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Non-alcoholic wine born in 2009 from a bubbly guy with old roots and modern tastes. Invariably well-dressed, he captures the world’s attention with his ranges of Non-Alcoholic wines in Frizzante style. Guido Walter and Jürgen Hofmann put their heads together. The German answer to frizzante had to be fresh and fruity, uncomplicated and affordable. A semi-sparkling wine that begins a carefree evening and lets you continue dancing late into the night. What began as an experimental small edition soon spread its wings and took flight. Suddenly it could be found at every party and could be seen winning design awards and notes of good taste. Everyone wants Fritz Müller. Refreshing, fizzy and frivolous: completely uncomplicated, the non-alcoholic Fritz Müller offers light-footed fun and fruity enjoyment. Vinified from the same grapes as the Fritz Müller semi-sparkling wine, this version entices sipping one or two glasses more without regret the next day. Wonderfully pure, it is best enjoyed chilled to 8°C, or as an ingredient in virgin cocktails. Guilt-free wine ;) -
Since taking over the family estate in 1985, Johannes Leitz has made it his life’s work to return the vineyards of the Rudesheimer Berg to their former glory as one of the finest in Germany. 35 years later and Leitz wines are now recognised among Germany’s best. Using a newly-patented cool vacuum distillation process, Johannes has created the world’s best tasting zero alcohol wines. At first the very idea of Alcohol Free wine seemed a taboo. But over the years, with the winemaking skills improving and more and more better Non-Alcoholic wines being produced, slowly everyone is getting used to it. This is not sparkling grape juice. This is wine where the alcohol has been removed through a technical process. So, maybe you’re going for a dry January, or you’re expecting, or on medication. Here is a very nice option for that special dinner. -
In the middle of the Spanish plateau "Meseta de Ocana" not far from Toledo, three friends founded their own winery in 1999: Margarita Madrigal, Alexandra Schmedes and Gonzalo Rodriguez. The revival of regional traditions became the basis of their way of working, which is characterized by the ecological cultivation of 35 hectares of native grape varieties and the extremely continental climate. Together with Alexandra, the first Spanish red wine, Cuvée Rouge No.2, was developed. This velvety, grippy taste makes it a must-drink on a barbecue evening, with risotto and pasta. The perfect non-alcoholic red wine for all those who love it wild and unbridled. Bring your Spain vacation home! -
There are records linking the Leitz family to winemaking, dating all the way back to 1744. Johannes Leitz took over the winery in 1985 and since then has increased the estate from 2.9 hectares to the 40 hectares that we see today. He has always aimed to produce wines in an elegant style with pure fruitiness and great freshness, of the highest quality - and this includes his alcohol-free wines. Alcohol-free wine never will give the same depth, structure and weight as a wine with alcohol, but this is extremely close to it and it is simply an alcohol-free wine tasting wine. Impressive. We recommend to pair this wine with summer salads or different fruits. -
With admirable precision and innovative ideas, the family-run winery Pauly, now in its 3rd generation, succeeds in producing stylish wines with an outstanding character of their own. The winery is not only known for its famous steep slope on the Niederberg-Helden on the Mosel River, but also for the unique slate minerality that gives the wines an elegant, fresh style. The alcohol-free Riesling from Kolonne Null is perfect for all wine enthusiasts who like as little residual sweetness in their wine as possible. Best enjoyed very well chilled at 5 - 7°C. It is perfect as an accompaniment to stir-fried vegetables with fish, omelette with salmon and fennel or vegetable salad with beetroot. -
Johannes Leitz continues to innovate! In doing so, he recently partnered with a company to produce two alcohol-free rieslings. Germans have been producing non-alcoholic wines for over 70 years and that history has led to inventions to improve quality. Leitz’s hometown of Rüdesheim is the historic birthplace of the famous distillery Asbach Uralt. After the war, a fellow vigneron named Carl Jung began a distillery. Ultimately, Jung could not compete with the local brandy, but he developed a vacuum distillation system which enabled him to lower the temperature at which alcohol could boil off (because the boiling point decreases as atmospheric pressure decreases). Innovations in vacuum distillation have improved in recent years, and Leitz found a producer in Rheinhessen who recently patented a new, completely closed system that allows wine alcohol to boil at 28°C, preserving “wine-like” aromas and characteristics. As we all know, like fat, alcohol is a transporter of flavor, and without it, there needs to be something else to carry those flavors. 35 grams/L does the work for this riesling, though the sugar is nearly eaten up. Pairs well with gratinated crostini, cauliflower and goat’s cheese & butter, as well as with an Asian chicken casserole. -
Australian scientist Karen Turner and her husband Emmanuel farm 10 hectares in the Languedoc bring you this incredible intro to orange wine! The 3 grapes here are fermented like a red wine, skins, stalks, and all-- making for white with the tannins and structure of a red. Karen’s says her goal with ‘Le Blanc’ is to bring body and freshness to the wine. The north-facing slopes where their vineyards grow on help to ensure a long and even maturation for the grapes. While Marsanne is not usually an aromatic varietal, Karen’s use of open vats brings out the heady aromas of tangerine and mango. Full-bodied and approachable, it smells like orange rinds and white flowers wilting in the sun, and tastes like yellow peaches, those tangerines and dry, dusty earth, but never loses its identity as a white wine. LADY IN CHARGE: While husband Emmanuel manages the vineyards, the real star is his wife Karen, who makes the wine and also works as the head winemaker and manager of another (very famous) Languedoc winery, Prieuré de Saint Jean de Bébian. Serious girl boss! Decant for 20 minutes before enjoying. It’ll open up and reveal its prettiness with air. Perfect for poultry, fish, cheese and early dishes. Also wonderful in itself. -
That of the Mazzei is one of the longest and most structured stories that wine Tuscany can give. A story that has as its fulcrum the Chianti Classico and precisely the Castello di Fonterutoli; today a modern cellar with 117 hectares of vineyards for a production of 800,000 bottles. But also a story, made up of great personalities such as, to stay in the near future, Lapo Mazzei, in a period of strong changes, at the same time lays the foundations of today's company. Today, at the helm of this company are the sons Filippi and Francesco who over time have achieved significant goals and given the company a broader scope starting with some acquisitions, even outside Tuscany. In the mid-90s, however, the Belguardo estate project in Maremma was born, with 34 hectares of vineyards. From here comes a non-trivial variation of Vermentino, now it has become the main vine of the Tuscan coast. The white Vermentino "Codice V" of the Belguardo estate of the Mazzei family is a wine born in the heart of the Maremma, on the hills of Grosseto and Montiano. The vines were planted with Vermentino clones originating from Corsica, on loose soils with a predominantly sandy matrix, facing south, south-west. Fermentation takes place in steel tanks at low temperatures and for 20% of the mass in terracotta dolium with maceration on the skins for 4 months. Before final assembly and bottling, the wine rests in steel and terracotta for a few months. on the hills of Grosseto and Montiano. Recommended with fish and white meat savoury dishes, risotto, porcini mushrooms. A tutti! -
Red wine without alcohol (dealcoholized) made with Grenache and Syrah grapes.5% of the coupage maintains a brief aging in new French oak and subsequently undergoes the dealcoholisation process, maintaining all its aroma and flavour. This non-alcoholic red wine has an intense and delicious flavour. If you are a lover of red wines and want to avoid alcohol, this is a good option. If you do find the fruit coming up too strong, try chilling it to lower that strength. Serve it with pasta, roasts and game dishes -
Pieter Walser from Blankbottle has got to be one of the most interesting, inspired, and avant-garde winemakers there is. His wine background mounts to college when he drove past a winery that had bottles with no labels on offer and he could only afford 3 cases. Went back and sold the 3 at a profit. That very moment started a fascinating story that would inspire any of us. As per his own words: “Moment of Silence predominantly comes from a farm in Wellington called Twyfeling. Boberg is situated on a farm right next to Twyfeling and literally looks onto the vineyards of Twyfeling. Now Twyfeling was owned by my direct family seven generations ago. So on the label it shows 7 generations with Boberg overlooking all seven generations of the Hauptfleisch family. 2015 was the first year that I bought the grapes from this Vineyard. The Farmer calls the vineyard BOBERG, which means “on top of the Mountain”. It was a neglected little vineyard, old bush vines with no irrigation. The farmer identified it as a site with potential and started with a restoration process. The vineyard grows in decomposed granitic soil in Wellington. The site is cooler than the others in the area. -
In 1888, the Touma Family established one of the first wineries and distilleries in Lebanon in the small town of Kab-elias of the Bekaa Valley (45 kilometers from Beirut) , to produce wine and Arak Touma, which is now perhaps Lebanon’s leading arak brand. Historically, the settlement goes back to the time of the Phoenicians, but the name was later changed to “Kaber Elias” (tomb of the prophet Elias), as it was believed that the prophet Elias was buried here. The Bible reports of the Prophet’s ascension to heaven in a fiery chariot at the point where John the Baptist is said to have baptized Jesus later, but the tradition of the Elijah tomb has been preserved to this day, not only among Christians, but also among the majority of the Muslim residents. During the Lebanese civil war, many Christians left Kab Elias, as they did elsewhere in Lebanon. The Touma family also had to choose to stay or leave. It was decided to stay and continue to fight and work for a presence of the Christians on the ground. In 1997, an old school building from 1932 was bought and converted into the new winery. The attempt was made to preserve the character of the original architecture in the center of Kab Elias despite all the necessary refurbishment and renovation work and alterations. Bekaa Valley is a 40-mile-long and 7-mile-wide fertile valley which is protected from rain by the Mount Lebanon mountain range to the west, and from the desert heat by the mountains on the Syrian border to the west. It lies around 1,000 metres above sea level allowing for a significant diurnal swing between the hot summer days and cool nights. The treacherous road to Beirut over the top of Mount Lebanon is frequently closed in winter due to snow. The majority of Château Héritage's vines are on the lower south-east facing slopes of Mt Lebanon, just above the winery, which ensures they're well drained with great exposure to sunlight, while being slightly cooler than the valley floor vineyards. The estate’s top wine, from their best parcels of vineyard. FOOD PAIRING: Duck, red meats, and raclette. -
I have been chasing a 100% Touriga Nacional for a while now, with some disappointments in the middle. Mostly due to knowing the full potential of Touriga Nacional and what can be done with it. Was loosing faith(Poor supplier offering in Ireland) and was actively looking to import myself a few options until I stumbled upon this gem. This wine is the example where no one should judge a book by its cover. Across all Companhia Velha Wines the labels are just minimal, classy but not in the way you would think. Has a bit of I don't give a damn about them and that subtlety actually impresses me even further. No distractions to be added here!!! Bear in mind this winery was one of the first if not the first Wine family business(1756) in the Douro Valley(1763) and it was full integrated when it became the first official wine region in the world. Quinta de Cidrô is located at São João da Pesqueira, which is one of the most highly regarded areas of Douro Valley. Throughout the last 20 years, Cidrô has been transformed into an experimental-model vineyard for the entire region. In virgin soils, cutting edge techniques were employed to plant 150 ha of the best varieties, creating one of the largest surfaces of single vineyard in the entire Douro Region. In the most privileged location, international varieties perform equally well as the local grapes. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Pinot Noir, and the adaptable Cabernet Sauvignon are some of the foreign varieties that here express their best qualities when vinified by the extensive winemaking know-how present at the Company. Touriga Nacional is Portugal’s star variety and the dominant red grape at Quinta de Cidrô. The altitude of this Quinta provides excellent freshness and levels of acidity, ideal conditions for an elegant red wine. Touriga Nacional is a versatile grape, with its main characteristics being the small bundle, its low yield and jagged leaf. Its presence in the vines is intimidating, as it requires a constant care for its wild and rebellious character of growing disorderly. At Quinta de Cidrô, Touriga Nacional was adapted to a less habitual place, as it was mostly planted in low altitude vineyards and subject to high temperatures; the opposite of Quinta de Cidrô. Personally I love it on its own with at least 45 minutes decanting or enjoy really slow the very first drop. Winemakers suggestion for this stunning wine are: Rump Steak, Pork Leg, Parmigiano Cheese and Dark Chocolate. -
Is with wines like this one that you start uncovering the great potential of Douro wines. 'Castas Escondidas' translates as 'hidden varieties' and showcases old-vines, field-blend fruit and some of the lesser known grape varieties of the Douro Valley. What makes this drop a superior wine is not only the great quality of the terroir, region characteristics, the field blend vines used but most importantly the high intervention from skilled winemakers producing this wine. With all of these movements happening which by all means are fantastic such as natural wines, low intervention and so on, memories can be short and people will have some tendency to forget that winemakers spent hundreds of years studying the production of wine going by the scientific name of oenology and therefore they are oenologists with the main purpose being interventionists in every single process of the wine production!!! oh dear, I feel I am opening a can of worms here... As the magician himself describes “Casa Ferreirinha Castas Escondidas was designed to stage the varieties commonly used in batches of Port Wine, but rarely explored and which result in a perfect combination with other more well-known varieties” , says Luís Sottomayor, the winemaker responsible for Sogrape wines in the Douro. . “The small percentage of grapes harvested from old vines gives even more special characteristics to the final batch” Great with for special occasions, quality red meats and cheeses. Be responsible and drink this wine moderately as it is one of a kind -
Luis Seabra is a producer that is at the forefront of the “new Douro” movement. Rather than making table wines that are, for all intents and purposes, “Little Ports,” Luis has taken a more balanced, restrained approach to winemaking in the oldest demarcated wine region in the world. His guiding principles are showcasing terroir and nuance above power and extraction. Bright, mineral driven and elegant, Luis’ wines are typically exposés of soil type. With the Mono C, he is taking a look at a particular variety – in this case, Castelão. While Castelão is a grape that is typically found further south in Portugal, Luis has found a mono-planted plot of the light-skinned grape in the Douro and is working his magic to craft a wine of unparalleled delicacy and elegance. Would pair it with charcuterie, grilled pork dishes, roasted poultry -
Adega Cooperativa dos Biscoitos was founded in 1999, in the Parish of Biscoitos, on the island of Terceira, Azores. In the century In the 16th century, the Biscoitos wine took on a notable importance when supplying the Caravelas on the Indies and Spices route. Among the products supplied to supply the fleets, there was Verdelho wine. This micro-region Biscoitos, is volcanic to the core, made from Verdelho grape variety. The location is part of UNESCO World Heritage. Wine is currently produced here only on a mere 9 hectares. The vineyards are planted in the so-called ‘curraletas’ of Biscoitos, part of the landscape and heritage of the Terceira Island. The vines grow on volcanic soils, surrounded by magma rocks that protect them from the strong winds of the Atlantic, originating a unique and special wine. Stunning wine that is worth every penny. -
The Quinta of Vesúvio has a long and history. António Bernardo Ferreira bought the property in 1823, at that time called Quinta das Figueiras. The property was mostly covered with wild scrub stretching up the mountainside and an abundance of fig trees, which gave it its name. He felt that this property had enormous potential as vineyards. It took his team of five hundred workers thirteen years to carve terraces out of the steep slopes and plant thousands of vines. In 1827, Ferreira built the winery, with its eight granite lagares (large, open vats or troughs), in which wine grapes are crushed by foot to this day, and eight chestnut vats, each capable of holding the equivalent of one lagar of Port. This original winery is where all of Vesúvio’s Port is still made. The Quinta do Vesuvio been in the Symington family since 1989 and it totals about 326 hectares, of which 133 are planted with vines. This is Vesúvio’s second-tier wine and its is named after the estate’s dovecote, a structure intended to house pigeons or doves, or “pombal” in Portuguese, which is surrounded by vineyards. Unlike the first-tier fruit, the grapes are transported to the Quinta do Sol winery for processing and fermentation. The contrast between the property's quotas provides the wines with unparalleled structure, complexity and aging potential, as well as the preservation of traditional wine production methods, which highlight Quinta do Vesuvio as the only one that actively continues to create its wines with this base. A Quinta of enchanting and memorable beauty, worth the visit but with outstanding wines. -
There are many ways in which to fall in love with Tuscany, not the least of which is through the region’s wonderful wines—or its landscape, its people, its food, and its art. Paladin's example of Super Tuscan wines comes in this form. A local take on the classic Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah (and sometimes Cabernet Franc), these wines were developed, in part, as a reaction to the restrictive regulations in Tuscany during the 1970s. At the time they emerged, they were considered some of the region’s best reds. Yet, somewhat ironically, they were technically table wine. In 1994, their Vino da Tavola (VdT) status was elevated to the Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) denomination, which officially endowed these non-traditional wines with a premium quality rating just below the Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC), which at that time was reserved for more traditional regional wines. The tonneau used at Paladin hold 2 to 3,000 litters. Very impressive if you compare the barrels with a normal barrique barrel. Even though Gekus is only aged for 3 months, the body that it has is quite pronounced and it is indicative of the extraction done with the grapes. The bottle itself already shows through its weight that we are about to encounter something phenomenal, something heavy, something Super. The palate is complex and you can feel the residual sugar without it being sweet to a point of being unpleasant. Recommended with red meat, it is traditionally very popular with pici (thick spaghetti) with meat sauce. Serve at room temperature. -
Founded in 1955, this co-operative is comprised of 200 members with 550 hectares of vineyards around Nizza Monferrato. This is an excellent area for Barbera, which constitutes over 60% of the grapes that are harvested and crushed by this co-op. In Alba, the best sites are given to Nebbiolo, but in Asti this privilege is afforded to Barbera. Director and winemaker Giovanni Chiarle oversees all aspects of production and is determined to make wines that fully express the quality of the grapes that he harvests. This wine is made from grapes from the oldest vines grown on the co-op’s best sites. After fermentation, the wine is aged for a period of around six months in large Slavonian oak and then blended to make a wine that is vibrant and, at the same time, structured and long, a worthy example of a Barbera Superiore from Nizza. Delicious with pizza, grilled lamb cutlets or pasta with meaty sauces. Also perfect with strong hard cheeses. -
Unpretentious Chianti from Poggio Bonelli. Easy going, friendly, perfect for a Monday evening, maybe Wednesday...On Friday you can get two of these!!! As food goes I would match it with grilled red meat, roasted meat, and medium and long seasoned cheese. Or in doubt on its own -
The Primitivo Paolo Leo Pass of the Cardinal is an ancient grape grape cultivated in Apulia, whose grapes present a very early maturation in comparison to other varieties, the name of which explains. One of the most interesting particularities of the Primitivo is the fact that, at a distance of only 20 days from the harvest, these grape vines are able to give a discreet second production of grapes. Traditionally, the fruits of this "second harvest" are used to increase the freshness of these ponderous wines, improving the deimosti acidity obtained from the first harvesting. The great body of the Primitivo di Manduria di Passo del Cardinale is able to enhance fine meats with a rigorous structure. Sliced beef and grilled steaks are the backdrop for a panoramic photograph. A touch of Puglia with orecchiette with chops sauce can be a gastronomic journey with which you can surprise your guests. -
Produttori del Barbaresco traces its history all the way back to 1894, when Domizio Cavazza, headmaster of the Royal Enological School of Alba and a Barbaresco resident, gathered together nine local vineyard owners to create the first cooperative in the area, the Cantine Sociali. The cooperative was forced to close in the 1930’s because of fascist economic rules and revived in 1958 by the priest of the village of Barbaresco who realised that the only way the small properties could survive was by joining their efforts. The new union was named Produttori del Barbaresco and produced its first vintages in the church basement until the winery across the square was built where the Produttori are still located. Today Produttori del Barbaresco is considered one of the greatest red wine Co-operatives in the world, as well as one of the most highly praised producers throughout all of Piedmont. Led by the talented Aldo Vacca, the cooperative is made up of 51 vignerons and covers more than 100 hectares of Nebbiolo vineyards in the Barbaresco appellation. Each family is in full control of its land, growing Nebbiolo grapes with centuries old skill and dedication. The Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco is primarily sourced from five of the Cru vineyards, Pora, Ovello, Montestefano, Muncagota and Rio Sordo. The grapes are macerated for an extended period of around 24 days while being fermented in steel tanks, followed by 24 months of ageing in large oak casks. While their Riservas and their single-vineyard wines remain some of the most sought-after Piedmont reds, their Barbaresco, as well Langhe Nebbiolo, are wonderful expressions offering grace and complexity at an astonishing price. Pair it with: egg pasta, meat dishes and medium-aged cheeses. -
In one of mine first wine classes, the teacher said regarding pairing wines with meals. ''You can attempt everything, and please please do so, but don't matter what you will try, you will see that there is only one type of wine that will pair beautifully with all the meals throughout the day. that wine is Champagne!''. Oh dear was he right...Pair this one with a lovely cooked breakfast and you in for a treat. As for the background of this wine: Raphaël and Vincent Bérêche, two of Champagne’s rising stars, have been working alongside their father Jean-Pierre at their nine-hectare estate of Bérêche et Fils since 2004, and today they are putting an increasingly personal stamp on this thoughtfully-run Domaine. The Bérêche estate owns vines in several different sectors of Champagne, with the three primary areas being the immediate vicinity around Ludes and Craon de Ludes, the gravelly terroir of Ormes in the Petite Montagne, and the area around Mareuil-le-Port, on the left bank of the Vallée de la Marne. A small parcel is also found in Trépail, in the eastern Montagne de Reims. Most recently, the estate has acquired its first grand cru vineyard in 2012, a tiny, 15-are parcel in the village of Mailly. The estate's vineyards are planted with roughly equal parts of the three varieties, and increasing attention is being paid to natural viticulture—Bérêche completely stopped using chemical herbicides in 2004 and has planted cover crops in all of the vineyards, and since 2007 a portion of the vineyard is being converted to biodynamics. Sharp-eyed observers will note that beginning in 2013, Bérêche has changed its status from RM (récoltant-manipulant) to NM (négociant-manipulant). This was done for two reasons: the first was to augment the production of the Brut Réserve by about 15 to 20 percent, selecting grapes from three trusted growers in the villages of Ludes, Maily and Rilly-la-Montagne. These grapes will be used exclusively for the Brut Réserve, and the rest of Bérêche's wines remain entirely estate-grown. The second reason was the creation of a négociant range called Crus Sélectionnés, released under the label Raphaël et Vincent Bérêche. These are wines selected from various sources across the Champagne region, designed to illustrate and reflect their respective terroirs, with the first series of wines to be released in 2014. At Bérêche, vinification tends towards the traditional: parcels are vinified separately, with natural yeasts used for smaller tanks and selected yeasts for larger ones. The family has slowly been increasing the percentage of oak used in the cellar, and today about three-quarters of the production is vinified in barrel. The malolactic is systematically avoided, and the wines are bottled around May, without filtration and with a natural cold-settling, achieved by opening all of the cellar’s windows and waiting for three days. Disgorging is still done entirely by hand, and unlike many growers who are embracing the idea of concentrated must for the dosage, Bérèche adamantly prefers a traditional liqueur. Recently the Bérêches have begun to work more with cork for the second fermentation, believing that it results in a wine of more character and complexity. Raphaël’s father was always a firm believer in cork, but it requires a lot of extra work—now that Raphaël and Vincent are working with him at the estate, it’s easier to accomplish. Today, a quarter of the production is bottled with cork instead of capsule, spread over five different cuvées: Les Beaux Regards, Vallée de la Marne Rive Gauche, Le Cran, Reflet d'Antan and the Campania Remensis rosé. Pair it with: Oysters, Grilled fish, Salads, Cheeses, Starters & Canapes -
The vineyards cultivated by Jacquart winemakers cover 2,400 ha spread over sixty crus, that is to say, sixty villages throughout the Champagne area – what a mosaic! It’s within this large range of sites in Champagne that their winemaker draws together the different shades through careful assemblage, creating a cuvée that is ethereal and which seduces lovers of JACQUART. Brut Mosaïque is a wine for all times, sharing the pleasures of daily life, celebrating good news, and friends that pop round unexpectedly – this is the champagne you always have in the fridge. «Our Brut Mosaïque elegantly shows the uniqueness of our style, expressing the result of selection and choices without compromise.» Floriane Eznack THE FACTS A blend where Chardonnay is the dominant grape variety (35%-40%), giving Brut Mosaïque its freshness and delicate aromas. Pinot Noir (30%-35%) adds structure and Pinot Meunier (25% -30%) brings fruit.The grapes are sourced from exceptional terroirs, including the Grands Crus of the Côte des Blancs and the Montagne de Reims. The presence of 25% reserve wine ensures regularity of style, while more than three years ageing and a light dosage of 10 g/l result in a balanced and complex champagne. There is a time and place for this bubbly and that is anytime and everywhere! Day or night, as an aperitif or with fish or cheese. For a special occasion or for sharing with friends, Brut Mosaïque makes the moment. -
The Bodega or Cava Maria Casanovas is located in the heart of the Penedès, in Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, the centre of Cava production. It is owned by the Casanovas family and managed by three children of Maria Casanovas. Jordi and Jacint are responsible for the vineyards and the cellar, Rosa for administration and marketing. Maria Casanovas' parents were already grape growers and sold their produce to the large cava wineries. Cava has been produced under their own name since 1984. 13 hectares are owned and planted with the local grape varieties Xarel-lo, Parellada and Macabeo (Viura) as well as the international varieties Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Maria Casanovas was one of the pioneers who introduced Pinot Noir to Penedès. Fossils can be found occasionally in the calcareous, gravelly clay soils. Food pairing suggestion: Apéro pastries, Tagliatelle al tartufo, Vegetable pie, Salad with vegetables, pulses, pasta -
Located in Crouttes-sur-Marne, about 25km east of Meaux, the Bourgeois Diaz vineyard comprises 6.80 hectares of vines, of which 3.5 hectares are planted with Pinot Meunier, 2 with Pinot Noir and 1.3 with Chardonnay. The vines are on average 40 years old and have their roots in soils of clay, silt and chalk . Jérôme is the fourth generation of winegrowers on his father's side. His wife Charlotte, joined the estate in 2016, and today plays an important role in overseeing the estate, helping to develop the quality of the Champagnes. No pesticides, no chemical fertilizers, no technological manipulation, the wines of Jérôme and Charlotte are not only cared for, they are loved. The estate has been certified in organic and biodynamic viticulture since 2014. The biodynamic preparations 5 00P (twice a year) and 501 (3 to 4 times a year) are combined with low doses of copper and sulfur, horsetail decoctions, nettle, wicker, meadowsweet, chamomile, yarrow herbal teas, etc. Green manures are sown every other row, and an agro-forestry project was launched in 2019 (planting of 50 trees in a plot of 45 ares). Most of the work is done manually, foot by foot, to bring the maximum attention to the vines, which explains why the estate employs almost one person per hectare year-round. The harvest is manual, and most of the pickers are regulars, knowing the terroir and the state of mind of the estate. The bunches are harvested when ripe and sorted, so as to bring in grapes only in perfect sanitary condition. Disgorged on 01/12/2019 after 5 years of ageing, this non-dosed brut nature Champagne is straight, ample and deep, with great complexity brought by the long aging in the bottle Pair it with Lobster, bar carpaccio, lean tartare, Saint-Pierre, sweetbreads. Salut!! -
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Ex Vite Vita, 'Life comes from the vine' — the motto of a winery that is firmly rooted in its homeland and looks back on centuries of tradition. Since the 18th century, Llopart has been exclusively dedicated to viticulture, although it has been cultivating vineyards since 1385(According to a document written in Latin and dated 1385, a Llopart family’s ancestor, Bernardus Leopardi, was granted some vineyards located in the present country estate Can Llopart de Subirats), and today it is an indispensable name in the world of cava, not only because of its outstanding productions (the first of which dates back to 1887), but also the important role the family had on launching “craft sparkling wine” and consolidated cava Llopart as a high quality product. Cava of medium aging, stand out on fruity and smoky aromas with a very fresh and dry texture that make it a versatile cava in glasses and accompanying any meal -
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This ''Território Vivo'' is a delicate Baga, it reflects the true term ''living Terroir''. The heritage of old vineyards of the emblematic Baga grape is a richness to be relished. Some of the vines are 80 years old. The subsoils are chalky clay and the vineyards are South East oriented on fairly steep slopes. This particular vintage has fantastic story that could've gone South and thus an unforgettable harvest. They had an attack of rabbits on all of their old vines of Baga. They ate all of the grapes up to 30cm high of the ground. Inedvertently this produced high quality juice but left Filipa and William with the tiniest crops. Producing wine close to nature without pesticides and herbicides can be quite a challenge, certanly when the territory is quite alive!! Serve it with elegant glasses at the temperature of 16-18c and it is highly recommended to pair it with refined foods( not too spicy), Fillet of beef, veal, pigeon, duck and creamy cheeses. -
Casa Relvas is a family-owned winery that was born out of a desire to give continuity to the family history associated with the land for five generations. The project began in 1997, Alexandre Relvas, who learned about his extensive family roots in the estate "Herdade De Sao Miguel" in Alentejo. In 2001, the first 10 hectares of vineyards were planted. Next year, Nuno Franco, a consultant in viticulture and enology, joins the project, he continues to plant another 25 hectares of vineyards. In 2003, a new winery was built on the estate with the possibility of vinification of 500 tons of grapes. It was headed by winemaker Fernanda Gomes. The following year, the first wine of the farm was launched on the market. By 2010, wine sales doubled to 1 million bottles. The following year, the company acquired the estate "Herdade da Pimenta" with 65 hectares of vineyards and a winery that can process 2.5 tons of grapes. Since 2016, the company also began to grow olive trees. The mission of Casa Relvas is to produce quality wines that accompany every moment of life, wines that can bring special pleasure from food, celebration, meeting with friends and beautify the memories of bright moments of life. This wine accompanies red meats, roast beef and grilled meats. -
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. -
Planalto is one of the biggest references of white wine in the Douro Demarcated Region, fruit of the in-depth studies carried out over the years, the careful choice of the grape varieties that compose it and the use of the best winemaking technology in its production. This white blend comes from high-altitude vineyards above the river Douro. The soil in the Douro Valley is schistous; a slate-like metamorphic rock that fractures vertically - allowing vine roots to dig deep to access water and nutrients to sustain them through the hot Douro summers. The poor quality of the soil forces the grapes to produce low yields of grapes with a great concentration of flavour. The grapes were harvested by hand and were selected for their balance between flavour intensity and freshness. Ideal to accompany fish, seafood and white meat dishes. -
Pour Ma Gueule means translated directly for my mouth but really means down my throat! Well if you taste this wine you will understanding the obvious meaning then... Clos de Fous means they’re all crazy. Well in a positive way, this is not too far from the truth and don't let the French here foul you, this is a Chilean wine from the renowed Itata Valley! This is a wine region in the southern end of Chile's long, thin wine producing zone. Unfortunately they are going through a moment where they are planting Chardonnay and Cab savs to serve the American market, but wineries likes this still stay true to their origins and place in the world and have gems like this. Hopeyou enjoy as much I did as it’s a curiosity but a fun wine at this price. Pair it with roasts, game, charcuterie — anything rich and spiced. -
The Champagne house JM Gobillard & Fils is based in Hautvillers, a picturesque wine town in the heart of Champagne. The monk and cellar master Dom Pérignon discovered the first Champagne pearls in the Benedictine Abbey of Hautvillers around 1681 and thus made the small town the birthplace of Champagne. All three grape varieties of Champagne are carefully cultivated by hand on 30 hectares of our own vineyards - mainly in the Premier Cru vineyards of Hautvillers - under the supervision of Thierry Gobillard, oenologist and patron of the Champagne house "JM Gobillard & Fils". In addition, grapes from another 125 hectares of external vineyards are purchased from strictly controlled, quality-conscious top winegrowers. Committed to house tradition, Thierry Gobillard has full control over all of his grape requirements. With his name, he vouches for quality and uniformity, he is a guarantor of the highest perfection and a bastion in the fight against mediocrity. Thanks to the highest art of oenology, each champagne from the Champagne house "JM Gobillard & Fils" has a unique personality, so rich in expressions and appearances that you will be amazed! A votre sante! - Cheers! -
The winery was founded by Didier Belondrade who came to Rueda and was inspired to apply Burgundian winemaking techniques to create exceptional white wines from the local Verdejo grape. What began in the mid-1990s as a tiny project using rented vines and a small corner of a friend’s winery quickly blossomed into Belondrade’s own winery on the La Seca plateau some 760 metres above sea level. Here Belondrade has some 30 hectares of vines planted on pebbly soils over a sub-layer of clay and sand. The exact character of the soil varies greatly from plot to plot, allowing Belondrade to select the precise personality of each wine to reflect the vintage and the micro-terroirs of his vineyards. Enjoy it with Aperitif, Cow´s or sheeps cheese, Grilled vegitables, Grilled whitefish, Light hors d´oeuvres, Mushrooms, Pica Pica or local traditional tapas, Poultry, Roasted red meats, Smoked foods. -
The Colomba Bianca winery was founded in 1970. During the last 10 years, under the guidance of our Chairman Leonardo Taschetta, it has become the biggest wine growing co-operative in Sicily. The company today, can, in fact, count on circa 2480 partners and extends along 7500 hectars of vineyards between the provinces of Trapani, Palermo, Agrigento, Caltanissetta e Ragusa, with 5 wineries distributed in the whole territory. The vineyards can be found in areas which benefit of a vast pedoclimatic diversity, from the low coastal areas up to an altitude of 600 metres above sea level. "We work with the aim that our farmers receive the right compensation for their work. This adds dignity to Sicilian agriculture and to the wines which express at best our territory. It is for this reason that each one of our wines is dedicated to our farmers." - Colomba Bianco Grillo is the flagship of Sicily's indigenous white varieties. Famous for its role in the production of Marsala wines, but has recently come into its own as a varietal making light, fresh and citrussy wines. Ideal with fish first courses, delicate risottos and white meat dishes. -
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Villa Raiano was founded in 1996 in the old factories of the Basso family's oil mill, owner of the company in the Raiano hamlet of the municipality of Serino (AV). Built in 2009, the is structure perfectly integrated into the surrounding environment, surrounded by vineyards and woods. On top of it a panoramic terrace overlooking a wonderful valley carved by the river Sabato which descends proudly from Monte Terminio. This delicious summer wine from the extreme south of Italy makes you long for Italy. A delicious, light-footed summer wine with a sultry taste of honey, flowers and fresh notes of citrus fruits. The Falanghina grape is still relatively unknown in the Ireland, but in Italy a guarantee for a smooth summer wine that can be drunk on it's own or over lunch.The artisan winemakers of Villa Raiano are behind this fantastic Virgo Falanghina, you can expect high quality. In addition, all grapes are picked by hand by Gabrizia and her brothers. And you can taste it! A delicious traditional wine that is made with the utmost care in a sustainable way. -
The wines of i Clivi are born in Friuli in between the Collio Goriziano and the eastern hills of Udine, named Colli Orientali, where, on sunny slopes – clivi meaning “slopes” – Altogether there is cultivated 12 hectares of certified organic vineyards planted with the indigenous varieties Ribolla, Friulano, Verduzzo, and Malvasia, whose only international grape is Merlot, a variety which found home in this area more than a century ago. Taking care of this important heritage of old vines, aged between 60 and 80 years, it is for Ferdinando and Mario Zanusso a reminder of the responsibility with which they guard and produce wine on this strip of land, giving the chance to express two distinct D.O.C. denominations, Collio, and Colli Orientali del Friuli, whose sensory difference is related exclusively to the microclimate. The low yields produced by these old vines give a natural concentration and complexity to the fruit they seek to transform naturally with spontaneous fermentation, maintaining the elegance and aromatic integrity through careful maturation in steel tanks for 50,000 bottles of varietal wines with great personality, distinguished grace, and delicacy. -
The Delibori Pinot Grigio delle Venezie impresses with its elegantly dry taste. It was bottled with exceptionally low residual sugar. This is a true quality wine, which clearly stands out from simpler qualities and so this Italian naturally enchants with the finest balance despite all dryness. Excellent taste does not necessarily require a lot of sugar. Light-footed and multi-layered, this light white wine presents itself on the palate. The final of this youthful white wine from the wine-growing region of Veneto, more precisely from Delle Venezie DOC, finally convinces with good reverberation. Best enjoyed moderately chilled at 11 - 13°C. It is perfect as an accompaniment to pumpkin casserole, vegetable stew with pesto or leek tortilla. -
Family Estates Organic Marlborough Chardonnay; a complex style of Chardonnay grown in our Headwaters vineyard in Marlborough. The cooler climate and alluvial soils of Marlborough deliver flavour and varietal complexity that is reflective of the region and our winemaker’s commitment to sustainably crafting the most drinkable New Zealand wines in the world. This organic Chardonnay wine would go well with poultry or fish or vegetable medley. -
The Dead Arm is d’Arenberg’s flagship Shiraz and takes its name from a vine disease that kills off one “arm” of the plant while the other side of the vine produces remarkably intense and delicious fruit. The grapes for this bottling come from low yielding old vines on the estate which are harvested in small parcels and vinified plot by plot to give maximum control over the blending. Established in 1912, d’Arenberg is one of the McLaren Vale’s most iconic wineries which boasts some extremely old Shiraz vines planted back in the 1880s. The estate’s chief winemaker is Chester Osborn, the great-grandson of d’Arenberg’s original founder Joseph Rowe Osborn who was actually a teetotaler who used to sell his grapes on to local wineries. Powerful and ageworthy wine with firm tannins and a well-developed structure that will respond well another couple of decade or so in the cellar. Pair with hearty red meat dishes if you’d prefer to enjoy it now. -
Rafael Palacios is the son of D. José Palacios Remondo (founder of Bodegas Palacios Remondo) and the brother of Alvaro Palacios(Priorat) but ultimately a passionate producer of white wine. After producing his first white at the family-run winery, called Plácet, he decided to set up his own winery in Galicia, in the Valle del Bibei, under the Valdeorras denomination. Established in 2004, Rafael Palacios has rapidly become one of Spain’s greatest producers of white wine. His focus is on the local variety Godello, grown in a small estate on very old vines that are up to 90 years old from the areas steep-sided, terraced vineyards and have been cultivated with respect of the land, without using any type of herbicide or pesticide. Rafael Palacios is refining his work year after year, reaching the magic of the greatest wines. A top wine, and one to keep. Grub pairing suggestions are mild Asian dishes, Moroccan specialities, fish ragout with saffron sauce Risotto ai frutti di mar -
The first Glaetzers settled in the Barossa Valley in 1888 after emigrating from Brandenburg, Germany. The family left Germany on board the Nord-Deutscher Lloyd steamer “Habsburg” and took seven weeks to reach their final destination of Port Adelaide. From here they settled in a country town called Nuriootpa in the Barossa Valley where they started their new life in Australia. The family were some of the earliest recorded viticulturalists in the Barossa Valley and Clare Valley. Bishop is the family name of Colin's wife' Judith. Fittingly the sign of Venus, a symbol which has come to represent women and feminine energy, is the centrepiece of the Bishop label. In mythology, the symbol meant the Roman goddess Venus or her Greek equivalent Aphrodite. But the sign has also been linked back to ancient Egypt - a nod to Bishop's link to Amon-Ra and Anaperenna. The irrepressible Ben Glaetzer is the driving force behind Glaetzer Wines. Ben graduated in winemaking from Adelaide University in South Australia after working at Barossa Valley Estate during school and university holidays. After travelling extensively throughout many of the worlds wine regions, Ben returned to the Barossa and joined the family company. Ben's ability to blend traditional winemaking techniques with a modern flair is reflected in the style of wines under the Glaetzer label. He makes unique, elegant wines with minimal intervention, which are regarded as classics and unmistakably Barossan. -
The first Glaetzers settled in the Barossa Valley in 1888 after emigrating from Brandenburg, Germany. The family left Germany on board the Nord-Deutscher Lloyd steamer “Habsburg” and took seven weeks to reach their final destination of Port Adelaide. From here they settled in a country town called Nuriootpa in the Barossa Valley where they started their new life in Australia. The family were some of the earliest recorded viticulturalists in the Barossa Valley and Clare Valley. Barossa Vintners was the first of its kind to conceive as a state-of-the-art winemaking facility with the capacity to make wines, for a core group of top end producers whose fame and demand had grown beyond their winemaking capacities. Completed in 1995, Barossa Vintners has been developed make wines in the most natural possible way. The natural slope of the land allows the winery to be gravity fed and avoid harsh pumping of the grapes and juice. The solar panels allow them to minimize carbon footprint and keep the power bills down. Ben Glaetzer makes wines for his family brand plus Mitolo in McLaren Vale and the Heartland wines from Langhorne Creek. Stickleback is Heartland's entry-level red. Perfect for an evening in front of the chimney , Party , Picknick or a barbecue. Pair it with hearty dishes , spicy food -
The Port is by difinition, generous and full-bodied wine, produced in the region Douro- the demarcated region of the world's oldest wines. Made from grapes traditionally used in the region, its wine making process is characterized by adding brandy to the wine in full fermentation. This type of port that inspires moments and new forms of consumption, which we recommend be served as Port Tonic. Classic serving would be as a chilled aperitif, but also you could be adventurous and make a ''Caipi Royal'' or just serve it on the rocks with an orange slice. -
Niepoort is a Portuguese winery that was founded in 1842. It is currently run by Dirk Niepoort, fifth generation of the family it is named after. They use traditional Portuguese techniques such as grape treading, fermentation in cement tanks or aging in pipes, 550-litre port-aging barrels, whilst also using new technologies that ensure the grapes are handled with care. The winery has vines in different locations, some of which are over 100 years old, and an aging cellar in the town of Vila Nova de Gaia. The Niepoort Dry White vines have an average age of 30 years old and are planted in shale soils. The planting density of the plots ranges from 4,000 to 6,000 plants per hectare and the harvest is carried out manually to take the best care of the grapes. Serve as an aperitif, but it also goes down a treat as a dessert wine or simply on its own at the end of a meal -
The first Guarda Rios harvest was done in 2006 and, curiously, not in the Alentejo. This wine is associated to the Winemaker and Director of Monte da Ravasqueira, who, in 2012, brought the Guarda Rios with him. Like the birds, this wine migrated and settled next to the dams on a property in Arraiolois, where it found the ideal terroir in which to express all its exuberance and vivacity. The family currently owns 45 hectares under vine in the Alentejo Plains. The highlight of this vineyard is that there are close to 8 diverse soil types and 29 carefully selected plots here. Therefore, it is great for growing quite a few full-bodied grape varietals. The vines are grown at an average height of about 270m above sea level. The Alentejo Plains cover almost one-third of Portugal, and are home to various soil types such as clay, sandy, marble, granite, limestone, shale and more. Thanks to the hot & dry Mediterranean climate in this area, it is ideal for growing some of the rare & indigenous varietals. The native reds grown here are Aragonez, Trincadeira and Alicante Bouschet. Roupeiro, Arinto and Antao Vaz are the native whites grown here. All of these are grown in organized regions along Alentejo. The main regions of the plains where the vines are grown with utmost care & dedication are Borba, Redondo, Reguengos and Evora. These regions are divided based on their climate, soil quality and their ability to create full-bodied & aromatic grapes. -
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Quinta Do Crasto is a winery dating back more than a century, and owned by the family of Leonor and Jorge Roquette. The name comes from the Latin “castrum” which means “Roman fortress”. The Roquette are the fourth generation of the family and they don’t just make still wines, they also produce fortified Port wines and extra virgin olive oil from their 130 hectares of land lying at almost 600 metres of altitude and forming part of the extraordinary Douro Valley landscape. A versatile red that makes the perfect transition from main course to cheese. On its own? Why not -
The Domaine des Chenevières has been in operation for 6 generations of winegrowers who love their land. The family farm is now managed by Sylvain, Benoît and Aurélien LENOIR, three cousins who succeeded their parents and took over the torch. The Domaine des Chenevières is located in the town of Saint-Maurice-de-Satonnay (71 Saône-et-Loire, Burgundy), a small village located halfway between Mâcon and Cluny. The vineyard with 46 hectares of vines is located in 3 municipalities: Saint-Maurice-de-Satonnay, Péronne and Azé, also renowned for its prehistoric caves. From pruning to harvesting, from vinification to bottling, everything is done with respect for tradition in order to bring you the enchantment of the aromas that will awaken your taste buds when tasting the white wines or the red wines from the production of the Domaine des Chenevières. The estate's vines are planted on hillsides and mid-hillsides, on clay-limestone soil. They are exposed South / South-East. The vines of the estate are between 20 and 60 years old and sustainable farming is part of every thought process. Thus, part of the vines remains grassed to promote biodiversity with an emphasis on tillage. They have a certification of HVE or High Environmental Value in all of their 46 hectares. Pair it with hors d'ouvres, grilled fish, shellfish, oysters, quiches, gratins. Great value Mâcon-Villages. Enjoy! -
Anne Gros, the only daughter of François Gros, has established a solid character and reputation in the wine world after taking over her father’s domaine in 1988. At 25 years old, Anne saw the family domaine grow from 7 to 16 acres. Recently, she invested in a new cellar. She is a winegrower suspicious of certitude and fastidious about maintaining her freedom. As a woman winegrower, Anne knew how to prove herself and convince all who doubted of her ability to manage a domaine. She showed that she had not only the shoulders but the head to make her family heritage one of the greatest domaines of Burgundy. In 1984 she had to stop studying Arts to study vines’culture and oenology in Beaune and Dijon. Now her passion for vine and wine as well as her talent, sensitivity and professionalism posit her as a winemaker enthusiasts can rely on. Anne Gros has always been concerned about the environment, however she did not always find what she was looking for. so with this conviction, Anne Gros continued her approach to ecology without the recognition of organic certification The first harvest of this wine was 1999, Now the vines are mature and bringing very expressive fruit. This 4 acre single block parcel is situated in the commune of Concoeur just above the village of Vosne-Romanée. Originally bare of any vines, it was planted in stages (1996, 1997 and 1998). Chardonnay vines make up 2.4 acres on the upper part of the slope, where the earth is deeper and more humid (this is where the water of the hillside resurges). On the land itself: is an area rarely exceeding 300 metres in altitude in the west. the geographical diversity of burgundy leads to a diversity of climates and the existence of numerous micro-climates. the average annual insolation is 2000 hours, the average temperature is 11.5 degrees celsius. the côte de nuits is carved out of jurassic limestone. as its name suggests, the côte has a fairly steep slope. the clay-limestone complexes, the different sun exposures and the climatic data resulting from the shaping of the combes perpendicular to the fault line of the coast give us a very fragmented pdo classification system. Highly recommended with raw or grilled fish, shellfish in a court-bouillon, white meat, charcuterie without garlic and goat cheese. Fantastic Burgundy and not easy to find due to its limit production. Try it while you can -
Vincent Dancer grew up in Alsace, where he inherited a love of wine and photography from his father. After studying engineering, his father suggested that Vincent spend some time in Burgundy, where his family owned some vines that were being rented out to cousins. Dancer was immediately hooked, and decided to settle in Chassagne-Montrachet and make wine from the five hectares of well-situated vineyards. The winery is small even by the standards of Burgundy, and despite Dancer’s reclusive nature, the wines are well known to a small circle of restaurateurs and wine-lovers who reliably take their miniscule allocation year after year. Dancer was the first producer in Chassagne to become certified organic, and there remains less than a handful of others. He is quietly individualistic, creating his own lean, bright, and savory style of wines, trusting his instincts and experience to make the best possible wine in his own way. Each cuvée, however, is truly a reflection of the terroir—from the rich, unctuous Meursault Perrières to the incisively fresh Chassagne Tête du Clos. It is not an exaggeration to say that the wines from Vincent Dancer are majestically unique, exceptionally delicious, and well worth the effort of seeking out. -
The late Bruno Sorg and his son François are responsible for some of the finest, richest and most concentrated wines in Alsace. The Sorg family have been producing wine in the Alsace since the 18th century, with this particular branch of it established in the late 1960s by Renée and the late Bruno Sorg. Alsace is becoming better known for and offering superb value in comparison to some Pinot from Burgundy. A complex Pinot, that has good fruit density, freshness along with a savoury dimension. Fantastic value! -
Thomas Lynch was a descendant of the Tribes of Galway. His father John emigrated in 1691 from Galway, Ireland to Bordeaux, inherited an estate in the village of Bages through his wife, Elizabeth, in 1749. This year represents the foundation of Château Lynch-Bages, which Thomas passed on to his son, Jean-Baptiste, upon his marriage in 1779. Jean-Baptiste soon handed over supervision to his brother Michel who maintained responsibility for the Bages estate until 1824, when the family sold it to a Swiss wine merchant, Sebastien Jurine, who had recently moved to Bordeaux. Château Lynch-Bages remained in the hands of the Jurine family, followed by the Cayrou family, for over a hundred years. In 1934, Jean-Charles Cazes rented the property from its then owner, Felix de Vial, subsequently purchasing it in 1938. After Jean-Charles Cazes’ death, aged 95, in 1972, the estate has been largely managed by his grandson, Jean-Michel Cazes.[2] In the late 1980s, the AXA Millésimes group began to develop a portfolio of wine property holdings, and approached Jean-Michel Cazes for help (Claude Bébéar, the AXA President, was a long-time Cazes family friend). They established Châteaux & Associés, which Cazes ran until he reached 65, and which by the end of the twentieth century owned many vineyards across Europe. Ownership of Château Lynch-Bages, however, remains with the Cazes family. In 2017, the Cazes family has acquired Château Haut-Batailley, the 1855 Grand Cru Classé estate in Pauillac. In the interest of sustainable development, agriculture is in every way reasoned: fertilization methods defined precisely and adapted to soil, optimized phytosanitary control, use of sexual confusion against worms of the bunch, controlled grassing of plots for control the vigor of the vine, prolonged rest of the soil by flowering fallow land … The use of neutral products for the environment is everywhere privileged. -
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The Ziereisen winery in Efringen Kirchen in the Markgräflerland in Baden has meanwhile become an institution in its own right. Hanspeter Ziereisen originally trained as a carpenter and is therefore a real career changer who has never trained as a winemaker. His parents ran a mixed farm with pigs, cows and 0.5 hectares of vineyards. Overall, the place was characterized by part-time winegrowers who gave their grapes to the cooperative. The successor to the farm was initially uncertain, since none of the children wanted to continue it. In 1991, Hanspeter followed in his parents' footsteps with the clear goal of turning it into a winery. The small area yielded a first vintage of just 6000 bottles in 1993. Acquisitions and leases followed, and over time the business grew to today's 21 hectares. Hanspeter was interested in wine from an early age and so he tried a lot of the most interesting wines in the world. This is how he discovered his love for the red Burgundy. These are still the heart of the company today. With his style, Hanspeter Ziereisen encountered a lot of resistance. An individualist, as fellow winemakers call him, who doesn't want to produce pleasing wines, but independent ones. Spontaneous fermentation, long maceration times, long yeast storage, no filtration and the use of large and small wooden barrels - all this characterizes his style. This stubbornness or the clear definition of one's own style was also punished in the official wine testing. His wines did not fit the classic German profile and could therefore only be sold as country wines. Hanspeter Ziereisen stayed with his line and today his wines are their own brand. In the meantime a conscious decision in order to be able to design the wines in a way that corresponds to the philosophy and to be able to place the character of the wines in the foreground. -
The Seghesio family began making wine in California in 1895 when Edoardo Seghesio planted Zinfandel vines in Alexander Valley. Over the intervening years the third generation of the family, Pete Seghesio and his cousin Ted Seghesio, established the estate as a top producer of Californian Zinfandel. Today the winery has 120 hectares of vineyards which are all farmed sustainably in the appellations of Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley and Russian River Valley. The vines for this bottling come from estate vineyards in Dry Creek and Alexander Valley with careful management of yields to ensure excellent quality. The robust flavour profile makes this a great partner for barbecued meats and steak, although it can also be kept in the cellar for another few years. -
F. Olazabal & Filhos is a Portuguese winery with 62 hectares located in the town of Vila Nova de Foz Côa, in one of the most prestigious areas of the Douro. The Olazabal family, proud owners and descendants of the founder, Antonia Adelaide Ferreira, are now writing a significant chapter for this iconic estate and the region. Since 1998, Xito Olazabal has been working hard to understand the estate’s complex palette of grapes and terroirs and with his growing experience, skill, and attention to detail, the best out of the estate-grown grapes planted by soil type – alluvial, granite, and schist – are all fermented and aged separately. The resultant wines are then blended together, with different proportions each year, to best represent the estate’s overall terroir and each vintage’s individual character. For a more detail on the history of this amazing Quinta and the role it played in the Douro history Quinta Vale Meão-Portugal - Click Here -
In 1987, Gonzalo Antón, in conjunction with a group of friends and business associates from Vitoria, decided to set up an innovative project in the heart of the Rioja Alavesa. Thus Bodegas Izadi came into being, situated in the triangle formed by the towns of Villabuena, Samaniego and Ábalos, the triangular motif on its labels, and with the clear objective of giving maximum expression to the fruit of that particular location, that natural environment so well-loved (Izadi means 'nature' in Basque), integrating innovation and tradition. This particular vineyard is situated 800m above sea level where the vines are planted in a mix of calcareous and clay soils. Izadi is also one of the few wineries truly involved with gastronomy, aware that even though there's a wine for every moment, on 90% of occasions it's served and enjoyed accompanied by food; and so that's why Izadi offers a wide variety of wines, all of which are very versatile. It's slogan leaves us in no doubt: "Wine and gastronomy are our passion". Since 2001, Lalo Antón has been heading up and managing the winery, and responsible for having driven forward business beyond local boundaries, as well as having started a programme of expansion with the successful Artevino group. Great with chicken, salads and oily fishes -
In 2003, José Ribeiro Vieira purchased a four hectare vineyard in the foothills of Serra de Aire of Cortes, in the Alta Estremadura, near Lisbon. Vale da Mata pays tribute to Vieira’s winemaker father, Manuel, who claimed that Vale de Mata was the site where he succeeded in producing his best wines. The Vale de Mata project respects the expression of its terroir, cultivating the vines sustainably and using minimal intervention in the winery. Manuel gave this wine its name and his granddaughter Catarina Viera has followed in his footsteps, continuing his winemaking legacy. In 2018. Vale da Mata is the name of a small, old vineyard located in the foothills of Serra de Aire, in Cortes. The vineyard has a maritime climate and is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. The parcel is just a few hectares and is situated on a steep terrain with rocky soil. The land is extremely hard to work and is cultivated manually, with winter pruning and green harvesting taking place by hand. Protected to the north, it has good sunlight exposure throughout the day and is surrounded by olive trees, fig trees, walnuts and shrubs. Vale de Mata is associated with several sustainable programmes; they are a member of the FSC and grow all their grapes according to organic philosophies. The vines are trained according to the Cordon Royat method and the grapes are manually harvested at optimum maturity. -
Filipa Pato and husband, William Wouters have created an expressive range of wines representing the native grape varietals of the Barriada region. Their philosophy is simple: "create authentic wines without make-up to express the true nature of the vineyards they come from". Bairrada is a coastal DOC which borders Vinho Verde, Dão and Lisboa. It has mild and wet winters and hot windy summers. The climatic thermal range, brought about by the Atlantic influence, brings high acidity and freshness to the grapes here. Filipa and William practice biodynamic viticulture and are undergoing conversion to organic certification. The wine is unfined. Drink with sheep and goats cheese, dressed salads, and delicate poultry dishes. -
Daniel Landi and Fernando García have been friends since college. Successful winemakers in their own right – Dani at his family’s estate, Bodegas Jimenez-Landi and Fer at Bodega Marañones - in 2008 they started a winemaking project together: Comando G. Along with the pioneers of Priorat, Dani and Fer are redefining Garnacha, previously viewed as a workhorse variety, into something that can rival the elegance and finesse of Burgundian Pinot Noir or Syrah in the northern Rhône. The duo work with several small, isolated plots perched high up in the mountainous Sierra de Gredos to create truly unique, terroir-expressive wines. The vineyards that Daniel and Fernando have assembled are all farmed biodynamically, with vines ranging in age from 50 to 80 years old. According to Wine Advocate writer Luis Gutierrez, "they improve their vineyards from the moment they buy or rent them [...] The quality of their wines is what they strive to improve the most, and the results are there.” In the winery their winemaking is considered and precise, gently coaxing out the delicate balance of fruit character and terroir from each site. It is this commitment to a sense of place, nuance, and finesse that make their wines among the most compelling in Spain. -
This mineral-driven white wine from Filipa Pato is akin to top quality white Burgundy. Using the Bical grape, the wine is aged in old French oak barrels and displays a great balance between creamy richness and lean minerality. Following in the footsteps in the winemaking traditions of her well-known father, Luis, Filipa Pato has now, in her own right, garnered a reputation for producing a superb range of wines in the heart of Bairrada, in Ois do Bairro. Focussing on Bairrada’s local native grape varieties, Filipa’s top-level white. It should be served not too cold, decanted into elegant glasses. It goes well with cheeses, fish dishes and salads. -
Louis-Claude Desvignes is a family estate that dates back to 1700. The Desvignes range is "La Voûte Saint Vincent", named for the vault or "voûte" of the old family house and for the patron saint of winemakers. It was Louis-Claude who began to turn the estate’s grapes into wine, and now with the reins handed over to his two sons Louis-Benoît and Claude-Emmanuelle Desvignes. It is a blend of certified-organic estate parcels totalling 4.5 hectares in the climat of Douby, which lies in the northeast corner of Morgon along the border of Fleurie. The La Voûte vines average 50 years old and are planted in Douby's typical sandy, decomposed-granite soils. Viticulture and vinification are consistent across all Desvignes wines. In the case of La Voûte, the parcels are all vinified separately. -
Javier Revert Viticultor is the personal project of Javi Revert, oenologist and part of the technical team of Celler del Roure since 2009. It all started in 2014, when Javier started to recover a vineyard planted by his great-grandfather in the highest area of Font de la Figuera, an area influenced by the Mediterranean character and the harsh winter of La Mancha. It was in the 2016 vintage when their first wines were launched. Javier Revert is one of the young winemakers who tries to interpret the landscape, looking for the best orientations, recovering abandoned vineyards and planting new ones with historical varieties from the area. Javier Revert Sensal is a red wine made with Red Grenache and Monastrell from a 0.8-hectare vineyard with the same name planted in 1965 at 700 metres of altitude on clayey, fresh and slightly clayey soils. Rice dishes, White meats, Charcuterie, Red meat -
To celebrate the estate's 25th anniversary, the 2020 vintage by Almaviva is adorned with a special "25 años" label. Viña Almaviva was founded in 1997 following the collaboration between Baroness Philippine de Rothschild and Don Alfonso Larrain, President of Viña Concha y Toro. The Viña Almaviva project gives rise to fine Chilean wines that benefit from a rich French winemaking know-how and the unique expression of this Central Valley terroir. The name Almaviva, though it has an Hispanic sonority, belongs to classical French literature: Count Almaviva is the hero of The Marriage of Figaro, the famous play by Beaumarchais (1732-1799), later turned into an opera by the genius of Mozart. The label, meanwhile, pays homage to Chile’s ancestral history, with three reproductions of a stylized design, which symbolizes the vision of the earth and the cosmos in the Mapuche civilization. The design appears on the kultrun, a ritual drum used by the Mapuche. The label bears the name Almaviva in Beaumarchais’ own handwriting. Two great traditions thus join hands to offer the whole world a promise of pleasure and excellence. Located in the heart of the beautiful Maipo Valley, the Almaviva vineyard covers 50 hectares. The emblematic Bordeaux grape varieties thrive in this exceptional terroir. Almaviva has now become an essential reference for fine Chilean wines throughout the world. A particularly dry year, 2020 began with a cool, dry winter, resulting in a late budburst, particularly during the first two weeks of October. The spring and summer were marked by high temperatures but also by drought. These conditions favoured a rapid maturation of the vineyard and an early harvest, which ended three to four weeks earlier than in recent years. Despite this extreme climate and thanks to the rigour of the teams, the 2020 vintage reveals a fruity structure, a fresh expression and a rare tension. -
The iconic, ivy-covered Château Lascombes is one of the most recognizable structures in all of Margaux. One would never expect this picturesque and secluded estate to have one of the largest vineyards in the Médoc. The vineyard is an astounding 120 hectares primarily located in Margaux; with 10 hectares in the Haut-Médoc appellation. With a staff of 36, one can imagine the harvest period on such a vast estate would be difficult to manage. Because of their access to state-of-the-art technology and some of the most desirable plots in Margaux, the viticultural team of Château Lascombes produces wines that continue to impress and receive critical acclaim. Château Lascombes earned its namesake after its owner, Antoine Chevalier de Lascombes in 1625. The estate was inherited from the Durfort de Duras family who also owned Château Durfort – later known as the famed Second Growth property, Château Durfort-Vivens. Château Lascombes was classified as a Second Growth estate in 1855, but its history really began when it was purchased almost a hundred years later. Alexis Lichine and a group of investors – including the wealthy American, David Rockefeller – purchased the estate in 1952. There is a diverse array of soil types at Château Lascombes. Gravelly outcroppings are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. The property also has limestone terroir, which is highly unique to the Margaux region. It is the areas with clay and limestone where the primary varietal at Château Lascombes, Merlot, really shines. Château Lascombes has 50% of its vineyard planted with Merlot – an unusual choice for an estate in Margaux. The vines are on average 35 years old, and only 50-hectares of the sprawling vineyard are considered able to produce the wines of top Second Growth quality. The estate is presently managed by Dominique Befve, who brings his expertise from ten years as technical director at Château Lafite Rothschild and Duhart Milon. Upon his arrival, Dominique oversaw major technical innovations to the cellar. The cellar astonishes visitors with its signature blue lights and technologically advanced Oxoline racks. The racks rotate the barrels and keep the lees of the wine in suspension, reducing oxidation and making the wine round and more immediately accessible. Open at least 1 hour before tasting, this Margaux finesse will be preferred at the time of entry (meat) or on your cheese board (soft and hard pasta). -
The Perrin family of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are one of the Rhône Valley’s greatest vineyard owners. With over 200 hectares of top level, prime vineyards at their fingertips, they have the terroir and skill required to produce some of the region’s finest wines. The estate traces its history back to a plot of Coudoulet vines bought by Pierre de Beaucastel in 1549. The estate was transferred into the Perrin family in 1909 through marriage, where it remains firmly to this day. Despite being one of the old guards of the region, they are also one of the most progressive estates. They were one of the first converts to organic and biodynamic faming in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which they adopted in 1950 and 1974 respectively. A legendary Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine, Hommage à Jacques Perrin by Château de Beaucastel is one of the world's greatest wines. It brilliantly embodies the motto of the Perrin family: "A Grand Vin embodies emotion and civilisation, a legend that transcends time." The first vintage of this prestigious wine was produced in 1989. Produced in very limited quantities, the Hommage à Jacques Perrin wine comes from a unique terroir composed of rolled pebbles upon clay-limestone and silt soils in an exceptional vineyard located in the northern part of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, in the Rhône Valley. Vintage 2020 was relatively mild, the winter was punctuated by an episode of frost which had little impact on the vineyards, even the earliest plots. While the mildness of spring favoured vegetative development, a constant wind kept the soil cool. The hot, sunny summer was marked by both coolness and temperature variations between day and night, ideal conditions for ensuring a high-quality and even ripening of the grapes. Harvested at perfect maturity, the juicy and balanced grapes gave rise to a fine vintage. -
UBE Miraflores is a beautiful introduction to the terroirs of Sanlúcar de Barrameda. This winegrowing region is renowned for its chalky albariza soils and coastal setting, which impart brightness and salinity onto wines produced here. Made in a ‘sherry-like’ style, this wine ages under flor but is not fortified, with a focus on fruit character. The resulting wine is fresh and easy to drink. -
Since 1994, the Montcountour vineyards are owned and controlled by the Feray family. These wines are currently produced from six high-quality wine estates located across the Loire Valley. The vines that were grown on the steep slopes of the valley were covered with hard rocks and caves to protect the history and maintain the mystery of these impeccable vines. These terroirs are known for their exceptional climatic conditions and diverse soils. The Feudal building has survived the centuries and has seen many personalities from the court and the arts stay there, a dependency of the Bishopric of tours under Saint-Martin in the 4th century. The current building dates from the renaissance and was erected by King Charles VII who offered it to Agnès Sorel, his lady of Beauty. Partly burnt down during the French Revolution, the building was rehabilitated; then, in 1846, the Touraine writer Honoré de Balzac wanted to buy it, wanted it in vain, to live there with his fervent admirer and wife Evelyne Hanska. On June 10, 1846, he wrote to his wife and one could read in this letter the still famous formula: "Moncontour is my predilection". -
Bodegas Hnos. Perez Pascuas is a winery founded in 1980 and located in Pedrosa de Duero. In its vineyards, Tinta del País or Tempranillo predominate, and they also have a little Cabernet Sauvignon. They produce around 500,000 bottles. They also have a large collection of 3,000 barrels. The barrels are renewed every 3 years to maintain the contribution of compounds from the wood, and the toasted elements that characterise the style of the winery. Viña Pedrosa Reserva is an iconic wine from Pedrosa de Duero. A complex, powerful and highly expressive wine -
With his diploma in oenology, Denis Wurtz has been reviving since 1998 the estate of his grandparents in Beblenheim, whose name evokes the profession of one of his ancestors. Installed in a 16th century half-timbered house in the heart of the gorgeous Alsatian vineyards. The Vieille Forge Estate runs 10 acres where 1/3 is dedicated to the production of Grands Cru wines. To the south of Riquewihr, the vineyard is situated in a natural circus oriented gently towards the south-east. Its clay-marly soils are favorable to gewurztraminer. This enchants with the intensity and finesse of its aromatic palette. A sensational wine, it will assert itself with spicy dishes from other continents, cheeses and even desserts. -
The history of this brand dates back to 1880, when this business was established in the Soave village in the reputed zone of Palazzo Pullici in Italy. Leonildo Pieropan, a physician from Soave, was well-aware of the potential of the soils in this region, because of his previous work experience in the family vineyards. He, along with his sons, Fausto and Gustavo, started working in the cellars in the 1950s and 60s to churn out impeccable quality, Italian wines that spoke a lot about the quality of their terroirs. Today, this business is run by the fifth generation of the Pieropan family, with the same dedication and winemaking philosophy. The Pieropan family believes in traditional winemaking principles. These are reflected in the way they maintain their vineyards. The local territory of these vineyards is given utmost importance and minimalistic intervention technique is followed in addition to organic viticultural practices. The three vineyards from where grapes are sourced for Pieropan wines are Calvarino, La Rocca and Garzon. Calvarino vineyard is the oldest of the three as it has been with the family since 1901. It is located right in the heart of the Soave area and is blessed with amazingly rich and fertile volcanic soils. It makes an excellent aperitif and partners a wide range of dishes, especially vegetable quiches, delicately-flavoured fish, shellfish and cheese soufflés -
Menina d’Uva is a small winery located in Uva, a remote village in the quiet and desolate countryside of the Northeast of Portugal. Female winemaker Aline Domingues moved from Paris to this area from which her parents had emigrated to Paris to give their children better opportunities. A controversial move within the family but one that I wholeheartedly support. Aline clearly is a talented winemaker crafting beautifully pure wines. Made from 70% red grapes (including Bastardo, known in the Jura as Trousseau) and 30% white grapes including Malvasia and white Bastardo. It’s still a hearthy red that’s crispy and refreshing; cherries, pomegranate with a beautiful smell of the forest. Highly recommended. -
Mars Bonfire, Steppenwolf’s drummer’s brother, saw a poster which said,” Born To Ride” with a photo of a motorbike taking off from the ground surrounded by fire. Around that time, he had bought his first car and that’s how the idea came about to celebrate the freedom of being able to go where you want and when you want. NASA used “Born To Be Wild” to wake up their astronaut crews. And when a spaceship landed for the first time on Mars the small exploratory vehicle went down the ramp to the rhythm of “Get your motor running”. In 2004 Paris Hilton asked permission to use the song in her reality show The Simple Life. The band refused.” There are things Rock’n’Roll can’t accept.” The organic Bobal grapes are grown in poor clay soils situated in the west of the province of Valencia at 700 metres altitude. The vines grow in a ‘continental’ climate influenced by the Mediterranean. The wine spends 9 months in French and American oak barrels. Best enjoyed relaxing and/or with pasta, rice and red meat dishes. The Bobal grape variety has really high levels of resveratrol, an antioxidant and a heart healthy polyphenol, which helps metabolise fats.
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