2023 Mirabello Pinot Grigio
Regular price £8.25 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
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
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Grigio |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 12.5% abv |
|
9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food Matches |
|
Features |
Vegetarian, Vegan |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Venezie |
Appellation |
|
2023 Adobe Reserva Chardonnay
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Unoaked, sunkissed Chardonnay made from organically grown grapes.
Colour
A clear, bright pale yellow incolour.
Nose
Refreshing citrus aromas of grapefruit and lime that intermingle with subtle tropical fruit aromas, especially pineapple, and a touch of herbs.
Palate
On the palate, it is a balanced, fresh and fruity wine, with velvety texture and a persistent, enjoyable finish.
Production
Casablanca Valley can be identified by its closeness to the Pacific Ocean, influenced by the coastal breeze, which moderates temperatures. The land is basically formed by hills that increase in height as it goes east towards the Coastal Mountain Range. It has an alluvial origin, with sandy textures of high permeability, poor and shallow, which causes the valley to have low yields, compared to others. The temperatures are colder and templates, causing a slower ripening in the fruit and, in consequence, great character in flavour and aroma, for white varieties like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
The grapes come from vineyards that are approximately 12 years old in the Casablanca estate, trellised in simple vertical shoot position, with an average yield of 12 tons/ha. They were hand-picked into bins during the first week of March when they had reached the ideal state of ripeness. The grapes were transported to our Nancagua winery for vinification in stainless steel tanks at low temperatures with selected yeasts, pumpovers, and delicate lees stirring to reach the desired final result. Prior to bottling the wine was fined with adjusted doses of bentonite and cold stabilized to prevent tartaric precipitations in the bottle.
Producers
Voted by Wines of Chile as "Winery of the Year 2016", Emiliana is one of Chile's most exciting producers and pioneers in organic and biodynamic winemaking. Since 1998, this Chilean winery has been producing award-winning wines from almost 1,000 hectares of vineyards in prime sites including Casablanca, Maipo, Cachapoal, Colchagua and Bio Bio.
Its spectacular biodynamic vineyard and winery at Los Robles is a model that attracts visiting viticulturalists and winemakers from across the world. Emiliana's innovative and natural-leaning wines are made with great care and attention and the results are inspiring.
Sustainable
Emiliana began its conversion to organic production in 1998, and today 100% of its properties are organically managed. It is the world’s largest organic winery. It holds organic certifications in accordance with the standards of the United States, Canada (NOP), Brazil, Chile, Japan, South Korea, China, and Europe. In 2006, Emiliana was the first winery in Latin America to produce a wine with biodynamic certification. Since then, the use of biodynamic practices at its farms and cellars has been accredited and today 100% of its properties are certified. Emiliana received its Fairtrade and Fair For Life certifications in 2011 and 2017 and has been selling fair trade wines since 2012.
Emiliana was a pioneer in the implementation of the Wine of Chile Sustainability Code certification in 2012. This standard was developed for the Chilean wine sector to support the implementation of sustainable practices at a national level, as well as social and environmental responsibility at Emiliana.
Emiliana is certified to use the Vegan Society trademark, which attests that its wines are produced without any animal-derived products.
Emiliana also produces an annual sustainability report.
Awards
- Bronze - Decanter World Wine Awards 2019 (2018 vintage)
- Bronze - Sommelier Wine Awards 2019 (2016 vintage)
- Bronze - IWC 2017 (2016 vintage)
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | Chile |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting Info |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Sustainable |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Ideal for serving with fish and shellfish, cooked with creamy sauces or butter. Also it is perfect accompanying pasta with seafood sauces and as aperitif, served with different cheese and dried fruits. |
Origin | Casablanca Valley |
Appellation | D.O. Valle De Casablanca |
2022 Vila Nova Vinho Verde
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Great tasting, modern Vinho Verde from the super reliable Vila Nova estate.
Tasting Notes
Floral, citrus and gentle tropical aromas lead on to a palate that is deliciously off-dry with flavours of ripe melon and sherbet lemon acidity. The finish is refreshing with a classic spritz.
Production
Casa de Vila Nova is located in the sub region of Sousa, the Vinho Verde Demarcated Region, in the North of Portugal. The vinho verde vineyards are exposed to the Atlantic Ocean winds and influence. Soils, microclimate, grape varieties and the unique characteristics of the wine culture, distinguish it from all other wine regions of the world. The grapes are harvested by hand in 20 kg boxes that are quickly transported to the winery where they are destemmed and soft pressed and temperature-controlled fermentation.
Producer
Casa de Vila Nova is owned by the Lencastre family, of aristocratic Portuguese lineage (one of their ancestors became the first Baron of Varzea do Douro in the 1800s). This land has been in their family since the 12th century - the ivy clad tower that still remains from that time is now surrounded by Vila Nova (new house) that was built in the 1700s, and the property was gradually extended over the centuries.
The estate is near the town of Penafiel, close to the eastern border of Portugal's vinho verde wine region, around a 30 minute drive east from Oporto. In the late 1970s the family planted vines over 12 hectares - mainly local Portuguese varieties. In 2008 Bernardo Lencastre and his brothers took over the running of the property, revitalised the vineyards and began making vinho verde and bottling their own wines - the first generation to do so. They now have around 42 hectares of vineyard.
Here, in the Entre-Douro-e-Minho sub-region of Sousa, their vineyards are influenced by winds from the Atlantic Ocean - creating the perfect climate to ripen varieties such as Avesso, Loureiro and Alvarinho.
Awards
- 2019 Vintage - Sommelier Wine Awards 2020 Gold
- 2019 Vintage - Sommelier Wine Awards 2020 Trophy
- 2016 Vintage - Simmerlier Wine Awards 2017 Silver
Alan's Personal Notes
"I can’t remember the last time I drank Vino Verde - probably sometime in the Eighties - but I don’t know why - as this is delightful! Off-dry with ripe fruits offset by a citric minerality making this an extremely enjoyable glass with great flavour and balance. Perfect for the spring/summer weather that’s about to happen- so I’ll be drinking VV a lot more over the next few months!" March 2022
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 50% Loureiro; 15% Avesso, 35% Arinto |
Country | Portugal |
Alcohol content
|
11% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 8.63 units |
Type | White Blend |
Allergy Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Food Matching |
Great as an aperitif - or serve with salads, sushi and grilled fish
|
Cellaring Potential | 1-2 years |
Origin | Vinho Verde |
Appellation | DOC Vino Verde |
2023 Adobe Reserva Viognier
Regular price £8.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
High-quality organic fruit is sourced from Emiliana's growers in Casablanca and Colchagua. A delicious, fresh, spicy and aromatic Viognier.
Colour
Pale yellow in colour.
Nose
A nose that presents fruity aromas recalling orange, nectarine and white peach with honeysuckle and jasmine notes.
Palate
The refreshing palate shows this is a wine full of character, with good concentration and balance.
Production
With an average temperature of 22°C and ow rainfall (600mm per year). During summer, this valley presents high-temperature range, having low temperature at night. Alluvial, medium-high depth soil, uniform loamy-muddy texture. Good drainage, moderate permeability and high fertility. Mediterranean with rainy winters, warm, dry summers and a broad oscillation between day and night temperatures, all of which contribute to a good vine development. The soil presents good drainage, high fertility, and tremendous agricultural aptitude. The soils tend to be alluvial in origin of medium depth. The grapes that went into this wine were picked by hand at early-April when the fruit had reached its optimal degree of ripeness. Fermentation took place with selected yeasts in stainless steel tanks, in our Las Palmeras winery. During this stage, the temperature was carefully managed to remain cool (around 15ºC) without pump-overs and with delicate lees stirring, in order to reach the desired results. Finally, the wine was fined with bentonite and cold-stabilized before bottling to prevent tartaric precipitations in the bottle.
Producers
Voted by Wines of Chile as "Winery of the Year 2016", Emiliana is one of Chile's most exciting producers and pioneers in organic and biodynamic winemaking. Since 1998, this Chilean winery has been producing award-winning wines from almost 1,000 hectares of vineyards in prime sites including Casablanca, Maipo, Cachapoal, Colchagua and Bio Bio.
Its spectacular biodynamic vineyard and winery at Los Robles is a model that attracts visiting viticulturalists and winemakers from across the world. Emiliana's innovative and natural-leaning wines are made with great care and attention and the results are inspiring.
Sustainable
Emiliana began its conversion to organic production in 1998, and today 100% of its properties are organically managed. It is the world’s largest organic winery. It holds organic certifications in accordance with the standards of the United States, Canada (NOP), Brazil, Chile, Japan, South Korea, China, and Europe. In 2006, Emiliana was the first winery in Latin America to produce a wine with biodynamic certification. Since then, the use of biodynamic practices at its farms and cellars has been accredited and today 100% of its properties are certified. Emiliana received its Fairtrade and Fair For Life certifications in 2011 and 2017 and has been selling fair trade wines since 2012.
Emiliana was a pioneer in the implementation of the Wine of Chile Sustainability Code certification in 2012. This standard was developed for the Chilean wine sector to support the implementation of sustainable practices at a national level, as well as social and environmental responsibility at Emiliana.
Emiliana is certified to use the Vegan Society trademark, which attests that its wines are produced without any animal-derived products.
Emiliana also produces an annual sustainability report.
Alan's Personal Notes
"Immediately attractive, this organic dry white from Chile has attractive stone fruit aromas on the nose, which follow through to the palate and combine with a rich mouth-filling creaminess and mouth cleansing acidity. Fabulously well balanced and absolutely delicious!"
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Viognier |
Country | Chile |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting Info |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Sustainable |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Due to its soft texture and its complex and concentrated flavours, this wine is ideal for serving with grilled escalopes with a tropical reduction, grilled fish such as Conger with a cream sauce and some desserts such as papayas with cream. |
Origin | Casablanca Valley, Colchagua Valley |
Appellation | D.O. Valle Central |
Primordial Soup White Blend N/V
Regular price £7.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%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
Year |
N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Blend |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 11% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.25 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Such a versatile wine. Its freshness, flavours and fabulous aromas match anything from a sensational summer salad to a fist of freshly shucked oysters. |
Origin | Swartland |
Appellation | Western Cape |
2021 Adobe Reserva Gewürztraminer
Regular price £8.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Colour
Light yellow, clean and bright.
Nose
The nose offers floral aromas of jasmine, lychee, and honey notes.
Palate
The floral notes reappear on the palate, along with apricot, and mandarin orange. Medium-bodied with good concentration and a refreshing ripe fruit finish. A Thai fighting delight!
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.
Awards
- 2017 Bronze at the Sommelier Wine Awards (2016 Vintage)
Production
The Rapel Valley lies with the Pacific Ocean to the West, to the east the Andes Mountains, and to the south the province of Colchagua. The climatic characteristics of this valley include frost-free springs and warm summers that allow the grapes to ripen well. The Rapel Valley viticultural zone is located in Chile’s 6th Region, approximately 160 km (100 mi) south of Santiago and includes the sub-valleys of Cachapoal and Colchagua. The entire zone presents good drainage, high fertility, and tremendous agricultural aptitude. Its climate is sub-humid Mediterranean because the low, even hills of the Coastal Mountain Range to the west allow the cooling influence of the Pacific Ocean to penetrate the valley and moderate temperatures. It is highly influenced by the Pacific anticyclone, which results in a concentration of rainfall during the winter months. Precipitation averages 710 mm (28 in) per year. During the summer, the southern and south-western winds result in an ample temperature variation between daytime highs and night time lows. The maximum temperature in January reaches 32ºC (90ºF) and the annual average is 14ºC (57ºF). The grapes that went into this wine were handpicked in April, when the fruit had reached the desired level of ripeness. The fruit came from vineyards that are more than 22 years old the Totihue estate in Alto Cachapoal and the Los Pretiles estate in Alto Colchagua. The vines at both estates are vertically positioned and yield an average yield of 9 tons per hectare. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks with selected yeasts in our Maipo Valley winery. The process was carefully managed to maintain temperatures at 15º–17ºC (59º–63º), with gentle aeration and delicate lees stirring to reach the desired results. The wine was fined with bentonite and cold-stabilized before bottling to prevent tartaric precipitations in the bottle.
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
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Gewürztraminer |
Country | Chile |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Sustainable |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Its sweetness makes this wine ideal as an aperitif served with mild cheeses, ham, and dried fruit and nuts. It is also excellent paired with sushi and fresh fruit desserts. |
Origin | Rapel Valley |
Appellation | D.O. Valle Del Rapel |
2021 Cave de l'Ormarine Picpoul de Pinet Sélection
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Classic Picpoul - appealing ripe fruit with a fresh saline lift on the finish.
A crowd-pleaser and a very well-made one!
Tasting Notes
Nose
Delicately perfumed, ripe melon fruit on the nose.
Palate
The palate is weighty and ripe but remains fresh and saline.
Production
Cave de l'Ormarine's vineyards lie at approximately 40 metres above sea level on a chalky clay plateau, rich in Cretaceous limestone and quartz. The vineyards lie to the North of the Lac de Thau and slope towards it. Cyril Payon oversees the production and grapes are carefully selected and picked at different times to capture different flavour profiles. They are de-stemmed and macerated on their skins followed by fermentation for approximately 2 weeks without malolactic fermentation.
Producer
Cave de l'Ormarine is an award-winning co-operative which produces wines from the tiny Pinet de Picpoul appellation in the Hérault. The l'Ormarine cellar was established in 1922 when vignerons from Pinet joined forces and formed a winegrowers' association. Today, the Cave de l'Ormarine is a conglomeration of five separate co-operatives from across the Hérault, each with their own specific terroirs and styles of wine. It is proud to have 470 members farming more than 2,500 hectares of vines.
Its flagship Picpoul wines are fresh and terroir-driven, and hugely influenced by both the Mediterranean Sea and the Etang de Thau, which act as a thermal regulator for the vineyards. In fact, it is said of Picpoul that, "Son terroir, c'est la mer (Its terroir is the sea)."
Cave de l'Ormarine has made significant investment in its winery, and prides itself on the high quality standard and traceability of its grapes.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Piquepoul Blanc |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment and up to 2 years |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian approved; Sustainable practises & Organic |
Food Matches |
Perfect for any al fresco dining situation! Especially lovely with seafood - oysters, myssels and grilled fish & amazing with cheese. |
Appellation | AOP Picpoul de Pinet |
Origin | Languedoc Roussillon |
2022 Bellefontaine Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £8.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%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
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.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Drink on its own, well chilled, or try with tapas -the racy acidity in the wine makes it a great match for seafood in particular - Boquerón's anchovies would be fantastic! |
Origin | Vin de France |
Appellation | Vin de France |
2023 Wild House Chenin Blanc
Regular price £8.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Bright, textural stuff from old, unirrigated bush vines in the Coastal region grown on sandy soils over granite bedrock.
Tasting Notes
Ripe peach and tropical fruit on the nose with fresh citrus notes. Honeyed and textured on the palate with crisp acidity and hints of mandarin and lychee leading to a bright, juicy finish.
Production
Chenin is the backbone grape varietal of South Africa – it’s the most profusely planted variety in our country and is closely associated to our wine-making identity. To capture the true sense of place and terroir, we’ve made this wine a 100% unoaked Chenin Blanc. Fermenting only in stainless steel ensures the freshness, character and liveliness of the wine is maintained. To tame some of this energy and add more complexity and depth to the final wine, I’ve kept it on its fine lees for approximately nine months. This also adds to the lush mouthfeel and keeps the wine fresher for longer.”
Producer
Wild House is a lifestyle range which reflects a place of raw energy, a weather-beaten hut exposed to the storm-swept slopes of the Cape's mountains. Inspired by the ever-shifting views of the landscape and weather from each aspect of the house, we crafted this range of wines to reflect the land we call home.
Alan's Personal Notes
"WOW - and WOW!! A beautiful, soft, easy-drinking Chenin. Not the most complex but full of fresh clean pineapple aromas and fruit with great balancing acidity!! Incredibly well balanced and appealing for the affordable price tag!!"
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Brilliant with seafood, poultry, chargrilled vegetables. |
Origin | Coastal Region |
Appellation | W.O. Coastal Region |
2022 Cool Mountain 'Winemakers Reserve' Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £8.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Background
Driven by true expression and focus, this Sauvignon blanc exudes the characteristic cool climate that allows delicious aromatics and a fresh minerality with added texture. This ensures that every glass is a work of art showcasing a defined terroir expression.
The Vineyards
The grapes were selected from premium vineyard blocks in the Coastal region. The vines were grown and managed for a low yield to offer optimum quality.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Ready to be enjoyed now with the potential to age for two years. |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Enjoy this wine chilled, on its own, or create a symphony by pairing it with light dishes such as shellfish, poultry or salads. |
Appellation | Coastal Region |
2021 "770 Miles" California Chardonnay
Regular price £8.79 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Colour
Citrus, Green Apple, Slight Floral.
Nose
Lemon/lime, green apple, slight floral.
Palate
Light-bodied, crisp acidity, full mouthfeel with a lively finish.
Vinification
Picked on taste in conjunction with grape analysis. Tend to pick on the early side to promote the citrus/ tropical flavors and retain the natural acids. The juice is cold settled and racked to stainless steel tanks for fermentation, a portion of which is fermented and aged on French and American oak.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | USA |
Alcohol content | 13.0% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 1-2 years |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | Ideal with fish or fresh cheeses. Best served at 8-10°C |
Origin | California's Central Valley |
2021 PEMO Pecorino Terre di Chieti IGP
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A super fresh and zingy wine bursting with lively citrus acidity, notes of tropical fruits and a hint of minerality, which gives the wine a lovely balance.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Fresh citrus nose, vibrantly aromatic with lemon zest and tropical fruits.
Palate
The palate is bright with incisive citrus and stone fruit characters balanced by taut acidity - giving an appealing texture and clean, crisp finish.
It’s got beautiful floral notes such as jasmin, with lovely citrus flavours, intertwined with refreshing minerality.
Production
PEMO Pecorino is normally fermented stored in stainless steel, which heightens the fruity palate of the wine. However, PEMO Pecorino spends four months ageing on its lees. This gives another element to the wine, making it more complex. Complexity in a wine is important, and is a sign of good quality.
Producers
The PEMO range of wines celebrates two grapes from Abruzzo – Pecorino (PE) and Montepulciano (MO). These two grapes have been growing in this region since 200 AD. The Pecorino grapes come from Chieti, the capital of the Abruzzo region and one of Italy’s most ancient cities.
- Pecorino is a native Italian grape variety from Abruzzo (not to be confused with cheese!)
- Eat seafood and white fish with PEMO Pecorino.
- Made in a modern way, while respecting local wine-making traditions.
- Originates from the rugged, mountainous Abruzzo region of central Italy.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pecorino |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Perfect with seafood and white fish |
Origin | Abruzzo |
Appellation | Terre di Chieti IGP |
2022 Adobe Reserva Organic Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £8.69 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%This is the fundamental organic South American Sauvignon Blanc
Tasting Notes
Colour
A clear, bright pale yellow in colour
Nose
The complex nose presents citrusy notes of grapefruit and lime with a subtle touch of freshly crushed bay leaf
Palate
The smooth palate bursts with citrus freshness balanced by good volume and persistence
Production
Casablanca Valley is hugely influenced by its proximity to the cool breezes which blow in of the chilly Pacific Ocean. The vineyard soils are alluvial in origin, with sandy textures, high permeability, whose shallow depth restricts yield. These cooler temperatures and poor soils, in consequence, give great character in both flavour and aroma, especially for aromatic white varieties like Sauvignon Blanc. The landscape generally consists of rolling hills that rise toward the east and the Coastal Mountains. The poor, shallow soils are alluvial in origin with sandy loam textures, good permeability, and relatively low yields with respect to other Chilean wine regions. Cool climate conditions allow the fruit to ripen more slowly, resulting in grapes with a tremendous concentration off aromas and flavours in white varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and others. The grapes that went into this wine were hand picked during the first week of March, when the fruit had reached the desired level of ripeness. The fruit came from the Casablanca estate, where the vertically positioned vines produce an average yield of 11 tons per hectare. Fermentation took place with selected yeasts in our Maipo Valley winery. Temperatures were carefully managed to remain cool, with pumpovers and delicate lees stirring to reach the desired results. The wine was fined with bentonite and cold-stabilized before bottling to prevent tartaric precipitations in the bottle.
Producers
Voted by Wines of Chile as "Winery of the Year 2016", Emiliana is one of Chile's most exciting producers and pioneers in organic and biodynamic winemaking. Since 1998, this Chilean winery has been producing award-winning wines from almost 1,000 hectares of vineyards in prime sites including Casablanca, Maipo, Cachapoal, Colchagua and Bio Bio.
Its spectacular biodynamic vineyard and winery at Los Robles is a model that attracts visiting viticulturalists and winemakers from across the world. Emiliana's innovative and natural-leaning wines are made with great care and attention and the results are inspiring.
Sustainable
Emiliana began its conversion to organic production in 1998, and today 100% of its properties are organically managed. It is the world’s largest organic winery. It holds organic certifications in accordance with the standards of the United States, Canada (NOP), Brazil, Chile, Japan, South Korea, China, and Europe. In 2006, Emiliana was the first winery in Latin America to produce a wine with biodynamic certification. Since then, the use of biodynamic practices at its farms and cellars has been accredited and today 100% of its properties are certified. Emiliana received its Fairtrade and Fair For Life certifications in 2011 and 2017 and has been selling fair trade wines since 2012.
Emiliana was a pioneer in the implementation of the Wine of Chile Sustainability Code certification in 2012. This standard was developed for the Chilean wine sector to support the implementation of sustainable practices at a national level, as well as social and environmental responsibility at Emiliana.
Emiliana is certified to use the Vegan Society trademark, which attests that its wines are produced without any animal-derived products.
Emiliana also produces an annual sustainability report.
Awards
- Decanter World Wine Awards 2020 - Bronze (2019 vintage)
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Just WOW! The last Adobe to the VF party - but this is the best-selling varietal for Boutinot. Dry, fresh & clean with wonderful complexity for this price point. Lots of lime & grapefruit citric aromas and flavours. Very well made, well balanced and good length makes this an organic masterpiece for me - real respect for this winery and a wonderful addition to our range - even if we are late to the party!!" November 2022
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | Chile |
Alcohol content | 12% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting Info |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Sustainable |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Ideal with shellfish and lighter fish prepared with lemon, such as ceviche. It also makes a good companion for sushi and pastas with seafood sauces, or to enjoy as an aperitif with fresh chees |
Origin | Casablanca Valley |
Appellation | D.O. Valle De Casablanca |
2021 Soldier’s Block Chardonnay
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
This vibrant Chardonnay exhibits lifted fruit character, bright tangerine fleshiness, textural mouthfeel, a bright palate and a long and foodie finish. The judicious blend of oaked Chardonnay adds palate weight and texture without overwhelming the fruit.
Production
Long-standing working relationships with some key growers enable us to source premium fruit, with the ultimate aim of making excellent quality Australian house wines with true style and character. Grapes are picked earlier than usual to ensure balance and freshness in the final wine. Harvesting took place in the early dawn hours when it’s still cool and calm which helps retain the rich characters within these grapes. Once in the cellar, they are gently crushed to maintain the bright, fresh flavours crucial to the clonal tang. Around 15% of the grapes are sourced from the cooler, sea breeze-influenced Langhorne Creek area. This portion is barrel-aged in French medium toast casks to obtain a more complex, textural and weighty style of wine. It is then added to the greater part of the blend which is fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel to retain the fresh fruit characters.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Soldiers block is a new (affordable) range to us – and the Chardonnay certainly under promises and over-delivers. I say underpromises as the label is pretty underwhelming and gives nothing away about the beauty of the wine within.
This is made from rich, ripe fruit from Victoria with a percentage matured in French oak which gives a creamy, more textural mouthful. Add to that incredible balance and juicy acidity and you have an overall great wine – a real crowd pleaser and one of our most popular whites which tells me our customers have great palates!" Jan 2022
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
100% Chardonnay |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Full-flavoured fish such as trout or halibut or chicken in a light creamy sauce. |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian approved |
Origin | Victoria |
Appellation | South Australia |
2022 De Canal Garganega Pinot Grigio DOC Garda
Regular price £7.99 Sale price £7.19 Save 10%DeCanal represents modern, versatile and traditional wines from Veneto region.
Tasting Notes
Aromatic Garganega meets the fruity Pinot Grigio creating a perfect match! A fresh lively white with distinctive notes of lime.
Harvest
Garganega Pinot Grigio is the quintessential Italian white wine and has been a part of the Garda Lake landscape in northeast Italy for centuries. The combined influence of the mountains and Lake Garda gives a perfect micro-climate for grape growing.
The grapes are carefully picked by hand in mid-September. Each vineyard is picked several times over in order to pick each individual bunch of grapes as optimum ripeness.
Vinification
The grapes are de-stemmed and very gently soft pressed in a pneumatic press. The juice is chilled to allow a natural separation of sediment, after which selected yeasts are added to initiate fermentation. Fermentation takes place off the skins in temperature-controlled conditions not exceeding 18°C in stainless steel for approximately 10 days.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Garganega & Pinot Grigio |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 12% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food Matches | It is ideal with seafood, salads or light meat dishes. |
Cellaring Potential | 1 years |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Garda DOC |
2019 Borsao Blanco Macabeo
Regular price £6.50 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
Tasting Notes
Colour
A young wine with a pale straw colour.
Nose
Lightly floral aromas with peach and citrus.
Palate
The palate has stone fruit and textural, savoury characters with a fresh and fruity finish.
Production
100% Macabeo grown on alluvial soils in the foothills of the Moncayo mountain. After harvesting, pressing and chilling the must - a short period of skin contact is followed by long slow fermentation at controlled temperature of 22ºC - 26ºC in stainless steel tanks.
Producers
The winery was established as a co-operative in 1959. In 2001 it joined with two other progressive, co-operative, cellars in the Campo de Borja region to become the Bodegas Borsao that we know today.
Grapes are sourced from over 375 member growers covering 2,400 hectares - nearly a third of the region's total. Vineyards lie in the undulating foothills of the Moncayo mountain, ranging from around 350m to 800m above sea level. At lower altitudes, vines are younger and may require some irrigation, but higher up the slopes the vines are older, unirrigated bush vines.
The climate is rather severe and arid, with hot dry days, and cool nights - which allow optimum acidity levels to be maintained within the grapes. Garnacha thrives in these conditions and represents 65% of total production. The Cierzo wind from the Moncayo sweeps across the foothills of the mountain. This cold, dry wind reduces humidity levels and allows grapes to be picked a couple of weeks later in the harvest, at full maturity.
Borsao has access to a large number of vineyard plots at different altitudes, and hence to a wide selection of fantastic quality grapes. They are recognised for their entry-level varietals - as outstanding examples of easy-to-drink inexpensive wines - as they are for their premium wines, in particular the iconic, multi-award-winning Tres Picos.
Sustainability
With 2,400 hectares of vineyards, Bodegas Borsao is a substantially sized operation in a warm, dry region and as a result the availability and usage of water is a major issue. Much of its vineyard area is planted with Garnacha which traditionally has been bush trained. Until recently, newer plantings were wire trained for easier harvesting, but because of the greater exposure to sunlight of this training method the vines can require up to 50% more water. As a result, all new plantings have reverted to the traditional style of bush training to preserve water.
Inter-row plantings are used to improve the water-holding capacity of the soil and protect it from erosion; they contribute to a better soil structure, increasing its organic, nutrient and nitrogen content; they improve biodiversity in the vineyard since organic matter is a food source for several macro- and micro-organisms; they often increase the population of earthworms which are good indicators of soil fertility; they improve fauna above the soil, providing habitat and food for beneficial insects; they regulate vine growth, helping to control the yield and quality of grapes and wine; and they reduce the vegetative vigour of vines and thus their susceptibility to grey mould and downy mildew. These cover crops mean that less spraying and tending of the vines is required, thus fewer passes are made by tractors which reduces the compaction of the soil and the consumption of diesel. Pheromone treatments are also employed to sexually confuse predatory insects, reducing their populations significantly.
The new cellar is well insulated to reduce the need for cooling systems and to minimise energy consumption; all the chambers are equipped with automatic LED lighting; all of the bottling lines have been designed to reduce noise and to minimise the need to move dry goods and floor stock items; all hot water installations are solar-powered; the greater part of the electricity used for illumination is produced by solar panels; and every single drop of rainwater from the vast roof is collected and recycled. Planned new offices will also be equipped with solar panels and other energy-saving mechanisms.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Macabeo |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Features | Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Seafood dishes, tapas and salads and delicious with classic Spanish paella |
Origin | Campo de Borja DO |
Appellation | D.O. Campo de Borja |
2022 Ananto Organic Macabeo
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
A beautifully packaged, organic, Macabeo from Manuel Olmo's meticulous vineyards in Utiel-Requena.
Gently floral and lightly tropical aromas lead to a palate with crisp citrus and white peach characters. A gentle and appealing white - well-balanced with fresh acidity.
Production Method
Vineyards are located in the north-west corner of Utiel Requena, 900 meters above sea level. Wines are made from organically grown grapes in vineyards cultivated using natural fertilisers, cover crops, biological control of pests and not using any chemical products that may damage the health of the environment. Grapes are cooled and undergo cold maceration for 12-24 hours and fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks for 15 days.
Producer
The 67 hectare Finca Fuenteseca estate lies in Utiel Requena, a high, rugged plateau, nearly 1,000 meters above sea level just inland from Valencia. The combination of hot, dry summers, cold nights and poor, limestone soil make the area relatively free of vine diseases and so ideal for organic farming. The entire estate is now dedicated to organic production and producing blends combining indigenous and international varieties.
A Note on Sustainability
Along with all its wines being certified organic and vegan, Sierra Norte is keenly involved in projects run by its D.O. that benefit local people and which defend the products of its region. In a wider environmental sense, Sierra Norte is developing a wastewater project by installing a treatment system plant to reuse water, as well as being involved in a photovoltaic solar panel installation project.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Macabeo |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content | 12% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan, Vegetarian, Organic, Sustainable |
Food Matches | Ideal to accompany pasta, fish, seafood and white meats. |
Origin | Utiel Requena |
Appellation | DOP Utiel Requena |
2021 Dry River Chardonnay (187ml Single Serve)
Regular price £1.75 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The rivers of Australia help to irrigate the vineyards. Although water is important; the drier the river the better the concentration of flavours in our wines. We are working in close partnership with a family-owned winery, which prides themselves on producing consistent and good quality wines. After harvest, our wine buyer traveled to Australia to specially select these wines for this range.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Light straw in colour
Nose
Dry River Chardonnay displays an enticing nose of peach, citrus and lemon aromas.
Palate
The tropical fruit flavours and luscious mouth feel mid-palate complement each other to deliver a deliciously rounded wine with a crisp and clean finish, balanced nicely by acidity.
Oak Treatment - Aged with French and American Oak Chips
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml & 187ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Serve lightly chilled, it is an ideal accompaniment to smoked salmon or trout. |
Origin | Southern Australia |
2020 Monte da Ravasqueira 'Guarda Rios Branco'
Regular price £9.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A fresh white blend of native Antão Vaz & Arinto grapes.
Tasting Notes
Made with the Antão Vaz and Arinto grape varieties by the Monte da Ravasqueira Estate, so typical to the region. Marked by fresh yellow fruits, mango, citrus fruits with a well-defined acidity and freshness.
In the wine cellar, these grapes were vinified at low temperatures in order to preserve the intensity of the aromas and flavours so typical of this region’s grape varieties. The wine was fermented in stainless steel vats and partially aged on fine fermentation lees.
Information about Monte da Ravasqueira
Located in the municipality of Arraiolos, about an hour’s drive from Lisbon, the Monte da Ravasqueira estate occupies a vast area of typical Alentejan landscape. The excellent geological conditions and the unusually cool climate are well suited to the production of some of the best wine that the Alentejo has to offer. A great deal has been invested in planting vines and acquiring sophisticated, modern winemaking equipment.
The vines are planted in clay limestone soil with granite outcrops which lend the grapes their distinctive minerality and freshness. This Guarda Rios Branco is a fresh white blend of native Antão Vaz and Arinto, grown on five hectares of clay limestone soil with granite. Hand-harvested, the juice remains on the lees with a little influence from battonage for 3 months before bottling. A bright example from this region reinvented.
Alan's Tasting Notes
"Dry, fresh and clean with delightful Mango, Apple and Guava fruit aromas and flavours. A very pretty and effervescent light white - perfect as a crowd-pleasing aperitif - or great with light salads and fish dishes! Very attractive!!" Tasted September 2021
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Antão Vaz and Arinto |
Country | Portugal |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.38 units |
Type | White Blend |
Food Matches | A good accompaniment for light dishes of medium-fat fishes and white meats, due to the freshness it displays along with its intense nature. |
Origin | Alentejo |
2022 Borsao Chardonnay Macabeo Seleccion
Regular price £9.45 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Stone fruit and limey citrus aromas; with nectarine, subtle pineapple characters and a creamy mouthfeel. Gentle and well-integrated oak.
Production
Selected grapes from vines grown on stony, sandy soils, at an altitude of 500 metres. Hand harvested mid–end September. Temperature-controlled fermentation of between 14º-18º C in stainless steel, then matured in French oak bordelaise barrels for three months.
History
The winery was established as a co-operative in 1959. In 2001 it joined with two other progressive, co-operative, cellars in the Campo de Borja region to become the Bodegas Borsao that we know today.
Grapes are sourced from over 375 member growers covering 2,400 hectares - nearly a third of the region's total. Vineyards lie in the undulating foothills of the Moncayo mountain, ranging from around 350m to 800m above sea level. At lower altitudes vines are younger and may require some irrigation, but higher up the slopes the vines are older, unirrigated bush vines.
The climate is rather severe and arid, with hot dry days, and cool nights - which allow optimium acidity levels to be maintained within the grapes. Garnacha thrives in these conditions and represents 65% of total production. The Cierzo wind from the Moncayo sweeps across the foothills of the mountain. This cold, dry wind reduces humidity levels and allows grapes to be picked a couple of weeks later in the harvest, at full maturity.
Borsao has access to a large number of vineyard plots at different altitudes, and hence to a wide selection of fantastic quality grapes. They are recognised for their entry-level varietals - as outstanding examples of easy-to-drink inexpensive wines - as they are for their premium wines, in particular the iconic, multi-award-winning Tres Picos.
Sustainability
With 2,400 hectares of vineyards, Bodegas Borsao is a substantially sized operation in a warm, dry region and as a result the availability and usage of water is a major issue. All new plantings have reverted to the traditional style of bush training to preserve water. Inter-row plantings are used to improve the water-holding capacity of the soil and protect it from erosion. These cover crops mean that less spraying and tending of the vines is required, thus fewer passes are made by tractors which reduces the compaction of the soil and the consumption of diesel. Pheromone treatments are also employed to sexually confuse predatory insects, reducing their populations significantly.
These cover crops mean that less spraying and tending of the vines is required, thus fewer passes are made by tractors which reduces the compaction of the soil and the consumption of diesel. Pheromone treatments are also employed to sexually confuse predatory insects, reducing their populations significantly.
Awards
- 2017 Vintage - Bronze at the 2019 Sommelier Wine Awards
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 50% Macabeo & 50% Chardonnay |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Food Matches | Perfect with creamy chicken and tarragon, or chicken and leek pie. |
Allergy Information | Contains Sulphites |
Appellation | DO Campo de Borja |
2022 Domaine de Vedilhan Viognier
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A well-balanced expression of French Viognier.
Tasting Notes
Honeysuckle on the nose; richly textured and nicely balanced with flavours of apricots and a satisfying delicate bitterness on the finish.
Production
Domaine de Vedilhan (pronounced 'Domaine de Ved-ee-ohn') is the estate of the Fayet family, based in the village of Moussan close to Narbonne. Uniquely, a brook runs around the estate which provides much-needed water in this very hot climate, giving the wines their freshness and appeal. Vines are managed using the 'lutte raisonnée' method and terroir is a combination of limestone, sand and sea shale, meaning the vines dig deep for their nutrients and thus produce excellent quality grapes. 50% of the production from this Domaine is used for Boutinot wines. Since 1999, our winemakers have been working closely with the Fayet’s on all aspects of the production, from when to harvest to the exact blend or style of wines. The Viognier was picked early and carefully selected and handled in the winery to maintain its acidity and fresh aromatics, and was vinified without oak.
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.
Alan's Tasting Notes
'This is a gem! A classically French Viognier, with delicious fresh apricot fruit. Beautifully balanced with great texture. Perfect for a summer's evening in the garden, astounding value for a real quality dry, white style. Perfect on its own but will match really well with both Chicken and Pork. Really love it!' June 2023
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Viognier |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Delicious with Thai or fusion food, or meats cooked in creamy or fruity sauces. |
Origin | Languedoc |
Appellation | IGP Pays D'oc |
2022 Peacock Wild Ferment Chenin Blanc
Regular price £9.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A fine example of South Africa's signature grape variety.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The nose is both savoury with stone fruits, pear, notes of the local fynbos and a distinct note of oregano.
Palate
On the palate it is delightful to find notes of wild honey often true to naturally fermented Chenin Blanc.
Production
The grapes for Peacock Wild Ferment Chenin Blanc are sourced from The Helderberg Ward on the coastal outreaches of Stellenbosch. Old bushvine vineyards (20 - 50 years old), planted in Chenin-friendly soils, have over time found their natural balance and it definitely shows in the wine. The Helderberg and Schapenberg are also known for the large expanses of indigenous flora (fynbos and proteas) and fauna such as caracal, bat-eared foxes, leopards and of course, peacocks.
In fact, four of South Africa's twenty WWF Biodiversity & Wine Initiative Champions (which includes Waterkloof amongst their number) are located on the Schapenberg and Helderberg alone. In addition to sourcing fruit from neighbouring vineyards, there is also a portion of wine from Waterkloof's biodynamic vineyard used in the Peacock Wild Ferment range.
Made by Waterkloof's talented young Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard. Balanced grapes are hand-harvested, then whole-bunch pressed in a horizontal basket press for only the finest juice. Fermentation takes place spontaneously with wild yeast in a combination of old 600litre barrels and concrete eggs. The wine then spends a minimum of 6 months on lees before bottling. No additions other than sulphur. Vegan friendly wine.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | White Wine |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian & Sustainable |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
A really versatile wine that will go with a variety of dishes. Try creamy chicken dishes, belly of pork, fresh pasta and carbonara. |
Origin | Western Cape |
Fedele Catarratto Pinot Grigio IGP
Regular price £8.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
The bouquet shows tropical fruit with hints of citrus. There is a perfect balance of pure tropical fruit on the palate, with a backbone of acidity. The Fedele is actually a blend of Catarratto, which gives some body, cream and some delicate pear and ripe melon flavours, whilst the Pinot Grigio brings some hints of peach and stoned fruit and an incredible freshness.
Vineyards & Winemaking
Grapes: 60% Catarratto 40% Pinot Grigio. Both grape varieties are grown in organic vineyards in the Trapani area. The two different grape varieties are vinified separately, temperature-controlled fermentations then blended and left on the fine lees until the end of the year.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 60% Catarratto 40% Pinot Grigio |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 12.5% abv |
|
9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food Matching | Enjoy with shellfish, Vegetarian foods, appetizers, and snacks |
Cellaring Potential |
For immediate enjoyment - best served chilled. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Organic, Vegan & Vegetarian |
Origin |
Sicily, Italy |
Appelation | Sicily IGP |
2022 Smalltown Vineyards 'The Next Big Thing' Chardonnay
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
Tasting Notes
With the faintest whiff of biscuity oak this bright, tangy Barossa Chardonnay is an absolute delight. It has that classical Barossa charm, elegance, poise, tang and naggingly more-ish elusive something-or-other which makes one wonder why there isn't more Australian Chardonnay.
Production
Grapes are hand-harvested from an old block on the Binder family Barossa vineyards. Small batches of Chardonnay are picked and pressed through a tank press with some skin contact. 25% is fermented in French puncheons and American hogsheads for 6 months, aged on lees then blended with the 75% unoaked juice, settled, and bottled. Into the main Barossa blend, a small component of Eden Valley Chardonnay is blended and the whole sees a tiny bit of secondary use oak for some fine structure.
Producer
Smalltown Vineyards express many of the Barossa’s prized districts form Gomersal, Kalimna as well as the Eden Valley and beyond. We work with exceptional vineyards simply expressed using minimal intervention, basket press where relevant, natural ferments in open-top fermenters to best capture the Barossa’s magical flavours. We have a lot of fun with labels because, well because we can. It’s only wine after all…
A note about Sustainability
As of the 1st July, 2019, Australia changed from its previous sustainable programme called EntWine to Sustainable Winegrowing Australia. Smalltown Vineyards is a participant in this programme, which assists with tools and resources to enhance business sustainability, meeting customer sustainability requirements and sustainability claims made by participants.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | Australia |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Anything with chicken, pork, prawns, seafood... Brilliant as a quaffer or perfect with a lovingly cooked meal. |
Origin | South Australia |
Appellation | Barossa Valley |
2021 Racovita Pinot Grigio
Regular price £7.99 Sale price £7.39 Save 8%Tasting Notes
Soft and refreshing wine with notes of lemon and subtle white blossom on the palate.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Grigio |
Country | Moldova |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | White meats and fish. |
Origin | Moldova |
2021 The Landings Chardonnay Colombard
Regular price £7.40 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Andrew Peace wines is a family owned and operated business, comprising a modern winery and a 180 hectares wine grape vineyard. The Peace family’s achievements in creating a commercially successful vineyard/winery business in recent years have been little short of amazing, demonstrating a strong capacity to utilise technology, with enormous hard work and exceptional planning skills.
Tasting Notes
The Colombard and Chardonnay grapes are just made for each other and with the skill of a talented winemaker, we have developed a very refreshing white wine with lively citrus fruit characteristics and crisp, fresh acidity.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 60% Chardonnay & 40% Colombard |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Blend |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites, skim milk |
Food Matches | Chicken, seafood, summer salads. |
Origin | South Eastern Australia |
2022 Melea Verdejo Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Background
The creation of Melea Organic was a labour of love for us all. William Long spent years searching for the right winery to supply the organic, vegan-certified and wild-fermented wines, his son Freddie handled the launch and the label features an original bee motif created by his wife, artist Barbara Long, from recycled threads.
Named after a rare species of bee, everything about the range is created with sustainability in mind, from the lightweight bottles to the stone paper labels, made from a by-product of the quarrying process using a lot less water than normal paper. Melea was also the first Spanish wine brand to become a member of 1% for the Planet. Melea has donated thousands of dollars to bee conservation charities since its launch in 2020. Melea Organic also has an Instagram page to share information on the brand’s sustainable values.
The Vineyards
Fruit comes from organically certified, traditionally managed, dry-farmed vines in the Cuenca area of La Mancha. The vineyards were planted in 1999 and are at an altitude of 660m with sandy-clay soils, low in organic matter and high in chalk and limestone. This suppresses yields to just 3kg per plant, giving greater quality grapes. The extreme continental climate means there is a high diurnal temperature range conserving acidity and increasing aromatic intensity. The lack of rainfall reduces the risk of fungal diseases.
Production
Grapes were harvested after the second half of September, later than average to ensure full ripeness. Wild yeast fermented at a controlled temperature of 15ºC with clean musts. Fined with vegan-friendly pea protein.
Producer
The family winery is located in Alicante and is a leader in the production of high-quality, organic wines. They are IFS certified and produce wines with organic and vegan certification.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 90% Verdejo, 10% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content
|
12% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Features | Vegan, Vegetarian & Organic |
Food Matches | Enjoy this wine chilled, on its own, or create a symphony by pairing it with light dishes such as shellfish, poultry or salads. |
Origin | Alicante |
Appellation | VdiT Castilla |
2022 El Ninot de Paper Blanco
Regular price £7.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Zesty, light-bodied Spanish white - with an eye-catching label and name inspired by the 'paper dolls' of the Las Falles de Valencia festival.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Lightly floral, citrus aromas.
Palate
The palate is gently fruity with citrus and green apple characters, and fresh acidity on the finish.
Production
Grapes are sourced from Murviedro's 300 hectares of vineyard, and a further 1500 that they control in the surrounding area. Produced predominantly from Viura grapes, blended with Sauvignon Blanc. The wine undergoes temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 70% Viura, 30% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | Spain |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.36 units |
Type | White Blend |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
|
Origin | Valencia |
Appellation | DOP Valencia |
2023 The Myth of Motu Nui Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £9.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
This label celebrates Chile’s farthest-flung outpost, Motu Nui, the tiny islet (or motu) just off the coast of Easter Island.
Adrift in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and rich in Polynesian mythology, Motu Nui was the essential location for Easter Island’s legendary bird-man cult Tangata manu. Representatives from each island clan would wait for the visiting sooty terns to lay their first egg on Motu Nui, then swim across the shark-infested bay bearing that egg and climb the mainland cliffs of the Orongo volcano to claim rights of power and privilege for their clan for the following year. Many of the protagonists were devoured by sharks or fell to their deaths in this visceral trial of courage. These rituals have long since passed but their history is imprinted in the island’s history and archaeology. Today the sooty tern, depicted on our label, is protected and thrives peacefully on the island’s shore.
Tasting Notes
The wine is sourced from grapes equally shaped by the Pacific Ocean that grow in the Aconcagua region’s coastal Leyda Valley, grapes that achieve a pungency and aromatic profile redolent of New Zealand’s Marlborough region on the other side of the Pacific Rim. Bright, aromatic and crisply textural. The Myth of Motu Nui is a delightfully aromatic Sauvignon Blanc as rich as the myths that inspire the name.
Production
The Sauvignon Blanc grapes are grown in three excellent sites across the Leyda and San Antonio D.O. The proximity of the vineyards to the Pacific Ocean (only 10km’s away) and its fresh coastal breezes ensures grapes ripen slowly. This allows the grapes to retain their natural citrus flavours and freshness but also to develop great aromatics. Sauvignon Blanc grapes in Leyda are some of the first to be harvested in Chile, and winemaking is simple to preserve this crunchy, bright fruit. Cool fermentation in stainless steel is followed by a couple of months on their fine lees which adds texture and depth. We bottle early to retain the primary characteristics, flavours and freshness of this enchanting fruit.
Producer
Our winemaking team has been building relationships across Chile over the past two decades, sourcing fruit and wine from across the Central Valleys. We work with a number of small family growers who pay particular attention to quality and ensure that our winemaking team has the best possible fruit to work with. Freshness and purity are the preferred hallmarks of Boutinot's Chilean wines.
Each vintage Boutinot winemaker Guillaume Letang travels the vineyards of our grower partners, blending that year's truest expression's of Chile's unique terroirs.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | Chile |
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Simple fish cooked over coals with lemon or a goats cheese salad. |
Origin | DO Aconcagua |
2018 Stone Barn Chardonnay
Regular price £9.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A great value for money Californian Chardonnay, fruit-forward with notes of pineapple, honeysuckle and a hint of vanilla.
Tasting Notes
Nose
This fruit-forward Chardonnay has aromas of pineapple and honeysuckle. Medium-bodied, this wine has fresh flavors of green apple and citrus with a hint of vanilla.
Palate
The finish is crisp and clean.
Winery
Stone Barn Cellars Winery, is located right off Route 100 in northern Chester County, Pennsylvania. The winery and tasting room are housed in a historic 150-year-old stone German bank barn overlooking the beautiful French Creek.
The California-based family company has been a tradition for over 90 years. The third generation of the Delicat family is involved in the family business and continues the family’s innovative work on wines. Delicato Family Vineyards is a pioneer in the development of environmentally friendly cultivation methods and production methods and their wines are enjoyable, well-made, and represent the best place to produce their place of production. The family-owned company owns 4,000 hectares of vineyards from Monterey’s famous cool San Bernabe vineyard to the sunny mountain roots of Lodi. All the vineyards of the Delicato Family Vineyards are cultivated according to sustainable development methods for sustainable wine growing practices.
It has earned a name for itself in the premium wines category. Their wines are true representations of the flavour and character of the grapes and the quality of soil in which they are cultivated. You need to taste these wines to understand the richness of the wine-growing regions of California.
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | USA |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Key Information | Sustainable farming methods |
Food Matches | Try with rich fish or roast chicken, cream based dishes. |
Origin | Chester County, Pennsylvania |
2022 Cape Heights Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £9.29 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Juicily tropical Sauvignon Blanc judiciously sourced from breezy coastal vineyards.
Tasting Notes
This Sauvignon Blanc from the Western Cape displays fresh, ripe yellow fruit flavours with a hint of waxy lime, as well as some leafy herbal notes which make for a zippy, racy and deeply quaffable drop.
Production
Boutinot has been refining and redefining its Sauvignon Blanc vineyards over many years and works with numerous Coastal growers to best express the specific terroirs of this region that is influenced by that cooling Atlantic Ocean breeze. The soil type is a variety of decomposed granite, shale, and limestone and the plots are all unirrigated. The winery receives the grapes before midday. They are destemmed and crushed and go into strainers where the free-run is pumped gently to tank. The Sauvignon Blanc is fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks between 11C and 13C. The ferment is likely to last around 10 days. The wine is racked after ferment and then kept on fine lees right up until bottling.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Not the honeyed fruit salad fruits of the wild house Chenin - this is much more citric fruit and searing acidity. Really crisp and fresh and bone dry. It’s got a good balance though for a cheapie - and length isn’t compromised either. A great example of entry-level Sauvignon Blanc." February 2022
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Dietary Information | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Delicious with brightly-flavoured seafood dishes, Thai salads, citrus dressings or indeed by the glass on its own! |
Origin | Western Cape |
2023 Sierra Grande Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £8.45 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Sourced from a vineyard nestled into the Andes in the Curico region, this Sauvignon Blanc displays the vibrant fruit of Chile's Central Valley but with elegance from its mountain terroir.
Tasting Notes
A fresh and crisp wine with ripe citrus fruit. Packed with lime zest, lemon and kiwi fruit flavours. Think of cool glacial streams and enjoy the refreshing, racy acidity on the finish.
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 the Sauvignon Blanc, 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. The higher altitude and proximity to the mountains means evening temperatures drop significantly, allowing Sauvignon Blanc grapes to retain crucial acidity as they ripen. This altitude also ensures there is minimal intervention in the vineyards ie. no chemical sprays or irrigation - only pure glacial streams.
Their old established vines planted on steep slopes means grapes can only be harvested by hand. Once the grapes are picked then crushed, cool fermentation is used to preserve the freshness and fruit aromas. We blend this wine from Curico with Sauvignon Blanc from the German Family in Cachapoal. Here, in a warmer location, the variety gains great aromatic expression and typically we see great varietal character thanks to the correct clones being used along with early harvesting. Wines from this warmer spot usually have a little more body, making the blend with the Martin Family wines a great combination of aromatics, fresh acidity and weight. Possibly the biggest strength of this blend is our ability to balance out warmer and cooler vintages with these two different profiles. The wine is settled in tank for a short period before being bottled early to preserve the wines youthful vibrancy.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | Chile |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Quaff with fish and chips, grilled fish and seafood. |
Origin | Chile |
Appellation | Valle Central |
2016 Cave de Turckheim Tradition Gewürztraminer (375ml)
Regular price £6.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Textbook Alsace Gewurztraminer - elegant and harmonious
Tasting Notes
A fantastic balance of ripeness, varietal character and finesse, with a fragrant rose water and lychee nose, lemon aromas and a steely flinty character. The palate is fresh and restrained for an Alsatian Gewurztraminer, with notes of rose petal and faint hints of lemon. Super floral, yet perfectly balanced with honeyed, lemon acidity.
Production
Produced traditionally by winemaker Michel Lihrmann - pneumatic pressing, temperature-controlled fermentation, no fining and light filtration before bottling - to preserve the fruit, aroma and elegance of the grapes. His philosophy is to make wines with good acidity and fruit balance whilst retaining freshness and harmony.
Producer
Widely regarded as one of the best co-operatives in the world, Cave de Turckheim lies at the mouth of the Munster Valley. Working closely with 180 partners, its vineyards span the full breadth of Alsatian terroir and grape varieties. Cave de Turckheim only produces wine from the grapes of its member growers, it is a récoltant not a négociant.
Substantial investment in the winery has enabled the team to vinify many parcels of grapes separately, offering Michel Lihrmann (senior winemaker for 25 years) the chance to highlight each wine's nuances in his signature dry, yet fruit-forward, style.
Committed to producing the highest quality wines, growers are encouraged to keep yields low - for example, Cave de Turckheim voluntarily caps yields for its Grands Crus vineyards at 45hl/ha rather than the permitted 55hl/ha - and to pick the grapes by hand. This is part of a long-term and innovative strategy of sustainability that includes developing the largest holdings of organic vineyards in Alsace, using natural alternatives to chemical treatments, and a green overview of all vineyard practices. Alongside some great organic wines, the extensive range runs from the excellent value Tradition wines right through to individual Grand Cru bottlings, plus fantastic Crémants d’Alsace and Vendange Tardive dessert wines.
Sustainability
An awareness of social and environmental concerns has always been high on the agenda for the Cave de Turckheim’s growers. They were among the first in France to practice integrated agriculture, an approach that combines the best of modern tools and technologies with traditional practices, lowering the consumption of energy and other resources, reducing environmental pollution, conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainability. In 2014, all the members of the co-operative obtained Agri Confiance Volet Vert (Green Section) certification and in 2015, they all obtained High Environmental Value Level 2 certification. The growers are aiming for HVE Level 3 certification in late 2019.
In 2008, a number of growers decided to commit to the rigorous standards of organic viticulture. As part of Alliance Alsace, approximately 70 hectares of vines are now cultivated organically, having obtained organic certification in 2011, with a further 30 hectares in transition. These vignerons have revived ancestral practices, tilling the soil and undertaking work that facilitates the elimination of weeds and the combat against the two major diseases: powdery mildew which is tackled with sulphur and mildew which is treated with copper sulphate. Natural fertilisers are also used (nettle, horsetail, comfrey and dandelion), fortifying the vines and increasing their natural resistance. Organic winegrowers meticulously observe their vines, enabling them to intervene in the right place and at the right time, rather than treating the plants systematically.
Turckheim’s commitment to the environment extends to the winery where it strives to conserve natural resources. Sorting waste for recycling, reducing its carbon footprint, using solar panels, and preventing pollution are just some examples of how environmental considerations are present in every aspect of its daily work. Committed to both the environment and its customers, Cave de Turckheim also plays an important role in the local economy.
Specifications
Year | 2016 |
Bottle Size | 375ml |
Cultivar | 100% Gewurztraminer |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
13.% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan, Vegetarian, Sustainable farming |
Food Matches |
Try with blue cheeses, exotic cuisine such as the lemongrass flavours of Thai food or fish/chicken curries featuring ginger, mustard seed and spice.
|
Origin |
Alsace, France
|
N/V Marques de la Concordia Tapas Viura-Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £6.99 Sale price £5.99 Save 14%Tasting Notes
Yellow with greenish hues. On the nose, it is floral showing tropical fruits. On the palate is crisp and fresh with a pleasant finish.
Production Method
Clean must without the presence of lees, it has been fermented at a temperature no higher than 20C for 10 - 12 days.
Producer
Rioja Baja is where it all began. Hacienda Marqués de la Concordia, an old sugar factory turned into a wine estate, is where the company keeps tradition alive while breaking new ground. They have experimental status in the vineyard, as it allows the producer to experiment with different grapes varieties. They allow some “international” grapes into their “creole” wines, which is what makes their wines innovative and exciting.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 85% Viura & 15% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content | 11% alc vol |
Unit of Alcohol | 8.25 units |
Type | White Blend |
Food Matches | Grilled Fish & Seafood |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment - serve between 6-10˚C. |
Allergen Information | Awaiting info |
Dietary Information | Awaiting info |
Origin | I.G.P. Castilla la Mancha |
2022 Alasia Moscato d'Asti
Regular price £8.69 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Nose
Sweet and gently sparkling with delicate aromas of honey, flowers and fresh grapes.
Palate
On the palate the wine reveals ripe apricot, grape notes and a soft mousse. Delightful refreshing acidity on the finish to balance the sweetness.
The Production
The grapes for Araldica's Moscato d'Asti are sourced from their members' vineyards, in the Monferrato hills in the south of the province of Asti in the Piemonte region. The vineyards have a south-westerly aspect and are at altitudes of between 250 and 400m above sea level. Vines are grown in limestone-clay soil using the Piedmont low Guyot trellis. The average age of the vines is 30 years and the planting density 4,000-4,500 vines per ha. Yields are 77 hl per ha. The fruit is hand-harvested between 1st to 12th September. Fermentation in pressure tank under temperature control. The fermentation is deliberately stopped by chilling and filtration to retain just 5% alcohol and a luscious natural sweetness.
Producer History
Araldica is Piemonte's most forward-thinking co-operative, situated in Castel Boglione, in the heart of Barbera d'Asti territory. Here they work with 230 grower members to source quality grapes from around 690ha of vineyards. Many of their members joined the co-operative in the 1950s and have a long and loyal relationship with the winery. They produce wines from Piemonte's main DOC / DOCG regions - predominantly Barbera, Gavi and Moscato, but also including Barolo, Barbaresco and Roero Arneis.
Founded in 1954 by Livio Manera, father of the current Managing Director and winemaker Claudio Manera, Araldica has developed over the past 60+ years to become a major winemaking force in Piemonte, supplying wines across the globe. Claudio's wife Lella heads up quality control at Araldica, where she is responsible for the blending and approval of all wines.
Their son Carlo, also a qualified winemaker, is now part of the Araldica winemaking team. Livio pioneered developments in winemaking techniques - especially with regard to the production of Barbera - and Araldica have since continued to be instrumental in the distribution of Barbera and Gavi within the UK market and internationally. As Claudio states their aim is "...to provide a range that is both understandable and accessible. Quite simply, wine for drinking and enjoying."
A Note on Sustainability
Araldica’s 140 associates, farming 900 hectares of vineyards, have obtained the SQNPI trademark - Sistema di Qualità Nazionale di Produzione Integrata (National Quality System of Integrated Crop Management). Wines and vintages that are now fully compatible with this system have a bee symbol on the label, which guarantees that each phase of production has complied with the strict parameters of integrated crop management. In other words, it is sustainable and eco-compatible, certified by an independent third party. Araldica is also developing a programme of organic viticulture.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
100% Moscato Bianco
|
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content
|
5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 3.75 units |
Type | Sweet |
Food Matching |
Drink well chilled as a summer aperitif, or after dinner with a fresh fruit salad.
|
Vegetarian, Vegan, Sustainable & Sweet | |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Piedmont |
Appellation | DOCG Moscato D'Asti |
2021 Uva Non Grata Gros Manseng
Regular price £9.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Thick-skinned and wild, Gros Manseng is relatively unknown. For years, it was held in lower regard than its equally obscure parent, Petit Manseng, and blended away anonymously. We've captured its winemaking potential in one of the fruitiest and fun wines you're likely to taste.
Tasting Notes
Zingy, incense-smoked and glorious, this is loud and proud Gros Manseng.
Production Method
Gros Manseng, with its thick skin and small berry size, can both ripen beautifully or over-ripen whilst retaining its acidity and shunning the advances of botrytis, giving both dry and sweet wines. To show this fascinating variety at its best, we've made two wines and blended them together: a bright and zingy Gros Manseng fermented to dryness into which we've blended a smaller proportion of late harvest Gros Manseng, bringing with it a delightful fruitiness and exotic spice.
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 Tasting Notes
"This was good - it had that lovely exotic aroma & flavour that I always associate with Gros Manseng- along with a touch of residual sugar that always follows. But it’s also got a searing acidity which keeps it fresh, attractive and very drinkable. Many won’t have heard of this grape but it’s definitely one where the adventurers among us will be rewarded with trying out. Very good value and loads of flavour and complexity for the price." Tasted February 2024
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Gros Manseng |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting Info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | This makes for a mega apéritif, otherwise try with stinky cheeses and aromatic middle-eastern and eastern cuisines. |
Origin | Vin De France |
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
|
2021 Ventisquero Clásico Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £7.79 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Colour
Pale green in color
Nose
A good intensity aroma where citrus and tropical fruits are mixed, such as lime, grapefruit, pineapple and pear.
Palate
With vibrant acidity and medium body, it maintains the variety's own freshness, where citrus fruits reappear.
Viticulture
The harvest was carried out from March 28 to April 4, when the grape showed its greatest aromatic potential. The clusters were harvested overnight and then transported to the winery, preserving the quality and character of the variety.
Background
Head Winemaker Felipe Tosso joined Vina Ventisquero in 2000. After seriously considering alternate careers as a tennis pro and classical guitarist, he elected to enter the wine business, describing it as one of his big passions because its more than work its a lifestyle. Winemaking travels have taken him to Napa, Sonoma, Argentina, France, Spain, Italy, Australia, back to Concha Y Toro in Chile and then finally to Vina Ventisquero. In 2003, Felipe began a close collaboration with John Duval in the production of icon wines Pangea and Vertice, a partnership that continues to this day.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | Chile |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Cellaring Potential | 4 years from vintage |
Food Matches |
This wine is excellent as an aperitif and also pairs well with salad, seafood, ceviche and fish. |
Appellation | Valle De Colchagua |
2023 Cape Heights Chenin Blanc
Regular price £9.29 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A fresh, dry Chenin with broad appeal.
Tasting Notes
This wine displays classic baked apple and zippy citrus aromas with soft, delicate apple fruit on the palate balanced by crisp acidity. Extended lees contact gives this great value wine some real weight and character, the barrel-fermented component adds texture and finesse too.
Production
This Chenin Blanc is sourced from vines grown on sandy loams over granite bedrock, the classic Cape soils type. No irrigation is used in the vineyards and very little crop control is needed due to the age of the vines naturally restricting yield. Part of the blend is wild yeast 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.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Dietary Information | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
A great partner to grilled fish, chicken and salads. Wonderful with Cape Malay curries, spicy mango salads and brightly flavoured pan-Asian cuisine. |
Origin | Western Cape |