Free Wine from Wine52!

Wine52 are offering you a FREE case of wine (just cover the postage) with three wines showcasing Robertson Valley, South Africa.

That's right, it really is as simple as covering only the £9.95 postage and you'll have the opportunity to enjoy one of the most important wine districts from the Breede River Valley region! A region of dramatic landscapes and superb winemaking. Flanked by the Breede River and ringed by craggy mountains, Robertson is a patchwork of limestone, gravel and clay, with a microclimate that lends itself particularly to outstanding Shiraz.

Here's a taste of what you'll get:

• Sonskyn Chenin Blanc: Chenin Blanc is quintessentially South African these days, and this one is excellent. It's fresh and fruity with luscious pineapple, melon and crunchy green apple dominating the nose. A roundness compliments a touch of passionfruit and honey blossom on the palate, culminating in a rewarding finish.
• Verkoel Sauvignon Blanc: A fruit-driven wine, where aromas of gooseberry, passionfruit and white peach are complemented by fresh green capsicum, capturing the essence of a South African summer in the glass. An invigorating Sauvignon indeed, this wine’s freshness is met in equal measure by striking tropical aromas. On the palate in particular, these juicy tropical fruits balance well with the uplifting acidity, and a touch of leafy green herbaceousness.
• Verband Shiraz/Pinotage: Pinotage, a genetic crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsault first cultivated in South Africa in 1925, is blended seamlessly with Shiraz in this delightful, fruit-forward South African red. Notes of baked, jammy black fruit, and ripe black cherry, complimented by a hint of umami depth are prominent on the nose, following through to the palate where soft, well-integrated tannin takes centre stage.

The choice however is yours. You can choose a red, white or a mixture of both and your case will also include a copy of Glug magazine and two tasty snacks.

Wine52 is a wine discovery club which showcases a new region every month. From velvety reds to crisp whites, focusing on native grape varieties from iconic regions they ensure that there's a perfect pour for every occasion and palate preference.

Wine52 Review: Classic France

Our latest case with Wine52 explores Classic France, a country with two millennia worth of tradition and expertise in winemaking which still regularly tops the chart for sales in the UK despite all the new world competition these days. That’s testament to their wine industry.

It is true that the French had to undergo a bit of a revolution a few decades ago as they were slower to adopt more modern techniques, particularly in traditional areas like Bordeaux. Whilst there are still some producers who make the more rustic style, France is once again pioneering in the industry, developing new techniques, maturation vessels and more to remain in keeping with modern palates and trends. Natural and low-intervention wines are one such example that have seen an explosion recently, championing small producers, the environment and artisan winemaking with an authentic flair.

So, if you’ve had a break from French wine for a little while whilst you sampled the delights of the rest of the world, perhaps now is a great time to get back into French wine, especially for free, and rediscover old favourites. And, if you don’t drink anything but French, what’s wrong with a little more?

The Wine Tasting

Ah Ah Ah!, Cotes du Rhone

Easily the standout wine of the pack and the one to kick it off with. The vineyard, Domaine de Rochebin, works on the principals of lutte raisonnee, meaning using less chemicals and working towards sustainability in the vineyard.

This is a typical Rhone blend. A powerful nose displays ripe red and black fruits, lighter berries like raspberry and a Spanish tapenade backbone. On the palate it is smooth, warming and delicious. Fine-grained tannins lend some body to the wine whilst mocha and chocolate flavours begin to develop on and during the finish. The fruits stay punchy and ripe making it a lively wine with great depth.

Vol de Taureau, Pays d’Oc

This is a Southern French blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Grenache from the largest independent organic wine estate in France, Masion Raymond.

It’s an interesting mix between a Bordeaux blend and a Rhone, and it certainly carries the aromas. Violet, redcurrant, cranberry, blackcurrant and dried herbs weave a complex wine together. Merlot keeps the body plush and lightens the otherwise heftier grapes bringing good balance.

Le Lievre Sur Le Pont, Pays d’Oc

A blend of Sauvignon, Grenache Blanc and Viognier again from Masion Raymond.

It’s an expressive wine that succinctly displays how each grape weaves together in harmony. The Sauvignon brings acidity and freshness, the Grenache Blanc the weight and honeysuckle, and the Viognier a little more richness and stone fruits. It’s a lovely blend of peach, apricot, honey, blossom and elderflower.

Wine52 Case Review: Thracian Valley

The Thracian Valley is one of the earliest haunts of winemaking, with origins stretching back to its Hellenic cultural wine heritage thanks to its fantastic climate for grapes. Located mainly in Bulgaria, the Western and Eastern parts of the valley also straddle into Greece and Turkey. This case focuses on the Bulgarian Wine scene, exploring some grapes you’ve probably never heard of let alone tried and giving you a great idea of why you should look further afield than the tried and tested wine countries.

The Wine Tasting

Na Zemyata White Blend

Starting with the white, we have an interesting blend of Chardonnay (well-known), Muscat (known but less tasted) and Dimiat (which you’ve likely not come across before). Dimiat is Bulgaria’s most planted native white variety and you’ll pretty much only find it here. It adds a perfumed, aromatic intensity to wines and tends to possess a sweet nature (which combines particularly well with Muscat) with its apricot and quince fruit flavours.

On the nose you’ll get a sense of this sweet nature through an underlying honeyed backbone, coupled with red fruits and floral aromas. To taste, this carries through and the fruits become tropical (pineapple, mango) whilst a crisp mineral finish seals the deal.

Konnik Merlot & Mavrud

Another blend here featuring much loved Merlot with Bulgaria’s Mavrud variety. Mavrud is small and dark skinned, resulting in extra tannin weight and inky colours. This is a great combo of soft, plummy Merlot with a beefier, textured local variety.

On the nose you’ll find ripe plum, blackberry and a little smokiness from some oak. To taste, you can really see the blend come alive. Merlot offers up soft, juicy red fruits whilst the Mavrud dials up the heat with black fruit, tannin and chocolate notes. There’s a little herbal complexity going on too which keeps evolving as you let the wine sit in the glass.

Rhyton Cabernet Sauvignon

Now a chance to compare Bulgarian winemaking to a grape you know and love. This is easy going Cab that mimics the New World styles quite well.

You’re immediately hit with ripe black fruits and sweet spice, and a sense that the palate will have good intensity. And on tasting you’d find that to be true too. The fruit is poised to deliver in abundance with blackberry, black cherry and black plum all coming to the fore. The body is robust, the acidity well balanced. All in all, a great example of Bulgarian winemaking.

The Wine52 verdict

This is another great exploration of a lesser-known region. Where Wine52 really impress me is their willingness to stretch beyond consumer favourites and present their fellow wine drinkers with wines and varieties not on the supermarket shelves, which often means you get a better wine at good value too. So, if you are fed up of the lacklustre, the same old same old, then you’d better get yourself a free case from Wine52!