Torlesse Gewurztraminer
$26.99
Torlesse takes its name from an early Canterbury resident, surveyor and farmer, Englishman Charles Torlesse. He gave his name to the Torlesse mountain range, which partly circles the Canterbury Plains, and was at one time the largest land owner and farmer in North Canterbury and the founder of the nearby town of Rangiora. Interestingly, Torlesse is also the name given to the underlying bedrock from which most New Zealand soils are derived. The Torlesse winery was built and opened in March 2000, but Torlesse has produced wines from 1991 onwards, making it one of the older wineries in Waipara. Most grapes are hand harvested, and the winemaking team is led by owners Ben & Pete Rayner, while Maggie Rayner leads the cellar door team. They have been cultivating and producing excellent wine for over 30 years.
Poggio al Sole Chiara Chardonnay Toscana
$25.59
There's not a lot of Chardonnay planted in Tuscany, being a French transplant and all, but this example from one of our favourite Tuscan producers makes you wonder why they don't plant more. While this organic wine does not undergo malolactic fermentation, it's kept on the lees for an extended period for added complexity. Expect a lively and fresh white wine that can pair with goat cheese, arugula pizza, salads, or all on its own on a summer day when you need a lift!
Mayu Chardonnay Gran Reserva
$27.99
400 kilometres north of Santiago, Chile, sits the Elqui Valley, effectively a high-altitude desert (the Atacama desert) in the Coquimbo Region. The vineyards extend from the Pacific Ocean to the Andes, and the arid region relies on the Elqui River for irrigation, which is essential if grapes are to flourish here. At 2000 metres above sea level, it draws a parallel to the vineyards of Mendoza, Argentina, on the other side of the Andes. The soils, comprised mainly of clay, silt and chalk, and the hot, clear days and cool nights offer near-perfect growing conditions. It's also one of the darkest places on earth to stargaze, and as such, it's a World UNESCO Heritage Site, drawing both wine lovers and stargazers alike. Viña Mayu was established in 2005 as a separate winery from the Elqui Valley’s first fine wine producer, which was founded in 1998. Mauro Olivier was one of the pioneers planting vines for fine wine production, sourcing the grapes from the different parts of the valley. He started working on his family vineyards for table grape production at a young age, and years later, he began working in Pisco production (the national Chilean spirit, made from white wine). In 2000, he planted the first Carménère and Syrah vines in the valley. Five years later, he decided it was time to embark on his own wine project, under the Mayu label. Mayu is an ancient INCA name for the Milky Way, meaning "creek of stars."
Poggio al Sole Bianco Sanigiovese
$32.99
Poggio al Sole lies in the very heart of Tuscany, in the bucolic countryside between Florence and Siena, between the towns of Tavarnelle Val di Pesa and Greve in Chianti. Documents in the archives of the ancient abbey of Badia a Passignano nearby testify to the claim that wine and wine oil were produced on this estate as early as the 12th century.
The grape growing and wine making tradition of the Davaz family goes back several years. With the loving care of the owners and nature’s blessing the great wines of Poggio al Sole are born. The modern equipment and a constant temperature in the wine cellars ensure that the most scrupulous care and attention can be given to the grapes during the journey of wine making.
St Antony Nierstein Riesling
$37.99
St. Antony is a top-shelf riesling producer, making high-quality wine since 1912. The ultra-modern winery they built sits on top of cellars that hold decades of premium riesling, a white grape that ages as well, if not better, than any first-growth Bordeaux or Burgundy (and for a lot less). These are dry wines, brimming with minerality and acidity, and three of the four we received are GG (Grosses Gewächs), the grand cru designation for dry German riesling. They are situated in the town of Nierstein, a charming village that is effectively the epicentre of wine in the Rheinhessen. Praised by critics and adored by riesling lovers, these are beautiful, mineral-driven wines that are delicious now and even better over time.
Anselmo Mendes Antigos Alvarinho
$32.99
Anselmo Mendes is recognized not only for the excellence of the wines he produces but also for the surprising and consistent way he innovates. Combining the use of age-old techniques, such as fermentation on skins, with bold winemaking methods such as the fermentation of Alvarinho in oak casks, he is established in Portugal and abroad with an original design and his own identity. Anselmo Mendes wines are the result of a long, faithful connection to the land, an experimentalist and studious spirit and a philosophy of respect for the ecosystem that translates into methods of integrated production. He is widely regarded as the best producer of white wines in Portugal.
Durigutti Cabernet Franc
$24.99
Brothers Héctor and Pablo were born in Mendoza, the cradle of Argentinian wine, and grew up together surrounded by wine culture. Their childhood was linked to a sensory world with aromas, ingredients, and flavours that, over time, led them to the winemaking path in Mendoza. Hector started at Alto Las Hormigas at the age of 15 and has completed 25 projects at various well-known wineries, learning old-world techniques and agriculture. Pablo started at La Rural, a winery now owned by Catena, and they began their final journey in 2002, starting with a small family winery with the brothers assuming the dual role of owners/winemakers. In 2008 they moved into an old recovered winery (Las Compuertas) and by 2010 their wines started receiving accolades in the wine press, including their 2008 Malbec which made the Wine Spectator's Top 100. A few years ago they introduced the Las Compuretas range of wines produced from their oldest vineyards.
Boischampt Julienas Cerisiers
$50.99
Producer Description
"Juliénas is located on the granitic foothills of the High Beaujolais, on steep slopes ranging from 20% to 45%. The land is poor and particularly suitable for growing grapes. The structure of the subsoil gives a natural tannic power to the wines of the appellation that must be mastered to develop quality wines."
Romero and Harris aren't the surnames you would expect to find in the heart of Beaujolais. This Domaine was first created in 1642, and is now under the guidance of Antoine Romero and an Australian Japanese couple passionate about vines and wine: Yuko and Bob Harris. The partner's Beaujolais vineyards and wines are in the process of being certified organic. Vinified with natural yeasts and without sulphur. Thanks to the group's skill and care, Domaine De Boischampt has joined the ranks of Lapierre, Sylvain Martel and Anne Sophie Dubois with the concentration and refinement of these wines.
Oddero Moscato D`Asti
$39.99
Oderro is one of the oldest and most respected producers in Piedmont, famous for their exceptional and long-lived Barolos. They also produce Moscato d'Asti, a sweet, fizzy low-alcohol (5%) wine that is perfect with brunch or any other occasion that calls for something fizzy and delicious. It is pale yellow in colour with a fragrant and aromatic bouquet along with light notes of mandarin, grapefruit, white peach, flowers and sage. It's refreshing, sweet and aromatic on the palate. This wine pairs well with the desserts in the best Italian tradition. We recommend it for more daring pairings and more intense flavours: certain cheeses that are not overly seasoned, salami and figs, or as an aperitif. Some venture as far as grilled prawns. In the olden days, a typical Italian snack was bread, tuma cheese (made with sheep's milk) and Moscato. Who are we to argue?
A KWM exclusive.