Curious Case August 2022
Take a walk on the wild side this August. This month's Curious Case is a carefully curated selection our favourite organic, biodynamic, minimal intervention and low sulphite wines - 'Natural Wines' in short.
We've picked some superb examples from passionate producers who make wines as close as they can to how nature intended. If you fancy checking out how good these wines can be grab a case today by dropping in the shop or ordering online.
£90.00 per case
free delivery, or collect from the shop.
What's in it?
Well, it's called 'The Curious Case' because we don't say just yet what they are, but here's a teaser to give you an idea. Are you curious?
Wine #1 - Pure and ripe seafood friendly from the Loire
Wine #2 - Delicate and herby, it's got plenty of fight in it
Wine #3 - Never mind the sediment, think about the taste
Wine #4 - Bright and crunchy, a great red to slightly chill
Wine #5 - A silky South American with an Italian heritage
Wine #6 - Great with pork and ham - and plenty more beside
Louise Chereau 'Katharos' Muscadet Sans Soufre Ajouté 2019
In a nutshell: An impressive and vibrant Muscadet made without added sulphur.
The lowdown: Chéreau-Carré are among the most go-ahead Muscadet producers as this excellent low sulphur wine amply demonstrates. Its name 'Katharos' means 'purity' in ancient Greek and the aim here is to allow the bright aromas of the Melon de Bourgogne grape to shine through without the addition of sulphur during vinification. The grapes for this come from their Château de Chasseloir vineyards which, due to their south facing aspect, achieve good levels of maturity. It certainly shows a real aromatic purity and has a good richness and length on the palate. Following the exotic fruit aromas are notes of ripe, juicy pear and crisp green apples on the palate. It's beautifully balanced right through to the deliciously persistent finish that has a characteristic hint of salinity.
When to drink: Well made and well structured this is a great match for charcuterie or, quite simply, the British classic of fish and chips.
Suitable for Vegans
Cantalapiedra Viticultores 'Lirondo' 2021
In a nutshell: A delicious, rounded natural wine from eastern Spain.
The lowdown: Young winemaker Manuel Cantalapiedra has a clear vision of the style of Verdejo he wants to make, and as such even though his vineyards lie in the heart of the Ruedo appellation they stand on their own, and do not carry the label. Lirondo is from a single small plot of 25-30 year old vines trained on trellis wines. Farmed organically, and beyond, they are harvested later and by hand before being gently pressed and fermented with wild yeasts and without the use of sulphur. The wine is then kept on its lees for 8 months and is bottled unfined and unfiltered. Stone fruit, bakery and brioche aromas lead onto a soft and weighty palate with a great mineral character, balanced acidity and fresh bitter touches.
When to drink: Although an incredibly low level of sulphur has been used and it has been bottled unfined and unfiltered this is not a 'weird or out there' wine. Try with rice dishes, seafood, and poultry
Suitable for Vegans, Organic
Guerila Zelen 2020
In a nutshell: A biodynamic Slovenian white which is nicely delicate and minerally.
The lowdown: Zelen is a rare white grape variety only grown in this corner of western Slovenia and it makes crisp, dry and fresh wines. Everything at Zmago Petric's estate is done biodynamically and with as little intervention as possible. Hand harvesting is the rule as is spontaneous fermentation with natural yeasts and after nine months on its lees it's bottled with minimal sulphur addition. With an almost green tinge it has aromas of mediterranean herbs among fruity and floral notes. On the palate it has a crisp minerality with just the right balance of freshness and smoothness.
When to drink: An excellent partner to seafood, pasta and vegetable dishes and equally good just by itself.
Suitable for Vegans, Biodynamic
Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Clasico 2020
In a nutshell: A fresh, juicy and more elegant style of Argentian Malbec from a cutting edge producer.
The lowdown: Altos Las Hormigas hails from Luján de Cuyo, probably the premier vineyard area in Mendoza, where the winemakers practice biodynamic viticulture and a minimal intervention approach in the winery. The result is a wine with a lovely rich nose bursting with blackcurrant fruit, clove, violets and white pepper. It's rich and smooth on the palate with good weight and intensity of ripe black fruit, cedar and sweet spice all wrapped up in fine, silky tannins.
When to drink: A well made, excellent value wine it calls out to partner all kinds of lamb dishes.
Suitable for Vegans, Biodynamic
Gran Cerdo Tempranillo 2020
In a nutshell: Unfiltered, unfined and very expressive red made with minimal sulphur.
The lowdown: Winemaker Gonzalo Gonzalo grew up amongst the vineyards that his family owned. When his father became seriously ill as a result of exposure to the chemicals that were regarded as the panacea for all vineyard problems in the 1970's, he decided to work biodynamically. This wine is made from Tempranillo grown in Rioja Alta near the Ebro River. With whole bunch fermentation, this is about pure expression of fruit. Cherry red in colour, primary notes of strawberries, raspberries, cherries and violets and clean mineral tones from the granite soil. Unfiltered, unfined, unoaked and minimal sulphur.
When to drink: Oh, and read the label, Gran Cerdo means Big Pig and Orgullo means pride. Whilst only labelled as Vina de Mesa (Table Wine) it's roots in Rioja are there to be appreciated.
Biodynamic
Rabasco Cancelli Rosso 2020
In a nutshell: A fresh ruby red Italian 'natural' wine with crunchy fruit flavours and a smooth palate from the heart of Abruzzo not far from the Adriatic.
The lowdown: The region of Abruzzo, halfway down Italy on the Adriatic side, is well known for its reds made from the Montepulciano grape of which this, if not typical, is a terrific example. Iole Rabasco was lucky to inherit a small vineyard on which chemicals had never been used thus making her objective of producing organic, natural wines that much easier and she's really homed in on that advantage. From her Cancelli vineyard this is made from 100% Montepulciano grapes which undergo spontaneous fermentation. The sulphites are kept to a bare minimum and there is no fining or filtration so this a proper 'natural' wine. A bright ruby red in the glass it's a wonderfully bright with crunchy red fruits, a nicely smooth palate, crisp acidity and clean minerality with strawberry and raspberry fruit flavours jumping out.
When to drink: Give it a go slightly chilled to really bring out the fresh berry fruit. Delicious by itself, or with all types of antipasti.
Organic
