wInE Tasting notes 2024
White
Weisser Schotter, Strehn 2020 35
Burgenland, Austria - Grüner Veltliner dominant blend
Delicate fruit complemented by a fresh herbal note, a vibrant acidity initially and a soft mineral finish.
+[Vegan]
Chin Chin Vinho Verde, Quinta de Ermizio 2021 38
Guimaraes, Portugal - Arinto, Loureira
Notes of green apple, pear, citrus and unripe stone fruits are rounded off with a slight salinity. All the signatures of a classic vinho verde, including that refreshing touch of sparkle, but with a modern twist.
+[Organic, Vegan, Low Sulphite]
Kövérszőlő, Tokaji Peter Pince 2021 45
Hungary - Kövérszőlő
Showing that Tokaji can do dry wines just as beautifully as they can sweet. Ripe tropical fruit, pear and quince are balanced with a subtle note of spice. A savoury nuttiness rounds it off. The current staff favourite.
+[Vegan]
Bouysselet, Domaine Plaisance-Penavayre, 2021 47
South West France - Bouysselet
Bouysselet is an old native grape varietal recently rediscovered. A split vinification in amphora, oak and stainless steel paired with a rare grape make this wine truly one of a kind. With tense minerality and a high acidity encompassing notes of stone fruit, green melon, pith and flint.
Aligotte! Déjà Bu & Sylvain Pataille, 2020 53
Côtes de Nuits, France - Bourgogne Aligoté
A sophisticated blend of stone fruits, citrus and white flowers on the palate are tied together with soft herbs and spices on the nose. Orchard pear and candied orange zest linger on both. Beautifully crisp and rounded.
+[Organic, Biodynamic, Low Sulphite]
Femme Soleil, Hors Champ, 2021 56
Languedoc, France- Grenache Gris
A rare pink grape planted on limestone and clay, Cyril Fhal the producer uses the first press juice to create a silky bright white. Fhal holds the environment at the core of his winemaking and produces wonderfully vibrant low intervention wines. You’ll find notes of orchard fruit, spice and flint on the palate, as well as an energetic acidity.
+ [Organic, Biodynamic, Low Sulphite]
Soil Therapy, L21A, 2021 60
Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France - Sylvaner, Riesling, Auxerrois, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer
A sophisticated wine from a wonderful area, the almond and passion fruit on the palate are pure and vibrant. Complemented by a finish that is as smooth as it is long. Rebelliously "Alsace" is transcribed into Braille on the label as a statement against the increasingly restricting production regulations of the AOC, Vin de France.
+[Biodynamic]
Sparkling
Intergrale Blanco Frizzante 40
Veneto, Italy - Glera, Garganega, Serpino, and Pinella.
Made with a blend of classic Prosecco grapes grown in volcanic soil this dry unfiltered beauty is all pear, citrus and stone fruit. The fizz is soft, and complemented by a clean finish.
+[Organic, Unfiltered]
Domaine Serol, Turbullent NV, Pet Nat Rose 52
Cote Roannaise, France - Gamay
An ancestral method sparkling full of bright and juicy red berries with a crisp grapefruit acidity this Pet Nat is wonderfully dry and zippy. Domaine Serol has been in the same family since the 17th Century with the current generation gaining organic certification and using biodynamic methods.
+[Organic, Vegan, Biodynamic]
Crémant De Bourgogne, Les Bulles de Paul, Domaine Chevrot 2018 63
Bourgogne, France - Pinot Noir
A fine bubble encompasses the aromas of brioche, redcurrant, and hints of mint and fresh pear. The mouth feel is refreshing and bright, a youthful cremant from two young producers working in harmony with their environment. A classic.
+[Biodynamic, Low Sulphite, Uncertified Organic]
Rose and Skin Contact
Gaspi Rosé Monastrell, Shukhrat Khakimov & Viticultores 2020 40
Valencian community, Spain - Monastrell
Clean, dry and full of crunchy red fruit. Rounded off with a hint of dark cherry. The perfect winter Rosé.
+ [Biodynamic, Low Sulphite]
Invaders Skin Contact , Eschenhof Holzer 2019 45
Weinland, Austria - Müller Thurgau
The perfect introduction to ‘Orange’ wines and Muller Thurgau not as you know it. Fourteen days of skin contact during the fermentation period leaves a gentle tannin and a savoury edge which complement deep blood orange, candied peel and passion fruit notes.
+[Vegan, Unfiltered, Skin contact]
Thalia Orange, Coste Rousse 2022 45
Languedoc, France - Viognier, Vermentino, Muscat
A lovely introduction to skin contact wines. A vibrant acidity with notes of white peach, honeysuckle and satsuma complementing its pithy finish.
+ [Organic, Vegan]
Alessandro Viola Rosé, 2021 48
Sicily, Italy - Nero d'Avola
Cool sea breezes balance the scorching Sicilian sun allowing the acidity of the Nero d'Avola to be preserved, producing a dry soft red berry palate with subtle tannins and a medium body. Rose with backbone.
+[Organic, Vegan, Unfiltered]
Ingenium Orange, Ruiz Jimenez 2022 52
Rioja, Spain - Garnacha Blanca
This unique orange wine is expressive with notes of baked apricot, chamomile tea and purple flowers. The palate is soft and accompanied by a fine savoury tannin. The wine, fermented in a concrete egg, is the result of a longstanding family dream come true. Francisco Ruiz took a gamble and alongside working incredibly hard, he was eventually able to build his own winery on the family vineyard. This meant after decades he could use the grapes his family had been growing, instead of selling them to the dominating Rioja houses of the area. It is now the only organic and Demeter certified winery in Rioja.
+[Organic, Vegan]
Bandol Rosé, Chateau Val D'Arenc 2020 56
Provence, France - Mourvèdre, Grenache, Cinsault
A beautiful example of a classic from a burgundy trained producer. Fresh and delicate on the nose with hints of strawberry and white peach. Full fruit with a distinct minerality on the palate. The finish lingers with a touch of white pepper. A Bandol suitable for drinking in every season.
+[Organic]
Red
Kabelend, Rook en Spiels 2022 35
Paarl, South Africa - Cinsault
Fermented using native yeast and aged in stainless steel, this South African red is uber light and crunchy. Layered with vibrant red fruit, crushed herbs and wild strawberry, finishing dry with a fine tannin.
+[Unfined. Unfiltered. Vegan]
Monastrell Ecológico, Parajes del Valle 2022 38
Jumilla, Spain - Monastrell
Bright young red cherry slices through concentrated stewed redcurrant, lingering spice and fresh tobacco. Grippy tannins balance a vibrant red fruit nose with hints of green pepper.
+[Vegan, Certified Organic]
Bosband, Rook en Spiels 2022 40
Paarl, South Africa - Carignan
Raised in oak barrels this is a beautiful bold and earthy wine. With notes of dark cherry, plums, spice and slight hint of mocha. Smooth and full.
+[Unfined. Unfiltered. Vegan]
Le Vigne di San Pietro Bardolino 2020 43
Veneto, Italy - Corvina, Rondinella, Merlot
A soft easy drinker, light red berries and delicate tannins work alongside a wonderfully bright nose. This wine is all raspberry, cherry and strawberry with a touch of fresh fig.. A classic blend for the area, Bardolino pairs perfectly with vegetarian food all year round.
Biografico, Uva de Vida 2020 46
Castilla, La Mancha, Spain - Graciano, Tempranillo
Carmen Lopez Delgado and Luiz Ruiz Martin show that a marriage of winemaking ideals and an actual marriage can lead to something very special. Focusing on low intervention methods and putting all their love into the health of the vineyard’s soil this couple have created a vibrant layered wine. Full of raspberry, cranberry and fresh leather, the tannin ripe and complemented by a jammy finish.
+[Biodynamic, Organic, Vegan]
Racine de la Loire, Le Sommets de Loire 2020 47
Cote Roannaise, France - Gamay St Romain
Dark cherry and cassis are brightened by a luscious nose of youthful red fruits. An unoaked Gamay that is pure and smooth. The finish is long and comforting.
+[Organic, Biodynamic]
Germain Santailler, Domaines des Chopins 2021 50
Beaujolais, France - Gamay
This is a little richer than the classic style, carbonic maceration has been skipped and a focus towards complexity and a deeper finish has been favoured. Think dark cherry and a slight earthiness with a smooth fine tannin. The producer took over the family vineyard at only 19, training under some of the local greats he took the vineyard from selling all of its grapes to producing its own fantastic, unique wines. 2021 is his first vintage.
+[Organic]
Pinotte! Deja Bu & Slyvain Pataille, 2020 56
Cote de Nuits, Burgundy, France - Pinot Noir
Spending 12 months in old french oak before maturing in stainless steel, this is a youthful Pinot Noir full of vitality. With notes of cherry, blackcurrant and ripe dark fruit the nose and palate are complex but giving. The mid-palate teases spice and pepper before lingering on a soft smokey finish. The winemaker Slyvain Patille believes in a light touch when it comes to his wines, favouring low intervention methods and minimal sulphur usage.
+[Organic, Biodynamic, Low Sulphite]