Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable, Vegan, Vegetarian ... we have something for everyone!
The differences can be confusing but we hope this explanation will help: an Organic wine is a wine made from grapes that have been grown without the use of artificial or synthetic chemicals, such as herbicides and pesticides; a Biodynamic wine means that the grapes are farmed biodynamically and that the winemaker did not make the wine with any common manipulations such as yeast additions or acidity adjustments; and a Sustainable Producer is someone committed to using methods that reduce soil erosion, pesticide dependency and loss of biodiversity (for example providing owl boxes and raptor perches in vineyards to maintain ecological control of mice!).
The type of fining agent used in creating wine will determine whether it is awarded Vegan-Friendly status (no animal-derivative agent is used i.e. the winemaker may use Bentonie Clay) or Vegetarian-Friendly status (the use of egg white or casein - a milk product) or neither (where gelatin, isinglass or chitosan may be used).
A Sulphite free wine? Unfortunately, there is no true “sulphite free wine” or “sulphur free wine” as very low levels are naturally produced during fermentation. But for those of you sensitive to sulphur, we suggest trying a Natural, Organic or Biodynamic wine who's 'sulphite-status' is lower than most.
Natural wine is wine made with minimal chemical and technological intervention, both in growing grapes and making them into wine. The term is used to distinguish such wine from organic wine and biodynamic wine because of differences in cellar practices. So there we go - now you are in the know!
3 products
2020 El Convertido Organic Syrah
Regular price £10.69 Sale price £9.09 Save 15%‘The Convert’ – this might the wine to convert more of your friends to organic!
Tasting Notes
On the nose, it is ripe and vibrant with fresh blackcurrant and blueberry, accompanied by a faint herbal, almost seaweed character. The bundles of freshness on the palate make this Syrah a true pleasure to drink. Textural, this is a wine that exceeds expectations.
History
El Convertido loosely translates to 'the converter' and tells the story of La Mancha, the world's largest wine region, which is gradually transitioning to a more sustainable future. The conditions are ideal for organic viticulture and that is what family business De Haan Altés wants to show with this Syrah
Specifications
| Year | 2020 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Syrah |
| Country | Spain |
|
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
| Type | Red Wine |
| Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic & Sustainable farming |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites and no other allergens |
| Food Matches | Excellent with chargrilled red, particularly lamb chops leaner of beef, and equally delightful with roasted Mediterranean vegetables, stuffed peppers, and griddled courgettes. |
| Appellation | VDT Castilla Leon |
2023 El Convertido Verdejo Organic
Regular price £10.69 Sale price £9.09 Save 15%A beautiful glass of white wine Spain's La Mancha, this Verdejo stands out from the rest.
Tasting Notes
Expressive nose of gooseberry, apple and white fruit. Fruity wine with a nice balance of white fruit and fresh acidity.
History
El Convertido loosely translates to 'the converter' and tells the story of La Mancha, the world's largest wine region, which is gradually transitioning to a more sustainable future. The conditions are ideal for organic viticulture and that is what family business De Haan Altés wants to show with this Verdejo.
Specifications
| Year | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Verdejo |
| Country | Spain |
|
Alcohol content
|
12% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic & Sustainable farming |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites and no other allergens |
| Food Matches | Perfectly complements chicken and turkey! |
| Appellation | VDT Castilla Leon |
2022 Menade Organic Verdejo
Regular price £15.99 Sale price £13.59 Save 15%Wild ferment' organic and high altitude Verdejo - another beautiful example from Menade.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Fresh stone fruit aromas with notes of fennel and thyme.
Palate
The palate is ripe and textural with white peach and herbal characters, balanced by crisp acidity and minerality.
Production
The Verdejo grapes are selected from parcels of vines, 20-25 years old, grown in pebbly, clay and chalky soils at between 700 and 800m altitude. Harvesting takes place by 3 different processes: part green daytime harvest by hand, part mechanised and part night-time harvest. Each parcel is vinified separately using wild yeasts in stainless steel. Fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature of 18-22ºC, and the wine remains on lees for a short period.
Producer
Bodegas Menade was established in 2005 by Alejandra, Marco and Richard Sanz - the 6th generation of this wine-producing family - just a kilometre west of the village of Rueda. Their winery incorporates a cellar hewn out of the solid rock of La Seca at the beginning of the 19th century. Richard is the winemaker at the estate, whilst his brother Marco is the viticulturalist, and sister Alejandra looks after exports and communications.
Their philosophy is grounded in nature, and respect for the vineyards and terroir. All wines are certified organic, no sulphur or copper sulphate is used in their vineyards, and fermentation is with only natural yeasts present on the grape skins. This is a producer of seriously interesting and innovative Rueda wines; their portfolio focuses predominantly on Verdejo and includes the stunning 'La Mision', which is part fermented in tinajas (traditional clay fermenting vessels) made from clay from their own vineyards, and a (non-Jerez) Palomino Verdejo flor aged wine.
Sustainability
Menade’s by-line is ‘Made by Nature’ – the winery doesn’t use chemical treatments, opting instead for a natural approach using plant-based infusions (for example using nettles, cinnamon) which are kinder on the soil, plants and naturally occurring yeasts. All wines are certified organic, and no sulphur or copper sulphate is used in their vineyards. They use green harvesting to control yields.
Their ecosystem includes mobile trees and bushes – to allow them to understand which are the most beneficial across their different vineyard parcels. They also have a garden boasting more than 40 species, many of the plants indigenous to Castilla y Leon, and pollination gardens with aromatic plants. These micro-systems, together with insect ‘hotels’, have created ideal habitats for insects and other wildlife - increasing biodiversity in their vineyards.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Lovely peachy fruit, some minerality, good acidity and a little creaminess giving a lovely textural mouthfeel- all in all a very balanced and full mouthful. A delicious bottle of wine for the price - love it!!" June 2024
Specifications
| Year | 2022 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Verdejo |
| Country | Spain |
|
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic & Sustainable farming |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites and no other allergens |
| Food Matches | Baked fish with fennel |
| Appellation | VDT Castilla Leon |
