Wine News
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, in this, and future
updates 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.
In the Pink
The smallest section on our list, but definitely one that should
not be overlooked, the rosé wine has far too often been
associated with semi sweet and relatively insipid wine. Probably
much to do with the memories of that good old favourite “Mateus
Rosé”. However the four wines that we list should
definitely be tried, and in particular throughout the warm days
of summer.
Otto Bestué Rosado
From Bodegas Otto Bestué in Spain, this vineyard dates
back to 1640. However it was only in 2000, that Lorenzo Bestué
decided to start producing their own wine following years of
selling their grape production to another wine maker in the
region. Now with his own wine maker Jésus Navascués
they have been producing some stunning wines under their own
label, from five prime parts of their 30 hectare vineyard.
The Rosado is a blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon.
A beautiful colour in the glass of deep pink, this wine is beautifully
balanced with plenty of black fruit berries on the palate and
just a hint of spice from the Tempranillo. This is a great wine
to quaff chilled in the gardens before dinner.
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Tavel La Forcadière,
Armand & Roger Maby
This classic French rosé has always been a favourite
of mine. From the southern Rhone, Tavel is situated just below
Lirac. Whilst rosé from Lirac tends to produce mid-weight
wines drunk fairly young, the Tavel wines tend to have more
body and are less insipid. The Forcadière is a great
example of wine from the region and is an ideal accompaniment
to the seafood dishes and crustaccea that Mark our Head Chef
enjoys serving.
Domaine des Chaberts Cuvee Prestige 2003, Coteaux
Varois
From Provence this is the most elegant of wines. The colour
is the most beautiful delicate pink. The blend of Grenache and
Cinsault grapes have come together to create a delicate and
subtle wine. Gentle fruit aromas on the nose, on the palate,
richness and balanced tannins combine to offer a wine with dry
finish that is surprisingly persistent for the lightness of
its style.
Vina Tondonia, Crianza Rosado, Rioja Alta, 1995
Back in Spain and from the Bodegas that I wrote of last time,
the Crianza Rosado from Tondonia is a great treat. Aged in their
own oak barrels this wine is a blend of predominantly tempranillo
with garnacho and mazuelo and graciano. The wine is crisp and
vibrant with a wonderful buttery nose. The wine is very full
bodies and is wonderfully robust with a crisp finish. This wine
is perfect for bigger flavoured foods and handles quite a lot
of spice. Unusual and unique a treat to be discovered.
I hope you will enjoy exploring our list again very
soon. |
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