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Smithfield Wine
3 Longacre Street
Manchester, M1 2WN
Tel: 0161-273-6070
Fax: 0161-273-6090
VAT No. 748 803503
Co. Reg. 3922017
Tindall Vineyards

Tindall Vineyards

Fresh and Fruity Spring Wines
A BEVY of beauties, mostly fresh, fruity Kiwis, to toast the first green shoots of spring.
Two come from Manchester's admirably independent Smithfield Wine, which have, as well as kosher and Fairtrade wines, a large vegetarian and vegan range.
Many wines are not suitable for veggies because they are `fined' with non-animal and fish by-products.
The fining process is to improve a wine's clarity. This can be as simple as letting nature take its course through gravity, but this takes time and is not favoured commercially, hence fining agents, often sourced from either fish and animals.

The Tindall vineyard in Marlborough on New Zealand's South Island uses neither. Both its Tindall Sauvignon Blanc 2007 and its Pinot Noir 2006 offer beautiful pure representations of their respective grapes.
Winemaker John Forrest took advantage of exceptional growing conditions in 2007 to produce a deep, off-dry fruity gem with lots of lime on the nose and lingering tropical fruit on the palate.
The Pinot Noir is even better. It is a vibrant, mouthfilling wine with cherry and plum flavours plus a shot of spice from oak influence.
Neil Sowerby MEN

Chile and Portugal

Chile and Portugal

"Portugal and Chile complete this breathless rush around the world of wine. Both wines, sumptuous reds, come from Manchester's own online wine specialists, Smithfield Wine (smithfieldwine.com).
Once again George Wroblewski has unearthed two gems in Onda Nova Syrah 2006 and Maquis Lien 2003. Both have smart, contemporary labels, the first a wine-stain abstract, the second a totemistic lizard, and contents to match.

The Portuguese Onda Nova is a savoury red, with scents of mint and tobacco with discreet oak, firm structure and a lingering finish. A couple of years in bottle might make it sing even more. At £7.75, another snip.

"The Maquis Lien calls itself a hand-crafted Chilean `super wine'. It is indeed an intriguing mix of 55 per cent syrah, 27 per cent carmenere, 10 per cent petit verdot and eight per cent malbec. The Hurtado Vicuna family have owned their Maquis vineyard for over 100 years but only decided 10 years ago to make their own wine from these terrific Colchagua Valley grapes. Only the ripest are used for this super-concentrated blend. Fewer than 2,000 cases were made. It is £9.99 a bottle. Sweet, supple, it is a total treat. Chile in a glass."
Neil Sowerby MEN

Absum Varietales 2004

Absum Varietales 2004

Equally impressive was a white from Somontano in the north of Spain, Absum Varietales 2004. The three varietals making up the blend - 65% chardonnay, 25% Gewurtztraminer, 15% Pinot Noir were vinified separately, then aged in new French oak barrels for three months, which has added a dash of spice to the wine's intense tropical fruit attack. Well worth the price tag."
Neil Sowerby MEN

Montalvo Wilmot

Montalvo Wilmot

"This wine shows the potential of reds from the west of Castile, near the Portuguese border. Three quarters tempranillo, a quarter cabernet sauvignon, it has been aged in oak for 13 months. It shows in the toasty, spicy background to its ripe blackberry fruit and smooth finish."
Neil Sowerby MEN

5T

5T

"Toro is one of the great unappreciated regions of Spain, the poor cousin of nearby Ribera del Duero. Smithfield's example, 5T 2002, is a stunning example, cherryish in hue and displaying chocolatey note on the palate. It is made from 100% local tinta de Toro grapes aged in oak for 12 months. It sturdily partnered a hare casserole as I mentally prepared myself for the onset of autumn."
Neil Sowerby MEN