- Alvarinho
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Carignan
- Catarratto
- Chardonnay
- Chenin Blanc
- Corvina
- Frappato
- Garganega
- Glera
- Grenache / Garnacha
- Grillo
- Malbec
- Merlot
- Palomino
- Parellada
- Passerina
- Pinot Bianco/ Pinot Blanc
- Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris
- Pinot Noir
- Pinotage
- Primitivo
- Riesling
- Rondinella
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Semillon
- Shiraz / Syrah
- Tempranillo
- Vermentino
- Viognier
- Viura Blanco / Macabeu / Macabeo
- Xarel-lo
- Alvarinho
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Carignan
- Catarratto
- Chardonnay
- Chenin Blanc
- Corvina
- Frappato
- Garganega
- Glera
- Grenache / Garnacha
- Grillo
- Malbec
- Merlot
- Palomino
- Parellada
- Passerina
- Pinot Bianco/ Pinot Blanc
- Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris
- Pinot Noir
- Pinotage
- Primitivo
- Riesling
- Rondinella
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Semillon
- Shiraz / Syrah
- Tempranillo
- Vermentino
- Viognier
- Viura Blanco / Macabeu / Macabeo
- Xarel-lo
2023 The Cloud Factory Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £11.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
Classically bright and vibrant Marlborough Sauvignon.
Tasting Notes
Perfumed with nettle & ripe tropical fruits which are also evident on the palate along with limey flavours and a rich minerality - classic Marlborough Sauvignon. The wine is sappy fresh, clean and delicious.
Production
Judiciously sourced from 3 vineyard sites between the Waihopai, Wairau and Awatere Valleys. Fruit for this wine comes from vineyards throughout Marlborough’s Wairau Valley. From the coastal vineyard of Rarangi (coastal pea gravels, sand and silts, cooler coastal site) up through the central (old river bed gravels with think fertile top soil) and southern valley vineyards (clay loams over silts and gravels, warm sheltered site ) to the Rapaura area vineyards (stoney river bed soils).
The vines are grown on the VSP trellis system to give optimal cropping to gain maximum flavour during the growing season. Grapes are picked and immediately pressed to tanks for clarification. The fruit was gently pressed, cold settled, racked and cool fermented with selected yeast strains to enhance the unique aromatics & flavours. Each individual parcel was then racked, before being blended together to create this generous full-textured style. The wine was then filtered, and bottled to retain & capture the remarkable freshness of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.
Producer
Boutinot's New Zealand wines are sourced from vineyards in each sub-regions of Marlborough - the Awatere, Waihopai and Wairau Valleys, as well as the breezier region of Waipara. These valleys have their own micro-climates and terroir which give a unique personality to the vineyards, grapes and finished wines.
Samantha Bailey brings her blending expertise and experienced palate to the fore in expressing the loveliest Boutinot wines from The Land of the Long White Cloud.
Awards
- 2016 Vintage - Bronze - Decanter World Wine Awards 2017
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"The flavours were very warm and ripe – taking any harsh edge off the acidity – and also giving a lovely, creamy mouthfeel. It is fairly weighty with good body rather different from the last vintage (2021) which was a lot leaner and more mineral/steely in style. As an everyday style, this hits all the right notes!" July 2023
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | New Zealand |
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Try with white fish, seafood, grilled asparagus, avocado with prawns. |
Origin | Marlborough |
2023 Cave de l'Ormarine Duc de Morny Picpoul de Pinet
Regular price £10.89 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Vibrant and fresh, a perfect Picpoul!
Tasting Notes
Gently perfumed ripe melon fruit on the nose. The palate is ripe but retains excellent freshness, balanced by a touch of white pepper spice that is very typical of its grape variety. Deliciously long, the finish shows bright fruit and a clean, saline/mineral edge.
Production
Cave de l'Ormarine's vineyards lie at approximately 40 metres above sea level on a chalky clay plateau, rich in Cretaceous limestone and quartz. The vineyards lie to the North of the Lac de Thau and slope towards it. Ormarine's head winemaker Cyril Payon makes this Duc de Morny cuvée with a premium selection of grapes from 15+ year old vines, harvested at night to retain their aromatic freshness. They are de-stemmed and macerated on their skins followed by a fifteen-day fermentation without malolactic fermentation.
Producer
Cave de l'Ormarine is an award-winning co-operative which produces wines from the tiny Pinet de Picpoul appellation in the Hérault. The l'Ormarine cellar was established in 1922 when vignerons from Pinet joined forces and formed a winegrowers' association.
Today, the Cave de l'Ormarine is a conglomeration of five separate co-operatives from across the Hérault, each with their own specific terroirs and styles of wine. It is proud to have 470 members farming more than 2,500 hectares of vines.Its flagship Picpoul wines are fresh and terroir-driven, and hugely influenced by both the Mediterranean Sea and the Etang de Thau, which act as a thermal regulator for the vineyards. In fact, it is said of Picpoul that, "Son terroir, c'est la mer (Its terroir is the sea)."Cave de l'Ormarine has made significant investment in its winery, and prides itself on the high-quality standard and traceability of its grapes.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Spot on - clean, fresh as a daisy, lovely melon fruit titillated with a touch of pepper and a delightful, saline finish. Perfectly balanced and great for salads, shellfish, and chicken dishes. A bottle of this and a dozen oysters s’il vous plait. Bang on for a tenner - great value - over delivers and proves that coming off the well-worn path pays dividends." September 2022
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Piquepoul Blanc |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment and up to 3 years |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian approved, Organic |
Food Matches |
|
Appellation | AOP Picpoul de Pinet |
Origin | Languedoc Roussillon |
2023 Domaine Mas Barrau Cabernet Franc
Regular price £10.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Cabernet Franc is much under-rated and rarely cultivated outside its traditional habitats of Bordeaux and Loire. At Domaine Mas Barrau in the Gard region of Southern Rhône, Boutinot’s Guillaume (Letang ) and Samantha (Bailey) have worked together with the family of this organic estate near Nîmes to produce a wine that sets new standards for Cabernet Franc.
Textured and luxurious this is a sophisticated Cabernet Franc from Gard. There is a wild 'after the rain' woodland perfume. The palate is incredibly long and layered with bramble fruit, bay and a touch of sweet prune on the finish.
Production Method
Guillaume Letang looked specifically for vines that are south-facing and can achieve the most sunlight to source the Cabernet Franc grapes for this wine. The terroir is full of limestone which gives rich yet soft and lightly acidic wine – this, in turn, gives the drinker a pleasantly sweet sensation on the palate.
Producer
Like all good stories, Boutinot France's is both long and a little bit complicated! Boutinot began as a tiny importer in 1980, specialising in French wines. After 10 years, the business had grown and Samantha Bailey packed her bags to set up an office in Burgundy. Today, Boutinot has over 20 employees who take care of production across the whole of France, covering fresh whites and rosés from Gascony, mineral wines from Burgundy, and joyful varietal wines from Languedoc among others. We don't use any single 'model' to source our wines; instead, a combination of sources are used, from large-scale, high-quality co-ops to small, family growers and single domaines as well as our own vineyards in Cairanne and Saint-Véran. Drawing on the expertise of our 4 winemakers and network of partner growers, we seek to deliver the highest quality to price ratio possible at every price point.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Cabernet Franc |
Country | France |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information |
|
Food Matches | Juicy lamb shanks, rich tomato-based dishes laced with roasted garlic and pepper, marinated steak with mashed potato and green beans or savour it at the end of the meal over a good cheeseboard. |
Origin | Gard |
Appellation | Pays du Gard |
2019 Montresor ‘Urban Park’ Appassimento
Regular price £11.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%An appealing appassimento style red from the Veneto - produced from classic Amarone and Valpolicella grapes.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Bright berry and black cherry aromas, and a touch of spice.
Palate
The palate has all of Valpolicella's appealing fresh cherry and ripe bramble fruit, along with added weight and complexity from maturation in oak. Supple tannins lead to a finish of delicate sweetness, offset by fresh acidity.
Producer
The illustrious Montresor family moved from France to Italy at the start of the 19th Century and settled in the Veneto region near Lake Garda. In 1892 Cantina Giacomo Montresor was established in Verona, and remains family-owned to this day.
Giorgio Montresor produces a portfolio of wines which increasingly rival the offerings of the region's more fashionable names - harnessing modern technology to craft the best wines from each site, across their 100ha of vineyard, in Valpolicella and Garda.
Production Method
Produced from Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella grapes harvested from hillside vineyards north of Verona. 'Appassimento' refers to the process by which the grapes are dried for a few months before being pressed and vinified - this technique is more common in the Veneto than elsewhere in Italy. In this instance the grapes are dried for 30 days before vinification, and the wine spends 6 months in oak. The resulting red is rich with some residual sweetness.
A Note on Sustainability
At the end of 2019, Montresor received its organic certification. Some of its wines are already bottled in a lighter weight glass bottle (less than 420g) to reduce carbon dioxide emissions during transport, with the added benefit of reducing the amount of glass to be manufactured.
Over the next two years, solar panels will be installed at the winery to provide some of the electricity required in the production process. Alongside this, Montresor is about to install a water purification system to recover and recycle the water used at the winery.
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 60% Corvina, 20% Corvinone & 20% Rondinella |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information |
Vegan, Vegetarian, Sustainable
|
Food Matches | Perfect with mature hard cheeses and blue cheeses. Also excellent with game and mature beef. |
Origin | Veneto |
Appellation | IGT Veneto |
2021 Cabaret Frank No.2 'The Aviary' Old Vine Cabernet Franc
Regular price £10.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
A marvellous, lean, moustached celebration of the mighty Cab Franc. Meet Captain Francis Frobisher, otherwise known as CABARET FRANK. A celebration to the marvellous, lean and mighty Cabernet Franc grape variety.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Bright notes of juicy red fruits are complemented by blackcurrant leaf notes so typical of Cabernet Franc.
Palate
Smooth, medium-bodied and easy-drinking wine that strikes a lovely balance with its blackberry, plum and dark cherry fruit characters coupled with classic varietal leafy tones.
Production
Made predominantly from Old Vine Cabernet Franc (85%), the balance being a harmonious blob of sibling Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes are harvested from 'old vines' (45 years) sourced from the single biggest Cabernet Franc vineyard in the world located in Lodi, Central California. The wine has spent just two months on oak to enable the true flavours and characters of the Cabernet Franc (and touch of Cabernet Sauvignon) to shine through.
Alan's Tasting Notes
"Perfect pizza wine - full-bodied and flavoured with sweet cherry fruit and a slight smokiness. Well-balanced and very moreish - and the most interesting packaging - a real handlebar delight!" July 2022
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 85% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country | USA |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Good for now and up to 20 years |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian, Vegan |
Barrel Ageing | 100% French, 26% New |
Food Matches |
This is a food wine that really lends itself to vegetarian dishes. Try it with grilled eggplant or zucchini, or with meals containing green peppers (capsicums), cabbage, or herbs (particularly sage, thyme, rosemary or saffron). A versatile wine that is also fantastic with tomato based dishes; lighter meats such as turkey or chicken, along with game meats like duck; amd richer beef based dishes like steak or veal. |
Origin | California |
Appellation | Lodi |
2023 Novas Gran Reserva Riesling
Regular price £11.45 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%"Amazingly delicious organic Riesling from Chile. Fresh limes with a mineral and saline undertones with a hint of developed Riesling kerosene - stunningly complex and a real steal at this price!" Alan's personal notes.
Tasting Notes
Expressive Chilean Riesling with a broad appeal.
Nose
Quietly complex on the nose with fresh lime notes combining with a steely minerality and gentle honeysuckle flora.
Palate
The palate is mid-weight and off-dry with persistent flavours of lime, there is a natural salinity which gives contrast yet lovely balance. It finishes clean with a lingering flinty character.
Production
Vines were planted in 1993 at the Fundo Quitralman, Mulchén vineyard in the Bio-Bio Valley, 500km south of Santiago. Grapes are handpicked then placed in a pneumatic press to obtain the different musts, which were kept separate. Once ferment was complete, the wine was left in contact with its fine lees in stainless steel tanks for 5 months, with periodic stirring (batonnage) before being fined and bottled.
Producers
Voted by Wines of Chile as "Winery of the Year 2016", Emiliana is one of Chile's most exciting producers and pioneers in organic and biodynamic winemaking. Since 1998, this Chilean winery has been producing award-winning wines from almost 1,000 hectares of vineyards in prime sites including Casablanca, Maipo, Cachapoal, Colchagua and Bio Bio.
Its spectacular biodynamic vineyard and winery at Los Robles is a model that attracts visiting viticulturalists and winemakers from across the world. Emiliana's innovative and natural-leaning wines are made with great care and attention and the results are inspiring.
Sustainable
Emiliana began its conversion to organic production in 1998, and today 100% of its properties are organically managed. It is the world’s largest organic winery. It holds organic certifications in accordance with the standards of the United States, Canada (NOP), Brazil, Chile, Japan, South Korea, China, and Europe. In 2006, Emiliana was the first winery in Latin America to produce a wine with biodynamic certification. Since then, the use of biodynamic practices at its farms and cellars has been accredited and today 100% of its properties are certified. Emiliana received its Fairtrade and Fair For Life certifications in 2011 and 2017 and has been selling fair trade wines since 2012.
Emiliana was a pioneer in the implementation of the Wine of Chile Sustainability Code certification in 2012. This standard was developed for the Chilean wine sector to support the implementation of sustainable practices at a national level, as well as social and environmental responsibility at Emiliana.
Emiliana is certified to use the Vegan Society trademark, which attests that its wines are produced without any animal-derived products.
Emiliana also produces an annual sustainability report.
Awards
- Bronze - Sommelier Wine Awards 2018 (2016 vintage)
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Riesling |
Country | Chile |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.2 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Sustainable |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Oysters and shellfish, white meats and smoked salmon. Also great with vegetarian dishes and Asian cuisine. |
Origin | Bio-Bio Valley |
Appellation | D.O. Valle de Bio Bio |
2022 Miopasso Grillo Appassimento Sicilia Blanco DOC
Regular price £11.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
A fabulous white wine sourced from Sicily
Tasting Notes
Colour
Straw yellow with flecks of gold.
Nose
Notes of dried fruits and nuts, with hints of oranges and grapefruit.
Palate
Soft and well-rounded, with touches of honey on the long finish.
Producer
Miopasso offers an outstanding selection of Italian wines made with modern production technologies and local grape varieties. By combining resourceful grape sourcing with precise winemaking, this range has built a reputation as an excellent value-for-money option amongst its core of wine aficionados. Enjoy some of the finest Italian wines that money can buy with Miopasso.
Viticulture
Grillo grapes are grown in the top white grape producing area around Marsala.
The Grillo grapes are hand-picked several times over, some when they have reached the peak of maturity, then others after they have been left on the vines until they have lost the required amount of weight through drying.
Vinification
Following a very gentle de-stemming, they leave the wine to decant for about 24 hours and then fermentation takes place at about 17-18C° for about 12-15 days. The wines then rest on the fine lees for about 3-4 months before bottling.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Amazing! - and a true adventurer's wine. Such a bonus for coming off the well-worn buying paths. Initially, I get saline & honey characters but it’s got so many layers that just keep on giving- nuts, dried fruits, real deep concentration and complexity - a totally unique, complete glass of wine that lingers on your palate. There’s also a real oiliness to it - I suspect from lees ageing. A real "drink less, drink better" example." March 2022
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Grillo |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 13.5% |
|
10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food Matches |
Rich fish dishes or roasted white meats |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | Sicilia Doc |
Origin | Sicily |
2023 Cave de l'Ormarine Picpoul de Pinet Sélection
Regular price £10.89 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Classic Picpoul - appealing ripe fruit with a fresh saline lift on the finish.
A crowd-pleaser and a very well-made one!
Tasting Notes
Nose
Delicately perfumed, ripe melon fruit on the nose.
Palate
The palate is weighty and ripe but remains fresh and saline.
Production
Cave de l'Ormarine's vineyards lie at approximately 40 metres above sea level on a chalky clay plateau, rich in Cretaceous limestone and quartz. The vineyards lie to the North of the Lac de Thau and slope towards it. Cyril Payon oversees the production and grapes are carefully selected and picked at different times to capture different flavour profiles. They are de-stemmed and macerated on their skins followed by fermentation for approximately 2 weeks without malolactic fermentation.
Producer
Cave de l'Ormarine is an award-winning co-operative which produces wines from the tiny Pinet de Picpoul appellation in the Hérault. The l'Ormarine cellar was established in 1922 when vignerons from Pinet joined forces and formed a winegrowers' association. Today, the Cave de l'Ormarine is a conglomeration of five separate co-operatives from across the Hérault, each with their own specific terroirs and styles of wine. It is proud to have 470 members farming more than 2,500 hectares of vines.
Its flagship Picpoul wines are fresh and terroir-driven, and hugely influenced by both the Mediterranean Sea and the Etang de Thau, which act as a thermal regulator for the vineyards. In fact, it is said of Picpoul that, "Son terroir, c'est la mer (Its terroir is the sea)."
Cave de l'Ormarine has made significant investment in its winery, and prides itself on the high quality standard and traceability of its grapes.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Piquepoul Blanc |
Country | France |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment and up to 2 years |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian approved; Sustainable practises & Organic |
Food Matches |
|
Appellation | AOP Picpoul de Pinet |
Origin | Languedoc Roussillon |
N/V Le Dolci Colline Prosecco
Regular price £10.29 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A hugely popular Prosecco.
Tasting Notes
Fresh and gently fruity fizz from northeast Italy (Veneto) with citrus and green apple aromas. Delicate and lively on the palate with ripe, lightly grapey fruit, zesty acidity and a clean, refreshing finish.
Production Method
From selected parcels of Glera grapes grown northeast of Treviso. Hand harvested at optimum ripeness to give the required balance between aromatics and good acidity. Gentle pneumatic pressing followed by slow, cool fermentation in stainless steel. Second fermentation in pressure tanks, lasting 4 weeks.
Producer
Established in 2003, Adria Vini is a winemaking venture jointly owned by Boutinot and Araldica Castelvero, the leading co-operative in the Monferrato hills of Piemonte. The aim is to produce authentic, well-priced still and sparkling wines from local grape varieties. All aspects of production, from grape selection through to vinification, maturation, blending and bottling are meticulously overseen by Araldica's winemaking team of Claudio Manera and Lella Burdese - assisted by Boutinot's Tony Brown MW. They source from a range of private growers and cooperatives, with whom they have long-term relationships, principally in Veneto, Friuli, Lombardy, Sicily, Puglia, Abruzzo and Sardinia.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Glera 100% |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content
|
11.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.63 units |
Type | Fizz |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information |
Vegetarian, Vegan approved
|
Food Matches | Serve chilled as an aperitif or with peach juice for the perfect Bellini. |
Origin |
Veneto |
2021 Artesa Rioja Crianza
Regular price £10.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A great introduction to Rioja Crianza - vibrant and appealing with plum and berry fruit backed with subtle spice and vanilla.
Tasting Notes
An attractive, modern style of Crianza with lifted aromatics of bramble fruit with some pepper and spice. Substantial on the palate, with plummy fruit, ripe tannins and a gently savoury fresh finish.
Production Method
Made from Tempranillo grapes cultivated in hillside vineyards (600 metres above sea level) in the best parts of Rioja Oriental. The vineyards have clay stone soil with some sandy areas. 80% of the vines are trained in the trellis method and 20% are bush trained. The grapes are chilled for several hours before temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel. Fermentation lasts for approximately 15 days with twice daily remontage. The wine is matured for a minimum of 12 months in American oak, plus one year in bottle, before release. The winery replaces 20% of its barrel stock, with new barrels, each year.
Producer
Bodegas Ontañón is a 5th generation family-owned and run winery in Rioja Baja (now Rioja Oriental). Here Raquel, Rubén and Maria Pérez Cuevas continue their father Gabriel's work to develop Bodegas Ontañón into one of the most highly-regarded wineries in Rioja. Ontañón has vast swathes of vineyard in this part of Rioja. Whilst wine production in the region is typically very dependent on contracts with grape growers, the Pérez Cuevas family has seen fit to invest heavily in the purchase of its own land and vines. Its 250ha is a testament to the importance it places on controlling grape quality.
The family's vineyards sit high in the Sierra Yerga mountains in the prestigious region surrounding Quel, defying misconceptions that Rioja Baja is one of the lesser sub-regions within Rioja. Many of their vineyards are actually planted at altitudes on a par with, or above, those in Rioja Alta and Alavesa; (La Pasada is their highest vineyard at 800m above sea level, planted in 1979 it is used for Reserva and Gran Reserva wines). The hot and dry Mediterranean climate allows for consistent ripening of the grapes with little disease and this has enabled them to pursue organic production across 57 hectares of vines.
Notes of Sustainability
Currently run by the fifth generation of the Pérez Cuevas family to carry on the tradition of grape growing in the southern part of Rioja, they take great pride in maintaining their vineyards in the most sustainable manner possible as it is their land that supports their family’s craft. As well as farming organically and producing a range of organic wines, Bodegas Ontañón employs a range of other sustainable processes.
These include: controlled irrigation systems to reduce water usage and evaporation; planting vineyards in cooler, well-ventilated areas in order to reduce irrigation requirements and phytosanitary treatments; using plant/grass cover in vineyards to improve soil texture, to reduce tractor working hours and to lower carbon dioxide emissions; using environmentally friendly phytosanitary products that break down quickly and harmlessly; planting several hectares of pine forest near the vineyards in Ausejo and tidying and maintaining the oak forest near the vineyards in Quel. The estate plans to install solar panels at its irrigation installations to generate the electricity they require, and it encourages its worker to carpool from its winery to its vineyards to reduce emissions.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Tempranillo |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matches | Casseroles, red and white meats and mature cheeses. |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Awaiting Info |
Origin | Rioja |
Appellation | DOCa Rioja |
2023 La Battistina Gavi
Regular price £11.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
Tasting Notes
Nose
Aromatic, zesty nose with notes of apple, lime and white flower.
Palate
The wine has juicy apple and lemon characters, and is textural with attractive minerality. The finish is balanced, with a zesty mouthwatering quality.
Production
The vineyards are south facing and the soil, chalky and mineral, which allows full ripening and excellent drainage. The 35 year old vines are trained Piemonte style on low Guyot trellis, planted with 4,000 - 4,500 vines per hectare and yielding 6600 lt/ha. The whole process of winemaking is undertaken at Araldica's winery, Azienda Agricola La Battistina, in stainless steel tanks. The hand harvested grapes are pressed in a pneumatic press and subjected to a temperature controlled fermentation in stainless steel. The wine remains in contact with the lees for 4 months before being fined, filtered and bottled.
Producer
The La Battistina estate consists of 26ha of mature vineyard including 5ha in Gavi del Comune di Gavi. The property was acquired by leading Piemonte producer Araldica in 2002, establishing their reputation as a Gavi specialist, with the largest vineyard holdings in the region. La Battistina (and the neighbouring 20ha estate of La Lancellotta, from which grapes are also sourced) are renowned as among the best sites in Gavi.
The estate consists of eight separate vineyard plots along one prime south-facing slope - the distinct areas producing very different wines. The vineyard has a unique combination of limestone and clay soil which allows full ripening of the local Cortese grape. This, together with vines of average age 35 years, gives complexity and weight to what is one of Italy's most fashionable white wines.
The majority of grapes go to produce the unoaked 'La Battistina', while 'Nuovo Quadro' comes from a small, plot at the foot of the Battistina hill which lies within the Comune di Gavi sub-zone. The 'La Battistina' range is produced by the Araldica winemaking team, overseen by Claudio Manera and Lella Burdese's son Carlo.
Sustainability
Production at La Battistina has obtained the SQNPI trademark - Sistema di Qualità Nazionale di Produzione Integrata (National Quality System of Integrated Crop Management). Wines and vintages that are now fully compatible with this system have a bee symbol on the label, which guarantees that each phase of production has complied with the strict parameters of integrated crop management. In other words, it is sustainable and eco-compatible, certified by an independent third party.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Cortese |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 12.5% |
|
9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food Matches |
Delicious with appetisers and light fish courses. |
Cellaring Potential | 1 year |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Piedmont |
Appellation |
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2022 Vila Nova Alvarinho
Regular price £11.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The Portuguese cousin to the ever-popular Albarino.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Bright citrus aromas with hints of mandarin.
Palate
Fresh and lively on the palate with citrus characters, textural stone fruit and appealing minerality on the finish.
Production
Casa de Vila Nova is located in the sub-region of Sousa, the Vinho Verde Demarcated Region in the North of Portugal, the Vinho Verde lands are exposed to the Atlantic Ocean winds and influence. Soils, microclimate, grape varieties and the unique characteristics of the wine culture, distinguish it from all other wine regions of the world. The grapes are harvested by hand in 20 kg boxes that are quickly transported to the winery where the grapes are destemmed then a soft pressing takes place and fermentation in temperature controlled vats.
Producer
Casa de Vila Nova is owned by the Lencastre family, of aristocratic Portuguese lineage (one of their ancestors became the first Baron of Varzea do Douro in the 1800s). This land has been in their family since the 12th century - the ivy-clad tower that still remains from that time is now surrounded by Vila Nova (new house) that was built in the 1700s, and the property was gradually extended over the centuries.
The estate is near the town of Penafiel, close to the eastern border of Portugal's Vinho Verde wine region, around a 30-minute drive east from Oporto. In the late 1970s the family planted vines over 12 hectares - mainly local Portuguese varieties. In 2008 Bernardo Lencastre and his brothers took over the running of the property, revitalised the vineyards and began making Vinho Verde and bottling their own wines - the first generation to do so. They now have around 42 hectares of vineyard.
Here, in the Entre-Douro-e-Minho sub-region of Sousa, their vineyards are influenced by winds from the Atlantic Ocean - creating the perfect climate to ripen varieties such as Avesso, Loureiro, and Alvarinho.
Awards
- Bronze - Sommelier Wine Award 2020 (2019 vintage)
- Best Value White - The Wine Merchant Top 100 2019 (2018 Vintage)
- Top 100 - The Wine Merchant Top 100 2019 (2018 Vintage)
- Gold - Sommelier Wine Awards 2019 (2018 Vintage)
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Alvarinho |
Country | Portugal |
Alcohol Content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegan, Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | A good match for chicken salads, fish and sushi. Or perhaps Vietnamese meatballs? |
Origin | Vinho Verde |
Appellation | Vinho Regional Minho |
2016 Vega del Rayo Rioja Reserva
Regular price £11.45 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Traditional Rioja Reserva
Tasting Notes
Nose
A traditional Rioja Reserva from vineyards in Rioja Alta with a nose of warm black fruit, spice and vanilla notes.
Palate
The palate has ripe plum and damson characters balanced by well-integrated oak, supple tannins and gentle cedary spice on the finish.
Production Method
This wine is produced from selected Tempranillo, Mazuelo and Graciano grapes sourced from 30 to 40-year-old Rioja Alta vineyards whose distinctive stony soils are ideal for the long, even ripening of quality grapes. The fruit is hand harvested in mid-October. Each variety is fermented separately in small tanks using natural yeasts at 28-30° C. After 20 days on the skins the wine is gently pressed and racked to stainless steel tanks for malolactic fermentation. The clear wine is then racked to 2nd and 3rd year American and Russian oak barrels for 24 months maturation before blending and bottling.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"This is good! Everything I would expect from a well made, traditional Rioja - bright fruit - some vanillin and spice from good oak integration and soft, smooth tannins giving a very well balanced and long finish." Tasted April 2024
Specifications
Year | 2016 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 90% Tempranillo, 5% Mazuelo & 5% Graciano |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matches | Lamb and mint kebabs |
Allergy Information | Awaiting info |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian & Vegan |
Appellation | DOCa Rioja |
ALT Sparkling Organic Chardonnay 0% Alc
Regular price £11.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%An elegant, non-alcoholic sparkling wine, perfect as an aperitif.
Tasting Notes
A crisp and refreshing non-alcoholic sparkling white wine made with 100% Chardonnay grapes from sandy and calcareous soils in southern Spain. Crisp acidity & strong effervescence with hints of green apples & citrus peel accompanied with a floral aroma.
Notes of Green Apple, Biscuit and Jasmine Flowers.
What makes us different? From the Producer...
Award Winning
Both of our wines reached the very top in this years International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC 2022). Our Rosé is the highest rated non-alcoholic wine ever with 98/100 points.
Organic
We're proud to say that ALT. Chardonnay & Rosé are both certified Organic, meaning that we've gone through rigirous quality control and supply chain checks to ensure that our grapes are sourced from 100% organic wine growers.
Dry
Our wines have an extremely low sugar level. We do not need to add a lot of sugar to bring out a good taste, since we focus on raw materials with high quality and an uncompromising production process.
Vegan
ALT. is filtered using cross-flow filtration where as it's commonplace in the wine industry to use egg white. After filtration the liquid then goes through patenteded aroma recovery so that the finished wine is complex & delicious.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content
|
0% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 0 units |
Type | Alcohol-Free |
Calories |
14 calories per 100ml |
Sugar |
2.9g per 100ml |
Food Matches | Perfect as an aperitif. |
Origin | Spain |
Fontessa Prosecco Spumante Brut NV
Regular price £10.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%An appealing and very approachable Prosecco, and now with a more stylish and contemporary label!
Prosecco is a sparkling wine found in the northeast of Italy, located in the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia wine Regions. The two regions are protected from the northern winds by the Alps and the Dolomites but are also influenced by their proximity to the Adriatic Sea.
Tasting Notes
Fresh and fruity Prosecco with aromas of citrus and green apple. The palate has ripe grapey characters, zesty acidity and a clean, refreshing finish.
Production
From selected parcels of Glera grapes grown northeast of Treviso. Hand harvested at optimum ripeness. Gentle pneumatic pressing followed by slow, cool fermentation in stainless steel. Second fermentation in tank, lasting 4 weeks.
Producer
Established in 2003, Adria Vini is a winemaking venture jointly owned by Boutinot and Araldica Castelvero, the leading co-operative in the Monferrato hills of Piemonte. Our aim is to produce authentic, well-priced still and sparkling wines from local grape varieties. All aspects of production, from grape selection through to vinification, maturation, blending and bottling are meticulously overseen by Araldica's winemaking team of Claudio Manera and Lella Burdese - assisted by Boutinot's Tony Brown MW. We source from a range of private growers and cooperatives, with whom we have long term relationships, principally in Veneto, Friuli, Lombardy, Sicily, Puglia, Abruzzo and Sardinia.
Producer
- Bronze at the 2019 Sommelier Wine Awards (N/V)
Specifications
Year | NV |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Glera |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content
|
11.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.63 units |
Type | Fizz |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Features | Vegetarian & Vegan |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Perfect aperitif wine, or serve with light salads and starters.
|
Origin | Veneto, Italy |
Appellation | DOC Veneto |
2022 Les Coteaux Côtes du Rhône Villages
Regular price £10.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Each vintage, from our base in Cairanne, we are able to select exceptional Grenache and Syrah from the best Côtes du Rhône Villages to make Les Coteaux, which we then enrich with classified wine from Séguret and Sablet.
Tasting Notes
Immediately impressive, this wine reveals its class from the start. Brambly fruit underpinned by subtle oaky nuances, lovely sweet spice - warm star anise with a touch of cinnamon. This classic Côtes du Rhône Villages is enriched with specially-selected parcels from Séguret and Sablet.
Production Method
Common practice in the Côtes du Rhône is to bottle the best cuvées as a single, named, village wine and the rest as more basic Côtes du Rhône Villages. Boutinot’s philosophy, on the other hand, is to start with the intention of making the very best Côtes du Rhône Villages possible by sourcing wine from the vineyards of named villages, and enriching them with a small proportion of barrel-aged wine from Sablet and Séguret.
Boutinot's Côtes du Rhône Villages 'Les Coteaux' is therefore a selection of the best Grenache Noir and Syrah from some of the 17 named Côtes du Rhône Villages. We source wine from a number of growers with exceptional terroir and so have the flexibility to select only the very best fruit each vintage (rejecting parcels which do not meet our high standards). Mostly unoaked, a small proportion (15%) is part-aged for up to 20 months in a few new, but mostly older, oak barrels to bring depth and subtle notes of complexity.
Producer
Boutinot’s love affair with the Southern Rhône spans thirty years of making wine in the region. In 2010, the relationship was sealed with the purchase of a winery and vineyards above the village of Cairanne. Domaine Boutinot’s seven vineyards are planted with classic southern Rhône grape varieties – old vine Grenache Noir and Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan Noir – and they all sit within the Cairanne Cru boundaries, sanctioned in 2016 when Cairanne was granted its own appellation status.
Working with our vigneron neighbours we are helping to revive traditional grape varieties such as Cinsault and Counoise, and in the cellar we prefer time-honoured winemaking methods such as a long cuvasion aided only by natural yeasts, gentle remontage, manual pigeage and patient maturation in a nursery of French oak barrels.
Awards
- A Bronze Medal in the 2023 Decanter World Wine Awards (2020 Vintage)
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information |
Vegan, Vegetarian
|
Food Matches | A delicious accompaniment to hearty food: grilled meats, meaty sausages with mash or, as would be served in France, with puy lentils; shepherd's pie, mushroom ragoût or simply a good pizza. |
Origin | Rhône |
Appellation | Côtes du Rhône Villages |
2020 Château Haut-Grelot Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon
Regular price £13.59 Sale price £11.39 Save 16%
Very well made and incredibly well balanced
Tasting Notes
Château Haut-Grelot was established in 1920 in the village of Les Grelots by the Bonneau family. Today the Domaine is comprised of 58 hectares of vineyards and is run by Céline and Julien, who have been awarded the title of “Best Young Talent” in Bordeaux. The vineyards are made up of sandy gravel on the hillsides bordering the Gironde Estuary and sand clay-silt on the hillsides further inland. Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux benefits from an ideal microclimate where there is a high level of sunshine and just enough rain. The reds are fruity and concentrated and the whites are fresh, vibrant, and delicate. The Rouge is produced from 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and spends some time in oak barrels creating rich, plummy fruit supported by silky tannins.
Colour
Ruby red colour
Palate
Lovely flavors of red berry fruit with vanilla, spicy nuances. On the palate, the wine is round, fruity, and well balanced with a long aromatic finish.
Sustainability
Since 2015, Euralis and Château Haut Grelot have set up a program called OPTIDOSE to reduce phytosanitary products. Their philosophy is to preserve the landscape and ensure the best quality of their wines.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"All the cassis and blackcurrant aromas and flavours we come to expect from quality Bordeaux - but the plum mines of the merlot isn’t far behind in concentration. Like the white, it is very well made and incredibly well balanced with the forward fruit tamed by a mix of vanilla and spice - no doubt from some oak aging.
Extremely silky tannins with good length, finishes this off nicely.
To summarise the Haut Grelot Red & White are a fantastic pair of very well-made and well-balanced wines that show Bordeaux well at this price point - not something you can always say at this price point!" January 2022
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 70% Merlot 30% Cabernet-Sauvignon |
Country | France |
Alcohol content |
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites, milk and egg |
Food Matches |
|
Region |
Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux |
Appellation | Bordeaux |
2021 Uva Non Grata Gros Manseng
Regular price £10.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Thick-skinned and wild, Gros Manseng is relatively unknown. For years, it was held in lower regard than its equally obscure parent, Petit Manseng, and blended away anonymously. We've captured its winemaking potential in one of the fruitiest and fun wines you're likely to taste.
Tasting Notes
Zingy, incense-smoked and glorious, this is loud and proud Gros Manseng.
Production Method
Gros Manseng, with its thick skin and small berry size, can both ripen beautifully or over-ripen whilst retaining its acidity and shunning the advances of botrytis, giving both dry and sweet wines. To show this fascinating variety at its best, we've made two wines and blended them together: a bright and zingy Gros Manseng fermented to dryness into which we've blended a smaller proportion of late harvest Gros Manseng, bringing with it a delightful fruitiness and exotic spice.
Producer
Like all good stories, that of Boutinot France is both long and a little bit complicated! Boutinot began as a tiny importer in 1980, specialising in French wines. Paul Boutinot himself began by personally selecting the wines from France, back in the UK he would unload the trailer by hand. And deliver the crates of wines to customers himself. But good things grow and by the end of the decade we had become a bigger and better company. A company that not only sought out great wines but made them too. After 10 years later, Boutinot France started in January 1990. The first office was in the middle of the vines in Julienas; perfectly located to navigate the Beaujolais and Macon regions on the quest to make beautiful wines.
Samantha Bailey, who started as a wine enthusiast, was there at the beginning of this adventure. Since then, she has grown into our Master Blender and has key responsibilities: building long-standing relationships, tasting, understanding the terroir and appellations, and pushing the boundaries. She is at the heart of the whole process from blending to quality assessment, making sure there is always a Boutinot touch in every cuvée. We are proud to also count Guillaume Letang and Julien Dugas in our winemaking team. Guillaume oversees the South of France and Languedoc, whilst Julien looks after our property in Cairanne. Together they have the local knowledge to select and blend the very best wines from throughout. Eric Monnin oversees every aspect of production and makes sure everything our winemakers blend and source is top quality.
Today, Boutinot’s French office has recently relocated to Macon, and has over 20 employees who take care of production across the whole of France, covering fresh whites and rosés from Gascony, mineral wines from Burgundy, and joyful varietal wines from Languedoc among others. We don’t use any single model to source our wines; instead, a combination of sources are used, from large-scale, high-quality co-ops to small, family growers and single domaines, as well as our own vineyards in Cairanne and Saint-Vérand. Drawing on the expertise of our four winemakers and a network of partner growers, we seek to deliver the highest quality-to-price ratio possible for every wine.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"This was good - it had that lovely exotic aroma & flavour that I always associate with Gros Manseng- along with a touch of residual sugar that always follows. But it’s also got a searing acidity which keeps it fresh, attractive and very drinkable. Many won’t have heard of this grape but it’s definitely one where the adventurers among us will be rewarded with trying out. Very good value and loads of flavour and complexity for the price." Tasted February 2024
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Gros Manseng |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting Info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | This makes for a mega apéritif, otherwise try with stinky cheeses and aromatic middle-eastern and eastern cuisines. |
Origin | Vin De France |
2022 Fedele Catarratto Pinot Grigio IGP
Regular price £10.79 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
The bouquet shows tropical fruit with hints of citrus. There is a perfect balance of pure tropical fruit on the palate, with a backbone of acidity. The Fedele is actually a blend of Catarratto, which gives some body, cream and some delicate pear and ripe melon flavours, whilst the Pinot Grigio brings some hints of peach and stoned fruit and an incredible freshness.
Vineyards & Winemaking
Grapes: 60% Catarratto 40% Pinot Grigio. Both grape varieties are grown in organic vineyards in the Trapani area. The two different grape varieties are vinified separately, temperature-controlled fermentations then blended and left on the fine lees until the end of the year.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 60% Catarratto 40% Pinot Grigio |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 12.5% abv |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle
|
9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food Matching | Enjoy with shellfish, Vegetarian foods, appetizers, and snacks |
Cellaring Potential |
For immediate enjoyment - best served chilled. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Organic, Vegan & Vegetarian |
Origin |
Sicily, Italy |
Appelation | Sicily IGP |
2021 Nicosia Frappato Bio
Regular price £11.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A really pretty and perfumed example of the Frappato grape from south-eastern Sicily.
Tasting Notes
This organic red has delicious floral and red berry characters and is surprisingly fresh and delicate given the hot climate.
Nose
Delicate and lightly floral aromas of strawberry, redcurrant and wild berries, with hints of aromatic herbs.
Palate
The palate has vibrant red berry characters balancing fresh acidity.
Producer
Is there a more dynamic place to make wine in Italy than on Mount Etna in Sicily? Cantine Nicosia is based at the foot of Etna, on the east coast of Sicily, where Carmelo Nicosia, along with his sons Franceso and Graziano (5th generation), have developed their family business into one of the area's most important wine producers. Their Trecastagni winery is where tradition meets ultra-modern technology.
Trecastagni, at the base of one of the extinguished craters dotting Mount Etna and at an altitude of around 700m, is home to the ancient vineyards of Monte Gorna, with their distinctive lava terraces. The vineyards have been completely restructured and replanted, focusing on the native varieties used for Etna DOC wines: Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio for the red, and Catarratto and Carricante for the whites. The extraordinary wealth of minerals found in Etna's volcanic soils can be credited with the very rich flavour and unique character of the wines produced here.
Just a few miles from the southernmost tip of the Italian peninsula is the lively agricultural center of Vittoria and the Contrada Bonincontro district - home to the large and impeccably groomed Cerasuolo di Vittoria vineyards planted exclusively with Nero d’Avola, Frappato and Syrah.
Production Method
Frappato grapes are grown on sandy soil situated at approximately 200m above sea level. Grapes are hand-picked in September. The grapes undergo maceration and fermentation for approximately 10-15 at a controlled temperature of between 22-24°C. The wine is aged in stainless steel vats and 2 months in the bottle.
A Note on Sustainability
A proportion of Cantine Nicosia’s vineyards are certified organic by SIDEL, and its wines are certified as vegan by the Istituto Certificazione Etica e Ambiente.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Frappato |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content
|
12% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information |
Vegan, Vegetarian, Sustainable, Organic
|
Food Matches | Pairs very well with vegetable tempura, couscous, tabbouleh and Caprese salad. Or enjoy with pasta alla Norma - a classic Sicilian pasta dish with aubergine, ricotta, basil and tomatoes. |
Origin | Sicilia |
Appellation | Terre Siciliane IGT |
2021 PEMO Montepulciano D'Abruzzo
Regular price £11.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
The wine is soft on the palate and goes down very easily.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Aromas of black cherries and violets on the nose.
Palate
A deeply characterful wine, it is really soft and velvety, with red berry fruits, and a smooth, gentle finish. It has noticeable, but subtle and well-integrated tannins which help give this wine a lovely structure and mouthfeel. The wine is soft on the palate and goes down very easily.
Producers
The PEMO range of wines celebrates two grapes from Abruzzo – Pecorino (PE) and Montepulciano (MO). These two grapes have been growing in this region since 200 AD.
- Produced in a modern way, while respecting local wine making traditions.
- Eat anything from barbecued meats to stews to pizza with PEMO Montepulciano.
- Montepulciano is a native Italian grape variety from Abruzzo.
- Originates from the rugged, mountainous Abruzzo region of central Italy.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Medium bodied with red berry/cherry fruits. A bit of spice gives it an extra dimension. Low acidity gives it a real softness and smoothness - a real easy drinker.
No oak characteristics coming through so it’s a fruity, modern, stainless steel style. As montepulciano in this area is pretty prolific these wines were historically used for blending or ended up in the German market. Now production is cut back and wines recognised on their own merits! Got to be one of our best value reds right now!" October 2022
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
|
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 13.5% |
|
10.1 units |
Type | Red |
Food Matches | Ideal with red meats, stews and pizza. |
Cellaring Potential | Up to 2 years |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Abruzzo |
2023 Painted Wolf The Den Chenin Blanc
Regular price £11.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Winemaking
This wine was made from ripe grapes picked to deliver a rich flavour and texture. It is made up from 3 different tanks produced in different ways. Approximately 50% of the wine was made with standard tank fermentation, and about 30% being fermented with a small number of French oak staves and the balance a “funky” ferment with lots of lees in the tank and a very slow fermentation to build glycerol and texture in the wine. The final blend was put together from these components.
The Background
In 2005, Emma and Jeremy Borg's vinous adventure began when they were approached to make their own wine. Despite Jeremy's two decades of experience in the world of winemaking and Emma's expertise with wine photography, the couple was thrown into the deep end and had to bottle and cork the bounty of their friend's surplus grapes by hand.
The endeavor sparked their dreams of creating their own brand and so Painted Wolf was born. The inspiration came from the endangered African wild dog - highly social, organised, persistent and efficient hunters true to Emma and Jeremy's own vineyard hunts for their expanding range of wines.
Consequently, a percentage of profits from each bottle is donated to support charities dedicated to the conservation of the species, and the painted wolf proudly graces each of their labels. From organic Swartland vineyards to Cape South Coast cool climate sites, the couple has since established a network of esteemed growers and winemakers to ensure quality as grapes are hand-selected and some wines are
TPainted Wolf Wines supports the conservation of the highly endangered painted wolf (African wild dog) and the protection of the diminishing wild spaces of Africa, through its donations to the EWT – www.ewt.org.za and Tusk – www.tusk.org.
Awards
- 3.5 stars – Platter's Wine Guide 2020
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Yet another triumph from the winemaking genius that is Jeremy Borg. It astounds me how much flavour he gets out of his wines. A real winemaking and blending skill. Beautiful tropical fruit, a soft but constant stream of refreshing acidity and enough wood/lees ageing to give fabulous texture and heaps of complexity & balance for the price point. At £12 this is a real triumph, this mouthfeel and flavour usually costs around £20 - at least. Works well either on its own or with food - just astounded by the flavours, texture and complexity at the price point. Painted Wolf range delivers with every drop." Tasted October 2023
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 90% Chenin Blanc, 10% Viognier |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13% ABV |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Food Matches | Complementing such classic dishes as coronation chicken, trout with almonds, or even macaroni cheese. Great value for good everyday drinking with enough class for special dinners, high days, and holidays. |
Appellation | W.O. Swartland |
2022 Domaine de la Combe Muscadet Suer Lie Sevre et Maine
Regular price £11.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
Tasting Notes
Crisp, flinty notes with a hint of yeasty lees on the nose. The palate is fresh and savoury with the breadth of a warmer vintage and a ripe, almost tropical (starfruit?), character to the fruit. A lovely Muscadet.
Production Method
The vineyard lies on one of the best sites in Nantais at Saint-Fiâcre. Here the soils are layered with orthogneiss, a cracked, mineral-rich rock through which the vine roots weave and nourish the vine. Made traditionally at this small estate, the grapes were hand-picked, lightly pressed to retain their delicacy and purity of flavour, and fermented at cool temperatures to preserve their aromas. The wine was left on its fine lees until the following spring to add complexity and extra richness.
Producer
Domaine de la Combe (formerly Domaine les Grands Presbytères) in the village of Saint-Fiâcre, is nestled in the cradle of the Muscadet appellation between the two rivers of Sèvre and Maine. The slopes of these river valleys give the vines unique exposure. After centuries of erosion they grow on a terroir of schist, gneiss and mineral rich orthogneiss, a soil composition that means Saint-Fiâcre is considered one of the best sites for Muscadet Sèvre et Maine.
Wines are made from vines of different ages. The oldest were planted in 1950s - a rarity in an area where most are dug up after 40 years - whilst the most recent plantings date from 2016. Not only are new vines being planted when necessary, but the planting density is being increased from 7,000 to 7,700 vines per hectare to force the roots deeper into the rocky soils.
After working in vineyards across the world, Pierre-Henri Gadais returned to his family's domaine in 2016 to take over from his father, Christophe, who had taken it over from the previous owner - Nelly Marzelleau - in 2009. Passionate about the expression of terroir and protecting the environment, Pierre-Henri is in the process of converting the vineyard to fully organic viticulture, aiming for full certification by 2021.
A note on Sustainability
Since 2018, the domaine has been in conversion to fully organic farming and is scheduled for formal ECOCERT certification in 2021. Furthermore, vats are cleaned without the use of chemicals, waste is sorted for recycling and Domaine de la Combe’s bottles are made from 100% recycled glass.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Melon De Bourgogne |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
12% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting Info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Features |
Sustainable
|
Food Matches | Begs for shellfish on ice, but would also work well with almost any grilled fish. It would also work nicely with soft cheeses or goats cheese. |
Origin | Loire, France |
Appellation | Muscadet Sèvre & Maine |
2023 Coral de Peñascal Ethical Rosé
Regular price £10.45 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%An Organic Wine, Ethically Sourced, Ethically Made, Ethically Committed, 100% Renewable Energy, Suitable for Vegans - oh and delicious too!
Coral de Peñascal is a tempranillo rosé wine produced by Bodegas Peñascal, a delicate and elegant wine made in an ethical way from grapes grown using organic processes and with careful packaging made from ecological materials and an ultra-light bottle.
Tasting Notes
Coral is a delicate and elegant pale rosé produced in Peñascal´s carbon-neutral winery from organically grown grapes, beautifully packaged with eco-friendly materials. Fully committed with the environment, Coral supports projects for the conservation and restoration of coral ecosystems”.
Colour
Pale bright satin rosé
Nose
Intense aromas of redcurrant and raspberry, alongside stone fruits such as peach, over a clean background of white flowers.
Palate
Fresh on the palate, with apricot and peach stone fruits, white flowers and citrus notes of pink grapefruit
History
Coral is an ecological rosé produced at Bodegas Peñascal, carbon-neutral, and presented in a lightweight bottle made of recycled and recyclable materials. Fully committed with sustainability and the environment, with each bottle of Coral you contribute to the restoration and conservation of coral reefs, which represent 25% of marine biodiversity.
Vinification
Awards
- Gold Medal in the Le Mondial Su Rosé 2021
- Silver Medal in Concours Mondial Bruxelles 2021.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Tempranillo |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content
|
12% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Rosé |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information |
Vegetarian, Vegan approved, Organic
|
Food Matches |
Perfect for drinking on its own, as an aperitif or with any kind of Mediterranean cuisine. Perfect with all sorts of rice and pasta dishes, seafood & white meats. |
Appellation |
Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Leon |
ALT Sparkling Organic Rosé 0% Alc
Regular price £11.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Our Rosé is the highest rated non-alcoholic wine ever with 98/100 points.
Tasting Notes
Alt. Sparkling Organic Rosé is a fresh and aromatic non-alcoholic sparkling rosé wine made with 100% Tempranillo grapes from sandy and calcareous soils in the middle of Spain.
Crisp acidity & strong effervescence with hints of summer berries & watermelon accompanied by an aromatic aroma.
Dry, Fruity, Mellow. Notes of Summer berries, Citrus peel & Aromatic spice.
What makes us different? From the Producer...
Award-Winning
Both of our wines reached the very top in this year's International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC 2022). Our Rosé is the highest rated non-alcoholic wine ever with 98/100 points.
Organic
We're proud to say that ALT. Chardonnay & Rosé are both certified Organic, meaning that we've gone through rigirous quality control and supply chain checks to ensure that our grapes are sourced from 100% organic wine growers.
Dry
Our wines have an extremely low sugar level. We do not need to add a lot of sugar to bring out a good taste, since we focus on raw materials with high quality and an uncompromising production process.
Vegan
ALT. is filtered using cross-flow filtration where as it's commonplace in the wine industry to use egg white. After filtration, the liquid then goes through patented aroma recovery so that the finished wine is complex & delicious.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Tempranillo |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content
|
0% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 0 units |
Type | Alcohol-Free |
Calories |
16 calories per 100ml |
Sugar |
4g per 100ml |
Food Matches |
This goes just as well for food as for parties. Perfect as an aperitif, and preferably with salmon, chicken, salads, hummus, quinoa, soft cheese and snacks. |
Origin | Spain |
Mas Macià Cava Brut NV
Regular price £11.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The Can Macià estate near Odena is more inland than Sant Sadurni d'Anoia - with a more continental climate. This means more marked differences between day and night temperatures, causing the grapes to ripen later. At Odena the harvest occurs around two weeks after Sant Sadurni - the extra time spent on the vine, combined with excellent quality fruit from the mature vines on this estate, produces elegant and complex Cavas with crisp acidity.
Tasting Notes
White fruit and citrus aromas lead onto a complex palate with green apple, stone fruit and a touch of white spice. Bubbles are fine and persistent through to the long finish and gentle savoury twist.
Production Method
A classic blend of Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-lo - from 35 hectares of vines cultivated on the Can Macia estate, in the Anoia river basin near Odena. Made using the traditional Cava method - the wine is matured for an extended period of 24 months before disgorgement to enhance the complex, fruity aromas.
Producer
The Can Macià estate in Odena - around 50km north west of Barcelona and just 10km from the foothills of Montserrat - dates back 800 years and still belongs to the same family, of which Jordi Casanovas Bohigas is a direct descendant. He, together with his daughter Maria Casanovas Giró, run the winery and estate.
Cava is king here. Mas Macià's first Cava was released in 1936, but much of its production was still sold to other Catalan producers. However, investment in the cellars in 2000 led to renewed emphasis on high quality estate-bottled wines, both sparkling and still.
The Can Macià estate has over 35 hectares of vineyard, along with forests and wheat fields. The family also owns the 54 hectare Can Batllevell estate in Gelida (half-way between Odena and Barcelona) where its limestone soils and Mediterranean climate lead to early-maturing grapes. These estates combined mean that the family has access to Macabeo, Xarel-lo, Parellada, Garnatxa Blanca, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon - with some vines over 50 years old.
At 450m in altitude, the estate is the second highest winery in the region and at the very limit of Cava production.
Sustainability
Mas Macià’s vineyards are now certified organic and the Bohigas family is planning to produce organic still wines initially before focussing upon organic Cava production.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 40% Macabeo, 25% Parellada and 35% Xarel-lo |
Country | Penedès, Spain |
Alcohol content | 12% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9 units |
Type | Fizz |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment. Serve at 6°C. |
Allergy Information | Contains sulphites and no other allergens |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian approved |
Food Matches | Delicious as an aperitif, great with tapas, but equally with enough concentration and complexity to drink throughout a meal. |
Appellation | DO Cava |
2023 Cicada Blanc by Chante Cigale
Regular price £10.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Cicada takes its name from the famed ‘singing cicadas’ of Provence and the wine too sings of the warm vineyards of the south.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Easy-drinking, unoaked and a classic french-style table wine. Citrus and pear aromas on the nose.
Palate
Citrus flesh and nice weight on the palate, quite a ripe, round finish.
Producer
Domaine Chante Cigale is located within the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and has been owned by the Sabon Favier family for several generations. Consisting of 41 hectares, the domaine benefits from old vines, some of which are veritably ancient at over 100 years old. Alexandre Favier took over from his father, Christian, and is part of a new wave of producers in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, combining modern technical expertise with time-honoured winemaking practices.
Alexandre is lauded by notable journalists including Steve Danzier and Jancis Robinson for his deftly-made and reasonably-priced wines. Domaine Chante Cigale has also built a reputation for specialising in white wines, of which they produce more than any other estate in the appellation.
Production
An unusual blend of Viognier (30%), Picpoul Blanc (30%) and Grenache Blanc (40%). Sourced from clay limestone soils in Richerenes in the Vaucluse for the Grenache Blanc and Picpoul, with the Viognier sourced in the Northern Rhône (so the wine is classified as Vin de France). Vinified in stainless steel, with a short maceration of one week. Alex Favier then puts the final blend together.
Sustainability
As you might expect from someone born and raised on an estate named after singing cicadas, Alexandre Favier keenly promotes the biodiversity of his vineyards. He is very conscious of his role as guardian of his land for future generations and Chante Cigale is currently in conversion to full organic status.
Alan's Tasting Notes
'This is a beautiful find. Loaded with aromas and flavours. Fresh, unoaked but unctous fresh fruit with a persistent and compelling palate. A great value alternative to more expensive Chateauneuf Blanc or Condrieu.'
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 30% Viognier, 30% Piquepoul Blanc, 40% Grenache Blanc |
Country | Rhone France |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
|
Origin | Vin de France |
Appellation | Vin de France |
2022 Adobe Reserva Merlot Organic
Regular price £10.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Juicy, organic Merlot with fruit and freshness in abundance.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Bright ruby-red colour
Nose
Plum and red cherry aromas and subtle black pepper notes.
Palate
The palate is juicy with ample fruit character. Supported by gently wooded influence giving good structure and rounded tannins. It has a soft palate and a fruity finish.
Production
Rapel Valley is located on the 6th Region, 160 kms south to Santiago. This zone has good drainage, excellent fertility and great characteristics for agriculture, especially for red varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Merlot. This valley has a Mediterranean climate, it has coastal influence because it limits with the Cordillera de la Costa, which is low. There’s a great concentration of rain during winter (710 mm average) and in summer this valley receives southern winds with morning mist. Summers are very hot and have big temperature fluctuation. The grapes were manually harvested in mid April. Vinification begins with a prefermentation cold soak at 8°C for a week in order to extract the fruit. Alcoholic fermentation takes place between 25°C and 28°C with a pumpover program determined by daily tasting. Malolactic fermentation takes place naturally in stainless steel tanks and 20% of the wine was aged in barrels for 6 months; after this the wine blended in order to obtain a more complex character.
Producers
Voted by Wines of Chile as "Winery of the Year 2016", Emiliana is one of Chile's most exciting producers and pioneers in organic and biodynamic winemaking. Since 1998, this Chilean winery has been producing award-winning wines from almost 1,000 hectares of vineyards in prime sites including Casablanca, Maipo, Cachapoal, Colchagua and Bio Bio.
Its spectacular biodynamic vineyard and winery at Los Robles is a model that attracts visiting viticulturalists and winemakers from across the world. Emiliana's innovative and natural-leaning wines are made with great care and attention and the results are inspiring.
Sustainable
Emiliana began its conversion to organic production in 1998, and today 100% of its properties are organically managed. It is the world’s largest organic winery. It holds organic certifications in accordance with the standards of the United States, Canada (NOP), Brazil, Chile, Japan, South Korea, China, and Europe. In 2006, Emiliana was the first winery in Latin America to produce a wine with biodynamic certification. Since then, the use of biodynamic practices at its farms and cellars has been accredited and today 100% of its properties are certified. Emiliana received its Fairtrade and Fair For Life certifications in 2011 and 2017, and has been selling fair trade wines since 2012.
Emiliana was a pioneer in the implementation of the Wine of Chile Sustainability Code certification in 2012. This standard was developed for the Chilean wine sector to support the implementation of sustainable practices at a national level, as well as social and environmental responsibility at Emiliana.
Emiliana is certified to use the Vegan Society trademark, which attests that its wines are produced without any animal-derived products.
Emiliana also produces an annual sustainability report.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Merlot |
Country | Chile |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Sustainable |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Ideal with lean red meats and white meats such as chicken and turkey. Also pairs well with ripe cheeses such as Camembert, Roquefort, Mozzarella, and Gruyere, with goat cheese, and with nuts, walnuts, and dried figs. A pleasing companion to vegetable stews and pastas with mild sauces. |
Origin | Rapel Valley |
Appellation | D.O. Valle del Rapel, Chile |
2023 Te Mério Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £11.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%With more texture than aromatics alone, this is a food-friendly Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Bright, crisp and aromatic, with generous aromas of cut grass, tomato leaf and asparagus.
Palate
A tangy palate of citrus, bell-pepper, and bay leaves.
Producer
Boutinot's New Zealand wines are sourced from vineyards in each sub-regions of Marlborough - the Awatere, Waihopai and Wairau Valleys, as well as the breezier region of Waipara. These valleys have their own micro-climates and terroir which give a unique personality to the vineyards, grapes and finished wines.
Samantha Bailey brings her blending expertise and experienced palate to the fore in expressing the loveliest Boutinot wines from The Land of the Long White Cloud.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Bright and fresh with good acidity and great texture. It’s more kumquat & guava/passion fruit than light and mineral in style. It says it’s sourced from Nelson on the back label but with this opulent fruit profile, it reminds me more of Marlborough! Either way, it’s a cracking wine and not too harsh on the wallet!" May 2023
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | New Zealand |
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
A great all-rounder with fresh fish, cold cuts and salads.
|
Origin | Marlborough |
Appellation | Marlborough |
2021 Los Cardos Dona Paula Malbec
Regular price £11.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Los Cardos means "The Thistles" in Spanish. Their presence indicates an unmistakable sign of good terroir. Also 100% Vegan Approved.
Tasting Notes
Deep violet red color. Spicy and rich with juicy black fruit and a long jammy finish.
Vinification
The grapes are harvested from mid to late March. In the winery, they are first destemmed and softly crushed. A cold pre-fermentative maceration takes place to preserve the primary aromas. Then, the must is cooled and traditional fermentation starts. Post-fermentation maceration lasts between 10 and 15 days. Malolactic fermentation is carried out after maceration.
The Estate
El Alto Vineyard is located in Ugarteche, in the southern part of Luján de Cuyo, at 1,050 meters (3,445 feet) above sea level. The soils range from sandy loam to clay loam, with variable content of stone. The climate typically presents warm days and cool nights, with an average temperature variation of 14 °C (57.2 °F) and an average annual rainfall of 250 mm (9.8 in). The vines yield 12 tons per hectare, and they are grown in espaliers, using drip irrigation. At Doña Paula, our vineyards have always been managed using sustainable agricultural practices.
Accolades
- Bronze Medal Winner - International Wine Challenge 2022
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"This is lovely, fairly full bodied with lots of vibrant red and black fruits with a super smooth jammy finish. Great value too. A fabulous easy drinking introduction to Argentinian Malbec." tasted June 2024
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Malbec |
Country | Argentina |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Aged | Oak aged |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian, Sustainable practises |
Food Matches | Enjoy alone or pair with red meat, empanadas or pasta. Serve 14-16C |
Appellation | Mendoza |
2022 Miopasso Grillo
Regular price £10.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
Crisp & zesty style, light & fresh with hints of rich, tropical fruit, plenty of body, some richness and some complexity. There's an awful lot to like here and it's pretty addictive!
Grillo grapes are grown in the top white grape producing area around Marsala.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Intense straw yellow in colour.
Nose
The bouquet is characterized by pineapple, herbal notes of tea and nettle leaves.
Palate
On the palate, there are some lovely citrus and peach flavours.
Producer
Miopasso offers an outstanding selection of Italian wines made with modern production technologies and local grape varieties. By combining resourceful grape sourcing with precise winemaking, this range has built a reputation as an excellent value-for-money option amongst its core of wine aficionados. Enjoy some of the finest Italian wines that money can buy with Miopasso.
Viticulture
Grillo grapes are grown in the top white grape-producing area around Marsala.
The Grillo grapes are hand-picked several times over, some when they have reached the peak of maturity, then others after they have been left on the vines until they have lost the required amount of weight through drying.
Vinification
We employ various different methods of canopy management, in order to handle the fact that the grapes hit the peak of maturity in mid-September, when the Sicilian sun is still very strong. Hand-picked in mid-September. Fermentation takes place over a period of about 2 weeks at a controlled temperature not exceeding 18 °C. In order to retain as much of the grapes’ natural acidity as possible, we do not carry out Malolactic fermentation.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Grillo |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 13% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle
|
9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food Matches |
Great with fish antipasti, pasta or risotto made with fish or vegetables, or main courses of barbequed fish and shellfish. It will also go with some oriental dishes. |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | Sicilia Doc |
Origin | Sicily |
2022 Cantina Di Negrar Gargenega
Regular price £10.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Garganega is the queen of white Veronese grape varieties, typical of Soave.
100% Garganega grapes, 20-30 year old vines from volcanic soil vineyards. Fermented in steel vats without skin contact. The same variety is used in the famous wines of nearby Soave.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Straw-yellow with greenish reflections.
Nose
Delicate floral and white peach aroma.
Palate
Medium-bodied, fresh, dry palate. Stone fruits, peach/nectarine in abundance, typical bitter almond note with good acidity to finish. Unoaked.
Winery
The Cantina di Negrar brand is the soul of Cantina Valpolicella Negrar and pays homage to the philosophy of cooperative production while also recalling the territory’s historical vestiges: the effigy of St. Mark’s Lion standing tall on a column in the centre of Negrar is testimony of the Venetian Republic’s domination in the sixteenth century.
The Cantina di Negrar wines are rooted in the wine-making tradition of Valpolicella and the Veronese wine-growing areas, with a modern reinterpretation to guarantee the best price/quality ratio.
Label
The catchy and interesting label depicts Ulysses’ 10-year journey home from Troye to Ithaca. Every facet of his journey captivates the sense of discovery, self-discovery, and world discovery Ulysses experiences in those enchanted 10 years.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Garganega grapes |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 12% |
Units of Alcohol | 9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food Matches |
It pairs well with appetisers and pasta dishes with vegetables and fish. |
Allergen Information | Contain sulphites |
Origin | Valpolicella Classica - Verona |
Appellation | Valpolicella Ripasso DOC |
2022 Cantina Di Negrar Corvina
Regular price £10.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
This is a brand new single varietal from this co-operative, located in the heart of the Valpolicella Classico area, just a few kilometres from Verona. Corvina is usually blended with Molinara and Rondinella, but an increasing number of producers are making 100% Corvina wines. The result is light and fragrant with floral notes and some blackcurrant. It has an elegant structure.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Ruby red with garnet reflections
Nose
Spicy nose with notes of vanilla and hints of cherry and black cherry
Palate
Soft and round palate with sweet tannins that blend well with the wine's texture. The finish is long ending with spicy tones.
Winery
The Cantina di Negrar brand is the soul of Cantina Valpolicella Negrar and pays homage to the philosophy of cooperative production while also recalling the territory’s historical vestiges: the effigy of St. Mark’s Lion standing tall on a column in the centre of Negrar is testimony of the Venetian Republic’s domination in the sixteenth century.
The Cantina di Negrar wines are rooted in the wine-making tradition of Valpolicella and the Veronese wine-growing areas, with a modern reinterpretation to guarantee the best price/quality ratio.
Label
The catchy and interesting label depicts Ulysses’ 10-year journey home from Troye to Ithaca. Every facet of his journey captivates the sense of discovery, self-discovery, and world discovery Ulysses experiences in those enchanted 10 years.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Corvina |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 12.5% |
Units of Alcohol |
|
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matches |
It pairs well with grilled and braised red meat. |
|
Contain sulphites |
Origin | Verona |
Appellation | Verona IGT |
2021 Painted Wolf The Den Pinotage
Regular price £11.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Winemaking
The bulk of the Pinotage was destalked and fermented in tanks with various staves. Malolactic and maturation was completed on staves. Approximately 25% of the wine was fermented in small open fermenters and matured in small French and American oak barrels. The wine was finished by blending 15% of a Shiraz, Grenache, and Mourvedre blend.
Background
In 2005, Emma and Jeremy Borg's vinous adventure began when they were approached to make their own wine. Despite Jeremy's two decades of experience in the world of winemaking and Emma's expertise with wine photography, the couple was thrown into the deep end and had to bottle and cork the bounty of their friend's surplus grapes by hand.
The endeavor sparked their dreams of creating their own brand and so Painted Wolf was born. The inspiration came from the endangered African wild dog - highly social, organised, persistent and efficient hunters true to Emma and Jeremy's own vineyard hunts for their expanding range of wines.
Consequently, a percentage of profits from each bottle is donated to support charities dedicated to the conservation of the species, and the painted wolf proudly graces each of their labels. From organic Swartland vineyards to Cape South Coast cool climate sites, the couple has since established a network of esteemed growers and winemakers to ensure quality as grapes are hand-selected and some wines are
Painted Wolf Wines supports the conservation of the highly endangered painted wolf (African wild dog) and the protection of the diminishing wild spaces of Africa, through its donations to the EWT – www.ewt.org.za and Tusk – www.tusk.org.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 85% Pinotage, remaining 15% Shiraz, Grenache, and Mourvedre blend |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Pinotage is the best possible red wine in the world to pair with Mexican dishes such as Fajitas or that glorious confection of chicken, chocolate, cumin seeds, smoky ancho chilli, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds which is called Mole. It is also very good with other flavoursome American regional specialities such as with Carolina Pulled Pork and smoky Texas B.B.Q beef rib. |
Appellation | W.O. Swartland |
2023 Uva Non Grata Gamay
Regular price £10.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%For centuries maligned, mistreated and misunderstood, Gamay was outlawed by Philip the Bold in 1395. Some vignerons rebelled, hiding forbidden Gamay vines amongst ‘noble’ Pinot Noir. In their honour we ‘release’ the deliberately disruptive Gamay, bottled without appellation and without rules!
Tasting Notes
Bouncy, crunchy Gamay, this is an irresistible fruit bomb packed with fresh, primary fruit aromas and the delicious soft red berry flavours of gorgeous Gamay at its best.
Production Method
Gamay loves the granite/siliceous soils of the vineyards in the hills to the northwest of Lyon in eastern France. Grapes were hand-picked deliberately early to maintain freshness. In the cellar, they are vinified using traditional carbonic maceration techniques (where fermentation is started by the weight of berries in the vat, crushing those below) followed by a short cuvasion to maintain the up-front, juicy fruit character.
Producer
Like all good stories, that of Boutinot France is both long and a little bit complicated! Boutinot began as a tiny importer in 1980, specialising in French wines. Paul Boutinot himself began by personally selecting the wines from France, back in the UK he would unload the trailer by hand. And deliver the crates of wines to customers himself. But good things grow and by the end of the decade we had become a bigger and better company. A company that not only sought out great wines but made them too. After 10 years later, Boutinot France started in January 1990. The first office was in the middle of the vines in Julienas; perfectly located to navigate the Beaujolais and Macon regions on the quest to make beautiful wines.
Samantha Bailey, who started as a wine enthusiast, was there at the beginning of this adventure. Since then, she has grown into our Master Blender and has key responsibilities: building long-standing relationships, tasting, understanding the terroir and appellations, and pushing the boundaries. She is at the heart of the whole process from blending to quality assessment, making sure there is always a Boutinot touch in every cuvée. We are proud to also count Guillaume Letang and Julien Dugas in our winemaking team. Guillaume oversees the South of France and Languedoc, whilst Julien looks after our property in Cairanne. Together they have the local knowledge to select and blend the very best wines from throughout. Eric Monnin oversees every aspect of production and makes sure everything our winemakers blend and source is top quality.
Today, Boutinot’s French office has recently relocated to Macon, and has over 20 employees who take care of production across the whole of France, covering fresh whites and rosés from Gascony, mineral wines from Burgundy, and joyful varietal wines from Languedoc among others. We don’t use any single model to source our wines; instead, a combination of sources are used, from large-scale, high-quality co-ops to small, family growers and single domaines, as well as our own vineyards in Cairanne and Saint-Vérand. Drawing on the expertise of our four winemakers and a network of partner growers, we seek to deliver the highest quality-to-price ratio possible for every wine.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Another delight. Medium to full-bodied with lovely ripe fruit, some spiciness, and a silky smoothness that lets the flavour linger and makes this a long-lasting mouthful. Got the weight and length of a much more expensive wine than it is. Delicious and keeps on giving until the last drop! Paired beautifully with our Venison Steaks." Tasted February 2024
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Gamay |
Country | France |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting Info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | Try with charcuterie, grilled herby chicken kebabs, or sausages on the barbeque. |
Origin | Vin De France |
2020 Anthonij Rupert 'Protea' Merlot
Regular price £13.99 Sale price £11.99 Save 14%Tasting Notes
Vibrant black cherry and plum aromas with a hint of tomato plant and dark chocolate. The wines has instant appeal with soft, squish, succulent dark fruit with a light tobacco leaf edge. Ample plum and cherry with spice highlights and deeper earth- and cocoa notes below. Softly textured but with a supportive structure and frame. Lovely, generous ripe-fruited finish.
In the Vineyard
About the Harvest
The Merlot grapes were harvested by hand at 24.8° Balling.
In the Cellar
After de-stemming and crushing the wine is transferred to 10 000 French oak tanks and 10 000 L stainless steel tanks. Fermentation on the skins takes place at 26°C for about 15 days. The wine is drained from the skins and pressed. The free-run juice and press juice are aged separately and blended after 8 months. Maturation takes place in 225 L 2nd- and 3rd –fill French oak barrels and also on new French oak staves in tanks for about 8 months.
History
Anthonij Rupert Wyne was founded on the farm, L`Ormarins in Franschhoek. Originally owned by the late Anthonij Rupert, who passed away in 2001, the farm was eventually taken over by his brother Johann Rupert in 2003 and the brand named after him. It was Johann Rupert who constructed a state-of-the-art winemaking facility, catapulting the farm into a prestigious wine estate and the beginnings of what is now a sprawling enterprise.
The focus is on terroir specific wines and therefore it would seem obvious that the brand is made up of an impressive portfolio of farms representing the best in grape producing locations. The portfolio is made up of L`Ormarins situated in Franschhoek, Rooderust in Darling, Riebeeksrivier in the Swartland and Altima in isolated Elandskloof. Individually each site offers optimum varietal specific growing conditions, allowing Anthonij Rupert Wyne to adhere to the requirements of their different brands.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Merlot |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13.75% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.3 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Ready to enjoy now but will keep 3-4 years too. |
Food Matching |
Ostrich with plum sauce |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Darling, Paarl, Robertson |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
N/V Cave de Turckheim Edelzwicker Vin d’Alsace
Regular price £11.45 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
The hills are alive with the sound of music!
Tasting Notes
Aromatic and ripe on the nose. This is a delicious and complete white blend with rounded orchard fruit and green apples, plenty of fleshy texture and a racy, refreshing acidity.
Production
Pneumatic pressing, temperature-controlled fermentation, no finings and minimal filtration all help to preserve pure varietal character of the wine. Here classic varieties Pinot Blanc and Riesling have been blended with the less well-known Sylvaner grape which brings delicacy and satisfying acidity.
Producer
Widely regarded as one of the best co-operatives in the world, Cave de Turckheim lies at the mouth of the Munster Valley. Working closely with 180 partners, its vineyards span the full breadth of Alsatian terroir and grape varieties. Cave de Turckheim only produces wine from the grapes of its member growers, it is a récoltant not a négociant.
Substantial investment in the winery has enabled the team to vinify many parcels of grapes separately, offering Michel Lihrmann (senior winemaker for 25 years) the chance to highlight each wine's nuances in his signature dry, yet fruit forward, style.
Committed to producing the highest quality wines, growers are encouraged to keep yields low - for example, Cave de Turckheim voluntarily caps yields for its Grands Crus vineyards at 45hl/ha rather than the permitted 55hl/ha - and to pick the grapes by hand. This is part of a long term and innovative strategy of sustainability that includes developing the largest holdings of organic vineyards in Alsace, using natural alternatives to chemical treatments, and a green overview of all vineyard practices. Alongside some great organic wines, the extensive range runs from the excellent value Tradition wines right through to individual Grand Cru bottlings, plus fantastic Crémants d’Alsace and Vendange Tardive dessert wines.
Sustainability
An awareness of social and environmental concerns has always been high on the agenda for the Cave de Turckheim’s growers. They were among the first in France to practice integrated agriculture, an approach that combines the best of modern tools and technologies with traditional practices, lowering the consumption of energy and other resources, reducing environmental pollution, conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainability. In 2014, all the members of the co-operative obtained Agri Confiance Volet Vert (Green Section) certification and in 2015, they all obtained High Environmental Value Level 2 certification. The growers are aiming for HVE Level 3 certification in late 2019.
In 2008, a number of growers decided to commit to the rigorous standards of organic viticulture. As part of Alliance Alsace, approximately 70 hectares of vines are now cultivated organically, having obtained organic certification in 2011, with a further 30 hectares in transition. These vignerons have revived ancestral practices, tilling the soil and undertaking work that facilitates the elimination of weeds and the combat against the two major diseases: powdery mildew which is tackled with sulphur and mildew which is treated with copper sulphate. Natural fertilisers are also used (nettle, horsetail, comfrey, and dandelion), fortifying the vines and increasing their natural resistance. Organic winegrowers meticulously observe their vines, enabling them to intervene in the right place and at the right time, rather than treating the plants systematically.
Turckheim’s commitment to the environment extends to the winery where it strives to conserve natural resources. Sorting waste for recycling, reducing its carbon footprint, using solar panels, and preventing pollution are just some examples of how environmental considerations are present in every aspect of its daily work. Committed to both the environment and its customers, Cave de Turckheim also plays an important role in the local economy.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Sylvaner |
Country | France |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan, Vegetarian, Sustainable farming |
Food Matches | Brilliant with delicate and aromatic Asian salads and fish dishes and a match made in heaven with Tarte Flambée or Flammkuchen! |
Origin |
|
2019 Domaine de Grange Neuve Monbazillac (500ml)
Regular price £11.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Utterly luscious - fine, balanced and exceptional value
Tasting Notes
A fabulous dessert wine, sweet and luscious with a great backbone of fine acidity for a clean finish. The nose is fresh with classic botrytis marmalade and ripe nectarine. Flavours on the palate are richer: honey with a finishing twist of bitter orange.
Production
Vineyards are based in the heart of Perigord, near Bergerac along the valley of the Dordogne river. Here, on the river slopes, there is a particular micro-climate which favours the development of the botrytis necessary to make this style of sweet wine. Vines average 25 years of age. Grapes are hand harvested at a very late stage of maturity, in three successive 'triage', to ensure that only the most mature grapes are picked. Grapes are harvested in October and November. Grapes are gently put into a pneumatic press and the juice is transferred to temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. After fermentation, the wine is matured for 24 months.
Producer
Located in Pomport near Bergerac, in the heart of Périgord, Domaine de Grange Neuve belongs to the Pichon and Castaing families, and it has grown from being a small farm with just 4 hectares of vines in 1898 to a vineyard of 70 hectares today. Dedicated to making wine that respects tradition while not neglecting technological advances, both in the cultivation of vines and in winemaking techniques, today the property is still run by three generations of the same family. The vineyard consists of approximately 26 hectares of red grape vines (Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon), and 44 hectares of white (Sémillon, Muscadelle and Sauvignon Blanc), the average age of which is 25 years.
Sustainability
Domaine de Grange Neuve is constantly working to implement practices that preserve the environment and have a positive impact on climate change, and sustainable development is one of their major concerns. The estate has been certified HVE Level 3 since 2012, regarding this course of action to be wider reaching and of greater impact than “mere” organic practices as it evaluates their impact upon a broader range of environmental issues.
Grange Neuve goes much further than required by the HVE certification, having its own biological water treatment facility, a machinery hangar with a roof covered in solar panels to generate its own clean electricity and a comprehensive waste management strategy - it is a member of the Adelphe programme, it uses eco-packaging and recycles as much of its waste packaging as possible, it uses a minimum amount of consumables, and it uses eco-friendly cleaning products.
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 500ml |
Cultivar | 80% Semillon, 10% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Muscadelle |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 6.25units |
Type | Dessert Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan, Vegetarian, Sustainable farming |
Food Matches | The French would serve this as an apéritif but it is also good with paté or blue cheeses such as Roquefort. |
Origin | South West France |
Appellation | Monbazillac AOC |