In just 30 years this region has arguably become as renowned as France. Many ask why it took so little time to become this popular (now the fourth biggest wine exporter in world) when the French took a few hundred years. Certainly new technology like refrigeration have helped to refine these wines in such a hot climate, ask an Australian and they'll say its because they work harder than the rest of the world, but it probably has more to do with the sheer amount of competition, only the best survive. Producers have been forced to innovate and be the best at what they do in order to keep up.

One of the reasons why people love Australia is the fruit driven style created by the baking heat. The king grape is most definitely the Shiraz, my personal favourite being the old bush vines used in the creation of wines like 'Two Hands'. Other popular Vineyards include Wakefield and Peter Lehman and for something extra special why not try the Armagh by Jim Barry? Only 200 bottles of this are released in Britain every year and you could be the proud owner of one of these for just £90 a bottle.

There are plenty more wines on the tasting counter and many more our friendly staff can suggest so why not 'Come and Explore' in store and learn a whole lot more about this incredible region and many others.

El Recio translates as 'the tough guy', and is a more serious, mature wine, made from the product of some of Toro's oldest vines, which are cultivated using advanced biodynamic techniques. 14 months in new French oak provide opulence and polish.

Intense and opaque, this wine is a mass of deep black fruit, chocolate, roasted coffee bean and vanilla pod aromas. Voluptuous and weighty, with a firm structure, held together by silky tannins.

A personal favourite of mine when accompanied with fillet steak marinated for a day in olive oil mixed with rosemary leaves, lemon skin and garlic ground together in a pestle and mortar and mixed together with mashed potato and mushroom sauce.

Chosen by Chris jnr

Summer Rosé Offers;

We have some great Summer Rosé offers in store including AIX Rosé Double Magnum (£50), Lauren Perrier Rosé NV (£45), Oyster Bay Sparkling Rosé (£11.99 for 2/more), Château Pigoudet Rosé (£8.99 for 2/more) and Domaine La Chautarde Rosé (£6.99 for 2/more).

In just 30 years this region has arguably become as renowned as France. Many ask why it took so little time to become this popular (now the fourth biggest wine exporter in world) when the French took a few hundred years. Certainly new technology like refrigeration have helped to refine these wines in such a hot climate, ask an Australian and they'll say its because they work harder than the rest of the world, but it probably has more to do with the sheer amount of competition, only the best survive. Producers have been forced to innovate and be the best at what they do in order to keep up.

One of the reasons why people love Australia is the fruit driven style created by the baking heat. The king grape is most definitely the Shiraz, my personal favourite being the old bush vines used in the creation of wines like 'Two Hands'. Other popular Vineyards include Wakefield and Peter Lehman and for something extra special why not try the Armagh by Jim Barry? Only 200 bottles of this are released in Britain every year and you could be the proud owner of one of these for just £90 a bottle.

There are plenty more wines on the tasting counter and many more our friendly staff can suggest so why not 'Come and Explore' in store and learn a whole lot more about this incredible region and many others.

El Recio translates as 'the tough guy', and is a more serious, mature wine, made from the product of some of Toro's oldest vines, which are cultivated using advanced biodynamic techniques. 14 months in new French oak provide opulence and polish.

Intense and opaque, this wine is a mass of deep black fruit, chocolate, roasted coffee bean and vanilla pod aromas. Voluptuous and weighty, with a firm structure, held together by silky tannins.

A personal favourite of mine when accompanied with fillet steak marinated for a day in olive oil mixed with rosemary leaves, lemon skin and garlic ground together in a pestle and mortar and mixed together with mashed potato and mushroom sauce.

Chosen by Chris jnr

Summer Rosé Offers;

We have some great Summer Rosé offers in store including AIX Rosé Double Magnum (£50), Lauren Perrier Rosé NV (£45), Oyster Bay Sparkling Rosé (£11.99 for 2/more), Château Pigoudet Rosé (£8.99 for 2/more) and Domaine La Chautarde Rosé (£6.99 for 2/more).

Father's Day is this Sunday (16th June) and Majestic have some cracking gifts to make your Father's day!

Why not treat your Dad to James Bond's tipple of choice; Bollinger Grande Année. Rich and fruity with bold yeasty notes, this is the perfect treat. Buy two bottles and save £40 ~ £60 each (or £80 single bottle price)

Or maybe your Father would appreciate a bold Red wine? The McGuigan Handmade Shiraz is bursting with black fruits and vanilla, perfect with a BBQ! Buy 2 bottles and save £10 ~ £20 each (or £25 single bottle price)

For a White wine, try the Au Bon Climat 'Bein Nacido' Chardonnay. With apple, lemon, toast and oak notes, this is a sophisticated and classy Chardonnay at £23.00

For a Whisky loving Father, the Singleton Single Malt Scotch Whiskey at £35 comes gift packed with two glasses. With sweet and fruity notes, this fine Whisky is perfectly balanced, rich and smooth.

Lastly, for a the perfect Port, Taylor's LBV at £9.99 is rich and fruity and ready for drinking now.

Peregrine Pinot Gris 2012,
Central Otago, New Zealand

Buy 2 New Zealand Still Wines and save 20% ~ £17.59 each
or £22.00 single bottle price

Peregrine is a modern Central Otago winery and this Pinot Gris is a great example of the intense varietal character produced by the warm days and cool nights of this region.

Pinot Gris is in fact the same grape variety as Pinot Grigo yet this Pinot Gris shows just how different in style this variety can be. Slightly off-dry, this Pinot Gris is bursting with an array of tropical fruit characteristics, very different from an Italian style Pinot Grigio.

Mango, peach, pear and grapefruit are in abundance both on the nose and on the palate where a hint of sweetness and a firm minerality add to the complexity.

Drink now or cellar for 2-3 years.
Try with chili BBQ prawns this weekend!