Vinos De Pago - Pago Wines

What is a Pago wine?

Or rather, a wine with DO de Pago (Denominacion de Origen de Pago) status?

If I mentioned that this was a sub-category in Spain’s quality wine regions table, many would wonder where it fell in status, for we’re all very familiar with ‘Vino de Mesa’ etc and the more popular sub-categories DO (Denominacion de Origen) and indeed DOC (Denominacion de Origen Calificada), which many of us believe to be the highest quality status achievable. Nevertheless, and without crushing the DOC sub-category which represents regions with a proven track record of consistent quality, such as Rioja and Priorat, DO de Pago is the very highest classification a winery can reach in Spain’s Quality Wines Produced in a Specified Region (QWPSR) category.

There are only 10 estates with this status of quality which was first introduced in as recent as 2003. 7 are in the Castilla la Mancha region and 3 in the Navarra region.

Now regional wine laws are strict enough, so what must an estate do to achieve a greater status than DOC you may ask. Well, an estate under DO de Pago can only produce wine from estate-grown grapes having followed strict geographical measures, wines can only be processed and aged at the winery located on the estate and the estate needs to be known to produce wines of exceptional quality.

Anglo Wines lists an exquisite range of Vinos de Pago from an estate in Castilla la Mancha known as Dominio de Valdepusa. Owned by the Marques de Griñon, Carlos Falcó, Dominio de Valdepusa was the first estate to be declared a DO de Pago by the European Union in 2003. It currently produces 300,000 bottles under the advice of the prestigious Bordeaux oenologist, Michel Rolland, concentrating exclusively on red wine production from grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdot.

Caliza, DO Dominio de Valdepusa € 10.16

A blend of Syrah and Petit Verdot make their entry level wine fruity, elegant and very easy to drink.

Summa Varietalis, DO Dominio de Valdepusa € 18.82

Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdot plus 12 months in barrel. A really interesting blend. Complex notes of fruits of the forest with mineral and spicy notes.

Marques de Griñon Petit Verdot, DO Dominio de Valdepusa € 25.42

A real favourite! Complex and interesting floral aromas with a touch of wood and rich and velvety on the mouth. Really unique with every sip.

Marques de Griñon Syrah, DO Dominio de Valdepusa € 25.42

A great example of Syrah – silky and smooth with mature fruit, spice and balsamic notes.

Marques de Griñon Cabernet Sauvignon, DO Dominio de Valdepusa € 25.42

Cabernet Sauvignon power giving intense fruit enhanced by cinnamon, tobacco and chocolate.

Emeritus, DO Dominio de Valdepusa € 55.94

A powerful, yet elegant and round blend of all three Dominio de Valdepusa grapes varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdot. Certainly decant before serving to really release this wine’s concentrated fruit and aromatic intensity.

Marques de Grinon AAA, DO Dominio de Valdepusa € 122.00

Intense, rich and full, yet with a silky touch and extremely good potential as this wine will simply open up and really improve as it ages. Will keep for up to 20 years!

Anglo Wines at Asador Cancha II

Friday 4^th Febuary 2011 saw Anglo Wines team up with local Argentinean grill Asador Cancha II to present a range of hearty Argentinean and Spanish red wines accompanied by a delicious range of Cancha II’s Argentinean tapas – a perfect combination for a chilly winter night.

The tasting ‘corked’ off with a very appropriate Argentinean Malbec whose velvety and modern style really opened up those tastebuds to fully savour the crispy potato skins with fine herb and creamy white cheese dip and the traditional and moreish ‘empanadas’. Finca La Linda Malbec 2007, Argentina €11.14.

As thirst and hunger pangs really set in it was on to a Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2007 by Luigi Bosca, Argentina €14.85. With 14 months in French oak under its belt, guests were met with a wine of great character, structure and body, softened by tones of black berries and chocolate.

Next, across the Atlantic and on to Rioja for a classic Reserva at its best from the extraordinary 2004 vintage. Being a very food-friendly wine, its complex aromas and flavours

of blackberries, spice and tobacco were a magnet to the ‘chorizo criollo’ and ‘morcilla de

cebolla’ being served. What a match! Lealtanza Reserva 2004, Rioja, Spain €11.95.

Neighbours, Ribera del Duero duo by Bodegas Felix Callejo followed, with Callejo 6MB 2009 (Meses en Barrica) €7.99 giving surprising depth for a young wine, and Callejo Crianza 2007 €14.99 releasing strong and mature fruit, with sweet hints and lovely soft tannins which really welcomed the next range of tapas, the renowned ‘Asado Argentino’ (Argentinean Grill).

Mouth-watering and tender meat strips flowed as the star of the night was poured. This

incredible Argentinean blend of majority Malbec with dashes of Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannat treated the mouth to an immediate warm, sweet and smooth sensation, followed by mouth-filling notes of cherry jam and tobacco. Super long and deliciously creamy on the finish, Septima Gran Reserva 2008, Argentina €17.28 was the perfect end to a very memorable evening of fine wines, exquisite tapas and that Friday feeling courtesy of Anglo Wines and Asador Cancha II.

New Wine: Capilla Del Fraile

Just arrived at Anglo Wines is an award-winning red wine by CAPILLA DEL FRAILE, a bodega situated on the banks of the River Pusa, near the famous city of Toledo.

It is run by Iñigo Valdenebro and his eldest daughter Tamar who together have blended traditional values and modern techniques in winemaking to produce this impressive red wine that is 80% Syrah and 20% Petit Verdot.

The trellised trained vines live on calcareous and clayey soils and survive a continental climate of very cold winters and very hot dry summers, thankfully quenched by a drip irrigation system.

At the grapes’ optimum point of ripeness, these are hand-picked and also hand-sorted. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature following which the wine is left to rest for 12 months in French Allier oak barrels.

Before bottling, it undergoes a very gentle filtration process to maintain the wine’s many properties in bottle where it is kept aging for one year before being released for enjoyment. The resulting wine is full, elegant and complex with wonderfully combined cocoa, spice and balsamic notes on a base of juicy black fruits. A great find for all types of meat. Find Capilla de Fraile Syrah/Petit Verdot at Anglo Wines for only €12.99 (10% discount for facebook friends on this wine)

Bin Ends Sale

Anglo Wines is launching its annual bin ends GRAND SALE with extremely attractive offers on an extensive range of its fine wines from all parts of the world. As from 15th February 2011 we are to offer wines with up to 50%+ off retail recommended prices. On the cards are also some cellar 'fillers' such as well-known Chateau wines and even some Port and Madeira. Offer while stocks last so pop into the shop and grab a few bottles of the following and many more:

MANO A MANO, La Mancha, Spain. From €10.16 To €5.00 (Down 50%+) From the very heart of the Iberian Peninsular, this rich Tempranillo is just bursting with cherry, blackberry, coffee and dark chocolate. Can be enjoyed with just about anything from fish, pasta, to a juicy steak.

An elegant French white is always good to have and FOURNIER PERE & FILS MENETOU-SALON BLANC from the Loire Valley is exactly that - elegant. Made from Sauvignon Blanc, its refreshing, lemon-like crispness really gets those taste buds tingling and is a real fish and seafood lover. From €18.30 To €9.00 (Down 50%+)

MAISON BROTTE LES EGLANTIERS TAVEL ROSÉ, Rhone, France. From €10.94 To €6.60 (Down 39%+). Tavel rosé, known as ‘le Roi des rosés’ as not only was it the first rose to be produced in France, but Kings and Popes living in nearby Avignon made it their choice of drink! The majority Grenache with Cinsault and Syrah make Les Eglantiers crisp and refreshing with mouth-watering layers of strawberries and watermelon. Role on summer!

ESPIRITU DE CHILE displays true passion and spirit in Chilean winemaking with its rich and full-bodied Carmenère which leaps forward with concentrated aromas of berries giving way to fine tannins and a spicy finish. There's also a welcoming touch of creamy vanilla. From €12.20 To €6.00 (Down 50%+)

Here’s one to add to your cellar of fine wines, although don't forget about it as it's ready to drink now and will keep until approximately 2018. CHATEAU LA FLEUR-PETRUS 2001, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France. From €167.84 To €95.00 (Down 43.5%). From an outstanding vintage, this Bordeaux blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc will far from disappoint with its smooth, elegant and very well-balanced character. Sweet red fruits, spice and smoky tobacco surround its fine and ripe tannins over an unforgettable long finish.

Finally, QUINTA DE LA ROSA VINTAGE PORT 2000, Portugal. This is a fine mix of traditional Port grape varieties which, coming from an outstanding vintage, is just ready to drink or can be tucked away in your cellar to enjoy in years to come. So why not stock up now for future Christmas’? Or, if you prefer your Port in a fruitier style, Easter is coming up giving a perfect excuse to open a bottle as you delve into chocolate - a marriage made in heaven! From €63.00 To €38.00 (Down 40%).

Valentines Day

Our range of Champagne will win over even the coldest of hearts this Valentine’s Day!

Celebrate in pink with Mumm Cordon Rosé €36.62, Perrier Jouet Rosé €39.99, Laurent Perrier Brut Rosé €69.12, Piper Heidsieck Rosé €45.73, Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Rosé €37.13 or Ruinart Rosé €52.89.

Not so keen on pink? Well we highly recommend Perrier Jouet Grand Brut at €28.47 or the Perrier Jouet that's dressed to impress with its stunning, hand painted floral bottle - Perrier Jouet Belle Epoque 2002 at €109.99. Throwing a Valentine's Day party?

Excellent value Champagne Enkvist at just €24.40 will certainly keep friends in a loved up mood!