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The Whole Hog - April 2021

Red wine glasses being clicked together

Wine Small Talk – Forget Easter Chocolates, what about Chocolate Wine??


I hope that you have all had a restful and enjoyable Easter weekend, as best we can with the ongoing circumstances we continue to face. At least the sun shone beautifully on Sunday, so plenty of opportunity for ‘family bubble’ social garden gatherings, Easter drinks and Egg hunts!


We Brits get through 90 million chocolate eggs at Easter; indeed, we consume 10% of our annual chocolate consumption in just three days!


So, it’s clear – we like chocolate! And what’s not to like eh.


But Easter Eggs don’t have to be the only source of chocolate we consume this weekend, we can find some delicious chocolate flavours and aromas in perhaps an unlikely source, a lovely bottle of red wine….


Just last week I enjoyed a delicious bottle of Red Heads Night Of The Living Red 2019, a blend of Durif, Touriga Nacional and Cabernet, which comes together to create a velvety, long and yes, chocolatey mouthful.


Two weeks ago we hosted a lovely Rioja tasting where two wines, the Vina Real Crianza 2016 and the Cune Crianza 2016, both exhibited notes of chocolate, caramel, and cocoa. Whilst Tempranillo is the dominant grape, I personally attribute the chocolate hues to the presence of Garnacha (or Grenache) in both wines.


For one of our regular wine tasting clients we ended a recent tasting with some lovely cheese and a bottle of the Zuccardi Malamado Fortified Malbec, which not only complemented the cheese perfectly, but also delivered undertones of cinnamon, toasted almonds and dark chocolate.


And in March I was also fortunate to attend an Errazuriz tasting, where amongst others we sampled the outstanding Kai Carmenere 2010, which displayed intoxicating flavours of coffee, cocoa, truffles and tobacco.


Of course, if you need a real chocolate kick from your wine, you could always enjoy Rubis, a bottle of which my son kindly gave me at Christmas. A lovely blend of Tempranillo grapes and cacao – just beware, you will need a few friends to help you through this bottle, it is seriously rich!


So, to satisfy your chocolate craving, it’s not only chocolate Easter eggs you can turn to, why not grab a lovely bottle of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carménère or any of the other chocolatey grape varieties!


Cheers!


David Alexander

 

Wines of the Month


Every month we will bring you as many as four fantastic wine deals – wines we have selected for their quality and variety.


These wines are discounted for our Wine Club members – we guarantee that you will not be able to buy these wines anywhere else without having to go deeper in your pocket. (Any price comparisons are correct at time of writing).


Here are four beauties for your consideration….


White Wines


Louis Jadot Savigny Les Guettes Blanc 2015 Domaine Gagey


A beautiful vineyard, sitting high up the slope, delivering classic white Burgundy with a hint of spiced apple and butterscotch. Perfect with fish/shellfish.


£147/case of six vs. Vinum: £189


Gaja Vistamare 2019


Grown on the Tuscan coastline, Vistamare displays notes of jasmine, gooseberry and honey. Intensely fragrant this blend of Vermentino, Viognier and Fiano delivers a smooth and a refreshing finish.


£186/case of six vs. Hedonism: £320


Red Wines


Chapoutier St. Joseph Deschants 2017


A classic Northern Rhone Syrah red wine at a tremendous price!


£120/case of six vs. The Wine Centre: £174


Jose Zuccardi Malbec 2015


Made by Sebastian Zuccardi in honour of his Father Jose, this is a delicious Malbec (with 5% Cab Sav) that delivers great red fruit.


£168/case of six vs. VINUM: £192

 

Monthly Member Offers


Say Cheese!

Selection of delicious cheeses

Cheese makes for a great partner.


That’s why we have partnered with The Fine Cheese Company and put together a seriously yummy cheese offering. Here’s what you get:

  • 100g Waxed Farmhouse Cheddar

  • 140g Cotswold Blue Brie

  • 100g Brillat Savarin

  • 140g Heritage New Bath Squares (biscuits)

  • 100g Moon’s Green Charcuterie Pork Beer Sticks

We will also throw in a half-bottle of the excellent Robert Oatley Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, to get you started!


This superb cheese and wine parcel of deliciousness can be delivered to your door for just £20 (plus delivery).


That’s three great cheeses, cheese biscuits, charcuterie and vino.

 

Wines Around the World


City A.M. looks at the Indian Wine Market and the 'Wines in India' team, who are determined to introduce the best-quality wine from India's top wineries to the UK market.


The founders of 'Wines in India' are currently working with a Wine Master to overcome misconceptions about Indian wine. In theory, the job shouldn't be too difficult, considering the fact that "India grows more grapes than Australia". However, only a tiny fraction of this is turned into wine.


Read more at City A.M.

 

Wild Boar Events - Update


Our two Fine Wine Dining Evenings at Dukes Hotel on the 26th and 27th May are now Sold Out.


Due to popular demand, we have now added the 25th May, so if you are looking for a special evening in London, for up to five of you, please do get in touch.


Virtual Fine Wine & Cheese Tasting for Just £50 per household!!

Cheese and wine tasting dinner

Don’t ask how we do it, but we are hosting a series of Fine Wine & Cheese Tastings during April and May – tickets are available for just £50/household.


Confirmed dates:

  • April 22nd 2021 6pm start

  • May 6th 2021 6pm start

  • May 20th 2021 6pm start

Here’s what’s included:

  • 2 x 75cl glasses of the following wines:

    • Joseph Mellot La Grande Chatelaine Sancerre 2016

    • Jadot Bourgogne Chablis de Cellier 2019

    • CVNE Vina Real Crianza 2016

    • Robert Oatley Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Plus….

  • 100gm Waxed English Cheddar

  • 140gm Brillat Cheese

  • Delivery

  • Hosting by our Founder, David Alexander

Alternatively, if you wish to attend as a single, we can provide one glass of each wine, plus the cheese for just £39.


Don’t delay, tickets are on sale now!

 
Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing" – Ernest Hemingway.
 

Wild Boar & Friends


Introducing King's Fine Food - Our Partner in Caviar

Glass of bubbly champagne with a spoon of caviar

Founded by Laura King, widely regarded as the UK’s leading caviar expert, King's Fine Food delivers the highest quality caviar, chocolates, and more!


We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with Laura and the team to offer our customers bespoke Virtual Champagne & Caviar Evenings. Including Beluga, Oscietra and Sevruga we will pair these very best caviars with the finest champagnes from the Taittinger champagne house. For every Champagne and Caviar Evening we host we will donate £200 to our preferred charity, The John King Brain Tumour Foundation.


Follow King's Fine Food at @kingsfinefood1 or visit their website for more information!

 

April Members Survey


Every month we conduct a survey to help us better understand our Members’ likes and dislikes, so we can better serve you.


It takes less than 60 seconds to complete and there’s a prize draw every month, take part and you’re in the draw to win a delicious half-bottle of Robert Oatley Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2018.

 

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