N/V La Jara Prosecco Spumante Extra Dry
Regular price £17.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%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
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Glera |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 11.5% |
Units of Alcohol | 8.6 units |
Type | Fizz |
Food Matches | Perfect as an aperitif. Ideal with velvety pumpkin soup, risotto, grilled vegetables and summer salads |
Features | Organic, Vegetarian & Vegan Approved |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contain sulphites |
Origin | Treviso |
Appellation | Veneto |
2016 Rivera 'Cappellaccio' Aglianico Castel del Monte Riserva
Regular price £18.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Garnet red, this wine has an intense bouquet typical for the variety, with notes of ripe red fruit, leather and spices.
Complex and structured in the glass, it has an imposing body and intense and elegant aromas of sour cherry and tobacco, with a long and persistent finish. In the mouth it is warm and full. A wine of great structure, it has a long finish with a balanced tannic finish.
Background
Vinification
The grapes are harvested in mid-October. Maceration lasts 12-14 days in steel vats, with frequent pumping over to obtain a better extraction of aromatic and colouring substances and, at the same time, to soften the tannic mass.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"As good as I remember it - this is proper wine - with gorgeous attractive fruit with some spice & leather notes interspersed. It’s got a really long and persistent flavour - as you would expect from Italy’s southern noble grape variety. Not cheap but delivers real value for real wine drinkers. Delicious! Not a big, full bodied fruity wine - a more lighter, fine style with great complexity, persistence and class!" Tasted 2 January 2024
Specifications
Year | 2016 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Aglianico |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 14.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food & Serving Information |
Perfect with very tasty red meat dishes. Store in a cool place, away from light, bottle lying down. Do not refrigerate. Open at least 15 minutes before serving |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Andria (BT) Apulia (Puglia) |
Appellation | Castel del Monte |
2022 Castello di Montepò JeT Rosé
Regular price £17.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Its pale pink hue with bright peach shimmers is complemented by a delightful nose of wild raspberries and citrus fruits. On the palate, it is medium-bodied, fresh and floral with good strength of character and subtle salinity, offering an excellent persistence.
Producer
In the heart of Maremma, Jacopo Biondi Santi and his children are writing a new chapter in their family’s history of winemaking excellence.
The Biondi Santi family has gained a special place in the history of Italian winemaking thanks to the lively and passionate inventiveness of its members. The roots of this centuries old adventure go back to the 1800s when Ferruccio Biondi Santi planted the first Montecino vineyard with vines of the selected Sangiovese clone called Sangiovese Grosso or Brunello, it was the first step towards a new way of making wine that would soon become an international success.
Production
Hand harvested in September the liquid spent a short time on skins to extract colour before fermentation in steel tanks. The wine is released after three months relaxing in the bottle. It has been made to be a Premium Rosé, fresh and zesty and youthful with fruit intensity.
Specifications.
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Rosé Wine |
Food Pairings |
Pair with grilled chicken, pork, fish tacos, tortellini with ricotta and spinach or tomato and mozzarella di bufala
|
Other Information | Sustainable practises |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Cellaring Potential |
Drink now and over the next 4 years |
Origin |
Tuscany
|
Appellation | Tuscany IGT |
2020 Cafaggio Sangiovese di Toscana
Regular price £16.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
The wine shows an intense ruby-red color with purple hues. The smell of red fruits recalls cherry, sour cherry, raspberry and blueberry. The scent will outline light spicy notes of coffee and black pepper.
Producer
Since the Renaissance and beyond, Cafaggio's conca d'oro vineyards—which can also be translated as "golden shell," "golden bowl," or "golden basin"—have been renowned for the exceptional wines they produce at an altitude ranging from 300-400 meters above sea level and encompassing a surface area of about 60 hectares.
The conca, as its name suggests, is a steep, naturally occurring amphitheater with a southern exposure that is perfect for the growth of grapes that will be transformed into wines with intense flavor, distinct structure, and significant aging potential.
The conca d'ora is situated in the center of Panzano commune, one of the five Chianti Classico DOCG villages (the only five townships where Chianti Classico can be produced today) where Chianti was first manufactured.
The soil types, in combination with the height and exposure, offer the vines exceptional vigor as their roots look for the water table, making the estate's vineyards one of the most sought-after quality wine-growing locations in all of Tuscany.
Cafaggio is an active participant in the 1995-founded Unione Viticoltori di Panzano (Panzano Grape Grower and Winemaker Union), a group that supports and aids in the promotion of the township's wineries.
Review
- Rated 91 by James Suckling
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sangiovese Grosso |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 12.5% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle
|
9.4 units |
Type | Red |
Food Matches |
It goes well with red meat, both to the plate and stewed, particularly tasty and spicy. Its youth and vivacity ensure a perfect marriage also with meats, sausages, and fresh hams. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | Tuscany |
2022 Monte del Fra Bardolino
Regular price £15.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A delicately fruity and fragrant northern Italian red from southeast of Lake Garda.
Tasting Notes
Colour
A light summery red in the classic style
Nose
A delicately fruity, fragrant, nose with notes of cherries, strawberries, raspberries and redcurrants as well as hints of spices (cinnamon, cloves, black pepper).
Palate
Dry and rounded, with the same sensations of crunchy red fruits and berries on the palate. Lightly spicy, with a well-balanced, fresh, and easy-drinking style.
Production
Bardolino sits on the southeastern shores of Lake Garda and the red wines that carry its name bears some similarities to Valpolicella which comes from nearby. This example from Monte del Frà is a Corvina-led blend that undergoes a slow temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks.
The result is a light and juicy wine with an aromatic nose of sweet, fresh cherries and summer berries. Fresh and easy to drink, it's got plenty of tangy red fruits, a pleasant touch of spice, and cranberry to finish.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Corvina, Molinara, Rondinella |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 12.5% |
Units of Alcohol | 9.4 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Food Matches | With its lightness of touch it makes super summery drinking and goes well with grilled fish, or cold meats and salads. |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Organic |
Origin | Veneto & North East Italy |
Appellation | Bardolino DOC |
2020 Villa la Pagliaia Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG
Regular price £17.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Villa La Pagliaia is the sister estate of neighbouring San Felice. It produces a similarly full-flavoured and spicy style of Chianti Classico Riserva but in a slightly more traditional style - and offers exceptional value.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Archetypal Chianti with bramble fruit notes as well as cedar and spice aromas.
Palate
The palate is richly-flavoured and complex with black cherry, plum and dried fruit characters, along with notes of spice, leather, pepper and liquorice. Supple tannins and bright acidity lead to a rich, savoury and satisfying finish.
Production
The grapes come from Villa la Pagliaia's 350-400m altitude vineyards around Castelnuovo Berardenga, in the south of the Chianti Classico zone, and are hand-picked. The vines are on average 25 years old - yielding about 1.5kg of fruit per vine - 'guyot' trained and planted in pliocene soil with 25% rocky clay. Fermentation and maceration on the skins is carried out at a controlled temperature of 28 to 30 degrees Centigrade and lasts for 18 to 20 days. This helps to extract the required amount of fruit, colour and tannins. This is followed by malolactic fermentation in stainless steel. The wine is matured for 24 months in Slavonian oak barrels.
Producer
The Villa La Pagliaia property in Castelnuovo Berardenga, around 15km from Siena, has a long and aristocratic history. The elegant 18th Century villa is amidst a striking landscape of vines, olive groves and cypress trees. Their vineyards, here in the south of the Chianti Classico region, are at 300-450m altitude, with clay and limestone soils.
Fruit from these, predominantly Sangiovese, low-yielding mature vines (over 25 years old) - combined with traditional vinification methods overseen by neighbouring property (and sister estate) San Felice - ensures consistent production of very classic and quietly impressive wines.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sangiovese |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Great with grilled or roast meats and steaks as well as sharp, mature cheeses. |
Origin | Toscana, Italy |
Appellation | DOCG Chianti Classico |
2019 Isolabella Della Croce Piedmont Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £18.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A fresh and mineral taste accompanied by an intense bouquet of white and exotic flowers fully express the characteristics of the Sauvignon blanc.
Tasting Notes
Colour
The colour is a pale straw yellow, clean and luminous.
Nose
Its bouquet has scents of white flowers as well as typical aromas of Sauvignon blanc including that of the boxwood tree, notes of exotic fruits, especially pineapple and lychee fruit.
Palate
In the mouth, it’s fresh, mineral, and savoury. The location of the vines on the high hills with a soil light in limestone makes this sauvignon particularly special and enjoyable.
For Sauvignon Blanc, it’s vital to have an optimal maturation not just from a technical aspect but as well from an aromatic aspect. The delicacy of the perfumes and the finding the right balance are easily compromised if the grapes are picked prematurely or harvested too late. Thus each vine is cured very carefully creating an optimal result with great structure and persistence.
Terroir
A fresh and mineral taste accompanied by an intense bouquet of white and exotic flowers fully express the characteristics of the Sauvignon Blanc. The vines are at the highest point of the Vineyard, cultivated at 540 meters above sea level, which renders a stronger thermal range in August and September.
Vineyards
The vineyards of Isolabella are located at an average altitude of 480 to 540m above sea level, thereby ensuring that the vines are exposed to considerable air and light. The cold Alpine sea winds play a big role in ensuring that the grapes grown here have thick skins and concentrated flavours. You will find fine marne, calcareous and sandy soils in most of the places here, which makes it great for cultivating grape varietals such as Moscato, Brachetto and Pinot Nero.
History
Located in the smallest DOC of Italy’s Alta Langa area, Loazzolo, the Isolabella della Croce is a family-owned wine brand, known for its exclusive and rare quality of sweet wines. Moscato grapes, grown exclusively in this region, are used for creating these amazingly sweet wines. The family’s passion for winemaking has resulted in making the brand a well-respected name in the list of organic and biodynamic wine producers in the world today.
Awards
- Decanter World Wine Awards, 2017: Bronze
- International Wine Challenge, 2016: Commended
- Decanter World Wine Awards, 2016: Bronze
- Decanter World Wine Awards, 2015: Bronze
- International Wine & Spirit Competition, 2015: Bronze
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 13.5% |
Units of Alcohol | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food Matches |
Perfect for something as simple as a savory or salty appetizer or excellent with fish. It also pairs perfectly with any pasta dish with a lighter sauce such as that with vegetables or white meat. Serve at between 16-18C |
Features | Organic & Biodynamic |
Allergen Information | Contain sulphites |
Origin |
Loazzolo, Alta Langa |
Appellation | Piedmont DOC |
2022 La Cantina Pizzolato Pinot Grigio DOC Venezia
Regular price £15.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A juicy, fresh and silky pinot grigio made by the latest of five generations of Pizzolati who have made wine organically since 1991.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Straw Yellow
Nose
Citrusy aromas of citron sorbet, sweet almond, and candied oranges
Palate
A satiny, crisp, dryish light body and smooth, breezy pears and Turkish delight finish with no oak flavor.
Vineyard
The estate is located in the rich and flourishing countryside in the north of Treviso, and the vineyards are situated on the plains and hillsides near Piave river. The Terroir is pebbly with permeable soil which allows for good drainage.
Vinification
The wine is vinified off the skins and fermentation is completed in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures.
History
If you love authentic and organic Italian wines, you have to taste the ones from the brand of La Cantina Pizzolato. Ever since 1991, all the wines crafted here have been certified as 100% organic. Settimo Pizzolato, who currently owns the winery, is not only an expert winemaker but also an enthusiast of organic farming.
Today, at the Pizzolato winery, no sulphates or preservatives are used in the winemaking process, to ensure that the wines are as natural and organic as possible. The winemaking team here is fully aware of the importance of protecting the natural system; therefore, it doesn’t use any pesticides or artificial methods for crafting the wines.
The new winery, set up as part of the Sustainable Winery Project, in Treviso, makes use of green energy and innovative techniques such as organic purifiers and automatic lighting to reduce wastage as much as possible and protect the environment of the winery. Photovoltaic solar panels, organic water purifier, use of Cansiglio beech, water recycling, use of reusable materials and sustainable architecture are some of the methods employed by the Pizzolato family to create world-class organic wines. These efforts haven’t gone unrecognized in the wine world, because the Pizzolato organic winery has been the recipient of many awards in the recent past.
Today, there are only a handful of wine brands that do complete justice to the project of sustainable wine production and La Cantina Pizzolato is one of them. The best part about this brand is that it continues to upgrade its winery and winemaking techniques to make the process more organic than ever. If you are interested in knowing the organic winemaking process, you can book a wine-tasting tour here. All the wines crafted here have been classified as vegan as well. So, if you are a practicing vegan, you don’t have to think twice before trying out the La Cantina Pizzolato wines!
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Pinot Grigio |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 12% |
Units of Alcohol | 9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food Matches | Ideal as an aperitif. Excellent with first and second light dishes, with herb omelettes, vegetable soup, cream-based on chickpeas and courgettes and with vegan sushi and sensational with shellfish. |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian approved, Organic & Sustainable farming |
Allergen Information | Contain sulphites |
Origin | Treviso |
Appellation | DOC Venezia |