Saint Vincent of Saragossa is honoured every year on the 22nd of January as the patron saint of winemakers. Originally a Christian Martyr in Spain, legend has it that while travelling one day Saint Vincent stopped to talk to some workers in a vineyard and his donkey nibbled on the vines. That year those vines produced the best crop. From this, the workers discovered the benefits of pruning. Nowadays, according to tradition in some areas pruning does not start until after the feast of Saint Vincent.

So here is a selection of Spanish wines to honour Saint Vincent this weekend!

Gran Vendema Rioja Crianza
After spending 12 months aging in oak, this Crianza has plenty of oaky vanilla notes on the nose mixed with raspberry and strawberry finished off with a soft palate.

Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Blanco
This white Rioja has an impressively aromatic nose of apple and pear with a touch of floral notes, following with a fruitful palate with a delightful freshness.

Marqués de la Concordia Rioja Reserva
Aged for 24 months in oak barrels this wine has a complex nose blending ripe fruits, spices and cedar. With black fruits dominating the smooth palate which has hints of coffee and chocolate.

Martin Codax Albariño
This delicate white wine has hints of spices and sweets fruits on the nose with a refreshing palate of stone fruits with a slight hint of honey and a floral finish.

Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva
Regarded as one of the top examples of traditional Rioja this reserva has been aged for a 26 months in oak, with further bottle aging. Toasted oak combining with vanilla and red fruits on the nose are rounded off with smooth tannins and a fruity palate.

Viña Muriel Rioja Gran Reserva
Oaked aged for 24 months and a further 3 years bottle aging having given this wine a wonderful complexity. Dried fruits like figs and raisins blend with subtle spice notes on the nose and are rounded off by well integrated tannins that add a smoothness to the palate with a lingering finish.

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Riverlands Run Sauvignon Blanc

There’s a lot of hype around this wine; quality Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc at a great price.
Oz Clarke has been effusive with praise of NZ Sauvignon: “No previous wine had shocked, thrilled, entranced the world before with such brash, unexpected flavours.”

Rioja Reserva 2006, Berberana

A great consistent wine from Rioja, we love this wine – it’s a big hit making our flyer cover. Partners well with hearty meals; casseroles, stews and dumplings. Yum!

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Not a day goes by where I don’t get set the challenge by a customer to put together a case of everyday or midweek wines. The only stipulation tends to be that the wines need to be between six and eight pounds and quite food friendly. When trusted with this task I like to think about some of the classic midweek meals that are prepared up and down the country and then match my wine choices to them.

Italian food is relatively easy to cook and can be made quickly after a long day at the office. A lasagne or simple bowl of pasta with a tomato sauce or even a pizza are all great midweek options and with 20% off Italian wines this summer they provide such an easy match. For these I would recommend Mandrielle Sangiovese Banfi. This superb example of Sangiovese is more than a match to rich tomato sauces.

Classic British meals often provide inspiration for us all during a long working week. Sausage and mash or Shepherd’s pie are always popular in my house and I like to pick reds with a little bit of body to match to the gravy in these dishes. Rioja is throwing up plenty of bargains at the moment and none more so than Rioja Reserva Vina Eguia 2005.

During the summer there won’t be a household in the land that won’t take advantage of the long evenings by preparing a salad to enjoy in the garden with a glass of something cold and crisp. Weather permitting I would always recommend a zingy fruit driven New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and surely there are none better than perennial Majestic favourite, The Ned Black Label Sauvignon Blanc 2010.

For those people who like to indulge in something a bit spicier during the week like a Thai curry or a simple Stir-fry, I would always lean towards a white bursting with fruit and opulence like Cono Sur Gewürztraminer 2010 from Chile. This is an enticing white wine with hints of lychee, blossom and marzipan.

We love talking about food and wine matching and so the next time you’re in Majestic why not ask us what to match with dinner that night. Alternatively you can always contact us on twitter @majesticstrat and we’d be happy to advise.

Last month I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to visit a couple of our suppliers out in Spain, Bodegas Bilbainas (famous for their Vina Pomal range) and the Cava giant Codorniu. Both wineries are now part of the same family owned group, but both have a long history which, in the case of Codorniu, goes all the way back to 1551!

First stop was Haro in Rioja, where it was illuminating to see that many of the wineries, including Bodegas Bilbainas, are clustered around the train station. Rioja enjoyed its first boom when the Railway arrived, opening up a trade route to the port at Bilbao. From there the wines were shipped to far flung corners of the Spanish Empire. The importance of this trade is reflected in the winery’s name, which comes from the fact that it was established by a group of Industrialists from Bilbao, in order to keep their workforce well lubricated!

The railway north also helped Rioja to its second boom in the 1860s, when vine diseases devastated Bordeaux. French winemakers headed south over the Pyrenees, and brought with them the techniques that made Bordeaux so highly regarded, such as small barrel aging. By the end of the 19th century, Rioja was exporting 13 million gallons of wine per month to France.

Although these days all the wine is produced and matured in temperature controlled warehouses, the original cellars (or Calado, as they are known here) are an astonishing sight. Dug out of the bedrock by hand over 100 years ago, there is an eerie stillness as you enter. A black mold coats the walls, and the smell, aside from the expected mustiness, is reminiscent of dried fruit and an almost oloroso sherry like nuttiness. What is most astonishing the the scale of these cellars, which seem to go on for miles. It is no surprise that a few years ago they found a batch of Gran Reserva Rioja from 1978, which nobody knew existed, but had been maturing happily for 30 years! It was apparently drinking beautifully, although there was a lot of sediment.

We move through the cellars until we reach another room. The walls here, rather than being black mold encrusted rock, are white mold encrusted tiles. Asked why, our guide reveals that this was the room that was originally used for removing the yeast from bottle fermented Cava. This was a messy process, so the room was tiled so they could be easily rinsed down. Judging from the mold in this room this had not happened in this room for decades. Its a good job that all the Cava was produced in the modern winery.

Of course, most people do not associate Cava with Rioja, because most Cava comes from Catalunya, to the east, which is where we were heading next…

… we will catch up with Will and his journey to Catalunya soon!

It’s Easter weekend and not only is it a religious occasion, but it’s also a time of year for families to get together and enjoy the food that spring has to offer.

Why not try my alternative Easter Sunday food and wine menu and indulge with family and friends this weekend.

Starter: Fresh British Asparagus with Hollandaise sauce, topped with a free range poached egg

Ingredients (serves 6):
675g fresh asparagus
5 tbsp butter
6 eggs
salt and pepper

For the Hollandaise sauce:
2 egg yolks
1 tbsp lemon juice
115g butter
salt and pepper

1. Prepare the asparagus and add to boiling water, drain and add to a serving plate when ready.
2. Next make the hollandaise sauce by adding the egg yolks and lemon juice to a processor, and salt and pepper to taste. Next melt the butter and with the processor on slow, pour slowly into the egg mixture.
3. Fry the eggs with butter and place on top of the asparagus.Drizzle with the Hollandaise sauce and serve.

What better way to celebrate the arrival of spring asparagus than with a glass of Sancerre. An ideal Sancerre would have to be the Chateau de Sancerre. The palate is fresh with a lively acidity, ideal for cutting through the rich creamy hollandaise sauce. Green fruits and a herbaceous character intermingle with the apparent minerality adding backbone and body.  Perfect at £13.99* when you buy two or more bottles.

A cracking New World equivalent has to be the popular The Ned Black label Sauvignon Blanc, 2010 from Marlborough, New Zealand. Located on the banks of the Waihopai River in the Wairau Valley which contributes to the origins of the shingle based soil. This allows for the gun flint minerality to be subtly evident in the wine, and comparable to a Sancerre, adding great complexity. The nose eludes classic Marlborough herbaceous notes along with gooseberry and citrus fruits.  The palate like the Sancerre has a lovely acidity with the complex mineral backbone. On a fantastic deal at £6.49* when you buy two or more bottles.

Main: Ragout of Lamb Antonia

Ingredients (serves 6):
1.5 kg diced lean lamb
1 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper
500ml orange juice
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
20g chopped mint & sprig of rosemary
2 large onions
4 cloves of garlic
1 red pepper seeded and diced
25g grated root ginger
25g cornflour
150g apricots, chopped
1 pot of natural yoghurt

1. Preheat Oven to 180°c.
2. Heat oil in a frying pan or casserole dish and fry off the lamb with the salt and pepper until golden brown.
3. Add all other ingredients except the yoghurt. Bring up to simmer then remove from heat.
4. Cook in oven with a tightly fitting lid for 1 hour min.
Remove from the oven and thicken slightly with the cornflour if required and simmer gently for 2 minutes.
5. Serve with fresh green beans and tagliatelli.

It goes without saying that Rioja has to be the perfect accompaniment to lamb. If you fancy treating yourself, why not try the Muriel Gran Reserva 1982 which was considered an excellent vintage in Rioja and produced outstanding wines across the board.

This example is nothing but outstanding when it comes to matching with lamb. Fully mature this Rioja has hallmark aromas of cigar box and cedar on the nose. On the palate, the drinker is rewarded with a soft mellow wine with the surprise of dried fruit, leather and sweet spice to finish, amazing considering the age of this wine. As an alternative and interesting food match, why not try with your chocolate eggs, or chocolate pudding – you may be pleasantly surprised!

With Spain currently on 20% off when you buy two or more bottles this is exceptional value at £18.00*.

With chocolate on the mind, as an alternative to Rioja why not try the rich chocolatey Viñalba Reserva Malbec, 2008/09 from Argentina to accompany your lamb.

Made by Bordeaux born Herve Joyaux Fabre in Lujan de Cuyo at the foothills of the Andes where the climate is well suited to growing Malbec grapes. This wine achieves perfect finesse and balance thanks mainly to the meticulous care and attention to detail in both vineyard and winemaking itself. It’s no wonder then that this wine has added so many awards to its portfolio, including a Decanter silver medal for quality.

A deep red with aromas of rich berry fruits and hints of vanilla and chocolate. These characters are evident on the palate with the addition of mocha giving perfect smoothness and soft juicy tannins with an incredibly long finish, making a superb match to lamb or equally at home with a beef steak. £7.99* when you buy two or more bottles.

Dessert: Hot cross bun bread and butter pudding with an orange marmalade glaze

Ingredients:
6 x hot cross buns cut in half
9 eggs
140g caster sugar
500ml milk
568ml double cream
1 vanilla pod
4 tbsp Marmalade
For the spiced butter:
100g unsalted butter
pinch of nutmeg
pinch of cinnamon
zest of 1 large orange

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas 4
2. First combine the ingredients for the spiced butter.
3. Butter the hot cross buns with this and place in a buttered ovenproof dish.
4. Next separate the eggs reserving 9 yolks and 1 white, whisk these together with the sugar.
5. Gently heat the milk and cream in a saucepan with the vanilla seeds and pod, then pour into the eggs stirring continuously.
6. Remove the vanilla pod and pour over the buttered buns and leave to soak for 20 minutes.
7. Place the dish in a baking tray with water coming halfway up the dish and cook for 45 minutes.
8. Just before the pudding has been in for the 45 minutes, gently heat the marmalade and pour over the pudding and return to the oven for a further 10 minutes.
9. Allow to cool and set before serving with a good portion of custard.

A perfect match to the sweet spice and fruit of the hot cross buns has to be the Vin de Constantia 2005 from Constantia in South Africa. With a rich golden colour this aromatic dessert wine punches candied orange peel and peaches straight to your nose. Like the nose the palate is full and viscous bursting with stone fruit, nuts and vanilla spice, leading into luscious honeyed notes that linger in the mouth.  This will taste even better knowing that the Vin de Constance is included in the South Africa promotion at £23.99* when you buy any two or more South African wines.

Happy Easter & enjoy!

*Prices valid until 2nd May 2011

Don’t lose sleep! There’s no need to panic this Valentines Day. What to drink? How to impress your loved one? Whether you do or don’t know anything about wine, here at Majestic we have an amazing array of wines, which will complement your evening perfectly.

I will only get chance to mention just a few of them here, but this mixture of personal favourites, must buys and hidden gems will hopefully assist you along your way and will add to your special day!

We all know rose is always a well-liked preference for Valentines Day, it would therefore be daft of me not to recommend a classy, elegant, French rose from the Côtes de Provence. The Château Saint Roch-les-Vignes is a delicious, mouth watering rose, oozing in class. The stylish, curvaceous bottle is pleasing on the eye, and the wine doesn’t disappoint. At just £6.49* per bottle, not only is it a great buy but it is a marvellous match with salads or Mediterranean style foods and would be a fantastic start or finish to your evening!

Sauvignon Blanc has become one of the most fashionable and popular wines in the UK market today, with most people having heard of or tasted the crisp white wines from Marlborough in New Zealand. The next wine I would like to advocate should be on everyone’s dinner table, a Sauvignon Blanc/Verdejo blend called “La Poda” from the Castilla y Leon region, to the North West of the capital Madrid. Not only does this region offer great value for money, but it offers something slightly different. The Sauvignon Blanc is prominent and powers through with its citrus character but the Verdejo adds a further dimension. This local grape variety adds a peachy, apricot and citrus twist to the wine, making it the ideal accompaniment to fish, seafood and even sushi. An absolute bargain at £4.99*!

However, if rose or Sauvignon Blanc isn’t for you or you simply want that added element of style, why not try a red wine from the famous region of Rioja in Northern Spain? The Muriel Rioja Reserva 2005 offers great value for money at just £5.99*. After 24 months of maturation in French oak and a further minimum of 24 months ageing in the bottle before its release, this wine would definitely get you some brownie points! The deep ruby colour, the softness of the vanilla and the hints of chocolate and mildly spicy tannic finish make this wine an ideal complement for tomato based pasta and tapas dishes.

Fill your boots, have the confidence that these wines will not only accompany your dishes and have that element of surprise, but most importantly boast that added dimension to your Valentines Day!

Enjoy!

* all prices are based on buying 2 or more bottles of the same wine. Valid until 02/05/2011

Round 1: Every single member of staff, from sales assistant to chief executive, has one week to nominate their choice of wine. They can nominate any wine from the range, all we ask is that we have enough in stock in case you take us up on the recommendation! The five most popular wines make the shortlist.

Round 2: Each store team now has one week to vote for their favourite of the shortlisted wines. The winning wine in this round gets the coveted Golden Grape Award!

After a fortnight of frantic voting and breathless anticipation, we’re happy to announce the winner of the first Golden Grape Award . . .

Rioja Reserva 2005 Muga
Won 32% of the final votes

“This deep ruby Reserva Rioja from Muga is my perfect wine for Easter Sunday. Heady aromas of sweet vanilla from American oak fill the glass, with notes of fresh strawberry, cedar and spice. Pure fruit flavours of redcurrant and cranberry follow through on the palate. French oak also works its magic with notes of cedar, spice and clove. The ripe tannins, partially owing to the 24 months in oak, are integrated beautifully and will stand up well to the robust meatiness of roast lamb, making an excellent match for your Easter Sunday lunch. Redcurrant and vanilla linger on the gloriously long finish from this outstanding Rioja.”

Dan Briggs, Trainee Manager, Majestic Clapham

This Rioja is a wonderful pairing for a roast leg of spring lamb stuffed with rosemary and garlic. The rich, dark berry fruits contrast the savoury lamb and complement the sweet, caramelised garlic superbly. Bright acidity in this wine cuts through the delicate white fat found in spring lamb, while the rosemary brings out a light herbaceous note in this excellent Rioja.

Matt Philpott, Marketing Manager

This first ever award, designed to find the perfect partner for a classic Easter dish, was certainly hotly contested, with the runner-up in particular making it tough competition for the Muga Reserva. The other wines on the shortlist were…

Rioja Reserva 2004 Marqués de Murrieta
A very close runner up with a very respectable 29% of the final votes

“This Rioja is from one of the regions historic producers. A lovely nose of cedar spice and vanilla, following on to notes of cassis and cranberry on the palate with a lengthly finish. A medium bodied wine and a perfect choice to accompany roast lamb. Clearly a super vintage from a respected producer at a fantastic price!”

Ed Gamble, Manager, Majestic Oxford

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 14 Pinot Noir 2008
18% of the final vote

“Aged in French oak, this luscious wine displays an entourage of juicy Red fruits and plums. It has a superb length and quite a warming finish, making this a perfect partner for the little spring lambs.”

Paul Roberts, Manager, Majestic Tunbridge Wells

That a customer will accept your recommendation without a second thought is a real responsibility etched on a relationship forged through trust, honesty and, perhaps most importantly, a good track record.

It is an absolute pleasure to pick out the best wines in our range, that I know suit a customer’s taste, style and budget. Wandering round the store, pushing a trolley, pointing out new gems and essentially ‘personal shopping’ is a luxury that is not taken for granted.

Knowing customers by name, being able to correlate what they’ve enjoyed against the wanton desire for a new Majestic discovery and being trusted to mix a case for their nearest and dearest means that you’re always putting what you know about both the customer and your range, on the line and open to scrutiny.

Of course, it helps if you know what you’re talking about. Bluffing will get you nowhere, and it’s testament to the kind of company that Majestic is, that all store staff are put through their WSET exams, and encouraged to get as involved in the world of wine as they can.

It’s amazing to think that within the ranks of one company are two Vintner’s Cup winners, awarded to the top graduate of the WSET diploma, an Off Licence News Store Manager of the Year and a Young Wine Writer of the Year. Chances are, they probably delivered to your house once or twice.

The tasting counter is great for new discoveries, but there really isn’t room for our whole range on it. It falls to staff to know the whole range at the drop of a hat, and it’s a tougher job than you’d think.

Vintage variation, brand new products and even simple variances like changing from cork to screwcap mean that the wines need to be constantly reappraised and your knowledge brought bang up to date.

Tasting a lot wines is exciting, but knowing what it is about that wine that separates it from the one next to it is the key. It’s that kind of dedication to the job that make us trusted and endeared.

Beneath the banner of a hugely successful and well-liked company, are pretty normal people. Not customer service advisors, but people who know what wines you like and have a pretty good idea of ones that you’re going to like.

Call it a personal service, call it a professional relationship, call it what you like. Majestic staff are the keepers of the key, and can open the door to great new worlds of wine.

Come forth and discover.

My Wine of the Week

Torre Aldea, Rioja Gran Reserva 2001- £10.65 or £7.99 Buy any 2 Spanish still wines save 25%

It’s always the problem with Gran Reserva. Is it drinking well now or is going to have to be stuck away again because it’s just too brutal?

People often go off Rioja because having enjoyed Crianza, they opt for a Gran Reserva of the same vintage and feel like they’re chewing a tree.

Hear ye. If ever a wine encapsulated the idyll of ‘drinking well’ it is this wine.

It is smooth, it’s managed to retain gorgeous fruit and the formerly oppressive wood is now a delicate component of an overall masterpiece.

It’s a mature example of Spanish mastery, with careful blending to ensure the fullest of flavours. A hallmark of excellent Rioja.

Not insipid, not tired, this wine is indeed drinking very well now. So drink it. Now.