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Since 1864, five generations of the Fenocchio family have been producing wine in the heart of Barolo - most of them born in the same yellow house in Monforte d’Alba, at the top of a hillside covered in Nebbiolo grapes. Claudio Fenocchio took upon his father teachings and instead of modernazing the Barolo winemaking techniques, he and with the support of his brothers decided to keep the tradition and build on it. Fenocchio has not taken up organic or biodynamic farming methods but, on the other hand, the estate never took to chemical fertilisers or herbicides, so diverse ground cover and natural predators protect the vines, which grow at their own pace. And in the winery, fermentation is similarly driven by nature and the local microflora. Technically, Claudio has found a way of producing wines which have approachable fruit when young, yet built around a strong tannic structure which does not overwhelm early on, but encourages the development of the wine over years. It is partly due to some green harvesting and careful selection, partly due to enzymatic reaction (ironically) during the long fermentation, which melds the fruit and tannin seamlessly. Barolos are aged for five months in stainless Slovenian oak and a further year in the bottle before release. steel, two years in Slovenian oak and a further year in the bottle before release. More than defining itself as traditional or modern Barolo, Giacomo Fenocchio wine is an expression of terroir. -
Waltraud is made with the best harvests of Riesling, which is one of the most highly prized aromatic varieties - and rightly so given that it is capable of producing such an elegantly sublime and magnificently fruity wine as this. Waltraud Maczassek, of German nationality, put down roots in the Penedès region when she married Miguel A. Torres. That's why he decided to make a wine in her honour, using German varieties but planted in the Upper Penedes. The wine has a luminous gold color. On the nose reminiscent of orange blossom, jasmine, quince and pineapple. Elegant, firm-bodied and silky, with echoes of spice bread on the finish. Pairs beautifully with oysters and shellfish. Sublime in combination with fish, rice dishes, pasta with mariniere sauce, duck in sweet sauce. -
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Torres Mas Borras Pinot Noir is a single vineyard wine made from 100% Pinot Noir vines in the Penedès denominación de origen of the Spanish region of Catalonia. The Torres family has been making wine in the ancient Catalán town of Vilafranca del Penedès, south-west of Barcelona, since the 17th Century. It is this tradition combined with innovation, dynamism and commitment to quality that has put Torres firmly on the world map. They remain one of the largest family owned and run wine companies in the world and, under the stewardship of fourth generation Miguel Torres they are committed to sustainable viticulture and green practices. The Torres Mas Borras vineyard is located at 520 metres above sea level in the coolest part of the Upper Penedes area at Santa María de Miralles. At this altitude, the relatively cold summer nights allow a long and balanced ripening, which is desirable for producing elegant and noble Pinot Noir. Deep calcareous clay soils with interspersed layers of gypsum, moderately well drained with a high water holding capacity. Developed over sedimentary material from the Eocene. Thanks to the cool soils and the continental tendency of the climate, these vineyards provide the best conditions for Pinot Noir in the Penedès region. This is why Jacques Bergeret, a Burgundian expert in cultivating Pinot Noir, chose these soils in 1985–1986. The Pinot Noir grapes for this single vineyard wine are usually harvested in late September and are macerated in the skins for 2 weeks after harvest. The wine is fermented in stainless steel with an additional malolactic fermentation in oak barrels. After vinification Torres Mas Borras Pinot Noir is aged in French oak barrels, 30% of which are new, for 9 months. Oak ageing ensure that silky tannins are in harmony with the fresh acidity and cherry fruit typical of Pinot Noir. -
Le Naturel lives up to its name, it is a wine in which the Garnacha is expressed with great openness. On the nose aromas of blackberries and violets appear, while in the mouth it has a good attack of fresh fruit, typical of high altitude vineyards.It is a natural wine, without added sulfites, which also has the certificate of organic and vegan wine. With the aim of minimal intervention (in the field and in the winery) we found in Bodegas Aroa - Le Naturel a specimen of pure and enjoyable Grenache. Specially designed for consumption soon it is open and not for storage. Bodegas Aroa (Vintae group) is located in Zurucuáin, in the heart of the Yerri Valley , sheltered by the Urbasa and Andía Sierras. This winery is one of the pioneers in Navarra in its commitment to the recovery of organic farming practices . -
Pazo das Bruxas is a wine that pays homages to the folklore and nature of Galicia, a land of immense forests inhabited by mystic and magical beings like the Galician witches who lived in old country houses (pazos) where they would connect with nature through dances and spells to obtain the best fruits from it. Just like the albariño stock that gives life to Pazo das Bruxas. It is made by the local and most representative variety of Rías Baixas region; Albariño. It is an intensely aromatic wine displaying distinctive fruit notes (green apple and lemon peel) with clean undertones of hay. The perfect choice as an aperitif or to pair with raw, cooked or grilled seafood. -
Lomba dos Ares is a Spanish take on Beaujolais, a blend of native grapes - Mencía, Mouratón, Garnacha Tintorera, Caiño and Bastardo - that captures the essence of Ribeira Sacra with a perfumed nose and plenty of freshness and finesse on the palate. It's not surprising that beautiful places like this produce soulful wines. Red fruits, orange peel, violets and cedar come in layers making this delicious to sip solo but also very versatile with charcuterie, roasted vegetable or pork dishes. -
“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 -
Bardos Romantica is a red wine from Ribera del Duero, produced by Bodegas Bardos, belonging to the Vintae Group, which are known to produce wines in twelve different Spanish regions, such as the Hacienda López from Haro. Made from 100% Tinta del País (Tempranillo). The grapes come from a rigorous selection of low yielding old vines located in the highlands of the central plateau in Onesimus Quintanilla (Valladolid). The grapes, once collected, are transported to the winery in boxes of 15 kilos and small trailers. Here a selection of bunches is made on tables. Subsequent fermentation and maceration is carried out in vats at a temperature of 28ªC for 3 or 4 weeks. Once fermented and macerated, Bardos Romantica undergoes a malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels, with a weekly beating and strict control of each barrel. Finally, Bardos Romantica is aged for 14 months in barrels of one and two years in French oak, located in underground cellars where the temperature is maintained throughout the year at around 14ºC. Bardos Romantica is a soft and original wine. After all the technicalities all I can say is a great wine, enjoy it, share it! -
Marqués de Riscal is one of the oldest Rioja wineries. Founded in Elciego (Álava) in 1858 by Guillermo Hurtado de Amézaga. Since the beginning they have always had a clear vocation for creating the quintessential Spanish wines from Rioja. Marqués de Riscal Reserva is a red wine made with Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo from vineyards that are over 40 years old, located on clayey-calcareous soils. After the harvest, the grapes ferment at a controlled temperature with a maceration of 12 days. Once the harvest has finished, the wine goes through a minimum ageing of 2 years in American oak barrels. It is left to stand in the bottle for a minimum of one year before it is launched on to the market. A wine that falls within the canons of Riojan classicism, fresh, fine, elegant and with great ageing potential. -
Delightful and easy to drink , made from a blend of native Portuguese grape varieties. The vineyards are located in the Lisbon area. Due to its location close to the coast, the alcohol percentage is quite low. Fruity and aromatic, a true crowd pleaser and a summer hit. Go well with light dishes -
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. -
The name Matua, in New Zealand's native Maori language, means "head of the family," an appropriate title given this winery's instrumental role in developing Sauvignon Blanc into what is now New Zealand's most acknowledged wine varietal. You see there’s a couple of regions around the globe that planted Pinot Noir, that have really mastered it and New Zealands' Marlborough is indisputably one of those. It’s funny what a little perseverance does, and from their ragged tin shed in 1974, Bill and Ross Spence began to change the very foundation of wine in not just Marlborough, but New Zealand. They realized that Pinot Noir adapted exceptionally well to the well-drained alluvial soils of Marlborough and it’s unique climate. With the perfect amount of sunshine each day balanced out by cool evenings they struck Pinot Noir gold and have been developing a killer selection ever since. Matua have mastered the perfect balance of fruit-forward freshness with a touch of dry spice, a staple trait of the Marlborough Pinot Noir. You can expect generous aromas of freshly picked strawberries and red with a little ripe plum thrown into the mix. When taking a sip it’s the soft redcurrants, strawberries and cherries that jump out, brought together by a subtle spice, light tobacco and soothing dry earth. A touch of oak gives just enough complexity to enhance the flavors of this incredible wine. Highly Recommended -
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. -
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. Attractive tones of tropical fruit and a slightly spicy vanilla tone. Elegant and medium-bodied, with a nice balance and long aftertaste. Serve around 12 -14 ° C with chicken satay, or other dishes on white meat, a spicy stir-fry with noodles, fish or salad. Enjoy -
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. -
Broc Cellars is an organic urban winery located in Berkeley, California. The owner/winemaker is Chris Brockway, a minimalist who produces the most natural wines he can. Grapes are sourced only from sustainably, organically, or biodynamically-farmed old vine vineyards. Fruit all comes from Green valley in Solano County right on the eastern edge of Napa Valley. Grapes are pitchforked whole-cluster into the fermenters, and fermentation is allowed to happen spontaneously in a blend of old wood barrels, steel tanks, and concrete. All wines are basket pressed with little/no sulphur used until bottling.. An extremely pretty and approachable red that has a fruity, floral nose, a fresh, light palate with a serious finish. Interesting Cabernet Franc approach, so easy to drink that is almost gulpable. Unusual but a must try, definitely one of our favourites -
The Kanonkop Kadette Pinotage 2021 shows intense purple hues with lively aromas of fresh plums, mulberries and allspice, followed by a meaty undertone. The palate displays an inherent earthy touch, with flavours of crimson beetroot and maraschino cherries. Wonderful coherent balance between the fruit and the fresh acidity, with muscular support from the tightly woven tannin structure. -
Blaufränkisch equals Austria. It is one of those typical, local, emerging grapes that have put Austria on the international wine market in recent years. Spicy nose with notes of ripe fruit such as currants and blackberries. The tannins are soft but present enough to structure the wine.All combines in a high-quality example of typical Blaufränkisch. -
The El Bandito The Dark Side 2017 by Testalonga comes from Shiraz vineyards from the early 2000s - the vines are still in full bloom, but thanks to the low yield, they are already delivering phenolic grapes. The vineyards are cultivated by Craig with no herbicites, pesticides or fungicites. He also does without artificial irrigation. These measures alone have a positive effect on the quality of the grapes and keep the yield low. After hand-picking, the grapes are fermented spontaneously with the vineyard's own yeast and matured in 3000l wooden barrels. After expansion, it is neither fined nor filtered and filled with minimal sulfur. The Testalonga El Bandito The Dark Side has a deep dark color with a black core. It smells of red berries and dark stone fruits, of cloves, mocha and cocoa beans as well as tart spiciness. On the palate it has a present tannin and a fine interplay of acids. In terms of alcohol, the Shiraz is quite slim and straight, but still brings a weighty body into play. The finish is long and dominated by the heavier aromas. The El Bandito The Dark Side Shiraz demands air, so give it a few hours in the carafe before serving it slightly chilled from large glasses with roasted game, braised lamb or an oven-baked bean stew with roasted butter crumbs and thyme. -
Miguel Torres Cordillera Carignan is a 100% Carignan, sourced from old, dry vineyard in the Maule Valley. Miguel Torres acquired a small winery in Curicó, in the Chilean central valley, in 1979. It was the first foreign company to back Chilean vineyard production. The excellent climate conditions for cultivating grapevines, with great temperature differences between night and day and lands are free of the grape phylloxera, have contributed to the fact that sublime wines are being made in lands from where one can view the greatness of the Andes, crowned by snow and a noble beauty. As of 2010 Miguel Torres Chile is directed by Miguel Torres Maczassek, a fifth generation Torres winemaker who moved to Chile with his family in order to maintain the tradition and passion for winemaking that the Torres family has demonstrated for over a hundred years. Some of the Carignan vines in the Maule Valley from which this wine is made are up to 80 years old and are some of the world’s oldest. Opaque, intense ruby red color. Floral and fruit aromas with toasty oak imparted undertones. The palate is big and unfolds beautifully. Here the notes perceived on the nose are complemented by hints of bay leaf and mint. Ideal with patés, duck confit, rice with meat or vegetables, roast or barbecued beef, ragouts and beef stews. -
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( We have this one in stock too!). The winery produces a small amount of red wine, showcasing both the indigenous Agioritiko as well as international varietals such Cabernet Sauvignon in this case. Agiorgitiko is a historical variety with a great genetic variation. The vineyards used for the Papagiannakos Erythros are located in southeastern Attica at an altitude of 360 feet. The vineyard is relatively young, with an average of 20-years-old, and has a north-facing exposure. The vineyard is farmed without irrigation, resulting in low-yielding vines that produce grapes with rich, concentrated fruit flavours. The structure of this red wine makes it an ideal pairing for a variety of red meat dishes, as well as hard cheeses. -
Seven years in the making, Chateau Musar Red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan and Cinsault from vineyards near the Bekaa Valley villages of Aana and Kefraya on gravelly soils over limestone. Planted from the 1930s onwards, yields are low from these mature bushvines (average age: 40 years):. The varietal components are brought together two years after the harvest; the resulting blend is then placed back in cement tanks before being bottled 12 months later. After 4 years’ bottle maturation in the deep stone cellars of Chateau Musar, the finished wines are released a full seven years after the harvest. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, Chateau Musar Reds are suitable for vegans; they’re also richly-textured and likely to ‘throw a crust’. This is a common feature of most fine wines and is especially true of Musar Red vintages over a decade old. Ideally, bottles should be standing up the night before opening to allow the sediment to settle. After careful decanting (and discarding of sediment, usually in the last centimetre of the bottle) the wine should be allowed to breathe for an hour and served at 18°C with roasts, grills (especially lamb), casseroles, game, and mature cheeses. One of my favourite wines and at somewhate affordable price. -
Aromatically very complex, it presents strong sensations of red fruits, jam and vanilla. Equally complex in the tasting, it evolutes to smooth velvety notes of red and ripe fruits, chocolate and oak ageing. Persistent and well-balanced aftertaste with tannins that evidence the structure of the wine and its longevity. Enjoy the Palha-Canas Tinto with hearty dishes from pork and beef, lamb and game. In addition, the wine goes perfectly with soft and hard cheese. You would have to stand on the terrace of the estate to understand why it is called Boavista (“fine view”). Your gaze would naturally wander over the vineyards which slope down into the valley in front of the house and then meet two hills on the opposite side where the lines of vines form an exciting geometrical pattern. It is a fine view indeed, this sight of the vineyards of Boavista. The Quinta de Boavista is situated right in the middle of the hills of the Estremadura wine-growing region, about fifty kilometres north of Lisbon. The close proximity of the nearby ocean provides for humidity and wind. The soil composition is a sandy clay. It is full of fossilized ocean deposits and right in front of the estate big petrified bones of a saurian were found which now adorn the terrace. The land has been owned for generations by the family of José Luis Oliveira da Silva. He is a banker by profession. For some years now he has focussed on wine-growing. He modernised the wine cellar, bought new barrels and recruited an able oenologist. He was among the first in Portugal who produced varietal wines from autochthonous grapes. The results are very exciting. The white Fernao Pires is a wine with attractive fruit aromas and with a distinct mineral note, the red Castelao and the red Tinta Roriz are wines that have concentration and a complex personality. This new generation of Portuguese wines gives you offhand inspiration. -
Combel La Serre has been certified organic since 2013, though farmed without chemicals for several decades up to that point. 100% Malbec (known in Cahors as Auxerrois). The vines are 40 years old, grown on clay and limestone soils at an elevation of 320m. Fermentation and aging take place in small tanks."The Splendid Antidote to the Heat of the Causse" is the amusing and appropriate name of this refreshing rosé. (The Causse is the high limestone plateau around Cahors, which gets brutally hot in the summer.) The wine shows a pretty pink/orange color and aromas of ripe cherry, raspberry and cassis with citrus and spice. There are creamy cassis, raspberry and citrus flavors on the palate which shows lovely ripeness and density, with hints of orange peel, earth, smoke and brown spice that continue in the long finish. This is quite delicious and a great value - as are all the wines from Jean-Pierre and Julien Ilbert at Combel-la-Serre. Great Value -
Quinta de Cidrô presents the first Alvarinho produced in the Douro, another superb result of the continuous innovation that takes place in the vineyards of the property. The idea to plant Alvarinho in the Douro came from their ambition to produce a high quality white monovarietal from a Portuguese grape variety. A wine marked by fine and delicate aromas of citrus fruit and orange blossom, which presents an excellent aromatic complexity. Expressive and personalized, it is above all a full-bodied Douro wine, revealing flavours that can be guessed at in the aroma. A long and distinct Alvarinho, determined by a crisp acidity and a tasty minerality. -
Quinta do Vale Meao Meandro Tinto is a Douro red wine made by one of the most famous wine estates of the Douro, if not the world. The estate was Bought and established by that legendary lady of Port, Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira, in the early 19th Century, it has been the stage for many pioneering feats of winemaking and viticulture in the Douro. Currently Quinta do Vale Meao is still in family hands, with descendant Francisco Xavier Olazabal (Vito), his winemaker son Francisco (Xito) and daughter Luísa all devoted to the cause. This humorous and relaxed team has, since they started making wine at the quinta in 1999, pushed the boundaries of excellence in Douro reds beyond what was imaginable. The vineyards are perched on the Douro River’s most dramatic meander (hence “Meandro”) and consist of some 70 hectares of vines planted on schist, granite and alluvial soils. The vines planted are the usual suspects for the Douro, Touriga Naçional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Barroca, Tinto Câo however they are block planted which ultimately allows more control over the blend (it is common practice in the Douro for the different grape varieties to be planted mixed up). The vineyards are adjacent to a fantastic granite mansion and winery. Quinta do Vale Meao Meandro is the “second” wine but shares a lot of the characteristics of its big brother, the Quinta do Vale Meao, but manages to reveal a character of its own. It is not an ordinary second wine by any means. Quinta do Vale Meao Meandro Tinto 2015 is a blend of 40% Touriga Nacional, 35% Touriga Franca, 16% Tinta Roriz, 5% Tinta Barroca, 2% Alicante Bouschet and 2% Tinta Amarela. The grapes are harvested by hand, cooled down and then trodden in granite lagares, then transferred to stainless steel for vinification, by individual variety, before ageing in 2nd and 3rd year 225L French Allier oak barriques. It is a fruity and spicy wine with real Douro character. -
Lab tested and approved! This Lab is asking to be walked. Hitting all the puns here, only because that is exactly what you will get with this wine. It does what it says on the tin, if not more. This lovely red from Lisbon is full bodied but smooth and is very aromatic with notes of ripe black and red fruits. On the palate, juicy plums and dark berry fruit flavour with plenty of fresh yet fine tannins that take over at the finish, along with flavours of spice and liquorice. It is not top of the shelf but it does punch above its weight. -
A wine that presents itself as modern, with excellent aromatic intensity and offering citric fruit notes. With a light body, it has also a great natural freshness and shows great balance in the aftertaste. Great everyday wine that punches above its weight. Enjoy it without compromising -
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 -
This blend of Touriga Nacional, Syrah, Tinta Roriz, and Alicante Bouschet lives up to its name. With an intense rubi colour, this wine presents itself with a great concentration in the nose. Extremely rich aroma with predominance of red ripe fruits and some floral notes, well integrated with notes of spices coming from the ageing in French and American oak barrels. In the mouth it shows great complexity with notes of plums and blackberries. The finish is rich and elegant. Excellent wine for hearty spiced meals with red grilled or roast meat, lamb and game dishes. Enjoy! -
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This blend of Aragonez, Syrah and Pinot Noir results from the fusion of two distinct terroirs, where the Mediterrean climate of the Alentejan interior meets the cool maritime climate of the Alentejan Atlantic coast. Pinot Noir, grown in sandy soils in our cool, Alentejan Atlantic coastal vineyards, provides freshness and elegance to balance the fruit generosity of the Aragonez and Syrah grown further inland, on the ancient clay over limestone soils surrounding the Estate. Viticulture here is certified sustainable. Attractive lifted red berry fruit aromas, with a touch of vanilla. Vibrant fruit on the palate, juicy and intense, finishing with a nice acidity. -
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 -
Grüner Veltliner is Austria's most famous grape variety and is considered Austria's national grape variety. The best Grüner Veltliner wines come from the northeast of the country, especially regions such as the Wachau, Kamptal and Kremstal bordering the Danube River. This wine made by Weingut Weixelbaum the winery of Heinz and Gabi Weixelbaum. Located in the village of Strasser in the Austrian Kamptal. It is a medium sized, typical Austrian winery. A family business that is passed on from generation to generation. Heinz Weixelbaum has very good vineyards on soils of 'urgestein' and 'loess', Heinz also dares to prune a lot in the spring, so that his wines are more powerful than most from the region. The Weixelbaum family only makes wine from grapes from its own 22 hectares of vineyards. Everything is done by hand and the cellar is full of the most modern equipment. The vineyards in the Kamptal owe their name to the river Kamp that flows through the area. It is one of the most prestigious Austrian wine districts. In this wine-growing region, which is part of the federal state of Lower Austria, warm and sunny summer days ensure optimal ripening of the grapes. In addition, a cooling breeze during the night guarantees flawless aromas and refined acids in the wines. The vineyards are mainly terraced along the steep banks of the river. The soil consists largely of loess, loam, gravel, sandstone and shale. Because the roots of the vines can reach up to six meters deep, the wines get a different character on every surface. -
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave is one of the finest producers in the Northern Rhone. 16 generations of wine making has led to mastery of their art. This astonishing experience and expertise is pervasive in this wine. This deliciously ripe Syrah/Grenache blend has a wonderful core of dark, berry fruit supported by a framework of ripe tannin with cooling, granitic notes and a sleek, sophisticated texture. The sublime quality of the wines at this Domaine have meant that there has always been a long queue of Wine Merchants desperate for a glimpse of the Chave cellars. Gerard's son, Jean-Louis makes the wine at the Estate now and his ideal is to produce wine that is as pure an expression of the grape and terroir as possible. He achieves this by only vinifying the healthiest grapes produced from low yielding vines, intervening as little as possible while making the wine and bottling without filtration. His wines are some of the Rhône’s most complete and sophisticated examples. Jean Louis Chaves' selection wines are benchmarks of the Rhone, packed with regional character, that are made from a mixture of declassified Domaine fruit and grapes that are grown by Jean-Louis in conjunction with other vignobles. After tasting this gorgeous wine, I understood the name "Mon Coeur". -
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 -
The Domaine Fèvre AC Chablis is a great place to start if you're looking to venture into wonderful world of Chablis. This wine comes from vines predominantly 15-25 years old some parcels planted in the 1950s and 1960s finding their way into the final blend. The stony soils of the region impart a fine minerality to the wine and with no oak in sight, the freshness and soft texture here are a highlight. This is Chablis 101 - sleek, fine-boned and delicious. This is great value from a family-owned domaine in the heart of the region. Is a fresh and fruity wine with flavours of white flesh fruits, like peach and pear, with citrus notes and good minerality. Pleasant as an aperitif, it makes an ideal partner for oysters, shellfish and grilled fish -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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This attractive wine has its origin in the coolest vineyards located near the Douro River. The soil is sandy-loam with a slight gravel content. This gives it a very characteristic freshness that, combined with its aging in the barrel for 5 months (50% French and 50% American), gives rise to a wine with great personality and marked fruity nuances. Intense, bright cherry color. Very intense aroma with marked fruity sensations of blackberry and blueberries perfectly integrated with a quality wood that surrounds everything. Good structure and good fruity expression on the palate, powerful and with ripe tannins. An Oak from Ribera del Duero that you cannot miss. -
This Monteabellón 14 months is a wine made 100% with Tempranillo grapes from the highest altitude vineyards, located on sandy loam soils with clay and limestone. After a classic vinification, with 25 days of maceration, it is aged for 14 months in barrels of 70% French oak and 30% American . At Bodegas Monteabellón they use the latest oenological techniques to guarantee careful preparation throughout the process, maintaining stable levels of temperature and humidity. Smells of dark, ripe and very rich fruits. Unbelievably full-bodied and the finish is lasting and very long. This 100% Tempranillo is a complex wine that is already very enjoyable to drink, but will continue to develop splendidly over the next few years. Elegant and chocolate all over this wine. A shout to Declan & Mairead as they recommended this lovely addition to Pinto Wines! -
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! -
The Mesta was a powerful alliance of shepherds in medieval Castile, who controlled the “cañadas”: traditional rights-of-way for migrating sheep. to this day, the “cañadas” are protected from being blocked or built upon. Our vineyards are nestled deep in the land of The Mesta, and are still passed over by flocks on their annual migration – a reminder of ancient rights, and a cultural cue for continued co-existence with nature. Produced from organically farmed vineyards in Uclés (Castile, Spain). Managed as an integrated ecosystem and studded with centenary oak trees. The continental climate with sunny days and cool nights allow us to achieve intense fruit and excellent varietal definition, while retaining remarkable freshness Mesta Tempranillo is a vibrant and juicy, unoaked red wine, showing great purity and the typicity of high-altitude Tempranillo, with expressive and well-defined aromas of red berries, rosemary and a touch of liquorice. Bright ruby red colour. Fresh and with an excellent persistence on the palate, with round texture and a satisfyingly dry finish. Very versatile, medium-bodied food wine, excellent with tapas, grilled meat and pasta. -
Merinas comes from the Bodegas y Viñedos Fontana, located in the town of Cuenca. The name Merinas is also a reference to the merino sheep, the most famous sheep breed in the world which, incidentally, sometimes seems to scurry around in the vines. A crisp, aromatic white wine, showing great purity of aromas and a precise expression of the Verdejo grape. Bright, pale straw yellow, with intense, fresh notes of grass, fennel and white pepper. Dry but juicy on the palate, with excellent balance, a moderate alcohol of only 12,5% with a persistent, slightly mineral finish. Excellent as an aperitif and with pasta, salads, poultry and fish dishes. -
Graciano is one of Spain’s best kept wine secrets - a red grape with thick skins that is a tricky one to grow, which means there’s precious little of it about, even in the vineyards of the Rioja, where it is one of the traditional ingredients in the wine of the same name. This Biio-Organic wine has ruby red color with violet rims. On the nose aromas of wild flowers and ripe fruit, strawberry and blackberries. On the palate it is fresh and fruity, with a good level of acidity and moderate tannins. -
Vinos de Montaña is from a range of mountain wines on high-altitude vineyards in Sierra de Gredos and other historic growing areas in the Sistema Central, the mountain chain that divides the Iberian Peninsula in its Northern and Southern halves. Based mostly on very old Garnacha vines on granite soil, the wines are perfumed, delicate and fresh, displaying the character of their vineyard parcels and villages. This organic wine even though is from a recent created bodega/company, is from old vines revived in the mountain where wine was produced for decades. The Spanish market seemed to picked up on it, as it is becoming increasingly popular with the new enthusiastic wine drinkers generation. Recommended pairing with grilled vegetables, sausages, roasted meats, small game, cured cheeses. -
Badiola is a winery in the heart of Rioja Alavesa. Founded in 2018 by acquiring an existing winery, Badiola offers village and single vieyard wines that display the freshness, elegance and depth of flavours which distinguish the great wines from this part of Rioja. Badiola cultivates over 300 parcels of extraordinary vineyards on the slopes of the Sierra Cantabria, mainly in the villages of villabuena de Alava, Leza, Samaniego, Laguardia, Navaridas and Banos de Ebro. Averag age of the vines are 50 years old which means that fruit is of outstanding quality and well the vine is well inserted into the soil and not as prone to climatic issues that may arise. This wine is made from high quality, low yelding grapes from hillside(Laderas) vines on limestones soils, without the need for carbonic maceration to mask unripe or unhealthy fruit. About a quarter of the wine is aged from 4 to 6 months in new barriques of top quality French and American Oak, for added complexity and texture, but not overt oak character. A versatile and very satisfying drinking wine and a great example of cooler climate Tempranillo from Rioja Alavesa. A good match with both meat and fish-based tapas, mezze, rice dishes and pasta. -
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. -
When Dirk Niepoort started with the vinification of this wine, he had several big amphoras prepared. He became so proud of the wine's development and made everybody so curious about his new wine that he invited a few people to taste it.…but because of this, the wines got destroyed. The wine got too much air and sadly he had to throw it all away. He started all over again, with one part red and one part white – but this time nobody was allowed to taste it before it was ready. Nothing was opened, the visitors were only allowed to observe… that's where the name "Voyeur" came from. When it was finished, he tasted the wines and they where both so amazingly delicious, that he could not decide which one was his favorite so he radically mixed them into one. Dirk Niepoort is a 5th generation winemaker and still today it is an independent business with great ports and wines under their name. Not sure if it was the Dutch side of him but he had the guts to do it and it worked! Voyeur is a wine of expression. It is not concerned with individual grape varieties or specific vineyards, but more establishing what it is possible to do in the Douro. Voyeur 2018 is a light, vibrant ruby red with some orange and brick red tones. Its exuberant and floral bouquet combines aromas of red fruit such as redcurrant and raspberry with an earthiness typical for wines fermented and matured in clay. The palate is elegant, with vibrant and fine-grained tannins noticeable on the mid-palate, ensuring that the fresh fruit character persists deep into the light and moreish finish typical of a low-alcohol wine. We will hear more about this wine in the near future as it is changing ways of thinking in the industry. Comes in 1 Liter bottle. Enjoy it! -
Weingut Birgit Eichinger was founded in 1992 by Birgit Eichinger and her husband Christian, who started out with roughly nine acres of vineyards shed from her parents' business, over time the vineyard area was expanded to 23 acres in the best traditional sites of Strass. This is a single-vineyard Grüner, from a vineyard whose loess (loose and sandy) soils and southward face are perfect for the cultivation of traditional Kamptal-style Grüner. The Birgit Eichinger Grüner Veltliner Strass Kamptal impresses with its elegantly dry taste. It was put on the bottle with only 1.8 grams of residual sugar. As one can of course expect with a wine, this Austrian naturally enchants with the finest balance in all dryness. Taste doesn't necessarily need sugar. On the palate, the texture of this light-footed white wine is wonderfully light. Due to the balanced fruit acidity, the Grüner Veltliner Rhinestone Kamptal flatters with velvety mouthfeel, without missing out on juicy liveliness. The finish comes with mineral notes of the soils dominated by loess soil and sandstone. -
High on the hills of Austria there is more than just a lonely goat herd - there is also a fantastic winery, considered one of the country's best. Pittnauer has a long winemaking tradition in the region, and in 2006 moved to more biodynamic practices. The results are delicious, environmentally friendly wines with years of experience behind them. Now prepare yourself for some varieties you've probably never heard of - Pittnauer's Pitti Red Blend is made from blaufränkisch and Zweigelt grapes with a small quantity of Merlot added to the mixture. These varieties shine brightest in the Austrian climate, where they come together to make a stunningly delicious, full bodied wine reminiscent of spicy Shiraz. The ‘Pitti’ is a blend coming from vines that average 12-15 years in age and are planted on sandy clay mixed with limestone. Dark ruby in colour, the wine has tight tannins with black berries, cherries, cranberries and fresh acidic structure. Whispers of tobacco and liquorice. Ticks all the boxes of quality, drinkability and affordability and yumability. -
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The exciting Muhr-Van der Niepoort project began in 2002 as a collaboration between Austrian PR guru Dorli Muhr and celebrated Portuguese winemaker Dirk Niepoort. Although the name is taken from the village of Prellenkirschen, all of the grapes for the white are sourced from the Spitzerberg, or a continuation of it. A blend of 90% Gruner Veltliner (35 year old vines) and 10% Riesling (planted in 1950), the grapes see some skin contact in the fermentation, imbuing the final wine with tension and extract, a mouth-watering savoury salinity and clearly-delineated spicy flavours of white pepper, fennel and cumin. Deep and a touch wild on the palate but with enormous personality and interest, its deep savoury style will appeal to lovers of edgy yet serious food-friendly whites. -
Moment of Silence is a South African wine made by superstar wine maker Pieter Walser. He buys in the fruit to make this blended wine of Viognier, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay. It has been aged in old oak and it is a rich, powerful wine. Some of the fruit comes from vineyards which are over 50 years old.Stunning, all rounder, there is nothing you can fault in this wine. Aromas of candied lemon, cooked apple and mango with a core of minerality. Soft and voluptuous, it has a lovely ripeness and a fleshy, creamy mouthfeel, which leads to a perfect tangy freshness giving some zip to its otherwise mellow feel. -
Master of none - Playing with words referring to themselves not being an expert in any one varietal or wine style hence the saying: “Jack of all trades, master of none”. Clever and humble, nonetheless, their wines are at the forefront not only of South Africa but in the world with the amazing wines they are producing. If you enjoy reds on the lighter end of the spectrum such as Pinot Noir or Gamay then Pieter's 'Master of None' will definitely be up your street! It comprises a blend of 5 different grape varieties from tiny vineyard plots across 6 distinct regions; 40% Grenache from Wellington, 30% Cinsault from sites in Darling and Stellenbosch, 8% Pinot Noir from Elgin and a further 8% Syrah from Swartland. Unusually, Pieter then tops up the blend with Voor Paardeberg Chenin Blanc, adding aromatic freshness to the finished wine. It drinks like a top-class Beaujolais – super bright and juicy, bursting with wild strawberry, cherry and with an earthy, smoky undercurrent. Enjoy at room temperature or slightly chilled – perfect for summer drinking! “In 2004, a lady came to my house to buy wine. She asked for anything but Shiraz. “I don’t drink Shiraz”, were her exact words. I poured her a glass of wine. She loved it and bought 3 cases. It was a straight Shiraz. It’s a fact – we do judge the book by its cover.” -
Gotes was the last to be incorporated into the Portal del Priorat's wine family, the Alfredo Arribas project in this denomination, and was envisioned to highlight the freshness of Priorat wines; gotes (drops) of freshness, like dewdrops. Don't expect to find in Gotes the more usual Priorat typicity, with profound maturity and intense minerality. Gotes reflects another type of Priorat wine, refined, in the French style (we mean 'French' as in Burgundy), with a fresh and floral profile. The typicity of Gotes is rooted in the countryside, in its notes of aromatic plants, and in that delightful warmth, because although fresh it is Mediterranean. Another special feature of Gotes is the polish and attention to detail it emits; it's an elegant wine; it has clearly been crafted by experts. If Gotes is refined on the nose, it's positively explosive on the palate! It grows and grows, with lots of volume and a very seductive sweetness and velvety texture. Gotes is fruit, but a very varied fruit cocktail: red fruits, black fruits, both fresh and jammy, the odd juicy stone fruit like mango (the Garnacha always leaves its mark) and fresh grapes that provide a citrusy touch. Ideal with dishes of a upper middle power taste. Will be excellent with a salad of figs and duck ham with Parmesan shavings. It will also be great taking with red meats, duck breast grilled or thigh kid with cider and soft alioli. -
Celler del Roure is making very interesting wines with local grape varieties in the Valencia area. Many of these old, indigenous varieties are largely forgotten and Cullerot highlights three of them (Verdil, Tortosina, and Merseguera) together with Pedro Ximénez, Macabeo, Malvasía, and others. In addition to their focus on indigenous grape varieties, Celler del Roure is employing traditional vinifications methods: hand harvesting, fermenting with native yeasts in stone lagars, and aging in very old clay amphorae. Cullerot has a bit of skin contact, and is medium bodied with notes of stone fruit, tropical notes, apple skin, and clay-y minerality. A great, truly interesting, "almost-orange" skin contact white wine, for less than €20. -
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A rich and satisfying Ribera del Duero red, from a quality focussed micro producer Quinta Milú. This is a family run project in the Ribera del Duero from the Asturian viticulturist Germán R. Blanco. A small project which for nearly 10 years now has looked for wines which tell us about where they were born, a small village by the name of La Aguilera situated in the province of Burgos. Germán makes his elegant, fruit-forward wines using foot-treading, wild yeast fermentation and minimal handling. Not filtered, not clarified and not stabilized is his ethos. All his wines share a delicious rusticity, purity of fruit, and incredible freshness. Germán calls this— his flagship wine— a “vino de pueblo”, which translates as “a wine for every day and for everyone.” Pair it with braised meats, steak, game, lamb, root veggies, hard cheese or just have it on its own. -
Olivier Riviere, founder and winemaker at Rayos Uva Rioja, is originally from Cognac. He studied in St-Emilion and then made wine in southern France and Burgundy before moving to Ribera del Duero in 2004, when he started leasing land and purchasing fruit for his new Spanish blends. Finally, in 2013, Olivier bought his first 3.5 acres in Rioja Alavesa; Rayos Uva is now in its sixth vintage. Olivier's holdings are substantially larger now, but he still sources fruit from his favorite bodegas. Grown by Bodegas Lacus where Olivier is also the winemaker, this 2021 is a blend of hand-harvested Tempranillo and Graciano that is semi-carbonically fermented in tanks with wild yeasts. Aged 10-12 months in tank and concrete foudre. An exciting Rioja with a French artisanal sensibility. Slightly filtered. It is recommended to open the bottle half an hour before consuming it to express the true potential. -
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. -
Manchuela is the spiritual home of the Bobal grape. Clos Lojen made by Bodega y Viñedos Ponce is a biodynamic and pure 100% Bobal from limestone soils, fermented in big oak casks. Bobal is the 2nd most planted red variety in Spain yet so little of it reaches the heights of which it’s undoubtedly capable. With a naturally deep colour, high levels of tannins, high acidity and an ability to be exciting as either a blending partner or a mono-varietal wine, momentum needs to be gained with Bobal, till then we seek winemakers that do exciting things and produce wines that are fun to drink. As per Juan Antonio Ponce own words “I want my wines to be bought by any ordinary person. We must be able to reach consumers in a straight-forward manner otherwise beer will cannibalize our markets.” -
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 -
Viña Cubillo wines come from the vineyard called Viña Cubillas, some 4 km away from the bodega, which as with all of the other vineyards, was bought by our founder. Historically these wines were called "Special Harvest". For 143 years, four generations of the López de Heredia family have devoted themselves to producing exceptional and unique wines. Masterpieces which have achieved that which the founder of the company, Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta, defined in the late nineteenth century as the "Supreme Rioja". Vineyard care, a scrupulous selection of grapes, ageing in oak barrels in the heart of deep underground galleries, and the later ageing in bottles, all contribute to making these illustrious wines with their exceptional bouquet. Decant it for an hour if possible, It goes perfectly with all meat dishes, tapas and assorted antipasti, sausages, small game and wild mushrooms. -
This great wine is from Luis Seabra, former Head winemaker at Niepoort. He focus his winemaking on the distinct soil types in the Douro valley with minimal intervention. Fresh, mineral driven red that showcases the purity of fruit achievable in the Douro valley. Pair with roast game or poultry, or ratatouille. -
The Castro Ventosa estate was founded by the Perez family in 1752 and has been in the family ever since. They own 75 hectares of Mencía vines in Bierzo, making them the biggest owners of this varietal within the D.O Bierzo. For this wine, younger vines are used from 17 parcels across the Valtuille de Abajo village zone. Vines range from 20-40 years and viticulture is conventional, everything is done by hand and vines are not irrigated. Pair it with hard cheese, pasta, red meat, roasted vegetables. -
Filipa Pato is the confirmation of the old saying "son of fish knows how to swim". Although she followed the footsteps of her father Luís Pato, even in her academic training, Filipa always wanted to have her own world, her own project, where she would show her ideas, and go up with her own pulse. It was the 2001 harvest, a great year in Bairrada, which would provide all of this. That year, she decided to walk on her own feet, creating her dream. The success was immediate, and soon she rose to the status of one of the most brilliant winemakers in Portugal. The wines are the result of Filipa's innovative and brilliant spirit. They were quickly at the forefront of national and international criticism. In 2011, with her husband William Wouters, a prestigious Belgian Sommelier and owner of the Pazzo restaurant in Antwerp, Filipa receives the title "Newcomer of the year". -
Márcio Lopes studied as an engineer, but cut his winemaking teeth working for two years with Vinho Verde master Anselmo Mendes in Melgaço. He then travelled to Australia where he made wine in Rutherglen and Tasmania, another cool climate region. He returned to Portugal in 2010 to start his own projects, including Pequenos Rebentos in Vinho Verde. He initially started working with Alvarinho and Trajadura (known as Albariño and Treixadura in Spain) from the sub-regions of Monção and Melgaço. These areas have a very particular microclimate, with slightly less Atlantic influence than the rest of the region - winters are cold with moderate rainfall and summers are hot and dry. During 2016 he also started to grow and vinify local varietals Loureiro. He now farms 5ha of vineyards, planted on granite, as well as buying some grapes from selected growers who also work in the same sustainable way and without herbicides. His winemaking is low intervention, he ferments using natural yeasts, and like many of our producers he believes that if the fruit is good enough he will make quality wines with balance that reflect his terroir. This seems to be working - his wines are distinctively fresh and vibrant, showing bright and clear typical variety aromas. -
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. -
A totally irresistible semi-sparkling organic rosé from our favourite Prosecco producer La Jara, but in this case they use a little bit of the red grape Raboso, to give the wine its lovely pale coral colour. The nose is delicate and fruity, led by aromas of ripe strawberries and raspberries. The palate is fresh and tart, full of gooseberry and redcurrant notes. Try pairing this wine with risotto or pasta, or simply having it as an aperitif. Just for the fun of it, I leave you with a fun fact. The Italians call the string around the bottle a spago. It has no function other than that it looks nice. And that is exactly what makes it a real Italian wine. Beautiful on the inside and beautiful on the outside. A feast to watch and a feast to drink. -
Located within the AOC Bordeaux, the Vignoble de Gravelierhas 32 Ha of vines with an average age of 20 years. It is located on hillsides thus benefiting from a beautiful sunshine. The harvest is harvested at perfect maturity and vinified using the traditional method in stainless steel vats and aged in cement vats. The grape variety of the vineyard is composed of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet-Sauvignon. To present a quality wine, the yields and phytosanitary treatments are moderate. The foliage is kept as high as possible to obtain better maturity. With deep colour, classic structure and unusually ripe flavours, this is classic claret to serve with roast beef, duck or T-bone steak. A gourmet Bordeaux! -
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. -
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 -
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.)
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