Curious Case May-23
Our Curious Case is a monthly enigma, a mystery to be unveiled upon arrival. It might contain a classic red, white, rosé, orange or sparkling wine from a renowned region, or an obscure gem from a distant and unconventional vineyard with indigenous and rare varietals. Join the intrigue and indulge in the thrill of discovery.
In keeping with the major event of this month we've gone for a selection that we consider 'Fit for a King'. It's certainly not the usual suspects though. We've given ourselves the opportunity to make a few 'wild-card' picks and steered clear of high-profile wines or regions instead going for some of our favourites that fly a bit under the radar probably because they are that little bit less well-known.
Having said that we've aimed it to be a proper crowd-pleasing collection and they're all easily enjoyable. There are two reds, two whites, a really attractive rosé and a superb sparkler that really does deserve to be better known.
So there you have it; this month's selection is made up of wines our monarch might not necessarily be familiar with but are definitely fit to put on his table.
£90.00 per case
free delivery, or collect from the shop.
What's in it?
As usual the contents of The Curious Case remain a mystery until the end of the month. Nonetheless, we would like to offer some tantalizing hints to whet your appetite and ignite your inquisitive spirit. Are you curious?
Wine #1 - A soft and rounded French sparkler from the foothills of the Alps.
Wine #2 - A silky, easy-going and fruit-filled number from Austria's signature red grape variety.
Wine #3 - This pale, crisp and mineral South African rosé has all the elegance you'd expect from a Côte d'Azur wine.
Wine #4 - Navarre, where this superbly mature red hails, from neighbours Rioja and you'll recognize some similarities.
Wine #5 - This rounded and deep white from Valencia is full of ripe flavours and effortless charm.
Wine #6 - An elegant New Zealand white from Marlborough, but it's not made from the grape you might expect.
Domaine Jean Perrier Cremant de Savoie NV
In a nutshell:
A soft and rounded sparkling wine from the French Alpine foothills of Savoy.
The lowdown:
One of the newer French sparkling wine appellations Crémant de Savoie is made in the methode traditionelle with 85% of the grape being the local variety, Jacquère with the remainder being Chardonnay. Around 8 to 10 grammes per litre of 'liqueur de dosage' is added which gives it a nicely soft and rounded mouthfeel. In all it's chock full of bright, zingy fruit flavours giving it a real personality.
When to drink:
A very appealing sparkler that's not completely bone dry it makes a great aperitif and is also great with desserts.
Suitable for Vegans
Castillo de Eneriz Reserva, Navarra 2016
In a nutshell:
An aged and developed red from Spain's northern Navarra region, adjacent to Rioja.
The lowdown:
Castillo de Eneriz, close to Pamplona, is the Navarra winery of Bodegas Manzanos and from where they produce their excellent range wines from this region. This Reserva is a Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot dominated blend which has been aged in French and American oak barrels for 18 months before bottling. It has rich flavours and aromas of red fruits, raisins and plums, liquorice, cassis, cedar and woody spices. The well integrated tannins give a good structure and it rounds off with a nicely mature and evolved finish.
When to drink:
A flavour packed mature Spanish red. Just the thing to pair with lamb chops, steaks, or chicken.
Johanneshof Reinisch Zweigelt 2019
In a nutshell:
An excellent soft, rounded, fruity and organic Austrian red from the Thermenregion south of Vienna.
The lowdown:
Zweigelt is the grape variety used in this smooth and silky Austrian red. While it might not be all that familiar a name it's, in fact, the most widely planted red grape in Austria and is named after plant breeder Dr. Zweigelt who created it as a crossing of Blaufränkish and St. Laurent in the 1920s. The grapes are typically harvested in September and, after fermentation, aged in large oak barrels for 10 months prior to bottling. The result is an excellent soft, rounded and fruity which is really approachable with red with ripe cherry and plum flavours, smooth tannins, good acid backbone and a lengthy finish.
When to drink:
Its easy going character and ripe flavours make it great with things like veal, venison or game dishes and also nutty hard cheeses.
Organic
Bodegas Altolandon 'Enblanco de Altolandon' 2021
In a nutshell:
A rounded and concentrated skin contact white, or 'orange' wine from near Valencia on Spain's East coast.
The lowdown:
White wines such as this which are fermented on their skins for a deeper colour and flavour are known as 'orange' wines and are becoming increasingly popular
The producer, Bodegas Altolandon, are based inland of Valencia at 1100m in altitude producing a great range of accessible organic wines, many made as naturally as possible. Enblanco is a 50-50 mix of Grenache Blanc and Grenache Gris, hand harvested and fermented on the skins in large 1000 litre amphora, the skins giving the wine a bit of added colour, light tannins, and an extra whack of flavour. Thanks to being grown at altitude the nights are cold, and that big difference in day and night time temperature means there is also plenty of natural acidity adding balance and backbone. Punchy aromas of stone fruits, minerals and anise, along with apricot and citrus notes. The palate is rounded and refreshing with lively acidity and elegant, concentrated flavours.
When to drink:
Great as an aperitif with nuts (especially almonds) and olives, but try with baked fish, and especially North African and Middle Eastern lamb or goat based dishes.
Suitable for Vegans, Biodynamic
Framingham Classic Riesling 2021
In a nutshell:
Elegant New Zealand Riesling from one of Marlborough's pioneers of the variety.
The lowdown:
Framingham's Riesling vineyards date back to the 1980s when winemaking in the region was in its infancy and in that time they've earned a reputation as the region's leading exponents of the grape. This, their Classic Riesling has an elegant pale gold colour and, on the nose, is fragrant and complex with notes of honeysuckle, jasmine and quinine. It's rounded out with stone fruit flavours and a hint of beeswax and creaminess to give a welcome touch of viscocity.
When to drink:
Classic in name and nature it's a perfect match to Asian cuisine and seafood.
Waterkloof Circumstance Cape Coral Mourvedre Rose 2021
In a nutshell:
Fantastic dry and minerally South African Mourvedre rosé from vines overlooking False Bay.
The lowdown:
This sustainably grown rosé from the slopes of the Schapenberg in southern Stellenbosch by Waterkloof Wines has to be one of our favourite in the shop. Made from young vine Mourvedre the style is reminiscent of that acclaimed Provence appellation of Bandol and their top class rosés made from Mourvedre, although without the price tag. The arid, dry-farmed vineyards benefit from cool winds that race up from the ocean and into the hills and produce only small quantities of grapes that ferment in old wooden casks before the resulting wine spending 6 months on its lees for added complexity. Biodynamically farmed and produced with only minimal sulphur additions. Classically pale in colour with aromas of raspberries and pomegranates and an underlying minerally flintiness lead onto a dry and rather elegant palate with fresh red fruit flavours, balanced acidity and a lingering minerally finish.
When to drink:
Great on its own but also try with sushi, tuna, grilled prawns, and of course a variety of salads.
Suitable for Vegans, Biodynamic
