Bibendum shows it can also serve up quality artisanal wines
Bibendum‘s new artisan range tasting was held at Bedales for the first time. The venue is one of the best wine bars and merchants in London’s Borough Market and was the perfect setting for the launch.
There were many excellent wines to recommend but rules are rules and here we pick our six of the best from their new range, which also included some additions to its wider range, noticeably from the Americas and New World.
1 Miolo, Quinta do Seival, Castas Portuguesas, 2011.
Bit of an oddity for the wine list but worthy of inclusion. This is a Brazilian red using Portuguese grapes Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz. The winery is in Campanha near the Uruguay border, with wine consultant Michel Rolland overseeing the production. There are interesting fruit flavours of fig, preserve and chocolate with a touch of cloves and cough mixture on the finish. Mid-priced entry.
2 Truchard Vineyards, Pinot Noir 2013.
Light ruby Californian Pinot. Lifted aromatics that do not go too sweet, plenty of red fruit, rhubarb and earthy notes. Good acidity keeps everything nicely balanced. Premium addition to the range.
3 Clos de Nouys, Vouvray Demi-sec, 2014.
I love Demi-sec Vouvray, particularly the wines of Huet. This is not quite in the Huet league but it’s close, possibly thanks to the vintage, which was good all along the Loire. Great balance with a sumptuous sweet edge. Serve with or without food.
4 Domaine Vrignaud, Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume, 2014.
Nose and palate really connect with this delicious Chablis, in one of the best vintages in the region for a long while. Superbly made wine – everything is in its right place – great acidity, balance plenty of fruit with a warm butteriness on the nose and finish. Premium-priced.
5 Domaine Guindon, Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire Sur Lie, 2014.
Great strides are happening in the Nantais and Pierre Guidon is one of the winemakers responsible for raising the bar. 2014 produced great wines the length of the Loire and this quality Muscadet is no exception. More fruit and less spritz than normal, this has clean mineral notes, a saltiness and is a bargain for an entry level white.
6 Bruno Paillard, Brut Vintage Assemblage, 2008
My pick of the fizz from the press tasting, this is a premium-priced vintage Champagne that has attractive aromatics, citrus notes and well-defined acidity. Classic and quite delicious.
