{"title":"Bob's wines","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"carigno-del-maule-carignan-2020","title":"Carigno del Maule Carignan 2020","description":"\u003cp\u003eIf you want to taste the real Chile, try a Carignan like this.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOld vine Carignan is Chile’s forgotten treasure. It was planted en masse in the Maule Valley in the 1940s after the devastating earthquake of 1939 - in an effort to rejuvenate the region, and bulk up the local reds.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut it was only as recently as 2010 that winemakers started rediscovering the incredible potential of these precious old vines.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf you ever visit the Maule Valley, it’s hard not to fall in love with the place. Wild, empty landscapes, a patchwork of ancient vineyards, and winding roads dotted with small cottages and shacks. It’s like going back in time.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI’m a total sucker for old vine Carignan - the bright blueberry, violets and wild herbs on the nose, the juicy and intense palate, with a freshness and drinkability which keeps you coming back for more.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI was introduced to Natalia and Maria José’s Carignan from another winemaker, Connie Schwaderer, who put on a huge tasting for me of talented, unsung Chilean producers.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt’s from a 75 year-old vineyard on gentle slopes near Cauqenes, based on granite soils and farmed with organic principles.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe old vines produce tiny amounts of fruit here - just 1 bottle per vine - but what it does produce is full of concentration and character.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI knew I wanted an old vine Carignan to introduce Irish wine drinkers to, and this one stood head and shoulders above the rest.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnd it’s at a price I can scarcely believe for the quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like your classic French and Italian reds - Bordeaux, Barbera, Barolo... give this a try.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43379987022044,"sku":"MORCGN20","price":28.72,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/CarignodelMaule2020.jpg?v=1716301396"},{"product_id":"martinelle-ventoux-2022","title":"Martinelle Ventoux Rouge 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eI’ve always loved the wines of Ventoux, especially as so many Rhône reds are so big and overblown these days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe altitude of the vineyards around the imposing Mont Ventoux, as well as the Mistral wind which blows through in the summer, keeps the grapes around here healthy and gives them a lovely balance and freshness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's literally a breath of fresh air!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWinemaker Corinna Faravel, seeing this potential over twenty years ago, made the brave move from Germany to buy her own vineyards here in 2001.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is her flagship wine - made up of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre from her beautiful, organically-farmed estate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe does everything in the vineyards to pick perfectly healthy and ripe grapes, and the winemaking is pretty simple from there. The wine is aged in concrete tanks and bottled with a tiny bit of sulphur to preserve all that vineyard character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you love Côtes du Rhône but maybe you miss how it used to taste - this wine is for you. It's bright, fresh and juicy, with lovely flavours of raspberry, violets and spice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCorinna sold her wine very briefly in Ireland around 10 years ago - she couldn’t be happier to be back, and I’m delighted to make it happen!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47533525729611,"sku":"MRTVTX22","price":19.81,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/MartinelleVentouxRouge2022.jpg?v=1716285525"},{"product_id":"domaine-jones-les-parcelles-2022","title":"Domaine Jones Les Parcelles 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eFitou is one of the most famous appellations in the Languedoc. But there’s one catch - if you want to put the name Fitou on the label, it has to be a red wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a crying shame - the combination of old vines and complex soils here are the perfect raw materials to make great white wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo winemaker Katie has decided to make a white Fitou in all but name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd this wine shows why the local powers that be would do well to move with the times and change those rules.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s made up of the typical local white grapes - Grenache Gris, Grenache Blanc, Muscat and Macabeu. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s deliciously aromatic and fresh, bursting with flavours of wild herbs, florals and lime zest. 10% of it is aged in oak to give it extra softness, complexity and a slight smoky note.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50678326067531,"sku":"DJPCL22","price":19.13,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0227.jpg?v=1732721979"},{"product_id":"chateau-leydet-valentin-saint-emilion-grand-cru-magnum-2020","title":"Château Leydet-Valentin Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2020 Magnum","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is a modern, fruit-forward, and incredibly delicious style of Saint-\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eÉmilion\u003c\/span\u003e Grand Cru. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vineyard is located north of the village of Saint-\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eÉmilion\u003c\/span\u003e, near Pomerol. It’s right beside Château Figeac, one of Bordeaux’s most iconic (and expensive) wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrédéric uses a higher proportion of Cabernet Franc (19%) than most Saint-\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eÉmilion\u003c\/span\u003e wines. This results in a fresher, brighter style of Bordeaux. Medium and light-toasted barrels further enhance this style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMy friend in France, who runs a wine club in Toulouse, has been a big fan of Frédéric and his wine for years. So when I met her at Wine Paris and told her I was looking for a good Bordeaux for my customers, she reached straight for this bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd it’s everything you look for in a good Saint-\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eÉmilion\u003c\/span\u003e. The nose is intense and dark, with lovely refined oak. On the palate, it’s broad, smooth and elegant, with good structure and length.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s just begging for something roasted and beefy on a lazy Sunday afternoon.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50929100947787,"sku":"CLVMAG20","price":58.46,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0192_775aca0d-884c-486c-a883-41dea3e9eb8f.jpg?v=1771344736"},{"product_id":"virgile-blanc-saint-saturnin-2021","title":"Virgile Blanc Saint-Saturnin 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Languedoc - with its high altitude, complex soils and rich tapestry of old vines - should be heaven for making white wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s got all the raw ingredients to be held right up there with Burgundy and the Loire, France’s other great white wine regions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaybe it’s because there’s a better history of making reds here, that I’ve always struggled to find a white wine I’d be proud to hang my hat on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUntil I tried this wine when visiting Virgile and Magdalena Joly in the Languedoc recently!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSaint-Saturnin is an up-and-coming appellation in the Larzac’s southern foothills, with hot days and cold nights producing grapes with that perfect balance of full flavour and freshness. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVirgile’s Grenache Blanc on its own gives beautiful flavours of white peach, pear and a lovely minerality too. He then adds 20-25% of Rolle to the blend, which gives it extra complexity and takes it from good to great, and ages it for 18 months in fine French oak barrels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis wine was awarded 98\/100 points and won Best In Show at Millésime Bio, a big organic wine fair in Montpellier that I go to every year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith Burgundy getting more and more out of reach for people in France, Virgile tells me he’s winning hearts with this wine as a great alternative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo try it for yourself and see exactly why - for a really top French white, it's an amazing price too.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50951558594891,"sku":"VJRBL21","price":24.13,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0232.jpg?v=1734249336"},{"product_id":"chateau-leydet-valentin-saint-emilion-grand-cru-2022","title":"Château Leydet-Valentin Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eThis is a modern, fruit-forward, and incredibly delicious style of Saint-\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eÉmilion\u003c\/span\u003e Grand Cru.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vineyard is located north of the village of Saint-\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eÉmilion\u003c\/span\u003e, near Pomerol. It’s right beside Château Figeac, one of Bordeaux’s most iconic (and expensive) wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrédéric uses a higher proportion of Cabernet Franc (19%) than most Saint-\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eÉmilion\u003c\/span\u003e wines. This results in a fresher, brighter style of Bordeaux. Medium and light-toasted barrels further enhance this style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMy friend in France, who runs a wine club in Toulouse, has been a big fan of Frédéric and his wine for years. So when I met her at Wine Paris and told her I was looking for a good Bordeaux for my customers, she reached straight for this bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd it’s everything you look for in a good Saint-\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eÉmilion\u003c\/span\u003e. The nose is intense and dark, with lovely refined oak. On the palate, it’s broad, smooth and elegant, with good structure and length.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s just begging for something roasted and beefy on a lazy Sunday afternoon. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52517424333131,"sku":"LEYSTE22","price":29.25,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/ChateauLeydet-ValentinSaint-EmilionGrandCru2020.jpg?v=1715952374"},{"product_id":"virgile-rouge-saint-saturnin-2023","title":"Virgile Rouge Saint-Saturnin 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eSaint-Saturnin sits in the heart of the Terrasses du Larzac, an elevated plateau at the foothills of the Massif Central, around 40 minutes from Montpellier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe conditions here are ideal for producing world-class reds:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe elevation means it’s a bit cooler than the rest of the Languedoc - so the grapes ripen with great freshness and elegance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey get more rain too - about the same amount as Bordeaux - which keeps the vines productive and vibrant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe soils are the same as you’ll find in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas - the limestone and clay pebbles help retain water and minerals that nourish the vines.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd the word’s getting out there - Terrasses du Larzac is now home to the Languedoc’s priciest reds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is Virgile's most precious wine. It’s the 2022 vintage of the first ever wine that he made.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd he tells me it’s exactly the wine that he dreamed of making, when he started on his long and illustrious winemaking journey back in 2000.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo expense or detail is spared in the making of this. The grapes are carefully hand-picked and hand-sorted, it’s vinified in his new state-of-art winery, and aged in the finest French oak he can get his hands on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe nose leaps out of the glass with aromas of pure black fruit, pepper and wild herbs, while the palate is dark, rich and powerful, but it has a lovely freshness and elegance to it too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo if you like the power and ripeness of a good Rhône, with the complexity and structure of a Bordeaux, then you should try this wine!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52658523996491,"sku":"VJRSS22","price":26.13,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/VirgileRougeSaintSaturnin2016.jpg?v=1716285475"},{"product_id":"martinelle-beaumes-de-venise-2023","title":"Martinelle Beaumes-de-Venise 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eBeaumes-de-Venise is a real hidden gem in the Rhône valley - it’s best known for producing long-lived fortified wines made from the Muscat grape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut up in the foothills of the imposing Dentelles de Montmirail, you’ll find pockets of vineyards ideally suited to making amazing red wines - capable of giving nearby Vacqueras and Gigondas a serious run for their money.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWinemaker Corinna Faravel found two such magical plots for sale in 2006 and snapped them up immediately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vineyards are based on a mixture of limestone, clay and oxidised iron - this gives a vivid red colour to the soils. Corinna says this soil gives a lovely freshness and concentration to the fruit - it never tastes jammy or overcooked, no matter how hot the weather gets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe farms the vineyards organically which preserves and enhances the lovely raspberry, herbaceous and balsamic flavours in the fruit, which is a blend of Grenache and Syrah. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiven the hard work done in the vineyards, there’s nothing complicated left to do in the winery. It’s aged for 10 months in old oak barrels to give it serious power and muscle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like an unapologetically big southern French red, like a good Châteauneuf-du-Pape, then you have to give this a try!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52658563809611,"sku":"MRTBDV23","price":22.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/MartinelleBeaumesdeVenise2022.jpg?v=1716285400"},{"product_id":"virgile-joly-saturne-rose-2024","title":"Virgile Joly Saturne Rosé 2024","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou might remember Virgile Joly’s Rouge as one of my biggest discoveries of last year. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWell it turns out that he makes a mean rosé too! \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVirgile is one of the Languedoc’s most talented and respected winemakers, based in Terrasses du Larzac - a region that I believe has France’s greatest untapped fine wine potential.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe’re talking old vines, complex soils and a rich winemaking history going back to the 1950s - where the village of Saint-Saturnin was regarded right up there with France’s best.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis rosé is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault, and will transport you to the south of France in one refreshing sip.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt will drink beautifully on its own, but it has the weight and finesse to be a delightful accompaniment to anything pulled from the grill.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52817524752715,"sku":"VJROS24","price":16.03,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0239.jpg?v=1753254076"},{"product_id":"domaine-jones-fitou-2023","title":"Domaine Jones Fitou 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Languedoc is without doubt the most exciting and dynamic wine region in France.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou’ve got hundreds of years of grape-growing expertise here, but only in the last couple of decades has the winemaking stepped up to do the grapes justice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd much of it has come from outsiders bringing fresh ideas and techniques learnt elsewhere.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne such blow-in is Katie Jones, who moved here in her twenties to work for the big co-operative in Fitou.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver time she couldn’t help but notice that the grapes from all the amazing old vineyards around the village were blended in with everything else to make pretty ordinary, run-of-the-mill stuff.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo Katie made the brave move in 2008 to jump ship and start her own domaine, and shine a light on this amazing fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Fitou has become her flagship wine, and it’s exactly why she made that move.\u003cbr\u003eIt’s made up of 15 special vineyard sites around the village of Tuchan - most of them are over 100 years old.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou get an incredible concentration and purity in the fruit from vines of this age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blend here is Carignan, Grenache and Syrah - the typical grapes around in the area.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExpect a hit of juicy blackberries, violets and savoury-smoky flavours - it will absolutely sing with any kind of spring lamb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’ve known Katie for years from my time in the UK - I’m so delighted to finally bring her wine over here!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52992721224011,"sku":"DJFIT23","price":19.13,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0224.jpg?v=1732719552"},{"product_id":"domaine-jones-syrah-2021","title":"Domaine Jones Syrah 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Syrah grape is a relative newcomer to the scene around Fitou. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUntil the late 1970s, the only red grapes permitted here were Carignan and Grenache. It became mandatory then that Syrah had to be part of the blend, so that the wines would become fresher and more sophisticated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt turns out that the Syrah here is just as good on its own, and Katie wanted to make a Rhone-style red without too much heaviness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKatie makes this wine from two 45 year-old sites, making them among the oldest Syrah vineyards in Fitou. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe site selection is all about balance. Her \u003cem\u003eSt Roch\u003c\/em\u003e vineyard is situated at 350 metres, which provides freshness to the wine, while \u003cem\u003eLa Caune\u003c\/em\u003e is in the valley below and brings depth and concentration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJust 25% of the wine is aged in old oak barrels, which adds structure and power, and allows all the amazing fruit to shine through.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a deep, rich and opulent red, with lovely savoury, smoky and vibrant dark fruit flavours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s begging to be paired with a steak or hearty stew - big red lovers rejoice!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53002678600011,"sku":"DJSYR21","price":22.65,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0231.jpg?v=1732722683"},{"product_id":"cordero-hica-barbera-dalba-2022","title":"Cordero Hica Barbera d'Alba 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis Barbera was one of the first wines I decided to bring in for WineSpark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a deep, rich red with serious personality. ‘A bit impolite like me’ says winemaker Serena.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’d never tasted it before - its tiny production would have been way too small to come across my radar before. And that’s the best thing about it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s from an area called Bricco Gatti, well-known to experts as one of Alba’s best vineyards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vineyard is a prime south-west facing site - the extended afternoon sun gives the Barbera grapes serious power.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s lovingly tended to, vine by vine, by Serena’s brother Gabriele. He’s at peak happiness surrounded by the bees, bugs and butterflies that thrive in the vineyard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis attention to detail doesn’t happen anywhere else in the region. And the meticulous work speaks for itself in the wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s unmistakably Italian on the nose, with aromas of dark fruit, dried herbs and tea leaves. Then it’s rich, creamy and powerful on the palate - if you love your Italian reds, this is absolutely guaranteed to be right up your street.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53061734891851,"sku":"COHBA22","price":27.23,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/Hica_Barbera.jpg?v=1722606426"},{"product_id":"luis-louro-alento-reserva-tinto-2021","title":"Luís Louro Alento Reserva Tinto 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003eAlentejo is Portugal’s poorest, least-populated region. But I reckon it’s one of the places with the biggest potential in the wine world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a huge, hot and dry region covering one-third of the country, and the ground is covered in similar red dirt to what you get in Coonawarra. It’s basically red wine heaven.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWinemaker Luís Louro is based in Estremoz, in the northern part of Alentejo and close to the Spanish border.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s slightly cooler and higher in altitude here, leading to more freshness and balance in the grapes. This is exactly why his wines are so deliciously drinkable.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis wine is a blend of three native Portuguese grapes (Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez and Touriga Nacional), plus a smidgeon of Syrah to give it an extra boost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe wine is dark, rich, and smooth... everything you want in a big red. But because of Luís’ elevated vineyards there’s a lovely freshness to it as well - making it oh-so drinkable.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe value here is insane. Taste it and see why Portugal, and in especially Alentejo, is on the rise.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53087415730507,"sku":"ALREST21","price":20.48,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/Alento_reserva_red.jpg?v=1731419485"},{"product_id":"i-filari-toscana-cabernet-franc-2021","title":"I Filari Toscana Cabernet Franc 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003eYou might not have heard of Suvereto, but you’ve probably heard of Bolgheri - which is the region right next door, and home to some of Italy’s most famous wines.\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever if you speak to Italians who know their stuff, they'll tell you Suvereto has far greater potential than its noisier neighbour.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAround here Cabernet Franc is king - the long growing season makes for great ripeness. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFederico makes this wine at the fully organic and biodynamic Casadei winery. He employs every trick in the luxury winemaking book to make it taste sensational:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThere are 2-3 different hand-harvests in the vineyard and a further selection on the sorting table in the winery - to make sure every last berry is at optimal ripeness\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe wine is fermented in concrete tanks and clay amphora pots - to soften it up\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt’s then aged for 18 bottles in classic French oak barrels - to give it structure and power.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\nThis is an unbelievable wine for the price - you get inky graphite, charred green peppers and wild herbs on the nose, while the palate is so smooth, refined and focussed. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is Super Tuscan without the Super price tag - enjoy. \u003cbr\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53307102003531,"sku":"FEDCF21","price":35.17,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0080_7c9ad5db-b31d-49bb-8687-9c32afa9e7fb.jpg?v=1729090439"},{"product_id":"virgile-blanc-saint-saturnin-2023","title":"Virgile Blanc Saint-Saturnin 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Languedoc - with its high altitude, complex soils and rich tapestry of old vines - should be heaven for making white wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s got all the raw ingredients to be held right up there with Burgundy and the Loire, France’s other great white wine regions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaybe it’s because there’s a better history of making reds here, that I’ve always struggled to find a white wine I’d be proud to hang my hat on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUntil I tried this wine when visiting Virgile and Magdalena Joly in the Languedoc recently!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSaint-Saturnin is an up-and-coming appellation in the Larzac’s southern foothills, with hot days and cold nights producing grapes with that perfect balance of full flavour and freshness. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVirgile’s Grenache Blanc on its own gives beautiful flavours of white peach, pear and a lovely minerality too. He then adds 20-25% of Rolle to the blend, which gives it extra complexity and takes it from good to great, and ages it for 18 months in fine French oak barrels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis wine was awarded 98\/100 points and won Best In Show at Millésime Bio, a big organic wine fair in Montpellier that I go to every year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith Burgundy getting more and more out of reach for people in France, Virgile tells me he’s winning hearts with this wine as a great alternative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo try it for yourself and see exactly why - for a really top French white, it's an amazing price too.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53721876332875,"sku":"VJRBL23","price":24.13,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0232.jpg?v=1734249336"},{"product_id":"cillar-de-silos-ribera-del-duero-crianza-2022","title":"Cillar de Silos Ribera del Duero Crianza 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eRibera del Duero is a wild and remote part of northern of Spain, right next to Rioja. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWith its baking hot days and chilly nights, it’s an unforgiving place to live, let alone grow grapes. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e‘Three months of summer, nine months of hell’, is how the locals describe it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eBut these extreme conditions, combined with a patchwork of old vines, are exactly what Tempranillo needs to make truly world-class wines.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eOscar describes this as his signature wine. Dozens of high-end restaurants and bars across Northern Spain rely on it as a big seller, so it needs to be consistently brilliant every single year.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe Tempranillo grapes for this are sourced from 40-80 year-old plots across three villages around Oscar’s winery. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIt spends 13 months ageing in second- and third-use French oak barrels, which were first used for Oscar’s iconic Torresilo wine. It’s then aged for a further year in bottle to bring all those fruity and oaky flavours together.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis is an amazing example of affordable and approachable Ribera del Duero, whether you’re new to Ribera or a complete convert like me.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55811068592459,"sku":"CDSCR22","price":22.92,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0211.jpg?v=1729091539"},{"product_id":"metzer-family-cabernet-sauvignon-2022","title":"Metzer Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is an unmistakably South African Cabernet Sauvignon from an unmistakably South African winemaker.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s from the Helderberg sub-region of Stellenbosch, 45 minutes south-east of Cape Town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd made by Wade Metzer, one of the up-and-coming names in South African wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vineyards sit between the towering Helderberg Mountains and beautiful False Bay, and you can taste these extreme influences in the wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blend is dominated by Cabernet with a small dollop of Shiraz and Cinsault - you get loads of bright blackberry and cassis from the Cab, the Cinsault adds aromatics while the Shiraz gives meatiness and spice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you want to taste top-end, authentic Cabernet the way it should taste, from a winemaker at the absolute top of his craft, you owe it to yourself to give this a try.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55856857416011,"sku":"MTZCS22","price":25.47,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0048.jpg?v=1762533694"},{"product_id":"luis-louro-alento-reserva-tinto-2021-magnum","title":"Luís Louro Alento Reserva Tinto 2021 Magnum","description":"\u003cp\u003eAlentejo is Portugal’s poorest, least-populated region. But I reckon it’s one of the places with the biggest potential in the wine world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a huge, hot and dry region covering one-third of the country, and the ground is covered in similar red dirt to what you get in Coonawarra. It’s basically red wine heaven.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWinemaker Luís Louro is based in Estremoz, in the northern part of Alentejo and close to the Spanish border.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s slightly cooler and higher in altitude here, leading to more freshness and balance in the grapes. This is exactly why his wines are so deliciously drinkable.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis wine is a blend of three native Portuguese grapes (Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez and Touriga Nacional), plus a smidgeon of Syrah to give it an extra boost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe wine is dark, rich, and smooth... everything you want in a big red. But because of Luís’ elevated vineyards there’s a lovely freshness to it as well - making it oh-so drinkable.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe value here is insane. Taste it and see why Portugal, and in especially Alentejo, is on the rise.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56020290994507,"sku":"ALMAG21","price":39.37,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0277a_c0293827-628e-4b41-9d24-b13efd8088c4.jpg?v=1771345194"},{"product_id":"domaine-boucabeille-monte-nero-2022","title":"Domaine Boucabeille Monte Nero 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eMany moons ago, I spent a month picking grapes in the south of France.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was in the Côtes du Roussillon, to be exact. It was a tough experience, and one that I’m not keen to repeat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA couple of years later I returned and bought a few bottles of the actual wine whose grapes I’d picked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnfortunately it was pretty dreadful stuff, and I felt as if all my toil had been in vain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFast forward 18 years, and I finally have my hands on an amazing Côtes du Roussillon that I couldn’t be prouder of.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd all I had to do to find it was travel to wine fair in Montpellier and discover it.\u003cbr\u003eMonte Nero means ‘Black Mountain’, and it’s on the slopes of this imposing peak that you’ll find the grapes for this wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe other interesting thing about winemaker Jean Boucabeille’s wines is that they’re all grown on schist soils.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis gives a delightfully punchy and spicy character to the wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, and its dark and brooding fruit and impressive power really jumped out at me at the fair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like your reds unapologetically big, then you have to give it a try!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56028908945739,"sku":"BOUCMN22","price":21.3,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/MonteNero.jpg?v=1716285358"},{"product_id":"domaine-boucabeille-les-orris-2023","title":"Domaine Boucabeille Les Orris 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eForça Réal is also known as the Black Mountain - it’s an imposing peak in the Roussillon that has served as a landmark for centuries for sailors, soldiers and now, wine drinkers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its scorching sun, rugged mountains and smorgasbord of complex ancient soils, the Roussillon was once the heart of France’s thriving fortified wine scene.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat made it perfect for such great fortified wines then, makes it ideal for big reds today:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSlate soils force the vines to struggle and dig deep for nutrients, in turn producing wonderfully complex and intense grapes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSouth and east orientation gives warm morning sun, so the grapes ripen slowly and gently rather than getting scorched in the late afternoon heat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUp to 400m altitude means it’s windy, warm and dry - the perfect environment for organic viticulture which ensures the purest and healthiest fruit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLes Orris Rouge is Jean’s top wine - if \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/winespark.com\/products\/domaine-boucabeille-monte-nero-2021?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=0b40e1bcc\u0026amp;_ss=r\"\u003eMonte Nero\u003c\/a\u003e is all about Grenache on slate soils, then Les Orris is all about Syrah on slate soils. Think punchy black fruit, perfume and spice à la Côte-Rôtie - up to a third of the wine ages in new barrels, which really ramps up the intensity and power.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJean reckons this patch of land would be a nailed-on Grand Cru if it was in Burgundy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd as soon as you taste this wine, I’m sure you’ll agree!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56684874105163,"sku":"BOUCOR23","price":27.45,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0240_1.jpg?v=1755778905"},{"product_id":"luis-louro-alento-reserva-tinto-2022","title":"Luís Louro Alento Reserva Tinto 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eAlentejo is Portugal’s poorest, least-populated region. But I reckon it’s one of the places with the biggest potential in the wine world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a huge, hot and dry region covering one-third of the country, and the ground is covered in similar red dirt to what you get in Coonawarra. It’s basically red wine heaven.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWinemaker Luís Louro is based in Estremoz, in the northern part of Alentejo and close to the Spanish border.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s slightly cooler and higher in altitude here, leading to more freshness and balance in the grapes. This is exactly why his wines are so deliciously drinkable.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis wine is a blend of three native Portuguese grapes (Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez and Touriga Nacional), plus a smidgeon of Syrah to give it an extra boost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe wine is dark, rich, and smooth... everything you want in a big red. But because of Luís’ elevated vineyards there’s a lovely freshness to it as well - making it oh-so drinkable.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe value here is insane. Taste it and see why Portugal, and in especially Alentejo, is on the rise.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56879066579275,"sku":"ALREST22","price":20.48,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/Alento_reserva_red.jpg?v=1731419485"},{"product_id":"cordero-hica-barbera-dalba-2023","title":"Cordero Hica Barbera d'Alba 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis Barbera was one of the first wines I decided to bring in for WineSpark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a deep, rich red with serious personality. ‘A bit impolite like me’ says winemaker Serena.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’d never tasted it before - its tiny production would have been way too small to come across my radar before. And that’s the best thing about it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s from an area called Bricco Gatti, well-known to experts as one of Alba’s best vineyards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vineyard is a prime south-west facing site - the extended afternoon sun gives the Barbera grapes serious power.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s lovingly tended to, vine by vine, by Serena’s brother Gabriele. He’s at peak happiness surrounded by the bees, bugs and butterflies that thrive in the vineyard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis attention to detail doesn’t happen anywhere else in the region. And the meticulous work speaks for itself in the wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s unmistakably Italian on the nose, with aromas of dark fruit, dried herbs and tea leaves. Then it’s rich, creamy and powerful on the palate - if you love your Italian reds, this is absolutely guaranteed to be right up your street.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57496414060875,"sku":"COHBA23","price":27.3,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/Hica_Barbera.jpg?v=1722606426"}],"url":"https:\/\/winespark.co.uk\/collections\/bobs-wines.oembed","provider":"WineSpark","version":"1.0","type":"link"}