View From the Vineyard

Yes, our Wine Tasting Series 2008 is finally here and we're ready to sip, slurp and savour our way through the year!  Book now for what promises to be the most entertaining and comprehensive wine experience of your existence... well, possibly!  All the details on our tastings can be found below.

We also have some fantastic new products to highlight this month including a delightful  Mortlach 16 year old and an intriguing Albarino from the Fefinanes stable...

Wine Tasting Series 2008

We have created a series of unique wine tutorials focussing on a broad range of styles and varieties, guaranteed to capture the wine lover in you.

Ranging from sweet wine to some of the finest wines in the world today, each wine tasting will focus on quality and luxury while also highlighting some extremely unusual and vibrant choices.  So, grab a glass and indulge!

Individual wine tastings followed by Brasserie dinner £35

Series of 3 tastings followed by Brasserie dinner £90

All 10 tastings followed by Brasserie dinner £300

ALL TASTINGS BEGIN AT 7PM

WEDNESDAY 19TH MARCH
To In-Fino-ty and Beyond
Sherry is not just the preserve of the W.I and vicars. Sherry is one of the greatest wines to come out of Spain and matches a whole range and variety of food styles. Join us for an enlightening evening where we blow the dust off that old bottle of sweet sherry hidden at the back of granny's cupboard.

WEDNESDAY 23RD APRIL
1855 and a' that
Come and celebrate with us the 'Auld Alliance' that existed between Scotland and France. Leith was at one time the primary destination of many ships from Bordeaux importing their claret to be enjoyed in the drinking dens and innss Scotland. Let the 'Sunshine on Leith'.

WEDNESDAY 14TH MAY
The Perfumed Garden
Gin - a firm favourite of the middle classes and yet often considered to be the most boring and old fashioned of the spirits available in the British market. Join us as we lead you down the path through the lush verdant gin drenched gardens pointing out the botanicals on the way.

WEDNESDAY 11TH JUNE
Vouvray Vous?
Contrary to popular belief it's not just Sauvignon Blanc that the Loire produces. Tonight we will share with you some of the delights of this beautiful region. Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir from the Loire and around the world will be tasted and who knows, we may even throw in a Sauvignon Blanc along the way.

WEDNESDAY 16TH JULY
The Joy of Secs (Oh, you brut!)
'I get no kick from Champagne...' so Cole Porter wrote. Well I'm sorry Mr Porter, I love the fizzy stuff and not just Champagne, the sparkling wines from around the world are now making the Champenois in France sit up and take notice. Let's pop a cork and indulge you in the joy of secs.

WEDNESDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER
Are you Havana Laugh?
Yo! Ho! Ho! me Hearties! What is the most exciting spirit on the planet? It has to be Rum. Tonight the ship's Sommelier and his crew set sail on the high seas sampling some of the Caribbean's very best from Cuba, Jamaica, Dominican Republic and Guyana.

WEDNESDAY 22ND OCTOBER
Vin-archy in the UK
The UK wine market has got to be one of the most diverse and exciting for the consumer. We are so lucky to be able to select wines from anywhere in the world and that is the theme of tonight's tasting. Join our Forth Floor Sommelier as he guides you through some of the most important world wines available.

WEDNESDAY 12TH NOVEMBER
Sgt. Peppers Rhone-ly Hearts Club Band
Join us as we journey down through the Rhone valley seeking liquid inspiration from some of the most exhilarating wines available to us. We will be showering you with the delights of Grenache, Rousanne, Syrah, and Marsanne to name a few.

WEDNESDAY 10TH DECEMBER
Christmas Time, Mistletoe and Wine
Yearning for something different to have either with the goose, turkey or even the beef? Then this is a night in which to taste some of our exceptional wines. Ask our Sommelier which wines will match with lamb or reindeer!

WEDNESDAY 14TH JANUARY 2009
The Global Vineyard
It's blockbuster time. Time to chase away those cold winter nights with some of the hottest reds available to Harvey Nichols. Shiraz from Australia and Syrah from the Rhone valley are brought head to head in what promises to be an evening of intense fruity flavours... seconds out!

Please contact the Forth Floor reception for more details or to make a reservation.
Tel. 0131 524 8350 or forthfloor.reservations@harveynichols.com

Grape Expectations

CLONAKILLA

John Kirk, a Canberra based research scientist, established Clonakilla in 1971. John came to Australia with his young family in 1968 to work with the CSIRO Division of Plant Industry. To his surprise despite the suitability of the environment there was no wine industry in the cool southern tablelands of New South Wales around Canberra. To remedy this situation, in 1971 he bought a 44 acre farm near the village of Murrumbateman in NSW, 40 kilometres north of Canberra.

With a soil of sandy clay loams over a friable of clay subsoil and a climate not dissimilar to the Bordeaux region and the Northern Rhone Valley, he proceeded to plant 1.2 acres each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling. In 1972 a further 1.2 acres of Shiraz, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were planted and the wine grew well, John persevered and produced the Canberra District's first commercial vintage in 1976: a Riesling and a Cabernet Shiraz.

At the end of 1996 John's fourth son Tim join the family business as winemaker and general manager, in 1998 Tin and his wife Lara bought the 50 acre property next door and planted Shiraz and Viognier. Between the two properties there are now 22 acres under vine with further planting planned for the future.

Clonakilla Viognier 2006:
£28.00
Barrel fermented entirely in French oak using natural yeast, the 2006 Viognier is a full-bodied white with potent honeysuckle, apricot, ginger and ripe pear aromas. It shows the classic silky Viognier texture while retaining an authoritative, balanced structure and refreshing acidity. A high impact wine without being over the top.  

Clonakilla Hilltops Shiraz 2006:
£14.00
2006 was a crackerjack vintage in the Hilltops District: excellent spring rains followed by along, warm, ripening period. It has produced a gorgeous, full-flavoured red: dark cherry, aniseed and very much earthy aromas with a hint of savoury spice. The palate is rich and round with a persistent firm finish. Although ready to drink now, you could also buy it now and leave it be in your cellar for the next four to six years. 

Behind the label

The Marnier-Lapostolle 'clan' started in 1827, when Jean-Baptiste Lapostolle created the Lapostolle distillery in Neauphle le Chateau, Île-de-France, 21km west of Versailles.

In 1994 the Marnier-Lapostolle family group and the Rabat family from Chile founded Casa Lapostolle. Today Casa Lapostolle is 100% owned by the French family group.


Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge (special Lounge edition) £25.00
The cognac used in production is aged at Chateau de Bourg, in the heart of Charente region and Grand Marnier is actually produced at the family distillery. After lengthy maceration followed by distillation, the orange peels yield a flavoured spirit that, when carefully proportioned and blended with cognac and sugar syrup, will produce Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge. Last but not least, prior to bottling, Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge is aged in oak casks and is filtered.

Grand Marnier Cuvee Centenaire £55.00
The 100th anniversary of the company was marked by the creation of this cuvee. Created in 1927, this special cuvee is a smooth and elegant mix of cognac primarily from Fine Champagne (second best producing area of cognac) aged up to 25 years. The liqueur will acquire its full finess and roundness after an ageing of a minimum of 2 years in oak vats. Rich amber tones, well-balanced, elegant aroma it's a harmonious combination of cognac and orange.

Grand Marnier Cuvee Cent Cinquantenaire £120.00
This cuvee celebrate the 150th anniversary of the creation of the company, this exceptional cuvee was created in 1977. Using only rare cognac reserve aged up to 50 years and primarily from Grande Champagne (best producing area of cognac), the liqueur will acquire its full intensity and opulence after minimum ageing of 3 years in oak vats. Deep amber/copper tones, complex taste with wood and vanilla accents, exceptionally long and lingering after taste.

Casa Lapostolle 'cuvee Alexandre' Chardonnay 2006 £13.00
This wine is made from a 100% Chardonnay and from the Atalayas Vineyard in Casablanca Valley.

A wine with an elegant and aromatic nose and an array of minerality, fruit and subtle oak. The Casablanca terroir expresses complexity with hints of flint and minerality in a unique combination with citrus, honey and sweet spice. Surprising freshness at the attack that develops into a round and juicy mid palate with a long and intense finish.

Casa Lapostolle 'cuvee Alexandre' Merlot 2005 £16.50
This wine is made from 85% Merlot and 15% Carmenere and from the Apalta Vineyard in Colchagua Valley.

Apalta's vineyard fruit expression at its best: plums, cherries, blackcurrants and blackberries with sweet spices coming from the French oak. It is a powerful and deep structure that surprises. Soft and chewy palate that evolve towards a long and pleasant finish with a very well achieved balance.
 
Casa Lapostolle 'cuvee Alexandre' Syrah 2004 £18.00
This wine is made from 100% Syrah and from the Las Kuras Vineyard in Rapel Valley.

The result is an intense and dark, inky purple with deep purple shades. Powerful, rich aromas of jammy red and black fruit and berries, meaty quality against spice, nutmeg and vanilla from the oak treatment. It's a complex and very well balanced wine with soft, velvety tannins lingering in the mouth, very rich mid palate and a long finish. 

Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta 2003 £40.00
This wine is made from 70% Carmenere-Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and from the premium lots of non-irrigated, 60 year old vines from the Apalta Vineyard Colchagua Valley.

The result is a deep ruby red with purple shadows. Intense and fine notes of ripple red and black fruit (wild raspberries, cranberries, blackcurrant and blackberries). Notes of cassis and mocha are also present with some sweet spices and vanilla from the well-integrated complexity from the French oak. Smooth, round tannins provide an elegant entry. The mid palate is rich and silky, leading towards a very long finish.

Hot Off The Vine

Vieux Marc De Champagne, Jean Goyard
£25.00

Vieux Marc De Champagne is an eau de vie with an appellation controlled by a decree. It is obtained by distilling fermented and stemmed grapes Marcs which come exclusively from the Champagne vineyards.

This eau de vie is concentrated up to 70% alcohol volume in the stills it is then refined by ageing in oak casks to be served at 40%. Which give aromatic fruit and earthy flavour on the nose as well as an oily feel, the palate will be just as fruity and grapey with a warm and lively feel.

Jean Goyard founded this family business; a true burgundian and the son of a peasant wine grower. He began his conquest of the Champagne region in 1911 with two distilling machines towed behind lorries.
He settled in Ay in the heart of the wine growing area, starting out as an artisan-distiller, offering his service to the wine growers and wine merchant. Over the decades, the business evolved from its artisan and travelling origin and today the company has premises in Ay and Mareuil sur Ay. The business has modernised, diversified and is now the specialist distillery for the Champagne growing area.

Mortlach single malt 16 years old:
£52.00

This Speyside distillery dates back to the early 1820s; in fact the Mortlach distillery was the first of seven in Dufftown, but is now part of Drinks Conglomerate Diageo. The bulk of their whiskies have a peaty and smoky style and is mainly used for blending (Johnnie Walker blends for example). However, there are also single malts Mortlachs which are marketed by independent bottlers.

The 16 years old is a rich, dark amber colour.  Fruity and deep with hints of peat and smoke on the nose and a palate of honey, fruit, caramel and a distinct sherry character with a long, dry finish and a rather full body.
It is said that the water spring in the Conval Hills give this single malt all its fruit and smoothness.

1583 Albariño De Fefiñanes 2005:
£27.00

The vineyard itself, Bodegas Del Palacio De Fefiñanes, has been linked to wine since the 17th century. And it was a hundred years ago that the winery was created as a business venture. In 1928, the trademark and label Albariño De Fefiñanes was created, becoming a real pioneer.
The outstanding Albariño grape from the Salnés Valley has always been the main protagonist of those wines.

Now this is something a little bit left of centre, even the name 1583 is a bit odd. You'd think it was the date of the establishment of the vineyard or something else regarding that subject, but no, 1583 was the year the original builder of the Palacio de Fefiñanes was born. It was their way of paying homage to him.

As for the wine itself its saw five months in French and American oak, a fairly new thing in the world of Albariño, light straw in colour with a slight green tint. Shows aromas of white peach, hints of white pepper with pear and honey suckle. Complex on the palate full mouth with white peach, pear, minerals, lemon and a long finish.

HN Case Deal!  Buy 12 mixed bottles and get the cheapest bottle free (available on all wines).

Wine at Wine Shop Prices

Every Tuesday evening pay retail price for every bottle of wine purchased with dinner at the Forth Floor restaurant.*

Enjoy a chance to browse the outstanding selection of wines held at the Forth Floor at a reduced price. Choose from over 300 wines and Champagnes from all over the world and take the opportunity to try something that's new and exciting.

Please contact reception for more details or to make a reservation.
Tel. 0131 524 8350 or forthfloor.reservations@harveynichols.com

*Minimum spend per bottle £14.00