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The late Autumn sunshine saw us bowling down one of those splendidly deserted French roads, sentineled by whispering poplars, on the way to a short break near Amboise on the Loire.

Obviously, as we were staying with friends, we used the opportunity to go out for a rather special meal, and at my suggestion they allowed me to choose the wine for each course from the Loire region. There were one or two who frowned at this decision but they kindly relented and allowed me to be their guide.

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Again we held one of our in house tastings where old friends and new joined us to sample an interesting collection of South American wines.

I was delighted at the consistent quality of the wines even though the sale price did not go above £11.00.

Of the whites the very simple and honest Sauvignon Blanc by Chalten from Patagonia was very popular, as was the Chilean, Unwooded Chardonnay from Echeverria. The surprise was a delicious white Torrontes showing all its Galician character from Don David. A blend of Chardonnay/Viognier was not so well received, except for a couple of fans.

With the reds the following grape varieties were represented- Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Malbec, Pinot Noir and a very popular Chilean Carmenere. The top red was a Gran Reserva Merlot from Patagonia.

If you wish to sample twelve wines; 6 White & 6 Red including P & P £123.00 delivery 5 to 7 days, or collect from our cellars with advanced notice please.

RG.

At a recent private tasting of eight mid-range Burgundy white wines to just 9 guests, the outstanding star was the Pouilly Fuisse Prestige- Domaine Ferrand 2006 at £131.52 per case of six. This represented 45% of the wines ordered. Specialist wine tastings can be organised such as the above for small or large groups, for more information contact Roger Gillett, click here.

Customers cannot be wrong. Recently we supplied an Austrian Pinot Blanc wine from Familie Prielier to just four clients who requested we look for something special. They all repeated their order and told their friends. Now we have seven customers all waiting for the 2008 vintage. It is a beautifully made wine, with well balanced fruit and acidity, an exciting alternative. Contact Roger Gillet for more information and a tasting by clicking here.