- Alicante Bouschet
- Bobal
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Carmenère
- Catarratto
- Chardonnay
- Cinsault
- Frappato
- Gewürtztraminer
- Glera
- Grenache / Garnacha
- Grüner Veltliner
- Malbec
- Merlot
- Nebbiolo
- Pinot Bianco/ Pinot Blanc
- Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris
- Pinot Noir
- Pinotage
- Prieto Picudo
- Riesling
- Roussanne
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Shiraz / Syrah
- Tempranillo
- Verdejo
- Verdicchio
- Viognier
- Viura Blanco / Macabeu / Macabeo
- Zweigelt
- Alicante Bouschet
- Bobal
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Carmenère
- Catarratto
- Chardonnay
- Cinsault
- Frappato
- Gewürtztraminer
- Glera
- Grenache / Garnacha
- Grüner Veltliner
- Malbec
- Merlot
- Nebbiolo
- Pinot Bianco/ Pinot Blanc
- Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris
- Pinot Noir
- Pinotage
- Prieto Picudo
- Riesling
- Roussanne
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Shiraz / Syrah
- Tempranillo
- Verdejo
- Verdicchio
- Viognier
- Viura Blanco / Macabeu / Macabeo
- Zweigelt
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!
2022 Monte Schiavo Verdicchio Classico Amphora (Organic)
Regular price £9.45 Sale price £8.32 Save 12%A fine example of the Verdicchio grape from one of the region's pioneering producers. From estate-grown grapes, a fresh and juicy style with lovely concentration of flavour.
Tasting Notes
Fresh zesty nose with apricot and orchard fruit aromas, and a hint of white flower and citrus. The palate has minerality and texture with ripe stone fruit and grapefruit characters, refreshing lemon citrus acidity, a touch of salinity, and a crisp finish.
Production
The grapes are sourced from Monte Schiavo's own vineyards situated in the communes of Maiolati Spontini, Montecarotto, Poggio S. Marcello and Rosora - at an altitude of 180-360 metres above sea level. Vinified in stainless steel at controlled temperatures to retain fresh fruit characters and aromas.
Producer
Since establishing their winery in Marche in 1976, the Pieralisi family have striven to create the very best from their vineyards. The family’s background was in olive oil manufacturing equipment, but they began to invest in agriculture and also purchased vineyards from the local co-operative. The 350-hectare estate now consists of around 103 ha of prime vineyard in and around Maiolati Spontini, Ancona, the heart of the classic production area of Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi – along with 48 ha of olive groves, 24 ha of walnut trees, and other agricultural land. The winery itself is set amongst some of their most prized plots, notably the 20 ha Colle del Sole vineyard.
Under the supervision of Gennaro Pieralisi and his son Andrea, production has progressed from its initial focus on the Verdicchio grape, to include a range of red wines from their own estate fruit (with the exception of their Rosso Conero, which is produced in collaboration with Alberto Serenelli). The success of their manufacturing business has allowed the family to invest heavily in the estate, providing state-of-the-art technology, and they have striven to improve quality and reduce yields.
The appointment of talented young winemaker Simone Schiaffino, and collaboration with renowned Italian winemaking consultant Carlo Ferrini since the 2015 vintage, has added a new depth and complexity to their portfolio. Carlo Ferrini has worked as a consultant with some of Italy’s top estates – to optimise clones, rootstocks, vine density and pruning – in order to create wines that are a true expression of the vineyard. At the same time Simone has revitalised the cellar and added an extra layer of vibrancy and expression to the wines, establishing Monte Schiavo as a producer of top quality, authentic wines.
The ‘Tenute Pieralisi’ range of wines represents the culmination of their project - a top tier of premium wines asserting the individuality of indigenous varieties Verdicchio and Montepulciano.
Sustainability
Tenute Pieralisi are committed to the environment, and to using non-invasive procedures on their land. They believe that the diversified agricultural production on the estate helps to preserve the great local varietal heritage of flora and fauna. This has led to a conversion to organic farming and to the careful use of resources in the winery: introducing low-energy LED lighting and a photovoltaic system to generate electricity from solar energy. They also use environmentally-friendly vehicles for local deliveries, reducing pollutants from emissions.
They are one of the first companies in Italy to have obtained both BRC Global Standard for Food Safety certification (AA grade) and to be registered on the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS).
Furthermore, as of the 2019 vintage the estate and wines are certified as organic, and the wines are labelled accordingly.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Verdicchio |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 12.5% abv |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle
|
9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food Matches |
Perfect with shellfish and fish dishes but can withstand a creamy sauce and even chicken.
|
Features |
Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Marche |
Appellation |
Verdicchio Dei Castelli Di Jesi DOC
|
2021 Castel del Lupo Limes Barbera (Organic)
Regular price £12.09 Sale price £10.64 Save 12%This organic, unoaked Barbera is a new project from Castel del Lupo, and has bags of red berry fruit and bright acidity.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Aromas of summer fruits with touches of spice and black pepper.
Palate
The palate has bright redcurrant and cranberry characters, violet hints, ripe tannins and vibrant acidity.
Production
The Barbera vines grow in silt, clay and chalk soils on south and south-west-facing slopes at 250 metres altitude. The Barbera grapes are hand-harvested and undergo selection, before a 6-7 day maceration on the skins. After fermentation, the wine spends over 9 months in stainless steel before bottling
Producer
Castel del Lupo, in the heart of Oltrepograve; 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 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
Led by Giovanni Doglio since 1974, the team at Castel del Lupo is very keen to honour the long heritage of its estate which existed even before its inclusion on a map of the region in 1301. All of Castel del Lupos grapes are estate grown and the 100-hectare property is now fully certified organic to maintain the integrity of the environment, the ecosystem and soil fertility without resorting to artificial substances at any stage of the production processes.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 80% Barbera; 20% Syrah |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content
|
14.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information |
Vegan, Vegetarian, Sustainable, Organic
|
Food Matches | Enjoy with risotto prepared with pork sausage and a little of the wine too! |
Origin | Lombardia, Italy |
Appellation | Provincia Di Pavia IGT |
Castel del Lupo Pinot Noir Brut N/V
Regular price £14.95 Sale price £13.16 Save 12%This appealing north Italian organic sparkler, produced from 100% Pinot Noir, has layers of honeyed fruit and toasty character.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Aromas of lemon and brioche with lightly toasty notes.
Palate
The palate is fresh and dry, with citrus and apple characters balanced by crisp acidity. The wine has a fine and persistent mousse with honeyed fruit on the long finish.
Production
Produced from a selection of estate-grown grapes in Casteggio and Calvignano - where the Pinot Noir vines are planted on south-westerly facing hillside sites (around 300m altitude), in chalky clay soils. The wine is then produced according to the Charmat method, with second fermentation in tank.
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
Led by Giovanni Doglio since 1974, the team at Castel del Lupo is very keen to honour the long heritage of its estate which existed even before its inclusion on a map of the region in 1301. All of Castel del Lupos grapes are estate grown and the 100-hectare property is now fully certified organic to maintain the integrity of the environment, the ecosystem and soil fertility without resorting to artificial substances at any stage of the production processes.
Specifications
Year | NV |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Nero |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content
|
12% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Fizz |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information |
Vegan, Vegetarian, Sustainable, Organic
|
Food Matches | A great match with rich pasta dishes and middle aged cheeses. |
Origin | Lombardy, Italy |
Appellation | DOP Pinot Nero Dell'ltrepò Pavese |
N/V La Jara Prosecco Spumante Extra Dry
Regular price £17.99 Sale price £15.83 Save 12%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 |
2022 Aquiline Shiraz
Regular price £7.49 Sale price £6.59 Save 12%A combination of Paarl and Swartland fruit naturally fermented without crushing, gives a supple and tasty Shiraz in a fresh, approachable style.
Tasting Notes
Ripe and fragrant with youthful cherry and redcurrant fruit and a hint of white pepper. Medium-bodied and rounded with warm, red fruit flavours balanced by fresh acidity, gentle tannins and a touch of spice.
Production
Grapes are sourced from Paarl and the foothills of the Swartland mountains. These vineyards produce low yields and small concentrated berries. Hand-picked and naturally fermented in stainless steel tanks. 25% whole bunch fermented as the ripe stems add to the overall tannin quality of the wine, the rest is just destemmed and not crushed. Pump overs are done once daily during fermentation. 15% went into older 300-litre barrels for malolactic fermentation and a few months ageing.
Producers
Boutinot South Africa is driven by our passion for discovery and desire to capture the real essence of South Africa in every bottle. It was the simple love of Loire Chenin Blanc that first led us to South Africa in 1994, where we pioneered the wild ferment style that has now been adopted by many producers in this region.
Since then we have been exploring the country's amazing vineyards to make fabulous wines from specific sites and plots that scream location, location, and terroir. Our home-grown South African winemaking team of JD Rossouw and Ryno Booysen drive the energy and enthusiasm for expressing the loveliest wines from their country, along with Samantha Bailey's expertise in finesse. The key is knowing the characteristics of each plot, understanding the benefits each cultivar can bring, breaking rules and pushing boundaries. We use a combination of knowledge, a love of nature and science to create versatile, expressive and food-friendly wines from a country that has been making wine for 360 years.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Shiraz |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Sustainable |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | This wine was made with the barbecue in mind, it's a great partner to homemade burgers or sticky spare ribs. |
Origin | Swartland |
Appellation | Western Cape |
2019 Las Jaras, Fuentes Del Silencio
Regular price £22.99 Sale price £19.54 Save 15%These expertly crafted, artisanal wines were borne out of a passion project to revive old vines in this corner of Spain, and have helped put Jamuz back on the wine-producing map.
Tasting Notes
"The 2019 vintage is very open and expressive, showing an abundance of perfume and floral elements, alongside bramble fruit, warm spice and subtle balsamic notes. The Prieto Picudo adds ample acidity to the softer Mencia, as well as a tannic backbone. " Lenka Sedlackova MW
Producer
Fuentes de Silencio was founded in 2013 on the banks of the Jamuz River, to the south of the province of León. The winery gets its name from the fact that this town had many water reserves and was called the town of fountains.' This passion project is led by oenologist Marta Ramas along with owners Miguel Angel Alonso and his wife Maria Jose Galera.
With old pre-phylloxera vines yards, many of which are over 100 years of age they grow the native varieties of Mencía and Alicante Bouschet in very carefully dictated plots. They currently have 24 hectares of vineyards and plantings of Mencía, Alicante Bouschet, Prieto Picudo, Palomino and Godello. Galician influence here is notable, characterised by the presence of sandy soils and Mencia at high altitudes (800m above sea level) and a continental climate.
Although wine has long been produced in Jamuz, it has done so quietly. This small team is working to bring the essence of the territory back to life and ensure that each of their small plots reaches their highest potential while implementing environmentally-friendly winemaking practices and placing importance on the use of traditional methods. Not only are they the team creating high-quality, exceptional wines of very limited production but they are adding new value to this tiny, relatively unknown region. Jamuz is back on the map.
Production
The grapes are harvested by hand in 15 kg boxes with manual selection in the vineyard before whole bunches are aged in French oak. Macerated for 35 days, the malolactic fermentation takes place in oak vats and concrete tanks, where it rests for nine months.
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 60% Mencía, 30% Prieto Picudo and 10% Alicante Bouschet or Garnacha Tintorera from old vines |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content | 14% Alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian, Organic & Biodynamic |
Food Matches | Enjoy with rich Mediterranean tomato-based dishes, steak, or grilled chicken. |
Origin | Castilla y Leon |
2022 Strange Kompanjie Cinsault
Regular price £9.99 Sale price £8.79 Save 12%From mature, unirrigated bush vines in Paarl, this old dame is remarkably light on her feet. Inestimably life-affirming and a pure joy to drink.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The nose is alluringly bright with aromas of fresh cranberry and raspberry.
Palate
The palate reflects these with vibrant, crunchy red berry fruit, tangy acidity and warm, gently spicy notes. An immediately appealing and quaffable style with a serious streak of quality thanks to the low yielding bush vine fruit.
Production
28 year old, dry grown bush vine Cinsault from organically farmed blocks, brought to Wildeberg where roughly 30% of the fruit is carbonically macerated due to some whole bunch material in the press. The juice is then allowed to ferment naturally in older French oak. A naturally produced wine with no fining or filtration and low sulphur levels.
Producer
What’s this then? SKU is a casual band of happy ferments. A circus tent of the Cape’s stranger grapes and blends. We will champion the unfashionable, experiment with the known and express the found before it gets lost. Mistakes are likely, fun certain. Welcome to Strange Kompanjie, a Kultivar Club for the Underdog.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Cinsault |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 13% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Features | Vegetarian & Vegan |
Dietary Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | Lightly chilled with Mediterranean dishes, chargrilled veg, pan-fried shrimp or Asian-inspired dishes. |
Appellation | Paarl |
2021 Painted Wolf The Den Pinotage
Regular price £11.99 Sale price £10.55 Save 12%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 |
2022 Melea Organic Tempranillo
Regular price £9.99 Sale price £8.79 Save 12%Background
The creation of Melea Organic was a labour of love for us all. William Long spent years searching for the right winery to supply the organic, vegan-certified and wild-fermented wines, his son Freddie handled the launch and the label features an original bee motif created by his wife, artist Barbara Long, from recycled threads.
Named after a rare species of bee, everything about the range is created with sustainability in mind, from the lightweight bottles to the stone paper labels, made from a by-product of the quarrying process using a lot less water than normal paper. Melea was also the first Spanish wine brand to become a member of 1% for the Planet. Melea has donated thousands of dollars to bee conservation charities since its launch in 2020. Melea Organic also has an Instagram page to share information on the brand’s sustainable values.
The Vineyards
Fruit comes from organically certified, bush-trained, dry-farmed vines in the Cuenca area of La Mancha. The vineyards were planted in 1999 and are at an altitude of 660m with sandy-clay soils, low in organic matter and high in chalk and limestone. This suppresses yields to just 3-4kg per plant, giving greater quality grapes and red wines with the structure to age well. The extreme continental climate means there is a high diurnal temperature range conserving freshness and increasing aromatic intensity. The lack of rainfall reduces the risk of fungal diseases.
Production
Fermented with native yeasts, the wine underwent malolactic fermentation in tank. Fined using vegan-friendly pea protein.
Producer
The family winery is located in Alicante and is a leader in the production of high-quality, organic wines. They are IFS-certified and produce wines with organic and vegan certification.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Tempranillo |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Features | Vegan, Vegetarian & Organic |
Food Matches | Simple Tapas dishes including olives, Manchego cheese and sundried tomatoes. |
Origin | Alicante |
Appellation | VdiT Castilla |
2022 Melea Verdejo Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £9.99 Sale price £8.79 Save 12%Background
The creation of Melea Organic was a labour of love for us all. William Long spent years searching for the right winery to supply the organic, vegan-certified and wild-fermented wines, his son Freddie handled the launch and the label features an original bee motif created by his wife, artist Barbara Long, from recycled threads.
Named after a rare species of bee, everything about the range is created with sustainability in mind, from the lightweight bottles to the stone paper labels, made from a by-product of the quarrying process using a lot less water than normal paper. Melea was also the first Spanish wine brand to become a member of 1% for the Planet. Melea has donated thousands of dollars to bee conservation charities since its launch in 2020. Melea Organic also has an Instagram page to share information on the brand’s sustainable values.
The Vineyards
Fruit comes from organically certified, traditionally managed, dry-farmed vines in the Cuenca area of La Mancha. The vineyards were planted in 1999 and are at an altitude of 660m with sandy-clay soils, low in organic matter and high in chalk and limestone. This suppresses yields to just 3kg per plant, giving greater quality grapes. The extreme continental climate means there is a high diurnal temperature range conserving acidity and increasing aromatic intensity. The lack of rainfall reduces the risk of fungal diseases.
Production
Grapes were harvested after the second half of September, later than average to ensure full ripeness. Wild yeast fermented at a controlled temperature of 15ºC with clean musts. Fined with vegan-friendly pea protein.
Producer
The family winery is located in Alicante and is a leader in the production of high-quality, organic wines. They are IFS certified and produce wines with organic and vegan certification.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 90% Verdejo, 10% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content
|
12% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Features | Vegan, Vegetarian & Organic |
Food Matches | Enjoy this wine chilled, on its own, or create a symphony by pairing it with light dishes such as shellfish, poultry or salads. |
Origin | Alicante |
Appellation | VdiT Castilla |
2020 Domaine des Tourelles Skin
Regular price £18.99 Sale price £16.71 Save 12%An impressive take on an orange wine from one of Lebanon's oldest wineries. The average age of the vines are 150 years old! Produced from Merweh, an indigenous Lebanese grape variety, given a dose of skin contact followed by maturation in qvevri, this is something different and with real character.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Light amber in colour
Nose
The nose rises up out to the glass to greet, with waves of spice, sweet clementine-infused fruit, and what can only be described as a sense of warmth.
Palate
The palate opens up fresh and breezy, with the ripe apple and orange fruit coming through to fill up the mid-palate. While nothing like as grippy as some orange wine there's also a pleasing hit of tannins, helping give the wine real structure and definition.
Production
The grapes were harvested in October. 100% manually with intensive selection in 20kg boxes. Several rounds are needed to obtain perfect ripeness. Fermented with indigenous yeasts in 19th-century made Amphoras for 7 days on skin contact, then followed by malolactic fermentation
Producer
Domaine des Tourelles was founded in 1868 by French adventurer François-Eugène Brun and is one of the most highly acclaimed and oldest wineries still operating in Lebanon. It was also the first commercial cellar in 'modern' Lebanon to produce wines, arak and other spirits. This place has history! The Brun family owned and ran the winery up until the last descendant died in 2003 but luckily two local families - the Issa and Issa el-Khoury families - joined forces to buy the property and continue the fine tradition of winemaking.
Today, this Bekaa Valley estate is run by the three Issa children - twins Faouzi and Johanne and their sister Christiane, alongside Emile Issa-el Khoury, son of one of the co-owners. This young and dynamic combination have introduced a handful of practices in the vineyards and cellar including the use of indigenous natural yeasts, no fining or filtering, and only very small amounts of sulphur. These techniques along with fruit from 40 hectares of ancient, organically cultivated and dry-farmed vineyards (among the oldest in the valley) and a winery perfect for hands-off winemaking, make Domaine des Tourelles one of the finest boutique wineries in the Middle East.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Merweh |
Country | Lebanon |
Alcohol content | 11% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.25 units |
Type | Orange Wine |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Sustainable |
Cellaring Potential | 2023-2030 |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Bekaa Valley |
Appellation |
Bsharreh mountains (at the foothills of the Millennial cedars) |
2021 Domaine des Tourelles Vieilles Vignes Merweh Obeidi
Regular price £16.49 Sale price £14.51 Save 12%A 50/50 blend of Merweh and Obeidi - indigenous Lebanese varieties from low yielding old vines. The Merweh vineyards are over 100 years old and have not been pruned for the last two decades, resulting in extremely low yields and concentrated flavours.
Tasting Notes
Colour
This blend of Merweh and Obeidi is golden in colour.
Nose
The nose has natural aromas of ripened grapes, apple skin and a mix of herbs and spices.
Palate
Mineral and savoury on the palate, the wine shows notes of dried figs and fresh almonds on the finish.
Production
A blend of two indigenous Lebanese varieties that likey trace their lineage back to the Phoenicians, this wine is made from very old vines grown in altitude. Merweh vineyards are spread over the mountians of Bsharreh to the west of the Bekaa Valley at 1,400m altitude, in amongst the famous cedars of Mount Lebanon. Merweh is a resistant variety which has adpated very well to the Mediterranean mountain climate and ecosystem. Due to the wild nature of the Merweh vines, the ripening was uneven abd required several passes and a skilled team to select only perectly ripe grapes. Obeidi vineyards are grown on the hills of Zahleh - the capital of Bekaa Valley - at 1,100m altitude. These 50 year old vines are trained using a pergola system to ensure they enjoy the best sun exposure to reach maximum ripeness an balance on this late-ripening grape. Obeidi is a reliable and very resitant grape, considered to be the backbone of Behaa Valley's vines throughout its winemaking history. Both varieties were cold fermented separately, using wild yeast widely present in the winery. Once fermentation was complete, the wines we blended and stored for a short period of time in stainless steel tanks to keep the original freshness of the blend.
Producer
Domaine des Tourelles was founded in 1868 by French adventurer François-Eugène Brun and is one of the most highly acclaimed and oldest wineries still operating in Lebanon. It was also the first commercial cellar in 'modern' Lebanon to produce wines, arak and other spirits. This place has history! The Brun family owned and ran the winery up until the last descendant died in 2003 but luckily two local families - the Issa and Issa el-Khoury families - joined forces to buy the property and continue the fine tradition of winemaking.
Today, this Bekaa Valley estate is run by the three Issa children - twins Faouzi and Johanne and their sister Christiane, alongside Emile Issa-el Khoury, son of one of the co-owners. This young and dynamic combination have introduced a handful of practices in the vineyards and cellar including the use of indigenous natural yeasts, no fining or filtering, and only very small amounts of sulphur. These techniques along with fruit from 40 hectares of ancient, organically cultivated and dry-farmed vineyards (among the oldest in the valley) and a winery perfect for hands-off winemaking, make Domaine des Tourelles one of the finest boutique wineries in the Middle East.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Obeidi 50%, Merweh 50% |
Country | Lebanon |
Alcohol content | 11% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Features | Vegetarian & Vegan, Organic |
Dietary Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | Try with baba ghanouj or Sea bream with smoked vegetables. |
Appellation | Bekaa Valley |
ALT Sparkling Organic Rosé 0% Alc
Regular price £11.99 Sale price £10.55 Save 12%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 |
ALT Sparkling Organic Chardonnay 0% Alc
Regular price £8.99 Sale price £7.91 Save 12%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 (200ml Single Serve also available) |
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 |
2021/22 Coral de Peñascal Ethical Rosé
Regular price £9.99 Sale price £8.79 Save 12%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 | 2021/22 |
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 |
2022 Weingut Prieler Ried Seeberg Pinot Blanc
Regular price £24.99 Sale price £21.24 Save 15%The white “Prieler Classic” - a very classy wine - an elegant and juicy alternative to the Grüners and Rieslings for which Austria is better known.
Tasting Notes
Bright gold yellow, delicate fresh pear, a touch of orange zest, subtle herbal spice, refreshing structure, sweetly extracted on the elegant finish.
Producer
Georg Prieler, aided in the vineyards by his sort-of-retired father Engelbert, is in charge now. They are a long and well-established family, and at any visit, tasting or conversation there is a clear sense that they have found “their” style and know exactly what to do. That’s not at all to say they rest on their laurels, despite being enormously successful in Austria, and Georg is well-travelled with a strong enthusiasm to learn and experiment. The vineyards are situated on the Western side of Lake Neusiedl, and lie mostly on sun-exposed Southern and Eastern slopes. The lake provides a perfect micro-climate with mild temperatures throughout the year.
The flagship wine is the Blaufränkisch from the Goldberg vineyard which is highly reputed as one of the top red wines in Austria. Challenging Goldberg however is Leithaberg. Like Goldberg, it is 100% Blaufränkisch, but it uses no new oak, so is perhaps more in tune with the style of our times. Its name is shared, of course by the new DAC Leithaberg. This is named after the Leitha hills, where slate and marine limestone dominate, giving a very fresh, almost chalky note to the wines and a tightly woven structure.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Blanc |
Country | Austria |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food matches | A perfect accompaniment to food. |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information |
|
Origin | Burgenland |
2023 Moscato d'Asti Luigi Tacchino DOCG
Regular price £13.99 Sale price £12.31 Save 12%The Moscato d’Asti is light and refreshing with well-balanced sweetness and acidity. Fresh citrus fruit characteristics accompany warm honeyed notes.
Tasting Notes
Light, lemony citrus flavour with a honeyed finish.
Production Method
Whole ripened bunches; the must is kept in steel tanks at a temperature of 0° C. After fermentation at a temperature of 16° C, it is microfiltered and bottled in order to maintain freshness and aromaticity.
Producer
For more than three generations the Tacchino family has produced superb fresh and vibrant wines in Castelletto d'Orba in Monferrato, Piedmont. This is perfect wine country as the hills provide a natural amphitheatre which protects the vineyards from the northerly winds.
Today brother and sister duo Alessio and Romina run the Tacchino estate, blending a respect for tradition with modern winemaking methods and rigorous attention to detail to produce a range of wines of outstanding elegance and purity. Tacchino's vines are spread over 25 hectares, about half of which benefit from a south/southeasterly aspect. Great care is taken to restrict yields. The Araldica winemaking team of Claudio Manera, Lella Burdese and Carlo Manera oversee all production.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Moscato Bianco |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content
|
5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 3.75 units |
Type | Fortified and Dessert |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information |
Organic, Vegan & Vegetarian approved
|
Food Matches | Perfect with Lemon Mousse. |
Origin | Castelletto d’Orba in Monferrato, Piedmont |
Appellation | DOCG Moscato D'Asti |
NV Les Fleurs Blanches, Vin Mousseux
Regular price £9.99 Sale price £8.79 Save 12%Fruity fun fizz! Organic too!
Tasting Notes
Bright and lively, packed with orchard fruit, and with all of the white flower aromas its name suggests. The perfect party wine, this is soft, approachable, and all too easy to drink.
Production
Made in the same way as Prosecco, this tank-method organic sparkling wine is crafted in a deliberately vibrant and youthful style. It has been simply but classically packaged.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Airen |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 11.5% |
Units of Alcohol | 8.63 units |
Type | Fizz |
Food Matches | The ideal apéritif, alongside canapés or an antipasti selection. Serve between 8-10°C |
Cellaring Potential | 12 months |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Vegetarian, Organic |
La Jara Organic Rosato Frizzante NV (10.5% Vol)
Regular price £12.00 Sale price £10.56 Save 12%An attractive, softly sparkling, organic Italian sparkling Rosé from Prosecco country. An irresistible bottle of bubbles - great to get the party started!
Tasting Notes
Colour
Soft light pale pink
Nose
The nose is delicate and fruity, led by aromas of ripe strawberries and raspberries.
Palate
The palate is fresh and tart, full of gooseberry and redcurrant notes.
Terroir: The Land of Prosecco and of the river Piave
In the heart of north-eastern Italy, at a mere 50 km from Venice, lies the unmistakable terroir of Prosecco.
In this splendid area, stretching from the Conegliano and Valdobbiadene hills to the river Piave, our vineyards are cultivated according to organic principles.
La Jara distinguishes itself through the production of high-quality organic wines, inspired by principles of respect for the vineyard and for its natural fertility cycle. In the flat fields surrounding the winery, the long aligned rows stretch for 50 hectares, as far as the gravelly bed of the river Piave, which has shaped this unique terrain.
Organic – for the Love of this Soil
Dedication, passion, and technical prowess, born of years of experience: this is what you need to cultivate a soil of such unique peculiarities.
Our love and respect for this soil prompt us to work symbiotically with the environment and with all of its components, preserving their balance. Our work in the vineyard scrupulously follows the natural cycle of our vines, respecting the seasonal trend of their growth and fertility. Setting aside haste and personal needs, we devote ourselves to the meticulous care of every single vine; we place ourselves at the service of the soil – just as papa Bruno has been doing since his childhood when grandpa Pietro entrusted him with this enormous responsibility.
Bruno still loves to spend his time among the rows of what he fondly defines as “his first love”: the vineyard. He knows his vineyard plant by plant; he knows how to interpret the signs of nature, to help his vines reach a harmonious balance – the aromas, colours, and sensations that have guided him since a very early age and continue to do so to this very day.
He rigorously supervises every operation in the vineyard, from pruning to harvest, according to traditional peasant methods: the resulting organic wine – with its unique and authentic flavours and aromas – reflects respect for the soil and for the environment.
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.
History
The vineyards here have been passed down through the generations since 1891. The 'Jara' name comes from the gravel that covers the vineyards and provides heat to the vines overnight – as they do in Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Glera & Rabaso |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 10.5% |
Units of Alcohol |
|
Type | Fizz |
Food Matches | Perfect as an aperitif. Excellent with soups, salads, pasta, and pizza. |
Features | Organic, Vegetarian & Vegan Approved |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
|
Contain sulphites |
Origin | Treviso |
Appellation | Veneto |
2018 Franco Conterno Barolo DOCG Pietrin
Regular price £40.00 Sale price £34.00 Save 15%Pietrin, a wine dedicated to the winery’s founding great-grandfather, is a true traditional Barolo whose grapes come from the best cru located in the communes of Castiglione Falletto, Monforte d’Alba and Novello.
This is a wine for those in the know - the wine experts, a gift for the boss or to mark a special occasion.
Tasting Notes
It shows a rich bouquet that ranges from ripe fruit notes to sweet spices, while at the sip it is elegant, harmonious and with great power
Vineyards
It is quite possible that the Franco Conterno estate has one of the most enviable views of any winery. In the heart of the Langhe, in the hamlet of Bussia di Monforte d’Alba, the farm sits alone atop a tiny hill overlooking La Morra, Fontanafredda and Castiglione Falletto.
Franco Conterno comprises 28 hectares of vineyards, located in the territories of Monforte d’Alba, Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Novello and Madonna di Como.
The labels bear the names of the most prestigious vineyards: Bussia and Panerole. The hectares of land are dedicated to the cultivation of Lampia and Michet Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Merlot, Freisa and Chardonnay. Bussia is the first cru to have been declared a member of the "modern" era.
As always, our growing techniques are specially chosen to bring together respect for the environment and agricultural work, as required by the Regional Rural Development Plan to which Franco Conterno first subscribed in 1996. All this is possible thanks to the extraordinary nature of the soil, made up of sand, silt and clay. The elevation above sea level ranges from 250 to 400 metres.
The soil, the extraordinary microclimate, and the excellent south/south-west exposure allow for the creation of wines with unique and valuable characteristics.
From 2015, Franco Conterno has been a certified organic company, dedicated to a production philosophy based on natural vineyard cultivation and a completely wholesome vinification process.
History
In the heart of the Langhe, in the hamlet of Bussia di Monforte d’Alba, is Cascina Sciulun, a typical historic farmhouse, constructed according to Piedmont architectural traditions. Built in the mid-nineteenth century and extended in the 1940s, the house has always belonged to the Conterno family.
The company Franco Conterno has deep roots, and has been a part of the family for many decades. It was nonno Pietro who allocated 18 hectares of land to Nebbiolo vineyards, initially to sell to other wineries for vinification, later destined for the creation of prestigious wines.
The business passed to his son Giacomo, and then to his grandson Franco, who took the helm of the winery in 1995 with his wife Vilma, bringing his own name and identity to the company.
In recent years, Franco’s two sons—Daniele and Andrea—joined the company, following in the footsteps of their grandfather, bringing fresh insight and innovation to the winery and vineyards, continuing the family business with passion and dedication.
Cascina Sciulun now includes a farmhouse where you can stay, for a relaxing visit immersed in the peace and tranquility of the green hills of the Langhe.
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Nebbiolo Michet and Nebbiolo Lampia |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 14.5% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Vinification |
Maceration with skins in wooden vats. Must and skins are kept in contact for 15 days, on which alcoholic fermentation takes place, and punched down daily. Fermentation temperature is variables with peaks of 31°C. |
Aging | The wine is aged in Slavonian oak barrels (2030hl capacity) for 24 months. Aging in bottle for 12 months. |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Braised beef, red meat, shank, duck, long seasoned cheese. Serve between 16-18C. |
Features | Certified Organic since 2015, Vegan & Vegetarian friendly |
Origin | Langhe, Piedmont |
Cru | Bussia, Pugnane and Panerole |
Appellation | Langhe Barolo DOCG |
2021 Franco Conterno Langhe Nebbiolo Doc Cascina Sciulun
Regular price £28.99 Sale price £24.64 Save 15%This fine wine is born from the areas of Monforte d'Alba, Novello and Madonna di Como with their steep, plastic soils, rich in clay and sand.
Tasting Notes
Brilliant grenade red in colour with soft orange notes, it is rich, complex, tannic and pleasant on the nose with hints of raspberry.
Vineyards
It is quite possible that the Franco Conterno estate has one of the most enviable views of any winery. In the heart of the Langhe, in the hamlet of Bussia di Monforte d’Alba, the farm sits alone atop a tiny hill overlooking La Morra, Fontanafredda and Castiglione Falletto.
Franco Conterno comprises 28 hectares of vineyards, located in the territories of Monforte d’Alba, Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Novello and Madonna di Como.
The labels bear the names of the most prestigious vineyards: Bussia and Panerole. The hectares of land are dedicated to the cultivation of Lampia and Michet Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Merlot, Freisa and Chardonnay. Bussia is the first cru to have been declared a member of the "modern" era.
As always, our growing techniques are specially chosen to bring together respect for the environment and agricultural work, as required by the Regional Rural Development Plan to which Franco Conterno first subscribed in 1996. All this is possible thanks to the extraordinary nature of the soil, made up of sand, silt and clay. The elevation above sea level ranges from 250 to 400 metres.
The soil, the extraordinary microclimate, and the excellent south/south-west exposure allow for the creation of wines with unique and valuable characteristics.
From 2015, Franco Conterno has been a certified organic company, dedicated to a production philosophy based on natural vineyard cultivation and a completely wholesome vinification process.
History
In the heart of the Langhe, in the hamlet of Bussia di Monforte d’Alba, is Cascina Sciulun, a typical historic farmhouse, constructed according to Piedmont architectural traditions. Built in the mid-nineteenth century and extended in the 1940s, the house has always belonged to the Conterno family.
The company Franco Conterno has deep roots, and has been a part of the family for many decades. It was nonno Pietro who allocated 18 hectares of land to Nebbiolo vineyards, initially to sell to other wineries for vinification, later destined for the creation of prestigious wines.
The business passed to his son Giacomo, and then to his grandson Franco, who took the helm of the winery in 1995 with his wife Vilma, bringing his own name and identity to the company.
In recent years, Franco’s two sons—Daniele and Andrea—joined the company, following in the footsteps of their grandfather, bringing fresh insight and innovation to the winery and vineyards, continuing the family business with passion and dedication.
Cascina Sciulun now includes a farmhouse where you can stay, for a relaxing visit immersed in the peace and tranquility of the green hills of the Langhe.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Nebbiolo |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 14% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Vinification |
Must and skins are kept in contact for 7-9 days, punched down daily and finally racked. Fermentation varied with peaks of 30°C. |
Aging | In the cellar: the new wine is kept 3 months in steel tanks and undergoes malolactic fermentation; it is decanted several times, and finally aged in Slavonian oak barrels where it ages 8 to 12 months. Aging in bottle: 6 months |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Excellent if combined with red meats, cold cuts and medium-aged cheeses. Serve between 16-18C. |
Features | Certified Organic since 2015, Vegan & Vegetarian friendly |
Origin | Langhe, Piedmont |
Appellation | Langhe Nebbiolo Doc |
2021 Franco Conterno Langhe Freisa Doc Cascina Sciulun
Regular price £21.00 Sale price £17.85 Save 15%A lively red wine perfect to enjoy with Salami!
Serve chilled in the summer months (5-7C)
Tasting Notes
Colour
Deep purple red colour with purple undertones, has a lovely foam when poured into the glass.
Nose
Notes of cherry, raspberries and sweet spices
Palate
Medium intensity and texture - fresh and harmonious with a beautifully persistent finish.
Vineyards
It is quite possible that the Franco Conterno estate has one of the most enviable views of any winery. In the heart of the Langhe, in the hamlet of Bussia di Monforte d’Alba, the farm sits alone atop a tiny hill overlooking La Morra, Fontanafredda and Castiglione Falletto.
Franco Conterno comprises 28 hectares of vineyards, located in the territories of Monforte d’Alba, Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Novello and Madonna di Como.
The labels bear the names of the most prestigious vineyards: Bussia and Panerole. The hectares of land are dedicated to the cultivation of Lampia and Michet Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Merlot, Freisa and Chardonnay. Bussia is the first cru to have been declared a member of the "modern" era.
As always, our growing techniques are specially chosen to bring together respect for the environment and agricultural work, as required by the Regional Rural Development Plan to which Franco Conterno first subscribed in 1996. All this is possible thanks to the extraordinary nature of the soil, made up of sand, silt and clay. The elevation above sea level ranges from 250 to 400 metres.
The soil, the extraordinary microclimate, and the excellent south/south-west exposure allow for the creation of wines with unique and valuable characteristics.
From 2015, Franco Conterno has been a certified organic company, dedicated to a production philosophy based on natural vineyard cultivation and a completely wholesome vinification process.
History
In the heart of the Langhe, in the hamlet of Bussia di Monforte d’Alba, is Cascina Sciulun, a typical historic farmhouse, constructed according to Piedmont architectural traditions. Built in the mid-nineteenth century and extended in the 1940s, the house has always belonged to the Conterno family.
The company Franco Conterno has deep roots, and has been a part of the family for many decades. It was nonno Pietro who allocated 18 hectares of land to Nebbiolo vineyards, initially to sell to other wineries for vinification, later destined for the creation of prestigious wines.
The business passed to his son Giacomo, and then to his grandson Franco, who took the helm of the winery in 1995 with his wife Vilma, bringing his own name and identity to the company.
In recent years, Franco’s two sons—Daniele and Andrea—joined the company, following in the footsteps of their grandfather, bringing fresh insight and innovation to the winery and vineyards, continuing the family business with passion and dedication.
Cascina Sciulun now includes a farmhouse where you can stay, for a relaxing visit immersed in the peace and tranquility of the green hills of the Langhe.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Freisa |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 14.5 % alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Vinification |
Fermented with skins in stainless steel tanks. The must remains in contact with the skins for 4-7 days with continuous daily pressing. The WIne is subsequently drawn off with a residual sugar contact of approx 6-7g/L. |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | Perfect with cured meats and rich dishes; excellent served chilled in the summer (5-7°). Serving temperature: 14° - 16° |
Features | Certified Organic since 2015, Vegan & Vegetarian friendly |
Origin | Langhe, Piedmont |
Denomination |
Langhe Freisa Doc |
2021 Franco Conterno Langhe Nascetta DOC del Comune di Novello
Regular price £24.99 Sale price £21.24 Save 15%From vines cultivated in the challenging and malleable clay-rich soils of the comune of Novello, from which the wine takes its name.
Tasting Notes
Vibrant yellow with green undertones; rich aroma with hints of pineapple, orange blossom, exotic fruits, banana and honey.
Vineyards
It is quite possible that the Franco Conterno estate has one of the most enviable views of any winery. In the heart of the Langhe, in the hamlet of Bussia di Monforte d’Alba, the farm sits alone atop a tiny hill overlooking La Morra, Fontanafredda and Castiglione Falletto.
Franco Conterno comprises 28 hectares of vineyards, located in the territories of Monforte d’Alba, Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Novello and Madonna di Como.
The labels bear the names of the most prestigious vineyards: Bussia and Panerole. The hectares of land are dedicated to the cultivation of Lampia and Michet Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Merlot, Freisa and Chardonnay. Bussia is the first cru to have been declared a member of the "modern" era.
As always, our growing techniques are specially chosen to bring together respect for the environment and agricultural work, as required by the Regional Rural Development Plan to which Franco Conterno first subscribed in 1996. All this is possible thanks to the extraordinary nature of the soil, made up of sand, silt and clay. The elevation above sea level ranges from 250 to 400 metres.
The soil, the extraordinary microclimate, and the excellent south/south-west exposure allow for the creation of wines with unique and valuable characteristics.
From 2015, Franco Conterno has been a certified organic company, dedicated to a production philosophy based on natural vineyard cultivation and a completely wholesome vinification process.
History
In the heart of the Langhe, in the hamlet of Bussia di Monforte d’Alba, is Cascina Sciulun, a typical historic farmhouse, constructed according to Piedmont architectural traditions. Built in the mid-nineteenth century and extended in the 1940s, the house has always belonged to the Conterno family.
The company Franco Conterno has deep roots, and has been a part of the family for many decades. It was nonno Pietro who allocated 18 hectares of land to Nebbiolo vineyards, initially to sell to other wineries for vinification, later destined for the creation of prestigious wines.
The business passed to his son Giacomo, and then to his grandson Franco, who took the helm of the winery in 1995 with his wife Vilma, bringing his own name and identity to the company.
In recent years, Franco’s two sons—Daniele and Andrea—joined the company, following in the footsteps of their grandfather, bringing fresh insight and innovation to the winery and vineyards, continuing the family business with passion and dedication.
Cascina Sciulun now includes a farmhouse where you can stay, for a relaxing visit immersed in the peace and tranquility of the green hills of the Langhe.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Nascetta |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 13% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Vinification |
The must is separated from the skins and fermented in steel tanks for 25-30 days. Aged in steel barrels for 5 months. |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Excellent as an aperitif; excellent with fish and shellfish dishes. Serve between 10-12C. |
Features | Certified Organic since 2015, Vegan & Vegetarian friendly |
Origin | Langhe, Piedmont |
Denomination | Commune di Novello, Langhe Nascetta Doc |
2021 Franco Conterno Bujet Langhe Chardonnay
Regular price £22.00 Sale price £18.70 Save 15%The Langhe Chardonnay DOC was born from the Bujet vineyard in Monforte d’Alba.
Tasting Notes
Straw yellow in colour with light greenish hues; fruity scented, it is broad and penetrating on the nose with hints of exotic tropical fruits.
Vineyards
It is quite possible that the Franco Conterno estate has one of the most enviable views of any winery. In the heart of the Langhe, in the hamlet of Bussia di Monforte d’Alba, the farm sits alone atop a tiny hill overlooking La Morra, Fontanafredda and Castiglione Falletto.
Franco Conterno comprises 28 hectares of vineyards, located in the territories of Monforte d’Alba, Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Novello and Madonna di Como.
The labels bear the names of the most prestigious vineyards: Bussia and Panerole. The hectares of land are dedicated to the cultivation of Lampia and Michet Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Merlot, Freisa and Chardonnay. Bussia is the first cru to have been declared a member of the "modern" era.
As always, our growing techniques are specially chosen to bring together respect for the environment and agricultural work, as required by the Regional Rural Development Plan to which Franco Conterno first subscribed in 1996. All this is possible thanks to the extraordinary nature of the soil, made up of sand, silt and clay. The elevation above sea level ranges from 250 to 400 metres.
The soil, the extraordinary microclimate, and the excellent south/south-west exposure allow for the creation of wines with unique and valuable characteristics.
From 2015, Franco Conterno has been a certified organic company, dedicated to a production philosophy based on natural vineyard cultivation and a completely wholesome vinification process.
History
In the heart of the Langhe, in the hamlet of Bussia di Monforte d’Alba, is Cascina Sciulun, a typical historic farmhouse, constructed according to Piedmont architectural traditions. Built in the mid-nineteenth century and extended in the 1940s, the house has always belonged to the Conterno family.
The company Franco Conterno has deep roots, and has been a part of the family for many decades. It was nonno Pietro who allocated 18 hectares of land to Nebbiolo vineyards, initially to sell to other wineries for vinification, later destined for the creation of prestigious wines.
The business passed to his son Giacomo, and then to his grandson Franco, who took the helm of the winery in 1995 with his wife Vilma, bringing his own name and identity to the company.
In recent years, Franco’s two sons—Daniele and Andrea—joined the company, following in the footsteps of their grandfather, bringing fresh insight and innovation to the winery and vineyards, continuing the family business with passion and dedication.
Cascina Sciulun now includes a farmhouse where you can stay, for a relaxing visit immersed in the peace and tranquility of the green hills of the Langhe.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Vinification |
Fermented in cold stainless steel tanks (8-10C) for 25-30 days |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
A white wine to accompany any meal, it is distinctly scented and intensely fruity with a full and velvety flavour; it perfectly matches fish dishes and hors d’oeuvres. Serve between 10-12C. |
Features | Certified Organic since 2015, Vegan & Vegetarian friendly |
Origin | Langhe, Piedmont |
Cru | Bujet |
Appellation | Langhe Chardonnay Doc |
2022 Camarada Malbec
Regular price £8.99 Sale price £7.91 Save 12%A wine with a conscience! It was bottled using only clean and renewable energy. So you can drink this wine and know that it didn’t ‘cost the earth’ (in more ways than one).
Tasting Notes
Nose
Rich and vibrant with notes of blueberry and blackberry on the nose.
Palate
This Malbec is well-balanced with lush fruit flavours of boysenberry and brambles, complimented by hints of dark chocolate, vanilla and spice with a long, spicy finish.
Production
Grapes are hand-harvested at the beginning of March and delivered to the winery in the same day. Stems are removed, then traditional fermentation at 22-24C for 6 - 10 days. Grapes are crushed using gentle pneumatic bag presses. Malolactic fermentation takes place to give organoleptic complexity to the wine. 50% of the wine is aged in new inner-staves for 5 months (70% French Oak and 30% American Oak) and micro-oxygenation.
Did you know?
The province of Mendoza is larger than England!
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Wow - this is stunning - I bought it because it hits a price point between entry toro Pintado/ steakmaket and the more premium la Linda/quinde etc. if ever a wine was needed to demonstrate ‘bang for buck’ - this is it!! Delicious red and black fruits with great balance, complexity and length - this is close to knocking quinde off my ‘best Malbec’ trophy in our range - Almost but not quite but it is much better value!! 17/20 for taste/flavour but 20/20 for value!!" November 2022
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Malbec |
Country | Argentina |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Suggested Serving Temp | Between 15°C and 18°C. |
Features | Vegan, Vegetarian approved & Sustainable practises |
Food Matches | It may be a cliché but this big red will go very well with a medium-rare sirloin steak, served with peppercorn sauce or other grilled meats, and pastas. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | Mendoza |
2022 Adobe Reserva Organic Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £8.69 Sale price £7.65 Save 12%This is the fundamental organic South American Sauvignon Blanc
Tasting Notes
Colour
A clear, bright pale yellow in colour
Nose
The complex nose presents citrusy notes of grapefruit and lime with a subtle touch of freshly crushed bay leaf
Palate
The smooth palate bursts with citrus freshness balanced by good volume and persistence
Production
Casablanca Valley is hugely influenced by its proximity to the cool breezes which blow in of the chilly Pacific Ocean. The vineyard soils are alluvial in origin, with sandy textures, high permeability, whose shallow depth restricts yield. These cooler temperatures and poor soils, in consequence, give great character in both flavour and aroma, especially for aromatic white varieties like Sauvignon Blanc. The landscape generally consists of rolling hills that rise toward the east and the Coastal Mountains. The poor, shallow soils are alluvial in origin with sandy loam textures, good permeability, and relatively low yields with respect to other Chilean wine regions. Cool climate conditions allow the fruit to ripen more slowly, resulting in grapes with a tremendous concentration off aromas and flavours in white varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and others. The grapes that went into this wine were hand picked during the first week of March, when the fruit had reached the desired level of ripeness. The fruit came from the Casablanca estate, where the vertically positioned vines produce an average yield of 11 tons per hectare. Fermentation took place with selected yeasts in our Maipo Valley winery. Temperatures were carefully managed to remain cool, with pumpovers and delicate lees stirring to reach the desired results. The wine was fined with bentonite and cold-stabilized before bottling to prevent tartaric precipitations in the bottle.
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
- Decanter World Wine Awards 2020 - Bronze (2019 vintage)
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Just WOW! The last Adobe to the VF party - but this is the best-selling varietal for Boutinot. Dry, fresh & clean with wonderful complexity for this price point. Lots of lime & grapefruit citric aromas and flavours. Very well made, well balanced and good length makes this an organic masterpiece for me - real respect for this winery and a wonderful addition to our range - even if we are late to the party!!" November 2022
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | Chile |
Alcohol content | 12% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting Info |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Sustainable |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Ideal with shellfish and lighter fish prepared with lemon, such as ceviche. It also makes a good companion for sushi and pastas with seafood sauces, or to enjoy as an aperitif with fresh chees |
Origin | Casablanca Valley |
Appellation | D.O. Valle De Casablanca |
2022 Adobe Reserva Merlot Organic
Regular price £10.49 Sale price £9.23 Save 12%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 |
2022 Emiliana Animalia (Orange Wine) Organic
Regular price £14.99 Sale price £13.19 Save 12%Emiliana have ventured into the world of orange wines, this being a Sauvignon Blanc fermented on skins. Really successful and has some Casablanca typicity to it.
Tasting Notes
Colour & Nose
Golden orange in colour and aromas of ripe stone fruits, figs and dried herbs on the nose.
Palate
Where as most Orange wines anonymise varietal, Animalia actually has a grassy Sauvignon tange beneath the Orange structure. Clever, tasty stuff from Emiliana.
Production
This Orange wine is made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes from the Casablanca Valley where the vineyards are strongly influenced by the Pacific Ocean and the Humboldt Current. With high humidity rates, its average temperatures reach 25°C in summer and 14°C in winter. The grapes were destemmed and crushed, and left with their skins. They fermented in concrete tanks at approximately 18º C, soft punch downs obtained a subtle extraction. Once the fermentation was finished, the wine was aged in concrete eggs for five months with the skins. After that, it was prepared for bottling.
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.
Accolades
- Silver at the IWC 2022 (for the 2021 Vintage)
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"After 40 years tasting wines there’s not many wines I taste now that gives me an instant buzz - but this does - fresh and clean with stone fruit flavours and a herbal touch. Most orange wines I’ve tasted have a very pure, anonymous edge to them but this is different - great flavour, huge intensity and a texture to die for. It’s a Boutinot wine from Emiliana Wines in Chile. A stunning intro to orange wine at an affordable price point - defo worth a try!" August 2022
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | Chile |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.5 units |
Type | Orange Wine |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Sustainable |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | This is a versatile wine that makes a great pairing with cheeses and charcuterie. It can also be served to match with white meats and fish. |
Origin | Casablanca Valley |
Appellation | D.O. Valle De Casablanca |
2022 Pablo Walter Malbec
Regular price £10.99 Sale price £9.67 Save 12%A celebration of Mendoza - the colour, culture and flavour and a celebration of friendship. Visit Mendoza in Argentina and you can't help but be struck by the vibrant street life of this exciting city. This wine was created to reflect the vibrancy and life Mendoza oozes.
It's the lovechild of Argentinean winemaker Walter Bressia and Boutinot winemaker Guillaume Letang. We've been working with Walter for many years (the Pablo referring to our original owner, Paul Boutinot) and this Malbec is the perfect way to celebrate their long friendship.
Tasting Notes
A really pure expression of Malbec, deep red almost purple in colour and wonderfully aromatic with lifted violet, red currant and cassis notes. Muy, muy fantasticó – richly bloody, vibrant, Latin and velveteen.
The Estate
Established in 2000 the Vinecol estate is located in La Paz at the eastern end of Mendoza. Their 60 hectares adjoin the UNESCO-protected biosphere at Nacunan and thus benefits from its unpolluted waters. At around 1000m, their 100 hectares are all hand-harvested and are planted mostly with Malbec, Cabernet, Chardonnay, and Torrontes. They've invested in their local environment with a reforestation programme and have a vegetable garden for their staff and sponsor local schools!
Production
Produced from 25-year-old vines in the Agrelo district of Mendoza, close to Walter’s bodega in the rain shadow of the Cordon del Plata. The unwooded Malbec vinified in stainless steel to preserve the freshness and brightness of the fruit. Walter bought three spankingly new 25000-litre steel tanks specifically for this project and subsequently somehow crow-barred them into his small family bodega.
Awards
Bronze - Sommelier Wine Awards 2020 (2019 Vintage)
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Malbec |
Country | Argentina |
Alcohol content | 14 % alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.8 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matches | A juicy steak, churrasco de chorizo marinated with garlic, parsley and olive oil, grilled vegetables with chimichurri sauce. Or try it chilled - seriously, a cool version of this wine opens up a whole new world! |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation |
Agrelo |
La Cantina Pizzolato Prosecco Frizzante Mini's (200ml Single Serve)
Regular price £5.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%La Cantina's Prosecco DOC fizzy organic and vegan certified wine!
Tasting Notes
Colour
Straw yellow with greenish hues and brilliant.
Nose
Harmonious, with notes of acacia flowers.
Palate
Fresh, rustic, delicate with hints of golden apple and honey.
Vinification
The first phase includes a soft pressing and a traditional white vinification, keeping low temperatures to preserve quality. In a second step the natural fermentation is performed in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature for at least 20 days.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 200ml |
Cultivar | 100% Glera |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 11% |
Units of Alcohol | 2.2 units |
Type | Fizz |
Residual Sugar | 10gr/l |
Food Matches |
Ideal as an aperitif. It’s excellent with light dishes, such as vegan sushi or sashimi. Serve between 6 - 8 °C |
Features |
Organic, Vegan & Vegetarian Certified |
Allergen Information | Contain sulphites |
Appellation | Veneto |
2021 Chateau Maucoil Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Regular price £28.95 Sale price £24.61 Save 15%A very proper, full-bodied, organic white from the southern Rhône.
Tasting Notes
Intense and vinous on the nose, leading into a bright, mineral-inflected yet rich palate that is subtly floral and beautifully textured with a full, long finish.
Producer
Château Maucoil’s vineyards are primarily located in the sandy-soiled northwest of Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, but its white grape varieties are planted in Urgonian limestone soils close to the river in the southwest of the region.
Vineyards have been managed organically (certified in 2014) and yields are kept to around 25 hl/ha. Harvesting is by hand and grapes are sorted before vinification.
After a cold skin maceration and pressing, alcoholic fermentation is maintained at 18°C and malolactic fermentation is prevented in order to preserve the wine’s freshness and acidity. The wine is unfined and aged in vats to bring out the varietal aromas and body, synonymous with white wines from the southern Rhône.
Did you know?
Maucoil is one of the few Châteauneuf-du-Pape estates that has conserved all thirteen of this famous appellation's original grape varieties, and grapes must pass through three rigourous stages of manual sorting before being deemed of high enough quality to be made into wine.
The estate's old vines (the youngest are merely 40 years old; the oldest date back to 1895!)
Château Maucoil (pronounced “moh-kwahl”) originally served as a base for Roman legions who were attracted by the spring that runs through the property!
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
Grenache Blanc 90%, Bourboulenc 8%, Clairette 2% |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Blend |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan, Vegetarian, Organic |
Food Matches | Pair with rich cuisine, shelfish, grilled salmon, veal cutlets with chanterelle mushrooms. |
Origin | Rhône, France |
Appellation | Châteauneuf-du-Pape |
2021 Cortese Nostru Nero d'Avola No added Sulphur
Regular price £12.49 Sale price £10.99 Save 12%The Rooster, a symbol of pride, courage and honesty, watches over the vineyards. The ancient Greeks believed that the Rooster greeted the sun every morning with its cordial song, which symbolized the victory over the night but at the same time also serves as an alarm clock to mark the beginning of the day for both the animals and the winemakers!
In Cortese, early morning is a key time to work in the vineyards thus avoiding the impetuousness of the Sicilian sun.
Tasting Notes
Our NSA Nostru Nero d’Avola is really something quite different. It has a unique mouth-feel, it is soft and well-rounded, with the purest of black fruits flavours coming through.
What is a wine with no added sulphites?
Sulfur dioxide is naturally produced by wine during fermentation. In this case we do not add any further. This is possible because during the winemaking process we carry out all the operations meticulously so that it is not necessary to add sulphites.
Viticulture
The grapes are 100% Nero d’Avola from Azienda Agricola Cortese, our organic estate in Vittoria, south-eastern Sicily. The grapes are very carefully selected by hand in the middle of September, brought to the winery in small containers and processed immediately.
Vinification
The prime aim when producing a NSA wine is to keep everything in the winery meticulously clean in order to avoid any possible microbiological growth, except for yeast for the primary fermentation and bacteria for the malolactic fermentation. Fermentation is done in the usual way and we do the pumping over in the early stages of the process. After fermentation, we keen the wine in contact with the skins for 3-4 days, doing some pumping over in order to keep the cap wet. The wine is racked and then stored, with meticulous care not to allow any contact with oxygen.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Nero d'Avola |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Dietary Information | Certified Organic, Vegan & Vegetarian |
Food Matches | Perfect to be served with Mediterranean dishes, roasts of red meat, game, mushrooms and tasty cheeses. |
Origin |
Sicily, Vini DOC |
2019 Cortese Nostru Nerello Mascalese
Regular price £12.75 Sale price £11.22 Save 12%Leathery, resistant, attached to life: the Agave embodies the spirit of the territory that hosts it. Able to survive in all conditions, he never forgets to explode into the sky in a flowery tower.
An extremely versatile wine. Perfect with pasta, either with white meat or tomato-based sauces, but equally with roasted meats, tuna or swordfish cooked on the grill.
Tasting Notes
This lovely midweight red wine is made from Mount Etna's premium red grape.
Colour
Ruby Red in colour which will tend to Garnet with aging, with a modest concentration of color typical of the variety.
Nose
The aroma is fine and varied, prevailing over all the small red berried fruits accompanied by an elegant spicy character. Intense yet delicate it has a silky fine texture with redcurrant and blackcurrant notes.
Palate
In the mouth the Nerello Mascalese excels for its elegance thanks to silky tannins and contrasted by a marked minerality.
Vineyards
The name Nerello Mascalese derives from the small town of Mascali on the slopes of Etna, the area of origin of the vine. It is a variety that in recent years has returned to production not only on Etna but also in other areas of Sicily with different expressions.
Our Nerello Mascalese grows at an altitude of about 400m above sea level, and is harvested entirely by hand in small boxes of 10-15 kg. After harvesting, the grapes are immediately separated from the stalk and vinified with an extremely soft pressing.
Vinification
The must is fermented on the skins with frequent remontage during the early stages of fermentation. Once fermentation is finished,we continue the skin contact for about 15 days with one very soft remontage a day. Malolactic fermentation occurs naturally once separated from the skins. The wine is kept on its very fine lees for about 6-8 months before being bottled.
Awards
91 points - Luca Maroni - I MIGLIORI VINI ITALIANI (2019 Vintage)
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Nerello Mascalese |
Country | Italy |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Certified Organic, Vegan & Vegetarian |
Food Matches | Try with succulent burgers and grilled flavoursome fish dishes. |
Origin |
Sicily, Vini IGP |
2021 Cortese Nostru Carricante Terre Siciliane IGP
Regular price £12.99 Sale price £11.43 Save 12%Tasting Notes
Colour
Our Carricante is a pale straw yellow, with some hints of green.
Aroma
The elegant bouquet is a combination of peach, apple, citrus fruits and blossom.
Palate
The palate has a big structure, with excellent acidity, minerality and sapidity and these characteristics give Carricante a particularly long finish.
Viticulture
Our Carricante is cultivated at about 400 metres above sea level. As it is so prolific, it is essential to focus a lot of attention on training the vines – which we do using the Guillotmethod. Strict pruning is also absolutely key in order to limit production. Grapes are hand-picked in the early part of September.
Vinification
The grapes are harvested exclusively by hand towards the beginning of September. A careful destemming is followed by soft pressing of the grapes. The decantation of the must at low temperature lasts about 48 hours before the start of the fermentation carried out at 17-19 ° C for about 20 days. After fermentation, the wine is decanted and kept on fine lees for about 5 months with frequent battonages.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Carricante |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Certified Organic, Vegan & Vegetarian |
Food Matches | Perfect accompaniment to a seafood menu: seafood antipasti, then crab linguine, followed by grilled fish. |
Origin |
Sicily, Vini IGP |
2021 Cortese Nostru Catarratto Lucido Organic
Regular price £12.99 Sale price £11.43 Save 12%Calm expression of an animal capable of enormous effort and equally stubbornness. The donkey represents the soul of working in the fields, a source of life and wealth.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Straw-coloured with flecks of green.
Aroma
The characterful bouquet is a little spicy and reminiscent of jasmine, aromatic herbs and nutmeg, with delicate touches of white peach.
Palate
On the palate, there is a strong mineral backbone, perfectly balanced with lively acidity. The finish is long and complex with delicious almond flavours.
Viticulture
Our Catarratto grapes are cultivated on slopes at around 400 metres above sea level. Grapes are hand-picked in mid-September in small baskets. Picking takes place in the cool early part of the morning in order to keep the grapes as fresh as possible.
Vinification
The vinification of Catarratto Lucido is carried out on the principle of minimum intervention in order to achieve maximum quality in the finished wine. Grapes are de-stemmed and very softly pressed with a pneumatic press. The must is decanted at a low temperature for about 48 hours before starting the fermentation, which takes place at 17-19C° for about 20 days. After the fermentation is finished the wine is racked and kept on fine lees for at least 5 months, with frequent battonages.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Cataratto |
Country | Italy |
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Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Certified Organic, Vegan & Vegetarian |
Food Matches | Serve cold (not chilled) - a very versatile wine that pairs well with fish and seafood, white meats, grilled vegetables and soft goats cheese. |
Origin |
Sicily, Vini IGP |
2019 Michael Opitz Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Gris
Regular price £23.99 Sale price £20.39 Save 15%No Tricks, Just Wine
This Sauvignon-Pinot Gris blend is a revelation! A truly sophisticated wine, full of finesse and soft tones, with Burgundy elegance and reserved coolness. A fascinating, sensuous palate, with fully mature flavours, which impresses from the first sip. The herbaceous tang of Sauvignon creates a fine balance of sweet fruitiness and crisp acidity.
Tasting Notes
Producer
Organic, Biodynamic, young, trendy, and Austrian! Michael Opitz is part of the new generation of wine growers, no longer producing mainstream but rather, distinctive, confident wines. The personality of this winegrower is reflected in the style of the wines, which are considered and confident without excessive inclination towards the dramatic. Michael Opitz also particularly values sustainability in the winery. This includes improvements in the vineyard and in the cellar as well as considerations concerning transport, packaging materials and many other aspects.
Alan's Personal Notes
"This one was labelled 'natural' not orange but still a decent colour extracted. With Sauv Blanc being the lead varietal - it’s certainly the more commercial of the two whites he produces. Equally magnificent but still difficult to recognise any particular fruit aromas or flavours - but again multi-layered, complex, and with great length - and again that saline finish. Just shades it to be my favourite of the two - but Di preferred last night. Definitely a winemaker to watch." January 2022
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Sauvignon Blanc & Pinot Gris |
Country | Austria |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Orange Wine |
Aging |
10 months in Austrian oak and Accacia Barrels |
Allergen Information | Almost Sulfur Free |
Dietary Information | Organic, Vegan & Vegetarian |
Origin | Burgenland |
2021 Domaine Saint Paul Grenache Gris Rosé
Regular price £10.50 Sale price £9.24 Save 12%This certified Organic & Vegan-Friendly rosé is possibly the prettiest pink we have!
Tasting Notes
Colour
Pale salmon pink color
Nose
It's delicate peachy colour reflects the exotic stone fruit and orange blossom on the nose
Palate
On the palate the wine has a softness and texture that some rosés lack, yet it retains a freshness to the finish. This wine fits perfectly into the centre ground between the more common summer fruit dominated rosés and the more textured white of the south of France.
Vinification
Direct pressing in a pneumatic press, settling after 48 hours at 8°C, alcoholic fermentation after yeasting at 14°C. Racking of wines and sulphating. No malolactic fermentation.
Estate
Domaine Saint-Paul is a fabulous organic estate, located close to Béziers in the commune of Colombiers in the heart of the Languedoc. Their focus is on traditional southern French grape varieties, with a huge amount of emphasis on work carried out in the vineyard to ensure the quality of grapes harvested is absolutely first class.
This hard work has resulted in a trio of exceptional wines.
Made predominantly from Grenache 'Gris' grapes that turn a pale pinky-grey colour when they ripen, this rosé is possibly the most attractive shade of pink of any we stock. Certified organic and vegan friendly.
Soil Type
The soil is mainly made up of limestone marl. There are traces of ancient fossilized mussels and oysters. These light soils allow a deep rooting of the vines which promotes the development and balance of the wines.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Grenache & Cinsault |
Country | France |
Alcohol Content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | Rosé |
Cellaring Potential | 1-2 years |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Organic and Vegan Approved |
Food Matches | It will be appreciated as an aperitif or with grilled meats and mixed salads. Serve chilled at 8C. |
Origin | Languedoc Roussillon |
Appellation | Pays D'Oc
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2021 Castel del Lupo Pinot Nero ‘Della Quercia’ Organic
Regular price £12.99 Sale price £11.43 Save 12%Tasting Notes
This spectacular Pinot captures all the vigour and character of the small plot of organically-grown 15 year old vines in the La Quercia vineyard where it is sourced. A correct and pure Pinot Noir with real soul and expression.
Nose
Pronounced, warm, ripe, black-fruited, spicy and complex aromas.
Palate
Lively acidity offsets the ripe wild plum and bramble fruit and the palate combines concentration, delicacy and structure.
Production
The Pinot Noir vines are organically-grown in a combination of chalk, clay and silt soils on the rolling hills of Oltrepo Pavese. They are Guyot-trained at approximately 250m altitude, south / south-east facing. The grapes are harvested by hand and undergo careful selection. The grapes are macerated on skins for 8-10 days, then undergo malolactic fermentation in stainless steel. The wine is bottled in spring.
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.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Nero |
Country | Italy |
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Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information |
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Food Matches | A great match with rich pasta dishes and middle aged cheeses. |
Origin | Lombardia, Italy |
Appellation | DOP Pinot Nero Dell'ltrepò Pavese |
2022 Cave de l'Ormarine Duc de Morny Picpoul de Pinet
Regular price £10.89 Sale price £9.58 Save 12%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 | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Piquepoul Blanc |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
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12.5% alc vol
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Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 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 |
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Appellation | AOP Picpoul de Pinet |
Origin | Languedoc Roussillon |
2021 Cave de l'Ormarine Picpoul de Pinet Sélection
Regular price £9.99 Sale price £8.79 Save 12%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 | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Piquepoul Blanc |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
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 |
Perfect for any al fresco dining situation! Especially lovely with seafood - oysters, myssels and grilled fish & amazing with cheese. |
Appellation | AOP Picpoul de Pinet |
Origin | Languedoc Roussillon |