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What Harlequins players really like to drink at home

Davina — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 14:41:22 +0000

Every now and again, being a member of the Marketing Team is just plain fun. Last week we had just one of those days. As official wine and champagne sponsor to Harlequins, (a relationship we have had for four years now,) we get the chance to do a photo shoot with key players in order to get publicity shots for the next season. Armed with props, Anna and I headed to The Stoop and met up with four delightful (and delicious) players for a bit of photo fun. In between shots, we got the chance to get to know them a little better…

Danny Care (Scrum Half)
Do you have wine in your fridge?
Yes – Champagne. There is always a bottle there.

What is your favourite wine / food combination at home?
Fish and Chips with champagne.

What would be your last supper?
Fish and Chips with Champagne with Cheryl Cole on a boat in Sydney Harbour.

When you are not on the pitch, where can you be found?
Out and about with friends, singing or playing corridor cricket (25 runs if I get the ball out the window).

Nick Evans (Fly Half / Full Back)
Do you have wine in your fridge?
Yes – all kiwi wines. Oyster Bay and Weather Hills.

What is your favourite wine / food combination at home?
A good spaghetti Bolognese with a shiraz or a pinot noir (from NZ of course).

What would be your last supper?
Fresh seafood on an NZ beach – I love Kingfish and snapper – with a good white wine. My girlfriend would be there along with The Flight of The Conchords.

When you are not on the pitch, where can you be found?
Playing the guitar, golf or out on a boat, fishing.

George Lowe (Centre / Wing)
Do you have wine in your fridge?
I have some champagne but am not a big wine drinker.

What is your favourite wine / food combination at home?
A good steak on the barbeque.

What would be your last supper?
A typical mountain supper in the Alps with lots of cheese fondue and tartiflette.

When you are not on the pitch, where can you be found?
Either skiing or tending to my chilli plant in the garden.

Ollie Smith (Centre)
Do you have wine in your fridge?
Good French drinking wine which we brought back from the co-operative near our house when we lived out there.

What is your favourite wine / food combination at home?
A good French red with a sirloin steak, garlick-y green beans and new potatoes.

What would be your last supper?
A great British curry with close friends at home in Leicester, with a good gewürztraminer or Riesling.

When you are not on the pitch, where can you be found?
Cooking, travelling or fishing by the river.

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Franchetti – 2 estates, 1 evening

Will — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:15:02 +0000

Last Wednesday evening was the first event we have ever done with the wines from both of Andrea Franchetti’s properties – Tuscany & Sicily. The event was a tasting & dinner with Dr Elena Capobianco & Alex Burge (Andrea’s export managers) @ Shoreditch House.

A bit of background for those who don’t know Andrea Franchetti or his wines. Most importantly he is a Bordeaux trained maverick Italian who creates sensational wines. He first established himself in southern Tuscany – Val d’Orcia – an area not traditionally renowned for wine making. Here he created the phenomenal wines Tenuta di Trinoro (taking the name of the estate) and Le Cupole (meaning Dome (s),) both super-Tuscans produced, predominantly, from Bordeaux varieties Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. His next project led him to Mount Etna, Sicily and to the indigenous grape varieties of the region – Nerello Mascalese and Cesanese d’Affile. At Passopisiciaro, he established the most unusual vineyard – ash covered slopes of the not-quite dormant volcano (see blog prior to this for more info!). The results are spectacular and the wines have become massive favorites at C&B and further a field.

The format of the evening was a tasting lead by the charming and excitable Elena then followed by a glass of Prosecco (keeping the Italian theme going) and dinner with the only white Andrea makes and two pairs of reds.

Tasting Pre-Dinner

Le Cupole di Trinoro 2005 – Showing well, elegant style, lovely fruit…alas no more stock, if you have some start to drink soon but no rush.

Le Cupole di Trinoro 2006 – The most “Italian” in style, bruised fruit and a real food wine, becoming approachable

Le Cupole di Trinoro 2007 – A super charged version of 2005, very promising and the most popular on the night, try to resist for 18months I recon.

Le Cupole di Trinoro 2008 – to be released later this year, so much fruit with underlying structure too, impressive.

The 06/07/08 are all the same cepage – 30% Cab Franc, 40% Merlot 20%Cab Sauv & 10% Petit Verdot where the 05 is a little more Cab Franc heavy being – 50% Cab Franc, 30% Merlot 12%Cab Sauv & 8% Petit Verdot.

Tenuta di Trinoro 2008 – Massive in everyway but not at all cloying or OTT, so much fruit but such structure a 20yrs+ wine, fascinating to taste bearing the last two wines of the night in mind.

Franchetti 2008 – The first time I have tried this wine, I can see why it has been so raved about – amazing red, candied fruit and great structure, superb length….a real treat, wait 2-4 years minimum

Dinner Wines

Passopisciaro Guardiola 2008 with Beef Carpaccio, Calamari Fritti, Beetroot and Goats Cheese & Buffalo Ricotta Ravioli – This 100% Chardonnay is more akin to Burgundy that some international oaked style amazing finesse for a wine made so far south.

Passopisciaro 2006 & 2007 from Magnum with Roast leg of Lamb, wild mushroom risotto and veggies – I am a massive fan of the Passo (apparently pronounced Passo-pish-aarrow) – it has something in it for anyone who loves Burgundy, Rhone or Piedmont wines, I realise that it a convenient “catch all” but it is true and you should try it. The 2006 is a that bit more ready now as you would expect, there is a fruited sweetness to the wine that makes it so moreish.

Tenuta di Trinoro 1997 & 2000 with Cheese – I found these staggeringly good the 2000 was showing that unique aged Cabernet fruit, black currant but not one dimensional, structure still there and the peak is still a year or two away. 1997 is amazing as a wine but even more so when you consider it was the very first vintage of the wine. A superb blend of Italy and Bordeaux, perfect now and over the next 5 years……

A long and liquid evening that lead to the odd sore head the following morning. Bravo (or the Italian version) Andrea!!

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The week ahead, Camping, The Arc and Spread betting

Will — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:55:00 +0000

A busy week in prospect as we have our Annual tasting on Thursday at the Tower of London (2mins walk from the office), 250+ trade and press in the day then 300+ private customers in the evening…usually a hard but rewarding days work, all rounded off with a few glasses with the producers that kindly travel from all over the world to be there. There are wines at all levels from House labels to Dominus 2005, Corton-Charlemagne Bonneau du Martray 2003 and even, if you ask very nicely, Salon 1997.

I got back very late last night from a weekend camping, yes camping in October! Our first visit to The Orchard Campsite in Wickham Market (near Ipswich) – http://www.orchardcampsite.co.uk/ – it’s a rarity for a UK site in that you can have campfires to your hearts content, to be honest this was the reason we went, without fires October just gets too cold! The drinking was mostly G&T’s and Beer (Adnams up there) but a bottle of Dom de Saissac 2006, Vin de Pays (a real old C&B favourite) was great of Friday evening with Spag Bol!!

And so to sport……Sea the Stars was spectacularly breathtaking yesterday in the Arc, I had fancied a small buy of Getaway and Vision d’Etat on the spreads but fortunately we were having a late Sunday lunch and I thought it too rude to disappear for a bet so I let them run without my support, a good thing as neither would have produced a result for me (although Getaway ran well). Saturdays spread betting had gone much better – I thought Leicester vs Worcester had dour game written all over it so sold total points at 38, game settled at 33 so that was a result. Then I thought Bath vs Harlequins would also be tight and when the time of first try was priced up at 24-26 I thought a buy had very little potential downside, reading the paper on Sunday morning it was nice to hear that there was no try until the 76 minute!!

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on yer bike….

Will — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:03:00 +0000

Why is it so hard to title a blog entry without giving in to cliches?

2009 everywhere (ok all over France at least) is looking brilliant…this isn’t really an entry about wine……

At C&B we have a lot of cyclists but which I mean people who have road bikes and cycle to work and back and like the idea of doing a bit more. I’m not quite sure why we have so many, something to do with exercise justifying the increased alcohol intake or the crap London traffic, but any way we do. So this got a few of us talking and now an idea has been born, amazingly without any alcohol in the system at the time.

The idea: Cycle from Champagne to Chateauneuf (let’s say 450miles) in a four, possibly five, days. Stopping at (and staying with) producers who we represent. Haven’t asked any of them yet but I don’t want details getting in the way just now.

Who: Me, Fraser (Senior sales, Suffolk living Rhone freak, father of three with a blemished travel record at best), James (On trade manager, cyclist, windsurfer and our only technical bod).

Logistics: Hoping to delegate this one! actually my father in law and his Land Rover are a distinct possibility. Logistics being important when you can’t carry much on a bike (especially when doing 100 miles a day!) and you’re staying somewhere different each night. Will need to get help from our friends in the buying team to makes sure we can stay with the producers we’d like to but I’m sure we can charm our way round that one!

Potential problems: Navigation, injury, logistics, fitness (lack of), drinking too much(wine)/not enough (water), arguing, weather, blogging, twittering etc as we go…..going to stop now as don’t want to focus on this area

When: May or June 2010 – only problem being that this is when the Bordeaux 2009 (very good..see top of page) is released and being sales people we don’t like to miss out…..

I think it’s all quite exciting but I don’t underestimate the miles involved. I’ve done 100m+ three times but never day after day!

It’ll (before, during and after) be reported here and on twitter!!

Bon weekend all, time to cycle home……

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a long short week

Will — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 07:09:00 +0000

Last week was supposed to be a quick short one (bank holiday and all that) but somehow it became a long one…

Tuesday – Decanter Wine Awards dinner in the evening – with Adam (MD), Davina (marketing manager) and Rebecca (commercial buyer) – was good but when you have the first award at 7.30 and the last at 11.15 it can be a long one. I’ll return to awards and their effects another time I guess, mixed feelings really but good to see a few people.

Wednesday – tired after a late night but I’d been looking forward to the day for a while as I was spending it with Giles (London On-trade manager) to have a session looking at each others plans for the respective business streams. Even with nearly 11 years at C&B I’ve never really got involved in the Restaurant side of things so I guess it was just about time for a bit of education. Managed to cram in lunch at The Luxe (Commercial St) which has just opened (on one floor) will be a good venue when fully operational – bar in the basement and “fine” dining up the top.

Thursday – Tasting of a possible new (and potentially exclusive) agency for C&B – can’t say who yet but you’ll be the first to know, always an exciting time but especially when the wines hit the spot. Just before the Staff summer party managed to cram in a tasting of the Tattinger Champagne range which was good and not something I have done before – the style in general is very balanced. The Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 1998 was a lovely nutty Meursault like Champagne that would be great with food, not a long term keeper I feel but very good now and over the next few years. The Staff party was a good laugh, held at the C&B Bar at Jewry Street – there are supposed to be some photos, will post any interesting ones.

Friday – Release of the latest Giacomo Conterno wines – Barbera 2007 and Barolo Cascina Francia 2005 – I like to think Roberto Conterno (the winemaker, owner, manager) is “the” man in Barolo making “old school” Barolo (i.e. big old barrels for a long time rather than small new oak barrels). I much prefer this more traditional style, Nebbiolo is very different from Pinot Noir in character/taste but it has a similar tendencies to be spoiled by over oaking I think. The other similarity, other than pale colour, is a very good tendency to portray the characteristics of its location i.e. terroir. Friday also saw Kieran Fallon return to the saddle after three years – a very talented jockey and good to see him back.

Saturday – Rugby season really under way, last warm up games before the league starts next saturday. Australia beat the Springboks which generally has to be good for the very young Aussie side. No bets on the racing or Rugby, decided to keep the powder dry!

Sunday….not sure yet that’s where I am now! Roast Chicken later so the great Red vs White wine decision to be made.

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Ok so I think we’re the best merchant but….

Will — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:57:00 +0000

this makes interesting reading.

http://www.simonwoods.com/2009/08/15/merchant-of-vinous-how-to-track-down-a-decent-wine-merchant/

I feel we tick most of the boxes certainly for range, passion and much more……the consumer (hate that word) does not like to be “had” and integirty and straightforwardness is key. We’ve often joked that we should publich a list of the wines we didn’t buy! Little to risky possibly!?

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Where’s the August tumbleweed?

Will — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 09:04:00 +0000

May be it’s because it is my first week back after two weeks holiday camping near Biarritz (more about which later) but the wine market appears not to be as quiet as I would have expected for August in a recession (thank god the phrase “credit crunch” is drying a death). DRC (Domaine de la Romanee Conti) prices on the secondary (post release) market seem to be solid and rising, the “lull” or “dip” in prices of the investment/blue chip wine seems to be over as well – all very welcome news. Quite why the market is decent is never easy to know but I think there is growing confidence in the robustness of wine for investment or a place to keep your money “safe”. Anyway August sales figures are a pleasant surprise……long may it continue. Our upcoming offers include the wines of Andrea Franchetti – Tenuta di Trionoro in Tuscany but also from his estate in Sicily.

Holiday was superb, very relaxing, the campsite http://www.colvert.com we go to (this was our 4th visit) is round a lake but only 5mins fro the sea. Days of cycling, swiming, listening to music and chilling, drinks from 6pm (yardarm and all that) lovely food, cards or backgammon, sleep then start again – Heaven! Even managed to fit in some rugby watching (made me feel even less fit for the season ahead) Castres vs Dax….not the greatest game but a decent crowd and lovely atmosphere….the only downside to France this year was the cost, everything the same or more expensive than the UK. As a result the drinking was less exciting than previously when you could get Ok vintages of decent estates for “everyday” money – Tursan and Juracon it was…..

No betting recently (nearly backed Masta Plast at Nottingham, yesterday but managed to resist and a good job too…not a good run) and I’ve slightly lost track of the racing season…hopefully York next week will get me back on track. Sebastiano (the horse I have a tiny share in) is back in training with a view to a first apperance at the back end of September…more to follow as the season progresses

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too much on….

Will — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:38:00 +0000

Just been one of those weeks when you don’t get to stop….a massive amount on as we are at the end of En Primeur but still have lots of great offers to get out before the summer kicks in – Conterno, Benjamin Romeo, Petrus, drinking offers etc.

One event of note this week was a brilliant tasting we did on Monday night at Queens Club – our first Italian Masterclass day with loads of producers there – I will try to get some photos up asap!!

Awful punting at the moment – Lions rugby was a disappointment and royal ascot a punting disaster….might need a break from betting for a while!

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Novel way round customs…..

Will — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:36:00 +0000

Just heard that there are companies now set up to get wines into China from Hong Kong and get around the customs. By law a person is allowed to carry two bottles over the border from Hong Kong (Fine wine capital of Asia) into China (the market everyone wants to get into). The way shipping companies are getting round this is to drive the stock to the border with trucks full of “workers” take the wines out of the cases give two bottles to each person and the OWC (original wooden case) to someone then walk across the border and put the whole thing back together. Seems crazy but such is the “thirst” for fine wine that it appears to be worth the hassle……

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a long (non drinking) week

Will — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:05:00 +0000

So the Lions have got themselves going a bit in South Africa with a good win! I bought tries in the first game and lost a bit as a result. They played much better but the oppo seemed to almost give in once they went behind so I don’t know how productive it was.

I decided to take a few days break from the booze (think it’ll end tonight…..been one of those days), just one of those things it’s good to do every few weeks.

Had a truely amazing and unique wine moment today….Constantinos Colheita 1910….I am pleased with myself in as much as I spotted it as a Colheita (vintage Tawny) but I was a mile out on age have said ’87. I meant 1987 but tried to pretend 1887! The colour had held up well (browned but thick to the edge), the nose was delicious and very complex, one of those Ports that alternatley pretends to be Madeira (Verdehlo?) and Sherry (PX). The palate was delighfully rich and showed the alocohol but not in a bad way. The finish went on for minutes….

The Oaks tomorrow at Epsom, I fancy Midday to win but there is no value in the 7/2 price so I won’t be having a bet.

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