The finest wines |
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Harlequin Wines, is devoted to supplying the finest wines from the most dedicated producers from around Europe here is a list of the wines we represent. Here are a few selections from our extensive wine list, to see our full list of wines please click here. |
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The pretty region of Alsace offers unique appeal, in both its wine and culture.The ribbon of vineyards is broken only by small villages, whose half-timbered houses are decorated in summer with brightly-planted window boxes. Standing apart from the rest of France, Alsace is geographically isolated on the west of the Vosges Mountains and on the east by the river Rhine. Alsace has the driest climate in France; its summers are hot and stormy, with long dry autumns. The wines here are predominately white [the only permitted red variety cultivated is Pinot Noir]. The finest grape variety, Riesling, often described as the King of Alsace, gives distinctly dry wines that vary in style from fresh, open and elegant to subtle, aromatic and firm. |
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The Wines |
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A Scherer 2004 Rouge Pinot Noir 101-R. This light coloured red wine is graced with the subtle flavours of summer fruits, especially raspberry.With its light tannins and superb dry finish, this is an ideal wine for roast lamb and goat’s cheese. |
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J Loberger Pinot Blanc 2007 110-W. This wine has strong floral characteristics of stone fruits, good acidity and a heady minerality. |
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J Loberger 2007 RieslingVieillesVignes 112-W. This delightful example produced from mature vines is dry, with delicate fruit flavours. Complex, with a subtle acidity and a hint of lemon, it is ideal for fish, shellfish and “la choucroute”. |
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J Loberger 2002 Gewurztraminer Weingarton 116-W. This grape has brought more fame to Alsace than any other. It has a distinctive, spicy, full, honeyed - yet dry - finish, and floral. |
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The only wine region in Bavaria (centred on the city of Wurzburg) this area specialises in outstanding dry white wines (and offers some superb sweet wines and excellent reds as well!). Franconian wines are not so well known outside Germany so this is your only opportunity to try some treasures that would normally be difficult to source. Franconia possesses a special climate, which is ideally suited for making full fruit wines with refreshing acidity. So proud are the Franconian wine makers they use the centuries old flagon shaped bottle known locally as a "bocksbeutel" to ensure their wines are easily identifiable. This is bound to be a conversation piece. The soils of the region are many and varied, but there is a true reflection of Franconia's geology in its wines. |
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The Wines |
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Castel 2007 Hohnart Riesling 202-W. Good balanced acidity with a hint of grapefruit. A classic. |
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Casteller Hohnart Silvaner 2010 205-W. This wine is a mature aromatic and spicy enjoyable silvaner. |
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Castell 2006 Schloss Castell Domina 207-R. A full, fruity, smooth, rounded red with good tannins and a hint of wild strawberries and cherries. Superb drinking. |
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Castell Hohnart Riesling 2010 211-W. This presents a lively, fresh and distinctive aroma with a strong acidity. There is citrus fruits, pineapple and passion fruit on the nose. Will age well because of acidity. Ideal with fish. |
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Trockene Schmitts Randersacker Sonnenstuhl Spatburgunder Spatlese 2009 235-R. This wine is fruity with vegetal and spice notes. On the palate, it is well-balanced with soft tannins. |
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Trockene Schmitts Randersacker Marsberg Albalonga Spatlese 2009 237-W. A cross between Rieslaner and Silvaner, this grape is grown in minute quantities. Smooth, with a honeyed grapefruit edge, this wine will keep for many years yet. |
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Richard Schmitt Randersacker Pfulben Traminer Spatlese 2008 251-W. |
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Richard Schmitt Dornfelder 2006 254-R. |
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Schmitt's Kinder Randersacker Sonnenstull Silvaner Kab. Trocken 2010 270-W. |
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Château Coupe Roses is a very old domaine located in La Caunette, high on the cliffs in the northeasterly part of the Minervois appellation of the Languedoc. It has been in the hands of the de Calvez family since 1614, but Françoise de Calvez and her husband, Pascal Frissant, have been in control since 1987. Together they have revitalized the estate. |
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The Wines |
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Coupe Roses Granaxa 2009 Minervois Rouge 327-R. Granaxa (dialect for Grenache) is a blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah made in older barrels. This is one of the finer Grenache wines made in the Languedoc, with a purity and sweetness of fruit that normally is only found in top Châteauneuf-du-Pape. |
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Coupe Roses Orience 2009 Minervois Rouge 328-R. Orience is the luxury cuvée of densely dark Syrah, intensely flavored old-vine Carignan, with a dollop of pure red fruit Grenache. Orience deserves decanting to allow its flavors to unfold. |
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The Domain La Grangette is located on a set of limestone grounds, coming from marl and sandstone "garrigue". Located between Méditerannée and Cevennes bordered by south with the the bassin de Thau and by north with the historic city of Pezenas, Domain La Grangette is in the centre of Picpoul De Pinet A.O.C. zone. The succession of marl and limestone deposits from lakes and seas, disrupted during the last earthquake in Languedoc, underwent rain's erosion during several million years and worked the grounds. Broad marl furrows alternate with conglomerates, limestone and sloping sandstone. |
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The Wines |
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Dom La Grangette Picpoul de Pinet 2010 AOC Cot du Languedoc 338-W. Dry white wine, pale gold with a hint of green. The bouquet is fine, elegant, fruity and floral with perfumes of hawthorn and lime. Rich creaminess, sharp and fresh on the palate, and a balanced harmony between acidity and roundness. Ideal as an aperitif or with fish and shellfish. |
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| Originally bought by a York Businessman in 2001. He installed an English winemaker Gavin Crisfield. Producing 200,000 bottles per year this vineyard produced some of our favourite wines. In December 2011 this was sold to Gerard Bertrand's GB Group. The GB group have a total of 460 hectares at Cigalus, Domaine Villemajou, Chateau de l'Aigle, Chateau Laville Bertou and L'Hospitalet. |
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The Wines |
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La Sauvageonne 2004 Coteaux du Languedoc Rouge Pica Broca 341-R. A blend of Syrah (60 percent) and Grenache (40 percent), made half in tank and half in oak barrels, the wine is dark garnet, with perfumed and pleasantly peppery aromas leading to a mouth full of plummy, structured fruit. |
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La Sauvageonne Vin de Pays Rouge 2004 342-R. The winery's "non-traditional" grapes are brought together to produce a Bordeaux-style blend of 85% Merlot, 10%Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc that sees 18 months in oak barrels. Very dark garnet in colour, with blackcurrant and red-berry flavours, Interestingly a Burgundy-style bottle is used for this Bordeaux blend. |
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La Sauvageonne 2004 Coteaux du Languedoc Puech de Glen 344-R. Deep and concentrated, pure black fruit, "sweet" and full, this high-end bottling presents pure essence of fully ripened Syrah fruit with a small amount of Grenache. |
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La Sauvageonne Vin de Pay Blanc 2010 345-W. A blend of 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Muscat a Petits Grains. A dry white wine with aromas of exotic fruits and flowers, agreeably refreshing with a touch of minerality on the palate. Delicious as an aperitif or with fish or white meat dishes and asparagus. |
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Chateau Grezan's wines are made in the shadow of a Knight Templar's castle. The castle now serves as a backdrop to the vineyards and their cellars are used for their very own winetastings. The chateau is situated in the Faugeres appellation, north of Beziers in the Herault department and has a well earned reputation for their red wines. Within the appellation, they are allowed to grow syrah and grenache as well as carignan, cinsault and mouvedre. They also grow chardonnay and pinot in the region but as it is not part of the AOC classification, they cannot sell it under the Faugeres appellation. |
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The Wines |
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Chateau Grezan Chardonnay IGP d'Oc 2010 360-W. Temperature controlled vinification of a characterful Chardonnay. Pale yellow with silver glints ; on the nose citrus fruits, mangos, white flowers; a lively wine thanks to a hint of acidity. |
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Chateau Grezan Expression AOP Rose 2010 361-Ro. True rosé from 60% Cinsault and 40% Syrah ; a fine nose, a luminous colour, red fruit aromas. Generous on the palate, its lightness makes of it a pleasant wine for Mediterranean cooking. |
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Chateau Grezan Expression AOP Faugeres 2009 362-R. Grenache 50%, Syrah 30%, and Carignan20% This wine is very representative of Faugères. It has aromas of spices, black fruits,and the herbs of the garrigue. |
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Chateau Grezan Tradition AOP Faugeres 2008 364-R. This wine has an intense dark red colour. The nose is expressive, powerful with blackcurrant aromas accompanied with notes of soft spices, liquorice and toast. During its youth, it is full-bodied and powerful in mouth, friendly , and accompanied by mellow tannins. After keeping, the nose will appear increasingly complex and the smoothness of the tannins in mouth will confirm harmony and balance. |
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Domaine du Theron was given a new lease of life in 1997 when taken over by Vic Pauwels a Belgium industrialist. He built a new chai with stunning views over the Lot valley. A chance visit several years ago convinced us that we had stumbled on a stunning example of the Cahors 'black wine' made from the Malbec grape. |
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The Wines |
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Domaine du Theron 2002 Dom Du Theron 404-R. Wines of deep red colour with blackcurrants, blackberry and cherry on the nose. A second nose will detect vanilla, spices developing a cedar and tobacco finish. All typical of the Malbec grape. Suitable with many meat dishes. |
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Domaine du Theron 2002 Le Theron 405-R. This wine has a highly concentrated deep colour and is spicy on the nose. Aged in oak the wine gives vanilla, cinnamon and clove in a burst of aromas. Cherries, blueberries and prunes come from this robust concentrated wine. Tannins softened by the oak yet the structure will give great aging potential. |
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The Wines |
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Domaine de la Cabernelle 2006 Bourgueil Vielles Vignes 480-R. This wine has the marvellous musty earthy character for which Bourgueil is famous. This is such a good wine, and so delicious.... |
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The Touraine wine region of France is at the heart of the huge Loire wine producing area. It is proud of its long history of quality wine production. It is an area well known to many from this country, as it is one of the most popular holiday regions in France. It is the region of the French Châteaux such as Chenoceaux, Chambord, Cheverny and so on. The style of its wines mirrors the region - stylish, traditional and full of beauty. Many people believe the Touraine only produces white wines, but in fact over half the production of the area is red. The main grape is the Cabernet Franc, and the style of these reds is full and generous. |
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The Wines |
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Confrerie Oisly & Thesee 2005 Cremant de Loire Blanc 501-W. Traditional method Sparkling wine. This cremant de Loire is made from Chardonnay has smooth creamy mousse. Puts many cheap champagnes in the shade. |
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The Wines |
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J-C&D Aubert 2007 Vouvray AOC Sec 511-W. The initial harsh acidity of Chenin Blanc has mellowed with aging in oak casks and further bottle aging in the cellars hewn out of the calcareous tuff. Quince and honey on the nose. Creamy to taste. Another wine for seafood and white meat. Very dry. |
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J-C&D Aubert Vouvray AOC Method Trad Reserve Brut 512-W. Vouray is dry with less than 6gms/sugar/litr It is fresh and fruity, with a slight hint of almonds. Will still age for many years. |
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On our journey along the Loire we reach Bue, a village outside of Sancerre yet steeped in the tradition of mineral and rich Sauvignons.
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The Wines |
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Daniel Crochet Sancerre Blanc 2010 521-W. Superb Sauvignon Blanc, a crisp, herbaceous style and marked minerality of this wine. |
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Daniel Crochet Sancerre Rouge 2006 523-R. Pinot Noir gives this attractive red Sancerre red berry fruits on the nose and satisfying earthiness on a fresh palate. |
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The Wines |
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Jean-Jacques Girard 2002 Savigny-les-Beaune 601. At first lemon and seasoned oak. The aromas progress to a delicate buttered crumpet, apricot, and white plum and apricot fruit flavours with savoury oak. |
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Jean-Jacques Girard 2003 Pernand Vergelesses 602. Gently oaked, this smooth, honey-textured wine shows delicious pear and hazelnut flavours, along with characteristic butter and toast on the finish. |
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Jean-Jacques Girard 2001 Savigny-les-Beaune 603. This wine shows violets, raspberries, flowers and red fruits on the nose. |
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Before travelling to Languedoc we stop in the region of Beaujolais. A southern satellite of the Burgundy region, lying to the west of Villefranche-sur-Saone, close to the A6 autoroute. It is a very pretty area, with green rolling hills and extinct volcanoes in the north, and flatter land in the south.We feature a Chiroubles again.
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The Wines |
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Meziat Pere et Fils 2005 Morgon AOC 620. Made on a unique terroir of loose crumbling schistous rock. Intense garnet in colour and with aromas of ripe cherries, peaches, apricots and plums. |
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Meziat Pere et Fils 2006 Regnie AOC 621. A cherry-red, violet tinged wine. The most striking characteristic on the nose is the terroir, a perfume of concentrated cherries, underpinned with a mineral/pebbly aroma. On the palate the fruit is dense with rich Kirsch flavours. |
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Meziat Pierre 2006 Chiroubles Vielles Vignes 623. The gamay grape produced from these old vines on granite slopes a wine with aromas of soft red fruits and blackcurrants. There are velvety tannins and a hint of peonies and violets |
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Villa Forano is owned by Count Lucangeli in Appignano near Macerata in the Marche region of central Italy. 20 hectares of land are under vine. Much recent investment in replanting, modernizing equipment and improving the cellar has produced great wines. My daughter who lived in Macerata had discovered the delights of this vineyard and following a visit in 2007 I vowed one day to include Villa Forano in the list of Harlequin Wines. And last year we achieved this aim. |
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The Wines |
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2008 Le Piagge Colli Maceratesi Bianco DOC 701. Straw-coloured with gray tones, with shades of delicate salty freshness, hints of white fruits such as apple and pear, sensations of acacia flowers and chamomile, dry, very fresh with a soft balance and fair structure. A blend of 80% Maceratinto and 20% Trebbiano grapes. |
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2007 Monteferro Colli Maceratesi Bianco DOC 702. Well structured, complex with a straw coloured golden reflections, intense aroma and persistent hints of exotic fruit ripe spicy fruit compote, honey and chamomile. Dry, cool and soft, a remarkable structure and excellent body. A blend of 90% Maceratinto and 10% Malvasia grapes. |
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2008 Occhio Di Gallo IGT Marche Rosato 704. Cherry red colour with a hint of light red. Fragrances ranging from floral to fruity with a suggestion of cyclamen, plum and fresh red berries. The mouth is very pleasant, of good structure and typical freshness. A blend of Montepulciano and Sangiovese grapes. |
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2008 Montelipa Colli Maceratesi Rosso DOC 707. Ruby red with purple highlights, this wine has floral and fruity notes, followed by a pleasant slightly spicy note, aromas of rose, raspberry and blackberry. The mouth is soft and very balanced, discrete tannins and typically mature Sangiovese and tangy acidity. A blend of 50% Sangiovese 25% Lacrima and 25%Vernaccia nera grapes. |
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2006 Rosso Piceno DOC 708. Ruby red with violet hues, intense aroma and persistent red berry fruits like black currant, blueberry and raspberry, with a presence of light vanilla. Dry, quite crisp and pleasantly tannic, with a good palate, of obvious structure and volume. A blend of 60% Montepulciano and 40% Sangiovese grapes. |
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2003 Bulciano Rosso Piceno DOC 709. Deep ruby red colour, very intense and persistent fragrance. Tertiary scents (vanilla, leather, tobacco) with strong varietal characters of spice and hints of cherries, jam and fruit in alcohol. Dry, quite crisp and soft, shows a remarkable structure and an excellent volume on the palate, ripe tannins and well focused. A blend of 80% Montepulciano and 20% Sangiovese grapes. |
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Villa Forano 2001 Bulciano Rosso Piceno DOC Magnum 1.5L 710-R. Deep ruby red colour, very intense and persistent fragrance. (vanilla, leather, tobacco) with strong varietal characters of spice and hints of cherries, jam and fruit in alcohol. Dry, quite crisp and soft, shows a remarkable structure and depth of structure on the palate, ripe tannins and well focused. A blend of 80% Montepulciano and 20% Sangiovese grapes. |
To see our full list of wines please click here.
