Made using the traditional champagne method, the fresh and youthful MCC is often awarded Gold.

Tasting Notes

Nose

This complex and indulgent MCC shows rich secondary aromas with orange blossom and lemon zest on the nose.

Palate

On the palate there are hints of lime, accompanied by aromas of toasted bread and macadamias. The mousse is fine, elegant and ensures a rich, creamy and textured palate with an explosive acidity and lasting, elegant finish.

In the Cellar

The grapes were whole bunch pressed and only free run juice was used for the final blend. A Selected yeast was used for primary fermentation. A 20% portion of the Chardonnay was allowed to undergo malolactic fermentation. The wine was blended, bottled and underwent a secondary fermentation in the bottle. This was followed by bottle maturation of approximately 36 months. Only then it was disgorged, corked and labelled.

Awards

• No. 3 slot in Decanter’s top 100 wines of the year for 2023
• 2021 Veritas Awards - Gold
• 2020 Veritas Awards - Gold
• 2019 Amorim Cap Classique Challenge - Gold

Specifications

Elegant and structured Cava Reserva from this family-run estate.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Aromas of fresh apple and pear, with citrus fruit and white flowers. Also lightly spicy notes of cinnamon and biscuit due to ageing. 

Palate

The palate is structured with bright acidity, ripe stone fruit and a creamy mousse - well-balanced to give a rounded, long and gently textural finish.

Production Method

Grapes are sourced from 35ha of vines cultivated on the Can Macià estate, situated in the Anoia river basin, near Odena. They grow in clay-limestone soils and this, together with the Mediterranean-Continental climate and low rainfall, produces low yields with high acidity.

Slow but complete ripening makes this area suitable for the production of high-quality Cava base wines. The grapes are harvested by night, in cool temperatures. Bohigas Cava Brut Reserva is produced by the traditional method, with a second fermentation in bottle, the wine is kept on lees for at least 18 months before release (dosage is 6g/l).

The Estate

At 450m in altitude, the estate is the second-highest winery in the region and at the very limit of Cava production. Some of their vines are over 50 years old.

Mas Macià’s vineyards are now certified organic and the Bohigas family is planning to produce organic still wines initially before focusing upon organic Cava production.

Awards

• Bronze at the IWSC 2023 

Specifications

Vibrant, crisp and delicate

Tasting Notes

Producer

Over 150 years of History! Founded in 1859, this independent and family run Maison Louis de Grenelle has passed down its expertise through the generations. It continues the tradition of making sparkling wines in the depths of its cellars burrowed underneath Saumur in the heart of the Valley of Kings, the Val de Loire.

Specifications

Organic traditional method fizz from the largest holder of organic vineyards in Alsace.

Tasting Notes 

This traditional method sparkling wine offers fine bubbles and fruity flavours. Applely, floral Pinot Blanc and spicy honeyed Auxerrois are traditionally vinified together, and the Pinot Gris brings body and weight. Fresh, intense and well-balanced, crisp and supple.

Production

Crémant d’Alsace is produced using the same traditional method as Champagne. There is a strict selection of organically-grown grapes, the use of dedicated cellar equipment, a second fermentation in bottle, no filtration other than degorgement, and the wine spends 24 months aging on its lees before release.

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 then went on to achieve the highest HVE Level 3 certification in 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.

To celebrate its 65th anniversary, Cave de Turckheim planted 65 trees in February 2022 to contribute to the reconstruction and maintenance of their vines and terroirs, as well as to the preservation and enhancement of wider landscapes. Local and ancient varieties were specially selected to contribute to the safeguarding of their genetic heritage.

Specifications

The Crémant d'Alsace appellation denotes sparkling wines made in the traditional method. Effervescent and refreshing, this is the perfect wine for celebrations.

Tasting Notes

Producer

Grapes are selected from vineyards with diverse soils - limestone, granite, gravel, marl and sandstone - which impart different characters and styles to the overall blend, and harvested by hand and machine, depending on site. This gently sparkling wine is made using the 'méthode traditionnelle' with a secondary fermentation in bottle and a dosage is approximately 9g/l. Cave de Turckheim looks to create a lightly sparkling style with a fine mousse and delicate fruit flavours. Its crémants are therefore aged on lees for longer than the appellation regulations require; for 24 months rather than 12 in this case.

Production

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 which 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 then went on to achieve the highest HVE Level 3 certification in 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.

To celebrate its 65th anniversary, Cave de Turckheim planted 65 trees in February 2022 to contribute to the reconstruction and maintenance of their vines and terroirs, as well as to the preservation and enhancement of wider landscapes. Local and ancient varieties were specially selected to contribute to the safeguarding of their genetic heritage.

Specifications

Tasting Notes

Colour

Straw yellow with greenish reflections.

Nose

Delicate aromas of white flowers, golden apple, slight notes of banana and peach.

Palate

Fresh, aromatic and velvety with light scents of acacia honey with a pleasant roundness

Producer

The River Piave, in its early life, came tumbling out of the eastern edge of the Dolomites, full of energy. It bumped into the hills around Valdobbiadene, carved a cleft in them and carried on towards the marshy delta that is the eastern side of Venice.
At near exhaustion by its journey, it dumped large deposits of limestone pebbles and stones, known locally as “Jara”, which has proven a good challenge for vines to produce nuanced, vital fruit and pure wines. This soil absorbs the warmth of the day, and gently releases it at night, providing a steady transition between day and night for the grapes on the vines.

Driving from Venice northwards, there's not much to tell you that you've moved from the over-fertile flatlands that produce so much anonymous, intensively produced Prosecco, to the equally rather flat but charming, stony, organic vineyards of La Jara. Now well established in harmony with nature, the vines are uniform, drawing on a deep bank of nutrients from the ground-down mountain. To this phenomenon the estate credits the delicate floral aromas of their Glera (Prosecco) and Pinot Grigio grapes; combined with a dedication to organic viticulture, they make affordable wines of outstanding quality. In their own words. "We like to think that Nature is a perfect mechanism, whom it is our duty to indulge. day-to-day attention to the vineyard renders our grapes – and our wines – truly exceptional."

These days, La Jara is a story of two brothers. Massimo, who reminds one of a flamboyant Bond villain, and Paolo who makes the wine. And Giovanni, their sales director of many years, who keeps everyone on track. Their goal has always been to produce bright, easy and pure wines; they are always a joy.

Year after year they've added to their organic plantings, consistently choosing the best sites, and equally, they've kept their wine-making technology and operational know-how up to date, which is crucial in an area that is famously humid and flat.

Awards

• International Wine Challenge:  AWC Vienna Gold 2022

Specifications

Radiant, Unctous and Fruity! Sublime Expression of Cabernet Franc

Finesse oblige! If it doesn't "have" to be champagne, then the best alternative is Crémant: a pure-bred rosé made from 100% of the noble red Cabernet Franc grape.

Tasting Notes

Producer

Over 150 years of History! Founded in 1859, this independent and family run Maison Louis de Grenelle has passed down its expertise through the generations. It continues the tradition of making sparkling wines in the depths of its cellars burrowed underneath Saumur in the heart of the Valley of Kings, the Val de Loire.

Specifications

Vibrant, crisp & delicate | Complex and honeyed, to be enjoyed with close friends

Tasting Notes

Producer

Over 150 years of History! Founded in 1859, this independent and family run Maison Louis de Grenelle has passed down its expertise through the generations. It continues the tradition of making sparkling wines in the depths of its cellars burrowed underneath Saumur in the heart of the Valley of Kings, the Val de Loire.

Specifications

On opening, our Bullicante brut presents a gentle bouquet of citrus, orange blossom and minerality. It’s crisp on the palate with a well-balanced mouthfeel and low acidity. The finish is gentle and with a lingering aftertaste of cream, marzipan and white pear.

Vinification

The Pinot Grigio grapes are grown within 15km of the ocean and handpicked at optimal ripeness in the early hours of the morning. Slow cool fermentation follows twelve hours of skin contact and after two months on the lees, the wine is bottled.

Specifications