It's always exciting when there are new wines to choose from. We have a ton of new products in the shop so if you're looking to diversify your cellar or try something different, here are a few new wines to look for next time you're shopping.
Start with Bubbles: Sparkling Rosés and More
Let's start with bubbles because you should always start with bubbles. We have some new sparkling roses which are always fun. If you like something on the sweeter side, we have a new sparkling rose moscato from Borga, one of our beloved Prosecco producers. They use a grape called Manzoni Moscato which is a hybrid of Raboso Piave and the red Moscato d'Amburgo which was created by Professor Luigi Manzone at Italy's oldest school of oenology. Fun! It tastes like cherries, raspberries and is a delight. If sweet isn't your thing then maybe try the Piccoli Brut Sparkling! It's not your typical Italian bubble. Piccoli makes the traditional wines of Valpolicella so they use the grapes you would find in the still red wines for the sparkling. It's dry and fresh and perfect for sipping alongside a cheese plate! We also have a lovely new sparkling wine from Melea, one of our most popular Spanish producers. They made a bubbly using the grapes used in Cava, and made it using the same method as prosecco which keeps it light, crisp and fruity. Melea uses all organic grapes for their wines and they devote a portion of their sales towards several organizations that work to protect native species of bees and other pollinators.
Orange Wine Highlight: Melea’s Skin-Contact Verdejo
Speaking of Melea, we have a new orange wine from them as well. If you're not familiar, orange wine is essentially a skin-contact white wine. Typical whites don't see any contact between the juice and the skins the way that red wines do. Despite the name, there are no actual oranges involved.The short maceration on the skins adds extra colour which can make the wine look orange and it adds a tartness and extra layer of flavour. Melea uses Verdejo for their orange and it's very much worth a try.
Fresh, Aromatic Whites: Italy Meets Portugal
There are some amazing new white wines that we are excited about. The Fiano-Greco from A Mano winery is a crowd pleaser. The winery is based in Puglia, Italy and focuses on native grapes to the region. The white is a blend of the two grapes. Fiano is an ancient grape variety found in a handful of southern regions in Italy. It is known to have a rich, nutty and waxy quality. It's also one of those fairly uncommon white wines that can be aged for long periods of time. Greco, on the other hand, is known for its bright acidity and floral aromas. Together they make a lovely balance with flavours like peaches, citrus and almonds. Another new white to look for is the Cartuxa ‘Geno’ Branco. It's a white blend from Portugal made with indigenous grapes such as Antão Vaz and Roupiero. Even if you don't recognize the grapes, you can be sure that they make a very delicious, aromatic wine that tastes like tropical fruit with some grapefruit and lime mixed in. Sunshine in a glass!
Rich and Textured White: Bourgogne Blanc
If you prefer a white with a bit more weight and richness why don't you pick up a bottle of the Bourgogne Blanc from Claude Leblanc. The winery is based in Beaune, Burgundy and has been around since 1978. They work with small growers to make traditional wines of the region such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that are accessible and widely enjoyable. The Bourgogne Blanc is 100% Chardonnay and sees some light use of oak to enhance and not overpower. It has notes of honeysuckle, citrus, vanilla and marzipan. Yum!
New Reds: Natural-Style Syrah
We have an abundance of new red wines in the shop but here are a couple of suggestions to look for next time. If you are interested in low-intervention or natural wines, the Syrah from Domaine Ricardelle de Lautrec might be up your alley. The winery is located in the Pays d’Oc in southern France and they farm completely organically and biodynamically. This means the grapes grow without any use of pesticides or herbicides and see other special and environmentally conscious practices before winemaking. The wine itself is made with 100% syrah grapes and is aged in concrete tanks with minimal filtration and fining. This means you are getting a true sense of place with these wines. The Syrah tastes of rich fruits like pomegranate and black currant with a classic note of pepper and some floral notes.
Lighter Red Option: Barbera d’Asti
Syrah is a full-bodied wine so for those who are looking for something a little bit lighter, we recently got a Barbera d’Asti from Icardi, one of our favourite Italian producers. Barbera is the grape and it's known to have beautiful, fresh acidity, low tannins and tons of fruit character. This wine has a lot of personality. It's vinified in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and it definitely shows. Bright red fruit aromas like cherry and blackberry and lively acidity. This is a perfect wine for pizza or pasta.
Structured, Oak-Kissed Reds: Finca Rio Negro
Some of us tend to prefer more structural and oaky red wines for the colder months. If that sounds like you then check out the wines from Finca Rio Negro. We have a couple different wines to try from them and they all have something a little different to offer. The 992 has been very well received. ‘992’ is a reference to the elevation of the vineyard where the grapes for this wine are grown. It's a blend of mainly Tempranillo with some Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is matured in French and American oak barrels to add a little spice and complexity to accompany the bright red fruit and floral flavours.
Stop By or Shop Online
This summary is barely scratching the surface of all the new, exciting wines we have in the shop. As always, we will have something tasty open for sampling at the tasting bar. Don't forget you can always order online if you can't make it into the shop! If you prefer to try new wines from the comfort of your home we offer free local delivery over $100! Lets find your new favourites!