Dinglewood Vineyard's Night Owl. Another Wonderful Shropshire Export

(c) Image courtesy Dinglewood Vineyard

Nestling within the rolling Shropshire hills of Corvedale is the ancient village of Stanton, which is home to the Dinglewood Vineyard, a small yet distinctive family-run estate devoted to producing limited‑edition wines with genuine character. 

Among its Owl-themed collection, Night Owl red has quickly become a firm favourite. It's an elegant, fruit-forward wine with depth, charm, and just the right hint of midnight mystery.

And genuinely a firm favourite of my wife and I. Even though I'm not much of a wine connoisseur, to be perfectly honest. There's something about Night Owl that sets it above other English red wines. (You'll have to buy a bottle or two to see what I mean.)

Dinglewood Vineyard, located in Stanton, Shropshire, is a small, family-run vineyard where passion and craft meet the rolling green countryside of England. They focus on producing boutique small-batch wines that really showcase their local terroir and their dedication to quality.

Dinglewood is a modest but vibrant vineyard run by a family team who take great pride in crafting wines that have real personality. 

Their vines benefit from a south-facing site and enjoys a microclimate that lends itself remarkably well to cool-climate grape varieties. Every vintage is handled with careful attention to detail, from hand-harvesting to small-scale fermentation.

The Owl Series: Embracing the Night

One of the standout labels is their Owl Collection, which includes Night Owl, a velvety red with a midnight-blue label graced by an elegant owl in flight. Other whimsical offerings include Shy Owl, Ghost Owl and seasonal gift sets like their Valentine's Box.

Night Owl Red Wine

Price: Around £18 per bottle, aligning with their other Owl wines like Ghost Owl and Shy Owl. 

Profile: Rich, fruit-forward and medium-bodied, this red wine is smooth on the palate, with ripe dark berry aromas, subtle spice, and fine tannins.

Pairings: Excellent alongside hearty dishes including grilled lamb, mushroom risotto, charcuterie boards or mature cheddar. Its silky finish makes it equally suited to cosy evenings by the fire or relaxed dinners with friends.

The Owl label is more than just a branding exercise. Night Owl captures the essence of those peaceful, contemplative late-night moments, offering a wine that’s both approachable and expressive. 

It's ideal for serving with a dinner with friends and family, or for contemplatively sipping in the conservatory or on the patio on a sultry summer's eve. 

Or sipping in the conservatory or on the patio wrapped up against the cold night air when there's a nip of frost about later in the year? Who knows? Maybe you'll see or hear an elusive night owl in flight? 

Why Night Owl Stands Out

Distinctive branding: The owl motif sets the label apart and hints at the wine’s character, observant, poised and a little mysterious. We first noticed it at a farmer's market in Shrewsbury, the county town of Shropshire. And after a taste each, my wife and I were hooked!

Local provenance: Crafted in the Shropshire countryside using homegrown fruit.

Value for money: At around £18, it delivers a satisfying complexity without breaking the bank.

Versatility: Works beautifully as a treat on its own, or paired with comfort foods, social gatherings or relaxed winding-down evenings.

Dinglewood Vineyard’s Night Owl red captures the essence of English craft wine: vibrant fruit, balanced structure and an inviting sense of place. 

If you’re exploring Shropshire’s burgeoning wine scene, you’d do well to raise a glass of Night Owl for its approachable elegance and thoughtful provenance.

Fancy suggestions on how best to serve or pair it, or maybe ideas for visiting local vineyards nearby? Just ask!

https://dinglewood-vineyard.sumupstore.com

Decoding Wine: A Beginner's Guide to Varietals, Terroir, and Tasting Notes

I an, I will readily admit, not anywhere near being an expert in wines. My wife, however, knows more about wines as she has been enjoying wines for most of her life. 

I, however, am more a connoisseur of IPAs and real ales. As a result, we have decided to commission a special blogpost on taking your first steps into the world of wine.     

Entering the world of wine can be a daunting experience for beginners. With countless varietals, regions, and tasting notes to navigate, it's easy to feel more than a little overwhelmed. 

However, with a basic understanding of key concepts like varietals, terroir, and tasting notes, you can begin to unravel the mysteries of wine and embark on a journey of discovery. In this basic wine guide, we'll break down these fundamental elements to help you develop a deeper appreciation for the art of winemaking.

Understanding Varietals:

Varietals refer to the type of grape used to make a particular type of wine. From Cabernet Sauvignon to Chardonnay, each varietal brings its own unique characteristics to the glass. Here are a few popular varietals and their distinct profiles:

Cabernet Sauvignon: Known for its bold flavours of blackcurrant, cherry, and cedar, Cabernet Sauvignon is often aged in oak barrels, adding complexity and tannins to the wine.

Chardonnay: This versatile white varietal can range from crisp and unoaked to creamy and buttery, depending on factors such as oak aging and fermentation techniques. Flavours can include green apple, citrus, and vanilla.

Pinot Noir: Loved for its delicate aromas of red berries, earth, and spice, Pinot Noir offers a lighter-bodied alternative to the heavier reds like Cabernet Sauvignon.

Exploring Terroir:

Terroir encompasses the environmental factors that influence a wine's character, including soil, climate, and topography. These elements work together to impart distinct flavors and aromas to the grapes, ultimately shaping the final product. For example:

Soil: Different soil types, such as limestone, clay, or gravel, can influence the mineral content of the grapes and contribute to their flavour profile.

Climate: From cool-climate regions like Burgundy to warm regions like California's Napa Valley, climate plays a crucial role in determining the ripeness and acidity of the grapes.

Topography: Factors such as altitude, slope orientation, and proximity to bodies of water can all impact the microclimate of a vineyard, affecting grape ripening and flavour development.

Deciphering Tasting Notes:

Tasting notes provide a detailed description of a wine's aroma, flavour, and texture, helping wine buying consumers make informed decisions about their preferences. While tasting notes can be highly subjective, they often include the following components:

Aroma: Descriptors like fruity, floral, herbal, or spicy are used to characterise the wine's scent, which can vary depending on factors like grape variety and winemaking techniques.

Flavour: Tasting notes may include notes of specific fruits, spices, or other flavor components detected on the palate, along with descriptors like tannic, acidic, or velvety to describe the wine's mouthfeel.

Finish: The finish refers to the lingering aftertaste left on the palate after swallowing the wine. It can range from short and crisp to long and complex, offering insights into the wine's overall quality and balance.

Conclusion:

By understanding the basics of varietals, terroir, and tasting notes, wine drinkers can begin to appreciate the intricacies of wine and develop their palate over time. 

Whether you're exploring different grape varieties, discovering new wine regions, or simply enjoying a glass with family and friends, the world of wine offers endless opportunities for exploration and enjoyment. So raise your glass, savor the moment, and let your wine journey begin! Cheers!

Pruning While Respecting The Environment: Discover Château de Pommard's Pruning Method

As the world increasingly prioritises sustainability, Chateau de Pommard is proud to employ eco-friendly vine pruning practices, revolutionising how vineyards maintain their crops while minimising environmental impact.

How is this done? For a start, Chateau de Pommard uses different types of pruning adapted to each vine, always preserving the sap flow of the vines to guarantee their longevity. 

Chateau de Pommard's vineyard manager Jean-Rémi explained: "We shape our young vines using the 'Guyot Simple' pruning method, which is the most suitable for our grape varieties and plant densities. 

He went on to say: "On older vines with two distinct sap paths, we use the Guyot-Poussard method, a variant of Guyot Simple. The difference is, we position two spurs, one on each flow. Finally, on old vines that are quite high, we often prune them in Cordons de Royat, meaning we leave four spurs."

Pruning while respecting the environment

Throughout the winter, as you drive along the Route des Grands Crus, you can see clouds of smoke from the burning of vine shoots. While tolerated, this practice harms air and health, so Château de Pommard's team banned it some years ago. 

Chateau de Pommard chose to recycle its canes from pruning. The cut shoots are bundled in the rows and removed by the team. One part will be shredded and composted with bovine manure, which will be spread in the autumn. Chateau de Pommard's partner, Vitis Valorem, will collect and recycle the other part into biodegradable staples for trellising.

This method is part of Chateau de Pommard's commitment to respecting the environment. Through various eco-friendly initiatives, Chateau de Pommard aims to transform the Clos Marey-Monge, its 20-hectare biodynamic-certified vineyard, into a self-reliant viticultural ecosystem and protect it for the next 300 years.

www.chateaudepommard.com