At The Oxford Wine Company we spend our days surrounded by thousands of delicious wines, spirits and beers. But which of them do we decide to drink at home? Take a look below for our team’s top picks for this month.
What We’re Drinking in October
Ted Sandbach, Owner & Chairman
Charlet Terra Occitana Pinot Noir, Vin de France 2023 – £12.75 £11.48 – Stunning quality which I only tasted again recently and will now be buying. Great fruit yet soft and with balanced acidity. Knocks spots of a whole load of Pinots which I tasted recently in London at twice/thrice the price of this.
John Shuckburgh, WSET Educator
Tio Martin Crianza Rioja, Bodegas Mateos 2021 – £19.75 £17.78 – Just great Rioja – Intense and herbal on the nose, then silky textured black fruits and balsamic notes on the palate, laced with notes of vanilla and coconut. As the nights draw in, this is what I’ll be nursing beside the fire!
Luberon Rosé ‘Sans Pretention’, AOP Luberon 2024 – £12.75 £11.48 – Rosés are not just for summer! This is a serious glass of wine to enjoy all year. Dry, but with beguiling berry fruit aromas and flavours. A southern Rhone blend that is unpretentious yet punches above it’s weight!
Kumeu River Estate Pinot Gris, Auckland 2024 – £23.50 £21.15 – A top-class Kiwi white that’s NOT Sauvignon! Ripe, candied apples and pears with some exotic melon and apricot combine on a luscious palate. Well worth the extra.
Manda Joyce, Wine Advisor
Foxdenton Damson Gin – £25.00 £22.50 – Plush sweetness of English damsons, touch of bitterness from their skins and hint of almond from their stones. Autumnal comfort in a glass.
Break Free Wines Little Wing Carbonic Shiraz Noir 2022– £19.75 £17.78 – A new offering for fellow fans of “light-bodied but not boring” reds. This one is energetic, packs super-intense black and red berries augmented by a certain leafiness.
Katy Barker, Retail Marketing Manager
Bramìto della Sala Chardonnay, Umbria 2023 – £30.00 £27.00 – A wonderful alternative for any Burgundian lover (& better value in my opinion!) A rounded texture supports by delicious yellow apple, white peach, with a saline edge.
Mark Warde-Aldam, Shop Manager
The Black Craft Shiraz, Barossa Vallery 2023 – £17.25 £15.53 – Having worked a vintage in the Barossa, I love the spicy Shiraz. This is perfect now the winter is drawing in.
Min Yee Tseu, Corporate and University Account Manager
Esk Valley Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2023 – £19.50 £17.55 – A delicious Pinot Noir that has a wonderful balance between fruity and savoury notes. Perfect for the Autumn!
Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve NV – £63.00 £56.70 – It’s my Birthday month – feel free to buy me a glass or bottle of this!!
Emily Silva, Head of Retail and Marketing
Georgiev/Milkov Mixtape, Thracian Valley 2023 – £18.25 £16.43 – Chillable red from a small producer in an obscure region? Made from indigenous grapes? A cassette tape on the label? Sign me up!
Jim Barry Assyrtiko, Clare Valley 2021 – £27.50 £24.75 -A longtime favourite of mine, this concentrated, taut white wine combines racy high acidity with moderate alcohol and pithy citrus. Elegant, understated, yet utterly classy.
Nick Gorton, Retail Operations Manager
Cherubino Pedestal Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River 2022– £18.25 £16.43 – Phenomenal value for money from legendary producer Larry Cherubino. Dark fruit, toasty oak spice and a long finish mean this is a great bottle to have tucked away ready for the cooler months ahead.
Gonzalez Byass, Noe Pedro Ximénez 37.5cl NV – £28.50 £25.65 – This beauty from Gonzalez Byass shows that PX isn’t just about sweetness, as the 30 years of ageing offers up smoky dark chocolate and spice alongside the classic fig and prune character it’s known for.
Maison Sichel Sauternes AOC, Sauternes 2022 – £15.50 £13.95 – Sichel’s Sauternes is my go to for delicious sweet wine at a reasonable price. Apricot jam, orange marmalade and some tropical fruit combine with zippy acidity to leave you satiated but also refreshed, and wanting more!
Thom Allinson, Buying & Logistics
Villagrande Etna Rosso DOCG 2022 – £32.75 £29.48 – I have been waiting over a year to get this onto our shelves and now it’s here I am over the moon. An absolute belter from the slopes of Mount Etna
Le Rocher Des Violettes Touche Mitaine, Montlouis sur Loire 2022 – £24.75 £22.28 – A perfectly poised Chenin from the Loire that will leave you wanting another glass.
The Liberator Francofile Mourvedre 2023 – £13.75 £12.38 – This is the first exception of my Mono-varietal Mourvedre rule. Plush, dark fruit and a spicey finish make this a must as the weather becomes more Autumnal
Emma Bristow, Wine Advisor
Villagrande Etna Bianco DOCG 2022 – £32.75 £29.48 – This Carricante grape is an ancient variety native to Etna. It exudes acacia floral aromas followed with complex stone fruit flavours on the palate. Fleshy white peach and pear, delicate anise with a saline mineral undertone giving it a long and refreshing finish. A delightful and elegant wine that would pair well with a seafood or fish pasta dish, or perfect on its own!
Buil & Giné, Joan Giné Blanc, Priorat 2020 – £24.75 £22.28 – A delicious blend of four grape varieties, but predominantly Grenache Blanc. Expect aromas of citrus fruits and white flowers, following on with stone fruit notes of pear, peach and nectarine. Refreshing lemon, honeysuckle, chamomile and a touch of ginger spice! All this with a refreshing mineral thread in the background. Would pair with roast or grilled white meat or fish.. or simply just enjoy!
Duncan Laing, Wine Advisor
Aglianico DOP Sannio Janare Selezione La Guardiense 2022– £13.50 £12.15 – Intense aromas of cherry, plum, and subtle toasty spices and vanilla. Great juicy acidity makes it a good match for tomato-based pasta sauces.
Bodegas Mateos Letargo Rioja Tempranillo 2023 – £11.75 £10.58 – Super value Rioja. No oak ageing lets the Tempranillo fruit shine through. A delicious partner for tapas, mushroom dishes and bean stew.
Falanghina DOP Janare Selezione La Guardiense 2024 – £13.75 £12.38 – A vibrant palate of green apple and pear. Easy-drinking with good fruit concentration and a lovely acidity. Perfect with shellfish, creamy pasta dishes or artichoke dishes.
Lucy Harrison, Shop Manager
M. Chapoutier Cornas Les Arènes 2019 – £42.00 £37.80 – I’m a massive fan of wines from the Northern Rhone. This rich Cornas has lots of black fruit with that lovely black pepper, olive, meaty character which is typical of Syrah. Perfect for a cold evening!
Val delle Rose Cobalto Maremma Toscana DOC 2021 – £28.75 £25.88 – A complex example of Vermentino from Tuscany, which is wonderfully textured. Lots of citrus and stone fruits, as well as almonds and herbs. Great with roast pork or chicken.
Williams & Humbert Collection 15 Year Old Amontillado 37.5cl NV – £10.75 £9.68 – An absolute cracking value sherry that’s been aged for 15 years. Toasted almonds, dried fruit with hints of caramel.