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2008 Clos de los Siete
2008 Clos de los Siete at Generic Tasting
September 2010
Participating at the annual Wines of Argentina tasting on 14 September will be Michel Rolland’s 2008 Clos de los Siete, the seventh in a line of successful vintages from the famous high altitude vineyard in Vista Flores.
Taylor's Late Bottled Vintage 2004
Christmas in a Bottle
August 2010
Taylor’s Late Bottle Vintage Port 2004 is such good news during the festive kerfuffle, because it’s one less thing to worry about. This luscious Port is ready to serve straight from the bottle – and it’s packaged with a stopper cork so no need for a corkscrew or a decanter.
Fonseca Guimaraens Gift Pack
Fonseca Port Gift Wrapped for Christmas
July 2010
Connoisseurs on the prowl for the perfect vinous gift should seek out the glorious 1996 Vintage Port from Fonseca Guimaraens this Christmas which will be packaged in a traditional wooden box, complete with decanting funnel, for only £23.74.
Croft Pink £10.49 Tesco, Morrison, Sainsbury, Co-Op
MIX IT UP WITH CROFT PINK
July 2010
Once strictly the domain of portly middle-aged gentlemen, the taking of Port has lightened up dramatically in recent decades thanks to Croft Pink, a unique rosé Port. This is Port at its most 21st Century – wonderfully fresh and vibrant, full of Port’s rich fruit promise, but lighter on the palate, especially when served chilled, over ice or as a cocktail.
2005 Château Reysson £12.29 Tesco
GROUSING AROUND WITH CHÂTEAU REYSSON
July 2010
The Glorious Twelfth (12 August) heralds the beginning of the game season and a time of indulgence for carnivores with Château Reysson
Fonseca crew led by David Guimaraens
Fonseca triumphs at Barco Rabelo regatta
June 2010
The Fladgate Partnership, owners of prestigious Port houses Taylor’s, Croft and Fonseca, were jubilant as they watched one of their boats win the XXV11 Barco Rabelo regatta in Oporto on 24 June.
Croft Pink Port £10.49
Croft comes out with Pink in Brighton
June 2010
Croft Pink was out in Brighton on 22 June hosting a summery picnic for local wine journalists using Mickael Perron’s delicious cocktail recipes to accompany a Moorish menu.
Croft Pink £10.49
Chill with Pink - Fortified with Fun
June 2010
Bored with Pimms? Try Croft Pink on the rocks or mix it up cocktail style
Pey la Tour £6.99 Tesco
Some like it Hot!
June 2010
Summer doesn’t have to be all white and rosé. Dourthe’s 2008 Pey la Tour and barbequed steak complement big juicy flavours
Taylor's Vargellas 2001
Father’s Day - Vintage Taylor’ed for Dads
May 2010
We all think Dads are pretty special, but what can you get him that looks good, tastes great and won’t cost an arm and a leg? A bottle of Taylor’s Quinta de Vargellas 2001 Vintage Port of course.
Clos de los Siete shows 2008 at LIWF
May 2010
2008 Clos de los Siete is an intensely fruit-driven wine with great delicacy on the finish. What stands it apart from previous vintages is a distinct mineral character using a small percentage of Petit Verdot (2%) in the blend. Round, velvety tannins and ripe luscious fruit makes the 2008 very accessible at a young age but also with good ageing potential.
LIWF - DOURTHE TEAMS UP WITH THIÉNOT F74
May 2010
Dourthe is exhibiting under parent company Groupe Thiénot at this year’s LIWF showing its extensive portfolio of Bordeaux brands and châteaux alongside Champagne brands Thiénot and Canard-Duchêne, Chateau de Sérame in the Languedoc and Clos de los Siete from Argentina.
2008 Quinta de Terra Feita
Ten Single Quintas at LIWF (Stand 072)
May 2010
Visitors to the Fair will be able to taste the latest 2008 release for the first time from Vargellas, Terra Feita, Panascal, Roêda and Guimaraens, as well as older vintages from 2001, 1999, 1998, 1997 and 1996.
Fonseca Guimaraens 2008
The Fladgate Partnership releases 2008 Single Quintas
April 2010
The Fladgate Partnership is using its traditional Declaration date, St George’s Day (23 April), to announce the release of 2008 Single Quinta Vintage Ports from its flagship properties. These include Vargellas and Terra Feita for Taylor’s; Panascal and Guimaraens for Fonseca; and Croft’s Roêda.
Clos de los Siete (Argentina) to Champagnes & Chateaux
March 2010
Dourthe, which holds the worldwide distribution rights for Clos de los Siete, has appointed Champagnes & Chateaux for its on-trade and independent channels in a move which streamlines its agency agreements in the UK.
Record attendance at Spanish Fair
March 2010
Over 830 members of the trade and press gathered at Old Billingsgate to attend the Annual Wines from Spain Trade Fair on 11 March to taste a portfolio of Spanish wines from around 400 producers and 61 regions represented by 90 exhibitors.
Register online under Events
21st Annual Wines from Spain Fair 11 March
February 2010
The 21st Annual Wines from Spain Fair is set to open its doors on Thursday 11 March at Old Billingsgate from 10.30am to 6pm to present an impressive range of wines from 400 producers and 61 regions.
Taylor's LBV 2004 £12.99
IMBIBING AT EASTER WITH TAYLOR’S
February 2010
Easter heralds the first flush of Spring and the green shoots of warmer days and longer evenings. It’s a time when chocoholics and cheese enthusiasts can indulge in palate cravings as part of the Paschal feast. But looking for a wine to accompany both is not that easy unless it’s a rich, succulent Port like Taylor’s Late Bottled Vintage. There is a new vintage in-store too from the 2004 harvest at £12.99 a bottle. This big, aromatic Port has seductive, sweet fruit aromas of dark cherry and plum. On the palate it exudes raspberry scented flavours with hints of black liquorice, prunes and chocolate on the finish.
£6.99 Waitrose, Booths
Oscar Awards with Dourthe
February 2010
If, like Sandra Bullock, you want to be No 1 on Oscar night, try Dourthe No 1 Sauvignon Blanc 2008 which will chime your palate with its zesty, citrus aromas and lovely elegant style. The party loving Dourthe No1 Sauvignon Blanc can be purchased from the wine aisles at Waitrose and Booths for £6.99 saving the speeches for later.
Adrian Bridge
Dam the River
January 2010
Adrian Bridge raises concern for the future of the River Douro and the fragile ecosystem of the valley which could be under threat
Croft Pink £9.99 Tesco, Sainsbury, Morrisons
COMING UP ROSÉ ON VALENTINE’S DAY
December 2009
Seeking a sweet, luscious drink, delightfully pink, beautifully structured with a great taste. Not too complicated yet original and sophisticated. Meet CROFT PINK.
Treading at Roeda
2009 Port Harvest Report
November 2009
2009 will be remembered as one of the lowest yields for over two decades
Taylor’s Port at Taste of Christmas Stand A37
November 2009
Christmas imbibing wouldn’t be the same without a generous glass of sublimely scrumptious Taylor’s Port. At Taste of Christmas from 4-6 December (Excel, London), foodies will be able to sample the Festive Season’s most delicious “musts haves” at the Taylor’s Port stand (A37).
Frédéric Bonnaffous, Head Winemaker
2009 A Great Vintage
November 2009
22 October marked the end of the 2009 harvest at châteaux Belgrave and Pey la Tour and brought to an end the vineyard cycle at Dourthe’s properties. The cellars are particularly active with the first run offs. Attached are some final impressions of the vintage from Dourthe’s key spokespeople.
Gifting creates Op-Port-unities for Fladgate
October 2009
With around 60% of all Port purchased during the 8 weeks to Christmas, gifting becomes key to getting those all important sales
£9.99 Majestic
Pey la Tour Réserve 2006 arrives at Majestic
October 2009
Château Pey la Tour Réserve 2006 can sit happily alongside some of the more renowned Bordeaux appellations at Majestic as it takes up its new position in-store next month with an attractive price point of £9.99.
Château de Sérame 2009 Harvest Report
October 2009
“Nature has assisted us throughout the year to produce a vintage of great potential” Guillaume Pouthier, Head Winemaker
Optimism assured as the 2009 Bordeaux Red Harvest gets underway at Dourthe
October 2009
Patrick Jestin reports "Harvesting conditions are reminiscent of 2005, with one exception that we are now benefiting from the hard work we have invested in our vineyards to maximise our achievement with this anticipated great vintage"
Taylor's LBV 2003 £12.99 Widely available
Steer to Port and Imbibe in Style
September 2009
Spend or save, you can’t go wrong with a great bottle of Port. Synonymous with Christmas, it is also one of the great unsung wine values on our shelves today, but it pays to choose the right name.
Terra Prima £14.49 Waitrose, Booths
Have yourself a merry green Christmas
September 2009
You don’t have to suffer to go green. With this luscious organic Port called Fonseca Terra Prima, you can wear your green credentials with pride this Festive Season.
Melting Moments with Taylor’s Port and Chocolate
September 2009
Chocolate Week from 12 – 18 October is the date when the nation celebrates the finest chocolatiers. So why not choose a perfect partner to match these indulgent creations with the master of all Ports, Taylor’s.
Promising forecasts for 2009 harvest as Dourthe picks first grapes
September 2009
“Picking at La Garde has just started and we are getting wonderful intense aromas in our whites with perfect balance between acidity and sugar (12.5% – 13%).” Guillaume Pouthier, Château La Garde, Pessac Léognan (2 September 2009)
Port Harvest starts early with Yields expected to be down 10%
September 2009
The 2009 Port harvest is now underway at The Fladgate Partnership with both Quinta da Nogueira and Quinta da Roêda wineries opening this week to receive grapes. In July Bridge predicted that production might be around 1% lower than 2008, but after a very hot, dry August in the Douro Valley, yields are now expected to be down 10%. All the varieties are showing a low bunch count which affects volumes from younger vines but the old vines are reported to be in good shape and will produce consistent quality and quantity.
Star Wine shows 2007 at Wines of Argentina Tasting
August 2009
The 2007 vintage from Clos de los Siete will be presented by worldwide distributor, Dourthe, at the Wines of Argentina tasting next month in London. The sixth vintage of a successful partnership of seven owners, produced by international oenologist Michel Rolland, is showing remarkable pedigree two years on.
Croft Pink finds place in On-Trade
August 2009
Mentzendorff & Co, announces a new listing of Croft Pink Port by On-Trade specialist, Matthew Clark Wholesale, which will take Croft Pink nationwide within the catering and restaurant sector.
Henley goes Pink for Regatta
July 2009
“In the pink at the Royal Regatta” was the theme of this year’s window display competition sponsored by Mentzendorff & Co with Croft Pink Port. The competition, won by Confetti & Spice (producer of bespoke cakes), was open to all shops, estate agents, pubs, solicitors and offices which had ground floor windows facing the street.
The XXVI Rabelo Boat Regatta 28 June 2009
July 2009
It was 12 May 1809 that Wellington made the historic crossing of the Douro from Vila Nova de Gaia to Oporto ultimately saving Portugal from invasion by the French. Two hundred years later, a very different battle took place in Oporto on 28 June as 16 boats lined up to compete in the XXV1 Barco Rabelo Regatta.
A No 1 Bordeaux to celebrate Bastille Day on 14 July
June 2009
A zesty white wine, with delicious tropical aromas and a fresh finish, revolutionised dry white wine making in Bordeaux back in 1988. Like the storming of the Bastille on 14 July, Dourthe changed the face of modern Bordeaux winemaking, setting the standards for excellence and distinctiveness with the creation of Dourthe Nº 1 Sauvignon Blanc.
Cocktails for Pink
May 2009
Croft Pink makes the ideal base ingredient in a range of new cocktails Raspberry, cherry, grapefruit and honey are some of the gorgeous, lip-smacking flavours found in a new pink Port, called Croft Pink. Mix it with melon, chilli and ice and you have one of selection of delicious cocktail recipes devised by cocktail supremo, Mickael Perron, ex UK Bartender of the Year (awarded by the UK Bartenders Guild).
Croft Pink wins Trophy at Design Awards 2009
May 2009
Croft Pink Port makes its mark at the Harpers Wine & Spirit Design Awards 2009 winning a trophy in the Fortified category
Vintage Port for Father’s Day 21 June
May 2009
Impress Dad on Father’s Day with a magnificent 1998 Vintage Port from the house of Taylor’s
It’s all about Terroir – Dourthe’s Magic heads South
May 2009
Bordeaux based producer, Dourthe, releases two single vineyard wines from its Languedoc property, Château de Sérame at LIWF on stand H40/3 Bordeaux based producer, Dourthe, which holds a diverse portfolio of Bordeaux châteaux, Bordeaux brands and a vineyard holding at Château de Sérame in Lézignan-Corbières, is launching a two single vineyard parcels called Château de Sérame Le Pégourier and Château de Sérame Les Traverses, both AC Corbières.
GREAT DAY FOR VINTAGE PORT, BAD DAY FOR DRAGONS
April 2009
The Fladgate Partnership declares the 2007 Vintage for all three houses - Taylor’s, Fonseca and Croft on St George’s Day (23 April).
Dourthe puts the Sparkle back into Canard-Duchêne
April 2009
Dourthe UK takes over the Off Trade distribution for Champagne Canard-Duchêne in the UK on 1 June
Fladgate Partnership at LIWF
April 2009
The Paradox of Port at Stand G72 Pink and soda or classic Vintage? The Fladgate Partnership demonstrates how Port has moved on to appeal to 21st Century palates
Croft Pink - Dare to be Different (LIWF)
April 2009
Croft Pink redefines Port consumption with a selection of cocktail recipes on stand H90
Fair Attracts record Attendance
March 2009
The trade and press were out in force last week (12 March) at the 20th Annual Wines from Spain Fair. With the promise of over 1500 wines from 57 DOs and 427 producers, the 89 companies exhibiting represented the largest event ever staged by Wines from Spain in recent years.
Chocolate Heaven with Taylor’s
February 2009
Combining chocolate with wine has its critics but with Taylor’s First Estate Port, it forms a heavenly match combining sweetness and tannins with surprising results.
Port Bursary Announces Winners
February 2009
London sommeliers Eric Lagre, Anja Breit, Katarzyna Andrysczak and Thomas Jaworski win the Port Bursary sponsored by The Fladgate Partnership.
Pink on Ice
February 2009
How far would you go to chill your Pink? Adrian Bridge, creator of Croft Pink Port, went to the Antarctic to prove that his Port can be enjoyed well chilled in temperatures of -40C as well as straight from a fridge, topped up with ice or served long with soda.
The Yeatman Hotel unveiled in Monaco
January 2009
THE YEATMAN, a new luxury wine spa hotel in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal has been launched at the Monte Carlo Travel Market in Monaco (MCTM). Currently under construction in the world UNESCO site renowned for its Port wine cellars, the hotel will be built on a series of terraces, with panoramic views over the River Douro and the city of Oporto. Boasting 12 suites and 70 bedrooms, each with a terrace and private garden, the hotel will also have a gastronomic restaurant, a Port bar and lounge with 11 meeting rooms.