Rustenberg Syrah 2009 Stellenbosch

£17.49
or buy any two South African wines and save 20%!!
£13.99

The majority of South African winemaking is centered around Stellenbosch, a leafy university town surrounded by Arcadian countryside. The vineyards of Stellenbosch vary greatly with the best wines coming from estates around the town, which are open to southerly ocean breezes from False Bay, or high enough in the hills for altitude and cooling winds to slow down the ripening process.

The Rustenberg Syrah comes from one of the top wineries in South Africa, where it spends 20 months in oak, leading to a Syrah that has real structure and more potential for cellaring.

On the nose, this wine has pronounced savoury aromas and concentrated dark fruit. On the palate the Rustenberg Syrah is dominated by a mix of cloves, cinnamon and violets.

Rustenberg Syrah is the best wine match for dishes that are richer in style. Over the next 6 to 8 years this intense wine will soften and mellow.

Valentines Day.  For some, a great excuse to treat their significant other to an evening of unbridled romance and pampering.  For others, it is the epitome of the 'Hallmark Holiday' created for restaurants and retailers to make money.  But whether you are a hopeless romantic or an embittered scrooge here are some ways to ensure an enjoyable February 14th.

Going the whole hog

If you're going to do something, do it properly.  I've fallen into this camp a few times and I think it's hugely rewarding to go to the effort of creating a special evening.  So why not plan out a delicious candlelit meal for two.  Start with a bottle of Champagne, if there is ever an occasion to drink rosé fizz its Valentines day. Then you'll need some fine wine tailored to your food (we are always happy to provide food & wine matching recommendations), my rule is to take the amount of money you would pay on a restaurant wine list and buy a bottle at that price, you will be blown away by the quality.

The Lazy Option

Sometimes, you only need minimal effort to have a great time.  And food & wine matching needn't be an intricate process, my two favourite matches are simple yet effective.  So pick up the phone, order in some food, stick a romcom on the telly, get in a posh takeaway and you'd rather be nowhere else.

Fish & Chips with Champagne - These two are a better couple than Kate & William, a match made in heaven.  The crisp acidity of bubbly cuts through the oil and grease of the fish & chips and cleanses the palate, whilst the flavours of the food will not overpower the subtle delicacy of Champers.  Best buy at the moment is Taittinger NV at £25

Thai and Sancerre/Cloudy Bay - I've picked Thai but most cuisine of an Oriental persuasion goes wonderfully with Sauvignon Blanc, the pungent gooseberry flavours will stand up to lightly spiced dishes and the oil/acid palate cleansing effect is in action here too.  Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc is on offer from £25 down to £20 when you buy two, and the Sancerre Vacheron is superb at £17.99.

The Single Mans Feb 14th

Just because you wont be romancing doesn't mean you can't treat yourself, and as such this is a carbon copy of my plan for Tuesday evening.  Three simple ingredients are all you need.  Con Air (I'll also accept Face/Off or True Lies), an enormous steak and an equally enormous wine.  I'll be having the Catena Alta Malbec £21, although the Masi Amarone £26 and Two Hands Shiraz £24 were close.

The Saintsbury Rodgers Creek is a cool climate Syrah, grown high up in the Sonoma Valley, influenced by the cool marine air blowing in from the Pacific. The growing conditions here produce wines similar in style to the wines of Northern Rhône.

Southern Sonoma and Carneros is where the first attempt at fine wine began in California, around the former mission and garrison town of Mission San Francisco de Solano. It was here that the Franciscan monks planted their last and most northerly vineyard, introducing the vine to one of its friendliest environments on earth.

This wine is of real class with a slightly restrained, elegant finish displaying the wild gamey side of Syrah rather than generous, jammy fruit.

The Saintsbury Rodgers Creek will reward cellaring but even now it is an interesting wine with plenty of personality. This wine will partner well with fillet mignon or venison stew.

This wine is on special offer at £23.
 

Rustenberg Syrah 2009 Stellenbosch

£17.49
or buy any two South African wines and save 20%!!
£13.99

The majority of South African winemaking is centered around Stellenbosch, a leafy university town surrounded by Arcadian countryside. The vineyards of Stellenbosch vary greatly with the best wines coming from estates around the town, which are open to southerly ocean breezes from False Bay, or high enough in the hills for altitude and cooling winds to slow down the ripening process.

The Rustenberg Syrah comes from one of the top wineries in South Africa, where it spends 20 months in oak, leading to a Syrah that has real structure and more potential for cellaring.

On the nose, this wine has pronounced savoury aromas and concentrated dark fruit. On the palate the Rustenberg Syrah is dominated by a mix of cloves, cinnamon and violets.

Rustenberg Syrah is the best wine match for dishes that are richer in style. Over the next 6 to 8 years this intense wine will soften and mellow.

Valentines Day.  For some, a great excuse to treat their significant other to an evening of unbridled romance and pampering.  For others, it is the epitome of the 'Hallmark Holiday' created for restaurants and retailers to make money.  But whether you are a hopeless romantic or an embittered scrooge here are some ways to ensure an enjoyable February 14th.

Going the whole hog

If you're going to do something, do it properly.  I've fallen into this camp a few times and I think it's hugely rewarding to go to the effort of creating a special evening.  So why not plan out a delicious candlelit meal for two.  Start with a bottle of Champagne, if there is ever an occasion to drink rosé fizz its Valentines day. Then you'll need some fine wine tailored to your food (we are always happy to provide food & wine matching recommendations), my rule is to take the amount of money you would pay on a restaurant wine list and buy a bottle at that price, you will be blown away by the quality.

The Lazy Option

Sometimes, you only need minimal effort to have a great time.  And food & wine matching needn't be an intricate process, my two favourite matches are simple yet effective.  So pick up the phone, order in some food, stick a romcom on the telly, get in a posh takeaway and you'd rather be nowhere else.

Fish & Chips with Champagne - These two are a better couple than Kate & William, a match made in heaven.  The crisp acidity of bubbly cuts through the oil and grease of the fish & chips and cleanses the palate, whilst the flavours of the food will not overpower the subtle delicacy of Champers.  Best buy at the moment is Taittinger NV at £25

Thai and Sancerre/Cloudy Bay - I've picked Thai but most cuisine of an Oriental persuasion goes wonderfully with Sauvignon Blanc, the pungent gooseberry flavours will stand up to lightly spiced dishes and the oil/acid palate cleansing effect is in action here too.  Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc is on offer from £25 down to £20 when you buy two, and the Sancerre Vacheron is superb at £17.99.

The Single Mans Feb 14th

Just because you wont be romancing doesn't mean you can't treat yourself, and as such this is a carbon copy of my plan for Tuesday evening.  Three simple ingredients are all you need.  Con Air (I'll also accept Face/Off or True Lies), an enormous steak and an equally enormous wine.  I'll be having the Catena Alta Malbec £21, although the Masi Amarone £26 and Two Hands Shiraz £24 were close.

The Saintsbury Rodgers Creek is a cool climate Syrah, grown high up in the Sonoma Valley, influenced by the cool marine air blowing in from the Pacific. The growing conditions here produce wines similar in style to the wines of Northern Rhône.

Southern Sonoma and Carneros is where the first attempt at fine wine began in California, around the former mission and garrison town of Mission San Francisco de Solano. It was here that the Franciscan monks planted their last and most northerly vineyard, introducing the vine to one of its friendliest environments on earth.

This wine is of real class with a slightly restrained, elegant finish displaying the wild gamey side of Syrah rather than generous, jammy fruit.

The Saintsbury Rodgers Creek will reward cellaring but even now it is an interesting wine with plenty of personality. This wine will partner well with fillet mignon or venison stew.

This wine is on special offer at £23.
 

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 on 01753867110 or email us at wnr@majestic.co.uk  for more details of what's available.

Here are a few highlights of Windsor's Bargain Hunt

• Volnay 1er cru les Mitans 2004 Domaine de Montille £26.66
• Costero Syrah 2009 vina Leyda Chile £6.32
• Domaine les Yeuses 'la Soure' Merlot/Syrah Vin de Pays d'Oc 2009 £5.99

Happy bargain hunting!

Grab them quick before the Christmas offers end on Jan 30th!

Waimea Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Nelson
The Waimea terroir and typical high sunshine have been captured in the production of this wine resulting in a ripe, concentrated style balanced by a clean mineral structure. An elegant crisp palate of citrus and gooseberry fruit with delicate floral notes and a zingy refreshing finish. A marvelous match for spicy foods such as Thai curry.

Côtes-du-Rhône Belleruche 2009/2010 M.Chapoutier
The Chapoutier family have produced wines in the Rhône Valley since 1808. A superb wine with rich aromas of dark fruit, earthy minerals and spice. Soft and round on the palate with smooth tannins, rich blackberry and cherry fruit, hints of liquorice and a substantial finish. This wine can be enjoyed over the next several years and will superbly partner most rich meat dishes.

Anakena Indo Merlot 2010 Cachapoal Valley
A supremely easy-drinking, soft-tannined Merlot, with small amounts of Syrah and Carmenere added for a slightly meatier structure. The nose and palate are reminiscent of a big bowl of red fruits. Enjoy with white meat dishes, pork sausages or a vegetarian lasagne.

Mâcon Villages Blanc "Les Roches Blanches" 2010 Louis Jadot
The majority of the fruit for this wine was sourced from the superior quality vineyards from around the village of Loché, southwest of Mâcon in southern Burgundy. This wine displays a fantastic purity of fruit with subtle hints of pear and green apple on the nose and a crisp minerally finish. A nice apéritif but this wine will also partner well with white fish dishes.

Rioja Reserva 2005/2006 Viña Eguia
Beautifully deep ruby coloured, with an intense mix of dark fruit, toasted oak and clove aromas. Match this wine with a mature steak or with a board of chorizo and manchego cheese.

Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay 2009 Sonoma Coast
Flavours of melon, pineapple and lime leap forward on the palate joined by a nutty, spicy, lightly oaky profile that is sure to please those who love Chardonnay. A great compliment to poultry, shellfish and vegetables and an ideal match to goat's cheese.