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The Fleur du Cap approach is unconstrained. Using only meticulously selected grapes from the finest vineyards across the Cape Winelands, the winery produces a range of wines that offer diversity of choice and diversity of taste. Essence du Cap is known for exceptional quality and wines that express their true varietal character. The grapes were selected from four different vineyard blocks situated around the Bottelary Hills, which were planted in 1987, 1994, 1996 and 1997. Two of the vineyards are bush vines and the remaining trellised. The soils consist of deep decomposed shale (bush vines) and granite (trellised vines), with good water retention. Yields for the bush vines were 6 to 8 t/ha and the trellised vineyards 10 to 12 t/ha. Supplementary irrigation was given during the latter stages of the season to ensure full ripening. Pest and disease control is implemented according to South African subjective IPW standards. This wine is an ideal accompaniment to grilled lamb and poultry, pork roasts and game fish. It is perfect with classic Cape cuisine like Bobotie and Malay Curries, as well as spicy Mexican food. -
Château Musar is located in the Bekaa Valley, in Lebanon. It was created by Gaston Hochar in 1930 when he was only 20 years-old and inspired by Lebanon’s 6,000-year winemaking tradition and his travels in Bordeaux. Serge Hochar, his son, started producing wines at the end of 1950. His brother, Ronald, joined at the beginning of 1960. In 1975, 97% of the production was sold locally. It picked up after the Bristol Wine Fair of 1979 and, in 1990, at the end of the civil war, the export accounted for 97% of the production. The 3rd generation of the Hochar family started joining in 1994 and is still a family-run-business. Musar Jeune White is an unoaked blend of Viognier, Vermentino, Chardonnay from youthful Bekaa Valley vines. Crisp and aromatic, this eclectic blend of French and Italian varieties has its own distinct personality – passionfruit, apples, elderflowers – and a dry, refreshing finish. No need to decant; enjoy chilled (10-12°C) with grilled fish, herb-scented roast chicken, seafood salads and spicy oriental dishes. All their wines are Organic. -
Fantastic Rosé! This organic beauty is just about as good as Rosé can get… beautiful bouquet of roses, strawberry and white peach. The palate is round, polished, silky and wonderfully balanced between fruity generosity and refreshing, minerally more-ishness. Grab some of this wine for summer while you can. It will sell out! It is another beauty that is clean, pure, has textured and elegant on the palate, with gorgeous purity, it’s a rocking rosé that does everything right. Its freshness and good acidity makes it the perfect companion for snacks and fresh dishes, fruit salads, grilled white fish without sauces, vegetable salads and the legendary pasta salads. In short, a wine to drink and taste at all hours. -
Picpoul de Pinet is a vivid illustration of just how dramatically white wine from the south of France has improved over recent years. Quite simply, the grape variety is Picpoul, or Piquepoul, which is grown around the village of Pinet, and other nearby villages, Florensac, Pomerols. Castelnau de Guers, Mèze and Montagnac. The vineyards form a surprising oasis of white wine in a sea of red wine. The terroir, or soil, explains the reason for this unexpected oasis of white wine. Quite simply the soil is too generous for red wine. It is mainly limestone, which suits white wine, with some clay, sand and appropriately a scattering of fossilised oyster shells. The climate is very much influenced by the sea, with a cooling effect during the nights of the hot summer months, and the vines benefit from maritime breezes. In somes cases it is fair to compare it to Muscadet. Neither packs a punch of flavour, but they provide brilliant accompaniments to the local seafood, and when finely crafted, have deliciously subtle flavours. The cooperative at Pinet, with its brand name L’Ormarine, and striking logo conveying the blue sea, green vines and yellow sun, are amongst the pacesetters of the appellation. -
The Nat’Cool project is an innovative concept initiated by Niepoort, in which various producers came together to create light and easy-to-drink wines. This is the original Nat’Cool wine, from the Bairrada region where they are showcasing the elegant side of the Baga grape variety. Hands off wine making, Carbonic Maceration, soft, light expression of Baga. Baga is a touch grape which is very high in tannin and generally needs time to mature and express its delightful floral aromas and fruit character. However, here in the Bairrada with 80-100 year old vines and hands off wine making including carbonic maceration (which generally extracts less tannin), the astringent elements of the Baga grape are tamed and the resulting wine is pure juicy, fresh red with delicious wild berries, floral notes and light body. This wine is great fun, on opening there is a note of spritz but this vanishes quickly, I reckon it is just the wine's youthful spirit leaping from the bottle on its re-acquaintance with oxygen. What follows is very easy, juicy red which can be enjoyed chilled in the summer with a BBQ or at room temp in the autumn with some field mushrooms. The litre bottle and 12.5% abv is fantastic as between two, you have enough wine and not enough booze to make you suffer for it. A great addition to Niepoort portfolio, the wines go from strength to strength. -
For those red wine lovers. You know what I mean by red lips! We brought together for you a red wine case of 6 bottles full of character, lavish richness, booming dark fruits, warming spice flavours, and velvet-smooth down to the very last drop. With this case you will travel from Portugal, Spain through France and Italy all the way to California. No doubt you will develop some red wine lips... Lab Tinto Lisboa - Lab tested and Lab approved! Full bodied, red produced on the coast of Lisbon, is 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 a top shelf wine but it does punch above its weight. Michel Chapoutier Marius - As Marius, Michel Chapoutier’s great-grandfather, always said ‘A good wine is one that beckons us to take another sip’. This wine carries this message and reflects the warmth of the southern french terroirs in which they are rooted. Dark red, dense, clear wine with deep purple shimmer. On the nose: powerful, complex, dark, spicy, red berries, delicate floral note. Château Haut Gravelier - Château Gravelier is located on superb hillsides on the edge of Entre Deux Mers, Bordeaux. Classic French blend of 70% Merlot 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. With deep colour, classic structure and unusually ripe flavours, this is classic claret to serve with roast beef, duck or T-bone steak. Palacio del Camino Crianza Rioja - The simple enjoyment of a really good Rioja is sometimes forgotten. But here one is, great with food, but honestly, just as great in a large glass on a sofa with nowhere to be and nothing to do. An elegant fruity wine with vanilla, spices and red fruit. Monte del Frá Bardolino DOC - This charming and typical red wine from Veneto is a cuvée made from 65% Corvina, 30% Rondinella and 5% Sangiovese, the usual suspects as Italian red grape varieties go. On the nose exudes aromas of different types of cherries, raspberries and strawberries. A whole range of spicy overtones and undertones play around this fruity core: cloves, cinnamon, violets and pepper. Tannins and fruit acid are perfectly coordinated. In the finale, some more cinnamon and black pepper. I would pair this one with pasta or your favourite comfort food. Beringer Zinfandel California - A Zin that definitely portrays some Classic California ripeness. Ripe blueberries, blackberries, plums, a hint of smoky and mineral characters and a touch perfumed (dried floral notes) on the nose. On the palate you'll find that smoke and berry ripeness coming through, with a little tangy raspberry adding to a lengthy finish. Medium plus body with a silky mouthfeel, smooth light tannins and luscious acidity. I love Zins with a juicy bacon and smoked cheddar burger or with your favourite pizza. This one should not disappoint! -
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. -
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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 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! -
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. -
Imported from nearby Dalmatia, Susumaniello is one of the most important indigenous grape varieties of Brindisi. Its name (there are several theories) is due to the fact that, at a young age, in not recent times, the Susumaniello plant was particularly productive, so much so that it was overloaded with bunches as if it were a donkey. The name Verso Sud indicates the position of the vineyards, located in the southernmost area of the Ítria Valley, arriving in the province of Brindisi. Verso Sud Susumaniello has an intense ruby red color, with violet reflections when young that tend to garnet with aging, with a persistent aroma with hints of blackberry and cherry and sweet toasted notes. The flavor is soft, harmonious, long finish. Red 'Clássico', ideal to accompany red meats, roasts, game. Excellent with aged cheeses, cured meats, sauces and parmesan. A very decent and great value alternative to the more northerly Amarone style of wine. -
Sogrape Vinhos has been investing in the classic winegrowing regions of Portugal since it was set up in 1942. With a strong presence in the regions of Dão, Douro and (MInho) Vinhos Verdes, their entrance into the Alentejo — the winegrowing region with the highest growth rate in the country — was a natural step. Herdade do Peso Sossego Branco offers the authenticity and immediate passion of Alentejo flavors in a refreshing and aromatic wine. Herdade do Peso is the brand that revitalizes the deepest essence of the region, brought to the surface by the science and know-how of Sogrape Vinhos. The result is the production of exuberant and attractive wines, whose flavors, aromas and colors remind us of life at its best, just like the region where they are born. Sossego White is a refreshing wine that is full of flavour, perfect when served on its own or as na aperitif. It is an excellent accompaniment to various fish dishes, white meats and a variety of salads. -
Wines have been made at Château Macquin since 1885, when the first cellar was developed by François-Albert Macquin. François was the first to re-plant vines in the Saint-Émilion region following the phylloxera outbreak in the 19th century. Today, the Château is run by his grandson Denis and wife Christine Corre-Macquin, who own 27 hectares of vines in both Saint-Émilion and Pomerol. They are involved in every vine-growing and winemaking decision to ensure the high quality of their wine remains consistent every vintage. Château Macquin is located just three kilometres north of Saint-Émilion, in the small village of Saint-Georges, the smallest of all Bordeaux appellations (180 hectares). However, at its peak of 89 metres above sea level, Saint-Georges enjoys one of the best elevations on the right bank, giving the wines freshness and concentration. The south facing vines are planted on clay and limestone soils and range from 15 to 60 years old. The vines are sustainably farmed, without the use of herbicides, fertilisers, or other harmful chemicals. The outstanding weather conditions in August and subsequent Indian summer resulted in red wine grapes with a particularly high sugar content, satisfactory levels of tartaric acid and promising aromatic potential. The thick skins and concentration of tannins required meticulous care during extraction. The Merlot wines are deep and concentrated,while maintaining freshness in spite of their relatively high alcohol level. Enjoyed with Ratatouille, Tournedos, grilled lamb chops. -
Adeus is the same in Galician as it is Portuguese and means ''Goodbye''. It is also the title of a Galician poem done by one of the most famous poets of Galicia, Rosalia de Castro. One worth that stays in between the love for her land and a homage to a woman that means so much for the history of Galicia. The Ribeiro is 45 km inland from the Atlantic Ocean and is situated in the middle of Valleys that protects it from the Atlantic winds. With 3 Rivers crossing has excellent conditions to produce wine. An excellent pair to grilled octopus with white asparagus garnish, monkfish fillet with stewed spinach and shrimps in garlic sauce -
Young red wine with very fruity notes from the bobal. 100% organic wine with Vegan certification. Monitoring of maturation to determine the optimal time of harvest. Selection of grapes, controlled fermentation at low temperature and long maceration in stainless steel tanks. It came with very fruity notes from the bobal. Try it with pizza; couscous, rocket, roasted squash and spicy yogurt; or roast lamb. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
Some of you may have been lucky enough to visit Italy and have seen the amazing art and the cities and villages steeped in history. Italy is, and will always be that kind of destination where everything is out of this world. The art, the cities, the food (OMG, the food) and last but by all means not least, the wine!!! Yes of course we all have had a few Italian wines that weren't up to scratch, but generally they are hard to find unless you don't read the labels or you are really at a loss with them. As per anything Italians do, their culture and often their wine are connected to their history and the Italians take great pride in this (rightfully so). Torre dei beati is a pure example of that, as it translates as “Tower of the Blessed”, and takes its lead from a section of the large 14th century fresco adorning the church of Santa Maria in Piano at the base of the town’s hillside. The fresco features an interpretation of the Judgement Day, where a tower is the final goal for souls who have reached the after-life. And so it came to pass that the team at Torre dei Beati imagined this mythical tower to symbolise all that they aim to achieve in their efforts to create a wine typical of its locale and honestly made: though the journey may be tough and at first seemingly impossible, the end more than justified the means. The winery is owned and run by husband-and-wife team Adrianna Galasso and Fausto Albanesi. Fausto’s father-in-law, Rocco, planted the first Torre dei Beati vineyard in 1972 and handed over control in 1999 to the young couple who quickly converted the estate to organic farming in 2000, long before it became the hip thing to do. Although you can find in every Irish Restaurant Montepulciano(Grape) d'Abruzzo(The Region), most of these wines are somewhat of inferior quality due to the majority of the local winemakers focusing on quantity rather than quality. Here is quite opposite, with only the best bunches are hand-picked from the Loreto Aprutino vineyard to make this elegant Montepulciano. The wine is aged for 12 months, half in 3000l Slovenian oak casks, half in second-use French oak barriques. Showing complex fruit, lightly touched by spicy oak. Full bodied yet smooth; the finely balanced tannins work well with natural minerality and measured acidity for a lingering finish. -
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The Region of Rias Baixas is located in Galicia, Spain. All of their coast is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean giving huge impact on it's climatic characteristics, being very humid and fresh comparing to other parts of Spain. These conditions are perfect for a native grape of this northern area of the Iberian Peninsula(in Portugal is known as Alvarinho, mainly used for Vinho Verde), to thrive and deliver a fantastic wine. The Viña Almirante winery it's one of the most influential Bodegas in the region, whom had the foresight to start producing this grape over 70 years ago in the area of Val do Salnés. It's name(Pionero), comes from this vision ahead of their time producing this energetic and intense wine. With Jose Estevez at its helm, he drove sales up by focusing on the international market. The story of Viña Almirante begins with Jose’s grandfather, who owned a farm in Cuba which was taken by Crasto after the revolution. The grandfather and his son fled to Spain in the 1960s. Jose grew up in Rias Baixas and though working as a labor lawyer, always loved the farm and was a very talented home winemaker for years. So talented that people kept telling him to make it his full-time vocation. In 2002, when a beautiful hillside vineyard, owned by 2 spinster sisters, came up for sale, he found a partner and bought it. This was the realization of his dream, to go back to the land stolen from his family. He said it was a scary moment to dive into this new venture but he felt propelled by his family history, his dream and his love of the land; call it fate. He now owns 35 ha of vines, all on the slopes. Jose is totally hands on, producing about 7500 cases per annum. -
Anyone that has been to Greece or has interest in wines have come by the grape Assyrtiko . In the last few years, wines from Greece, in particularly this indigenous grape, have gotten the status as a world-class wine and prices have begun to rise especially from the Santorini region. This Vegan Assyrtiko from the Lyrarakis estate is one of them and it is still in the affordable range and fortunately, your everyday Assyrtiko needs can still be catered for. Being from east Crete rather than Santorini means prices are still competitive. Think down the lines of getting a wine from the Touraine region rather than the heart of the Loire Valley. Lyrarakis on Crete are a brilliant winery with a focus on indigenous Greek varieties. Their rendition of Assyrtiko is broader and more approachable than some of the tightly-wound examples on Santorini, but it's no less drinkable for that. It is in fact an ideal place to grow the white grape Assyrtiko. Both the Mediterranean breezes and the altitude of the Lyrarakis vineyards allows the grapes to have a much longer ripening period, preserving the grapes aromatics and acidity resulting in a wine with wonderful floral freshness, crisp citrus notes and a delicate mineral finish. Yamas! -
A classic from Castello Banfi in Montalcino.Elegant and balanced Brunello, characterized by a sweet, rich and complex aroma of fruit jam. A wine with great structure that is well balanced by a good softness and acidity on the final. Extremely persistent with excellent aging potential. Game, red meats or aged cheese. Or just on it's own with good company!
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