Saturday 20 September 2008

Avondale 'Julia' from South Africa - Unbelievable Value!!



Avondale ‘Julia’ 2004

Unbelievable Value at £6.95 per bottle CLICK HERE TO ORDER

Organic is not just a buzz word at Avondale. It's about promoting life and preserving a living system. It’s about treating our vines like indigenous trees. Pioneered by owner and friend, Johnathan Grieve said “We are returning our soil to its original, vibrant, natural state through Bio-LOGIC, a gentle integration of old practices with new science.” Owned by the Grieve family, Avondale is committed to the creation of fine natural wines.

Tasting Notes:
A stunning South African red with pronounced berry bouquet that has a slight herbaceous undertone, followed by ripe fruit and soft tannins – an approachable yet complex medium-bodied wine. Serve at 16°C. We tried this wine on Thursday night (18th) and thought that it was incredible and easily drinks well above its price. Great concentration of fruit that gives this approachable, easy-drinking wine a hint of seriousness. Ideal to accompany pasta and meat dishes.

The Name ‘Julia’:

When this wine was first made in 1999 as Avondale Dry Red, it scooped up a double gold medal Veritas award. The family felt that “dry red” did not do justice to the wine, so it was renamed after owner John Grieve’s mother, Julia.

Awards: Michelangelo Double Gold (2006)

Grape Varieties: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot

Neil and Jane Pinel

Friday 19 September 2008

Beers, Lagers, Ciders etc now sold individually and chilled!

We have recently installed two large fridges at the entrance to our shop and are pleased to annouce that you can now buy chilled beers, lagers and ciders individually and in smaller packs. No more having to buy full cases when you come down to see us!

See you soon!

Tuesday 16 September 2008

Another great night out planned at The Lighthouse


You are invited to join us at The Lighthouse for a great evening of food and wine. You can telephone us for reservations or you can book online. Follow the link below to book now.


Saturday 4th October 2008


On arrival

JEAN-MARIE PENET Cremant de Loire Chateau de la Presle


***
Local Handpicked Crab Salad

ANDRE DEZAT Pouilly-Fume 'Domaine Thibault'

VINCENT GIRARDIN Bourgone Blanc 'Cuvee Saint-Vincent' 2005

***
Beef and King Prawn Espetada served with Chunky Chips and Vegetables

KILIKANOON 'Prodigal' Grenache

TANAIL WINERY Silver Selection Red 'Massaya'


***
Chocolate Torte with Raspberries

DOMAINE POUDEROUX Maury Rouge

7.30pm for 8.00pm
Dress: Casual

£55 per head


Click here to book online now!

Monday 15 September 2008

Book Now for an Exceptional Gourmet Food and Wine Dinner

**Announcing our Next Wine Dinner**


Friday 3rd October 2008 at



On arrival
Gallimard Brut Rosé ‘Les Riceys’ n.v.

***

Terrine of salmon and lobster, cucumber confit, lemon dressing
Vincent Girardin Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru 'Les Folatières' 2005
Christian Moreau Chablis Grand Cru 'Les Clos' Clos des Hospices 2005

***

Pot roasted squab pigeon, puy lentil and bacon cassoulet, thyme veal jus
Taupenot Merme Chambolle-Musigny 2003
Michel Gros Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru 'Clos Reas' 2004
***

Cheese t.b.a.
Vincent Girardin Pommard 1er Cru Vieilles-Vignes 'Les Grands Epenots' 2005

***

Crispy thin apple tart, black butter ice cream
Rene Michel Viré-Cléssé 'Quintaine' 2004

7.30pm for 8.00pm – carriages at midnight
Dress Smart/Casual

£85.00 per head

Limited spaces
TELEPHONE US ON 736418 FOR RESERVATIONS

Monday 8 September 2008

Incredible Cocktails in just 10 Seconds!

New and Exclusive to Dunell's

Speaks MIXOLOGY Cocktail Mixers Pouches


THIS PRODUCT IS PERFECT FOR PARTIES, GIFT IDEAS, CORPORATE FUNCTIONS, TABLE PRESENTS, WEDDINGS AND OTHER SPECIAL OCCASIONS.

Having tried these out at the Mourant's Ooh La La Ball on 5th September 2008 we can assure you these were a real hit!!
Created with the help of World Champion mixologist Jamie Stephenson, using the Speaks Mixology range you can make the perfect cocktail in just ten seconds. Simply open, pour over ice and a double shot of spirit and you’ve got it! It really is that simple. And because they only use all-natural ingredients, they also taste amazing. The range of fabulous cocktails is constantly expanding, so you'll always have the drinks people want.
Speaks Mixology is revitalising the spirits market like no one else. Using only the finest ingredients (including fresh fruit juices and natural cane sugar) they have created mixers that allow you to serve the perfect cocktail again and again.
We currently stock The Classic Mojito, Raspberry Mojito, Cosmopolitan and Pina Colada. They are available to purchase in store and also online. Click here for more information.

Speaks Mixology is a range of 100% all-natural ready to pour cocktail mixers which are simply added to the relevant alcohol base to produce a quick, easy and delicious cocktail.

Speaks Mixology is made using spring water from an organically certified source in the remote Slievenamom mountains of Ireland.

Speaks Mixology contains absolutely no artificial colours, flavours, sweetners or preservatives.

Speaks Mixology cocktails taste better than other mixers due to the crisp and full flavours of the natural ingredients.

Endorsed by World Champion Bar Tender Jamie Stephenson

The product is available in 120ml pouches, ideal size for a single serving cocktail with 50ml of alcohol. It uses a simple, easy to use pouch instead of glass bottles, making it more environmentally friendly. It also means the product is easier and cheaper to dispose of so you are doing your bit to reduce your carbon footprint!

At £1.50 per pouch it also represents excellent value for money!

For further information see their website http://www.speaksmixology.com/



Friday 5 September 2008

South-West France

This article caught my eye on Decanter.com this morning, are we heading for another 'phyloxerra' episode?
A fatal virus that attacks vines is becoming increasingly prevalent across the wine regions of Bordeaux, Gascony and the Charente, it has emerged.The disease, a fungus called Esca (known more commonly as vine measles, or vine cancer), attacks the woody parts of the vine, eventually killing the entire plant. Very little is known about its origin, how it spreads, or its likely progression. Although it affects vines all over the world, this year there has been a sharp rise in reported cases of Esca in southwest France. There are calls for an agricultural emergency to be declared in the area, and demands for state aid to replant the affected vines. 'You can literally see the vines withering before your eyes,' a winemaker in Gascony told a local newspaper. 'We are going to need to pull up and replant vines that are scarcely 15 years old.' Auch, a large town in the area, is due to hold a demonstration on September 15, demanding government assistance. Winegrowers in Bordeaux, Cognac and Champagne have also reported widespread problems, with some estimating the disease is affecting up to 20% of all vines in France. Chris Foss, senior wine lecturer at Plumpton agricultural College in the UK, told decanter.com the disease was almost unstoppable. 'The disease can be treated with sodium arsenite, but the product has been banned since 2001 because of public health concerns,' he said. 'All wood diseases are an absolute nightmare because they are so difficult to treat, and they seem to be getting more prevalent.'

Wednesday 3 September 2008

A great time at Feast!



Meal out to Feast - Gorey 28.08.08

Neil and I decided that it would be nice to visit new restaurant 'Feast' in Gorey to celebrate our 10th Wedding Anniversary....blimey that seems so long these days!

It was a lovely evening and as we strolled along the pier towards the restaurant, we noticed some of the restaurants were very quiet but not Feast. Word certainly seems to have got around since their opening and the restaurant was full and buzzing. We were greeted warmly and although Anne and her team knew that it was our wedding anniversary and we did not expect the two glasses of bubbly that seamlessly appeared at the table - great start!

We had heard many good things about the restaurant and the tempting menu and specials board did not disappoint. Neil chose the scallop special and I chose the Butternut squash salad. Both dishes were lovely. The scallops were perfectly cooked and my salad was very tasty. In fact, I forgot to say that the glass of bubbly went perfectly with the salad. They never said what it was but we think it was Graham Beck Brut Sparkling from South Africa.

For the main course Neil had chosen one of the wines that Anne imports exclusively for Feast. It was the d'arenberg The Love Grass Shiraz 2004. (Tasting Notes: The palate is juicy with good weight. Red-fruited Shiraz dominated by plums, rhubarb, cherries, strawberries, mulberry, smoked bacon, white pepper and flower characters then a level of black currants and fragrant spice from the Cabernet and Petit Verdot appear. On the second sip a lovely mulberry tar-like character of Merlot starts to fill the palate with vivid, deep-red cherry flavours mixed with a hint of sage leaf, cloves and turmeric from the Petit Verdot which fans out across the finish with a grippy but polished finish.)

However, I think Neil totally forgot what I was eating for main course as I had chosen the Tuna. Neil had chosen the Ribs and of course the shiraz went really well with this dish but it is quite a chunky wine and was a little too much for the tuna. I still enjoyed it though. Both dishes were excellent and high quality ingredients had clearly been used. The Jersey Royals which arrived in a little bucket were fabulous and probably the best I have had this year. Unfortunately they had run out of chips which caused a bit of a stir amongst the diners but the Royals really were great.

Dessert was great too - a pannacotta for Neil (great gluten free dessert for him) and I had the cheesecake which was delicious and made Neil very jealous!

Great atmosphere, good service and a lovely meal which didn't break the bank either. Well done to Anne and her team and thankyou!

Neil and Jane
P.S. We recommend booking as it is very popular! Tel: 611118 or email: anne@feast.je

New Zealand Pinot Noirs are shining!

This month's (September) Decanter Magazine featured the results of the New Zealand Pinot Noir Awards and we stock some of the main award winners. They are all available to purchase online and their links are listed below:

SPY VALLEY Pinot Noir 2007 - Awarded ***** 5 Stars and listed as being the BEST VALUE 'Rich, ripe cherry, layered fruit. Full, round, concentrated style, beautiful balance, lifted structure. Sweet, long finish. Delicious.' We currently have the 2006 in stock which was also superb and we have been informed by our supplier that the 2007 vintage will arrive in the UK in December. If you are interested in reserving any quantities of this wine, please contact us - neil@dunells.com

Please click here for more information on the 2006 Vintage and to order

Felton Road Pinot Noir 2007 - Awarded **** 4 Stars HIGHLY RECOMMENED 'Open, highly scented nose, youthful, wonderfully pure. Fresh, bright palate, juicy fruit, pretty style with charm'

Please click here for more information on this wine and to order

Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 2006 - Awarded *** 3 Stars RECOMMENDED 'Full bodied style, extracted, spicy and oaky. Well balanced overall, not for the faint hearted. Long, raspberry and spicy finish'.

Please click here for more information on this wine and to order

Kim Crawford Pinot Noir 2007 - Awarded *** 3 Stars RECOMMENDED 'Dark berry aromas, tight silky tannins, promising concentration and elegance. Beautiful freshness. Perfumed finish.'

Please click here for more information on this wine and to order

Wither Hills Pinot Noir 2006 - Awarded *** 3 Stars RECOMMENDED 'Very solid, big, deep-coloured wine. Good length and balance, oak well-done and plenty here to savour.'

Please click here for more information on this wine and to order

Neil