Harvest picking up.
http://www.sonomanews.com/articles/
2004/08/27/news/top_stories/news05.txt
New Site: WineHub
http://www.winehub.co.uk/
Vineyards flourish in wet summer.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3611464.stm
Retailer Round-Up (UK).
For beer lovers should head over to Only Fine Beer. They have listed a range of beers from Casta a Mexican micro-brewery. The range includes a golden, brown, dark and wheat beers. Casta means "Purity" and these craft beers production conforms to the highest German Laws of Purity.
http://www.onlyfinebeer.co.uk/productSearch.php?searchBy=0&searchCriteria=Casta%20Brewery
The Fine Wine Company is now back on-line after an absence of four weeks due to a fire at their local telephone exchange. They have incidently been short-listed for the Scottish Licence Trade News Off Sales of the Year award. The results will be announced on 21st October 2004. They have a range of offers including - £4.99 2 for £8 Borgo Selene White & Red from Sicily
£5.99 2 for £10 Oveja Negra Chardonnay /Viognier Reserva & Cabernet /Syrah Reserva Chile
£5.99 2 for £10 Caravelle Bordeaux Rose France
£6.99 2 for 12 St Hallett Poachers Blend & Gamekeeper Reserve Austraila
Babich Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand Was £8.99 Now £6.99 while stocks last !!
They have also secured a few precious bottles from d’Arenberg including the ‘Bonsai Vine Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvèdre’, the ‘Galvo Graage Cabernet/Merlot/Cabernet Franc’ and the ‘Derelict Vineyard Grenache’ all £12.99 plus the 'The Sticks & Stones' Tempranillo/Grenache/Souzao £13.99.
The latter grape has its origins in Portugals Douro region and for interest alone should be on your shopping list.
Oz Wines Online is offering the excellent Willows Barossa Shiraz 2000 at £119.88 per case saving £12 off the normal price. Free delivery in the UK too.
Nick Dobson has just taken delivery of some fine Cru Beaujolais from Domaine Fernand Gravallon in Villé-Morgon - more correctly now known as Domaine Fernand Gravallon & Cédric Lathuilière, following the merger with another estate after the marriage of M. Gravallon's daughter. The wines are the same however - excellent Fleurie, Chiroubles, and Morgon wines from 2003 - the best vintage in living memory - plus a Morgon Vielles Vignes from 2002.
Oddbins meanwhile has a ‘world exclusive’ on listing the Ardbeg Very Young Whisky. £27.99
http://www.oddbins.com/Products/ProductInfo.asp?sku=75200%20
Argentine specialist Vinos Vinos has just taken delivery of some new wines including A Sangiovese from Benegas (£11.99) and from the same premium estate a Bordeaux style blend (£12.99) . The Valbona range gets a boost too with three new reds – a Malbec (£4.99), a Cabernet Sauvignon (£4.99) and a Syrah(£5.99).
http://www.vinosvinos.co.uk
UKWinesOnline Update.
A new listing in the accessories section. Fine Wine Accessories
A good looking site offering a wide ranging array of drinking accessories - everything from decanters and coasters to wine racks and cocktail shakers. A good overall range available from this easy to use site.