Thursday, June 16. 2011
New Tasting Video's
See link to new tasting video. Christopher Keys, winemaker at Gibbston Valley talks about the Late Harvest Riesling.
http://www.htfwines.co.uk/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=913
Wednesday, April 13. 2011
New Champagne range has arrived
R.C. Lamaire Champagne was first bottled in 1945. Since then four generations of the Lemaire family have grown the three Champagne vines; Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
In 2001 R.C. Lemaire Champagne introduced a policy of respecting the environment. The vineyard is no longer using pesticides, and is using more ecological methods to prevent insect presence and proliferation.
Lemaire Champagnes are all between three and four years old and our Millesime is seven years old; a contrast to other Champagnes on the market which can be aged for as little as 18 months. Lemaire is one of a small number of winegrowers who do not use the malo-lactic fermentation, which allows the wine to keep its natural acidity, therefore following a more ecological specification. The result is a refreshing, fruity, and much sought after Champagne.
Pick of the bunch - Lemaire Champagne Cuvee Tianon NV £32.75
The noble grapes of the Pinot Noir (60%) and Chardonnay (40%) are hand picked from 30 year old vines at optimum maturity and then aged for four years. This creates a sublime blend of pale gold, crystal clear Champagne, with subtle aromas of fresh fig and marzipan. This is underlined by a delicate and refreshingly fine mousse. The harmony and balance of this Champagne captures the imagination and makes it ideal for any occasion. Winner of the International Wine and Spirit Competition Gold (Best in Class) 2009
Monday, March 29. 2010
International Trophy for Gibbston Valley Pinot Noir
The 2008
Gibbston Valley Reserve Pinot Noir was awarded the trophy for Best Pinot Noir
at the 2010 Sydney International Wine Competition. Exclusively imported by us!
result. “This is notable for two reasons – firstly, the quality of the
judging gives the
competition great credibility, and secondly because for the first time the
Gibbston Valley Reserve Pinot Noir is a single vineyard wine.”
Valley Reserve Pinot Noir is the winery’s flagship wine and is only produced in
those vintages which produce fruit of exceptional quality. All the fruit
for the 2008 Reserve came from the School House vineyard in
Pinot Noir is the most elegant of our 2008 reds –not the biggest. It has
a beautiful perfume unique to this vineyard” Keys added.
Noir has a link to a place, a real character that defines the wine. This
School House Vineyard is simply exceptional. Wines from here are layered
and complex.”
in small quantities there are just 480 cases of the 2008 Reserve Pinot Noir
still available
consistent winner of gold medals and trophies since it was first produced in
1995, with earlier vintages of this label having won best pinot noir trophies
at the NZ Royal Easter Show Wine Awards (twice), the Japan International Wine
Challenge and the London International Wine Challenge.
Monday, March 22. 2010
Matt Skinner - Oakridge Chardonnay
Australia’s
Matt Skinner has been enjoying the Oakridge Chardonnay 2008. Matt is now based back
in Australia, looking after Jamie Oliver’s Australian restaurants and writing
his best selling book “the juice”.
Oakridge
Chardonnay 2008 (£16.99) tasting note.
“David
Bicknell and his team are producing some of the most pure expressions of
Chardonnay in this country. Expect subdued and stylish nose of grapefruit,
struck match and nutty oak, while palate is rich and steely, with terrific
intensity of citrus fruit, moreish acidity and a long drying finish.”
See
link to website http://www.htfwines.co.uk/scripts/oakridge-wine
Friday, January 22. 2010
Oh how Stylish are we!
Our wines are so cool we are getting write-ups in the Sunday
Times Style magazine. New wine columnist Bob Tyrer tastes the Haute Cabriere
Chardonnay Pinot Noir 2008. See link for article.
Wednesday, September 30. 2009
De Krans Pink Port comes to the UK!!!
Hard
to Find Wines Ltd DE KRANS PINK PORT.
SOUTH AFRICA’S ONLY PRODUCED PINK PORT IMPORTED EXCLUSIVELY BY US! http://www.htfwines.co.uk/scripts/prodVi
Thursday, August 13. 2009
BLACKBIRD VINEYARDS IS SELECTED AS THE EXCLUSIVE RED AND ROSÉ WINE AT VANITY FAIR'S TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL GALA
The 2006 Arise Napa Valley Proprietary Red Wine and 2008 Arriviste Napa Valley Rosé were featured at this star-studded event
Tuesday, July 28. 2009
Merlot is a bit like Marmite
Merlot is a bit like Marmite, you either love it or you hate it. This grape, on occasions has bad press, (especially if you’ve ever watched the movie Sideways) although we think that is somewhat unjust. I find especially with New World Merlot, bottle age is all important, and would avoid any 08/09 vintages like the plague (or swine flu!) But give the wine a couple of years or more to soften and develop and you will be rewarded. We have done this for you, so try these
corkers and you won’t be cursing
http://www.htfwines.co.uk/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=577
Tuesday, July 14. 2009
Can the Yanks make Sauvignon Blanc?
Check out the pictures of my latest tasting trip to USA. If you enjoy touring around vineyards in beautiful locations then you have to go to Napa. In one day you can visit a French Chateaux, a Spanish Bodegas, a Tuscan Villa and even an English Country House, I call it the
Monday, June 22. 2009
Recent interview with David MacDonald, owner of Bladen Winery in Marlborough, New Zealand.
Christine and Dave MacDonald - Owners of Bladen Winery
Pioneers of the Marlborough wine growing region. Dave and Christine were one of only eight vineyards in the district in 1989. How things have changed!
1. Which is your favourite wine out the Bladen range? That’s a tough question…… Of course we like all our wines as we make them to suit our own palate This vintage however, I think my favourite wine is the Gewurztraminer. It was fantastic fruit on the vine and
Hard to Find Wines Magazine Edition 1 out now!
As the summer months ascend upon us we have some great wines featured in this, our first, Hard to Find Wines Magazine. So you may be asking ‘have we decided to stop selling wine and start a magazine?’
Thursday, May 21. 2009
Corks Pop As UK Wine Wins Industry Gold
English winemakers have hit an all time high and critics say it's time we tried our native wines. Bob Lindo of Camel Valley spent 20 years cultivating his victorious vineyards in Cornwall and he's just won the UK's first ever gold medal in the International Wine Challenge - the Oscars of the wine world.
"Every time anybody in the English wine industry wins something it's good for everybody," he said. "We all gain and it raises the profile of English wine in general."
Wine Show Defies Downturn As Attendance Holds Up
The London International Wine Fair and its counterpart spirits exhibition Distil last week attracted their second-highest audience ever. Although the visitor numbers were down by 7% from last year's attendance at just under 14,000, the event was described as "excellent" by its organisers.
