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 March
John Shuckburgh, WSET Educator
Domaine Gayda Sphere Chardonnay, Pays d’Oc 2024 – £13.00 £11.70 – A very decent glass of white wine at a very decent price! Dry, fruity, no oak but cheerful and refreshing.
Famille Jouffreau Clos de Gamot Cahors 2024 – £18.50 £16.88 – Traditional, rustic style ‘Vin Noir’ Malbec from deepest South West France. Just made for gralicky sausages and stinky cheeses.
Amie Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Rosé NV – £16.00 £14.40 – The best non-alc wine I’ve come across. Dry and sophisticated, it does the job perfectly.
Manda Joyce, Wine Advisor
Cascina delle Monache Gavi del Comune di Gavi 2024 – £17.25 £15.53 – Beautifully aromatic Gavi made from the Cortese grape, dry farmed for intensity. This is a fresh and food-friendly gem with broad appeal.
Fernando de Castilla Antique Oloroso 50cl NV – £39.75 £35.78 – My go-to sherry of the moment. A mind-bending combo of savoury dryness and nutty, caramel fruits. Snaffle a glass whilst cooking then serve with, for example, roast pork.
Domaine Sauvion Baronne du Cléray Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie 2024 – £13.25 £11.93 – Elegant and light, a classic lunch wine that, at 11.5% alcohol, means you can still enjoy your afternoon. One to stock up for Easter perhaps?
Min Yee Tseu, Corporate and University Account Manager
Viña Real Gran Reserva, Rioja 2017 – £35.50 £31.50 – A delicious Rioja that is drinking particularly well at the moment!
Pol Roger Réserve, Champagne – 150cl NV – £115.00 £103.50 – Magic in a glass and double the fun!
Esk Valley Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2023 – £19.50 £17.55 – The perfect weekday treat that pairs exceptionally with cooking your dinner!
Mark Warde-Aldam, Shop Manager
Le Havre De Paix Rouge, Aude 2023– £9.50 £8.55 – Recently I revisited this. Entry level red, but with a fabulous blend of Rhone grapes, and a remarkable mouthful for the price!
Edmond Briottet Fleur de Sureau (Elderflower) – £31.00 £27.90 – Try this in your inexpensive dry fizz. It will elevate it into something very special .
Cidre Bouché Brut De Normandie– £9.00 £8.10 – Proper cider from the North of France. Have it with Sunday Lunch instead of wine.
Emma Bristow, Wine Advisor
Peri Peri Liola Zibibbo – IGT Terre Siciliane 2024 – £15.50 £13.95 – A fabulous Zibibbo from Sicily, an extremely exciting region that continues to impress with high quality wines, leaving behind an old legacy of bulk producing wine. The Zibibbo grape is known as Muscat of Alexandria originating in Egypt, which flourishes in the intense heat of western Sicily with cooling sea breezes. The nose offers lemon and lime accompanied by layers of peach and apricots, following on with wonderful flavours of melon, nectarines, orange blossom and a saline saltiness. Suitable to be enjoyed as an aperitif or pairs well with an array of seafood whether spicy or not!
Le Rocher Des Violettes Touche Mitaine, Montlouis sur Loire Blanc 2022 – £24.75 £22.28 – A delicious elegant Chenin from the Loire. The grapes are cultivated on certified organic vines and expertly crafted with true passion. On the nose inviting aromas of lime zest, apple with a touch of honeysuckle leading to richer notes on the palate of white peach and pear with smooth creamy texture. A perfect wine for tarragon roast chicken, creamy mushroom pies or goats cheese dishes. Excellent value for money!
Duncan Laing, Wine Advisor
Pieropan La Rocca, Soave Classico 2023 – £39.50 £35.55 – Classic La Rocca aromas of nuts and exotic fruits lead to notes of spice and a long finish, with a mineral edge. Pairs with rich dishes such as risotto with porcini mushrooms, or salmon, lobster, scallops and crabs.
Château Fargueirol Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2022 – £28.00£25.20 – A cracking value Chateauneuf. Fruit-driven and supple, with generous flavours, and dense, velvety tannins. Perfect with roasted meats, game, hearty stews and strong creamy cheeses.
Guerrieri Rizzardi Cuvee XV Bardolino Classico DOP 2024 – £16.00 £14.60 – A delicious fruit-forward light-bodied wine from vinyards overlooking Lake Garda. Aromas of mixed berries and a well-structured palate makes it a versitile food pairing. A blend of mainly Corvina, supported by Merlot and local varieties.
Lucy Harrison, Retail Operations Manager
Maison Auvigue Macon Solutré-Pouilly 2022 – £22.50 £20.25 – I tried this new Burgundy listing recently and was really impressed with the quality, especially at the price. A great option for those who prefer unoaked Chardonnay, this has ripe pear and citrus notes, with a beautiful creamy texture.
Rory Murray, Wine Advisor
U. Passimiento, IGT , Baglio Gibellina 2024 – £14.50 £13.05 – An intensely rich blend of Frappato and Nero d’Avola. A surprisingly silky texture with a hint of sweetness will keep you coming back for more, especially for that price!
S A Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spatlese 2016 – £31.50 £28.35 -What better way to celebrate the birth month of Riesling than with this spatlese from an incredible producer. Rich and refreshingly sweet, full of ripe fruit and a little bottle age to give further complexity.
Castello di Verduno Basadone Pelaverga DOC 2023 – £29.50 £26.55 – Light-bodied, yet still packing a serious punch! This rare grape variety provides the perfct wine for the longer, warmer evenings. Rich wild strawberries, cherries and an elegant peppery character. Absolutely chillable too, and the perfect pairing to some delicious charcuterie .
Clare Lobo, Events and Tasting Manager
Tiefenbrunner Merus Vernatsch 2024 – £17.50 £15.75 – Tasting this for the first time felt like being let in on a delightful secret! This is a beautiful, refined example of Vernatsch (also known as Schiava) that really shines with fresh red fruit, a touch of savoury complexity and elegance in its structure. Be sure to serve it slightly chilled for maximum enjoyment.
The Tuesday Club Vinho Verde 2024 – £13.75 £12.38 – Considering it has rained virtually every day of the year so far, this is exactly the kind of summery wine we all need. That citrusy zing and hint of spritz goes down beautifully on its own or with light, fresh dishes.
El Gobernador Pisco – £37.50 £33.75 – If you ask me, there is never a bad moment for a Pisco Sour. Fresh, bright and zesty, this one does the job perfectly.
Tanya Little, Shop Manager
The Huntsman Shiraz Mourvedre Grenache, Sainte Foy 2023 – £15.50 £13.95 – A medium-bodied and velvety red from one of my favourite producers in Stellenbosch. In a previous life I lived down the road from the Journey’s End estate so this one brings back fond memories of sipping delicious wines while soaking up the sun and gazing over the rolling hills and vineyards. Notes of vibrant raspberry and dark cherry complimented by a touch of vanilla and spice on the finish. This is the ideal pairing for a BBQ or any grilled meats.
Vignoble Guillaume Chardonnay, Franche-Comté 2023 – £23.50 £21.15 – I love quality white Burgundy (who doesnt?!) but I don’t always love the price…so if you’re anything like me then this is the alternative for you. From the Franche-Comté region, west of Burgundy on the border between France and Switzerland, this is a deliciously round and fruit-forward Chardonnay wrapped up in a creamy nutty brioche. Perfect for any occasion and won’t break the bank.
Vinos del Viento Amber 2024 – £15.75 £14.18 – A great introduction to orange wine, but still just as alluring for seasoned orange wine drinkers. Fresh and fruit forward, with a dash of peaches and cream. With label artwork done by the winemaker’s wife, this wine looks just as pretty as it tastes!