Sean Welsh and his wife Julie have been running Flourish & Prosper in Bridgegate, Howden for the last 18 months since Sean stopped travelling for the champagne firm Bollinger to achieve a quieter life. Together they’ve created a little gem – a wine shop, deli, cafe with a very distinct personality. They know what they want to sell, why and to whom.
Sean and has just relaunched his website, so even if you don’t pass Howden (though this wine merchant’s worth a detour ) you can order online.
Sean’s tasting notes are like the man himself, eclectic, full of passion and suggestions of how you can enjoy the wine. He also does deals on multi-buys and will knock money off in the run up to Christmas on some of the wines below.
On Friday October 28th, they’re holding their second Food and Wine Extravaganza in the Shire Hall, showcasing their produce, with a 50 different suppliers offering tastings and discounts. Tickets via the website, www.flourish-and-prosper.com.
Here’s what Sean chose as an Autumn pick for Squidbeak – two entry level wines, two a notch up and two special give as gifts or treat yourself wines.
Sean has just relaunched his website, so even if you don’t pass Howden (though this wine merchant’s worth a detour ) you can order online. Sean’s tasting notes are like the man himself, eclectic, full of passion and suggestions of how you can enjoy the wine. He also does deals on multi buys and will knock money off in the run up to Christmas on some of the wines below. [Helen]
Sean Welsh’s Six Autumn Picks
Here’s what he chose as an Autumn pick for Squidbeak – two entry level wines, two a notch up and two special give as gifts or treat yourself wines.
Whites:
False Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2010, South Africa. £6.99.
Fresh, zingy SB, with a prickle on the tongue. This is more European than Southern hemisphere in style, avoiding overblown tropical fruits but still delivering on the classic citrusy herbacious flavours.
Gavi, La Battinista, 2010, Italy £8.24
Sean’s tip for most cool wine of the moment – forget Pinot Grigio and try this. Sean, by the way, once stocked a Pinot Grigio, with a lable on it saying don’t buy this, buy the others on the shelf.
Modern, fruity Northern Italian with an elegance and slight hint of bitter almond. More structure and finesse than the SB, but approachable. Sean’s food match tip – mushroom risotto, but it would also match a creamy pasta or fish, or just on its own as an aperitif. Delicious.
Neudorf Chardonnay 2008, New Zealand. £19.99
Sean encounters loads of people like me who need to be reintroduced to oaked chardy. The heavy Oz versions high in alcohol and blowsy flavours that were prevalent a few years back put people off.
But in the hands of the right winemaker it’s superb stuff.
On the nose this has toasted oak……….there’s fruit there but boy does the oak over ride it. But once you taste, it’s sensational. Buttery, rounded, almost honeyed fruit opening up layer upon layer. Ten minutes on and it tasted even better. One for a gift (me, please!) or savouring slowly. It has enough structure to match quite complex fish or chicken dishes, and even cheese.
Reds:
Les Oliviers, Merlot/Mourvedre, IGT Pays D’Oc, France. £6.99
Fruit forward, easy drinking Southern French red with a bit about it. Sean reckons this would go with slightly sweet stews – tagines, or even prawn dhansak. In the summer, I’d have been happy to chill it down a bit and have it with a nice grilled bit of lamb.
Pinna Fidelis Roble, Ribeura Del Duero, 2009, Spain. £8.99 (but will be on offer at £7.99 soon)
Just loved this – sunshine in a glass with jewel red colour. Perfumed, charming with a little firm tannin handshake. Sean calls this feminine – it ain’t a big boy of a wine, but it’s not dainty either. We were looking for something to drink with game, and Sean opted for the next wine but I think this would do the job too. Certainly a match for a good steak.
Circle of Life, Waterkloof, 2008, South Africa, £16.99
How to describe this wine? Dark brooding fruit, great finesse, one which keeps unveiling more layers of flavour sensations as you drink. It’s a serious wine, but a lot fun too. Great lable. Perfect match for game and Autumn dishes.
It’s a blend of seven different varieties, made to show off the very best of this vineyard, and the inspiration behind it is Paul Boutinot, the shipper. If you want to experience something different, this is for you.