It’s Summer! let us transport you to the volcanic islands of the Mediterranean,

This year we are creating space for a seated menu £45 – choose to dine at a communal banquet-style table, or reserve a table for your group only.

A Set Menu of;

Crab, Prawns and Sea Sisters Conservas

Roast Leg of Lamb, Papas arrugadas, Mojo sauce and Padron peppers

Served with a wine flight of volcanic wines.

Or simply pay £15 for general admission; a glass of wine on arrival and serving of papas arrugadas – then choose additional items from the Tapas Menu and wines from the bar.

Padron Peppers | buñuelos de bacalao | Calamari | Papas arrugadas & Mojo sauce.

The Wines

We want to show the unique wine heritage of the Canary Islands. Century-old plots in the north of Tenerife, where the traditional varieties of Listán Blanco and Listán Negro are vinified in old family wineries.

Notwithstanding, these are dynamic winemakers, who produce thrilling, modern wines from non-international varieties such as; Gual, Marmajuelo and Vijariego.

The ethos is respectful of the environment and especially water-conservation, both in the vineyard and cellar, where sustainable low intervention winemaking practices are the norm.

BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve had the pleasure of sampling this absolute gem of a wine from winemaker Sébastien Vaillant.

Sébastien is one half of arguably the smallest cooperative in France, Vignerons de Valençay – given that the other half is his friend Damien Boisseur, a cooperative of two must surely be the smallest in the world, for any smaller and you are simply flying solo

Case Offer: 12 bottles and a free cheese £168

I rarely write up Sauvignon Blanc these days – ubiquitous, often overblown new world styles, dominated by gooseberry, elderflower and superlatives, or lean and unmemorable European styles which the growers have been forced to plant because everyone wants a Sauvignon on their list.

That is, except in the Loire valley. Here they produce some of the best sauvignon in the world. Grown of Silex soils (Flint) – see what Flint Vineyard have done here, with their Bacchus Fumé and Silex wines 😉 – Vignerons de Valençay comprises 40 hectares of vines planted on the hillsides surrounding the Cher River. Silex is greatly prized within the Loire and produces some of the region’s finest and most mineral wines, with the most renowned coming from Sancerre.

However – Have you tried to buy a Sancerre for under £30 recently? I have, and they are very underwhelming, and at over £30, they are not exactly bang-for-you-buck.

So enter Vignerons de Valençay – From £14 per bottle this is BANG-for-your-buck Sauvignon from the best soils. Take a step back Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc – This is the Loire, spiritual home of sauvignon.

Valençay has held official AOC status since the 2002 vintage. It was the first French region to receive AOC classification for both wine and cheese, with its distinctive pyramid-shaped goat’s cheese.

What grows together, goes together. Making it the perfect pairing with Valençay white wines.

The cheese allegedly gets its truncated shape from an incident involving Napoleon, a sword and a tantrum – whatever, there is no mistaking the blue-grey, chopped-pyramid shape. Its rind with a velvety texture; woody aroma; fresh nutty flavour with a delicate mousse like feel, that melts in the mouth.

The wine: Light lemon yellow in colour with aromas of citrus, gooseberry and white peach on the nose. On the palate there is an attractive depth of flavour, with notes of lemon, green apple and white peach offset by a charming mineral tone throughout. A crisp acidity carries the wine to a refreshing and elegant finish.

YOU ARE  INVITED!

Wine List Take Over at The Quarter Bar

This month, Fredricks will be supplying a selection of seasonal wines by the glass alongside some specials bottles and rarities. 

FULL WINE LIST

SPARKLING

GAMBELLARA, DURRELLO | VENETO, ITALY |

Before Prosecco there was Durella, an ancient and indigenous variety grown in the volcanic soils of Lessinia in the Veneto.

LANGHAM, CORALLION CLASSIC CUVEE | DORSET, ENGLAND |

Tommy Grimshaw is not your traditional winemaker – breaking new ground by becoming the UK’s youngest head winemaker, working his way up from labelling wine when he left school.
Still only 28yrs old he continually strives to be creative in his winemaking, his focus is on a low intervention approach, and the results he achieves are outstanding – winning the coveted Best Sparkling Wine Producer at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in 2020, beating some of the best French champagne houses and sparkling wines from around the world.

ROSE

FAMILLE PERRIN, LUBERON, ROSE | PROVENCE | FRANCE |

A rosé by any other name would smell as sweet.’ The fruit is from the Perrin family vineyards that straddle Avignon and Aix-en-Provence. A beautiful pale provencale rosé in everything but name.

LIGHTER WHITES

VIGNERONS DE VALENCAY | LOIRE VALLEY FRANCE |

Sauvignon Blanc from its spiritual home in the Loire valley – fresh, zippy, herbacious and probably the best match for goat cheese – especially if it also comes from Valencay.

GAMBELLARA, CLASSICO | VENETO, ITALY |

100% Garganega, this is essentially declassified Soave, from fruit grown halfway between Vicenza and Verona. Try this if you like your Pinot Grigio to have some gusto!

BADASSIER, PICPOUL | LANGUEDOC | FRANCE

Picpoul the wine of choice for those seeking freshness. Perfectly chilled crisp and dry, it’s the perfect aperitif – oysters anyone!

RICHER WHITES

CIRCULADE, VERMENTINO | PAYS D’OC | FRANCE |

A wine made by winemakers, no fuss or marketing, just a clean, bright and aromatic wine, full of the aromas of peach, mango, pineapple and pear. Definitely a ‘where did that bottle go, wine.’

PIPOLI, BIANCO | BASILICATA | ITALY |

Low yielding old vines from two ancient grape varieties, one is greco or Greek, (southern Italy was Hellenic before the Romans arrived) and the other fiano.
The wine however is made by a super-modern outfit, they have lifted this into proper word-class status. Aromatic, it smells like green melon and elderflower, light, no oak, pure, snappy. A triumph that would be great with a peach and burrata salad.

BENEVENTANO, FALANGHINA | CAMPANIA | ITALY |

The Irpinian hills of Campania are known as the ‘Switzerland of the South’ and one of Italy’s most exciting wine producing areas thanks to its distinctive microclimate. A constant cool breeze that blows off the Bay of Naples that over the centuries has deposited volcanic ash from Mount Vesuvius. How to describe Falanghina – it’s like all the best bits of Chardonnay.

LIGHTER REDS

LA ROCHE LA CHEVALIERE, PINOT NOIR | PAYS D’OC | FRANCE |

Red Burgundy at Languedoc prices – hand harvested and minimal intervention in the cellar all go to achieving a refined and ultimately delicious wine.

NIZZA, BARBERA D’ASTI | PIEDMONT | ITALY |

Barbera from Nizza Monferrato in Asti, Piedmont. The Barbera grape is to Asti what nebbiolo is to Barolo. Fruit forward, full bodied and harmonious with subtle smooth tannins.

RICHER REDS

FAMILLE PERRIN, VENTOUX ROUGE | SOUTHERN RHONE | FRANCE |

From the Perrin Family, owners of the renowned Château de Beaucastel, and Miraval Rosé, this is a supple red from the Ventoux mountains in Provence. A lighter but luscious red, Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault blend.

PIPOLI, AGLIANICO | BASILICATA | ITALY |

The aglianico grape, is the jewel in the southern italian crown. Sunshine ripens the fruit perfectly and produces a real crowd pleasing wine, both rich and delicate – sounds too good to be true.
Pipoli Aglianico

PACHECO PEREDA, ESTRIPE CABERNET FRANC | MENDOZA | ARGENTINA |

Wine with Altitude, 1200 meters above sea level. This wine retains all the freshness and aromas of red pepper, raspberry, currant leaves and fruit, whilst tasting full bodied with velvety finish.

DANDELION, SHIRAZ | BAROSSA | AUSTRALIA |

Benchmark Barossan Shiraz – a full bodied powerhouse that retains its purity of fruit.