Arden Fine Wines

15/08/2024

Taylor's Port Wine 1948… 🍷

A total of 30,000 pipes of Vintage Port – the traditional Douro barrel of 534 litres that was taken as the equivalent of 60-dozen bottles – was made in 1948.

That’s 21,600,000 bottles of Port…! But there aren’t many left.

Arden Fine Wines' bottle of the renowned 1948 Taylor’s Vintage Port came from the cellar of Tibberton House at Great Malvern in my birth county of Worcestershire.

As far as we can tell, this ’48 was originally retailed – and probably bottled – by Josiah Stallard and Sons of Worcester.

Josiah Stallard was born in 1816 and became Mayor of Worcester in 1857. He was photographed that year by Herbert Watkins; the photo is in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery.

More about 1948 Taylor’s at https://ardenfinewines.com/product/1948-taylors-vintage-port/

13/08/2024

Château Mouton Rothschild 1945… 🍷

Arden Fine Wines' bottle of 1945 Château Mouton Rothschild came from the cellar of Faringdon House, Oxfordshire, England.

Faringdon House is a Grade I-listed house in Faringdon, Oxfordshire, built 1770–85.

Faringdon was the country home of Gerald Hugh Tyrwhitt-Wilson, 14th Baron Berners, who inherited it in 1918.

Fictionalised as Lord Merlin in Nancy Mitford’s novel “The Pursuit of Love”, Berners was notorious for his eccentricity, dyeing pigeons in vibrant colours and entertaining Penelope Betjeman's horse Moti to tea.

Other visitors to Faringdon included Gertrude Stein, Igor Stravinsky, Salvador Dalí, and H. G. Wells.

It is believed that the bottle was acquired by Lord Berners before 1950 or by his partner Robert Heber-Percy after 1951, possibly as a gift from a visitor to Faringdon House.

Lord Berners was an enthusiastic and generous host but, according to Mark Amory’s 1998 biography of him, he was not a great wine connoisseur – which might explain why this prestigious bottle was never consumed…

08/08/2024

Fonseca Port 1922… 🍷

A fine Port vintage that was declared by most shippers, the 1922 Port wines were elegant, similar to those produced in 1917.

This impenetrably dark (and impossibly rare) bottle of 1922 Fonseca Vintage Port was mouth-blown and hand-made (rather than machine-made).

The neck (which had been wrapped to protect it in transit) has “stretch marks” – twists caused by the irregularity of mouth-blown glass.

The bottle’s surface is gnarled rather than smooth.

The punt (indented base) of the bottle has a conspicuous pontil “scar”, where the pontil rod was broken from the newly-blown glass.

How did I know that – with no label and the cork not visible – it’s 1922?

Because there was a slip label – placed there by a previous owner – inside the punt 😉.

More about 1922 Fonseca at https://ardenfinewines.com/product/1922-fonseca-vintage-port/

07/08/2024

Château Lafite Rothschild 1982… 🍷

Well-cellared examples of 1982 Lafite (like this one) can still be outstanding but if over-traded and over-travelled – some ’82s have been round the planet more times than the International Space Station – they can be disappointing.

Arden’s bottle of this sought-after wine travelled all the way from Bordeaux to Sussex, where we acquired it from a local cellar via an auctioneer.

05/08/2024

There was a coronation in London last year – and here is "L'incoronazione di Poppea" – made entirely with wine labels, by the late Valentino Monticello.

"L'incoronazione di Poppea"is a 1643 opera by Claudio Monteverdi.

It describes how Poppaea, mistress of the Roman emperor Nero, is able to achieve her ambition and be crowned empress...

Learn more about Valentino's life and work at https://ardenfinewines.com/valentino-monticello/.

01/08/2024

1959 Château Margaux … 🍷

Three years after the devastating frost of February 1956, the vines of Bordeaux were still recovering.

Many had been wiped out and those that were left had received such a shock that yields remained extremely reduced.

But the sun came out in 1959 and the wines were full of fruit, tannin, and flavour.

This was the last Bordeaux vintage made in the good old-fashioned way – chuck all the grapes in and leave them to it, with no temperature control – and the last really great but really inexpensive vintage.

“Premier Crus” like Château Margaux were offered to consumers at 30 shillings / £1.50 per bottle, which would now equate to about £23…

More Margaux at https://ardenfinewines.com/?s=Château+Margaux&post_type=product

30/07/2024

Have you tried the wines of Chêne Bleu...? 🍷

After a very wet St. Swithun’s day it has continued to rain.

But rain or shine, Chêne Bleu’s Le Rosé is I think the outstanding pink wine of France.

Chêne Bleu also has two “Super Rhône” reds Abélard (mainly Grenache) and Héloïse (mainly Syrah), named after the Medieval power couple whose illicit romance ultimately condemned them to forced separation and tragedy.

Astralabe is the “teenager” (or illegitimate offspring...?) of Chêne Bleu’s family of reds. It’s a Grenache-Syrah blend, named after the son of Héloïse and Abélard.

All highly recommended by Arden Fine Wines 😋.

More info on Chêne Bleu at https://ardenfinewines.com/?s=Chêne+Bleu&post_type=product

26/07/2024

The Pink Ribbon Ball / Breast Cancer Now Tasting at Arden Fine Wines 🍷

* Chassagne-Montrachet Clos St.Jean 1972 (Wine Society bottling)
* & Guestier Gevrey-Chambertin 1967
* Domaine de Chevalier 1974

The Domaine de Chevalier 1974 was given to me by the Domaine’s owner Olivier Bernard on a visit there some years ago.

Un grand merci Olivier 🙏.

It's the same age as me and not likely to improve past its 50th birthday (unlike me 😁).

23/07/2024

Château Mouton Rothschild 1975… 🍷

Priced at about 50 francs per bottle when released, the 1975 Mouton – with its red-blooded tannins – is probably the best Bordeaux red wine of 1975 (with the possible exception of Petrus).

For the 1975 Mouton Rothschild label, Andy Warhol did several studies of Mouton’s owner Baron Philippe de Rothschild, who looks suitable pleased with himself after Mouton had gained promotion to “Premier Cru” status in 1973.

https://ardenfinewines.com/product/chateau-mouton-rothschild-1975/

22/07/2024

"Flags of the wine-producing countries" by the late Valentino Monticello, made entirely from wine labels.

How many flags can you spot?

Learn more about Valentino’s life and work at https://ardenfinewines.com/valentino-monticello/

19/07/2024

1975 La Tâche… 🍷

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche (“The Task”) is a “Grand Cru” Pinot Noir vineyard of 12.4 acres – about the size of eight football pitches.

The vineyard is in Vosne-Romanée, a village in the Côte de Nuits region of Burgundy, and is owned solely by Domaine de la Romanée-Conti.

The 1975 harvest was two-thirds that of 1974 (24,210 bottles of La Tâche produced) and half the size of the 1973 vintage (32,280).

Our 1975 La Tâche came from an East Yorkshire cellar and has been demonstrably stored in a cool, damp cellar (as it’s supposed to be).

A rare example of one of the world's most prestigious red wines.

https://ardenfinewines.com/product/1975-domaine-de-la-romanee-conti-la-tache/

16/07/2024

1949 Petrus 🍷…

The label refers to “THE LATE KING GEORGE VI”, who died in February 1952, so this 1949 Petrus was imported and bottled by John Harvey & Sons at some point after February 1952 and sold from their shop in Bristol.

Although not normally labelled as a “château”, it’s not unusual for very old Petrus vintages like this to be labelled as “Château Petrus”, which is how Petrus formerly named itself on a statue at its entrance.

See more at https://ardenfinewines.com/product/1949-petrus-pomerol/

08/07/2024

“Europa riconosciuta” depicted by Valentino Monticello with wine labels.

“Europa riconosciuta” (“Europa revealed” or “Europa recognised”) is an opera in two acts by Antonio Salieri, set to an Italian libretto by Mattia Verazi.

It was first performed on 3rd August 1778 at Teatro alla Scala in Milan, the proscenium of which is depicted here by Valentino.

The labels include Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Cheval Blanc, Château Haut-Brion, Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia, and Domaine de la Romanée-Conti.

24/06/2024

"Bellavista Flowers", made entirely with wine labels by my late friend Valentino Monticello.

The flowers include labels from Bellavista Wine.

Learn more about Valentino's life and work at https://ardenfinewines.com/valentino-monticello/

18/06/2024

Tasty red wines that can be chilled ☀️ 🍷

Sumer is icumen in – or at least it’s stopped raining.

Arden Fine Wines had enquiries from our loyal supporters about red wines that can be chilled.

Araldica Castelvero Barbera is our “house red” from Piemonte in north-west Italy.

Crisp, smooth, easy to drink, perfect with any kind of pasta or pizza, and very pleasant on its own when chilled (but not ice cold).

Seven Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir spent some of its formative months in oak barrels, which gives it an additional layer of flavour and texture.

It's richer and fuller-bodied than the Barbera but also perfect when lightly chilled (even if the summer weather here is not as nice as it is in South Africa).

To be enjoyed with red meat (on the braai / barbecue), mushrooms, or charcuterie.

Both of these red wines are suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Please drop us a line at https://ardenfinewines.com/contact/ to let us know what Araldica or Seven Springs you’d like.

(Fridges and ice-cubes not included.)

13/06/2024

The finest rosé wine made anywhere… Whatever the weather 😎

Chêne Bleu Le Rosé is made from grapes grown at 1,600-feet altitude near Mont Ventoux, the daunting Provence mountain that’s been visited 18 times by the Tour de France since 1951.

Dry, crisp, and richly-flavoured, Le Rosé tastes of red and white fruits – strawberries and white peaches.

Best enjoyed with seafood, shellfish, charcuterie, salad stuff, and good company (including vegans).

Super-quick ordering for single bottles can be done at https://pay.izettle.com/?5-9b4mSYZ

PS The 2023 Le Rosé vintage is imminent – we’ll let you know when it’s here.

(As soon as the sun comes out again… 🌥️ 🙏)

10/06/2024

"Old Wine Labels" by Valentino Monticello.

Made entirely with... old wine labels.

Learn more about Valentino's life and work at https://ardenfinewines.com/valentino-monticello/

04/06/2024

1954 Château Haut-Brion… 🍷

It was a so-called “off vintage” (translation: it rained a lot) but the best examples were fruity, easy-going wines that lasted surprisingly well.

This 1954 Haut-Brion is also noteworthy for being bottled in a standard Bordeaux bottle.

From 1958 Haut-Brion put its wine in an embossed bottle with sloping shoulders (like the 1963 that came in and out of our cellar).

See Haut-Brion and other 1954 vintage wines at https://ardenfinewines.com/product-category/vintage-2/?filter=true&product_cat=1954

27/05/2024

“Noah Saves The Vine” by the late Valentino Monticello.

This wine-label artwork depicts a scene from Gaetano Donizetti’s 1830 opera “Il Diluvio Universale” (“The Great Flood”).

The collage is made entirely from wine labels and features 33 people and 64 animals.

The rear of the hippopotamus used a label from Château Gruaud Larose.

The white horses are depicted with labels from Château Cheval Blanc 🤭.

At lower-right is Valentino’s Alsatian dog Ginny.

Said Valentino: “All of my pictures are composed of shapes carefully cut from wine labels: the people, the flowers, even the lines, are carefully cut from different wine labels. There is no drawing or painting involved at all.”

Learn more about Valentino's life and work at https://ardenfinewines.com/valentino-monticello/

😀

13/05/2024

"Bordeaux Flowers" by the late Valentino Monticello, made entirely with wine labels.

The labels include Petrus, Château Palmer, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Lynch-Bages, Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Château Haut-Brion, Chateau Margaux, and others.

More about Valentino's life and work at https://ardenfinewines.com/valentino-mont

08/05/2024

1974 Kopke Colheita… 🍷

A Colheita is a Port wine from a single year that has been aged in wood for at least seven years – essentially a vintage-dated Tawny Port.

The economics of aged Ports are challenging. It means locked-up capital, loss of wine by evaporation, and high insurance charges.

A Port shipper has to make wine that will not be bottled or sold for perhaps 50 years or more. A modern bank manager would be appalled by such a business plan.

But it does mean that these exceptional wines are great value for money for 50-year olds 😁.

See our 1974 Colheita Ports at https://ardenfinewines.com/product-category/vintage-2/?filter=true&product_cat=1974.

28/02/2024

1984 vintage wines for a 40th birthday or anniversary in 2024... 🍷

The Merlot grapes in the Médoc were mostly unusable in 1984 but this was not really an issue for Château Mouton Rothschild, where very little Merlot goes into the finished Cabernet Sauvignon-focused wine.

On that basis, it might be the best wine of this tricky Bordeaux vintage.

However, we advise anybody purchasing a nice bottle for a 40th birthday or anniversary this year that the best value and most fun will be found with Californian red wines, such as Dominus, or Port, like Warre’s Quinta da Cavadinha Vintage Port.

See all our 40-year olds at https://ardenfinewines.com/product-category/vintage-2/?filter=true&product_cat=1984

26/02/2024

Claudia Jolanda Monticello – daughter of my friend Valentino Monticello (1933-2014) – has very generously loaned Valentino’s “Billy Budd” for display in the Mayfair office of Arden Fine Wines.

Made entirely with Portuguese wine labels, Valentino’s image shows a scene from Benjamin Britten’s 1951 opera, based on the short novel by Herman Melville.

In this scene set in Captain Vere's cabin, the Captain and his officers Mr Redburn and Mr Flint of HMS Indomitable discuss the Revolution in France and the Spithead and Nore mutinies sparked by French ideas of democracy…

21/02/2024

Vinspiration is the new partner to Arden Fine Wines.

Vinspiration is a boutique travel agency that curates special and personal wine, food, and culture experiences around the world.

Their team of professionals from around the world is passionate and knowledgeable about wine, food, and culture in each of their destinations.

They can plan for a “quick hop” or two to a winery, culinary centre, olive oil press, or behind-the-scenes restaurant visit in any city in which you are staying, or organise a complete itinerary from arrival to departure for as many days as you have available.

Contact Vinspiration, tell them your wishes and what excites you, and they’ll plan the trip with you – tailored to your wishes, your budget, and the time that you have available.

https://ardenfinewines.com/vinspiration/

Vinspiration is a boutique travel agency that curates special and personal wine, food, and culture experiences around the world.

19/02/2024

Valentino Monticello self-portrait, made entirely with wine labels.

My late friend would have been 91 years old this week.

Learn more about Valentino's life and work at https://ardenfinewines.com/valentino-monticello/

29/01/2024

“Billy Budd” by my late friend Valentino Monticello is made entirely from Port wine labels, including Cockburn's Port, Fonseca Guimaraens, Offley Porto, and Sandeman Porto, among others.

It shows a scene from Benjamin Britten's 1951 opera.

Said Valentino: “All of my pictures are composed of shapes carefully cut from wine labels: the people, the flowers, even the lines, are carefully cut from different wine labels. There is no drawing or painting involved at all.”

Learn more about Valentino’s life and work at https://ardenfinewines.com/valentino-monticello/

23/01/2024

Arden Fine Wines welcomes Junying Huang to the team.

Junying is from New York City and will be working with Arden until April 2024.

She is studying Supply Chain Management at the University of Pittsburgh.

CEA CAPA Education Abroad

17/01/2024

What to drink for a 60th birthday in 2024…?

These two lovely bottles of 1964 Tokaji came to Arden Fine Wines from (an even lovelier) Parisienne friend of a friend, whose father had owned them for some years after they were gifted to him.

He only bought French wines, of course… 😉

See Arden Fine Wines’ 1964 vintage wines at https://ardenfinewines.com/product-category/vintage-2/?filter=true&product_cat=1964

#1964

15/01/2024

“Wine Library” by my late friend Valentino Monticello used wine labels from Biondi Santi, Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia, Penfolds, and Il Molino di Grace (among others).

Said Valentino: “All of my pictures are composed of shapes carefully cut from wine labels: the people, the flowers, even the lines, are carefully cut from different wine labels. There is no drawing or painting involved at all.”

https://ardenfinewines.com/valentino-monticello/

09/01/2024

How about an vintage bottle for a special birthday or anniversary in 2024?

2014-2004-1994-1984-1974-1964-1954-1944-1934-1924… 1834?

Read the full article at https://ardenfinewines.com/news/anniversary-vintage-wines-for-2024/

Anniversary Vintage Wines for 2024 from Arden Fine Wines in London. Anniversary bottles for a special birthday or anniversary in 2024.