2013-12-10

Marks & Spencer Celebrates 40 Years of Wine

In October 1973 Marks & Spencer launched its first range of wines, starting with just 12 stores with a small selection of eight wines, four sherries and a few beers. Today M&S offers nearly a thousand wines from around the globe but the emphasis remains the same as it did 40 years ago, quality-led innovation. This commitment to quality and innovation has been recognized by the industry for a number of years. This year Marks & Spencer was awarded the ‘Supermarket of the Year’ award at the prestigious International Wine Challenge Awards (IWC).  Additionally over the last 12 months, M&S has won a total of 228 medals at the wine competitions, including 20 Golds, 67 Silvers and 141 Bronzes. In celebration of 40 years of wine retailing and their breadth of award winning wines, a wine tasting hosted Chris Murphy, Wine Buyer for M&S Wine Direct was held recently. Murphy had selected 15 wines, focusing on award winning and premium wines and make this festive season a more celebrated one.
Secano Maiten Vineyard Block 1 Pinot Noir 2011
Country: Chile (Leyda Valley)
Grape varieties: 100% Pinot Noir
Description: Aromas of redberries are combined with spice and a hint of truffle, whilst the palate shows lovely silky tannins, soft acidity and a long concentrated finish.Typical Pinot Noir characters leap out of the glass in this vibrant, fine example of cooler climate wine making from Chile. Maiten Pinot Noir is a special selection of a specific block from a single vineyard in the emerging Leyda valley. Winemaker Viviana Navarrete has sculpted a classic Pinot Noir with medium palate weight, subtle use of oak and complex spicy notes

Chambolle-Musigny 2010
Country: France, Burgundy, Cote de nuits
Grape varieties: 100% Pinot Noir
Description: A succulent, scented and supremely classy Chambolle-Musigny with beguiling flavours of winter spice and dark hedgerow fruits. This prestigious winegrowing appellation lies at the northern end of Burgundy's famous Côte d'Or, where some of the region's most serious, complex reds are made from the Pinot Noir grape variety. The wine shows the typical muscularity and scent of Chambolle from a fine vintage; the texture is silky and the finish harmonious and persistent

Vergelen Amphitheatre Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Country: South Africa (Stellenbosch)
Grape varieties: Sauvignon Blanc
Description: Harvested early in the morning when the sea breezes are at their coolest, the grapes for this iconic Cape Sauvignon Blanc are slowly cool fermented and given four months lees contact for greater richness. The result is a white wine triumph for expert winemaker Andre Van Rensburg. Vivid flavours of lemon confit and sweet lime, followed by enveloping creamy texture bringing in tropical lychee notes at the finish.

Secano Paico Vineyard Block 3 Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Country: Chile (Leyda Valley)
Grape varieties: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Description: A pale lemon hue combines with an intense palate displaying characters of citrus fruits and a hint of spice, finishing with a long, lingering mineral aftertaste.Fresh, zesty and ripe fruit flavours are evident on the nose of this high quality Sauvignon Blanc from Chile. The grapes for this delicious wine have been taken from selected blocks within a single vineyard in the Leyda Valley. Proximity to the cooling breezes of the Pacific Ocean has helped retain vibrant freshness and great concentration.
Vintage Rosado Cava 2009
Country: Spain
Grape varieties: Pinot Noir
Description: With its attractive light ruby hue, perfumed summer berry aromas and fresh, elegantly lifted palate profile, this is a delightful sparkling rosé Cava.With its attractive light ruby hue, perfumed summer berry aromas and fresh, elegantly lifted palate profile, this is a delightful sparkling rosé Cava. It was made exclusively for us by the experienced Gabriel Suberviola from fruit grown on the Mas Bernich Estate in the hills southwest of Barcelona.This is prime Cava country, and even though Pinot Noir is not the most typical grape variety in the region, this deliciously avant-garde style of wine shows just how good it can be when carefully managed to give an excellent balance of freshness and ripeness.

Oudinot Brut NV Champagne
Country: France (Champagne)
Grape varieties: 100% Chardonnay 
Description: A dry and elegant champagne with a crisp mousse and fresh lemon fruit undertones.We have worked closely with Philippe Launois, chief winemaker at House of Oudinot, to create a refined, dry champagne with a clean citrus flavour. Chardonnay grapes are used predominantly in this champagne.

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