To celebrate the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Sophie Farrah catches up with local wine buffs to discover their top tips for autumn…
1. Taylor’s
321 Richmond Road, Ham Parade, KT2 5PU
Established in 2005 by Andrew Taylor, who has over 30 years’ experience in the wine industry, Taylor’s is an independent wine merchant with a shop in Kingston.
It boasts an extensive range of quality bottles, from everyday drinking to fine wines, with free local delivery too.
2. The Vineking
16 Bridge Rd, East Molesey, KT8 9HA
Set up by Erik Laan in 2003, the motto of this independent wine retailer is ‘great wines, no-nonsense’. It has five stores across Surrey and a wine bar in East Molesey and offers free local delivery too.
The Good Wine Shop
- Kew – 2 Royal Parade, Station Approach, TW9 3QD
- Richmond Hill – 56 Friars Stile Rd, TW10 6NQ
- Teddington – 47 High Street, TW11 8HA
A great online store as well as friendly shops in Teddington, Kew, Richmond and beyond. Its Richmond Hill branch won the hotly contested ‘Best London Neighbourhood Wine Shop’ category at this year’s Decanter Retail Awards.
Pairings & Recommendations
For a cosy roast:
- Macon Lugny ‘Les Petites Pierres’ Jadot 2018. Taylor’s, £15.99
A fresh, citrusy treat from southern Burgundy which will complement Sunday’s roast chicken perfectly!
- Avignonesi, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2015. The Good Wine Shop, £27.50
Made from 100% Sangiovese estate-grown grapes, this wine shows an elegant medium body, gentle tannins and a unique tasting profile. Perfect for roasted red meats, or even a Beef Wellington.
Fab with fish:
- Vilacetinho Grande Escolha Vinho Verde 2019. The Vineking, £11.19
This crisp Portuguese wine is a perfect pairing with any fish or seafood dish. It’s light and fresh, with a very slight fizz. All you need is a plate of mussels to accompany it.
- Maitres Vignerons de la Presqu’ile de Saint-Tropez, Les Voiles Rose. The Good Wine Shop, 2019 £18
This rosé is very pale pink on the eye, with enticing aromas of intense grapefruit, lychee and mango. A fresh and structured palate, each sip ends with a long, ample refreshing finish. Pairs beautifully with fruits de mer, or even sushi.
Homegrown grapes:
Furleigh Classic Cuvee 2013. Taylor’s, £27
With the warming summers and the increasing skill and experience of British wine producers, there are a growing number of terrific British wines. This fabulous fizz is from the chalky soil vineyards of Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. It has elegance, freshness and complexity.
- Henners Native Grace Chardonnay 2018. The Vineking, £18.99
Just a few miles from the sea in East Sussex, Henner's vineyard produces excellent examples of top-notch English wine. With lots of floral and citrus notes, this is one of our favourites and is definitely as good as any Chablis you can find for the money.
For celebrations:
- Taltarni Brut Taché Sparkling Rosé 2013. The Vineking, £19.9
If you’re looking for a fresh, vibrant sparkling then this Australian fizz is a winner. Hints of strawberry, a vibrant fizz and stunningly good value for the quality…this wine is worth celebrating!
- Black Chalk, Classic 2016. The Good Wine Shop, £44.50
Made in Hampshire, this sparkling wine has prominent fruit throughout, backed up by impressively complex layers and a rich underbelly, still with the classic English characteristics of green apple and floral notes.
