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Slovenia’s Puklavec Red & White Wines on Offer at Waitrose

27/04/201206/03/2017 by Charlotte J

This weekend (and I’m not sure how long for) Waitrose has reduced the price of Slovenia’s Puklavec’s wines. On offer is the vineyard’s full-bodied and gloriously fruity Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot blend, as well as their citrusy and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc. Wines are reduced from £8.99 to £6.74.

Slovenia's Puklavec Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot — Slovenia’s Puklavec Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot

It’s just a pity the King’s Road store in South West London mixed up the bottles and put the white with the reds, and the red with the white!

Slovenia's Puklavec Sauvignon Blanc — Slovenia’s Puklavec Sauvignon Blanc

I’m going to enjoy the red with some veal schnitzel (recipe here) and imagine sitting overlooking the spectacular Julian Alps; and the red with some mussels (recipe here) and pretend I’m sat on the glorious Adriatic in the idyllic seaside town of Piran.

Waitrose

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Puklavec & Friends Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Slovenia

14/06/201106/03/2017 by Charlotte J

When I was at the London International Wine Festival this year I had a chat to the people behind the Puklavec & Friends Sauvignon Blanc from Slovenia. It was nice to see them back in town and it was a good reminder of how unique this Slovene wine is. The region is usually noted for its Malvasia grape, however, this Sauvignon Blanc is something a bit special.

This a fabulously fresh wine, and as expected has flavours of grapefruit and lime, though they are more subtle than a new world Sauvignon Blanc, with a twist of minerality that the soil in Jeruzalem is renowned for. Sauvignon Blanc is a great wine with spicy dishes, such as Thai curry, but you could enjoy it with a more traditional dish from the region such as river trout wrapped in prosciutto. The wine’s acidity cuts through the salty meat perfectly.

What you need to know:

Alcohol by volume: 12.5% vol
Bottle size: 75cl
Closure type: Screwcap
Grape varieties: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Other Countries
Style: Dry
Suitable for vegetarians: Yes
Wine colour: White
Price: £8.54 per bottle

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La Umbra Merlot 2009 Dealurile Munteniei, Romania

13/06/201106/03/2017 by Charlotte J

Recently my sister gave me a bottle of La Umbra Merlot 2009 Dealurile Munteniei, Romania, she had purchased from Waitrose. It’s always exciting to try a new wine available in the UK from the region so I didn’t hesitate to crack it open.

Despite being unoaked, this is a punchy red wine, with a fabulous ruby red colour, making it a great wine for your decanter at your dinner party. There is an intense aroma of ripe plums and blackberries. A touch of tannin just gets the back of your tongue making it a great wine to serve with a traditional Romanian hearty dish. You could eat it with red meats but I’d personally recommend with my Romanian Pork and Bean Stew.

Romania’s presence at this year’s London International Wine Festival was certainly bigger and better than before. It seems that with the launch of the La Umbra range, Romanian wine is finally getting the attention it deserves, particularly after the recent mass investment in replanting, primarily led by Halewood Romania.

What you need to know:

Alcohol by volume: 14% vol
Bottle size: 75cl
Closure type: Screwcap
Exclusive to Waitrose: Yes
Grape varieties: Merlot
Style: Full Bodied
Suitable for vegans: Yes
Suitable for vegetarians: Yes
Wine colour: Red
Price: £5.69 per bottle

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Wine of the Week: Bulgarian Enira Red Wine at Waitrose

05/01/201106/03/2017 by Charlotte J

Enira 2006 Thracian Lowlands Bulgarian Red Wine

This New Year I was excited to see yet another East European wine on sale at Waitrose; it’s no wonder Decanter deem them the best supermarket supplier of wines. I saw in 2011 with a bottle of Enira 2006 Thracian Lowlands Bulgarian red wine. This fabulous, spicy red wine is produced and bottle by the Bessa Valley Winery in Ognianovo village.

This wine is a blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot. The deep, vibrant, ruby red colour is further complemented by its rich flavour. Boasting flavours of plum and blackcurrant, this wine is particularly smooth. Unlike most East European wines, it is ripe, and equals any bottle of cabernet sauvignon from France or the New World. It would not be impossible to enjoy this wine chilled as is a popular trend in Balkans and Greece.

Most excitingly I then found out this wine won a Bronze Award at the International Wine Challenge. I couldn’t agree with the decision more. It’s certainly a worthy punt for wine enthusiasts!

For more information visit

Waitrose Enira 2006 Thracian Lowlands Bulgarian Wine £7.59.

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Wine of the Week: Eva’s Vineyard Merlot / Kékfrankos 2007

13/10/201006/03/2017 by Charlotte J

Imagine my surprise when on my way to see friends at a dinner party when checking out the Waitrose wine shelves to find them now stocking Eva’s Vineyard Merlot / Kékfrankos (an indigenous grape) 2007 from the Szekzard region in Hungary. Now I knew Waitrose stocked Eva’s Vineyard Chenin Blanc / Pinot Grigio / Királyleányka 2009 from the Neszmély region but here was a hearty red perfect for those dark, cold, winter nights.

This is a warm, ripe, ruby red wine and a perfect accompaniment to porkolt or goulash. And it’s screw cap! But if you can believe it, that’s not the best bit? The best bit is that this fabulous bottle of wine costs just £3.79! What an absolute steal!

What you need to know:
Price per bottle: £3.79
Alcohol by volume: 12.5% vol
Bottle size: 75cl
Closure type: Screwcap
Exclusive to Waitrose: Yes
Grape varieties: Merlot / Kékfrankos
Region: Other Countries
Style: Medium Bodied
Wine colour: Red

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Bourekia – Now Sold at Waitrose!

16/04/201022/10/2016 by Charlotte J

Burek is a popular treat in Bosnia. Originating from the Ottoman Empire a thin filo-like pastry is filled with spinach and salty cheese, though sometimes meat and other fillings. On wandering the aisles of Waitrose a few weeks ago I came across small packets of round bourekia, ideal to use as canapes for a small gathering of friends.

The small green packets contain eight bourekia, filled with spinach, feta and plenty of mint making the taste a real mouth-watering explosion. They can be served hot or cold (personally I feel hot is best but if you are going to head out and enjoy a springtime picnic then cold will suffice).

Bourekia, part of the Waitrose Delicatezze range and found in the chilled aisle, £3.69

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Wine of the Week: Croatian Plavac Mali 2007

09/04/201022/10/2016 by Charlotte J

Yet another East European find in Waitrose, this time a bottle of Croatian red wine! Croatia is renowned for its wine, particularly its red which is hearty, rich and intense in flavour and colour.

Plavac Mali is produced at the Svirče Winery on the island of Hvar, located on the Adriatic. The vineyard is noted for its quality wines. This particular bottle is a ripe, smooth red, from the Plavac Mali grape. This grape variety, indigenous to Hvar, is closely related to Zinfandel and so the wine has a very similar style.

The Plavac Mali is soft enough to drink one its own but makes an ideal pairing to beef dishes such as cevapi served with ajvar. Alternatively serve with a delicious Sunday lamb roast. Packed with notes of punchy berry fruits this bottle is simply delicious and would not be a poor accompaniment to an abundant cheese board.

Plavac Mali Hvar 2007

750 ml

13% vol.

£9.79

Available at Waitrose

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Matra Mountain Pinot Grigio

05/11/200918/10/2016 by Charlotte J

First Waitrose stocked Ewa’s Vineyard Hungarian wine and now I stumble upon yet another great find at the supermarket. Matra Mountain, Pinot Grigio, 2008 is a crisp, dry white wine with a ripe apple and pear flavour. The Matra vineyards are located on the southern slopes of the Matra mountains, benefiting from a unique microclimate, allowing the largest Pinot Grigio vineyard in Central Europe to produce exceptional grapes.

Under the watchful eye of winemaker Benjamin Bardos, selected grapes are hand-picked at optimum ripeness before being carefully fermented at cool temperatures thereby retaining their varied fruit and aromatic qualities.

This bottle is the perfect accompaniment to fish , chicken and delicate veal dishes but equally could be considered as a quoffing wine for a night in.

To find out more visit Ocado

£5.49

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Eva’s Vineyard

19/10/200918/10/2016 by Charlotte J

I post a lot about vineyards across Eastern Europe that are worth a visit but unfortunately, all too often, it is difficult to get hold of the produce in the UK. However, Waitrose currently stock a wonderful, dry, crisp, white Hungarian wine. It’s perfect for easy drinking, cooking or served with light meats, poultry etc. or fish.

What Waitrose Says:

Eva’s Vineyard Chenin Blanc / Pinot Grigio / Királyleányka 2008 Neszmély Region, Hungary

Easy drinking and fruity white from the Hungarian hills.

Made from some of Hungary’s best white varietals, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Királyleányka, and specially blended for an easy fruity style. The winemaker, Eva Keresztury, has given her name to this wine made especially for Waitrose.

Bottle: £3.79

Case of 12: £45.48

More information

Alcohol by volume: 12% vol

Award – IWSC medal: Bronze (2008 vintage)

Bottle size: 75cl

Closure type: Screwcap

Exclusive to Waitrose: Yes

Grape varieties: Pinot Grigio / Chenin Blanc / Királyleányka

Style: Dry white wine

Suitable for vegetarians & vegans: Yes

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Royal Tokaj Wine Company

06/04/200917/10/2016 by Charlotte J

There are two drinks for which Hungary is most famed: Unicum and Tokaj. I detest the taste of Unicum. When the King of the Austro-Hungarian Empire declared that it was ‘unicum’ or unique, he was right. Actually, many East European tipples do have a similarly distinctive and herbal taste but this is quite frankly, truly revolting.

Tokaj, on the other hand, is perfectly pleasing. I am not normally a huge fan of dessert wines, but the Royal Tokaj Blue Label from the Royal Tokaji Wine Company 25cl, from Waitrose, £10.99, is by far my preferred choice. I particularly like to enjoy it with plum dumplings, a traditional Hungarian dessert (the recipe of which I will post soon!)

The bottle is small and perfectly formed.The glowing amber tone is beautiful and reminiscent of autumnal leaves; its taste is warm and rich.As I said, this wine is enjoyed with desserts, such as the traditional plum dumpling, and is perfect for cold evenings in.

However, for me, it reminds me of the warm summer morning breeze in Lvov. After arriving at 7 AM on an overnight train from Kiev, having been mugged (not violently thankfully), my travelling companion and I got horribly lost and spent three hours wandering the streets desperately trying to find the main boulevard. At 10 AM we finally reached the main squares and, more importantly, the boulevard which boasts many restaurants serving fantastic Ukrainian cuisine. We settled in a restaurant for a few hours and, looking at each other, believed, despite it being 10 AM, considering our ordeal, it was not too early to begin drinking fortified wine. This particular bottle of Tokaj tastes similar to what I consumed on that day in Lvov and so reminds me of a pleasing, satisfying time, combined with an incredible sense of relief.