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2114 products
2114 products
VY Vinyater Blanc 2019,
Partida Creus
Made from old vines (sixty years old) of the Catalan Vinyater grape variety on clay-limestone soil, aged in 50-liter demijohns, this is a fresh and seductive white wine that excels with seafood, grilled white meats, and sweetbreads, but can also seduce without any accompaniment or pretext. Rounded, buttery, expressive, and mineral. The nose is all about white fruits and white flowers. Lemon zest, a touch of beeswax. On the palate, volume, body, and a very long finish.
Find out more
Partida Creus is an important estate, both from a winemaking and historical perspective—we're talking here about the history of the vine in Catalonia. Massimo Marchiori and Antonella Gerosa, originally from Piedmont—and even from the Langhe region, where wine is well-versed—first pursued careers as architects in Barcelona. But the wine bug tickled them, and they soon abandoned the big city and its sophistication for the vineyards of southern Catalonia, in Bonastre in Baix-Penedés. There they found a number of abandoned vineyards planted with a dizzying diversity of traditional Catalan grape varieties, which they passionately revived to save these varieties—and their wines—from oblivion. For them, it's not just a matter of saving their heritage, no: it's a matter of taste and nature. Of natural wines, which they will never stop making from now on on these sandy, poor, clay-limestone or clay-gravel soils, poor and poorly irrigated, where the vines suffer to produce their best juice. Massimo and Antonella practice organic, biodynamic, entirely manual and natural viticulture in order to give new life to these wines. Vinyater, sumoll, garrut, monastrell, ull de perdiu, ull de llebre, sumoll, queixal de llop, cariñena, trepat, ceciat parent, maccabeu, parellada, pansé, vinel.lo, bobal, cartoixà vermell or xarel.lo: it is a true conservatory of the native Catalan grape varieties that Partida Creus cares for. There is also Moscatel, Grenache, Merlot and Cabernet (among others). Few wineries can boast of growing so many different grape varieties. The wines reflect this diversity, with winemakers striving to best convey the signature of the soil and the grape variety: single varietals are common among them, alongside very rich blends, all in the styles dear to Catalonia: still wine, "ancestral" sparkling wine, and even vermouth. The bottles themselves are works of art: bare glass, simply marked with two large stenciled initials that indicate the cuvée. The wines, fresh, vibrant, lush but always straightforward and impeccably juicy and fruity, breathe life. The arrival of a Partida Creus at the table always elicits cries of satisfaction.
VY Vinyater White 2020
Partida Creus
Rounded, buttery, expressive, and mineral, VY Vinyater first reveals a nose of white fruits and white flowers. Lemon zest and a hint of beeswax. On the palate, it offers volume and body, with a very long finish. Made from old vines (sixty years old) of the Catalan Vinyater grape variety growing on clay-limestone soil, aged in fifty-liter demijohns and classified as Vino de Mesa (table wine), VY Vinyater is a fresh and seductive white that excels with seafood, grilled white meats and sweetbreads, but it can also seduce without any accompaniment or pretext.
To find out more
Partida Creus is an important estate, both in terms of wine and history – we are talking here about the history of the vine in Catalonia. Massimo Marchiori and Antonella Gerosa, originally from Piedmont – and even from the Langhe region, where they know a lot about wines – first pursued a career as architects in Barcelona. But the wine bug tickles them, and soon they abandon the big city and its sophistication for the vineyards of southern Catalonia, in Bonastre in Baix-Penedés. There they find a quantity of abandoned vineyards planted with a dizzying diversity of traditional Catalan grape varieties, which they passionately revive to save these varieties – and their wines – from oblivion. For them, it's not just a matter of heritage rescue, no: it's a matter of taste and nature. Of natural wines, which they will never stop making from now on on these sandy, poor, clay-limestone or clay-gravel soils, poor and poorly irrigated, where the vines suffer to produce their best juice. Massimo and Antonella practice organic, biodynamic viticulture, entirely manual and natural to give new life to these wines. Vinyater, sumoll, garrut, monastrell, ull de perdiu, ull de llebre, sumoll, queixal de llop, cariñena, trepat, subirat parent, maccabeu, parellada, pansé, vinel·lo, bobal, cartoixà vermell or xarel·lo: Partida Creus is a veritable conservatory of native Catalan grape varieties. It also grows moscatel, grenache, merlot and cabernet (among others). Few wineries can boast growing so many different grape varieties. The wines reflect this diversity, with the winemakers striving to best convey the signature of the soil and the grape variety: single-variety wines are common among them, alongside extensive blends, all in the styles dear to Catalonia: still wine, "ancestral" sparkling wine, and even vermouth. The bottles themselves are works of art: bare glass, simply marked with two large stenciled initials that denote the vintage. The wines, fresh, vibrant, lush but always straightforward and impeccably juicy and fruity, breathe life. The arrival of a Partida Creus at the table always elicits cries of satisfaction.
We Are Young Rouge Beaujolais Nouveau 2024,
Domaine de la Sorbiere
We Are Young is an organic and natural red wine from the Beaujolais terroir produced by Cyril Alonso (winemaker) and Jacques Juillard (winemaker) exclusively for Culinaries and in the Beaujolais-Villages appellation. This is indeed a Beaujolais Nouveau — our Beaujolais Nouveau! — vinified without sulfites or any additives. A pure, natural Gamay juice bursting with youth!
Vinification
The organic Gamay grapes that produced this We Are Young cuvée are grown in Saint-Lager (Rhône) on the granite soils of the Domaine de la Sorbière, owned by winemaker Jacques Juillard, and vinified by Cyril Alonso at the same estate. The two winemakers are used to collaborating together on certain vintages. This 100% Gamay Beaujolais Nouveau is the result of hand-harvesting, a short semi-carbonic maceration (five days) followed by an equally short aging (four days) in stainless steel vats. It is a new wine with all the clarity and indulgence that this implies. No inputs, no chemicals in the vineyard or cellar.
Tasting
We Are Young by Cyril Alonso and Jacques Juillard is an exquisite, delicate and indulgent wine, with a beautiful balance of acidity, fruitiness and sweetness. Its clear and bright light coral color already whets the appetite, and the nose evokes white flowers, a cottage garden in bloom, fresh grapes, raspberries and strawberries. On the palate, we savor Montmorency cherries, Gariguette strawberries, and fresh orange or mandarin peel. It's surprisingly easy to drink, and since its season is short, make the most of it!
Learn more about Tribu Alonso
This tribal name refers to Cyril Alonso, a winemaker, his wife, a naturopath, and their family. They maintain, using organic farming methods, a conservatory of traditional grape varieties from the Rhône-Alpes region located in Marchampt (Rhône), in the heart of the Beaujolais Vert region. This two-and-a-half-hectare vineyard, which existed since 1952, contained forty grape varieties. It currently contains one hundred and forty. This unique location gives Tribu Alonso wines their distinctive style. Instead of being single-varietal microcuvées, they are quite the opposite: wines by grape family, either a Chardonnay containing all the Chardonnays of the house or a multi-Gamay Gamay.
A biotope classified in 2008
The estate enjoys a unique ecological location: the house and the vineyard are surrounded by intact forests, on the steep terrain of northern Beaujolais. Three rivers cross it, and the vines, close to the bedrock, capture all the minerality of the soil. Organic farming is practiced and the work, in the vineyard as well as in the cellar, is entirely manual, without the use of any chemical additives or sulfites in the vinification.
The wines
Complantation cuvées (and for good reason), the wines of Tribu Alonso embrace all the complexity of their grape varieties and the viticultural history of Beaujolais. These are carefully crafted wines, fermented and aged to the sound of Tibetan bowls, whose alpha waves are beneficial to the liquids. The vatting periods are short, to preserve the freshness and fruit, as well as the signature of the soil and grape varieties.
We are Young Rouge Beaujolais Nouveau 2025,
Domaine de la Sorbiere
We Are Young 2025 est une déclaration d’intention. Plus qu’un simple Beaujolais Nouveau, c’est une vision du vin jeune, libre, sans maquillage ni artifice. Cette cuvée du Domaine de la Sorbière, dans le Beaujolais granitique, rend hommage à la vitalité du Gamay, cépage emblématique de la région, travaillé ici dans un esprit pleinement naturel.
Le raisin provient de sols granitiques qui donnent au vin une fraîcheur minérale très nette. La vinification est aussi simple que sincère : macération semi-carbonique de 5 jours, fermentations spontanées avec levures indigènes, et un élevage ultra-court de 4 jours en cuve inox pour capturer l’instantané du fruit. Aucune intervention œnologique superflue, pas de levures exogènes ni intrants chimiques : ici, tout est naturel, vivant, et respectueux du raisin comme de son terroir.
La robe est d’un rouge très clair, couleur grenadine, presque translucide, évoquant un jus de fruit fermenté. Le nez charme immédiatement avec ses notes d’agrumes, de cerise fraîche et de fleurs blanches, une palette aromatique fine et printanière. En bouche, c’est le croquant du fruit qui domine, avec une trame fluide, fraîche, presque désaltérante, sans manquer de structure. L’alcool modéré (12 %) participe à cette impression de légèreté gourmande.
Parfait dès l’apéritif, We Are Young 2025 s’accorde à merveille avec une planche de charcuteries fines, des fromages à pâte molle ou une cuisine simple et généreuse. À servir légèrement frais (16-18°C) et à boire sans attendre, même si son potentiel de garde de 2 à 5 ans surprendra les curieux.
Une cuvée numérotée, pleine de sincérité et de peps, pour réconcilier tous les amateurs avec l’esprit originel du Beaujolais Nouveau : celui de la fête, du partage, et du vin qui fait du bien.
Weingarten White 2023,
An elegant and vibrant Sylvaner, reflecting its unique terroir
The Weingarten 2023, produced by Domaine Einhart, showcases Sylvaner, the emblematic grape variety of Alsace. Vinified with precision, this organic AOP Alsace white wine is made from grapes grown in clay-rich soils, allowing the variety to reveal all its delicacy. After a 24-hour cold pre-fermentation maceration, the wine is aged for a month in stainless steel vats on fine lees, giving it freshness and aromatic purity.
On the nose, the Weingarten offers precise and vibrant aromas. Citrus notes like lemon and orange mingle with subtle touches of jasmine, white peach, and flint. On the palate, this Sylvaner seduces with its lively tension and elegance. Round and taut at the same time, it reveals a marked minerality, the signature of its terroir, as well as a slight, refreshing bitterness on the finish.
A perfectly balanced wine for the table
The Weingarten 2023 is a versatile wine, ideal for accompanying refined dishes or convivial moments. It excels with seafood, shellfish, and raw fish such as scallop carpaccio or salmon tartare. It also goes well with fine charcuterie, risottos or fruity desserts thanks to its balance between freshness and roundness.
Serve between 6 and 8°C after light decanting, this Sylvaner reveals its full potential now, but can evolve subtly over 5 years.
Weingarten Blanc 2024
Domaine Einhart
Sous la houlette du Domaine Einhart, en Alsace, la cuvée Weingarten incarne la délicatesse d’un Sylvaner travaillé avec justesse sur un terroir d’argilo-calcaire. Vinifié en bio certifié, sans artifice œnologique, ce vin naturel blanc exprime une belle pureté de fruit, équilibrée par une trame fraîche et droite. Ici, le cépage le plus humble s’épanouit pleinement sur les sols les plus généreux.
La vinification repose sur une macération pré-fermentaire à froid (12 à 14 °C) durant 24 heures, favorisant l’expression aromatique sans extraire les composés tanniques indésirables. Le pressurage direct qui suit permet d’obtenir un jus clair et délicat, ensuite élevé en cuve inox pendant 10 mois, préservant toute la vivacité du vin. Le domaine mise sur une fermentation spontanée grâce aux levures indigènes, en respect total du raisin et de son écosystème.
À la dégustation, Weingarten 2024 dévoile une robe pâle aux reflets verts. Le nez est éclatant : fleurs blanches, notes herbacées et une pointe de fruits exotiques. En bouche, c’est l’élégance même : une matière ample mais toujours tenue par une fraîcheur verticale. Une légère amertume finale, bien maîtrisée, prolonge le plaisir et donne envie d’y revenir.
Idéal à l’apéritif, ce vin se prête aussi à des alliances plus audacieuses : cuisine thaï, plats épicés, fruits de mer ou volailles à chair tendre. Une cuvée expressive, polyvalente et sincère, à boire dès maintenant ou à oublier quelques années en cave.
Westerberg White 2021
Westerberg is a dry white wine full of character, elegance, and spice, offering the best of the estate's Riesling and Gewurztraminer: 90% Riesling and 10% Gewurztraminer grown on the great limestone terroirs of the Rosheim hillsides: soils of shell limestone with ceratites (fossilized limestone) and lettenkohl (muschelkalk carbonate) plates. A depth of one meter and eighty of soil with a grain size of 70% limestone and a layer of loess at one and a half meters, this is a superb minerality that benefits the wine. One hundred percent of the grapes come from the property. The average age of the vines is forty-five years, on plots facing south on a 30% slope. The grapes are entirely hand-harvested and destemmed. The Riesling is directly pressed, while the Gewurztraminer undergoes a forty-eight-day maceration before pressing. Everything is fermented with indigenous yeasts. The wine is aged for one year on fine lees and is bottled without filtration. No sulfites or any other inputs are added to the vineyard or the cellar. We recommend decanting this Westerberg.
To find out more
Located in the northern part of the Alsatian vineyard, horizontally above Strasbourg, the Einhart estate is a ten-hectare family property whose vines are located on the hillsides that rise between the Alsace plain and the Vosges mountains. The soil is clay-limestone and rich in fossils (muschelkalk, i.e. shell limestone and oolitic limestone, and lettenkohle or dolomitic limestone). Since 1990, Nicolas Einhart has been at the helm, now assisted by his son Théo. True to his commitments to the TIFLO association, of which he is a co-founder, Nicolas devotes his winemaking work to protecting the land and biodiversity, making wine without additives, refusing harmful phytosanitary products and maintaining ecological refuge areas. His estate has been certified organic since 2011. Like Jean-Marc Dreyer, he is firmly focused on skin maceration and produces white maceration wines (orange wines) in addition to a Pinot Noir red. Entirely manual harvests, destemming of the grapes, light punching down and delicate pressing are characteristic of the estate, as well as the separate vinification of each terroir, aging on lees and the absence of filtration before bottling. The wines are pure grape, lively, powerful, invigorating, and transcribe the minerality of the very beautiful terroirs of the Vosges foothills.
Westerberg Blanc 2023,
The subtle and mouth-watering expression of a unique terroir
The Westerberg 2023, produced by Domaine Einhart, is a highly expressive cuvée that combines Gewurztraminer and Riesling, two emblematic grape varieties of Alsace. Produced from vines planted on a terroir of limestone silt, this cuvée draws its unique character from a meticulous 11-month maturation in foudres, which amplifies its complexity while preserving its freshness.
An intense and elegant tasting
On the nose, the Westerberg 2023 reveals a striking aromatic richness: notes of candied apricot, juicy pear and jasmine blend harmoniously with touches of mango and citrus. On the palate, this wine displays a supple and velvety texture, balanced by a marked mineral freshness. The vibrant acidity brings a beautiful salivation, while the long and persistent finish highlights brioche and slightly buttery nuances. This contrast between breadth and liveliness makes this wine a true sensory journey.
Refined pairings for a varied gastronomy
The richness and finesse of the Westerberg 2023 make it a perfect ally for the table. It enhances grilled fish dishes, seafood, or even roast poultry. It also pairs well with Mediterranean and Asian cuisines, where its exotic aromas and ample structure will find a beautiful echo. Finally, it pairs elegantly with mature cheeses and fruit desserts, such as an apricot tart or a citrus mousse.
Serve between 6 and 8°C after decanting, this wine is ready to be enjoyed now, but will also evolve magnificently in the cellar for at least 5 years.
French Single Malt Whisky Coperies
Coperies is a 100% French single malt whisky from a single distillery, the venerable Merlet & Fils distillery, in Charente-Maritime. It bears the mark of its region even in its name: "copieries" is a very old word meaning "harvest" in old Charente. This appellation refers to the French identity of this beverage—all the ingredients of which are French—but also, beyond that, to its specifically Charente roots. The barley from which it is made is grown, malted, and brewed in France before being distilled and aged at the Merlet & Fils distillery. Son.
Its development is the fruit of centuries-old expertise, used for the production of the most prestigious wine spirits and applied here to cereals. The first step is double-pass distillation, in Charentais copper stills, which produces round and elegant malt spirits. The aging takes place in French oak barrels, maintaining a balance between new and old barrels in order to modulate the contribution of wood and toasting: this produces subtle spicy notes and silky tannins. The whisky is surprising, remarkable for the sweetness and roundness of its accents. It is floral, fruity, and of unparalleled finesse. The nose first reveals a very discreet vanilla and a light touch of caramel. On the palate, it is the smooth and fluid texture that surprises, all in suppleness: no alcoholic burn hinders the sweet, aromatic, and delicately spiced notes of this whisky. The purity of single malt is very apparent. It will be wonderful neat, with an ice cube that will bring out its tenderness, and can also lend itself to the preparation of cocktails. It is, we specify, an excellent way to enter the world of whisky for those who are not used to this beverage: it will not be aggressive and will provide them with a gentle initiation.
Natural Single Malt Whisky
Ergaster Distillery
This single malt with its beautiful amber color is the pride of the Ergaster team. It is first aged in new barrels, then completes its maturation in reused barrels (25% vin jaune, 75% cognac). The nose is subtly fruity (guava, almond, white grape), unfolding into leather, walnuts, and fresh tobacco in the glass. On the palate, the attack is powerful with floral, woody, and vanilla notes, evolving into dried fruits. The finish is long and more herbaceous: green barley, spring onions, and hazelnut. Perfect for those who enjoy whisky with pure accents.
Witty Fool Beer 2022,
Cyclic Beer Farm
A German-style wheat-based wheat beer (Witbier), but more tart and fruity than the classic model. Refreshing, it's extremely comforting and an aperitif in the summer heat. And good in any other season... Its flavoring includes Indian coriander seeds and the juice and zest of oranges harvested at the family estate in Alt Empordà (Catalonia). Witty Fool has an ABV of 5.5%.
Find out more
Cyclic Beer Farm is a duo of Barcelona friends, Alberto and Joshua. Based in the Catalan capital, they have two sides to their business: beer (Cyclic Beer) and wine (Cyclic Wine). The beers, inspired by the Belgian model, come in surprising and colorful ranges where expertly measured yeast cocktails and house brews combine with varied macerations of fruits, vegetables, herbs and grape marc from traditional Catalan varieties, the latter taken after the fermentation of their wines - because the second side is the wine, made exclusively from native Catalan grape varieties. Packaged in 75 cl bottles so that everyone can have something to satisfy their thirst, the beers play between classicism and flights of inspiration, in a contrasting and creative way, Catalan style, without forgetting to dare to make beer with wine, of course. Based on classic principles and a Belgian fermentation model, the two brewers-winemakers Joshua and Alberto play with ingredients, aromas, and macerations, between cereals, fruits, vegetables, and grape skins from Catalan grape varieties, to achieve flavors reminiscent of the Obni (unidentified drinkable object). Whether they assert themselves through balance or a certain controlled dissonance, these beers will never leave you indifferent and will reveal their full potential during the summer heat, served well chilled (like their creators).
WOW WOW Red 2018
Clos Lentiscus
Clos Lentiscus is a winery located in Sitges, Catalonia, in the heart of the Garraf Natural Park. Manel Avinyo and his brother Joan took over this family estate, which Manel renamed Clos Lentiscus. Even though Barcelona is only a half-hour drive away, the beauty of the landscape is striking and the immersion in nature is complete: Mediterranean forests rub shoulders with Catalan scrubland (thyme, rosemary, rockrose, and the mastic tree, which gave the estate its name, etc.). The Penedès region also has a long winemaking history. Nestled in its gentle hills is Clos Lentiscus, in the Penedés appellation, on twenty hectares of sandy and clay-limestone soils facing due south at an altitude of 225 meters. According to historical documents, the family of Manel and Joan Avinyo has been established there since at least the 14th century. For a long time, the grapes were sold to local cooperatives, but since the two brothers took over the estate, organic and biodynamic farming has replaced conventional practices, the entire harvest goes into the house vintages, and organic and biodynamic practices have allowed this beautiful property to reconnect with its former prestige: in the 19th century, its wines were sold in France and as far away as the Americas. Very quickly, Manel received a nickname: The Bubbleman, a tribute to his talent for vinifying cavas, these sparkling whites characteristic of the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula, from native varieties for which Catalonia holds the secret: sumoll, ull de llebre, xarel·lo, malvasia of Sitges, cartoixà vermell, cariñena (carignan), accompanied by tempranillo and muscat of Alexandria. The vines are old, sometimes centuries old. No synthetic additives are used in the vineyard, and operations such as planting, pruning, de-budding and harvesting are dictated by the lunar phases. Pollination is facilitated by the presence of beehives; sheep contribute to fertilization and control of the plant cover. Ringo, the white horse, is responsible for working the soil.
Elegance, purity and a crisp minerality due to limestone characterize the productions of Clos Lentiscus. The note of controlled oxidation, when it is felt, does not dominate the tasting and the wines are never deviant. Cavas are known for being exuberant, but those of Clos Lentiscus never have more than two grams of residual sugar per liter. The estate also produces still wines, red, white and rosé.
Wow Wow (literally "wow wow"), illustrated with a dog on the label, is a red Syrah wine full of sap and fruit. The skin maceration is twenty days. Packaged in one-liter bottles, it will go with any aperitif, lunch or dinner table. It offers notes of black fruits and a nicely mineral and earthy character, with nerve and energy. Easy to drink and even gurgle.
Xarab Silver White 2006
On south-facing schist hillsides at an altitude of 1,300 meters, Manuel Valenzuela has created this astonishing sweet white wine from the Xarab series, made from Pedro Ximenez and Xarel·lo grapes, raisined on the vine and harvested in December. Golden-amber in color, with a nose of candied grapes and buttery caramel, the palate is rich and taut, avoiding the pitfalls of excessive richness and syrupiness. The finish lingers on dried fruits and caramel, and the cellaring is very long.
Natural wine without added sulfites.
Xarab Garnacha Red GRH 2009
On south-facing schist hillsides at an altitude of 1,300 meters, Manuel Valenzuela has created this astonishing sweet red wine from the Xarab series, made from Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, raisined on the vine and harvested in December. The wine is rich, intense, and generous, loaded with candied red fruits.
A natural wine with no added sulfites.
Xarab Vigiriega Doré VGR White 2009,
On south-facing schist hillsides at an altitude of 1,300 meters, Manuel Valenzuela has created, within the Xarab series, this astonishing sweet white wine made entirely from the native Vigiriega grape variety, raisined on the vine and harvested in December. The color is a beautiful bright gold, the nose fragrant (yellow fruits); the flavor is rich, intense, generous, and aromatic. A perfectly balanced sweet wine.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.
Xarel Lo Blanc 2015,
Clot de Les Soleres
Nestled in the heart of Catalonia, the Clot de Les Soleres winery has established itself as a leading reference in Spanish natural wines. With this Xarel Lo 2015, winemaker Joan Ramon Escoda enhances the indigenous Xarel-lo grape variety, delivering a pure and vibrant expression of the Catalan terroir.
A lively and evolved white wine
Produced using certified organic farming (Eurofeuille label), this wine is produced without oenological additives, with spontaneous fermentation using indigenous yeasts. After a long vinification and barrel aging, the Xarel Lo 2015 reveals a beautiful evolution, gaining in complexity while retaining a fresh and mineral structure.
An expressive nose and a structured palate
On the first nose, subtle aromas of ripe white fruits, golden apple, candied quince and honey intertwine with slightly oxidative notes, evoking Jura wines. Upon aeration, touches of nuts and Mediterranean herbs complete this rich and deep aromatic palette. On the palate, the attack is ample, carried by a beautiful acid tension and a silky texture. The saline and persistent finish highlights the mineral signature of the Catalan terroir.
Pairings and occasions
This mature white goes perfectly with refined dishes such as roasted poultry with herbs, mature cheese such as Comté, or even seafood paella. Ideal to accompany a gourmet meal, it will also appeal to lovers of natural wines in search of unique discoveries.
Xarel Lo Domaine Blanc 2016
Clos Lentiscus
Festive, light, and crisp, this dry white wine made from pure Xarel Lo is, above all, a seducer. Aromatic and creamy with beautiful notes of white peach and tropical fruit accents, it has something to please every palate. The vines from which it comes grow on sandy-limestone soil. After the manual harvest, maceration is brief and pressing is very gentle to obtain the best from the grapes. Fermentation takes place in French oak barrels with indigenous yeasts. Aging takes place in the same containers for six months. Best served chilled.
Find out more
It is in Sitges, Catalonia, in the heart of the Garraf Natural Park, that Manel Avinyo and his brother Joan took over the family estate, renamed Clos Lentiscus by Manel. Even though Barcelona is only a half-hour drive away, the beauty of the landscape is striking and the immersion in nature is total: Mediterranean forests rub shoulders with Catalan scrubland (thyme, rosemary, rockrose, mastic tree which gave its name to the estate, etc.). The Penedès region also has a long winemaking history. Nestled in its gentle hills is Clos Lentiscus, in the Penedés appellation, on twenty hectares of sandy and clay-limestone soils facing due south at an altitude of 225 meters. According to historical documents, the family of Manel and Joan Avinyo has been established there since at least the 14th century. For a long time, the grapes were sold to local cooperatives, but as soon as the two brothers took over the estate, organic and biodynamic farming replaced conventional practices, the entire harvest goes into the house vintages, and organic and biodynamic practices have allowed this beautiful property to regain its former prestige: in the 19th century, its wines were sold in France and as far away as the Americas. Very quickly, Manel received a nickname: The Bubbleman, a tribute to his talent for vinifying cavas, these sparkling whites characteristic of the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula, from indigenous varieties for which Catalonia holds the secret: sumoll, ull de llebre, xarel·lo, malvasia of Sitges, cartoixà vermell, cariñena (carignan), accompanied by tempranillo and muscat of Alexandria. The vines are old, some of them centuries old. No synthetic additives are used in the vineyard, and operations such as planting, pruning, de-budding, and harvesting are dictated by the lunar phases. Pollination is facilitated by the presence of beehives; sheep contribute to fertilization and control of the plant cover. Ringo, the white horse, takes care of working the soil.
Elegance, purity, and a crisp minerality due to limestone characterize the productions of Clos Lentiscus. The note of controlled oxidation, when it is felt, does not dominate the tasting, and the wines are never deviant. The cavas are known for being exuberant, but those of Clos Lentiscus never have more than two grams of residual sugar per liter. The estate also produces still wines, red, white, and rosé.
Xarel lo Macabeu White 2019
Xarel lo-Macabeu is, as its name suggests, a blend of equal parts Catalan Xarel lo and Macabeu grape varieties grown in Pla de Penedès (Alto Penedés) on clay-limestone soils at an altitude of between 200 and 230 meters. The vines are between 35 and 45 years old. The grapes are sorted, crushed, and macerated with the stems and skins, two days for the Xarel lo and one day for the Macabeu. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks and the two grape varieties are blended after alcoholic fermentation. The wine is fragrant, dry, aromatic, mineral, with balanced acidity and a touch of controlled oxidation.
Learn more
Cyclic Beer Farm is a duo of Barcelona friends, Alberto and Joshua. Based in the Catalan capital, they have two sides to their business: beer (Cyclic Beer) and wine (Cyclic Wine). The beers, inspired by the Belgian model, come in surprising and colorful ranges where expertly measured yeast cocktails and house brews combine with varied macerations of fruits, vegetables, herbs and grape marc from traditional Catalan varieties, the latter taken after the fermentation of their wines - because the second side is the wine, made exclusively from native Catalan grape varieties. As merchant winemakers, Alberto and Joshua personally harvest by hand from organic wineries throughout Catalonia and bring the harvest back to their brewery-cum-winery workshop in La Sagrera (Barcelona). There, they sort the grapes, tread them by foot, and ferment the must using exclusively indigenous yeasts. Depending on the type of wine, skin maceration takes place on the skins and stems for between one and three days for whites and between six and fifteen days for reds. The free-run juice is then transferred without pressing into stainless steel tanks where fermentation continues before bottling. The skins and stems, and sometimes part of the juice, are then used for the maceration of saison beers: an interesting synergy between beer and wine. No sulfites are added during vinification; nothing is added to or removed from the wine, which is never filtered. The harvest and other viticultural operations are decided according to the lunar calendar.
