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Visitors to Mercure Hotels will discover some outstanding new wines throughout 2015 as the hotel group unveils its new wine offering. The Mercure network spans more than 700 hotels in 52 countries around the globe and represents a real alternative to standardized or independent hotels. Located in major city centres, by the seaside or in mountain resorts, each establishment offers an authentic experience for both business and leisure travellers.
Called Flavours from the Cellar, this new wine concept features a number of exciting wines from around the world chosen by Masters of Wine and TV personalities Susie Barrie and Peter Richards. They are the youngest married Masters of Wine, an elite qualification, and have a growing international profile, having been wine presenters on BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen for nearly a decade. The couple’s award-winning work includes broadcasting, books, writing, judging, events (in 2014 they launched the acclaimed Wine Festival Winchester) and consultancy.
As proud ambassadors, Susie and Peter have handpicked three signature wines to feature on the ‘Flavours from the Cellar’ menu that is being rolled out across Mercure’s 72 hotels across the UK. Each wine has a story to tell from its individual growing region, style and taste. The selected wines emphasise the boldness of the new wine menu with a nod to classic flavours reinterpreted in a new style.
Here are their personal observations on the wines:
The Portuguese Special One
Adega de Pegões – Chardonnay Blend
Peter remarks that Portugal is the next big thing in wine and, with fine whites like this, it’s not hard to see why. This nutty, succulent wine is an original blend of four grape varieties including Chardonnay as well as the local Arinto, Verdelho, and Antão Vaz. Heralded as southern Portugal’s answer to white Burgundy, it is perfectly suited to rich fish dishes or full-flavoured hard cheeses.
175ml £5.50 | 250ml £7.50 | Bottle £22
I Want You
Boer & Brit Suikerbossie – Pinotage and Petit Verdot
The Suikerbossie name is inspired by an Afrikaans love song and this juicy red (named ‘I Want You’) is sure to bring a smile to your lips. The wine is made by Boer & Brit, a partnership between the Boer, Stefan Gerber, and the Brit, Alex Milner, whose forefathers led armies fighting against each other in the Boer War.
The differences of a century ago have been forgotten and these two friends now make delicious and harmonious wines in the beautiful surroundings of the Cape. This wine is an eclectic blend of South Africa’s Pinotage grape with Bordeaux’s Petit Verdot to create a soft textured and smoky red, which Susie calls “dangerously drinkable.”
175ml £5.50 | 250ml £7.50 | Bottle £22
Italian Stallion
Passori Rosso Veneto – Merlot and Corvina
This impeccable red from Italy’s Valpolicella country is sure to delight wine lovers this winter. A rich, decadent and velvety red with a glossy and typically Italian finish, this beautiful wine is like Bordeaux meets Napa with a stylish Italian twist. The unusual combination of Merlot and Corvina grapes left to hang on the vine produces a modern wine with real depth of flavour. One to savour with game, casseroles and wintery comfort food.
175ml £5.95 | 250ml £8.50 | Bottle £24.50
by Ben Slater
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