A. Margaine Le Brut 375ml
$52.99
The Champagnes from father-daughter duo Arnaud & Mathilde Margaine are a KWM exclusive, and they are exceptional. With vineyards based in Montagne de Reims, they specialize in Chardonnay (90%) although they also have a small plot of Pinot Noir. This small estate (7 hectares) was started by Arnaud's father (Bernard) in the 1950s and is organically farmed. The vines average 35 years of age and the Chardonnay is produced from a clone unique to the area.
Anselmo Mendes Espumante Rose
$56.99
Alvarelhão Espumante is a sparkling rosé made from the Alvarelhão grape variety. Alvarelhão is a very old variety (classified in 1790), which today is planted mainly in the north of the Vinho Verde region, especially in the sub-region of Monção and Melgaço, where it has always been part of the red wine scene. The grapes used for this sparkling wine come from small plots of vines in Monção and Melgaço. They are rooted in granite soils, and are grapes that reach a perfect balance with the help of the mountainous group that surrounds this sub-region. The harmony between the sugar content and the acidity necessary for the production of a high-quality sparkling wine.
JL Denois Brut Rose
$34.99
Nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees in Southwest France is the coolest climate and highest elevation appellation in the Languedoc: Limoux. There, outside the lofty Medieval village of Roquetaillade, lives Limoux's most famous vigneron, Jean-Louis Denois, the gentleman responsible for bringing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to this ideal terroir in the 80’s. His eponymous domaine, founded after he sold his first Limoux project Domaine de l’Aigle to Gerard Bertrand twenty years back, includes 15 hectares of vines at 400-500 meters above sea level on limestone and clay soils. Denois quickly rose to prominence in France for offering incredible bubbles at incredible prices. His crémants used the finest techniques and clones of Champagne without the same price tag, earning the regard of leading Champagne experts like Jancis Robinson who deemed the wines “a little fruitier, more opulent, and less obviously lees-aged than the best champagnes but infinitely better than cheap champagne” by the turn of the millennium. The wines have only continued on their path to terroir singularity and deliciousness over these last twenty years.
Peter Lauer Riesling Sekt Brut
$59.99
This esteemed wine estate in Ayl has among the best steep slopes on the Saar. In addition to the famous Ayler Kupp, they cultivate two other important vineyards in the Mosel region: the Saar Feilser directly above the river and the steeply sloping vineyard Schonfels, a little farther upstream. They recently replanted and recultivated the now forgotten Lambertskirch, just a stone’s throw from Schonfels.
Their white wines have been among the best in the Saar for many years. Since 2013,they have been a member of the VDP (Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates). Their wines from VDP GROSSEN LAGEN in the dry and off-dry styles are particularly special. This is a pure, bone-dry Sekt that expresses the transparency of Riesling in these cool, southerly vineyards of the Mosel valley. Although this is bottle fermented like Champagne, it is a world away from the toasty richness of that wine. Instead it's properly dry, chalky and bracing, the ultimate appetite-whetter.
Delamotte Blanc de Blanc
$143.99
Founded in 1760 in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, a grand cru village located in la Côte des Blancs, Champagne Delamotte works this enchanting terroir to grow chardonnay, the dominant white grape variety used to make Champagne. Well-reputed among sommeliers and wine enthusiasts, their champagnes are known for their consistency, delicacy and exceptional character. For over 260 years, we have been developing four different cuvées, a small range that gives amateurs and experts alike a clear understanding of the art of champagne. Our Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Blancs vintage, Brut and Rosé are quintessential Champagne wines. Their top luxury wine is Salon, very expensive and hard to find, but it's worth knowing that in the years when they don't make Salon (exceptional vintages only) those grapes get declassified into the Delamotte label at a fraction of the price.
Lemaire Les Haute-Prieres
$142.99
True to its pursuit of excellence, Maison Roger-Constant Lemaire crafts Champagnes of rare and refined character. Each bottle reflects the precision of daily work, guided by high standards and a vinification process without malolactic fermentation, preserving the freshness and authenticity of the aromas. The Lemaire family has been cultivating vineyards in Hautvillers since 1860. In 1945, Roger-Constant founded the Maison that now bears his name, guided by the conviction that each wine should reflect the identity of its terroir. Since then, several generations have succeeded one another, passing down a passion for the vine and a commitment to precise craftsmanship, always with respect for nature and Champagne traditions.
Pongracz Sparkling
$23.99
In 1973, Desidirius Pongrácz was appointed Chief Viticultural Adviser at Distillers Corporation. During his 20-odd years in viticulture at the Cape, Pongrácz helped shape the South African wine industry through his intellect, insight, knowledge, innovation, vision and above all, fearless tenacity to pursue what he believed to be right. Pongrácz died at the age of 61 in hospital after a tragic accident while transporting Chardonnay vines to Uitkyk Estate. He was cremated on 16 August and his ashes remain in the wall of the family cemetery on Meerlust Estate. In an obituary Nico Myburgh, owner of Meerlust at the time, referred to Pongrácz as “a true gentleman and good friend”.
Bollinger La Grande Annee
$337.99
The Grande Année blend comes only from a particularly fine harvest. When such a harvest occurs the House selects its best wines, cru by cru and grape variety by grape variety - the key to the particular year. Each wine is individually fermented in oak casks prior to blending. On average, the blend is composed of 65% Pinot Noir and 35% Chardonnay. Best enjoyed now, at any time of the day, with every meal!
Champalou Brut
$39.99
This beauty from the husband-and-wife team of Didier and Catherine Champalou is a winner. Floral on the nose, dry and clean as a whistle on the palate, this 100% Chenin Blanc sparkler is less austere and less effervescent than Champagne, but every bit as fun to drink and it's very versatile with food.