Long gone are the days when a cheap bottle of plonk hastily picked up from the off-license en route to the dinner party will suffice. (Did it ever??) We’ve grown up dear reader, which means you probably have too.
But just because our tastes have improved and our standards crept slightly higher, it doesn’t mean that our wine knowledge can be relied upon. We’ll get round to taking the WSET one day, we promise!
That’s where the Vino Beano hope to come in. They promise to introduce you to the unexpected, the artisanal and the exotic, broadening your palate and hopefully impressing your host in the process.
They also pride themselves on being a tech savvy wine merchants, accepting payment via Bitcoin. If that doesn’t scream millennial wine shop to ya, what does?
The team work their way around the word unearthing undiscovered gems from producers which haven’t yet hit the mainstream, but thoroughly deserve to be shared and appreciated. Tough gig guys.
A good example is Lambrusco (which hasn’t had the best rep if we’re honest). However The Vino Beano have sourced an authentic Il Serraglio which redefines perceptions of the wine in a big way. Elegant and opulent, this will completely change people’s whole perception of Lambrusco. On the other hand, the Macon La Roche-Vineuse Vieilles Vignes 2014 is a classic 100% chardonnay from producers Sylvaine et Alain Normand, and displays notes of aromatic spices, orange and brioche; perfect paired with cooked seafood or a creamy poultry dish. Sylvaine and Alain Normand’s Domaine is located in the Mâconnais village of La Roche- Vineuse, which literally translates to “The Vinous Rock”. They began their estate in 1993 but only in recent years have they began bottling their own wines rather than selling all their fruit to the local cooperative. They produce quintessential Chardonnays from the region that embody exactly what one has come to expect from the Mâconnais – wonderfully round palates, mineral undertones and Burgundian freshness.
We tried a bottle of the Italian Carus Gaudio Chianti Classico Riserva. A mix of Sangiovese and cabernet sauvignon grapes, it’s perfect for these cold evenings – we ate ours with a big bowl of spaghetti meatballs.
The Vino Beano free membership provides users with regular updates on the latest wines, special deals and events. The Vino Beano’s service goes beyond that of merchant, with bespoke tastings and food and drink events hosted throughout the year, demonstrating their desire to share an abundance of knowledge and enthusiasm.
So who wants to invite us to dinner?
