Chilean Earthquake – Letter from our wine supplier.

 We have received this update regarding the effect of the recent earthquake on our wine supplies from the TerraMater vineyards.

“We are ok, in TerraMater everybody its safe and we are working hard to restart our normal process.
In Curico and in Maule the houses that we had in the vineyards are destroyed, but again, it is only a material loss.
We lost 2 tanks with wine because they fall, but is something that doesn’t concern us a lot since the harvest will be very soon, the vineyards are ok.
I don’t know if I could be in the UK this week since the airport is really damage and it is closed for departure flights.”

So it seems that our wine supplies from Chile will be uninterrupted dispite the major disruption caused by the earthquake.

 The TerraMater vineyards are located in the heart of Chile’s finest wine growing regions at Isla de Maipo-Curico and have belonged to the TerraMater family for decades. The 500 hectares of prime vineyards, pure water from the Andean mountains and exceptional luminosity provide the winery with top quality grapes. TerraMater is the Chilean wine brand that specializes on blends that are truly innovative, attractive and interesting.

The Chilean wine selection that Wine & Hampers feature in wine gift packs can be seen at www.wineandhampers.com/acatalog/Wine_Pack_Selection.html

Mother’s day will be celebrated this year on Sunday 14^th March

 A little history…

 Mother’s Day is the contemporary version of the original name – ‘Mothering Sunday’. The occasion has a long history, which dates back to as far back as the year 1600. During that time, the poor used to send their children to work as domestic servants or trainees in the homes of higher class of people. Once in a year, these children were given leave for a day, so that they could visit their Mother Church as well as their own mother. The day coincided with the middle Sunday of the fasting period of Lent. It was known as ‘Refreshment Sunday’ or ‘Mid-Lent Sunday’.

The children would visit their Mother Church and then head straight to meet their own mother, with some fresh flowers. While the boys would present their mother with flowers, girls would go a step further by presenting them freshly baked handmade cakes, which were also called ‘Simnel Cakes’. With time, the holiday came to be known as ‘Mothering Sunday’. The custom of Mother’s Day was halted when the world underwent Industrial revolution, but steeply bounced back after World War II. With time, the fourth Sunday of Lent came to be dedicated to the mothers in UK.

 A number of gifts suitable for Mother’s Day are available at www.wineandhampers.com

To ensure delivery orders must be placed by 10^th March 2010

Sparkling wines are outselling champagne by more than two to one as cash-strapped consumers opt for cheaper fizz.

During last year sales of champagne slumped by 13 per cent to 30 million bottles, while consumers  bought 72 million bottles of sparkling wine, a six per cent increase.

This major change in buying habits has left the champagne industry facing its worst crisis in 50 years with 1.2billion bottles – almost four years of sales – remaining unsold in French warehouses.

Wine and Hampers has a Sparkling Chardonnay – Charles de Saint Ceran, Brut. 

A full description of this fine wine  can be seen at www.wineandhampers.com/Sparkling_Chardonnay.html

Mission Estate, Sauvignon Blanc - Wine of the Month February 2010

Wine and hampers are adding this fine New Zealand Wine to their gift pack range.

Viticulture

The fruit for this delightful New Zealand wine is grown on vineyards around Raupara (60%) and the southern valleys. The vineyards are on various soil types from the stony Raupara sites to the sites around Omaka with heavier soils. The fruit is picked over a three week period to give a range of maturities in the fruit at harvest of the individual blocks.

Winemaking

Fruit is crushed, with minimal skin contact. Only free run juice is used in the final blend. The wine is fermented entirely in stainless steel. Yeast strains specifically developed for Sauvignon Blanc are used to conduct the fermentation. The wine is left on lees for a short time to improve flavour and finish of the wine.

Tasting Notes

The colour is pale straw. The bouquet has gooseberry, passionfruit, white and blackcurrant aromas. The palate is crisp and textural with good weight. There is good fruit sweetness and a rich varietal impact. This intense fruit on the mid palate leads to a dry, clean finish. This is a focused style with plenty of character and complexity.

This delightful wine will shortly be  featured in our wine gift pack selection at our website page http://www.wineandhampers.com/acatalog/Wine_Pack_Selection.html

The Wine and Hamper Company has relocated to a bigger warehouse, that is just two minutes from the MI.

Our new address is:

The Wine & Hamper Company Ltd, Unit 6, Horsepool Grange, Elliotts Lane, Stanton Under Bardon, Leicestershire LE67 9TW

Our new phone number is:

01530 245486

The new warehouse allows us to combine the operations of both the gifting and contract packing divisions of the company, and its location close to Junction 22 of the M1 has obvious advantages in servicing our clients requirements.

www.wineandhampers.com

Wineandhampers.com were pleased to sponsor the best stand awards at the British Equestrian Trades Association annual show and exhibition, that was recently held at the NEC.

The winners of the awards were presented with an engraved glass plaque and additionally received a gift hamper from The Wine & Hamper Company.

All members of BETA can benefit from a discount scheme on any purchases from www.wineandhampers.com by entering a special code at the website checkout… full details are available from BETA.

We have now added a flower gift section to the Wine and Hampers website.
Through an association with 1500 florist we can offer next day flower delivery throughout the UK.
Take a look at www.wineandhampers.com and follow the product links to the new flower gift selection.

Just personalised a label on a single bottle of Champagne for a major client, its going to be part of a long serving employees retirement gift.

Wine and Hampers produces personalised labels for wines and champagne, that include a company logo and a suitible message to celebrate any occasion. We provide this specialist service for both corporate and personal gifts.

Crystal Brook Shiraz – Wine of the Month May 2009

This delicious red wine is bright purple-red with attractive berry notes and subtle creamy aromas, but big, bold and full of body on the palate. This is a cracker, full of black fruit and chocolate flavours with a spicy peppery finish.

Crystal Brook Shiraz is produced by Beresford Wines from grapes harvested from one of South Australia’s premier grape growing areas. Located 39 km from Adelaide, McLaren Vale is a charming and substantial township surrounded by more than 40 vineyards and wineries.

Beresford Wines was formed in 1985 in the heart of the McLaren Vale by Rob Dundon, in conjunction with his wife Bronwyn. Following eleven years as senior red winemaker at the Hardy Wine Company, Rob wanted to branch out and establish his own venture to create full flavoured wines – reflecting the tradition the region is famed for. Confidence and belief that the ‘Essence of McLaren Vale’ has been captured in every bottle of Beresford Wine is reflected in the numerous show awards received nationally and internationally.

This delightful wine is featured in our two bottle New World wine gift pack a full description of this wine gift pack along with others can be accessed at our website page www.wineandhampers.com/acatalog/Two_Bottle_Wine_Packs.html

www.wineandhampers.com is now top of the first page on google for search term ” wine hampers “.

More changes to the product range at www.wineandhampers.com/acatalog/index.html  coming shortly.