This exotic grape variety of European origin (known as Primitivo in Italy) has been a cornerstone of the Californian wine industry for over a century. Even during Prohibition it was the grape of choice for many a “home wine-maker”. After a dip in popularity during the latter half of the 20th century due to poor production methods, Zinfandel saw a resurgence in the late 1990s and has continued to thrive thanks to the increased care and attention of modern winemakers.

Cline Cellars are one such producer. Sourcing grapes from a selection of parcels of old vines in several regions, they have created a heady and bold wine, full of ripe strawberry notes, coffee bean and cocoa. With its satisfying warmth and plump, juicy texture, this is a gorgeous example of a once forgotten grape that rightly deserves more recognition in the world of wine.

If we ever manage to get a Summer in this country, get the barbecue out and enjoy this wine with a beautiful piece of steak, well-seasoned pork chops or venison!

£14.99 when you buy 2 or more (£19.99 single bottle price)

The Rose display is fully up and running.  We have Provence, Old World, New World, Magnums, Light Pink, Pink, Peach and Red.  In In Provence they like a very pale Rose from spicy grapes like Grenache and Syrah.  Italy make some Rose from white Pinot Grigio grapes. New world Rose tend to use international red varieties, such as Merlot, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Some stand out wines are the M de Minuty from Provence.  In a lovely shaped bottle it is on a great promotion price of £9.99. The Pinot Grigio Rose Breganze from Italy is £6.99, and the Yali Winemakers Selection Merlot Rose is £5.99.  Beating everything hands down would have to be the Domaines Ott Rose Magnum at £60.  From Bandol, a name synonymous with serious wines from Provence, this stunner is well balanced with berry flavours coupled with a hints of spice. This will turn a few heads at any summer party!

Running until 1st July, we have the following prizes to be won.

When you buy 2 bottles of Veuve Clicquot (one of which must be VC Rosé), we will give you an exclusive Veuve Clicquot calender with a unique code on the back. Enter the code at www.facebook.com/veuveclicquotuk to see if you are a winner.

Prizes are,
1 of 3 Gold Cup VIP Experiences for 2, including a complementary lunch/Champagne within the VIP enclosure on 21st July 2013 and a round-trip car service from London (within M25) to Cowdray Park Polo Club.

1 of 100 Season Accessory Kits including a Veuve Clicquot umbrella, a hat, a fan, a pair of sunglasses a Clicq'Up ice bucket and 6 glasses.

This exotic grape variety of European origin (known as Primitivo in Italy) has been a cornerstone of the Californian wine industry for over a century. Even during Prohibition it was the grape of choice for many a “home wine-maker”. After a dip in popularity during the latter half of the 20th century due to poor production methods, Zinfandel saw a resurgence in the late 1990s and has continued to thrive thanks to the increased care and attention of modern winemakers.

Cline Cellars are one such producer. Sourcing grapes from a selection of parcels of old vines in several regions, they have created a heady and bold wine, full of ripe strawberry notes, coffee bean and cocoa. With its satisfying warmth and plump, juicy texture, this is a gorgeous example of a once forgotten grape that rightly deserves more recognition in the world of wine.

If we ever manage to get a Summer in this country, get the barbecue out and enjoy this wine with a beautiful piece of steak, well-seasoned pork chops or venison!

£14.99 when you buy 2 or more (£19.99 single bottle price)

The Rose display is fully up and running.  We have Provence, Old World, New World, Magnums, Light Pink, Pink, Peach and Red.  In In Provence they like a very pale Rose from spicy grapes like Grenache and Syrah.  Italy make some Rose from white Pinot Grigio grapes. New world Rose tend to use international red varieties, such as Merlot, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Some stand out wines are the M de Minuty from Provence.  In a lovely shaped bottle it is on a great promotion price of £9.99. The Pinot Grigio Rose Breganze from Italy is £6.99, and the Yali Winemakers Selection Merlot Rose is £5.99.  Beating everything hands down would have to be the Domaines Ott Rose Magnum at £60.  From Bandol, a name synonymous with serious wines from Provence, this stunner is well balanced with berry flavours coupled with a hints of spice. This will turn a few heads at any summer party!

Running until 1st July, we have the following prizes to be won.

When you buy 2 bottles of Veuve Clicquot (one of which must be VC Rosé), we will give you an exclusive Veuve Clicquot calender with a unique code on the back. Enter the code at www.facebook.com/veuveclicquotuk to see if you are a winner.

Prizes are,
1 of 3 Gold Cup VIP Experiences for 2, including a complementary lunch/Champagne within the VIP enclosure on 21st July 2013 and a round-trip car service from London (within M25) to Cowdray Park Polo Club.

1 of 100 Season Accessory Kits including a Veuve Clicquot umbrella, a hat, a fan, a pair of sunglasses a Clicq'Up ice bucket and 6 glasses.

Wine of the Week

Matsu 'El Recio', Toro, Spain

Being a fan of Spanish wines generally I'm always keen to sample regions and producers that come highly recommended. This wine has both! The Toro region in North West Spain is building a reputation for itself for producing some premium quality wines from the Tempranillo grape. They are a richer, warmer expression of the variety than their Rioja counterparts largely as a result of the warmer climate. The winemakers at Matsu also come with good pedigree as well, citing that a key factor for the quality and richness of their 'Tinta de Toro' is a result of them possessing some of the oldest Tempranillo vines in the region.

The nose is packed full of black fruits that marry nicely with hints of coffee and dark chocolate as well. The body is full and rich, and this is a wine that has really phenomenal concentration and structure too! Why not try this wine with a rare fillet steak – a rich dish for a rich wine!

£12.99 when you buy 2 (£15.99 single)

Pouilly- Fumé 2010, Jean Vincent

£9.99 each for 2 or more bottles - £11.99 single bottle price

Grape: Sauvignon Blanc

Origin:

Father-and-son team Jean and Vincent Chatelain are the 11th and 12th generations of an illustrious winemaking family, based in the heart of Pouilly-sur-Loire. Each parcel of their 30ha estate is vinified individually to maintain the character of each plot.

Taste:

An intensely aromatic wine, with a nose that centres on gooseberry fruit, enhanced by a smoky, flinty character. This mineral theme continues all the way to the long, steely finish.

Food Matching:

A mouthwatering, dry aperitif wine, also ideal with fresh shellfish dishes.

Vintage report for Loire 2010:

In Pouilly Fumé, picking started a week later than last year. Rain around 24 September put the frighteners on some growers but gave clear proof of the advantage of grassing through the vines as water went into the grass and not into the grapes. The best Sauvignons are delightful - to oversimplify, look at somewhere between 2002 and 2008 in style, wines with lovely typé aromas and great freshness.