Once overshadowed by its South American counterpart Chile, Argentina is no longer to be ignored in the wine market. Now having the 5th largest wine industry in the world this country is making a big impact on the UK marketplace, not least with its famed Malbec.

Malbec was for years Argentina’s most planted red wine grape and was therefore regarded by Argentines as a lesser grape but to many outsiders it was recognised as perfect grape for Argentina’s relatively warm climate, producing rich, intensely fruity yet age worthy wines which can be far more impressive than any Malbec-based Cahors from south-west France. Argentine wine exporters now realise the importance of the grape and that Malbec represents their unique point of difference. No wine list would be complete without giving consideration to this food accompanying wine which pairs perfectly with red meats making it ideal for the gastro pub revolution in the UK market.

We must not however forget about some of the other main Argentine wine regions which benefit hugely from the diverse altitudes available in the country. The likes of Mendoza, tucked up against the Andes, and San Juan immediately north of Mendoza both produce some excellent grapes under unique climates. A special mention should also be given to the high-altitude province of Salta in the far north of the country. These vineyards are the highest in the world with some vines at altitudes of over 3,000 m (9,800 ft) above sea level and the local vine speciality here is Torrontes which can yield flavourful, grapily aromatic dry whites – perhaps the last thing most wine drinkers would expect from Argentina.

We have observed how well Argentinian wines are being received by the UK market and have collated a fine selection for you to select from which we are sure you will love!

Australia is the world’s fourth biggest wine exporter and the UK has long been its primary importer closely followed by the USA. Australian wine continues in its global resurgence by going from strength to strength with a whole host of different grapes. There is a huge variety available with some real regional gems amongst them.

We have sourced some beautiful entry level wines and some rather special premium options that we hope will excite you just as much as they excite us.

Australia has really upped the stakes of late with its diverse climates and cuisines influencing and encouraging its 65 designated wine regions to be more innovative than ever before, producing in excess of 100 different grape varieties. Staple grapes such as Chardonnay and Shiraz are still grown in all 65 regions but we are also keeping one eye on some interesting new upcoming varieties being produced in the granite belt, Queensland which may be with us next year.

Many Australian wine producers favour the New World tradition of categorising their finer wines by grape variety or simple taste description making the diverse range all that more accessible to the on trade.Whether you are wet led premises or a restaurant/gastro pub Australian wines are certainly not to be ignored. We could not finish this introduction without recommending our favourite, take a look at our Mountbridge Reserve wines and You, Me and The Gatepost.

California, with its ideal Mediterranean climate, produces nine out of every 10 bottles of American wine and that trend has crossed the Atlantic with the likes of Gallo and Blossom Hill becoming household brands. There are over 120 designated wine grape-growing regions on this coastal stretch and the wines produced there do not disappoint.

We recognise that in the on trade it is important to provide the customer with a point of difference and with that we have selected some beautiful Californian wines that capitalise on the platform that the commercial brands have built and take it to a new level of sophistication. Our 770 Miles range is the perfect example of this with a high end presentation and a taste to match!

Our Orchid range is also new to the portfolio and we hope to be adding several other grape varieties to the label later on this year.

No other country has been sprouting new wine regions as rapidly as Chile. Chile has made its reputation producing low cost, fruity Cabernet and Merlot grown with enviable ease in the vine paradise that is the Central Valley.

Chile’s wine production is expanding in all directions and her wines are becoming more refined and more regionally distinct. The key regions being Central Valley, Maipo, Casablanca, Maule Valley and the Limari Valley.

The UK currently is the 2nd largest importer of Chilean wines and so consumers have a very positive feeling towards Chilean wines and are now seeking to try some more upmarket offerings with a point of difference, this is something that we at Clarke Jones recognize and have tailored our wines accordingly with fantastic entry level wines through to some more interesting Grand Reserve options.

It would be as impossible to think of France without wine as it is to think of wine without France, with her many and varied regions she gives international pleasure with regions such as Champagne, Burgundy and Bordeaux producing some of the world’s finest wines.

Rain, hail, sunshine and everything in between have kept winemakers guessing right up to harvest as vintage 2014 began across France. In regions such as Alsace, Southern France and the Loire where the early warmth had been nullified by the cooler summer there then followed a favorable September, paving the way for what could be, against the odds, a fine vintage in many parts of France.

Cuvée Prestige is a range of quality wines carefully selected by The Society of Vintners and available exclusively to group. The range includes: Claret, St Emilion, Graves Blanc, Premières Côtes de Bordeaux and Sauvignon Blanc Bordeaux.

Château Lavison is a historic property dating back to the 12th Century. It is owned and run as a labour of love by three female generations of the Martet family. The family is passionate about protecting the environment and manage their estate under sustainable farming techniques. All their wines carry the ‘Agriculture Raisonnée’ or Integrated Farming Management certification.

Situated in the heart of the Medoc, Château Preuillac is run by Jean-Christophe Mau. The estate has benefited from substantial investment in both the vineyard and cellars and is now widely recognised as one of Bordeaux’s most exciting up and coming producers. World of Fine Wine Issue 13 – Château Preuillac 2005 ‘Elegant, fine & profound, undeniable finesse and length’.

Geographically in wine terms Italy has it all. From a temperate climate to varied soils, altitudes and latitudes. All of this has inevitably led to Italy having the world’s richest variety of individual wine styles and indigenous grape varieties and although it was tough we have worked hard to pull together a fantastic example of these wines for you.

The world’s largest wine producer has over 20 political regions which are also its 20 wine regions. The extensive latitudinal range of the country permits wine growing from the Alps in the north to almost-within-sight of Africa in the south. Understanding of Italian wine becomes clearer with an understanding of the differences between each region; their cuisines reflect their indigenous wines, and vice-versa.

We have sourced some beautiful examples of the more vivacious, original and soulful wines available from the key regions ranging from traditional reds such as Montepulciano d’Abruzzo to the ever evolving whites including a beautiful example of Soave.

Pasqua

Pasqua Vigneti e Cantine has a long, consolidated history in the production of Italy and Veneto quality wines and is among market leaders both in Italy and abroad.

Tradition, innovation, quality, research, passion: key values that have been passed from generation to generation within the Pasqua Family and are narrated today through native wines from the Veneto region as well as other great Italian wines with DOC, DOCG and IGT quality designation, distributed across all continents.

Botter

Founded by Carlo Botter in 1928 Casa Vinicola Botter s.p.a. is today managed by the family’s third generation, and it is a market leader for the sale and export of Veneto and Italian wines.

Botter now exports to more than 40 countries. Next to the main European markets (Eastern Europe included) the company has customers (either importers or distribution chains) in USA, Canada, and Asia, including the Scandinavian and the Canadian monopolies.

It was Sauvignon Blanc that made the world take notice of New Zealand. A cool climate is needed if the wine is to be lively and the cool, bright, sunny and windy northern tip of the South Island seems to have been designed to intensify the scarcely subtle twang of Sauvignon. Early examples of Marlborough Sauvignon in the 1980’s opened a Pandora’s box of flavour that no one could ignore and most importantly, no other part of the world seemed able to replicate.

Chardonnay enlivened by the country’s trademark zestiness, was initially New Zealand’s other calling card, but by 2006 it had been overtaken in terms of vineyard area and reputation by Pinot Noir.

New Zealand’s wine exports hit a new record last year, rising 8.2% and driving wine to be the country’s sixth biggest export good.

We are very pleased to offer some exclusive examples of these key wines from the Society of Vintners range.

Considered one of the world’s most beautiful vineyard regions with its blue-shadowed stacks of Table Mountain sandstone and decomposed granite rising from vivid green pastures, the Cape boasts, the oldest geology in the wine growing world, with the terroir naturally curtailing the vigour of the wines.

South Africa is very well positioned to step into the gap left by New Zealand, whose prices continue to rise leaving consumers looking around, and in addition gaps left by France, Italy and Spain who suffered with a massive decline in wine production.

Jus

Take a look at our Bon Courage range from along the Breeder River, these award winning wines have been produced by the Bruwer family for three generations. Andre and his son Jacque have orchestrated the whole estate into a thoughtfully arranged, wine producing operation thus guaranteeing consistent and continuous product perfection. In 2008 the Inkara Shiraz 2005 was declared South Africa’s best Shiraz by the Wine Magazine’s “Shiraz Challenge”. This wine has also received a Veritas Gold, a Diamond Award from the “Winemakers’ Choice” and a Gold Medal at “Syrah du Monde” in France.

Spain and Italy are the two super wine nations of the Mediterranean and have remarkably little in common. Where Italy sits on a peninsula where you are never far from the mountains or the sea, Spain is a great land mass whose history is one of central government and overseas empire. It was not that long ago that her range was limited but the last 20 years has seen a revolution as they modernise and focus not so much on what they have always produced but on what we, the consumer, is actually looking for.

The region known as Ribera del Duero is the modern red wine miracle of northern Spain. Barely known in the early 1980’s it now rivals Rioja as Spain’s foremost red wine region.

Rioja established itself 150 years ago as Spain’s nearest shot at French-style wine. That may be an irrelevance today; Spain has many styles, but Rioja is still its most familiar name abroad.

The Society of Vintners is an exclusive importer of COTO MAYOR Crianza, Rose and White wines. 2005 was a vintage of extraordinary quality in the Coto Mayor vineyards. The weather was magnificent, especially during the harvest time, something which helped the ripening greatly. The wines have the ideal characteristics for ageing.

Further to the range of Spanish wines we have to offer, we have this very exclusive wine called “Vega Clara MARIO 2009″ which is something a bit special. Grapes are: 75% Tempranillo – 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, production area Finca de Vega Clara. Pago de Carretuerta

El Coto

Although El Coto is a relatively young Bodega, it is already one of the Rioja Qualified Designation of Origin (D.O.Ca) leaders. In the domestic market, no sales promotions or publicity campaigns have been necessary for El Coto to silently become the preferred Rioja Crianza of the Spanish, whilst, in the international market, El Coto is present at the best tables and wine lists in some 50 countries.