News

LE BEAST

We're counting down the days, with a slight look of fear on our little faces as we await the arrival of Le Beast! The latest addition to the Alexander Wines portfolio is the controversial yet utterly fabulous Le Beast! Promising to challenge any pre-conceptions you may have and "Making French Wine Fun" is the underlying philosophy of Le Beast

‘Le Beast’ is based on the historic legend of La Bête du Gevaudan – a creature believed to be part man/part wolf that killed over 120 women and children in the Languedoc, between 1762 and 1764. Not even King Louis XV’s famous hunter, Denneval, nor his six highly trained bloodhounds, could track the Beast down. The murders stirred up a political and religious controversy and the identity of La Bête du Gevaudan remains a mystery to this day.

Watch this space...................

NEW ARRIVALS @ ALEXANDER WINES

Often derided as being a symbol for everything that is negative about modern wine styles - too oaky, over extracted, uninteresting – Chardonnay has come in for some scathing criticism over the last two decades.

However, as a champion of both terroir and more importantly good wine making, Alexander Wines is excited to announce that we have unearthed 2 stunning Chardonnays, highlighting why the variety deserves its place as the queen of white varietals. Differing in both style and flavour these parcels have been specifically sourced for our website and are not available to the trade….yet. For a limited period we are offering our private customers the first chance to bag these cracking wines at a reduced introductory price!

We have had a great feedback on these stunning new wines , so have decided to keep them on offer for a bit longer.

Order now while still at these unbeatable prices.

Macon-Chardonnay ‘Les Beluses’ 2008, Cave de Lugny, Maconnais, France

Single vineyard wine produced from 30 year old vines grown on chalky soils close to the town of Chardonnay. A fresh nose of stone fruit and toast lead to a palate packed with citrus and minerality, expressing the true terroir of Chardonnay.

Already delicious this wine can be cellared for 4-6 years.

Perfect with grilled lemon sole.

INTRODUCTORY PRICE OF £9.99 INC VAT USUALLY £10.99 INC VAT

(£119.88 PER CASE) (£131.88 PER CASE)

Chablis ‘Le Classique’ 2008, Pascal Bouchard, Chablis, France (screwcap)

2 generations of the Bouchard family continue to strive to ‘achieve perfection from vine to bottle’. Our first AOC Chablis bottled under screw cap - this is a wine that will certainly whet your appetite for Chardonnay. Fermentation in stainless steel gives this wine a crisp green apple aroma that is balanced with fresh lemon and steely minerality on the palate.

Excellent now this wine can age for 2-4 years

Perfect with fresh salmon terrine.

INTRODUCTORY PRICE OF £10.99 INC VAT USUALLY £11.99 INC VAT

(£131.88 PER CASE) (£143.88 PER CASE)

Penley Estate is proud to announce that our 2007 Hyland Shiraz was named in the Top 10 Wines as part of the Adelaide Review’s Top 100 Wines of 2010. Also in the Top 100 was our 2007 Condor Shiraz Cabernet with both wines impressing the judges with their fine tannins and regionality, in line with what judges were seeking as ready to drink wines that are balanced, harmonious and satisfying to drink on their own or with food. Penley Hyland Shiraz - Top 10 Australian Wines - October 2009

Over 750 wines were entered and judged by a panel of 5 lead by United Kingdom’s Andrew Jefford, who has 20 years industry experience including a monthly column in ‘Decanter magazine’.

2007 Hyland Shiraz

“Our top ten contender from Coonawarra proved to be a shiraz, not a cabernet. Louise was most enthusiastic, praising its violet and raspberry scents and total integration. But everyone enjoyed its fruit purity, depth and length which, together with its restrained oak, gave it regional rather than varietal personality above all”.

2007 Condor Shiraz Cabernet

“This blend of 75% shiraz and 25% cabernet, with its fine tannins and juicy central palate and savoury finish drew solid scores from the three judges in the Shiraz-Cabernet class. Andrew was the most enthusiastic, based on its plumpness and warmth compared with other wines in the bracket”.

The 2007 Hyland Shiraz has also received 90 Points in Wine Spectator and two silver medals at International wine competitions.

Penley Impresses In Oliver’s Wine Annual

Penley Estate has impressed Jeremy Oliver in the latest incarnation of his Wine Annual (2010 Edition) with three wines scoring above 90 Point and the Condor making the Best Australian Wines $20 and Under list.

93 Points - 2007 Hyland Shiraz

90 Points - 2007 Phoenix Cabernet Sauvignon

90 Points - 2007 Condor Shiraz Cabernet      (Best Australian Wines $20 and under)

Phoenix Hits Gold

Also announced was a Gold Medal for the 2008 Phoenix Cabernet Sauvignon at the 2009 Limestone Coast Wine Show. As one of only 19 gold medals awarded Penley has proved why it is one of Coonawarra’s leading wineries.

Penley Estate

Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel crowned South Africa's best Cap Classique

1st and 2nd place in 2009 WINE magazine Amorim Cork Cap Classique Challenge

Scottish Woman of the Year 2009

We were extremely proud to be one of the sponsors of the annual Scottish Woman of the Year awards. Our wines were specifically chosen to compliment the outstanding menu served at a glittering gala dinner and awards ceremony at Mansfield Traquir, Edinburgh on Sunday 3rd October.

The evening began with a champagne reception followed by a stunning fashion show. The leggy models were modelling clothes by Dolce & Gabana, Miu Miu, Mulberry, Topshop, Ralph Lauren & other leading names from the world of fashion. Dinner was the forerunner to the important part of the evening which was lead by the Style award which went to actress Tilda Swinton. The award for Wit was presented by Fraser to author Carmen Reid. Karen Vousden, head of the Beatson Institute, won the award for Wisdom. Finally the winner of the principal award, Scottish Woman of the Year 2009, went to healthcare campaigner Tina McGeever.

Benefitting from the evening was MacMillan Cancer Support, Scottish Woman magazine's nominated charity for 2009/2010

A truly glamorous occasion to celebrate and honour the Style, Wit and Wisdom of Scottish Woman

September 2009: Latest awards for Castello Di Querceto:

Wine Advocate

IWSC

Sept 2009: At The IWC award ceremony held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Alexander Wines were "Highly Commended" in the Regional Merchant of the Year category

WSET Awards for Alexander Wines Staff



Two prestigious awards have been won by employees of Glasgow based Alexander Wines.

At the WSET Awards & Graduation Ceremony to be held at the Guildhall in London on Monday 19th January 2009, Kirsty McKenna will graduate with merit from the WSET Diploma course. Kirsty has already been awarded The Grandes Maisons d’Alsace Scholarship in recognition of her Pass with Merit for Unit 3, Light Wines of the World. Paul Graham will receive The Freixenet Bursary awarded for having attained high marks in the Diploma Unit 3 (Light Wines of the World) exam at the same ceremony,

The latest awards continues the tradition of Alexander Wines employees success over several years

Fraser Alexander is understandably proud of his employee’s achievements and this has been helped by Fraser’s encouragement and funding of his staff to allow them to undertake WSET exams. At anyone time all Alexander Wines sales and office staff are qualified to Diploma level or in the process of studying towards the various levels of WSET qualifications. Fraser feels that this helps when advising customers by being knowledgeable about the quality wines he sells and being able to give informed opinions and advice to customers.

This underlines Fraser’s commitment to providing a 1^st class service to his customers

Interested in finding out more about wine? The Wine and Spirit Education Trust in addition to running courses for business and pleasure, have produced a series of videos in association with Jancis Robinson which are an ideal way to steer your way through the world of wine.