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The best white wines of Spain are made of Godello from the region Valdeorras in Galicia. More and more this wine is can be seen in many wine lists across Ireland as its increasing popularity is par to the Albarino from Rias baixas or the Rueda's Verdejo. Rafael Palacios the maker of this wine comes from something of a winemaking dynasty. His father, uncle and brother are all highly regarded winemakers across Rioja, Priorat and other parts of the country. Rafael himself cut his teeth working on his father's Rioja estate, prior to training and working in Bordeaux and Coonawarra, South Australia. Rafa started this project in 2004 in the then little known region of Valdeorras, home of a few ancient plots of Godello vines. This grape variety was virtually extinct in Spain but Rafa and a few others realised its potential and extensive replanting of the variety began. The Louro is crafted from younger vines but is selected from plots that produce more age-worthy wines. Fermented with indigenous yeast and aged in used foudre, Louro showcases Rafa’s talent at balancing the minerality of the grape with the richness and texture of the élevage. Pair it with baked whitefish, bluefish, fish and vegetables, grilled fish, grilled whitefish, pasta with fish, poultry, rice with fish, roasted fish, roasted foods. -
Monção e Melgaço has been producing wines and recognized for it since Roman occupation times, but was with Afonso III, 5th King of Portugal(1210-1279) that signed a ''Foral'' that conceded Monção e Melgaço habitants the owners of the local wine and therefore they produced it with pride as they do today. The wine is made from the Alvarinho (predominant) and Trajadura varieties, indigenous to Portugal and the region, more specifically. The dry Muralhas de Moncao Vinho Verde never seems intrusive, but is soft, elegant and harmonious with no wood whatsoever. The wine goes well not only as an aperitif, but also with salads, seafood, fish dishes and white meat. -
Delicious, fresh zesty lemon and green apple flavours, lively and refreshing with good length. Ideal as an aperitif, with seafood, white meats, goats cheese and salads. -
The TANK No 32 Primitivo Appassimento from Cantine Minini sparkles a wonderful dark red wine. This Italian red inspires with its perfect combination of elegance and power. The bouquet reveals aromas of ripe cherries, juicy plums and dried fruit, especially figs, dates and raisins come to mind. The palate of TANK 32 impresses with its dense and concentrated character. The pleasant and equally discreet residual sweetness gives this red wine a wonderful velvety texture. The long finish of Tank No 32 is carried by delicate notes of nougat and dark chocolate. The Tank No 32 Apassimento is a great accompaniment to strong game dishes with fresh mushrooms and well matured cheeses. -
This quality wine has classic Marlborough aromas of citrus and limes with elderflower and grapefruit notes. The palate is concentrated with lemon zest, stonefruit and floral flavours filling the mouth. The wine finishes crisp, clean and dry. Perfect as an aperitif or with seafood, chicken, Asian dishes and salads. -
Fantastic New Zealand Sauvignon that will tick all the boxes. The extraordinary label of this wine and the bright recognizable taste have created a direct connection between the Marlborough Sun brand and consumers all over the world. With the growing popularity of Marlborough Valley wines, Saint Clair conceived the idea of creating an affordable, non-pompous wine aimed at attracting new consumers who are not fans of the drink. The progressive technologies of winemaking of the New World, the peculiarities of the terroir of the valley, the varieties that have proven themselves most successfully in the local microclimate and the human factor, have found their reflection in the wines of Marlborough Sun. The inspiration for the labels came from a newspaper article about an unusual phenomenon that has swept the region. It is recommended to serve chilled to a temperature of 8-10 degrees, as a supplement to vegetarian dishes, as well as salmon and tuna. -
Picaro means 'rogue' or 'rascal'. I have always called it the young lad, as they also have 'El Recio' (the middle aged man) which is Matsu's idea for a reserva wine and the Gran Reserva, 'El Viejo' (old man just in case you didn't know). Bodegas Matsu is situated in the Toro region, right beside the Rueda region (known for the famous Verdejos). Toro wines are predominantly made of Tinta de Toro (tempranillo in this area of Spain) and are well known to be a mouthful of strength and personality due to its poor soil and hot summers. These vines in particular are 90 years old and are cultivated using the biodynamic techniques. Although the more conventional wines of this region are quite sharp, Matsu's wine range has achieved smoothness and elegance. Additionally, the clever thinking behind the labels means that they cater to a wide audience. I would recommend this red any day of the week. -
Vitese Nero D'Avola is an organic and vegan wine. It is an intense ruby red with a bouquet very fruity with scents of red berries (cherry, blackberry), fragrant, mineral (graphite), spicy. In the mouth it presents a perfect balance of tannins and acidity, profound taste of great extent and structure, elevated smoothness. Intense, persistent and fine. Pairs well with aperitifs, mature cheese and Ragusano DOP, cold cuts, maialino from the Nebrodi mountains, white and red meats. -
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 -
The Pinot Grigio grapes from this wine come from the Veneto (Pavia region, near Milan) region of Italy, where the Pinot Grigio grape has been cultivated for more than a century. The wine shows apple and pear with hints of white peach and elderflower. Light and refreshing, a mouth-watering partner for salads and seafood, great in the summer. -
This wine is made from the noblest and best known Portuguese grape variety(Alvarinho), in a year of exceptional quality. The aroma is intense and very attractive, with flowery and fruity notes, and lemonade hints, in a combination of great character and fineness. Tropical fruit in the mouth, acidity fits nicely with the fruit. Long finish -
What a wonderfully crisp glass of white wine made from Sauvignon Blanc. The grape that you don't see much in Argentina but offers an excellent wine at the right height. Well, that is a must with this Aires Andinos Sauvignon Blanc, because the vineyards are at a very high altitude in Mendoza. This gives the vines a lot of cooling and that gives a unique taste to this white wine. The aires Andinos winery has invested a lot in recent years and we can taste that. The wines have become purer and riper and as a result have become intensely popular in Argentina. In the glass, this white Aires Andinos Sauvignon Blanc turns pale yellow with green hues. It smells of notes of freshly cut grass, citrus and of course some grapefruit. Just waltz with the glass and we also smell some green asparagus and bell pepper. In the mouth, this Sauvignon Blanc has a fresh feeling on the tongue with light acidity. Lots of fruitiness of apple, lime and grapefruit that lingers in the aftertaste. -
Max Ferdinand Richter winery produces this classic off-dry Mosel Riesling from the Mulheimer Sonnenlay vineyard. The bottle features a beautiful Art Deco label depicting the Zeppelin airships upon which this Riesling was served in the 1920's and 30's. "The Mülheimer Sonnenlay is the largest single Richter vineyard and the source of the world-renowned “Zeppelin” Riesling. The vineyard sits on the west-southwestern side of a slate stone hill south of Mülheim, a dry riverbed formed during the last ice age 250,000 years ago. The name of the vineyard– Sonne (sunshine) and lay (slate stone) –perfectly describes the characteristics of the site. This often extremely steep vineyard has a loose slate stone soil structure that is enriched by pebbles, loam and sand deposited by the ancient river. This kind of soil creates wines that combine typical slate stone mineral character with animated and elegant fruitiness." When possible, they utilize natural yeasts and eschew chemical fining agents. Max Ferdinand Richter’s 48 steep acres are spread out in the Middle Mosel Valley between Erden and Brauneberg. Plantings consist of 95% Riesling and 5% Pinot Blanc grapes. The average age of Richter vines is 40 years. "Wines from the Mülheimer Sonnenlay were served on the luxurious Zeppelin airships -including the Hindenburg - in the 1920s and 30s. Local growers, proud of this distinction, commissioned Bauhaus artist Hans Schlösser to design a label for the wine incorporating the iconic Zeppelin airship. The label is still featured today." -
Most of us know Roald Dahl's novels, I for one have read them countless times. Firstly to my eldest and now, once in while I try with the middle one, even though he is still a bit young for those books. He is only 4 my wife says! They are just fun to read. To my surprise, after deciding to bring Château Méaume Bordeaux Supérieur to our Pinto Wines portfolio I came across that it was Roald Dahl's favourite wine and per his own words ''simply delicious''. Well I could not put it better myself. It is a fantastic wine, with superb quality at this price point and what some would call a ''Big little wine.'' Unpretentious especially being French and carries a lot with it. It has a warm, expressive black fruits with a serious, rustic, spicy structure. A hint of exotic perfume on the nose, with a luscious, very ripe blackberry and damson palate.80% merlot, with cabernets franc and sauvignon adding a rich, chewy texture. Very more-ish, with freshness, and great balance.Château Méaume, owned by English couple Alan and Sue Johnson-Hill since 1980, is an historic property just 10 miles from the famous vineyards of St-Emilion and Pomerol. The 2016 Vintage is one of the best produced after the 2000's and critics were fast to praise the 2018. Cheers Roald! -
This wine is made with grapes sourced from vineyards located mainly in the Primera Zona. Influenced by the winds descending from the Andes Mountains and its lower altitude, this region is one of the coolest areas in Argentine viticulture and often suffers from late frosts during bud break. These conditions also favor great thermal amplitude. Most of the vineyards are old and traditionally irrigated, with relatively heavy and deep loamy soils. Season 2020 was marked by warmer than usual temperatures and a strong hydric crisis due to very scarce rainfall that delivered lower yields and speeded up the ripening process. These conditions followed by the outbreak of a global pandemic accelerated the harvest. Despite all the uncertainties we were able to reach an optimal ripening point that helped delivered great quality wines. Towards the end of the last century, Mr. Miguel Escorihuela Gascón, a passionate and determined visionary, created one of the most prestigious wine companies in the Republic of Argentina since 1884: Establecimientos Vitivinícolas Escorihuela. From the very beginning, his main objective was to achieve wines of the highest quality. Therefore, special attention was paid to the selection and care of grape varieties, the elaboration under traditional methods and the constant incorporation of technology, with a team of qualified Argentine professionals and the counselling of renowned foreign winemakers and technicians, which makes it possible to maintain a high level of international quality. Thus, the winery developed throughout time, succeeding in placing its products in a privileged place both in the domestic and in the global markets on a constant basis, achieving a high level of customer loyalty, with consumers adopting our wines once and for all. 100% Malbec from the Agrelo region, the wine was matured in French and American oak for 4 months. Today, after 130 years innovating in the preparation of top quality wines, Escorihuela Gascón is the leader in the creation of Premium and High End wines and is one of the 10 most important exporting wineries. -
Five generations of traditional winemaking from the estate of Roger Champault, modern thermoregulation techniques, and carefully chosen soil matching, have produced a Cuvee that is subtle at first, like the rising of a summer breeze, building in its complexity with wispy herbal notes and abundant florals that dance across the taste buds like wind through an apple orchard. Delicate, yet so very alive. This wine drinks with a lovely, masterfully structured liveliness and sweet, concentrated finish.Thanks to its abundant fruitiness, it is suitable not only for seafood and crabs but also for more abundant fish dishes; fried salmon, pike perch etc. Also suitable for light meat, especially poultry dishes.Curious note, Sancerre Les Pierris 2008 wine was served at the wedding dinner of Princess Victoria and Daniel of Sweden. -
Made in a Beaujolais style, with the carbonic maceration method. This juicy ''Joven'' fresh fruited style of Rioja has zero oak influence as it ages in concrete tanks for 6 months. Farmed without any synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Arturo Blanco was once asked what the philosophy at Bodegas Artuke was and he simply replied 'we are farmers'. The approach here is 100% focused on interpreting the family's 32 plots which are split between the villages of Baños de Ebro and Ábalos in Rioja Alavesa. Biodynamic techniques are employed in the vineyards and Arturo and Kike are also busy recovering old, ignored plots of ancient vines. Vinification is aimed at expressing the characteristics of the vineyard and quality of fruit above all else. The restrained use of oak and inclination towards different types/sizes of barrel, plus an unwillingness to adhere to the subscribed regimes for classification means that Artuke are precluded from using Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva designations on their wines. This mouth-watering red wine takes a relatively deep chill which makes it a versatile pairing with all types of food: tuna, pretty much anything made with zucchini, fried chicken, gooey cheese sandwiches, pizza, etc… -
François Lurton vineyards are situated in the highlands (1,100 m) and semi-desert (poor alluvial gravels reminiscent of those of Pessac-Léognan), in the plains at the foot of the mountain range of the Andes: the Uco Valley. Thanks to his experience, acquired all over the world, he practices an environmentally friendly viticulture and produces extraordinary wines here that have a unique personality that combines freshness and concentration. Thanks to the climatic conditions of this high altitude desert and very draining and not very fertile alluvial gravel soils, the wines of the Uco Valley, and especially those of Los Chacayes, are quite unique and François Lurton vision was a success. This Malbec has a an outstanding quality/price ratio and it is definitely a contender not only for those summer barbecues but also for those cold winter nights. Pair it with Carpaccio, Paella, Iberian ham, red pepper stuffed with cheese and Hummus. -
Vegan Gewurztraminer/ Riesling blend. Rose petal aromas with a hint of spice and fresh citrus. The palate is sweet, with rosewater Traminer characters complemented by the Riesling adding a citrus freshness. Try with spicy pork buns or if you're adventurous, venison salad with Thai herbs or spicy food in general. Did I mention this wine is Vegan? -
The Monte del Fra Valpolicella Classico appears deep ruby red with ripe red fruit accompanied with spice and earthiness on the nose. The palate displays delicious cherry and plum fruit, locked with sweet liquorice and warm cinnamon, finishing full, with velvety soft tannins and spice. Excellent wine that will get better and better, allow to breathe, even decant and would be best served with roasts, stews, braised meats and strong cheese. -
Adega de Penalva wines are delicious everyday examples of one of Portugal’s most intriguing appellations — the Dão. Perched above the Dão river itself as it snakes through its granite valleys, the Adega de Penalva is one of the leading cooperatives in the area, boasting around a thousand member growers. It’s important to note, though, that the average holding per member amounts to barely over a hectare—a figure that reminds us how tenaciously much of rural Portugal clings to its old ways. (On that note, all fruit destined for the ‘Indigena’ bottlings is hand-harvested.) Since its founding in the 1960s, the Adega has been collecting its members’ grapes and producing clean, characterful wines with a minimum of fuss that showcase real regional typicity while remaining extremely attractively priced. Adega de Penalva Indigena Dao Tinto is made with 40% Touriga Nacional, 30% Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), and 30% Jaen (Mencía). Hand-harvested, fully destemmed and aged in a combination of stainless steel and concrete tank. Aromas of leather and blueberries lead to a palate full of dark fruits with cherry and raspberry notes. Pairs well with beef and lamb. -
Domaine Marcel Lapierre Morgon is a natural red wine made by Domaine Marcel Lapierre with the Gamay variety in the AOC Morgon (Burgundy). Domaine Marcel Lapierre is one of the pioneer wineries that has been making natural wines since Marcel Lapierre, a true pacesetter among Beaujolais producers, took over the Villié-Morgon estate in 1973. With his work philosophy, he was committed to combining traditional best practices with new technologies so that his wines would be a true reflection of the landscape. In 1981, under the strong influence of natural wine master Jules Chavet, Marcel was among the first to produce wines of minimal intervention, without adding SO2 or any other substance. Domaine Marcel Lapierre Morgon 2018 is a fruity red wine with aromas of cherry, violet and liquorice, covered with a forest freshness and refreshing balsamic tones. On the palate it is structured, fresh and sweet. It begins with a sharp acidity that blends with the touches of fruit and liquorice and the intense minerality. This is a refreshing red, perfect for spring and summer; recommended to drink with charcuterie, paté, cheese, roast ham, roast lamb, roast chicken and turkey and with spicy Thai and Chinese dishes. Serve at the lower end of the suggested temperature range if you like your light red wines served cooler like the French -
This Macon Lugny Les Genièvres has beautiful aromas of white fruit, muscat, as well as some peppery notes. This is a delicious wine with a round and full mouth(unoaked), it shows distinctive aromas of white fruit, laced with floral notes. Ideal with grilled fish, seafood and Comté cheese. The village of Lugny is located high up in the South of the Mâcon region. It has a great reputation for its white wines which has made Mâcon famous. It is well known that the village of Lugny, with its limestone soils and warm climate, produces the most coveted white wines of the region. The vineyard of « Les Genièvres » is one of the best. Maison Louis Latour selects the best grapes of this village, which thanks to its terroir, was the only village planted with Chardonnay 30 years ago. -
The Boesch domaine is located within the Vallèe Noble, in the “Ballons des Vosges” natural park. A magical place, surrounded by splendid vineyards at the foot of the two highest mountains of the Vosges range. The Boesch family has lived there and worked the land since 1640. 25 year old biodynamic vines planted in a limestone and sandstone-clay soil on an east facing hillside give this delicious wine. This wine is the subject of evident care: ploughing, natural treatments, and the vines are fertilized with compost produced on the estate. The harvest, the highlight of the year, is carried out exclusively by hand, and fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts in oak casks. The nose is characterized by rhubarb, apricot, anise and gingerbread. On the palate it is very clean. Definitely a great Riesling. -
Le Bijou de Sophie Valrose is named after a lady who worked in the Languedoc vineyards during the late 19th century and became something of a local hero. At the time, it was largely women who worked in the vineyards; pruning and harvesting the vines. Sadly these women were often mistreated, overworked and underpaid. Sophie fought for women’s rights and drastically improved the conditions for her fellow female workers in the vineyard in which she worked. Bijou is a tribute to her memory and we share her story on the back of every bottle sold. The grapes are sourced from low-yielding old vines on the sloping hillsides of various vineyards in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France. The areas are made up of old volcanic soils composed of 70% schist, which helps create high-quality grapes with great structure and freshness.Bijou’s flagship wine, a beautiful pale salmon coloured rosé. Elegantly fragrant, with aromas of wild strawberries, citrus and delicate floral notes. Round and creamy on the palate, with ripe red berry flavours and a soft minerality. Elegant and balanced with refreshing acidity and a silky smooth finish. The perfect accompaniment to canapés, white meats, fish and salads. -
The Le Rime appears pale yellow with green highlights, with intense aromas of green fruit followed by zippy citrus on the nose. The palate is fresh and lively with ripe pear and juicy green apple in abundance, finishing clean and full with persistent fruit and citrus cream, particularly fetching but do not overchill and allow to open in the glass. Best consumed young and would be ideal with fresh fish and summer salads. -
Domaine Le Verger Chablis is light gold, pronounced white flowers, mingled with an array of tropical and sweet stone fruit on the nose. The palate opens full and round, with pineapple, apricot and hints of grapefruit, hints of vegetal and lively minerality finishing fresh with great structure and dry. An excellent Chardonnay that should not be over-chilled, please allow to-open and would be best served with oysters, shellfish in general, grilled fish and even chicken. A classic Chablis at an affordable price! -
Non-alcoholic wine born in 2009 from a bubbly guy with old roots and modern tastes. Invariably well-dressed, he captures the world’s attention with his ranges of Non-Alcoholic wines in Frizzante style. Guido Walter and Jürgen Hofmann put their heads together. The German answer to frizzante had to be fresh and fruity, uncomplicated and affordable. A semi-sparkling wine that begins a carefree evening and lets you continue dancing late into the night. What began as an experimental small edition soon spread its wings and took flight. Suddenly it could be found at every party and could be seen winning design awards and notes of good taste. Everyone wants Fritz Müller. Refreshing, fizzy and frivolous: completely uncomplicated, the non-alcoholic Fritz Müller offers light-footed fun and fruity enjoyment. Vinified from the same grapes as the Fritz Müller semi-sparkling wine, this version entices sipping one or two glasses more without regret the next day. Wonderfully pure, it is best enjoyed chilled to 8°C, or as an ingredient in virgin cocktails. Guilt-free wine ;) -
The Colomba Bianca winery was founded in 1970. During the last 10 years, under the guidance of our Chairman Leonardo Taschetta, it has become the biggest wine growing co-operative in Sicily. The company today, can, in fact, count on circa 2480 partners and extends along 7500 hectars of vineyards between the provinces of Trapani, Palermo, Agrigento, Caltanissetta e Ragusa, with 5 wineries distributed in the whole territory. The vineyards can be found in areas which benefit of a vast pedoclimatic diversity, from the low coastal areas up to an altitude of 600 metres above sea level. "We work with the aim that our farmers receive the right compensation for their work. This adds dignity to Sicilian agriculture and to the wines which express at best our territory. It is for this reason that each one of our wines is dedicated to our farmers." - Colomba Bianco Grillo is the flagship of Sicily's indigenous white varieties. Famous for its role in the production of Marsala wines, but has recently come into its own as a varietal making light, fresh and citrussy wines. Ideal with fish first courses, delicate risottos and white meat dishes. -
La Jara, based in the heart of Prosecco country just south of Conegliano, make a superb range of organic wines including some excellent Proseccos such as this. Being a frizzante it's got a soft sparkle and in some ways helps the fruit character stand out that bit more. With masses of fine bubbles and flavours of apple, peach, pear and ripe citrus fruits it's a very approachable style that's perhaps a bit too easy to drink. Certainly a step above a lot of other Proseccos. It's freshness makes it a great 'anytime' fizz. It's also really good alongside nibbles like olives, or tortilla chips and dips. -
This is a fantastic blend of Barbera and Nebbiolo sourced from younger vineyards within the area of production of the villages of Barbaresco and Barolo given the Langhe Appellation. Fragrant, lifted fruits of the forest overlaid by notes of dried herbs, some leather and aniseed. This is a medium bodied wine, very well balanced with plush fruit character, sandy tannins and a lovely fresh clip of acidity delivering excellent Italian drinkability. Very approachable wine that will match brilliantly with food as well being great on its own. I can only think of Pasta, pasta and Pasta. Pizza would work perfectly too! . -
Planalto is one of the biggest references of white wine in the Douro Demarcated Region, fruit of the in-depth studies carried out over the years, the careful choice of the grape varieties that compose it and the use of the best winemaking technology in its production. This white blend comes from high-altitude vineyards above the river Douro. The soil in the Douro Valley is schistous; a slate-like metamorphic rock that fractures vertically - allowing vine roots to dig deep to access water and nutrients to sustain them through the hot Douro summers. The poor quality of the soil forces the grapes to produce low yields of grapes with a great concentration of flavour. The grapes were harvested by hand and were selected for their balance between flavour intensity and freshness. Ideal to accompany fish, seafood and white meat dishes. -
Chateau Viaud Lalande is a small-scale venture of the Durand – Teyssier family who have been making wine in the village of Puisseguin, appellation of Lalande de Pomerol, for three generations. 1.5 hectares of vineyards adjoining the Chateau were planted by Philippe Durand – Teyssier back in the 60’s. Typically for the region, those are mostly Merlot and Cabernet Franc well suited to the local, clay dominated soils. Since 2007 Philippe has handed over the wine making and day-to-day running of the property to his son Thomas. Having previously worked in prominent 1er and Grand Cru Classé estates in Saint Emilion (Château Belair, Château Cadet Bon), Thomas is continuing family tradition, with clear focus on quality. Annual production: 9000 bottles. -
This wine represents the legend of Kupe tangling with a giant octopus who kept stealing all his fish off the hook. During the ensuing fight the beast's tentacles gouged out the Marlborough Sounds and Kupe cut out its eyes which he placed on two rocks known today as Nga Whatu ' The Eyes'. It’s hard to separate New Zealand and Sauvignon Blanc these days, but Matua were the first to put them together, over 40 years ago. You could say They've changed the way the world enjoys white wine. As the Head of the Family (the Maori translation of Matua) They have a tradition of telling stories as a way of passing on knowledge to the next generation. Their most famous winegrowing regions set the scene for some great legendary historical folklore. Wines match dishes from cooked salmon, lettuce, chicken and mushrooms. -
Weingut J. Geil is a winery making approachable, quaffable wines, all along the lines of greatly respecting the nature. This reflects in quality of their fruit and subsequently in their wines. Awarded many trophies each year, Weingut Geil belongs among some of the top German producers. There is nothing to be take lightly about their Pinot Noir, a serious, serious wine. Beautifully earthy and soft, with plenty of ripe wild berries. Excellent balance and considerable length. Accessible and juicy, yet wholeheartedly deep genuinely expressing the terroir of Bechtheim -
DO Monterrei is the smallest of the Galician DOs and the most recent, having been created in 1996. It is an emerging region located in the province of Ourense in the south-east of Galicia, on the border with Portugal. The Atlantic influence here is not as strong and the climate is hotter and more continental than the rest of Galicia, making it possible to produce impressive whites from Treixadura and Godello as well as reds from autochtonous Mencia. Most of the vineyards are located on the slopes lining the River Támega where the soil has a deep red colour with a high clay content. After spending many years working for other wineries in the area around Galicia, Manuel Guerra Justo decided to break away and set up his own adega, “Via Arxentea”, literally translated as “ The Silver Route”, the local name for the important pilgrimage route of El Camino de Santiago to Santiago de Compostela. Manuel Guerra is a “Colleitero” and therefore responsible for the entire production cycle, from the care in the vineyard to the winemaking. He is the first to acknowledge that the secret to achieving purity and varietal expression in his wines is in his vineyard management which he attends to personally and pampers vine by vine as if they were his own children, with the sole objective of achieving maximum quality. Under the consultancy of well known winemaker, Alvaro Bueno, Manuel Guerra Justo owns four hectares around Verin, planted almost equally between Godello and Treixadura and a small batch of Mencia. Vía Arxentea wine are made from estate bottled fruit, harvested by hand and fermented using indigenous yeasts. -
Mesta is a range of organically and sustainably grown single varietal wines, which stylishly showcase the Spanish wine revolution under the symbol of the Mesta. Mesta was a powerful alliance of sheep ranchers in medieval Castile, who controlled the cañadas: the traditional rights of way for migrating sheep. To this day the cañadas are protected from being blocked or built upon, a reminder of ancient rights and a model of coexistence with nature. This modern range, from the fashionable DO Uclés in central Castile, offers wines of great purity and varietal typicity.A versatile wine which accompanies spicy dishes perfectly, Asian curries, seafood risotto or a light salad with grilled prawns. Rosé wines are in fashion not just in the summer but also throughout the year, and this beautiful Mesta Rosé is a serious contender in the Rosé world. Especially at this price!!! -
The Banfi Chianti Superiore begins with a very nice aroma of black cherry, plum, a little spice, a little earth and some nice floral notes. Tasting the wine reveals plum, oak,licorice a bit of spice, a nice dense and velvety texture plus dusty tannins = One Terrific Tuscan! Add in good acidity and balance on this medium-bodied wine and you quickly realize this wine is delivering great value for its price. The finish is very nice with good length and features some excellent slightly sour black cherry notes. Try with BBQ-marinated pork ribs, beef and vegetable skewers or T bone steaks. I am a big fan of Tuscan wines specially Banfi, would confidently recommend it. -
A wine that expresses the characteristics and grape varieties of the Vinho Verde region. It's a light and refreshing wine, for all occasions. -
Malbec is the main grape in the legendary ‘Black wine of Cahors’. Way before Argentina made the varietal ‘famous’, Malbec – though in this region it is known as Côt or Auxerrois. – was making long-lived wines from Cahors – the 1959 Clos La Coutale is still drinking superbly. Clos La Coutale is a benchmark of the Cahors region and has a history of producing some of the finest and longest-lived wines of the region. Blackcurrants, blackberry's and prune notes followed by a soft and elegant palate that has an enticing note of vanilla. This Clos La Coutale wine is matured in barrels and wooden casks for one year in order to obtain a good balance between tannins and fruit. Organic and true gem at this price point. -
Founded in 1919, Domaine Papagiannakos is located in the Attica region of Central Greece, just 18 miles from Athens. Today, the winery is run by the 3rd generation, Vassilis Papagiannakos, who has issued a new era of modern winemaking while still maintaining the family’s dedication to cultivating and preserving the region’s most famous indigenous grape, Savatiano. In addition the Domaine has plant Malagousia and Assyrtiko. The Assyrtiko vineyards are located in northeastern Attica at an altitude of 330 feet. The vineyard has a northeastern facing exposure. The vineyard is farmed without irrigation, resulting in low-yielding vines that produce grapes with rich, concentrated fruit flavors. The limestone soil and the unique microclimate of the region produces wine with a very clean and crisp profile with citrus and white flesh aromas.The acidity is very well integrated into the wine and gives the ability for long aging. With aging the wine develops a beautiful mineral character. The refreshing character of the wine makes it an ideal accompaniment for seafood, fish, white meat, and Mediterranean cuisine. -
Springtime weather calls for chilled white wines that are crisp, refreshing and floral. Albariño wines definitely are in that category. Try this Albariño: The Castro Veldes Albariño 2019 is delicious and at a great price. This is your typical Spanish Albariño wine with slight floral characteristics, some lemon flavours, and a beautiful bright taste. It’s a lovely wine for an aperitif and goes well with seafood. The Albariño grape is from the western coast of Spain and makes for a perfect pairing with roast or steamed chicken, seafood, salads and light dishes. Nothing wrong drinking on it's own -
Giulia Negri is a young talent that goes by the nickname "Barolo girl" in the wine world. The grapes for this archetype of a modern-traditional Barolo come from the top vineyards Brunate and Serradenari, the latter is located at an altitude of up to 520 m, and the soils are clayey-sandy. It is an area with a particularly cool and breezy microclimate, which is reflected in the elegant profile of the wines. Climbing towards the top of the hill, the soils become increasingly rich in sandy veins and limestone marl, which contribute to giving Barolo an extreme expressive refinement. The high quality grapes, a work in the cellar that is very respectful of the raw material and aimed at enhancing the typical characteristics of the terroir, allow the creation of a Barolo faithful to the land of origin. Dressed to impress, savory red with a fine fragrance on the palate that doesn't deny its origin and the grape variety, it is of an almost unique elegance and freshness that allows it to be identified as a lively and completely complete top wine even when young. Further years of maturity are certainly not a mistake, because one feels impressively how the complexity increasing with the age joins the finesse and elegance already unmistakable today. One bottle for now and don't put the rest too far away in the cellar, please! -
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The Chatelain family has worked the vineyards of Pouilly-sur-Loire since the 1630s. Today the family farm is run by Jean-Claude and Geneviève Chatelain, the 11th generation of winemakers from Domaine Chatelain. The grapes for Les Chailloux are grown on the St. Andelain Hill with its clay and siliceous soils strewn with pebbles and flint; the wine is aged ‘sur lie’ prior to bottling in the spring. Light yellow-gold; the wine is vivid, aromatic and minerally on the nose, followed by a spicy flint (silex) character on the palate. -
Johannes Leitz continues to innovate! In doing so, he recently partnered with a company to produce two alcohol-free rieslings. Germans have been producing non-alcoholic wines for over 70 years and that history has led to inventions to improve quality. Leitz’s hometown of Rüdesheim is the historic birthplace of the famous distillery Asbach Uralt. After the war, a fellow vigneron named Carl Jung began a distillery. Ultimately, Jung could not compete with the local brandy, but he developed a vacuum distillation system which enabled him to lower the temperature at which alcohol could boil off (because the boiling point decreases as atmospheric pressure decreases). Innovations in vacuum distillation have improved in recent years, and Leitz found a producer in Rheinhessen who recently patented a new, completely closed system that allows wine alcohol to boil at 28°C, preserving “wine-like” aromas and characteristics. As we all know, like fat, alcohol is a transporter of flavor, and without it, there needs to be something else to carry those flavors. 35 grams/L does the work for this riesling, though the sugar is nearly eaten up. Pairs well with gratinated crostini, cauliflower and goat’s cheese & butter, as well as with an Asian chicken casserole. -
Family-owned winery Sequoia Grove was founded in 1979 in a 110-year old barn beneath a grove of Sequoia trees in Rutherford. Michael Trujillo joined the winery as assistant winemaker in 1981, becoming director of winemaking in 2002. His philosophy is based on balance in the vineyard, planting different blocks with different clones, and farming without pesticides. The family have been working with their partner growers for decades which gives them access to the very best quality fruit each year and allows them to create this complex wine which truly expresses the Rutherford terroir. The young wine is aged in oak barrel for 20 months which adds sweet spice notes and extra complexity to the finished bottling. The rich, powerful flavor profile makes this a winner with lovers of big, bold reds and a great match for red meats. Drink now through to 2030. Decanting is always recommended but is not a must -
I have been chasing a 100% Touriga Nacional for a while now, with some disappointments in the middle. Mostly due to knowing the full potential of Touriga Nacional and what can be done with it. Was loosing faith(Poor supplier offering in Ireland) and was actively looking to import myself a few options until I stumbled upon this gem. This wine is the example where no one should judge a book by its cover. Across all Companhia Velha Wines the labels are just minimal, classy but not in the way you would think. Has a bit of I don't give a damn about them and that subtlety actually impresses me even further. No distractions to be added here!!! Bear in mind this winery was one of the first if not the first Wine family business(1756) in the Douro Valley(1763) and it was full integrated when it became the first official wine region in the world. Quinta de Cidrô is located at São João da Pesqueira, which is one of the most highly regarded areas of Douro Valley. Throughout the last 20 years, Cidrô has been transformed into an experimental-model vineyard for the entire region. In virgin soils, cutting edge techniques were employed to plant 150 ha of the best varieties, creating one of the largest surfaces of single vineyard in the entire Douro Region. In the most privileged location, international varieties perform equally well as the local grapes. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Pinot Noir, and the adaptable Cabernet Sauvignon are some of the foreign varieties that here express their best qualities when vinified by the extensive winemaking know-how present at the Company. Touriga Nacional is Portugal’s star variety and the dominant red grape at Quinta de Cidrô. The altitude of this Quinta provides excellent freshness and levels of acidity, ideal conditions for an elegant red wine. Touriga Nacional is a versatile grape, with its main characteristics being the small bundle, its low yield and jagged leaf. Its presence in the vines is intimidating, as it requires a constant care for its wild and rebellious character of growing disorderly. At Quinta de Cidrô, Touriga Nacional was adapted to a less habitual place, as it was mostly planted in low altitude vineyards and subject to high temperatures; the opposite of Quinta de Cidrô. Personally I love it on its own with at least 45 minutes decanting or enjoy really slow the very first drop. Winemakers suggestion for this stunning wine are: Rump Steak, Pork Leg, Parmigiano Cheese and Dark Chocolate. -
Claus Preisinger has honed his skills around the world, working in vineyards in California, before returning to his Austrian roots to work for Anita and Hans Nittnaus. After branching out on his own, he has kept the respectful and honest winemaking he learned there, and is applying it a stone's throw away in the town of Gols. His "Kieselstein" Zweigelt is one of the most immediately enjoyable wines that I have had the opportunity to drink as of late. This beautifully pure Zweigelt was fermented in neutral barrels with a touch of sulphur added at bottling. Claus Preisinger has been using ambient yeasts since 2002 as well as little to no sulfites. The Preisinger wines are certified biodynamic, which Claus takes very seriously. His commitment to the environment and non-interventional winemaking shines through in the superior wines he produces. Super fresh and juicy. Can be served chilled. -
The Babich family hails from Croatia and first bought land in New Zealand in 1916. The winery is now in its third generation. Fruit for this wine comes from a variety of its estate-owned vineyards which are sustainable or organic. Most of the juice for this wine is fermented in stainless steel with a small percentage in old oak. Crafted with food in mind-weighty, ripe, tropical fruit, flavoured style, rich and rounded. Pair it with veal, seafood (oysters) or a chicken dish. -
With admirable precision and innovative ideas, the family-run winery Pauly, now in its 3rd generation, succeeds in producing stylish wines with an outstanding character of their own. The winery is not only known for its famous steep slope on the Niederberg-Helden on the Mosel River, but also for the unique slate minerality that gives the wines an elegant, fresh style. The alcohol-free Riesling from Kolonne Null is perfect for all wine enthusiasts who like as little residual sweetness in their wine as possible. Best enjoyed very well chilled at 5 - 7°C. It is perfect as an accompaniment to stir-fried vegetables with fish, omelette with salmon and fennel or vegetable salad with beetroot. -
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Atlantis Albariño is a white wine from the D.O Rías Baixas produced by the winery Maetierra. As it name suggests, this a monovarietal from the grape Albariño. The temperatures in the region are gentle. The abundance of rainfall, is however constant. Atlantis Albariño is located in the vineyards of Condado de Tea, very close to the river Miño. The soils are sandy with a granite base. Atlantis Albariño is a part of the Atlantis series produced by Vintae. The project, managed by the well know oenologist Raúl Acha, produces Atlantic wines from a very small selection of vineyards from different appellations of origins (D.O). Pair it with clams, oysters and shellfish. -
Bodega Badiola, was founded in 2018, part of the Peninsula Vinicultore Group when they bought an old company in the in Rioja Alavesa, the Basque region in the east and south east of Rioja. Their vineyards are situated on the slopes of the Sierra Cantabria, mostly tiny parcels the average size being only 0.3 hectares with an average vine age of 50 years but some of the vines are obviously significantly older. With respect for the environment, minimal spraying of copper and sulphur only are used, so all but Organic. The Las Parcelas comes from 300 carefully selected parcels of old bush Tempranillo vines planted in limestone soils, resulting in elegant wines that are fresh and age worthy due to the balancing acidity. The winemaking philosophy is to keep that purity and freshness by careful use of oak, giving a real point of difference to the traditional oaky Riojas. On the nose and palate, the fruit is very much to the fore with cherry and blackberry fruit with hints of spice and with fresh acidity and almost chalky tannins from that limestone soils. Though it is still young give it some air and it really blossoms, drinking significantly better at dinner rather than lunch when first opened, so will keep well too. -
A typical blend of almost century-old Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyard is treated with respect, neither chemicals nor weed killers are tolerated, in order to preserve the biodiversity of the surrounding flora and fauna. The favourable terroir of white limestone pebbles, combined with low yields, gives mineral wines, with a beautiful freshness , and concentrated fruit. Manual harvest in 15 kg crates with severe sorting in the vineyard. 3 weeks pellicular maceration which brings a lot of fullness. We will find the aromatic complexity of Carignan with some notes of pepper and a tannic structure provided by the Cabernet. the tannins are nevertheless very fine. Pair this Coté Obscur wine with beef entrecote, duck skewer and some soft cheese. A real treat! Would recommend to decant this for at least an hour. -
Another under the radar Portuguese White. This drop is now considered one of the new best contemporanean whites in Portugal. Produced by Luis Seabra, who worked for more than 10 years as an oenologist for Dirk Niepoort and finally started to follow his own path in 2012. The name he gives to his wines is indicative of his vision of wine: Xisto (Schist). He makes very pure wines that reflect their terroir. Luis Seabra sets a new standard in the Douro with his pure wines. Xisto Ilimitado, is a Portuguese analogue of the idea of a "village-level" Burgundy. A blend of six varieties planted in three sub-areas of the Douro, Ilimitado is a glimpse of the appellation's schist soil. Luis Seabra, has concentrated his production on the different soil types of the valley. Bright, concentrated and fresh, Xisto Ilimitado is an excellent introduction to the new Douro. Vineyards located in Cima Corgo. The vines are between 30 and 45 years old, planted in micaceous schist at an altitude of 500 to 600 m, and are a sub-region that experiences extreme highs and lows in terms of temperature, with one of the largest day-night temperature deltas in Portugal. As such, the fruit experiences an extended resting period. Annual rainfall of 400 mm typical of the region. Goes wonderfully with roasted poultry, white fish and seafood, and especially with the spiciest preparations -
Great Ripasso wine here, any wine enthusiasts will see it as an honest to the point wine on it's Ripasso process. Otherwise known as a ‘Baby Amarone’. The term “Ripasso” means “repassed” referring to the production process whereby regular, fermented Valpolicella (which is a blend of three regional native red grape varieties – Corvina, Rondinella and occasionally Molinara) is added to a cask containing the skins and lees left over from recently fermented Amarone wines. The process of adding (or “repassing”) the lighter Valpolicella wine over the remainders of the “bigger” Amarone wine imparts additional color, texture and flavor to the Valpolicella wine. The “Appassimento” process is an ancient wine making technique used in Northern Italy to make Amarone – the Daddy of Italian wine and its by product Recioto della Valpolicella (a sweet red wine). Grapes are air dried on racks for a period of at least a couple of months and often as many as six, before being pressed. Also, it induces a second fermentation of the wine that increases the wine’s alcoholic content. The end result is a wine that retains the vibrancy of Valpolicella but is darker in colour, bigger and more flavourful and complex than the original Valpolicella. Ripasso wines are rich, full-bodied and share some of the same aroma and flavor profiles as Amarone wines, just less so. Since Ripasso wines are more approachable and less expensive than Amarones they can be enjoyed more regularly. The land is at an altitude of 450 meters above the see level and the soil is made by the alteration of calcareous-fossilized formations, in particular the red flake and biancone marble.After harvesting by hand, the Valpolicella, before aging, is macerated a second time on the mark of the Amarone just drawn and left to rest for about 15-20 days. Then a maturation in oak barrels of 500/1000 LT for 18 months takes place. Ageing in bottles follows that lasts until optimal maturity. It matches perfectly with mushroom risotto, red meat such as barbecue steak or white meat such as stewed rabbit, perfect with cheese of medium maturing. -
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 -
Black Rock is part of the Bronco Wine Company, which was formed in 1973 by Fred, Joseph and John Franzia. Since the start, they have been clear that the goal is to make wines for consumption, rather than for storage. At the same time, the quality must be as high as possible, at the lowest possible price. The name Bronco is a merger of brother and cousin after the brothers Fred and Joseph and their cousin John. Great aromas of red berries and fruit, with a touch of herbaceousness. Full-bodied, with healthy fruit tones, well-balanced tannins and a subtle hint of oak. Serve around 16-18 ° C as a perfect complement to grilled lamb chops, or to dishes on game or beef. Also nice for a cheese platter, with not too strong cheeses. -
Bardos Verdejo is a wine made from 100% Verdejo from vineyards that are 20-25 years old, located in Rueda, at more than 700 metres of altitude on stony soils. The harvest is carried out at night, at temperatures below 15ºC. The fermentation is done with local yeasts at a controlled temperature and the wine rests on its lees for at least 4 months, gaining complexity and texture. On the nose, the intense aromas of fruit such as white peach combine with cut grass, citrus, balsamic and mineral notes. In the mouth it has a good volume and persistence, well integrated acidity and a characteristic aniseed aftertaste, typical of the grape. Really a high quality example of this native Spanish variety. Excellent with light bites, starters, salads and white fish. All of the wines by De Bardos are crafted by hand in a fully artisan manner. -
Stone fruit - check! Mineral - check! Floral - check! This wine is definitely ticking off all the right boxes! The minerality of saline and limestone sit on the tip of the tongue and linger through the entire taste. Light bodied, dry, moderate acidity, and a slightly exaggerated finish noted with blanched almonds and lemon rind bring the sip to an end. Time for another! An instant classic from a classic region! The Alain Gueneau Sancerre "La Guiberte" comes from a small family-owned estate at the Eastern end of France's Loire valley. You'll still find the grape's signature citrus freshness and a slight grassiness, but examples from Sancerre lean more towards restraint, minerality, and elegance. The secret is not only in Northern France's cooler climate, but also in the region's soil — a swathe of ancient clay-calcareous deposits that stretches from England's famous white cliffs of Dover across the channel and into Northern France. Alain and daughter Elisa are the 2nd and 3rd-generation of the Gueneau family to farm this land, three quarters of which is planted to Sauvignon Blanc vines with an average age of about 25 years. Enjoy this delicious, refreshing bottle (well chilled, of course!) now or over the next 3 years. -
Simmonet-Febvre has been producing its wines with traditional methods since 1840. It is the only Maison in Chablis to produce Crémants of Burgundy. A harmoniously balanced wine with fine bubbles, a persistent foam and a wonderful length in the mouth. It is fresh and powerful on the nose with aromas of citrus. Drink this crémant as a chilled aperitif, as it comes or with a liqueur such as crème de cassis, and why not even drink it throughout a whole meal. -
In the middle of the Spanish plateau "Meseta de Ocana" not far from Toledo, three friends founded their own winery in 1999: Margarita Madrigal, Alexandra Schmedes and Gonzalo Rodriguez. The revival of regional traditions became the basis of their way of working, which is characterized by the ecological cultivation of 35 hectares of native grape varieties and the extremely continental climate. Together with Alexandra, the first Spanish red wine, Cuvée Rouge No.2, was developed. This velvety, grippy taste makes it a must-drink on a barbecue evening, with risotto and pasta. The perfect non-alcoholic red wine for all those who love it wild and unbridled. Bring your Spain vacation home! -
Delicious alcohol-free sparkling wine from Kolonne Null, made in Germany. The Freiherr von Gleichenstein winery has been synonymous with quality, professionalism and passion for almost 400 years. The wines remain recognizable by the distinctive flint minerality of the Kaiserstuhl. Well-coordinated team, complex high-end wines and long-lasting relationships are hallmarks of the South Baden winery culture. Excellent as an aperitif or as an accompaniment to fine canapes, seafood, fresh desserts such as zabaglione and panna cotta with fruits. -
There are special places in the world. Kopke found one of them. Quinta de São Luiz is located on the left bank of the river Douro, near Pinhão, in the parish of Tabuaço. It is an imposing estate, considered one of the most emblematic of the Douro region. The Quinta has gone through two major changes: on the one hand, the construction of the Bagaúste dam, with the consequent rise of the water level and the loss of vineyard land; on the other, the enlargement of the total area with the acquisition of several other properties in the area. The estate is made up of 125 hectares, 90 of which are planted with vines. The main grape varieties grown here are Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Cão. There are also small plots of Tinta Barroca and Souzão. The vines are classified as A, the highest grade in the Demarcated Region of the Douro. -
Vincent Rochette comes from a long line of grape growers rather than winemakers. In 1998, he bucked that trend by investing in a cellar and the necessary equipment to allow him to vinify his own grapes, which for five generations had been sold to other winemakers in the area. Vincent is an ardent believer in the benefits of biodynamics, fully converting his estate to follow that philosophy in 2006. He uses only natural products in the vineyard and carries out all his work in keeping with the cosmic cycles of the earth, not only among the vines but also in the cellar. One of his most interesting cuvées is the Côte du Rhone ‘Nature’, which has had no sulphites added at any stage of the winemaking process. Due to the fact that sulphites are naturally present in grapes, there are still 9mg present (below the legal 10mg limit which is required to state that the wine contains sulphites). The result is a wine that is simply a pure expression of Grenache and Syrah. Harvesting, racking and bottling are all carried out in accordance with cosmic rhythms. A delicious wine to consume today, with grills, summer salads, spicy dishes such as couscous, a tagine with candied fruits (apricots, lemons, onions, etc.) -
The Filipa Pato 3B Sparkling Rosé is a delicious treat of a wine from one of my favorite winemakers in Portugal. Filipa Pato is the daughter of arguably one of Portugal's most famous winemakers, Luis Pato. Passion for the traditional indigenous grape varietals of Bairrada led Filipa Pato to start her own project in 2001. She works a total of 12 hectares of vineyards scattered in various plots throughout the Bairrada appellation of Portugal. Utilizing biodynamic farming practices and minimal-intervention winemaking. The 3B is a homage to the traditional sparkling wines of Bairrada, with this being a blend of the indigenous Baga and Bical grapes. The Bical adds mineral and citrus notes to the berry red fruit notes of the Baga. This is a great little sparkler with a dry finish. Filipa and her husband, Belgian sommelier and restaurateur William Wouters, produce vinhos autênticos sem maquilagem – 'Authentic Wines Without Makeup.' 3B's-Bairrada, Baga & Bical -
There's a lovely off the beaten track mountain wilderness (salvaje means wild) to this old-vine Garnacha (aka Grenache), one of six under the the creative Vintae's Proyecto Garnachas banner that showcase the grape variety from old vineyards in different areas of the Ebro Valley in northeast Spain. Like Gamay and Zinfandel, the old vines of Grenache are a timeless wonder. They are the Clint Eastwood of vitis vinifera: gnarled by age with a tough-as-nails exterior and no sign of retirement on the horizon. What they lack in quantity, they make up for in quality: grape clusters from old-vine Grenache (think 60-100 years old) can create wines of supple fruit, spicy character and rocket-fueled energy. This one is no exception, the Salvaje vineyards lie on rocky soils at 820m above sea level, on the north face of the Moncayo massif mountain chain, where Navarra and Aragón meet and the Atlantic influence brings mouthwatering freshness and clarity to the generous raspberry, wild herb and pepper flavours this wine induces. It doesn't need food, but it's very accommodating: spot on with roast peppers, aubergine, tomatoes and onions and with spicy sausages such as chorizo. It would be equally good with roast root vegetables, slow-roast lamb or pork, baked spiced duck legs or a ham joint and would make a good barbecue all-rounder. -
If you were ever sceptical about Organic wines, you have to give this one a try! This wine is Artisanal, Organic, Biodynamic, unfined and unfiltered. All with the aim to do as little intervention as possible and to let the Terroir speak for itself. Eric Texier Chat Fou natural red wine is a coupage of Grenache Tinta, Clairette and Marsanne, from the well known region of Côtes du Rhône.Eric Texier is a vigneron from Brézème, a municipality in the northern area of the Rhone Valley. Texier worked in nuclear engineering but switched to the world of wine in the early 1990s. He practices minimal viticulture and oenology, and attaches special importance to the management of the soils of his vineyards. The result is this superb wine a true example of natural wines and at the forefront of this movement. Eric is not a follower of fashion and speaks vehemently against those who label themselves as natural when it is used as a marketing tool rather than a true desire to understand the terroir. He believes that in most cases all natural wines taste the same! He vinifies all his wines in the same way, using as little intervention as possible to allow the terroir of his different parcels to do the talking. Hope it catches your eye! -
The Shiraz grapes used to craft this youthful wine were harvested in early January, which proved to be a slightly dry season. This elegant De Bortoli The Accomplice Shiraz features a dark crimson colour with ruby highlights throughout the wine. The attractive nose offers fragrances of cherry and raspberry with subtle hints of spice and musk lurking in the background. The sweet and intense palate packs juicy flavours of berry fruit combined with vanilla and nutty oak, and balanced by subtle spicy notes. This medium bodied Shiraz can be cellared for a brief term of 24 months to discover its full flavour potential. It tastes marvellous with pasta, braised pork belly and beef fajitas with salsa.Easy to drink. Enjoy! -
This very versatile white wine will please you with its slightly honeyed notes, its notes of exotic fruits and white fruits as well as floral notes. On the palate it is very fresh with a very refreshing acidity, a hint of citrus, flavors of exotic fruits and honey as well as a fairly persistent length. It's a charming and unpretentious everyday wine that is most satisfying. The floral acidity makes it a great summer wine for the deck or a great pairing for light summer fare; Salads and seafood. -
A thoroughly delightful white Bordeaux, made from a blend of Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle. Very aromatic with notes of white peach and fresh garden herbs, highlighted with bright citrus rind and mineral nuances. Easy breazy, this is lovely go-to summer wine to enjoy as an aperitif or with seafood dishes. YUM! -
The Primitivo Paolo Leo Pass of the Cardinal is an ancient grape grape cultivated in Apulia, whose grapes present a very early maturation in comparison to other varieties, the name of which explains. One of the most interesting particularities of the Primitivo is the fact that, at a distance of only 20 days from the harvest, these grape vines are able to give a discreet second production of grapes. Traditionally, the fruits of this "second harvest" are used to increase the freshness of these ponderous wines, improving the deimosti acidity obtained from the first harvesting. The great body of the Primitivo di Manduria di Passo del Cardinale is able to enhance fine meats with a rigorous structure. Sliced beef and grilled steaks are the backdrop for a panoramic photograph. A touch of Puglia with orecchiette with chops sauce can be a gastronomic journey with which you can surprise your guests. -
“El Recio translates as 'tough guy' and it's a clue to the style of this Tempranillo from Spain's Toro region. Made from old vines, cultivated biodynamically, the wine matures in new French oak for 14 months, giving it polish and opulence. Firm, sweet black fruit, almost fruit cake in character, with earthy and coffee notes. The guy in the picture must be a meat-eater – this wine is crying out for a juicy steak
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