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Christopher Piper Wines

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Christopher Piper Wines

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Established in 1979, we are a Devon based, independent wine merchant, supplying both Trade and Public

Independent Wine Company selling beers, wines & spirits through retail shop in Ottery and also to the Trade across the South West

28/10/2026

THE BARONS OF DOMAINE SAINT HILAIRE

Vines have been planted on this 75-hectare domaine since the Roman period but it was really only from the beginning of the nineteenth century that Domaine St. Hilaire began to be recognised for the quality of its w**es. In 1817 Baron Hilaire Reynaud, one of Napoléon’s most renowned generals, purchased the domaine, which subsequently took his name. It was in the 1960’s, when André Hardy, the then owner, started the production of varietal w**es and since then the domaine has been a synonymous with the production of cutting-edge varietals.

Situated about ten minutes’ drive south-east of Montagnac, just off the old Roman road (Via Domitia) from Mèze and five miles from the Étang de Thau (see photo), the 35 hectares of vines benefit from the influence of the cooling coastal temperatures. The vineyards are planted on a variety of soils with the red varieties planted on a rocky plateau and the whites on more alluvial valley soils.

We have been importing these beautifully balanced and elegant w**es since the early 1990’s, the era of André Hardy. In 2003 a period of English ownership began, when Jonathan and Anne James took over the property, investing considerably in the w**e-making facilities and vineyards. In 2015, they then sold Domaine Saint Hilaire to Nick and Lisa Kent who continued the work of the James’ until the current proprietors, Patrick & Elisabeth Martellucci took over the reins in 2021.

One of the crucial constants over the past 25 years is that the w**e maker and estate manager has remained the same. Vincent Maurel (see photo) has a wonderful attention to detail and his profound knowledge of the vineyards, combined with his undoubted skill as a w**e maker, has helped propel Domaine Saint Hilaire into the top echelon of Languedoc properties.

The two Baron w**es are the domaine’s top cuvées, made from selected parcels and subsequently selected from the best barrels. The Syrah (35%) – Grenache (65%) sees twelve months in Frenck oak barrels, adding complexity to a w**e with overtones of black fruit, liquorice and spice. The Chardonnay (100%) is whole-bunch pressed and fermented with indigenous yeasts in 400-litre French oak barrels (50% new and 50% one year). With a carefully judged six months ageing in barrel, the bouquet combines hints of floral and garrigue honey with a touch of brioche. The white fruit dominated palate has an enticing freshness and great length.

25/10/2026

OCTOBER IS RIOJA W**E MONTH!
Over the month, we will be highlighting three of our major Bodegas and offering a special promotional 10% discount for all our listed Riojas. To benefit from this offer, please use the link here and include the promotional code when checking out. All delivery charges and terms and conditions apply as per normal.

BODEGAS CVNE, Logroño-Laguardia
The last of this month’s highlighted Rioja Bodegas is the iconic CVNE (Compañia Vinicola del Norte de España). This historic bodega has been an integral part of Christopher Piper W**es’ core selection, dating back over forty years.
CVNE’s portfolio is made up of ten leading Spanish w**eries, six of which are based in the Rioja region: CVNE, Imperial, Viña Real, Contino, Monopole and Asúa. Established in 1879 by the Real de Asúa brothers, the company is still run by the same family who have built up an international reputation for its hand-crafted and traditional w**es.

The original CVNE bodega was in the Barrio de la Estación train station in Haro. However, since 1989, w**e-making is now carried out at the ‘El Pilar’ facility which was the first in Spain to use gravity to move around must and the finished w**e. (we offer the CVNE Crianza and Reserva).
Imperial is a small, independent bodega, situated within the CVNE w**ery in Haro. It is universally regarded as one of Rioja’s leading producers, with their Imperial Reserva and Gran Reserva Imperial only produced in outstanding vintages. They are the essence of Rioja Alta, combining precision and power.

Viña Real is situated on the top of a small hill, just 10 minutes from Logroño, an iconic design from 2004 which manages to blend the topography of Rioja into the building itself. Natural light, caverns dug to store the w**e and cutting-edge technology define this monumental work, designed by Philippe Maziéres. Viña Real’s w**es have the unmistakable stamp of the unique Rioja Alavesa terroir: w**es with excellent ageing potential, body, structure and aromatic intensity, predominantly fruity.

Viñedos del Contino was founded in 1973 and was the fore-runner of single vineyard estates in Rioja. The casa señorial, in Laserna, is surrounded by 62 hectares of vineyards from which all its w**es are sourced along a bend of the river Ebro. Its 16th-century cave cellars are amongst the oldest in the Rioja region.

Finally, there is Monopole, Spain's first white w**e brand, launched in 1915. Made entirely from Rioja Alta grapes, it is characterised by its clean and precise aromatics, backed up with a subtle salty finish, and lifting acidity.

18/10/2026

VINIVERDE – BARCOS W**ES
Ponte da Barca, Vinho Verde, DOC, Portugal

Adega Ponte da Barca and Arcos de Valdevez co-founded Viniverde in 2008. Situated in the heart of the Vinho Verde region, the Ponte de Barca Adega was created as a cooperative in 1963 and over the past decade, has invested in extensively modernising their w**e-making facilities. Today, under the direction of José Oliveira (pictured), there are 1100 Viniverde growers, cultivating about 900 hectares of vineyards at Viniverde. By and large, they are situated in the regions of of Ponte da Barca and Arcos de Valdevez, the bulk of which are in the Lima River valley, which is the prime territory for the production of Vinho Verde w**es from the Loureiro grape

The Loureiro is one of the main reasons for the success of white Vinho Verde w**es. Aromatically exuberant, it is regarded as the most fragrant of all Portuguese white varietals, with hints of laurel (hence its name), linden, acacia, orange and peach.
The Este Vinho Verde Branco (white) is an excellent example of the Loureiro’s appeal, with a touch of spritz, this is deliciously fresh, full of light ripe Poire William fruits and a refreshing finish. It also has the added advantage of being only 11%abv.

Patricia Silva, Viniverde’s export manager, says that the 2026 vintage has been exceptionally positive, both in terms of volume and quality. She goes on to say that “despite the climatic challenges of an unusually hot summer, our viticulture team ensured close technical monitoring throughout the season. The white varieties showed outstanding results, with excellent sanitary conditions, slightly higher alcohol potential, and remarkable aromatic expression.”

**es

15/10/2026

OCTOBER IS RIOJA W**E MONTH!
Over the month, we will be highlighting three of our major Bodegas and offering a special promotional 10% discount for all our listed Riojas. To benefit from this offer, click here simply head to our website and when paying, please enter the code CPWRIOJAOCT26 at the checkout. All delivery charges and terms and conditions apply as per normal.

HACIENDA LÓPEZ DE HARO, San Vicente de la Sonsierra
Next up in October’s selection is Hacienda López de Haro, located in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, specialising in the reinterpretation of a classic Rioja style from a contemporary perspective. Established in 2003, Hacienda López de Haro is the flagship w**ery of the Vintae group. It is named after the owner of the first significant vineyard purchased by the Arambarri family, owners of Vintae. The López de Haro family originated from the Basque Country and were lords of Vizcaya. The principal street in Bilbao is called Gran Vía de Don Diego López de Haro.

Grapes are sourced from their own vineyards and a small number of ‘grower-friends’ situated in two principal sectors. Sonsierra, which is on the northern bank of the Ebro River at the foothills of the Sierra de Cantabria and from the Najerilla valley, on the southern bank, the home of the Arambarri family.

Christopher Piper W**es has been shipping these distinctive Riojas for just over twenty years and we have found them ideally suited to the restaurant trade in the UK. They are extremely approachable and great value but are also very obviously hand-crafted, by the highly regarded w**e-maker, Raúl Acha (see photo). The range of w**es that we are currently shipping from Lopez de Haro include:

Rioja Blanco 2025 – principally from old vine Viura vineyards in Sonsierra, Alto Najerilla and Rioja Alavesa. One fifth of the w**e spends 3 months in French and Eastern European oak barrels. The rest remains in stainless steel until final blending. Complex, intense and with bright acidity.

Rioja Rosado 2025 – a blend of Viura and Garnacha Tinta (free run juice) from low-yielding vineyards in Alto Najerilla, on predominantly clay-iron soils. Hand-harvested during the last week of September. A rosé with character; fresh and gastronomic.

Rioja Tempranillo 2024 – this is Lopez de Haro’s entry-point red which shows the true potential of the Tempranillo variety when grown in the clay-limestone soils of Sonsierra. It is fermented for 10 days and then aged for 6 months in French and American oak barrels of several uses.

Rioja Crianza 2022 – a quintessential Crianza with the tell-tale balance and elegance. Made from Tempranillo, with less than 10% Garnacha and Graciano, grown in vineyards on thin soils along the Ebro terraces.

Rioja Gran Reserva 2014 – a classic Gran Reserva made from a blend of Tempranillo and Graciano, aged for 30 months in a mix of French and American oak barrels, 20% of which were new. It then sees further bottle ageing for over 4 years. Real complexity, length and weight but with an all-important freshness.

14/10/2026

MONBAZILLAC - CHATEAU VARI 2019 (HALF BOTTLES)

Bryce Wiatrak MW (from Jancis Robinson.com) has highlighted the 2019 Château Vari for its great value

80% Sémillon, 10% Sauvignon Gris, 10% Muscadelle. RS 80–85 g/l.
"A fresh, light, easy-drinking style with minimal botrytis influence. The w**e finds jubilant, youthful flavours of cantaloupe, honeydew, papaya and pineapple."

Try it with foie gras, pâtés and terrines. We also like it with blue cheese like Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Fourme d'Ambert, Beenleigh Blue, and Bleu d'Auvergne. On the sweeter side of the spectrum, it is a good accompaniment with fruit tarts and crème brûlée. Santé!

12/10/2026

A PAIR OF VENERABLE OLDER RHONES
Chris Piper reports on a couple of recent, very special tastings

"Over the past couple of week's, I have had the unexpected opportunity to taste a couple of older vintages of Serge Ferigoule's stand-out Vacqueyras. We started buying his beautifully crafted w**es back in the mid-1980's and are delighted to still stock them today. So, when I discovered, hidden away at the back of my garage, two dusty old bottles of the 1999 vintage, I had no particular expectations. I opened one of these bottles with some vinophile friends and we were stunned into silence by the sheer freshness and complexity that this twenty-seven year-old southern Rhône had retained. Still dark plum in colour, there was a clear-cut bouquet of spicy black fruits, garrigue and truffles.

Checking out if I had any other older vintages in my private 'cellar', I came across the 2012 Cuvée de Lopy from Serge! The 1999 was the first vintage of the Cuvée Doucinello and the Lopy 2012 was heralded as one of the finest red southern Rhônes of that very good vintage. Last week, it was still beautifully aromatic, precise and ripe fruited with the tell-tale black cherry fruit and spice. Super smooth and ridiculously long. "

We currently have the 2023 vintage of both the Lopy and Doucinello in stock.

**e

11/10/2026

Ten years ago. 🥳What a fabulous weekend for the CPW team in Burgundy. We visited Many Fabulous producers we still have great relationships with and the wonderful Gremillet team completed a perfect few days👌 very happy memories . 🥰

10/10/2026

A VERY SPECIAL W**E WEEKEND AT THURLESTONE HOTEL, SOUTH DEVON

Many of you will know of our very close friendship with the Grose family at Thurlestone Hotel., who we have been supplying for nearly fifty years. In November, Chris Piper and John Earle will be hosting a a pair of unique w**e dinners and tastings, to celebrate Thurlestone Hotel’s 130th Anniversary.

On Friday evening, 6th November, Chris and John will be tasting some older vintages from Bordeaux and Burgundy, along with some leading estates from the Rhône, the Loire and Beaujolais. We will also have chance to taste the special cuvée from Ch*****ne Gremillet, selected by Thurlestone Hotel for their 130th anniversary (see picture)

Saturday evening (7th November) is an opportunity to taste a wider range of European classics from such countries as Spain, Germany, Portugal, Italy and of course, France.

Head chef, René Muller, has carefully selected a range of dishes for Friday and Saturday nights dinners that will highlight the hotel’s innovative modern cuisine whilst clearly retaining the traditions of local produce.

This is a w**e weekend when no holds are barred and you will have an opportunity to taste w**es that have long disappeared from our cellars. If you would like to have a detailed list of the w**es that we will be tasting, please contact us by e-mail at sales@christopherpiperw**es.co.uk.

To book your room for the weekend, please contact Thurlestone Hotel directly on 01548-560382 or [email protected]. Full details can also be found at https://thurlestone.co.uk/offer/thurlestone-food-and-w**e-weekend/

**eandfoodweekend

02/10/2026

BEAUJOLAIS 2026 – A SENSATIONAL VINTAGE

Chris Piper writes the following report on his recent return from the ‘frontline’ in Beaujolais:
“A lot has already been written about the very unusual 2026 vintage and there will be a lot more to follow! At the moment, across the region, there are still numerous vats of red w**e, still waiting to finish their unusually long fermentations but the w**es that have been completed are nothing short of exquisite.

The locals are calling the 2026 vintage “solaire” and this was certainly the case. Just as we, in the UK, experienced an unforgettable summer with no rain, hours of sunshine and record temperatures, so did our friends in Beaujolais. However, with this, came a whole host of challenging issues, the most serious of which being the worryingly low yields, the very high sugar levels and the demanding w**e-making conditions.

Not only was the 2026 harvest (which officially begun on 13th August) the earliest on record (2003 = 15th August/ 1893 = 25th August/ 1976 = 31st August) but it was also one of the hottest and driest. In the northern sector (the crus and Beaujolais-Villages) the amount of red w**e produced is near to being the smallest on record. North of Villefranche, the soils are primarily granite, sand and shale but in the southern part of the region (commonly known as the Bas-Beaujolais, south of Villefranche) the soils are predominantly clay-limestone, which is considerably more water-retentive. Here the yields were closer to the norm and as this is the primary source of Beaujolais Nouveau, the production is unlikely to be affected.

Apart from the drought and heat there was, of course, the inevitable hail storms. The first, at the end of June, severely battered Brouilly and Côte-de-Brouilly, particularly hitting Odenas, Marchampt and Quincié-en-Beaujolais. The second onslaught (on the nights of 16th and 17th July) was considerably more destructive, when a super-cell storm crossed Beaujolais, particularly ravaging the vineyards of Blacé, Saint-Étienne-des-Oullières and Beaujeu, also passing through Morgon and Fleurie.

Assuming that w**emakers have carefully managed the potential high alcohol levels through early harvesting and careful parcel blending (i.e. blending higher-altitude vats with more alcoholic, early picked parcels) then the w**es of the 2026 vintage will be truly memorable. Many seasoned observers feel that they are superior to the outstanding 1976’s, the first vintage I made as a w**emaker. Fifty years later, the equipment, w**e knowledge and overall experience ensures that the 2026’s are in another league.

Why are these w**es so special? Simply because the velvety rich and sumptuous fruit flavours are superbly balanced with an uplifting and refreshing crunchy vibrancy. These are not heavy w**es and simply put, they are dangerously moreish. At Château de Vaux, I can report that we are deeply proud of the primeurs, full of enticing black cherry fruit with a beautiful balance and finish. The ‘Vins de Garde’ are genuinely exciting with great intensity, very fine tannins and perfect structure.”

With quantities being so tiny and when it comes to ordering the w**es, we are giving priority to all previous Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau customers. Of course, we will do our utmost to make sure that no one is disappointed.

PRICES
BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES NOUVEAU 2026 – Château de Vaux (13.5%abv)
[No added sulphur] Release date: Thursday, 19th November

1-3 dozen : £9.95/bt. + VAT (£11.95/bt. inc. VAT)
4-9 dozen : £9.62/bt. + VAT (£11.55/bt. inc. VAT)
10+ dozen : £9.29/bt. + VAT (£11.15/bt. inc. VAT)
All our normal terms and conditions apply, including delivery charges.

ORDERS
If you would like to place an order, please let us know as soon as possible, by phone (01404 814139) or by e-mail at sales@christopherpiperw**es.co.uk, so that no one is disappointed.

**es

01/10/2026

OCTOBER IS RIOJA W**E MONTH

Over the month, we will be highlighting three of our major Bodegas and offering a special promotional 10% discount for all our listed Riojas. To benefit from this offer, click here simply head to our website and when paying, please enter the code CPWRIOJAOCT26 at the checkout. All delivery charges and terms and conditions apply as per normal.

BODEGAS MUGA, Haro

Too kick start our October offer on some of Rioja’s leading Bodegas, who better to turn to than Muga. This is a resolutely family business founded in 1932 by Isaac Muga and Aurora Caño. Today, its premises occupy a two-hundred-year-old building situated in the iconic “Station Quarter” (Barrio de la Estación) of Haro in La Rioja. The Bodega owns 250 hectares of Rioja Alta vineyards and buy in a further 150 hectares of grapes from long-standing contract-growers. Muga’s vineyards are situated in the foothills of the Obarenes mountains, made up of five main vineyards, planted on clay/ limestone - El Estepal, La Loma, Blatracones, La Loma Alta and Sajazarra.

Muga is a passionate believer in using traditional materials, combining tried and tested methods – fining the traditional way with egg whites and racking by gravity – with the most advanced w**emaking techniques, with the steadfast aim of producing w**es of maximum quality without compromising the authenticity which defines them. Oak is used in the entire w**emaking and ageing process. Indeed, it is the only w**ery in Spain with its own three master coopers, who make the vats and casks in the bodega’s own cooperage.

We have been importing Muga’s Riojas for nearly thirty years and today, Muga is run by seven members of the third generation of the Muga family . Isaac Muga is technical director in charge of w**emaking, working alongside oenologist Pablo Orio. Manu Muga (pictured here) runs the administrative and export side of the Bodega.

The w**es that we are currently stocking include:
Muga Reserva 2022, Muga Selección Especial 2021, Prado Enea Gran Reserva 2019, Muga Blanco 2025 and Muga Rosado 2025.

Address

45 Finnimore Trading Estate
Exeter
EX111NR

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 1pm
	2pm - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 1pm
	2pm - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 1pm
	2pm - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 1pm
	2pm - 5pm
Friday	9am - 12pm

Telephone

+441404814139

Website

https://www.christopherpiperwines.co.uk/

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