Summer wines
Whatever your plans this summer, here's a selection to match..
ORGANIC
Naturally effervescent and light, akin to the more famous Vinho Verde wines of northern Portugal with plenty of fresh green apple and citrus fruits - waxy lemons and lime. Great acidity and mineral depth. Broad and long on the finish with good concentration.
Bengoetxe is one of the only organic Txakoli producers in Basque country. Iñaki and Rosa María Exteberría have always run the family’s dairy farm, but in 2001 they planted 3.8 ha vineyard and started making Txacolí . Having their vineyards inland – as opposed to the majority of producers who have them right by the sea – meant that they fell outside the official appellation area, and Iñaki and Rosa María fought an ardous battle to have their wines recognised under the DO status.
Origin: Txakolina DO, Basque Country, Spain
Vintage: 2018
Grape variety: 95% Hondarribi and 5% Gros Manseng
Food pairing: Serrano ham
Bottle size: 75cl
ABV: 12%
£17.00
ORGANIC
This blend is a story that is truly unique, where the big, juicy Nero D’Avola is tamed by the smooth, elegant Montepulciano. Italian grapes grown together under the Riverland sun, it's a sultry beast dark and alluring, juicy and delicious. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. This wine is suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
Origin: Riverland, Australia
Vintage: 2018
Grape variety: Nero D'Avola & Montepulciano blend
Style: Bright & Juicy
Food pairing: Pairs perfectly with a BBQ
Bottle size: 75cl
ABV: 14%
£16.00
Origin: Bandol, France
Vintage: 2017
Grape variety: Mourvédre, Cinsault and Grenache
Food pairing: Fish stew, crab terrine
Bottle size: 75cl
ABV: 13%
£22.00
LOW INTERVENTION / ORGANIC PRINCIPLES
Gorgeous thirst quenching Riesling, super refreshing, a modern style of German Trocken. Punches well above its weight, excellent value
Origin: Saar, Mosel, Germany
Vintage: 2017
Grape variety: Riesling
Food pairing: Drink on its own on a hot summer’s day
Bottle size: 75cl
ABV: 12.5%
Peter Lauer is a third-generation family business, started in 1913 and continued today by Peter's grandson Florian Lauer. Florian has more of a 'natural', non-interventionist approach in the cellar than his predecessors. Wines undergo a long, cool fermentation with ambient yeasts. This wine is filtered, but none are fined – Lauer's wines are proudly vegan, using none of the animal products typical in fining.
£18.00
Abbazia di Novacella Kerner is an aromatic white wine which has become a speciality of the Eisack Valley: pale straw yellow with green reflexes, apple and peach fruit on the nose with a hint of mango, ripe and full on the palate, its opulence cut by crisp acidity.
Origin: Trentino Alto-Adige, Italy
Vintage: 2017
Grape variety: Kerner
Food pairing: Excellent with cold summer pasta salads, also pork, veal, roast chicken or swordfish
Bottle size: 75cl
ABV: 14%
£20.00
BIODYNAMIC
A small, biodynamic domaine in Ardeche. As the name implies, this is the perfect red to accompany a game of petanque on the grass in summertime, with crisp fruity flavours and a light, refreshing body.
Origin: France
Vintage: 2018
Grape variety: Mainly Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre
Food pairing: Finger foods and snacks, lighter fare, or by itself
Bottle size: 75cl
ABV: 13%
£15.00
BIODYNAMIC
Sullerba is a vino frizzante 'metodo classico'. First fermentation is done in amphora with native yeast, with secondary bottle fermentation. The nose has hints of pineapple and white pepper, thyme and rosemary. Zesty with bright acidity and fine bubbles.
This is the first biodynamic Franciacorta. The name, 1701, was chosen to commemorate the first vinification of the commune. The producers follow biodynamic farming methods which exclude any chemical intervention. Seen as a philosophy of life, working closely with the vine, respecting the life cycle and focusing on the authentic expression of terroir.
Origin: Lombardia, Italy
Grape variety: Chardonnay
Food pairing: Great as aperitif
Bottle size: 75cl
ABV: 11.5%
Techs: Native yeasts, Aged for 18 months
Soil: Clay & Sand
No added sulphite, Unfiltered
£25.00
ORGANIC
Vibrant green and citrus notes, beautifully intense and fresh, yet with exceptional lightness, perfect summer wine
Origin: Vinho Verde, Portugal
Vintage: 2014
Grape variety: Arinto, Azal, Loureiro
Food pairing: Fish, Seafood, Soft Cheese, White meat
Bottle size: 75cl
ABV: 11%
£17.00
ORGANIC (NON-CERTIFIED)/VEGAN/LOW ADDED SULPHUR
A juicy, fun, light and summery red, with only 2 weeks of maceration. Tastes of cranberries, with a clean texture and a slightly savoury finish. It is crunchy with a tiny touch of white spice.
Origin: Catalonia, Spain
Grape Variety: Trepat (90%), Grenache (7%), Others (3%)
Vintage: 2018
Food Pairing: By itself on a sunny day, chilled soups, salads, anything light and acidic
Bottle Size: 75cl
ABV: 11.5%
£19.00
VEGAN
A hand picked, fresh Rosé in the style of Provence. It has clean flavours of red fruit, and a savoury, long finish. A very food friendly Rosé.
Origin: Catalunya, Spain
Vintage: 2017
Grape Variety: Grenache (90%), Syrah (10%)
Food Pairings: Barbecued dishes, bright and summery meals, or as an aperitif
Bottle Size: 75cl
ABV: 13%
£13.00
ORGANIC/VEGAN/NO ADDED SULPHITES
The perfect bbq wine: 1L bottle, low alcohol, with flavours of crunchy red cherries and raspberries. Bright and juicy, but unfiltered/unfined and whole bunch fermented so not sweet. Best served lightly chilled, and shared with friends.
Origin: Sacramento Valley, California, USA
Vintage: 2017
Grape Variety: Barbera, Aglianico, and Montepulciano
Food Pairings: BBQ, anything on the grill
Bottle Size: 1L
ABV: 11.7%
£23.00
ORGANIC/BIODYNAMIC/NO ADDED SULPHITES
A blend of red with a bit of white, this cloudy, natural wine is juicy, and slightly tart - full of raspberry. Very refrigerator-worthy, we recommend serving this at least slightly chilled.
Origin: Southern Rhone, France
Vintage: 2018
Grape Variety: Syrah, Merlot, Viognier
Food Pairings: Aperitif, tapas, poultry, or fish
Bottle Size: 75cl
ABV: 13%
£18.00
A dry white port from Niepoort, which sports plenty of nutty, almost amaretto flavours from its time in small oak barrels. It has a gorgeous caramel colour, some bright fruit to balance the oak, and goes perfectly with some tonic and a slice of orange.
Origin: Porto, Portugal
Grape Variety: Codega, Rabigato, Viosinho, Arinto, Gouveio
Food Pairing: Cheese course, chilled on its own as a digestif, or with some tonic as an aperitif
Bottle Size: 75cl
ABV: 20%
£20.00