Kebab Wines: Ataraxia Chardonnay

A little off-centre but we love Zeren Wilson's latest guest post on what to match with Kebabs on Fiona Beckett's Matching Food and Wine blog.

Here's what Zeren had to say, recommending wines to the following: Adana Kebab, Chicken Shish, Lamb Shish, Quail and Lamb belly.

“I enjoyed a white that sailed through every course without flinching in the face of the assault of smoke, meat, spice and fat-slicked fingers. This accolade fell to Ataraxia Chardonnay 2012, from South Africa, made by husband and wife team Kevin and Hanli Grant. A modern barrel-fermented Chardonnay with plenty of elegance alongside the heft of New World fruit.”

Read the full article here...

Spanish success on Jancis Robinson: Remirez de Ganuza and Bodgeas Altanza

Jancis Robinson's right hand man for Spanish wines, Ferran Centelles, reviews our Remírez de Ganuza Reserva 2006 and Altanza Lealtanza Reserva 2009 in his most recent write up on Rioja.

"I take my hat off to Remirez de Ganuza Reserva 2006" 17.5

Winemaker Carlos Ferreiro @ Bodgeas Altanza

Winemaker Fernando @ Remirez de Ganuza

Viña Pedrosa calls the shots: 91 points in Wine Spectator

Luigi Bosca trumps it in August's Wine Spectator: 93 points

Congratulations to Luigi Bosca who scored a happy 93 points in this month's Wine Specator for their Uco Valley Terroir Los Miradores 2011 Malbec.

From the Uco Valley - dubbed the 'new Napa' this is a terroir driven wine that will set your tastebuds tingling for all the right reasons.

 

Hay Shed Hill: 5 red stars in James Halliday's 2015 guide

Some very happy news from Hay Shed Hill this morning.

12 wines 92 points and over

Another fantastic result for Hay Shed Hill in the recent release of James Halliday’s Wine Companion.  Once again gaining our Red Five Star Winery rating. Only awarded to wineries with an Outstanding rating regularly producing wines of exemplary quality. Only 8.4% of wineries received this rating.

The following wines were rated in the Best by Variety sections: 2012 Hay Shed Hill Block 6 Chardonnay and 2013 Hay Shed Hill Block 1 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc.

Points awarded are summarized below.  For the full tasting notes please follow this link.

Rachael Leach: Life as 'the intern'

We've had some great help over the last few weeks in the Bancroft office from Rachael Leach, English Literature student at St Andrews University and apprentice at St Andrews Wines.

Here Rachael reports on her time as 'the intern'...

 

Ataraxia appoints Bancroft Wines as exclusive UK importer

We're delighted to announce that Bancroft Wines has been appointed Ataraxia's new, exclusive UK importer.

As one of South Africa's premier Estates, cited as 'one to watch' by Tim Atkin in his most recent wine report on South Africa, this is great news for all at Bancroft and our customers, and will bolster our already strong South African suit in a harmonious manner. We are looking forward to working with such an esteemed producer.

Ataraxia winemaker and owner, Kevin Grant comments:

“After much homework as to who could best represent Ataraxia, Bancroft Wines easily ticked all the boxes. I am looking forward to a most fruitful partnership with Bancroft Wines to the benefit of our existing and new clients.”