This annual event is on Sunday 30 March and only costs £30. The ticket price includes a £5 voucher for wine spent on the day. Spaces are limited so don’t delay!
Book here.
Author: James MacNay
Fontina cheese introduction
Cinzia has just published a brief introduction to Fontina, the famous of cheese of Italy’s Valle d’Aosta alpine region.
You can link to the post here.
Sordo winery Barolo tasting at Cuculo – Sunday 27 October.
We are thrilled to be hosting Giusy Andreacchio from the Sordo winery for a masterclass tasting. Details and booking now open here. To visit the winery, head over to MacNay Travel & Wine.
Liguria in wine – a short introduction.
Take a look at James’s latest article on the MacNay Travel & Wine website. It’s a very brief look at the coastal region of Liguria, the Riviera. MTW will travel there in 2025 – enquire today.
From Cuculo you can buy Ligurian wines made by the Terre Bianche winery, which is above the picturesque, medieval town of Dolceacqua. Buy the white Pigato here and the red Rossese here. There are case discounts for both labels.
Cheese and wine of the month – September 2024
This month’s cheese of the month is The Traditional Cheese Dairy’s Goodweald Smoked, and wine of the month is Pollùce, a Lazio wine made by Cincinnato using the rare Nero Buono grape. Enjoy!
Harvest begins at Les Crêtes!
Their letter makes particular reference to the unusual rainfall and the effect that has on the vines, as well as to the all-important day/night temperature difference.
You can buy the Les Crêtes wines here. If you haven’t visited Les Crêtes for a tasting in their Rifugio del Vino tasting rooms, then get in touch with MacNay Travel & Wine today!
A brief introduction to Sardinia.
Cinzia is with a group of customers in Sardinia at the moment, so James wrote a brief introduction to the history of grapes and winemaking on the island. You can link to the article on the MacNay Travel & Wine website here.
Two central Italian rosés, under £16.
Negroamaro Rosato Salento IGT 2023 by Cantele (Puglia)
Cantele’s rosé is a long-standing and hugely popular presence on the Cuculo shelves. This wine is from Puglia, one of Italy’s wine heartlands, where Negroamaro rules. The deeply coloured black grape makes soft, rich, savoury reds (and while you’re about it, you should try the Cantele Salice Salentino Riserva £16.95 to take out) but, when left with the skins for just a short period, makes a lovely wine with the same pink/salmon the hue of red onion skin.
This wine shows a great red fruit (strawberry, redcurrant) flavours and has a delightful freshness and medium body. At £15.95 (take out price) it is great summer drinking and excellent value.
• Bottle: £15.95 (take out)
• Case of 6: £90
• Case of 12: £170
You can order the wine here.
Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC 2021 by Tiberio (Abruzzo)
Let’s head to Abruzzo, now, on the Adriatic coast.
Our winemaker is Tiberio, a second generation family estate who have been garnering plaudits in the international press for several years.
Being one of the few Italian appellations specifically designated as rosé, Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo is quite niche. This wine is made with a minimum 85% Montepulciano, and is darker in colour compared to many other rosés.
It is fuller-bodied than, say, the Tiberio, with a higher alcohol (14%). Nevertheless it is juicy and fruity (cherry, woodland fruits, strawberry).
• Bottle: £15.45 (take out)
• Case of 6: £85
• Case of 12: £165
You can order the wine here.
Tracklements tasting in-store!
Next Saturday – 20 July 2024 – join us for a tasting of award winning Tracklement condiments at Cuculo 11.30 – 13.00. Delicious cheeses from our counter paired with chutneys, jams, marmalades and fruit cheese
To whet your appetite, here are some great recommendations from Tracklements for ideal cheese and condiment pairings this month.
Stop in at Cuculo for a special tasting of ‘Tracklements’ premium quality chutneys and pickles.
Accighue Al Verde
Cinzia has just written a nice piece about acciughe al verde, the traditional Piemontese dish, over on the MacNay Travel & Wine website.
Her wine pairing suggestions include the Marco Porello Roero Arneis DOCG ‘Camestrì’, which you can find available to purchase here.
What a great combination!