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Domaine Bois de Boursan makes exemplary Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Southern Rhône. This family-run estate was started by the Versino family in 1955, who moved across from Piedmont in Italy. It is now in the hands of Jean-Paul, the third generation at the helm. He takes great pride in continuing to make traditionally-styled reds with the belief that vinifying with stems and ageing the wine for extended periods in large oak foudres gives his wine its unique character. There is nothing flashy or opulent here, just wines with great character. In total, Jean-Paul has 10 hectares spread across 27 different parcels in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with its changing soil types and vines up to 50 years old.
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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
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Claus Preisinger made his first wine when he was just 20 years old and quickly expanded the 3 hectares of his family vineyards by the Neusiedlersee lake in Burgenland (Austria) to 19 ha. He is the youngest member of Pannobile, a group created to champion the unique character of Burgenland’s terroir and local varieties, and a promising new Austrian producer. Puszta Libre! comes from vineyards lying on the north shore of Lake Neusiedl on very varied sandy loam soils, with flint, quartz, slate and limestone. Basing his work Rudolf Steiner's biodynamic principles, he maintains the natural balance of the vineyard using only organic and biodynamic practices. Puszta Libre! is a tribute to ancient viticulture both in the way it is made and in the way it is presented. Its design is inspired by classic soft drinks and invites you to drink it cold and without preconceived ideas. Drink slighly chilled and with your mates!
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Few winemakers affirm their stellar reputation as convincingly as Vincent Dancer with his ethereal Chevalier Montrachet Grand Cru Blanc 2020. Immaculately crafted in the revered vineyards of France's Burgundy region, it is an unparalleled masterpiece from one of the region's mavericks.
Going against the grain of traditional Burgundian winemaking, Vincent Dancer opts for no battonage and low usage of new oak in producing this Grand Cru Blanc. He relies on sustainable viticulture practices, underscoring nature's ability to produce a near mystical balance of flavours without intervention. This purity of approach culminates in an elegant, nuanced white experienced in this bottle.
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The Fèvre family had been running the Chablis vineyards in northwest France for more than 250 years when William Fèvre brought out the first vintage in this domaine. It was 1959 and William was taking over from his father, the great winemaker who took on 7 hectares of vineyards after World War II. This was the starting point for Domaine Williams Fèvre, one of the largest producers in Chablis, which currently has 78 hectares divided into 90 plots.
Chablis, is the source of the most racy, light and tactile, yet uniquely complex Chardonnay, while considered part of Burgundy, actually reaches far past the most northern stretch of the Côte d’Or proper. Its vineyards cover hillsides surrounding the small village of Chablis about 100 miles north of Dijon, making it actually closer to Champagne than to Burgundy. Champagne and Chablis have a unique soil type in common called Kimmeridgian, which isn’t found anywhere else in the world except southern England. A 180 million year-old geologic formation of decomposed clay and limestone, containing tiny fossilized oyster shells, spans from the Dorset village of Kimmeridge in southern England all the way down through Champagne, and to the soils of Chablis. This soil type produces wines full of structure, austerity, minerality, salinity and finesse.
Pairs well with fish dishes, grilled or in a light sauce; various seafood, oysters and sushi. -
On the island of Sicily, at the foot of Mount Etna, brothers Marco and Sebastian De Grazia have been running their winemaking project for more than 30 years. At Tenuta Delle Terre Nere they make refined and pure wines that express the extraordinary location they call home. Starting with excellent raw materials and winemaking with very little intervention, the De Grazia brothers’ work has helped put Etna at the top of the world wine map.
Tenuta Delle Terre Nere Etna Rosso comes from both young and old vines that grow on the north slope of Mount Etna. These vines are planted in volcanic soil at an altitude ranging from 600 to 900 metres above sea level. Organic farming is practiced and the yield is limited to 35 hl. per hectare. The harvest is carried out manually at the optimum point of ripeness.
Pure and elegant, Tenuta Delle Terre Nere Etna Rosso is a red wine with the delicacy of a Burgundy and the length of a Pinot Noir. A true representative of a promising wine region.
Pair it with white meats, Pasta, Red meat, Rice dishes
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Mazzei is the name of one of the most famous and richest families in the history of Tuscan winemaking, the truth is that their desire to discover and experience other things led them to look for other areas where they could continue their winemaking adventure. So, in 2003, they became aware of the great potential hidden within the Val di Noto region in southeastern Sicily (Italy). A total of 21 hectares of vineyards where Tuscan passion meets Sicilian tradition. Zisola is made only from traditional "Alberello" (bushy) vines grown near Noto, an unique area to make wine. The proximity of the sea and the soil rich in limestone allow to best balance the natural Nero d'Avola exuberance, with a great freshness and elegance. Spicy fish soups, savoury pasta and rice dishes, grilled red meats and vegetables.