Man with du vin
With summer around the corner, it’s time to top up your wine rack and support your local independents.
With two Bank Holidays ahead as well as the prospect of better weather, it is time to scrape off the barbecue and add sausages, spare ribs and steak to your home delivery shopping. Of course you won’t be able to invite the neighbours which might turn out to be a advantage. You can fill their garden with as many fabulous aromas as you like and clatter your cutlery without feeling guilty.
Getting the right wines in stock for your barbecue may involve a little more planning than usual. No one wants to have to nip out to the local off-licence or supermarket.
The best option is to talk to your local wine merchant who has been busy all through the crisis, making sure that they have sufficient stock. Not only are they up early taking deliveries, they then spend most of the day taking customer orders before loading up their vans and heading out to deliver to you. All have now got the hang of delivering to garden gates, sheds or just leaving boxes on the doorstep, without needing a signature. We have some of the best independent wine merchants in the country. Depending on where in the county you live, here are some suggestions of who to contact and what to buy.
Bon Coeur
Fine Wines, Melsonby, www. bcfw.co.uk, tel
01325 776446: The shop is now closed but Bon Coeur is still open for orders through the website, by phone or email. Delivery is free if you spend more than £150. Try the soft, fruity flavours of Little Rascal Shiraz from Australia (£8.22) and the crisp, citrus flavours of Sicilian Grillo from Cantina Cellaro (£11.54).
Chez Vin, Otley, 01943 466143: The shop is closed but David is taking orders between 10am and 1pm, from Tuesday to Saturday. Delivery is free within two miles of the shop for orders of £25 and further afield for orders of £50.
Field & Fawcett, York, www. fieldandfawcett.co.uk, 01904 489073: The shop is closed but is open for orders. Delivery is free within YO postcodes. Try the Primitivo del Salento (£8.40) for rich, red plum flavours.
Flourish & Prosper, Howden, www. flourish-and-prosper.com, 01430 430006: The shop is closed but still open for telephone orders from Tuesday to Saturday. Local delivery is free for orders over £30. Stock is arriving and being sold so fast that the website is not up to date, so ring to talk through what you need.
Hoults Wine Merchant, Huddersfield, www.hoults.com, 01484 510700: The keen deals are selling so fast that the offers list is out of date within days. The best option is to ring or send an email telling Rob Hoult what you want. Delivery is free within the Huddersfield area for orders over £75. Ask about the £80 mixed case which includes Cataratto from Sicily and a terrific Borsao Garnacha from Spain.
Harrogate Fine Wine Co, www. harrogatefinewinecompany.com, 01423 522270: The shop is closed but Andy is in six days a week to take orders and will deliver within a five-mile radius free of charge. Head for the mixed house wine case at £55 for six bottles which contains a crisp Whale Point Sauvignon Blanc and a full-flavoured Altosur Malbec. House of Townend, Melton, www. houseoftownend.com, 01482 638888: The cellar-door remains open but if you prefer to order online there is free delivery to all HU postcodes. House of Townend works with The Yorkshire Post to fulfil the Yorkshire Post Wine Club orders. Check the latest offer opposite.
Latitude Wines, Leeds, www. latitudewine.co.uk, 0113 245 3393: The shop in The Calls is closed but Latitude is operating weekdays and Saturdays. Deliveries over £50 are free to Leeds postcodes, with a £10 charge outside Leeds.
Go on to the website to see the Latitude Liquid Libation Lifeline which offers a selection of ready-mixed cases.
Martinez Wines, Ilkley and Bingley, www.martinez.co.uk, 01943 600000: The shops are closed but orders are being taken via the website. Local deliveries are free. Try Whispering Angel Provence Rose at £17.99, perfect for sipping in sunshine. Penistone Wine Cellars, Penistone, www.pcwine.co.uk, 01226 767310: The shop is open Tuesday to Friday, from 10am until 6pm, and on Saturdays, 10am until 3pm. Local delivery is free for six bottles or more. Try the ripe, spice-dusted 2016 Côtes du Rhône Les Abeilles from Jean Luc Colombo (£13.02) and the delicate flavours of Cavalchina Bardolino Chiaretto. Roberts & Speight, Beverley, www. robertsandspeight.co.uk, 01482 870717: Because this shop also sells food essentials you can actually visit and buy the wines you need. If you are staying at home you can order by phone or on the website. Delivery is free within the HU postcode for orders over £50. Try False Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2019 at £7.29 for fresh, zesty flavours.
Petit Chablis 2018, France, 12%, Marks & Spencer, down from £ 11 to £ 10 until May 11: Fresh, bright, lemon aromas backed by a touch of mango and pineapple fruit on the palate, and a crisp, minerally finish.