Tag Archives: wotw

Australia, Wine, Wine of the Month

WOTW: 2014 Berton Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, Berton Vineyard, South Australia

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In a nutshell: 

Intense, ripe black fruit aromas with hints of chocolate, eucalyptus and mint.

The producer:

Established by Bob and Cherie Berton in May 1996 with 30 hectares of land at 450m above sea level on gently rolling hills in a sub-region of Eden Valley in South Australia, Berton Vineyard has been one of Hallgarten’s most important partners. The superb Reserve Shiraz and Reserve Chardonnay wines are still sourced from this plot. In 2007 Bob purchased the Yenda winery in the heart of the Riverina. This state of the art facility has the capacity to process 20,000 tonnes, and allows Berton Vineyard to produce value for money wines which sit alongside their premium single vineyard offerings.

The wine:

The grapes, that were picked in late April, were sourced from the prized Terra Rossa region of Coonawarra. Fermented in closed fermenters for 10 days between 25°C and 28°C, the wine was pumped over four times a day. It was then pressed off into stainless steel tanks where it completed its malolactic fermentation in the late autumn. Following this, the wine was racked into French oak barrels with an equal spread of new, 1, 2 and 3 year old oak. The wine was aged fora year during which time it underwent a further racking.

Tasting note:

The palate is brimming with crushed blackcurrant fruit flavours enhanced by subtle eucalyptus and mint notes characteristic of this region and is beautifully complemented by elegant French oak notes.

A great accompaniment to fillet steak or roast lamb and roasted vegetables.

Australia, Tasting, Wine, Wine of the Month

Try something exciting… Teusner Wines, Righteous ‘FG’ Shiraz

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In a nutshell:

This benchmark style is what makes Barossa famous. Tremendous intensity and concentration are behind this top cuvee from Teusner.

The wine:

The grapes were carefully selected and then received the “Rolls Royce” treatment all the way in the winery! Fermentation took place in open vats with twice daily pump overs, increasing the contact between the skins and the juice, extracting both flavours and colour, resulting in this intense, concentrated style. Following the fermentation, the wine was rested in a combination of new French oak (50%) and in older, seasoned barrels.54885 - Teusner Righteous

Tasting note:

Tremendous intensity and concentration are behind this top cuvee from Teusner. Kym Teusner holds nothing back from this high scoring Shiraz. This benchmark style is what makes Barossa famous.

Try it with:

This has the intensity to match venison or game stews or classic roast beef with all the trimmings.

The producer:

Set up by Kym Teusner and Michael Page in 2001, Teusner’s philosophy is to produce only exceptional, affordable wines by being very selective about the fruit, which is sourced from old, well maintained vineyards. These vineyards reliably produce balanced, complex fruit which are guided, with minimal input, into stunning wines. “Teusner was started by doing what we love; we never mapped it out to be so big. We started small and rode the wave and this is where we’ve ended. These are wines that we love to drink” enthused winemaker Kym Teusner.

Emerging Regions, Tasting, Turkey, Wine, Wine of the Month

Try something from a new region… Kayra, Kalecik Karasi, Blanc de Noir

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In a nutshell:

A delicate pale pink colour is mirrored in the strawberry, cherry flavours of this of dry and refreshing wine.

The wine:59810 - Kayra Beyaz Kalecik Karasi Rose

The grapes from the Denizli region were harvested at optimal ripeness and those from the first part of the harvest were used to make this pale pink wine. It is a blanc de noir produced from the indigenous red variety, Kalecik Karası, which is pronounced as “kahle-djic-cah-ah-ser”. Only the free run juice from the initial pressing was used, the must was then fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks, preserving the freshness and aromatics.

Tasting note:

Pale pink in colour with delightful notes of citrus, orange flower, pink grapefruit and ripe red fruits, which follow through to a palate of wild strawberry, raspberry, a hint of ginger and a lively acidity on the finish.

Try it with:

Serve at 6 to 8°C with salads, fresh shellfish and sushi, or serve as an apéritif.

The producer:

Kayra is producing premium wines from the Anatolia region-considered to be the birth place of wine-and is at the cutting edge of winemaking in this diverse nation. The wines are made from unique and intriguing local varieties. These indigenous varieties, whilst being ancient to Turkey are now being vinified using modern techniques and are producing award winning results. Anatolian grapes, along with international varieties, are planted in the best sites following the philosophy of terroir. The vineyards and wineries have been significantly invested in.

The Elziğ winery, located in Eastern Anatolia was established in 1942 and is dedicated entirely to the production of red wines. The Şarköy Winery in Thrace was built in 1996 and embraces a cellar for 1,200 barrels, reserved for the ageing of special cuvées. Under the guidance of consultant winemaker Daniel O’Donnell, it is Kayra’s aim to reveal the true potential of Turkey and to bring their rich history and generous spirit to lovers of fine wine.

Peter Dean, The Buyer, voted it his Best Rose Wine of 2016

Argentina, Tasting, Wine, Wine of the Month

Try a new kind of sparkling… Doña Paula, Sauvage Blanc NV

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In a nutshell:

Sauvage Blanc is Argentina’s first 100% Sauvignon Blanc sparkling wine, boasting intense aromas of orange blossom, with hints of grape fruit and an intriguing touch of mint.

The wine:

The grapes were carefully harvested to avoid oxidation during the third week of February. They were then cooled and softly pressed prior to a pellicular maceration which transferred the varietal characters from the skin to the must. Alcoholic fermentation was carried out at low temperatures in stainless steel tanks. A short secondary fermentation took place for the formation of the characteristic bubbles, the prise de mousse.63960---sauvage-blanc

Tasting note:

Pale and interesting, showing intense aromas of orange blossom, white peach, with hints of grapefruit and an intriguing touch of mint, it is crisp, lively and persistent on the palate.

Try it with:

The lively and refreshing apéritif perfectly accompanies rich fish dishes of salmon and tuna, or shell fish in a delicate cream sauce.

The producer:

Doña Paula is a leading, modern winery at the forefront of exploring and investing in new, high quality wine regions in Argentina. First established in 1997, they own all of their vineyards covering 700 hectares. These vineyard sites are located in the best sub-regions within Mendoza including Ugarteche, Altamira, Gualtallary and Tupungato.

They practice sustainable methods in the vineyards, maximizing the true expression of terroir. Their continuous innovation in terms of vineyard management ensures top quality wines from one year to the next.

Italy, Tasting, Wine, Wine of the Month

Try something natural… Ancilla Lugana, 1909, 2015

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In a nutshell:

Produced without the addition of sulphur, this wine has a super ripe pear and white peach character, textured with a very long and saline finish.

The wine:

The grapes were destemmed and lightly pressed, followed by a cold maceration on the skins. A slow fermentation took place in steel casks at a low temperature. The wine was aged on its fine lees, in stainless steel casks for five months, then saw further bottle ageing for one month, prior to release.

Tasting note:

52391-1909_hdIntense aromas of grapefruit and citrus fruits are combined with intriguing undertones of jasmine and elderflower. These sensations come to fruition and linger deliciously on the palate, harmoniously balanced with notable body and the discovery of unsuspected warmth.

Try it with:

A food loving wine, this accompanies antipasti, bruschetta, risotto and grilled white fish with a twist of lemon.

The producer:

Ancilla Lugana is located on the shores of Lake Garda in North East Italy. The estate comprises two vineyards: La Ghidina, located in Lugana di Sirmoine, the heart of the production area of some of the most elegant whites in Italy, and Cadellora, situated in Villa franca di Verona. It is run by Luisella Benedetti, the third generation of women to run this estate, having inherited the farm from her mother, who inherited in turn from her mother, named Ancilla.

Ancilla was an extraordinary, energetic woman, who worked the fields and got up at 3am every day make her wine producing dream come true. Following in the footsteps of her grandmother, with the passion for the land in her blood, Luisella Benedetti gave up her career in finance and took over the family business in the early 2000’s.

With a hands-on approach, Luisella is involved in every aspect of winemaking and viticulture. The lifelong commitment of her grandmother and mother is a passion now shared by Luisella, which is clear to see in this exciting and pure collection of Lugana wines.

France, Wine, Wine of the Month

WOTW: Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge, Domaine de la Solitude, Rhône Valley 2012

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In a nutshell:

An opulent wine which retains the estate’s characteristic elegance and shows a modern style of winemaking.

The producer:

Wines have been made on this estate for several hundred years, dating back to 1264 when the family arrived from Italy to serve the pope in Avignon. The three hats depicted on the label, refer to two bishops and a pope, who were among the fore fathers of the Lançon family. Today, the Domaine with 38 hectares in the Châteauneuf du Pape appellation is managed by brothers Jean and Michel Lançon, together with Florent, Michel’s son. Florent, who is passionate about innovative winemaking, whilst honouring traditional values, has recently started working with new tulip-shaped concrete vats which were initially designed for Cheval Blanc and are at the cutting edge of winemaking technology. Domaine de la Solitutude’s wines are renowned for their characteristic elegance whilst expressing the true origins of their terroir.

The Wine:

The grapes were meticulously sorted, destemmed and gently crushed before entering concrete fermentation tanks via gravity. The juice underwent a 25 to 30 maceration, with lees stirring to give complexity to the resulting wine.. A proportion of the wine was aged in new and one year old oak barrels for a period of 12 months.

Tasting Note:

Ripe Morello cherries are complemented by vanilla and spice. Elegant and smooth. A wonderful accompaniment to a slow cooked beef and wild mushroom stew, or rich, game dishes.

Australia, Wine, Wine of the Month

WOTW: The Long Road Chardonnay, Eden Road, Canberra 2013

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In a nutshell:

A new wave, cool climate Aussie Chardonnay.

 The producer:

Located in Murrumbatemanin New South Wales’ Canberra Wine District, boutique winery Eden Road was established in 2008 by businessman Chris Coffman and was awarded the most prestigious wine award in Australia – The Jimmy Watson- for its first vintage of The Long Road Shiraz in 2009. Its collection of cool climate wines in a raft of exciting and original styles are highly-prized, and owe much to the soils the vines are planted on which were formed over 400 million years ago and are some of the oldest on the planet.

 The Wine:

The fruit was gently pressed directly into French oak barriques, of which 10% were new, without settling and inoculated with selected yeasts to achieve fruit purity. It was then matured for 12 months on its lees prior to being racked and bottled.

 Tasting Note:

Very little oak influence, wonderful elegance with the focus on citrus fruits and white blossom with a long, lip-smacking finish.

One of our favourite food and wine pairings at this time of year is pumpkin and Chardonnay. The velvety, rich texture of pumpkin complements the similar texture found in this Burgundian style, Aussie Chardonnay.

Greece, Wine, Wine of the Month

WOTW: Kidonitsa White PGI Laconia, Monemvasia Estate, 2015

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In a nutshell: Translates as ‘little quince’ from Greek displaying intense aromas and ripe quince characters, this is one of very few single varietal Kidonitsa around

The Producer: The appellation of origin Malvasia is referred to the Byzantine city of Monemvasia whose name was also given by the Franks to its wine. The vineyards were located at Dorieon Chora the region of the countryside of Epidavros Limiras which was a favourable environment for the vineyard cultivation. The mild coastal climate in combination with the terrain made up the exceptional features which gave a unique quality to the wines of Malvasia. This is where Malvasia was made prior to the 13th century when the local traders loaded it onto the ships from the port of Monemvasia. In the Byzantine era, the economy of fortified cities such as Monemvasia was based on trade. After the 14th century, these cities gained significant privileges and traded freely in all major trading centres.

The Wine: The grapes were carefully selected. The fermentation took place with selected yeasts, in stainless steel at low temperatures of between 14 to 16°C for a period of 15 to 20 days, preserving the quince aromatics of this variety and retaining the freshness of the style.

Tasting note: Elegant aromas of tropical fruits and quince, which follow through pleasantly on to the palate, crisp with excellent balance and a fairly long finish.

South Africa, Wine, Wine of the Month

WOTW: Bloemendal Suider-Terras Sauvignon Blanc, 2014

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In A Nutshell: A modern classic, one of South Africa’s most-celebrated Sauvignons.

The Producer: Stunning, world-class Sauvignon Blanc has put the Bloemendal Wine Estate firmly on the map as a sought after producer among world wines. Situated in the heart of picturesque Durbanville just 30 minutes north of Cape Town, the 239 hectare Estate includes Kanonberg Mountain. This hilltop has amazing views of Table Mountain, False Bay, Stellenbosch, Swartland and beyond. It is here on the Southern Slope or ‘Suider-Terras’ where the vineyards are planted with French cultivars, predominantly Sauvignon Blanc.

The Wine: Three successive pickings from the fabled Suider Terras block stretching over a two week period, allowed for lots with both punchy aromatics and luscious texture. Fermented took place in a combination of 500 litre French oak and concrete tanks; the lots were blended in April and aged in barrel for ten months

Tasting Note: A vibrant golden hue with green core, the wine explodes with the characteristics of fynbos, chalk, limes and herbs. A robust wine built for serious ageing and development. Made for pairing with good food and will age between 7-10 yrs.

Wine, Wine of the Month

WOTW: Hiruzta Txakoli, 2015

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In A Nutshell: A zippy, high-acid wine with great salinity and fruit. Difficult to pronounce but very easy to drink, especially with seafood.

The Producer: This northern Spanish producer makes exceptional wines from the Basque Country’s native Txakoli grape. The Rekalde Family are behind project and their aim is to restore the tradition of Txakoli production in Hondarribia (the town which lends its name to the grape variety with which Txakoli is produced. This tradition was lost in the 17th century and is now being restored. The first vineyards were planted in 2008, and the first wines were placed on the market in 2011.

The Wine: Txakoli is incredibly on trend, especially among sommeliers, and the wines are a perfect match for seafood and great by-the-glass offerings. “Txakoli is set to be the new Albarino!,” says Hallgarten buyer Steve Daniel, and he should know.

Tasting Note: Rich aromas of crisp apples, grapefruit and tropical pineapple are cloaked in an array of white flowers, all enhanced by the subtle effervescence of the natural carbonic gas. Balanced, fresh and mineral in the mouth, it has the slight characteristic of a pearl wine with well integrated acidity, hints of tropical fruits and a dry, salivating finish.