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!
2 products
2019 Te Awanga Estate 'Wildsong' Organic Pinot Gris
Regular price £17.99Pear, lychee and quince, muddled with loquat, almond and nectarine. An attractive textured palate with a balanced, dry finish that suits drinking chilled on its own or served alongside pretty much anything.
Viticulture
Our Maraekakaho Vineyard is planted on an ancient river terrace that was formed by the Ngaruroro River which now flows around 60 meters below the vineyard. With its headwaters in the Kaweka Ranges to the west of Hawkes Bay, the river has created the landscapes through glacial melts, floods and droughts over the last few hundred thousand years. The old terraces that remain are made up of greywacke (a compressed sandstone) boulders and gravels from the ranges, and a topsoil borne of windblown loess, volcanic ash and humus created by ancient forests and vegetation.
The arrival of the New Year brought with it the long, hot, sunny summer days with moderate-cool nights for perfect ripening conditions, whilst preserving fresh acidity. Superb harvest climatic conditions provided the luxury of optimal picking decisions not hurried by the threat of rain. The result is an outstanding year for our Hawke’s Bay wines. Yields are slightly down, but with exceptional quality across all varieties. Full flavour and tannin ripeness in reds, with moderate alcohol levels. Acid retention and exciting flavour spectrums in whites.
Vinification
The grapes were gently pressed and fermented in stainless steel to maximise fruit intensity. Four to eight months on yeast lees helped create a rich palate and complexity.
Producer
Te Awanga Estate is a family owned wine business. It was borne out of a love of making wine and of the place we call home, Hawke’s Bay. In 2006 we began searching out great vineyard sites that would eventually supply the grapes to make the great wines of the future. We have an enduring purpose: to grow, harvest and craft world class wines. And smile while doing it.
Specifications
| Year | 2019 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Pinot Gris |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
| Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.8 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Dietary Information | Organic, Vegetarian & Vegan |
| Food Matches |
Spicy Food, Chicken, Fish, Veal, Creamy Sauces |
| Appellation | Hawkes Bay |
2023 Castel del Lupo Pinot Grigio ‘Della Ginestra’
Regular price £13.99Tasting Notes
Castel del Lupo’s impressive new release was made especially for Boutinot from grapes grown on the south-facing, chalky Ginestra vineyard. Like their Pinot Nero, this PG from the gently hilly Oltrepo Pavese DOC, the ‘Tuscany of Northern Italy’, has subtlety, depth and character. It’s a pure, gently aromatic style, crisp and lightly nutty, with fine citrus and peach fruit characters and savoury, textural finish from 4 months on fine lees.
Nose
A subtle, delicately aromatic and lightly floral nose with citrus and white peach notes.
Palate
The palate has fresh stone fruit and lemony characters leading to a gentle, textured mid-palate and an attractively crisp, saline finish.
Production Method
The Pinot Grigio grapes are organically grown, harvested by hand, and undergo careful selection. Alcoholic fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature (17°C), and the wine is then kept on fine lees for at least four months.
Producer
Castel del Lupo, in the heart of Oltrepò Pavese, dates back centuries - and includes the eighteenth-century Palazzo Pegazzera. In 1974 three entrepreneurs took over this historic estate and began a regeneration process. Giovanni Doglio, whose father and grandfather were both Piemontese winemakers, has over 40 years of experience managing wineries. Recently joined by his daughter Federica, he has worked tirelessly to develop the estate. They have purchased more vineyards (to cover 100ha at around 300m altitude), planted new vines and built a new cellar. The vineyards are now certified organic. The winery's main focus is high quality bottle-fermented sparkling wine, and much of the vineyard is planted with Pinot Noir for this purpose. However, these vines are also the source of fine still red wines.
A Note on Sustainability
A proportion of the cantina’s vineyards are in conversion from sustainable to organic cultivation and will be certified as organic from 2020.
Awards
Specifications
| Year | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Pinot Grigio |
| Country | Italy |
|
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Dietary Information |
Vegan, Vegetarian, Sustainable, Organic
|
| Food Matches | Ideal as an aperitif, excellent with summery appetizers and fish dishes. |
| Origin | Lombardia, Italy |
| Appellation | DOC Oltrepo Pavese |
