Could 20, 2020
Though the world has been turned the other way up of late, Covid-19 hasn’t interrupted our Captain Kirk strategy to wine-buying – looking for out new wines, new spirits and beers, boldly ingesting what no man has drunk earlier than. Okay, which may be a slight exaggeration however we’re repeatedly in search of thrilling new wines that place character and drinkability forward of the ego of the winemaker and we’re not about to let the best disaster of our era intrude with that. Self-evidently tastings and winery visits have been off the agenda of late however, in between getting deliveries out and taking our hour’s price of train, we have now been kissing frogs aplenty seeking the odd Princess. Given the unprecedented success that our blended case gives have had of late, we felt that the only manner of exhibiting off a few of these new acquisitions was to pack them up into tidy, accessibly priced 6 packs and take you on a little bit of a voyage of discovery.
First out of the traps, Piemonte and Uruguay.
Uruguay
Argentina and Chile have been banging the drum for South America for many years however winemakers in Uruguay have been quietly going about their enterprise and, though manufacturing nonetheless solely represents some 2% of the continent’s output, high quality is getting higher and higher.
Traversa is Uruguay’s main producer, established over 60 years in the past with coastal vineyards that profit from cooling breezes and a maritime local weather tailored to maintain alcohol ranges in verify and develop shiny, fruit-driven wines. They use cutting-edge expertise and pleasure themselves within the sustainable nature of the vineyard too – in 2014 they launched photo voltaic panels, bottle weights have been decreased by 25% they usually’ve elevated using composting to interchange inorganic fertilisers.
The Deal
1 bottle every of the next, delivered regionally freed from cost £59.50
FincaTraversa Sauvignon Blanc- Aromas of inexperienced apples, citrus, recent herbs and a few tropical notes. A light-weight and completely refreshing palate.
FincaTraversa Chardonnay- Crystalline greenish yellow with intense aromas of inexperienced apple with natural and buttery notes. On the palate it’s recent and lightweight.
FincaTraversa Tannat-Merlot- Recent red-fruit flavours comparable to plums dominate this mid-bodied wine. The palate gives nicely built-in juicy tannins and ripe pink fruits that lead right into a lingering end.
FincaTraversa Tannat- A dry, full-bodied wine with pink fruits comparable to plums and cherries with hints of spice.
FincaTraversa Reserva Cabernet Franc-Tannat- An attractive pink wine, with a whole lot of vitality. Some savoury character, good darkish berry fruit and a vibrant acidity.
FincaTraversa Reserva Marselan-Tannat-Merlot- A energetic, full bodied and opulent wine with aromas of ripe pink and black fruits accompanying notes of chocolate, vanilla, and candy spice. The palate is well-balanced and interesting, the end is lengthy and lingering. (Marselan is a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon & Grenache developed close to Marselan in France in 1961)
Piemonte
Il Cascinone
Il Cascinone is the jewel within the crown of one in every of Piedmont’s largest producers. They acquired the property within the Monferrato hills again in 1999 and have launched into a serious programme of restoration and replanting to return it to its former glory with impeccably managed vineyards and a state-of-the-art vineyard. We should always love to say that it is a super-quaint, household owned vineyard with heritage extending again over 10 generations however that will be an outright lie. It does, nonetheless produce some actually beautiful wines at very reasonably priced costs.
The Deal
1 bottle every of the next, delivered regionally freed from cost £53.50
Crocera Barbera d’Asti Superiore 2017 – ripe, sassy, bitter cherry and a discreet peck of oak on the end.
Soliti Merlot 2018 – plump, darkish, spherical and beneficiant
Leccio Monferrato Chiaretto 2018 – pale pink rose from Pinot Noir and Barbera; supple and refreshing
Camillona Sauvignon Blanc 2018 – vibrant, generously flavoured Sauvignon with a bracing acidity.
Fontanina Riesling 2017 – ripe, full flavoured Riesling; spherical and mouth-filling
Camp Fiorito Chardonnay 2018 – completely charming, barely restrained with a splash of oak
