HAIL THE LOCAL WINE HEROES...
THERE was clarification this week that offlicences would be exempt from the lockdown imposed after the Prime Minister’s speech on Monday night.
The reasons for this are not exactly clear as beer, wine and spirits are not ‘basic essentials.’
But one issue could have been that supermarkets are coming under a great deal of pressure from people buying booze.
As pubs and restaurants are all closed there’s a simple cause and effect logic to this with the added need for people to de-stress coming into play.
However many wine merchants have decided to close anyway to protect their staff.
Some, like Hanging Ditch and Salut in the city centre, operate on a hospitality basis anyway and wouldn’t survive on takeaway sales alone.
Both have been forced to close to protect staff.
This has left the market open for online delivery.
One of the country’s biggest online merchants, The Wine Society, has decided to suspend orders because the size of its operation means it faces an impossible logistical challenge to keep staff safe.
Others such as Virgin Wines and Laithwaites have also closed down.
Stepping into the breach now are local merchants who are able to service their localities without compromising their staff.
Typically there’s one or two people working from a warehouse or premises and a delivery driver in a van.
It’s the same situation that helping breweries like Cloudwater stay in operation.
In south Manchester, Reserve
Wines (reservewines.co.uk) which has outlets in West Didsbury and Altrincham has gone over to a delivery-only model.
They have some fabulous wines and to makes things simpler there are some mixed cases on offer such as an everyday mixed case for £50 (retail price £57).
In Chorlton, Carringtons are happy to deliver to the local area but they don’t really have an online shop so call them on 0161 881 0099.
They are specialists in the south of France and have some brilliant wines from the Rhone in particular.
In north Manchester, Kwoff Wines (https://www. kwoff.co.uk/) is offering free delivery on orders over £99 within a range of certain postcodes.
They have a fairly extensive list and impeccable taste.
and clean. One of my favourite whites.
PIEROPAN, SOAVE CLASSICO 2018 (£17 Reserve Wines)
Let’s face it, you’re not going out to eat for the foreseeable so why not cook up some pasta and treat yourself to this superb white from an awesome producer in northern Italy.
It’s springtime in a bottle with white blossom notes on the nose and that distinctive almondy note that so many Italian whites seem to have running through to the palate.
Although there’s rich, citrussy waxiness to the wine it finishes very crisp
PLAN DE DIEU COTES DU RHONE-VILLAGES 2018 (£14.50 Carringtons)
A spicy beast of a wine from an estate owned by former professional racing driver Dirk Vermeersch - a fact that is alluded to on the distinctive checkerboard label.
It’s made from the classic blend of Grenache (50 per cent), Syrah (30pc) and Mourvedre (20pc).
Despite its herbal, blackberry intensity the tannins are rounded and smooth making for a very satisfying drop indeed.
Carringtons also stock several others examples of Le PlanVermeersch’s wines such as the delicious GT-C (£20) and an entry level Merlot (£9.99).
ABODE RESERVA PINOT NOIR 2017 (£8.45 Kwoff)
The awesome Adobe range of wines is from one of my favourite Chilean producers, Emiliana. It’s one of those go-to labels that never seems to disappoint despite the range of grape varieties available.
I’ve tried most and they all hit the mark with the Chardonnay being a big personal favourite of mine.
It’s not often I’ve been able to recommend a Pinot Noir at this sort of price. But this wine really shows off Chile’s suitability for the variety with this one hailing from cool climate Bio Bio Valley.
There’s a strawberry fragrance here and a summer pudding charm the lithe palate.
Served slightly chilled to get the most out of this one.