1 Bottle = 1 Year of 💧 for Someone in Need. Next Subscription Ships in March. 🚚 Delivery Included!
1 Bottle = 1 Year of 💧 for Someone in Need. Next Subscription Ships in March. 🚚 Delivery Included!
Name of Winery: Gallo Mauro
Name of Wine: Barbera d’Asti
Region, Country of Origin: Piedmont, Italy
Why we love this wine:
This 100% Barbera comes from the village of Vinchio. Mauro performs green harvesting (picking extra ripe grapes during the Summer to ensure even ripeness for the rest of the vine), hand harvesting and careful selection at the winery. When it comes to ageing, it spends 4-6 months in stainless steel, the wine is fined and bottled before release. The result is spicy yet juicy. It shows the typical dark berried fruits that Barbera is known for but with a lovely bright and fresh back bone.
About the winery:
Gallo Mauro is run off the philosophy of Sylla Sebeste - Mauro's mother. Mauro continues on in her legacy after her premature death. It's still very much family run. The winery operations is split between Gallo and his wife Maria Teresa. His two daughters, Sylla and Angelica, were roped into doing the accounts and designing the labels. The winery spans over 30 hectares and production numbers are fairly low at 120,000 bottles of wine and 5,000 of Grappa. vineyard plantings are spread across Alba, Serralunga, Barolo, La Morra, Verduno, Vinchio, Diano d’Alba, Montelupo, Mango, Piobesi d’Alba and Vezza d'Alba in north Italy's wine region of Piedmont. Mauro pays special attention in the vineyards by hand harvesting each vintage and limiting vine treatment to only times when necessary.
Food Pairings:
Charcuterie and hard cheeses would be the best accompaniment for this juicy Barbera.
Somm Hint:
Chill it down slightly to ease the tannins and serve it in a large glass.
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Name of Winery: Andeluna
Name of Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region, Country of Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Why we love this wine:
Coming from vineyards grown at 1,300m in Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza. The wine is fermented using native yeasts in stainless steel after manual selection of clusters. 70% of the wine is aged in old oak French barrels for 8-10 months and then cellared for 6 months before sale. An abundance of black pepper and green bell pepper on the nose, the palate shows tart blackberry and cassis.
About the winery:
When being built in 2005, Andeluna wanted to blend in with the surrounding Mendozan mountains. The winery has a capacity of almost 1.5 million litres in the form of stainless steel tanks, a further 1,000 oak barrels and storage for roughly 1 million bottles. They are also experimenting with ceramic eggs which are used to ferment the whites and preserve the reds. Head winemaker, Manuel González, was raised in Mendoza and has been in the trade for the past 20 years. Having worked in France, Spain and California, he knew Mendoza was where his heart was. Joining the team in 2015, Hans Vinding-Diers is consultant winemaker hailing from Denmark. Hans has worked across the world from Australia to Uruguay, Portugal to Spain and Hungary to France.
Food Pairings:
Pair with Portobello mushrooms, roast lamb or around the campfire on a cool summery night!
Somm Hint:
Another wine that doesn't require much thought. Crack it open and delve into it's richness.
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Name of Winery: Evodia
Name of Wine: Garnacha
Region, Country of Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Why we love this wine:
Evodia are aiming to be the benchmark in terms of Garnacha from Calatayud. They ferment this Garnacha in concrete tank for 20 days with a small part being raised in oak barrel. The fruit come from old vines planted at 900m. Evodia means perfume. The wine oozes raspberry, sweet cherry and strawberry candy on the nose. The palate has lovely rich depth. Far removed from the traditional, heavily extracted style of Garnacha from the area, this lighter approach to Garnacha is the favoured among young winemakers from the area.
About the winery:
Evodia is a part of Bodegas San Alejandro, a co-operative in Catalayud in Aragon in Northern Spain. The co-op is made up of 15 families farming 950 hectares, 300 of which are Organic making them the largest Organic co-op in Aragón. The co-op is headed up by Yolanda Díaz who has been with the winery since she graduated from college. They get assistance in the vineyards from well known consultants such as Juan Vicente Alcañiz, Jorge Temprado and Jean-Marc Lafage. The use of concrete for fermentation has been long used in the winery with some of their tanks dating back to 1962.
Food Pairings:
Marinated pork, poultry or trout would best suit this lighter Garnacha.
Somm Hint:
Don't think too much about this one - crack it open and enjoy it's abundance of fruit.
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Name of Winery: High Note
Name of Wine: Malbec
Region, Country of Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Why we love this wine:
This blend of mostly Malbec, with some Syrah and Cabernet Franc, was aged for up to 9 months in 70% French and 30% American oak with fruit from Uco Valley, Mendoza. The resulting wine is bursting with blackberry and black cherry fruit, has a lovely velvety full bodied with soft tannins - It's everything we want from a warming, slightly spicy Malbec. The intense desert sunlight, very cool nightly temperatures, and dry sandy soil provide the fruit with long hang times and concentrated flavours without excessive sugar.
About the winery:
High Note is a project by Vista del Sur, a winery that sits high in the foothills of the Andes in the Uco Valley, Mendoza in Argentina. The area boasts some of the world's highest vineyards sitting at between 1,000m and 1,500m. Leopoldo Kuschnaroff is the head winemaker at the winery and hails from a long family tradition of farming. Having spent his life in Mendoza, he graduated in 1999 from school with a degree in winemaking. If that wasn't enough, he followed with a master’s degree in viticulture from the prestigious Cuyo University. He joined the team in 2008 with the focus of experimenting with the unique microclimates that the Uco Valley boasts.
Food Pairings:
The go-to pairing would be barbequed steak, smoky red meats and stews. However, pop it in the fridge for half an hour and enjoy it with grill meaty fish, like salmon, for a unique pairing.
Somm Hint:
It's not necessary but chill this Malbec down for a couple of minutes to soften those velvety tannins.
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Name of Winery: Vina Bisquertt
Name of Wine: Crazy Rows Pais
Region, Country of Origin: Maule Valley, Chile
Why we love this wine:
It's nice to see larger producers helping out the smaller guys, like what Viña Bisquertt is achieving with its Crazy Rows Project. Such as José (known as Kiko) for this wine. He has more than 25 vintages under his belt and seen everything from earthquakes to forest fires to serious drought in the Colchagua Valley. This juicy, light bodied Pais shows what Pais has achieved since it was introduced to Chile in the 16th century from Spain.
About the winery:
Crazy Rows is a project behind the well known wine making family of Bisquertt. The project's aim is to protect Chile's heritage grapes of Carignan, Cinsault, Pais and Moscatel. The grapes come from farmers throughout Chile who tend to old vines - hence the name. The vines were planted when there weren't proper trellising systems in place so are almost scattered throughout the vineyards.
Food Pairings:
Pop this Pais in the fridge and serve it chilled with Greek salad, grilled vegetables or duck..
Somm Hint:
This is a wine that doesn't require a list of rules - just crack it open and enjoy.
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Name of Winery: Coffele
Name of Wine: Valpolicella
Region, Country of Origin: Veneto, Italy
Why we love this wine:
A classic blend for the region of Corvina , Mollinara, Rondinella, some of the grapes are left to dry for about 20 days to increase the wine's intensity. A process common in Ripasso and Amarone wines. This medium bodied red shows plenty of sour cherry, blackberry and balsamic on the palate with a nice herbaceous back bone.
About the winery:
Coffele was established in 1928 and is still family run today. Headed up by brother and sister duo Alberto and Chiara, and with help of their parents Giovanna Visco and Giuseppe Coffele, run the winery in Soave, Veneto, Italy. For the Valpolicella, they hand harvest fruit from biodynamically farmed vineyards in the hills of Cazzano di Tramigna.
Food Pairings:
Crank up that barbeque and get the steaks out - it's almost summer!
Somm Hint:
Serve is slightly chilled (10-12 degrees) to get the most out of this great Valpolicella.
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Name of Winery: Cinco Sentidos
Name of Wine: El Viñatero Malbec
Region, Country of Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Song: "Smooth" by Carlos Santana
Why we love this wine:
This is a complex and elegant Malbec: a pleasant symphony of balance between lush Mendoza fruit and freshness from the higher-altitude Uco Valley vineyards. The nose is intense with ripe black plums and cherries with hints of vanilla. Impressively textural on the palate, it pleasantly presents tannins and a beautiful balance with the oak and the fruit. This is a great, fun little weekday wine.
About the Winery:
Matias Michelini, the founder and winemaker of Cinco Sentidos, is considered one of the most innovative and talented winemakers in Argentina. He comes from a family of winemakers and has worked at some of the most prestigious wineries in Argentina and worldwide. Pioneering a lean style of wine with often electric acidity, Michelini has been at the forefront of Uco Valley winemaking and in particular, Gualtallary’s development over the last decade. A firm believer in biodynamic viticulture, Mathias' wines very much start in the vineyard and almost invariably end in concrete.
Food Pairings:
Serve with roast beef or a heaping mound of pasta Bolognese, ideally served family style.
Somm Hint:
If possible, serve this wine in larger glasses to showcase its complexity.
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Name of Winery: Rigoloccio
Name of Wine: FONTE DELL’ANGUILLAIA
Region, Country of Origin: Toscana, Italy
Song: No Quarter by Led Zeppelin
Why we love this wine):
Fresh and elegant with deep flavour are the keywords to describe Rigoloccio's Fonte dell'Anguillaia. This Tuscan blend is inspired by Bordeaux wines, blending Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and a touch of Merlot. It has a deep colour, with aromas of blackcurrant wild rose followed by a slight spiciness. The wine is aged in stainless steel tanks, which results in a fresh and elegant juicy palate. Long finish. Very tasty wine aiming to make friends around the dinner table.
About the winery:
Rigoloccio is a winery located in the heart of the Maremma, Tuscany, that takes its name from Rigoloccio, a stream in Tuscan dialect, the name given to the pyrite mine discovered in 1898 that was once where the winery is, providing plenty of minerals to the grapes. Rigoloccio is considered a small winery with about 8 hectares of vineyards surrounded by olive and cork trees with a very low yield to ensure the best possible quality for the grapes. The winery has produced wines since the early 1900s and follows sustainable and organic farming practices.
Food Pairings:
This is a definite big red meat or roasted vegetable wine. Perfect with a big medium-rare steak.
Somm Hint:
Give the wine a quick decant, or open it in advance to allow it to breathe before serving.
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Name of Winery: Domaine du Trapadis
Name of Wine: 'Esprit'
Region, Country of Origin: France
SONG: Sweet Revenge by John Prine
Why we love this wine:
100% Grenache fermented in concrete, aged 10 months in tanks making this wine fresh and aromatic. A bouquet of red fruit comes out in an open and immediate nose. The palate is fruity and intense with redcurrant and raspberry over a multi-dimensional layering of somewhat chewy tannins and a supple finish. There are fun hints of Mediterranean herbs and bright minerality that help keep this wine fresh and zippy.
About the Winery:
Domaine du Trapadis is located in the Southern Rhône Valley between Vaison la Romaine and Orange. Domaine du Trapadis dates back four generations to 1850 with present vineyard owner Helen Durand’s two great-grandfathers, Césaire Brun and Théophile Charavin, each owning a part of the land that together form today’s Domaine du Trapadis. Trapadis is derived from the word “Trapalas,” which means “hole” in Provençal. The hole refers to a natural spring which provides water for the surrounding hamlet. Today the estate covers 23 hectares of vines that are worked without herbicides, pesticides or chemical fertilizers. The average age of the vines is 35 years, with the oldest parcel, Trapadis, replanted in 1922.
Food Pairings:
This is great with all your weeknight stews, cassoulet and even Asian cuisine on the low end of the spicy spectrum.
Somm Hint :
Serve at cellar temperature (slightly chilled).
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Name of Winery: Descendientes de J. Palacios
Name of Wine: Petalos Mencia
Region, Country of Origin: Bierzo, Spain
SONG: "Flamenco Sketches" by Miles Davis:
Why we love this wine:
Petalos is a highly-regarded wine from Descendientes de J. Palacios, a stunning wine and sure to be considered a benchmark Mencia. It’s made from fruit sourced from 40 to 90-year-old vines growing on steep slate slopes in Corullón. It has an alluring aroma of roses, pepper, and earth. The wine is a blend of Mencia and other local varieties, spending 12 months in barrels without any evident oak flavours. The palate offers complex florals, dried herbs, red plum, and sour cherry fruit flavours, with a nice balance between plushness and freshness. The wine has a long finish with earthy, smoky and some mineral notes. Petalos is a soft, round, pretty, and fresh wine that showcases the unique characteristics of Mencia and Bierzo.
About the Winery:
Alvaro Palacios will forever be inextricably linked with the region of Priorat. He is considered the modern godfather of the region, bringing about a renaissance of the region through his foresight and passion. Alvaro’s L’Ermita is considered one of the great wines of Spain and will have done much to put Garnacha from Priorat on the map. Now, with the respect of the international wine-loving community behind him, Alvaro has turned his eye to another of Spain's unsung regions - Bierzo. He, along with his nephew Ricardo Perez, have now created one of the jewels in the crown of this budding region - with their remarkable old-vine Mencias now drawing the world's gaze.
Food Pairings:
Try pairing it with grilled meats such as lamb or pork. Cheeses such as Manchego or other aged sheep's milk cheeses can also be a good match.
Somm Hint:
Serve this wine slightly chilled and in larger wine glasses.
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Name of Winery: San Ferdinando
Name of Wine: Ciliegiolo Rosso
Region, Country of Origin: Tuscany, Italy
SONG: Blockbuster Night by Run the Jewels
Why we love this wine:
Ciliegiolo, meaning “cherry-like,” is usually reserved as a blending grape. Bottled on its own, the wine has aromas of sour cherries, raspberries, woody green herbs, and a hint of lavender. The palate is playful with refreshing acidity and very soft tannins giving the wine a juicy feel. We at Gargoyle are fond of calling this our Italian alternative to cru Beaujolais!
About the Winery:
San Ferdinando is located in the hamlet of Civitella in Val di Chiana, in the Chianti Colli Aretini area southeast of Florence. Besides vines, this area is also known for its famed Chianina breed of cattle, which often end up on the plate as the Bistecca Fiorentina. The estate has been in the hands of the Grifoni family since 1850. Still, it was in 2008 that the winery was fully restored and the vineyards revitalized and converted to organic methods. Today, Simone Zucchetti, winemaker and agronomist, capably guides the wines from vine to bottle. The focus is on the indigenous varietals of the area—Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo, Pugnitello, and Vermentino—and finding a balance between typicity, drinkability, and value.
Food Pairings:
Drink with charcuterie, roasted chicken or grilled pork kebabs.
Somm Hint:
There have been conflicting studies, but Ciliegiolo is either a parent or offspring of Sangiovese.
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Name of Winery: Storyteller
Name of Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region, Country of Origin: Sonoma County, USA
SONG: "The Story" by Brandi Carlile
Why we love this wine:
Classic Sonoma Cabernet with medium+ body and structure. Delicate aromas of earthy cedar, black cherry and vanilla spice, On the palate, the wine is best described as ripe, round, chewy, dark fruit, with toasty notes and a hint of pipe tobacco. Grapes are sourced from several important zones and appellations: 40% Sonoma Valley, 45% Sonoma County (20% Chalk Hill, 25% Alexander Valley); ~10-15% Paso Robles.
About the winery:
Sonoma County is one of America’s most important wine-growing regions, producing significant red and white wines. While Napa Valley is arguably more renowned, both these regions are excellent options for wine tasting along the West Coast. Storyteller makes varietal correct wines sourcing grapes from the best AVA’s in Sonoma County, Alexander Valley and Chalk Hill, where temperatures range from 32°C during the day, while nighttime averages are 4° to 10° C. This helps the wines to be deeply concentrated yet fresh and aromatic.
Food Pairings:
Pairs well with thick steaks, charbroiled burgers or strong cheeses such as aged cheddar or Dubliner.
Somm Hint:
With big reds like this, always decant. Not for sediment – it's still pretty young– but to aerate the wine. Go ahead and be rough with it while you’re at it.
Name of Winery: Stoller Dundee Hills
Name of Wine: Chardonnay
Region, Country of Origin: Dundee Hills, USA
Why we love this wine:
This is a tart yet mineral driven Chardonnay was created from fruit grown in the Dundee Hills, southwest of Portland, Oregon in the state's most well known winemaking region - the Willamette Valley. Sustainability is at the forefront here - The winery is part of Low Input Viticulture and Enology which is the Northwest's leading sustainability certification. They use runoff rainwater for irrigation and winery waste is used in the vineyards. The resulting wine has plenty of citrus character with elegant roundness expected from a Willamette Valley Chardonnay.
About the winery:
Established in 1993, Cathy and Bill Stoller purchased a 400 acre property that was originally Bill's family's turkey farm. It wasn't until 2001 when they bottled their first vintage. The winery is solar powered and gravity fed. In 2006, they were recognised for their commitment to sustainability by becoming the first winery in the US to get a gold level certificate in LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). The winery has come far from turkey farming now boasting views of Mount Hood and plenty of outdoor spaces for guests to relax.
Food Pairings:
If you're feeling fancy, pair this with a white fish ceviche or roast butternut squash.
Somm Hint:
Serve it in a large Burgundy glass to let this round wine breathe.
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Name of Winery: Fabio Oberto La Collina
Name of Wine: Arneis
Region, Country of Origin: Piedmont, Italy
Why we love this wine:
There is a old tale about the discovery of the wines of Piedmont. One day Dionysus was wandering through the woods and discovered a bunch of grapes. He squeezed the juice in to a golden cup and made all the gods of the forest taste it. They all suddenly forgot their sorrows and tiredness and began to feel euphoric and cheerful. Fabio Oberto has ran with this story for the creation of his wines. The wine has a pale straw colour showing honey, white flowers and fresh white fruits on the nose. The body is medium and would suit being served slightly cooler than room temperature.
About the winery:
Fabio is crafting wines from his family's winery outside the town of La Morra in Piedmont, North Italy. It was Fabio's father, Andrea, who set up the winery where Fabio is based now. after almost 22 years working together with his father, Fabio decided to branch out to create La Collina di Dionisio - translating to The Hills of Dionysus, the god of wine. Fabio decided to the base his winery around this legend.
Food Pairings:
Hard cheeses, creamy pasta or as an aperitif.
Somm Hint:
Serve slightly cooler than room temperature.
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Name of Winery: Jackson Estate
Name of Wine: 'Stich' Sauvignon Blanc
Region, Country of Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand
Why we love this wine:
Named after the founder of Jackson Estate - John ‘Stich’ Stichbury. When Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc burst onto the scene in the 1970's it gave the world a fresh take on the greener styles that were found in the Loire Valley. The Stich (named after Jackson Estate's founder John Stichbury) has this, now, classic Marlborough flavour profile - abundance of passionfruit and gooseberry on the palate with its laser sharp but refreshing acidity that pulls you back in for that second sip (or glass).
About the winery:
The Stichbury & Jackson families have been farming land surrounding Wairau River plain for more than 160 years. It wasn't until 1990 that Jackson Estate was founded when John replanted a plot of Pinot Noir on the estate's flagship vineyard - Homestead. The winery itself was designed by Brian Massey who married old and new by designing a 250 tonne state of the art winery around an old bush hut that was already on the property.
Food Pairings:
Match this refreshing, exciting Sauvignon Blanc with grilled asparagus, a summer salad or even roast chicken.
Somm Hint:
Serve chilled in a slimmer wine glass to let those aromas burst out.
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Name of Winery: Winery of Good Hope
Name of Wine: Unoaked Chardonnay
Region, Country of Origin: Western Cape, South Africa
Why we love this wine:
Wines from this area are generally from high production producers who don't care more about profit than the end product. It's reassuring to find a producer like The Winery of Good Hope that focuses on getting this much depth and weight from an unoaked Chardonnay.
About the winery:
Alex Dale grew up in the UK and comes from a family of wine merchants. He decided to move to South Africa in 1994, a point in his life when he didn't know what he wanted to do. Along with his drinking buddy Ben Radford, the pair founded The Winery of Good Hope. Based in Stellenbosch, in South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, Alex and Dale produce wines with conscience. They use traditional, natural viticultural and winemaking methods. The name of the winery comes from their commitment to the environment.
Food Pairings:
While you can just sit and enjoy the fresh minerality from this wine on its own, it would be equally as good with roast chicken or seafood based pasta.
Somm Hint:
This is a wine that doesn't require a list of rules - just crack it open and enjoy.
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Name of Winery: Domaine De Séailles
Name of Wine: Presto Blanc
Region, Country of Origin: Côtes de Gascogne, France
SONG: "Sunny Afternoon" by The Kinks
Why we love this wine:
Made from organic fruit, this 50-50 blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Gris was wild fermented and aged in stainless steel tank for 6 months, underlining all of the light & bright fruit practically leaping from the glass. The Presto is light, bright and fresh, full of citrus flavours, citrus zest, minerality and zippy crunchy fruit.
About the winery:
Family-owned for a half-century, Jean Labérenne now leads this historic estate in Ténarèze, near the Pyrenees and the Italian border. Domaine Séailles is one of the pioneers of organic viticulture in the Côtes de Gascogne region of Southwest France, swearing off all chemical fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, and synthetic chemical products.
Food Pairings:
Something fresh, from sushi or sashimi to lightly cooked vegetables such as asparagus, green beans, or roasted peppers
Somm Hint:
Wait for the first nice day of spring, ditch off work an hour early and crack this open before dinner
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Name of Winery: Raimat
Name of Wine: Albarino
Region, Country of Origin: Costers del Segre, Spain
SONG: Sea of Time by The Beatles
Why we love this wine:
Cultivated on several plots, this is one of Raimat’s more exciting wines; the varietal is rare in this part of Spain. The wine is pale yellow with greenish hues. Intense aromas of citrus, dried flowers and spices with an additional hint of sweet vanilla. Raimat Albarino was the first Albarino to be introduced to the market outside of D.O. Rias Baixas.. Dry, fresh and delicious!
About the winery:
The history of Raimat goes back to 1914, when Manuel Raventós i Domènech, the founder of the famous Cava producer Codorníu, acquired a plot of arid and unfertile land in a unique setting, converting it into what it is today: 3,000 hectares of 100% certified organic vineyards. Raimat is the expression of wines from Lleida, a land renowned for the quality of its fruit, where the continentality of its climate means that the grapes from this estate make intense and flavourful wines. The winery is a pioneer in the use of the latest growing and winemaking technology, making a clear commitment to sustainable viticulture and to respecting the land and the environment.
Food Pairings:
Recently tried it with seafood paella. Salud!
Somm Hint:
Albariño (“alba-reen-yo”) is the champion grape of Rías Baixas (REE-us BYE-shus), found in Northwest Spain.
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Name of Winery: Cantine Rallo
Name of Wine: Bianca di Evro
Region, Country of Origin: Sicilia, Italy
SONG: Roma Fade by Andrew Bird
Why we love this wine:
The Evrò name pays homage to the Queen Bianca of Navarra (The White Queen), who was the queen consort of the King of Sicily during the reign of William I (1154-1166) and regent during the minority of her son William II. The wine is produced from 100% Insolia grapes that are organically grown in their estate vineyards around the territory of Alcamo. The wine is matured in temperature-controlled stainless steel vessels in order to maintain freshness and acidity. A dry white wine that displays a bouquet of apricot, pear, apple and citrus fruit with hints of beeswax and white flowers. Rich and full in the mouth with great texture and a salted honey finish.
About the winery:
Cantine Rallo was founded in Marsala, on the westernmost promontory of Sicily, and is a successful integration between nature, technology and tradition. Don Diego Rallo founded the firm in 1860, and the Vesco family took over operations in 1996. Today Cantine Rallo has about 50 hectares of vineyards, all in the DOC zone of Alcamo. The majority of wines are produced with grapes from the estate's vineyards. Cantine Rallo produces high-quality wines; whites are fragrant and fruity, while the reds are concentrated and rich.
Food Pairings:
A perfect companion to seafood, oysters, lobsters, and caviar.
Somm Hint:
This wine is a genuinely delicious white! Chill well!!
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Name of Winery: Gianni Gagliardo
Name of Wine: Fallegro
Region, Country of Origin: Piemonte, Italy
SONG: "Mambo Italiano" by Dean Martin
Why we love this wine:
Favorita (Vermentino) made its way to Italy over 200 years ago and was so well-received as the favourite wine of the Piemontese that they nicknamed the grape Favorita! A delicate nose, reminiscent of acacia flower with an elegantly tart taste, slightly fizzy and pleasant. Bright finish with some mineral notes.
About the winery:
The Gagliardo family has been deeply rooted in cultivating grapes and producing wines in Piemonte since 1848. Today, the passion of Gianni’s three sons represents the “power unit” of the winery, and they are all fully committed to making exceptional wines. Their handcrafted approach is traditional, focusing on the environment and sustainability.
Food Pairings:
Ideal as an aperitif, with any of your favourite snacks.
Somm Hint:
This wine is a genuinely delicious white! Chill well!!
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Name of Winery: Vinyes del Terrer
Name of Wine: Blanc del Terrer
Region, Country of Origin: Catalunya, Spain
SONG: Something by The Beatles
Why we love this wine:
From vineyards just 5 km from the Mediterranean, the effect of the sea on viticulture in this part of Catalunya is unmistakable. Luscious, luminescent and saline. Blanc del Terrer is a single-vineyard Macabeo grown on mineral-rich soils only 2km from the sea. Notes of sliced pineapple, buttered toast and yellow melon with a silky texture. It has body and texture but has a good acidity line to keep it fresh and alive.
About the winery:
The Vinyes Del Terrer is a family-run winery located in Vila-Seca, next to Tarragona in Spain, on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea. In 1989, the family started to recover the 7-hectare wine estate, and since 2003, they have been producing terroir-driven wines with the idea of reflecting the unique Mediterranean terroir they possess. There is a considerable influence of the sea, which is only 2 km away from the wine estate. Vinyes Del Terrer’s main aim is to oversee the even ripening of their vineyards and use the fruit from them to produce famous, exquisite wines, concentrated and rich.
Food Pairings:
A perfect companion to fuller bodied seafood, like butter poached shrimp, lobsters or cod.
Somm Hint:
This wine is a genuinely delicious white! Chill well!!
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Name of Winery: Pearce Predhomme
Name of Wine: Chenin Blanc
Region, Country of Origin: Stellenbosch, South Africa
SONG: "Dakar Moon" by Antonio Carlos Jobim
Why we love this wine:
Chenin Blanc is a historical South African cultivar, and there are registered vineyards that are more than 100 years old! This medium to full-bodied white wine shines with golden apple, peach, and dried honey aromatics. The wine has a lovely creamy texture on the palate, with bright stone fruits, camomile flowers, and a ginger snap. The complex wine has a long smooth finish.
About the winery:
This is a passion project of two young Toronto wine professionals, Nicholas Pearce and WillPredhomme, who wanted to create wines from some of their favourite global regions. The grapes are sourced from the best areas within Stellenbocsh from old bush vines, adding another layer of complexity to the wine.
Food Pairings:
Roasted Pork Tenderloin with fruit chutney.
Somm Hint:
Do not serve too cold. Remove from the fridge 10min before opening. It will help to release the flavours and aromas.
Name of Winery: Kupelwieser
Name of Wine: Pinot Noir
Region, Country of Origin: Alto Adige, Italy
SONG: Gee Baby, Ain’t I Good ToYou ~ Billie Holiday
Why we love this wine:
Does the Kupelwieser sound German to you than Italian? If it does, there’s a good reason for that Alto Adige is one of the oldest wine-growing areas in German-speaking Europe. The Kupelwieser wines have an almost Germanic precision but an Italian soul. The aromas are intense and powerful, the flavours equally defined, with tense, coiled structure underneath. This wine is harmonious, with beautiful aromas of cherry and red flowers and a distinct earthy note, typical of Pinot Noir leap from the glass. The palate is precise and fresh, with soft flavours of red berries and herbs countered by a vibrant acidity that entices you to have another sip!
About the winery:
Kupelwieser wine estate is owned and operated by Peter Zemmer, one of the icons of the Alto Adige region. When the estate came onto the market, Peter could not resist the temptation to purchase, as many of the Kupelwieser vineyards were located next to his existing vineyards. Nonetheless, Peter pays homage to “Fritz Kupelwieser,” the man who planted the first vineyard in 1878!
Food Pairings:
Mushroom risotto with aged, sharp parmesan.
Somm Hint:
For most of its history, Alto Adige was part of a German-speaking world and became a part of Italy after World War I. While today it’s an officially bilingual province of Italy, German is a principal language for speech and print. Wine labels tend to be written in German and often (not always) followed in Italian.
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Name of Winery: Domaine de la Guicharde
Name of Wine:
Region, Country of Origin: Massif d’Uchaux, Rhone, France
SONG: Mother Nature’s Son ~ The Beatles
Why we love this wine
The wine shows a complex and rich mix of aromas, including black cherry, tapenade (black olive puree), plum, cranberry and stewed strawberry fruit, with subtle licorice and mint. The wine mirrors the nose on the palate, although the fruits tend to show a little more black nature than the pretty nose would imply. Some salty, black licorice notes on the finish, as well as a bit of alcoholic weight (14.5%).
About the Winery:
Operated by Arnaud and Isabelle Guicharde, Domaine de la Guicharde is located in the hills north of Avignon around the village of Cairanne. The oldest vines on the property are 70-year-old grenache vines grown on deep sandy soils with large stones, similar to those in Chateauneuf du Pape. Isabel and Arnaud work alone in the winery, aided only by a team of pickers during the 2 to 3-week harvest. In 2013 the winery was certified biodynamic by Demeter.
Food Pairings:
It’s good with meat cooked in sauce, game, red meat, couscous, tajines with dried apricots, and duck with apple.
Somm Hint:
In 2005 the quality of the wines in the region was recognized by the French government and given the ability to name its Cotes du Rhone after the village appellation of Massif d’Uchaux.
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Name of Winery:Vinos Gustavo Martinez
Name of Wine: 'Waro' Pais
Region, Country of Origin: Itata Valley, Chile
SONG: Miserlou ~ Dick Dale
Why we love this wine:
This País comes from a plot in Florida, Bio Bio, in southern Chile, where cooler temperatures meet Atlantic breezes. The vines are over 200 years old, yet the grapes shine pure and bright like a gorgeous purple Ring Pop. Amoras of raspberry and blueberry freezies accompany the desire to taste it. The palate has a grapy freshness and a long fruity, and mineral finish.
About the Winery:
Vinos Gustavo Martinez is a reasonably new project, producing wines from an area with a long history of grape growing. He has been producing Natural Wines (Not filtered, not stabilized, not corrected, not clarified, and minimal use of SO2, which sometimes not at all) since 2015 in Florida, Biobío Region, Itata Valley, Chile. He works hand by hand with five families of small vine-growers who only produce grapes; they cultivate their soils with animals or by hand and take care of their vineyards without pesticides. Otherwise, he works alone. For example, in 2020, during the pandemic, he slept in the winery and worked alone for one month to carry out the harvest, which he has to say, is the best harvest until now!
Food Pairings:
Go Mediterranean. Spanish tapas, Greek meze, fatty fish, duck or chicken as well as mushrooms skewers or simple grilled vegetable dishes.
Somm Hint :
País is also known as California's Mission grape, Criolla in Argentina, or Listan Prieto on the Canary Islands
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Name of Winery: Chateau Les Vieux Ormes
Name of Wine:
Region, Country of Origin: Lalande de Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
SONG: Red, Red Roses ~ Dave Marshall
Why we love this wine:
Lalande de Pomerol is an emerging satellite of the more famous Pomerol. Once considered the poor cousin to Pomerol, Lalande has garnered considerable attention over the past 20 years.
As is typical with many Right Bank Bordeaux wines, this is a Merlot dominant wine with 10% each of the two Cabernets. It offers complex and inviting aromas and an opulent palate with plenty of supple fruit and sweet spices. This is a serious wine with layered tannins, dry and satisfying.
About the Winery:
As one of the oldest family-owned vineyards in the region, Château Les Vieux Ormes has seen passion and know-how transmitted from father to son for six generations of the Garde family. Located on an enviable terroir of large gravels and clay, Château Les Vieux Ormes is a lovely example of this often underestimated appellation. Jean-Paul Garde took over from his father in 1974. His enthusiasm and determination to craft wines in the purest expression of fruit and terroir led him to undertake many ambitious improvements of the property, vineyard, and cellars over the years.
Food Pairings:
Red wines from Bordeaux have long enjoyed their share of classic pairings: roast lamb, venison, duck breast or beef-based dishes..
Somm Hint:
Let this wine decant for 30-40 minutes.
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Name of Winery: Quinta Nova
Name of Wine: Unoaked Red
Region, Country of Origin: Douro, Portugal
Song: She’s so High ~ Tal Bachman
Why we love this wine:
A unique unoaked blend that uses the Quinta Nova da Nossa Senhora do Carmo’s primary grape varieties - Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Tinto Cão. It has an authentic and intense flavour demonstrating that it does not need to be aged in an oak barrel to be sophisticated. Its youthful and fresh aroma presents red fruits with violet, mineral and some balsamic notes. The palate shows light tannins and a pleasant finish with elegant floral notes.
About the winery:
Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo is named after a small Carmelite chapel built in 1765 to protect the sailors navigating cargo boats through that tough stretch of water. This heritage estate boasted some of the oldest and most treasured vines in the region and was even owned by the Portuguese royal family until 1725 when it was formed into its current structure. Traditional farming techniques (using a horse and plough, for example) are met with technology in the winery for true but modern depictions of land seeping with history.
Food Pairings:
It goes well with grilled or roasted red meat, sturdy stews and hard cheeses.
Somm Hint:
Give the wine a quick decant, or open it in advance to allow the wine to breathe before serving.
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Name of Winery: Bodega Pirineos
Name of Wine: ‘3404’
Region, Country of Origin: Somontano, Spain
Song: Four Seasons ~ Vivaldi
Why we love this wine :
The fruit of Bodega Pirineos’ 3404 comes from hard work and respect for the local Moristel, Garnacha, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Named after Pico Aneto, a peak that rises to a dizzying altitude of 3,404 meters, soaring over the Somontano appellation. A lifted fresh and fruity red wine that allows for the full expression of Somontano to come through. Intense aroma with sweet notes of ripe red fruits (strawberries and pomegranate), wildflowers, and vanilla with a dash of spice. Fresh and velvety texture with soft tannins on the palate.
About the Winery:
Bodegas Pirineos is a leading cooperative situated in Somontano in the foothills of the Pyrenees of northern Spain ('Somontano' means 'foot of the mountains'). Somontano has developed into a significant force within the Spanish wine industry, with a wide range of wine styles and is one of the few wine-producing areas of Spain to have adopted a modern approach to winemaking. Founded in 1993, there are now 200 skilled viticulturists who contribute to the Pirineos cooperative, and the vineyards are among the oldest in the region.
Food Pairings:
Your weekday favourites burgers, pizza, red sauce pasta, rotisserie chicken with gravy sauce
Somm Hint:
If possible, serve this wine in larger wine glasses to showcase its complexity.
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Name of Winery: Ca’ del Baio
Name of Wine: Langhe Nebbiolo
Region: Piedmont, Italy
Why we love this wine:
A fresh, easy-drinking Nebbiolo. Obtained by carefully selecting grapes from several different vineyards, it revives a never-forgotten tradition. Aromas of fragrant dried flowers, geraniums and slight fruity overtones reminiscent of raspberries. Dry, warm and soft on the palate; slightly tannic and very easy-drinking.
About the winery:
Ca’ del Baio exudes a sense of youthfulness – probably helped along by Giulio Grasso’s three energetic daughters: Paola, Valentina, and Federica. The azienda itself is not so young – four generations of winegrowers going back to Luigi Grasso, the great-grandfather of the youngest generation. Proud parents, Giulio and his wife Luciana have even more to be proud of, as their modern, 25 hectare estate is producing some very fine Barbaresco and a range of other wines that leave the competition struggling to catch up. The entire range has a sense of verve, freshness, and vitality that can’t fail to impress the taster.
Food pairing:
Goes well with fresh cold cuts, slightly mature cheeses and Italian-style pasta with ragù, as well as more simple red meat dishes such as hamburgers or beef carpaccio.
Somm Hint:
It will keep well for several years in the bottle. Serving this slightly chilled only adds to its appeal.
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Name of Winery: Don Aurelio
Name of Wine: Garnacha
Region: Valdepenas, Spain
Why we love this wine:
This wine shines with aromas and flavors of explosive raspberries that linger long on the palate. Very clear and aromatic with blackberry, strawberry and violet character, following through to the mid-palate with firm yet fine tannins and a vivid finish. This is really well done.
About the winery:
Don Aurelio is a brand owned by the famed Navarro Lopez winery. Located in Spain's central plateau, south-east of Madrid, Valdepeñas is arguably Spain's oldest wine region. The landscape is made of gently undulating poor soils, where clay sands dominate, varying in colour from brilliant off-white to deep, ochre red (due to the presence of copper and iron compounds). Bodegas Navarro López's winery started as a simple family affair, founded in 1904 by Don Juan Megía Sánchez, and passed through generations. In 1989 Doroteo Navarro Donando acquired the business and began transforming it into the modern, entity that it is today.
Food pairing:
Perfect with dishes like roasted vegetables, prime rib, rack of lamb and stewed beef.
Somm Hint:
Place the bottle in the fridge 15 min before you serve it. The little bit of chill tightens up the wine, and really showcases the lovely fruit flavours.
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Name of Winery: La Posta
Name of Wine: Malbec Paulucci
Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Why we love this wine:
This single vineyard Malbec is sourced from the region of Ugarteche located in the sub-appellation of Lujan de Cuyo, where soils are a mix of a sandy loam, sand, clay, and silt. Aromas of red cherries, raspberries, and violets along with notes of toasty oak. On the palate, fresh berries with spice and a hint of soft caramel on the finish.
About the winery:
Argentina’s best small-family growers express their individual passions with single-grower, single-vineyard wines. Each wine named after a grower family demonstrates the wide range of Malbec aroma and flavor profiles generated by distinct Mendoza appellations.
La Posta translates to “the tavern,” where the farmers meet to discuss their soils, their vines, their quest for superior flavors, and their passions for life. In collaboration with wine pioneer Laura Catena and esteemed winemaker Luis Reginato, the hard work and skill of the people behind the wines are expressed in La Posta.
Food pairing:
It goes great with everything from meats, to pasta, to mild cheeses. Unique recipe ideas include: Lamb burger with Manchego and Smoked Paprika, or Caramelized Onion and Butternut Squash Tart.
Somm Hint:
Don’t hesitate to drink this now. Decant right before serving and enjoy!
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Name of Winery: Bertrand & Vincent Marchesseau
Name of Wine: Domaine Marchesseau ‘Lubrifiant Social’
Region: Loire Valley, France
Why we love this wine:
This vintage was made following a particularly severe period of frost. To bounce back and address the repeated losses, the domaine created "Lubrifiant Social", which is made with part of the wine from the domaine and also with wine bought from other winemaker friends and colleagues from a number of regions around France. This organic wine, that's been rigorously selected by the domaine, echoes the sharing values of Lubrifiant Social. The wine is fresh and delicious. On the nose, it displays intense aromas of red fruits as well as floral and spice notes. On the palate, it has a rounded, fine attack with a delicious, well-balanced finish and some soft tannins.
About the winery:
In their own words: “We are two brothers, Bertrand and Vincent Marchesseau. We took over the family property in 2001. The domain has the particularity to rest on three names: Bourgueil (14 ha), Chinon (5 ha) and St Nicolas de Bourgueil (3 ha). Our roles are well defined: work of the vineyard and vinification for Bertrand, breeding and trade for Vincent. Our differences allow us to be perfectly complementary and to bring to both of us all the qualities essential to the profession of winegrower. The efforts on the vineyard, the work of the wines and the development of the trade allowed us in about ten years to go from a sale essentially to the traders to a sale in bottles, to the private individuals, wine merchants, wholesalers and big retailers. Our first goals are achieved! But it is important for us not to stay on track. We must continue to move forward.”
Food pairing:
Ideal with cured meats and barbecues.
Somm Hint:
Serve slightly chilled, in larger glasses and with food.
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Name of Winery: Chateau La Chapelle Maillard
Name of Wine: Bordeaux
Region: Bordeaux, France
Why we love this wine:
About the winery:
La Chapelle Maillard is located at the fringe of St Emillion. The vineyards flow into the hills alongside the Dordogne, planted to 50% Merlot, and equal parts Cabernet and Cab Franc. The vineyards have been organically naturally farmed since the early 80’s. The estate is focused on producing better wines through organic farming and a focus on nurturing their land. It is a beautiful piece of land on well-draining clay and limestone soils that surround an ancient umbrella pine(depicted on the labels)
Food pairing:
This is a very versatile wine, and can be enjoyed with charcuterie, light white meats, rich red meats, poultry, and even some rich fish preparations! Hard cheese is wonderful with this wine, and it can easily be enjoyed on its own.
Somm Hint:
Serve this at cellar temperature, and don’t be afraid to let this breathe for a while before serving. This wine will open up nicely, so be sure to use Bordeaux glasses if you have them.
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Name of Winery: Paddy Borthwick
Name of Wine: Paper Road Pinot Noir
Region: Wairarapa, New Zealand
Why we love this wine:
Given that Pinot Noir is the speciality of Wairarapa, expectations for this wine are high. We can report that It does not disappoint. It displays the structure and underlying spice that you look for in Wairarapa Pinot Noir. Ruby red in the glass, the nose has fresh aromas of bing cherry, hibiscus, tyme, and allspice. Light in the body, the palate shows soft tannins and balanced acidity. The finish has a complimentary touch of vanilla and mocha spice.
About the winery:
Proudly family owned, the Borthwick vineyard is an established vineyard situated in Gladstone, the heart of the Wairarapa. Producing quality wine for over a decade, Paddy, an experienced wine maker, has gained a reputation for producing consistently great wines. The twenty seven hectares of vines bordering the Ruamahunga River are growing on stony, free draining, alluvial soils, with a micro climate giving warm daily temperatures, cool nights and low rainfall; perfect conditions for producing distinctive, quality wines.
Food pairing:
A perfect pairing for grilled quail, roasted chicken or the richness of pork shoulder. This wine can also stand up to glazed salmon or a decadent pizza with sweet potato, balsamic onions and soppressata.
Somm Hint:
Get your bowl shaped glasses ready and just open and enjoy!
Name of Winery:Prima Fonte
Name of Wine: Janna Pecorino Offida
Region, Country of Origin: Marche, Italy
SONG: Red Headed Woman ~ Bruce Springsteen
Why we love this wine:
100% Pecorino, originating from Offida, a commune in the province of Le Marche, about 12 km from the coast. Offida is recognized as the finest production area and is the only DOCG for the Pecorino variety. The bouquet displays ripe pear, peach and apricot notes with hints of chamomile and acacia blossom. The wine is remarkably full and balanced in the mouth with definite richness and persistence, ending with a lingering flavour of almond on the finish.
About the winery:
Prima Fonte is part of a family of wineries under Degli Azzoni Wines (DAW). DAW is owned by three brothers, Aldobrando, Filippo and Valperto. Prima Fonte is one of two wineries representing wines from the Marche region. Prima Fonte has practiced sustainable cultivation and recently converted many vineyards to organic viticultural practices.
Food Pairings:
Spaghetti Carbonara, Ravioli with spinach and ricotta, Sole in lemon butter, Roast chicken, sushi
Somm Hint:
Serve slightly chilled because the aromas and flavours will be muted if the wine is too cold.
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Name of Winery:Lionel Gosseaume
Name of Wine: Les Sauterelles Sauvignon Blanc
Region, Country of Origin: Loire, France
SONG: Kahawi’tha ~ Joanne Shenandoah
Why we love this wine:
Lionel’s thoughtful approach, clear plan and organized, precise way of working is clearly translated into his wines. The Sauvignon de Touraine ‘Les Sauterelles’ is a clean-cut, joyous wine that bounces out of the glass with ‘just enough’ exuberance to satisfy all palates. This is a wine with superb Sauvignon character, but thanks to the cool terroir and the careful work, it remains very Loire in feel. Aromas of pear, melon, and grapefruit with hints of elderflower and lychee. Also, some herbal hints like oregano and thyme. Nice and fruity with complexity.
About the winery:
Lionel bought a small domain close to the family's plots in the Oisly appellation of Touraine in 2007 - with 9 Hectares. He was wary of getting ahead of himself and building a winery straight away, so he used the family cellars for the first few years until he built his winery in 2014. He now has 28 hectares under vine, which will soon be 30 as he continues to plant more. When talking to Lionel, it became clear why his wines stand out from the crowd:- he is a very conscientious vigneron, pruning hard and keeping yields low. This attention to detail continues in the cellar, where he gives the wine a more concentrated and complex length.
Food Pairings:
Try a classic pairing with Sauvignon blanc: smoked Salmon or creamy goat cheese.
Somm Hint:
Chill well, and keep it chilled!
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Name of Winery: Victoria Ordóñez
Name of Wine: JÁBEGA
Region, Country of Origin: Sierras de Málaga, Spain
SONG: Lady Marmalade ~ Christina Aguilera (Feat. Pink, Mya, Lil’ Kim, and Missy Elliot)
Why we love this wine:
The wine is a blend of local varieties Pedro Ximénez (70%) and Moscatel (30%). The vineyards are located in historical wine-growing areas of Málaga in a highly rugged topography, with slopes between 46 and 76% that require manual tillage with ancestral viticulture techniques. It has a delicate nose of white flowers and orange blossoms. The palate is very lively and crunchy. It presents an acidity very integrated with the fruit, freshness, and at the same time, roundness from the fermentation and aging in contact with the fine lees. A final touch of bitterness reminds us of the presence of these native varieties.
About the winery:
Founded in July 2015,Victoria Ordóñezis located in the capital of Málaga province, just a few minutes from the Pablo Picasso International Airport. Currently, it is the only winery in the city of Málaga. With an area of 600 square metres, it has all the equipment necessary to produce quality wines and sufficient production capacity to reach 50,000 litres. It has small-capacity stainless steel tanks, allowing each plot to be vinified separately, as well as a store of French oak barrels renewed yearly. The winery is therefore set up for traditional artisan processes according to a quality production model known as “garage wine.”
Food Pairings:
Ideal as an aperitif and accompanying baked white fish or shellfish and grilled white meats.
Somm Hint:
Serve chilled but don’t keep it on ice. Too cold a temperature will mute the flavours. Let this one ride!
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Name of Winery: Reassi
Name of Wine: ‘Terre d'Argilla’
Region, Country of Origin:Colli Euganei,, Italy
SONG: The Rain Song ~ Led Zeppelin
Why we love this wine:
In the volcanic hills of the Colli Euganei, not far from Venice, internationally known grapes like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc shine in the realm of red wine. With white wines, however, native varieties reign supreme! This 100% Manzoni Bianco, light, enticing, dry white, carries delicate aromas of bright lemon, lemon balm, citron, and hints of white flowers. The high acidity gives the palate an electric, completely refreshing mouthfeel that's very stimulating.
About the winery:
Azienda Agricola “Reassi” extends over about 6 hectares, totally devoted to organic vineyards. It’s a family business, where the favourable position of our land and volcanic soils guarantees that they can grow vines with optimal results. In this perfect environment, they have been transforming grapes into wine for more than one hundred years. Their techniques are reinforced by modern technology while maintaining respect for ancient traditions in continual search of the ultimate expression of the terroir.
Food Pairings:
Excellent with risotto or egg pasta, oven-baked fish and soft cheeses.
Somm Hint:
This wine is a genuinely delicious white! Chill well!!
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Name of Winery:Beaumont
Name of Wine: Chenin Blanc
Region, Country of Origin: Walker Bay, South Africa
SONG: Oleander ~ Sarah Harmer
Why we love this wine:
Made from 100% estate fruit from Bot River. It is a delicious example of a cooler climate Chenin Blanc fermented in concrete and stainless steel tanks. The wine starts with green melon, apple, and delicate apricot blossom aromas on the nose. The palate has fresh green apple and pineapple flavours with a hint of wood spice. Crisp yet well-balanced, acidity keeps the wine fresh with great length. Dry, fresh and delicious!
About the winery:
Beaumont is a charming family-run farm and winery situated in the quaint Overberg Village of Bot River. The farm is home to the region’s oldest wine cellar and is steeped in history dating back to the 1700s. In 2004, Sebastian Beaumont, having honed his skills working in the vineyards, took over the reins in the cellar and has continued to build the Beaumont reputation. The flagship Chenin Blanc, Hope Marguerite, has received a Platter's Five Star ('superlative', 'a South African classic') rating five times.
Food Pairings:
Great with seafood, especially shellfish and spicy Thai and Indian curries.
Somm Hint:
Chenin Blanc is the most widely planted variety in South Africa!
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Name of Winery: Root Cause
Name of Wine:
Region, Country of Origin: California, USA
SONG: Short Skirt/Long Jacket ~ Cake
Why we love this wine:
A tropical, creamy Chardonnay that checks all the boxes! Root Cause Chardonnay is a blend of premium grapes in some of California’s finest wine regions: Monterey, Clarksburg, and the Sacramento Delta. Aromas and flavours of toast with honey, grilled pineapple, and beeswax. Supple, bright, fruity light-to-medium body and a warming, medium-length finish that shows notes of spiced apples and taffy with moderate oak flavour.
About the winery:
Root Cause is defined as the fundamental cause for the occurrence of an event. In their case, they take this quite literally. The diverse soil, coastal influences, and California sunshine help vine roots run deep and create expressive, clean and flavorful wines. The grapes are grown in certified sustainable vineyards. In other words, everything used here is recycled into something else, leaving a minimal carbon footprint.
Food Pairings:
Roasted Pork Tenderloin with fruit chutney.
Somm Hint:
Serve well chilled to preserve the freshness.
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Name of Winery: Matchbook
Name of Wine: Old Head Chardonnay
Region: Dunnigan Hills, USA
Why we love this wine:
Matchbook Chardonnay is aged in a combination of older barrels and brand-new oak to achieve the right balance of tropical fruit, cream and vanilla. This award winning, rich and oaky wine offers plenty of butterscotch, ginger and nutmeg flavours on a full body. It's very concentrated in flavour and balanced to the soft side.
About the winery:
Matchbook Wine Company is a family-owned winery tucked away in Northern California's gently rolling Dunnigan Hills. The Giguiere family immigrated to Yolo County from Quebec City in the 1850’s in search of open ag ground. John and Karl Giguiere are 5th generation farmers who know the region’s soil, climate and true potential of the land. This knowledge combined with their curiosity and drive to innovate defines their determination to constantly improve the viticulture and winemaking of the region.
Food pairing:
Pair this easy drinking Chardonnay with buttery scallops, grilled chicken, or pasta with a cream sauce.
Somm Hint:
Be sure not to serve this too cold, so you can enjoy the nuances of the wine.
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Name of Winery: Paddy Borthwick
Name of Wine: Paper Road “CPR”
Region: Wairarapa, New Zealand
Why we love this wine:
This is a mid-weight white with abundant fresh apples, pears, white peaches and lighter tropical fruit. All very fruit-focused. The palate has a bright, fleshy texture. Crisp with plenty of fruit. A blend of 55 per cent pinot gris, 25 per cent chardonnay and 20 per cent riesling.
About the winery:
Established in 1996 the family owned and managed Borthwick Vineyard produce wine with flavours that are a direct reflection of the Gladstone region, New Zealand. Ancient stony, alluvial soils and cool climate allows the grapes to grow in harmony in their environment. Sustainable practices and minimal intervention in the vineyard and winery allow our wines to display their distinctive single vineyard characteristics and flavor.
Food pairing:
The perfect wine for rich seafood dishes, and asian fare.
Somm Hint:
Serve well chilled.
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Name of Winery: Falua
Name of Wine: Barão Do Hospital Loureiro
Region: Vinho Verde, Portugal
Why we love this wine:
For years now, Vinho Verde has gotten a bad rap as wine that, albeit delicious, is just simple white wine perfect for a hot day. We’re here to tell you that is definitely not the whole story, as white Vinho Verde wines can be made from six different grapes from nine different sub-zones. Loureiro is our choice of grape, as it gives you incredible texture and subtlety. Here you will find high aromatic intensity with a variety of floral notes, aromas of citrus fruits such as lemon and lime. Long and intense aftertaste, with a marked freshness and minerality. Lovely stuff!
About the winery:
Falua was founded in 1994 with the aim of asserting itself as a reference in the production of wines from the Tejo region and which quickly grew to other regions.
In 2017, VITAS Portugal – a subsidiary of the Roullier Group present in our country since 1994 – acquired Falua.
The Roullier Group’s interest in Falua’s activity originated from the idea of creating a gateway to the global wine market.
With more than 25 years of history in the national and international markets, Falua has a vast portfolio spread throughout the world.
Food pairing:
Pairs perfectly with grilled fish, vegetarian food, sea food pasta and salad dishes or it can be simply be served as an aperitif.
Somm Hint:
Serve nice and cold.
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Name of Winery: Tenuta Sant’Anna (S. Anna)
Name of Wine: Lison Chardonnay
Region: Veneto, Italy
Why we love this wine:
Sure, this is a French grape variety, but Tenuta Sant’Anna has been perfecting its technique with this grape for years.It has delicate straw yellow colour. with reflections of green. Medium intensity of the nose where the initial clear mineral note is then joined by fruity hints of golden apple and white peach, as well as acacia blossom. Fresh and balanced on the palate.
About the winery:
Tenuta Sant’Anna is a pioneer in the wine-making industry and continues to produce wines from single vine varieties, which allows for the appreciation of each grape, opening new horizons for wine lovers and helping to create a worldwide image for Italian wine.
The company is committed to technological innovations in the field. It has invested a lot of time and resources into new monitoring systems and machinery that assist in the wine-making process and ensure each product’s quality. The company’s mission has remained the same for the past 50 years: to produce unique and quality products that match consumers’ expectations while constantly looking for new ways to improve over time.
Food pairing:
Perfect as an aperitif, with pasta and risotto with fish and white meats.
Somm Hint:
Serve chilled, but leave the wine off ice so that it slowly comes to room temperature as you enjoy. You’ll be able to see how the wine changes and savour the complexity of the wine.
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Red Wine #1:
Name of Winery: Kool Wines
Name of Wine: Feudo Solaria
Region, Country of Origin: Sicily, Italy
Song: Ain’t Misbehavin’ by Fats Waller
Why we love this wine:
From the island of Sicily on the slopes of Mount Etna comes this deliciously fresh and fruity red wine produced from the local grape, Nerello Mascalese. It is reminiscent of a fine pinot noir. The wine has aromas of small red fruits and raspberries with spicy notes of nutmeg and black pepper and a delicate scent of rose petals. The full-bodied flavour and seductive tannins take centre stage. Of considerable persistence, its gushing personality is expressed through every one of its components.
About the Winery:
Kool Line is the new line of wines born from the collaboration of Agriment Italia, an Italian wine distributor, with their Italian wineries from Piemonte in the north to Sicily in the south. Kool is a line of wines created to meet the needs of a new generation of people who love fresh wines, perhaps from native vineyards or with a particular vinification that enhances the unique characteristics of the grape.
Food Pairings:
Delightfully easy to drink by itself or with various food, yet works best with cheese with truffles and salamis.
Somm Hint:
The wine will show best served in a Burgundy glass and slightly chilled. Put in the fridge for 15 minutes before opening.
Red Wine #2:
Name of Winery: Desparada
Name of Wine: Lotus Cabernet Sauvignon
Region, Country of Origin: Paso Robles, California
Song: Beat the Devil by Kris Kristofferson
Why we love this wine:
Staple Californian Cabernet Sauvignon blended with Syrah and Petite Sirah. Lifted ripe fruit aromas with dark cherry & plum undertones. The fresh and lively palate shows that same ripe fruit profile with dark fruit flavours (Plum, Burgundy Cherry, Cassis). Medium to full body, warm and savoury, the integrated oak aging and supple tannins create a structure that supports a pleasantly persistent finish. Thankfully, the threat of wildfires and potential smoke taint was not an issue.
About the winery:
Desparada is the chronicle of winemaker Vailia From’s twists, turns and epiphanies as an explorer in a young and wild land. Vailia works with 20+ of the Central Coast’s finest vineyards, an ever-increasing arsenal of techniques and trials, and many sparks to create inspired, elegant wines free of stylistic constraints and dogma. These are wines of a new world, rooted firmly in the wonder of the old. "An up-and-coming star in the Central Coast,” writes Jeb Dunnuck in Wine Advocate, saying the wines of Desparada “deliver serious depth and richness while staying pure, classy and very drinkable.”
Food Pairings:
Goes well with grilled or roasted red meat, sturdy stews and hard cheeses.
Somm Hint:
Give the wine a quick decant, or open it in advance to allow the wine to breathe before serving.
Red Wine #3:
Name of Winery: DiT Cellar
Name of Wine: Cabirol
Region, Country of Origin: Montsant, Spain
SONG: Honest I Do by Aretha Franklin
Why we love this wine (this is the note part):
This little forest animal is the ideal element to represent this wine: young but with a touch of aging that gives it superiority over regular young wines. Silky, sweet, and fresh—juicy raspberry and cherry flavours are vibrant and intense with some floral notes and peppery spice. The jamjar fruit elements are lifted with racy acidity and held together with harmonious tannins—great complexity with impressive evolution and length from start to finish.
About the Winery:
Dani Sánchez (from Azul y Garanza in Navarra) founded DIT Celler - the first certified organic wine of Montsant - with Toni Coca and recently took over the project solo. The name of the winery originates from the fingerprint by the importance of the role of man in the making of wines: from the viticulturist to the winemaker through all the members of a winery are those who will condition the grapes to become the wine it should be.
Food Pairings:
Try it with some spicy sausages!
Somm Hint:
Serve this wine in a larger glass-it’ll help you sense + appreciate + enjoy!
Red Wine #4:
Name of Winery: Domaine des Billards
Region, Country of Origin: Saint-Amour, Beaujolais, France
SONG: What the World Needs Now Is Love - Jackie DeShannon
Why we love this wine (this is the note part):
So if you’re trying to think of romantic wines for Valentine’s Day, a “Saint-Amour” Beaujolais sounds like it ticks all the boxes. The village of Saint-Amour is named after a Roman soldier called Amor, who became a Christian missionary in the region in the 4th century. Hailing from the most Northerly Cru of Beaujolais, this red opens in the glass with a bouquet of small red fruits combined with a spicy note of chocolate and is unveiled quickly. In the mouth, the attack is round and supple, then a generous structure with beautiful melted tannins persists for a long time. The pleasant finish offers notes of strawberries and raspberries.
About the Winery:
The Charlet family, who had been wine merchants in Saint-Amour and Juliénas in the 18th century, owned the “Clos des Billards” at Saint-Amour. The eighth generation of the family now manages the business. The quality and reliability of their wines are internationally renowned, and their strong image of durability and longevity contributes to their excellent reputation.
Food Pairings:
Subtly flavored, simply seasoned seafood, poultry and pork dishes
Somm Hint:
This wine is more Burgundian than some Burgundy Pinot Noirs, even though it’s Gamay!
Red Wine #5:
Name of Winery: Quinta Nova
Name of Wine: Grainha Reserve
Region, Country of Origin: Douro, Porgugal
SONG: Big Cat Ernie Ladd
Why we love this wine:
Multifaceted wine with an enormous number of nuances. It starts with a deep and intense nose of dark berries, hints of pink pepper, licorice, chocolate, and spices. Pure young in taste, bursting with fresh juice fruit. It presents a structured and fat mouth with complex aromas of berry fruits. It ends with a long and intense aftertaste. Surprisingly good!
About the Winery:
With a history spanning over 200 years, Quinta Nova occupies over 120 ha of land. They have been listed since the first demarcation of the Douro wine region, in 1756, during the Pombaline era. Owned by the Portuguese Royal Family until 1725, it became a “new estate” when two estates were merged. The original wine cellar dates back to 1764. Several Portuguese families lived in the estate in the 18th and 19th centuries, during a crucial period in the agriculture of the Douro, and gave life to the vineyards, wine, and fruit orchards.
Food Pairings:
This wine finely accompanies red meats, roast beef and grilled meats.
Somm Hint:
Nothing fancy is needed… just open and enjoy!
Red Wine #6:
Name of Winery: Cascina Castlèt
Name of Wine: Vespa
Region, Country of Origin: Barbera d'Asti, Italy
SONG: Contact High by Architecture in Helsinki
Why we love this wine:
Barbera is now rightfully Piemonte’s second most glamorous grape after rising from being historically poorly regarded. Cascina Castlet carefully hand-harvests and selects the best grapes. And vinify them to extract the best of Barbera’s flavour and tannins. Pleasantly fruity with a harmonious and balanced palate. The wine evokes blackberry and cherry on a delicately floral background. There is even a subtle note of minerality at the finish.
About the winery:
For generations, Cascina Castlèt has belonged to the Borio family; Mariuccia, the current owner, inherited it from her father in 1970. Mariuccia focuses on her terroir and the local varieties. The estate's vineyards are spread over 31 hectares and are located in Costigliole d'Asti. Over the years, Mariuccia made brave decisions regarding marketing with bottles and labels that have been seductive, sometimes provocative and very individual.
Food Pairings:
Great with Charcuterie board.
Somm Hint:
The Barberas, labelled Asti and Alba, are the most well-known denominations. In Asti, Barbera is the most planted red grape. Because it is considered one of the top grapes, it is grown in prime vineyard positions. In contrast, in Alba, because it is in the shadow of Nebbiolo, it often isn’t grown in the ideal vineyard sites.
White Wine #1:
Name of Winery: Lua Cheia
Name of Wine: Maria Bonita Loureiro
Region, Country of Origin: Vinho Verde, Portugal
SONG: Myth by Beach House
Why we love this wine:
What’s the first drink you’re looking forward to as you emerge from dry January? A big hefty red? A triple G&T? How about easing back gently with low-alcohol wines to get you in the drinking swing? This Vinho Verde is a naturally low-alcohol wine (less than 10% ABV) that is just as delicious as those at full strength. Intense aroma of citrus and green fruit with some notes of stone fruit. The palate explodes with citrusy fruit flavours and ends with a refreshing lime zest note that makes you want another sip.
About the winery:
Lua Cheia em Vinhas Velhas is a result of the passion for displaying the individuality and character that the creators of this project have had with the Douro region for more than two decades. The main objective of Lua Cheia is to make wines that show the essence of each region, using the lessons learned from the "Old World" winemaking; to discover and allow the terroir to express itself. The path of Lua Cheia em Vinhas Velhas was made and will be made by learning, studying and searching for its own identity with an exceptional relationship of price to quality.
Food Pairings:
It's the perfect wine to pair with seafood! Shrimp cocktails, canned sardines, fish tacos, ceviche or California rolls.
Somm Hint:
Serve well chilled to preserve the freshness.
White Wine #2:
Name of Winery:San Silvestro
Name of Wine: “Sabbie”
Region, Country of Origin: Roero Arneis, France
SONG: My Companion by Shout Out Louds
Why we love this wine:
An indigenous variety to the Roero area, Arneis is now the most well-known white wine of this region. The ‘Sabbie’ vineyard is planted on light sandy soil, enhancing the wine's elegance and perfumes. An array of flowers and fruit aromas, with camomile and apricots prevalent in this vintage. Structured, long in the mouth, yet delicate.
About the winery:
The winery San Silvestro is located in Novello, in the heart of the Barolo district. Here, Paolo and Guido Sartirano rule the business with wisdom and respect for this company's tradition and history. They represent the fourth generation and want to be respectful of the work their family did to be where they are today. Investments for the future with a keen eye on values they’ve learned from their ancestors: consistency, authenticity and innovation.
Food Pairings:
Fish and shellfish are classic pairing partners. Try it with sushi, steamed mussels, or seared white fish with lemon and olive oil!
Somm Hint:
Let the wine gradually warm up in the glass to bring out the aromatics of this wine.
White Wine #3:
Name of Winery: Altos Las Hormigas
Name of Wine: Blanco
Region, Country of Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
SONG: The Jean Genie by David Bowie
Why we love this wine:
We believe that white wine from Mendoza must portray the region’s soil and climate characteristics and renew local traditions. Altos Las Hormigas Blanco is a fresh blend of Semillon, Chenin Blanc and Pedro Giménez, a local white grape variety that is the most planted in Argentina. It is intense on the nose, showing fruity notes of peach, pineapple and soft grapefruit aromas. Pedro Gimenez grapes add complexity to the blend, making the nose even more interesting with layers of herbal notes. It is fresh on the palate, with balanced acidity, tension and structure that becomes the backbone of this wine.
About the winery:
Wine from Mendoza is more than just Malbec: it reflects know-how, a tradition and an origin. Founded in 1995 by a consortium of prominent Italian winemakers, including Alberto Antonini of Antinori and Antonio Morescalchi, Altos Las Hormigas has constantly been evolving. Their Terroir Project is working towards showing Malbec’s diversity of expression according to its origin. Based on this philosophy, their portfolio offers the tremendous versatility of the Malbec, from fresh, fruit-driven Mendoza Clásico from Lujan de Cuyo to the structured and mineral Malbec Reserve from the Uco Valley.
Food Pairings:
This flavorful wine is ideal for enjoying as an aperitif with a great personality or pairing it with white meats, light-bodied sauces, and ocean and river fish.
Somm Hint:
This wine is a genuinely delicious white! Chill well!
White Wine #4:
Name of Winery: Abbia Nòva
Name of Wine: Passerina del Frusinate
Region, Country of Origin: Lazio, Italy
SONG: Sunday Funday by TOLEDO
Why we love this wine:
Passerina is an ancient and traditional grape of the Marche region but also cultivated in the Lazio. Their Senza Vandalismi Bianco is made from 100% Passerina from a 50-year-old vineyard at 550m above sea level. The wine is aged on fine lees for two months in glass. The wine's pale coppery yellow colour and savoury nose of bruised apple, peach, orange blossom, and apricot open up on the palate with notes of macadamia nuts and salted almonds and ends with refreshing salty notes on the finish. It's full but fresh on the palate, rich with tension and backed by a beautifully balanced acidity.
About the winery:
Located in the town of Pilio, about thirty miles east of Rome, Abbia Nova is the project of cousins Daniele and Pierluca Proietti. They farm 7 hectares of vines, mostly inherited from Daniele’s father, with many of the vines being indigenous varietals to the area. Some of these vines are at least eighty years old. The cousins follow a combination of natural and traditional methods in the vineyards and cellar, starting with organic and then moving to biodynamic principles. They avoid treatments like sulphur and copper and instead use natural resistance methods that they produce themselves. Their wines are vegan-friendly and organic certified from 2020 vintage.
Food Pairings:
Vegetarian and fish-based dishes cooked with Indian spices will be a superb pairing with this wine. Creamy, aromatic cheese will also be a winner.
Somm Hint:
Keep it cold to retain the acidity.
White Wine #5:
Name of Winery: Finca Casa Balaguer
Name of Wine: Tragolargo
Region, Country of Origin: Alicante, Spain
SONG: Queens of the Stone Age - My God Is The Sun
Why we love this wine:
Tragolargo Blanco is made from Moscatel vines in the Salinas de la Mata Natural Park in Torrevieja and Malvasía from Puerto de La Harina. Both plots have sandy soils located very close to the Mediterranean Sea. This wine has zingy fresh aromatics, zippy acidity and a reasonable balance between pithy, dry tannins, fruit concentration and just the right level of funk—a glorious golden colour offering aromas of orange blossom and fennel with some delicate floral notes.
About the winery:
Andres Carull's family has been making wine in Alicante for decades. At a very young age, Andres already knew what he would dedicate himself to. However, a visit to Bordeaux in 2008 introduced him to natural wine, turning his winemaking passion towards this ‘old-but-new’ path. The seed planted in Bordeaux has now blossomed into a personal project dedicated to producing stripped-back, honest wines that truthfully express his countryside, heritage and people.
Food Pairings:
Asian or moroccan style cuisine, especially when spicy!
Somm Hint:
Chill well, and keep it chilled!
White Wine #6:
Name of Winery: Maison Roche de Bellene
Region, Country of Origin: Bourgogne Blanc, France
SONG: Morning Sunshine by The Idle Race
Why we love this wine:
Nicolas Potel is an iconic producer in Burgundy. He grew up in a family dedicated entirely to wine, and after gaining some experience internationally, he started his own project in the late 90's. This rich wine offers ripe yellow fruits and touches of vanilla. Along with its warm feeling and light acidity, it has an aromatic character that makes it exciting as well as drinkable.
About the winery:
Founded in 2009, Maison Roche de Bellene offers a complete range of wines, emphasizing individual terroirs from Vieilles Vignes (old vines - 40 years or older) that are farmed responsibly. Nicolas Potel works with all the growers who are either organic certified or farming according to the principles of lutte raisonée (“sustainable viticulture”). This enables Potel to consistently produce the expressive, terroir-driven style that is his vision.
Food Pairings:
This wine is so good that you can drink it on its own, but also an excellent option for pairing with grilled chicken.
Somm Hint:
Serve slightly chilled because the aromas and flavours will be muted if the wine is too cold.
Red Wine #1:
Name of Winery: La Guardiense
Name of Wine: Aglianico “Janare Lucchero”
Region, Country of Origin: Campania, Italy
Song: Wrap Me Up - Jhene Aiko
Why we love this wine:
This wine offers considerable complexity, structure and depth from the best red grape in southern Italy, Aglianico. It is full-bodied, structured, slightly rustic and very Italian, with complex and lifted aromas of blackcurrant, black olives, fresh herbs, leather, spice and earthiness. Fairly sinewy and tannic on the palate, as is the nature of the grape. The focus and length are excellent. Excellent wine for Italian wine lovers!
About the Winery:
In the post-war years, Campania was a strikingly poor agricultural region with little infrastructure and limited market access. Grapes were sold to wineries in Naples and Rome, and prices were controlled by the buyers – often below the cost of production. Established in 1960, La Guardiense is an important co-op located in the region of Sannio, near the city of Benevento, created to provide a reliable market for local growers’ grapes. It began with 33 members who decided to control their own fate, to produce and sell the wine made from their grapes. Today, 1,000 members are farming 1,500 hectares, and La Guardians is one of the largest cooperative wineries in Italy.
Food Pairings:
Holiday roasted beef or lamb.
Somm Hint:
A wine to enjoy with dinner. Let the wine open up and evolve during your meal.
Red Wine #2:
Name of Winery: Bodega de Arte Claroscuro
Name of Wine: TINTAS de UCO
Region, Country of Origin: Vista Flores, Uco Valley Mendoza, Argentina
Song: Sex on Fire by Kings of Leon
Why we love this wine:
The Vistaflores vineyard is at an altitude of 3428’ above sea level, a height which helps yield fully balanced fruit flavours and smooth tannins. The grapes were harvested three times from different sectors of the vineyard, high middle and low. The final blend was made by selecting the best assemblage of each of the resulting components, that in this case was 33% Malbec, 34% Cabernet Franc and 33% Petit Verdot. The result is Intense ruby colour and floral aromas with notes of red fruit, plum and eucalyptus. The palate is marked by the elegance of Malbec, the acidity of the Cab Franc and a flavour concentration from the Petit Verdot. Well-balanced, approachable and full-flavoured. Delicious, crowd-pleasing wine for the holiday season.
About the winery:
Gustavo and Paula Cucchiara undertook this family wine project in 2012. They fell in love with Finca San Francisco, Uco Valley, because of its slopes and view of the Andes. They purchased the property and renamed it Bodega de Arte, reflecting their love of the arts. This Art Winery selects different labels for each cuvée and vintage.
Food Pairings:
Goes well with grilled or roasted red meat, sturdy stews, slightly finer game and ripe cheeses.
Somm Hint:
Give the wine a quick decant, or open it in advance to allow the wine to breathe before serving.
Red Wine #3:
Name of Winery: Feravino
Name of Wine: Frankovka ‘Dika’
Region, Country of Origin: Slavonija, Croatia
SONG: Black Velvet by Alannah Myles
Why we love this wine:
The country of Croatia is situated just across the Adriatic Sea from Italy. It’s no wonder that Croatia has the perfect climate for making wine and olive oil, and is good at soccer! This is a fleshy, heady style of Frankovka, also known as Blaufränkisch in Austria. Brilliant ruby in the glass. It is highly evocative on the nose. There are signature black fruits and spice-box, but a touch of anise and tobacco leaf is enchanting. A perfect balance between the acids and the pleasant tannins gives this wine a stable character.
About the Winery:
Feravino was established in the 1700s, but these vineyards have been farmed since the 1300s when the region was put to vine by the Cistercians and Templars. The current cellar was built in 1804 and refurbished in 1996. The winery focuses on indigenous Frankovka (Blaufränkisch) and Graševina, which express the winery’s terroir and make full, flavourful and balanced wines. The grapes are all hand-harvested, and intervention throughout the winemaking process is minimal.
Food Pairings:
Frankovka is stellar with smoked sausage, schnitzel, and red potato goulash.
Somm Hint:
You probably already had a wine originating in Croatia; you just don’t know it! It was discovered in 1994 that Zinfandel (aka Primitivo) is identical to Croatia’s Tribidrag!
Red Wine #4:
Name of Winery: Clos LaChance
Name of Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region, Country of Origin: Santa Clara Valley, California
SONG: We Didn’t Start The Fire by Billy Joel
Why we love this wine:
This ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon is made from vines on the rolling hillsides northeast of Monterey. Fermentation in stainless steel ensures the pure fruit flavours of the wine. Winemaker Jason Robideaux is careful to use just a kiss of oak (up to 30% new French oak) to enhance its overall complexity and structure. This makes an exceptional wine that punches way above its weight—aromas of plum, blackberry, tobacco and a touch of green pepper. Lively acidity and medium-bodied on the palate, flavours include blueberry, white pepper, and plum—a little spice and vanilla on the finish.
About the Winery:
In 1987, co-owners Bill and Brenda Murphy planted a few rows of Chardonnay in their Saratoga backyard for landscaping purposes and to realize their dreams of being small-scale vintners. A few years later, the wines produced from this small backyard vineyard were good enough to sell to the public. The first released wines were from the 1992 vintage. The winery is located in San Martin, CA, tucked into the beautiful Hayes Valley, only 30 minutes from Silicon Valley. The family is especially vested in the sustainability of the winery and vineyard with the hopes of creating a legacy for their children and grandchildren.
Food Pairings:
Pair this gem with Sunday roast, pasta with beef ragu, or a rich beef stew. The perfect wine for holiday gatherings.
Somm Hint:
Served in tall Bordeaux wine glasses.
Red Wine #5:
Name of Winery: Fattoria Poggerino
Name of Wine:
Region, Country of Origin: Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy
SONG: The Godfather Theme by Henry Mancini (Romantic Movie Themes)
Why we love this wine:
Benchmark organic Chianti Classico made from Sangiovese grapes. Ruby red colour with notes of blackberries, cherry, leather, and red currant touched by vanilla and licorice spice. Sweet and persistent tannins.
About the Winery:
Poggerino's wines are produced organically, exclusively from their own grapes, and the owners themselves carry out every step of wine production and marketing. The owner, Piero Lanza, believes in an almost fanatical attention to vineyard work. His goal is to set the stage for healthy vines and, ultimately, beautiful wines by caring for the land holistically, in rhythm with the seasons, and as custodian for its natural biodiversity and richness. The results are healthy grapes with the highest concentration and ripeness, perfectly reflective of their unique Tuscan terroir.
Food Pairings:
Chianti Classico pairs best with meaty Italian dishes featuring tomato sauce, such as Spaghetti and Meatballs, Lasagna, Chicken Parmesan, Baked Ziti, Pizza, and Bruschetta.
Somm Hint:
Serve at room temperature to bring out most of the flavour. Optimally, serve in a large wine glass that allows the wine to interact with the air, which brings out more flavour.
Red Wine #6:
Name of Winery: Foley Family Wines
Name of Wine: ‘EOS’ Pinot Noir
Region, Country of Origin: California
SONG: Blackstar (Acoustic) - Radiohead
Why we love this wine:
Although the winery is located in Paso Robles, the fruit is sourced from Lake County, Sonoma County, and the Central Coast, where premium Pinot Noir is grown in California. The geographical diversity of these regions yields a plethora of distinct attributes from the various micro-climates, which results in wines with unique aromas, flavours and textures. The EOS Pinot Noir has enticing aromas of cherry, raspberry and clove. On the palate, this wine is silky smooth and full of bright fruit flavours, baking spices and soft oak tannins.
About the winery:
Eos was founded in the mid-1980s by the Arciero family; though grapes have been grown in the Paso Robles area since 1797, commercial wine production began in the 1880s. Over the last 20 years, the number of wineries has exploded from 20 to 200 as winemakers have realized the extraordinary potential of the region's terroir. Over the years, EOS has received rave reviews for its Zinfandels, Cabernets and dessert wines.
Food Pairings:
Great with Charcuterie board and roasted turkey dinner.
Somm Hint :
Nothing fancy is needed… just open and enjoy!
White Wine #1:
Name of Winery: Bodega Casa La Rad
Region, Country of Origin: Rioja, Spain
SONG: Mayores by Becky G, Ft. Bad Bunny
Why we love this wine:
The Casa la Rad wines are produced from the oldest vines on the Casa la Rad estate in Rioja Baja. The wine is a blend of Chardonnay (50%), with local Malvasia (30%) and Viura (20%). It is aged for 14 months in French oak barrels with lees. The wine has a lot of body that shows fresh and vibrant aromas of white peach, citrus, white flowers and mineral notes. Elegant and well-balanced with a creamy texture.
About the winery:
The large, family-owned estate is located in the northern foothills of the Valle de Ocón. It encompasses 2,000 acres, mostly native oak forest, with 272 acres of vineyards and 37 acres of olive groves. The remainder of the estate is dedicated to growing almonds and cereal crops. The winery's focus in production is to seek a balance between its activity and the local environment to sustain or improve its vitality and biodiversity. They see the environment as not just the part related to nature but also that related to the human beings who live and work in those surroundings.
Food Pairings:
It's the perfect wine to pair with a holiday dinner, roasted turkey with carrots and potatoes.
Somm Hint:
Take out of the fridge 10 minutes before serving. Leave off the ice.
White Wine #2:
Name of Winery:Château Pesquié
Name of Wine: Terrasses blanc
Region, Country of Origin: Ventoux, France
SONG: Dos Gardenias by Buena Vista Social Club
Why we love this wine:
Château Pesquié Terrasses Blanc 2021 is an aromatic, light white blend of Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Roussanne. Fermented and aged entirely in a tank, the classic floral and pit fruit flavours and aromas of the Viognier are tempered by the crispness of Clairette and the creamy weight of Roussanne and Grenache Blanc. The nose is beautiful and seductive, with white flowers and citrus (lime) aromas. The palate is fresh and tense, with delightful acidity. Dynamic. It holds onto the flavour of citrus fruits (lemon, grapefruit), which combine perfectly with white and exotic fruit (lychee)—delicious white for any occasion.
About the winery:
Château Pesquié is a pioneering estate in the Côtes de Ventoux AOC, an appellation in the Rhône Valley established in 1973 that sits beneath Mont de Ventoux: the highest massif in Provence (1912m above sea level) and is known as subject of Petrarch’s poetry and, more recently, as the gruelling peak of the Tour de France. Frédéric Chaudière and his brother Alexandre together run the estate. Both brothers, with great love for their wines and passion for quality, are currently seen as pioneers of their region and are a shining example for the Ventoux appellation.
Food Pairings:
A white wine you can pair with lighter meat, roasted poultry, pork dishes, and smokey chard vegetables
Somm Hint:
Let the wine gradually warm up in the glass to bring out the aromatics of this wine.
White Wine #3:
Name of Winery: NOVARIPA
Name of Wine: PASSERINA
Region, Country of Origin: Terre di Chieti Abruzzo, Italy
SONG: Grace, Too by The Tragically Hip
Why we love this wine:
Passerina is a little-known varietal, indigenous to the Marche and small areas of Lazio and Abruzzo; Passerina crafts medium-bodied, fresh whites that retain freshness, even in hot climates. This particular gem offers notes of ripe grapefruit, petrichor and lime on the nose. On the palate, the citrus replays, along with a hint of rosewater and some almond. Stylistically reminiscent of quality Trebbiano, it is sleek and easy-drinking.
About the winery:
Novaripa wines come from indigenous grapes like Montepulciano, Trebbiano, Pecorino and Passerina. The most distinct aspect of the production is the challenge of Novaripa growers to create blends or monovarietal wines from international grapes grown in a land so diverse in terms of terroir. Novaripa uses its extensive co-op of 200+ organic and sustainable grape growers to assemble this delicious offering: An Abruzzo trademark to international wines.
Food Pairings:
Fish and shellfish are classic pairing partners. Try it with sushi, steamed mussels, or even seared white fish with lemon and olive oil!
Somm Hint:
This is a genuinely delicious white! Chill well!!
White Wine #4:
Name of Winery: Pilgrim
Name of Wine: Chinen Blanc
Region, Country of Origin: Western Cape, South Africa
SONG: Let’s Go (with Lights) by The Beaches
Why we love this wine:
Situated roughly 10km out of Wellington and Paarl, the Voor Paardeberg Region is a warm-climate region. Still, during the summer, the prevailing winds from the West Coast keep the vineyard cool. A region that began getting serious about 20 years ago is now gaining fame for some stunning wines. This wine is characterized by stone fruit flavours such as apricot, peach and pear. Some barrel-influenced aromas are also prevalent, such as vanilla, some toffee and caramel. Due to a skin-fermented portion, the wine has notes of orange marmalade and lemon blossom. It has a volume on the mouthfeel. As much as it feels weighty and full, it ends with a beautiful mineral salinity that is light and vibrant, leaving you wanting more!
About the winery:
Pilgrim Wines is a small, family-owned wine company passionate about winemaking. 2020 marks the year of the release of the maiden vintages of their two wines – a Chenin Blanc and a Bastardo do Castello. They focus on innovation and experimentation with both familiar and unorthodox cultivars and aim to inspire and surprise with their wines.
Food Pairings:
Any Indian or Eastern dishes with rich, deep flavours of soy and spices will be a superb pairing with this wine. Seafood dishes will also be a winner.
Somm Hint:
Don’t serve this white wine too cold! Layers of aroma really start to show themselves as the wine starts to warm up in the glass.
White Wine #5:
Name of Winery: Pravis
Name of Wine: Pinot Grigio
Region, Country of Origin: Trentino Alto Adige, Italy
SONG: Rocky Mountain High by John Denver
Why we love this wine:
The beautiful copper hue in your glass comes from a short cold maceration of the grapes. You will find rich aromas of peaches and pears on the nose, along with subtle minerality. The palate is fresh yet seductive, with ginger and cider notes mid-palate. The finish is clean, with a refreshing, cleansing hint of bitterness in the back.
About the winery:
For over 40 years, the family-owned winery has farmed the majestic slopes of the Brenta Dolomite Mountains, next to historic Lake Garda and at the foot of Castel Madruzzo. Growing on steeply-terraced slopes that require Herculean efforts and hand harvesting, these wines are singular in style and a different experience from other Northern Italian regions. Some of these vineyards rise as high as 3500ft above sea level.
Food Pairings:
A versatile food wine. A white you can pair with white meat-based mains. Exceptional with Black truffle cheese
Somm Hint:
Chill well, and keep it chilled!
White Wine #6:
Name of Winery: Forge Cellars
Name of Wine: 'Classique'
Region, Country of Origin: Finger Lakes, New York
SONG: Beautiful Poison by Vinny Luhovey
Why we love this wine:
The Dry Riesling Classique is the most important wine in the Forge Cellars portfolio, as it represents our work on a larger scale. The Forge line of rieslings draws from a collection of vineyards they have identified as New York “lieu-dit.” Each “lieu-dit” gets vinified and bottled separately; the catalogue includes detailed information about each vineyard's location, history, soil, and people, as well as distinct tasting notes. This, their riesling “Classique,” incorporates a careful blend of those lieu-dits to create a balanced yet complex picture of Seneca Lake terroir. A floral and nuanced nose leads to a spiced apple on the palate, with a lean finish of green apple skin and lemon. Organically grown.
About the winery:
Winemaking partners Rick Rainey and Louis Barruol (of Château de St. Cosme, in Gigondas) have organized Forge Cellars to explore the unique qualities of Seneca Lake vineyard sites. With a focus on bio-intensive and regenerative growing practices, they have committed to sustainability in every aspect of their business. And they treat the lake's east shore as a cohesive subregion, comparable to an appellation in France.
Forge Cellars has quickly become known as a benchmark producer for Dry Riesling in the Finger Lakes (Upstate New York) and the United States. In 2017, their Dry Riesling Classique appeared on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of the Year at position number 31.
Food Pairings:
This can easily be enjoyed on its own or with various food pairings, Cheese - Fresh & Soft or stinky. Fish - Meaty & Oily. Roasted Turkey or Pork loin with root Vegetables
Somm Hint:
This is “Trocken” (German for dry) style Riesling, with less than 4g/l residual sugar.
White Wine #1:
Name of Winery: La Raia
Region, Country of Origin: Gavi, Italy
Song: Bella by Jovanotti
Why we love this wine
Nebbiolo-based red wines, like Barolo and Barbaresco, are just some of the wines from Piemonte. You can find excellent white wines here! The town of Gavi, situated in the southern part of Piedmont, is the centre of the white production zone, while Cortese is the indigenous white grape variety from which it is made. The grapes for this delicious white are grown biodynamically without any herbicides or pesticides on the Ravi estate, which is set in the heart of Gavi’s rolling hills. The wine offers a beautiful mineral aroma and notes of stone fruit and white flowers. The wine is lively and balanced on the palate, with fresh and persistent acidity, leaving you wanting more! A slight almondy finish which is typical for Gavi.
About the Winery
La Raia is a Demeter certified biodynamic farm. The estate extends over 180ha, including 42ha of vineyards and 80ha of fields; the remaining are pastures, chestnuts, elderflowers and acacia woodlands inhabited by wild animals. Inspired by the biodynamic principles, the Rossi Cairo family bought La Raia in 2003 to recover and enhance the original ecosystem through a broad intervention project.
Food Pairings
The bright flavour profile makes this a great choice to enjoy as an aperitif or alongside seafood (oysters, shrimp cocktails and sashimi) or tomato-based pasta dishes.
Somm Hint
Serve it nice and cold.
White Wine #2:
Name of Winery: Chateau Guilhem
Name of Wine: POT DE VIN BLANC
Region, Country of Origin: Languedoc, France
Song: Howlin’ at the Moon by Buddaheads
Why we love this wine
In 2015, chateau owner Bertrand Gourdou came across a label that his grandfather had made in the early 1970s; that wine was called "Le pot-de-vin" which, in French, translates to "the bribe," which for that era was an audacious play on words for a wine label! This label inspired Bertrand to make a simple, natural wine: biodynamically grown fruit, fermented with native yeast and a negligible dose of SO2, made in concrete tanks built by his grandfather. This Blanc is 100% Chardonnay with aromas of white flowers, a light tropical fruit, and a crisp-creamy finish. It is, simply put, the quintessential French bistro white.
About the winery
Situated in Malepère, the most westerly region of the Languedoc, Château Guilhem was built in 1791. Bertrand Gourdou is the fifth generation of his family to run the estate. The thirty-five hectares of vineyards are planted mainly to Bordeaux varieties— Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc— with some Chardonnay. The grapes are grown organically, with some biodynamic parcels as well, out of respect for the vines and the people.
Food Pairings
Bistro food is an ideal match with this wine. Try it with one of the following; escargot, white fish (sole), or your favourite veggies with lots of herb and butter sauce.
Somm Hint
Let the wine gradually warm up in the glass to bring out the aromatics of this wine.
White Wine #3:
Name of Winery: Catherine And Michel Langlois
Region, Country of Origin: Coteaux Du Giennois, France
SONG: Suite for Piano in A Major, B. 184 (Op. 98) - Antonin Dvorak
Why we love this wine
Fine a Sancerre-styled French Sauvignon blanc! It's from the Coteaux du Giennois, a patch of chalky limestone just north of Pouilly Fume and Sancerre. And all that limestone is evident in this wine, a brilliant mouthful of zesty lime, green peach, fresh cut grass and salty, stony, chalky, gun-flinty bite. If you've longed for a classic’ textbook-style French Sauvignon Blanc, this is the one.
About the Winery
Catherine and Michel Langlois acquired the estate in 1996. They started by owning 0.2 ha of vineyards to reach 17 ha today, mainly located in the Pouilly-Fumé and Coteaux du Giennois appellations. They have been in organic conversion since 2019.
Food Pairings
"If they grow together, they go together" - Loire Valley goat's cheese, like Valençay or Crottin de Chavignol, tastes terrific with this wine from the same region.
Somm Hint
Serve well chilled to preserve the freshness.
White Wine #4:
Name of Winery: Morandin
Region, Country of Origin: Prince Edward County, Ontario
SONG: Cell Block Tango - Chicago The Musical, (New Broadway Cast Recording [1997], or Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Why we love this wine
Pinot Grigio (a.k.a. Pinot Gris) primarily makes white wine with zero skin contact during winemaking. However, a few hours of skin-contact wines are typical when it’s called Pinot Gris, which produce a light pink or sometimes copper-hued wine. This Pinot Gris is the perfect gateway to local Pinot Gris. It has a beautiful pale pink colour, textured with a lovely freshness, notes of grapefruit and some baking spice and herbal hints. There are citrus and slight tropical notes on the finish.
About the Winery
A former media manager at Leo Burnett Toronto, Christian Morandin and his wife came to the County for a family reunion and were inspired to relocate. Originally the grapes from his vineyard on the Loyalist Parkway in Wellington were sold to local wineries. However, in 2016 Christian made a small batch of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay under Morandin Estate Winery. The plan was always to take the next step. Jonas Newman from Hinterland has joined their team as the winemaker!
Food Pairings
Its tropical fruit notes are the perfect foil for bitter leafy greens and vinaigrette dressing
Somm Hint
Nothing fancy needed… just chill and enjoy!
White Wine #5:
Name of Winery: Jasci
Region, Country of Origin: Pecorino d'Abruzzo, Italy
SONG: Yellow by Coldplay
Why we love this wine
This vegan-certified wine made from Pecorino grapes is elegant and delicate and shows aromas of grapefruit, apricots and nectarines. On the palate is pleasant, fresh and light-bodied. This Pecorino wine has a particular saltiness and an aftertaste of bitter almonds.
About the Winery
Located on the hills that rise 250 meters above sea level from the Adriatic Sea just above the seaside resort town of Vasto in Abruzzo, the Jasci family has been growing grapes for generations. Starting In the early 1960s, Pasquale and Maria turned the focus of their farm to producing estate wines. In 1980, their son Giuseppe decided to convert the farm to organic, becoming one of the first ten wineries in Italy to be certified.
Food Pairings
Wines made from Pecorino pair exceptionally well with Pecorino cheeses drizzled with a bit of honey and vegetables, fish and white meats.
Somm Hint
Pecorino means both-wine and cheese. Pecorino cheese is a sheep’s milk cheese made in central Italy; Pecorino is also a grape grown in Marche and Abruzzo, along the east coastline.
White Wine #6:
Name of Winery: La Vinyeta
Region, Country of Origin: Emporda, Spain
SONG: Ibizan Girl by Love Music Zone
Why we love this wine
This wine is a white blend made from old vines of Macabeo (60%), Grenache Blanc (30%), and Malvasia (10%). The vineyards are organically farmed without irrigation. The wine has an intensely fruity aroma of pineapple and stone fruit, with a final persistence of citrus. The palate is fresh, with vibrant acidity and a salty hint of the calcareous soils.
About the winery
La Vinyeta is a collection of small vineyards and olive groves in the heart of the Empordá, in an area called Mollet de Peralada. Nestled in the heart of Empordà, La Vinyeta is a collection of small vineyards and olive growers driven by a young spirit of hard work and big dreams. The project’s origins can be found in two old Carignan and Grenache vineyards which Josep and Marta bought from a senior winemaker in the town. They started producing their first bottles of wine in 2006. Today, La Vinyeta is one of the most highly regarded projects in the area, not just for the quality and diversity of the wines but also for their dynamism, humility, and commitment.
Food Pairings
The perfect pairing with green flavours, green olives, asparagus (roasted or in risotto).
Somm Hint
This is 750ml of pure joy! Serve straight from the fridge.
Red Wine #1:
Name of Winery: Finca Aylés
Name of Wine: Unexpected
Region, Country of Origin: Aragón, Spain
SONG: Smoke Jazz - Chili Step DJ Karma
Why we love this wine:
Expect the unexpected with this delicious Garnacha from Aragón! It exhibits a dense ruby/purple-tinged colour as well as delicious, crunchy black cherry and raspberry fruit with notions of cocoa & vanilla, thanks to a slight stay in oak barrels. It's medium to full-bodied, pure, fruity, and savoury with a touch of spice, all the elements you want in an excellent red wine.
About the winery:
Pago Aylés was founded by Federico Ramón, who, in 2003, began his dream of classifying this unique land as the first Vino de Pago in the Aragon region. Just before Federico died, his dream came true in 2010, as Aylés became the 10th Vino de Pago in Spain. Today his three children continue to produce wines from this unique land. The vineyard site has a long history of winemaking, dating back to the 12th century, by Spanish monks.
Food Pairings:
It's the perfect wine to pair with old fashion stewed beef with carrots and potatoes.
Somm Hint:
The Pago is a top-tier or grand cru winery in the Spanish wine quality pyramid.
Red Wine #2:
Name of Winery: Argiano
Name of Wine: "Non Confunditur"
Region, Country of Origin: Toscano, Italy
SONG: Kiss by Prince
Why we love this wine:
Non-Confunditur is the Argiano motto found on the family crest. It translates to unique, or as winemaker, Bernardino Sani translates it from the Latin, “not to be confused.” It is a Super Tuscan mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sangiovese, with the innate gentleness of Merlot creating a bridge between the evident earthiness of Sangiovese, the aromatic blackcurrant flavour of Cabernet. The result is a generous, rounded red wine with delicious aromas of currants and plummy flavours, medium body on the palate with earthy, savoury notes.
About the winery:
Argiano was established in 1580 and is one of the first estates in Montalcino's region. The ancient estate notably co-sponsored the original Brunello Consorzio and helped found the Brunello DOC. Since 2019 Argiano has been the first company in Montalcino to become plastic-free. All single-use plastics have been eliminated. A cyclical model inspired the idea, an approach based on waste differentiation which follows the Rule of Return, or rather the re-use of the company’s discarded products (such as stems and vine shoots), and maintains the 4 Rs for the environment: Reduce, Recuperate, Recycle and Reuse.
Food Pairings:
Grilled meats or spaghetti Bolognese and eggplant parmesan are great matches.
Somm Hint:
“Super Tuscan” is a term used to describe red wines from Tuscany that may include non-indigenous grapes, particularly Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah.
Red Wine #3:
Name of Winery: Domaine des Coutures
Name of Wine: L'Épanouie
Region, Country of Origin: Saumur Champigny, France
SONG: Sandstorm by Darude
Why we love this wine:
Saumur-Champigny is a red wine appellation in France's central Loire Valley region. Here, only red wine production is authorized—a Cabernet Franc-driven wine with smaller additions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot d’Aunis permitted. This wine is 100% Cabernet Franc with refining expression of the varietal. Aromatic with notes of violets and red cherry. The palate is generous with silky tannins, good intensity, beautiful long finish with hints of herb.
About the winery:
The Nicolas family has been producing wine in Saumur-Champigny for six generations. Now led by sixth-generation winemaker Vincent Nicolas, the Domaine consists of 15 hectares of vineyards around Turquant, a winemaking village known for its troglodytes. The Romans named this land “champigny” or "field of fire" because of this fantastic microclimate. Today this vineyard has been chosen to represent the Loire valley under the World Heritage listing by UNESCO.
Food Pairings:
A good match for a wide range of meats (red meat, roasted chicken and game) and cheese (goat cheese cheddar)
Somm Hint:
Serve slightly chilled, and pour into burgundy-style glasses that beautifully showcase this wine's aromas.
Red Wine #4:
Name of Winery: Matchbook
Region, Country of Origin: Dunnigan Hills, California
SONG: California Dreamin’ - Diana Krall
Why we love this wine:
Just east of California's Napa County is Yolo County. Within Yolo County is Sacramento Valley, and within Sacramento Valley is the Dunnigan Hills AVA for winegrowing. The Dunnigan Hills region isn't as famous as its neighbour Napa, but it's been an official AVA since 1993. As the region's pioneer, Matchbook celebrates the varietals that thrive in the warm Dunnigan Hills climate. This classic Cabernet Sauvignon is full-bodied with flavours of bramble blackberry, currant, and dusty chocolate, with oak flavours as a supporting element.
About the winery:
John Giguiere grew up in the 1950s as the son of a wheat farmer and had an obsession with fire, setting numerous things aflame, including his father's wheat fields. He also started some accidental fires setting off fireworks with his brother Karl. So you can see how Matchbook Wine Company got its name. In 2005, after his massive success with Chardonnay in a long-neck bottle that featured a bear breathing fire on its label, Toasted Head, John released his first vintage of Matchbook that included a Tempranillo, a Syrah and a Block House red blend.
Food Pairings:
Very versatile. It pairs nicely with a classic hamburger to Sunday roast.
Somm Hint:
Use a big large wine (Bordeaux) glass, or it can be decanted.
Red Wine #5:
Name of Winery: Lua Cheia em Vinhas Velhas
Name of Wine: Paisajes Andreza
Region, Country of Origin: Douro, Portugal
SONG: Feeling Good by Jennifer Hudson
Why we love this wine:
A classic blend of Douro / Port grape varietals Touriga Nacional,Touriga Franca,Tinta Roriz. The wine is very concentrated and complex. Expressive aroma with dark plum, cassis, violet and vanilla notes. Seductive mouthfeel with velvety tannins, scoring points with full-body, structure and elegance. Long finish with lingering notes of ripe fruit.
About the winery:
Lua Cheia em Vinhas Velhas is a result of the passion for displaying the individuality and character that the creators of this project have had with the Douro region for more than two decades. The main objective of Lua Cheia is to make wines that show the essence of each region, using the lessons learned from the "Old World" winemaking; to discover and allow the terroir to express itself.
Food Pairings:
Roast Lamb, Sirloin Steak, Strong Cheeses
Somm Hint:
For optimal enjoyment, serve in larger Bordeaux wine glasses.
Red Wine #6:
Name of Winery: Jean Loron
Name of Wine: Rift 69
Region, Country of Origin: Beaujolais, France
SONG: Simple Life by Elton John
Why we love this wine:
One of the waves of Beaujolais wines bottled without added sulphur, this wine is all about black fruits and good acidity. It has a light structure, ripe berry flavours, and a juicy aftertaste embellished with spicy and mineral notes. Its technical director, Jean-Pierre Rodet, first made wine under the guidance of Jules Chauvet, recognized as the “father” of the natural wine movements.
About the winery:
Jean Loron was born in Chénas in 1711. He developed his business as a wine grower by vinifying specific Beaujolais and Bourgogne climates. Nowadays, the business is managed by the eighth generation of the family. The quality and reliability of their wines are internationally renowned, and their strong image of durability and longevity contributes to their excellent reputation. Maison Jean Loron is the only wine merchant to specialize (80%) in Beaujolais and Bourgogne wines, exporting them worldwide.
Food Pairings:
This can easily be enjoyed on its own or with various food pairings, from pizza & pasta to grilled steaks.
Somm Hint:
Pull the cork and enjoy!
White Wine #1:
Name of Winery: Parés Baltà
Name of Wine: Xarel·lo
Region, Country of Origin: Penedès, Spain
Why we love this wine:
As its name suggests, Parés Baltà Calcari is made from vines grown in calcareous soil, providing a particular minerality to the wine. The grape is Xarel-lo - one of the three traditional Cava grapes - grown biodynamically. The aroma of ripe pears and stone fruit with a touch of vanilla, even though the wine is unoaked and tangy. Extended lees ageing has given great creaminess to the broad pear fruit on the palate, kept vibrant by citrus acidity.
About the Winery:
The roots of Pares Balta go back to the 18th century. In 1790 the first vines were planted on the estate surrounding the winery. Today, however, more than 220 years later, almost everything is different. Since 2000 the management has been in the hands of Joan and Josep Cusine Carol. They have brought new and fresh ideas into the company but have also shown respect for its tradition and guarded the heritage. They have continued to develop new wines and increased their focus on quality. Today, Pares Balta produces a wide range of high-quality wines and Cavas, organically and biodynamically, that have been nationally and internationally acclaimed.
Food Pairings:
Pair with oysters, shrimp cocktails and raw seafood (sushi).
Somm Hint:
The pronunciation of Xarel’lo is intimidating! But remember that the ‘Xa’ is pronounced as ‘Cha’.
White Wine #2:
Name of Winery: Santadi
Name of Wine: Villa Solais
Region, Country of Origin: Vermentino di Sardegna, Italy
Why we love this wine (this is the note part):
This is a very fresh, delicate white wine made from Sardinia's best-known white grape, Vermentino grapes. Citrusy nose with appealing minerality along with floral, fruity and mineral notes. The acid and texture are nicely balanced, with a pleasant mouthful of herbs and almonds to finish.
About the winery:
Cantina Santadi is located on gently rolling hills in the province of Sud Sardegna, in the southwestern corner of Sardinia. This stunning wine-growing area features unique sandy soils that allow pre-phylloxera rootstock to thrive - many native grapes and old vines are bush-trained. President Antonello Pilloni and Winemaker Riccardo Curreli work together to produce wines deeply rooted in the Sulcis terroir, driven by a great desire to bring Sardinian wines to the world.
Food Pairings:
It is an ideal match with seafood dishes with some herb sauce. Try it with one of the following; fried fish with dill tartar sauce or poached salmon fillets with dill creme fraiche.
Somm Hint:
Grape phylloxera is a tiny (less than 1 mm) insect that lives and feeds on the roots of grapevines. Root damage caused by phylloxera results in grapevine decline and, eventually, death of the plant.
White Wine #3:
Name of Winery: Black’s Station
Name of Wine: Chardonnay
Region, Country of Origin:Alto Adige, Italy
Why we love this wine:
The Black’s Station Chardonnay has pretty aromas of stone fruit and barrel spice that lead to fresh flavours of apricot and white peach. 15% of Verdejo (a Spanish grape varietal that tastes similar to Sauvignon Blanc) blended into this Chardonnay. The result is appealing fruit sweetness mingles with a creamy, buttery note balanced by a crisp apple in the finish.
About the Winery:
A small town called Zamora is located east of Napa, tucked away in northern California’s rolling Dunnigan Hills. But In the late 1800s, people around here used to call it Black’s Station. Today they grow grapes just three miles from Zamora in Yolo County: homegrown fruit farmed with careful attention to quality and an eye to value. Black’s Station sticks to the classics, Chardonnay and Bordeaux varietals, grown in our vineyards and made to showcase the spirit of their region; frontier-style of that old town.
Food Pairings:
Pair this easy-drinking wine with roasted chicken, fish tacos or a big caesar salad.
Somm Hint:
Serve well chilled to preserve the freshness.
White Wine #4:
Name of Winery:Alfredo Arribas
Name of Wine: Luno Blanc
Region, Country of Origin: Priorat, Spain
Why we love this wine:
The farming and wine making for Luno Blanc follow the principles of biodynamics, which are governed by the moon's phases - hence the name. Luno Blanc is a blend of Grenache Blanc and Macabeo. Notes of under-ripe yellow fruit, citrus zest, honeydew and hazelnut. The palate is rich and ripe but well-balanced by minerality and almost racy acidity.
About the Winery:
Alfredo fell in love with the landscape and possibilities of Priorat on a visit and bought some land, from which he produced and released his first wines in 2004. Alfredo is making wines with ‘no history or tradition’ in Spain. The vineyards are directed by the oenologist Juan Asens. Juan’s winemaking ethos is to have as little human intervention as possible. Today, Alfredo and Juan are known for making some of the most elegant wines in Priorat - massive in terms of flavour, yet balanced, fresh and largely uninfluenced by new oak and any other manipulation.
Food Pairings:
Great food wine! Pair with rich dishes like baked cod, halibut or cheese risottos.
Somm Hint:
The wine will show best served in a Burgundy glass and chilled to 10-13 °C. If the wine is too cold, it will suppress the aromatics, so pull it out of the fridge 15m before opening it.
White Wine #5:
Name of Winery: Le Vigne di Zamó
Name of Wine:
Region, Country of Origin:Friuli-Venezia Giulia, France
Why we love this wine:
The Zamò Bianco is a blend of 50% Friulano, 15% Pinot Grigio, 15% Chardonnay, 10% Riesling and 10% Sauvignon. All grapes are hand harvested and vinified separately in stainless steel tanks, then blended and bottled. The wine shows expressive aromas of ripe peaches, basil and a touch of nutty undertone. The palate is medium-bodied on the palate with a juicy fruit concentration and creamy texture to balance the firm, mineral-driven acidity.
About the Winery:
Le Vigne di Zamò is a family-owned winery in Manzano, one of Friuli Venezia Giulia's most renewed wine-growing areas. Brothers Pierluigi and Silvano Zamò inherited the estate from their father, Tullio, and Brigitte, Silvano’s wife, has made Le Vigne di Zamò one of the greatest names of the area. Along with the traditional white varieties that dominate the hills of Friuli Colli Orientali — Ribolla Gialla, Sauvignon and Pinot Grigio — Le Vigne di Zamò is one of the few wineries of this area, with 40% of the production focused on indigenous red varieties, some of them very rare, such as Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso and Schioppettino.
Food Pairings:
Very enjoyable on its own or enjoyed with a plate of Montasio cheese, native to Friuli.
Somm Hint:
Serve nice and chilled.
White Wine #6:
Name of Winery: Joao Barbosa & Filos
Name of Wine: Vale da mo Branco
Region, Country of Origin: Carnuntum, Austria
Why we love this wine:
This wine is a blend of local grape varieties Viosinho, Moscatel Galego Branco & Rabigato from selected north-facing vineyards in the Douro Valley. North-facing vineyards are the key to retaining acidity; otherwise, it can get extremely hot. The wine shows tart, ripe green apple, lemon zest, and bosc pear. There is a distinct saline minerality and underlying notes of white pepper and crushed acacia petal. The wine is rich and round on the mid-palate with a refreshing finish.
About the winery:
João Teodósio Matos Barbosa founded his winery in 1997, and by 1999 the first vineyard was planted in Vale de Junco, Esperança, Portalegre. The wines were first made available on the global market in 2005, after a small production in 2004. Their philosophy has always been to approach wine production in the most hands-off, natural way possible.
Food Pairings:
The perfect pairing with shellfish, raw or cooked. Also, with good quality olives and canned sardines.
Somm Hint:
This is 750ml of pure joy! Serve straight from the fridge.
Red Wine #1:
Name of Winery: Angulo Innocenti
Name of Wine: ‘Nonni’ Malbec
Region, Country of Origin:Mendoza, Argentina
Why we love this wine:
Angulo Innocenti Nonni Malbec is not the typical heavy, rich Malbec. It rather expresses the freshness of the varietal due to the grapes coming from Uco Valley, where it’s cool, with lots of sunny days and cold mountain nights. The nose has fresh dark blackberries and a hint of iodine, soy and sesame seed. The palate is medium-bodied with loads of dark, brambly fruit, soft round tannins and an elegantly smooth finish. Deliciously gluggable!
About the winery:
Angulo Innocenti epitomizes the small family producer, and their story is remarkable. Two European vinegrowers, Pedro Angulo and Angel Innocenti, 19th-century immigrants from the Basque country and Tuscany, respectively, who moved to Argentina with thousands of other European settlers to plant their vines and carve out a living in the vast, dry plains of Mendoza. Grandchildren Mariano and Maria now run the estate and make pure and balanced wines with a bit of a European, food-friendly edge.
Food Pairings:
Perfect with your favourite pub food, burgers, saucy BBQ chicken wings and ribs
Somm Hint:
This Malbec is ‘no fuss, no muss’ because it can be enjoyed any day and time without special preparation!
Red Wine #2:
Name of Winery:Domaine De Séailles
Name of Wine:Cubik Rouge
Region, Country of Origin:Côtes de Gascogne, France
Why we love this wine:
The vineyards around Domaine de Séailles are famous for producing Armagnac and are, therefore, mainly planted with white grapes, which go into the local spirit or still white wines. Séailles has had such success with their red wine that they can't make enough! This medium-bodied mix of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon entices plummy and spicy on the nose and hints of graphite, leather and garrigue. Lively in the mouth, with generous dark berry fruit and terrific acidity.
About the winery:
Domaine Séailles is one of the pioneers of organic viticulture in the Côtes de Gascogne region of Southwest France. A family-owned estate since 1961, Séailles is now run by Jean Labérenne, who led the domaine to Ecocert organic certification in 1997, swearing off all chemical fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, and synthetic chemical products.
Food Pairings:
Pairs well with many hearty vegetarian dishes with root vegetable casserole, eggplant parmesan or baked pasta
Somm Hint:
Serve slightly chilled, and go ahead and enjoy!
Red Wine #3:
Name of Winery:Vinicola Palama
Name of Wine: Primitivo 'Albarossa'
Region, Country of Origin:Puglia, Italy
Why we love this wine:
This is a classic expression of Primitivo (Zinfandel); dry, full-bodied, and rich in flavour. Ripe and dark fruit drives the wine showing notes of black cherry, blackberry, plums and cassis. There is a warm, baked earth note to the wine with underlying notes of a smoky cigar box. The finish is long with finely integrated tannins and a lingering note of dark bitter chocolate.
About the winery:
The Palamà Winery is a small family estate located in the Apulia region of southern Italy. Established by Arcangelo Palama in 1936, the winery is now on its third generation of winemakers. Arcangelo’s son, Cosimo (known as Ninì), took over in 1988; the wines are crafted from varieties indigenous to the region and are celebrated for their expressive and robust character.
Food Pairings:
Pair with big flavours: prime ribs and slow-roasted pork. Or you can enjoy it with chocolate!
Somm Hint:
Use a big large wine (Bordeaux) glass, or it can be decanted.
Red Wine #4:
Name of Winery: Raul Perez
Name of Wine: Ultreia St Jacques
Region, Country of Origin: Bierzo, Spain
Why we love this wine:
One of the winemakers to watch in Spain these days! Raul Perez does many exciting things, and his wines regularly get top scores from critics. This Ultreia St. Jacques, made from Mencia grapes, is fresh and floral on the nose, with a hint of coffee; it is round and expressive on the palate, with plummy fruits and a little gaminess. Ultreia comes from the Latin spoken by pilgrims who passed through the area in the Middle Ages. To encourage each other on their journey, they'd call "Ultreia," which means "Onward."
About the winery:
Raúl Pérez Pereira is universally considered to be one of the world’s most visionary winemakers. Since he produced his first vintage for his family’s winery in 1994 at the age 22, he has been at the forefront of the conversation about what has been called “The New Spain”. In 2005, he left his family business to strike out on his own, creating Bodegas y Viñedos Raúl Pérez, quickly becoming the point of reference for the Bierzo appellation.
Food Pairings:
Mencía pairs best with herbal-driven dishes or roasted meat & veggie dishes such as Rueben Sandwiches, Chorizo Sausage, Portobello Mushroom Steak, and Fajitas.
Somm Hint:Serve slightly chilled, and pour into burgundy style glasses that beautifully showcase this wine's aromas.
Red Wine #5:
Name of Winery:VINDEDOS RUIZ JIMENEZ
Name of Wine: Paisajes Embotellados Garnacha
Region, Country of Origin: Rioja, Spain
Why we love this wine:
Many consumers, including myself, perceive "Rioja" as a generic red wine subjected to prolonged aging in barrels, with the typical characteristics of Tempranillo wines. But Rioja is not only Tempranillo. This Rioja from Ruiz Jimenez is 100% Garnacha (Grenache) from the heart of Rioja Baja. It’s organically farmed, ripe & full, deliciously concentrated raspberry, with a hint of smoky spice, forest floor & dried herbs—beautifully judged oak & a silky finish.
About the winery:
Vinedos Ruiz Jimenez was the result of a dream come true when in 1998, Francisco Ruiz decided to build his winery to use the grapes he was growing instead of selling them. All the vineyards are organically farmed in the small village of Aldeanueva de Ebro in Rioja. The idea was to offer the land's best quality, most terroir-expressive wines using only organic and sustainable parameters. This was quite a rare idea in Rioja in 1998, but he knew that organic and biodynamic was the only way to give quality and terroir to the wines. Today they are the only organic and Demeter-certified winery in Rioja.
Food Pairings:
Roast Lamb, Sirloin Steak, Strong Cheeses
Somm Hint:
For optimal enjoyment, serve in larger Bordeaux wine glasses.
Red Wine #6:
Name of Winery: Cloud Bream
Name of Wine: Merlot
Region, Country of Origin: California
Why we love this wine:
We expect juicy, plump flavours from Cali Merlots, but this wine adds something extra, a bit of rustic charm. Savoury herbs, tart berries and light spices are produced from the cooler vineyard sites of Lodi. Part of the larger Central Coast wine region, these vineyards foster slow, even ripening of the grapes, producing the perfect balance of rich, ripe fruit flavours and crisp acidity. Supple, inviting aromas and flavours of black cherry, herbs and spice. They are balanced with a smooth texture and soft tannins for a pleasing, satisfying finish—a straightforward Merlot with a deft dose of oak.
About the winery:
Spring’s “cloud break” leads to California’s near-perfect weather combination of long warm days and cool evenings to yield grapes of remarkable quality and consistency. Then winemaker Steven Decosta takes over, focusing on creating wines with a character from premier appellations and fruit. Working to ensure the highest winemaking standards are met, he also oversees research and development and introduces new technology implemented across the winery.
Food Pairings:
This can easily be enjoyed on its own or with various food pairings, from pizza & pasta to grilled steaks.
Somm Hint:
Pull the cork and enjoy!
Why We Love This Wine:
Beautiful ruby red in color. A complex perfume with notes of dark cherry, red plum, blackberry and warm spices balanced in delicate harmony with one another. It’s soft, velvety with the right amount of delicate tannin on the palate. A great expression of Nero D’Avola, a classic Sicilian variety.
About The Winery:
Feudo Montoni is a family owned and operated winery in the heart of Sicily is one of the most respected wineries of the island. The winery is presently led by the third generation of owners of this family, Fabio Sireci. Feudo Montoni makes a range of critically acclaimed wines. The vineyard itself is a historic location where high-quality wines have been produced since the mid-1400s.
Food Pairings:
Pair this wine alongside any red meat or seared tuna and aged cheeses.
Somm Hints:
“Lagnusa”, which is part of the name of this wine, is one of the Montoni vineyard sites. The name means “that which is lazy and produces small quantities”. In the wine making, lands that produce less are thought to be lands that produce better quality.
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Why We Love This Wine:
This is a great everyday Tempranillo! Deep cherry colour with a violet shade. Red berries and cherries on the bouquet with similar notes following through to a fresh and harmonious finish on the palate. 100% Tempranillo. Organic vines planted in 2005.
About The Winery:
Situated in the town of Las Pedroñeras and at the north end of La Mancha, the main Spanish wine region, Dominio de Punctum distinguishes itself by its exclusive estate production and the singularity of its organic and biodynamic wines. Organically Farmed with no chemical pesticides or herbicides used.
Food Pairings:
Examples of great pairings for this full bodied, robust red would be grilled meats, Lamb shanks, Osso Bucco and of course… a little sharp cheese.
Somm Hints:
This perennial favourite is made from organic grapes and is well known as "the butterfly wine". Lobetia comes from the Lobetani, a small pre-Roman Iberian people of ancient Spain, established near where the vineyard stands today.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Bright ruby garnet in colour, this exceptionally elegant, fruit driven wine is well balanced in its tannins and the perfect hint of spice. The enticing aromas of sweet red plum and raspberry on the nose press against the nuances of mocha and cocoa. The palate is medium-bodied, full of juicy fruit, wonderful texture, fine grained tannins and a silky finish.
About The Winery:
The vineyards at De Grendel are situated 7 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean, at a height of 200 meters above sea level, on the slopes of the Tygerberg. The grapes were handpicked, destalked, crushed and fermented in a stainless-steel tank. The proximity to the cold Atlantic, excellent foliage management, and the Tygerberg itself shielded the grapes from sunburn, which reduced grape quality in other regions and thereby distinguishing this Merlot above its contemporaries.
Food Pairings:
It really is difficult to go wrong with a good Merlot. It will pair excellently with most meats, but especially well with roast lamb served with sweet roasted vegetables.
Somm Hints:
It really is difficult to go wrong with a good Merlot. It will pair excellently with most meats, but especially well with roast lamb served with sweet roasted vegetables.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Picked from 28-year-old bush vine vineyards with low yields adds concentration and intensity of flavour. Exotic mango, peach and pineapple with hints of limey citrus on the nose. A beautiful fruit core of peach-infused citrus characteristics and a hint of honey-glazed nuts. A well-balanced, full-bodied wine with a long, lingering finish.
About The Winery:
Boschendal lays claim to a proud winemaking tradition stretching back to the late 17th century. To produce premium wines of unwavering exceptional quality, Boschendal employ dedicated red and white winemakers in separate cellars for focused expertise. From award winning wines to fine dining and exquisite grounds, this world class estate seamlessly blends its rich past with a tireless commitment to constant innovation
Food Pairings:
Well balanced and a great pairing for sautéed fish or vegetables.
Somm Hints:
Ready to enjoy now but will age with much complexity for the next five to eight years.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Fresh and lively, this yellow-hued white wine delivers a big punch on the nose. Sensations of bay leaf, white peach, and crystallized ginger dance on the palate with a salty, thirst-quenching finish.
About The Winery:
Renowned Spanish producer Telmo Rodriguez worked for the biggest companies before starting his own business. In this tiny appellation of the "valley of gold" (Valdeorras), Mencìa is expressed with balance under a profile that is both fruity and spicy. Gaba do Xil offers the drinker an incredible value for handmade Galician wines for everyday drinking, which rival the wines of similar quality in Burgundy and Beaujolais.
Food Pairings:
Perfect as an apéritif, but also a beautiful compliment to salads with creamy dressings, picnic fare, and fish.
Somm Hints:
100% Godello – a grape native to Galicia, the lush green corner of north-western Spain. Mature and fresh, Gaba do Xil truly shows the virtues of the Godello grape and the singularity of soils evolved on slates.
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Why We Love This Wine:
This Blackberry and bramble-scented blend of Grenache and Syrah is an approachably fruity introduction to Santa Duc's majestic (and more expensive wines) but maintains a trademark vitality and finesse. Juicy cassis and plum flavors along with a lively mineral finish, it's a delicately tannic red that should drink well over the coming years.
About The Winery:
Domaine Santa Duc was founded in Gigondas 1874 and is now led by 6th generation owner and winemaker, Benjamin Gras.
The goal at Santa Duc has always been to produce top-quality fruit from impeccably tended vineyard sites, the style of winemaking has changed with each generation. Benjamin’s father, Yves Gras took over the estate from his father in 1985 and made an immediate impact. Not long after taking over, Robert Parker wrote: “Santa Duc combines the muscle, richness and fire of a classic Gigondas with a degree of elegance and purity that many wines of this appellation lack.” The sites in Gigondas nestled in at the foot of the Dentelles are some of the most beautiful vineyards you could ever visit!
Food Pairings:
Dark fruit and herbs… if your turkey and cranberry sauce is tired of Chardonnay, this is the perfect red to give thanks for;)
Somm Hints:
This wine incorporates grapes from the elite Cru appellations of Vacqueyras and Rasteau as well as Côtes-du-Rhône Villages sites in Roaix and Séguret.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Crisp, bright fruit and a mix of floral and citrus aromas. Refreshing on the palate with flavours of lemon curd, melon, sweet mango, and orange blossom. A balanced acidity and a long, clean finish.
About The Winery:
Established in 1978, Pine Ridge Vineyards produces classically proportioned, expressive wines that embody their history and distinct place of origin. Pine Ridge founder Gary Andrus, inspired by the illustrious wines of Bordeaux, believed in the Napa Valley’s potential to produce wines of similar stature. He planted the property’s original namesake vineyard on a steeply terraced hillside flanked by a dramatic ridgeline of pine trees in the Stags Leap District.
Food Pairings:
Use as an aperitif, pair with spicy foods, or your favourite seafood dish.
Somm Hints:
This vintage is a blend that is comprised of 80% Chenin Blanc and 20% Viognier. Grapes for the Chenin Blanc are sourced from the Clarksburg appellation, referred to as the “Gem of the Delta.” It is an appellation that is showing a great affinity for Chenin Blanc.
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Why We Love This Wine:
This is a bright, golden-yellow wine with a serious nose and aromas of white flowers and citrus notes such as mandarin. The palate is full of texture accompanied by a sharp acidity. The wine was neither fined nor filtered before being bottled giving it a cellaring potential that will reveal other layers of flavors and textures.
About The Winery:
This vineyard was planted on soils of granitic origin in the Apalta (Colchagua) zone in 1958. Here the grapes ripen early with good concentration and much elegance. The soils of moderate depth with deep clay beneath an alteration of the granite bedrock make this sector of Apalta a bit unusual. Don Juan Quijada has worked his family’s vineyards for years and makes surprising wines. This wine is a homage to the union of wineries and producers who have dedicated their lives to magical vineyards.
Food Pairings:
Try this with a flavorful Thai curry, a frittata with sweet onions and ricotta, or a shrimp and avocado tostada.
Somm Hints:
This wine is full of character that will come out best when decanted.
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Why We Love This Wine:
A brilliant garnet colour, the Michel Lynch red displays notes of blackcurrant and fresh bread, with an overall impression of ripeness and power. Generous, balanced and round on the palate, with firm, ripe tannins.
About The Winery:
Founded by Jean-Michel Cazes, the owner of Château Lynch-Bages, in 1990, and named for one of the early proprietors of Lynch-Bages. Lynch was a key figure in revolutionizing winegrowing practices in the Médoc during the 18th Century. The company specializes in the production of red, white and rosé Bordeaux blends from its cellar in Macau, in the Médoc. The Michel Lynch Red is based on grape varieties typical of Bordeaux, like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. These grapes are harvested from around Bordeaux: from Médoc and Graves, as well as Fronsac, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux and Blaye.
Food Pairings:
Enjoy with rack of lamb and mint sauce or T-bone steak with garlic butter also enjoyable with soft cheese.
Somm Hints:
This is a fresh wine packed with young fruit. The flavours and acidity particular to this vintage indicate that the fruit was not given enough time to fully ripen.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Straw yellow with green tints and a lovely nose of apple, lime and cedar. The palate comes in with roundness and concentration that has an overtone of apple peel and citrus zest. It's rich and fresh all the way to a dry finish with a peppery touch.
About The Winery:
Since 1836 la Maison Gustave Lorentz owns a 33ha vineyard in Bergheim including 13.5ha for the Grand Cru Altenberg de Bergheim and 1.5ha for the Grand Cru Kanzierberg. Convinced of the need to protect the environment, in 2009, the GUSTAVE LORENTZ estate converted all its property vines to organic farming. Since 2012, the estate has been inspected and certified Organic Agriculture by Ecocert. Wishing to go further, they had their Organic Wine Range Evidence certified 100% VEGAN.
Food Pairings:
A very fresh and pleasant wine perfect for some very freshwater fish!
Somm Hints:
The Evidence Range is deliberately vinified very dry to focus on its intense minerality.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Vibrant, fresh and mineral, this wine is packed with complexity – spicy citrus notes of orange, lemon and grapefruit are followed by hints of something creamy and thyme, building to a long, mineral finish.
About The Winery:
The winery is located in the municipality of Neustadt-Duttweiler in the German wine-growing region of Pfalz. The origin lies in the farm estate in Duttweiler, which has belonged to the Benedictine monastery of St. Lamprecht since 1290. After the dissolution of the monastery, the estate in Duttweiler was bequeathed to the University of Heidelberg in the 16th century, which administered it for 200 years. Starting with a division of the estate in 1900, today's winery was subsequently created; the current name came about through adoption and marriage.
Food Pairings:
It’s the perfect pour for the start of an evening with appetizers such as goat cheese, radishes, and olives.
Somm Hints:
Winemaker Christian Nett beautifully described the winery’s motto in a recent article saying “In our cellars tranquillity and reserve rule – we allow our wine the pleasure of time - from the gentle pressing of the grape, to the restrained fermentation of the most (maceration) and the gentle aging storage of the young wine, through to final bottling.”
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Why We Love This Wine:
Big value and big spicy fruit accented by some herbs and oak. On the palate, this Tempranillo is well balanced and full of berry flavours. Hints of spiced plum along the way to a dry and focused finish.
A true full-bodied and full flavour wine.
About The Winery:
The Zuccardi family’s approach to sustainability starts with the environment and people before any product. They’re dedicated to producing the highest quality wines through sustainable practices such as a focus on nurturing biodiversity, organic farming, efficient irrigation practices, composting, water treatment, comprehensive waste and recycling efforts, and the use of solar energy.
The grapes used for Zuccardi Q come from recognized micro-regions in the Uco Valley and selected old vineyards. Made from old vine Tempranillo grown in the high desert of Mendoza.
Food Pairings:
This is a meaty, savory wine perfect for dishes with that very same description. Not feeling like meat? Try it with a hearty tomato-based pasta.
Somm Hints:
This is a blend of varietal wines, distinct blends from select vineyard which come from the best part of Mendoza. Each batch is harvested separately at different times, with the goal of achieving elegance and excellence in the wine.
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Why we love this wine:
While Chardonnay can grow in many different climates, it thrives in cool climate regions. Proximity to the South Atlantic Ocean and prevailing southerly winds moderating the temperature makes for slower, more-gradual ripening and, thus, more-balanced wines with great depth and complexity of flavour. This lightly-oaked Chardonnay opens up with beautiful aromas of apple, citrus, flint and some notes of vanilla. The acids on the palate are zesty and mouthwatering, but ample weight and depth support them. The finish is crisp with hints of nectarine and apricot– a real “crunchy” style of Chard.
About the Winery:
Paul Cluver Wines is a family-owned, and family-run winery focused on producing world-class wines that reflect the uniqueness of the cool-climate Elgin terroir. The family is proud to have pioneered the Elgin appellation and to be a leader in sustainable farming.
Food Pairings:
It goes well with a roasted turkey dinner with a side of creamy mashed potato
Somm Hint:
Let the wine gradually warm up in the glass to bring out the aromatics of this wine.
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Why we love this wine:
Zuri (which means white in Basque, the native language of the Monje family) is a fresh, mineral-driven, unoaked Rioja Blanco from traditional Rioja grapes: 80% Viura & 20% Malvasia that expresses the mountain vineyards of the Alavesa region. This wine is crisp but substantive, fruity yet dry and minerally – a lovely medium-bodied white wine that pairs perfectly with food or is easily crushable on its own!
About the winery:
Luberri [loo-beh-ree] is located in the heart of northern Spain’s Basque Country in Rioja Alavesa, where the Monje-Amestoy family farms old-vine estate vineyards between the key villages of Elciego and Laguardia. Luberri produces complex and layered Rioja wines from single vineyards that are lively, joyous, and simply delicious to drink.
Food Pairings:
Perfect match for fresh food, veggies, salad, sashimi, and crudos.
Somm Hint:
Nothing fancy is needed… just chill and enjoy!
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Why we love this wine :
Pinot Bianco is a versatile white-wine grape variety used to produce still, sparkling and sweet dessert wines. Although not the most glamorous member of the Pinot family, the variety has proven its worth in various regions, most notably in the Alto Adige region of Italy. This wine from Hofstätter, one of the best producers in the region, shows an elegant fragrance of peach combined with apple and pear. Graceful and harmonious on the palate with crisp acidity and delicate fruit. Subtle notes of hazelnut on the finish.
About the Winery:
Joseph Hofstätter established this winery in 1907, which lies in the warm southern part of the region, where figs, lemons and olives thrive. Hofstätter farms 50 hectares and is unique in that they have vineyards on the east and west sides of the Adige River, with a very distinct terroir. More recently, in 2017, they expanded into the neighbouring Trentino region. This highlights the position of the J. Hofstätter winery as one of the largest family wineries in Alto Adige, with unique, outstanding vineyard sites.
Food Pairings:
Smoked fish, steamed shellfish with lots of herbs.
Somm Hint:
Pinot Bianco is a versatile white-wine grape variety used to produce still, sparkling and sweet dessert wines. Also known as Pinot Blanc in French, and Weißburgunder in German.
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Why we love this wine :
The Südsteiermark is a remarkable source of fragrant and refreshing wines, especially Sauvignon Blanc. The Sattler family was one of the first in the region to bottle high-quality dry white wines under their own name in the 1970s. This is a steely, fresh, herbal white wine with an expressive citrus fruit aroma. There is a creaminess to counteract the varietal tartness, providing depth and nuance and resulting in a lovely balance.
About the Winery:
Sattlerhof is a leading producer in Austria’s South Styria region, known for its benchmark examples of Styrian Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Blanc. The Sattler family has been growing wine in the village of Gamlitz since 1887. Willi Sattler is the current family member in charge and has grown the estate to 35 hectares of biodynamically farmed vines in some of the region’s most famous vineyards.
Food Pairings:
Great food wine! Stick with classic pairings for Sauvignon Blanc; goat cheese, seafood, asparagus and fennel.
Somm Hint:
Recommended best served well chilled.
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Why we love this wine :
This spunky white is a blend of five grapes - 24% French Colombard, 20% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Chardonnay, 18% Clairette, and 18% Riesling - sourced across five vineyards in California. This unusual white blend is made from organically farmed grapes, fermented in neutral vessels to give a bright wine with a refreshing acidity and some food-friendly texture. The resulting wine is a true quaffer - light on its feet, spicy, and delicately floral. Perfect for wine for the end of summer.
About the Winery:
Monte Rio is a collaboration of Patrick Cappiello (ex-somm) and Pax Mahle (winemaker). They both share an appreciation for holistic winemaking - choosing their vineyards with care - all grapes are from organic and sustainable sites. It’s also an homage to the undervalued grapes - like Mission, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and French Colombard - from heritage vineyards in California. They make easy-to-love, food-friendly, low-intervention wines in the spirit of old California.
Food Pairings ::
Perfect for weekday dinner. Pair with a tomato salad or kale Caesar salad with grilled chicken.
Somm Hint (how will the wine show best… temperature/glassware/decant etc):
Save this wine for your Halloween party
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Why we love this wine :
This Gruner grows in one of the cooler places in their region, which benefit from the chilled winds of the nearby River Danube. This factor allows for the intensive aromatic and fizzy acidity in the grapes to be preserved. This Gruner mingles apple, bright acidity and peppery undertones in just the right proportions. A textbook Gruner from Austria.
About the winery:
The Netzl family has lived and farmed in the same village since 1650. Having helped her family run the mixed farm and vineyards from an early age, owner and winemaker Christina Netzl knew she wanted to be a winemaker at the tender age of five. Inspired by the quality of the natural wines she discovered while living in London and the birth of her two daughters, Christina decided to turn the whole property organic in 2013 and started her range of natural wines two years later.
Food Pairings :
Pairs are great with fried chicken and light fish and seafood or go for Wiener Schnitzel if you feel like a full-on Austrian experience is needed.
Somm Hint (how will the wine show best… temperature/glassware/decant etc):
This is 750ml of pure joy! Gruner Veltliner is something we should all be drinking more of instead of Italian Pinot Grigio!!
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Why we love this wine:
100% Bobal. An elegant and fresh red with a fruit-forward nose of black plum, strawberry, anise, black cherry, tobacco and hints of red pepper. Subtle tannins with bright acidity lead to a lengthy, velvety finish. Dominated by primary fruit flavours and not nearly as rustic as many other examples of Bobal. A light chill is best for this red.
About the winery:
In 1990, husband and wife Julin López and María José Peidro purchased an established vineyard in the Requena-Utiel region of Valencia in south-eastern Spain. Their climate is significantly more continental than the rest of the D.O.P., with hot, dry summer days and cool, fresh nights. The winery’s uniqueness was recognized in 2012 when it was awarded ‘Vino de Pago’ status, meaning the winery is its own D.O., separate, distinct and at the top of the Spanish wine hierarchy. Their vineyards are farmed and certified organic, and the wines exhibit elegant structure, intense, complex character and, most importantly, delicious drinkability.
Food Pairings:
Grilled pork loin, pulled pork or charcuterie and aged Manchego.
Somm Hint:
There are 20 “Vino de Pago” properties in Spain, each representing a singular identity that combines the best of tradition and modernity.
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Why we love this wine:
Carignan [care-in-yen] wines have long been known as a low-quality and major blending grape to bulk up the production; however, many producers are reinvigorating old vineyards and making fruit-driven spicy single-varietal wines. This 100% Carignan is pure, fresh, sapid and wild, with bright acidity and tight spice on the finish. Crushable on its own or great with food. Bit of spice and a lot of tasty good vibes here! Different, and we love it!
About the winery:
Since his childhood, Olivier Coste’s favourite places to play have been the vineyards and the family wine cellar at Domaine Montrose, his family’s wine estate founded in 1701 in Pézenas. With this upbringing, Olivier developed a profound attachment to the Languedoc’s terroir and landscape and later to its wines. Olivier and his team are committed to respecting the environment so future generations can enjoy nature’s heritage.
Food Pairings:
Carignan is one of the world’s perfect Thanksgiving wines! Roasted Turkey with squashes
Somm Hint:
The first sip packs a bit of a punch, so give it a minute and then try your second and third sips to get settled.
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Why we love this wine:
Pedra a Pedra Tinto is an approachable, fruit-driven, modern expression of the Douro, made from a blend of indigenous grape varieties (50% Touriga Franca, 44% Touriga Nacional, 5% Tinta Barocca, 1% Fernão Pires.). Full flavoured, red and blue fruited wine, with some fine herbal notes here and a bit of a tarry, tannic grip. It’s fresh and quite elegant with massive drinkability. Holds up really well on day two and even improves a little.
About the winery:
Based in the Cima Corgo of the Douro region in Portugal. In 1761, the Marques de Pombal demarcated the region by placing rectangular-shaped granite markers (feitorias) around the best parcels of land. And Quinta da Pedra Alta is the only vineyard in the Douro to have three of these granite markers, known as Marcos Pombalinos, of the highest quality on its property.
Food Pairings:
Weekend bbq platter with smoked meats and sausages or weekday burgers and fries.
Somm Hint:Use a big large wine (Bordeaux) glass or can be decanted.
Why we love this wine:
Delicious Cab from Washington states! Unbelievably lush, jammy dark fruits (plums, blackberry, currants) and some anise on the nose. The black fruits continue on the palate, mixed with some blueberry, mocha and a touch of mint. Full-bodied but not ponderous, the tannins are apparent but soft and woven into the wine. Well-composed wine.
About the winery:
Rob and his wife, Deborah Barnard, established Barnard Griffin Winery in 1983 with a small truckload of borrowed fruit and a rented cellar. It has now become one of Washington’s most enduring and award-winning wineries. Maintaining true craftsmanship, Rob continues to fully engage in the winemaking and leadership of Barnard Griffin. The early vision of handcrafting the highest quality Washington wine continues to drive the company as Rob and Deborah move to incorporate a second generation.
Food Pairings:
Serve alongside a rack of lamb, with a good steak or dark chocolate.
Somm Hint:It’s so easy to drink and hard to put down... No big fuss.
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Why we love this wine:
Palmento Costanzo Mofete Rosso is an organic red wine made from Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio grapes from up to 30 years old vines. It is a wine with a spicy bouquet with hints of fresh wild herbs, rose and volcanic ash. The taste is mineral and juicy, well-balanced and elegant with a long sapid finish.
About the winery:
In 2000, Mimmo Costanzo and his wife, Valeria, purchased vineyards on the northern slopes of Mount Etna in the Santo Spirito area of Passopisciaro. With over 100 terraced slopes, 14ha in total, rising from 600-800 metres, the vines – some more than a century old – are supported on wooden trellises surrounding the ancient winery. Combined with picking by hand, organic farming, and low yields, this unique set of conditions helps to create some of the most outstanding wines in the region.
Food Pairings:
It's wonderful with charcuterie, pizza, pasta or roast beef sandwich.
Somm Hint:Can be served slightly chilled. Use a burgundy glass. Treat it like Pinot Noir.
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Why we love this wine:
Le Papesse di Papiano" is one of the great classics made annually by the Villa Papiano farm. It is a blend where the Sangiovese is the absolute protagonist, adding a very small percentage of balsamina, a native vine recovered from the cellar in a project that aims to enhance the territory. The wine exhibits bright cherry fruit with herbal notes wrapped in persistent tannins and a velvety finish.
About the winery:
Villa Papiano is first and foremost an enchanted place: an ancient Villa, located at 500m elevation amidst the valleys and the forests of the Appennino that runs between Romagna and Tuscany. The estate is owned and managed by Francesco Bordini and his Siblings: Maria Rosa and Giampaolo. Francesco is a true expert in the native grapes of Romagna, and his winemaking style is minimalistic and low-key. They have been farming organically since 2000 and officially certified organic in 2009.
Food Pairings:
Prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano Reggiano and Ragù alla Bolognese which all comes from this region
Somm Hint:
This great red won’t weigh you down at the table. It is best enjoyed lightly chilled (between 13 and 16 degrees).
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Why we love this wine:
The nose opens with a lovely floral violet, followed by dark berries, tobacco and charcoal notes. The palate echoes the nose and shows the varietal’s typical spicy notes of sandalwood, violets, and black pepper. There is a pleasing grip on the finish. This is a well structured Cotes du Rhone, with excellent purity of fruit and vibrancy.
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Why we love this wine:
This project from Fernando Barrena (of Azul y Garanza) and his wife, Marian, is located in the northernmost part of the DO Jumilla in the high Hoya Torres Valley with shallow, calcareous soil in arid conditions. The majority of the vines are Pie Franco (on their own rootstock) and farmed 100% organically. This is expressive and plump Monastrell from 30-year-old vineyards located 900m above sea level in Jumilla, about an hour from Alicante. This organic Spanish red is full of plummy fruit flavour, smooth and completely delicious. Perfect for late summer BBQs!
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Why We Love This Wine:
Tait’s 2018 The Ball Buster Proprietary Red is a blend of 77% Shiraz, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot. Deep black/purple colour with an intense nose of blackcurrant, stewed plums, cherry, and chocolate. Mint and baking spices lead the way, backed by a big mouthful of blackberries and black cherries. Full-bodied yet supple, it’s spicy and rich, with lingering notes of mixed berries and spice on the finish.
About The Winery:
The grapes that make up the Ball Buster blend are sourced from different vineyard locations throughout the Barossa Valley. Vineyard sites are chosen to ensure that the resultant fruit is intense and that cropping levels do not exceed 3.5 tones an acre; typically, these are clay soils on the fringes of the Barossa. Each vineyard site is visited twice a week during the maturing season to ensure that the fruit is maturing slowly, and that water is only applied when necessary. Picking is only done when the grapes are physiologically ripe.
Food Pairings:
The concentrated ripe berry flavours counterbalanced by a juicy acidity make this bold table wine a great match for any dinner or dessert with flavours just as bold.
Somm Hints:
Most of Australia’s largest wine producers are based here and Shiraz plantings date back as far as the 1850s or before.
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Why We Love This Wine:
White flowers, nectarine pit, sea, salt + stone on nose. On palate, flowery lemon notes mingle with herbs, mint, stones, and a touch of orange.
About The Winery:
Winemaker Filipa Pato makes "authentic wines without makeup" - this is a blend of native Portuguese grapes Bical & Arinto. Along with her husband and partner William Wouters, the diverse polyculture essence of Bairrada allows them to work in sync and alongside the surrounding nature systems in a biodynamic, organic fashion. The resulting wine is a raw expression of the native grapes and land. Unfined, unfiltered.
Food Pairings:
Load a Paella with seafood like mussels, clams and shrimp to match with this dynamic white!
Somm Hints:
Bairrada’s unparalleled elegance is due to the specific climate, soil, and winemaking techniques of the region. These elements provide a style of wine found nowhere else in Portugal, or the world for that matter.
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Why We Love This Wine:
The aromas of the 2019 Chardonnay display honeycomb, sweet cream butter, pastry, and honeysuckle notes. Soft, medium weight palate unfurls layers of flavour of poached pear, lemon curd, yellow plum, and toasted almond. A lively streak of acid prevails on the finish. Strong nutmeg and vanilla aromas lead into ripe pear and peach flavours and more baking spices on the palate. It’s oaky and complex, offering a light grip in the smooth texture.
About The Winery:
Cannonball Wine Company was founded in 2006 by longtime winemaker Dennis Hill and former attorney turned wine entrepreneur Yoav Gilat. Dennis is a Sonoma County native from a family with a long viticultural tradition in the region. The iconic label image of a child doing a ‘Cannonball’ refers to jumping into the water with your knees tucked into your chest in order to make a big splash and get your nearby friends as wet as possible.
The Cannonball name and label symbolize the uninhibited and pure spirit of a child having fun. This is the soul of Cannonball Wine Company: life - and wine - should be fun!
Food Pairings:
This Chardonnay is your BBQ white! The Cannonball pairs remarkably well with barbequed salmon, barbequed pork roast on a spit or a roast chicken dinner with all the trimmings.
Somm Hints:
Pairing hint: Match the wine to the most prominent element in the dish. This is critical to fine-tuning wine pairings. Identify the dominant character in the dish; often it's the sauce, seasonings or cooking method, rather than the main ingredient.
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Why We Love This Wine:
A skillfully made example of the modern Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc style. It is impressively balanced with a ripe bouquet of elderflower, gooseberry, and passionfruit. The palate is broad and lush; those elderflower and gooseberry notes are perfectly matched by an almost Loire-like flinty acidity.
About The Winery:
In New Zealand’s largest wine-producing region, surrounded by a sea of Sauvignon Blanc vineyards owned by corporate wineries, Astrolabe stands strong as an independent, family-owned producer of stunning wines. The Waghorn family should be proud of their success: seven consecutive vintages of 90+ scores from Wine Spectator earned through perseverance and skill.
This wine is made solely from Sauvignon Blanc and comes from growers in Marlborough’s Awatere, Waihopai, Wairau, and Brancott Valleys. The fruit is lightly pressed with minimal skin contact. The clear, cold-settled juice is fermented in stainless steel vats at low temperatures allowing the powerful fruit flavours to dominate.
Food Pairings:
This New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc wine would be a match made in heaven with a fruit and cheese charcuterie board.
Somm Hints:
Sauvignon Blanc is the flagship varietal of New Zealand and is typically a very crisp aromatic wine with notes of grapefruit, tropical fruit and cut grass. The much-lauded white wines of New Zealand tend to be slightly sweeter than those from Bordeaux and the Loire Valley and are hugely influenced by the growing conditions of the country.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Petirrojo is a tribute to the beauty and simplicity of the meadowlark, a typical bird of the Colchagua Valley. This ruby red Carmenère with violet accents combines notes of paprika on the nose along with enticing aromas of ripe red fruit. Medium bodied with a flavorful mid-palate, sweet tannins, and a pleasingly fruity finish.
About The Winery:
Bisquertt Family Vineyards winery was founded in 1978 by Osvaldo Bisquertt, a winegrowing pioneer in the Colchagua Valley. Since it began, Viña Bisquertt has received national and international recognition for the production of fresh, elegant and expressive premium wine of origin.
Food Pairings:
Our best pairing suggestion for this Chilean red has two directions. Try a vegetable gratin with white sauce and creamy cheeses or some savory roasted red meats with herbs and mushrooms.
Somm Hints:
The Carmenère grape is an old French grape variety, which was exterminated by the phylloxera in the 19th century in Europe.
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Why We Love This Wine:
This single varietal wine is made exclusively from Tempranillo grapes grown in the extraordinary climate of Central Spain. It has been blended to appeal to a broad spectrum of taste profiles. This classic Spanish red is bright, layered, and delicious. Full of dark summer fruit flavours, a touch of spice, and savory herbs.
About The Winery:
Alchemy Wines was established in 2002 with a focus to offer customers something truly unique – the opportunity to deal directly with the producer. Alchemy has production partners in both Spain and the South of France and boasts a portfolio of wines that show excellent quality across a variety of price points in order to fulfill their philosophy of bringing the customer closer to the source.
Food Pairings:
This classic Spanish Tempranillo is full of dark summer fruit flavours and a wonderful partner with many meat dishes or on its own.
Somm Hints:
Alchemy has been proud to produce wines for some of the most luxurious high-profile outlets in the World. The Tempranillo blend, along with other varieties, were the house wine selection for over three years at the first Seven Star hotel in the World – The Burj al Arab in Dubai.
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Why We Love This Wine:
With a spirit straddling Burgundy and Beaujolais, this charming gourmet wine opens with a fruity nose filled with aromas of currants and raspberries. The mouth is faithful to the nose, supple, round and greedy. The finish is fresh and balanced. This is truly accessible luxury perfect dinners and events!!
About The Winery:
The Masse family, present in Burgundy since 1595, has never stopped developing its vineyard and the quality of its wines. It was mainly Jean-Baptiste Masse who launched the development of the estate after the Second World War. There were two sons, Raymond and Roland. Raymond now runs the estate, while Roland became a renowned oenologist. The winery, the ageing cellars and the estate have all been modernised. Vineyard plots located on great terroirs have recently been bought in order to extend the estate. Ideally located in the heart of Burgundy, between Givry and Mercurey, we produce quality wines from Givry, Mercurey, Montagny, Rully, Bourgogne and Maconnais.
Food Pairings:
Ideal to accompany a beef carpaccio, a duck breast with porcini mushrooms or a cheese platter.
Somm Hints:
This is an original Coteaux Bourguignons using 100% Gamay grapes variety in order to bring fruit, lightness and freshness to the wine.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Rose and red-berry aromas mingling with wild herbs. This juicy and delicious, red is smooth, graceful with a palate featuring cherry, blood orange and star anise alongside polished tannins and bright acidity.
About The Winery:
Villa Guelpa is a winemaking project inspired by the variety of terroirs across northern Piemonte. The Longitudine8 wines embraces how the region’s variety of soils produces distinct Nebbiolo wines even when the vineyard plots are separated by just a few meters.
Food Pairings:
Light and immediately approachable, this wine is a wonderful stand-alone drinking experience.
Somm Hints:
The Nebbiolo grape varietal featured in this wine is known as “The King of Grapes” in the Piedmont sub-region where this was produced.
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Why We Love This Wine:
The "Latimis" is an aromatic and refined white wine from the Isonzo area that comes to life from a blend of Pinot Bianco, Riesling and Gewurztraminer. Bright straw yellow. Lemon and citrus peel and white flowers on the nose. On the palate it is harmonious and intense aromatic, pleasantly fresh and with a mineral texture. Lightly saline and floral on the fresh, long finish.
About The Winery:
Situated on a small plain created by the tributaries of the Isonzo, which extends from the hills of the Collio region towards the Adriatic Sea, the Ronco Del Gelso bottled it’s first wine in 1988. Since then, the vineyard strategies have always respected the distinctive nature of the soil, whose low fertility makes them perfect for high-quality viticulture. The poor, stony, dry soils are ideal for viticulture.
Food Pairings:
A wine like this is best suited to foods with more subtle flavoring. It will match up well with soft cheeses, salads with cream dressings and flaky fish.
Somm Hints:
Poor soils are very important because they limit the vigour of the vines and prevent excessive production.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Pale gold colour. On the nose, it shows pure aromas of grapefruit and floral nuances. Very clean and straightforward on the palate, it develops a combination of honeysuckle and grapefruit aromas. The wine shows great purity.
About The Winery:
A local and artisanal winery which carefully crafts great wines from the French region of Burgundy. Seguin-Manuel has undergone a major rejuvenation since its acquisition by Thibaut Marion in 2004, 180 years after its foundation in 1824.
Coming from a ten-generation family of winegrowers, Chanson Père & Fils, Thibaut started his career -- and honed his skills for seven years -- at the family winery in Beaune. Today, he puts his experience, passion and energy at the service of the great wines of Burgundy.
Food Pairings:
This wine was born to be enjoyed as apéritif or with a gourmet tartine.
Somm Hints:
Because this wine was aged only in steel on the fine lees, it shows an intense and enveloping olfactory profile, marked by notes of citrus, tropical fruit, balsamic hints and aromatic herbs.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Blend of individually-fermented Chardonnay lots sourced from select mature Beamsville Bench vineyards. Barrel-fermented and aged 12 months in French oak, this wine displays complex notes of white flower, citrus, ripe apple and a touch of toasted oak.
About The Winery:
In 2009, inspired by the red dust which covered everything, including his boots, the first time he strolled the vineyard, Moray Tawse named his new winery Redstone, for its intensely red clay soil and large stones. The 38-acre estate vineyard, farmed organically, is perfect for maturing late-ripening varietals including Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. There is also Pinot Gris on the property.
Food Pairings:
Pair this Bistro Chardonnay with a silky risotto or crisp-skinned roast chicken.
Somm Hints:
Organic farming feeds the vines and controls diseases without the use of synthetic insecticides, fungicides, and fertilizers.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Elegant, subtle nose, unveiling the fragrance of white fruits with fine citrus notes. An outburst on the palate, lavish and intense. Crisp and tasty fruit unveil balance, freshness and a fine touch of grapefruit that that lingers on the mouth. Very drinkable!
About The Winery:
In 1970, Enrique Forner founded Marqués de Cáceres, Unión Vitivinícola, S.A., a historic Alliance between a region (Cenicero, La Rioja Alta), an enterprising family that has been devoted to the wine trade for five generations, the best vine growers and vineyards in La Rioja and a Bordeaux concept which revolutionised the production and business model with a single objective: the quality to obtain the best wines, an obsession that today continues to be the driving motivation of Cristina Forner, the third generation of this distinguished wine family.
Food Pairings:
Serve this rich and fresh Spanish table wine chilled with shellfish smothered in garlic butter.
Somm Hints:
The grapes are harvested at night, at cool temperatures in order to preserve and maximize their organoleptic qualities and prevent oxidation.
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Why we love this wine :
With magnificent sun exposure, and an altitude of 250 meters, uncommon in the Vinho Verde Region, the Quinta da Raza vineyard has a unique terroir, with the vineyard noted for the quality of the grapes produced here. This wine results from a rigorous selection of our best grapes, Arinto, Azal and Trajadura and the perfect communion between technique and tradition.
This attractive, fruity, light wine is classic, just slightly spritzy Vinho Verde. Its citrus flavour is lifted by bright acidity and a fine, zesty texture.
About the winery:
Quinta da Raza Winery has been family-run for four centuries and is owned by the Teixeira Coelho Family. Now Diogo Teixeira Coelho, the fifth generation of the family, runs the winery. He has been passionate about vineyards and wine since childhood, which is visible in his work. The winery combines traditional values with modern and innovative techniques to produce high-quality wines.
Food Pairings :
Cilantro! Fish tacos, cilantro-lime chicken, salsa, ceviche or something Japanese. California rolls, teriyaki bowls, edamame salad.
Somm Hint :
Serve well chilled to preserve the freshness.
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Why we love this wine :
Ribolla Gialla is an excellent vine native to Friuli, one of the jewels of this beautiful region, renowned for the production of premium white wines. This Ribolla Gialla “Rjgialla” is a great example produced by La Tunella. The nose is elegant, floral and fruity, with notes of acacia, plum and, peach, crab apple. The palate is full, dry and fresh, with a pleasant flavour and an aromatic aftertaste. It is a wine that proudly shows its roots in Friuli.
About the winery:
La Tunella is a winery run by two brothers, Massimo and Marco Zorzettig that is located in Friuli, Italy. With a minimal carbon footprint, this winery focuses on the area's indigenous varieties and long-standing winemaking traditions. While many people would associate Italy with big, bold reds, Friuli is known almost exclusively for its fresh and floral bright whites.
Food Pairings :
Cold Italian antipasti - olives, salted anchovies, sardines, fresh or pickled vegetables, shellfish, peppers, and cheeses.
Somm Hint :
Once the bottle is open, keep it out from the fridge or chiller. The wine becomes much more aromatic as it starts to warm up.
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Why we love this wine :
When this Sauvignon Blanc's first vintage was released, Robert Parker heralded it as the best white wine in South America. A moment of great satisfaction for Maria Luz Marin, who insisted on planting her vineyards in Lo Abarca. The wine is bright, fresh and lifted with distinctive melon, kiwi and grassy notes. Clean and beautifully structured with hints of citrus and honey and finely balanced acidity. An admirable effort!
About the winery:
Casa Marín is a boutique winery and fine wine producer. It stands out for its unique cool climate terroir located in Lo Abarca – part of the San Antonio Valley – just four kilometres from the Pacific coast. Despite warnings about problems with location, the cool climate and people’s disbelief, Maria Luz Marin successfully created a company whose wines have been awarded worldwide and helped position Chile in a distinct light with its high-quality wines.
Food Pairings :
Goat cheese! Creamier, the better.
Somm Hint :
Chill well and keep it chilled!
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Why we love this wine:
A blend of equal parts Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, the Château Beauregard Ducasse Graves is a wonderfully fresh and fruity dry white wine that displays aromas of white flowers, pineapple, peach and tangerine from the Sauvignon. The Semillon gives the wine roundness and complexity in the mouth, providing hints of honey, lemon and almond notes on the lingering finish.
About the winery:
The Château Ducasse or Beauregard Ducasse vineyard is located south of the "Graves" region in Mazères near Langon. This vineyard has been a family property since 1850. Marie-Laure and Jacques Perromat represent the sixth generation of winemakers. Château Beauregard Ducasse offers a wine of high quality perfectly representative of its beautiful name, the Graves.
Food Pairings:
Because of its freshness and flavour profile, white Bordeaux pairs well with almost any white food, including all types of fish, shellfish, clams, oysters, mussels, sushi, pork, veal, and chicken.
Somm Hint:
While very pleasant now, this wine will gain added complexity with short-term cellaring.
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Why we love this wine :
A fantastic wild-fermented wine using the versatile Moschofilero grape from Gaia. Moschofilero is a pink-skinned, aromatic grape variety grown mainly on Greece's Peloponnese peninsula. The wine has a complex bouquet of white flowers, apricot, jasmine and rose, with slightly buttery notes, perfectly balancing the aromatic and richly flavoured palate.
About the winery:
Gaia Wines Estate was established in 1994 by Greek winemakers Leon Karatsalos and Yiannis Paraskevopoulos, one of the pioneers of the modern Greek wine revolution. They are operating two different wineries. They make cutting-edge wines in both Nemea and Santorini. The Gaia wines aim to present the potential of the indigenous Greek grape varieties to wine enthusiasts worldwide.
Food Pairings :
Enjoy it with grilled branzino or swordfish, or Middle Eastern mezze spread.
Somm Hint :
Moschofilero is pronounced moosh-ko-fee-lair-oh. Its grapey flavours often compared to wines made from Muscat.
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Why we love this wine :
L’Etoile is a tiny Appellation within the Jura region, so named as its limestone-rich soils contain fossils that mirror the five points of a star. The village is also surrounded by five hills which also mimic the star formation. This wine shows the typicity of Jura wines. Gold in colour, the wine exhibits yellow fruits with toasted and vanilla notes on the nose. On the palate, the wine shows its wonderful, natural minerality and freshness.
About the winery:
Marcel Cabelier is the principal producer of the Jura region, passionately raising the entire region’s great reputation. The wines still owe their excellent reputation to the quality of the region’s soil and its conservation of cultural practices and traditional winemaking methods. The climate, soil, and native grape varieties, such as Savagnin, Poulsard and Trousseau, make Jura a unique winemaking region that will continue to delight from your first sip to your hundredth!
Food Pairings :
Something you would have with roasted almonds. Salad with Feta cheese, roasted chicken breast, mild Soft and creamy cheeses, and poached Salmon with butter almond sauce.
Somm Hint :
Jura is known for an unusual wine called Vin Jaune. Vin Jaune translates to “yellow wine”; wine rich in spicy notes such as curry or even more pronounced nutty flavours.
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Why we love this wine :
The New Wave of French Malbec! Once known for rich reds, the Cahors region is making lighter, fresher styles. Winemakers are returning to basics as they cycle back from the highly-extracted, tannic styles of Malbec to a fresher take on wines that speak of place. This is an easy-drinking Malbec with lots of juicy fresh raspberry, pomegranate and juicy blackberry fruit with a smooth and supple mouthfeel.
About the winery:
In 1979 Cecile and Bernard Croisille rented an abandoned property on the Causses de Luzech to cultivate vines. Their children have since come on board to look after the 30-hectare Domaine and have brought with them a sense of innovation and desire to take risks, all while respecting traditional winemaking and encouraging the terroir to speak through the wines. They are members of Vignerons de Nature.
Food Pairings :
It would be fantastic accompanied by grilled chicken or lamb, not beef.
Somm Hint:
This rather elegant wine can be served in Burgundy (bowl shape) wine glasses than traditional tall Bordeaux glasses.
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Why we love this wine :
This is a classic Rioja made from 100% Tempranillo grapes. This maturing Rioja shows cedary spice on the nose, with some leather, dried herbs and dried cherry fruit. It is medium body, firm and well structured with very good flavour intensity. Acid-texture balance is excellent; tannins are dusty but well integrated. Long finish with earth and red cherry flavours.
About the winery:
Bodegas Vallemayor S.L. is a family-owned winery located in Fuenmayor, into the geographic area of La Rioja Alta. The winemaking tradition of the Pérez Foncea family dates back to the late 19th century. But, in 1984, Luis Pérez Foncea decided to transform the distillery in Fuenmayor into a modern, functional bodega to make, age and bottle Rioja wine. His children are currently in charge of producing wines that express the land's outstanding characteristics and the grapes harvested there.
Food Pairings :
Rioja is one of our all-time favourite food pairing red wines, from roast chicken to pork or Lamb.
Somm Hint:
Let this wine decant for 30-40 minutes.
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Why we love this wine :
Margaret River is a world-class wine region located in the South West of Western Australia. This wine was created by blending Cabernet and Shiraz with a small amount of Malbec. Intense nose of blackberry and ripe raspberry with hints of smoke, char and toffee. A sip of the wine offers generous fruit flavours—tastes of Raspberry and toffee flavours mingling with smoke and spice.
About the winery:
Hamelin Bay Wines is owned by the Drake-Brockman family, whose association with Margaret River dates back to the first settlement by the Bussell family in 1830. Hamelin Bay’s symbol is the heraldic beast called a wyvern, which is shown in full sway or rampant on this label. It suggests the wine has an exuberant spirit and lively character.
Food Pairings :
Enjoy this red blend with BBQ steak, prime cuts of beef, and aged hard cheeses.
Somm Hint:
For optimal enjoyment, serve in larger Bordeaux wine glasses.
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Why we love this wine :
Cabernet franc fans will find happiness in this bottle from Raffault. This textbook Chinon is on the riper, fleshier side of the spectrum with dusty tannins and firm acidity. Typical tart red fruit, violet, licorice and herbal flavours linger nicely. Best enjoyed with food to settle the more intense structural elements.
About the winery:
Jean-Maurice Raffault and Rodolphe Raffault’s family began cultivating vines in Chinon 14 generations ago in 1693. The late Jean-Maurice Raffault, the father of the present manager and winemaker Rodolphe, took over the family Domaine in 1973; he revolutionized local practices. First, he abandoned polyculture in favour of the cultivation of only wine grapes. Beginning with only the 4.5 hectares he had inherited from his father, he purchased and planted some of the finest known sites of Chinon, expanding the Domaine to 50 hectares. All wines will be certified organic by 2021.
Food Pairings :
These structured wines call for richer foods such as braised beef, meat in mushroom sauce, duck or other game dishes.
Somm Hint:
Serve slightly chilled. 10 min in the fridge before you open would do.
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Why we love this wine :
Petite Sirah is known for its concentration and intensity; this wine is no exception. Purple. Inky. Rich. Jammy. This wine truly over-delivers, from the touches of mocha and cocoa on the nose to the juicy blackberry and blueberry fruit on the palate. Luscious and decadent, it finishes with vanilla and sweet clove, lingering after aging in American oak for 12 months.
About the winery:
The Bogle Vineyards is family owned and-run enterprise established in 1968. They started with 20 acres of wine grapes – 10 each of Petite Sirah and Chenin Blanc. It started small and grew exponentially. Today the winery has risen to be the 12th largest US winery, leading the industry by becoming utterly compliant with the California Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing and was named the American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine
Food Pairings :
BBQ! BBQ! BBQ!
Somm Hint:
Serve this wine in larger wine glasses or give a quick decant.
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Why we love this wine :
A field blend of six varieties planted across three subzones, ‘Illimitado’ is a soil survey of the schist-driven terroir in the Douro. This year the blend is led by Touriga Franca and includes Tinta Roriz, Tinta Marcela, and Malvasia Preta in the mix, all sourced from sustainably farmed vineyards. White pepper and herbal aromas overlay the core of red cherry fruit, tinged with wet stone and violets. On the palate, lush but with bright acidity to balance the red cherry and pomegranate fruit. Xisto Ilimitado is an excellent introduction to the new Douro!
About the winery:
After a decade as head winemaker at Douro powerhouse Niepoort, Luis Seabra launched his project a few years ago. He aims to make wines that show where they come from. Wines of terroir from the vineyards, almost without intervention. Genuine and honest wines!
Food Pairings :
Grilled poultry served with lots of peppers and tomatoes, like ratatouille or peperonata.
Somm Hint:
Serve slightly chilled, especially on a hot day.
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Why we love this wine :
Lagrein is an ancient grape variety known to be strong and full-bodied. This wine from Hofstätter, one of the best producers in the region, shows its native characteristics deep, dense in colour, and with plum and wild cherry flavours. Superb balance between spice, black fruits and floral notes of violets. Very harmonious on the palate, with assertive but supple tannins that are full, broad, and velvety. The texture is round and the finish displays subtle spice enlivened by palate-lifting acidity.
About the winery:
Joseph Hofstätter established this winery in 1907, which lies in the warm southern part of the region, where figs, lemons and olives thrive. Hofstätter farms 50 hectares and is unique in that they have vineyards on the east and west sides of the Adige River, with a very distinct terroir. More recently, in 2017, they expanded into the neighbouring Trentino region. This highlights the position of the J. Hofstätter winery as one of the largest family wineries in Alto Adige with unique, outstanding vineyard sites.
Food Pairings :
Pork chops with fennel and roast potatoes or Strong, hard cheese like Grana Padano
Somm Hint:
Lagrein (pronounced lah-GRAH'EEN) is a grape variety native to the valleys of South Tyrol, northern Italy.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Regaleali Bianco is a great classic wine with its unmistakable Rhenish style bottle. This wine is a blend of three local varietals, cultivated on the high hills: Inzolia, Grecanico and Catarratto, with a small addition of Chardonnay. This famous estate has been making this blend of local white grape varieties for over 50 years, and they get it right. The wine is balanced, refreshing and loaded with peach, ripe lemon and apricot flavours. A perfect wine to sip on a hot summer day!
About The Winery:
Tasca d'Almerita is a wine producer with vineyards distributed around Sicily. The company's history dates back to 1830. After the two wars of the last century, proprietor Count Guiseppe Tasca began to focus on quality and enhance several local varieties; Nero d’Avola, Catarratto, Perricone, and Grillo. Today, its wines are exported to four continents.
Food Pairings:
This wine is excellent as a sipping wine but also pairs well with antipasti, ceviche, Spaghetti Aglio e Olio, and Asian cuisine.
Somm Hint:
This is a genuinely delicious white! Chill well!!
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Why We Love This Wine:
Pinot Gris is merely the alternative French name for Pinot Grigio. Pinot Gris is usually more fruit-forward and rich, while Pinot Grigio is often more citrusy, light and fresh. Joel Wilcox has found a fine balance between the two. The wine has flavours of crisp green apple, Asian pear and apricot, with a zesty lime finish—a wine for any day and everyone.
About The Winery:
Fourth Wall Wines is the novel vinous project from Joel Wilcox, turning out bottles made collaboratively with different winemakers and different vineyards. The plan is to make limited wines honing in what can be achieved in Niagara’s climate and vineyards; lower alcohol, higher acid, restrained oak, and the fruit teased out to shine a light on the different sites of origin.
Food Pairings:
Fish and shellfish are classic pairing partners with Pinot Gris. Try it with sushi, steamed mussels, or even seared white fish with lots of butter!
Somm Hint:
Serve well chilled to preserve the freshness.
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Why We Love This Wine:
A joint venture by Canadian and American wine lovers, sourcing fruit from highly reputable California vineyards, small lots of wine are created with fine attention to detail. This is not your ordinary “Cali Chard” with overly ripe, jammy fruit. The wine is crisp and fresh on the palate with citrus, apple and pear notes, a hint of roasted hazelnut and finishing with a touch of lemony creaminess.
About The Winery:
Toronto native Mike Lancaster founded Tin Barn. When Mike fled the corporate world, he did so on two wheels, pedalling through some of the world's most fabled wine regions. Returning to Toronto a year later, he knew he’d never wear a suit and tie again. In 2000, Mikel launched Tin Barn Vineyards, located in a hidden warehouse district adjacent to Sonoma Skypark. After 20 years of winemaking, Mike is in-demand as a consulting winemaker. Many ‘cult wines’ are made under Mike’s respected mentorship here at Tin Barn.
Somm Hint:
Once the bottle is open, keep it out from the fridge or chiller. The wine becomes much more aromatic as it starts to warm up.
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Why We Love This Wine:
The Ventoux Quintessence Blanc is a blend of 80% oak barrel fermented Roussanne and 20% stainless steel tank fermented Clairette. Delicate notes of buttery stone fruits, white flowers, toasted spice, and a touch of earthy garrigue. Beautiful on the palate as well, it’s medium to full-bodied balanced by clear acidity and hints of lemon and lime zest, and has plenty of mid-palate depth followed by a great finish.
About The Winery:
Château Pesquié is a pioneering estate in the Côtes de Ventoux AOC, an appellation in the Rhône Valley established in 1973 that sits beneath Mont de Ventoux: the highest massif in Provence (1912m above sea level) and is known as a subject of Petrarch’s poetry and, more recently, as the gruelling peak of the Tour de France. Frédéric Chaudière and his brother Alexandre together run the estate. Both brothers, with great love for their wines and passion for quality, are currently seen as pioneers of their region and are a shining example for the Ventoux appellation.
Food Pairings:
A white wine you can pair with lighter meat, roasted poultry, pork dishes, and chard smokey vegetables
Somm Hint:
Let the wine gradually warm up in the glass to bring out the aromatics of this wine.
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Why We Love This Wine:
In the Vinho Verde Region, Raza Vineyard has a microclimate provided by mountains in the west that prevent Atlantic winds' influence. Therefore, the weather is less rainy, which means that the vineyard is subject to more sun than perhaps other vineyards in the Vinho Verde Region, an important factor for the development of the vine. This attractive, fruity, light wine is classic, just slightly spritzy Vinho Verde. Its citrus flavour is lifted by bright acidity and a fine, zesty texture.
About The Winery:
Quinta da Raza Winery has been family-run for four centuries and is owned by the Teixeira Coelho Family. Now Diogo Teixeira Coelho, the fifth generation of the family, runs the winery. He has been passionate about vineyards and wine since childhood, which is visible in his work. The winery combines traditional values with modern and innovative techniques to produce high-quality wines.
Food Pairings:
Cilantro! Fish tacos, cilantro-lime chicken, salsa, ceviche and Japanese like, California rolls, teriyaki bowls, edamame salad
Somm Hint:
Traditionally Vinho Verde is made lightly sprizy.
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Why We Love This Wine:
A lovely, refreshing and elegant Sauvignon Blanc with complex flavours of bright citrus fruit. Peach and stone fruits shine through with a subtle Herbaceous nose. Surprisingly textured on the palate while maintaining bright acidity and a perfect hint of minerality on the finish.
About The Winery:
Domaine du Colombier is a fourth-generation sustainable winery with 80 acres of vines in the Loire Valley. Just over half of Jean-Yves Bretaudeau's production is Melon de Bourgogne for Muscadet Sèvre et Maine, and the rest is a variety of red and white grapes planted in Vin de Pays. We've tasted all the wines before, but Bretaudeau's Blanc was so good that we decided to opt for this.
Food Pairings:
Goat cheese! Creamier, the better.
Somm Hint:
Chill well and keep it chilled!
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Why We Love This Wine:
Antica Enotria Rosso Puglia is the organic wine made from Montepulciano, Nero di Troia and Sangiovese grapes. Rustic but fresh Italian red. Earth and leather with bursts of cherry and ripe raspberry. A delicious weeknight treat!
About The Winery:
Antica Enotria was founded in 1985 by Raffaele Di Tuccio who today runs the estate with his wife Antonia and son Luigi. After several years of reviving the 18th-century farmhouse on their property, Raffaele, Antonia, and Luigi set about converting their entire estate to sustainable and organic viticulture in 1993. Their goal was and remains to be to make wine that accurately represents Puglian terroir (often masked by over-ripe fruit and oak) and to farm with nature’s rhythms.
Food Pairings:
It works brilliantly by itself, or as a partner to pizza, pasta and much else besides.
Somm Hint:
This rather elegant wine can be served in Burgundy (bowl shape) wine glasses.
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Why We Love This Wine:
The Guardian Peak Merlot displays a textbook style of new world Merlot. Bold red fruit on the nose, cranberry and pomegranate with thyme. A juicy combination of fig, red currant and black plums on the palate balances with savoury flavours of tobacco, cedar, and licorice (6 months on oak). A superbMerlot with a round, juicy finish.
About The Winery:
Guardian Peak is named after the towering peak on Stellenbosch Mountain. It was founded in 1998 by Jean Engelbrecht, who combined his knowledge of international wine markets with his experience at his family wine estate in Stellenbosch to create a range of everyday-drinking, fresh and approachable wines. Two decades later, they pride themselves on producing sustainable wines of consistent quality that are friendly and easy to enjoy.
Food Pairings:
A perfect casual sipper. It pairs nicely with a delicious classic hamburger.
Somm Hint:
Whenever you decide to drink this wine is the right time.
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Why We Love This Wine:
St Laurent is local to Austria. This small-berried vine yields cherry-flavoured wines that have been compared to a deeper-coloured, meatier version of Pinot Noir. This beautifully balanced St. Laurent has an elegant nose of raspberries and a hint of vanilla, a dense body, dry with soft tannins. It was matured in old oak barriques, which gives it textual roundness without any evidence of the oak remaining. Juicy and fresh, but a serious red.
About The Winery:
The Rabl Winery can be traced back to 1750, when it was a traditional mixed farm. In 1986 Rudolf Rabl junior (Rudi), joined his father Rudolf senior at the winery. From this moment on, the joined efforts of father and son allowed to expand the size of the winery from then 20 ha to now 80 ha of estate vineyards. Not only has the size grown, but the reputation has also grown with it, as numerous national and international awards prove. Weingut Rabl exports 50% of its wines and is, therefore, one of the best-known Austrian wineries worldwide.
Food Pairings:
It tastes delicious with few snacks such as olives, salumi and cheese
Somm Hint:
St. Laurent was named after St. Lawrence's Day - August 10th – the day when the grapes begin to change colour.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Montirius is the 1st Biodynamic Southern Rhône Valley Estate. To let the Terroir and the grape express their flavour, they only use concrete vats (also rare in the region). This 80% grenache/20% syrah from 25-year-old vines are wonderfully balanced here. On the nose, it reveals the aromas of cherries and raspberries and leads to a fresh, spicy, lingering finish on the palate.
About The Winery:
MONTIRIUS is a family estate for six generations in Southern Rhône Valley. MONTIRIUS is part of the surname of each of Christine and Eric SAUREL’s children: MON (Manon) - TI (Justine) - RIUS (Marius). Christine & Eric SAUREL, with their two daughters, Justine & Manon, converted the entire estate to biodynamic culture in 1996. The first certified biodynamic estate in the region.
Food Pairings:
Simple meat dishes like marinated flank steak or grilled sausage with herb roasted potato
Somm Hint:
Serve slightly chilled. We tend to drink red wines at room temperatures, but inreality cellar temperature should be the rule of thumb for serving red wines.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Brown Brothers harvest this Shiraz from a vineyard planted in rich volcanic soil near the Mount Camel Ranges in Victoria. The distinctive soil distinguishes this wine and allows rich, earthy notes to tone down the concentrated saccharine associated with Australian Shiraz. We love this wine for its generous darkplum and blackberry notes enhanced by cedar and spice. Soft and velvety tannins with an elegant finish.
About The Winery:
One of Australia’s pioneering wine families dates back to 1889. The Brown Brother’s Windmill has stood proudly at Milawa for over 150 years. It has drawn pure water from the deep, mountain-fed spring and reliably nourished their vineyards. The old Windmill is a tribute to the pioneering days of their past and their family’s ongoing dedication to exceptional winemaking.
Food Pairings:
BBQ! BBQ! BBQ!
Somm Hint:
Serve this wine in larger wine glasses or give a quick decant.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Organic and biodynamic with no added sulphites. This Punctum Sin Sulfitos is a modern and fruity Tempranillo from La Mancha, Spain. Notes of sour cherry, red plum, dried rose, pastrami, chocolate and cedar. This stylish Spaniard delivers a medium body, a great balance and a fruity finish.
About The Winery:
Dominio de Punctum is a family-owned company founded by three siblings: Jesus, Ruth, and Cristina. For years they worked to achieve their dream of producing quality Organic and Biodynamic wines in their family’s old vineyards. In 2005, this dream came to fruition when their estate and winery were established.
Food Pairings:
Great wine for weekend bbq or weekday pasta and pizza.
Somm Hint:
Serve slightly chilled, especially on a hot day.
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Why We Love This Wine:
This wine has great aromatic intensity, displaying wild blueberry combined with quince notes and spices. A Tannat with deep body and structure; blackberry, earthy, coffee and leather notes. This wine has potential for extensive ageing.
About The Winery:
Remolinos Vineyard is located in the Mendoza region at an amazing elevation of 3500 feet. A truly one-of-a-kind vineyard where each vine and grape are nurtured by hand. Sustainable and sensitive winemaking without compromise. The unique natural attributes of the Remolinos Vineyard shine through in their single vineyard wines, handcrafted Decero ‘from scratch’.
Food Pairings:
The acidity is intense, get some steak to round this one out.
Somm Hints:
‘Remolinos’ means whirlwinds. Those winds keep the grapes dry and in perfect condition before being handpicked by the vintner.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Deepish red colour with a good tint of purple. The bouquet is reserved and quiet, subtly woody and savoury with a note of sage, a hint of pepper, while the palate is rich and chewy and has some texture and density, partly due to abundant tannins. The tannins are ripe and supple, extending the length of the palate. A more earthy, savoury and solidly-textured style of red. It grew and grew in the glass and was a most delicious wine, soft and rich, fleshy and beautifully balanced.
About The Winery:
Telmo Rodriguez is one of Spain’s pioneer winemakers, advocating native grape varietals tied to the climates and conditions of their sites, and making world-class wines from undiscovered as well as known regions. Perhaps most impressive, while Telmo Rodriguez makes rare and limited wines of astonishing character and quality, his everyday wines have been equally praised, and widely recognized for the tremendous value they offer.
Food Pairings:
Served slightly chilled, this is a treat that pairs with a host of barbecue fare.
Somm Hints:
Monastrell (also known as Mourvedre or Mataro) here south of Cataluña along Spain’s East coast. The wine is produced from high altitude plantings of bush vines grown in sandy loam soil.
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Why We Love This Wine:
“Gourmandise" is a beautiful young cuvée from Patrick Lambert, made from Cabernet Franc vines grown on sandy gravel soils near the Vienne. The wine shows a bright black/red color with lush high-toned aromas of crushed strawberry and black raspberry, with hints of citrus and pepper. The palate is supple and bright with luscious black raspberry and red currant fruit, quite lush and supple but still with refreshing acidity.
About The Winery:
The Patrick Lambert estate (as opposed to Pascal Lambert) dates back to 1990, but was restructured in 2005, as Patrick "downsized" to 6 hectares of the best terroirs. The soils are plowed or left with grasses, according to the parcels and the estate is certified organic by Ecocert. Vinifications are traditional with wild yeasts and the wines age either in vat or in small old barrels in his cold cellar cut into the limestone hillside.
In 2011, after many years of integrated farming, Patrick Lambert converted to organic farming and obtained his first organic vintage in 2014. Today all his wines are organic.
Food Pairings:
Serve this lovely wine quite cool with charcuterie and grilled chicken, pork or burgers.
Somm Hints:
Chinon is the appellation covering wines produced around the historic town of Chinon, in the central Loire Valley. This area has been producing wine for many centuries, and although wines of all three colors are made there, the focus is now very clearly on red wines. The typical, quintessential Chinon wine is tannic, leafy, berry-scented and made from the Cabernet Franc grape variety.
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Why We Love This Wine:
El Oso y la Alemana Tinto is a fine, delicate and elegant wine, quite different from most Toro red wines. Deeply coloured and richly fruity, this is a quite full bodied, warm and fleshy wine with some sweetness and mocha notes.
About The Winery:
Máquina & Tabla is a project by Oriol Illa and Susana Pastor. Oriol is the winemaker. He has worked in emblematic wineries such as Clos Mogador, and currently advises Vinya l'Hereu, Heretat Montrubí, El Jelipins and Prieto Pariente. Susana is devoted to communication, and they undertook this project together in 2012.
The Tinta de Toro vineyard for El Oso y la Alemana Tinto is very old and is planted un-grafted; I.e., the plants are a single individual and not a graft-pattern combination as they are in most vineyards. In addition, the El Oso y la Alemana Tinto vineyards are cultivated following biodynamic principles.
The grapes for El Oso y la Alemana Tinto come from the Toro area in Zamora, but the wines do not have the Toro D.O. because they are produced outside the denomination.
Food Pairings:
Let’s be honest, we’re not making Tapas at home, but this wine deserves it. Find something meaty and Spanish on Uber Eats and open the bottle while you wait for delivery.
Somm Hints:
The wine is aged for 12 months in 500 litre French oak barrels. Very large barrels are used so that the contribution of wood from the barrel does not mask the wine’s aromas.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Perfum combines beautifully the floral notes and the Macabeu grapes’ freshness and vivacity. Displaying lively, clean aromas of fresh grapes, extremely floral with touches of peach and fresh figs notes. Acidity and volume on the palate, lovely flavorful finish.
About The Winery:
Can Sumoi is the latest project from the Raventós family (Raventós I Blanc). Their new acquired estate in the Serra de l'Home in the Pla de Manlleu, DO Penedès, dates back to 1645 and comprises 20 ha of vines. Here, at 600 meters of altitude, is where the family, following their passion, produce their exceptional range of high-altitude natural still white wines from local varieties growing on limestone soils, farmed organically and made without the use of additives or any other manipulation. Grapes are hand-picked from sustainable, organic and biodynamic vineyards. Fermented in stainless steel vats at 16ºC only using native yeasts.
Food Pairings:
Easy to drink and pleasant, with a lot of expression. Pair with raw seafood, Smoked dishes, Foie gras, Aperitifs & Complex salads.
Somm Hints:
Best enjoyed in its youth within the first year.
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Why We Love This Wine:
White flowers, nectarine pit, sea, salt + stone on nose. On palate, flowery lemon notes mingle with herbs, mint, stones, and a touch of orange.
About The Winery:
Winemaker Filipa Pato makes "authentic wines without makeup" - this is a blend of native Portuguese grapes Bical & Arinto. Along with her husband and partner William Wouters, the diverse polyculture essence of Bairrada allows them to work in sync and alongside the surrounding nature systems in a biodynamic, organic fashion. The resulting wine is a raw expression of the native grapes and land. Unfined, unfiltered.
Food Pairings:
Load a Paella with seafood like mussels, clams and shrimp to match with this dynamic white!
Somm Hints:
Bairrada’s unparalleled elegance is due to the specific climate, soil, and winemaking techniques of the region. These elements provide a style of wine found nowhere else in Portugal, or the world for that matter.
Why We Love This Wine:
A modern, fresh, enjoyable white, the Moonlite Chardonnay from Rocca delle Macìe shimmers into the glass with a brilliant light yellow. Light-footed and complex, this velvety and crisp white wine presents itself well on the palate. The taste is pleasantly fresh, fruity and smooth with mineral hints perfectly blended with citrus notes. In the finish, this storable white wine from the wine-growing region of Tuscany finally inspires with beautiful length. Once again, hints of grapefruit and pink grapefruit show.
About The Winery:
Chardonnay grapes are the starting point for the first-class and wonderfully elegant Cuvée Moonlite Toscana Bianco from Rocca delle Macìe. After the harvest, the grapes are immediately taken to the press house. Here they are selected and carefully crushed. Fermentation follows in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures. The fermentation is followed by a few months of maturation on the fine lees before the wine is finally bottled.
Food Pairings:
Experience this white wine from Italy well chilled at 8 - 10°C as an accompaniment to seafood or a fruity endive salad or asparagus salad with quinoa.
Somm Hints:
Although its fame rests on high quality red wines, Tuscany still manages to surprise with effective whites. Marrying Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Vermentino.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Clear colour, floral nose with citrus notes, the balance and freshness in the mouth reveals salivating fruity aromas. The nose is delicate mix of white grapefruit, sage, and fresh white flowers, and the palate is fresh and rounded, only faintly herbal rather than overtly vegetal as some Sauvignon Blanc can be.
About The Winery:
Francois and Manuéla are a husband-and-wife operation based in both Montlouis and Vouvray located in the central Loire Valley. In a region that produced bulk wine for years, particularly after WWII, the Chidaine duo brought an emphasis to wines of quality and regenerative farming; they also look to natural winemaking. One of their largest goals is to look to the future, “an effort to save the world.” Chidaine’s household wines are varying styles of Chenin Blanc from dry to off-dry to sparkling. Their inspired lineup includes classic reds and whites from the Loire made into vibrant, juicy styles ranging in price points. Their momentum only continues as they seek to better the world around them.
Food Pairings:
Well balanced and a great pairing for sautéed fish or vegetables and certainly with goat cheese.
Somm Hints:
While Touraine might be an off-the-grid region in the Loire, this particular wine delivers way above its classification. The Sauvignon Blanc is intense and minerally while still having a backbone of fruit with it.
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Why We Love This Wine:
The 2019 Joel Gott California Sauvignon Blanc has aromas of pineapple, mango and peach with citrus notes. On the palate, the wine opens with ripe, tropical fruit flavors followed by crisp, refreshing acidity on the mid-palate and a long, clean, balanced finish. Sourced from vineyards in Napa, Sonoma, Monterey, Santa Barbara and Lake County. To preserve the wine’s fruit and natural acidity, the wine underwent a long, cool fermentation in stainless steel tanks.
About The Winery:
Since their start in 1996, they have selected the best fruit from growing regions in California, Oregon and Washington which they blend to create more balanced, clean, complex, and elegant wines. Vineyards across California influence this stunning white: From Monterey, Lake, Napa, and Sonoma counties to the warm Happy Canyon AVA of Santa Barbara, all have a hand in its citrus notes, minerality, vibrancy, and depth of character.
Food Pairings:
Ideal with small grilled fish or as an aperitif.
Somm Hints:
Joel Gott, founder of Joel Gott Wines, is a fourth-generation California vintner, entrepreneur, lover of great food and an athlete. Born into a family of California vintners – his grandfather ran Inglenook Winery in the 60’s, and his father founded Montevina Winery in the 70’s.
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Why We Love This Wine:
An intensely aromatic Gewürztraminer with bold notes of lychee, dried rose petals, peach, poached pear, golden apple, and lemon sherbet. The palate is off-dry with crisp balancing acidity and powerful flavours of ginger, pineapple, mandarin orange, Bosc pear, apricot, and honey with a long, zesty finish.
About The Winery:
Wild Goose Vineyards & Winery’s award-winning approach to winemaking has been to grow the highest quality fruit and then transform this quality into ultra-premium wines. This is made possible by-way-of prioritizing innovation in viticulture and viniculture technology. Year after year Wild Goose wines have exhibited the best that Mother Nature has to offer. From carefully tended vines to delicately harvested and vinified grapes, Wild Goose wines are benchmarks of British Columbia winemaking at its best.
Food Pairings:
Pair with a Thai green curry, Moroccan chicken tagine, or Rose Harissa marinated and grilled vegetables.
Somm Hints:
The grapes for this 2021 Gewurztraminer were harvested by hand in September and October 2020 from vineyards between Osoyoos and Summerland. Grapes from each vineyard were processed separately and each was aged for 5 months.
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Why We Love This Wine:
This classic Cabernet Sauvignon from the La Joya Gran Reserva line from the Bisquertt family winery has a full body and a deep purple colour. The wine is rich in aromas of blackberries, cherries and black currants. Its complex body with subtle notes of clove and nutmeg is highlighted by 8 to 10 months in French oak barrels. It develops velvety tannins that result in a pleasant and persistent finish. A true classic of Chilean viticulture!
About The Winery:
La Joya® Reserve wines are Estate Bottled and produced by The Bisquertt family from the Colchagua Valley, Chile. The Bisquertt family vineyards is currently one of the most prestigious vineyards in Chile. Colchagua, its place of origin, is considered to be one of the best valleys in the world for the production of Premium wines. The quality of its wines is recognized in over 30 countries.
Food Pairings:
The elegant tannins of this Cab make it an excellent accompaniment to lamb and pork.
Somm Hints:
This a very classically styled Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in oak barrels to imbue the wine with finesse and delicate fruitiness.
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Why We Love This Wine:
The Owl & The Dust Devil Malbec shows violet aromatics and silky profile with a core richness of fruit and well-integrated oak tannins from time in French oak barrels. This wine is a single varietal malbec which exhibits richness of fruit in the mid palate whilst maintaining an overall elegance in style which is the hallmark of a high-altitude vineyard.
About The Winery:
This wine pays homage to two natural wonders of Remolinos Vineyard: the eponymous whirlwinds which form dust devils and the protective owls who seek to chase them (and any other pests) away from ‘their’ precious vines. This wine is sourced from richer profile parcels of Malbec in the Remolinos VIneyard. Whilst it maintains some of the aromatic profile of Malbec typical of the estate, it displays a core richness of fruit balanced by integrated tannins from 14 months in oak.
Food Pairings:
High acidity makes for a zesty palate. Pair with some sharp cheeses or spicy meats.
Somm Hints:
The wines of this vintage show extremely high quality with a richer concentration than previous vintages yet with good balance between body and structure. 2018 will be remembered as a stellar vintage in Argentina’s recent history.
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Why we love this wine:
Beautiful Chardonnay from Prince Edward County. This Chardonnay is a blend of two vineyards, the South Clos vineyard and the Churchside Vineyard. Sourced primarily from the warmer South Clos vineyard vinified and fermented in barrels with about 10% new oak. The result is a wine with wet stone, candied walnuts, popcorn, floral tones, and hints of under-ripe melon complete the nose. The mouth is round and plush with zesty fruits, beautiful bright acidity, and a slightly briny flavour leading to a refined finish.
About the winery:
Closson Chase is a quality-driven producer that helped spearhead the birth of the Prince Edward County wine industry, using centuries-old European traditions & sustainable, innovative techniques to create world-class wines using only the finest Chardonnay & Pinot Noir grapes. French-inspired vinification and careful barrel ageing from small yields deliver exceptional wines.
Food Pairings:
A white wine you can pair with meat, especially roasted poultry, pork dishes, and grilled vegetables.
Somm Hint:
This is an Ontario wine that can benefit from a few years of aging.
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Why we love this wine:
Kefalonia is one of the most beautiful Greek islands of the Ionian, which also produces beautiful wines! As an agronomist and winemaker, Evriviadis is dedicated to preserving old-school grapes and values by crafting natural, organic wine from traditional varietals. Alchymiste is 35% Vostilidi, 35% Moschatela, 20% Moscat, 10% Tsaousi. An aromatic floral nose with lemon and nuts on the palate. It finishes with baked buttered apples and herbs. Balanced acidity keeps this wine fresh.
About the winery:
The Sclavos family traces its roots back for centuries in Cephalonia, with a branch of the family immigrating in 1700 to the Black Sea port of Odesa in modern-day Ukraine with contracts for the distribution of wheat using their privately-owned commercial boats as early as 1860 records exist of Evriviadis Great-Great-Grandfather owning a large winery and family estate in Odesa. In 1919, following the Russian revolution, Evriviadis's Grandfather returned to the island of Cephalonia to their property of 6 hectares in the Paliki peninsula, some of which are still in use today.
Food Pairings:
Pair greek food! Grilled whole fish, hummus, tzatziki, Feta, tabouleh, and olives.
Somm Hint:
Let the wine gradually warm up in the glass to bring out the aromatics of this wine.
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Why we love this wine:
As fine a Sancerre-styled French Sauvignon Blanc. The regional chalky limestone soil is evident in this wine, a brilliant mouthful of zesty lime, fresh-cut grass and salty, stony, chalky, gun-flinty bite. There is also a hint of tropical fruit due to a warm vintage. Notes of citrus fruits and pear reinforce the freshness on the palate—a true crowd-pleaser.
About the winery:
In 1996, Catherine And Michel Langlois settled in Pougny to devote themselves to vine growing and wine elaboration, which respect the Loire Valley vineyard traditions. They started by taking over the 0,3 ha of vines from the grandfather of the family farm. Now their 17-Hectare estate is situated within the Pouilly Fumé and Coteaux du Giennois, one of the latest appellation.
Food Pairings:
Pair with fresh summer greens from your local farmer's market
Somm Hint:
Serve well chilled to preserve the freshness.
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Why we love this wine:
Loveblock is the love-child of Kim and Erica Crawford, created after a short break from the industry and the sale of their first wine label, which still carries Kim’s full name. This organic Pinot Gris has elegant aromas of melon, citrus and chamomile. The palate has Asian pear and citrus fruit notes with lingering texture, mouthfeel and fresh acidity. Finishing with hints of wet stone minerality.
About the winery:
Founded in the early 2000’s high on the hills overlooking Marlborough’s Awatere Valley, Loveblock is anchored in two distinct plots, Hillside and Woolshed. Erica and Kim use 100% organic processes to grow their grapes, allowing both sites to fully express pure and naked terroir in their wines. The Loveblock team believes in sharing the love affair between humans and the land through their wines and employs the lowest-intervention farming techniques possible.
Food Pairings:
Amazing with Asian cuisine (especially seafood), pork tenderloin, avocado and papaya salads.
Somm Hint:
Serve it nice and cold.
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Why we love this wine:
Pazo Señorans Albariño is a fine mineral-driven Albariño from the leading Albarino producer in Rias Baixas. If one were to remember the three best Albariño, one of them would be Pazo de Señorans. This wine is made with 100% Albariño. Natural fermentation in stainless steel helps to retain the exuberant fruit character, while the following ageing on lees helps develop texture and spice. The resulting wine has aromas of nectarine, fresh ripe citrus, orange zest and white flowers. The palate is dry with citrus flavours and a mineral finish.
About the winery:
It’s hard to believe Pazo de Señorans have been making wine for 28 years, given that they are now considered one of the finest producers in Spain. They worked hard to create wines which faithfully reflect the land which gave them birth. They sincerely believe in their potential and always seek the highest quality standards, using the latest cutting-edge technological advances.
Food Pairings:
A white wine you can pair with lighter meat, roasted poultry, pork dishes, and grilled vegetables
Somm Hint:
This is a rare Albariño that can benefit from a few years of aging.
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Why we love this wine:
An exceptional white wine from the Umbria region in Southern Italy. One of the oldest native Umbrian grape varieties, Grechetto has a beautiful structure and aromatic intensity. This particular Grechetto is made with grapes grown in volcanic soils. The wine is bone-dry, light and refreshing, with notes of peach, grapefruit and garden herbs—a perfect wine for a hot sunny day.
About the winery:
La Carraia was founded in 1988 by Odoardo Gialetti and world-renowned enologist Riccardo Cotarella. The winery is located in the rolling hills of Umbria, centred upon the lush Apennine Range in the centre of the Italian peninsula. You can still find Cotarella in the cellar and Gialetti in the vineyards to achieve their goal is to creating modern wines that maintain the terroir of the Umbrian hills they grow on.
Food Pairings:
It is ideal as an aperitif wine, but it is versatile with most light appetizer dishes.
Somm Hint :
Nothing fancy is needed… just chill and enjoy!
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Why we love this wine:
Literally meaning "Our south side", Notre Côté Sud Vinos is a Burgundian project making wines from Southern France, blending Chardonnay with local varietal Mauzac. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in oak barrels, a long aging on fine lees, just like in Burgundy. The wine is aromatic with ripe yellow fruit, honeysuckle and lemon zest. Slightly toasted notes. Ample, rich and harmonious palate with a fresh and elegant finish. A style that evokes white Burgundy, complex, powerful and marked by a woody note.
About the winery:
Jean-Luc Terrier and Christian Collvray were recently hailed as Burgundy's Winemakers of the Year by the renowned Gault-Millau guide. They are better known for their exemplary White Burgundies from Domaine Des Deux Roches. This quality-conscious duo have been producing an outstanding range of wines from 30-year-old vines on slopes 500 metres above sea level south of Limoux in the Languedoc region.
Food Pairings:
A lovely pairing with anything cooked with butter like asparagus, shrimp, scallops and white fish.
Somm Hint:
Serve in a large glass that will make this wine textural.
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Why we love this wine:
A red wine you would want to drink on a hot summer day! It’s a blend typical Languedoc varietal; Syrah, Grenache, Mouvèdre, Carignan and Cinsault. The wine is made with no oak to retain the freshness of the fruit. The result is a wine with an aromatic nose of red fruit and a surprisingly fresh palate with black pepper and the herbal garrigue, a classic note that southern France wine is synonym with.
About the winery:
Bruno Gracia operated Domaine de Tabatau. After Bruno’s retirement, he sold the winery to his nephew Jean-Paul, who now runs the winery under its new name, Domaine de la Femme Allongée. The name of the estate refers to Mont Caroux, visible from where the estate's vineyards grow. This mountain has a very special shape and some see a sleeping and petrified woman, from a local legend, that of the goddess Cebenna, daughter of the Titans. Jean-Paul has been farming organically since his acquisition.
Food Pairings:
This wine would work well with bbq, especially lean meats such as Sirloin steaks. The pairing becomes even better if you use herbaceous sauces like a Chimichurri.
Somm Hint:
Serve at cellar temperature and decant right before serving.
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Why we love this wine:
Grayson Cellars wines always show the varietal character and are spot-on across the board. This is an excellent example of Cali Zinfandel: Dark in colour, with rich mixed berry notes and hints of black pepper and wood smoke on the nose, full mouthfeel, and a lengthy finish. You’ll pick up on the spicy French barrel notes through the finish.
About the winery:
The O’Connell family, owners of Grayson Cellars, believes that decades of Napa Valley winemaking experience allows Grayson to create a better bottle of wine for everyone, not for the very few. For nine years before coming to Grayson Cellars, winemaker Larry Levin led winemaking at Icon Estates, where he oversaw the Mt. Veeder, Robert Mondavi, Quintessa and many more. Larry also consults for wineries in the Stag’s Leap and Oakville districts in Napa and Sonoma.
Food Pairings:
A perfect casual sipper. It pairs nicely with a delicious classic hamburger.
Somm Hint:
Whenever you decide to drink this wine is the right time.
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Why we love this wine:
All of the wines at Alpamanta are certified Organic and Biodynamic, which is of high cost in Argentina, as the government requires a yearly percentage of total proceeds to maintain these statuses. This is a rich, velvety Cabernet Sauvignon. Classically spicy and herbal with smooth tannins and a long finish. A pure form of Cabernet Sauvignon.
About the winery:
Alpamanta means "Love to Earth" or "terroir" in the native Quechuan language. A tenet of the region’s ancient Indigenous culture has promoted a way of working that requires co-existing in harmony with nature and the environment—taking care of the Earth. In 2005 three close friends, Andrej, André and Jeremie, from Austria, Switzerland and France, joined forces to establish a boutique winery focusing on biodynamic cultivation in Mendoza, Argentina. Andrej and Andre are of the noble family Sayn Wittgenstain, who owned vineyards in Moldavia and Jeremie’s family are producers of rosé wine in the Cotes de Provence region. Their familial connections to wine and their passion made their project come to life.
Food Pairings:
Enjoy with steaks, grilled sausages, lasagna, and Caesar salads.
Somm Hint:
If you have, you’ll want to decant for this a half-hour before serving and pour it into Bordeaux-style wine glasses.
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Why we love this wine:
Cigales is a little-known DO just west of Ribera del Duero in the Castilla y Leon region of Spain. The Tinta del Paìs (Tempranillo) grapes are hand-harvested from a low-yielding 75-year-old vineyard, giving this wine a deep concentration. Crushed red berry fruit, fine minerality, and shady forest notes with bright acidity to freshen things up. The tannins are quite dense and chewy. Aged in French and American oak barrels for 6 months.
About the winery:
Maria Pinacho teamed up with enologist Ana Martin to revive vines planted in 1945 by her grandfather, Aurelio Pinacho, and a 14th Century cellar that is truly lost in time. These two women are committed to being true stewards of the land, creating minimal intervention and unique single-vineyard wines expressive of their wild and rustic terroir.
Food Pairings:
Serious wine you want to enjoy on a special occasion, with a nice cut of steak.
Somm Hint:
You’ll want to decant this a half-hour before serving and pour it into Bordeaux-style wine glasses if you have.
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Why we love this wine:
The perfect example of Loire Valley Cab Franc. A medium-bodied wine with ripe dark and red fruit notes, a touch of black licorice, and a slightly herbaceous quality that’s common in this region. The wine is a deep and brilliant purple with an elegant bouquet of ripe red fruits, a vibrant palate, lots of crunchy red fruit and light, approachable tannins.
About the winery:
Founded in 1987 near the town of Chinon, at the locality of Les Chesnaies, Beatrice and Pascal have carefully cultivated Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc. For over 20 years, between Chinon and Cravant-les Coteaux, the estate has been practicing organic viticulture and biodynamic preparations since 2005, becoming certified in 2012. Their overall purpose is to accentuate the purity of the terroir from which their vines come, while allowing them to elaborate on their personalities in the cellar.
Food Pairings:
You will be surprised to taste this wine with cured meat or hard cheese. It makes the wine much more approachable.
Somm Hint:
Serve slightly chilled, especially on a hot day.
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Why we love this wine:
If you like Pinot Noir, especially Burgundian, you will like this wine. Burgundy-trained winemaker Davide Rosso leads one of ’s most fascinating wineries in Piemonte. This wine displays clear aromas of red plums, raspberries, and blueberries with delicate wisteria hints. The palate follows the nose with some smoked meat flavour at the end.
About the winery:
Owner-winemaker Davide Rosso runs the 40-acre, family-owned estate in the heart of Serralunga d’Alba with the philosophy that his wines should reflect their origins. The family grew vines for over a hundred years when Giovanni Rosso began an estate-bottling program in 1995, exploring 11 separate parcels, including blocks in the prime Barolo vineyards of La Serra, Vigna Rionda and Cerretta. All vineyard plots are farmed according to organic and biodynamic practices, with minimal intervention in the cellar.
Food Pairings:
Great wine for weekend bbq or weekday pasta and pizza.
Somm Hint:
Serve slightly chilled, and pour into burgundy-style glasses that beautifully showcase this wine's aromas.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Maverick Estate wines are gaining a strong following for their consistency, elegance, complexity and balance. This Pinot, as with all of their wines, was made with minimum intervention. No inoculants, no sugars no additives. This simple, patient approach builds wines of beauty and detail: rich, daring reds and flavourful, elegant whites.
About The Winery:
Maverick Estate Winery’s four vineyards are all located on hot and sunny, southeast facing slopes in the southernmost part of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. The area boasts an extremely dry climate, geologically young soil, and more consistent hours of summer sunlight than anywhere else in Canada.
Co-founders Schalk de Witt, daughter Elzaan and husband Bertus Albertyn, an accomplished winemaker, purchased the acreage that is now home to the Maverick Estate Winery in 2009. The first vintage of Maverick Estate wine, produced in 2011, drew high praise from critics and customers alike. In April 2020, the Albertyn and De Witt families sold the winery and vineyard to Ontario native and winemaker Andrew Windsor and Okanagan native Jan Nelson, who believe Maverick is a perfect fit for their philosophy, dedication to people, land and community, and uncompromising approach to winemaking.
Food Pairings:
This easy drinking, fresh & fruity Pinot will pair well with light fare, seafood and mushrooms.
Somm Hints:
Maverick Estate Winery’s emblem is inspired by the blending of ancient pictographs drawn on cave walls around South Africa (reflecting the origin of the winery’s founding families) and cave drawings found peppered throughout the Okanagan Valley. The Maverick man represents the enthusiastically unconventional free thinker.
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Why We Love This Wine:
This Petite Sirah is grown in carefully selected California Vineyards. This fruity wine is inky and dark plum in color with aromas of blackberry, highlighted by toffee notes and a touch of plum jam. On the palate it has a robust structure with lively pomegranate notes and hints of mocha on the long harmonious finish.
About The Winery:
Since its inception in 1994, Castle Rock Winery has built an enviable reputation for producing high quality wines at affordable prices. This winning formula has been highly successful, as proven by an increasing number of customers and members of the wine press who have given the wines glowing reviews.
After the harvest, the wines are made in accordance with Castle Rock’s winemaking standards, and are bottled at wineries, boasting state-of-the-art equipment, located in Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Oregon’s Willamette Valley, and Washington’s Columbia Valley.
Food Pairings:
This wine makes an excellent accompaniment to beef, game, spicy grilled foods and charbroiled meats.
Somm Hints:
Castle Rock wines are great value due to their low overhead model. They consistently earn 87-90 points and “Best Buy” or “Recommended” accolades by Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast magazines.
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Why We Love This Wine:
This Sauvignon Blanc is produced from grapes grown in selected California vineyards where climate and soil conditions are ideal for this varietal. It carries aromas of lemongrass, grapefruit and lemon thyme with a hint of minerality. On the palate it is lively and fresh, with balanced acidity and flavors of pineapple and mandarin, with a lingering citrus zest.
About The Winery:
Since its inception in 1994, Castle Rock Winery has built an enviable reputation for producing high quality wines at affordable prices. This winning formula has been highly successful, as proven by an increasing number of customers and members of the wine press who have given the wines glowing reviews.
After the harvest, the wines are made in accordance with Castle Rock’s winemaking standards, and are bottled at wineries, boasting state-of-the-art equipment, located in Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Oregon’s Willamette Valley, and Washington’s Columbia Valley.
Food Pairings:
This wine makes an ideal accompaniment to seafood, chicken, salads and vegetable dishes.
Somm Hints:
Castle Rock wines are great value due to their low overhead model. They consistently earn 87-90 points and “Best Buy” or “Recommended” accolades by Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast magazines.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Wine of lively freshness, harmonious and fruity. Citrus floral notes. Good and persistent aftertaste. This wine should be consumed very fresh, at a temperature between 6º to 8º, within 1 to 2 years, a period in which it will evolve positively.
About The Winery:
The Casa Agricola de Compostela is a company engaged in agriculture, located in the middle region between Douro and Minho, in the parish of Requiao. The vineyards are rich in clay and silica and have excellent exposure to the sun. The wine is made in the cellar of the property, following the most modern processes and equipment including automation and control.
The cultivated grape varieties are the recommended for this wine region: The Alvarinho- Arinto- Sauvignon Blanc- Loureiro- Pedernã- Trajadura.
Food Pairings:
Pair this white wine with salads, pasta, grilled fish, seafood and grilled white meats.
Somm Hints:
“Grande Escolha” means “Grand Selection”.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Straw yellow. The personality is expressed in an olfaction of exuberant fruity traits, where apricot, pineapple, melon and a citrus hint of lemon make up the picture. Light licorice notes appear soft in the background, based on a rich bouquet of white flowers. The taste is fresh, tense, savory and endowed with a pleasant balance.
About The Winery:
Domaine Chéreau Carré occupies one of the most privileged positions in the Loire-Atlantique department of France, in the heart of the Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine appellation, directly at the confluence of the two rivers. This family-owned winery has been an innovator since the 1960s by focussing on the qualitative advancement of the Sèvre-et-Maine appellation through their exploration of their numerous single vineyards.
Food Pairings:
Ideal with aperitifs, fresh cheeses, fish and oysters.
Somm Hints:
Vinification – All the melon de bourgogne vines are picked by hand. After fermentation with selected indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, the wine is aged for six months sur lie in underground concrete vats with regular bâtonnage, followed by 12 months aging in bottle before RELEASE.
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Why We Love This Wine:
From the flagship variety of the Penedès, the xarel-lo, comes this organic single-varietal wine. Calcari brings together the purest and most sincere expression of this ancestral variety. Very pale straw yellow colour. Clear and transparent. A markedly varietal nose combining the ripest pear, almost candied, and banana with creamy notes from working with the fine lees in the vat.
About The Winery:
Calcari is made from the flagship Penedès variety, Xarel·lo, grown organically on our Penedès estates. Hand harvested. After a light pellicular maceration of 4 hours, the grapes are gently pressed and fermented in stainless steel vats for 18 days at an average temperature of 16 °C. After fermentation, the wine remains in contact with the fine lees from the fermentation for 3 months with daily bâtonnage to put the lees in suspension for several minutes a day.
Food Pairings:
Pair with oysters and raw seafood, white meats and grilled fish. Recommended serving temperature between 10ºC and 12°C.
Somm Hints:
Organic wine made with minimal intervention in the cellar. Wine suitable for vegans.
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Why We Love This Wine:
The wine has integrated aromatics of baking spice, Asian pear and desiccated coconut. The flavour builds on the palate from soft to rich, then underpinned with subtle minerality and oak extracted notes to render a layered and textured palate with an elegant mouthfeel. It ends with a focused and long finish.
About The Winery:
Catalina Sounds lies in Waihopai Valley, Marlborough. The area is rich in clayey loam soils, with hot summers and cold winters providing ideal growth conditions for cultivating cool-climate varieties such as Pinot Gris. Sourced from three vineyards across the Southern, Wairau and Awatere Valley sub-regions of Marlborough, giving a distinct regional expression that is uniquely ‘Catalina Sounds’.
Food Pairings:
This Pinot Gris is terrific with Asian cuisine (slightly spicy Thai and Vietnamese foods), white poultry dishes, root vegetables, squashes, quail and pork belly.
Somm Hints:
The fruit for this wine was sourced from the Pinot Gris block in the Catalina Sounds vineyard. Although a hot summer and some frost damage to the fruit resulted in low crop turn-over, the fruit still maintained a good concentration of flavour. The Pinot Gris thus created has a ‘dry white’ liquor style.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Succulent and sweet carmenere aromas of crushed dark berries and cherries with dried flowers fill the nose of this medium to full body vintage. Deep dark red with purple hints. The body is generous, full of black fruit flavors and slight herbal touches. A well-balanced structure of firm, silky tannins, good acidity, and a long, racy finish.
About The Winery:
Lapostolle Wines was founded by Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle and her husband Cyril de Bournet in 1994. Alexandra is a member of the renowned Marnier Lapostolle family that has for several generations dedicated itself to the production of high-quality wines.
In the creation of Lapostolle Wines, the family has maintained the same absolute commitment to quality that has always characterized them. Its aim is as simple as it is ambitious: to create world class wines by combining French winemaking philosophy with the magnificent terroirs of Chile.
Food Pairings:
Meat, Vegetables, Game, Poultry all work but our favourite pairing for this beautiful red is… Indian!
Somm Hints:
Lapostolle is one of the oldest vineyards of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère in Chile, if not in the world. The region's particular soil and climate conditions make for very elegant, complex wines with great structure, depth, color and an excellent aging potential.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Another great Michael David joint!!!
Hailing from the heart of Zinfandel country, Lodi “Zin” Zinfandel was created to compliment a wonderful meal but is just as great all on its own. Pale ruby in color and filled with aromas of juicy raspberry, tobacco and toasted oak on the nose. Medium bodied and food-friendly, flavors of blackberry, plum and clove lead to a balanced, oak-inspired finish.
About The Winery:
With over 150 years of family farming, the Michael David name has become more than just a winery; it’s a culture. Founders and brothers, Michael and David Phillips, are 5th generation grape growers who have raised their families in the vineyard, and now the 6th generation has joined the team.
During Prohibition, the family continued to grow grapes and sold bricks of concentrated juice with explicit warnings detailing the steps not to take to ferment and produce wine from the concentrate – an act that became lucrative while remaining technically legal.
Michael David Winery farms more than 200 acres (80 hectares) of estate vineyards. All its vineyards are certified organic by third-party organizations and all of the fruit crushed at the winery is certified as sustainably grown.
Food Pairings:
Pair with your favorite barbecue dish or just enjoy on a patio with friends...Either way you can’t lose!
Somm Hints:
This wine has been aged for 24 months - 87% American oak, 13% French oak (11% new)
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Why We Love This Wine:
This is an award-winning wine from renowned winemaker Jean-Michel Cazes. Taking its name from one of the domaine's finest parcels... ''Estibals''. This balance of grape varieties provides a perfect expression of the Minervois appellation. The wine is aged in French oak barrels for 12 months.
Beautiful garnet red color, lively and shiny; offering a bouquet noted with small red berries (blackcurrant, raspberries, blueberries), thyme, rosemary and a touch of fresh licorice. An elegant and generous wine with a nice balance between freshness, roundness and acidity. Its structure is harmonious, and its tannins are dense and silky. Powerful and elegant.
About The Winery:
Domaine de L’Ostal is situated in the foothills of the Montagne Noire, half-way between the mediaeval town of Carcassonne and the old Roman port in Narbonne. The 60 hectares of vines are situated in one of the finest terroirs of the Languedoc, including a spectacular parcel of Minervois La Livinière. The property was purchased in 2002 by Jean-Michel Cazes, the owner of Château Lynch-Bages in Pauillac. He immediately embarked upon a comprehensive restructuring of the vineyard involving mass uprooting, replanting varieties and soil drainage. The aim of this exhaustive approach was to express the full potential of the terroir and the Languedoc’s finest grape varieties: Syrah, Grenache and Carignan.
Food Pairings:
This red is dying to be paired with romance. Drink in this aphrodisiac with fresh strawberries and dark chocolate.
Somm Hints:
The bronze disc on the label represents the warm and sun-drenched character of wines from Minervois.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Tait’s 2018 The Ball Buster Proprietary Red is a blend of 77% Shiraz, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot. Deep black/purple colour with an intense nose of blackcurrant, stewed plums, cherry, and chocolate. Mint and baking spices lead the way, backed by a big mouthful of blackberries and black cherries. Full-bodied yet supple, it’s spicy and rich, with lingering notes of mixed berries and spice on the finish.
About The Winery:
The grapes that make up the Ball Buster blend are sourced from different vineyard locations throughout the Barossa Valley. Vineyard sites are chosen to ensure that the resultant fruit is intense and that cropping levels do not exceed 3.5 tones an acre; typically, these are clay soils on the fringes of the Barossa. Each vineyard site is visited twice a week during the maturing season to ensure that the fruit is maturing slowly, and that water is only applied when necessary. Picking is only done when the grapes are physiologically ripe.
Food Pairings:
The concentrated ripe berry flavours counterbalanced by a juicy acidity make this bold table wine a great match for any dinner or dessert with flavours just as bold.
Somm Hints:
Most of Australia’s largest wine producers are based here and Shiraz plantings date back as far as the 1850s or before.
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Why We Love This Wine:
A brilliant representation of the National Grape of Portugal, Touriga Nacional. Big, bold and beautiful, this Douro red is a Gargoyle favourite.
Full bodied with intense black cherry, plum and spice flavours. Delicate aromas and a silky finish.
About The Winery:
Alvaro Van Zeller’s family are most famous for starting the finest port house of all time, Quinta do Noval. But their talents don’t stop there. Since moving on, Alvaro has become famous for establishing the reputation of Douro’s dry reds. Ones like this gorgeous 2018. Named after his grandmother, Baronesa combines the family’s two talents: darkly spiced Douro reds and fine port. All the grapes are from the Van Zellers’ Douro vineyards, handpicked and gently pressed to extract their deep colour and floral aromas. Then 12 months in old oak barrels adds that dense spice, superb complexity and a long, velvety finish.
Food Pairings:
Perfect for rare meats and mature cheeses.
Somm Hints:
Decant and enjoy slowly.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Roussillon is all too often lumped together with its eastern neighbour, Languedoc. And while the two regions do share similarities—namely warm temperatures and common grapes—Roussillon is more Catalan than French, located just over the Pyrenees mountains. This wine is a blend of Vermentino and Macabeu, known in Spain as Macabeo. Very aromatic and vibrant on the nose, with notes of quince, pink grapefruit, white flowers and almond. The palate, citrus comes through with notes of apricot and honeydew, along with refreshing acidity.
About The Winery:
The Sire family have been grape growers in Roussillon since 1906, as long-standing local cooperative members. But it wasn’t until 1989 that they decided to vinify and bottle their fruit under Domaine des Schistes. The winery is now under the stewardship of young, energetic Mickaël Sire, a part of France’s "next generation” of vignerons obsessed with quality and sustainability. He farms organically and adheres to the principles of low intervention winemaking; native yeast ferments, minimal oak, and no fining or filtering.
Food Pairings:
Grilled sea bass with lemon caper sauce. It will also pair nicely with simply prepared summer citrus salad.
Somm Hint:
Let the wine gradually warm up in the glass to bring out the aromatics of this wine.
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Why We Love This Wine:
A zippy Sauvignon Blanc with flavours and aromas of tropical fruit, peach, lemon and fresh-cut grass. Laser-like acidity and a long finish. Ant Moore’s vineyards are based around Marlborough in the sub-regions of the Awatere, Waihopai, and Wairau Valleys. Blending wines from each sub-region provides a unique personality and adds complexity to the wine.
About The Winery:
Anthony “Ant” Moore is a grape grower, a winemaker, and an entrepreneur through and through. An Australian outsider in New Zealand, Ant has built not only his own winery but saw a need to add a custom crush facility to help other small growers, making him a central figure among independent winemakers in Marlborough.
Food Pairings:
A gorgeous aperitif to drink on its own on the weekends. You can also enjoy with fresh Ontario asparagus with lemon butter sauce!
Somm Hint:
Nothing fancy needed… just chill and enjoy!
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Why We Love This Wine:
This organically farmed Catarratto tastes, smells and brings feels of the Mediterranean sea; fragrant orange blossoms, melon, and honeysuckle on the nose. The palate matches the nose with a slightly oily texture and nutty and saline finish.
About The Winery:
Vito Lauria is a Sicilian local master of organic farming practices. After studying winemaking in Friuli, he returned home in 2005 to take over his family's winery in the west of Sicily, renovating the vineyards, and focusing on organic viticulture. His approach to winemaking delivers wines of more restraint and balance than you find in many offerings from Sicily.
Food Pairings:
Look to local fare when pairing with indigenous grapes; seafood antipasti, lighter fish dishes, or a vongole pasta would all play beautifully.
Somm Hint:
Serve it nice and cold.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Very much in a Burgundian style Ontario Chardonnay from a section within the highly regarded Wismer Vineyard in Niagara's Twenty Mile Bench appellation. There is reductive flint with pear, lime and a slightly cheesy note. It is medium-bodied with mouthwatering acidity and mineral on the palate. Very focused with excellent length.
About The Winery:
That love of Burgundy brought Adam Lowy and his family to make a move to Niagara and put everything they had into Cloudsley. Before that, Lowy spent 17 years working for Lifford Wine and Spirits, one of Toronto’s premier wine agencies. Lowy established Cloudsley with the singular goal of making boutique Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from different terroirs in Niagara, using a minimalist approach to winemaking that best shines a light on where the grapes are grown.
Food Pairings:
This is a wine you can pair with poultry, pork dishes and, of course, any seafood.
Somm Hint:
Try this wine in a glass that is larger than your standard ‘white wine’ glass. I think you will be impressed with the ‘volume’ of this wine.
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Why We Love This Wine:
If you like bright, crisp wines like Pinot Grigio, you will be taken by Gavi's balance of freshness and racy fruit flavours, unique to the Piedmont area. This wine is bursting with zippy and zesty citrus and grapefruit flavours. It's the ultimate refresher with lovely floral aromatics and mouthwatering acidity.
About The Winery:
Camilla and Silvana are the owners of Piona. They want to transform their passion into a young, feminine company with a well-rooted philosophy in which modernity and tradition are linked. The attention to every detail is taken care of, from the vineyard to the bottle.
Food pairings:
The texture and acidity here help pair nicely with the sushi party tray, where you have different flavours.
Somm Hint:
Chill well and enjoy under the sun!
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Why We Love This Wine:
While Mauzac has mainly been supplanted by fashionable Chardonnay, it is used to make still and sparkling wines in Southwest France. Laurent Cazottes started collaborating with vigneron in his area to promote the varietal, who share the same philosophy of winemaking. This wine is made from a selection of grapes carefully chosen when the vintages are good. The wine has lots of yellow and white fruit flavours like peach and pear. The nose also shows white flowers and a hint of honey. The palate is fresh, precise and sincerely seductive.
About The Winery:
Distillerie Cazottes is an organically farmed artisanal distillery located in Tarn in Occitanie. Laurent makes gorgeous wines from local grapes Mauzac, Braucol, Prunelart, and Duras, His wines are farmed biodynamically and treated with great care. Just honest, well-made wines for everyday drinking.
Food Pairings:
Fried food are a good match with Mauzac wines! Fried chicken, fish and chips, Tempura, or even chicken fried rice!!
Somm Hint:
Recommended best served well chilled.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Elgin is the coolest growing region in South Africa, with temperatures rarely rising above 30°C during the growing season, perfect condition to grow Pinot Noir. The wine is textbook cool-climate Pinot with intense, bright aromas of cranberry and red plums alongside subtler notes of smoked meat and kitchen spice. Mid-weight with silky tannins and fresh acid to finish.
About The Winery:
The Cluver family are pioneers in the exciting, bourgeoning wine region of Elgin Valley in South Africa. They were the first to plant vines in the Valley in 1986 and released their first commercial wine in 1990. This 2000+ hectare estate forms part of the UNESCO world heritage site, the Kogelberg Biosphere. Half of the estate has been set aside for conservation into perpetuity. Wine production is relatively small here, focusing on quality and expressing the unique terroir of the Valley.
Food Pairings:
Roast duck breast or mushroom risotto is classic pairing for Pinot Noir, yet something simple like pork pâté or salumi from your neighbourhood butcher will also do!
Somm Hint:
Pop this bottle in your fridge for 20 minutes before serving. The red fruit aroma will benefit from a slightly cooler serving temperature.
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Why We Love This Wine:
La Segreta takes its name from the wood surrounding their vineyard at Ulmo. This young fresh wine composed of Nero d’Avola grapes is a perfect example of Sicilian wine. Typical varietal aromas of ripe plum, cocoa, wild berries, and flawless spiciness. The palate matches the nose with full body and structured tannins without excess.
About The Winery:
Planeta family is one of the eldest families of winegrowers in Sicily, now in their seventeenth generation. They operate five wineries spread around Sicily and produce wines from many of the DOC zones. While the family focuses on innovation and modernity, they never distance themselves from wine’s historical and traditional interpretations. Respect for the environment and the development of biodiversity are the watchwords of this company.
Food Pairings:
A perfect casual sipper. Pairs nice with a weekday bbq or pizza.
Somm Hint:
Serve this wine in larger wine glasses, if possible, to showcase all of its complexity.
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Why We Love This Wine:
“La Pinada” is a cheerful and joy of wine! It showcases the fruit, freshness and balance of a genuine single varietal Bobal. With a fresh and fruit-forward nose, the wine displays aromas of blackberry, dark cherry, orange blossom, and a hint of earthiness. On the palate it is juicy, focused and well balanced, with a crunchy acidity and some light drying tannins.
About The Winery:
Agrícola de Vinos La Higuera’ is a small project founded in 2017 by two friends, Javier del Blanco and Jorge Navascues, to join their knowledge in the wine industry while working separately with top Estates from different regions all over Spain. The aim is to nurture and craft honest wines that will honor their origins, with great value and genuine quality, expressing the purity of the grape variety and the environment they are grown in.
Food Pairings:
The savoury flavour is perfect for a grilled vegetable salad with lots of peppers and summer squash!
Somm Hint:
Treat this wine like a Pinot Noir, so if you have Burgundy glasses(bowl-shaped) now would be a great time to use them!
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Why We Love This Wine:
This wine comes from a small appellation in Languedoc, but 100% Mourvèdre is illegal there. Thus, the winery declassified it as "Vin de France“ and hid its origin. There are aromas of blueberry, blackberry, violet, smoke and rose. Fresh, spicy, but not spiky on the palate. Tannins are balanced and well-integrated, making this wine smooth and pleasant.
About The Winery:
Since his childhood, Olivier Coste’s favourite places to play have been the vineyards and the family wine cellar at Domaine Montrose, his family’s wine estate founded in 1701 in Pézenas. With this upbringing, Olivier developed a profound attachment to the Languedoc’s terroir and landscape and later to its wines. Olivier and his team are committed to respecting the environment so that future generations can enjoy nature’s heritage.
Food Pairings:
Mourvèdre works very well with bbq, especially lean meats such as Sirloin steaks, or some cuts of Pork and Lamb. The pairing becomes even better if you use herbaceous sauces like a Chimichurri.
Somm Hint:
Serve at cellar temperature (slightly chilled) due it's low alcohol for 100% Mourvèdre.
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Why We Love This Wine:
A dry red made from traditional port grapes! From the oldest vines at Quinta Vale do Olmo, this blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca enjoys partial aging in French oak casks for 18 months. Expect flavours of cherry, raspberry and plum with notes of baking spice and chocolate. Rich and structured but still balanced and accessible.
About The Winery:
The Quinta Vale do Olmo vineyards are planted on terraces on the schist-rich soils of the Douro region of Portugal. Though the Carvalho Martins family has managed these vineyards for four generations, up until recently, the Domaine sold the majority of their fruit and wine to larger companies within the region. The youngest generation - the Carvalho Martins brothers, who grew up amongst the vines, eventually came together to realize the full potential of their family's estate, to make their own wine to represent the unique terroir of the Douro region.
Food Pairings:
Burgers, Ribs and left overs of Cote du Boeuf and Potatoes from Saturday.
Somm Hint:
Share this wine with your friends and family. They will be amazed with the quality of Portuguese Red.
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Why We Love This Wine:
This is a true charmer of a wine, with a round front-of-palate and creamy extract and a superbly fresh finish. Using Merlot instead of Mourvedre in the GSM blend truly rounds the flavours. The aroma is with notes of blackberry and blackcurrant with mild spice and the fragrance of the Mediterranean herbs. The palate has just the right amount of richness without excessive extract and a creamy texture enveloping balanced tannins.
About The Winery:
At the confluence of the Mediterranean and oceanic climates, on the first foothills of the Pyrenees is where Cassagnau makes its Languedoc wine with a western accent. Jacques Abet, doctor by profession and winemaker by passion, runs this family vineyard with a unique terroir with enthusiasm and meticulousness.
Food Pairings:
The wine pairs well with cold ham especially the French jambon persillé (jellied ham and parsley) and/or with good company and friends.
Somm Hint:
Whenever you decide to drink this wine is the right time.
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Why We Love This Wine:
So much flavour on this South African Chardonnay, fragrant and juicy with ripe tropical fruit, lemon citrus and well-integrated oak spice with a buttery finish on the palate. Well balanced, the soft, buttery character adds to the complexity and roundness of the wine.
About The Winery:
Much like many South African estates, Boschendal represents the complicity between ancient traditions and modernity. To produce premium wines of unwavering exceptional quality, Boschendal employ dedicated red and white winemakers in separate cellars for focused expertise. Plus, they have made a commitment to focus on their Chardonnay right in their mission statement.
Food Pairings:
Pair this Chardonnay with roast turkey, sautéed pork tenderloin, buttered lobster rolls.
Somm Hints:
This Chardonnay is ready to enjoy now but will age with much complexity for the next five to eight years.
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Why We Love This Wine:
This artisanal Lambrusco comes to us from the Chiarli family in Emilia-Romagna, the oldest producer of Lambrusco in Italy. Made from single-vineyard Grasparossa grapes, this Lambrusco has bright blackberry and raspberry fruit. This sparkling red will dance on your tongue before finishing dry.
About The Winery:
The Vigneto Cialdini is Cleto Chiarli's top-of-the-line Lambrusco Grasparossa. The vineyard is located in the heart of the Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro denomination, where this member of the Lambrusco family has been cultivated since time immemorial. The wine is made through a single fermentation under pressure, rather than the normal two-fermentation process of almost all other sparkling wines. This is in the brut range, with a slight sweetness detectable. Vigneto Cialdini is the name of the vineyard, dedicated to Enrico Cialdini, who was a famous general during the unification of Italy.
Food Pairings:
Lambrusco, is perfect to enjoy with a casual spread of cheese and meat. It's also a popular pairing with pizza.
Somm Hints:
“Crackling Red” = slightly fizzy. Serve chilled.
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Why We Love This Wine:
The wine is a dark ruby color with a violet hue. Lively structured with an energetic bouquet of black berries and fruits, wrapped in velvety tannins. Shades of plum, blackberry, red currant and violet can be sensed in the aroma of wins.
About The Winery:
"Don Aurelio" is the most famous brand of the company Navarro Lopez. The winery is located in the famous Spanish region of Valdepenas and is surrounded by numerous vineyards. Thanks to the close neighborhood with the production, the grapes are immediately taken to the factory, where they immediately start making wine. Its turnover is about 14 million bottles. The company Navarro Lopez was founded in 1904 as a modest family winery Don Juan Sanchez Megia. The original winery still preserved in the city Valdepenas. More: https://winestyleonline.com
Food Pairings:
This Spanish Syrah would be a great match for lamb or chicken.
Somm Hints:
The range "Don Aurelio" offers young varietal wines and aged wines. Many of them have been awarded at various prestigious national and international wine contests, such as "Mundus Vini" and "Vinalies Internationales".
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Why We Love This Wine:
This is an aromatic white wine with pretty floral notes, hints of lemon zest and touches of nutmeg. On the palate it is fresh, crisp and lively. A wine with a lemony texture that caresses the palate and is supported by pleasant acidity. On the finish its seductive mineral influence stands out.
About The Winery:
Made by a family winery with remarkable longevity, in 1970 Pierre Luneau began specialising in Muscadet. Although this grape actually originates in Burgundy under the name of Melon de Bourgogne, it is the queen grape of the Nantes wine region (France). With impeccable work, he soon became one of the main champions of the lower Loire. In 2005, his son Pierre-Marie Luneau took the reins of the vineyards and, with his wife Marie, continued the efforts of the eight generations that had come before him to develop a sustainable and traditional viticulture. As a result of these expertise, they produce Domaine Pierre Luneau-Papin La Grange Vieilles Vignes, a wine from the AOC Muscadet Sèvre et Maine made with Melon de Bourgogne vines growing in their favourite land with soils composed of mica schist rocks and two-mica gneiss. They are cultivated using organic agriculture with biodynamic practices and manual harvesting by plot. Once the grapes reach the winery, they are vinified and aged separately, respecting the authenticity of each terroir. After spending time on its lees, the wine is bottled without filtration or clarification.
Food Pairings:
Excellent as an aperitif with shellfish, fish, Asian cuisine, or fresh cheeses.
Somm Hints:
Serve at 12oC
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Why We Love This Wine:
This Organic Sauvignon Blanc is a fresh, light and vibrant white. On the nose it is citrusy with floral and tropical notes (mango, pineapple). On the palate it is slightly bitter and dense. Light. Long finish.
About The Winery:
In honour of Michel Lynch, an 18th century gentleman who dedicated his life to improving the wines from his Lynch-Bages winery, the Cazes family, who have owned the winery since 1939, have extended their viticultural offering and created a new range of wines using sustainable practices and producing exclusively with organically cultivated vines.
Food Pairings:
Oysters!!!
Somm Hints:
Lynch Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc Nature ferments in stainless steel tanks with great patience and a controlled temperature. It is actually the result of a selection of wines that reflect the richness and diversity of Bordeaux’s terroirs and the intrinsic qualities of each vintage.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Quite charming in the nose with flowery and fruity notes. In the palate a little residual sugar balances the wine, makes it super easy to drink. It was fermented and aged partly in oak, partly in stainless steel.
About The Winery:
Established by Csaba Zsirai based on his principles of winemaking: “Creation, attention, thoroughness, values, preservation, perseverance, love, joy, beauty, charm, simplicity, sensitivity, sensibility, uniqueness” – Zsirai Winery has become a golden award winning vineyard present at several terrains in the country with 19 hectares of vineyards. Producing wines with the belief that the secret of good wine is excellent soil, proper selection of grapes varieties, diligent care, and a good year; Zsirai only produce wine from the grapes they grow themselves.
Food Pairings:
It is a classic food wine, which, thanks to its lively acidity, works well with hearty, fatty dishes. Hungarians love to pair the Juhfark with a dish called Töltött Tojás. Google that for something different at your next garden party!
Somm Hints:
The literal translation of “Juhfark” is Sheep’s Tail.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Full-bodied wine, with an enjoyable freshness and solidity, supported by an excellent base sweetness. Tropical fruit fragrances, yellow flowers, straw yellow colour with typical greenish hues.
About The Winery:
The 50 hectares of vines belonging to the Becca family are in Montefalco, in the heart of green Umbria. After purchasing the land and planting the vineyards, they began the construction of a modern winery, perfectly involved in the surrounding environment. Among the rows, in addition of course to sagrantino plants, there are also varieties of sangiovese, colorino, Trebbiano spoletino and grechetto. The vines are grown in full respect of the environment, nature and ecosystem.
In the cellar each production step is aimed to enhancing what the season and the territory have been able to express in the fruit. In this way, today perticaia is an organic farm model for the territory: a cellar able to produce wines of great expressivity and elegance.
Food Pairings:
It accompanies dishes such as fish and seafood very well, as well as white meat, and it is an excellent aperitif.
Somm Hints:
This is a wine that can easily age for 4-5 years in the bottle, notably improving its quality over time and acquiring a surprising complexity.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Sources 100% from Sonoma Coast, this is a classic expression of Pinot Noir. Bright Pinot Noir, ripe cherry with an accent of lilac, vanilla, white pepper. Aromas of bramble, plum, baking spices and cedar fill the glass. On the palate, this Pinot Noir opens with cherry cola, a touch of toasted oak, brown sugar and a silky sweet cocoa finish.
About The Winery:
Established in 1977, Lake Sonoma Winery focuses on the individual appellations in Northern Sonoma County where California’s top grape varieties achieve their ultimate expression of character. The intrinsic excellence of these regions is enhanced by sustainable farming techniques in the vineyards, which uses natural amendments and controls to enrich the soil and combat pests.
To preserve and complement the extraordinary character of these grapes, Lake Sonoma Winery meticulously handcrafts each wine. Vineyard lots are kept separate until blending and aging in small oak barrels is tailored to each individual wine.
Food Pairings:
Soft, mouth filling and ready to drink, serve this Pinot with duck, pork, or chicken.
Somm Hints:
The Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir has the composition of 100% Pinot Noir from Carneros and the Russian River. Both places are the official boundaries of the American Vinicultural area – AVA
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Why We Love This Wine:
Bright ruby in colour with a delicate hint of cherry on the nose. On the palate, it is harmonious and elegant due to naturally mild acidity and tannin with a pleasant bitter almond flavour on the finish. An elegant, fruity red wine with good length.
About The Winery:
Elena Walch is a leading family estate in Alto Adige with international success. With outstanding wines and the oenology lab, the wine estate is among the elites of Italian wine production and has become well respected over the last 20 years. Sustainable efforts in the vineyard and wine cellar, with particular attention to the long-term protection of the vines, is the heart of the work today.
Food Pairings:
An interesting wine for Mediterranean dishes and Pasta dishes, as well as antipasti.
Somm Hints:
The Schiava grape is one of the best grapes to eat out in the vineyard. It is sweet and ready to eat right off the vine.
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Why We Love This Wine:
This Sauv Blanc stands out for its complex, layered elegance, purity and mineral liveliness. Exhibiting a balance of old world minerality and length with hints of modern texture and body. A significant percentage of fruit from iron and clay-rich soil has added a textural and structural component and additional overall complexity to this wine. The Sandstone soils have contributed their typical bright, tensile character and a marked minerality.
About The Winery:
Southern Right is a small Pinotage and Sauvignon Blanc specialist located on a strikingly beautiful 448-hectare property in the cool, maritime, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley appellation, just behind the old fishing village of Hermanus. The wines are named after the rare Southern Right whales, which frequent the cool South Atlantic Walker Bay, 3 kilometers from the vineyards.
Food Pairings:
Pair this South African gem with salads, especially if they contain seafood and/or ‘grassy’ ingredients such as asparagus, pea-shoots, green peppers and herbs.
Somm Hints:
Lighter structured sandstone-derived soils combined with clay-rich soils add the exceptional minerality and complexity in the Sauv Blanc.
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Why We Love This Wine:
This wine has a vibrant, fresh fruit profile, and is varietally pure with a linear structure and nuanced complexity of well-integrated light oak contact. The 2019 vintage is the second consecutive stellar vintage in Mendoza, characterized by even and average temperatures throughout the season. Nice combination of ripe berries with some fresh and dried herbs, such as thyme. It’s medium-to full-bodied with medium round tannins and a delicious, fruity finish. This Cab was rated 91 by James Suckling and is ready to drink!
About The Winery:
Each wine in the Flight of the Condor range shows varietally pure wines which excel in their region of origin. Dry summers and excellent health in the high elevation vineyards of Mendoza produce the Flight of the Condor Cab and Malbec. The grapes are selected for their balanced fruit profile, cold soaked and fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine then spends 6 months in contact with French oak prior to bottling.
Food Pairings:
Serve with beef or venison.
Somm Hints:
Mendoza is by far the largest wine region in Argentina. Located on a high-altitude plateau at the edge of the Andes Mountains, the province is responsible for roughly 70 percent of the country's annual wine production.
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Why We Love This Wine:
A nose that shows both vibrant cassis, cranberry, raspberry, red plum and cherry alongside a floral violet note as well as sage and dried thyme. The palate is juicy, energetic and fresh with a medium body and medium tannin level and some intriguing layers of dark chocolate, cocoa, paprika, pepper and some graphite supporting the cherry, currant and mixed berry fruit.
About The Winery:
The Wyse Family - founders of Burrowing Owl Estate Winery in Oliver BC - is proud to introduce a line up of wines under a new label: Calliope. Pronounced ka-LIE-oh-pee. Grapes for Calliope wines are carefully sourced from local vineyards in the South Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys.
Winemakers are granted the freedom to escape from tradition and utilize their creative talents to explore new taste profiles and create delightful, expressive, fresh characteristics in each blend.
With a focus on early consumption, oak applications are minimized and closures are typically screw caps for convenience.
Food Pairings:
Pair this with spaghetti and meatballs or a lightly spiced stew or hamburgers.
Somm Hints:
The wine is named after the tiny but tough Calliope Hummingbird, the smallest avian migrant in the world.
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WHY WE LOVE THIS WINE:
The name "Doncella," which means "Maiden," comes from a young "maiden" who used to walk through the vineyard every afternoon to watch the sun setting on the vines. This organic Tempranillo from Spain has very clean, brilliant fruity aromas of blackberry and redcurrant some dark spice. In the mouth, the flavours are plentiful, ranging from tart and ripe red fruit, savoury herbs, smoke, spice and impressions of licorice on the finish.
ABOUT THE WINERY:
Familia Conesa vines are located on the Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park borders, in a natural environment full of life, 1100 meters above sea level. It provides the perfect conditions for international grape varietals: Tempranillo, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viogner, Grenache and Petit Verdot. They all carry the "Pago Guijoso" designation of origin andare packed with taste, aromas, texture and character.
FOOD PAIRINGS:
This red could easily tackle a charcuterie board with Manchego cheese, Serrano ham and Chorizo.
SOMM HINT:
The wine will open with some time to breathe. Open it 20min before you want to enjoy it.
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WHY WE LOVE THIS WINE:
This blended wine (Cabernet Franc and Merlot) is one of the best Bordeaux blends we can get from Niagara! An amazingly intense nose of plum, cassis and mulberry is layered over a backdrop of tobacco-leaf, cracked white pepper, lavender, and licorice. On the palate, the intensity continues by adding earth, bacon, and mocha draped over powerful but soft tannins.
ABOUT THE WINERY:
Husband and wife duo Ilya and Nadia Senchuk started Leaning Post winery in Niagara over 10 years ago. It began with a dream to take unique, interesting single-vineyard blocks in Niagara and turn them into distinctive, terroir-driven wines. Nadia and Ilya have had to rely on the support of family, friends and financial institutions to make the dream of owning a winery a reality. Leaning Post began as a virtual winery and is proud to now have the quaint tasting room at 1491 Hwy 8 on their home property in Winona, Ontario.
FOOD PAIRINGS:
Great with burgers, cured meat, and hard cheese.
SOMM HINT:
It is immediately satisfying to drink now with a good decant, but it will certainly age well over the next 3-5 years.
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WHY WE LOVE THIS WINE:
Traditionally, McLaren Vale's Grenache was heavy and over-oaked, trying to imitate Shiraz. The Death Card embodies their signature style of Grenache – a new era (after Death, new life shoots forth, signalling rebirth, rejuvenation and transformation) for the variety in McLaren Vale as a bright, juicy red wine. Ripe, round and with raspberry, strawberry jam, and ample spicing. Tannins are present but well absorbed into the generous palate, finishing in a gentle raft of sweet spice.
ABOUT THE WINERY:
Based in McLaren Vale, South Australia, Alpha Box & Dice are embarking on an Alphabet of Wine. Each ‘letter' embodies an individual winemaking project that celebrates the diverse styles and varieties found in South Australia's famous wine regions, including McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley. Since its beginning in 2008, AB&D has become a champion of South Australia's alternative – particularly Mediterranean – varieties, exhibiting innovation at every step of the process by bending traditional winemaking norms.
FOOD PAIRINGS:
Grenache is one of our all-time favourite food pairing red wines, from roast chicken or turkey (Grenache is a classic Easter dinner wine) to pork or Lamb.
SOMM HINT:
Serve this wine in a larger wine glass -- it'll help you sense + appreciate +enjoy!
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WHY WE LOVE THIS WINE:
A stellar Syrah from the esteemed Gaillard family of the northern Rhone! This wine expresses the fresh qualities and fleshy fruitiness associated with the Syrah grape variety. Superb, with precision and elegance, a gourmet concentration highlights this Syrah's spicy and smoky notes. Pleasurable on the palate with an acidic finish, full of freshness and red fruit.
ABOUT THE WINERY:
Jeanne Gaillard, daughter of winemaker Pierre Gaillard, was forcibly introduced to wine when she was a child. Jeanne had gotten caught for some mischievous act and was made to work in the family vineyard as punishment. Her experience that day triggered a lifelong passion for wine! In 2008, when she was 24 years old, she acquired 5 hectares in IGP Crozes-Hermitage and 8 hectares in IGP Collines Rhodaniennes and has been managing them ever since.
FOOD PAIRINGS:
A robust red that works excellently with grilled or smoked meats! Also, a hearty soup like French Onion Soup.
SOMM HINT:
Syrah is the French term for Shiraz. French Syrah is likely to be less alcoholic, savoury, and tannic than Shiraz.
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WHY WE LOVE THIS WINE:
California is not the only region in the US that makes fantastic wines from Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine from Colombia Valley, Washington state, is bold and full-bodied, balanced and complex. Showing aromas of black and red fruits, toasted herbs, graphite and leather. A mouthful of ripe dark fruit consisting of blackberry and black currant combined with spice and dark chocolate notes. Fruit-forward finish with an integrated tannin structure.
ABOUT THE WINERY:
Born and raised in the New World but influenced by his time in Bordeaux, this Columbia Valley Cab represents Toronto wine professional, Nicholas Pearce's story in a bottle - New World terroir meets old world "savoir faire". Rue Naujac is the street Nicholas lived on while studying/working in France, and Bordeaux is the country's 33rd department, both of which inspired the name and lot #!
FOOD PAIRINGS:
Pair with BBQ meats, rich stews or steak.
SOMM HINT:
For optimal enjoyment serve in larger Bordeaux wine glasses.
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WHY WE LOVE THIS WINE:
Chianti is a beautiful, exceptionally versatile, and useful bottle to keep in the rack. This wine is a blendof 95% Sangiovese and 5% Colorino. The classical nose of dark cherry, cranberry, exotic spice and alittle mint. The palate carries on the dark fruit, supported by refreshing acidity and fine tannins. There’s concentration but restraint and an invigorating juicy crunch on the finish.
ABOUT THE WINERY:
The Corsini Family has a great history with winemaking roots that date back to the 14th century, making it one of the oldest Estates in Tuscany. The current custodian of the Corsini legacy, Ducci Corsini, is the 32nd generation. Duccio took over the Estate in 1992. As the years progressed, all activities from farming to winemaking and ageing are firmly oriented to preserving the fruit's integrity through their wines.
FOOD PAIRINGS:
This is a versatile wine perfect for food, Lamb or Pork, tomato sauce for a rich Ragu. Dishes that will appreciate the wine's freshness and cut.
SOMM HINT:
Serve this wine at a cool room temperature to enhance the aromas and balance out the warming nature of the alcohol.
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WHY WE LOVE THIS WINE:
The name of the wine Metron Ariston, meaning 'moderation is best,' implies the avoidance of extremes in the lives of human beings. It expresses the pursuit of the Golden Mean and Harmony in most human activities. This wine is a blend of indigenes grape variety Roditis and some Chardonnay. Aromas of spring; ripe grapefruit, citrus, pear and peach come to the nose. Creamy and full in the mouth, with acacia, fragrant florals, lemon, pear, offset by bright, lifted acidity. This Mediterranean's concentrated yet fresh white makes it exceptionally food-friendly.
ABOUT THE WINERY:
Papantonis Winery was established in 1993 in Nemea by siblings Antony and Kallie Papantonis. The vineyards are situated just outside of the village Malandreni. The winery's goal remains to focus only on two Greek varietals (Agiorgitiko and Roditis) and an international one (Chardonnay).
FOOD PAIRINGS:
Salads with nuts and citrus segments, Seafood risottos & whole grilled fish
SOMM HINT:
Metron Ariston is pronounced "m'e-tron `a-ree-ston". The saying 'metronariston' is attributed to Cleo ulus of Rhodes, one of the seven sages of Greece. It has the same meaning as the other maxim, 'meden agan' ('nothing in excess')carved on the entrance of the temple of Apollo in Delphi.
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WHY WE LOVE THIS WINE:
Chardonnay is so much more than oak and butter! The crew behind The Atom brand has sourced top-notch Chardonnay grapes from specific coastal vineyards in California and turned the lush grapes into an excellent vino with scientific and technical winemaking skills. In honour of the science of winemaking, the team named this bottle "Half-Life." The juice is a balanced coalescence of ripe stone fruit, apple, lemon zest, and toasted coconut that greet the palate and dissolve to rich caramelized sugar, baking spices, and a touch of smoke.
ABOUT THE WINERY:
Jason Truly worked for over 20 years in wine - having worked for distributors, wineries and later creating his own brokerage. The addition of The Atom wines to Jason's growing portfolio is a passion-play toward wines, reflecting his experience and expertise in bringing wines sourced from the finest locations and vinted with proven winemaking prowess to the discerning drinker.
FOOD PAIRINGS:
This versatile wine can be enjoyed with poultry dishes, roasted chicken or turkey, shellfish, crab, lobster in a butter sauce, or roasted root vegetables.
SOMM HINT:
Serve well chilled to preserve the freshness.
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WHY WE LOVE THIS WINE:
A blend 50% Rabigato, 20% Codega, 15% Gouveio (Godello), 10% Viosinho. Haven't you heard of any of those varietals? Don't worry; neither have many folks in the wine industry! Luis sources from old vines, at the high elevation of 500m in the Cima Corgo sub-region, noted for extreme highs and lows in temperature. These stressed vines produce low yields, and grapes have insanely wild aromatics and brilliant acidity. Minerality drives this white, wet flinty stones mixed with fresh nectarine, white peach, and pear on the nose. Full of fresh picked orchard fruits and more stony minerals on the palate. Xisto Ilimitado Branco is graceful and powerful without ever coming across as heavy.
ABOUT THE WINERY:
After a decade as head winemaker at Douro powerhouse Niepoort, Luis Seabra launched his project a few years ago. He aims to make wines that show where they come from. Wines of terroir, from the vineyards, almost without intervention. Genuine and honest wines!
FOOD PAIRINGS:
Match wines with ingredients from their region like Pan-Seared Cod with lemon butter sauce or baked salt cod.
SOMM HINT:
Serve chilled but don't keep it on ice. Too cold a temperature will mute the flavours. Let this one ride!
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WHY WE LOVE THIS WINE:
Grapes are hand-harvested from their organic and biodynamically farmed hillside vineyard above the Waihopai Valley. They are fermented long and slow in a mix of stainless and barrel, with each plot vinified separately and held on lees for nine months before racking and bottling. None of these techniques are common in the region. Fresh and floral wine, with white peach, melon and gooseberry notes, finishes with bright acidity over a creamy texture.
ABOUT THE WINERY:
Churton is a small Marlborough winery in the Waihopai Valley, owned and operated by Sam and Mandy Weaver. Named after Sam's farm, Churton was built on family values and respect for the land. The reins have been handed over to the second-generation Ben and Jack, bringing youth and innovation to the Churton vineyard and cellar. The winery uses biodynamic practices in the vineyard operations and is Certified Organic with Biogro.
FOOD PAIRINGS:
You can enjoy this on its own or with a simple salad with goat cheese.
SOMM HINT:
Whenever you decide to drink this wine is the right time.
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WHY WE LOVE THIS WINE:
This dry-farmed Friulian Pinot Grigio is different in style from Veneto's counterpart. The wine is deeper in colour. Its bouquet is elegant and intense, with hints of yellow peach and golden apple, some dry-hay intertwined with fresh and mineral notes. It promises a concentrated palate full of fragrant peaches, tangerines, and refreshing acidity on the palate.
ABOUT THE WINERY:
The Vitas Winery has been in the family since 1935 for four generations. It is located in the wine-producing area of DOC Friuli Aquileia, with the influence of the sea and warm sun, creating a perfect microclimate for vine-growing. Much importance is placed on conserving the environment, and they use methods that protect their natural resources and the surrounding environment.
FOOD PAIRINGS:
A perfect casual sipper, or to complement antipasti, fried fish or vegetables and light pasta dishes.
SOMM HINT:
Wait for the first nice day of spring, ditch off work an hour early and crack this open before dinner.
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WHY WE LOVE THIS WINE:
This organically produced Muscadet is the natural expression of a terroir made of green rocks and amphibolite. The wine is crisp with lemon and grapefruit notes and subtle peach with savoury broken stones, refreshing acidity and a stylish, crisp aftertaste. This pure-fruited wine sings with minerality through the very saline finish.
ABOUT THE WINERY:
Domaine Bonnet-Huteau, nestled in La Chapelle-Heulin, in the heart of Muscadet’s Sèvre et Maine appellation, has been producing Muscadet for over 150 years. Today it is run by the Bonnet brothers, Jean-Jacques and Rémi. This 42-hectare vineyard has been certified organic since 2005 and biodynamic since 2010. They've divided their Melon de Bourgogne into parcels to highlight the nuances and subtlety of their terroirs, and their focus is on producing pure, fresh Muscadet.
FOOD PAIRINGS:
This wine will be the perfect accompaniment to seafood appetizers like oysters, smoked salmon and shrimp cocktails.
SOMM HINT:
This grape has lots of names; Muscadet, or Melon de Bourgogne, or Muscadet de Bourgogne. Whatever it is, you can always expect the wine to be dry and crisp!
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Why We Love This Wine:
This 2015 Syrah was produced during a particularly warm spring and early summer which brought forward an incredibly limited but high-quality crop. Higher acidity than usual and slightly lower concentration, resulted in particularly elegant vintage. We love the great balance, bright acidity, fleshy fruit flavours and long, smooth finish.
About The Winery:
Remolinos Vineyard is located in the Mendoza region at an amazing elevation of 3500 feet. A truly one-of-a-kind vineyard where each vine and grape are nurtured by hand. Sustainable and sensitive winemaking without compromise. The unique natural attributes of the Remolinos Vineyard shine through in their single vineyard wines, handcrafted Decero ‘from scratch’.
Food Pairings:
Dark fruit flavors, spices and mineral notes makes this French oak aged Syrah a perfect match for that roasted lamb dinner you’ve been thinking of or that cheesy charcuterie board you’ve been craving.
Somm Hints:
‘Remolinos’ means whirlwinds. Those winds keep the grapes dry and in perfect condition before being handpicked by the vintner.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Dry and bright on the herbal palate. Intense pear and green apple notes; this is an incredibly well-balanced, single vineyard Pinot with aromas that will transport you right back to the winery. Just enough tartness to help cleanse the palate between bites of your favourite snack
About The Winery:
Unsworth Vineyards has approximately 11 acres planted with vines. Half is Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir planted in 2013. From expanding the operation and restoring the farmhouse, to building a brand around sustainably managed vineyard practices, the Unsworth team have built the small vineyard into a truly exceptional single vineyard wine producer.
Food Pairings:
Seafood. Seafood. Seafood. This BC wine was made for BC seafood.
Somm Hints:
‘Single Vineyard’ is a term used to indicate that the wine in the bottle comes from a single vineyard site. Which means this particular vineyard, and the grapes grown there, have been isolated from all other vineyards due to its superiority.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Lively and fruity, with slight tart notes, this Petit Chablis is drunk young and is very appreciated as an aperitif, with cheese, pastries or oysters. It will awaken your taste buds and open your appetite.
Aged for 12-18 months, an unusually long time for Chablis, this vintage comes through to a very well-balanced drinking experience.
About The Winery:
The Moreau family has been farming their own 13 hectares of vines organically for over a decade, though long sold their fruit off to exclusive wine merchants. Eléonore has a rare vision in Chablis, focused on producing exceptional wines while remaining an excellent steward of their land. When Eléonore took over the vinification in 2016, she insisted on unusually long aging for all the wines, organic certification, and a rigorous attention to work in the vines and the cellar.
Food Pairings:
Pairs well with Shellfish, Crab and Lobster.
Somm Hints:
The difference between Chablis and Petit Chablis is the quality of the soil and how much sun the vines get. Petit Chablis compared to Chablis is fresher, lighter and less complex for easy drinking.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Monólogo Avesso P67 is a monovarietal wine produced in Quinta de Santa Teresa. On the nose this wine shows a fruit driven profile, with notes of white flowers, passion fruit, thyme and a citric side to it. On the palate we find it young but delicate with notes of guava and pear, along with a well-adjusted acidity.
About The Winery:
The existing old cellar at Quinta de Santa Teresa tells the story of a big wine farm, but this property is way more unique. All over the property you can find gardens, lakes, tennis fields, a swimming-pool and a wooded which offering plenty of cozy places and beautiful corners. This is a contiguous and enclosed area of 33 ha of vineyards in the Vinho Verde region, sub-region of Baião, just in the border with the Douro region.
Food Pairings:
This Portuguese Vinho Verde White wine is a match made in heaven for snacks and appetizers!
Somm Hints:
One of the oldest wine producing countries of the world, Portugal to this day embodies an incredible diversity in the amount of regions and grape varieties used to produce wines.
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Why We Love This Wine:
This is a wine with a feminine soul. Sasyr is an incredible easy and enjoyable to drink wine that is fruity and polished on the palate, well-rounded with no sharp edges. Like all great Women, it has character and personality, making for a complete, well-balanced wine. In relation to more masculine wines that require specific matches to find a sense of equilibrium at the dinner table, Sasyr is a very versatile wine that works well with all manner of dishes but is also very pleasant on its own.
About The Winery:
Rocca delle Macìe was established in 1973, when Italo Zingarelli decided to realize his lifelong dream by acquiring the "Le Macìe" estate – extending across 85 hectares in all, of which only two were under vine – in order to create a winery in the heart of the Chianti Classico zone. The company estate now extends to more than 600 hectares with, in total, more than 200 used as vineyards and 80 as olive groves, subdivided across the company's six estates: Le Macìe, Sant'Alfonso, Fizzano e le Tavolelle in the Chianti Classico zone, in addition to the recently purchased Campomaccione and Casamaria in the Morellino di Scansano zone.
Their quality-oriented approach dictates low yields per hectare, green harvest and leaf removal being performed during the summer months and a manual harvest directed by expert winegrowers. They have an equally meticulous attitude in the cellars, which have been expanded and modernized over the years and now feature state-of-the-art fermentation equipment to ensure precise control of the must, as well as modern maturation vessels to ensure optimum ageing.
Food Pairings:
Close out the winter by pairing this ready to drink Syrah with a Beef, Lamb or Veggie stew. Pro tip…add Turmeric!
Somm Hints:
This vintage has rated better than any other year for this wine. Lucky drinkers!
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Why We Love This Wine:
This wine is fresh, smooth, and layered on the palate with stylish aromas and flavors of grapefruit peel and tropical fruits. At first, the palate is expansive and leads with a wall of sweet-scented fruits and a soft- but balanced- acid spine. The mid-palate grows to another level, where supple phenolics offer a framework to further lift the fruit. The wine continues to unfold and is very long and persistent. This is a seriously drinkable Sauvignon Blanc!
About The Winery:
The Invivo X, SJP Sauvignon Blanc is a blend of five estates in Marlborough, spanning both the Wairau and Awatere Valleys. Sarah Jessica loved the intensity of style from the Waihopai Valley and has blended that with pure fruit aromatics from the Western Wairau and the power and purity found in the Westhaven Vineyard in the Dashwood.
The Westhaven vineyard is one of the last blocks of Sauvignon Blanc in Marlborough to be harvested and so has an extremely long season to develop flavour and power. The 2019 vintage enjoyed an ideal growing season which allowed for gradual ripening, so harvest was timed to harness the maximum warmth and sunshine of summer.
Food Pairings:
This Sauv Blanc is so easy drinking it’s one of the best wines to pair with itself. Just pour and enjoy!
Somm Hints:
Hit up YouTube to watch virtual wine tastings of this bottle with SJP herself!!
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Why We Love This Wine:
This refreshing wine is cold fermented in stainless steel tanks to create a pure expression of this exceptional grape. Showcasing crisp green apple, citrus and tropical fruit notes, the resulting wine is youthful and lively, providing a superb affinity for food.
About The Winery:
For over three decades, Kendall-Jackson has remained relentlessly committed to producing only the finest quality wines from grapes grown in California’s cool, coastal vineyards. Carefully matching climates and soil types for each grape varietal, and then guiding each vineyard lot throughout the entire winemaking process. This vintage is matched 50% Monterey County, 36% Santa Barbara County, 14% Mendocino County. Monterey County contributes lemony citrus and mineral notes. Santa Barbara County delivers a dash of fresh pineapple flavors. Mendocino County adds juicy green apple flavors.
Food Pairings:
Winner, winner, pair this buttery chard with your chicken dinner!
Somm Hints:
The difference between oaked and unoaked chardonnay is that oaked chardonnay is aged in new oak barrels, while unoaked is not. An unoaked wine will be lighter-bodied, with more fresh fruit flavors. A wine that doesn’t see the inside of a barrel (or barrel alternatives) is considered “unoaked.”
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Why We Love This Wine:
A new addition to the Vajra lineup, with this inaugural release of Piemonte Barbera Freisa a mere 3,000 bottles. The wine is inspired by a rare, old curio produced by Carlo (Carlin) Vaira, from a vineyard planted with a majority of Barbera and a row of Freisa. In 2018, Vajra brought the blend back to life with fruit from two neighbouring blocks in Bergera, Vergne. The wine combines the charisma of both varieties, with the sophistication of Barbera and the savage allure of Freisa. With not enough wine to fill a cask, it was aged in neutral barrels for eight months, until bottling on 26th August 2019.
About The Winery:
Today, G.D. Vajra is one of the most creative wineries of Barolo. A team of young talents, led by second-generation Giuseppe, Francesca and Isidoro Vajra, is enthusiastically at work crafting some of the most compelling wines of the Langhe. Their vineyards have been nurtured, and soil preserved with minimum tillage for almost 50 years now. With an incredible ratio of manual work per hectare, farming at Vajra is a labor of love. “The land asks for absolute dedication…” – Milena Vajra, matriarch of the G.D Vajra winery.
Food Pairings:
This rustic wine gives clues to its perfect pairing right in its bouquet. The fleshy fruit flavours and hints of grilled meat are waiting for Italian style veal chops.
Somm Hints:
Langhe is the region that encompasses Barolo, Barbaresco, and Roero. The name "Langhe" is the plural form of langa, which means a long hill.
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Why We Love This Wine:
You can really taste the full flavour development in this Pinot from the influence of the coastal region where the grapes grow. A long growing season full of long foggy days make this a perfect Pinot with a silky texture and a beautifully long finish.
About The Winery:
Carmel Road produces three varietals: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and a limited production Cabernet Sauvignon. The Pinot Noir and Chardonnay thrive in areas where the temperature doesn’t get too hot during the day and falls off rapidly at night. In fact, Monterey’s weather would be too hot for these cool-climate grape varieties were it not for the maritime influence from Monterey Bay.
Food Pairings:
The wonderful hints of baking spice in this Pinot mixed with a really juicy palate makes it pair well with so many foods, but we highly recommend matching this Pinot with pizza. Yeah, you read that right, this is your pizza wine!!
Somm Hints:
The slightest differences in clonal composition and terroir can have a terrific impact on Monterey Pinot Noir, yet the essentials remain. The wines are bright, crisp and silky, with a perfumed fragrance leading to complex flavors ranging from cherry pie filling to rhubarbs, pomegranates and dusty brown spices, all accented by smoky oak.
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Why We Love This Wine:
A full-bodied style of Viognier with creamy notes of peach, hazelnut and lime jelly, packed with flavour. ‘Inmacula’ means without blemish and to make sure that’s true, these grapes were harvested at night to retain freshness. What’s even cooler is, Tandem's winery is built partially underground to create a gravity fed winery with minimal stress for the wines. This wine is so expressive, long and has a subtle minerality on the finish. Great drinking experience!
About The Winery:
Tandem's vineyard philosophy is based around sustainable farming and using minimal intervention, while maintaining the vineyard’s health and viability. The natural conditions of the valley ensure that pesticide treatments can be kept to a minimum and take the form of sulphur and copper, avoiding products made from synthetic chemicals. The vines are dry-farmed and undergo a green harvest, to obtain lower yields and a key factor in achieving a greater concentration in the berries.
Food Pairings:
Pairs well soft, mild cheese or shrimps and spicy food for the more adventurous connoisseurs.
Somm Hints:
Navarra, in northern Spain, is one of the country's 17 first-level administrative regions (comunidades autónomas) and a reasonably prolific – if lesser-known – wine region. Traditionally associated with the production of crisp, fruit-driven rosé, Navarra is beginning to attract attention for its high-quality wine varieties after years of being overshadowed by its southern neighbor, Rioja.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Huge black-fruit intensity rushes to the nose and gives this wine a sun-drenched, jammy feel that is soft, but not necessarily sweet. In fact, this ripe Primitivo shows balance and a touch of refreshing acidity. Round but fleeting tannins provide easygoing support.
About The Winery:
Palama is a small estate in a sea of gigantic producers - a speck of an island on the salento peninsula and they would have it no other way. With perhaps the lowest yields in the entire appellation, Palama is committed to the highest quality everyday wines that can be produced without the fuss of new oak just ripe fresh powerful fruit. This Primitivo is a delightful creation from a delightful winery, lush yet bright and approachable with notes of dark anise cedar and blackberry confit.
Food Pairings:
Mama Mia! Match this red with meatballs, Marinara, or meat sauce.
Somm Hints:
Arguably more well known by its alter-ego Zinfandel, Primitivo is a huge, ripe Italian grape which is the pride of the Apulia region in the south of Italy. Primitivo is a delightfully brash wine that's very dark and very juicy. Much like Californian Zinfandels they have a very high alcohol content on account of the grapes ripening quickly.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Gaba do Xil Tinto 2019 is a juicy red wine with an intense nose dominated by floral notes and red fruits. On the palate it is powerful and elegant. A fruity textured wine with refreshing acidity and balsamic touches. Made with 100% Mencía grapes that expresses all the granitic soil characteristics of D.O. Valdeorras. This is a great example of fruity freshness and minerality, made by one of the best producers in the country.
About The Winery:
Renowned Spanish producer Telmo Rodriguez worked for the biggest companies before starting his own business. In this tiny appellation of the "valley of gold" (Valdeorras), Mencìa is expressed with balance under a profile that is both fruity and spicy. Gaba do Xil offers the drinker an incredible value for handmade Galician wines for everyday drinking, which rival the wines of similar quality in Burgundy and Beaujolais.
Food Pairings:
This Tinto is the perfect companion to a Tapas spread that includes ham and grilled pork.
Somm Hints:
Gaba do Xil is named for the hillsides of the Sil River, which is the lifeblood of the region. They are the estate-grown red and white village wines, an introduction to the limited production single cru wines of Ladeiras do Xil.
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Why We Love This Wine:
From Puglia, the "heel" of Italy, comes this 50% Falanghina & 50% Fiano blend. Produced by a family whose organic vineyards and farms yield an enticing array of wines as well as tomatoes, artichokes and olives, you can feel the soul of this estate and their stewardship in the wine. An area of mild winters (which we are all jealous about) and warm, windy summers, Puglia is home to wines of both freshness and density. The wine is light and elegant, with floral notes and subtle pear hints ending with a mineral twist.
About The Winery:
Raffaele di Tuccio bought this run-down farmhouse dating back to the 1700s in 1985 and over the past 30 years has worked tirelessly with his wife, Antonia, and son, Luigi, to bring the property back to life. In 1993, Raffaele was so inspired by the concept of sustainable, organic viticulture that he immediately converted his 40ha of land to organics. Very sadly, Raffaele passed away in late 2020; the care of the farm and vineyards is now in Antonia and Luigi’s hands.
Food Pairings:
There's no better pairing with white fish like halibut or cod in olive oil & lemon than this wine!
Somm Hints:
Falanghina [FA-lan-GHEE-nah] and Fiano [fee-AH-noh] are both native to the south of Italy.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Viré Clessé is one of the best white wines made in the heart of the Mâcon region, South of Burgundy. The two villages, Viré and Clessé, form a unique terroir. The soil is chalk and clay mixed with oyster fossils, like Chablis, conveying specific stoney, mineral notes to the wine. South-east-facing slopes give lots of sunshine and add ripe and round texture to the wine. Overall, well balanced and precise. Tense with a very pure fruit combination. Refreshing finish with mineral tinges.
About The Winery:
Maison Chanson (also known as Domaine Chanson for their Domaine wines) was founded in 1750 and still occupies its original home in Burgundy. They don’t like the term negociant (wines are made from purchased fruit), as they instead behave like a domaine (fruit grown in the winery's own vineyard). They are a Bourgogne negociant doing things the right way.
Food Pairings:
A great dry apéritif, also good with light seafood and raw vegetable hors d’oeuvres.
Somm Hints:
Serve nice and cold to preserve the freshness.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Inspired by Bordeaux and California’s oaked Sauvignon Blanc wines, Hidden Bench ferments the wine in oak barrels. This exceptional Fumé Blanc has substantial depth and weight while maintaining balanced proportions. The barrel influence is nicely balanced with subtle flavours of ripe citrus, green apple, grapefruit, and fresh grass. This is a classy, sophisticated, and complex wine.
About The Winery:
Hidden Bench has been certified organic since 2013, and they've undertaken many sustainable winemaking initiatives as well. Hidden Bench's focus is the translation of our unique terroir into small-batch artisanal wines using traditional, non - interventionist methods coupled with cutting-edge technology.
Food Pairings:
Baked fish or veggies, especially asparagus, with Beurre Blanc (classic French white wine butter sauce).
Somm Hints:
Observe what happens to this wine as it warms up in your glass. As the temperature of the wine increases, the warmer notes of tropical fruit begin to show.
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Why We Love This Wine:
The Lirac appellation is located just across the Rhône river from the prestige vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This is a blend of Marsanne, Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Picpoul. The wine is medium to full-bodied with a creamy and lush texture coming from 8 months of barrel aging. There are flavours of honeyed tangerine, melon and lime. This is an excellent example of how deliciously white Rhône wines can be!
About The Winery:
The history of Château de Montfaucon dates back to the 11th century, when the castle’s first tower was built. The castle’s role in history was strategic; the Rhône River was the border between the French Kingdom and the Holy Roman German Empire. Montfaucon was one of a line of castles and fortresses along the Rhône River constructed to guard the border and later to tax ships carrying goods up and down the River. Rodolphe de Pins took over Montfaucon estate in 1995, following his agriculture studies in France and California (UC Davis). He rebuilds the winery and makes his first vintage in Montfaucon in 1995.
Food Pairings:
Think of Mediterranean flavours like Bouillabaisse. Yes, it’s a white wine you can pair with tomato sauce!
Somm Hints:
Try this wine in a glass that is larger than your standard ‘white wine’ glass. I think you will be impressed with the ‘volume’ of this wine.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Pazo Señorans’ Albarino is a masterclass in the varietal’s potential. Intensely aromatic, round, and consistently well-balanced. The wine ferments in cool stainless steel tanks, then aged on fine lees for five months. The result is a textural wine with waves of bright citrus, stone fruit, and white flowers on the nose and palate. Zesty but satisfying at once, this is the Albariño to use for converting any friends who’ve yet to try this Spanish white.
About The Winery:
It’s hard to believe Pazo de Señorans has only been making wine for a mere 28 years and given that they are now considered one of the finest producers in Spain. Ana Quintela, the winemaker, is meticulous in her approach, which could not be more pared-back or straightforward. There are no secrets to success; it is all about the quality of the fruit.
Food Pairings:
Shellfish. Oysters, clams, scallops, shrimp. Raw, steamed, baked or grilled. Your choice!
Somm Hints:
Albarino can be a young, drink-now wine or a creamy lees-matured wonder with considerable aging potential.
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Why We Love This Wine:
If you’re going to use one winery as your source of Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Falchini is the one. This wine has great elegance and structure, with light aromas of green apple and jasmine flowers. Fresh, balanced, fruity, and graceful on the palate.
About The Winery:
When Riccardo Falchini bought Casale-Falchini in 1964, he was simply following his family’s footsteps – his predecessors had made wine for Cosimo de’ Medici. The estate is located just outside the walled city of San Gimignano in Tuscany and is blessed with superior terroir. Today, Falchini remains a leading producer of the region’s best-known wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, which comprises 60% of the estate’s production. After Riccardo died in 2010, his sons Michael and Christopher, along with consulting enologist Giacomo Tachis (the winemaker behind Tignanello, Sassicaia, Ornellaia and Solaia), continued to enhance the Falchini reputation for fine wines.
Food Pairings:
It is a great wine to enjoy with whole roasted sea bream or sea bass with lemon and herbs, but it is also an excellent choice as an aperitif.
Somm Hints:
Serve well chilled to preserve the freshness.
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Why We Love This Wine:
The 2019 Taboadella Villae Dão Red is a unique blend of four indigenous Portuguese grape varieties. It forms a set that they can call “perfect wedding” with four great characters! Tinta Roriz gives structure and muscle, Jaen shows his natural claw, Alfrocheiro brings minerality, and Tinta Pinheira demonstrates the aromas of forest and woodland. On the palate, this wine expresses pulpy/juicy blackberry notes with subtle hints of eucalyptus. Luscious and downright hedonistic, yet bright and energetic.
About The Winery:
The Amorim family have been involved in wine since 1870 when they first negotiated sales of cork to the Caves de Vinho do Porto in Vila Nova de Gaia. Since 1999, Luisa Amorim, the fourth generation of the family, is now creating wines of extraordinary quality with a sense of place.
Food Pairings:
Red meat from weekday burger to Sunday roast.
Somm Hints:
For optimal enjoyment, serve in larger Bordeaux wine glasses.
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Why We Love This Wine:
What could be more appropriate than a wine with a heart on the label for the month of love? This is a fascinating organic Nero d’Avola with a spicy and lively saline character. This wine truly represents the intriguing Sicilian terroir. The wine shows scents of mulberries and raspberries with a touch of light spices. The palate is fragrant and full, with soft velvety tannins that shape a vibrant, Mediterranean personality. A wine to love!
About The Winery:
Cantina Barbera is located in Menfi, on the west coast of Sicily. A third-generation farmer, Marilena Barbera, farms the grapes following an organic and biodynamic practice. To understand the wines of Cantine Barbera, you need to see the ocean. The vineyards are about one mile from the Mediterranean Sea: Vines that live this close to the sea in south-western Sicily turn the sea brine into vibrant tasty salinity.
Food Pairings:
Match this fresh red with rich meats, any kind of pasta with tomato-based sauces and pizzas!
Somm Hint:
Open this wine with your loved ones, friends or family members. Don’t try to take this sweet bottle down on your own, no matter how charming it is on the first sip.
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Why We Love This Wine:
An unusual blend of Garnacha and Graciano — hence the name Garciano! Soft fruity flavours from the Garnacha, combined with spicy flavours, acidity and deep colour from the Graciano, make this one a winner. Fine tannin brings the wine together with a taut structure. All of the wines from Azul y Garanza are made organically, with minimal intervention. One for fans of natural wines, made by hand!
About The Winery:
The Azul y Garanza vineyards began at the Natural Park of the desert of the Bardenas Reales and the Pre-Pyrenees. Founders Dani Sánchez, María Barrena and Fernando Barrena work with “landscapes” – not merely vineyards - with each of their plots enjoying as much biological diversity as this harsh climate will allowNavarra Just. The surrounding plants, shrubs, trees, and animal/insect life play as much in the grapes’ success as the vines themselves.
Food Pairings:
Think Spanish like Chorizo and lentil soup, Spanish stuffed bell peppers.
Somm Hints:
Navarra, just to the north of Rioja, was one of the first to modernize the winemaking region. A region to keep your eye on!
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Why We Love This Wine:
Frankland River is one of the coolest wine-growing regions in Western Australia. This is not your typical Australian Shiraz. Supple and elegant, an expression of cooler climate Shiraz. It starts with bright red fruits, plum, black pepper with subtle oak on the nose—a mid-weight palate with juicy fruit with spice. A small addition of Viognier gives aromatic lift and texture to the finish.
About The Winery:
Buried deep in the heart of Western Australia's most isolated wine region, Frankland Estate is as much a part of its natural landscape as it is a winery. They have invested a lot of time and energy into minimizing their impact on the region’s ecological balance, nurturing the micro-biology of the soils and supporting causes to improve the health and future prosperity of the local fauna and flora. It is their commitment to sustainable farming that informs their winemaking practices.
Food Pairings:
Grilled meats and winter stews. Beef bourguignon would be excellent to have on the weekend.
Somm Hints:
Decant this youthful wine to let it open up and express its full potential.
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Why We Love This Wine:
The Bolgheri DOC, Tenuta Le Colonne is a balanced and harmonious red wine made of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Yes, Cabernet Franc dominated! Tenuta Le Colonne’s proximity to the sea further exalts the magnificent qualities of this blend, resulting in an intense, full-bodied wine with notes of ripe black fruits and delicate notes of vanilla. Long and persistent finish. It’s surprisingly elegant and fresh, a perfect example of Bolgheri’s refined wines.
About The Winery:
Alejandro Bulgheroni is an Argentine entrepreneur with a passion for wine. Over the years, he has invested significantly in Tuscany, first in Chianti Classico and later in Montalcino.
In 2016, purchased the historic property “Tenute Le Colonne” located in the southern portion of Bolgheri’s appellation. Since 2019, the estates’ entire production is certified organic.
Food Pairings:
You will need something big and bold. Roast meats, Pasta with meat sauce, Tagliatelle ai Funghi or hard-aged cheese.
Somm Hints:
Decant this wine for at least an hour, if possible, serve in a large wine glass to showcase everything this complex wine has to offer.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Merlot has been forgotten for years. South Africa offers a style that often marries the perfect balance between the old world and new, delivering spicy, balanced and generous red wines. This Merlot from Anthonij Rupert is an unbelievable value. Vibrant black cherry and plum aromas with a hint of tomato leaf and dark chocolate. The wine has instant appeal with a soft, textured but supportive structure and frame. Lovely, generous ripe-fruited finish!
About The Winery:
Anthonij Rupert is one of South Africa’s top producers of premium wines grown across four properties in Franschhoek, Elandskloof, Kasteelberg and Darling. They produce complex, warm climate wines with ripe, palate-pleasing flavours. The Protea line, bearing the name of South Africa’s national flower, features accessible wines with a strong sense of terroir.
Food Pairings:
Perfect match for everything from casual fares like burgers or pizzas right through to finer cuts of beef, lamb or game.
Somm Hints:
Serve this wine in a larger wine glass -- it’ll help you sense + appreciate +enjoy!
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Why We Love This Wine:
First of all, it’s Italian! What is not to love! There are so many flavours jumping out of the glass – oyster shells, grapefruit, almond and peach. This wine is salty, mineral, waxy, and herbaceous. It is complex while still being simply enjoyable. It evolves in the glass, while continuing to be refreshing after two or even three glasses…
About The Winery:
Feudo Maccari was established in 2000 and is owned by Antonio Moretti who is the man behind the legendary estates of Tenuta Sette Ponti and Poggio al Lupo in Tuscany. These credentials are truly apparent in the quality of all of their wines.
This wine is made from 100% Grillo which is a natural cross between 2 other varieties grown in Sicily, Catarratto and Moscato. It is an indigenous variety that is naturally suitable to the warm, dry climate of the region. The vines are bush trained on the southerly hillsides near the town of Noto. The vineyards are less than 2km from the ocean – the proximity to the sea, as well as the Mediterranean winds help to moderate the heat and give freshness to the wines.
Food Pairings:
Sicily is surrounded by the water! Sommeliers love the saying, ‘what grows together, goes together’… it’s so true!! In this case, pair with seafood! Grilled white fish with charred vegetables sounds like the perfect meal for this wine. Sushi or Thai green curry are also great choices if you’re ordering take-out!
Somm Hints:
Always look for the lesser-known regions or varieties. Your money will go twice as far in the search for quality.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Rioja is Spain’s most well-known wine region but people don’t usually think of white wine when they think of Rioja! While an oxidative style was common for Rioja Blanco back in the day, trends have dramatically changed over the last 5-10 years to make wines that are more balanced and much fresher in style. This is a blend of many varieties, including Viura, Malvasia, Garnacha Blanca, Maturana Blanca, Tempranillo Blanco, and Turruntes. While Izadi has only been around for 30 years, the fruit comes from some of the oldest recovered vineyards in Rioja. The wines have character and soul, just like the region.
On the palate, this wine has notes of yellow apple, lemon juice, mint, hazelnut skin, cedar and toast.
About The Winery:
Izadi was founded 30 years ago but Gonzalo Anton’s family has been growing grapes in the village of Villabeuna de Alava in Rioja Alavesa for many generations. Most of the vines are 50-60 years old and bush-trained on chalky clay limestone, which helps to bring a mineral edge to the wines. Old vines tend to lose productivity with age, which helps to increase the concentration of the fruit, giving more concentrated wines.
Food Pairings:
Most of these varieties have a lovely natural weight to them without being overly acidic or perfumed, which makes it a very versatile wine for many types of cuisine. Iberico jamon and manchego cheese are the classic way to start any meal in Spain, so pairing this wine with your charcuterie board and tapas is a guaranteed success. As a main course pairing, this wine will live up to roasted chicken, or pork loin.
Somm Hints:
Take it out of the fridge 20 minutes before serving. This wine will lose its lovely floral and fruit undertones if served too cold.
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Why We Love This Wine:
We love this wine because it comes from McLaren Vale, which is one of the oldest wine-producing regions in Australia. People often consider Australia to be a young and new wine growing region, but in fact, they have some of the oldest continuously productive vines in the entire world – these vines date back to 1843 and are still producing fruit! So wild!
McLaren Vale has a great diversity of micro-climates and soil types, which brings complexity to many different wine styles. Their proximity to the ocean is a key factor in this hot region to ensure acidity retention and freshness in the grapes.
There are so many flavours in the glass – blackberry, blackcurrant and bramble fruit galore! Herbal, peppery and capsicum notes with eucalyptus, black tea leaf, Kalamata olives, and licorice. There is something savoury and meaty with this wine that balances all the juicy ripe fruit notes.
About The Winery:
Pirramimma has been around since 1892 and continues to be run by the same family today. They are one of McLaren Vale’s oldest remaining family owned winery, possessing intimate knowledge and connection to the vineyards and the region. Winemaker Jeff Johnston just celebrated 50 vintages at Pirramimma – impressive! The grapes are all estate-grown, which means that all the fruit comes from their own property, just next to the winery itself.
This Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Orchard Block and their 30-year-old ‘Pig and Pony’ vineyard. After fermentation, the wine matures in French barrels for 2 years before bottling.
Food Pairings:
This wine needs some meat. Steak or lamb with potatoes! A bit of char, smoke, and salt are able to live up to this wine.
Somm Hints:
Long live the screw cap! Screw cap closures may have once upon a time been associated with cheap wines but this is not the case in Australia. 99% of closures are under screw cap for an easy crack and pour! These closures ensure freshness in even the most age-worthy wines.
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Why We Love This Wine:
Bonarda is Argentina’s second most planted black grape variety, but continues to live in the shadow of Tempranillo on the export market, and is therefore mostly consumed domestically. This is why it’s always a treat when we see it on the shelves in Canada and have a chance to taste it!
The Tilia brand seeks to create action around social sustainability in Argentina. The playful label depicts the ethos of biodiversity through sketches of bees, mountains, ocean, and all things Mother Nature. They are hoping to inspire a movement among winemakers and producers all over the world that not only creates a connection with the natural environment but the local community as well. Amen! We can totally get behind this.
The colour is deep in the glass but the flavour is lighter and brighter than you might expect. The glass is singing with notes of red cherry, strawberry, plum, violets, basil, and blueberry. Earthy, peppery, and gamey with fresh acidity.
About The Winery:
Tilia was established in 2006 in Junin, Mendoza. All the grapes are sustainably farmed and sourced from the Uco Valley, the Eastern and Central regions of Mendoza. They are the first winery in Argentina to carry the ‘Bodegas de Argentina Certified Sustainable’ seal on the label. They support the local communities with an array of programs to ensure that ‘we all thrive as one’. You can hear birds chirping in the background when you check out their website. Love it!
Food Pairing:
Asado! This is the local name for the long Argentinean tradition of the BBQ! This wine is the perfect pairing for grilled skewers, good company, and sunshine.
Somm Hints:
Serve with a slight chill. This will help to bring out the fresh acidity that pairs so nicely with all the fruit concentration.
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Why We Love This Wine:
It’s playful but serious. Fruity and earthy, with silky tannins and fresh acidity. Notes of raspberry, strawberry, blackpepper, rose petals and cracked pepper.
We love that this is an organic wine! They have been certified organic since 2007 and continue to push the sustainability envelope by also implementing biodynamic practices in the vineyard – this means that they spray the vines with compost tea, bury cow horns under the earth to naturally fertilize the soil, and make decisions based on the lunar calendar – far out!
About The Winery:
Ventoux is a famous appellation in the Southern Rhône, just below the picturesque Mont Ventoux. The mountain provides an important cooling influence in the region due to the high altitude and cool air coming down it, which adds freshness to the wines.
Château Pesquié is a third-generation family affair. This wine is a blend of Grenache and Syrah, planted on limestone-rich soils. The wine spends several months in concrete vats before aging for 6 months in neutral French barrels.
Food Pairings:
This is fantastic on its own by the fireplace. If you are looking to pair with food, go for a mushroom risotto. This is a wine that could also live up to a pork loin or lean meats.
Somm Hints:
Look for the green leaf on the back of the label to ensure that the winery is following sustainable practices in the vineyard. Supporting sustainability will help to ensure that we have fresh and delicious wines to drink in the future!
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Why We Love This Wine:
The wines are just as playful as the labels. With brands like Freakshow, Earthquake, Inkblot and Sixth Sense, you can imagine that they are a pretty fun Motley Crew at Michael David Winery. While they take their farming practices and winemaking techniques seriously, they understand that wines are meant to be unpretentious and enjoyable. The grapes for this Syrah were planted in 1982 and is one of the earliest plantings of Syrah in California. This wine expresses everything we love about Syrah with notes of violets, black cherry, plum, espresso beans, licorice and blackberries. The savoury and smoky character balances the ripe fruit notes and naturally sweetness of the wine. Bold and beautiful!
About The Winery:
The founders, Michael and David Phillips are 5th generation grape growers. Their family has been farming the soils in Lodi since the 1860s and cultivating wine grapes since the early 20th century – they go way back.
Lodi sits at the northern end of the Central Valley in California. There is a flat land in the area with breaks between the North and South Coast Ranges, which means that breezes off the San Francisco Bay can travel far inland. This means added freshness is a region that is commonly associated with high alcohol and lots of fruit concentration.
Food Pairings:
This wine is calling for lamb chops! Serve with some grilled eggplant and don’t be afraid of the pepper shaker!
Somm Hints:
Often times, Syrah makes a wine that needs to lay down in your cellar for a decade, but this is a wine that is ready to drink. Give it a decant before bringing it out to the dinner table. There isn’t any sediment, but a little aeration will help to open up all the aromas and soften out the tannins. If you don’t have a decanter, toss it in a juice jug or coffee Bodum. Don’t be afraid to shake it up a bit when pouring!
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Why We Love This WINE:
The Winery of Good Hope Unoaked Chardonnay is brimming with optimism & bright ripe fruit. Notes of fresh citrus & ripe pineapple sing from the glass. As the name suggests, the wine has not seen any oak barrels – choosing instead to age the Chardonnay in steel to preserve the freshness and fruitiness of the wine.
About The Winery:
Based in Stellenbosch, the Winery of Good Hope is fully accredited for environmental, ethical, and social-upliftment practices.
Food Pairings:
Lemon Garlic Prawn Linguini.
Somm Hints:
A wine glass with a big bowl will give this wine a chance to open up & sing!
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Why We Love This Wine:
The aromas of this Sauvignon Blanc jump out of the glass at you! Guava, yellow grapefruit and fresh green herbs.
About The Winery:
Hailing from Bordeaux, François Lurton sought out his ideal vineyard site in Chile. He found it near the town of Lolol in the Colchagua Valley, just 2 hours from Santiago. Hacienda Araucano is certified Biodynamic.
Food Pairings:
This wine is not shy & will stand up to some bright & strong flavours. It will pair beautiful with fresh cilantro. Fish tacos with cilantro & pico de gallo.
Somm Hints:
This is a wine that is made to be enjoyed upon release. No need to cellar the bottle – it should be enjoyed while fresh & bright!
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Why We Love This:
Pinot Blanc is a variety that does not receive enough attention! The Alsatian expression of Pinot Blanc is delicate and floral. The Lorentz ‘Evidence’ shows off notes of fresh pear, lemon blossom and acacia.
About The Winery:
Established in 1836, Domaine Gustave Lorentz is a family run winery under the direction of the 7th generation. Set in the idyllic village of Bergheim, Alsace, the domaine is committed to producing quality wines with a focus on organic viticulture.
Food Pairings:
A secret weapon to pair alongside a notoriously difficult ingredient – eggs! This wine will be a perfect pairing alongside a simple omelette or a vegetable frittata.
Somm Hints:
Pinot Blanc from Alsace does have the ability to age a few years in the bottle. A good quality Pinot Blanc can be enjoyed upon release but will also benefit from 4-6 years ageing in bottle.
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Why We Love This:
This is a full bodied white wine with a profile of fresh fruit and flowers. Ripe peach & apricot are the stars of the show along with
About The Winery:
The McManis Family have been farming the land for 5 generations. They established the family winery in 1990.
Food Pairings:
Butter Chicken – the weight of the wine will match the creamy sauce, while the ginger and spice will be complemented by the flavours in the wine.
Somm Hints:
Viognier is a variety that packs in flavour in a full-bodied wine without the influence of oak barrels. The weight and flavours come from the grape itself. While some Viogniers will be aged in oak, the McManis release is a great example of what the grape can express on its own.
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Why we love this wine:
Native to Piedmont, the Dolcetto grape used to be much more prominent than it has been in recent history. Although the name translates to “little sweet one”, the wines, while often juicy, bright and fruit driven, are predominantly dry. It is a difficult grape to work with in the vineyard, which may be why it fell out of favour, but it can produce alluring wines that are exuberant, full, floral, fresh and perfumed. As a result, fortunately, Dolcetto seems to be making a comeback. This charming wine is such a great example of Dolcetto’s bright personality showing grapey aromas and flavours, wildberries, bright juicy acidity and a mouth-watering, palate cleansing finish.
About the Winery:
The Cogno family has been making wine for generations in the Piedmont region. In 1990, Elvio Cogno left a long partnership with one of the area’s long-established wineries and bought a historic 18th-century farmhouse, surrounded by steep sloped vineyards, on the top of Bricco Ravera, near the town of Novello. Elvio passed the torch to his daughter, Nadia, and her husband, Valter Fissore, who had worked beside Elvio for 25 years. Today, co-owner and winemaker Valter oversees the production of all Elvio Cogno estate wines. Valter and Nadia grow indigenous grape varieties with organic vineyard practices. Cogno is largely responsible for the resurgence of the Novello area and the winery consistently is among the region’s top producers.
Food Pairings:
Great with salumi, soft cheese and bbq pork ribs.
Somm Hint:
Serve slightly chilled to enhance the wine’s freshness.
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Why we love this wine:
Bright and juicy with aromas of tart cherries, violets, cedar and baking spices with bright acidity, soft tannins and flavours of cherries, raspberries and black currant. Delightfully easy to drink, but still possesses loads of character. Gamay (the grape of Beaujolais) is one of the most underrated grape varieties growing in Canada. We all need to drink more Gamay for it’s freshness, flavour, drinkability and food versatility.
About the Winery:
In his quest to explore terroir, Moray Tawse first established his namesake winery in Vineland, ON. Then it was Marchand-Tawse and Domaine Tawse in Burgundy. And now Redstone Winery, in Beamsville, ON. Moray purchased the Lincoln Lakeshore property, formerly Thomas and Vaughan Estate Winery, in 2009, citing that it was an opportunity to explore a different terroir that he simply couldn’t pass up. Inspired by the red dust which covered everything, including his boots, the first time he strolled the vineyard, he named the new winery Redstone, for its intensely red clay soil and large stones. The 38-acre estate vineyard is farmed organically.
Food Pairings:
Great with turkey and chicken, burgers, duck or pork chops.
Somm Hint:
Chill in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes before serving to really bring out the brightness in this wine.
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Why we love this wine:
This zippy white wine has a fresh and expressive nose with notes of melon and citrus, and a fresh and lively palate. Sauvignon Blanc does quite well in Chile when planted in cooler sites to maintain the grape’s natural freshness. A small amount of Semillon is blended into the wine to add a little texture and weight.
About the Winery:
Lapostolle Wines was founded by Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle and her husband Cyril de Bournet in 1994. Alexandra is a member of the renowned family that has been dedicated for several generations to the production of high-quality spirits and wines. After visiting Chile, Alexandra and Cyril not only fell in love with the Colchagua Valley, they also detected the enormous potential of the country to produce premium wines due to its exceptional geographical characteristics. In the creation of Lapostolle Wines, the family has maintained the commitment with the quality that has always characterized them…to create world class wines using the French experience and, in this case, the magnificent terroirs of Chile. Lapostolle Wines has been a pioneer in the wine industry in Chile through the production of premium wines with a focus on terroir and a strong emphasis on sustainability.
Food Pairings:
Great with all types of seafood, sushi and as an aperitif.
Somm Hint:
Serve chilled with a nice patio on a hot summer’s day (if drinking in the middle of our Canadian winter, enjoy while dreaming of being on a patio on a hot summer’s day)
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Why we love this wine:
The grapes for this wine are from selected vineyard sites in the mountainous region of the Cape coast. The high elevation vineyards produce smaller quantities of grapes per vine, but great quality. The wine is generous, deep, ripe black fruit with pepper spice, richness and juiciness with a round, integrated fruit core and silky ripe tannins. Shows elegant freshness and length with lingering fruit on the finish.
About the Winery:
Boschendal (Dutch for bush and dale) is one of the oldest wine estates in South Africa and is located between Franschhoek and Stellenbosch in South Africa’s Western Cape. This wine farm is nestled in one of the most picturesque valleys in the Cape Winelands. With a winemaking tradition spanning over 330 years, Boschendal Wine Estate take the utmost care to find specific terroir driven sites best suited to grow their wines and prioritize sustainability across their farming and cellar practices in order to retain the country’s biodiversity.
Food Pairings:
Anything off the barbecue, particularly lamb and pork.
Somm Hint:
The wine is very approachable right out of the bottle, but it will continue to open up and develop in your glass.
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Why we love this wine:
Taking advantage of some strong grower relations, Nine North was able to source some wonderful old vine Zinfandel from several Lodi vineyards. Don’t ask them from where, as they have been sworn to secrecy; just know the same grapes go into wines that retail for three to four times the price. They chose the classic 19th century strongman icon for their label as they thought it was fitting of the period between 1850 and 1900 (around the same time Zinfandel was planted and began to flourish in California). The strongman was not only an exhibitor of feats of strength but his main purpose was also to showcase his great size, boldness and symmetry—kind of describes old vine Zinfandel. The wine shows bright fruit and freshness, is elegant juicy, rich, intense and bold.
About the Winery:
Nine North Wine Company is a unique portfolio of small production handcrafted wines from Napa Valley, North Coast, Central Coast, California and Washington State appellations. Nine North specializes in offering exceptional quality and value. In 2009, Chris Nickolopoulos and Elijah Pfister were approached by a high-end winemaker friend who had some extra Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: could they do anything with it? Samples were sent and both were greatly impressed with the quality. Moreover, given the recession at the time, it was available for pennies on the dollar. They took it all. Desiring a fruitier character in the finished wine, they also purchased several lots of Merlot and spent two weeks experimenting with blends until they hit the sweet spot. They branded the wine Ministry of the Vinterior (MOV) and the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon was their first négociant wine. While the gents were blending Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir for their MOV line, word quickly spread among winemaking estates that there was a discreet home to be found for the glut of wine that was in the market, and hundreds of samples came their way. Concurrently, retailers seeking proprietary blends learned of their efforts and they began to fulfill requests for them. It was an excellent business model in that stellar juice was obtained for a fraction of the cost and the consumer received appellation-specific wines that over-delivered at the price point.
Food Pairings:
A great burger, steak or ribs are perfect partners.
Somm Hint:
Serve this wine at cellar temperature (16 C) to maintain its bright freshness. If served too warm, the alcohol will tend to dominate.
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Why we love this wine:
In a region that is best known for the Nebbiolo grape of the great red wines of Barolo and Barbaresco, comes this intriguing and delicious white wine from the hyper local Erbaluce grape. This wine features bright and light green nuances and a brilliant mouth-watering character, floral aromas, and a lovely savouriness with almond-flavoured notes on the finish. Erbaluce has the ability to age and will develop more complexity, structure and minerality with even 3 or 4 years of aging in the bottle.
About the Winery:
Antoniolo is considered by many to be one of the most important reference-point estates in Alto Piemonte (northern Piedmont). It is run by brother and sister team Alberto and Lorella Antoniolo but was established in 1948 by their grandfather Mario. In the 1950s and 60s, when many Italians were fleeing the countryside for work in Piedmont’s factories, Antoniolo was snapping up the area’s best vineyards. In 1974, Rosanna Antoniolo, Mario’s daughter and Alberto and Lorella’s mother, accepted the suggestion of Italy’s most famous wine journalist, Luigi Veronelli, and bottled single vineyard wines – something few producers were doing at the time. Today the estate has 14 hectares under vine, and brother and sister follow the strict guidelines of their pioneering mother. Fermentations are done slowly in concrete vats with indigenous yeasts. The winey produces only 4600 cases of wine annually on average.
Food Pairings:
A very versatile food wine having the ability to pair with everything from vegetable frittatas, herb risotto, fried fish and soft cheeses.
Somm Hint:
Serve slightly chilled because if too cold, the aromas and flavours will be muted.
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Why we love this wine:
Do you like Sauvignon Blanc? Then guess what, you will love this wine! Sauvignon blanc was born in Bordeaux and is a primary ingredient of the White Bordeaux blend. The Château Haut-Grelot Blanc is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc with 10% Semillon. The wine is floral, crisp and elegant, with subtle hints of grapefruit and lemon pith. The round palate and a lingering finish let you savour every drop.
About the Winery:
Château Haut-Grelot was established in 1920 in the village of Les Grelots by the Bonneau family. Today, the domaine comprises 58 hectares of vineyards and is run by Céline and Julien, who have been awarded the title of "Best Young Talent" in Bordeaux.
Food Pairings:
A gorgeous aperitif to drink on its own on the weekends. You can also enjoy with light pasta dishes and baked white fish with potato and asparagus.
Somm Hint:
This is a genuinely delicious white! Serve nice and cold to preserve the freshness.
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Why we love this wine:
The Zibibbo, also knowns as Muscat of Alexandria, is a white grape variety member of the Muscat family. In Italy grown mainly in Sicily and its islands. Bad news for those who think of Zibibbo by associating it with sweet wine. Zibibbo is much more than that! The "dry" version is presented in the glass with floral and fruity aromas of citrus fruit, peach, and yellow melon. On the palate, it’s fresh and elegant, sapid and harmonious.
About the Winery:
Tenute Orestiadi is the name of a very young and dynamic Sicilian winery, born a few years ago from the efforts of many vinegrowers in the area of Gibellina and the Orestiadi Foundation. The production philosophy of Tenute Orestiadi is aimed at the production of modern Sicilian wines closely linked to the territory and to the Sicilian oenological tradition.
Food Pairings:
Great seafood wine from sushi to pasta with Mediterranean sardine (or anchovy) with lemon and capers.
Somm Hint:
Look for “Passito di Pantelleria” for the distinct style of sweet white wine made from Zibibbo.
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Why we love this wine:
An exceptional Pinot Gris from a celebrated Alsatian winery! Grapes come from a variety of Zind-Humbrecht's estate vineyards surrounding the winery located in the village of Turkheim. Ideal full sun exposure ensures that these wines are ripe, opulent and fruit-driven. Fermented to near dryness, this Pinot Gris exhibits intoxicating aromas of honey apples, citrus blossoms, and nectarines. The palate is powerful and dense with a sapid fresh acidity.
About the Winery:
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht is managed by Master of Wine, Olivier Humbrecht. The Humbrechts have been growing grapes in this part of Alsace since 1620. Today Olivier farms 40 hectares of vineyards, which are spread across 5 villages. During his tenure, Olivier has brought the winery to the next level by renovating the cellar and converting the vineyards to biodynamic farming.
Food Pairings:
A perfect wine for french inspired weekend brunch like quiche lorraine and ham and Gruyere cheese crepe.
Somm Hint:
A perfect wine for french inspired weekend brunch like quiche lorraine and ham and Gruyere cheese crepe.
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Why we love this wine:
Missing the sunshine? We’ve got you covered. This vacation in a bottle shows aromas of ripe TROPICAL fruits, including honeydew and pineapple. The mouth exhibits a dense texture, with flavours of pineapple and lychee. Low acids complemented with a baking spice finish make this wine an approachable crowd pleaser.
About the Winery:
Keint-he is a boutique winery focusing on varietals that are typically grown in Burgundy. Centrally located in Prince Edward County’s wine region, Keint-he produces domestic wines exhibit European minerality and acidity. The result is award-winning, terroir-based wines that reflect the standard for quality and the region’s character in which they were produced from either the County or Niagara.
Food Pairings:
A good match for most summery foods flavoured with tropical fruit. Grilled pork loin, scallops, and Thai Red Curry.
Somm Hint:
This Chardonnay is ‘no fuss, no muss’ in that you can enjoy any day and time, just like when you are on vacation.
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Why we love this wine:
This unique white differs from other typical Moscatel wines due to its dryness. The grapes come from three different vineyards – one parcel with more than 50 years old vines. The juice goes through a slow fermentation process with skin contact. The result is a fruity wine with ripe citrus and tropical fruits notes as lychees and mango. The wine is dry, rich with intense fruit fragrances.
About the Winery:
Quinta do Vallado, established in 1716, is one of Douro Valley’s oldest and most famous estates. It is located on the banks of the Corgo River, a tributary of the Douro River, right next to its mouth and close to the town of Peso da Régua. It belonged to the legendary Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira and remains in the hands of her descendants.
Food Pairings:
Excellent with any Asian cuisine, Japanese, Chinese, Thai and even with spicy Korean food.
Somm Hint:
Recommended best served well chilled.
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Why we love this wine:
When we think of wine from Italy’s Piedmont region, we usually think Nebbiolo, but there is a white wine that should be on everyone’s radar, and that is Arneis. This 100% Arneis wine is hand-harvested from high-density plantings, fermented low and slow to preserve its fresh acidity. On the nose, there are notes of white flowers and dried herbs. It is dry, crisp and refreshing on the palate, offering green pear, apple, white peach and honey notes with a citrusy, mineral core and hints of almond.
About the Winery:
Chiesa Carlo is little known but has a long history, and they make fantastic wines. Founded in the mid-1700s in the sun-drenched hills of the Roero, Chiesa Carlo is a prestigious family business that spans over five generations. They’ve always practiced organic farming throughout this long time – no chemicals have ever been used. All vineyard work, including the harvest, is done by hand. Their wines stand out for their lack of intervention and manipulation, which shows in the production of their celebrated Roero wines like the Roero Arneis D.O.C.G.
Food Pairings:
Food pairing is a treat with Arneis, ranging from simple antipasto (marinated olives, seafood) to mussels and grilled sea bass.
Somm Hint:
Take out of the fridge 20 minutes before serving. Leave off ice.
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Why we love this wine:
Garnacha, or Grenache in French, in its purest form! On the organically certified vineyards at an altitude of 550 m above sea level, pure Garnacha is grown for the Generación 73. There are rich high-intensity aromas of blackberries, vanilla and sweet caramel and floral notes such as violet. This full-bodied wine has dense ripe berry fruit balanced with integrated tannin and a light taste of the toasted oak.
About the Winery:
The Yago Aznar family belongs to this region of Lécera in Aragón, attuned to the extreme climate and challenging landscape with a shared passion for wine-making spanning four generations of viticulturists. Today the 70 hectare estate is run by siblings Paula and Víctor Yago Aznar and their organically certified operation is predicated on the principle of 'Tempore' or time, or more precisely 'seedtime', leaving the vines to express themselves free of intervention and with the utmost respect for the land.
Food Pairings:
Don’t overthink this one. Steak and Potatoes, grilled lamb, roasted portobello mushrooms, and aged hard cheeses.
Somm Hint:
Pour into your largest glass. This is a smooth operator!
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Why we love this wine:
Folly of the Beast is the result of a winemaker’s quest to make good and approachable Pinot Noir. The 2019 Folly of the Beast Pinot Noir begins with a pleasing, classic Pinot aroma of cranberry, black cherry, spice and a little wet earth. This medium-bodied wine has a fruity ripe berry beginning giving way to the hints of the toasted oak. Sweet spice notes lead into the very long, dry finish.
About the Winery:
Folly of the Beast wine is made by Winc. Winc’s story began in 2012 under another name: Club W. Club W was the world’s first personalized wine club. It made the process of discovering and buying wine easier than ever; eventually, this club expanded to other facets of the wine experience. Winc Wine Company opts for small-lot winemaking techniques and philosophies, favouring quality over quantity. It strives to showcase the best that every region, varietal and style has to offer, at the best value possible.
Food Pairings:
Ideal with roasted poultry or a mushroom risotto with parmesan cheese.
Somm Hint:
If you have the proper stemware, bring out the burgundy glasses to accentuate the wine’s aromas
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Why we love this wine:
A Wine that is stepping up the game for Austria's most planted red variety. Too often, Zweigelt can produce distinctly average red wines, but here it shows its true colours. Intense aromas of ripe black fruits, minerals, licorice, and the slightest hint of bergamot. The palate is mineral, complex and juicy. There’s loads of concentration, but also loads of acidity – it’s lively and harmonious, but with real depth, brings this red to the next level!.
About the Winery:
Started by sisters, Susanne and Stefanie Renner, Rennersistas have been certified organic since 2012. They have been attracting international attention and recognition within the natural wine community for their stunning natural wines. Currently, they farm 13 hectares of land with a lot of care.
Food Pairings:
Zweigelt is one of those rare reds that pair well with fish, particularly shellfish. Try pairing it with fish cooked in wine or tomato-based sauce to really bring out the flavors! Poultry and Zweigelt also go very well together.
Somm Hint:
The first sip packs a bit of a punch, so definitely give it a minute and then try your second and third sips to get settled.
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Why we love this wine:
This complex Ripasso shows a pure red and black-cherry bouquet with notes of herbs and violet. Even though there is a great depth of flavour and concentration, the wine is silky and surprisingly elegant and finishes with plump fruit and well-integrated spicy/oak flavours.
About the Winery:
Ca del Monte is situated on the hillsides overlooking the village of Negrar, in the heart of Valpolicella. The original building of the estate is a 17th-century mansion built on an ancient monastery. Producing wines here for six generations, the two brothers Umberto and Giuseppe Zaconte oversee all production steps of their Amarones and Valpolicella wines. All of the farming is done traditionally and non-certified organic.
Food Pairings:
Pair this rich wine with game meats, roast chicken, wood oven pizza and pasta with full flavoured sauces. It is also amazing when served with aged cheeses.
Somm Hint:
Ripasso was created to impart more complexity to Valpolicella by using the leftover dried grapes skins of Amarone to infuse the wine with more complexity. Thus, Ripasso, meaning “re-pass,” or “go over again,” a process that proved so successful it was given its own DOC in 2007.
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Why we love this wine:
Classic Chianti in every way! Calcinaia's Chianti Classico is very aromatic and savoury, with bright red fruit and hints of roses, violets and dried herbs. It is supple and dry on the palate, with round fruit flavours, refreshing acidity, and well-integrated tannins. The balance is excellent with a long finish.
About the Winery:
Villa Calcinaia is situated in the centre of Chianti Classico near the town of Greve-in-Chianti. This historic estate has been home to the Counts Capponi since 1524 and is maintained by Sebastiano Capponi and his brother Niccolo. In 1992, Count Sebastiano Capponi became the first in the history of the family to manage the winery personally, giving a new life to the vineyards and the cellar.
Food Pairings:
It pairs terrifically with rich pieces of meat: from cured meat boards to the regional classic bistecca alla Fiorentina (T-bone steak).
Somm Hint:
Definitely decant as you might find some sediment (which is harmless) in the bottle.
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Why we love this wine:
If you love elegant Pinot Noir, you will love this! Made from pre-phylloxera vines averaging 100+ years old, this lovely Gamay is from the village of Chenas. The old vines, poor soils and biodynamic farming combine for incredibly low yields and highly concentrated grapes. Deep, ripe aromas of black cherry with a hint of black pepper and laurel. Very good weight; fleshy and round, very soft and harmonious.
About the Winery:
Stéphane Aviron can be considered a pioneer in his approach to winemaking in Beaujolais, however, he would just tell you that he’s simply returning to the traditional practices that have always made fantastic Gamay wines. Sustainable viticulture, extremely old vines and classic Burgundian techniques. Authenticity and a distinctly Beaujolais style of winemaking are what sets Stéphane apart from the rest.
Food Pairings:
Subtly flavored, simply seasoned poultry and pork dishes
Somm Hint:
“Vieilles Vignes” indicates old vines, which produce less fruit, so the wines are more concentrated and flavourful!
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Why we love this wine:
DV Catena Historic Red Blend is made in honour of Don Domingo Catena and his legendary abilities as a Master of the Assemblage. This big and bold red blend is composed of elegant Malbec from the high altitude Uco Valley, Bonarda, which adds red fruit character, and spicy Petit Verdot, which adds complexity and structure. Luscious cassis, black plums and ripe cherries define the nose. The palate is well structured with intense dark fruit flavours and a spicy finish with hints of black pepper and coffee.
About the Winery:
The Catenas are easily Argentina’s most respected winemaking family. Today the estate is in the hands of the fourth generation, represented by Laura Catena. Over the past 20 years, Laura and her father Nicolás Catena Zapata have worked tirelessly to discover, identify, and develop key microclimates in Mendoza, Argentina’s high-altitude wine country.
Food Pairings:
We’re dreaming of roasted prime rib or lamb chops on a cold snowy night.
Somm Hint:
This wine can be decanted if you’d like or enjoyed immediately. Serve this wine in a larger & taller wine glass.
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Why we love this wine:
D.O. Bierzo, located in the northwest province of León, is known for its Mencía-based wines with plenty of fruit and spice characters and an essential stop for travellers who walk the Camino de Santiago. The grapes are sourced from 7 old-vine parcels in which red and white grapes are inter-planted, so Diego co-ferments the different native grape varieties, as was done in the past. In this case, the blend is 80% Mencía, 10% Palomino and 10% Doña Blanca. This is a refreshing, engaging, powerful, crystalline wine with amazing red fruit intensity and woven earth, smoke, and spice flavours.
About the Winery:
Diego Losada is a Bierzo native who, after working at a couple bigger wineries, struck out on his own with his project La Senda (meaning “the path” or “the way”) in 2013. He looks for bush vine vineyards that are not easily accessible by road and planted on hard and stony soils since they are less likely to be exposed to chemical treatments. He works organically and produces some of the most revolutionary Bierzo wines that we have encountered.
Food Pairings:
Bierzo works very well with bbq, especially lean meats such as Sirloin steak or flank steak. Due to its spiced character, the pairing becomes even better if you use herbaceous sauces like a Chimichurri.
Somm Hint:
Mencía (“Men-thee-ah”) is only grows in Spain and Portugal on the Iberian peninsula. If you love Pinot Noir then Mencía is something worth investigating!
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Why we love this wine:
Wild Goose has an excellent reputation for its aromatic white. This fruit-forward Riesling comes from Estate grown grapes, including the 32-year-old Wild Goose Vineyards and the 10-year-old Secrest Vineyards. Subtlely floral and honeyed with ripe stone fruit, apricot and peach aromas. The palate is surprisingly dry, delicate yet flavourful, with very good length.
About the Winery:
Early in 1983, Adolf Kruger purchased land east of Okanagan Falls. He immediately secured a contract to sell the grapes to Mission Hill Winery. After 7 years, he opened Wild Goose Winery as the seventeenth winery in BC. Over time, it has established itself as one of the premium small producers of VQA wines.
Food Pairings:
Amazing with Asian cuisine (especially seafood), pork tenderloin, grilled radicchio, avocado and mango salads.
Somm Hint:
Recommended best served well chilled.
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Why we love this wine:
Full, plush, round yet bright chardonnay from Russian River Valley. The cooler Russian River Valley has imparted some fresh acidity with ripe flavours of peach and apricot and some orange blossom notes. It is medium-full bodied, almost creamy in texture with quality oak spice—well-balanced, beautiful chardonnay with very good length.
About the Winery:
Stewart Family Estates is one of the rare Canadian wine companies to have ventured abroad, in this case to Sonoma. Lake Sonoma Winery produces wines exclusively from esteemed vineyards of Sonoma County, a wine-growing region home to some of the most diverse terroirs and micro-climates in the world. With Sonoma directly on their estate name, they take great pride in their region and the quality of grapes planted, grown and bottled to be poured into your glass.
Food Pairings:
A lovely pairing for a rich winter meal… roasted meats and seafood with rich sauces and your favourite vegetable dishes. The wine has enough body and fresh acidity to work with rich meal.
Somm Hint:
This Chardonnay is ‘no fuss, no muss’ in that you can enjoy any day and time.
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Why we love this wine:
Portugal has always been at the forefront of producing wines that are high quality with a long history of winemaking. The white Dona Matilde wine is produced from the grape varieties Arinto, Viosinho, Gouveio and Rabigato. It is a wine with an intense citrus aroma, with tropical notes of passion fruit, mango and hints of anise. The palate is fresh, clean, ripe and creamy. This is a wine with fine purity of fruit that you would enjoy whatever your mood is.
About the Winery:
Dona Matilde is a family-owned estate located on the banks of the River Douro. Dona Matilde, formerly known as Enxodreiro, is among the oldest and most famous properties in the Douro. In the 18th century, the estate was already part of the vinhas de feitoria– the small set of properties within the first wine demarcation of origin in the world by the Marquis of Pombal. Even today, the vineyards have the highest rating in the region, used in the Port wine sector.
Food Pairings:
An excellent wine to start sipping while you are cooking! Any light dishes, a salad with your favourite vinaigrette dressing and/or perhaps some seafood - grilled, raw, or steamed!
Somm Hint:
Recommended best served well chilled.
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Why we love this wine:
Delmoro Blanco comes from vineyards near the village of Venta del Moro, just west of Valencia, a blend of young and old vines from the indigenous Merseguera and old-vine Chardonnay. The nose is full of citrus, orange peel with hints of green olives. The palate is crisp, refreshing easy-drinking to savour!
About the Winery:
La Comarcal is a boutique wine project created by rising-winemaker, Javi Revert and Victor Marqués. Meaning “the District”, the project was founded in 2017 in the mountainous village of Venta del Moro. The aspirations of Javi and Victor were to create youthful wines made from organically grown native Valencian grape varieties harvested from high elevation sites.
Food Pairings:
An easy drinking white wine that lends itself well to shellfish. Drink this white blend with a linguini vongole or garlic butter shrimp pasta.
Somm Hint:
Do not serve too cold. Remove from the fridge 10min before opening. It will help to release the flavours and aromas.
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