{"title":"White Wines","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"st-romain-la-perriere-domaine-buisson-2019","title":"St Romain La Perriere Domaine Buisson 2019","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou could compare this to Meursault 'Meix Chavaux' Roulot. Or for Puligny, it's a bit 'Clavoillon' but without the weight. The style is lean, racy, steely, with a citrus palate, with some nice fruit to carry it, but it's that lovely incisive nature that singles out this wine. (A bit Coche). The aromas are fine and very lifted and appealing, with acacia flowers, lemon and white peach. The palate is silky and fine and evolving nicely with a delicate hint of white-buttered toast with a lovely minerality and sharp, limestone tang that I like so much. Very long and graceful.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDomaine Henri et Gilles Buisson is a sensational producer. They are most definitely a feather in our cap. We don’t come across producers like this often, that aren't already being imported to the UK. In fact, it would be just a few like this in a lifetime, such is the quality of terroir they have, but more importantly what they’re doing with it. Perriere is one of 4 lieu-dits made by the Buisson brothers, each as good as the last.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BUISSON, H AND G","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41552360734905,"sku":"FBUISSONW19B02","price":75.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/products\/saint-romain-perriere-domaine-buisson.png?v=1637663391"},{"product_id":"st-romain-absolu-blanc-domaine-buisson-2018","title":"St Romain Absolu Blanc Domaine Buisson 2018","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFinding an overachieving Burgundy like this was far more exciting and interesting to drink than a lazily made and considerably more expensive Chassagne or Puligny, of which there are plenty. These wonderful Burgundies are still really well priced. Whether you compare them to Burgundy or top examples from the New World, they are phenomemal value.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eEvery year 10 of their barrels are specially selected for, those that seem naturally a bit reductive. These are then bottled as “Absolu” with zero added suplhur. The 2017 reminds me a bit of Lalou Bize-Leroy's Auxey-Duresses D'Auvenay 2004, which is an incredible wine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BUISSON, H AND G","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41554275500217,"sku":"FBUISSONW18B08","price":65.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/nhQN_BgDT3yAETfSS3Srxg_pb_x600_6d34781f-f784-43e2-8e66-73f952d754c5.jpg?v=1692888739"},{"product_id":"distant-noises-chardonnay-2021","title":"Distant Noises Chardonnay 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis comes from upper Yarra, at 300m, so stylistically this is cool, and tighter, more rather Chablis-like than your typical Australia Chardonnay. It's been fermented in old French oak 500L puncheons (double size barriques). 2021 was a cool, late year, and the wine is more chiselled that many Chardonnay,  but with good juice and with a nice bit of chew on the finish. If you like the Chablis or Montagny - like fresh white Burgundy style - this is like that. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI've been sipping it for 3 nights. It's great for a cool refreshing glass of white. I've had it with bread and feta dip and it's been very good, and then drunk it with roast chicken, and that's also been a good pairing. But with fish, it will really come into its own. Rick Stein 's fish restaurants have just taken it on. It's now day four and nosing it it's got some confit citrus, apple, and just hinting on honeyed almond on the palate, although completely dry. Blind, I think I'd be saying mature, good quality Chablis. This is a seriously good buy. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDistant Noises is Tom's (Yabby Lake Winemaker) own winemaking project.  The fruit is sourced from Yarra, and the winemaking is as sensitive, precise, assured as befits Tom's name. The real beauty of Distant Noises though? It's the price! Tom has set himself the challenge of making premium Mornington Peninsula wine at a price that you rarely see for wines from this region. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eDistant Noises is his chance to do that rare thing of making a cracking wine that is accessible to many, that gives as many people as possible the pleasure of the wines he makes. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DISTANT NOISES","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43263907365049,"sku":"AYABBYW21B01","price":18.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/DistantNoisesChardonnay_d7bc7273-d1e5-4d08-aa01-5fdd5bcbebac.jpg?v=1685022452"},{"product_id":"st-romain-la-perriere-domaine-buisson-2017","title":"St Romain La Perriere Domaine Buisson 2017","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Certified organic, in conversion to biodynamic. 40-year-old vines. Hand-harvested. Natural fermentation. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCold, it has an exactitude, green apples and fennel, pebbles. But as it warms some smoky cream and caramel richness unfurls on the nose. Still more defined and muscular than their other two St-Romains, more linear, but mouth-watering with a salt-in-sea-glass sensation on the tongue. Carries the backbone through the length of the palate. Great drive. \" \u003cstrong\u003e17\/20, Tamlyn Currin, JancisRobinson.com\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe climat of Les Perrières sits under an old pink marble quarry in the central part of the valley of Saint-Romain. The soil here is clay limestone with a significant amount of colluvial gravel. Les Perrières doesn’t seem to carry the same prestige as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSous la Velle, for example, but to some it’s the best site in Saint-Romain. Ageing for this wine is for around 12 months in a combination of 550l and 350l oak barrels, less than 10% of which were new. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BUISSON, H AND G","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43286712778937,"sku":"FBUISSONW17B02","price":75.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/saint-romain-perriere-domaine-buisson_grande_cc65b058-badc-47ae-b164-1a052a5efba1.webp?v=1768823584"},{"product_id":"trincadera-chao-dos-eremitas-antonio-macanita-2021","title":"Trincadeira Chao dos Eremitas Antonio Macanita 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e100% Tamarez, also known as Trincadeira-das-Pratas. Tamarez was for many years a very important varietal in Alentejo, Antonio is bringing it back. 12 months lees, this wine pairs a textual richness with freshness. Fresh yet broad in terms of fruit, which goes from citrus to tropical, with vibrant lemon and ripe pineapple. Very fine, persistent and clean. So interesting and so delicious. Drinking so well now.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWinemaker of the Year' 2018, 'Singularity Award' 2018, 'Revelation Producer' 2017, Wine Project of the Year 2016 - it's safe to say that Antonio Macanita's mantlepiece is under some strain. But despite the high achievements and fancy awards, there's a devil-may-care adventurousness to António Maçanita which really puts us in mind of the likes of Pieter Walser or Swartland revolutionaries Adi Badenhorst and Eben Sadie in South Africa (funnily enough, Alentejo, where Antonio makes his Fitapreta wines, has been compared to Swartland - \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ein that it was traditionally dominated by co-operatives but recently we’ve seen an influx of small growers with old plots making really interesting and exciting wines).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Like the Saffers, Antonio has sought to challenge wine lovers' expectations and make great new wines from often largely forgotten territories. He also surfs. He learned his trade at some of the world's top wineries - Rudd in Napa, D’Arenberg in Australia and Lynch-Bages in Bordeaux - before blazing a trail all over Portugal - from Douro to Alentejo to the Azores Islands. In addition to his own multi-region company, he also consults for 13 other wineries.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FITAPRETA VINHOS","offers":[{"title":"DUTY PAID","offer_id":43286739615929,"sku":"PFIT09W7521","price":29.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/fita-preta-chao-dos-eremitas-os-paulistas-white-2022.jpg?v=1775752425"},{"product_id":"alicante-branco-chao-dos-eremitas-antonio-macanita-2021","title":"Alicante Branco Chao dos Eremitas Antonio Macanita 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003eAlicante Branco, also known as Boal de Alicante or Boal Cachudo, was a very important varietal in Alentejo pre-Phylloxera. As far as we know, this is the only 100% Alicante Branco produced! 12 months lees and the grapes style gives you Yellow-citrus colour, intense nose, notes of orange, peach and gunpowder. Full-bodied attack, excellent texture and persistence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWinemaker of the Year' 2018, 'Singularity Award' 2018, 'Revelation Producer' 2017, Wine Project of the Year 2016 - it's safe to say that Antonio Macanita's mantlepiece is under some strain. But despite the high achievements and fancy awards, there's a devil-may-care adventurousness to António Maçanita which really puts us in mind of the likes of Pieter Walser or Swartland revolutionaries Adi Badenhorst and Eben Sadie in South Africa (funnily enough, Alentejo, where Antonio makes his Fitapreta wines, has been compared to Swartland - \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ein that it was traditionally dominated by co-operatives but recently we’ve seen an influx of small growers with old plots making really interesting and exciting wines).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Like the Saffers, Antonio has sought to challenge wine lovers' expectations and make great new wines from often largely forgotten territories. He also surfs. He learned his trade at some of the world's top wineries - Rudd in Napa, D’Arenberg in Australia and Lynch-Bages in Bordeaux - before blazing a trail all over Portugal - from Douro to Alentejo to the Azores Islands. In addition to his own multi-region company, he also consults for 13 other wineries.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FITAPRETA VINHOS","offers":[{"title":"DUTY PAID","offer_id":43286739681465,"sku":"PFIT10W7521","price":29.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/Screenshot2026-03-24140240_b2e63dae-1e3d-47ed-8367-dd203ffb20da.png?v=1774363901"},{"product_id":"restless-river-ava-marie-chardonnay-2021","title":"Ava Marie Chardonnay Restless River 2021","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97 points, Decanter - 96 points, Tim Atkin - 95 points, Jamie Goode (Wine Anorak) \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Restless River Chardonnay has come on leaps and bounds in the last few vintages. The 2020 was exceptional, and the 2021? Even finer. \"\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eA true classic that is worthy of a place in any collector’s cellar …\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e lovely lemon butter and leesy aromatic complexity with hints of white toast, lemon rind, white citrus, melted wax and a mellow kiss of salted caramel. The palate is bright and fresh but also shows a generous mid-palate concentration and textural fleshy character.\" Greg Sherwood MW\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan bgcolor=\"#ffffff\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eRestless River is a rising star which has quietly achieved cult-status for its brilliant, Burgundian-style Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and super fine yet intense Cabernet Sauvignon. Launched in 2012 by Craig Wessels, their farm is located in the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. It's home to some of the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay vines in the region (planted in 1998). At Restless River, things are done in an unhurried way, with great dedication and attention to detail.  Their production is done by hand, resulting in limited quantities of each wine, and demand far exceeding supply. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan bgcolor=\"#ffffff\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eRestless River is defined by its terroir, and Craig Wessels' thoughtful and careful winemaking allows it to be the star of the show. \"At its best, South Africa is increasingly terroir-driven. Craig Wessels of Restless River says that it’s about “building wines in the vineyard, not the winery”, trying to reflect a place rather than a style that’s imposed in the cellar.\" - Tim Atkin MW, South Africa Report 2023.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan bgcolor=\"#ffffff\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\"H\u003c\/span\u003eis Chardonnays offer real Burgundian allure and his occasionally Volnaysian Pinot Noirs.\" - Neal Martin, Vinous.com\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"RESTLESS RIVER","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43530144710841,"sku":"A1616121","price":49.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/AvaMarie2020_f497dc26-992e-42d0-a5d0-bf6f7c0c7b09.jpg?v=1701165710"},{"product_id":"blank-bottle-seelug-2022","title":"Seelug Chardonnay Blank Bottle 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe grapes were picked at optimal ripeness and cooled overnight to 4 degrees celsius. The next morning the grapes were pressed as whole bunches. The juice underwent spontaneous fermentation in older French oak as well as 40% new barrels. Deep winter the wine received one sulfur addition. 10 months on the leese, blended and bottled.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvery one of Pieter’s wines is a story, rather than a grape variety, and it’s the juice inside the bottle which reveals that story. He doesn’t own any vines, but instead scours South Africa’s winelands for top-quality fruit that has somehow slipped under the radar, now sourcing from nearly 70 sites. Some years he’ll make 20 wines, other years 35. With the benefit of anonymity, variety and regional identity take a back seat while parcel expression does the driving. These are some of South Africa’s most original wines, made by one of South Africa’s most original winemakers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BLANK BOTTLE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43545763348665,"sku":"A1466122","price":37.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_537054a9-426f-4d0b-98cc-1fc627dcf373.png?v=1742577025"},{"product_id":"buitenverwachting-maximus-2022","title":"Buitenverwachting Maximus 2022","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"center\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWinemaker note.\"This limited Release, has impressive breadth, with warm brioche, tangerine and clementine notes backed by peach and heather. Then hints of cumin and bitter orange add cut and length on the finish. Unique and thoroughly intriguing.\" \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"center\"\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOn any trip to South Africa, Buitenverwachting is almost always our first port of call on landing. It is the most wonderful place to sit and taste outside, and enjoy some fine food, with the ever-genial owner and host Lars Maack close by, aided by the brilliant Brad Paton, their highly talented winemaker.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBuitenverwachting is a historic Constantia estate, with the name meaning “Beyond Expectation.\" It originally formed part of the Constantia estate which was founded by Simon Van De Stel, the first Governor of the New Dutch Colony of The Cape, who we know planted vines on his farm. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BUITENVERWACHTING","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43602566185145,"sku":"A2946122","price":18.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_91baaa42-f3d7-4e6e-8da2-db385ed92fda.jpg?v=1705054105"},{"product_id":"pinot-grigio-la-jara-2023","title":"Pinot Grigio La Jara 2023","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eA Pinot Grigio that dances across the palate with as much enthusiasm and joy as someone dancing the Charleston, with real flavour and peachy notes - with every sip simply glowing with sun ripened peaches and pretty floral notes too. Organic and vegan to boot!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAmid the sea of almost watery pinot grigio one may find on an average pub wine list, La Jara stands tall. How does a producer distinguish himself from the crowd? Well, going organic certainly helps, but what separates La Jara from the other pinot grigios and proseccos out there is that fruit quality is absolutely paramount. La Jara shows a pride in its product that is becoming all too rare in this region.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"LA JARA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44166513557689,"sku":"A3836123","price":15.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_51530e09-0121-4cbf-91bf-fef861d50f78.png?v=1715871036"},{"product_id":"blank-bottle-orbitofrontal-cortex-2022-magnum-150cl","title":"Orbitofrontal Cortex Blank Bottle 2022 Magnum 150cl","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe fruits of an eccentric scientific experiment some years before, that saw a team of neuroscientists attaching probes to Pieter's scalp and skin as he blind tasted 21 samples and blended wines according. The orbitofrontal cortex is the conscious part of your brain, and thus, this is a wacky white blend produced from all the components that Pieter and his assistant like the best. Not necessarily \"the best\" technically, but their favourite barrel and tank selections from a host of sites and varieties across the winelands. It's young on release, with hint of shortbread, fresh cut apple, with a creamy, almond loaded palate, hint of honey and pithy note, with a very long finish. One to stash away in the cellar.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe tale behind the name BLANKbottle is that when Pieter was starting out, he made a small parcel of Shiraz and was left with a few unlabelled cases. One day, a woman wanted to buy a wine – “Anything but Shiraz,” she told him. Pieter shrugged and sold her the unlabelled Shiraz, neglecting to mention the variety. A few weeks later she returned demanding more, saying it was the best thing she’d ever drunk. For Pieter, it was a lesson on the gap between what people think they like (or dislike) and what they actually like (or dislike). After that, he decided not to list the varieties on his labels. Every one of Pieter’s wines is a story, rather than a grape variety, and it’s the juice inside the bottle which reveals that story. He doesn’t own any vines, but instead scours South Africa’s winelands for top-quality fruit that has somehow slipped under the radar, now sourcing from nearly 70 sites. Some years he’ll make 20 wines, other years 35. With the benefit of anonymity, variety and regional identity take a back seat while parcel expression does the driving. These are some of South Africa’s most original wines, made by one of South Africa’s most original winemakers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"BLANK BOTTLE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44283953348793,"sku":"A2616422","price":72.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_5c6ec3ca-baf7-43fa-a303-9fecada475c8.jpg?v=1743067196"},{"product_id":"tesselaarsdal-chardonnay-2024","title":"Chardonnay Tesselaarsdal 2023","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFrom unirrigated vineyards on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, and this is just her fourth release! Crisp acidity and lean minerality underpin notes of melon and tangerine fruit and accents of lime blossom. A triumphant expression of terroir, this medium-bodied, cool climate wine is both silky and fresh and boasts a long, elegant finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBerene Sauls has probably the most unique story of all of our winemakers.\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eGrowing up in a small village in the Overberg, Berene admits that she came from a beer-drinking community, and wine was never really on her radar. Her first exposure was at the age of 19, when she began working for the trailblazing Hamilton Russell family as an au pair. Lasting only a month, her talents at childcare aside, Anthony Hamilton Russell recognised her drive and thought a job working in the winery office would better suit her. Thrown in at the deep end knowing really nothing about wine, she was soon exposed to every side of the business - assisting with exports, bottling and labelling, driving forklifts and picking during harvest too, as well as on the side, \u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\"growing and developing a palate that wasn't there!\"\u003c\/em\u003e Her curiosity kept her rising through the ranks, and fifteen years after starting her career, Anthony offered her the opportunity to make her first wine, aided by proficient head winemaker Emul Ross. She leapt at the opportunity, and the rest is history. She named her business Tesselaarsdal for the small village that she grew up in, and if you look closely at the label, you can make out two people walking across the mountain. This is Berene and her grandmother.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"TESSELAARSDAL","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44297278423225,"sku":"A3116123","price":39.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_89ff1982-c173-4fc3-996a-42b8bebe3d23.png?v=1718893325"},{"product_id":"vision-tokaji-dry-holdvolgy-2019","title":"Vision Tokaji Szaraz Dry Holdvolgy 2019","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt's got a lovely calm depth about it. Lovely for gentle sipping, interesting nosing, and with food. It's a peach of a wine blended from off cuts of their best whites. 13.5% alc.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#Tasting#\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eLast summer, we were contacted by Holdvolgy, a vineyard run by siblings Pascal and Natalia Demko, whose mother moved from France to Hungary in the 1960s. Pascal's search for a special vineyard for his father's birthday which led to the purchase of parts of the historic 7 Grand Crus of Mád in Tokaj. After tasting their wines in Paris, I was captivated by their exceptional quality, both dry and sweet. Tokaj wines, with their exotic aromas and flavors, surpass even my first love, Sauternes. Remarkably, their sweet wines, at 12% alcohol, remain unchanged after four months, suggesting they could be enjoyed for centuries to come.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"HOLDVOLGY","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44298478944441,"sku":"A4246119","price":17.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/Vision.png?v=1718970495"},{"product_id":"meditation-tokaji-dry-holdvolgy-2021","title":"Meditation Tokaji Furmint Dry Holdvolgy 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Meditation is really quite special, with beautiful balance, poise and depth. And a wine that grows on you as you drink through the bottle. A wine you could be given on a pairing menu in a top restaurant and think, yes! 13.5% alc.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLast summer, we were contacted by Holdvolgy, a vineyard run by siblings Pascal and Natalia Demko, whose mother moved from France to Hungary in the 1960s. Pascal's search for a special vineyard for his father's birthday which led to the purchase of parts of the historic 7 Grand Crus of Mád in Tokaj. After tasting their wines in Paris, I was captivated by their exceptional quality, both dry and sweet. Tokaj wines, with their exotic aromas and flavors, surpass even my first love, Sauternes. Remarkably, their sweet wines, at 12% alcohol, remain unchanged after four months, suggesting they could be enjoyed for centuries to come.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"HOLDVOLGY","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44298479468729,"sku":"A4256121","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/Meditation.png?v=1742382921"},{"product_id":"lourens-family-wines-skuinskap-steen-2022","title":"Skuinskap Steen Lourens Family Wines 2022","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSourced from Piekenierskloof, Lourens Family Wines Skuinskap Steen 2022 is  one of South Africa's finest fine Chenin's, renowned for its minerality and structure. Exciting to drink, with so much energy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e#Tasting#\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFranco Lourens spent some years working with the great Chris Alheit before setting to focus entirely on his own range of wines. This is a breathtakingly self-assured range and in just a few vintages, places Franco into the very top bracket of top-end New Wave SA producers. Whilst still extremely modest, he is inevitably set to join the likes of Chris Alheit, Eben Sadie, Adi Badenhorst, Duncan Savage \u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eet alia\u003c\/i\u003e in the shimmering constellation of New Wave South African stars. Sharing cellar space with good friend Lukas Van Loggerenberg, Franco works with a variety of sites across the Western Cape including the country's oldest Verdelho vineyard, and two exceptional sites in Piekenierskloof.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FRANCO LOURENS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44366680654009,"sku":"A1576122","price":29.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/Lourens-Skuinskap-Steen-Bottle-Shot.jpg?v=1742382848"},{"product_id":"blank-bottle-smaug-the-magnificent-2022","title":"Smaug the Magnificent Blank Bottle 2022","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA blend of Grenache blanc, Verdelho, Grenache Gris and other bits and pieces, all sourced from the Voor-Paardeberg in the Swartland. As Pieter said: \"like with most great things in life - this wine originated with a really bad experience where the liquor board stopped with sales of the 2011 vintage.\" We couldn't be happier about it, as it's a jolly smart little wine, and it ages extremely well, likely to become nutty and mellow with time in bottle. It's complex and slowly unfurls - tangerine, lemon butter, some aniseed and quite savoury too, with a fuller, slightly tropical palate, dried mango, finishing very long and spiced. The label was drawn by Pieter's son Luca, who at the time was just 5. Now there's some talent!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe tale behind the name BLANKbottle is that when Pieter was starting out, he made a small parcel of Shiraz and was left with a few unlabelled cases. One day, a woman wanted to buy a wine – “Anything but Shiraz,” she told him. Pieter shrugged and sold her the unlabelled Shiraz, neglecting to mention the variety. A few weeks later she returned demanding more, saying it was the best thing she’d ever drunk. For Pieter, it was a lesson on the gap between what people think they like (or dislike) and what they actually like (or dislike). After that, he decided not to list the varieties on his labels. Every one of Pieter’s wines is a story, rather than a grape variety, and it’s the juice inside the bottle which reveals that story. He doesn’t own any vines, but instead scours South Africa’s winelands for top-quality fruit that has somehow slipped under the radar, now sourcing from nearly 70 sites. Some years he’ll make 20 wines, other years 35. With the benefit of anonymity, variety and regional identity take a back seat while parcel expression does the driving. These are some of South Africa’s most original wines, made by one of South Africa’s most original winemakers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"BLANK BOTTLE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44373716467897,"sku":"A2816122","price":32.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_bd07eec1-2103-406c-8119-6adf0c30b797.png?v=1742382311"},{"product_id":"blank-bottle-empire-strikes-back-2022","title":"Empire Strikes Back Blank Bottle 2022","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWith its revolutionary influenced label, The Empire Strikes Back tells the story of Pieter leaping to the defence of Stellenbosch, the original old guard and ‘empire’ of South African wine, in its fightback against the trendy new kid on the block, the Swartland. Now here’s a white with plenty in the tank for the years to come. It’s subtle on the nose to start, offering sprays of spring apple blossom, tarte fine layered with pears and ground almonds, clementines, proper cloudy apple juice and a lingering anise note. As it opens up, there’s some lychee and pineapple too, and the palate is grippy and with more of that lovely apple juice character that’s persistent all the way through to the finish. Tasting it over several days gives a glimpse to its future –we’d say drink now-2028. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe tale behind the name BLANKbottle is that when Pieter was starting out, he made a small parcel of Shiraz and was left with a few unlabelled cases. One day, a woman wanted to buy a wine – “Anything but Shiraz,” she told him. Pieter shrugged and sold her the unlabelled Shiraz, neglecting to mention the variety. A few weeks later she returned demanding more, saying it was the best thing she’d ever drunk. For Pieter, it was a lesson on the gap between what people think they like (or dislike) and what they actually like (or dislike). After that, he decided not to list the varieties on his labels. Every one of Pieter’s wines is a story, rather than a grape variety, and it’s the juice inside the bottle which reveals that story. He doesn’t own any vines, but instead scours South Africa’s winelands for top-quality fruit that has somehow slipped under the radar, now sourcing from nearly 70 sites. Some years he’ll make 20 wines, other years 35. With the benefit of anonymity, variety and regional identity take a back seat while parcel expression does the driving. These are some of South Africa’s most original wines, made by one of South Africa’s most original winemakers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"BLANK BOTTLE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44373743829177,"sku":"A3776122","price":32.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_16453188-4625-4433-a06f-4a04685854be.png?v=1742576982"},{"product_id":"althorne-estate-chardonnay-2022","title":"Althorne Estate Chardonnay 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFine on the nose, uplifting, and exciting, putting you in mind of a pure Meursault. Not the rich kind, but the more lithe kind, which I love. The palate has a fabulous juicy feel but it's so tightly coiled, with notes of lemon. In time, as the aromas and flavours unfurl in time, you'll get the hints of butter, beurre noisette, and toast, and very fine delicate oak. Still, every sip is a pleasure and a thrill, and the flavour is so long. I could easily derive pleasure from it without food, too. This is amazing wine. It's superb value and can go against very smart white Burgundy in blind tastings, as we saw with vintage 2021. Only 900 bottles made.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eThe 2021 was one of my favourite discoveries of all time. I've so enjoyed using it as my party trick at tastings in the past year by putting it in a blind tasting next to a famous Meursault. It has stunned people. Every time the majority, usually unanimous, have preferred Althorne, and is most people's minds they're thinking it must be the Meursault. And I've made sure it's a Meursault that costs not less than £80, and some have been £250 to £500 a bottle (client budget allowing, I hasten to add), to make the point! \n\u003cp\u003eI've often added a third wine, which is another amazing English Chardonnay, Danbury Ridge, which is pretty close to Althorne - Althorne is near Burnham on Crouch - and Danbury is just inland from Maldon on the Blackwater Estuary. And in that case the favourites have always been the English. It's extraordinary.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eThe 2022 is quieter than the 2021 at a similar point in its evolution. The juice in the mouth is compact and coiled - focused and linear. But it's all in there. I was sipping the wine last night, and it's got a long finish. It's another brilliant wine. It probably has quite a few years ahead of it. Remarkably, the vines were only planted in 2019. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthorne Estate has only 2 acres planted to Chardonnay, and another 2 to Pinot Noir. It will always be very small. So this is always going to be special and sought after, and now is the time to get on board. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince last year, seeing the quality of wines like Althorne Estate and Danbury Ridge, Burgundians and Californians have invested in land around the Crouch Valley and the Blackwater Estuary, near Maldon. - Robin\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"ALTHORNE ESTATE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44444798550201,"sku":"A1776122","price":34.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/AlthorneChard2022.png?v=1725458465"},{"product_id":"st-romain-la-perriere-domaine-henri-et-gilles-buisson-2022","title":"St Romain 'La Perriere' Domaine Henri et Gilles Buisson 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe style is lean, racy, steely, with a citrus palate, with some nice fruit to carry it, but it's that lovely incisive nature that singles out this wine. The aromas are fine and very lifted and appealing, with acacia flowers, lemon and white peach. The palate is silky and fine and evolving nicely with a delicate hint of white-buttered toast with a lovely minerality and sharp, limestone tang that I like so much. Very long and graceful.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDomaine Henri et Gilles Buisson is a sensational producer. They are most definitely a feather in our cap. We don’t come across producers like this often, that aren't already being imported to the UK. In fact, it would be just a few like this in a lifetime, such is the quality of terroir they have, but more importantly what they’re doing with it. Perriere is one of 4 lieu-dits made by the Buisson brothers, each as good as the last.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BUISSON, H AND G","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44453286445241,"sku":"A3186122","price":54.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/saint-romain-perriere-domaine-buisson_88dae37e-f196-476b-b146-50d4375ec7c5.png?v=1694170794"},{"product_id":"st-romain-sous-la-velle-domaine-henri-et-gilles-buisson-2022","title":"St Romain 'Sous la Velle' Domaine Henri et Gilles Buisson 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is serious. The most gorgeous drop, with prodigious length and some serious va-va-voom. Toasted hazelnuts and baked grains, a hint of spearmint and smoky, pithy palate, with a flavour that carries on and on. Vines here are 60-90 years old, with a high ratio of clay-marl to limestone. Astonishingly classy, with a long life ahead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDomaine Henri et Gilles Buisson is a sensational producer. They are most definitely a feather in our cap. We don’t come across producers like this often, that aren't already being imported to the UK. In fact, it would be just a few like this in a lifetime, such is the quality of terroir they have, but more importantly what they’re doing with it. The Sous La Velle is one of 4 lieu-dits made by the Buisson brothers, each as good as the last.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BUISSON, H AND G","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44453289361593,"sku":"A3196122","price":56.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/products\/saint-romain-sous-la-velle-domaine-buisson.png?v=1637659547"},{"product_id":"meursault-les-vignes-de-marguerite-domaine-henri-et-gilles-buisson-2022","title":"Meursault Les Vignes de Marguerite Domaine Henri et Gilles Buisson 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eFrom the mid-slope of Les Luchets and Les Chevaliers. Vines around 80 years old. A steely style of Meursault, almost Puligny-esque. Good tension and a shimmering, vibrant style. Another thrilling wine but very young at the moment, it needs 3 to 5 years. Drink 2027 – 2040.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuisson is now being talked about as one of the brightest new stars of Burgundy. We have been amazed at the quality, and how they keep going, with their flavours evolving little by little, whilst keeping up their energy and brilliance. Both whites and red in 2022 are superb. Buisson are one of our best ever finds. They are still so well priced. When I think what you can get from around the world in terms of fine Chardonnay and fine Pinot Noir, that represent the pinnacle of their respective regions, be that Sonoma, Oregon, Patagonia, Central Otago, Victoria, Margaret River, where wines have often gone over £80 to £100 a bottle, these from Buisson, which are outstanding, and better, you could argue, still offer amazing value. If you want to have some top Burgundy at a fair price, this is one of the best addresses right now.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BUISSON, H AND G","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44453290574009,"sku":"A3206122","price":112.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/DomHGBuissonMeursault2018.jpg?v=1725619181"},{"product_id":"jurancon-sec-tauzy-domaine-castera-2022","title":"Jurancon Sec Tauzy Domaine Castera 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is a wonder. Ever been put off by disappointing Jurancon? Think again. So tantalising - dry but mellifluous, with apricot kernel, cooked bramley apple with a scattering of toasty, crunchy oats and cobnuts. An awful lot to sink your teeth into and ponder over, as you enjoy with some delicious salted almonds (our favourite pairing.)  It almost has something salted almond about it on the palate too, and with baked hay as well. The texture is phenomenal.  By now I am sure you'll be able to tell we really REALLY love this wine.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrank Lihour is a young, fifth generation winemaker from Monein, who has lit a fire under this sleepy region with wines that sing with Jurancon purity and terroir. Franck has made wines for over 10 years around the world (including, it turns out, at our friends at Beaumont winery in South Africa) where he picked up many ideas to improve the quality of wine back home. He gingerly introduced them to his father, and now has taken over full throttle, and wow, these wines are superb!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DOMAINE CASTERA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53352425521538,"sku":"A4786122","price":37.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/tauzy.png?v=1683303854"},{"product_id":"le-tresche-sauvignon-blanc-villa-papiano-2022","title":"Le Tresche Sauvignon Blanc Villa Papiano 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of the most exciting and interesting Sauvignons we've had. Stunning, pure Sauvignon, that is almost electric. Wonderfully mineral, green tinged and spiked with wild herbs like lemon balm, fresh peas from the pod, bruised herbs, warm hay with medium body and fresh acidity. The name Tresche is a reference to the complex love affairs in the court of the Medici that are the basis of the birth of Villa Papiano in the distant 1400s. The label is inspired by one of the most famous paintings in Romagna and portrays a young girl engaged in crushing grapes. Aged for 8 months in concrete eggs and tonneaux.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLocated in the unique terroir of Modigliana, on the border of Emilia Romagna and Tuscany, Villa Papiano's vineyards are the highest in the area, planted on terraces between 450-570 metres above sea level. Their wines are defined by the estate's high elevation and steep slopes, ancient soils of marl and sandstone, and unique microclimates created by the dense forest that surrounds them. Farming organically, in a way that respects their incredible surroundings and winemaking with minimal intervention, the Bordini family focus almost exclusively on indigenous varieties and old clones. These are remarkable wines from a terroir that we're adamant will soon be the talk of the town.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"VILLA PAPIANO","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54857184444802,"sku":"A4306122","price":29.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_73beffc6-a246-4bd7-a23d-7a0abad6482f.jpg?v=1750863028"},{"product_id":"the-vineyard-party-im-your-huckleberry-2022","title":"I'm Your Huckleberry The Vineyard Party 2022","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePitch perfect Semillon, although do not hesitate to give it a really good swirl. So very briar-y and brambley, with such piquancy, and tang - think the finest French creme fraiche with macerated yellow peppers, struck flint, tangerine and just a little tree bark and medicinal herbs. The weight is lovely - not quite that waxy lanolin character that Semillon takes on with age, but certainly on the path. It finishes with the merest hint of bitter pithiness, orange peel and some bruised rosemary. This is such a superb example of the ageing potential of Semillon. Only Jolette's second release, I'm your Huckleberry incorporates skin contact and whole bunches in the fermentation, but is a very mild version without too much grip.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFrom the Platter Guide's Newcomer of the Year 2022, The Vineyard party is one of South Africa's most exciting new micro-producers! Winemaker Jolette Steyn seeks out sustainably farmed vineyards that prioritise biodiversity, and works with avant-garde, low intervention techniques in the cellar. Both unusually named wines come with wonderful stories behind them too. \u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\"I'm your Huckleberry\" has two meanings: it is a phrase from a nineties Western, called Tombstone, and a particular scene where Val Kilmer's character shows up to a duel and delivers this line. It signifies acceptance of a challenge, saying 'I'm the one you're looking for'; 'Call me, I'll answer'; 'Tell me where, I'll show up\/I'll be there', 'I'm it'. So, in part, it's a chat between Sémillon and herself, saying 'Let's do this, let's be there, let's show up!' It was also the name of a black Labrador whom Jolette loved dearly, and part of the team of her favourite and most influential harvest team in a small town called Lompoc in California.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"THE VINEYARD PARTY","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54863532589442,"sku":"A1226122","price":18.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_66b97ed9-68d9-4403-a4b2-01c59490712e.jpg?v=1742381985"},{"product_id":"the-vineyard-party-daisy-if-you-do-2022","title":"Daisy If You Do The Vineyard Party 2022","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlatter’s Wine Guide 2022 - Newcomer Winery of the Year\u003c\/strong\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\"\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eCool, refreshing and yet firm with a spine. On a hot day, at a well-laden outdoor table, this would be heaven. It’s so much more substantial than most Sauvignons. Well made! Should develop well.\"Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFrom the Platter Guide's Newcomer of the Year 2022, The Vineyard party is one of South Africa's most exciting new micro-producers! Winemaker Jolette Steyn seeks out sustainably farmed vineyards that prioritise biodiversity, and works with avant-garde, low intervention techniques in the cellar. Both unusually named wines come with wonderful stories behind them too. \u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\"I'm your Huckleberry\" has two meanings: it is a phrase from a nineties Western, called Tombstone, and a particular scene where Val Kilmer's character shows up to a duel and delivers this line. It signifies acceptance of a challenge, saying 'I'm the one you're looking for'; 'Call me, I'll answer'; 'Tell me where, I'll show up\/I'll be there', 'I'm it'. So, in part, it's a chat between Sémillon and herself, saying 'Let's do this, let's be there, let's show up!' It was also the name of a black Labrador whom Jolette loved dearly, and part of the team of her favourite and most influential harvest team in a small town called Lompoc in California.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"THE VINEYARD PARTY","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54863538061698,"sku":"A1236122","price":19.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_5b62e6c0-6c5c-4ea0-ad9e-eb61d3f8e3f6.png?v=1733409789"},{"product_id":"flint-silex-2023","title":"Silex Flint Vineyard 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eI compare it to white Burgundy - as that's the closest experience I can relate it to - like a fine St Aubin or village Meursault (but a very good one). It is made from a good proportion of Chardonnay - with some Pinot Blanc (a grape allowed in Burgundy) and Pinot Noir (but the white juice) and Pinot Gris. The wine is from Flint Vineyard in Norfolk, with grapes from Crouch Valley and Kent. If this was from France, Spain, Portugal, California or South Africa, I'd still be raving about it. I put it right up there at the top of any white wine blend in the world.  It is not only wonderful wine, it's surely one of the best value wines out there. It makes you think it's going to be a good mineral experience on the palate, and it is, but then you start notice the apple, lemon, and hint of high quality butter, and a touch of toasted almonds. It's got plenty of body, but its tautly textured, with a nice waxy, juicy, grippy finish. Superb! It's hard to stop drinking this. It's also only 12% alc. which is a big tick. Nosing and sipping this is good fun and with any fish and shellfish it's going to be a wonderful match. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e#Tasting#   \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMade from 39% Chardonnay, 28% Pinot Blanc, 17% Pinot Gris and 16% Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003eIt's been made from the best juice of the grape - called the coeur de cuvee - that runs freely out the grape without pressing - and it's been aged in neutral and new oak for 12 months. 12% alc.. From vineyards in Crouch Valley, Essex, and Kent, and Norfolk. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e","brand":"FLINT \u0026 VINE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54880455131522,"sku":"A5546123","price":27.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/Silex_2023_grey_960x960_crop_center_b3931ad9-78ed-4a9e-a09a-346b349eff02.webp?v=1740482429"},{"product_id":"viognier-laurence-de-veyrac-2024","title":"Viognier Laurence de Veyrac 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003ePacked with aromas of apricot and peach, with light floral notes and a hint of ginger. Impressive texture, and excellent freshness. A glass of this delicious wine early evening makes the cares of the day fall away. It's excellent with slightly spicy good, and with smoked trout and salmon, which is so hard to pair with wine. I kept a bottle on the go for well over a week, and it was pretty much as good on day seven as day one, almost concentrating the peach and apricot element.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince 1997, the estate has been owned and run by Béatrice and Christophe Muret and on their watch  quality, rather than quantity, has been the focus. With a strong focus on organic farming and environmentally sustainable practices, the Murets have struck an admirable balance between . It’s one of the hardest things in the wine profession to find is very good inexpensive juice, particularly from Europe. But Domaine de Castelnau\/Laurence de Veyrac proves that it is possible. We love their infectious passion.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"LAURENCE DE VEYRAC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54909597909378,"sku":"A2866124","price":14.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_2d2d22f6-2177-41b9-b209-83dccd325dbf.png?v=1736861271"},{"product_id":"blank-bottle-orbitofrontal-cortex-2023","title":"Orbitofrontal Cortex Blank Bottle 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95 points, Tim Atkin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe fruits of an eccentric scientific experiment some years before, that saw a team of neuroscientists attaching probes to Pieter's scalp and skin as he blind tasted 21 samples and blended wines according. The orbitofrontal cortex is the conscious part of your brain, and thus, this is a wacky white blend produced from all the components that Pieter and his assistant like the best. Not necessarily \"the best\" technically, but their favourite barrel and tank selections from a host of sites and varieties across the winelands. It's young on release, with hint of shortbread, fresh cut apple, with a creamy, almond loaded palate, hint of honey and pithy note, with a very long finish. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis, the 2023, Pieter is absolutely thrilled with. As are we! 12 varietals from his favourite barrel samples culminate to this absolute gem, with Chenin, Verdelho and Chardonnay to name but a few featuring grapes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe tale behind the name BLANKbottle is that when Pieter was starting out, he made a small parcel of Shiraz and was left with a few unlabelled cases. One day, a woman wanted to buy a wine – “Anything but Shiraz,” she told him. Pieter shrugged and sold her the unlabelled Shiraz, neglecting to mention the variety. A few weeks later she returned demanding more, saying it was the best thing she’d ever drunk. For Pieter, it was a lesson on the gap between what people think they like (or dislike) and what they actually like (or dislike). After that, he decided not to list the varieties on his labels. Every one of Pieter’s wines is a story, rather than a grape variety, and it’s the juice inside the bottle which reveals that story. He doesn’t own any vines, but instead scours South Africa’s winelands for top-quality fruit that has somehow slipped under the radar, now sourcing from nearly 70 sites. Some years he’ll make 20 wines, other years 35. With the benefit of anonymity, variety and regional identity take a back seat while parcel expression does the driving. These are some of South Africa’s most original wines, made by one of South Africa’s most original winemakers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BLANK BOTTLE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54913354957186,"sku":"A2616123","price":32.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_a7ca0411-ee23-4899-8524-3d63f848bcd2.jpg?v=1742382419"},{"product_id":"blank-bottle-b-bos-i-overberg-2023","title":"B-Bos I Blank Bottle 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e'...a Sauvignon Blanc\/Semillon blend from the southernmost tip of the country, Cape Agulhas, and it would make any Loire, Graves or Marlborough winemaker blush.'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e Matthew Jukes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNamed after the sleepy little town of Baardskeerdersbos where the grapes are sourced and where the B-Bos spider creeps into your bedroom at night to steal your beard to build his nest .... From the most southerly tip of Africa, Cape L'Agulhas, Pieter makes this brilliant whites. A brilliant Sauvignon Blanc with a smidge of Semillon, this is his lovely B-Bos 1 you see here. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tale behind the name BLANKbottle is that when Pieter was starting out, he made a small parcel of Shiraz and was left with a few unlabelled cases. One day, a woman wanted to buy a wine – “Anything but Shiraz,” she told him. Pieter shrugged and sold her the unlabelled Shiraz, neglecting to mention the variety. A few weeks later she returned demanding more, saying it was the best thing she’d ever drunk. For Pieter, it was a lesson on the gap between what people think they like (or dislike) and what they actually like (or dislike). After that, he decided not to list the varieties on his labels. Every one of Pieter’s wines is a story, rather than a grape variety, and it’s the juice inside the bottle which reveals that story. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BLANK BOTTLE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54913360888194,"sku":"A5156123","price":32.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/Blank-Bottle-S1-copy-e1569079482347.png?v=1743067113"},{"product_id":"escalada-do-sil-blanco-alberto-orte-2021","title":"Escalada do Sil Blanco Alberto Orte 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003eIf you're new to discovering the glory and potential of good Godello, Escalada do Sil is the one to start with. O\u003cspan\u003ene of Alberto’s smallest production wines with just 1200 bottles made, from parcels on the steep slopes of the Sil river entirely farmed by hand - no tractors here for how steep it is, and how remote! There's a toastiness on the nose on first opening that swiftly lifts to reveal a kaleidoscope of flavours… creamy cashew and fleshy white flowers, chamomile, and a rush of candied pineapple, canteloupe, membrillo, honey, and a wisp of smoke. It has magnificent structure, almost Puligny-esque but with something like a good Bordeaux Blanc too, with excellent weight and length. Will go years, for sure. Oosh this is smart. Really, here’s your chance to discover a new star. Don’t say we didn’t tell you.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA titan of the Spanish wine industry - introducing Alberto Orte! Oh, where to begin. He’s the guy, at the tender age of 24, who co-founded renowned US based Spanish specialist wine importer, Olé \u0026amp; Obrigado. A farmer, producer and historian all in one, he’s dedicated a huge portion of his life to exploring, identifying and preserving old varieties and clones, and has successfully identified a whopping 200+ old clones of Palomino Fino and Palomino Jerez and revived and re-planted over 20 grape varieties on the brink of extinction. As well as his projects in Jerez, Alberto also makes wine from extraordinary sites in Yecla, Rioja and as we have here, Valdeorras.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ALBERTO ORTE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54938051576194,"sku":"A1306121","price":49.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_a897faa3-ef68-42b5-98fc-c2b2a3faabd2.jpg?v=1742382966"},{"product_id":"danbury-ridge-octagon-block-chardonnay-2022","title":"Danbury Ridge Octagon Block Chardonnay 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eOh boy are we excited to introduce you to the wines of Danbury Ridge! A more intense nose than their signature Chardonnay, with a little hint of the new oak. Lemon curd, dried hay, baked honeyed oats, and toffee nut crisp, leading to a palate with an extraordinarily seamless, silken texture, and a quiet and persisting energy and poise. Nougat and a little honeysuckle, creamy and lush. Fermented in old Burgundian Oak and 18 months aging on the lees, the Octagon Chardonnay really is perfectly balanced. Power, focus and precision, this is a world beating Chardonnay. Already delicious, but I'm certain will cellar comfortably for years and would without doubt only get better. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLocated in the warmest, dried area of the UK, the first vineyards were planted at Danbury Ridge in 2014, and 2018 was their debut vintage. And as Jancis Robinson said, \"what a debut!\" Jancis has been a fan ever since, this 2022 vintage scoring a hefty 17.5\/20 from her. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe focus here has, and always will be still wines, and with the climate they have, and the ripeness levels the grapes are reaching, one can certainly see why. When Swig was founded, who knew one day we would be talking about the brilliance of Essex terroir! We firmly believe that Danbury Ridge have raised the bar exponentially for English still wine, and we're so excited to join them at the beginning of their journey. Now onto their 2022, a year marked with glorious warmth and growing conditions, producing this rare, limited parcel of joy you see before you.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DANBURY RIDGE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54949963170178,"sku":"A5626122","price":64.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/ChardonnayOctagonBlock.jpg?v=1738840273"},{"product_id":"sancerre-madeleine-paul-cherrier-2023","title":"Sancerre Madeleine Paul Cherrier 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom his oldest vines of Sauvignon, between 40-60years old, planted on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003ecaillotes\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e soil, a soft and rocky limestone typical in this area, south facing. Just 1300 bottles made too. It has the merest hint of enticing reduction, struck rock, lime peel and oat biscuits too, with the zesty aromatics and precision of Sauvignon grown on these soils. Elegance personified. We tasted a 2014 on visiting and it was utterly fantastic.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe've found over the years that the wine producers who never get back to you are the best. And so it was with Stephane \u003cspan class=\"il\"\u003eCherrier\u003c\/span\u003e......! Having heard exciting things about him, we made the major diversion on our trip to Burgundy in February 2022 to meet vigneron Stephane in person. What a brilliant decision that was. \u003cspan\u003eLocated in the tiny village of Verdigny just northwest of Sancerre, h\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ee farms a scattering of hillside parcels totalling 13ha; 10 planted to Sauvignon and the remaining 3 to Pinot Noir on rocky Kimmeridgian limestone, organically too. As his father didn't bottle and instead sold the wine to other producers, Stephane is actually the one putting the name on the map. Stylistically, the domaine is about elegance, restrained power and making a lovely drink that blends beautifully with food, and ages superbly too.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CHERRIER, PAUL","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55017648914818,"sku":"A6046123","price":34.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/products\/Paul-Cherrier-Sancerre-Madeleine.jpg?v=1773159535"},{"product_id":"sancerre-chaume-saint-pere-paul-cherrier-2023","title":"Sancerre Chaume Saint Pere, Paul Cherrier 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom very stony soil which Sauvignon loves, this is super fresh, vivacious and zingy with personality. Limey, orange zest and a hint of just ripe crunchy apricot, stony too. Very  mineral and elegant yet with bags of fruit. A very smart first release from this vineyard. Stephane Cherrier is a master at what he does. This is everything you'd ever want from a Sancerre...there I said it!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe've found over the years that the wine producers who never get back to you are the best. And so it was with Stephane \u003cspan class=\"il\"\u003eCherrier\u003c\/span\u003e......! Having heard exciting things about him, we made the major diversion on our trip to Burgundy in February 2022 to meet vigneron Stephane in person. What a brilliant decision that was. \u003cspan\u003eLocated in the tiny village of Verdigny just northwest of Sancerre, h\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ee farms a scattering of hillside parcels totalling 13ha; 10 planted to Sauvignon and the remaining 3 to Pinot Noir on rocky Kimmeridgian limestone, organically too. As his father didn't bottle and instead sold the wine to other producers, Stephane is actually the one putting the name on the map. Stylistically, the domaine is about elegance, restrained power and making a lovely drink that blends beautifully with food, and ages superbly too.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CHERRIER, PAUL","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55003640824194,"sku":"A6036123","price":34.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/products\/Cherrier-Sancerre-Blanc_9663d4a5-ccd0-43bd-befc-0b81714255cb.jpg?v=1750863375"},{"product_id":"dolinebrune-roc-blanc-domaine-de-brunet-2024","title":"Dolinebrune 'Roc Blanc', Domaine de Brunet 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA beautiful Southern French Rhone blend of Viognier and G\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan title=\"grape-grenache-blanc\"\u003erenache Blanc\u003c\/span\u003e. This exudes sunshine and ripe stone fruits like peach and apricot. This wine sits quietly in our warehouse as we get so little a year, but it's one of the best values we have. Excellent texture. It's gorgeous.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e#Tasting#\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGeographically, we’re high in the hills to the north of Montpellier, above the long and winding river Hérault. This domaine was something of a patchwork operation, segmented over the years as inheritances split one estate into several. Now it is wholeagain, under the control of brothers Serge and Marc Coulet, the scions of a family that has owned the estate since the 18th century. After WW1, this was the only vinegrowing family to continue making its own wine. The rest went to the cooperative. This means that Brunet are, in a sense, the oldest independent winery in the Terrasses du Larzac. And what wines they are. Far more refined than those from neighbouring Pic St Loup, Mas Brunet is a firm favourite of the Swig team.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DOMAINE DE BRUNET","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55036885336450,"sku":"A4296124","price":17.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_5e511643-753f-4756-9910-19acc8690a35.png?v=1741961719"},{"product_id":"verdicchio-dei-castelli-di-jesi-la-staffa-2023","title":"Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi La Staffa 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eA wonderfully classic Verdicchio that is considered by many top winemakers in Italy to be the best. Here are the kind words of Eric Cuido, Vinous... \"I often think of the La Staffa Verdicchios as Meursaults in a lineup of Chablis. The wines are all about tension, acidity and minerality, while many other producers rely on fat and fruit to impress. Owner and winemaker Riccardo Baldi tends 12 hectares of vines around the town of Staffolo, growing at 400 to 550 meters through all-organic, verging on biodynamic practices. These are primarily clay soils with a high percentage of calcium carbonate, which Baldi translates beautifully into the finished wines. The best part is that no matter how enjoyable these wines are upon release, they get even better with time. There are no slouches in this portfolio.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVigneron Riccardo Baldi is a rising star, according to Decanter magazine. \u003cspan\u003eLocated in the rolling hills of Staffolo in the north of the Marche region, La Staffa is an organic winery in the heart of the Verdicchio dei Castelli de Jesi appellation. This area is much influenced by its close proximity to the Adriatic, its high elevation and clay and chalk-rich soils that imbue the wines with a distinctive character.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"I often think of the La Staffa Verdicchios as Meursaults in a lineup of Chablis. The wines are all about tension, acidity and minerality, while many other producers rely on fat and fruit to impress. Owner and winemaker Riccardo Baldi tends 12 hectares of vines around the town of Staffolo, growing at 400 to 550 meters through all-organic, verging on biodynamic practices. These are primarily clay soils with a high percentage of calcium carbonate, which Baldi translates beautifully into the finished wines. The best part is that no matter how enjoyable these wines are upon release, they get even better with time. There are no slouches in this portfolio.\" - Eric Guido, Vinous.com, May 2024\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"LA STAFFA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55036889006466,"sku":"A3276123","price":22.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/verdicchio-classico-la-staffa-_1_1_7f9b8268-cae7-4ddb-83eb-5bf181b24181.jpg?v=1721739285"},{"product_id":"bourgogne-grande-reserve-chardonnay-domaine-de-mauperhuis-2023","title":"Bourgogne Grande Reserve Chardonnay, Domaine de Mauperthuis 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe top release in Mauperthuis' white range. From their oldest vines, all sat upon Kimmeridgian limestone. Wild yeast fermented, 12 months in old Burgundian oak, this is a broad, complete wine with pure fruit and delightful, rich and full flavours. Complex and refined, opening with dried fruits, peach, peanuts, and spices. The palate is structured, full-bodied, and fruity, supported by that Kimmeridgian minerality and great acidity, keeping it still bright despite it's concentration and weight. With time, more of that toasted caramel and ground nut character will develop. This has years in the tank, though delicious now too. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page-width middle-description\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"middle-description__item\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat Mauperthuis farms organically was one of the main reasons we took an interest in the domaine in the first place. In a rarefied place like Burgundy, it really helps to separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. Soils that are chemically sprayed to get rid of weeds and pests tend to kill the microbial life in the soils. Then you have to pump chemical fertiliser in to counter the damage and end up with artificially high yields. The only people winning are the chemical manufacturers. With organic farming there are no short cuts. You have to look after your vines very carefully and work hard to keep them healthy in order to get a decent crop. Organic farming keeps yields low - which means better concentration and of course better wines. Healthier soils also allow the terroir to shine. Ask any Burgundy winemaker worth their salt and they'll confirm this. So yes, organic is the only way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"MAUPERTHUIS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55036965519746,"sku":"A5826123","price":24.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/Maupethuisgrandereservechardonnay.jpg?v=1742469041"},{"product_id":"gemischter-schatz-christoph-bauer-2024","title":"Gemischter Schatz Christoph Bauer 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003eGemischter Shatz, what's that?! It's a field blend produced from several different grape varieties which are picked and co-fermented together. In this case, it's a blend of Welschriesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Neuburger, and Traminer. So much to like here! A delightfully joyous, fresh, and juicy white. Green apple, citrus, and white peach on the palate, with a slight spritz, with a lovely apply blossom scent and bruised fresh green herbs on the nose. Don't say we didn't warn you! This is such a versatile and unique wine.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page-width middle-description\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"middle-description__item\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne thing that never fails to make us happy here at Swig, is seeing a vineyard filled with life. And no, we're not talking about the grapes growing on the vines, but the life beneath and around them, wildflowers growing between the rows, and the air buzzing with insects, bees and birds. Say no to monoculture, and yes to nature and organic farming! And that's just what we have at Winery Christoph Bauer, located north of Vienna, in the region of Weinviertel. Gruner Veltliner rules here as king, and Christoph and his wife Heidi are dedicated to producing artisan wines with clear varietal and vintage character, balancing traditions with modern innovations. We're delighted to have them in the Swig family!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"BAUER, CHRISTOPH","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55044371939714,"sku":"A4146124","price":15.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_f5520af7-f42c-465b-8569-06d6539bbb46.jpg?v=1742380951"},{"product_id":"macon-villages-les-chouettes-chateau-de-messey-2023","title":"Macon-Villages 'Les Chouettes', Chateau de Messey 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrederic has nailed this wine. So fresh, pure, lovely clean Chardonnay. \u003c\/span\u003eFleshy peach, silky mango kulfi and smooth dairy lift. Light-footed length and good bit of fruity heft with lemony-bright edges. \u003cspan\u003eI love the drinkability of this wine. It's a joy. This is wonderful to drink now and this summer. It's a blend of 50% from the Clos and 50% from the vineyard by the Chateau, and in 10 year old barriques, and 3 yr old foudres.  Named Chouettes (owls) out of respect, as at Messey they put some much into letting nature and the eco-system have its say in the area, which creates an environment in the vineyard where chemicals are not needed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChateau de Messey is a new star from a special terroir in southern burgundy called 'Cruzille'. Boasting 1,000 years of history (they are mentioned in manuscripts dating back to the 9th century CE), Château de Messey is located just outside Tournus on a hilltop 300-400 metres above sea level and surrounded by woods. Owner Marc Dumont purchased the chateau complete with ancient vaulted cellars and 89ha of vines in the early '90s and the quality has sky-rocketed in the last few years. The estate is run by Fredereic Servais, named Winemaker of the Year in 2017 by Appelation Bourgogne for his work at Clos des Poncetys. The character is deeper and more complex than most Macon, and in fact, this is an hour to the North of Macon. This is from a delimitated part of a clos of 4 hectares and much higher than most vineyards in Burgundy. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CHATEAU MESSEY","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55051909202306,"sku":"A3796123","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/Les-Chouettes-1x1-1.png?v=1742561998"},{"product_id":"blank-bottle-aasvoel-2023","title":"Aasvoel Blank Bottle 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTiny production and not made every year, 100% Verdelho, from the oldest vineyard of the variety in the country. I\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003encredible concentration and energy here and what a great nose - swaggering out of the blocks! Concentrated lime peel and a little chalkiness too, with a super zingy palate - apples and sherbert, gloriously mouth-filling, broad and long, with a very biscuitty finish and saline streak. Pieter is becoming more and more of a fan of Verdelho, and the proof is in the bottle - the different bottlings get better each year. Perhaps you're wondering about the name? It means vulture in Afrikaans - click \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/blankbottle.co.za\/blank_bottle_wines\/aasvoel-2021\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e to read more.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe tale behind the name BLANKbottle is that when Pieter was starting out, he made a small parcel of Shiraz and was left with a few unlabelled cases. One day, a woman wanted to buy a wine – “Anything but Shiraz,” she told him. Pieter shrugged and sold her the unlabelled Shiraz, neglecting to mention the variety. A few weeks later she returned demanding more, saying it was the best thing she’d ever drunk. For Pieter, it was a lesson on the gap between what people think they like (or dislike) and what they actually like (or dislike). After that, he decided not to list the varieties on his labels. Every one of Pieter’s wines is a story, rather than a grape variety, and it’s the juice inside the bottle which reveals that story. He doesn’t own any vines, but instead scours South Africa’s winelands for top-quality fruit that has somehow slipped under the radar, now sourcing from nearly 70 sites. Some years he’ll make 20 wines, other years 35. With the benefit of anonymity, variety and regional identity take a back seat while parcel expression does the driving. These are some of South Africa’s most original wines, made by one of South Africa’s most original winemakers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BLANK BOTTLE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55071933792642,"sku":"A1446123","price":34.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/Aasvoel_8b8a9125-d3cc-4b04-9d7f-e9854f218038.jpg?v=1743006649"},{"product_id":"aa-badenhorst-grensloos-chenin-blanc-2023","title":"Chenin Blanc Grensloos AA Badenhorst 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 points, Tim Atkin - 95 points, Parker's Wine Advocate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e96 points and a Wine of the Year for Chenin Blanc - 'Grensloos rounds up all Adi Badenhorst's single vineyard sites, most of which used to be bottled on their own. Using grapes from five sites on Jakkalsfontein and Kalmoesfontein, it's very gently wooded in foudres and concrete tanks, with lots of leesy richness, stony concentration and layers of beeswax, white flowers, honey and citrus. More than the sum of it's parts. Drink 2025 to 2035.' Tim Atkin MW, South Africa Report 2024.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe firmly believe that Adi Badenhorst is one of the most exciting winemaker in South Africa. He is also the most frustrating. His laid back, self-deprecating, playful manner keeps you guessing and makes you wonder whether he has any idea what he is actually doing, whether he just chucks some grapes into a vat and hopes for the best, but we know full well that there is a huge amount of expertise that goes on behind closed doors, when no one is around to witness his skill and diligence ...and spoil his reputation!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BADENHORST","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55080614101378,"sku":"A4896123","price":42.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_4171ba73-d310-4dbc-8194-39edf7429340.jpg?v=1750863465"},{"product_id":"rincrocca-verdicchio-dei-castelli-di-jesi-riserva-la-staffa-2021","title":"Rincrocca Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi  Riserva La Staffa 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003eRincrocca Riserva is La Staffa's Grand Vin, their top release and the perfect embodiment of quite how far and how fine Verdicchio can be. \u003cspan\u003eProduced from an ancient clone planted in the early 70s and trained in the guyot method, this is an exceptional expression of the grape. Almost Chenin like in a way on the nose, with lime zest, chamomile flowers, good weight and an almost resin-y mouthfeel and dusty struck rock finish. Aged for a year in concrete and 18 months in bottle before release.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVigneron Riccardo Baldi is a rising star, according to Decanter magazine. \u003cspan\u003eLocated in the rolling hills of Staffolo in the north of the Marche region, La Staffa is an organic winery in the heart of the Verdicchio dei Castelli de Jesi appellation. This area is much influenced by its close proximity to the Adriatic, its high elevation and clay and chalk-rich soils that imbue the wines with a distinctive character.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"I often think of the La Staffa Verdicchios as Meursaults in a lineup of Chablis. The wines are all about tension, acidity and minerality, while many other producers rely on fat and fruit to impress. Owner and winemaker Riccardo Baldi tends 12 hectares of vines around the town of Staffolo, growing at 400 to 550 meters through all-organic, verging on biodynamic practices. These are primarily clay soils with a high percentage of calcium carbonate, which Baldi translates beautifully into the finished wines. The best part is that no matter how enjoyable these wines are upon release, they get even better with time. There are no slouches in this portfolio.\" - Eric Guido, Vinous.com, May 2024\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"LA STAFFA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55155659178370,"sku":"A3286121","price":42.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_15b5bf0c-ecef-4b41-919a-bf0bbce596c8.png?v=1746180390"},{"product_id":"almanua-terroir-maritimo-vine-vinu-2024","title":"Almanua Vinho Verde Terroir Maritimo Vine Vinu 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94 points \u003c\/strong\u003e- \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003eJacobo García-Andrade Llamas, JamesSuckling.com\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis is a chiselled glass of white you could only thank us for, perfect with fresh crunchy salads, grilled fish or simply on its own. Luis’ vineyards are on soils of granite with clay, only 20kms from the ocean. This is a structured and round Vinho Verde, with saline notes, oyster shells, lime and quince.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e#Tasting#\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLuis Cerdeira is synomous with Vinho Verde since as a young man he joined his father  who started the Soalheiro wine estate in 1982. Now that Luis's own son Manuel is a young man he wanted to do the same thing for him, and together they have started a winery called Vine Vinu, which means from vine to glass, to explore different terroirs. They have two - one which is coastal made in Requiao, which is 20km form the sea - and one which is in the mountains in Melgaco. They are bottling them separately.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vine Vinu","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55158690251138,"sku":"A5656124","price":19.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/ALMANUA.png?v=1750862437"},{"product_id":"almanua-vine-vinu-2024-magnum-1-5l","title":"Almanua Vinho Verde Terroir Maritimo Vine Vinu 150cl Magnum 2024","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMagnum size - Perfect for a party. \u003c\/b\u003eThis is a chiselled glass of white you could only thank us for, perfect with fresh crunchy salads, grilled fish or simply on its own. Luis’ vineyards are on soils of granite with clay, only 20kms from the ocean. This is a structured and round Vinho Verde, with saline notes, oyster shells, lime and quince.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e#Tasting#\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLuis Cerdeira is synomous with Vinho Verde since as a young man he joined his father  who started the Soalheiro wine estate in 1982. Now that Luis's own son Manuel is a young man he wanted to do the same thing for him, and together they have started a winery called Vine Vinu, which means from vine to glass, to explore different terroirs. They have two - one which is coastal made in Requiao, which is 20km form the sea - and one which is in the mountains in Melgaco. They are bottling them separately.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vine Vinu","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55165413753218,"sku":"A5655124","price":39.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_324f28be-a0de-4ae0-a5cb-0b3d733f83b3.png?v=1745924910"},{"product_id":"viognier-the-age-of-grace-lismore-estate-2023","title":"Viognier The Age of Grace, Lismore Estate 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e'If you have not discovered Lismore then, well, don’t blame me when you discover what you’re missing out on.' \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNeal Martin, Vinous.com\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSamantha O'Keefe, winemaker at Lismore, is an old friend. In fact we were the first people to import this wine into the UK. It was always delicious, but it's now it's something super special. It is so balanced and fresh, just memorizing. For the price this Viognier is a superb buy.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"LISMORE ESTATE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55184831185282,"sku":"A1676123","price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/Lismore_Age_of_Grace.jpg?v=1746717536"},{"product_id":"keermont-terrasse-2023","title":"Keermont Terrasse 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e“Chenin dominated blend of six different grapes. Really satisfying, ripe, honeyed nose transitioning through green apples to an appetizing dry, tangy finish.” Jancis Robinson MW. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Alex Starey’s captivating mille-feuille of white varieties, and it has never looked classier.\" Matthew Jukes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA gorgeous drop from the first sniff. Pear tarte tatin, butterscotch, lime and hazelnut, with almost a hint of creme anglaise - think vanilla pod, freshened by a bracing oyster shell element which leads to a stone fruit-filled palate: fuzzy skinned apricots, peach, with good weight, and a lingering sweetsour finish and good bit of grip. Though it always varies, Chenin Blanc leading, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are the main building blocks. The remainder Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne with each variety playing a key part - Chardonnay adding more weight, Sauvignon adding acidity, and some spice from the Rhone varieties. A Decanter magazine MUST TRY in a recent vintage! \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKeermont Estate may well take the prize for most beautiful vineyards and views in all of South Africa. And yup, there's some pretty stiff competition! Nestled in a natural amphitheatre between the Stellenbosch and Helderberg mountains, their ambition is to produce wines that reflect the natural wonders of this exquisite place. And oh boy do they do it with aplomb. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KEERMONT","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55194507084162,"sku":"A1506123","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_7af96a95-0c17-4a52-98d1-40146c16de48.jpg?v=1747130878"},{"product_id":"grillo-di-meno-terre-siciliane-2024","title":"Grillo Di Meno Sicilia 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is the\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e kind of wine I always hope to discover early on in a Mediterranean summer holiday, so that one can stock up and not head back to the wine aisle every day hoping to find something better. It's got that that certain something that adds joy to a lunch, or a conversation, or an evening meal, and just makes you think, yes, this is summer. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLast night we drank it as an aperitif and it was excellent with little chunks of salty parmesan cheese and olives. And we then had it with ravioli with ricotta and amalfi lemon butter and asparagus and it was spot on.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt would be lovely with summer dishes like goat's cheese, peach, honey and mint crostini, cantaloupe melon and prosciutto, summer prawns, artichokes, heirloom tomatoes, bruschetta with basil, courgette flowers, baked summer vegetables, summer risotto, squid, sea bass, grilled peach and chicken salad, or grilled chicken, and fresh pasta pesto. You get the idea.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e nectarine and melon notes, and white flowers, with a wee hint of salinity, and a coolness, like a slice of cucumber in Hendrick's Gin, the aroma is just lovely, and the palate is pure and dry, with a nice juicy, peachy feel, with a nice subtle lick of fresh summer herbs. It's only 12.5% alcohol, which I appreciate on a summer's day, and when the wine is flowing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable align=\"center\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003ctable align=\"center\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"m_-4601328920570027016content-padding m_-4601328920570027016first m_-4601328920570027016last\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"m_-4601328920570027016kl-row m_-4601328920570027016colstack\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"m_-4601328920570027016kl-column\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"m_-4601328920570027016mj-column-per-100 m_-4601328920570027016component-wrapper\"\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" role=\"presentation\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHailing from the subregion of Alcamo in Western Sicily, the Vesco family have been tending vines, olive groves and wheat in this area for 100 years. Since the early 90s, they've revolutionised their farming and cellar practices, and are today combining traditional techniques with modern technology to resounding success. With nearly 100 hectares under vine, they're known as a trailblazer on the island for organic and sustainable viticulture.  Meno means less in Italian, so expect less handling, less intervention and less filtering and SO2, but certainly no less flavour!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DI MENO","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55207632732546,"sku":"A5866124","price":14.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_b14056f3-66df-4049-9c60-4fc8c7c13508.png?v=1747749567"},{"product_id":"flint-fume-2024","title":"Flint Fumé 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"\u003cspan dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThis wine is spectacular!\" - Customer July 2024\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Bacchus has been a constant development for me as a winemaker.  It is a very complex variety to work with and a little finicky in the vineyard too!  My relationship with Bacchus has evolved, starting from making a precise stainless steel fermented wine in 2016 to working with oak and developing the popular Bacchus Fumé... A rounded style of Bacchus presenting our best expression of the variety.\" Their Fumé 2022 was the higest scoring Bacchus in the UK and every vintage just keeps getting better.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFollowing a passion is what landed Ben Flint with 6 hectares under-vine, a state-of-the-art winery in the beautiful Earsham area of Norfolk, and now leading the English premium wine sense. Quitting his career in the IT sector saw Ben move to Suffolk and undertake a 3-year Oenology and Viticulture at Plumpton College, upping sticks to Beaujolais where he lived and breathed winemaking for years before coming home to start making super premium English wines that are rather hard to get hold of.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FLINT \u0026 VINE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55209977151874,"sku":"A1006124","price":20.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/FLINT_Fume_2023.png?v=1748534534"},{"product_id":"ancestral-branco-fitapreta-2024","title":"Ancestral Branco Fitapreta 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFine, white burgundy characteristics, despite not having any Chardonnay in it. But in trying to describe the style of wine, given there is no famous benchmark from Alentejo that one can relate it to, then it's in Burgundy where we sort of end up, although it's got a bit more citrus than Burgundy, and a little scent of something exotic, with a fine streak of minerality, as if it could be fine Fiano di Avellino or Jurancon. It's beautiful wine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWinemaker of the Year' 2018, 'Singularity Award' 2018, 'Revelation Producer' 2017, Wine Project of the Year 2016 - it's safe to say that Antonio Macanita's mantlepiece is under some strain. But despite the high achievements and fancy awards, there's a devil-may-care adventurousness to António Maçanita which really puts us in mind of the likes of Pieter Walser or Swartland revolutionaries Adi Badenhorst and Eben Sadie in South Africa (funnily enough, Alentejo, where Antonio makes his Fitapreta wines, has been compared to Swartland - \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ein that it was traditionally dominated by co-operatives but recently we’ve seen an influx of small growers with old plots making really interesting and exciting wines).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Like the Saffers, Antonio has sought to challenge wine lovers' expectations and make great new wines from often largely forgotten territories. He also surfs. He learned his trade at some of the world's top wineries - Rudd in Napa, D’Arenberg in Australia and Lynch-Bages in Bordeaux - before blazing a trail all over Portugal - from Douro to Alentejo to the Azores Islands. In addition to his own multi-region company, he also consults for 13 other wineries. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FITAPRETA VINHOS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55224900616578,"sku":"A4056124","price":22.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/Fitapreta_ancestral_2024.png?v=1748353718"},{"product_id":"escalada-do-sil-blanco-alberto-orte-2022","title":"Escalada do Sil Blanco Alberto Orte 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eIf you're new to discovering the glory and potential of good Godello, Escalada do Sil is the one to start with. O\u003cspan\u003ene of Alberto’s smallest production wines with just 1200 bottles made, from parcels on the steep slopes of the Sil river entirely farmed by hand - no tractors here for how steep it is, and how remote! There's a toastiness on the nose on first opening that swiftly lifts to reveal a kaleidoscope of flavours… creamy cashew and fleshy white flowers, chamomile, and a rush of candied pineapple, canteloupe, membrillo, honey, and a wisp of smoke. It has magnificent structure, almost Puligny-esque but with something like a good Bordeaux Blanc too, with excellent weight and length. Will go years, for sure. Oosh this is smart. Really, here’s your chance to discover a new star. Don’t say we didn’t tell you.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA titan of the Spanish wine industry - introducing Alberto Orte! Oh, where to begin. He’s the guy, at the tender age of 24, who co-founded renowned US based Spanish specialist wine importer, Olé \u0026amp; Obrigado. A farmer, producer and historian all in one, he’s dedicated a huge portion of his life to exploring, identifying and preserving old varieties and clones, and has successfully identified a whopping 200+ old clones of Palomino Fino and Palomino Jerez and revived and re-planted over 20 grape varieties on the brink of extinction. As well as his projects in Jerez, Alberto also makes wine from extraordinary sites in Yecla, Rioja and as we have here, Valdeorras.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ALBERTO ORTE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55238815842690,"sku":"A1306122","price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_14eccc5a-c40b-4847-9592-52f07d0dc72a.jpg?v=1748607815"},{"product_id":"vara-y-pulgar-blanco-alberto-orte-2023","title":"Vara y Pulgar Blanco Alberto Orte 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eA new wine to their range, Vara y Pulgar Blanco introduces a new chapter for non-fortified whites in Jerez. It elegantly blends Albariza-soil Palomino Fino with other indigenous Jerez varieties, including Vigiriega Blanca and Malvasía, as well as a touch of other estate-grown grapes. This blend serves to amplify the Palomino grape's inherent character, resulting in a wine with vibrant fruit flavors, ripe freshness, and a pronounced saline minerality. With bright\u003cbr\u003eacidity, expressive citrus and stone fruit aromas, and a refreshing, persistent finish, Vara y Pulgar Blanco is crafted for enjoyment and consumption upon release.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA titan of the Spanish wine industry - introducing Alberto Orte! Oh, where to begin. He’s the guy, at the tender age of 24, who co-founded renowned US based Spanish specialist wine importer, Olé \u0026amp; Obrigado. A farmer, producer and historian all in one, he’s dedicated a huge portion of his life to exploring, identifying and preserving old varieties and clones, and has successfully identified a whopping 200+ old clones of Palomino Fino and Palomino Jerez and revived and re-planted over 20 grape varieties on the brink of extinction. As well as his projects in Jerez, Alberto also makes wine from extraordinary sites in Yecla, Rioja and as we have here, Valdeorras.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ALBERTO ORTE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55239114293634,"sku":"A5260123","price":29.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_24f79a0d-d2f2-480f-9f9d-d0717d951a3d.jpg?v=1748610348"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/collections\/29403405_2080505738859345_6812368299586748416_n_08684da9-03e8-4e71-91a6-686bc1a578e6.jpg?v=1643709029","url":"https:\/\/swig.co.uk\/collections\/white\/12-15+country-france.oembed","provider":"Swig Wines","version":"1.0","type":"link"}