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Moving freely through the cork oak forests of the Alentejo, where it feeds on acorns among other things, the Alentejo pig, a species indigenous to Portugal, is Europe's only surviving pastoral pig. Due to the way in which it forms part of the landscape and preserves the region's Mediterranean forest, it is part of Alentejo's heritage. Named after this reputable pig, this wine combines two of Alentejo's biggest symbols. All the grapes used in this wine were produced in accordance with the Sustainable Agriculture Integrated Production guidelines as defined by the International Organisation for Biological and Integrated Control (OILB/IOBC): www.iobc-wprs.org. The rigorous compliance with these practices is certified by an independent organisation, recognized by the Portuguese State. With its smooth tannins and enormous balance, this wine pairs wonderfully with light dishes, such as poultry and pasta, as well as with sausages, ham and more sophisticated meat dishes.
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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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Created from scratch in the Alentejo landscape, you will find Herdade dos Grous. In Albernoa, 17 km from Beja, Herdade dos Grous brings together the production of wine, livestock, rural tourism and wine tourism. Alentejo, Portugal’s largest province holds the traditional Portuguese charm and a Moorish heritage, which can be seen in all its architecture. Its Continental climate with Mediterranean influences, offers ideal conditions for the production of fantastic wines and extremely high quality regional products. The establishment of the estate and the cultivation of the vines (1987), as well as the design of a state-of-the-art wine cellar (built in 2005) are all based on the latest findings in high-end viticulture. ’Herdade dos Grous’ represents the current pioneering spirit of Portugal’s wine-growing business like no other estate. We recommend serving this wine with seafood, poultry or pasta carbonara. Ideal serving temperature is 10 to 12°C
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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
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This Bairrada Classic wine is a tribute to the centenary vineyards, matriarchs of the region and witnesses of past times. The grapes are selected from 80 to 120 year old vines from our vineyard in the Cadoiços Valley. Winemaking in “lagar” with foot treading, besides being an old technique, we believe it remains the best way to obtain great wines of this variety. The two-year oak stage and subsequent bottle rest give the elegance and balance needed for a wine to be tasted for many years. An Impressive Bairrada!An Impressive Wine! Goes well with buttered Goat and Sheep Cheeses, traditional sausages (raw, boiled, or roasted), red meats
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Menina d’Uva is a small winery located in Uva, a remote village in the quiet and desolate countryside of the Northeast of Portugal. Female winemaker Aline Domingues moved from Paris to this area from which her parents had emigrated to Paris to give their children better opportunities. A controversial move within the family but one that I wholeheartedly support. Aline clearly is a talented winemaker crafting beautifully pure wines. Made from 70% red grapes (including Bastardo, known in the Jura as Trousseau) and 30% white grapes including Malvasia and white Bastardo. It’s still a hearthy red that’s crispy and refreshing; cherries, pomegranate with a beautiful smell of the forest. Highly recommended.
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Since 1994, the Montcountour vineyards are owned and controlled by the Feray family. These wines are currently produced from six high-quality wine estates located across the Loire Valley. The vines that were grown on the steep slopes of the valley were covered with hard rocks and caves to protect the history and maintain the mystery of these impeccable vines. These terroirs are known for their exceptional climatic conditions and diverse soils. The Feudal building has survived the centuries and has seen many personalities from the court and the arts stay there, a dependency of the Bishopric of tours under Saint-Martin in the 4th century. The current building dates from the renaissance and was erected by King Charles VII who offered it to Agnès Sorel, his lady of Beauty. Partly burnt down during the French Revolution, the building was rehabilitated; then, in 1846, the Touraine writer Honoré de Balzac wanted to buy it, wanted it in vain, to live there with his fervent admirer and wife Evelyne Hanska. On June 10, 1846, he wrote to his wife and one could read in this letter the still famous formula: "Moncontour is my predilection".
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Louis-Claude Desvignes is a family estate that dates back to 1700. The Desvignes range is "La Voûte Saint Vincent", named for the vault or "voûte" of the old family house and for the patron saint of winemakers. It was Louis-Claude who began to turn the estate’s grapes into wine, and now with the reins handed over to his two sons Louis-Benoît and Claude-Emmanuelle Desvignes. It is a blend of certified-organic estate parcels totalling 4.5 hectares in the climat of Douby, which lies in the northeast corner of Morgon along the border of Fleurie. The La Voûte vines average 50 years old and are planted in Douby's typical sandy, decomposed-granite soils. Viticulture and vinification are consistent across all Desvignes wines. In the case of La Voûte, the parcels are all vinified separately.
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Daniel Landi and Fernando García have been friends since college. Successful winemakers in their own right – Dani at his family’s estate, Bodegas Jimenez-Landi and Fer at Bodega Marañones - in 2008 they started a winemaking project together: Comando G. Along with the pioneers of Priorat, Dani and Fer are redefining Garnacha, previously viewed as a workhorse variety, into something that can rival the elegance and finesse of Burgundian Pinot Noir or Syrah in the northern Rhône. The duo work with several small, isolated plots perched high up in the mountainous Sierra de Gredos to create truly unique, terroir-expressive wines. The vineyards that Daniel and Fernando have assembled are all farmed biodynamically, with vines ranging in age from 50 to 80 years old. According to Wine Advocate writer Luis Gutierrez, "they improve their vineyards from the moment they buy or rent them [...] The quality of their wines is what they strive to improve the most, and the results are there.” In the winery their winemaking is considered and precise, gently coaxing out the delicate balance of fruit character and terroir from each site. It is this commitment to a sense of place, nuance, and finesse that make their wines among the most compelling in Spain.
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Vincent Dancer grew up in Alsace, where he inherited a love of wine and photography from his father. After studying engineering, his father suggested that Vincent spend some time in Burgundy, where his family owned some vines that were being rented out to cousins. Dancer was immediately hooked, and decided to settle in Chassagne-Montrachet and make wine from the five hectares of well-situated vineyards. The winery is small even by the standards of Burgundy, and despite Dancer’s reclusive nature, the wines are well known to a small circle of restaurateurs and wine-lovers who reliably take their miniscule allocation year after year. Dancer was the first producer in Chassagne to become certified organic, and there remains less than a handful of others. He is quietly individualistic, creating his own lean, bright, and savory style of wines, trusting his instincts and experience to make the best possible wine in his own way. Each cuvée, however, is truly a reflection of the terroir—from the rich, unctuous Meursault Perrières to the incisively fresh Chassagne Tête du Clos. It is not an exaggeration to say that the wines from Vincent Dancer are majestically unique, exceptionally delicious, and well worth the effort of seeking out.
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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!
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Rafael Palacios is the son of D. José Palacios Remondo (founder of Bodegas Palacios Remondo) and the brother of Alvaro Palacios(Priorat) but ultimately a passionate producer of white wine. After producing his first white at the family-run winery, called Plácet, he decided to set up his own winery in Galicia, in the Valle del Bibei, under the Valdeorras denomination. Established in 2004, Rafael Palacios has rapidly become one of Spain’s greatest producers of white wine. His focus is on the local variety Godello, grown in a small estate on very old vines that are up to 90 years old from the areas steep-sided, terraced vineyards and have been cultivated with respect of the land, without using any type of herbicide or pesticide. Rafael Palacios is refining his work year after year, reaching the magic of the greatest wines. A top wine, and one to keep. Grub pairing suggestions are mild Asian dishes, Moroccan specialities, fish ragout with saffron sauce Risotto ai frutti di mar
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Family Estates Organic Marlborough Chardonnay; a complex style of Chardonnay grown in our Headwaters vineyard in Marlborough. The cooler climate and alluvial soils of Marlborough deliver flavour and varietal complexity that is reflective of the region and our winemaker’s commitment to sustainably crafting the most drinkable New Zealand wines in the world. This organic Chardonnay wine would go well with poultry or fish or vegetable medley.
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Out of stockThis ''Território Vivo'' is a delicate Baga, it reflects the true term ''living Terroir''. The heritage of old vineyards of the emblematic Baga grape is a richness to be relished. Some of the vines are 80 years old. The subsoils are chalky clay and the vineyards are South East oriented on fairly steep slopes. This particular vintage has fantastic story that could've gone South and thus an unforgettable harvest. They had an attack of rabbits on all of their old vines of Baga. They ate all of the grapes up to 30cm high of the ground. Inedvertently this produced high quality juice but left Filipa and William with the tiniest crops. Producing wine close to nature without pesticides and herbicides can be quite a challenge, certanly when the territory is quite alive!! Serve it with elegant glasses at the temperature of 16-18c and it is highly recommended to pair it with refined foods( not too spicy), Fillet of beef, veal, pigeon, duck and creamy cheeses.
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There are many ways in which to fall in love with Tuscany, not the least of which is through the region’s wonderful wines—or its landscape, its people, its food, and its art. Paladin's example of Super Tuscan wines comes in this form. A local take on the classic Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah (and sometimes Cabernet Franc), these wines were developed, in part, as a reaction to the restrictive regulations in Tuscany during the 1970s. At the time they emerged, they were considered some of the region’s best reds. Yet, somewhat ironically, they were technically table wine. In 1994, their Vino da Tavola (VdT) status was elevated to the Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) denomination, which officially endowed these non-traditional wines with a premium quality rating just below the Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC), which at that time was reserved for more traditional regional wines. The tonneau used at Paladin hold 2 to 3,000 litters. Very impressive if you compare the barrels with a normal barrique barrel. Even though Gekus is only aged for 3 months, the body that it has is quite pronounced and it is indicative of the extraction done with the grapes. The bottle itself already shows through its weight that we are about to encounter something phenomenal, something heavy, something Super. The palate is complex and you can feel the residual sugar without it being sweet to a point of being unpleasant. Recommended with red meat, it is traditionally very popular with pici (thick spaghetti) with meat sauce. Serve at room temperature.
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Is with wines like this one that you start uncovering the great potential of Douro wines. 'Castas Escondidas' translates as 'hidden varieties' and showcases old-vines, field-blend fruit and some of the lesser known grape varieties of the Douro Valley. What makes this drop a superior wine is not only the great quality of the terroir, region characteristics, the field blend vines used but most importantly the high intervention from skilled winemakers producing this wine. With all of these movements happening which by all means are fantastic such as natural wines, low intervention and so on, memories can be short and people will have some tendency to forget that winemakers spent hundreds of years studying the production of wine going by the scientific name of oenology and therefore they are oenologists with the main purpose being interventionists in every single process of the wine production!!! oh dear, I feel I am opening a can of worms here... As the magician himself describes “Casa Ferreirinha Castas Escondidas was designed to stage the varieties commonly used in batches of Port Wine, but rarely explored and which result in a perfect combination with other more well-known varieties” , says Luís Sottomayor, the winemaker responsible for Sogrape wines in the Douro. . “The small percentage of grapes harvested from old vines gives even more special characteristics to the final batch” Great with for special occasions, quality red meats and cheeses. Be responsible and drink this wine moderately as it is one of a kind
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There are records linking the Leitz family to winemaking, dating all the way back to 1744. Johannes Leitz took over the winery in 1985 and since then has increased the estate from 2.9 hectares to the 40 hectares that we see today. He has always aimed to produce wines in an elegant style with pure fruitiness and great freshness, of the highest quality - and this includes his alcohol-free wines. Alcohol-free wine never will give the same depth, structure and weight as a wine with alcohol, but this is extremely close to it and it is simply an alcohol-free wine tasting wine. Impressive. We recommend to pair this wine with summer salads or different fruits.
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At barely 30 years old, Stephane Riffault (Claude’s son and now 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, this kid is clearly doing something right. Based in the village of Sury-en-Vaux, the domaine works 33 different parcels in 6 different lieu-dits spread across 4 villages. The 13.5 hectares of vines are plowed and no synthetic material is used. Unlike most Sancerre producers, the entire harvest is carried out by hand and an extensive sorting takes place before the grapes are crushed. Stephane’s wife, Benedicte, leads the harvest team while Stephane 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. Small, judicious uses of oak help to add length to the already precise and vertical bottling. All of the parcels are vilified separately and with the exception of the rose, 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 Stephane’s wines. The mastery of minerality standing shoulder-height with the wood is rarely duplicated in Sancerre. Regardless of the exposition of his parcels (many are south-facing), Riffault’s wines are always crisp and high-cut with a jeweled sort of delineation that speaks to the precision and attention these wines get. These are not your daddy’s (or his daddy’s) Sancerres.
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Out of stockThis famous Domaine has been run by Caroline Lestimé, Jean-Noël’s daughter, since 1989. Its 12.5 hectares of outstanding vineyards have been certified organic since 2014, and are now run biodynamically, though are not yet certified as such. Most of the estate’s vineyards are in the heart of Chassagne, with one vineyard in the Hautes Côtes de Beaune, which looks down on St. Aubin and was planted in 2015 at an altitude of 300 metres above sea level. The vines are Guyot-trained and planted on a moderate hill facing east. The soils here are stony calcareous clays which are enriched with biodynamic composts at the end of every winter. The wines are, in the best sense of the phrase, ‘low intervention’ wines, with each expressing the character of its site. The 2018 vintage started with good levels of winter rainfall, replenishing the soil moisture content. After a cold February and a rainy March, conditions in April were warm and dry, allowing the vineyard growth to catch up after the earlier delays. Flowering occurred under perfect conditions and summer brought consistently warm, sunny days through to harvest, which took place on August 26th. Grapes for this wine come from two similar plots: one parcel is in the upper part of the appellation (just under the road to Santenay) and the other on the lower part. 40 year old Vines Approximately 200 cases of this cuvée are made each year. Great wine to be appreciated. being an elegant and with layers of structure making this wine quite exquisite. Decanter highly recommended here.