Wine Club Tasting Notes For November 2026

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‍The Easy Drinker: Mixy Mixy

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River Retreat Pinot Noir - Australia
Colour: Red

Smells like: fresh cherries, strawberries and raspberries

Tastes like: juicy red berries with light tannins and a soft, easy finish

Will go nicely with: roast chicken, salmon, pizza or soft cheese

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Spier Signature Chardonnay/Pinot Noir - South Africa
Colour: Rosé

Smells like: fresh strawberries, raspberries and citrus

Tastes like: juicy red berries with a crisp, refreshing finish

Will go nicely with: salads, seafood, brunch or a sunny afternoon

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Recchia Bardolino - Italy
Colour: Red

Smells like: fresh cherries, raspberries and a hint of spice

Tastes like: juicy red berries with light tannins and a fresh, easy finish

Will go nicely with: pizza, pasta, grilled chicken or a cheeseboard

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Trentham Estate Merlot - Australia
Colour: Red

Smells like: ripe plums, cherries and a hint of spice

Tastes like: juicy plum and dark berries with soft tannins and a smooth finish

Will go nicely with: burgers, pizza, pasta or grilled meats

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Bellingham Homestead Pinotage - South Africa
Colour: Red

Smells like: ripe blackberries, plums and a hint of smoky spice

Tastes like: rich dark fruit with gentle oak and smooth tannins

Will go nicely with: BBQ, steak, roast lamb or mature cheese

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Beaudoin Millet Petit Chablis - France
Colour: White

Smells like: fresh lemon, green apple and white flowers

Tastes like: crisp citrus and green apple with refreshing acidity and a clean finish

Will go nicely with: oysters, seafood, sushi or light salads

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‍The Easy Drinker: Whites & Rosés

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Spier Signature Chardonnay/Pinot Noir - South Africa
Colour: Rosé

Smells like: fresh strawberries, raspberries and citrus

Tastes like: juicy red berries with a crisp, refreshing finish

Will go nicely with: salads, seafood, brunch or a sunny afternoon

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Vineyard Friends Sauvignon Blanc - South Africa
Colour: White

Smells like: fresh lemon, lime and herbs

Tastes like: grapefruit and citrus with crisp, refreshing acidity

Will go nicely with: salads, sushi, seafood or a glass on its own

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Montsable Chardonnay - France
Colour: White

Smells like: white peach, honey and a hint of butter

Tastes like: juicy melon and buttery notes with refreshing acidity

Will go nicely with: seafood, sushi, risotto, salads or soft cheese

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Le Courier Chenin Blanc - South Africa
Colour: White

Smells like: grapefruit, pear and fresh green notes

Tastes like: juicy pear and white peach with lively acidity

Will go nicely with: soft cheese, chicken salad, baked fish or a glass on its own

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Te Rua Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc - New Zealand
Colour: White

Smells like: gooseberry, fresh mint and citrus

Tastes like: zesty grapefruit with light, refreshing acidity

Will go nicely with: salads, soft cheese, fresh seafood or sushi

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Château Pigoudet Provence Rosé - France
Colour: Rosé

Smells like: fresh strawberries, raspberries and a hint of peach

Tastes like: delicate red berries and citrus with refreshing acidity and a crisp, dry finish

Will go nicely with: seafood, salads, grilled fish or a sunny afternoon

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‍The Easy Drinker: All Reds

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Vigna Dogarina Merlot - Italy
Colour: Red

Smells like: ripe cherries, plums and red berries

Tastes like: juicy red fruit with soft tannins and a smooth finish

Will go nicely with: pizza, pasta, grilled chicken or a cheeseboard

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Le Cour de Dame Merlot - France
Colour: Red

Smells like: ripe plums, blackberries and a hint of spice

Tastes like: juicy dark berries and plum with soft, rounded tannins

Will go nicely with: roast meats, burgers, pasta or hard cheese

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Vineyard Friends Cabernet - South Africa
Colour: Red

Smells like: blackberries, blackcurrants and a hint of spice

Tastes like: juicy dark fruit with soft tannins and a smooth finish

Will go nicely with: burgers, steak, BBQ or hearty pasta

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Spier Signature Pinotage - South Africa
Colour: Red

Smells like: ripe plums, cherries and a hint of smoky spice

Tastes like: juicy dark berries and plum with soft tannins and a gentle smoky finish

Will go nicely with: BBQ, burgers, grilled meats or hearty pasta

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Burchino Chianti Superiore - Italy
Colour: Red

Smells like: ripe cherries, red berries and a little earthy spice

Tastes like: juicy cherry and plum with fresh acidity and gentle tannins

Will go nicely with: pizza, tomato-based pasta, roast meats or hard cheese

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Apothic Red Winemaker's Blend - USA
Colour: Red

Smells like: ripe blackberries, dark cherries and vanilla

Tastes like: rich dark fruit with hints of mocha and vanilla and a smooth finish

Will go nicely with: BBQ, burgers, steak, chocolate desserts or a cheeseboard

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The VIP Vintage

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Guy Saget Vouvray - France
Colour: White

Smells like: apricot, pear and white flowers

Tastes like: juicy yellow apple and pear with a hint of honey

Will go nicely with: soft cheese, baked seafood, apple pie or crème brûlée

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Le Monde Sauvignon Blanc - Italy
Colour: White

Smells like: fresh citrus, grapefruit and green herbs

Tastes like: zesty lemon, grapefruit and green apple with crisp, refreshing acidity

Will go nicely with: seafood, sushi, salads or goat's cheese

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Château Moulin de Canhaut Haut-Médoc - France
Colour: Red

Smells like: dark berries, ripe plums, subtle oak and dried fruit

Tastes like: juicy blackberries with soft tannins and a long, dry finish

Will go nicely with: grilled meats, BBQ, pasta ragù or a cheeseboard

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Arion Château Moulin de Clotte - France
Colour: Red

Smells like: dark plums, blackberries and cocoa

Tastes like: ripe red berries and jammy fruit with a soft, smooth finish

Will go nicely with: hard cheese, roast lamb, BBQ or grilled meats

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The Butcher & Cleaver Cape Blend - South Africa
Colour: Red

Smells like: dark berries, leather, warm spice and toasted oak

Tastes like: rich dark fruit with a complex, long, dry finish

Will go nicely with: steak, roast lamb, BBQ, stews or mature cheese

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Château Bellegrave Saint-Émilion - France
Colour: Red

Smells like: dark plums, red berries and earthy mushroom notes

Tastes like: juicy plum, blueberry and blackberry with a hint of dried herbs

Will go nicely with: roast beef, BBQ, hard cheese or a hearty stew

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Still working your way through October's wines ... here's last months notes

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The VIP Vintage 

Celebrating wine from Spain, Austria, New Zealand and the USA

October 2026

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Funkstille Riesling - Austria
Colour: White

Smells like: fresh citrus, green apple and white flowers

Tastes like: zesty lime, crisp apple and refreshing acidity

Will go nicely with: spicy food, seafood, sushi or light Asian dishes

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De Loach Chardonnay Reserve - USA
Colour: White

Smells like: ripe peach, apple and a hint of vanilla

Tastes like: juicy stone fruit, citrus and creamy oak with a smooth finish

Will go nicely with: roast chicken, seafood, creamy pasta or soft cheese

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South Island Central Otago Pinot Noir - New Zealand
Colour: Red

Smells like: cherries, raspberries and a little earthy spice

Tastes like: juicy red berries, ripe cherry and subtle spice with silky tannins

Will go nicely with: roast chicken, duck, salmon, pizza or a good cheeseboard

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Zumaya Tempranillo Ribera del Duero - Spain
Colour: Red

Smells like: ripe blackberries, plums and vanilla

Tastes like: juicy dark fruit, cherries and subtle oak with smooth tannins

Will go nicely with: steak, roast meats, tapas or a mature cheeseboard

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Anciano No.7 Rioja - Spain
Colour: Red

Smells like: ripe cherries, blackberries and warm vanilla

Tastes like: juicy red fruit, plum and gentle spice with smooth tannins

Will go nicely with: roast meats, tapas, grilled lamb or hard cheese

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Anciano No.10 Rioja - Spain
Colour: Red

Smells like: ripe black fruit, cherries, vanilla and a little spice

Tastes like: rich plum and blackberry with oak, spice and a long, smooth finish

Will go nicely with: steak, slow-cooked meats, rich pasta or a serious cheeseboard

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Easy Drinker Boxes

Choose the box that suites you best in-store

October 2026

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The Mixy Mixy

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Cuatro Rayas Sauvignon Blanc - Spain
Colour: White

Smells like: fresh citrus, grapefruit and green apple

Tastes like: zesty lemon and grapefruit with a crisp, refreshing finish

Will go nicely with: seafood, sushi, salads or a sunny afternoon

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Guasti Clement Gavi - Italy
Colour: White

Smells like: white flowers, pear and fresh citrus

Tastes like: crisp pear, green apple and lemon with a refreshing finish

Will go nicely with: seafood, light pasta, salads or soft cheese

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Vigna Dogarina Pinot Grigio - Italy
Colour: White

Smells like: fresh pear, green apple and citrus

Tastes like: crisp apple and pear with refreshing acidity and a clean finish

Will go nicely with: seafood, salads, light pasta or a glass on its own

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Zaccagnini Rosé - Italy
Colour: Rosé

Smells like: fresh strawberries, raspberries and a hint of citrus

Tastes like: juicy red berries with refreshing acidity and a clean, dry finish

Will go nicely with: salads, seafood, light pasta or a sunny afternoon

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Anciano No.5 Rioja - Spain
Colour: Red

Smells like: ripe cherries, red berries and a touch of vanilla

Tastes like: juicy cherry and plum with soft tannins and a hint of oak

Will go nicely with: tapas, grilled meats, pizza or a cheeseboard

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Cecchi Chianti DOCG - Italy
Colour: Red

Smells like: cherries, red berries and a little earthy spice

Tastes like: juicy cherry and plum with gentle tannins and a fresh finish

Will go nicely with: pizza, pasta, tomato-based dishes or hard cheese

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Whites and Rosé

October 2026

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Castillo del Moro Rosé - Spain
Colour: Rosé

Smells like: fresh strawberries, raspberries and red cherries

Tastes like: juicy red berries with a crisp, refreshing finish

Will go nicely with: tapas, salads, seafood or a sunny afternoon

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River Retreat Brut N.V. - Australia
Colour: White

Smells like: green apple, pear and fresh citrus

Tastes like: crisp apple and pear with lively bubbles and a refreshing finish

Will go nicely with: brunch, seafood, canapés or simply raising a glass

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Locus Melon B Muscadet - France
Colour: White

Smells like: fresh citrus, green apple and a hint of white flowers

Tastes like: crisp lemon, green apple and refreshing acidity

Will go nicely with: oysters, seafood, sushi or light salads

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Anciano Cava - Spain
Colour: White

Smells like: green apple, citrus and fresh white fruit

Tastes like: crisp apple and lemon with lively bubbles and a refreshing finish

Will go nicely with: tapas, seafood, brunch or light bites

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Le Monde Pinot Grigio - Italy
Colour: White

Smells like: ripe pear, green apple and fresh citrus

Tastes like: juicy pear and apple with a smooth, refreshing finish

Will go nicely with: seafood, salads, light pasta or soft cheese

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Lagar de Bouza Albariño - Spain
Colour: White

Smells like: fresh citrus, peach and green apple

Tastes like: juicy peach and lemon with a crisp, refreshing acidity

Will go nicely with: seafood, oysters, sushi or a plate of tapas

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All The Reds

October 2026

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Anciano Tempranillo - Spain
Colour: Red

Smells like: ripe cherries, red berries and a touch of spice

Tastes like: juicy cherry and plum with soft tannins and an easy finish

Will go nicely with: tapas, pizza, pasta or grilled meats

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Vineyard Friends Cabernet - South Africa
Colour: Red

Smells like: blackberries, blackcurrants and a hint of spice

Tastes like: juicy dark fruit with soft tannins and a smooth finish

Will go nicely with: burgers, steak, BBQ or hearty pasta

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Catulo Navarra Tinto Organic Red - Spain
Colour: Red

Smells like: ripe red berries, cherries and a little spice

Tastes like: juicy cherry and plum with soft tannins and a fresh finish

Will go nicely with: tapas, pizza, burgers or a cheeseboard

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Anciano No.3 Rioja - Spain
Colour: Red

Smells like: ripe cherries, red berries and a hint of vanilla

Tastes like: juicy red fruit with soft tannins and a smooth, easy finish

Will go nicely with: tapas, pizza, pasta or grilled meats

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Zironda Valpolicalle Ripasso - Italy
Colour: Red

Smells like: ripe cherries, plums and dark berries with a hint of spice

Tastes like: rich plum and cherry with soft tannins and a smooth finish

Will go nicely with: roast meats, rich pasta, pizza or a good cheeseboard

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Domaine de Rochebin Bourgogne Pinot Noir - France
Colour: Red

Smells like: ripe cherries, raspberries and a little earthy spice

Tastes like: juicy red berries, cherry and a touch of oak with smooth, silky tannins

Will go nicely with: roast chicken, duck, salmon, pizza or a cheeseboard