Sparkling

CA’ D’ GAL, SANDRO BOIDO, Piemonte – Organic

2016 Moscato D’Asti “Lumine”

Hidden in the hills just outside the sleepy town of Neive near Santo Stefano Belbo is Ca’ d’ Gal, home to Sandro Boido and some of Piemonte’s most sublime Moscato d’Asti. “Lumine,” the estate’s regular bottling from 30-35 year old vines, captures sunny notes of elderflower cordial, mandarin oranges and rose petals, illuminated by a lovely silver-gold effervescence on the tongue. Flavours of white peaches and pears melt on the tongue like cotton candy, perfectly light and balanced.

Whites

WEINGUT MARTIN & ANNA ARNDORFER, Kamptal

2016 Vorgeschmack White

Martin & Anna believe that the role of the vigneron is crucial – artisanship thus is the combination of creativity, sensitivity and personality. Vorsgeschmack (Foretaste), is a symbiosis of the two star grapes of the Kamptal. Martin and Anna describe the wine as the beginning of a friendly talk, the prelude to a meal and the gateway to simple pleasure. A blend of 80% Grüner and 20% Riesling.

PRINCIC DARIO, OSLAVIA, COLLIO, Friuli – Biodynamic

2011 Trebez Bianco

Trebez is a triumphant triumvirate of Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay if not quark, strangeness and charm. This orange-rosé (the result of extended skin maceration) wine is bone-dry with a hint of dried grape-skin and suggestion of butterscotch. It’s very understated, a wine that you have to meet more than halfway. Try the whites with braised veal shank.

Reds

DOMAINE DES VIGNEAUX, HELENE& CHRISTOPHE COMTE, Coteaux de l’Ardèche – Biodynamic

2015 Syrah

Domaine des Vigneaux is a third-generation family business located in Valvignères half way between Montélimar and Aubenas, Ardèche. A lovely juicy Syrah bursting with healthy smiling purple colour and exuding a warm nose of ripe cassis fruit.

BODEGAS BERNABE NAVARRO, RAFAEL BERNABE, Alicante – Organic

2015 La Amistad Tinto

These are pure, “minimal intervention” wines at the forefront of Spain’s slow move towards more elegant, terroir driven styles from Alicante, South-East Spain where the climate is hot, humid and Mediterranean near the coast becoming drier and more continental further inland. Made of 100% Rojal, it is of rustic character with marked salty and mineral touches.

CASCINA DEGLI ULIVI, STEFANO BELLOTTI, NOVI LIGURE, Piemonte – Biodynamic

2015 Bellotti Rosso

Stefano Bellotti began as an eighteen year old in 1977, reclaiming the family farm where there was less than 1 hectare of vineyard in existing use. He began working organically from the beginning, and introduced biodynamic methods in 1984. Blend of mostly Barbera and Dolcetto, hand harvested and fermented in large oak “botti” and bottles with minimal sulphur. The wine is fresh and lively bursting with dark berry flavours. Very deep youthful purple/garnet colour. Big nose of prunes, river stones, blackberries, dark chocolate, and a touch of brown spices