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150 products
150 products
Magnum BB "Cerrailla" Red 2019
Partida Creus
The Partida Creus estate is the brainchild of two Piedmontese natives from the Langhe (where wine is well-known), Antonella Gerosa and Massimo Marchiori, who initially pursued careers as architects in Barcelona. But the wine bug bit 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 wealth 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 heritage rescue, no: it's a matter of taste and nature. Of natural wines, which they will continue to make from now on on these sandy, poor, clay-limestone or clay-gravel soils, poor and poorly irrigated, where the vines suffer to give their best juice. This is why their estate is as important from a winemaking perspective as it is from a historical perspective - we are talking here about the history of the vine in Catalonia.
Massimo and Antonella practice organic, biodynamic viticulture, entirely manual and natural 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, 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. This 100% Bobal is a racy and finely wild red from the Cerrailla plot, built on a grape variety common in Spain but whose expression here is very original. Dark cherry red color; on the nose, candy, sweet flowers, fresh fruits, violet, thyme. On the palate, a lot of distinction: a straight acidity and morello cherry, ripe plum, black pepper, a small saline touch on the finish. Serve well chilled.
A light, highly digestible red, designed for immediate enjoyment. Radically Glou 2024 is an invitation to conviviality and sharing.
Learn more
With a free and natural spirit, Les Vignes du Fresche offers an unadorned wine where drinkability is paramount. The grapes are grown without chemicals and vinified gently.
The color is clear and brilliant. The nose opens with aromas of crunchy red berries, with a floral touch. On the palate, the wine is supple, fluid, with very few tannins.
Freshness dominates, making the tasting easy and pleasant.
Serve slightly chilled, perfect with appetizers, tapas or simple meals with friends.
Produced from carefully selected Greengage plums, this eau-de-vie reveals a brilliant, generous, and very pure fruit. The aromas of ripe plum, white flowers, and stone are expressed with finesse in a full and elegant palate. An emblematic cuvée of Distillerie Cazottes' artisanal work.
Organic White Pineau 2015
Terroir, plots, and grape varieties
It is in the heart of the limestone soils of Cognac, in this region where the sky and the vines have harmonized for centuries, that Alain Chadutaud passionately cultivates his Ugni Blanc. On typical clay-limestone soil, the roots draw the freshness and minerality necessary for the expression of a perfectly balanced white Pineau. The 2015 vintage, bathed in sunshine and tempered by Atlantic breezes, allowed for perfect grape maturation, giving birth to a generous and precise cuvée.
Cultivation methods
True to a philosophy that respects living things, Alain Chadutaud works biodynamically, with constant attention to soil vitality and vine balance. No synthetic inputs, but gentle practices, meticulous soil work, and natural preparations to support the plant throughout its cycle. The harvest, carried out at full maturity, precedes the subtle blending of grape juice and homemade Cognac eau-de-vie, according to the traditional savoir-faire of Pineau des Charentes. Aging takes place slowly in barrels, in order to develop this characteristic aromatic complexity.
Tasting & pairings
From the very first nose, the Organic Pineau 2015 opens with a charming bouquet of candied fruits, dried apricot, and acacia honey, underscored by a hint of sweet almond. On the palate, the magic happens: the attack is lively, almost lemony, followed by a honeyed roundness that caresses the palate, supported by a tangy framework that prevents any heaviness. The balance is perfect, the persistence remarkable, leaving a sensation of freshness and deliciousness on the finish.
This is a Pineau of character, both sunny and invigorating, ideal as an aperitif, served chilled with iodine-flavored appetizers or cheese puff pastries. It also nobly accompanies pan-seared foie gras, highlighting its richness without overpowering it. For dessert, it pairs wonderfully with an almond tart, a dark chocolate lava cake, or even a well-aged Roquefort for an intense sweet and savory experience.
Alain Chadutaud's Organic Pineau 2015 is much more than an aperitif: it is an invitation to discover a living terroir, an artisanal vision, and a mastery of time that expresses itself in every glass.
Non Ouillé White 2022
Terroir, plot size and grape varieties
It is in the heart of Beaujolais that La Tribu Alonso has dared a bold departure, a joyful risk: producing an oxidative white wine, a rarity in this region more renowned for its fruity reds. For this cuvée, named Non Ouillé 2022, the Chardonnay grape lends itself gracefully to controlled oxidation, revealing an unexpected facet of its expression. Born from a terroir at the crossroads of influences, between the granite hills of Beaujolais and the more southerly breezes of the Rhône Valley, this wine embodies a true convergence of sensations. A first foray into this style for the estate—and a promising success.
Cultivation methods
The Tribu Alonso, as its name suggests, operates as a collective, with a vision of wine resolutely focused on people and the living world. Here, there are no labels, but a clear philosophy: to work as close to nature as possible, without artifice. The vines are cultivated without chemical inputs, respecting natural rhythms, and the winery becomes a place of gentle experimentation. For this cuvée, the choice not to top up the wine—that is, not to fill the barrels during aging—allows for slow oxidation, inspired by the wines of the Jura region. A way to explore new gustatory horizons, while showcasing the grape variety and the local terroir in a new light.
Tasting & pairings
From the very first whiff, Non Ouillé 2022 intrigues and seduces. One is immersed in a disconcerting yet captivating aromatic world: notes of anise, mild curry, and above all, that touch of nuttiness typical of oxidative whites, tickle the senses. On the palate, the texture is ample yet taut, with precise minerality and a beautiful freshness that perfectly balances the wine's buttery and saline character. A subtle interplay between unabashed rusticity and profound elegance.
This wine invites the unexpected at the table: perfect as an aperitif, with green olives, aged hard cheeses, or even a delicate Comté and caramelized onion tart. It also pairs beautifully with light, exotic cuisine, such as a vegetable curry or fish marinated in mild spices. This is a wine for the curious, for those who love new sensations, for those who enjoy venturing off the beaten path and discovering what Beaujolais can offer when it embraces other influences.
With Non Ouillé 2022, La Tribu Alonso has created a vintage of character, as free as it is precise, which redefines the contours of white wine in Beaujolais and invites us to broaden our perspective, glass in hand.
Yeti Rouge 2024
La Tribu Alonso
The 2024 Yeti cuvée is a wine as atypical as its name, born in Beaujolais under the passionate impetus of the collective La Tribu Alonso. This 100% Gamay, or rather, should we say "100% Gamay diversity," brings together no fewer than 31 different varieties of this grape: Gamay teinturier, white, rosé, old clones, forgotten plants... A mosaic of grapes that reflects the richness of life and the free spirit of its winemakers.
The grapes are grown on granitic soils, without synthetic products, following a completely natural approach, even without certification. After a 5-day semi-carbonic maceration in fiber tanks, fermentation occurs thanks to indigenous yeasts, without oenological input. The wine is then aged for 12 months in concrete eggs, which brings roundness, energy, and balance, without woody masking.
The result? A vibrant and juicy red wine, with a light and brilliant color. The nose reveals crisp red fruits, a herbaceous touch, some sweet spices, and a peppery hint. On the palate, it is fluid, digestible, with a beautiful texture that remains fresh and elegant. A smooth Gamay, but never simplistic.
Yeti can be enjoyed as an aperitif, with artisanal charcuterie, lightly spiced dishes, or even grilled white meats. It's a wine of immediate pleasure, which appeals to both the curious and enlightened lovers of lively natural wines, to be drunk young or within 5 years.
Beaujolais Lancié, Magnum Red 2018
Domaine Bélicard
With this Beaujolais Villages 2018 in magnum format, Domaine Bélicard offers a generous and gourmet version of its 100% Gamay noir, AOC certified, grown on the light sands of Lancié. A full-bodied, expressive red wine, made for sharing and festive gatherings, in a decidedly natural yet always accessible style.
A supple natural wine
The grapes are vinified with a short maceration to preserve the fruity momentum of the grape variety. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts, without oenological inputs, followed by 9 months of aging in concrete vats, which respects the integrity of the juice while giving it a beautiful roundness. This wine has nothing to hide: it shines with its frankness and conviviality.
Ripe and juicy fruit
The nose evokes bright red fruits, but also notes of pomegranate, black fruits, and candied fruits. On the palate, it is supple, smooth, with a generous texture and a beautiful freshness. The tannins are melted, the whole remains tonic and carried by a beautiful energy. This magnum is enjoyed in its breadth, unpretentious but with great pleasure.
The magnum of simple happiness
Serve at 14–16 °C, without decanting, this Lancié 2018 is perfect for dinner aperitifs, charcuterie boards, bistro dishes, or generous picnics. A friendly wine as we like them, to drink now or within 5 years.
Lutea Gentian Liqueur
Terroir, plot size and grape varieties
Nestled in the heart of the volcanic landscapes of the Auvergne region, Lutéa Spirits draws its inspiration from the wild hills and high-altitude meadows of this authentic area. It is here, on these living, nourishing soils, that the fresh yellow gentian, queen of bitter plants, flourishes. Hand-picked with respect for the plant's natural rhythm, this powerful root embodies the botanical and mountain identity of Lutéa liqueur, a true tribute to a preserved and untamed terroir.
Cultivation methods
True to its artisanal and committed vision, Lutéa Spirits works exclusively with certified organic ingredients. Every step, from cultivation to maceration, is designed to reveal the purity of the plants, without artifice or compromise. The gentian roots are freshly harvested and then carefully infused alongside other meticulously selected botanicals: basil, mint, licorice, anise... so many botanical touches that enrich the aromatic profile. No coloring, no superfluous additives: here, nature expresses itself in its purest form.
Tasting & pairings
Lutéa Gentian Liqueur 2024 is an ode to vegetal freshness. From the first whiff, it unfolds captivating aromas of raw gentian, crisp basil, and invigorating mint, enhanced by bursts of bright citrus and a hint of licorice. On the palate, the balance is remarkable: the gentle bitterness of gentian intertwines with anise and lemon notes, in a warm and lingering roundness.
As an aperitif, it can be enjoyed chilled, neat, or lengthened with a splash of sparkling water or dry tonic to reveal its complexity and vivacity. It also pairs brilliantly with a platter of mountain cheeses, black olives, or even a citrus and fresh herb dessert. Warm, intense, yet always elegant, this organic liqueur captivates with its aromatic purity and wild touch.
Ambre dissous Red 2020
Terroir, plot size and grape varieties
Born in the vibrant Beaujolais region, La Tribu Alonso's 2020 Ambre Dissous is a distinctive red wine, a wine of character that breaks with established norms. While Gamay takes center stage, it is an uncommon Gamay, made from teinturier grapes – a rarity in the region. This bold choice results in a captivatingly deep color, almost cloudy like the ink of mystery, and already hints at a singular expression of the terroir.
The vineyard stretches across granite soils typical of Beaujolais, in an area where the influences of the nearby Rhône are felt, bringing darker, spicier notes and a welcome tension. It is a land of contrasts, between the freshness of the north and the generosity of the south, which La Tribu Alonso has managed to tame with rare sensitivity.
Cultivation methods
The Alonso Tribe is, above all, a philosophy. It's a return to the essentials, a work in symbiosis with nature, far removed from artifice. The vines are cultivated without chemical inputs, respecting living organisms, lunar cycles, and the energies of the land. Here, each bunch is hand-picked, in an almost ritualistic gesture, then vinified with minimal intervention. Fermentation occurs naturally, with indigenous yeasts taking the reins to best express the identity of the grape and its terroir.
This artisanal approach yields a free, vibrant, unadorned wine, where the grape variety can sing without a false note. Ambre Dissous is a reflection of nature embraced, sometimes wild, but always sincere.
Tasting & pairings
By the glass, Ambre Dissous 2020 immediately captivates with its deep, almost violet color, hinting at a wine with a strong character. The nose is a poem of spices: freshly ground black pepper, clove, with a delicate note of violet as a subtle reminder of Rhône influences. On the palate, the structure is assertive, the tannins present yet elegantly polished, offering a mouthfeel that is both firm and silky.
This wine is not meant to flatter; it challenges, questions, and invites contemplation. It can be enjoyed as an aperitif, to awaken the taste buds, or at the table, alongside a generous dish: a matured rib of beef, a lamb tagine with prunes, or even a wild mushroom risotto.
Ambre Dissous is a wine for sharing, but also for meditation. A bottle that tells a story, that of a marginalized grape variety, a reinvented terroir, and a tribe that, far from the beaten track, forges its own path with heart and conviction.
Vino Rosso Red 2017
Corva Gialla
Red fruits, mineral and earthy notes, tertiary aromas, spices, and tobacco: this sums up the profile of Vino Rosso, the emblematic red of Azienda Corva Gialla, with beautiful notes of evolution and a pronounced but not excessive full-bodiedness. The richness, due to a high natural sugar content during fermentation, and the polyphenolic maturity are remarkable, as well as the balance between velvety and tannicity, lightness and body, roundness and acidity. On the nose, notes of spices such as cinnamon, black pepper, and fennel; On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and dominated by red fruits: ripe cherry, raspberry and strawberry. Black fruits and plum are not left out, and delicious aromas of dried fruits (prune, fig) combine with spices on the finish. Vino Rosso is a 100% Sangiovese from vines planted at an altitude of 450 meters on a west-facing plot with volcanic soils. The harvest is destemmed and macerated for about three weeks in fiberglass vats, with daily pumping over or punching down as needed. Vino Rosso is aged for twelve months in chestnut barrels and at least two years in bottles before being marketed.
Find out more
The azienda Corva Gialla ("yellow crow") is a wine estate in Lazio, Italy, located on the edge of Umbria in the Alta Tuscia Viterbese. A volcanic region considered one of the most beautiful in Italy and characterized by its calanches, high tuff rock formations delimiting deep valleys carved by numerous rivers and torrents. Corva Gialla is located in Lubriano, opposite Civita di Bagnoregio. Alta Tuscia is proving to be a breeding ground for young winemaking talents devoted to nature who are promoting these lands deprived throughout history. Founded in 2017, the estate comprises four hectares cultivated by Beatrice Arweiler, originally from another wine-growing region, between the Rhine and the Moselle. The new owner also planted an olive grove (Frantoio and Leccino varieties) and developed the estate into a mixed crop and livestock system. The vines were planted with the help of Gian Marco Antonuzzi of the Le Coste estate. The friable volcanic soil lends itself beautifully to viticulture and the planting of grape varieties such as Grechetto d'Umbria, Trebbiano, Vermentino, Sangiovese, and Ciliegiolo. The estate's wines are quintessentially Italian, meaning they are crafted primarily for enjoyment. They are straightforward, deep, and easy to drink, expressing the strong minerality of their soils.
Vino Rosso Poggio Pastene Red 2016,
Corva Gialla
Poggio Pastene is a superior red from the Corva Gialla range; it is produced only in the finest vintages and comes from the finest plot on the estate. It is dense and full-bodied, with a supple texture and well-integrated tannins, and superb accents of leather and tobacco. The nose is intense and persistent—notes of red fruits, rose, and violet. On the palate, the olfactory sensations are confirmed, supported by a beautiful structure. Poggio Pastene is dry and straightforward, well-balanced between roundness and acidity. This is a single-variety Sangiovese whose vines are planted at an altitude of 450 meters on a west-facing plot with volcanic soils. The harvest, done by hand, is destemmed and macerated for about three weeks on the skins in fiberglass vats, with daily pumping over or punching down as needed. Aging is twenty-four months in old oak barrels. Poggio Pastene is kept in bottle for two years before being marketed.
Find out more
The Azienda Corva Gialla (“yellow crow”) is a wine estate in Lazio, Italy, located on the edge of Umbria in the Alta Tuscia Viterbese. A volcanic region considered one of the most beautiful in Italy and characterized by its calanches, high tuff rock formations delimiting deep valleys carved by numerous rivers and torrents. Corva Gialla is located in Lubriano, opposite Civita di Bagnoregio. Alta Tuscia is a breeding ground for young winemaking talents dedicated to nature, who are reclaiming these historically neglected lands. Founded in 2017, the estate comprises four hectares cultivated by Beatrice Arweiler, originally from another wine-growing region, between the Rhine and the Moselle. The new owner has also planted an olive grove (Frantoio and Leccino varieties) and converted the estate into a mixed crop and livestock system. The vines were planted with the help of Gian Marco Antonuzzi of the Le Coste estate. The friable volcanic soil lends itself beautifully to viticulture and the planting of grape varieties such as Grechetto d'Umbria, Trebbiano, Vermentino, Sangiovese, and Ciliegiolo. The estate's wines are quintessentially Italian, meaning they are made primarily for enjoyment. They are straight, deep and easy to drink, expressing the strong minerality of their soils.
Magnum VN Vinel.lo Ancestral Sparkling Red 2016
VN, Vinel·lo Ancestral Red Sparkling Wine, is a natural sparkling wine resulting from a blend of indigenous grape varieties: Samsó (Cinsault), Garrut (Mourvèdre), Trepat, Ull de Perdiu, Queixal de Llop, Sumoll, and Grenache Noir, harvested from predominantly limestone soils. After crushing, the musts from the different grape varieties ferment one after the other and are gradually added, thus extending fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Fermentation completes in the bottle for ten months on fine lees. No filtration, no additives, no added sulfites. A fruity, very fresh sparkling wine with floral and yeasty notes. Very long finish. Natural wine with no added sulfites.
Pet Nat White 2023,
A crisp and thirst-quenching natural sparkling wine
Domaine Einhart's Pet Nat White 2023 is a cuvée full of vitality, carefully crafted according to the principles of the ancestral method. Composed of a unique blend of Gewurztraminer and Pinot Noir, this natural sparkling wine (or "Pet Nat") is the result of a destemmed maceration of several days for each grape variety, before blending. Bottling took place during fermentation, followed by 7 months of resting on slats to obtain a fine and natural effervescence.
A bright and joyful tasting
Upon opening, Pet Nat Blanc seduces with its delicate and persistent bubbles. On the nose, it reveals fruity and gourmet aromas of peach, lemon and exotic fruits, accompanied by floral touches. On the palate, this sparkling wine is light, lively and thirst-quenching. Its freshness and crispness make it accessible and irresistible, with a clean and mineral finish that invites you to take another sip.
A perfect companion for aperitifs and gastronomy
This Pet Nat White is ideal for accompanying a convivial aperitif, where it will delight lovers of natural sparkling wines with its joyful and spontaneous character. It also pairs perfectly with Mediterranean and Asian cuisine, raw fish, seafood and fresh cheeses. For an optimal experience, serve it between 6 and 8°C, after a slight disgorging if necessary.
Ceci n'est pas un vin White 2023
Ceci n'est pas un vin is still a wine, white, dry, organic, and natural, with no added sulfites. Made in Beaujolais by Cyril of La Tribu Alonso, it is classified as a Vin de France. It is 100% Chardonnay, but there are twenty-eight different varieties in the bottle. Just as the red wine Ambre dissolve is inspired by Salvador Dalí, this one obviously alludes to Henri Magritte (see the label).
Vinification
The collection of twenty-eight Chardonnays from the ampelothèque, from which Ceci n’est pas un vin is made, is planted on a half-hectare plot on granite, with wild grass, agroforestry and no tillage. The vines, pruned in the goblet style, are between four and thirty years old. There are Chardonnays here of all tastes and colors (white, pink, muscaté, etc.), and it seems that the multiplicity of grape varieties gives a whole new face to this Chardonnay, unfortunately a little overused in the world of viticulture. "We are moving away from the boring Chardonnay," says Cyril. The manual harvest goes into direct pressing and, after a 48-hour settling process, only sees from the vat to its bottling. Alcoholic fermentation without starter culture using indigenous yeasts, malolactic fermentation also in fiberglass vats. Zero chemical inputs, in the vineyard and in the cellar, and zero added sulfites.
Tasting
Surprisingly, Ceci n’est pas un vin: the opposite of classic Chardonnay, it has great qualities of resistance. Solid, fine and balanced. A dry white wine with no added sulfites that has a very long shelf life once opened, it is rare and unique. It can last, recorked, for a whole week. On the nose and palate, it is a marvel of perfume and aroma, as if it offered the quintessence of Chardonnay through all its varieties. Salty, iodized, aromatic and floral, it evokes peach or apricot blossom, white peach, and its acidity-alcohol balance will allow it to be kept between 5 and 7 years. It can be drunk whenever you want, with oysters, shellfish, raw or smoked fish, tapas, fine starters and any elegant and refined cuisine.
Learn more about the Alonso Tribe
This tribal name refers to Cyril Alonso, winemaker, his wife, naturopath, and their family. They take care, using organic farming methods, of 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 ampel library, which has existed since 1952, contained forty grape varieties. It currently contains one hundred and forty. This unique location gives the Tribu Alonso wines their particular style. Instead of being single-varietal microcuvées, they are quite the opposite: wines by grape variety 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 untouched 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, both in the vineyard and in the cellar, is entirely manual, without the use of any chemical additives or sulfites in the winemaking process.
The wines
Cuvées of co-plantation (and for good reason), the wines of the Tribu Alonso embrace all the complexity of their grape varieties and the viticultural history of Beaujolais. These are carefully crafted wines, made with great care, 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.
Munjebel CR Red 2020
Cornelissen
Munjebel CR is a single-plot red cuvée, certified organic (Eurofeuille), biodynamic, and natural. It is made from pure Nerello Mascalese grapes by Frank Cornelissen in the PDO (Personal Designation of Origin) Etna Rosso/PGI Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese. Munjebel CR comes from the Campo Re plot, which is partially ungrafted and approximately 70 years old, located in the far west of the valley at an altitude of 735 meters. The soil is deep, and ripeness is difficult to achieve in wet years. This gives a particular character to the wines from this plot, closer to Nebbiolo (a typical Tuscan grape variety) than the other reds from Azienda Frank Cornelissen.
Vinification
Grown biodynamically, the Nerello Mascalese grapes of Munjebel CR are destemmed and lightly crushed. Fermentation, starting from a starter culture and using indigenous yeasts, is accompanied by a 50-day skin maceration. No fining, light filtration before bottling.
Tasting
Munjebel CR is a deep, elegant and tannic wine. It may take a while to express itself. With its great freshness, it needs to be paired with meats with character. A roast rack of black pork from Bigorre, or a rib of beef from Wagyu or Angus from the Maison Aitana, that's the perfect match.
Learn more about Frank Cornelissen
A key and universally respected figure in natural, organic and biodynamic wine, Belgian Frank Cornelissen, a winemaker conquered by Sicily, is a classic. This man of constant questioning lives in human and cosmic resonance with his terroir: he has demonstrated that the powerful minerality of a great volcanic soil could be highlighted by the naturalness of his wines.
An ideal terroir for plot-by-plot vinification
In Passopisciaro, Sicily, in the north of the Etna valley, the 19 plots cover 24 hectares of basalt soils spread over numerous localities (contrade) between 600 and 900 meters above sea level on the side of the volcano. It is, says Frank Cornelissen, the "Night Coast of Sicily". Frank Cornelissen's contrade are all cultivated biodynamically and vinified separately: he decides on the blends based on the quality of each.
The nobility of Nerello Mascalese
Nerello Mascalese is the dominant variety and alone makes up the greatest vintages. This traditional red grape variety from the northern Etna valley produces hypermineral wines due to its long growing cycle. Other grape varieties in the azienda: Nerello Capuccio, Minella Bianco, Minella Nera, Alicante Bouschet, Malvasia, Catarratto, Moscadella, Grecanico Dorato, Carricante…
Grisou Rosé 2021
Belly Wine Experiment
Complex, refreshing, unusual, and delicious… A rosé, obviously, but with a fairly solid structure. One might guess from its name that it's a vin gris, and its color gives us the final hint. Grisou is a vin gris (therefore) quite typical of Belly Wine's experimental passion, since it is made from Carignan from the South and Pinot Gris from Heiligenstein (Alsace) grown on clay-siliceous soils. Two very different terroirs are united in one wine. Let's remember that Grisou, like Rosé, is a still wine with a pale color made from black grapes in short maceration. Here, it's a little more complicated since two-thirds of the grapes are directly pressed, the remaining third being crushed in whole bunches and macerated for four days. Disgorging takes place two months later. This wine is organically grown and has received no chemical inputs or sulfites, in the vineyard or in the cellar. As it plays on several levels, both light and straightforward, Grisou can allow for very wide pairings.
To find out more
Founded and run by Claire Sage and Aimé Duveau, located in Chanteuges (Haute-Loire), Belly Wine Experiment is as much an experiment as a winemaking business. The creative duo has it in spades: Claire is the sister of Daniel Sage, a fan of underwater wine aging but above all an importer of Catalan wines. Hence the presence of Catalan grape varieties in Belly Wine Experiment's blends, alongside Burgundy, Auvergne, and Jura grape varieties, readily found in the same bottle. Aimé is the son of Manu Duveau, a poet-winemaker from Auvergne, a former stonemason, and a great winemaker of local Gamays at his Domaine de l'Égrappille. The uniqueness of Belly Wine Experiment is the exoticism (in the literal sense) of the blends, with Xarel lo from Catalonia, for example, being able to sit alongside Gamay from Puy-de-Dôme with the utmost naturalness. The wines are made using semicarbonic maceration, without the addition of chemical additives or excessive manipulation in the cellar. The house is also known for its very high-quality, vinous perries.
GT Garrut Ancestral Sparkling Red 2019
Partida Creus
With its liveliness and deep notes of black fruit, GT Garrut Ancestral recalls the best of Lambrusco, but it is something else entirely. It is an atypical but oh-so-delightful single-varietal wine that deserves a closer look at its original character. Its purplish color with an exuberant pink foam, already expressing notes of blackberry on the nose, is already quite a program. GT Garrut displays beautiful earthy, juicy, and intense qualities; it is very characteristic of black fruits, particularly blackberry (blackberry or tree blackberry). Beautiful notes of red fruits too, and a delicious acidity. It is made entirely from Garrut, also called Monastrell, a Catalan grape variety related to Mourvèdre. This bright, summer-perfect wine is hand-harvested. Entirely destemmed, the grapes macerate for three days with punching down every three hours, and alcoholic fermentation with indigenous yeasts takes place for four months in stainless steel vats, followed by twenty months in oak barrels. Unfiltered, unfined, no sulfites added. GT Garrut smells of family vines, artisanal, unconstrained wine.
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Partida Creus is an important estate, both in terms of winemaking and history—we're talking 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.
