Pick of the month
Today’s forecast is a 99% chance of Wine
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Niepoort is a family business dating back to 1842. Its winemaking tradition began in the Douro region, with the roduction of Port wine. Nowadays has a foothold in all the major Portuguese regions with still wines production outside the Douro Valley. Know-how, enthusiasm and an innovative mindset have passed down from generation to generation, making Niepoort one of the most authentic and notable Portuguese wine producers. The grapes to produce this wine come from Quinta do Carril, from a north-facing vineyard with more than 70 years, and also from old vineyards about 100 years old near Quinta de Nápoles. Niepoort sums up this elegant bottling well by saying “Batuta is a wine of extremes, having more of everything, is at the same time, the one with a more discrete behavior.” Quite so this year (and most), as the wine opens with subtlety and elegance, seeming rather mute. It is somewhat tinged by oak early in its life. That will be easily absorbed. It takes some air and patience to see what this sometimes too subtle wine has, but there is good structure underneath (and a little tannic pop that emerges with air) that should allow the wine to develop well and have the time to acquire some complexity, which is often its best feature. It has a very Burgundian feel, with a silky, graceful mid-palate. There is nothing obvious about this bottling in any year. This year, certainly, it is a Batuta that is perhaps subtle to a fault, but it will be a perfect food wine and when you are drinking it you will suddenly realize how much you like it.'' Time will tell, definitely one of the great current masters of winemaking. Not just in Portugal but in the world -
An exceptional Kadarka from the Vida winery's 100 year old vines. The history of the name for this wine is also peculiar. One day, Peter Sr. was presenting his winery to one of his Japanese partners. When they were about to approach the vineyards, the gentleman noticed this little vine and jumped off the car and started shouting “BONSAI!” pointing at them. The tiny appearance of these stocks resembles a Bonsai, which in Japanese culture represents wisdom, a wish for long life and is also a symbol of good luck. A small curiosity is that Kadarka is a grape that was widely available before the Soviet union and well praised. With the Iron Curtain nearly fell into extinction, it's delicious but takes a huge effort to grow and is best from old vines. Reminds you of any other grape with certain similarities? -
Hárslevelű is one of the most unique grape varieties in Central Europe - a relative of the Hungarian Furmint. It has aromas of linden blossom with honied chestnut, pear and apricot. Dry palate, balanced acidity with a silky texture, medium body. Spontaneous fermentation and 9 months on the lees in Stockinger barrels add complexity, while the great reductive strength comes from the volcanic terroir. Bott Frigyes is a tiny family producer in Southern Slovakia, who takes the Burgundian approach and quality to winemaking with a Central European twist. Single-vineyard Hárslevelű develops well in bottle, so you can also lay them down for a year or two. Very enjoyable on its own, however due to its rich flavours and a delicate volcanic minerality, you can go complex with food pairings. John Dory, turbot or even veal are good choices with high-quality Hárslevelű. Extremely limited. Maximum 1 bottle per order. -
A beautifully clean biodynamic Riesling that will shock most enthusiasts and wine experts alike. Charming honied peaches on the nose, yet a superbly elegant and dry palate of great intensity and length. Spontaneous fermentation and 9 months on the lees in Stockinger barrels add complexity, while the great reductive strength comes from the volcanic terroir. Bott Frigyes is a tiny family producer in Southern Slovakia, who takes the Burgundian approach and quality to winemaking with a Central European twist. Pair it with Iberico pork chops grilled on the bone, finished in thyme infused butter. Sensational. -
The late Bruno Sorg and his son François are responsible for some of the finest, richest and most concentrated wines in Alsace. The Sorg family have been producing wine in the Alsace since the 18th century, with this particular branch of it established in the late 1960s by Renée and the late Bruno Sorg. Alsace is becoming better known for and offering superb value in comparison to some Pinot from Burgundy. A complex Pinot, that has good fruit density, freshness along with a savoury dimension. Fantastic value! -
The maison Albert Pic et Fils was founded in 1755. The company is now owned by Baron Patrick de Ladoucette. Made from 100% Chardonnay grapes, this wine from Maison Albert Pic is a Chablis that comes from the central-eastern French region of Burgundy, on soils of Kimmeridgian origin with a low percentage of clay and marl. The vines are located in one of the seven Grand Crus with the appellation. Pair it white meats, blue cheeses but especially fish dishes. Serve at a temperature of 10-12°C in a wide goblet -
Domaine la Fourmone is a multi-generational domaine and is currently run by sister, Florentine and brother, Albin Combe. The property dates back to the mid-1700’s when it originally producing wheat. Wine began to be grown in the last 19th century and thent became the crop after Julien Combe purchased the property in 1910. The domaine cultivates 41 ha (104 acres) of vineyards of which, 20ha are in Vacqueyras, 10ha are in Gigondas and 7ha of Côtes-du-Rhône and IGP and 4ha of vines on the southern edge of the Dentelles hills that reside in the Ventoux appellation. “Les Ceps d’Or” comes from a blend of mainly Grenache and Mourvèdre. It expresses the imprint of the 50 years of our goblet-pruned vines. The berries are delicately harvested on the northern and eastern limits of the Vacqueyras appellation. The plots come from two islands located on the plateau of the appellation at the foothills of the Dentelles de Montmirail, a massif well known for its geological richness. The first islet is located in the Piedmont de Beauregard region. The soil is made up of dark beige marly silts, cut by broken slabs of Miocene molasses at a depth of one meter. This terroir requires a lot of effort from the vines to slide their rootlets into the cracks and deploy meters of roots. This effort gives the wine a singular complexity and aromatic richness. The second islet is located at the northern limit of the Cône de la Font des Papes terroir. A surface of light beige clay-sandy silt with small limestone fragments with a well-developed root profile up to two meters deep. The materials from this terroir have all the criteria favorable to the vine: freshness and good water reserve. -
This wine is imported directly and only for Pinto Wines Riesling on Schist makes its terroir apparent with a livewire acidity and snap, rocky, chalky and mineral. Low yielding parcels. Long and driving, a little structure from 2022. The Durrmann family are making wine from their old family house in the middle of Andlau, a beautiful village nestled on the first slopes of the Vosges mountains south-west of Strasbourg. With a surface of only 1,5 hectare at the beginning in 1979, the domaine gradually reached a total surface of seven hectares after André decided to move back to farming and pieced it together from abandoned vineyard sites that were hard to work and no longer commercially viable, coming from his grandfather who made shoes to supplement the farm income. This lack of an established and family-based wine making tradition initially presented a weakness because the whole business had to be built, but it is also a strength because the company wasn’t limited to traditional customs, and therefore has always been oriented toward innovation. The vineyards are now scattered on about 30 spots around the village. They added parcels progressively when opportunities showed up and looked also for different soil qualities so that the cuvées express several terroirs. The Durrmans think that the quality of the wine is created by the work in the vineyard, that’s why their objective is its preservation. The wines are being disturbed as little as possible. They do not add any oenological product to change the natural taste of the wines. The production is partly vinified in inox tank and partly in old wooden casks. Son Yann has worked in the domaine since he was a child and officially took over the running of the business a year ago. André was among the first wave of organic winemakers in Alsace converting in 1998, Yann has then taken this a step further applying a more natural approach in the cellar. Selected cuvées are produced without sulfur addition since 2007. The Durrmanns are true eco warriors only having electric cars and using solar energy for hot water and heating. Pair it with Pork, Seafood, Curries, Spicy dishes -
Filipa Pato and husband, William Wouters have created an expressive range of wines representing the native grape varietals of the Barriada region. Their philosophy is simple: "create authentic wines without make-up to express the true nature of the vineyards they come from". Bairrada is a coastal DOC which borders Vinho Verde, Dão and Lisboa. It has mild and wet winters and hot windy summers. The climatic thermal range, brought about by the Atlantic influence, brings high acidity and freshness to the grapes here. Filipa and William practice biodynamic viticulture and are undergoing conversion to organic certification. The wine is unfined. Drink with sheep and goats cheese, dressed salads, and delicate poultry dishes. -
The wines of i Clivi are born in Friuli in between the Collio Goriziano and the eastern hills of Udine, named Colli Orientali, where, on sunny slopes – clivi meaning “slopes” – Altogether there is cultivated 12 hectares of certified organic vineyards planted with the indigenous varieties Ribolla, Friulano, Verduzzo, and Malvasia, whose only international grape is Merlot, a variety which found home in this area more than a century ago. Taking care of this important heritage of old vines, aged between 60 and 80 years, it is for Ferdinando and Mario Zanusso a reminder of the responsibility with which they guard and produce wine on this strip of land, giving the chance to express two distinct D.O.C. denominations, Collio, and Colli Orientali del Friuli, whose sensory difference is related exclusively to the microclimate. The low yields produced by these old vines give a natural concentration and complexity to the fruit they seek to transform naturally with spontaneous fermentation, maintaining the elegance and aromatic integrity through careful maturation in steel tanks for 50,000 bottles of varietal wines with great personality, distinguished grace, and delicacy. -
Nuno Mira do Ó is a one-man viticulture and enology powerhouse. A deep-thinking, well-traveled, generous person totally focused on expressing the great terroir of his native country. His peers look his way for guidance because his experience bringing forth wines of place covers almost every major wine region in Portugal. He launched his eponymous brand in the Dão wine region with Druida Encruzado. The wine is named for the ancient Celtic druids whose connection to the earth and plants drove their quest to achieve spiritual equilibrium through the balance of nature. As an enologist and viticulturist, Nuno is in constant search for balance between the soil, the climate, and the vines. Mira do Ó wines seek to attain perfect sensory balance with the utmost respect for nature. This is a pursuit driven by passion and a desire to share wines filled with freshness, elegance, and aging potential. These wines are handcrafted in the Dão from indigenous varietals with vineyards in granite soil sitting above 500 meters of elevation to capture the region’s cool climate. Store the bottles lying down in a cool place (15-17ºC). Drink at 11-12º C and pair with fine food. -
This is an excellent value French Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire valley and resembles the big Sancerre wines of the region . This Petit has nothing petit about it and has an outstanding quality and is very flexible. Can be drunk on it's own or paired with grilled trout, bass or fresh goats' cheese. Jean Paul Seguin winery is situated in the small village of Verdigny in the Sancerre region, the Fournier family has been making wine for many generations. The estate has grown from 5 hectares in 1950 to almost 30 hectares today, divided over the appellations of Mentou Salon, Pouilly-Fumé and Sancerre. The improvement made in vinification techniques and the permanent concern about quality result in well-balanced wines of great diversity. Enjoy this wine from the Loire without paying the big prices of its counterparts -
Keermont Vineyards is a specialist wine estate set in the naturally-formed amphitheatre between the Helderberg and Stellenbosch Mountain ranges. All grapes used in producing our wines are grown on Keermont Vineyards. Most of the vineyard parcels grow on deep red clay rich soil derived from sandstone and granite and are surrounded by indigenous vegetation. They lie between 250 and 400 metres above sea level at the top of the valley, and have a variety of aspects from North East to West facing. In 2001, the Wraith family moved to the Western Cape from Gauteng and in 2003 bought two adjacent farms which today make up Keermont Vineyards. Keermont Syrah is a blend of three different Syrah vineyard sites growing on Keermont Vineyards: Steepside Syrah: Growing on a North facing slope in deep, red clay-rich soils; this vineyard generally produces powerful full-bodied wines with rich, spicy flavours. Topside Syrah: An unirrigated west facing vineyard planted at 400m above sea level on rocky sandstone-based soil. Topside Syrah is usually a more aromatic wine with good structure and natural acid. Sweetwater Syrah: Situated in a rocky valley below the Fleurfontein spring, this is the coolest of the three Syrah sites and ripens the latest. Sweetwater Syrah is normally lighter and elegant in style with a herbal aroma. Only produced 12 665 bottles and 145 magnums. Maybe one of these will be yours to enjoy! -
Reserve Du Couvent is the backbone of the Château Ksara range, a ready-to-drink, medium to full-bodied wine, which owes its inspiration to the wines of the Northern Rhone and Bordeaux. Pair it with Sirloin, Lamb and medium strong cheeses. Ksara estate, named so because it was the site of a ksar, or fortress, at the time of the Crusades. The property situated in the heart of the Bekaa Valley, near Baalbeck, was acquired by the Jesuit Fathers in 1857 when it was already famed as a vineyard and they perpetuated the tradition of winemaking. No one really knows for certain when wine was first made in Lebanon, the Phoenician ancestors of today's Lebanese were certainly among the earliest winemakers. Later, in the Greco-Roman era, a wine cult flourished, as the ruins of the Temple of Bacchus at Baalbeck in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley bear eloquent witness. Ksara's natural wine cellar was a grotto discovered by the Romans who consolidated part of the vault and dug several narrow tunnels from the cave into the surrounding chalk. These tunnels were enlarged to their present size during World War I when the Jesuit Fathers sought to alleviate famine in Lebanon by creating employment. One hundred men toiled with picks and shovels for four years to complete an underground network of tunnels stretching for almost two kilometres (about 2,000 yards).The temperature in the tunnels is ideal for wine, varying throughout the year from 11 to 13ºC. Ksara came into the hands of its present owners when the Jesuit Fathers decided to sell the estate in conformity with the directives of the Vatican II synod. Having grown significantly since its foundation, vineyards spread around the Chateau’s complex which includes the winery, a tasting room/restaurant, and Lebanon’s first astronomy/observation tour. Located in the heart of the Bekaa Valley at an average altitude of 1,000 meters, vines grow without pesticides or herbicides. The soil ranges from chalk, to clay and chalk, to clay and limestone, but it is always stony. A fantastic wine that kept its value humble and therefore on the right side of the price comparing to some of other wines found in the area. Enjoy this unique and great find! -
On the border between Roussillon and Corbières, in the heart of the Maury appellation, is the Domaine de la Petite Baigneuse . Philippe Wies, accompanied by his wife Céline, settled at the end of the 2000s, on the superb Maury shale terroirs, at an altitude of 350 meters with breathtaking views of the big blue sea. Surrounded by scrubland and protected by an environment of cliffs, the 14 hectares of vines benefit from a Mediterranean climate tempered by the wind and maritime inlets. Organic since the beginning of the adventure, the Petite Baigneuse estate also practices biodynamics and only works the soil very little. Some plowing is then carried out with a tractor and a tracker so as not to overturn the horizons. Not far from Calce's friends in the people of La Nouvelle Donne , and Domaine Jean-Philippe Padié , Philippe Wies is today an essential figure in the world of natural wines in the south of France. "Juste Ciel", a wine that calls for summer, fresh grilled fish, marinated supions, sea urchins, carpaccio de Saint Jacques.... In short, "La Petite Baigneuse" delivers here a wine to be enjoyed by the poolside with a Mediterranean meal thanks to its delicacy, its freshness and its notes of candied fruits. A very nice white wine to share with a nice meal. -
The huge passion of Dirk Niepoort for Baga variety and the fantastic terroir of the Bairrada region led him to look for small parcels of Baga in very old vines, scattered throughout the Cantanhede region, over the past three years. These wines were light in color and alcoholic content, elegant and fine, soon after bottling, but with a huge ageing potential. With the acquisition of the Quinta de Baixo in 2012, it became possible to recreate the Lagar de Baixo brand, moving towards a classically-styled wine which highlights the nobility of Baga grown in Bairrada. The red Lagar de Baixo is the result of a combination of very old vines and younger vines: complex, serious, but with some youth and grip. The 2020 Lagar de Baixo is our most classic wine from Quinta de Baixo and the wine that best reflects the Bairrada terroir. It is fermented in lagares and aged in used barrels. Food Suggestion: Venison dishes (partridge, wild boar), pork and bean stew, baked cod. Vegetarian suggestions: dishes with legumes (red kidney beans, lentils). -
Magoutes winery, run by Dimitris Diamantis, is located in the old but forgotten region of Siatista in the mountains of northern Greece. Here vineyards have been abandoned and then revived centuries ago. The city of Siatista is nestled on the slopes of Mount Siniatsiko. The soils of the vineyards are limestone-based which adds elegance and acidity to this ruby-hued red wine. Moshomavro means 'black muscat' but is no relation in parentage or flavour! Lovers of of Beaujolais or Italian reds like pelaverga, rossesse or schiava will find a lot to appreciate in moschómavro, a variety historically interplanted with xinómavro and others in the western Macedonian mountains. Make sure to open this well in advance to get the full show, as a couple of hours of air will bring out its best qualities. It’s the ideal wine to pair with a cheese and meat board or fish. It’s also lovely with a slight chill on a warm day. -
The Bodega or Cava Maria Casanovas is located in the heart of the Penedès, in Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, the centre of Cava production. It is owned by the Casanovas family and managed by three children of Maria Casanovas. Jordi and Jacint are responsible for the vineyards and the cellar, Rosa for administration and marketing. Maria Casanovas' parents were already grape growers and sold their produce to the large cava wineries. Cava has been produced under their own name since 1984. 13 hectares are owned and planted with the local grape varieties Xarel-lo, Parellada and Macabeo (Viura) as well as the international varieties Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Maria Casanovas was one of the pioneers who introduced Pinot Noir to Penedès. Fossils can be found occasionally in the calcareous, gravelly clay soils. Food pairing suggestion: Apéro pastries, Tagliatelle al tartufo, Vegetable pie, Salad with vegetables, pulses, pasta -
It is in the heart of the genuine Alentejo, with its unique aromas, flavors and textures, nature, silence and immensity, that the 80 hectares of vineyards at Herdade Monte da Cal, located in the municipality of Fronteira, in the parish of São Saturnino, extend over 80 hectares of vineyards. about 40 km from Portalegre. Surrounded by the tranquility of the northern Alentejo plain, it is part of the calm environment of nature characteristic of this part of the country, surrounded by an infinity of vineyards, which we can only see, far away. Here, the red varieties Trincadeira, Syrah, Aragonês, Alicante Bouschet, Alfrocheiro and Touriga Nacional are planted. The architecture and decoration of the estate reflect the Arab influences, so present in the Alentejo culture. The estate’s modern winery is a fundamental pillar to reinforce the visibility of the wines of this house, and a wine tourism project is already planned for this property. Suggested pairing with dishes from the Mediterranean, Chinese, Indian and African cuisine. -
Nat Cool is an innovative, naturally “cool and funky” concept initiated by Niepoort in the Vinho Verde wine region. The movement later expanded into Bairrada and the Douro Valley and is now represented in various Portuguese as well as international wine regions. Nat Cool is not just about producing low-intervention wines – it embodies a movement uniting many different producers striving towards a shared goal of crafting uncomplicated, light and easy-to-drink wines. In 2020, the Nat Cool “family” grew, with its foray into Portugal’s Dão region. It is here, on the slopes of the Serra da Estrela Mountain Range that the DrinkMe Nat Cool is created and where we explore the region’s potential for elegant, fresh and straight-forward wines. Pair it with Light and simple dishes as well as comfort food
