Springtime for Connolly's

September 16, 2013

19 years ago, Mike and Sue Spring gave up their jobs in IT and headhunting respectively and, after a quick course in viticulture and wine making at Plumpton College, they embarked on new careers as proprietors of Domaine de Garinet in Cahors.

Their 2.5 hectare vineyard, planted almost exclusively with Malbec (they produce tiny quantities of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc) may be one of the region's smaller properties but the quality they produce ensures a steady stream of customers at the door. With 95% of their wine sold in this way, they took a certain amount of persuading to allow us to return to the UK with modest amounts of stock and an understanding that more might be available.

What really impressed is not just the quality, the expression of terroir and their passion for their wines and region but also their insistence not to release anything until it is ready for drinking; hence we shall be showing stunning offerings from 2005, 2004 and 2003 at next Wednesday's tasting. Prices are very reasonable and I am optimistic that this visit alone may justify the hours we have spent driving over the past few days.





Also in Blog

April's arrival heralds a spring of sporting heroics from Arch 13/Connollys ......................                    Alternative title: Oh blimey, s*** just started to get real
April's arrival heralds a spring of sporting heroics from Arch 13/Connollys ...................... Alternative title: Oh blimey, s*** just started to get real

March 29, 2023

Recent visitors to the Arch 13/Connolly’s emporium may have chanced upon a frankly ridiculous poster which could lead you to question the sanity of certain members of the team.

Continue Reading

The Half Bottle – it’s a thing of beauty
The Half Bottle – it’s a thing of beauty

March 14, 2023

Years ago, before very clever folk started coming up with all manner of means to keep open bottles of wine (reasonably) fresh, half bottles of wine were a thing. Growers would routinely bottle a modest proportion of their harvest into half bottles and restaurants in particular, would carry them, largely for the benefit of solo diners

Continue Reading

April is German Wine Month at Connolly's
April is German Wine Month at Connolly's

April 07, 2022

Yup, we’re going all Teutonic for the month of April with tastings (both in-store and virtual), a smashing and stupidly discounted “anything but Riesling” mixed case of Germanic joy and a whopping 10% discount off all German wines throughout the month.

10 % discount you say……?
Yup, this is the simple bit – 10% discount on all German wines throughout April – no minimum quantity.

Continue Reading

First Drop Comes Again
First Drop Comes Again

March 19, 2022

Some of you may recall from Christmas Tastings before "the event" the charming John Gant proudly showcasing the wines made by his son, Matt, in the Barossa as one half of

Continue Reading