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Stéphane Riffault (Claude’s son and now the owner of the estate) is turning out Sancerre bottlings that are the envy of many producers twice his age. As David Schildknecht put it, “Make no mistake: this address in the hamlet of Maison Salle (Sury-en-Vaux) is now one of the five or six most exciting estates in the Sancerre appellation.” Given that Stephane’s holdings represent 4-tenths of 1 percent of the appellation, he is clearly doing something right. Based in the village of Sury-en-Vaux, Stéphane Riffault works 33 different parcels in 8 different lieu-dits spread across four villages. The 13.5 hectares of vines are plowed, and no synthetic material is used. Starting in 2017, the property has been certified organic by ECOCERT and biodynamic by BIODYVIN. Unlike most Sancerre producers, the entire harvest is carried out by hand, and extensive sorting occurs before the grapes are crushed. Stéphane’s wife, Benedicte, leads the harvest team while Stéphane manages the sorting and press during harvest. Most of the domaine’s holdings are planted on the soft limestone soil called terres blanches, with some parcels on calliottes and silex. Minor, judicious uses of oak help to add length to the already precise, site-expressive, and vertical bottlings. All the parcels are vinified separately, and except for the rosé, all the wines are bottled unfiltered. Having studied and worked in Burgundy (and closely with Olivier Leflaive), it’s easy to see the Burgundian influence in Stéphane’s wines. The mastery of minerality standing shoulder–height with the wood is rarely duplicated in Sancerre. Regardless of his parcels’ exposition (many are south-facing), Riffault’s wines are always crisp and highcut with a jeweled delineation that speaks to the precision and attention these wines get. These are not your daddy’s (or his daddy, Claude’s) Sancerres. Sancerre Les Denisottes Les Denisottes comes from a lieu-dit located quite close to the domaine’s cellar. Here the terres blanches soils are deeper and more pebbly than rocky and producing a richer style of Sancerre – one that requires a longer élevage in barrel, and released with a greater capacity to age. -
Dog Point Vineyard is New Zealand's largest certified organic vineyard by Biogro NZ. We are family owned and one of the oldest privately established vineyards, located on the hill slopes of the Southern Valleys of Marlborough, New Zealand. Marlborough is blessed with one of the sunniest and driest climates in New Zealand. The significant diurnal temperature range between cool nights and sunny days allows ideal conditions for the long slow ripening of grapes. Soils are crucial to the character of our wine. Most soils have been laid down within the last 14,000 years carved and eroded by glaciers in the high country and carried down to the coast by melt-water rivers. Older well-established vines are situated on free draining silty clay loams. This is supplemented with more recent plantings on closely planted hillside blocks on soils with a clay loam influence. Pair with fresh, simple seafood dishes especially oysters. Also compliments goat's cheese well -
With his diploma in oenology, Denis Wurtz has been reviving since 1998 the estate of his grandparents in Beblenheim, whose name evokes the profession of one of his ancestors. Installed in a 16th century half-timbered house in the heart of the gorgeous Alsatian vineyards. The Vieille Forge Estate runs 10 acres where 1/3 is dedicated to the production of Grands Cru wines. To the south of Riquewihr, the vineyard is situated in a natural circus oriented gently towards the south-east. Its clay-marly soils are favorable to gewurztraminer. This enchants with the intensity and finesse of its aromatic palette. A sensational wine, it will assert itself with spicy dishes from other continents, cheeses and even desserts. -
This wine is imported exclusively for Pinto Wines. The Durrmann estate is located in the municipality of Andlau, in Alsace, an ancient medieval village in which vines have been cultivated for more than a thousand years. The winery was created in 1979 with some vineyards owned by Yann's grandfather, who was a shoemaker. The lack of experience in the wine sector was a disadvantage as they had to start from scratch, but also a big advantage as they were able to immediately differentiate themselves from tradition and move towards the most natural agriculture possible with a push "of thought "very innovative. As André expanded the domain into what it is today and managed to collect a beautiful vineyard property (more than 8 hectares now), he been working completely organically since 1998, but he also applies permaculture principles to achieve the greatest possible biodiversity in the vineyards. For example, he planted trees among the grapes. He does not plow the vineyards, because he thinks that would disrupt soil life. At most he mows the grass. In winter he lets his own small flock of sheep graze the vineyards. To keep it within the vineyard, he has fenced off all his plots with mesh and fences; This also helps to keep wild boars - which appear to have a great preference for organic vineyards! - at bay. André cruises through the village in an electric car, powered by electricity he produces himself (because he refuses to use electricity from a nuclear power plant). His wife Anna cooks vegetables and potatoes on two large dishes in the courtyard that catch the sunlight and heat the pans. Anyway, you get the picture. Son Yann has now taken over the domain and more and more cuvées are now made completely naturally. Not filtered, and without added sulfite. They also still make some cuvées with sulphite, because they do not want to alienate the large private customer base that buys at the door. But most customers respond positively, so they will steadily expand the nature range. Even Rieslings from Grand Cru vineyards are now being marketed as natural wine. Taste this next to the sulfited version and you will notice that the terroir in the natural version comes out even better! Perfect at room temperature in the winter, slightly chill it in the summer. Serve with white meat or light nibbles or on its own!!Delicious and to come back for more -
Denis Clair, quick with a laugh and a textbook bon vivant, created the domaine in 1986. The Clair family had owned parcels in the area for generations but sold most of their production to negociants. Denis set out to bottle his own wine. His wife Françoise was born in Saint-Aubin, a neighboring AOC village 2 1/2 miles to the northwest (a bit longer by car). This is where the Clairs' winery is located. They have a son, Jean-Baptiste, who joined the family business in 2000 working the vines. Jean-Baptist eventually began making their white wines. Today the family owns 15 hectares, including parcels in Santenay and Saint-Aubin. They sell 75,000 bottles a year, with about 75% of that going abroad. Fantastic with lobster, langoustines, turbot, a fillet of Saint-Pierre with fine vegetables, all shellfish and crustaceans, sole... Also unique with fine white meats, including pheasant with a beautiful cream sauce. Stunning gift and a bucket list wine -
The Domaine des Chenevières has been in operation for 6 generations of winegrowers who love their land. The family farm is now managed by Sylvain, Benoît and Aurélien LENOIR, three cousins who succeeded their parents and took over the torch. The Domaine des Chenevières is located in the town of Saint-Maurice-de-Satonnay (71 Saône-et-Loire, Burgundy), a small village located halfway between Mâcon and Cluny. The vineyard with 46 hectares of vines is located in 3 municipalities: Saint-Maurice-de-Satonnay, Péronne and Azé, also renowned for its prehistoric caves. From pruning to harvesting, from vinification to bottling, everything is done with respect for tradition in order to bring you the enchantment of the aromas that will awaken your taste buds when tasting the white wines or the red wines from the production of the Domaine des Chenevières. The estate's vines are planted on hillsides and mid-hillsides, on clay-limestone soil. They are exposed South / South-East. The vines of the estate are between 20 and 60 years old and sustainable farming is part of every thought process. Thus, part of the vines remains grassed to promote biodiversity with an emphasis on tillage. They have a certification of HVE or High Environmental Value in all of their 46 hectares. Pair it with hors d'ouvres, grilled fish, shellfish, oysters, quiches, gratins. Great value Mâcon-Villages. Enjoy! -
Doran Vineyards ARYA 2022 The freshness and citrus aromas and flavours of the Chenin are well balanced by the dried apricot notes of the Grenache Blanc and then there is a lovely, well rounded finish given by the weightier Roussanne. -
Mira do O produces expressive, concentrated wines. Despite the concentration, all the wines are fresh, elegant, well-balanced and shows great maturation potential. Dao region is valued by wine lovers for its expressiveness, freshness, concentration of taste and longevity of the wine. The region is a little further away from the Atlantic Ocean, but its cold winds still cool Dao vineyards. For this reason, the wine is high levels of acidity and great balance. The poor granite soil prevalent in the region gives the wines more texture, depth and spice. It is worth mentioning that here is a register and a large part of the old, local Portuguese grapes. Mira do O Druida Encruzado Reserva is made from a small vineyard located on a 500-meter plateau. This plateau provides protection from excess Atlantic moisture. At the same time, the temperature fluctuations caused by this altitude allow the grapes to ripen perfectly during the day, but they are more refreshing due to the cooling vineyards. The winemaker follows the principle of minimalist intervention: to change the wine as little as possible during its production. For this reason, the very characteristics of the grape stand out. Pair it with aperitif, roast white meats, sautee greens -
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. -
Quinta da Fonte Souto is in the Portalegre subregion of the Alto Alentejo in southern Portugal. Close to the São Mamede range (1,025 metres), the property benefits from the area’s altitude with its cooler microclimate in sharp contrast to the Alentejo region’s typically hot and dry conditions. Yields are low due to the schist and granite soils, which are less fertile than those found in the flat and rolling terrain which characterizes the majority of the Alentejo. -
The historic Fritz Haag wine estate is located in the heart of the central Mosel River Valley. The earliest documentation of the estate dates back to 1605. At that time, the village in which it is situated was known as “Dusemond.” In 1925, this village was renamed “Brauneberg” (“brown mountain,” a reference to the color of the slate soil in this area of the Mosel) in an endeavor to further promote the reputation of its world-renowned vineyards “Brauneberger Juffer” and “Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr.” Like all the top Mosel producers, Fritz Haag produces a range of wines including some very rich, late harvest dessert wines. These wines put the region on the map for luxury wine in the 17 and 1800s, making some Mosel Riesling more pricey and coveted than first growth Bordeaux. But in truth the wines that the locals drank, especially in the summer, were generally off dry to completely bone dry. Fritz Haag's vineyards sit along the slopes of the Brauneberger hill and the vineyards of Juffer and Juffer Sonnenuhr. Brauneberger faces almost entirely south which makes it a bit easier to get fully ripe Riesling in the classically cold, wet Mosel. That has changed a bit recently of course, but this is still a prized site for wines that perfectly balance finesse and power, complexity and airy drinkability. This specific wine is a VDP GG or Grosse Lage which is equivalent to a Grand Cru. -
This slinky, mineral white hails from Valdeorras (“Valley of Gold”) in eastern Galicia, a region once famous for goldmining and now best known for its unique and complex wines made from the indigenous Godello grape. The wine is named for the river Sil that flows through the region (Xil is its ancient name, used by the Celtic people who once inhabited the area). Many of the river’s tributaries are flanked on either side by vineyards, planted in terraces on steep slate hillsides. The label displays a dozen bridges, symbolizing the idea of crossing from one vineyard plot to another. Gaba do Xil Godello is produced partially from grapes that are partially estate-grown and partially sourced from long-term suppliers. They come from 4 plots (O Val Grande, O Rasedo, A Torgueira, and O Valverde) located near the Bibei tributary, close to the town of Santa Cruz. Dotted with chestnut trees mixed with rockrose, the old granitic terraces barely have enough space to squeeze in the odd row of vines, following the folds of the mountains that plunge into the river. The vines grow in shallow, stony granite soils on terraces facing south, west and northwest. These coarse soils are low fertility and have low water retention capacity, forcing the vines to struggle and limiting yields. This Godello, is unoaked, gentle, restrained and precise which is dry and soft with a touch of godello's distinctive minerally citrus fruit, absoloutly perfect with light sea food dishes. Excellent value -
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.
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