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 November
Neil Gladding, Sales Director
Carnalis Appassimento Idi di Marzo Rosso 2022– £13.50 £12.15 – The grapes are harvested late to allow them to lose some weight, which concentrates the flavours and increases the intensity of the wine.
Buil & Giné, Joan Giné Blanc, Priorat – £24.75 £22.28 – An expressive, rich white packed with pear, peach and apricot, with subtle hints of ginger and chamomile.
Guasti Barbera d’Asti Desideria 2023 – £13.50 £12.15 – This Barbera has spent six months in oak barrels for flavour complexity, plus six months resting in the bottle to develop harmony.
John Shuckburgh, WSET Educator
Réserve de Fleur, Côtes du Rhône 2022 – £11.75 £10.58 – I keep coming back to this wine for the sheer value that it delivers. Proper red wine – not mass produced – at a great price. Made like this, it’s no wonder that Côtes du Rhône is a French staple!
Domaine Gayda Sphere Chardonnay, Pays d’Oc 2023 – £12.50 £11.25 – Thought you didn’t like Chardonnay? Try this delicate, fresh and satisfying white that takes you from aromas of acacia flowers and green apples, through ripe flavours of lemon, nuts and vanilla to a satisfying, buttery finish.
Bodega Atamisque Serbal Pinot Noir, Tupungato, Uco Valley 2024 – £15.50 £13.95 – Pinot Noir – the grape of red Burgundy – is made everywhere that can combine sunshine and cool, fresh air. So why not Uco Valley in Argentina? This delicate melange of red berry fruit slides silkily and tantalisingly over the palate. A twist of oak spice in the tail leaving you craving for more…
Manda Joyce, Wine Advisor
Black Chalk Brut Classic, Hampshire 2021 – £39.75 £35.78 – I tasted this Hampshire sparkler three years ago at a wine fair and have been hoping OWC would stock it ever since. And now it’s here! Crisp fruit and a lovely, rich texture.
Fernando de Castilla Antique Oloroso 50cl NV – £38.50 £34.65 – This is the Roll’s Royce of Sherry! Dry yet caramelly, nutty, orange marmalade-y, spicy, tobacco-y, coffee-y. Magnificent.
Paul Cluver Village Pinot Noir, Elgin 2020 – £17.50 £15.75 – A Pinot noir that shames many a pricier bottle! Delicious red fruits, soft tannins, earthy, subtly spicy, savoury…
Tom Brady, Shop Manager & Spirits Buyer
Jordan Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, Stellenbosch 2022 – £22.75 £20.48 – I get cravings for this wine several times a year. It’s packed with notes of crunchy apple and honeycomb.
Mossburn Vintage Cask, North British 2008 – £75.00 £67.50 – At this time of year there’s nothing better than the rich lashings of molasses, raisins and tobacco that this whisky brings. In a word, ‘unctuous’.
Goslings Family Reserve Old Rum, Bermuda – £75.00 £67.50 – This rum brings back so many memories from my early days tending bar. Back then we used to serve a shot of this in a brandy balloon with a chunk of dark chocolate. You can’t beat it.
Aljoscha Wright, Buyer
Torre Zambra Valle Maris Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2022 £15.50 £13.95 – A deliciously crunchy, light and elegant Montepulciano – ideal for long lunches.
Château Pas du Cerf Diane Rosé, Côtes de Provence 2023 – £17.50 £15.75 – This is a all year round Rosé. Its fleshy texture lends itself to cozy nights in as well as poolside lounging.
Gundog Estate ‘Hunters Semillon’, Hunter Valley 2022 – £28.75 £25.88 – Not your average Hunter Semillon, this is crisp and complex, with limes, hay and honeysuckle.
Tim Bradley, Trade Sales & WSET Educator
Domaine Jean-Francois Protheau, Montagny 2021 – £29.75 £26.78 – Beautiful perfume of white flowers and lime zest and delicious refreshing citrus fruits perfect as we go into winter – ideal with creamed chicken and gamey dishes. My ideal wine!
Bodegas Arrocal Blanco de Guarda, Ribera Del Duero 2022 – £27.50 £24.75 – Ripe, rich flavours of pear, ripe apple, and stone fruit, with a mineral backbone. Albillo Mayor is a historic grape now being allowed to shine in it’s own right. Try it with Sunday Roast!
Château De Fesles ‘La Chapelle’ Cabernet Franc 2022 – £14.75 £13.28 – Lovely scent of violets, ripe red plum and cedar together with crunchy redcurrants and long peppery finish. Try with lamb, gammon or even mince pies!
Katy Barker, Retail Marketing Manager
Olifantsberg Chenin Blanc, Breedekloof 2022 – £15.50 £13.95 – My current go-to glass of wine, showing the fresher side of Chenin Blanc. Delicate notes of yellow apple and pear with a creaminess at the finish.
Reichsrat Von Buhl Spätburgunder, Pfalz 2021 – £21.00 £18.90 – Unbeknown to most, Germany makes some stellar Pinot Noir – this one included! With bright juicy red fruits, underpinned with a soft spice and earthiness, this give you everything you’d want from a Pinot.
S A Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett 2019 – £26.50 £23.85 – Mosel Riesling is one of the most elegant, delightful wines. With a delicate body, stone fruits, and a lime sweetness this wine is perfect for Asian food.
Mark Warde-Aldam, Shop Manager
Blandy’s 15 Year Old Malmsey – 50cl NV – £32.00 £28.80 – Always good to have a bottle of Madeira open in the house. This is intensely chocolatey and figgy and sweet!
Shumi Winery Saperavi, Kakheti Region 2020 – £14.50 £13.05 – A native Georgian grape producing a delightfully rich and rustic red.
Rathfinny Estate Classic Cuvée, Sussex 2019 – £31.50 £28.35 – This is a fantastic English Sparkling – so good we had it at my son’s wedding this summer!
Min Yee Tseu, Corporate and University Account Manager
Cascina delle Monache Gavi del Comune di Gavi 2023 – £17.25 £15.53 – Fuller bodied and more textured than what you’d typically expect from a Gavi, this is the perfect apéro for colder evenings!
Esk Valley Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2021 – £19.50 £17.55 – This Pinot Noir is drinking superbly. Crunchy cherry and cranberry notes are complemented by more savoury hints of mushroom – absolutely delicious!
Domaine Schlumberger Riesling, Alsace Grand Cru Saering 2021 – £34.25 £30.83 – November brings the cold and, with it, fondue season! Add a healthy splash of this to your fondue and enjoy the rest alongside it.
Emily Silva, Head of Retail and Marketing
Fernando de Castilla Antique Amontillado 50cl NV – £40.00 £36.00 – Channel your inner Frasier Crane and relax with a sophisticated glass of Sherry. This Amontillado is beautifully balanced with elegant nutty flavours.
Château Saint-Roch Lirac Rouge 2022 – £17.50 £15.30 – This is one of my favourite winter wines – a rich, juicy and spicy Southern Rhone blend that really delivers value for money.
Karl H. Johner Estate Pinot Noir, Baden 2020 – £29.50 £26.55 – A truly stellar German Pinot Noir that marries ripe cherry fruit with complex forest floor notes. Watch out Burgundy!
Nick Gorton, Shop Manager
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gaston-Philippe, Château de la Gardine 2011 – £79.00 £71.10 – Amazing savoury development, with enough fresh fruit to see it into the future. Try it with the best bit of beef you can get your hands on!
Jupiler Non-Alcoholic Pils – £2.00 £1.80 – A midweek homemade curry calls for an alochol free beer (for me at least!), and this delicious example is a handy size to keep in the fridge without taking up too much space!
Henriques & Henriques 10 Year Old Sercial – 50cl NV £26.50 £23.85 – I blind tasted this in a recent exam, and it blew me away with its concentrated flavours and zippy acidity. Add some sweetness into the mix and you’ve got a knockout Madeira.
John Chapman, Managing Director
Pascal Clément Bourgogne Pinot Noir Côtes d’Or 2022 – £32.50 £29.25 – Burgundy is so hit and miss, but this basic Pinot Noir from Pascal Clément gives a layer of fruit followed by classic savoury Burgundian undertones. It just dances on your tastebuds. Well worth a foray with food or be daring – without.
Bodegas Lustau 3 En Rama Fino del Puerto 2024 £19.75 £17.78 – This en Rama from the hills near Puerto gives a lovely more structured fresh fino. A wine for the sherry converted!
Quinta de la Rosa 10 Year Old Tawny Port 50cl NV – £27.00 £24.30 – I sometimes forget about port, but after a dinner party the other night we ended on this one – what a stunner. Elegant and ever so moreish.
Thom Allinson, Buying & Logistics
Bodegas Mateos La Mateo Colecciòn de Familia Garnacha Cepas Viejas, Rioja 2018 – £45.00 £40.50 – A deep warm, red with incredible concentration thanks to the 75+ year old vines the grapes come from. A real bargain for the quality!
Jackson Estate ‘Somerset’ Block 2 Single Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2017– £19.75 £19.75 – A 2017 vintage Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc? Surely not? Ripe and fresh with a touch of toastiness from some oak ageing. Absolute banger!
Dog Point Chardonnay, Marlborough 2021 – £29.75 £27.78 – Top class new world Chardonnay that smokes (almost) any Burgundy at the price point. Dare I say it, but one to keep an eye on for your Christmas dinner…
Romain Alaphilippe, Shop Manager
Arette Tequila Blanco – £38.00 £34.20 – ¡Qué onda! The most popular Tequila in Mexico City and Puebla. If the Mexicans drink it, you should taste it!
Domaine Sauvion Baronne du Cléray Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie 2023 – £13.50 £12.15 – 2025 will be the Loire Valley’s year! More and more sommeliers get tricked by the Melon de Bourgogne grape which can taste like a good Chablis! Without the price chablisien!
Giant Steps`Sexton Vineyard` Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley 2022 – £60.00 £54.00 – The best Pinot Noir in a while for me! Dark fruit, chocolate and oak but with a Burgundian mineral balance. Fantastique!
Lucy Harrison, Shop Manager
Gonzalez Byass Apostoles Palo Cortado 37.5cl NV – £28.50 £25.65 – Now I understand why people love sherry! A complex Palo Cortado which has been slightly sweetened with Pedro Ximenez- notes of caramel, coffee and roasted nuts.
Cascina delle Monache Bricco della Lodra 2022 – £15.50 £13.95 – A bright Dolcetto from Northern Italy with delicious notes of red plums, raspberry and a hint of white pepper.
Val Delle Rose ‘Samma’ Cabernet, Maremma Toscana DOC 2019 – £30.00 £27.00 – A perfect bold red for heading into the winter months. 100% Cabernet Franc packed with raspberry, blackberry, green herbs and cedar. Drink with your Sunday roast!