A versatile, textured Pinot Grigio sourced from selected vineyards in the Veneto.

Tasting Notes

A fresh dry white with gentle floral and citrus aromas. Crisp and delicate on the palate with orchard fruit and lightly honeyed notes, balanced by lemony acidity and a fresh, dry finish.

Production

Produced from selected Pinot Grigio grapes grown in the Veneto. The grapes were hand-harvested during the first 2 weeks of September. The grapes were crushed and gently pressed and the juice allowed to settle and clarify before cool fermentation at 16 to 18C in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine was bottled young after a period of 3 to 6 months ageing on fine lees in stainless steel tanks.

Producer

Established in 2003, Adria Vini is a winemaking venture jointly owned by Boutinot and Araldica Castelvero, the leading co-operative in the Monferrato hills of Piemonte. Our aim is to produce authentic, well-priced still and sparkling wines from local grape varieties. All aspects of production, from grape selection through to vinification, maturation, blending and bottling are meticulously overseen by Araldica's winemaking team of Claudio Manera and Lella Burdese - assisted by Boutinot's Tony Brown MW. We source from a range of private growers and cooperatives, with whom we have long term relationships, principally in Veneto, Friuli, Lombardy, Sicily, Puglia, Abruzzo and Sardinia.

Alan's Tasting Notes

"Our best-selling wine and easy to see why - dry but not too dry, lovely juicy fruit with good length and refreshing acidity - very moreish and a real crowd-pleaser."

Specifications

Chile does Provence minus the £££'s!

Refreshing and delicious predominantly from Emiliana's organic vineyards in Colchagua and Cachoploal valleys.

Tasting Notes

A lovely pale and delicate rosé.

Colour 

Pale almost Provencal-pink in colour.

Nose

Gentle strawberry and red cherry aromas.

Palate

The palate is medium in weight with fresh summer fruits and a silky yet refreshing finish. Delicate and easy to drink.

Production

The Rapel Valley lies with the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Andes Mountains to the east, and the province of Curicó to the south. This area is particularly well suited for growing Carmenère, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a transversal valley of Chile’s central zone with unique climatic conditions, including four clearly defined seasons and a unique blend of maritime breezes and Andean winds. The hand-picked grapes were transported to the winery and selected from a conveyor belt to ensure maximum quality. Vinification took place in stainless steel tanks for 3 months with selected yeasts. The finished wine was fined using bentonite and cold stabilized to prevent the formation of tartrate crystals and 1 and 0.45 micron cartridge filters were used at the time of 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.

Sustainability

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

 A fresh and appealing style of Pinot Grigio rosé from the Pavia zone of north-west Italy. The addition of early-harvested Pinot Noir grapes and gentle pressing give a delicate salmon pink colour and subtle red berry fruit.

Tasting Notes

Pale coral pink - strawberry and bramble aromas lead onto a delicate, yet juicy palate with red berry characters. Slight creaminess leads to a crisp dry finish.

Production Method

Produced from grapes grown in the Pavia region of northwest Italy. The ripest grapes were selected from mature hillside vineyards and hand-harvested in early September. The extra ripeness allows the dark-skinned Pinot Grigio grapes to develop a pink tinge which is further enhanced by the addition of a small proportion of Barbera and Pinot Noir grapes from the same vineyards. The grapes were harvested at optimum ripeness together, and the skins left in contact with the juice for 12 hours at low temperature before gentle pressing. After a slow, cool fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks the wine was bottled young to preserve freshness and aromas.

Producer

Established in 2003, Adria Vini is a winemaking venture jointly owned by Boutinot and Araldica Castelvero, the leading co-operative in the Monferrato hills of Piemonte. The aim is to produce authentic, well-priced still and sparkling wines from local grape varieties. All aspects of production, from grape selection through to vinification, maturation, blending and bottling are meticulously overseen by Araldica's winemaking team of Claudio Manera and Lella Burdese - assisted by Boutinot's Tony Brown MW. They source from a range of private growers and cooperatives, with whom they have long-term relationships, principally in Veneto, Friuli, Lombardy, Sicily, Puglia, Abruzzo and Sardinia.

Alan's Tasting Notes

"An enticing summer red with lots of upfront strawberry fruit together with more serious red berry notes from the Barbera and Pinot Nero components. Appealing freshness and acidity initially are tempered by a balancing creaminess in the mid and back palate. An altogether well-composed glass of summer rose with perfect balance and poise - enjoy with friends in the garden - perfectly at ease in its own company but will also stand up well with all garden foods." Tasted September 2021

Specifications

A fresh take on Malbec, from the reaches of the Pyrenees in the Languedoc, rather than the Andes of Argentina.

Tasting Notes 

Bright blueberry fruit that develops to reveal an intriguing bitter-sweet character of blackcurrant leaf. Fine red fruits fill the palate; with raspberries and a touch of dark chocolate on the finish. 

Production

Malbec has a long history in the Languedoc and has traditionally been used in blends. We have decided not to blend, but to offer this Malbec as a stand-alone, a wine to appreciate for its difference. One of the great advantages of the region is the ideal climatic conditions: long hot days followed by cool nights allow for longer, slower ripening of the grapes. Thereby providing lots of ripeness and soft tannins, but with necessary acidity. Here it has been allowed to shine, fermented on its own in stainless steel for maximum red and black fruit flavours.

Specifications

Tasting Notes 

This wine possesses fine aromatics, pure citrus fruit expression fresh acidity, varietal character and above all, a persistent finish.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Very expressive with herbaceous aromas 

Palate

Crisp green apples on the palate. 

Producer

Campo de Borja is considered the 'Empire of Garnacha' - the most prevalent grape in the region, which just thrives here. Borsao have years of experience crafting ripe and appealing wines, such as this, from the variety.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Bright plum and berry fruit aromas

Palate

The palate is rich and welcoming with ripe cassis and bramble characters and soft, approachable tannins on the finish.

Production

Garnacha grown on alluvial soils in the foothills of the Moncayo mountain. Grapes are typically harvested in the first two weeks of October. Temperature controlled fermentation takes place in stainless steel at 22ºC - 25ºC, with a 15 day maceration period.

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 rain water from the vast roof is collected and recycled. Planned new offices will also be equipped with solar panels and other energy saving mechanisms.

Awards

• Silver - IWC 2020 (2019 vintage)
• Silver -  Sommelier Wine Awards 2018 (2017 vintage)

Specifications

Tasting Notes

Nose

Crushed for flavour not colour, this 40 year old unirrigated bush vine wine sucks only from the rocks underground. Bright, expressive and gently savoury on the nose. 

Palate

Along with its blushing hue, the palate rewards with fresh pomegranate flavour and acidity, savoury gamey notes, and a bright, beating heart of cherry ripe fruit. Slightly chilled with pink duck, pink lamb or carpaccio of beef, this is a beautifully defined expression of South Africa’s most achingly fashionable varietal.

A major crowd pleaser!

Tasting Notes

Luscious strawberry ice cream on the nose supported by a bright, berry fruited palate and an off-dry finish. Hugely juicy.

Production

Selected from old vine vineyards in the Lodi region of central California. 100% zinfandel grapes, lightly crushed to create a pretty pink wine. Vinified in stainless steel tanks.

Specifications

Add that extra touch! We offer gift wrapping with Red Ribbon.

A vibrant and expressive Vermentino from Sicily's west coast, where many of the vineyards face the sea to benefit from light reflected from the waves. It's named after the delicate white flower of the lemon tree.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Ripe stone fruit aromas with preserved lemon characters and floral notes. 

Palate

The palate has apricot, citrus peel and grapefruit pith, an appealing texture and minerality, fresh acidity and a gently savoury finish.

Production

Vermentino thrives near the sea, such as on Sicily's west coast where these grapes are cultivated - also the source of some of the island's best Grillo. Fermentation is in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks followed by a short period on fine lees.

Producer

Established in 2003, Adria Vini is a winemaking venture jointly owned by Boutinot and Araldica Castelvero, the leading co-operative in the Monferrato hills of Piemonte. Our aim is to produce authentic, well-priced still and sparkling wines from local grape varieties. All aspects of production, from grape selection through to vinification, maturation, blending and bottling are meticulously overseen by Araldica's winemaking team of Claudio Manera and Lella Burdese - assisted by Boutinot's Tony Brown MW. We source from a range of private growers and cooperatives, with whom we have long term relationships, principally in Veneto, Friuli, Lombardy, Sicily, Puglia, Abruzzo and Sardinia.

Alan's Personal Tasting Note

"More expressive and attractive than I was expecting from a wee cheapie. Lovely citric and peach fruits - a wee touch of creaminess and a slight salinity on the finish.  Dry, medium bodied and very attractive for the price!"

"What 3 wine words? Dry, fruity, attractive"  September 2024

Specifications.

Juicy & fresh - a really easy drinking Merlot

Tasting Notes

Nose

Aromas of plums and cherries mixed with peppery spice and a touch of tabacco leaf.

Palate

The palate is juicy and fresh with soft red fruits and a hint of green pepper.

Producer

Our long-standing working relationships with growers enable us to source premium fruit, with the ultimate aim of making excellent quality Chilean entry level wines with true style and character. For Merlot, we work with two families in two different locations for a blend with huge appeal. The first is the Martin Family who are nestled into the Andes Mountains in a western corner of Curico. Their vineyards sit around 500 metres above sea level (masl), a far higher altitude than the majority of Curico’s main valley which lies around 250masl. Vines are between 40 and 60 years old and part of a 45ha estate where peaches and apples are also grown. The vines are unirrigated and the vineyard is cool with a unique rocky mountain soil and glacial streams.

At this elevated height and proximity to the mountains, Merlot enjoys a long growing season with cool evening temperatures. We love the crunchy plummy fruit character which gives us the backbone to this wine. We blend this with grapes from the El Milagro Estate in the centre of the Curico Valley. The warm temperature and fertile soils allows Merlot to flourish here. Grapes are harvested during the coolest part of the day to ensure they reach the winery in prime condition. Temperatures are kept fairly low throughout the winemaking process, to allow the grapes to express their natural fruit characters. No oak is used. The resulting wine is fuller with more body and softer tannins and works really well with the higher altitude component. The biggest strength of this blend is our ability to balance out warmer and cooler vintages with these two different profiles.

Awards

V17 - Silver at the Catavinum 2018

Specifications

At the Western Cape’s Pinnacle Point, evidence remains in maritime caves of our earliest known ancestors - a primitive culture that combed the beaches and fished in the same rock-pools from whence they came. Our aim with Primordial Soup is to introduce South African wine in its most accessible form, red and white familial twins made up of multiple classical cultivars, named without variety. The design inspiration is from the illustration’s of Ernst Haeckel, German naturalist, who identified then drew some of the simplest forms of life on Earth. We then use these to relate to Darwinism and the subject of Creation and evolution as a whole. It’s the story of everything.

Tasting Notes 

A twinkling in the mind’s eye, this cultured concoction of the Western Cape's brightest cultivars is alive with firm, fleshy fruit. On the nose, it has notes of jasmine and white stone fruit. It has a nuanced citrusy palate and tangy finish. It's the Natural Selection.

Production

100% old bush vines from Swartland's sandy, granitic soils, the powerful Southern sunshine makes sure the grapes reach their optimum ripeness. No irrigation is used in the vineyards and very little crop control is needed due to the age of the vines naturally restricting yield. All grapes are harvested by hand. Produced from only free run juice, part of the blend is naturally fermented and a tiny percentage in old barrels. The wine is left on fine lees for an extended period for greater palate weight and mouthfeel.

Producer

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, terroir. Our home-grown South African winemaking team of JD Rossouw, Ryno Booysen and Pierre Louw 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

Bright and fruity Spanish red with - the eyecatching label design and 'El Ninot de Paper' name are inspired by the 'paper dolls' of the Las Falles de Valencia festival.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Aromas of ripe black fruits with a hint of spice. 

Palate

The palate is bright and juicy - blackberries and plums are balanced by soft tannins, juicy acidity, and a touch of pepper.

Awards

• Bronze at the 2020 Sommelier Wine Awards for the 2018 Vintage

Alan's Personal Tasting Notes

"This is a bit of a revelation. Loadsa ripe, juicy black fruits with more a touch of herbs than spice I think? Really soft tannins and a touch more serious than I expected. Overall a real pleasant surprise. Medium-bodied, soft, juicy & fruity, and would be really versatile with food although it drinks really easily on its own. Value but also decent quality for a crowd pleasing easy-drinking style." June 2022

Specifications

Classically French Cabernet that delivers on all fronts.

Tasting Notes 

Quite ripe blackcurrant and wild berry fruits on the nose with a hint of grassy herbs, medium to full-bodied black fruits balanced by a slight grip and length offered by underlying tannins.

Production

The Bellefontaine range has established an international reputation for consistent quality and value. Bellefontaine wines possess fine aromatics, pure fruit expression, fresh acidity, varietal character and above all, a persistent finish. The goal is to create a range of wines of consistent quality that are delicious to drink on their own but also complement food well.

Specifications

Tasting Notes 

Production

The Merlot grapes that make this wine were grown in the glorious Australian sunshine. Merlot thrives along the banks of Australia’s largest river, the Murray, near the bustling inland town of Mildura, in the middle of Australia’s food bowl. A Mediterranean climate, with plenty of sunshine, we carefully tend the vines and enrich the ancient, sandy soils with recycled organic matter from other crops that also thrive locally, to make the most of every precious drop of water. Speckled light reaches through lush green vine canopies to ensure the berries ripen steadily throughout late summer in time for harvest in Autumn.

Producer

Quintessentially Australian, this range offers consistent quality, hugely appealing, commercial wine styles that have gained a loyal following. Reflecting our skill and experience in seeking out the very best of Australia, our wines capture ideal climatic conditions and pure varietal definition.

Boutinot's Samantha Bailey brings her signature palate and decades of experience to finessing our components into the loveliest Boutinot expressions of Oz.

Tasting Notes

A beautifully fresh and dry sparkling rosé from the foothills of the Trentino mountains - now in a handy 'single-serve' size too!

A fresh and dry sparkling rosé with persistent mousse, beautifully salmon pink in colour. Red berry characters on the nose and palate leading to a fresh, delicate and incisive finish.

Production Method

The grapes are sourced from the hills of the Adige and Vallagarina valleys in Trentino. Grapes were hand-harvested at the start of September. Chardonnay grapes were soft pressed to yield the best portion of must - after decanting for 10-12 hours this goes into stainless steel tanks for fermentation. The red grapes are harvested early to maintain good acidity levels and are vinified as for rosé wines. After stabilisation and clarification, the wine undergoes a second fermentation (Charmat method).

Producer

Cavit is a leading co-operative in the mountainous Trentino region of northeast Italy. The winery began as a consortium of associated grape growers in 1950, with a dedicated winery at Ravina di Trento built in 1964. Today It unites 11 separate cellars and their combined 4,500 grape growers across 7,000 hectares of vineyard, to produce an impressively broad portfolio from an intriguing palette of indigenous and international grape varieties. Trentino has a much higher proportion of wines produced as DOC than any other region in Italy - an average of 80% of the region's wines have a DOC classification, compared to around 30% elsewhere in the country. Remarkably, Cavit accounts for 60% of this region's wine production and they advise and supervise all aspects of this production from the vineyard to the bottle. Their site at Maso Toresella on the shores of Lake Toblino was the historic residence of the Prince Bishops of Trento, surrounded by 6.5 hectares of vineyard. It is one of the most significant 'masi' (rural estates) in the whole of Trentino. They have worked with the San Michele all’Adige Oenological Institute, since 1988, to develop wines of the highest quality. In 1993 Cantina Altemasi was established, also at Ravina, not far from the region's capital of Trento - for the production and maturation of Classic Trentodoc and Charmat Method sparkling wines. Trento Doc was the first Classical Method sparkling wine DOC to be established anywhere in the world after Champagne, and the first in Italy.

A Note on Sustainability

For more than two decades Cavit has adhered to the “Protocol for the Production of High-Quality Wines in Trentino”, marking its commitment to fully sustainable agriculture. It is also a member of SEDEX and is working towards SNQPI (Sistema di Qualità Nazionale Produzione Integrata) certification for its commitment to sustainable agriculture. In addition to using only green energy, Cavit has made major investments aimed at reducing energy consumption. Specifically, it has built three photovoltaic generators that produce part of its energy requirements from renewable sources (more than 800 Megawatts per year), significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

PICA (Integrated Agricultural and Wine-producing Cartographic Platform), is the result of a five-year research project conducted by Cavit in collaboration with MPA Solutions and leading research centers in Trentino: the Edmund Mach Foundation (FEM) and the Bruno Kessler Foundation (FBK).

The PICA platform is a complex system, but it works in a simple way. By networking the 4,500 vine growers of the 11 Cavit wine producers’ co-operatives it collects information and gives advice. The main purpose of this platform is to help the grower to achieve total sustainability. The project comprises of two main areas.

The first defines the choice of the most suitable grape varieties, on the basis of the technical and environmental parameters of the soil; the second involves the creation of an avant-garde system with which agronomists and winemakers can receive specific information concerning each vineyard and the various phases in the cultivation of the vines. In practice, waste is eliminated and the grower has total control. For example, it is possible to regulate the water supply according to the characteristics of the soil and the weather conditions.

Awards

• Bronze at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2019
• Siver at the Sommelier Wine Awards 2018
• Bronze at the IWC 2017
• Silver at the Sommelier Wine Awards 2017
• Bronze at the IWSC 2017
• Bronze at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2016

Specifications

Hints of forest fruit flavours, subtile citrus aromas on the nose which continue onto the palate.  Dry to taste, this rosé is lively, well balanced and mineral on the palate with a crisp finish.

“Pinot Noir can be quite a temperamental grape but thrives on limestone soils in cool climates. This Pinot Noir Rosé vom Kalkstein is the palest of pale pinks reflecting the brief period of skin contact with the red Pinot Noir grapes to extract this delicate colour. There are hints of raspberry, watermelon and pomegranate on the nose which continue onto the palate. Dry to taste, this rosé is elegant, bright and racy on the palate with a crisp finish. Its fruitiness comes best to the fore by not chilling too much.’’

Alison Flemming MW

Producer

This wine comes from the Pfalz, one of Germany's key wine-producing regions, situated in the southwest, across the border from Alsace. The weather here is generally dry and sunny as the Pfalz wine region lies in the rain shadow of the mountains. The vineyards for this rosé are located in the north of the Pfalz and are in a valley basin, making it a cool area because of the fog and thermal currents. This cool climate, together with the limestone soils, makes for lean, long-lived wines. 

Specifications

Vibrant and fruity Merlot from the Languedoc region.

Tasting Notes 

Strong varietal French Merlot, deep garnet colour with vibrant plummy and blackberry fruit. Soft and supple on the palate with good intensity of fruit and a lovely juicy finish.

Production

This fruit-forward, easy-drinking Merlot is made from grapes sourced from sun-drenched Languedoc vineyards, vinified to showcase their fruit and varietal characteristics. By fermenting at lower temperatures than most reds to preserve primary fruit characters. The wine receives twice daily remontage to extract colour and tannins. Meticulous blending produced the ultimate approachable and fruit-driven style, which was bottled early to capture vibrant red fruit.

Producer

Like all good stories, that of Boutinot France is both long and a little bit complicated! Boutinot began as a tiny importer in 1980, specialising in French wines. Paul Boutinot himself began by personally selecting the wines from France, back in the UK he would unload the trailer by hand. And deliver the crates of wines to customers himself. But good things grow and by the end of the decade, we had become a bigger and better company. A company that not only sought out great wines but made them too. After 10 years later, Boutinot France started in January 1990. The first office was in the middle of the vines in Julienas; perfectly located to navigate the Beaujolais and Macon regions on the quest to make beautiful wines.

Samantha Bailey, who started as a wine enthusiast, was there at the beginning of this adventure. Since then, she has grown into our Master Blender and has key responsibilities: building long-standing relationships, tasting, understanding the terroir and appellations, and pushing the boundaries. She is at the heart of the whole process from blending to quality assessment, making sure there is always a Boutinot touch in every cuvée. We are proud to also count Guillaume Letang and Julien Dugas in our winemaking team. Guillaume oversees the South of France and Languedoc, whilst Julien looks after our property in Cairanne. Together they have the local knowledge to select and blend the very best wines from throughout. Eric Monnin oversees every aspect of production and makes sure everything our winemakers blend and source is top quality.

Specifications

A fresh, approachable style of Chianti Classico (in a half bottle) with vibrant, juicy red fruit. Villa la Pagliaia lies in the south of the Chianti Classico zone, adjacent to sister property San Felice.

Tasting Notes

Aromas of ripe plum and cherry with spicy, savoury notes. This is a fruit-forward style of Chianti - the palate is bright and sappy, with redcurrant and bramble fruit providing fresh acidity, and supple tannins giving structure.

Production

The grapes come from the estate's own 350-400m altitude vineyards in the Chianti Classico zone, near Castel Berardenga. The vines are on average 25 years old (yielding about 1.5kg of fruit per vine) - 'guyot' trained and planted in rocky clay soil. Fermentation and maceration on the skins last for 8-10 days (at 28-30ºC) followed by malolactic fermentation in stainless steel. Matured in Slavonian oak casks for 10-12 months.

Producer

The Villa La Pagliaia property in Castelnuovo Berardenga, around 15km from Siena, has a long and aristocratic history. The elegant 18th Century villa is amidst a striking landscape of vines, olive groves and cyprus trees. Their vineyards, here in the south of the Chianti Classico region, are at 300-450m altitude, with clay and limestone soils.

Fruit from these, predominantly Sangiovese, low-yielding mature vines (over 25 years old) - combined with traditional vinification methods overseen by neighbouring property (and sister estate) San Felice - ensures consistent production of very classic and quietly impressive wines.

Specifications

At the Western Cape’s Pinnacle Point, evidence remains in maritime caves of our earliest known ancestors - a primitive culture that combed the beaches and fished in the same rock-pools from whence they came. Our aim with Primordial Soup is to introduce South African wine in its most accessible form, red and white familial twins made up of multiple classical cultivars, named without variety. The design inspiration is from the illustration’s of Ernst Haeckel, German naturalist, who identified then drew some of the simplest forms of life on Earth. We then use these to relate to Darwinism and the subject of Creation and evolution as a whole. It’s the story of everything.

Tasting Notes 

A rich and bloody bouillabaisse of the Western Cape’s classical cultivars, packed with juicy life, red in tooth and claw. It has a nose of creamy summer pudding and a palate of crushed cherries with a cranberry tang and texture. It’s the Natural Selection.

Production

This cultured concoction is derived from the Western Cape’s classical cultivars, blended to represent nature’s selection and packed with juicy life. An artful mix of classic South African varieties chosen and blended by our winemaker Ryno Booysen.

Producer

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, terroir. Our home-grown South African winemaking team of JD Rossouw, Ryno Booysen and Pierre Louw 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

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

The modern era has brought us to a point where we live in an over-stimulated, demanding, success-oriented whirlwind, with no time to enjoy the everyday pleasures of life. That is why Vistmar wines were created, wines that offer a new approach to life, a new mood, an attitude that will lead you to venture out and enjoy the simple things that surround us every day. 

Tasting Notes

Colour

A straw-yellow wine with golden highlights

Nose

It has great aromatic intensity, with hints of white flowers, white peaches, apricots and quinces.

Palate

In the mouth, it is silky, juicy and fresh. Its flavour is reminiscent of recently picked grapes, blended with figs and dried peaches. It has a long, pleasant and persistent finish, excellently balanced by its natural acidity.

Specifications

A delightful, fresh, and subtly floral sparkling wine crafted from the Ribolla Gialla grape, native to Northern Italy.

Tasting Notes

Ribolla Gialla is well-suited to the production of sparkling wines due to its natural high acidity and ripe stone fruit character. This has a lightly floral and aromatic nose, lightly honeyed on the palate and with a delicious depth and creaminess to the finish.

Production

Produced from 100% Ribolla Gialla grapes. Fermentation is in stainless steel, with a second fermentation in tank followed by 2-3 months on lees.

Producer

Established in 2003, Adria Vini is a winemaking venture jointly owned by Boutinot and Araldica Castelvero, the leading co-operative in the Monferrato hills of Piemonte. Our aim is to produce authentic, well-priced still and sparkling wines from local grape varieties. All aspects of production, from grape selection through to vinification, maturation, blending and bottling are meticulously overseen by Araldica's winemaking team of Claudio Manera and Lella Burdese - assisted by Boutinot's Tony Brown MW. We source from a range of private growers and cooperatives, with whom we have long term relationships, principally in Veneto, Friuli, Lombardy, Sicily, Puglia, Abruzzo and Sardinia.

Specifications

Supple and moreish, this is a delightfully pale pink French rosé.

Tasting Notes

Pale raspberry pink with appealing, soft, berry aromas. Smooth, round and juicy this is an easy-drinking, vivaciously fruity rosé with a refreshing dry finish.

Production Method

Bellefontaine Grenache Rosé possesses fine aromatics, pure fruit expression, fresh acidity, varietal character and above all, a persistent finish. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel with minimal intervention during winemaking. Bottled young to capture the freshness and vibrant fruit character. The free-run juice of Grenache grapes produces a wine full of sweetly ripe yet crunchy fruit with soft and juicy flavours.

Producer

Like all good stories, that of Boutinot France is both long and a little bit complicated! Boutinot began as a tiny importer in 1980, specialising in French wines. Paul Boutinot himself began by personally selecting the wines from France, back in the UK he would unload the trailer by hand. And deliver the crates of wines to customers himself. But good things grow and by the end of the decade we had become a bigger and better company. A company that not only sought out great wines but made them too. After 10 years later, Boutinot France started in January 1990. The first office was in the middle of the vines in Julienas; perfectly located to navigate the Beaujolais and Macon regions on the quest to make beautiful wines.

Samantha Bailey, who started as a wine enthusiast, was there at the beginning of this adventure. Since then, she has grown into our Master Blender and has key responsibilities: building long-standing relationships, tasting, understanding the terroir and appellations, and pushing the boundaries. She is at the heart of the whole process from blending to quality assessment, making sure there is always a Boutinot touch in every cuvée. We are proud to also count Guillaume Letang and Julien Dugas in our winemaking team. Guillaume oversees the South of France and Languedoc, whilst Julien looks after our property in Cairanne. Together they have the local knowledge to select and blend the very best wines from throughout. Eric Monnin oversees every aspect of production and makes sure everything our winemakers blend and source is top quality.

Today, Boutinot’s French office has recently relocated to Macon, and has over 20 employees who take care of production across the whole of France, covering fresh whites and rosés from Gascony, mineral wines from Burgundy, and joyful varietal wines from Languedoc among others. We don’t use any single model to source our wines; instead, a combination of sources are used, from large-scale, high-quality co-ops to small, family growers and single domaines, as well as our own vineyards in Cairanne and Saint-Vérand. Drawing on the expertise of our four winemakers and a network of partner growers, we seek to deliver the highest quality-to-price ratio possible for every wine. 

Alan's Personal Notes

"This is DELISH! And definitely one of our best value roses at £8.95. Lots of ripe, crunchy Grenache fruit which delivers lots of berry aromas and juicy flavours with good acidity, balance and a dry refreshing finish. Very moreish and perfect for a long, lazy summer lunch. Absolutely delightful and retains its freshness to the end of the bottle easily. A top pick for summer!" tasted July 2024

Specifications

From the sun-drenched vineyards of the Languedoc, this unoaked Chardonnay is light on its feet yet packed with a zesty citrus twist.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Very pure and bright, with an attractive nose of white flowers, warm hay and ripe lemon aromas.

Palate

Zesty acidity is nicely complemented by the richness and peach notes on the palate with a hint of pear.

Producer

Like all good stories, that of Boutinot France is both long and a little bit complicated! Boutinot began as a tiny importer in 1980, specialising in French wines. Paul Boutinot himself began by personally selecting the wines from France, back in the UK he would unload the trailer by hand. And deliver the crates of wines to customers himself. But good things grow and by the end of the decade,they had become a bigger and better company. A company that not only sought out great wines but made them too. After 10 years later, Boutinot France started in January 1990. The first office was in the middle of the vines in Julienas; perfectly located to navigate the Beaujolais and Macon regions on the quest to make beautiful wines.

Samantha Bailey, who started as a wine enthusiast, was there at the beginning of this adventure. Since then, she has grown into our Master Blender and has key responsibilities: building long-standing relationships, tasting, understanding the terroir and appellations, and pushing the boundaries. She is at the heart of the whole process from blending to quality assessment, making sure there is always a Boutinot touch in every cuvée.

They are proud to also count Guillaume Letang and Julien Dugas in their winemaking team. Guillaume oversees the South of France and Languedoc, whilst Julien looks after the property in Cairanne. Together they have the local knowledge to select and blend the very best wines from throughout. Eric Monnin oversees every aspect of production and makes sure everything the winemakers blend and source is top quality.

Production

The Bellefontaine range has established an international reputation for consistent quality and value. Every year Boutinot winemakers select only quality parcels of wine from different estates and producers, each contributing key components to the finished blend. Bellefontaine wines possess fine aromatics, pure fruit expression, fresh acidity, varietal character and above all a persistent finish. The goal is to create a range of wines of consistent quality that are delicious to drink on their own but that also complement food well. They've blended Chardonnay from Gascony for purity and freshness with Chardonnay from Pays d'Oc for varietal character and texture. By blending these two, they've taken the best from each region to create a harmonious, unoaked Chardonnay.

Traditional southern French varieties of Grenache and Cinsault are expertly blended to show the character and finesse in this great house rosé.

Tasting Notes

This luscious and textural blend is very much a food wine; tangy red berries burst from Grenache to meld with gentle spice from Cinsault before the dry and fresh finish.

Production Method

Ripened under the Mediterranean sun of southern France, then harvested at the precise point where ripe fruit and fresh acidity are perfectly aligned, Grenache and Cinsault - two traditional French rosé varieties - are vinifed using the classic rosé-de-presse method. This involves a short maceration followed by gentle pressing to obtain the pretty colour of this sweetly-fruited, carefully balanced rosé blend without extracting unwelcome tannins.

Producer

Like all good stories, that of Boutinot France is both long and a little bit complicated! Boutinot began as a tiny importer in 1980, specialising in French wines. Paul Boutinot himself began by personally selecting the wines from France, back in the UK he would unload the trailer by hand. And deliver the crates of wines to customers himself. But good things grow and by the end of the decade we had become a bigger and better company. A company that not only sought out great wines but made them too. After 10 years later, Boutinot France started in January 1990. The first office was in the middle of the vines in Julienas; perfectly located to navigate the Beaujolais and Macon regions on the quest to make beautiful wines.

Samantha Bailey, who started as a wine enthusiast, was there at the beginning of this adventure. Since then, she has grown into our Master Blender and has key responsibilities: building long-standing relationships, tasting, understanding the terroir and appellations, and pushing the boundaries. She is at the heart of the whole process from blending to quality assessment, making sure there is always a Boutinot touch in every cuvée. We are proud to also count Guillaume Letang and Julien Dugas in our winemaking team. Guillaume oversees the South of France and Languedoc, whilst Julien looks after our property in Cairanne. Together they have the local knowledge to select and blend the very best wines from throughout. Eric Monnin oversees every aspect of production and makes sure everything our winemakers blend and source is top quality.

Specifications

Portraits of America is a range of classic Californian wines captured in classic and contemporary American art themes.

Tasting Notes 

Luscious strawberry ice cream on the nose supported by a bright, berry-fruited palate and an off-dry finish.

Production

Selected from old vine vineyards in the region of central California. 100% zinfandel grapes, lightly crushed to create a pretty pink wine. Vinified in stainless steel tanks.

Specifications

Tasting Notes

Production

The Catarratto grapes are sourced from the north-west corner of Sicily, at Calatafimi, between Marsala and Palermo. These Guyot-trained vines grow in high altitude vineyards (around 500m) with chalky soils. The vineyards were converted to organic viticulture in 2005. The grapes are gently pressed and the must vinified at 16ºC. Maturation in stainless steel.

Producer

Established in 2003, Adria Vini is a winemaking venture jointly owned by Boutinot and Araldica Castelvero, the leading co-operative in the Monferrato hills of Piemonte. Our aim is to produce authentic, well-priced still and sparkling wines from local grape varieties. All aspects of production, from grape selection through to vinification, maturation, blending and bottling are meticulously overseen by Araldica's winemaking team of Claudio Manera and Lella Burdese - assisted by Boutinot's Tony Brown MW. We source from a range of private growers and cooperatives, with whom we have long-term relationships, principally in Veneto, Friuli, Lombardy, Sicily, Puglia, Abruzzo and Sardinia.

Alan's Personal Tasting Note

"This packs in a lot for the price point. Immediately attractive concentrated citric aromas lead onto a full-flavoured palate. The citric fruit follows through and is joined with some ripe, rich, tropical fruits. Good acidity, good complexity & a long, lingering finish. Exceptional value - at entry level from Sicily. Organic & vegan approved is an added bonus. This really is a no-brainer - superb value." January 2024

Specifications

A full-flavoured, well-rounded Sicilian white wine brimming with character - excellent value for the price!

Tasting Notes

A honeyed, floral and spicy nose with hints of ginger and stone fruit. Ripe, sun-dried citrus characters on the palate with savoury notes and a creamy texture. Fresh, balanced acidity and a bitter lemon twist on the finish.

Production

Grapes were sourced from vineyards in the coastal zone at the western tip of Sicily, in Petrosino, Trapani and Marzara del Vallo areas. At altitudes between 10 and 50m, in chalky soils with sandy patches, the vines used were of average age 20 – 25 years, and were trained using the Controspalliera system. Yields were 12 – 13 tons per hectare, and harvesting took place from the end of August through to the middle of September. After undergoing temperature-controlled fermentation for 30 days, the resulting wine was filtered and bottled. No oak was used in production.

Producer

Established in 2003, Adria Vini is a winemaking venture jointly owned by Boutinot and Araldica Castelvero, the leading co-operative in the Monferrato hills of Piemonte. Our aim is to produce authentic, well-priced still and sparkling wines from local grape varieties. All aspects of production, from grape selection through to vinification, maturation, blending and bottling are meticulously overseen by Araldica's winemaking team of Claudio Manera and Lella Burdese - assisted by Boutinot's Tony Brown MW. We source from a range of private growers and cooperatives, with whom we have long term relationships, principally in Veneto, Friuli, Lombardy, Sicily, Puglia, Abruzzo and Sardinia.

Specifications

Tasting Notes

Nose

Vibrant and aromatic with subtle perfumed aromas, white peach and hints of jasmine on the nose.

Palate

On the palate it has tight, white, fleshy, stonefruit and fresh citrus flavours balanced by bright and lively acidity. A crisp, incisive finish with a touch of minerality helps deliver a delicious, flavoursome and characterful wine.

Juicy, fruit focussed, and a crowd-pleasing Merlot - perfect for entertaining!

Tasting Notes

Colour

Vibrant red with garnet edges. 

Nose & Palate

This Merlot is full of ripe plum and berries, lead to a soft rounded palate chock full of juicy red fruit, spicy undertones and gentle tannin with just a touch of vanillin oak.

Producer

The De Bortoli family story is one of determination and triumph that started 90 years ago in war-torn Europe and is now told, generations later, across Australia.

Our heritage encompasses the universal story of immigrants making good in an adopted land, the rise and rise of the Australian wine industry and the tale of a hardworking and innovative family who considers good wine, good food and good friends to be among the true pleasures in life.

Specifications

A vibrant red blend of Mendoza's favourite red varieties, the label is equally animated, depicting Mendozancontempoary and classic culture.

Tasting Notes

With lifted aromatics and a bright, brambly palate this is a really appealling expression of a classic Mendozan blend. Bonarda is dark and juicy, freshened by the gently tart Cab with the aromatic lift of Malbec all making for a deliciously vibrant wine.

Production

This wine marries the best of Mendoza’s widely planted cultivars. Grapes such as Bonarda, Cabernet and Malbec have long been favored in the Barrancas region and have been well suited to the warm dry climate. Whilst Malbec stole the limelight, lots of these vineyards have become older and produce excellent fruit. These grapes are co fermented in stainless steel and then spend time in concrete where it’s tannin and acidity softens before the wines’ release.

Producers

Boutinot has been working with growers in Argentina for over 15 years, constantly sourcing the best value from vintage to vintage. Winemaker Eric Monnin has been working tirelessly over the last few years to secure the best long term contracts for these important wines sourced from specific old vine estates in Mendoza. Recent vintages have really started to show the results of this long-term vision with regards to quality and value.

Specifications

Now recognized as Garda DOC, this Garganega Pinot Grigio is chosen from premium vineyards situated between Lake Garda and Vicenza. The inclusion of Garganega lends a more distinctive and flavorful profile to the wine compared to many standard Pinot Grigios.

Tasting Notes

Aromas of fresh apple and citrus. Crisp and zesty on the palate with a lightly honeyed, floral note on the finish.

Production

Produced from Garganega grapes grown in the Garda DOC region between Lake Garda and Vicenza, with the addition of 15% Pinot Grigio. Gentle pressing, fermentation at 16 to 18C with selected yeasts, bottling after 3 months on fine lees.

Producer

Established in 2003, Adria Vini is a winemaking venture jointly owned by Boutinot and Araldica Castelvero, the leading co-operative in the Monferrato hills of Piemonte. Our aim is to produce authentic, well-priced still and sparkling wines from local grape varieties. All aspects of production, from grape selection through to vinification, maturation, blending and bottling are meticulously overseen by Araldica's winemaking team of Claudio Manera and Lella Burdese - assisted by Boutinot's Tony Brown MW. We source from a range of private growers and cooperatives, with whom we have long term relationships, principally in Veneto, Friuli, Lombardy, Sicily, Puglia, Abruzzo and Sardinia.

Specifications

Chenin crafted the wild way – old vine fruit, fermented with yeast found naturally on the grapes. Up to six months lees ageing after fermentation gives a slow and natural evolution and a harmonious and balanced wine.

Tasting Notes

Ripe citrus and green plum fruit on the nose, with lightly bready aromas and notes of dried herbs including fennel and aniseed. Good concentration of zesty fruit with a creamy lemon character offset by taught acidity. The finish is long with great textural complexity, attributable to the long, slow, wild yeast fermentation.

Production

The grapes for False Bay Slow Chenin Blanc stem from old bush vines in the coastal region. Old vines are key to making stand-out chenin and although The Swartland is not as coastal as most of the vineyards used for the False Bay wines, it is an area where, quite frankly, grapes from old vines are available at the required prices. Thankfully, the area's old vines produce naturally low yields and retain good acidity despite being warmer and less windswept than Stellenbosch, so cooler, coastal Atlantic winds are less of a necessity for these gnarly old vines. Made by Waterkloof's talented young Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard. Balanced grapes are hand harvested, fermented spontaneously with wild yeast in stainless steel tanks and then left on lees for a minimum of ten months before bottling. No additions other than sulphur as a preservative. Grown, made and bottled in South Africa. Vegan friendly wine, sustainably farmed and naturally crafted.

Producer

An independent company, owned by Waterkloof founder Paul Boutinot, False Bay Vineyards aims to make 'real' wine affordable. These are sustainable certified wines bottled in South Africa and naturally crafted from mature and often old vineyards that, crucially, are naturally in balance. This means that, unusually at the price, the grapes from these coastal gems can be transformed into wine with wild yeast and an absolute minimum of intervention.

False Bay Vineyards is proud to be a WWF (World Wildlife Fund) Biodiversity Champion and certified by WIETA (Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association). All of their wines are Vegan friendly.

Specifications

From cool, windswept, coastal vineyards which yield naturally balanced grapes giving a wine with pure varietal charters and vibrant acidity.

Tasting Notes

Fresh and zesty with grassy and dry bay leaf aromatics, mineral notes, with hints of richness. This is a restrained Sauvignon Blanc with a palate that has lots of minerality and citrus with lightly herbal notes. The finish is ripe and gently honeyed with crisp green apple fruit and fresh acidity.

Production

False Bay Windswept Sauvignon Blanc stems from vineyards in Stellenbosch, some of which are a mere 3 miles from The Atlantic Ocean. These vineyards allow for low yields, slower ripening, natural acidity and a greater concentration of flavours. If one wants to make sauvignon blanc naturally, these are just the type of grapes required. Made by Waterkloof's talented young Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard. Balanced grapes are hand harvested, then a portion of the juice is fermented spontaneously with wild yeast and the rest is inocculated. The wine spends a minimum of 6 months on lees before bottling. No additions other than sulphur as a preservative. Grown, made and bottled in South Africa. Vegan friendly, sustainably farmed and naturally crafted

Producer

An independent company, owned by Waterkloof founder Paul Boutinot, False Bay Vineyards aims to make 'real' wine affordable. These are sustainable certified wines bottled in South Africa and naturally crafted from mature and often old vineyards that, crucially, are naturally in balance. This means that, unusually at the price, the grapes from these coastal gems can be transformed into wine with wild yeast and an absolute minimum of intervention.

False Bay Vineyards is proud to be a WWF (World Wildlife Fund) Biodiversity Champion and certified by WIETA (Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association). All of their wines are Vegan friendly.

Alan's Personal Notes

"Fresh and dry with zest citric fruit and an interesting juxtaposition between maritime salinity (proximity of vineyards to the ocean) and mountainous minerality from the granitic souls - both giving great length, complexity and balance. A real snip @£9 a bottle - it delivers a great deal of flavour for little money giving incredible bang for bucks!"

Specifications