Bancroft Wines at the 2016 London Wine Fair

One of our favourite things to do here at Bancroft Wines is to hang out with our wine producers and once a year we get a chance to do that for three full days over the London Wine Fair.

Here's a summary of the show for us this year in pictures.... If you missed out on any of the wines or would like a sample, download, the tech sheets from our website, or get in touch with your Account Manager for more information. Thanks to all those who stopped by our stand to meet the faces behind the labels!

Bancroft's Johnny P and our favourite Mexican, Luis from Remirez de Ganuza (Rioja)

Newbie Trade Sales Simon Newbury and Christina from Lionello Marchesi (Chianti)

Bancroft's Wine fair Maestro, James Wainscott and Raf De Haan from Export Iberia showing off our recently much bolstered Spanish offering.

Wine Spectator's 'Top 100 wines of the year': Luigi Bosca Malbec DOC 2013 (91pts)

Congratulations to Luigi Bosca for securing their Malbec DOC 2013 in Wine Spectator's 'Top 100 wines of the year 2015'.

Each year Wine Spectator editors survey the wines reviewed over the previous 12 months and select their TOP 100, based on quality, value, availability and excitement. This annual list honours successful wineries, regions and vintages around the world.

The Bancroft Bosca Polo Cup: West Wycombe Polo Club

It's been a busy few weeks at Bancroft HQ. Last Sunday the Bancroft Wines team headed out of London in the company of Alberto Arizu from Bodegas Luigi Bosca in Argentina for a day of anglo-argentine culture and cuisine at West Wycombe Polo ground.

Luigi Bosca Gala 2 90 points Wine Spectator #morethanmalbec

Fantastic news and hearty congratulations to Luigi Bosca for receiving 90points this month in Wine Spectator.

And in happy harmony, as this is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, it's further proof of being #morethanmalbec

#MorethanMalbec Luigi Bosca Lunch with Alberto Arizu

Last Wednesday we hosted a lunch with Alberto Arizu, past president of Wines of Argentina, and current reigning head of Luigi Bosca - frequently dubbed the 'Monarchs of Mendoza' since they've been there, running the winery through the family, since 1901. Alberto was also actively involved in the creation of the Lujan de Cuyo D.O.C, the first in Argentina. "It's not an appellation, it's a commitment" Alberto commented over lunch.

Argentina has successfully grown and profited from 'brand Malbec' over the past few years, but in 2015 it progresses into what many people see as phase two of the wine industry here.

Luigi Bosca @ Jamie Oliver's Big Feastival

Last Friday Bancroft's Sophie dug out her wellies and went to stand in a rather large field just outside of Oxford in Kingham, to represent Luigi Bosca wines at Jamie Oliver's Big Feastival - a family friendly food and music festival run in conjunction with ex Blur guitarist Alex James, now turned cheese man extraordinare.

Wines of Argentina had a prominently positioned tent infront of the main stage where we were able to get our groove on to BBQ beats, Levi Roots and Fleetwood Bac. Luigi Bosca, the UK's best selling premium Argentine wine brand, was presented on sale alongside a number other wines hailing from sultry Argentina. On the Friday we were selling the Luigi Bosca De Sangre - the most premium of all wines on sale on the day, standing out in its iconic, classy branding atop the bar.

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.

 

Bancroft Bar at London Bridge Open Kitchen

Last night the Bancroft team caused a vinous storm at Team London Bridge's second annual Open Kitchen - an event set up to showcase the best of all things food and drink at the White Cube Gallery from our beloved Bermondsey Street - an area once known as 'London's Larder'.

Bancroft's James W, Sophie, intern Rachael and Rob Allen setting up shop

The wines we had on show

Alongside the Bancroft Bar, the venue played host to restaurants including Hutong, Aqua Shard, Constancia, Village East, The Garrison, Antico and Pizarro.

IWC 2014 medals roll in: two Golds for Schild Estate and Bancroft's other producers

Yesterday Bancroft took part in the IWC Taste of Gold tasting at Lindley Hall in Victoria to present two of our Gold Medal winning wines from Schild Estate and two Silvers from Cederberg.

To a room full of trade and then consumers we were delighted with lots of comments and positive feedback from all who tasted. Co-chairmen Tim Atkin and Oz Clarke included both producers on their Wine Walks later in the evening.

Chief Winemaker Scott Hazeldine from Schild Estate said:

“It’s fantastic to be judged amongst the world’s best and come out shining”

“The International Wine Competition is one of the icon wine shows each year, the stiff competition makes it even harder to stand out so these awards make us very proud”

Congratulations to Schild Estate on their well-deserved Golds, and to Cederberg and the rest of our wineries on their awards too. The full list is here below:

Bancroft Wines at The London Wine Fair: three days in words and pictures

It was one of the busiest week's of the wine trade last week but the Bancroft team worked it with reputable enthusiasm alongside 12 of our esteemed producers who flew in from around the globe to present their wines to the trade.

A great show - cheers!

Sommelier Wine Awards - news just in!

We're delighted to announce that we've won a round of medals in this year's Sommelier Wine Awards, announced today.

The following wines of ours received top praise from the judges:

Cederberg, Sauvignon Blanc, 2013, Cederberg, South Africa 

Gold Medal

Complex yet restrained, this sports an almost Old World balance of flavours on the nose, with herbaceous, grassy notes mixed with citrus fruit. 'The palate is lean and racy, with fine fresh minerality,' said Alan Holmes of The Vineyard at Stockcross. 'This calls for fresh, simple and seasonal food,' said team leader Natasha Hughes, suggesting asparagus and trout with fragrant herbs.

 

 

Remirez de Ganuza, Fincas de Ganuza Reserva 2006 (Rioja) - Silver Medal   

  

 

Pierre Moncuit-Delos, Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut NV - Silver Medal

Cederberg, Ghost Corner Semillon, 2011, Elim, South Africa 

Silver Medal

Toasted and smoky, with herbaceous streaks, this is delicate and complex. 'Racy and elegant, with minerals alongside candied lemon,' said consultant sommelier Nicolas Clerc MS. 'Not necessarily "cool" Semillon, but who cares? Mature with great balance,' said Bread Street Kitchen's Gergely Barsi Szabó.

Cederberg, Ghost Corner Pinot Noir, 2012, Elim, South Africa

Bronze Medal

Savoury notes on the nose carry through to the palate, where forest berries sit alongside smoky tones. 'There's a classic SAFA wildness to it,' said Athila Roos of The Arts Club.

 

 
Cederberg, Ghost Corner The Bowline, 2012, Elim, South Africa
Commended




Isolabella della Croce, Bricco Del Falco, (Piedmont, Italy) Pinot Nero 2009 Commended
  


 
Luigi Bosca, Terroir los Miradores, Uco Valley (Argentina) Malbec 2011 Commended


 
Champagne, Pierre Paillard Grand Cru Brut NV
Commended

More Medals for Luigi Bosca: Silver at AWA 2014 and Silver at the Drinks Business Pinot Noir Masters 2014

Congratulations to Luigi Bosca for winning a Silver at the AWA 2014 (Argentinean Wine Awards) for their Malbec Seleccion Vistalba. This is a local competition that brings international judges and is gaining more and more recognition every year. Steven Spurrier was among the judges in 2014.

Luigi Bosca also won a Silver medal at The Drinks Business Pinot Noir Masters 2014 for their Grand Pinot Noir 2012.