Macerating Innovation

Belvedere Vodka has launched what it claims are the world’s first macerated Vodkas. Each vodka begins its life at the Polmos Zyrardow distillery in Poland, and is sent to Collonges-la-Rouge in south west France.

Here, “flavour artisan” Elie-Arnaud Denoix macerates fresh citrus peel in 96% pure Belvedere and water. The company adds that, once the flavour profile is right, Denoix distills the liquid over a low heat in Alambic copper pot stills, a cross between those used to make Cognac and those used to make perfume.

Denoix then blends each fruit distillate to make Belvedere Pomerancsa and Cytrus. The macerated Vodka is available through RI-Wine of Ascot.

Belvedere Vodka Exclusive Gift Pack

Smart white polished hinged double Wooden Box incl.

• 2 Rope Handles,
• 2 Martini Style Glasses,
• Cocktail Shaker,
• 1 Btl. Belvedere Vodka 70 cl,
• Cocktail Book

We stock Belvedere Vodka in 70cl and 150cl bottles
Please ask for quotation.

Belvedere Vodka – Premium, Cocktail Shaker

Smart Gift Box – attractive Gift

• Gift Box
• 1 Btl. Belvedere Vodka 70 cl
• Cocktail Book

We stock Belvedere Vodka in 70cl and 150 cl Bottles

Please ask for quotation

Other Vodkas available from RI-Wine of Accot

• Absolute
• Finlandia
• Grey Goose
• Kauffman
• Krowlewska
• Stolichnaya
• Wyborowa
• and many more

Contact RI-Wine of Ascot for details and prices

• Genuine French Trenet Absinthe in 70 cl Bottles and 4 cl Miniatures at 60 % Vol.
• Hapsburg Absinthe from Bulgaria in 20 cl and 50 cl Bottles at 72.5 % Vol.
• Hapsburg Absinthe from Bulgaria in 35 cl Bottles at 85 % Vol.
• Ask for the copy of the Original “ Solid Sterling Silver Absinthe Spoon “ – A special Gift for your friend !

The Story of Absinthe 1792 First written recipe formulated by a Frenchman, Dr. Pierre Ordinaire . 1797 The Formula was passed to Henry Louis Pernod of Pontarlier in France , who opened his firstdistillery in Switzerland . 18th / 19th Century Many artists such as Monet, Degas, Picasso, painted or depicted “Absinthe “ in their Art. 15th of May 1906 Absinthe was banned in Switzerland ! 4th of March 1915 Absinthe was banned in France !

Manufacture and Production

Absinthe is an aromatic, dry and highly alcoholic herbal spirit . It contains anis ( liquorices flavor ) and the notorious Wormwood plant ( Artemisia ) as well as optional various other aromatic components, such as peppermint, cloves, cinnamon ( the juice of spinach, nettles and parsley are also sometimes used. )
Historically it was widely regarded as a “ very dangerous drink “ and is still banned in many countries !

“Turn-of the century Absinthe was fiercely potent stuff .”

The constituent herbs are macerated for about 8 – 10 days in alcohol and then distilled, the result being and emerald coloured spirit .

The Effects of Absinthe

Historically many believed that a spirit lived within the Absinthe which is released with the opening of a new bottle ! Some Artists even claimed they created their art dazzled with a “ jade vision “ inspired by Absinthe .
At the turn of the 19th century, there was much hysterical press and allegedly serious articles and books on the subject…..

Quoting from : – “ The Beverages We Drink “ by W.N. Edwards, F.C.S. ( 1898 )
“ The seat of the manufacture of this dangerous beverage is in the canton of Neufchatel… It is largely used in France and America, and its use is growing in England… Absinthe drinking has a most deleterious on the nervous system, and regular tippling utterly deranges the digestive system, weakens the frame, induces horrible dreams, and may end in idiocy or paralysis !!!! “

The Bohemian artist set made Absinthe even more notorious, with their indulgences, by the likes of Toulouse – Lautrec, Hemmingway, Oscar Wildes etc. who drank it; and it was the cause, some say, of Van Gogh, cutting off his ear.Re-sulting in 4th March 1915 – Article 367 of the French Legal Code which banned Absinthe completely in France

Art. 367. – The fabrication, the circulation and the possession with the aim to sell, and the sale of Absinthe and other similar liquors which characters are determined in the decree are forbidden.

How to drink Absinthe

The classical method is to pour an ounce of Absinthe into a glass. Next place the Absinthe spoon on the rim of the glass and an appropriate number of sugar cubes near the slots. Now pour about five ounces of water, v.e.r.y. s.l.o.w.l.y, over the sugar to dissolve it.

The other way to drink Absinthe involves dunking a spoon of sugar in the liquid, setting light to the spoon until the sugar has caramelized, then dripping the liquid sugar into the glass of Absinthe. Adding an equal part of water then puts out any excess flaming, and the drink is then poured into a cooler glass for drinking .

Warning ! Absinthe is Extra strong and like any alcohol, excess consumption is very dangerous !!
Do Not drink and drive !

Please contact RI-Wine of Ascot for full range of available products

Gift Box with 6 wines from across the worls including Rouge 02 Electronic Wine Breather.

Cascina Christiana – Italy

Just received a Bronze Medal for Reiss Barbera d’Asti. ‘ Reiss’ in Piedmontese means roots, which signifies the estate’s desire to produce a traditional Barbera which is one of the main Black grape variety. Intense and persistent mature fruit. Dry, soft with good balance of acidity and tannin. Cascina Christiana offers Apartments and wine tastings at the family owned Winery.

Coto de Imaz, El Coto Winery – Spain

The Spanish regulatering Board gave this wine higher points than the 1999 Vintage. Red brick colour, with the orange tones inherent in Rioja. Velvety and round in the mouth, it fills with long lasting sensations. The wine shows a wide range of delicate red fruit wrapped by the smoky nuances and the vanilla hints from the new American oak. The pleasant and smooth tannins from the Tempranillo and it’s well achieved balance assure this wine in excellent evolution.

Jordan Chardonnay – South Africa

The wine was matured ‘sur-lie’ in barrels for some months with occasional rolling of the barrels to accentuate the leesy character. 12% tank fermented Chardonnay was blended with the wines from the barrels to ensure a good balance of citrus flavours’ A powerful expression of Chardonnay, brimming with fruit flavour and elegance. A buttery toastiness from a hint of oak rounds off the complex hazelnut and citrus flavours.

Fairfield Sauv. Blanc – New Zealand

The wine is sourced from St Clair, a multi award winning winery in central Marlborough. On the nose it displays classic green herbaceous and nettle notes with a hint of minerality. On the palate it is clean and fresh with flavours of fresh goose berry and a touch of green pepper. The finish is clean with the flavours noted on the palate developing further.

Chablis Simonnet-Febvre – France

This Chablis is part of the Louis Latour estate in Burgundy as part of a 2900 hectare area where Chablis is produced. The vines are on average 25 years old and produce something like 550 litre per hectare. Vinification takes place in steel tanks at between 17° and 21°c for 6 – 8 months. A fresh, vivacious style, with intense floral aromas. A perfect balance, combining full generous fruit flavours with finesse and elegance. Serve Between 7° & 10° C.

Srubby Rise, Wirra Wirra – Australia

Located directly in front of Wirra Wirra’s century old Ironstone cellars, the Scrubby Rise vineyard and it’s marvellous soils enable it to produce some of the best Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon from season to season. Fruit is also used from the fleurieu peninsula. Quite rare in it’s varietal composition (Shiraz – Cabernet Sauvignon – Petit Verdot), the final blend has been chosen to produce a wine that displays balance, elegance, complexity and structure.

The wine has been for 12 months in two to three year old French and American oak barrels. The colour is rich and deep crimson. The bouquet shows bright cassis, plum and fruit cake aromas with some light oak evident. A predominantly fruit driven palate, with dark chocolate and berry fruit, spices & Christmas pudding character. Fine soft tannins compliment the mouth filling spicy fruit, liquorice and velvet like tannins.

Rouge 02 Electronic Wine Breather

To enjoy wines you should allow them to breathe or decant at least an hour before drinking and what about if you haven’t allowed for enough wine to be open…. .The new Rouge 02 Electronic Wine Breather is the perfect solution as it reduces breathing time from 2 hours down to 1 minute in a controlled and sophisticated way. It works by gently bubbling air through the wine releasing a full bouquet and flavour. It runs on 2 x AAA Batteries automatic to ensure the correct breathing time.

Please contact RI-Wine of Ascot for details

Great news for The Goose!

We are delighted to announce that we just have been awarded a Silver Medal each for both Goose Wines. This follows the first Bronze Medal which we received by Decanter last year for The Expression Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz 2005.
This year we got a Silver Medal each by The Decanter World Wine Award 2009 for The Expression Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz 2007 and The Goose Sauvignon Blanc 2008.

Congratulations to Morne Jonker and his Team!

Retief “The Goose” Goosen

Retief Goosen

Retief Goosen was born in Polokwane, formerly known as Pietersburg, South Africa. He turned professional in 1990, following a win in the South African Amateur Championship of the same year. His main achievements since have been two U.S. Open wins in 2001 & 2004 and heading the European Tour Order of Merit in 2001 and 2002 respectively.

Since 1995, Goosen has been one of the most consistent players in the world. He has won internationally every year since 1995 and also won a PGA Tour event every year from 2001 to 2005. In addition to his numerous achievements, he had enjoyed for a long period of time a position in the top 5 of the Official World Golf Rankings, and in 2006 reached a career-best third place. Since July 9, 2007 he is ranked 11th in the world but obsevers suggest it may be linked to his change of swing and the enlistment of a coach.

Goosen is known for his extremely calm demeanor, a trait that has earned him the nickname “The Iceman” on the PGA circuit. He is also affectionally referred to as “The Goose”. He further enhanced his reputation as a steely competitor at the 2004 U.S. Open, where he mastered Shinnecock Hills’ extremely fast and arguably unfair greens, draining clutch putt after clutch putt.

Retief Goosen is married and has a son and a daughter. He either resides in Ascot in Berkshire England, Orlando, Florida USA or in Polokwane, South Africa.

Our Vision

It is not only said of wine, but proven over centuries, that it is indeed “the vineyard that makes the wine”. If Schoonberg were to be the home of world class Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc then it would be fundamentally up to the soil and climate to ensure that the grapes deliver their optimal blueprint in terms of excellence in flavour. [Read more...]

Yoko Ono with Sir Paul McCartney and George Harrison’s widow Olivia at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts. Daily Telegraph

Nittardi has a long history in the world of art, which continues today. Every year an artist designs a label as well as the wrapping paper, which is used for a limited edition of Casanuova di Nittardi wine bottles.

The collection which started in 1981 includes works by internationally known artists such as Yoko Ono, Valerio Adami, Eduardo Arroyo, Elvira Bach, Corneille, Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Alfred Hrdlicka, Horst Janssen, A.R. Penck and Paul Wunderlich.

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by Yoko Ono		by Robert Combas

by Sandra Brandeis Crawford		by Horst Janssen

Artist label by Tomi Ungerer	Special silk-paper of the bottle

We are pleased to let you know that the first Goose wines have arrived in Shanghai just in time for the ‘ HSBC Champion PGA Golf Tournament Shanghai Shesham International Golf Club’

From South Africa via the UK into China.

The official launch of the Goose wines will be in the presence of Retief Goosen who is playing in the above Tournament and the Wine Maker and Partner Morne Jonker of The Goosen Winery from South Africa.

On Ftiday the 6th of November, the Expression Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz 2007 World Wide Decanter Silver Medal Winner 2009 and The Goose Sauvignon Blanc 2008 World Wide Decanter Silver Medal Winner 2009 can be tasted at our Partners Vins Descombe Wine Bar in Shanghai.

Special guests including TV and Press have been invited to this special Event.

RI Wine of Ascot is proud of this achievement and being part of these partnerships.
Our best wishes to all the participants of this special event!

Abe and Joanna met Stefania Canali in Ascot just over a week ago. She and her husband Peter not only the owners of the Nittardi vineyards but they also own an art gallery in Frankfurt. At the same time Peter was preparing his stand at the World Fine Art Fair in Moscow.

Stefania had some of the Nittardi wines with her so we arranged a quick lunch at Ciao 90 in Ascot and we were joined by the owner and some of the staff of Ciao 90 to taste these delicious wines.

Fattoria Nittardi Vineyard was started by Michelangelo Buonarroti in 16th century

Fattoria Nitardi is a traditional wine growing estate, situated in the centre of Tuscany between Florence and Siena. The old wine estate used to be a strong hold tower and was first mentioned as “Nectar Dei” in the 12th century.

During the 16th century it belonged to Michelangelo Buonarroti who grew his own vines. The quality of the wine was so impressive that Buonarroti  sent several bottles of  Nittardi  to Rome as a “dono genuino” as is written in the letters he sent to his illustrious patrons, Popes Julius II and Leo X.

Today, 12 hectares of vineyards, olive groves and 100 hectares of unspoilt woods encircle the Nittardi Estate. It lies in the middle of idyllic protected countryside and is 8 km from the nearest village, Castellina in Chianti. The vines at Nittardi grow on an ideal site right in the heart of the Chianti Classico region, at about 450m above sea level on the south side of a range of hills. These hills are covered with oak trees that offer protection from the cold winds.

Art on the Bottle

Nittardi has a long history in the world of art, which continues today. Every year an artist designs a label as well as the wrapping paper, which is used for a limited edition of Casanuova di Nittardi wine bottles.

The collection which started in 1981 includes works by internationally known artists such as Valerio Adami, Eduardo Arroyo, Elvira Bach, Corneille, Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Alfred Hrdlicka, Horst Janssen, A.R. Penck and Paul Wunderlich and the 2006 Label was designed by Yoko Ono. [Read more...]

The Artisans

Their Philosophy
‘Handcrafted Authentic, Individualistic Wines From Australia’s Greatest Wine Region’

Artisans of Barossa is a group of like-minded Barossa producers with a common goal to market hand-made, high quality and creative products – wine, olive oil, produce – as a collective body in both domestic and international markets.

Clany Fuller

RI-Wine of Ascot is pleased to announce that we have linked to these winemakers and offer their range of wines – of outstanding qualities – in the UK and abroad.

The group has a strong committment to maintaining and celebrating the regionality enviromental sustainability, traditions and cultural spirit of their home – The Barossa.

They make products that excite, inspire, delight the customers and each  other.

Peter and Clancy Fuller

Above all they maintain a sense of pride and fun in everything they do.

This draft charter was penned over a glass of Shiraz in late 2005, just a month or so before the group of 12 wineries set off for London and an exciting promotional tour of the United Kingdom. [Read more...]

The Ice Cube is a new product for 2009 designed in association with Porsche Design, it holds 1 bottle of YL and 4 trendy flutes. The “cube” itself functions as an ice bucket incl. Handle and Lid.

Concept and idea for use is that people can enjoy chilled VC at summer events, take it with them on picnics, outdoor concerts, etc.

5 Ideal Gifts from Veuve Clicquot

Clicquot Ice Jacket, 75cl bottle Keeps your champagne cool, indoor or outdoor	Clicquot Paint Box, 20cl Four ( 4 ) 20cl bottles in Veuve Clicquot paint container.	Clicquot Ice Jacket, Magnum Keeps your champagne cool, indoor or outdoor

Veuve Clicquot Executive Travel Bag Presentation Outer Case	Veuve Clicquot City Traveller Handful for any occasion

You can buy Veuve Clicquot Champagne and accessories on RI-Wine of Ascot web site

Travel Bag and Contents

Veuve Clicquot Exclusive
Travel Bag

Presentation Outer Case. Soft Travel Bag including

• 1 Btl. Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label N.V.
• 2 Champagne Flutes including Clicquot Logo.
• Inner moulding can be removed becoming a Travel Bag

Size: 46 x 30 x 15 cm

Travel Bag ready as a Gift	Travel Bag	Travel Bag Remove inner Moulding

Ice Cube Porsche Design – 2009 Collection

The Ice Cube is a new product for 2009 designed in association with Porsche Design, it holds 1 bottle of YL and 4 trendy flutes. The “cube” itself functions as an ice bucket incl. Handle and Lid.

Concept and idea for use is that people can enjoy chilled VC at summer events, take it with them on picnics, outdoor concerts, etc.

Other Gifts from Veuve Clicquot

• Clicquot Ice Jacket (for cooling your Champagne ).
• Clicquot Ice Box (to chill your champagne).
• Clicquot Paint Box – 6 of 20 cl Champagne bottles in one paint contaigner
• Large bottles from 3 to 15 ltrs (Special order)
• Clicquot Cellar Master ’s Colection
• La Grande Dame vintage and Rose vintage

You can buy Veuve Clicquot Champagne and accessories on RI-Wine of Ascot web site