SPECTATOR MINI-BAR OFFER
Simon Hoggart
FOR ages I've been wanting to make an all-sparkling wine offer, and here it is for Christmas. It's been put together by Amanda Skinner of John Armit Wines, the popular London merchant, and Iim delighted by our mixed case. This is cunningly tailored to provide the bubbles you need, when you need them, throughout the festivities.
First we have an amazing bargain. It's the Prosecco La Riva dei Frati n.v."' River of the Friars a frizzante from the Veneto region. This means that it has a lighter, more tickly mousse than most sparkling wines, similar to the German spritzig. But it's got a real depth of flavour, mellow, with a hint of peaches and apples. Perfect for a drinks party, and astonishing value since it's been reduced from £9.17 to £6.50. There are half a dozen bottles in the mixed case. I shall be laying in lots.
The Cava Agusti Torella Mata Reserve 1999111 is also handsomely reduced, from £10.33 to £9. This is slightly pricier than most Spanish cavas, but well worth it, There is a complexity of flavours here combined with a real backbone thatis reminiscent of good champage, and much better than many cheap ones. Wrap a cloth round the bottle and most people wonit tell the difference. For Boxing Day lunch? Just a thought.
Armit's own-brand non-vintage champagne comes in a stylish minimalist bottle. It, too, has that round, toasty, flowery flavour of a first-rate champagne, and so it ought, since it's made entirely from Chardonnay grapes grown near Epernay. his been cut to £11.50 a bottle, and the two bottles in the mixed case would be perfect for Christmas dinner.
Finally, we're offering in the case one bottle of course you can have several dozen on its own if you prefer of one of the grandest of all the grands marques. Roederee'' was the favoured tipple of the last Tsar. It has that richness and perfume and depth you get with the very best champagnes, and I can't think of anything more luxurious to toast Christmas or the New Year. Our just guzzle greedily on your own. Amanda has knocked another pound off. Delivery, as ever, is free.
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