Special occasions are worth celebrating…
Special occasions are worth celebrating with a special dining experience and they don’t get much more special than at Wentbridge House.
While the four-star hotel and events venue champions West Yorkshire’s finest regional produce in its kitchens, the wine list is the result of years of thoughtful investment in some of Europe’s top vineyards … and savvy buying elsewhere. That means you’ll always find the right wine (red, white or sparkling) to toast your memorable moment.
The extensive selection ranges from £29.95 a bottle to much more, for some wines rarely seen in UK regional restaurants.
For example, recent additions to the top-shelf of the Wentbridge cellar are from two iconic wineries established by the Rothschild family in the Bordeaux region of France. Chateau Mouton Rothschild and Chateau Lafite date from the mid-19th century and are known for their Cabernet Sauvignon varieties. Try their 2010 Le Petit Mouton and 2011 Chateau Lafite paired with any of the classic Dovecote Park steaks on the Wentbridge menu.
Also on the list is the stylish Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC), the most famous and rare Burgundy label that is available to select restaurants by invitation only. A bottle of DRC’s 2019 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru, Cuvee Duvault Blochet (from Pinot Noir grapes), might carry a £590 price tag at Wentbridge, but order the same bottle in London and don’t be surprised if it’s more than £2000.
How is that possible? Wentbridge has been buying wine ‘in bond’ for the past 15 to 20 years. This means investing early in quality wines that won’t reach their peak for some years, and waiting patiently while the wines are stored in special climate-controlled warehouses until ready for release.
The ‘in bond’ strategy means wines are bought (and therefore can be sold) well below current retail prices. It also means you are more likely to find well-aged wines on the Wentbridge menu, not just current vintages. Top Spanish wines to join the Wentbridge wine list include two iconic reds from the renowned Vega Sicilia vineyard in the Ribera del Duero region – a 2009 Unico (a fragrant Tempranillo-Tinto Fino blend) and a 2016 Valbuena 5 (a plush Tempranillo-Merlot named after the village where it is made and aged five years before release). Both are recommended for pairing with grilled steak – a signature dish at Wentbridge.
Then there’s the aromatic and full-bodied Tempranillo, the 2014 Flor del Pingus, from trailblazing Dutch winemaker Peter Sisseck who brought his biodynamic viticulture principles to Spain in 1990.
Whichever wine you choose, at whatever price point, you can be sure it will be served with the same attention to detail that has won Wentbridge numerous hospitality awards.
The Wentbridge wine list is available across the Fleur de Lys fine dining restaurant or the more relaxed yet elegantly comfortable Brasserie. Book your food and wine experience online or by calling 01977 620444. And watch the Wentbridge website for special wine-focused dinners and tastings where you can learn more about the wines and the producers.
