Wonderful Warming Wines

'Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the wine is so delightful.......................' well that's how the song goes in my head. Cosying up next to a fire with a favourite wine is always a nice way to cheer yourself up on a bleak and cold wintery day, but there are also those fresh and zingy wines to enjoy after a brisk walk on a clear, frosty evening.

Below is a small selection to inspire your drinking choices this winter.

Fresh and Zingy

Manoir Muscadet Sevre et Maine, Henri Poiron, Loire, France - £8.25
Fresh, zippy and crisp with an ever so slight spritz. This wine has a slight creamy texture from being left on its lees which makes it so more-ish. The first wine the Proprietor Fraser Alexander ever purchased 31 years ago, it was made to go with seafood, so why not enjoy with some Scottish smoked salmon or fresh oysters.

'The Realm' Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand - £8.99
A true classic - with flavours of lip-tingling citrus and aromatic herbaceousness. A great all-rounder that is perfect for just relaxing with or pairing with some asian style food at the weekend. Ideal to crack open after a long frosty walk on a bright winters day.

Spicy and Warming

Simonsig Cabernet/ Shiraz, Stellenbosch, South Africa - £6.99
Made for those dark and stormy nights, with its brooding dark red fruits, sweet spice and toasted mocha on the finish. A real warming delight - and excellent with chargrilled red meats. Time to chill by the fire with a large glass and some Michael Buble in the background........

Cuvee Balthazar Syrah, Pierrick Harang, Languedoc, France - £10.49
A very interesting wine that keeps the tastebuds yearning for more - with flavours of violets, blackcurrants and blackberries on the first sip that then develop into liquorice and spicy black pepper on the finish. Truly spectacular! One to enjoy with that special person in your life cuddled up on the sofa.

Let's go Retro!!

That time of year is almost upon us again, and no I don't mean the C word........ I'm talking about Beaujolais Nouveau Day. Set on the 3rd Thursday in November, this year BN Day falls on the 15th of November, this is the first day the new Beaujolais can be sold to eager customers. Traditionally the winemakers would rush through the Beaujolais villages 1 minute past midnight towards Paris to be the first to get their wines there. They would be greeted with banners of 'Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrive',cheer and celebrations of the new wine would flow along with the wine. Many of the restaurants stay open throughout the night serving copious amounts of this unique wine.

Along with this all over France parties and events take place with the biggest happening in Beaujeu, the capital of the Beaujolais region, where a massive party called Sarmentelles erupts. This party can last for a few days, starting on the Wednesday and finishing on the Friday, with competitions between winemakers to discover who has created the best wine. Lyon also hosts the Beaujolympics which marks the release of the wine with fireworks and 2 days of sampling.

BN Day has now become an international event, with people all over the world celebrating with Beaujolais Nouveau Parties and themed events.

Bottled just 6-8 weeks after the Gamay grapes have been picked, this wine is a fresh, fruity and easy-drinking wine that is best consumed young. The grapes are pressed only 3 days after fermentation preventing heavy tannins from affecting the wine. Fantastic served slightly chilled, this wine is made for drinkign and enjoying with friends. Beaujolais Nouveau also pairs very well with your Christmas Turkey and cranberry sauce, so don't miss out on the hype and try some for yourself. (Sorry, had to pop the C word in there.......)

£7.99 a bottle