New wines & old favourites

A wine list is a very personal statement of likes and preferences, balance and interest. We spend large amounts of time sourcing our wines with the help of some excellent suppliers and more importantly sharing tastings and knowledge within the team in The Olive Tree.

We hope that you have found interesting wines to enjoy when you have visited. However all too often we stay with the things that we know, and sometimes we need encouragement to try the things that we don't. With this in mind, I would like to share some notes on the tastings and trips that I have been on so that when you next visit The Olive Tree we can hopefully introduce you to new wines or bring you back to old favourites, or just share an idea for the future.

English Wine
Now here is a subject to raise an eyebrow or too. I must confess to have never subscribed to the belief that here in England we have been able to make wine of a consistent standard, with the balance and style that can so readily be found from the New World, let alone the classic vineyards. Still never to be one not to admit where I am wrong and always willing to learn I have recently had a revelation thanks to a great friend Philip Addis who owns Great Western Wine in Bath. Over the years Philip has helped us develop the list for the Olive Tree along with six other merchants, however Philip has always been on hand to help guide and advise, and in Camel Valley wines he has found an English vineyard worthy of our attention.

Based in Cornwall on the Camel Estuary this is a fantastic small vineyard producing limited quantities of hand crafted wines and very worthy of the plaudits they have received over the last few years. As a result of my education I am pleased to say that we shall be listing the Camel Valley Bacchus on the Olive Tree List by the glass and the bottle.

A note from the vineyard below.

2006 Camel Valley Bacchus Quality Wine
A dry, aromatic wine with a steely finish. Previous vintages have won International Wine Challenge awards. Sunday Times: 'England's answer to Sancerre.’ Wine maker’s notes: 'Good varietal character and length - the best Bacchus yet'. 'Stunning', Richard Ehrlich wine critic for the Independent on Sunday.

With this new found confidence in English wine we are now looking at a couple of other wines including a wine from Wickham Vineyard in Hampshire that Philip assures me is worthy of note. We shall see!

Champagne
Since we are in the season for celebrating can I also recommend the Laurent Perrier Ultra Brut? Introduced on our list in the Summer, this wine from the Grand Marque of Laurent Perrier is one of the most elegant non vintage champagnes available. With absolutely no sugar added this is a sophisticated dry wine perfect for starting any occasion!

I hope you will enjoy exploring our list again very soon.