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The Dafni grape variety was saved from extiction by the Lyrarakis family, when it was planted in the ''Psarades'' family vineyard at 480m altitude in central Crete in the early 90's. It's name derives from the laurel (bay leaf) plant, which its called ''Dafni'' in Greek, as the wines produced resembles these aromas. Pair with fried small Fish, seafood like cuttlefish with spinach, white meat, pulses and pies with greens and aromatic herbs -
Bodegas Zarate is located in the Val do Salnes, named after the ‘sal’ (salt) the Romans used to harvest there. This small but brilliantly run cellar was established in 1920 by Ernesto Zarate, who was pivotal in promoting Albariño in the area. Current winemaker Eulogio Pomares (Ernesto's grandson), studied in Bordeaux and Germany investigating parallels between Albariño and Riesling, his knowledge of the Albariño grape is second to none. Since he took over the management of his family vineyards in 2000, he has focused on improving them. He started to work organically, abandoning mineral fertilisers. Instead, he uses shells from the surrounding coastline which provide the calcium and magnesium the vines need and don’t get from the acidic soils. He also uses local seaweed as compost. In the cellar, he is low intervention and his wines are characterised by their Atlantic freshness and age-worthiness. Pair it with pasta, shellfish, veggie dishes, snacks & appetizers, fish -
Trenzado takes its name from a local vine training method called Cordon Trenzado, in which the branches of the vine are almost braided together and supported on stakes (as pictured on the label). Tenerife has a long and fascinating winemaking history, indigenous varieties such as Listán Negro and Blanco, Tintilla and Baboso Negro. Many vineyards are made up of 100 year-old+ ungrafted vines. Jonatan Garcia runs the family winery that is located in the Orotava Valley on the north side of the island. Many are grown in a traditional trellising system called Cordon Trenzado - vine branches are braided together and supported on stakes, and eventually grow into gnarly arms sometimes several meters in length. The estate has some incredibly old, low-yielding vines and produce wines that have freshness, balance, purity of fruit, minerality and an authentic terroir character. A beautiful wine, perfect for the seasoned Chardonnay drinker, seeking to try something a different. Pair it with grilled fish dishes, shellfish and crustaceans; also well paired with stewed white meats -
Saladini Pilastri is located in Spinetoli, in the Marche region of Italy . The history of the Counts Saladini Pilastri, a noble family from Ascoli Piceno, dates back to the early 1000s, but it is only for around 300 years that the family has been dedicated to wine production. Its 320 hectare wine estate is located in the heart of the Rosso Piceno production area. From the 1970s, new vines were planted; The current winery was built next to the splendid 15th century country house “Vigna Palazzi”, which originally served as a production site, so that all production could be kept in one place. The vineyard has been certified in organic farming since 1994. The climate here is Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers tempered by the maritime influence of the Adriatic Sea only 8km away from the vineyards. All the farming is organic and the winery is equipped with all the latest wine-making mod cons, helping speeding up the complex time of production and maintain quality. In true Italian style-Great wine with great food it helps that at the heart of the estate is a plush mansion house with a sweet swimming pool!. True quality of life. If I wasn't Portuguese, Italy would be where I would retire. Food-friendly as they come, its easy-going qualities match well with antipasti or even creamy pasta dishes but especially fish orientated dishes. Goditi il Vino! -
Picollo Gavi Ernesto is perched among the rolling hills that surround the town of Gavi. The climate here is much more mediterranean than in the north, benefiting from the constant maritime breezes, unique to the southern Piedmont. Picollo Ernesto’s vineyards sit near 260 meters above sea level in Rovereto di Gavi, one of the most prestigious area of the appellation. Our 16 hectares of vineyards are planted exclusively with Cortese, a hearty, high acid white varietal, perfectly suited for this area in northern Italy. Cortese thrives in difficult soil, dry climate, and full sun exposure, which Rovereto amply provides. Picollo’s vineyards are predominantly south-facing and the soils have a higher concentration of clay than marl, which allows for year-round water conservation, even in the peak of summer. Lorenzo Picollo founded the winery in 1945. The winemaking and day-to-day management was transferred to his son, Ernesto, and is now in the hands of his grandson, Gianlorenzo. Innovating along the way, Gianlorenzo continues to carry the family’s legacy forward with great success. Their lands are predominantly in the Rovereto zone, the historic Le Rive vineyards are over sixty years old instead their newest purchase of two hectares lies within the zone of Tassarolo. The grapes for all of Picollo’s wines are hand harvested. The winery itself has recently been modernized but the processes remain traditional, with sparing intervention in the winemaking and no artificial pesticides or herbicides used in the vineyards. With the intent of showcasing the Cortese in its purest form. All Gavi’s are fermented and aged exclusively in stainless steel. It is perfect with haute cuisine, ideal for fish dishes and aperitif -
Monte Tondo is a family estate located in the beautiful hillside vineyards of Soave. Here the soils range from volcanic to chalky, which alongside the varying microclimates, gives the wines distinct flavour characteristics and individualistic style.
Alongside his family, winemaker Gino Magnabosco is part of the third generation to run the estate. They believe that hard work, drive, and determination are key to obtaining the best results from their land. Maintaining, nourishing, and cherishing the land of their ancestors is of utmost importance. And although not certified, they farm using organic practices and an environmentally friendly approach to both viticulture and vinification. No chemicals are used in their production and they recycle everything excess coming from the vineyard (stems as fertilizers, skins for grappa, pruned branches for heating and fertilizer).
Small proportions of other varieties are allowed in the production of Soave, but Monte Tondo focus their concentration purely on Garganega. Garganega is a variety so versatile and easily culinary matched but also with the ability to produce complex wines with age-ability.
A very good example of Soave at a very good price. This over-delivers.. Perfect with salads and light fish and shellfish dishes.
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Our top wine is made with special care, from the blending of varieties from our best vineyards. Rich and lush fruitiness in the aroma, delicate elegance and beautiful balance in the taste. -
Bikaver is a Hungarian blend based on Kékfrankos and Kadarka. The two local grapes must together make up at least 50% of the blend, while oak should be used sparingly. Szekszárdi Bikavér is generally medium ruby in colour with pronounced fruit and spice, vibrant acidity and silky, velvety tannins. Its aromatics are characterised by spice, paprika, mint, hibiscus and rosemary as well as red berry fruit, cherry, raspberry and plum. Kékfrankos provides the blend’s backbone, freshness, acidity and pronounced yet silky tannins. While Kadarka is responsible for its floral, spicy notes, which add bewitching lightness to the wine. Of course, as always, much depends on the winemaker’s style too, but what is certain is that Szekszárdi Bikavér is a truly appealing, elegant wine, which speaks of the place of origin. -
An exceptional Kadarka from the Vida winery's 100 year old vines. The history of the name for this wine is also peculiar. One day, Peter Sr. was presenting his winery to one of his Japanese partners. When they were about to approach the vineyards, the gentleman noticed this little vine and jumped off the car and started shouting “BONSAI!” pointing at them. The tiny appearance of these stocks resembles a Bonsai, which in Japanese culture represents wisdom, a wish for long life and is also a symbol of good luck. A small curiosity is that Kadarka is a grape that was widely available before the Soviet union and well praised. With the Iron Curtain nearly fell into extinction, it's delicious but takes a huge effort to grow and is best from old vines. Reminds you of any other grape with certain similarities? -
Sábalo is produced from 100% ecological Palomino Fino grapes and it is a spectacular wine, the true fruit of our many years of expertise. The grapes used to produce this wine are harvested in the white albariza soils of Sanlúcar, and as such the sea, the marshlands and the Guadalquivir River all form part of what is essentially Sábalo’s DNA. -
Roc’h Avel, meaning “the rock of the wind”, is named after a small island off the coast of Brittany. -
Telmo Rodriguez of Basque origin, studied wine at the Institute of Oenology in Bordeaux, before doing internships with Cos d’Estournel, Jean Louis Chave and Trevallon . He also worked in the vinification of wines from the family estate of Remelluri, in Rioja. Then, in 1990, with an investment of just a few thousand euros, he launched his own winery. He buys grapes to produce his first wines. His first plots of property did not arrive until 1997, in Rioja. Paradoxical for someone who was dying to explore new regions. One of the main principles of Telmo Rodriguez is that of respecting the Spanish tradition of cultivating the vine in goblet, because this method of managing the vine protects it from the great heat of Iberian vineyards. He is fiercely opposed to the fashion of trellising vineyards and only buys vines that respect his ideal. Telmo also works in biodynamics but, showing great common sense, he admits that he only does it for the respect of the land and that the mention of organic viticulture has no importance in his eyes. The important thing is that the result is a balanced and tasty wine. The name comes from the 40-year-old 'baso' or bush-trained vines that are planted on limestone-rich soils at over 700-meters elevation on a plateau along the Duero River. Soils are made of gravel from fluvial terraces, erosion slopes and glacis. Pairs great with comfort food, Tapas and Tortillas of all sorts
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