New this Season: New World

Monday 28 May 2012 – 15:20

An eventful summer starts with some new wonders from the New World.

Black Cottage Pinot Gris Rosé 2011, Marlborough New!
£12.49 or £9.99 when you buy 2 bottles

Origin: A delicate rosé inspired by winemaker David Clouston’s time in France, owing far more to Sancerre or Provence than to the New World with its bold, vibrant rosés.
Tasting Note: Pale salmon pink, with ripe red berry and subtle spice aromas. The delicate fruit and crisp acidity fade to a lovely clean, dry finish.
Food Match: Perfect with a king prawn salad.

Lime Rock Pinot Noir 2008, Hawke’s Bay New!
£19.99 or £15.99 when you buy 2 bottles

Origin: From a small vineyard on the north-facing slopes of Waipawa, where a range of soil types, elevations and microclimates allows cultivation of several varieties.
Tasting Note: Plum, cherry, blackberry and wild thyme aromas with forest floor and savoury undertones. The palate balances fruit-sweetness, mellow acidity and silky, lingering tannins.
Food Match: Best with filet mignon and porcini mushrooms.

Geyser Peak Chardonnay 2009, Sonoma County New!
£9.99 or £7.99 when you buy 2 bottles

Origin: Founded in 1880, Geyser Peak’s picturesque Alexander Valley situation overlooks Geyserville and the Russian River.
Tasting Note: Bright and vibrant with characteristic Californian soft tropical fruits. The palate shows a pleasing mix of racy acidity and buttery softness.
Food Match: Chicken or beef stroganoff.

Gestos Shiraz 2010, Finca Flichman, Mendoza New!
£8.99 or £6.99 when you buy 2 bottles

Origin: The Finca’s ‘two altitudes’ philosophy is at work here, with grapes grown at 700m giving body and colour and 1100m adding freshness and acidity.
Tasting Note: Aromas of ripe red fruits with tobacco and clove hints give way to a weighty, lively palate. The structure is firm but pleasingly rounded and complex.
Food Match: Leg of lamb roasted with garlic and herbs.

Wirra Wirra Church Block Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 2010, McLaren Vale New!
£12.49 or £9.99 when you buy 2 bottles

Origin: Named after one of the vineyard blocks from which it was first made in 1972, this wine has evolved from a Grenache/Shiraz blend into a Cabernet-biased hybrid.
Tasting Note: Cedar, aniseed, clove and leafy aromas with a plush, juicy palate of bright plums, brambles and cherry fruit supported by smooth textured tannins.
Food Match: Enjoy now or cellar for up to 8 years. Serve with fillet steak.

Two Hands ‘Angels’ Share’ Shiraz 2010, McLaren Vale New!
£22.00 or £18.00 when you buy 2 bottles

Origin: Two Hands was founded in 1999 with a mission to showcase the very best of Aussie Shiraz – like this blockbuster from McLaren Vale’s slightly cooler coastal climes.
Tasting Note: Aromas of coffee, cocoa and cola against a backdrop of plums and mulberries. It’s huge, rich, complex and mouth-coating with lashings of soft, rounded tannins.
Food Match: Drink any time in the next decade. Try with braised venison.

By William James | Posted in Majestic News | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a Comment

Picasso at Tate Britain

Thursday 24 May 2012 – 17:27

Like Picasso and Rioja? Here’s some 2 for 1 tickets to the Picasso exhibition in London

Marqués de la Concordia has teamed up with Tate Britain to offer Majestic customers two-for-one tickets to one of the most hotly anticipated events in the 2012 arts calendar: Picasso and Modern British Art at Picasso at Tate Britain. Just buy any six bottles of Marqués de la Concordia Rioja to get the deal.

Tate Britain

By William James | Posted in Majestic News | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a Comment

New Store No. 180! Majestic Wine Edinburgh Queensferry Road

Friday 18 May 2012 – 16:59

Today we’ve opened our fifth new store of the year, Majestic Wine Wine Edinburgh Queensferry Road!

Like all our new stores it’s bright and air-conditioned, with over 800 wines from around the world to choose from. Hello to the new team: Erica, Jamie and Erica DP.

South Queensferry in the press and Wikipedia

The Forth Road Bridge, opened in 1964, spans the Firth of Forth at a total length of 2,512 metres.
South Queensferry hosts the strange annual procession of the Burry Man during the Ferry Fair.
The Loony Dook – a recently instituted event whereby people dive into the freezing waters of the Firth of Forth on New Year’s Day, often in fancy dress.
Here are 30 things to do outdoors in and around Edinburgh via @scotsmandotcom

Why North Edinburgh?

Our new store is located to the North West of Edinburgh on Queensferry Road, so if you’re coming out or in of the city over the Forth road bridge you’re bound to spot us on the busiest junction by Maybury Road. This will be our fourth store in the Scottish capital, making Majestic even more accessible: daily instore tastings, staff with expert wine knowledge, fine wine, free delivery, free parking… and all our free Wine events: Wine Walks, Wine Courses and Wine Evenings.

Summer in North Edinburgh

With summer lurking around the corner the whole team are preparing for the best of the summer and are looking forward to meeting lots of new people, recommending some great wines and getting to know the town. Their store web page and blog has already kicked off with a wine of the week and a wine course ready to book onto. Erica’s wine of the week is the Vinalba Malbec, which is open to try along with lots of other wines on the tasting counter.

Opening Events

To celebrate the opening, join us in-store between Friday 25th and Sunday 27th May for a free glass of fizz and a selection of delicious charcuterie and cheeses.

Contact

Unit 2
517-525 Queensferry Road
Edinburgh
EH4 7QD
0131 336 3003
@majesticqfy
Queensferry on Facebook

By William James | Posted in Majestic News | Tagged , | Leave a Comment

In Praise of the Producer: Vintae

Monday 14 May 2012 – 9:58

With 21st century Spanish winemaking on the move from its traditional Rioja heartlands, Majestic Buyer Matt Pym introduces a top new name to look out for.

Think of Spanish wines and your mind most likely turns to Rioja: Reservas and Gran Reservas with many years’ barrel and bottle ageing; classic names and labels, maybe all wrapped up in a golden wire cage. My own love for these wines is evidenced by the preponderance in my cellar of Rioja from wonderful recent vintages like ’01, ’04 and ’05. However, the real buzz in Spanish wine is coming from talented, ambitious young winemakers ready to explore other regions and varieties.

Spain has a wealth of amazing vineyard material, with 100-year-old vines not uncommon. In the past, much of this potential was wasted, but now these treasures are getting the recognition they deserve. The fruit is being transformed into plush, polished wines of grace, power and real regional character, by dynamic young companies like Vintae.


Vintae’s three Matsu wines, from Toro in the far west of Spain, unite the oriental culture of caring for nature (matsu is Japanese for wait) with advanced biodynamic techniques. All three are made from Tinta de Toro, the local variant of Tempranillo.

From circa 50-year-old vines and with just three months in oak, El Picaro (The Rogue) is all about fruit, with lush blackberries to the fore and a fresh, mineral finish. 14 months in oak and fruit from 90 to 100-year-old vines make El Recio (The Tough One) a serious wine whose intense chocolate, deep black fruit and vanilla aromas give way to a subtle mineral core offset by a silky, unctuous character. From 110-year-old vines, the superb, full-bodied El Viejo (The Old One) delivers a powerful aromatic array of pencil lead, spice box, lavender and black cherry. Of 3,989 bottles made in 2009, we have 600.


Vintae runs a project to make the best regional expressions of Garnacha throughout Spain, such as this one, from the rocky slate and gravel mountainsides in the Ribera del Queiles, east of Rioja. It’s a hard life for the 55-year-old vines, yet they struggle on to produce wonderful fruit for this youthful, full-bodied wine, with tobacco and wild berry aromas, great structure and refreshing minerality.

Matsu El Picaro 2010, Toro New!
£9.99 or £7.99 when you buy 2 bottles

Matsu El Recio 2009, Toro New!
£15.99 or £12.99 when you buy 2 bottles

Matsu El Viejo 2009, Toro New!
£25.00 or £20.00 when you buy 2 bottles
Limited Availability

La Garnacha 2010, Salvaje del Moncayo New!
£9.99 or £7.99 when you buy 2 bottles

By William James | Posted in Video | Comments (1)

Majestic on the go!

Friday 11 May 2012 – 13:22

New Mobile Site - Same Great ServiceGo to site

Visit majestic.co.uk on your mobile to experience our brand new mobile site! It has all the fantastic features of the full site, our entire range of award winning wines and improved store finding functionality for when you’re out and about. AND you’ll still get FREE delivery from your friendly local store. Easy!

By William James | Posted in Majestic News | Leave a Comment

National Ad Campaign

Tuesday 8 May 2012 – 11:39

This weekend we started our first ever national ad campaign!

In the run up to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee we are broadcasting two adverts nationwide that explain what Majestic is all about to people who may not have been to one of our stores before.

We all know that wine can be a bit baffling and in the commercials we see how Majestic helps some anxious first time customers. Chardonnay is not a word to be afraid of, and the tasting counter is there for you to find your new favourite.

This is also supported by print with a Majestic member of staff at the tasting counter appearing in national newspapers and magazines.

Come and Explore for more information

Chardonnay

Tasting Counter

By William James | Posted in Majestic News | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a Comment

Three Wine Men: Manchester

Wednesday 2 May 2012 – 15:32

Enjoy a fun-packed day of wine at the Museum of Science & Industry, Manchester, in the company of the Three Wine Men: Olly Smith, Oz Clarke & Tim Atkin MW.

We have a Majestic stand at the Three Wine Men tasting and so we can offer all you Majestic people a discount voucher! Here’s what to expect from the chaps…

“We’re on a mission to show you just how much fun wine can be. Join us as we travel the UK bringing you the best wines available on the market and hope you will come along and meet us, our producers, and retail exhibitors personally.”

We are so excited to be coming back to Manchester on 26th & 27th May. You will have a great time, whether you’re an expert, an enthusiast or just enjoy the odd glass.”

At an event, you simply:

  • Pick up a glass
  • Grab a tasting brochure
  • Taste as many wines as you like

Oz, Tim and Olly will be on the floor all weekend, so ask them for tips & advice, or just say ‘hi’ – you don’t have to be an expert!

“Olly, Tim and Oz were lovely and approachable, very interesting and helpful. We had a great afternoon and discovered a range of beers as well as lots of lovely new wines. We are really looking forward to the next event”

Gillian Barbour, Manchester.

Buy tickets via: www.threewinemen.co.uk
When you pay, enter the voucher code 3WINEFIVE and £5 will automatically be deducted from the price of every ticket you order.

ThreeWineMen on Facebook

@threewinemen on Twitter

By William James | Posted in Majestic News | Leave a Comment

Wine & Food Matching

Monday 30 April 2012 – 15:18

Here at Majestic, we don’t need too many excuses to enjoy a glass or two of something great with friends. But in this summer of celebrations, we’re well and truly spoilt for choice!

With the eyes of the world turning to the British Isles this season, it’s up to us all to show them how we throw a good party. And what better way to get it started than firing up the barbie and trying out some of these great wine and food combos? Best of all, there’s no need to overcomplicate things. Barbecued food has a fabulous flavour all of its own, so you can keep things nice and simple – leaving you free to enjoy the festivities!

Côté Mas Blanc 2011, PGI Pays d’Oc, France New!

State-of-the-art vinification and ageing equipment combines with a focus on nature to create what the Paul Mas family call ‘agriculture raisonnée’. The result here is a floral blend of Grenache Blanc, Vermentino, Chardonnay and Sauvignon with peach and pear aromas. Pair with mustard, thyme and ginger spatchcock chicken.

Viñalba Reserva Malbec 2010, Mendoza, Argentina

Bordeaux-born Herve J. Fabre adopts a minimum intervention approach to winemaking, while making the most of Mendoza’s altitude to add elegance and balance to Viñalba’s wines. This example is effortlessly smooth, with sweet juicy black fruits complementing intense plum and dark chocolate notes. Firm tannins make it an ideal pairing for a good honest barbecued steak.

Rioja Reserva 2001, Viña Ardanza, La Rioja Alta, Spain

Rioja doesn’t get much better than this elegant, subtle wine. Smooth, oaky vanilla lies beneath luxurious layers of juicy red fruits, rugged earthiness and well-integrated medium tannins. Look beyond lamb and go for Alabama pork ribs with a sweet and spicy glaze.

Lunta Malbec 2009, Mendel Wines, Mendoza, Argentina

Fruit from 80-year-old vines makes this a wonderfully concentrated wine that still displays characteristic Mendoza finesse. A year in new French oak adds soft vanilla spice to those deep, rich brambly black fruits, with a hint of eucalyptus and generous tannin also on show. Pair with Turkish lamb burgers.

Les Hauts de Castelmaure Corbières 2009, France New!

Hand-picked grapes are left as bunches and vinified by carbonic maceration, before spending 11 months in French oak (20% new). This attention to detail is evident in a wine that delivers red fruits, hints of garrigue and spice on the nose and a silky palate with enhanced vanilla from the oak. Pair with some good wild boar sausages.

By William James | Posted in Staff Articles | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment

What’s your style?

Thursday 26 April 2012 – 12:22


It seems you can’t go anywhere without seeing the hashtag #. From twitter it has spread to cross-posting on Facebook and other social networks such as Instagram, Foursquare and Pinterest (we’re on all of these channels by the way) as well as appearing at the beginning of TV shows and even the News: #millionpounddrop, #bbcapprentice, #itvnews…

Majestic stores have taken to their twitter feeds and created their own wine hashtags too. Majestic Northampton have the #3wordwinereview that has caught on throughout all Majestic stores and the Majestic bunch; our most active followers on twitter.

On Monday night I went to a Spanish wine tasting with Majestic managers in the city of London. We tasted through around 20 wines, most of which were from Rioja. This was just a small sample of wines from one supplier that contributes to our range of wines from Spain, yet it made me realise just how diverse our Spanish range is; there is pretty much a wine for everyone, whatever your style… #pickyourstyle!

That’s how it happens, inadvertently whilst live tweeting the tasting. So whatever your style, at Majestic, you can #pickyourstyle…

Below are some tweets from Monday night. Tweet me your style @majesticwine

By William James | Posted in Majestic News | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment

New! Summer Grape to Glass

Monday 23 April 2012 – 15:48

Summer has arrived for majestic.co.uk and there are lots of new wines to try out.

Each week on the Majestic Blog this summer we are featuring an article from our brand new Grape to Glass magazine: from food matches to fizz to handy party services, it’s all you need to keep the celebrations going right through the incredible summer ahead!

This week: New favourites from the Old World. Some fresh European arrivals to the Majestic range with food matching ideas from fresh sushi to steak and kidney pie…

Got a taste for it already? View the whole magazine online as a fancy flipbook, download the PDF, pick up a copy in store or  if you’re lucky enough wait for it to land through your letterbox later this week.

Cheers!

By William James | Posted in Majestic News | Leave a Comment
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 35 other followers