Wines
Helder's Wine Selection: A Taste of Catalonia
At Fazenda our commitment to curating an exceptional dining experience extends beyond the plate and into the depths of our carefully selected wine lists. Recently we sat down with Helder, General Manager, wine lover and coinosseur, to uncover a personal wine that holds a special place in his heart. The recommendation, available across our Fine Wines Menu in Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham, transports him to an important time and place.
"Three weeks ago, I had the pleasure of tasting the Comte Pirenne Priorat 2008 wine. Approximately 8 years prior I had tried the 2001 and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I was eager to see how a more recent year of the same wine would compare. As the bottle was brought to the table, I found myself transported to the Priorat Region in Catalonia, immersed in the unique terroir and character of the 2008 vintage...
It's very early morning, and I am sitting in the high slopes of the Cariñena and Garnacha vineyards. On a very late September day, the sun hasn't risen yet, and I can see a group of people walking through the vineyards, some of them carrying baskets in their hands. Someone has carefully considered the precise day and time to commence the picking of the ripe grapes, taking into account the ideal levels of acidity and sugars, ensuring the grapes are harvested while the day's temperature remains cool. They aim to have all grapes picked and brought to the winery before 10 am.
I imagine that these tired, very old vines (some 90 years old) are struggling, using their roots to supplement from the poor and infertile Licorella soils, fighting to get as many nutrients and minerals as possible to feed the very low yield they will produce. I sit wondering how concentrated the resulting bunches must be, and at the high heat of the climate, what if they did not have the protection of the Montsant mountains or were not planted on the high slopes? What did all of these factors do to this 2008 bottle I was about to try?
When I tried this wine, I thought it likely that it could have some sediments at the bottom of the bottle, so I carefully served it in the glass. I also had it slightly cooler, at about 15-17 degrees, as I think it helps to maintain its freshness. The wine was as delicious as I was expecting. Visually, even after aging for 16 years, it was still a very deep ruby/purple colour with delightful aromas of ripe black fruits, licorice, and spice.
On the palate, it was full-bodied with a rich, concentrated texture; it was almost chewable with flavours of black fruits, minerals, chocolate, and smoky notes. Firm but polished tannins, with great structure but at the same time, very elegant for a wine with such power, surely helped by the balanced acidity. Truly a great wine.
Ultimately, this wine is the result of its exceptional grapes, the unique terroir of the Priorat region, the meticulous care and generational tradition applied throughout its production.
I have never actually been to Catalonia, but this wine surely translates what the region is about and what they do best in that part of the world."
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Online Reservations
Tables of up to 10 guests can be booked straight from our website (9 for Fazenda Birmingham and Edinburgh).For larger tables please contact [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] and our Reception Teams will be happy to help with your enquiry.
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Dress Code
Our dress code is “elegant smart casual”. We do not require gentlemen to wear jacket and tie, however, we do not permit sportswear (gym wear) or beachwear.Children
We welcome children of all ages and believe we provide a great atmosphere for families to enjoy the restaurant experience. In the evening if guests wish to make a reservation with children under the age of 8 please do so for no later than 6pm (reservation durations vary depending on the number of guests so please note the reservation cannot go beyond 8pm). When making a reservation please count children in the total number of guests and let us know if you need a high chair or space for a pram/pushchair.
Please note: We politely request that children are always supervised and remain seated at the table to allow our teams and other guests to move around the restaurant safely and maintain physical distance.
Lastly, please note that children under 16 years of age need to be accompanied by an adult to dine.Cancellations & Deposits
We might require card details for some reservations. Your card will not be charged upon booking and your details will be securely processed by Stripe.If you no longer wish to keep your reservation, please let us know with as much notice as possible. Should you cancel your reservation or reduce the booking size less than 24 hours before your reservation date and time, a charge of £10.00 per guest will be processed.
Halal Selection
Halal reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance.Allergens
The team at Fazenda take food safety very seriously and particularly so when it concerns allergens in food. On our website you can view allergen information on our Menu page. When visiting us you'll have access to it via our menus and also on our Market Table.Smoking
In line with legislation passed in 2007 Fazenda is a no-smoking restaurant. We do not allow e-cigarettes inside either.Pets & Guide Dogs
Animals are not accepted unless assisting guests with additional needs.Photography
Guests are allowed to take photos and videos for personal use inside the private dining room, gardens and on the terrace. At the moment we are not able to accommodate any photography requests for professional or educational purposes until further notice.FAQs
**What are your opening days and times? **
To view each restaurant opening times please click on Locations and choose your local Fazenda.Are you accepting walk-ins?
We are now accepting walk-ins once again.How can I make a reservation?
You can make a reservation via our website or by contacting your local Fazenda by clicking on Locations.Do I need to pay a deposit for my reservation?
We might require card details for some reservations. Your card will not be charged upon booking and your details will be securely processed by Stripe.If you no longer wish to keep your reservation, please let us know with as much notice as possible. Should you cancel your reservation or reduce the booking size less than 24 hours before your reservation date and time, a charge of £10.00 per guest will be processed.
Can I have drinks at the bar?
Absolutely, and reservations are not needed in advance for our bar areas.Are Christmas reservations available?
They are indeed, via our reservations page.