Save up to £30 on our wine editor Bruce Palling's selection from Corney & Barrow, a member of 'The Bunch' - a group of Britain's best independent wine merchants.
My first encounter with Corney & Barrow, the City wine merchants, was nearly 40 years ago, and they represent many prestigious producers. In the intervening years I’ve learnt more about wine from their marathon lunches than from any other single source. Corney & Barrow still provide unparalleled service for those who adore the finest wines, but also excel at the more affordable level too – they are always on the lookout for the very best Malbec from Argentina or Grüner Veltliner in Austria, and offer an unsurpassed range of their own-label wines. My selection below is available either as a pair of each in a mixed case, or as whole cases.
As usual a mixed case of my selection is available, which includes two bottles of each of the wines. The Week Wines price: £154.85, usually £179.00.Click here to order.Also available are a mixed red case, a mixed white case or 12 bottle cases of each of the wines. All are at an exclusive price for readers of The Week and with free UK mainland delivery. Terms & conditions apply.
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If you say Valpolicella, most people assume you are talking about the quality equivalent of Italian Beaujolais. When it comes to Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso, nothing could be further from the truth. This wine is known as a “baby Amarone”, as it is refermented with the addition of Amarone grape skins – which contributes to its intensity and lift. This is not a complex wine, but it gives an extraordinary amount of pleasure. Its structure can complement any robust meat dish or even something less challenging, such as poultry or pasta. The Week Wines price: £150.65, usually £179.40.Click here to order
Eradus Pinot Noir, Awatere Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand 2015
New Zealand’s Pinot Noirs have come of age and shed their image of being unsophisticated copies of red Burgundy. They are still easily identifiable, but for all the right reasons, as there is an exuberance and follow-through of fruit, laced with minerality. The family-run Eradus estate’s offering has pleasant “forest floor” notes, with an fine balance between freshness and dark fruit. Drinking now, but will evolve. The Week Wines price: £161.40, usually £179.40.Click here to order
I have been an enthusiast of Gilles Jourdan’s simple but pure pinots since the great 2005 vintage. Tucked away in the south of the Côte de Beaune, in the village of Corgoloin, Jourdan devotes himself entirely to his three village Burgundies, with no other distractions from more famous locations. They are made for early drinking, and come from exceptional stock: remarkably, his 1959s are still in perfect condition. The Week Wines price: £170.10, usually £201.00.Click here to order
Domaine du Nozay Sancerre 2015
This classic Sancerre almost qualifies as a yardstick of what can be achieved with the Sauvignon Blanc grape in the Loire Valley. It is the polar opposite of the New Zealand take on this grape, which can be overwhelmingly floral. The superb 2015 vintage adds another layer of depth to this wine, which cries out for a white fish such as seabass or turbot, though, because of its perfume and freshness, it can easily be drunk without any accompanying food. A perfect introduction to Loire whites. The Week Wines price: £172.25, usually £203.40.Click here to order
Macon-Solutre Maison Auvigue 2015
With the ever increasing cost of white Burgundy, the Mâconnais is growing in importance for the production of good value Chardonnay. This vineyard is surrounded by Pouilly-Fuissé (the most renowned Mâconnais wines) and shares a certain similarity to its illustrious neighbours – an enchanting crispness and underlying ripeness. Brothers Jean-Pierre and Michel Auvigue work with local growers and have long-term contracts to ensure a consistency of style. An honest village wine. The Week Wines price: £145.80, usually £167.40.Click here to order
Pazo La Maza Albariño Adegas Galegas 2015
The Albariño grape has emerged as one of the most popular Spanish white varietals, and is the grape of choice for those looking for something between Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. This one has wonderful aromatics and a peach-like undertone, yet with enough citrus acidity to make it refreshing. The vineyard is owned by Pepe Rodríguez, known as the father of modern Albariños, who is responsible for making Rías Baixas in Galicia – the source of the very best Albariños in Spain. Perfect with any shellfish. The Week Wines price: £129.00, usually £143.40.Click here to order
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