Spotlight on... Vinteloper
We have been working with David Bowley since the beginning of 2014. Vinteloper has grown from a one-man band with neither winery nor vineyards, become a multiple Pinot Palooza champion, then David acquired a vineyard of his own in 2018.
Devastatingly Vinteloper was one of the vineyards worst affected by the recent Adelaide Hills bushfires, and our hearts go out to David, his family and his team.
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Wine of the Week by Bryan MacRobert
Every week we highlight here a wine that we're particularly enjoying right now. We associate Rioja with the Tempranillo grape, but there’s been a revival lately for Garnacha and there a few better in the perfumed new wave style than South African winemaker Bryan MacRobert’s gorgeous Laventura.
Bryan MacRobert hails from South Africa, where he was assistant winemaker to renowned Swartland producer Eben Sadie before making his own exquisite range of wines. He and his Spanish wife Clara, however, now live in Logroño, where he made his first vintage of Laventura in 2013. One of a new breed of winemakers putting more emphasis on terroir and fresher, elegant wines in a region where the grand bodega and barrels still rule, Bryan's wines are already causing quite a stir and are some of the most thrilling bottles to come out of this traditional region in many a year.
Garnacha is too often cast in a supporting role in Rioja, behind Tempranillo. This wine gives it the limelight. It is handpicked, sorted, and de-stemmed. Natural fermentation takes place over 2-3 weeks, on the skins. The wine is then pressed and aged for one year in large, 600-litre barrels. The oak is to help with the stability of the wine and must not impart any flavour.
This Garnacha (what the Spanish call Grenache) has a pale ruby colour with primary fruit aromas of red fruit such as cranberry, raspberry, strawberry and red cherry. Secondary aromas such brioche, vanilla and cinnamon due to the lees contact and ageing for one year in barrel. The palate is light and textured with a soft tannin, fresh acidity, body and length.
Rioja | SPAIN
Bestselling red wines
Can't decide? These are the red wines our customers have bought the most lately, why not try them yourself?
Le Plan des Moines La Borde Côtes du Rhône 2017
From
£17.00
Combel-la-Serre La Vigne Juste Derrière Chez Carbo 2017
From
£19.00
Bellwether Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
From
£40.00
September 2019
Merger with The Knotted Vine
In the summer of 2019, Red Squirrel merged with fellow small specialist The Knotted Vine and created the Graft Wine Company, a supplier to some of the UK's top restaurants, bars and merchants. We still offer many of our wines to the public here online.
July 2019
Named 3rd best drinks supplier in the UK
We were honoured to be voted by leading industry professionals the third best drinks supplier to the on-trade this year.
December 2015
Nutkin wine bar pops up in Haggerston
For a few weeks at the end of 2015, we teamed up with a number of chefs - including the brilliant Smoke & Salt (pictured) - to launch Nutkin wine bar in east London.
2013 to 2014
At a market near you...
Red Squirrel popped up selling wine at markets and wine festivals across the country.
August 2012
It all began in Liguria
Red Squirrel was created as an importer and online shop by Nik Darlington in summer 2012 after visiting producers in the little-known Italian region of Liguria, wines we still have to this day.
Judging the best burgers in London, with wine of course.
We put our tastebuds to the test and reveal the best burger in London, and what wine to drink with it. You're welcome.
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