It’s 2010 and we’re giving you a reason to be happy this winter with prices continuing to fall across the board.  There are well over one hundred price reductions from last year, and a couple of special offers thrown into the mix to help you hit the new year with a bang!

Long Neck (€6.99 each when you buy two or more)

All the way from South Africa’s Western Cape comes one of the most exciting range of wines to land on Irish soil in recent years. There are 7 to choose from, all representing fantastic value for money even before discount. If you want to go with South Africa’s specialities, don’t miss out on the Pinotage and the Chenin Blanc. An independent review of the Sauvignon Blanc can be found here.

Domaine Chateau d’Eau (€9.99, normally €12)

If you’re looking for a detox this January, then these fantastic Lunar Organic wines from Moillard are for you. Whether or not you’re convinced by the benefits of organically sourced grapes, there is nothing to take away from the quality found in these Languedoc wines, the pick of the bunch for me being the Syrah – a real fruit bomb!

Further price reductions for 2010

There are more handsome price reductions on well over one hundred wines. Included is our sensational Heartland range, starting at €10.99, and another chance to detox, this time with our organic Sierra Grande range, which is now retailing at €7.99.

Pre-mixed cases from €95

Our unbelievably popular pre-mixed cases have also seen a reduction from 2009, and as always, there’s free delivery nationwide.

I always said that the trilogy of red, white and rosé from Domaine de Pellehaut would be good enough to get any fan of New World wine onto drinking Old World. This is where to start whenever you want to try French wine. Experimental blends that work. The white won top blended white at the Paris show two years in a row.

Domaine de Pellehaut is one of the finest independent family producers in Gascony. Situated at the highest point in the district of Montréal-du-Gers (180m above sea level), this farming estate covers 530 hectares of which 220 hectares are planted with vines. It is run in a traditional way by Gason Beraut and his sons, Mathieu and Martin.

The vines are only situated on the slopes, with the lowlands being reserved for cattle and cereal crops. The straw from the local “Blonde d’Aquitaine” cattle (pictured) makes first rate manure for the vines, thus allowing the balance of organic matter to be maintained in the different parcels, whilst limiting the use of synthetic fertilisers. A stellar range, whether you’re an Old World disciple, or just looking to broaden your palate.

Domaine de Pellehaut Blanc: Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Colombard, Gros Menseng, Ugni Blanc.

Domaine de Pellehaut Rouge: Merlot, Tannat, Cabernet.

Domaine de Pellehaut Rosé: Merlot, Tannat.

Domaine de Pellehaut Ampelomeryx: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Petit et Gros Manseng.

Click here to view a recent post on Domaine de Pellehaut’s Ampelomeryx.

Yes, despite the fact that we’ve seen about as much sun in the last three months as in a lunch-time episode of Neighbours, Autumn is officially here. Fret not however. Infinitely more reliable than the weather, we’re delighted to announce our latest round of special offers that are sure to bring you an Indian summer all of your own.

We’ve always been particularly proud and passionate about our Australian wine. From 500 case vintages, to 100 Parker Point icons, to global success stories, we’ve something for everyone, and now there’s 10% off every last bottle. So whether the Barbie gets one last run in September or you give in and light the fire one evening, wrap yourself ’round a buttery Chardonnay or a big, peppery Shiraz, with change in your pocket (or as I always prefer to think of it, a free bottle in a case).

Now, we’ve had some new additions to the wine warehouse in the last few months and now’s your chance to try a few. Along with some old favourites, we’ve put together a Super Six of red and white pairings (well, OK, there’s one white and rosé pairing in there!) with €4 off when you buy two or more of any bottle. Mix and match, and you can save €24 on a case of 12, delivered of course in the price.

Of the newbies:

• Abadal, Spain: two wonderfully enticing blends from the Catalunyan sub-region of Pla de Bages, a rich Cabernet Franc/Tempranillo red and a crisp Chardonnay/Sauvignon/Picapoll white. Only €10 when you buy two more.
• Elgin Vintners, South Africa: classy Elgin cooperative producing excellent second vintage Merlot and a classy fourth edition Sauvignon Blanc. €12 when you buy two or more.
• Fuenteseca, Spain: organic and award-winning winery from Utiel-Requena, with two more beguiling blends – a Bobal/Syrah red and a Macabeo/Sauvignon white. Just €10 when you buy two or more.

And the tried and tested:

• Casale Vecchio, Italy: premium range from three-time IWSC Italian Winery of the Year Farnese, classic Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and delightful Pecorino. €12 when you buy two or more.
• Mas Macia, Spain: two more estate-bottled Catalunyans, the red an oak-aged Tempranillo/Carinena/Merlot blend, the white a native, old vine Xarel-Lo. Only €10 and €9 respectively when you buy two or more.
• Tussock, New Zealand: top quality Nelson estate producing classic Sauvignon Blanc and strawberry and cream Pinot Rosé. Both only €11 when you buy two or more.

Finally, if it’s good enough for Gordon Ramsay, Rick Stein, Oz Clarke and James May, then it really is time you tried the wonderful result of English wine-making in Bordeaux. Gavin and Angela Quinney’s Chateau Bauduc has been the house wine at Ramsay and Stein’s restaurants for ten years now, and we’re making it our featured winery of the month for September. There’s an ‘ooh la la’ buy 2, save €5 across the range, or €30 off a mixed case.

Remember, we always keep the odd little offer, such as bin-end wines or mixed case specials, for our Newsletter subscribers. If you’re not signed up, you’ve nothing to lose but everything to gain by doing so – click here to find out more and to sign-up in one easy step.

Ampelomeryx is an extinct mammal that lived during the Miocene period. It was a even-toed ungulate that had frontal and occipital appendages. It was similar to Tauromeryx and Triceromeryx. It was a herbivore, perhaps a browser (Wikipedia)

This curious beast, viewable on the bottle pictured, can be described as a cross between a deer and a giraffe. It lived over 17 million years ago in what would have been a very different looking sub-tropical Gascony. The male Ampelomeryx had two large canines and a horn at the back of his head. (Oh, and based on the fact that giraffes have no vocal cords, I reckon it sounded quite like a deer. Whatever that sounds like.)

It’s incredible to think that these animals were roaming the vineyards of Domaine de Pellehaut all those years ago, and 17 million years later, there’s a part of them still living in the Curious Wines Warehouse. Domaine de Pellehaut have dedicated their signature Vin de Pays (VDP) white blend to their fossil find of the majestic Ampelomeryx, with a label that, in my view, makes for one of the most enticing bottles we carry.

The 2006 is a blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Manseng, the latter of which is a grape that is often used in dessert wines, and in the case of the Ampelomeryx, provides an incredibly rich roundedness, that’s further enhanced by fermentation of the juice from all of the grapes in old barrels. Whereas new barrels would impart stronger, pure flavours, the old barrels have added subtle, delicate flavours of vanilla, which are preceded by prominent aromas of white peach and apricot on the nose.

This is a special wine and a real find. It’s almost as special as finding a 17 million year old half deer, half giraffe buried at the bottom of your garden.  One that we would even pit against a white burgundy at twice the price. Now there’s a statement.

For a premium red VDP, check out the superb Dignite Syrah, and click here to view the Ampelomeryx in all its glory. Both have 10% off indicated prices until the end of August.