22 Yards
Cada Nube, Cabernet Franc 2020, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina

We are loving Cada Nube. This 100% Cabernet Franc is produced by a lovely Yorkshire couple, Rob & Jo from Leeds, and it is sold exclusively in York to us here at 22 Yards. They have bought a parcel of land in Mendoza, Argentina, and produce fantastic quality wine in small quantities. ‘Cada Nube’ means ‘Every Cloud’, indicating the positivity of their whole wine-making experience. The attractive bottle even has a silver lining on it’s label. This is a beautiful, elegant red wine with delicious red fruit flavours, hint of black pepper & silky smooth tannins, making it a real easy drinker. The perfect tipple to open on an autumn evening as the nights draw in.

Friends of Ham
Balthasar Ress, Schloß Reichartshausen Riesling Spätlese, Rheingau, Germany

When autumn comes, I’m always excited to get behind some double glazing and watch the rain in comfort – and comfort to me is a sweet white wine, whose pale gold to orange colours match the falling leaves.

Spätlese means ‘late harvested’, and it’s this extra time on the vine, heading into October, that gives the grapes ripeness. Riesling’s natural acidity makes it perfect for this kind of treatment. This medium-sweet Spätlese is balanced by a fresh tangerine acidity, with bruised pear and flinty undertones rounding out a complex and sophisticated palate. What could be more seasonal than knowing the next vintage is being picked as we drink? Schloß Reichartshausen is available at Friends of Ham as part of our Oktoberfest celebration, along with a selection of other German specials.

Martinez
Zensa Primitivo, Puglia, Italy

It feels like a bit of a cop-out to feature a grape variety that is very fashionable at the moment. However, there is a reason why people are flocking to Martinez Wines for this wine! Primitivo, AKA Zinfandel, is a real crowd pleaser, no more so than the fabulous Zensa (pronounced sensa) which is the Italian definition of ‘without’ or ‘to do without’; no chemicals, no pesticides, only what Mother Nature has given us, this organic wine is great value. It has an intense ruby-red colour with a complex bouquet, reminiscent of cherries, dried berries and toasted almonds. In the mouth it is full-bodied yet smooth and elegant with a silky texture. The finish is long and lingering, with a burst of spiced bright fruit and lovely earthiness at the end. If you like a wine that is rich, weighty and gives you a big hug then look no further.

Jorvine
Murviedro Sericis Cepas Viejas Bobal, Valencia, Spain

As the Autumnal months are upon us, I know I’m starting to think about the warm, inviting reds, and if you are too then I’ve got the perfect wine. Sericis means ‘silky’ in Latin, and this smooth, juicy red from their local grape Bobal is a cracking example. This wine is made exclusively from low-yielding, old vines where the soil is chalk & clay. A gentle pressing of the grapes takes place before a long macération period and eight months in French oak. The nose is full of forest fruits with notes of toffee and vanilla. The palate is complex and structured with plum and blackberry characters, smooth tannins, and a mocha finish. Everything I love about a red wine is in this delightful bottle.

2 Many Wines
Rara Neagr? 2019, Novak, Moldova

After many years of wine tastings, it is easy to be difficult to please. So, discovering a new wine sensation must almost go beyond one’s usual boundaries. This is what happened when earlier this year I came across what was going to be the best discovery in terms of flavour, texture, pleasure and history. It is from a country that has the longest cellars in the world and winemaking is in people’s culture. For centuries, wine has been made in Moldova and many indigenous grapes are still in use – one being Rara Neagr?; with a bit of oak and bottle ageing, it gives you a cross of flavours going from Pinot Noir finesse and robust Cabernet Sauvignon. Perfect for Autumn, with its dark fruit and gentle oriental spices; we are happy to show it to our most demanding customers and it never disappoints!

Howl
Villages Elisa Guerin, Beaujolais, France, 2021

This beaujolais, made from 50 year old Gamay vines, is a fantastic choice for autumn. It’s that perfect transitional glass that takes you from white to red, from summer to the colder months. It has an ultra-fine tannic structure that means it is almost weightless, making it light and delicate enough that it’s not jarring from the chilled glasses we’ve been enjoying all summer long, but carries that undercurrent of crushed peppercorn spice and jammy deep black cherry fruit that brings you into the autumnal season and provides that signature warmth that connects red wine to colder weather. The fruitiness is underpinned with a stony minerality and a lick of acidity that makes it an elegant but easy drink that’s perfect for sharing around a table. It’s this element of complexity despite its delicacy that I love. We love to support and champion female winemakers here at Howl, and Elisa Guerin is definitely one to watch as she expands her family Vineyard and champions biodiversity.