Curious Case September 2025 - The Earth’s Embrace: Volcanic Wines

The Earth’s Embrace: Volcanic Wines – September’s Curious Case

Sometimes, a wine’s personality is not just about the grape or the winemaker, but the very ground from which it grows. In some places, the earth itself has a powerful, almost fiery story to tell. This September, our Curious Case, “The Earth’s Embrace: Volcanic Wines,” is an invitation to uncork that story and discover a captivating world of wines shaped by ancient lava flows and mineral-rich volcanic soils.

This isn’t about just a region or a grape variety; it’s about a common thread that runs through vineyards from Italy to Greece and beyond. Volcanic soils, rich in minerals like basalt, tuff, and pumice, impart a distinctive character to the wines that grow in them. You’ll find a unique energy, a razor-sharp acidity, and a savoury, stony minerality that sets them apart.

The Taste of Terroir: What to Expect

Our selection this month is a geological and vinous journey all in one. We've brought together six exceptional wines that perfectly capture the essence of their dramatic origins. From reds that are elegantly structured and brimming with earthy complexity to whites that are razor-sharp, textural, and full of life, this case is all about pushing your boundaries and discovering a new dimension of flavour.

These are wines for the curious drinker, the one who appreciates not just what’s in the glass, but the history and landscape that put it there. We’ve done the hard work of sourcing these fascinating bottles, so all you have to do is pour, taste, and let the earth’s embrace transport you.

Meet Your Septmber Line-Up

Here’s a look at the fascinating wines you'll be exploring in this month's case:

I Passo Nerello Mascalese, Vigneti Zabu
From the slopes of Mount Etna, this red is a perfect example of a volcanic wine: elegant and structured with bright red fruit, floral notes, and a distinct smoky minerality.

Vesevo Aglianico
Named after the legendary Mount Vesuvius, this powerful red from Campania’s volcanic soils is full-bodied and complex, with dark fruit and a savoury, mineral-driven finish.

Beaujolais Villages, Les Pivoines
From the granitic (igneous) soils of Beaujolais, this Gamay showcases vibrant red fruit and a lovely stony minerality, offering a fresh, energetic counterpoint to the more powerful reds.

Pieropan, Soave Classico
A benchmark for volcanic whites. This wine from the Veneto region is famous for its basaltic soils, which give it a unique mineral intensity and a beautiful texture with notes of almond and white flowers.

Domaine Papagiannakos Retsina
An ancient Greek tradition, Retsina is the perfect reflection of the land. While the resin is the star, the Savatiano grapes that form the base of this wine grow in a region with a deep and ancient connection to the land and its history.

Kardos Dry Furmint, Tokaj
Hailing from Hungary’s volcanic soils, this Furmint is an absolute star. Expect a wine with piercing acidity, a rich texture, and a distinctive smoky, wet-stone minerality that speaks directly of its unique terroir.

This September, step outside the ordinary and let your curiosity guide you into the rich, fascinating world of volcanic wines.