2021 Cortese Vanedda Bianco Organic
Regular price £18.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Pure class! Amazingly refined and almost Southern Chablis in style. Limited in production.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Intensely golden in colour.
Nose
Prominent notes of coconut and tropical fruit with an undercurrent of gentle spices.
Palate
Richly textured with well-integrated acidity and a long length.
Viticulture
The 100% organic grapes come only from the Cortese’s own vineyards grown near Contrada Sabuci, in the Vittoria area of South East Sicily. The grapes are carefully hand-harvested into small baskets and only the best quality are selected to make Vanedda. The baskets of grapes are refrigerated at 10°C for around 24 hours.
Winemaking
After this is completed the wine is carefully de-stemmed and fermented on the skins for at least 2 days, after which we separate the wine from the skins and finish the fermentation in 30 hl oak botti. Following fermentation, the wine stays on the lees for at least 7 months and remains in bottle for a further 6 months before being released on to the market.
Producer
Azienda Agricola Cortese is Stefano Girelli’s new estate in Sicily, in the South East near Ragusa. Cortese has a rich history in winemaking, and under Stefano’s guiding hand, has been brought back to life.
Cortese farms in a traditional way, using organic farming techniques from a time where organic was not a choice, but the only option. The dry, sun drenched Sicilian climate provides perfect conditions for organic farming. No chemical fertilisers or pesticides are used. Biodiversity is encouraged.
Traditional winemaking techniques are also adopted, such as fermentation in terracotta.
Cortese brings together respect for biodiversity, exclusively organic cultivation, the meeting of traditional techniques & contemporary technology and the vibrancy and colour of Sicilian life.
La Selezione is the top tier from Cortese. Distinguished by their excellent terroir, these are wines in a class of their own, without any obvious comparisons.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 50% Grillo & 50% Catarratto |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food Matching | Goes perfectly with seafood and rich roasts a-like. |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian, certified Organic |
Origin | Italy |
Appellation |
Terre Siciliane IGP |
2022 Paolo Leo Passitivo Appassimento Primitivo
Regular price £12.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Ripe cherry and black cherry, with spicy notes, smooth tannins and a finish of ripe forest fruits.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Deep ruby red
Nose
Pronounced ripe cherry and black cherry, with spicy notes and hints of coconut and chocolate
Palate
Well structured body, smooth tannins and a lingering finish of ripe forest fruits.
Producer
The cellars occupy a total area of about 24,000 square meters. The first is located in the heart of the Salice Salentino DOC (San donaci) the second, inaugurated in August 2020, is located at the gates of the Primitivo di Manduria DOC (Monteparano).
They are equipped with a state-of-the-art winemaking plant, a large barrel cellar and a modern cutting-edge bottling line capable of reaching 7000 bottles per hour. The winery is flanked by the farm Masseria Carritelli that is surrounded by vineyards.
Viticulture
A superb full-bodied wine which is made from the Primitivo grape variety which have been dried slightly using " il giro del picciolo" technique where the stems of the grape bunches are twisted so that they no longer receive nourishment.
The grapes are left on the plant for approximately 12 days and lose around 25-30% of their weight in water, concentrating their flavours before harvest. After de-stemming, the grapes are not crushed, allowing them to remain intact, reducing damage to the skins and optimizing colour extraction.
Fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature of 28-30c for 8-10 days. Frequent remontage and delestage are carried out in the early stages of fermentation in order to achieve soft extraction of aromas and gentle tannins. After racking, malolactic bacteria are added to induce malolactic fermentation. Approximately 25% of the wine is aged for 12 months in French and American barriques.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Primitivo |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 14.5% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle
|
10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matches | Main courses based on red sauces, meat and game; well-seasoned risotto, mushrooms, mature cheeses and cold cuts. |
Cellaring Potential | 2029 |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian, Certified Organic & Sustainable |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | Puglia IGP |
Origin | Puglia |
NV Cantina di Soliera, Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro DOC
Regular price £9.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A traditional sweet style produced from the Grasparossa grape - widely considered to be the highest quality of the Lambrusco varieties, with thicker skin and ripe tannins. It has lashings of vibrant cherry and berry fruit.
Tasting Notes
Dark ruby red in colour with intense aromas of plum and ripe black cherry. The palate is fresh and vibrant with pure crushed black fruits balanced by fresh acidity and a touch of sweetness. The finish is clean and bright with a nip of tannin.
Production
The Lambrusco Grasparossa grapes are sourced from sandy-clay vineyards in the Castelvetro region south of Modena. Made using the Charmat method, with its second fermentation in tank.
Producer
This new range of high quality Lambrusco is a partnership between the Soliera cooperative and Medici Ermete, one of the most influential producers in the renaissance of ‘proper’ Lambrusco. Cantina di Soliera, with 422 member growers and a 40 year tradition of Lambrusco production, is situated in the heart of the Lambrusco di Sorbara zone north of Modena and is the DOC’s largest producer. The alluvial soils here are ideal for the cultivation of the low yielding Sorbara variety, the mixture of sand and clay produces wines which balance elegance and structure and are regarded by many as the finest Lambrusco. Grapes for the Cantina di Soliera range come from 20 ha of selected ‘cru’ vineyards here and in the neighbouring Grasparossa di Castelvetro DOC.
The Lambrusco family of grapes (there are many varieties, once numbered at 56) is thought to be one of the oldest in Italy and is predominantly found in Emilia-Romagna. Today the focus is on a handful of varieties, and Cantina di Soliera specialise in Lambrusco di Sorbara and Lambrusco Grasparossa, the most important of the 5 Lambrusco DOC’s in terms of quality. The former produces light, elegant, floral wines, while Grasparossa typically gives deeply coloured, weightier and more structured wines. Both make fantastic food wines – the delicate Sorbara with cold meats and seafood, the richer Grasparossa a perfect match for fatty sausages, charcuterie, tomato-based pasta dishes and cheeses.
Sustainability
In 2022, Cantina di Soliera achieved Equalitas Winery certification and a proportion of the cantina’s vineyards are in conversion to organic cultivation and they hope to be formally certified soon.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Lambrusco Grasparossa |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content
|
8% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 6 units |
Type | Sparkling Red Fizz |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Features | Vegetarian & Vegan |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Match | A good match for spicy Asian foods or charcuterie. Could be an interesting (and lighter) alternative to Port with blue cheese. |
Origin | Emilia Romagna |
Appellation | Grasparossa Di Castelvetro DOC |
2022 Italia Pinot Grigio, Provincia di Pavia IGT (25cl Can)
Regular price £2.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Fresh and zesty Pinot Grigio from the Pavia hills south of Milan, handily packaged in a 25cl can. Picnic Perfect!
Tasting Notes
A refreshing white with apple and citrus aromas, and combining lemony acidity with lightly honeyed fruit, to give a fresh and dry finish.
Production
The Pinot Grigio grapes are harvested in the first half of September. Then crushed and gently pressed before cool fermentation at 16-18˚C in temperature-controlled 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.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 250ml |
Cultivar |
85% Pinot Grigio and 15% Chardonnay |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol Content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 3.1 units |
Type | White wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Food Matches |
Great for picnics, festivals, or whenever you fancy just one glass. |
Origin |
Provincia di Pavia IGT |
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!
2023 GPG Garganega Pinot Grigio
Regular price £8.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The addition of Garganega makes a more interesting, characterful wine than many basic Pinot Grigio.
Tasting Notes
Lightly aromatic with green apple and citrus characters. A zesty, easy to drink dry white wine with crisp, lightly honeyed fruit 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.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Everything it should be - fresh, crisp n dry - with good fruit and decent length for the price. Perfect luncheon wine or by the glass trade option. Not the most complex - just a simple, easy drinking moreish crowd pleaser!" March 2024
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Garganega & Pinot Grigio |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 11% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.25 units |
Type | White Wine |
Highly versatile, ideal as an aperitif or with seafood, grilled fish, salads and cold white meats. | |
Cellaring Potential | 1 years |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Garda DOC |
2016 Cafaggio Basilica del Cortaccio Cabernet Sauvignon
Regular price £39.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Cafaggio Cortaccio is a stunning 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that opens with delicate aromas of cassis, tobacco and cedar. The robust palate delivers mature plum, clove and espresso alongside chewy tannins. Long and pleasant finish. Certified organic.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Aromatic notes of coffee, juicy ripe fruits, various spices, and jam.
Palate
Its mid-palate is energetic and vibrant, with not just blackcurrant aromas and flavours but that split-leaf herbaceousness that works so well from glorious Cabernet Sauvignon. Such a fresh, attractive scent. The nose also carries hints of cedar, spice, and blackberry, with a velvety, harmonious palate.
Vinification & Aging
Manual harvesting in mid-October, alcoholic fermentation at controlled temperatures in stainless steel tanks, breaking and soaking of the marc through manual pressing and pump-overs with air, spontaneous malolactic fermentation, maturation for 18 months in French oak (Tronçais and Allier) barriques that have been used once previously (medium-toasted), and bottle-aged for six months before sales start.
Producer
Since the Renaissance and beyond, Cafaggio's conca d'oro vineyards—which can also be translated as "golden shell," "golden bowl," or "golden basin"—have been renowned for the exceptional wines they produce at an altitude ranging from 300-400 meters above sea level and encompassing a surface area of about 60 hectares.
The conca, as its name suggests, is a steep, naturally occurring amphitheater with a southern exposure that is perfect for the growth of grapes that will be transformed into wines with intense flavor, distinct structure, and significant aging potential.
The conca d'ora is situated in the center of Panzano commune, one of the five Chianti Classico DOCG villages (the only five townships where Chianti Classico can be produced today) where Chianti was first manufactured.
The soil types, in combination with the height and exposure, offer the vines exceptional vigor as their roots look for the water table, making the estate's vineyards one of the most sought-after quality wine-growing locations in all of Tuscany.
Cafaggio is an active participant in the 1995-founded Unione Viticoltori di Panzano (Panzano Grape Grower and Winemaker Union), a group that supports and aids in the promotion of the township's wineries.
Review
- 96 points with Decanter
-
Susan Hulme MW: "Lovely complex nose cedar, spice and blackberry, very smooth and harmonious palate."Andrea Briccarello: "Clean, coffee notes, roasted and intense notes of juicy fruits, charming spices and jam."Annette Scarfe MW: "Pure blackcurrant leaf with an energetic vibrant mid-palate – fresh and attractive."
Specifications
Year | 2016 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 14.5% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle
|
10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 2021 - 2035 |
Food Matching | An excellent wine to pair with red meats and hearty sauces. Particularly suited for traditional Sunday Roast recipes featuring lamb. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Sustainable Farming, Practising Organic | |
Appellation | Tuscany |
2020 Cafaggio Chianti Classico
Regular price £21.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Nose
Ripe, deliciously berry, slightly earthy and herbal aroma. The medium-bodied taste repeats the berry aromas of the fragrance. The wine also has a slight smokiness, a hint of pine, cranberry and sour cherry.
Palate
In the mouthfeel, the wine is fruity, because the acidity and slightly drying tannins give the whole thing an edge. The wine leaves a ripe cranberry and lingonberry aftertaste, slightly astringent. The earthy flavours and aromas become more pronounced as the wine matures and develops. Oak maturation also adds spicy and vanilla notes.
Producer
Since the Renaissance and beyond, Cafaggio's conca d'oro vineyards—which can also be translated as "golden shell," "golden bowl," or "golden basin"—have been renowned for the exceptional wines they produce at an altitude ranging from 300-400 meters above sea level and encompassing a surface area of about 60 hectares.
The conca, as its name suggests, is a steep, naturally occurring amphitheater with a southern exposure that is perfect for the growth of grapes that will be transformed into wines with intense flavor, distinct structure, and significant aging potential.
The conca d'ora is situated in the center of Panzano commune, one of the five Chianti Classico DOCG villages (the only five townships where Chianti Classico can be produced today) where Chianti was first manufactured.
The soil types, in combination with the height and exposure, offer the vines exceptional vigor as their roots look for the water table, making the estate's vineyards one of the most sought-after quality wine-growing locations in all of Tuscany.
Cafaggio is an active participant in the 1995-founded Unione Viticoltori di Panzano (Panzano Grape Grower and Winemaker Union), a group that supports and aids in the promotion of the township's wineries.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sangiovese Grosso |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 13.5% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matches |
Nuanced and developed wines go well will rustic meat dishes. You can also pair them with cheese or enjoy them on their own. Try with reindeer steak, entrecôte or hard, aged cheeses, such as Gouda, Parmesan or Manchego. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | Tuscany |
2017 Cafaggio Chianti Classico Riserva
Regular price £33.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Villa Cafaggio Chianti Classico Riserva is obtained exclusively from Sangiovese grapes. Grown on land owned by the estate, the vineyard, situated in Panzano in Chianti, extends along the sunny slopes of the 'Conca d'Oro' (Golden basin), a wine- growing area of great value.
Tasting Notes
Nose
This opens with aromas of black-skinned berries, leather, and baking spices.
Palate
Silky, with nutty fruit and a hint of bitter chocolate character. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a long finish.
Producer
Since the Renaissance and beyond, Cafaggio's conca d'oro vineyards—which can also be translated as "golden shell," "golden bowl," or "golden basin"—have been renowned for the exceptional wines they produce at an altitude ranging from 300-400 meters above sea level and encompassing a surface area of about 60 hectares.
The conca, as its name suggests, is a steep, naturally occurring amphitheater with a southern exposure that is perfect for the growth of grapes that will be transformed into wines with intense flavor, distinct structure, and significant aging potential.
The conca d'ora is situated in the center of Panzano commune, one of the five Chianti Classico DOCG villages (the only five townships where Chianti Classico can be produced today) where Chianti was first manufactured.
The soil types, in combination with the height and exposure, offer the vines exceptional vigor as their roots look for the water table, making the estate's vineyards one of the most sought-after quality wine-growing locations in all of Tuscany.
Cafaggio is an active participant in the 1995-founded Unione Viticoltori di Panzano (Panzano Grape Grower and Winemaker Union), a group that supports and aids in the promotion of the township's wineries.
Review
- 91 Points Wine Enthusiast
- Bronze Medal at the 2021 International Wine Challenge
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sangiovese Grosso |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 14% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | Tuscany |
2021 Campogiovanni, Rosso di Montalcino
Regular price £21.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Sourced from a 6 hectare plot on the Campogiovanni estate, where the vines naturally produce a brighter, more approachable and early ripening style of Sangiovese well suited to Rosso di Montalcino.
Tasting Notes
Nose
An inviting nose, warm and open, with ripe cherry and blackberry fruit combined with cedarwood and spice notes
Palate
The palate has rounded plum and red fruits balanced by fresh acidity. Spice and savoury characters and fine tannins lead to an elegant finish.
Producer
The Tenuta Campogiovanni is a sister estate to Agricola San Felice, and is located on the southern slope of the Montalcino hill, near San Angelo in Colle.
This 65ha estate comprises 19ha of vineyard across three separate parcels - amongst olive trees, woods and fields. Production here (and 14ha of vineyard) is strongly focused on Brunello, with the remainder largely used for Rosso di Montalcino. Campogiovanni Brunello is amongst the very best in the region.
1990 saw the first production of a Riserva, entitled Il Quercione, made from fruit rigorously selected from the vineyard of the same name and made only in exceptional year.
Production Method
These 6 hectares of Sangiovese vines were planted in the 1990s on the Campogiovanni estate. The vineyard is at a 250-300m altitude, south to southeast-facing. After a 12-day maceration, and malolactic fermentation in stainless steel, the wine was matured for 12 months in Slavonian oak botti, followed by a further 2 months in bottle.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sangiovese |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | Pairs well with pasta in meat sauces with mushroom or truffles, pork, or veal dishes. |
Origin | Toscana |
Appellation | Rosso Di Montalcino DOC |
2022 Monte Schiavo Verdicchio Classico Amphora (Organic)
Regular price £9.45 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A fine example of the Verdicchio grape from one of the region's pioneering producers. From estate-grown grapes, a fresh and juicy style with lovely concentration of flavour.
Tasting Notes
Fresh zesty nose with apricot and orchard fruit aromas, and a hint of white flower and citrus. The palate has minerality and texture with ripe stone fruit and grapefruit characters, refreshing lemon citrus acidity, a touch of salinity, and a crisp finish.
Production
The grapes are sourced from Monte Schiavo's own vineyards situated in the communes of Maiolati Spontini, Montecarotto, Poggio S. Marcello and Rosora - at an altitude of 180-360 metres above sea level. Vinified in stainless steel at controlled temperatures to retain fresh fruit characters and aromas.
Producer
Since establishing their winery in Marche in 1976, the Pieralisi family have striven to create the very best from their vineyards. The family’s background was in olive oil manufacturing equipment, but they began to invest in agriculture and also purchased vineyards from the local co-operative. The 350-hectare estate now consists of around 103 ha of prime vineyard in and around Maiolati Spontini, Ancona, the heart of the classic production area of Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi – along with 48 ha of olive groves, 24 ha of walnut trees, and other agricultural land. The winery itself is set amongst some of their most prized plots, notably the 20 ha Colle del Sole vineyard.
Under the supervision of Gennaro Pieralisi and his son Andrea, production has progressed from its initial focus on the Verdicchio grape, to include a range of red wines from their own estate fruit (with the exception of their Rosso Conero, which is produced in collaboration with Alberto Serenelli). The success of their manufacturing business has allowed the family to invest heavily in the estate, providing state-of-the-art technology, and they have striven to improve quality and reduce yields.
The appointment of talented young winemaker Simone Schiaffino, and collaboration with renowned Italian winemaking consultant Carlo Ferrini since the 2015 vintage, has added a new depth and complexity to their portfolio. Carlo Ferrini has worked as a consultant with some of Italy’s top estates – to optimise clones, rootstocks, vine density and pruning – in order to create wines that are a true expression of the vineyard. At the same time Simone has revitalised the cellar and added an extra layer of vibrancy and expression to the wines, establishing Monte Schiavo as a producer of top quality, authentic wines.
The ‘Tenute Pieralisi’ range of wines represents the culmination of their project - a top tier of premium wines asserting the individuality of indigenous varieties Verdicchio and Montepulciano.
Sustainability
Tenute Pieralisi are committed to the environment, and to using non-invasive procedures on their land. They believe that the diversified agricultural production on the estate helps to preserve the great local varietal heritage of flora and fauna. This has led to a conversion to organic farming and to the careful use of resources in the winery: introducing low-energy LED lighting and a photovoltaic system to generate electricity from solar energy. They also use environmentally-friendly vehicles for local deliveries, reducing pollutants from emissions.
They are one of the first companies in Italy to have obtained both BRC Global Standard for Food Safety certification (AA grade) and to be registered on the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS).
Furthermore, as of the 2019 vintage the estate and wines are certified as organic, and the wines are labelled accordingly.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Verdicchio |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 12.5% abv |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle
|
9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food Matches |
Perfect with shellfish and fish dishes but can withstand a creamy sauce and even chicken.
|
Features |
Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Marche |
Appellation |
Verdicchio Dei Castelli Di Jesi DOC
|
N/V La Jara Prosecco Spumante Extra Dry
Regular price £17.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Colour
Straw yellow with greenish reflections.
Nose
Delicate aromas of white flowers, golden apple, slight notes of banana and peach.
Palate
Fresh, aromatic and velvety with light scents of acacia honey with a pleasant roundness.
Producer
The River Piave, in its early life, came tumbling out of the eastern edge of the Dolomites, full of energy. It bumped into the hills around Valdobbiadene, carved a cleft in them and carried on towards the marshy delta that is the eastern side of Venice.
At near exhaustion by its journey, it dumped large deposits of limestone pebbles and stones, known locally as Jara, which has proven a good challenge for vines to produce nuanced, vital fruit and pure wines. This soil absorbs the warmth of the day, and gently releases it at night, providing a steady transition between day and night for the grapes on the vines.
Driving from Venice northwards, there's not much to tell you that you've moved from the over-fertile flatlands that produce so much anonymous, intensively produced Prosecco, to the equally rather flat but charming, stony, organic vineyards of La Jara. Now well established in harmony with nature, the vines are uniform, drawing on a deep bank of nutrients from the ground-down mountain. To this phenomenon the estate credits the delicate floral aromas of their Glera (Prosecco) and Pinot Grigio grapes; combined with a dedication to organic viticulture, they make affordable wines of outstanding quality. In their own words. "We like to think that Nature is a perfect mechanism, whom it is our duty to indulge. day-to-day attention to the vineyard renders our grapes and our wines truly exceptional."
These days, La Jara is a story of two brothers. Massimo, who reminds one of a flamboyant Bond villain, and Paolo who makes the wine. And Giovanni, their sales director of many years, who keeps everyone on track. Their goal has always been to produce bright, easy and pure wines; they are always a joy.
Year after year they've added to their organic plantings, consistently choosing the best sites, and equally, they've kept their wine-making technology and operational know-how up to date, which is crucial in an area that is famously humid and flat.
Awards
- International Wine Challenge: AWC Vienna Gold 2022
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Glera |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 11.5% |
Units of Alcohol | 8.6 units |
Type | Fizz |
Food Matches | Perfect as an aperitif. Ideal with velvety pumpkin soup, risotto, grilled vegetables and summer salads |
Features | Organic, Vegetarian & Vegan Approved |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contain sulphites |
Origin | Treviso |
Appellation | Veneto |
2020 Ronchi di Manzano Pinot Grigio DOC Friuli Colli Orientali
Regular price £20.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Colour
Straw-yellow in colour
Nose
A fragrant and crisp aroma with unmistakable floral notes and hints of ripened pear.
Mouth
Its taste is dry and minerally, acidic yet balanced, and is both intense and enduring.
Background
Roberta Borghese, the owner of these Ronchi (steep slopes), has understood their true values and is enthralled by the rhythm and beauty of nature.
The Ronchi di Manzano winery was established in 1969, but its vineyards have an ancient tradition of centuries. Everything started with the Counts of Trento, who had a special predilection for the Ronchi di Manzano, both for its location and for its soil composition. Its vineyards were considered to be some of the best in the whole area and the wines produced were very often requested by French and Savoy noblemen.
Vineyard
The grapes are destemmed soon after arrival at the winery followed by an immediate cooling of the de-stemmed grapes and a soft pressing to extract the juice.
Vinification and fermentation are done in stainless steel temperature-controlled tanks. The wine is bottled in March and is refined in bottles for a period of approximately two months, only then is it ready for release to the marketplace.
Accolades
- James Suckling 91 points
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Pinot Grigio |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food & Serving Information |
Enjoy it as an aperitif, or with deli meats, starters, fish, soups, pastas, rice dishes like risotto, or white meats at an ideal temperature of 8-10°C. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin |
Friuli Colli Orientali |
Appellation | Friuli DOC |
2016 Rivera 'Cappellaccio' Aglianico Castel del Monte Riserva
Regular price £18.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Garnet red, this wine has an intense bouquet typical for the variety, with notes of ripe red fruit, leather and spices.
Complex and structured in the glass, it has an imposing body and intense and elegant aromas of sour cherry and tobacco, with a long and persistent finish. In the mouth it is warm and full. A wine of great structure, it has a long finish with a balanced tannic finish.
Background
Vinification
The grapes are harvested in mid-October. Maceration lasts 12-14 days in steel vats, with frequent pumping over to obtain a better extraction of aromatic and colouring substances and, at the same time, to soften the tannic mass.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"As good as I remember it - this is proper wine - with gorgeous attractive fruit with some spice & leather notes interspersed. It’s got a really long and persistent flavour - as you would expect from Italy’s southern noble grape variety. Not cheap but delivers real value for real wine drinkers. Delicious! Not a big, full bodied fruity wine - a more lighter, fine style with great complexity, persistence and class!" Tasted 2 January 2024
Specifications
Year | 2016 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Aglianico |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 14.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food & Serving Information |
Perfect with very tasty red meat dishes. Store in a cool place, away from light, bottle lying down. Do not refrigerate. Open at least 15 minutes before serving |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Andria (BT) Apulia (Puglia) |
Appellation | Castel del Monte |
2022 Paolo Leo Mora Mora Malvasia Nera
Regular price £12.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Full-bodied and well balanced, with a lively tannin and a pleasantly lingering finish of ripe red fruits.
Malvasia nera is one of the oldest indigenous grape varieties in Puglia and it is likely that it arrived in southern Italy starting from the Dalmatian coasts beyond the Adriatic Sea. The aromatic black grape variety, is distinguished by a high sugar concentration and the almost total absence of tannin in the skins, a characteristic that makes it unique and unexpected especially when sipped even slightly cool in the sunny Salento summers.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Mora Mora is presented in the glass with a beautiful intense ruby red color.
Nose
On the nose, it offers small red fruits such as blackberries and mulberries in full ripeness. Then there are hints of dried plums and sweet spices such as cinnamon and cloves that give an enveloping tertiary perception.
Palate
In the mouth, it is warm, juicy, fresh with a slightly hinted acidity. Final with a very light sweetish aftertaste given by the typical fruit of black malvasia.
Vinification
The harvest is carried out in the second decade of September with a manual harvest of the grapes completed in the early hours of the morning, in the coolest hours of the day. After harvesting, the grapes are destemmed and the crushed grapes ferments in stainless steel at a controlled temperature of 22-24 ° C for 8-10 days. The must is subjected to various pumping over and delestage that offer a technological extraction of color and tannins. Subsequently the wine is drawn off in a soft press. After the first racking, again in stainless steel, the malolactic fermentation takes place. Finally, the wine finishes its maturation for 3 months in second and third passage French oak barriques and is already ready to be drunk very young.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Malvasia Nera |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 14.5% |
Units of Alcohol |
10.9 units
|
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matches |
The aromaticity of the Black Malvasia di Moramora combines with slow cooking ragù. The best embers of meat enhance the structure of the wine. Combined with cold cuts and cheeses it becomes a great company guest.
|
Cellaring Potential | 10-15 years |
Allergen Information
|
Contain sulphites |
Region | Puglia |
Appellation | IGP Salento |
2020 Jacopo Biondi Santi Castello di Montepo 'Sassoalloro' Toscana IGT
Regular price £23.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Sassoalloro is pleasant, particularly soft and balanced, with extremely silky tannins.
Tasting Notes
It shows a beautiful compact ruby red color and at the opening it spreads hints of black pepper and fruity notes of blackberry and cherry in alcohol, combined with floral aromas of violet, graphite and earthy hints. The taste is decidedly full and responsive, with great balance.
Jacopo Biondi Santi Castello di Montepò Sassoalloro is a bright, dynamic Sangiovese with an impressive pedigree. The name Sassoalloro (first vintage 1991) references a volcanic boulder on which legends have been built.
Producer
The Biondi Santi family has earned a place in the tradition of Italian wine thanks to the lively and passionate inventiveness that has distinguished it since the very beginning. The roots of this brilliant adventure go back to the 1800s, when Ferruccio Biondi Santi planted the first Montalcino vineyard with vines of a selected clone of Sangiovese, called Sangiovese Grosso or Brunello: it was the first step towards a new way of making wine that would soon in the history of Italian wine. Today it continues to improve under the leadership of Jacopo with the future secure thanks to help from his children, Tancredi, Clemente and Clio.
Biondi Santi is the historic cellar that has its roots in time and has marked the history of Brunello di Montalcino; a brand that has become the owner of several estates in the magical terroir of China, including that of Castello di Montepò near Pancole, where the Sassoalloro grapes are grown, a grandiose version of pure Sangiovese Grosso that oozes territoriality from every drop.
The Wine
A wine, in some ways, new to the tradition of Biondi Santi. Fermented and aged for about 14 months in Tronçais oak barriques, a short period that comes out of the company schemes which provides for long aging. A wine to drink practically immediately, but with a life potential that can reach 15 years.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sangiovese Grosso |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 14% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 11.3 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matches | Pair with red meat dishes such as lamb, pasta in herby tomato sauces or any Tuscan foods. Ideal with aged cheeses too and perfect in combination with finocchiona and excellent with sausages and beans. |
Aging Potential | Now or up to 15 years |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin |
Maremma, Tuscany |
Appellation | Tuscany |