There is a tendency in wine to stick with what we know. The majority of the wine world is dominated by a small number of well known and loved grapes. But there is so much more to the world of wine, with fantastic and lesser known grape varietals making some of the most amzaing tasting and exciting wines in the world today.
The discovery case of this month consists of a 6 bottle wine compilation, which offers an excellent quality and value, produced by boutique style producers.
What have we chosen!
Fromthesunny hills ofVinho Verde,inPortugal, with a crisp and zesty Alvarinho, a Fruilano from the cool Colli Orientali hills of Friuli andorganically cultived single vineyardGrüner Veltliner, from the Wachau hills of Austria.
For your stars in red, we have chosen the forgotten grape Freisa, produced by the talented Olim Bauda winemaker in Asti, a Mourvèdre wine produced from cuttings from the oldest vineyards in the world, in the Barossa Valley and a floral-driven and vibrant wine, produced from biodynamically farmed Mencía grape, grown in the North West hills of Spain.
Anselmo Mendes, Muros Antigos Alvarinho 2023
Vinho Verde, Portugal (1 x 75cl bottle)
9o Points Wine Enthusiast
Regarded as one of Portugal’s most exciting winemakers, Anselmo Mendes crafts the Muros Antigos Alvarinho with fruit sourced from the sunny hillsides in Monção and Melgaço. The soils here are composed of granite which helps to create elegant, aromatic wines with plenty of freshness while the slopes create ripe fruit flavours thanks to the excellent exposure to the sunlight. Following the hand harvest, the grapes are fermented using wild yeast and aged on the lees for 4 months.This Alvarinho graces the glass with an alluring straw yellow hue and golden glimmers. On the nose, it unfurls a spectrum of intense and vivacious aromas, with highlights of fruit notes such as crisp green apple, succulent peach, and a zesty lemon twist. On the palate, it is subtly light and invigorating, with a harmonious acidity that accentuates its fruity vivacity and ensures a lingering and delightful finish. Pairs perfectly with sea food and rice dishes. Serve at 8 - 10°C.
Torre Rosazza, Friulano Colli Orientali 2023
Friuli, Italy (1 x 75cl bottle)
9o Points Wine Spectator
Produced from the Friulano grapes are grown on clayey marl and sandstone, terraced hills of Manzano and at an altitude of 130-170 meters. The grapes, on arriving in the winery, are destemmed and undergo cold maceration and are then gently pressed. This Friulano Colli Orientali is bright yellow in colour. On the nose, youthful aromas of wild flowers, jasmine, pear and apple, enriched by mineral-balsamic hints and spicy notes of incense and saffron. The sip is broad, savoury, with citrusy freshness and a pleasantly bitter finish. A refreshing wine that pairs perfectly with San Daniele ham, as well as with ‘Frico’ and even with oven-baked sea bass with asparagus. Serve at 10 - 12°C.
Domäne Wachau, Grüner Veltliner Ried ‘Liebenberg’ Federspiel 2022
Wachau Valley, Austria (1 x 75cl bottle)
92 Points Falstaff
‘Liebenberg’ is one of the most fascinating vineyards in the Wachau, lined by stone-walls and with south and southwest facing site views. Work in the vineyards is based on the organic principles, without the use of insecticides or herbicides and the grapes are hand-picked. Following careful selection, the grapes are lightly pressed and the must is then fermented at low temperature and aged on the fine lees for some months. This single vineyard Grüner Veltliner wine shows hints of ripe yellow apples, white peaches, spicy notes of pepper and subtle hints of papaya. The palate is pronounced with a salty character, juicy fruit and lively acidity that complement the long lasting and powerful mouthfeel. Ideal accompaniment to classic Austrian cuisine such as baked pasta with ham, Italian antipasti and Mediterranean shakshuha. Serve at 10 - 12°C.
Olim Bauda, Freisa d'Asti Secco 2016
Piedmont, Italy (1 x 75cl bottle)
91 Points Antonio Galloni
Freisa is the Latin word for ‘strawberry’, if that gives you a hint to what this grape taste like! With records dating back to the 16th century, this pretty adaptable native grape variety was primarily planted in Piedmont region, but by time, it slowly fell into the shadows as other grapes emerged. Olim Bauda’s Freisa is grown in the Isola d’Asti vineyards. The hand harvested and hand selected grapes are crushed, fermented and aged for 18 months in 25 hecto litres French oak barrels. Broad and complex, floral, with light notes of rose and violet, raspberry and cherry jam, spicy, chocolate, clove, black pepper and nutmeg. The palate is dry thanks to the presence of generous tannins and soft by the aging in wood. Serve with tajarin pasta with game ragout, classic Piemontese vitello tonnato, or stracotta with wine. Serve at 14 - 16°C.
Hewitson, Baby Bush Mourvèdre 2021
Barossa Valley, Australia (1 x 75cl bottle)
94 Points Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot
The ‘baby’ Mourvèdre vines were planted in 1998, from cuttings off the epic 1853-planted Old Garden vineyard. 50% whole bunches and subsequently, maturation for 18 months in seasoned French oak barriques. Rich dark plum, blueberry and black cherry fruits with hints of turned earth, light bramble tones, graphite, dark spice, roasting meats and charcuterie. There is a whiff of choc-mint way off in the distance, too, with an impressive fruit density, tight granite dust tannins and bright acidity finishing pure and savoury. Try with marinated pork ribs and T-bone steaks. Serve at 16 - 17°C.
Descendientes de J. Palacios, Pétalos del Bierzo 2021
Bierzo, Spain (1 x 75cl bottle)
93+ Points Robert Parker
This lush and balanced wine is produced from 40 to 90-year-old biodynamically farmed Mencía vines around the village of Corullon. As the name suggests, Pétalos (Petals), is a floral-driven wine showing flavours of red flowers, with the vibrancy of ripe red fruits, complemented by a hint of fresh herbs and a whisper of liquorice. On the palate, it reveals itself as both alluring and robust, with a body that envelops the taste buds and a freshness that entices one to savour each sip. It is one of those wines that makes you raise your glass with pride, celebrating the craftsmanship of a great winemaker and allowing the authenticity of Bierzo to fill the table with unforgettable moments. Excellent quality-price ratio! Serve with grilled pork (especially chorizo), roast lamb, duck, and cured meats like Cecina (Spanish cured beef). Serve at 16 - 17°C.
*From time to time, vintages may become unavailable, it is rare but in that case, we will replace the wine with a more recent vintage. This offer is only available till the end of February, 2026.
