WINE TALK Autumn 2023
LATEST NEWS
Welcome,
This year has been another interesting one in the wine trade. Climate change continues to throw challenges at winemakers with the changing weather patterns. Our latest weather event is severe snow in Chile leaving vehicles stranded and shipments delayed. In August the UK government introduced a record increase in alcohol excise duty as a first step towards taxing wine at a different rate depending on alcohol level. Sadly this meant an increase in many still wine prices.
The unusual UK weather in the summer has seen fluctuating sales of different wines, especially rose. The Autumn brings a return of the fuller reds and we feature a wonderful new producer in Ribera del Duero, Rippa Dorii.
We are looking forward to our Christmas Tasting which takes place on Saturday 18th November, 6-9pm at Cirencester Baptist Church. Tickets are £20, redeemable against a purchase of a case of 12 wines on the night. We have lots of new fabulous wines to show on the night. Tickets are available online https://talkingwines.co.uk/products/ticket-for-christmas-tasting or from the shop. We look forward to seeing many of you there.
You can follow us on instagram @talkingwinesciren and facebook. You can find all our range of wines at https://talkingwines.co.uk/
We hope to see you soon.
Best wishes
Simon and the Talking Wines Team
Ripping it Up in Ribera
Ribera del Duero is situated in Spain's northern plateau along the Duero river. It is at high altitude with largely flat and rocky terrain and is based on a single black grape variety, Tempranillo, known locally as Fino Tinto or Tinta del Pais.
The Rippa Dorii vineyards are located in the Fuentecén area. Rippa Dorii is the latin name for Ribera del Duero and their labels are inspired by the local church Santa Maria de Ripa Dorii in Torrecilla de la Abadesa. Here, at 900 metres altitude the climate is harsh, with unpredictable rainfall, the risk of frost and short very hot summers. It is a wild barren landscape, but the people offer great hospitality and the barbequed lamb cutlets are not to be missed.
Despite the challenges, Rippa Dorii work wonders with their Tempranillo, showing the best of the what the region is capable of, at remarkable value. The Roble 2021 is matured in new oak for seven months (40% American, 60% French). The wine is however very fresh fruit focused with flavours of black cherry and plum, followed by subtle oak on the finish. The 2020 Crianza comes from vines over 25 years in age and spends 12 months in oak (70% French, 30% American). Fuller and more complex with bramble and blueberry fruit, spice, ripe tannins and good length.
We are thrilled to have have added these wines to the range. Ribera del Duero is a difficult region to find great value, but in these wines we have exceeded our expectations.
What's New?
Rippa Dorii Ribera del Duero Tempranillo Roble, Spain £12.95
Rippa Dorii Ribera del Duero Crianza, Spain £14.99
Alpha Box & Dice 'Enigma' Barbera, Adelaide Hills, Australia £21.00
Chateau Paquette Rose, Cotes de Provence, France £17.50
Woodchester Valley Pinot Noir Rose, Gloucestershire £18.95
Domaine Haut-Marin No.6 Fossiles, Cotes de Gascogne, France £10.99
Romarion Viognier, Pays d'Oc, France £10.99
Kardos Dry Furmint, Tokaj, Hungary £14.50
Vale do Homem Alvarinho, Portugal £15.95
Domaine Chauveau Coteaux du Giennois Calcaire, Loire, France £16.99
