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 Albert Ahrens
Every week we highlight here a wine that we're particularly enjoying right now. At the very end of 2019 we received a small parcel of new vintages from 'grape scout' South African winemaker Albert Ahrens, and this Cabernet Sauvignon & Cinsaut blend from Stellenboscvh is one of his very best.
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Bottelary, Stellenbosch, WC, South Africa |
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13.5% |
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Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Cinsaut 40% |
Albert drives up to 40,000km every year between a plethora of vineyards in the Cape, sourcing only the very best grapes for his growing range of tiny-batch wines. One of the early voices of the Swartland revolution while winemaker at Lammershoek, Albert has remained quietly and confidently under the radar building his own projects, while also gaining experience abroad in Priorat, the Rhône valley and Champagne.
This red from the Bottelary hills, north-west of Stellenbosch, is absolutely bonkers good. It's a re-enactment of the old-school Stellenbosch blend so prevalent in the 1960s and 1970s: old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon (backbone) combined with the traditional workhorse grape Cinsault (juiciness).
Naturally fermented and matured in old, tight-grain, 225-litre French oak barrels for 18 months. The aim is gentle micro-oxygenation rather than adding overt oaky flavours. The end result is deliciously distinctive. Herbaceous aroma, reveals ripe blackcurrants and umami savouriness, very smooth with refined tannins and long finish. A wine to lodge in the memory big time.
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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