Spring Special Mixed Case
Regular price £76.87 Sale price £60.00 Save 22%Dust off the BBQ and sun loungers - warmer days are on their way! And in celebration we are delighted to launch our Spring Special Mixed Case full of firm favourites - tried & tested.
Each case contains a bottle of:
- NV Louis de Grenelle 'Perle' Crémant Rosé - a pure-bred rosé made from 100% Cabernet Franc from the Loire
- 2021 Elicio Grenache Syrah Rosé - a french rosé without the heafty Provence price tag
- 2023 gPG Gargenega Pinot Grigio - Italian, lovely soft & easy drinking - the Garganega makes it a far more characterful wine that many basic Pinot Grigio's.
- 2022 Pazo de Monterray Godello - beautiful Spanish White, aromatic & sophisticated
- 2022 Caberet Frank No 2 The Aviary Old Vine Cabernet Franc - always a winner and one of our softest, easy drinking best seller reds
- and introducing the 2022 Palo Leo Mora Mora Malvasia Nero - again a best seller in our tasting groups! Warm, juicy, fresh with a slightly hinted acidity - think blackberries & mulberries, dried plums and sweet spices.
Save £16.87 on each case of 6 bottles or push the boat out and buy 12 bottles and save £33.74 PLUS free P&P!
2022 Vina Almirante Vanidade Albariño
Regular price £14.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A crisp dry and elegant wine.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Vanidade Albarino is a straw yellow wine with an alluring complexity and depth.
Nose
Experience the bright, greenish glints and ripe citrus & peach aromas, followed by a crisp start and broadness that will leave you captivated.
Palate
Those fruits also feature on the intensely flavoured palate, fresh and zesty, no shortage of acidity, with a slightly salty tang, plus the starting fruit all the way through to a clean and refreshing finish.
History
In 2000, a group of winegrowers dreamed up what is today, Vina Almirante, a winery made up of 80 partners and families with 45 hectares. Located in Portas in the Umia Valley of Galicia, on the banks of the Chaín River, Vina Almirante sits in an enclave with its own geographical and meteorological conditions that largely mark the character of the vineyards. Portas is synonymous with history, origin and culture. In the 12th century, history reveals that King Ferdinand II of León donated the first known Albariño plantation to the Cistercian monks, the 'Paradisus' estate, in Santa María de Portas.
Vinification
A marriage of musts obtained by direct drawing off, balanced by grapes subjected to a process of cryomaceration. This method adds sumptuousness in the mouth and a notable aromatic complexity. Good balance of acidity and the natural persistence of the Albariño grape. Full destemming, partial cryomaceration, pneumatic pressing, static racking by cold decanting and then fermentation in stainless steel vats at 17ºC.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Albariño |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content | 12.5% |
Units of Alcohol |
9.4 units
|
Type | White Wine |
Food Matches | Seafood & White Fish |
Allergen Information
|
Contain sulphites |
Region | Rias Baixes, Galicia |
Appellation | Rías Baixas |
2021 Viña Almirante Caiño Blanco, Rias Baixas
Regular price £14.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A rare bird in its geographical area. A white caíño from La Capellanía de San Juan estate. A personal labour, full of character, from a plot that belonged to the Count of Canillas and later the priest of San José. A vineyard with a history that gives us just a few kilos of grapes every year.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Yellow with greenish glints, dense, voluptuous.
Nose
Complex nose with ripe fruit aromas, intense apricot and peach tones as well as acid, fleshy fruits, but retaining prominent floral tones and natural fragrances.
Palate
Dense, enveloping, fragrant, with plenty of breadth in the mouth and a lingering aftertaste. Its crispness and moderate acidity give it a rich-tasting process and a long finish.
History from the Producer
In the year 2000, a group of wine growers dreamed up what is today Viña Almirante, a winery made up of 80 partners and families who live by and for wine. We were inspired by the historic past of Portas (Galicia / Spain) and the legacy of geographer Domingo Fontán, an illustrious local figure who helped us to realise that on the basis of emotional cartography, we could make outrageously personal wines.
When going out into the world was not a priority, we made it one. Today we have a presence in more than 20 countries. It excites us to think that at any time, somewhere in the world, our wines are a part of someone’s life. Nothing motivates us more.
On the basis of exploration we have understood our region and our vines. We have always believed in the distinctiveness of our terroir, in nature and in the meaning of hard work. Every day in the vineyard is an opportunity to try to improve the next harvest.
We’re in A Peroxa (Portas), in the Umia Valley, beside the river Chaín. A place with its very own geographical and meteorological conditions, which largely determine the character of our vineyards. We also have a small percentage of vines in the heart of the Val do Salnés, giving us lots of possibilities to work with to make highly personal wines.
We don’t have a magic formula like that brand you’re thinking of, just hard work, exploration, analysis and confidence in the 45 hectares of vineyards we have dotted about the whole area. Every year is an adventure, a challenge packed with uncertainty, effort and one sure thing: that no two harvests are the same, and that inspires us.
Portas is synonymous with history, origins and culture. That of Galicia, and that of our local ancestors. History tells that in the 12th century, King Ferdinand II of León gave the Cistercian monks the first plantation of albariño grapevines on record, the Paradisus estate in Santa María de Portas.
In the bronze age, the land we work today was the home of the Gallaecian Cileni, and much later it was the home of different lineages of illustrious figures. Traits of its identity remain alive in the form of stone, monuments and memories. We appreciate our present while admiring our past.
Vinification
Must obtained by direct drawing through gentle pressings. Grapes from the Capellanía de San Juan estate in Portas (Val do Salnés). Identity, strength and expression. Aged for 12 months in vat, 3 months in bottle. Wine with a long evolution and excellent ageing. Destemming, gentle pneumatic pressing, static racking by cold decanting. Fermentation in stainless steel vats at 17ºC.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"At first I was a bit dubious about this one - at £15 a bottle and a slightly questionable label I was concerned about its ability to follow through. However, it’s a stonker - the most obvious character it has breadth of flavour - a real broad appeal with lovely stone fruit flavours, delicious acidity and a real complexity, all with no oak involvement. Absolutely delicious from a relatively unknown grape variety - Caino Blanco." Tasted December 2023
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Caiño Blanco |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content | 12% |
Units of Alcohol |
9 units
|
Type | White Wine |
Food Matches | Enjoy with Thai Food, Cajun Food, Sushi, Ceviche, Soft chesses (like Chèvre, feta, cotija, burrata and brie) as well as fish, seafood, chicken and tofu dishes. |
Allergen Information
|
Contain sulphites |
Region | Rias Baixes |
Appellation | Rías Baixas |
2020 Fuentes Del Silencio Mataperezosa
Regular price £39.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%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 2020 vintage is more restrained and elegant, showing white flowers and hints of nectarine. On the palate, the broadness of Palomino comes in, giving a hint of honeycomb and peach, alongside pastry notes from oak influence. The acidity is very bright and vertical, bringing harmony to the finish." 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
A blend of Palomino and Doña Blanca, from very old (some pre-phylloxera) vines. Fermentation takes place in a mix of Cocciopesto (a type of amphora) and Austrian oak. Whole bunches are pressed and vatted to settle in the night-time cold. Fermentation takes place in French oak barrels where it remains for up to 12 months on its lees, with periodic batonnage.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 50% Palomino; 50% Doña Blanca |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content | 12% Alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Food Matches | Pairs exceptionally well with curries and spicy dishes, or chicken and turkey with hearty roasted vegetables |
Origin | Castilla y Leon |
2022 Orballo Albariño
Regular price £13.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The rain in Spain falls mainly in Galicia, especially fine misty 'orballo'! This is a fresh and zesty Albariño from this region of north-west Spain.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Fresh citrus aromas on the nose.
Palate
A bright and textural palate with peachy fruit and notes of galia melon, a refreshing saline edge, and mouth-watering zesty finish.
Production Method
This is a blend of grapes from two estates in the south of DO Rías Baixas in Galicia, north west Spain. Taboexa is a 13ha estate at 300m above sea level, with sandy and granitic soil typical of the region. The Arantei estate is at just 30m above sea level - with clay and pebbly soil. Harvest typically begins in the middle of September - grapes are hand harvested and collected in 20 kilo crates. 70% of the grapes are macerated before pressing for 6 hours at a controlled temperature. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel using natural yeasts, and maturation on the lees is also in stainless steel. The mineral and fruity charcter from the Arantei grapes is balanced by the freshness of the Taboexa grapes.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Albarino |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food Matches | A perfect match for white fish and seafood. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian & Vegan |
Origin | Rias Baixas |
Appellation | Rias Baixas |
2018 Cosme Palacio Rioja Reserva Blanc
Regular price £22.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Colour
Light yellow with a hint of lemon.
Nose
The aroma is elegant and intense. Aromas of white flowers and fruits with a spicy background.
Palate
The palate is crisp, with a creaminess of bread and butter complemented by ripe white flesh. Balanced, full-bodied, with a refreshing acidity on the finish that energises the whole. A joy to carry the aroma of the Rioja landscape.
Winemaking
With grapes from old vineyards in Viura de Rioja Alavesa, this wine recovers the classic way of making Rioja whites, which was to age them in barrels to extend their longevity. A careful process in which this white has been aged for 10 months on the lees in French oak barrels from different cooperages, to have more profiles of aromas and flavour nuances.
Producer
A man of his time, an essential figure in the political and social life of Bilbao at the end of the 19th century, in 1894 Cosme Palacio Bermejillo took over the reins of the family winery that his father founded in Laguardia in 1863 to turn it into the most advanced winery in the Rioja Alavesa. With his characteristic vision of the future and with his sights set on the main wine reference, Bordeaux, he introduced fundamental changes that laid the foundations for modern DO Ca. Rioja wine.
At the end of the 1980s, Cosme Palacio marked a before and after in the history of the wines of this land, creating a style of winemaking at the forefront of its time. Today, Cosme Palacio enjoys great international recognition for being considered the bridge between the Classic Rioja style and the Modern Rioja.
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Viura |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Cellaring Potential | Drink now - 2028 |
Type | White Wine |
Food Matches | Chicken, Pork, Risotto, Turkey |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Origin | Rioja |
Appellation | DOCa Rioja |
2022 Mas Macià Xarel-lo
Regular price £11.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Produced from low-yielding Xarel-lo bush vines from one of Catalunya's most interesting indigenous varieties.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Aromas of ripe apple, flint and citrus fruit.
Palate
The palate is bright and light-bodied, with ripe lemon acidity, stone fruit and a gently textural finish.
Production Method
Grapes are sourced from 35ha of vines cultivated on the Can Macia estate, near the Anoia river basin, near Odena. These low-yielding bush-trained vines are well suited to the production of still wine. The old vine Xarel-lo undergoes temperature controlled fermentation, and is kept on the lees for 4 months to give added texture.
The Estate
At 450m in altitude, the estate is the second-highest winery in the region and at the very limit of Cava production. Some of their vines are over 50 years old.
Mas Macià’s vineyards are now certified organic and the Bohigas family is planning to produce organic still wines initially before focusing upon organic Cava production.
Awards
- Silver at the 2020 Sommelier Wine Awards (2019 Vintage)
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Xarel-lo |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content | 11.5% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergy Information | Contains sulphites and no other allergens |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian approved |
Food Matches |
Grilled white fish, chicken caesar salad or light summer dishes. |
Origin | Catalunya |
Appellation | DO Catalunya |
2022 Melea Verdejo Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%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 |
2022 Pazo de Monterray Godello
Regular price £13.45 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Aromatic and sophisticated Godello from the intriguing Monterrei region.
Tasting Notes
Nose
A crisp, aromatic white with a lifted nose of apricot blossom, citrus fruits and a touch of honey.
Palate
Very fresh acidity and mineral notes balance rich, ripe fruit characters of apple and pear on the palate. The finish has a touch of white spice and good length with a lightly bitter twist.
Production Method
Monterrei is an area rich in grape-growing and wine-making tradition, combined with a quite unique microclimate. Pazo de Monterrey takes its name from the fortressed palace that dominates the landscape - the oldedest part dating back to the 12th Century. The Godello vines grow on clay / granite soils at around 700m altitude on the slopes of the Verin valley. Grapes are typically hand harvested in late September and gently pressed. After clarification, the juice is transfered to stainless steel tanks for temperature-controlled fermentation.
Producer
The Val de Monterrei is an area of unique microclimates in south-east Galicia. It is the only Galician region that lies in the basin of the river Duero. The river Támega, a well-known tributary of the Duero, cuts through the region from north to south, moulding its slate and granitic landscape.
Pazos del Rey owns 25 hectares of vineyard on the valley’s slopes, and it's from here that Susana Pérez produces stunning wines from the local grapes: Godello, Treixadura and Mencia. She and her team dedicate themselves to teasing out the very best from these complex and exciting grape varieties.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Godello |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food Matches | Salmon, seafood, chicken and crisp salads |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian, Vegan, |
Origin | Monterri |
Appellation | DO Monterri |
2020 El Ninot de Paper Blanco
Regular price £7.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Zesty, light-bodied Spanish white - with an eye-catching label and name inspired by the 'paper dolls' of the Las Falles de Valencia festival.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Lightly floral, citrus aromas.
Palate
The palate is gently fruity with citrus and green apple characters, and fresh acidity on the finish.
Production
Grapes are sourced from Murviedro's 300 hectares of vineyard, and a further 1500 that they control in the surrounding area. Produced predominantly from Viura grapes, blended with Sauvignon Blanc. The wine undergoes temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 70% Viura, 30% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content | 11.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.36 units |
Type | White Blend |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Perfect with paella! |
Origin | Valencia |
Appellation | DOP Valencia |
2019 Borsao Blanco Macabeo
Regular price £6.50 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
Tasting Notes
Colour
A young wine with a pale straw colour.
Nose
Lightly floral aromas with peach and citrus.
Palate
The palate has stone fruit and textural, savoury characters with a fresh and fruity finish.
Production
100% Macabeo grown on alluvial soils in the foothills of the Moncayo mountain. After harvesting, pressing and chilling the must - a short period of skin contact is followed by long slow fermentation at controlled temperature of 22ºC - 26ºC in stainless steel tanks.
Producers
The winery was established as a co-operative in 1959. In 2001 it joined with two other progressive, co-operative, cellars in the Campo de Borja region to become the Bodegas Borsao that we know today.
Grapes are sourced from over 375 member growers covering 2,400 hectares - nearly a third of the region's total. Vineyards lie in the undulating foothills of the Moncayo mountain, ranging from around 350m to 800m above sea level. At lower altitudes, vines are younger and may require some irrigation, but higher up the slopes the vines are older, unirrigated bush vines.
The climate is rather severe and arid, with hot dry days, and cool nights - which allow optimum acidity levels to be maintained within the grapes. Garnacha thrives in these conditions and represents 65% of total production. The Cierzo wind from the Moncayo sweeps across the foothills of the mountain. This cold, dry wind reduces humidity levels and allows grapes to be picked a couple of weeks later in the harvest, at full maturity.
Borsao has access to a large number of vineyard plots at different altitudes, and hence to a wide selection of fantastic quality grapes. They are recognised for their entry-level varietals - as outstanding examples of easy-to-drink inexpensive wines - as they are for their premium wines, in particular the iconic, multi-award-winning Tres Picos.
Sustainability
With 2,400 hectares of vineyards, Bodegas Borsao is a substantially sized operation in a warm, dry region and as a result the availability and usage of water is a major issue. Much of its vineyard area is planted with Garnacha which traditionally has been bush trained. Until recently, newer plantings were wire trained for easier harvesting, but because of the greater exposure to sunlight of this training method the vines can require up to 50% more water. As a result, all new plantings have reverted to the traditional style of bush training to preserve water.
Inter-row plantings are used to improve the water-holding capacity of the soil and protect it from erosion; they contribute to a better soil structure, increasing its organic, nutrient and nitrogen content; they improve biodiversity in the vineyard since organic matter is a food source for several macro- and micro-organisms; they often increase the population of earthworms which are good indicators of soil fertility; they improve fauna above the soil, providing habitat and food for beneficial insects; they regulate vine growth, helping to control the yield and quality of grapes and wine; and they reduce the vegetative vigour of vines and thus their susceptibility to grey mould and downy mildew. These cover crops mean that less spraying and tending of the vines is required, thus fewer passes are made by tractors which reduces the compaction of the soil and the consumption of diesel. Pheromone treatments are also employed to sexually confuse predatory insects, reducing their populations significantly.
The new cellar is well insulated to reduce the need for cooling systems and to minimise energy consumption; all the chambers are equipped with automatic LED lighting; all of the bottling lines have been designed to reduce noise and to minimise the need to move dry goods and floor stock items; all hot water installations are solar-powered; the greater part of the electricity used for illumination is produced by solar panels; and every single drop of rainwater from the vast roof is collected and recycled. Planned new offices will also be equipped with solar panels and other energy-saving mechanisms.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Macabeo |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Features | Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Seafood dishes, tapas and salads and delicious with classic Spanish paella |
Origin | Campo de Borja DO |
Appellation | D.O. Campo de Borja |
2020/21 Menade Organic Verdejo
Regular price £12.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Wild ferment' organic and high altitude Verdejo - another beautiful example from Menade.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Fresh stone fruit aromas with notes of fennel and thyme.
Palate
The palate is ripe and textural with white peach and herbal characters, balanced by crisp acidity and minerality.
Production
The Verdejo grapes are selected from parcels of vines, 20-25 years old, grown in pebbly, clay and chalky soils at between 700 and 800m altitude. Harvesting takes place by 3 different processes: part green daytime harvest by hand, part mechanised and part night-time harvest. Each parcel is vinified separately using wild yeasts in stainless steel. Fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature of 18-22ºC, and the wine remains on lees for a short period.
Producer
Bodegas Menade was established in 2005 by Alejandra, Marco and Richard Sanz - the 6th generation of this wine-producing family - just a kilometre west of the village of Rueda. Their winery incorporates a cellar hewn out of the solid rock of La Seca at the beginning of the 19th century. Richard is the winemaker at the estate, whilst his brother Marco is the viticulturalist, and sister Alejandra looks after exports and communications.
Their philosophy is grounded in nature, and respect for the vineyards and terroir. All wines are certified organic, no sulphur or copper sulphate is used in their vineyards, and fermentation is with only natural yeasts present on the grape skins. This is a producer of seriously interesting and innovative Rueda wines; their portfolio focuses predominantly on Verdejo and includes the stunning 'La Mision', which is part fermented in tinajas (traditional clay fermenting vessels) made from clay from their own vineyards, and a (non-Jerez) Palomino Verdejo flor aged wine.
Sustainability
Menade’s by-line is ‘Made by Nature’ – the winery doesn’t use chemical treatments, opting instead for a natural approach using plant-based infusions (for example using nettles, cinnamon) which are kinder on the soil, plants and naturally occurring yeasts. All wines are certified organic, and no sulphur or copper sulphate is used in their vineyards. They use green harvesting to control yields.
Their ecosystem includes mobile trees and bushes – to allow them to understand which are the most beneficial across their different vineyard parcels. They also have a garden boasting more than 40 species, many of the plants indigenous to Castilla y Leon, and pollination gardens with aromatic plants. These micro-systems, together with insect ‘hotels’, have created ideal habitats for insects and other wildlife - increasing biodiversity in their vineyards.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
'Delivering loads of flavour for an organic offer. Incredibly fresh, good peach fruit flavours, lively acidity and fine layers of texture with an underlying minerality. And Histamine free - so good for allergy sufferers as well! First time I’ve seen that on a label! Does that mean no headaches?!'
Specifications
Year | 2020/21 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Verdejo |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic & Sustainable farming |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites and no other allergens |
Food Matches | Baked fish with fennel |
Appellation | VDT Castilla Leon |
2022 Borsao Chardonnay Macabeo Seleccion
Regular price £9.45 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Stone fruit and limey citrus aromas; with nectarine, subtle pineapple characters and a creamy mouthfeel. Gentle and well-integrated oak.
Production
Selected grapes from vines grown on stony, sandy soils, at an altitude of 500 metres. Hand harvested mid–end September. Temperature-controlled fermentation of between 14º-18º C in stainless steel, then matured in French oak bordelaise barrels for three months.
History
The winery was established as a co-operative in 1959. In 2001 it joined with two other progressive, co-operative, cellars in the Campo de Borja region to become the Bodegas Borsao that we know today.
Grapes are sourced from over 375 member growers covering 2,400 hectares - nearly a third of the region's total. Vineyards lie in the undulating foothills of the Moncayo mountain, ranging from around 350m to 800m above sea level. At lower altitudes vines are younger and may require some irrigation, but higher up the slopes the vines are older, unirrigated bush vines.
The climate is rather severe and arid, with hot dry days, and cool nights - which allow optimium acidity levels to be maintained within the grapes. Garnacha thrives in these conditions and represents 65% of total production. The Cierzo wind from the Moncayo sweeps across the foothills of the mountain. This cold, dry wind reduces humidity levels and allows grapes to be picked a couple of weeks later in the harvest, at full maturity.
Borsao has access to a large number of vineyard plots at different altitudes, and hence to a wide selection of fantastic quality grapes. They are recognised for their entry-level varietals - as outstanding examples of easy-to-drink inexpensive wines - as they are for their premium wines, in particular the iconic, multi-award-winning Tres Picos.
Sustainability
With 2,400 hectares of vineyards, Bodegas Borsao is a substantially sized operation in a warm, dry region and as a result the availability and usage of water is a major issue. All new plantings have reverted to the traditional style of bush training to preserve water. Inter-row plantings are used to improve the water-holding capacity of the soil and protect it from erosion. These cover crops mean that less spraying and tending of the vines is required, thus fewer passes are made by tractors which reduces the compaction of the soil and the consumption of diesel. Pheromone treatments are also employed to sexually confuse predatory insects, reducing their populations significantly.
These cover crops mean that less spraying and tending of the vines is required, thus fewer passes are made by tractors which reduces the compaction of the soil and the consumption of diesel. Pheromone treatments are also employed to sexually confuse predatory insects, reducing their populations significantly.
Awards
- 2017 Vintage - Bronze at the 2019 Sommelier Wine Awards
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 50% Macabeo & 50% Chardonnay |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Food Matches | Perfect with creamy chicken and tarragon, or chicken and leek pie. |
Allergy Information | Contains Sulphites |
Appellation | DO Campo de Borja |
2022 Ananto Organic Macabeo
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
A beautifully packaged, organic, Macabeo from Manuel Olmo's meticulous vineyards in Utiel-Requena.
Gently floral and lightly tropical aromas lead to a palate with crisp citrus and white peach characters. A gentle and appealing white - well-balanced with fresh acidity.
Production Method
Vineyards are located in the north-west corner of Utiel Requena, 900 meters above sea level. Wines are made from organically grown grapes in vineyards cultivated using natural fertilisers, cover crops, biological control of pests and not using any chemical products that may damage the health of the environment. Grapes are cooled and undergo cold maceration for 12-24 hours and fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks for 15 days.
Producer
The 67 hectare Finca Fuenteseca estate lies in Utiel Requena, a high, rugged plateau, nearly 1,000 meters above sea level just inland from Valencia. The combination of hot, dry summers, cold nights and poor, limestone soil make the area relatively free of vine diseases and so ideal for organic farming. The entire estate is now dedicated to organic production and producing blends combining indigenous and international varieties.
A Note on Sustainability
Along with all its wines being certified organic and vegan, Sierra Norte is keenly involved in projects run by its D.O. that benefit local people and which defend the products of its region. In a wider environmental sense, Sierra Norte is developing a wastewater project by installing a treatment system plant to reuse water, as well as being involved in a photovoltaic solar panel installation project.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Macabeo |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content | 12% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan, Vegetarian, Organic, Sustainable |
Food Matches | Ideal to accompany pasta, fish, seafood and white meats. |
Origin | Utiel Requena |
Appellation | DOP Utiel Requena |
N/V Marques de la Concordia Tapas Viura-Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £6.99 Sale price £5.99 Save 14%Tasting Notes
Yellow with greenish hues. On the nose, it is floral showing tropical fruits. On the palate is crisp and fresh with a pleasant finish.
Production Method
Clean must without the presence of lees, it has been fermented at a temperature no higher than 20C for 10 - 12 days.
Producer
Rioja Baja is where it all began. Hacienda Marqués de la Concordia, an old sugar factory turned into a wine estate, is where the company keeps tradition alive while breaking new ground. They have experimental status in the vineyard, as it allows the producer to experiment with different grapes varieties. They allow some “international” grapes into their “creole” wines, which is what makes their wines innovative and exciting.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 85% Viura & 15% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content | 11% alc vol |
Unit of Alcohol | 8.25 units |
Type | White Blend |
Food Matches | Grilled Fish & Seafood |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment - serve between 6-10˚C. |
Allergen Information | Awaiting info |
Dietary Information | Awaiting info |
Origin | I.G.P. Castilla la Mancha |