DUNCAN MURRAY WINE MERCHANT (MARKET HARBOROUGH - LEICESTER - ENGLAND)
They are an award winning independent wine merchants in Market Harborough, Leicestershire. Their mission is to offer their customers a superb range of wines, beers and spirits that will be dificult to find elsewhere. They are especially enthusiastic about southern European wines. Duncan Murray lived and worked in the Languedoc in the late 90's tasting the best of this region has to offer and getting to know the winemakers. These days they visit the south of France regularly and import directly from many producers. Another of their passions is Portugal and Spain. Where else can you find such a range of fabulous native grape varieties and brilliantly food-friendly wines. They love them so much that they won Portuguese Independent Merchant of the year in 2010.
- Name: Duncan Murray Wines
- Adress: 10 Adam & Eve Street. Market Harborough. Leicestershire. LE16 7LT
- Telephone: 01858 464935
- Email: info@duncanmurraywines.co.uk
- Web: www.duncanmurraywines.co.uk
For Duncan Murray Wines, it is all about maximising the pleasure you get from wine, that´s why he has a fun and interesting way of ordering the wines around the shop, that will helping you to make the best matches for your taste. Think about wine by style (what the wine tastes like), rather than by country or region. So, if you're hooked on New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, but interested in trying something different, take a look in "Crisp and Fresh Whites" for tips on other wines that can offer similar aromas and flavours.
Crisp and fresh whites:
- Key notes: Crisp, dry and refreshing. Freshness is to the fore with fruitiness accompanying.
- Typical aromas and flavours: Fruit flavours tend to include lemon, lime, grapefruit, green apple and gooseberry.
- Structure: Light-bodied, good acidity. Meant to be drunk young and youthful.
- Examples of 'Crisp and Fresh' whites: Sauvignon Blanc, Picpoul de Pinet, Vinho Verde, Muscadet, English whites using grapes like Bacchus, Spanish whites (look out for the Verdejo grape).
Fresh and fruity whites:
- Key notes: Vivacious fruit, smooth and concentrated.
- Typical aromas and flavours: The fruit is to the fore and might be citrus or tropical. Often particularly good with food as the fresh yet fuller flavour can stand up to a range of dishes, even spicy ones.
- Structure: Light-medium bodied. Wines are dry, but with a richer mouth-feel due to riper fruit.
- Examples of 'Fresh and Fruity whites: Unoaked Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Vermentino. Portuguese whites from the Dao, Douro and Alentejo. Sicilian whites such as Inzolia or Grillo.
Scratch 'n' sniff (whites with fabulous aromas):
- Key notes: Aromas are the defining feature of this category; the sweetness or body of these wines may vary.
- Typical aromas and flavours: Often floral; honeysuckle, jasmine, rose for example. Minerality comes through as a sense of sniffing pebbles. Fruit can be tropical, citrus and sometimes a 'sweetshop' fiesta of Turkish delight, lemon sherbet and rosy apples.
- Structure: These wines may vary in 'weight' and dryness, but intensity of aroma and flavour is evident. Texture – can be oily, grainy, mineral.
- Examples of 'Scratch 'n' Sniff' whites: Rieslings, Grüner Veltliners, Gewürztraminers, Torrontes, Viognier, Albariños, some Pinot Gris wines, some Sauvignon Blancs.
Voluptuous whites:
- Key notes: Rich and mouth-coating intensity with ripe, seductive fruit.
- Typical aromas and flavours: Mouth-filling flavours of peach, apricot, tropical fruit and ripe citrus. Can have a mineral quality depending on where it's from. Feeling of rich fruit (can seem sweet, but it's from the intensity of the fruit rather than any additional sugar).
- Structure: Full-bodied, often oaked, rich mouth-feel. The use of oak gives a creamy, toasty texture.
- Examples of 'Voluptuous' whites: White Burgundy, New World Chardonnay, Spanish 'Priorat', Southern French oaked styles.
Light and fruity reds:
- Key notes: Light and elegant with juicy, fresh fruit.
- Typical aromas and flavours: Bright, sometimes 'crunchy' red berry fruit flavours. These wines are often best when drunk young as it is their youthfulness that gives the fresh mouth feel.
- Structure: Light-medium bodied, light tannins, good acidity (that lip-smacking feeling). Not intense (more restrained and elegant).
- Examples of 'Light and Fruity' reds: Pinot Noir, Gamay, Italian Nebbiolo, New World Merlot.
Smooth and rounded reds:
- Key notes: Ripeness of fruit and easy-going, rounded character.
- Typical aromas and flavours: Often produced in warmer climes, these wines have characteristics of stewed red fruit and secondary flavours of spice, toast, leather. The result is easy drinking reds.
- Structure: Generally medium-bodied, smooth in the mouth, softer tannins
- Examples of 'Smooth and Rounded' reds: Southern French reds, Southern Portuguese Reds (from the Alentejo in particular), Rioja, red Bordeaux, Merlots, Chiantis.
Spicy 'nicey' reds:
- Key notes: Vibrant and aromatic fruit and intensity of flavour.
- Typical aromas and flavours: Identified by spicy flavours such as black pepper, cinnamon, clove. Usually have fresh fruit aromas and flavours (as opposed to stewed fruit) often berries. Often have a mineral component. The fruit is fresh as wines in this category are often from grapes grown in moderate climates rather than very hot ones.
- Structure: Medium to full-bodied, perceptible acidity and tannins, have structure in the mouth; can be dense, grainy, silky.
- Examples of 'Spicy Nicey' reds: Syrah/Shiraz, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Carignan, Carmenere, Malbec, Montepulciano, Mourvedre, Pinotage, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Xynomavro, Zinfandel.
Darth Vader in Slippers:
- Key notes: The key is the intensity and complexity of the flavour and the 'weight' in the mouth.
- Typical aromas and flavours: Who's the Daddy?! These wines have power and elegance, so there's a lot going on. Rich, dark fruit is often present with complex flavours of spice, herbal notes, tobacco, fruit cake…
- Structure: Full-bodied, intense. Texture is dense with evident tannins.
- Examples of 'Darth Vader in Slippers' reds: California Cabernets and Merlots, Barolos, Brunello di Montalcinos, Rhône reds, and similar wines. Southern French 'big' reds. styles.
'Rosé Glow' Rosés:
- Key notes: It's all in the colour – which is determined by how long the grape skins have been in contact with the juice and the grapes used. In Provence, the colour is salmon pink and style is light and dry. Move to the New World, where fuller-bodied red grapes (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon) are often used in Rosé and it's a far fuller, robust wine. And go to California, the home of 'white' Zinfandel and you're looking at a sugary 'blush' wine.
- Typical aromas and flavours: Rosé is made from red grapes and so it often reflects those grapes' flavours, but in a more delicate way. Classically this gives you flavours of light, red fruits such as raspberries, strawberries and cherries and you might also detect citrus and the odd hint of watermelon.
- Structure: Rosé will vary in body and dryness depending on how it's made, where it's made, the grapes used, the environment, the wine makers style…
- Examples of 'Rosé Glow' Rosés: Provencal Rosé, Sancerre Rosé, Pinot Grigio Rosato, Rioja Rosé.
- History: In 1989 Duncan was studying catering in Cheltenham. His college organised a trip to Bordeaux and bingo Duncan discovers his passion for wine. After 6 years Duncan stars working at Oddbins for a while. For him it is a great place to work; Duncan takes (and passes) his Wine & Spirit Education Trust Diploma, having a ample opportunity to taste and recommend wine and lots of scopes to personalise the shop. This golden era will form part of the blueprint for Duncan Murray Wines. In 1997 Duncan met Megan (a fellow wine enthusiast). The couple decide it's time to pursue their dream of living in France and so on Valentine's Day 1997 they pack their little red Renault 5 and head off to Montpellier. Duncan starts working in the vines, but swiftly realises he isn't cut out for a life tending grapes. Indeed, it strengthens his resolve to open his own shop and on Thursday 6th December 2001 this vision becomes a reality.
- Duncan Murray: He first became passionate about wine on a college trip to Bordeaux and Cognac in 1989. Since then he have added retail experience and production knowledge to that enthusiasm during a career of over 20 years in the wine trade which includes managing shops for Oddbins in Cambridge, London and Leicester, and numerous stints working on vineyards in Champagne, Alsace and the Languedoc, Southern France. He earned his Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Diploma in 1995 and in 1997 Megan and he packed up their Renault 5 and set off to explore the delights of the Languedoc. 4 years later the shop was born and they were able to bring their love of southern France (and indeed all things Mediterranean) to Market Harborough.
- Megan Murray: She will always remember the day they set off in thier Renault 5. They had Montpellier as our destination, but that was about it. Within the first two weeks they had met Robert and Kim Cripps from Domaine du Poujol and helped out at the vineyard. They suppose that where the seeds for shop were sown as it confirmed that they were right about the excitement of finding small producers making fabulous wines. This was a real voyage of discovery for her and her background's in teaching).
- Nick Worricke: They met Nick shortly after the shop opened. They were delighted when he came to work with them and even more delighted when he came back after an interlude gaining a teaching qualification. Nick excelled at the WSET Level 3 Certificate gaining a distinction and one of the highest scores in the UK. He's now passed the WSET Diploma with flying colours.
- Free Saturday wine tastings: Takes place on Saturdays from 12 – 3pm at their shop in Adam and Eve Street, Market Harborough. Throughout the year they feature wine, beer and spirits from a wide range of locations, giving their costumers the opportunity to taste around the shop and the world. No need to book.
- Free Local Delivery: If you can’t get to the shop, or you bought more than you can carry home, and if your order is £100 or over and you live within 15 miles of Market Harborough, then they can deliver.
- Glass Hire: Need goblets, tasting glasses or pint and half pint glasses for your events. You can rent them at £3 charge per dozen glasses. Bring your glasses back dirty and they’ll wash them up.
- Sale or return: It’s always better to have a bit too much rather than too little because you can never be sure how much your guests will drink. That’s why they offer sale or return for your peace of mind. They need the full payment in advance, but you can bring back up to a third of your order.
- Wines for your big events: Getting married, having a large party, they can help with all their wine requirements and they can provide advice on how much you’ll need; food and wine pairings, etc.
- Wines for your restaurant, bar or pub: Their existing on-trade customers have come to them as they’re looking for a wine list with a difference and the can fit the bill. With thier range of carefully sourced wines (many of which are imported directly and hard to find elsewhere) they can provide a ‘Wine of the Moment’ or your whole list.
- Wines for your business: Whether you’re looking for a gift for clients, a special way to say thank you to your employees or a bespoke tasting, Duncan Murray Wines is always at your disposal.
- Bespoke Tastings: Got a group of friends who are wine enthusiasts? Want to entertain clients? Part of a wine society looking for a speaker? Duncan Murray may well be the man you're looking for.With over 20 years experience in the wine trade, Duncan has accumulated a vast amount of knowledge about wine and can talk for Britain on one of his favourite topics. However, don't worry - his tastings are anything but 'dry'! Duncan's approach to tastings is to provide fun and education in equal doses. Whether you're entirely new to tasting or an experienced taster who would like to find out more about a particular area, Duncan can tailor the tasting to you.
MARKET HARBOROUGH IN THE DISTRICT OF LEICESTER
Built in the 12th century as a market town to promote local industry, Market Harborough has always had commerce running through its veins. Situated in Leicestershire, the town’s main hub of activity today is its bustling High Street, where independent shops, diverse restaurants and pubs attract a brisk trade.
One of the town’s most striking landmarks is the timber framed Old Grammar School which dates from 1614, while the nearby St. Dionysius Parish Church, with its towering steeple, can also be found in Market Harborough’s picturesque heart. Another popular attraction is Harborough Museum and Library, located in the Symington Building, an eye-catching Victorian-era former corset factory.
- Market Harborough: Is a market town within the Harborough district of Leicestershire, England. It has a population of 22,911 (2011) and is the administrative headquarters of Harborough District Council. It sits on the Northamptonshire-Leicestershire border. The town was formerly at a crossroads for both road and rail. However the A6 now bypasses the town to the east and the A14 which carries east-west traffic is 6 miles (9.7 km) to the south. The town is served by East Midlands Trains with direct services to Leicester, Nottingham, Sheffield, Derby and St Pancras International. Rail services to Rugby and Peterborough ended in 1966.
Market Harborough is located in an area which was formerly a part of the Rockingham Forest, a royal hunting forest used by the medieval monarchs starting with William I. Rockingham Road takes its name from the forest. The forest's original boundaries stretched from Market Harborough through to Stamford and included the settlements at Corby, Kettering, Desborough, Rothwell, Thrapston and Oundle.
The steeple of St. Dionysius Parish Church which rises directly from the street, as there is no church yard. It was constructed in grey stone in 1300 with the church itself a later building of about 1470. Next to the church stands the Old Grammar School, a small timber building dating from 1614. The ground floor is open, creating a covered market area and there is a single room on the first floor. It has become a symbol of the town. The nearby square is largely pedestrianised and surrounded by buildings of varying styles. The upper end of the High Street is wide and contains mostly unspoiled Georgian buildings.
Market Harborough has two villages within its confines: Great Bowden lies over a hill about a mile from the town centre; Little Bowden is less than half a mile from the town centre. The three centres have largely coalesced through ribbon development and infill, although Great Bowden continues to retain a strong village identity.
- Geography: Market Harborough is in a rural part of south Leicestershire, on the River Welland and close to the Northamptonshire border. The town is about 15 miles (24.1 km) south of Leicester via the A6, 17 miles (27.4 km) north of Northampton via the A508 and 10 miles (16.1 km) north west of Kettering. The town is near the A14 road running from the M1/M6 motorway Catthorpe Interchange to Felixstowe. The M1 is about 11 miles (17.7 km) west via the A4304 road.
The Midland Main Line railway connects to London St Pancras International. A branch of the Grand Union Canal terminates in the north part of the town and connects to the main canal near Foxton and the Foxton Locks.