CHAMPAGNE

Since the beginning of the 20th century, Champagne has become the wine that unites people and guarantee conviviality. In most recent years, it has been almost unthinkable to have a celebration without Champagne.

“Come quickly! I am tasting stars!”
Dom Perignon upon tasting champagne for the first time

	125ml	Bottle
Joseph Perrier NV	9.50	45.00
Gosset Grande Réserve Brut NV		65.00
Gosset Grande Rosé NV		75.00

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WHITE

ALBARIÑO/ALVARINHO

Albariño is the primary grape used to make dry white wine in the Rias Baixas (Lower Inlets) section of the Galicia region of North-western Spain. Considered by many to be Spain's premier quality white wine, Albariño is also known in Portugal as Alvarinho and often used as a component of Vinho Verde. High quality Albariño dominated wines are intensely aromatic and redolent of peaches, apricots and almonds on the palate. They have the ability to age lgracefully and many growers are now experimenting with oak maturation.

"Good wine ruins the purse; bad wine ruins the stomach"
Spanish Proverb

	Albariño / Alvarinho
2006	Bodegas Sucesores de Benito Santos, Rias Baixas, Spain	32.00

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CHARDONNAY

Part of the attraction of Chardonnay, for wine makers and lovers alike, is its versatility. In the United States, it is often made using full Malolactic Fermentation with some oak handling. Without oak, Chardonnay generally produces a soft wine, often with fruity, mineral flavours. When aged with oak, Chardonnay acquires a smokey, vanilla, caramel, and butter aroma.
The Chardonnay grape itself also contributes to the wine’s popularity. It is a relatively “low-maintenance” vine that adapts well to a variety of climates, resulting in fairly high yields worldwide.

“Wine is the most civilized thing in the world.”
Ernest Hemingway

	Chardonnay
2006	Bodegas Bouza, Uruguay	33.00
2005	Petit Chablis, Dom. De Charmoy, Burgundy, France	34.50
2006	Marlborough, Wairau Valley, Gravitas, New Zealand	38.00
2007	Chablis, Domaine Bernard Defaix, Burgundy, France	39.00
2005	Yarra Valley, Giant Steps, Australia	42.00
2006	Montagny 1er Cru, Domaine Stéphane Aladame, Burgundy, France	43.00
2004	Cote Challonaise, Rully, Domaine Vincent Dureil-Janthial	50.00
2006	Pouilly-Fuissé, Domaine Cordier, Burgundy, France	55.00
2005	Meursault, Château de Puligny-Montrachet, Burgundy, France	75.00

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CHENIN BLANC

An important white grape variety planted in the Anjou-Saumur and Touraine regions of the Loire Valley and the most widely planted varietal grape in South Africa. Whether dry or sweet, the best Loire Chenin Blancs possess marvellously concentrated rich, honeyed fruit together with refreshingly vibrant acidity. It is Chenin Blanc’s high acidity that enables the wines to age so well. In South Africa Chenin Blanc is easier to grow and is prized for its versatility. The best producers keep their yields low and produce impressive mouthfilling wines.

“Wine. The intellectual part of the meal.”
Alexandre Dumas

	Chenin Blanc
2006	Anjou Blanc Sec, Domaine de Brizé, Loire Valley, France	27.00
2006	FMC, Ken Forrester, Stellenbosch, South Africa	49.00

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COLLOMBARD BLENDS

	Colombard blends
2007	Cuvée Jean-Paul Sec, VdP des Côtes de Gascogne, France	15.00
2006	Domaine de la Courtelière, Charente, France	32.00

GEWURZTRAMINER

Gewürztraminer is a classic white wine grape variety, producing wines of a deep golden colour, with a distinctive floral, almost perfumed flavour. The grape itself probably originated in Italy's Northeast in the Trentino area, but its best known home is in France, in the Alsace.
Gewürztraminer is most widely planted in the Alsace region of France, but is also found in Germany, Austria and numerous New World countries.

"A waltz and a glass of wine invite an encore."
Johann Strauss

	Gewürtztraminer
2004	Cuvée Jules Geyl, Domaine Bott-Geyl, Alsace, France	38.00

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GRENACHE BLANC BLENDS

Grenache Blanc is the white-berried equivalent of Grenache Noir, and, like its red variant, is drought-resistant, vigorous, and easy to graft. From Spain, it spread to France where it has thrived in the vineyards of the Rhône valley and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Its high-sugar, high-acid, straw-colour bunches produce wines that are high in alcohol, with green apple flavours and aromas. Although it can stand confidently on its own, its crispness and long finish make it a tremendous blending component.

"Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance"
Benjamin Franklin

	Grenache blanc blends
2007	Mas Demelle, VdP du Gard, France	20.00

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GRUNER VELTLINER

Gruner Veltliner is the most widely planted grape variety in Austria. It can produce stunningly intense and concentrated wines. Even the simple wines, from over cropped vines and under ripe fruit, can have very pleasant citrus and grapefruit aromas, with a hint of the variety's most distinguishing characteristic: the spicy fragrance of freshly ground white pepper.

"There are two reasons for drinking wine...when you are thirsty, to cure it; the other, when you are not thirsty, to prevent it... prevention is better than cure"
Thomas Love Peacock

	Grüner Veltliner
2007	Weingut Stift Gottweig, Kremstal, Austria	33.00
2005	Achleitein Smaragd, Weingut Präger, Wachau, Austria	80.00

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PINOT GRIS/PINOT GRIGIO

Pinot Gris is a white wine grape grown in cool climate regions all over the world. Pinot Gris is called Pinot Grigio in Italy, and the grape is grown in many regions, although, arguably, most successfully in Alsace (France), Italy, Germany, and Oregon. Pinot Gris produces wines that are generally fruity in aroma, with flavours of honey, apple, and pear, vanilla, oak, and citrus.

"Good wine is a good familiar creature if it well used."
William Shakespeare

	Pinot Gris / Pinot Grigio
2008	Hilltop, Aszar-Neszmeli, Hungary	19.00
2006	Carrick, Central Otago, New Zealand	46.00

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RIESLING

Riesling gives wine lovers the finest example of the important complementary role that sugar and acid play in a wine’s overall balance. Indeed, a great Riesling is exactly that, a stunningly graceful contrast between the two. Rounding out the package are the signature floral fruit characteristics that combine perfectly with the grape's natural sugar-acid balance. This gives Riesling the potential to age gracefully for years, becoming more supple and luxurious, with petrol-like qualities.

“You are the matriarch, though your numerous offspring rarely match your noble nature.”
Appelation America

	Riesling
2007	Dr Loosen, Mosel Saar Ruwer, Germany	26.00
2006	Weingut Sybille Kuntz, Mosel Saar Ruwer, Germany	38.00
2004	"Le Dragon", Domaine Josmeyer, Alsace, France	47.00
1993	Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spatlese, Dr Loosen, Mosel Saar Ruwer, Germany	56.00
2003	Muenchberg Grand Cru, Domaine Ostertag, Alsace, France	61.00

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SAUVIGNON BLANC

Sauvignon Blanc is usually quite distinctive and one of the easier varietal wines to recognize by its often sharp, aggressive smell. With naturally high acidity, Sauvignon Blanc is always tangy, tart, nervy, racy, or zesty. Sauvignon Blanc offers a fairly wide range of flavours. From herb-like sensations to veggie (often green pepper), grass and hay these earthy flavours mix and mingle with citrus (mostly lime or grapefruit) and tropical fruits, gooseberry and often display a minerally overtone to offer a very unique wine tasting adventure.

"On one occasion some one put a very little wine into a [glass], and said that it was sixteen years old. 'It is very small for its age,' said Gnathaena."
Athenaeus [c. A.D.200] "The Deipnosophists," XIII, 47

	Sauvignon Blanc
2007	Vina Falernia, Elqui Valley, Chile	21.50
2007	Château Sainte-Marie, Entre-deux-mers, Bordeaux, France	29.00
2007	Sancerre Tradition, Bernard Fleuriet, Loire Valley, France	39.50
2007	Blue Ridge, West Brook, Marlborough, New Zealand	38.00

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SEMILLON BLENDS

Wines dominated by Semillon may lack much youthful aroma, but have fairly full body and tend to be low in acidity, even "fat" at times. This is the flavour profile of a supporting role grape, rather than a star, and most Semillon is blended. Semillon is the soft, subtle, rich Yin to balance the Yang of Sauvignon Blanc, which can be aromatically aggressive and acidic. Semillon even works well when blended with that notoriously standoffish loner, Chardonnay, providing weight and richness without diverting aromatic delicacy.

"I have enjoyed great health at a great age because everyday since I can remember I have consumed a bottle of wine except when I have not felt well. Then I have consumed two bottles."
A Bishop of Seville

	Sémillon
2008	Footprint, Western Cape, South Africa	17.50
2006	Chalkers Crossing, Hilltops, Australia	31.00
2000	Château La Louvière, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France	58.00
2000	Château de Fieuzal, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France	65.00

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VERMENTINO

This white grape is cultivated in nearly all the Mediterranean coastal districts. Original from Spain, It has been in Sardinia that became popular. Vermentino normally it has fresh pear, citrus and apricots flavours, crispy acidity and strong mineral notes.

"One barrel of wine can work more miracles than a church full of saints"
Italian proverb

	Vermentino
2005	Clos Poggiale, Skalli, Corsica, France	45.00

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VIOGNIER

Probably the main attraction of Viognier is its potentially powerful, rich, and complex aroma that often seems like overripe apricots mixed with orange blossoms or acacia. With as distinctive and sweet an aroma-flavour profile as Gewürztraminer, The distinctive Viognier perfume holds up even when blended with a large portion of other grapes. The fruit usually has very deep colour, but is somewhat low in acidity.

"In Europe we thought of wine as something as healthy and normal as food and also a great giver of happiness and well being and delight."
Ernest Hemingway," A Moveable Feast'

	Viognier
2006	Bogle Winery, Clarksburg, USA	39.00
2005	Condrieu, Pierre Gaillard, Rhône Valley, France	59.00

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Other Grapes

"Freedom is the right to do anything the laws permit."
Montesquieu, 1689-1755

	Other Grapes
2004	Muscadet sur Lie, Dom. Clair Moreau, Loire valley, France	30.00
2005	Marsanne, Qupe Winery, Central Coast, USA	34.00
2007	Pinot Blanc, "La Tulipe", Domaine Gérard Neumayer, Alsace, France	34.00
2003	Canonneau, "Leila", Alberto Loi, Sicily, Italy	44.00
2002	Muscat sec, Fronholz, Domaine Ostertag, Alsace, France	46.00
2004	Grenache blanc, "Lais", Domaine Olivier Pithon, Roussillon, France	46.00

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ROSÉ

	Rosé Wines
2008	Grenache / Cinsault, Le Petit Pont réserve, vdP d'Oc, Fr	23.00

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RED

CABERNET FRANC

Cabernet Franc is widely planted in Bordeaux and is the most important black grape grown in the Loire. In the Médoc it may constitute up to 15% of a typical vineyard - it is always blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and is used to add bouquet and complexity to the wines. It is more widely used in St-Emilion where it adapts well to the cooler and moister clay soils - Cheval Blanc is the most famous Cabernet Franc wine in the world, with the final blend consisting of up to 65% of the grape. Cabernet Franc thrives in the Loire where the cooler growing conditions serve to accentuate the grape's herbaceous, grassy, lead pencil aromas. The best wines come from the tuffeaux limestone slopes of Chinon where good growers produce intense well-structured wines that possess excellent cellaring potential.

"Wine is a constant proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."
Benjamin Franklin

	Cabernet Franc
2006	Domaine du Puy Rigault, Chinon, Loire Valley, France		33.00
1989	"Busardières", Domaine de la Chevalerie, Bourgueil, Loire, France		98.00

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CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Cabernet Sauvignon is the premier red wine grape in the world.It is the dominant grape in the Bordeaux region of France and has spread to every other major growing region. The Cabernet Sauvignon grape produces distinctive wines that are tannic and can have long ageing potential. It is usually blended with other varieties to make wines with increased complexity. Cabernet Sauvignon Taste characteristics: dark cherry, cedar, tobacco, black currant, cool climate growth can give green pepper or olive. Ageing in small oak barrels before bottling Cabernet is common in order to achieve more complexity. When you think of the finest red wines in the world, you often are thinking of wines made with Cabernet Sauvignon.

"A meal without wine is like a day without sunshine."
Anthelme Brillat Savarin

	Cabernet Sauvignon
2007	Leyda Clasico Reserva, Leyda Valley, Chile		25.00
2002	Haut-Médoc, Château du Retout, Bordeaux, France		46.00
2004	Synchronicity, Martin Meinert, Devon Valley, South Africa		49.00
2005	Pessac-Léognan, Ch. Picque-Caillou, Bordeaux, France		59.00
2005	Frog's Leap, Napa Valley, USA		59.00
2001	Saint-Julien, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Second Growth, Bordeaux, France		177.00
1988	Saint-Estèphe, Château Montrose, Second Growth, Bordeaux, France		180.00
1999	Monte Bello, Ridge Vineyards, Santa Cruz, USA		255.00

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CARIGNAN

The most widely planted red wine grape in France. Carignan mostly produces wines that have high colour, acidity, and tannin with characteristics of cherry, strawberry, raspberry, banana, bubblegum, cotton candy (spun sugar),violet, rose petal, vanilla, coconut, sweet wood; (heavy) oak, smoke, toast, tar, anise, liquorice.

"Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more"

	Carignan
2007	La Galinière, Ch. du Donjon, VdP Coteaux de Peyriac, France		19.00

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GAMAY

French variety planted predominately in Beaujolais.
The majority of Gamay wines in Beaujolais are labelled as Beaujolais or Beaujolais-Villages and are deliciously juicy, easy drinking, gulpable wines. Of more interest are the Cru wines from the 10 villages in the north of the region where the soil is predominantly granite schist and where the vines are planted on gently undulating slopes. These can be well-structured, intensely perfumed wines, redolent of ripe black fruits and, while delicious young, will reward medium term cellaring. Gamay is also grown in the Touraine region of the Loire where it produces soft, well-balanced, gluggable wines.

"Wine is the drink of the gods, milk the drink of babes, tea the drink of women, and water the drink of beasts."
Blackie, John Stuart

	Gamay
2007	Gamay de Touraine, Domaine de la Charmoise, Loire Valley, France		31.00
2007	Fleurie, Domaine Luc Chevalier, Beaujolais, France		35.00
2006	Moulin à Vent, "La Rochelle", Domaine Olivier Merlin, Beaujolais, France		59.00

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GRENACHE NOIR

After Arien this is the most widely planted black grape variety in the world. In the Southern Rhône it provides the backbone for most red blends and is the key component of Châteauneuf du Pape. Some Châteauneufs are even made from 100% Grenache. In the Languedoc it plays a key role in many blends. The very best Garnacha wines come from Priorat in Catalonia, where fruit from old Garnacha bush vines is blended with small quantities of Cabernet Sauvignon to produce wines of startling intensity and depth of fruit. Grenache was once Australia’s most widely planted black grape, the best examples are found in the Barossa Valley from dry-farmed, bush-pruned, old Grenache vines.

"When asked what wines he liked to drink he replied, 'That which belongs to another."
Laertius Diogenes

	Grenache Noir
2007	Cuvée Jean-Paul, VdP du Vaucluse, France		15.00
2000	Domaine Celinguet, Coteaux du Languedoc, France		27.50
2003	Domaine Marcevol, Côtes du Roussillon, France		32.00
2005	Cal Pla, Mas d'en Compte, Priorat, Spain		36.00
2005	La Sélection, Château du Vieux Parc, Corbières, Languedoc-Roussillon, France		33.00
2004	St Pantaleon les Vignes, Dom. Gigondan, Rhône, France		43.00
2000	Prieuré de St Jean de Bébian, Coteaux du Languedoc, France		80.00

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MALBEC

One of the traditional "Bordeaux varietals", Malbec has characteristics that fall somewhere between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. A midseason ripener, it can bring very deep colour, ample tannin, and a particular plum-like flavour component to add complexity to claret blends. Malbec truly comes into its own in Argentina, where it is the major red varietal planted.

"Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence"
Fripp, Robert

	Malbec
2007	Fabre Montmayou Reserva, Argentina		38.00
2005	Le Prestige, Ch. du Cèdre, Cahors, South West, France		44.00

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MERLOT

The Merlot grape is a close cousin to Cabernet Sauvignon in many respects. It is lower in tannins and makes wines that mature faster and are softer in texture. Merlot is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon in order to soften the blend. At its best, Merlot makes a wine that is dry, rich in flavour and smooth as it finishes in your throat. Merlot is able to mature in regions that are cooler than those required for Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot varies widely in quality around the world depending on location and producer.This variety was first known for its success in the Saint Emilion and Pomerol areas of Bordeaux. Merlot usually has ripe berry components in the bouquet.
Its wines tend to be soft, fruity and smooth in texture.

"When asked what wines he liked to drink he replied, 'That which belongs to another.'"
Laertius Diogenes

	Merlot
2005	Notre-Dame des Vignes, VdP de la Drôme, France		21.00
2005	Cuvée Les Ormeaux, Château Malartic Lauriol, Bordeaux, France		44.00
2000	Pomerol, Château Clinet, Bordeaux, France		165.00

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PINOT NOIR

Pinot Noir is one of the most difficult grapes to grow and make into fine wine. It is also one of the very best when it is done properly. It has very specific requirements for its growing conditions. Pinot Noir found its fame in the Burgundy region of France where it is the primary grape used for red wines. It is also a major component in the production of most fine quality Champagne. Strong cherry and strawberry aromas and flavours are often the most notable components in these wines.Pinot Noir is very versatile in its ability to match up with foods.

"Wine is made to be drunk as women are made to be loved; profit by the freshness of youth or the splendor of maturity; do not await decrepitude."
Theophile Malvezin

	Pinot Noir
2007	Bourgogne Pinot Noir, Dom. Delagrange, Burgundy, France		41.00
2006	The Four Graces, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA		49.00
2004	Carrick, Central Otago, New Zealand		59.00
2005	Gevrey-Chambertin, Dom. Arlaud, Burgundy, France		62.00
2006	Volnay, Vieilles Vignes, Dom. Delagrange, Burgundy, Fr		64.00
2001	Nuits-St-Georges, Clos Porrets St Georges, Dom. Henri Gouges, Burgundy, France		90.00
2000	Volnay, 1er Cru Clos de Chênes, Dom. Delagrange, Burgundy, France		93.00
2004	Chambolle-Musigny, Fréderic Mugnier, Burgundy, France		108.00
2001	Chambolle-Musigny, "Les Charmes", Patrice Rion, Burgundy, France		117.00
2000	Pommard, 1er Cru "Les Rugiens", Domaine de Montille, Burgundy, France		144.00
1993	Pommard, "Clos des Epenaux", Comte Armand, Burgundy, France		208.00

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SYRAH/SHIRAZ

Syrah is possibly the world’s favourite red grape variety, and one that is capable of expressing itself in several guises, depending on where it is grown. In its home territory of France’s Northern Rhône it makes perfumed and often elegant wines. Moving further south it is a key component of the richer, spicier wines of the Southern Rhône and the Languedoc, and it reaches its biggest, baddest incarnation as the Shiraz of Australia. A grape on the move, it is becoming increasingly important in California and South Africa.

"When [wines] were good they pleased my sense, cheered my spirits, and improved my moral and intellectual powers, besides enabling me to confer the same benefits on other people."
Saintsbury, George

	Syrah / Shiraz
2006	Glaetzer Wallace, Ben Wallace, Barossa, Australia		40.00
2005	Vacqueyras, Réserve des 2 Monardes, Dom. de la Monardière, Rhône, France		47.00
2006	Qupe Winery, Central Coast, USA		49.00
2005	Crozes-Hermitage, cuvée Bouvet, Dom. Yves Robin, Rhône, France		50.00
2002	Côte Rôtie, Dom. Bonnefond, Rhône, France		59.00
2001	Cornas, Vieilles Vignes, Dom. Alain Voge, Rhône, France		65.00
2002	Côte Rôtie, "Les Rochains", Dom. Bonnefond, Rhône, Fr		69.00
1999	Cornas, Vieilles Fontaines, Dom. Alain Voge, Rhône, Fr		104.00
1994	Hermitage, La Chapelle, Domaine Jaboulet, Rhône, Fr		141.00

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TEMPRANILLO

Tempranillo based wines tend to have a spicy, herby, tobacco-like character accompanied by ripe strawberry and red cherry fruits. It produces fresh, vibrantly fruit driven "jovenes" meant for drinking young. However Tempranillo really comes into its own when oak aged, as with the top Riojas;where its flavours seem to harmonize perfectly with both French and American oak, producing rich, powerful and concentrated wines which can be extraordinarily long-lived.

"Beer is made by men, wine by God."
Martin Luther

	Tempranillo
2007	Bodegas Dunviro, Rioja Tinto, Spain		23.00
2004	Allende, Finca Allende, Rioja, Spain		45.00
2004	Pintia, Bodegas Pintia, Toro, Spain		55.00

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OTHER GRAPES

"Freedom is the right to do anything the laws permit"
Montesquieu, 1689-1755

	Other Grapes
2008	Pinotage / Merlot, Footprint, Western Cape, South Africa		17.50
2006	Zinfandel, Incredible Red, Peachy Canyon Winery, Paso Robles, California, USA		34.00
2006	Touriga Nacional, Quinta de la Rosa, Douro, Portugal		36.00
2004	Nielluccio / Syrah, Clos Poggiale, Skalli, Corsica, France		45.00
2003	Barbera d'Asti, Camp du Rouss, Coppo, Piedmont, Italy		46.00
2001	Touriga Franca, Quinta do Portal, Douro, Portugal		52.00
2001	Baga, Garrafeira, Casa de Saima, Bairrada, Portugal		62.00
2003	Touriga Nacional, Quinta dos Roques, Dao, Portugal		64.00
1997	Agiortiko, Nemea Reserve, Parparoussis, Greece		65.00
2004	Mourvedre, Old Telegram, Bonny Doon Vineyard, Santa Cruz		65.00
2004	Touriga Nacional, Poeira, Jorge Moreira, Douro, Portugal		68.00
2000	Amarone Classico, Monte Danieli, Corte Rugolin, Veneto, Italy		77.00
1997	Zinfandel, Monte Rosso, Robert Biale, California, USA		82.00
2003	Baga, Vinha Pan, Luis Pato, Beiras, Portugal		83.00
2003	Baga, Vinha Barrosa, Luis Pato, Beiras, Portugal		83.00
1999	Sangiovese, Solare, Capanelle, Tuscany, Italy		95.00
2001	Nebbiolo, Barolo Cannubi Boschis, Piedmont, Italy		174.00

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DESSERT WINES

	Dessert Wines	75ml	Bottle
NV	Muscat de Frontignan, Ch. de Peyssonnie (375ml)	5.00	22.50
2004	Monbazillac, Château Montdoyen (750ml)	6.75	55.00

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PORT / MADEIRA / SHERRY

	Ports, Madeiras & Sherry	7.5cl	Bottle
NV	Dry White Port, Dirk Niepoort (750ml)	5.50	41.00
2000	Late Bottle Vintage, Quinta do Portal (750ml)	6.60	49.00
NV	Madeira Veramar Boal, Vinhos Barbeito (500ml)	7.50	37.00

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