Who knows what the weather will be come the end of September?

It may be late Summer, it may be early Autumn; either way there’s a wine to suit. 

There are many shades of red, and this evening will explore the whole spectrum. The first three on our list are fruit-driven, unoaked and lower in alcohol, and will be served (at least) lightly chilled.  

Then as late afternoon becomes early evening we’ll turn our attention to heartier styles. 

We’re delighted to be working with Hannah Bingley of Freckles of Hannah, who has once again created a menu of intricate seasonal canapés to complement the wines.

The liquid menu is drawn from our portfolio of imports from small independent growers.

1) Meinklang ‘Morgen’ edition 2, 10.5% abv; rrp £33

Vibrant and tangy lightly sparkling natural Austrian wine, served chilled. Notes of apricot, redcurrant and rhubarb

2) Smallfry, ‘Eclectik Violet’ 2022, 12%; rrp £26

Light and soft red from Barossa Valley, Australia, made from Grenache and Cinsault. Notes of cherry and almond

Served with a skewer of beetroot, watermelon, pumpkin, almond and sage ‘balls’ and redcurrant drizzle

3) Gardunha Sul, Corricão Tinto 2021, 12.5%; rrp £27

Distinctive Portuguese red. Medium bodied and earthy; flavours of wild strawberry, cranberry, rosemary and black olive

Served with a focaccia toast, roast carrot and rosemary crush, black olive tapenade, strawberry ‘crisp’

4) Izway, ‘Mates’ Aglianico 2020, 14%; rrp £25

A richer Barossa style. Full bodied and vibrantly purple  Flavours of liquorice, bitter herbs, orange rind and campari 

Served with a rye bread toast with whipped goats cheese, sticky marmalade figs, toasted walnuts

5) Hayes Family Wines, GSM Field Blend 2019, 14.5%; rrp £35

 Full bodied and oak-aged blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro from Barossa. Very aromatic – fruity (blackberries and blueberries), floral, (violets) and spicy (vanilla and black pepper). 900 (numbered) bottles made

Served with a Blini topped with Copy’s Cloud cheese, blackberry jelly, peppered cashews, viola flowers

6) Domaine La Lauzeta, La Lauzeta 2016, 15.5%; rrp £37

Intense and full bodied Languedoc blend of Syrah and Grenache. Dense and meaty, with notes of dried blackberries, prunes and garrigue herbs – lavender and thyme 

Served with a Mushroom and thyme tartlet, Norfolk Tawny cream, lavender jelly, blackberry

‘All wine wishes it was red’ – Jay McInerney, ‘A Hedonist in the Cellar’