpie the wine of the week. 

The wine is made by D'Arenberg who offer a wide range of Australian reds. This particular wine gets its name from its composition of 92% Shiraz and 8% Viognier combining black and white grapes, and the fact that the children of the fourth generation winemaker used to call their pet Kookaburras "laughing magpies" although they bore no resemblance to the birds.

On the palate the wine has a deep backbone of dark cherry fruit, peppery spice and a slight twist of jasmine and vanilla due to the influence of the Viognier grape.  The wine is rich and powerful and a modern take on the Cote Rotie style. Be sure to enjoy as the sun is going down with dark meat dishes. 

The Laughing Magpie is on offer at the moment for £13.99 when you buy two or more Australian wines so there has never been a better time to try it!

Giesen Sauvignon Blanc - £6.99 on New Zealand offer

- Winery founded in the 1980s by Theo, Alex and Marcel Giesen - The wine is blended from 32 separate vineyards sites - Nose is tropical with youthful lime, lemongrass and green herbs - Palate is gooseberry and citrus - Great match with seafood risotto or Paella

Sainte Victoire Rosé - £8.99 when buying two or more

- The Negral family settled at the Domaine Mas de Cadenet in 1813 and have been there for seven generations - Sainte Victoire is on the upper parts of the slopes, renowned for high quality wines - Nose is light fruit and floral notes - Palate is dry, crisp and delicate - Match with delicate poultry or lightly spiced dishes

Masi Masianco - £9.99 on Italian offer

- The Bosciani family have owned Masi since the 18th century - The wine is a blend of 75% Pinot Grigio and 25% Verduzzo - The Verduzzo grape is late-harvested and partially dried to add complexity - Nose is peach, apricot, pear and pineapple - Palate is ripe and dry with a citrussy finish - Match with mussels and clams

Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Gérard Thomas - £18.99

- The vineyard borders Puligny-Montrachet - Cheaper than most Puligny-Montrachet wines - Barrel fermented to give a softer, smoother mouth-feel with more complexity - Nose is citrus, peach, subtle sweet spice and minerals - Palate is lemon and limes, hazelnuts, vanilla and butter - Superb with pan-fried scallops

Heggies Chardonnay - £14.99 on Australian offer

- High altitude site, cool and rocky with well drained soil - Stressed vines resulting in low yields and high quality fruit - 12 months in French barriques, a "New World" wine made in the "Old World" style - Nose of subtle toasty notes with apple and pear - Palate of apples and pears with a rich creamy rounded finish - Great with smoked fish

A relatively new wine to the Majestic range is the Angelique de Monbousquet, 2009, St-Emilion Grand Cru.  Being from the right-bank it is predominently Merlot, blended with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.  The second wine of Chateau Monbousquet, Angelique is a more youthful and approachable version of the grand vin, designed to require less cellarage.  Made from the same 32ha vineyards, which lie on St-Emilion's characteristically sandy, iron-rich clay soils.  This ripe and fleshy St-Emilion has an up-front, convivial character, offering lashings of jammy black and red fruit, supported by muscular yet supple tannins, and aromas of cocoa, incense and herbs.  Drink over the next five years, with full-flavoured beef dishes, such as braised oxtail.