With Christmas frighteningly near and the thebestofchester Business Community going from strength to strength, now seemed the ideal moment to join the fun and be involved in supporting the brand through the next phase of its development.
Over the coming months I will be delighted to contribute a blog entry aimed specifically at providing members with news and reviews from the world of fine wine as well as keeping people updated with our constantly refreshed range of boutique, small grower wines.
My career in wine began over five years ago in the vineyards of Basilicata in southern Italy. Tasting the new must of freshly pressed Aglianico grapes was enough to convert me and set me on my way to pursuing opportunities to start a wine business. After flirting briefly with accountancy and securing some exclusive deals to represent prestigious wine estates in the UK I decided the time was right to take the plunge and try to earn a living from my passion for and knowledge of fine wines.
My company Cantina Caputo, is based in Chester and specialises in unique, artisanal wines from around the world. Wines are sourced with unrivalled criteria for value and quality; we stock an ever changing range of interesting hard to find wines, together with a collection of our old favourites.
Wine choice in the UK has never been so vast, a multitude of styles and grape varieties are available at both ludicrously high and low prices. Choosing the correct wine for any given moment can be quite daunting especially if you lack the time or knowledge to get the most out of your buying decisions. I have decided therefore to run through some ideas for the festive period that you may find useful.
Christmas is a time to see family and friends, sometimes by choice and at other times out of necessity. It is therefore essential to have a good stock of every day drinking wines to survive the raid on your racks and cellar. Red, white, sparkling, even sweet, there are some excellent wines at all prices suitable for both the nosy neighbour and sharing special moments at your Christmas table.
Luigi Bosca is one of Argentina’s most pioneering wineries, making modern, fruit forward wines, that are subtle and complex. The Malbec from the ‘Finca la Linda’ range is a soft and earthy Malbec retailing at just £7.99. Notes of blackcurrant and grilled herb steal the show; it is a perfect match for cold December days and festive cheer.
When bubbles are needed look no further than a blend of Prosecco and Marzemino from Cantina Beato Bartolomeo. This sparkling rose at just £9.99 is incredibly balanced, brimming with strawberry fruit and complemented by a creamy mouse.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo is an emerging favourite amongst the ladies, perfect for quaffing and gossiping. Gran Sasso has produced a wine that is packed with vibrant aromas of pear, pineapple and mango. It is delightfully distinctive and impressive at £6.99.
As we get towards Christmas Eve the fine wines start to emerge, a year of hard work rewarded by some truly special treats. The small hilltop town of Montepulciano in the heart of Tuscany is famous for its Vino Nobile and Avignonesi produce one of the top examples, an elegant smoky nose combines with rich cherry fruit and supple tannins. At £19.99 it is outstanding.
Christmas dinner would not be complete without a magical wine to savour. Some people say not to spend too much as the sheer amount of flavours and tastes will dilute the power of the wine. I however feel that a great dinner should be matched with a great wine and therefore it is easy to recommend an Aglianico del Vulture by Cantine del Notaio for your table. Complex aromas of brooding dark fruit dance with subtleties of earth, aniseed and bitter cherry. Aged for 12 months in French barrique the wine is wonderfully soft and supple with an undercurrent of wild herbs. Perfect for roast dinner with all the trappings.
