Wines of the World

Hip Hip Poulsard red 2018

Domaine de l’Octavin
The Hip Hip cuvée is based on Poulsard, a red Jura grape variety that produces clear, light, savory wines full of red fruits. Crafted by Alice Bouvot, it is the result of a six-week carbonic fermentation using whole bunches of indigenous yeasts in fiberglass vats, without excessive extraction. The wine is neither filtered nor clarified, and no chemical additives are added in the vineyard or cellar. A charming wine for all occasions: it's so good that we hesitate to suggest pairings, it will go with everything.

To find out more
"You don't need anything," says Alice Bouvot, winemaker at Domaine de l'Octavin, "just a grape that feels good in its skin." Everything is said in favor of natural wine; it's a perfect description. Created in 2005, Domaine d'Alice is located in Arbois, in this wine-growing Jura region, often described as the most organic vineyard in France. The habit of making - among other things - oxidative wines is a good preparation for natural wine, this type of wine does not allow any chemical additives and especially no sulfites. It's a secret of this magnificent region. Originally spread over two hectares, the estate, managed entirely biodynamically (Demeter) since 2010, has expanded through the gradual acquisition of plots and now covers seven hectares.

An accomplished musician and passionate music lover, Alice intends to apply her musical sensitivity to the wines she makes. She draws a parallel between the technical perfection of conventional wines which risks excluding feeling, while "a musician who does not know music theory and plays with his guts creates emotion." For her, living wine is like this: instinctive, improvised, emotional. Introduced to natural wine by Stéphane Planche, sommelier at chef Jean-Paul Jeunet in Arbois, she will faithfully follow this path. The sometimes whimsical titles of her vintages are inspired sometimes by musical art (Dorabella, Zerline), sometimes by the numerous plots of land that make up her vineyard (En Curon, Les Corvées, En Poussot, etc.), and do not disdain a pun from time to time. Likewise, the labels adorned with happy and salacious little gnomes are a signature of the estate. As for the grape varieties, they are the classics of the Jura - Poulsard, Trousseau, Pinot Noir for the reds, and Chardonnay, Savagnin for the whites. Alongside her Arbois wines, Alice has created a business of "on the vine" grapes (Ecocert certified) with her winegrower friends from the region. Natural, committed, joyful and highly drinkable, the wines of Alice Bouvot are all the more coveted as the vintages, produced in plot-by-plot mode, appear, disappear and reappear depending on the vintage and inspiration.

Saint Romain Combe Bazin Qvevris Blanc 2020,

Domaine de Chassorney

An exceptional Chardonnay, aged in Georgian jars

The Saint-Romain Combe Bazin Qvevris Blanc 2020 from Domaine de Chassorney is an exceptional cuvée that combines Burgundian elegance with the ancestral Georgian tradition of ageing in qvevris. This pure Chardonnay, from a steep, east-facing plot, draws its minerality and complexity from a soil composed of marl, clay, and limestone. At an altitude varying between 280 and 400 meters, this terroir gives the grapes vibrant tension and superb freshness.

Upon opening, the luminous golden color announces a wine of character. The nose reveals a beautiful aromatic palette, combining candied citrus, juicy pear, fresh almond and notes of flint, typical of great white Burgundy. The skin maceration, followed by ageing in qvevris, brings additional depth, enriching the texture with honeyed, spicy and slightly tannic nuances. On the palate, the balance is masterful: a beautiful mineral tension supports a full-bodied and structured wine, whose saline and persistent finish leaves an unforgettable impression.

A natural and unfiltered wine, this unique cuvée deserves to be decanted to reveal its full complexity. Served between 10 and 12°C, it pairs magnificently with pan-fried scallops, roasted lobster, truffle risotto, or creamed poultry. A rare, deep, and vibrant wine that will evolve gracefully over 5 to 10 years.

Back to Blaye (exclusive cuvée), Red 2023

Château Frédignac

A retro nod for a wine firmly rooted in the present: "Back to Blaye" embodies a new generation of natural red Bordeaux, resulting from precise work in both the vineyard and the cellar. Château Frédignac, a pioneer of clean and committed viticulture in the Blaye – Côtes de Bordeaux appellation, has created an exclusive 2023 cuvée that is both expressive and digestible.

Valued terroir, committed expertise

Planted on the typical clay-limestone soils of the Blaye area, the Merlot (65%), Malbec (25%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%) grape varieties are cultivated according to organic farming principles (certified AB & Nature & Progrès). The winemaking remains true to the natural spirit: destemmed maceration for two weeks, without oenological intervention or exogenous yeasts, followed by aging in concrete tanks to preserve the fruit's brilliance.

A lively and generous red

On the nose, the wine releases aromas of ripe black fruits, fresh herbs and sweet spices. On the palate, the attack is supple, the tannins present but well integrated, supported by a beautiful freshness. The wine gains intensity throughout the tasting, with a rounded and balanced texture.

To share today or to let age a little...

Back to Blaye can be enjoyed now, slightly chilled (14-16°C), with a nice plate of charcuterie, a red meat dish or a family meal. No need for a decanter: open, breathe, savor! This wine can also age in the cellar for 5 years.

Cyprès de Toi, White 2024

Fond Cyprès

With Cyprès de Toi, Fond Cyprès winery creates an organic Chardonnay from Languedoc, surprisingly fresh and airy in style. This still white wine, made from direct press and aged in stainless steel tanks, highlights the purity of the fruit, the vivacity of the grape varietal, and the simple deliciousness of an accessible natural wine.

An unadorned Chardonnay

Grown on clay-limestone soils, the Chardonnay is harvested early to preserve its natural acidity. Directly pressed, it ferments with indigenous yeasts without the addition of oenological inputs, then it is aged for six months in stainless steel tanks to retain all its freshness and aromatic brilliance. The result: a straightforward, clear wine, ready to drink.

A lively, floral and refreshing white wine

The nose evokes white flowers, fresh lemon, and a slight hint of green apple. On the palate, tension dominates: a lively attack, a light body, a clean and citrusy finish. A wine that is very easy to drink, without heaviness, but with a precise expression of the grape varietal in a sunny climate.

To be enjoyed without delay

Served between 10 and 12 °C, Cyprès de Toi is perfect as an aperitif, but also pairs very well with shellfish, seafood, grilled fish, or white meats with herbs. Drink within two years to appreciate all its freshness and brilliance.

Cinsauriel Red 2021

Jean Louis Pinto

Cinsauriel is an organic and natural red wine from the Languedoc region, produced by Jean-Louis Pinto of the Es d’Aqui estate. 100% Cinsault, classified as Vin de France, it comes from the schist soils of Berlou, near Saint-Chinian.

Vinification

Cinsauriel is obtained by fermentation with indigenous yeasts and a month of maceration of the whole bunches in sandstone jars, the container where the aging also takes place.

Tasting

Beautiful bright ruby color, nose of pepper, rose and strawberry, accents of garrigue, candied black olive and prune. Lively and powerful, Cinsauriel is a robust and distinguished wine. It calls for solid foods: beef, roast pork, roast poultry such as chicken, capon or duck. He also enjoys charcuterie and cured meats.

Learn more about Jean-Louis Pinto and the Es d’Aqui estate

A child of Ariège, Jean-Louis Pinto chose to stay in the country and make wines that resemble their terroir, hence the name Es d’Aqui (“He is from here”) that he gave to his wine merchant estate, located in Moulin-Neuf, a town near the Aude, between Mirepoix and Limoux. A region where vines once abounded, until the major mildew attacks at the beginning of the 20th century.

Winemaker and merchant

Jean-Louis buys grapes grown organically by winegrower friends. He monitors the fruit set, the ripening, and does everything to know the grapes before harvesting them. He vinifies them at home using natural methods, practicing long macerations on whole bunches and very gentle pressings in a vertical press. He says he has "a lot of vines in common" with his friend Anthony Tortul (La Sorga).

All the terroirs of Languedoc

Jean-Louis Pinto's collection area extends throughout Languedoc, particularly in Hérault, Aude, and Tarn. "I make wines from the South," he says. "I'm mainly looking for terroirs that give freshness." The most powerful reds are made in five terracotta jars, which help him control extraction and give his wines, he says, "a very crystalline quality."

La barrique du chat botté Red 2017

Lindenlaub

Bright, savory, fresh, and deep, this wine goes down fast. This Cuvée du Chat is a still red wine made from Alsace Pinot Noir, cultivated and vinified by Christophe Lindenlaub. The grapes are hand-harvested from the Sempel and Thomen plots, facing south on the Stierkopf terroir. These plots contain the oldest Pinot Noir vines on the Lindenlaub estate. The clay-limestone soil on a sandstone substrate refines and accentuates the wine's clarity, giving it a straightforward personality and plenty of character. The grapes spend two weeks in maceration tanks to extract their color, then age in stainless steel tanks. This vintage comes from the Lindenlaub estate via the Parisian-Burgundian wine merchant Le Chat botté & Co, which selects beautiful bottles each year for its “La Barrique du Chat botté” series, illustrated with a collector’s label.

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Christophe Lindenlaub succeeds his father Jacques at the head of their twelve-hectare wine estate, cultivated by their family for almost three centuries. Viticulture there dates back two centuries, the activity previously being mixed. The Lindenlaub estate is located in the village of Dorlisheim, near Molsheim and Mutzig, on splendid clay-limestone terroirs on sandstone bedrock. All the classic Alsatian grape varieties are cultivated, and all types of Alsace wines are produced, from still red or white wines to oxidative wines, pet' nat', sweet late harvest wines, crémant, and maceration wines. Christophe's commitment to making wines as close to nature as possible, with complete respect for the terroir, gradually led him to convert the estate—certified organic since 2012—to natural viticulture and vinification. A testament to this goal is the Ensö range, six natural single-varietal cuvées, under the sign of the Chinese ink circle specific to Zen mysticism. This series, Christophe explains, was born from a quest for personal fulfillment and the desire to impart an extra touch of soul to his wines.

Les Poupettes Red 2022,

Clos des B

A remarkably bright color and an equally brilliant aromatic palette! Produced in the Vin de France category and under the Écocert organic label, Les Poupettes is an organic and natural red made from 100% Grenache with no added sulfites, sourced from the Grimaud terroir in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. It is the result of a three-week carbonic maceration of the destemmed harvest in a closed stainless steel vat. No sulfites are added, either during vinification or bottling. Les Poupettes offers beautiful aromas of fresh fruit on the nose: raspberry, cherry, but also plenty of minerality due to the schist sands. The finesse of Grenache with a touch of flint that fits well into the overall picture. A round and delicious palate, plenty of freshness and an incredible rich and brilliant grenadine color.

Why “Les Poupettes”?

Under this pretty name, dedicated to the six granddaughters of Jean-Jacques Granger, nicknamed “the poupettes,” here is a magnificent glouglou, a true gift from the schist terroir of Grimaud, in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Les Poupettes is a light, pleasant, easy-drinking wine, a cuvée that demonstrates the decision to reduce deliberate extraction as much as possible. You can pair it with a good piece of roast pork, for example a fillet or a rack of Black Pork of Bigorre/Collectif Padouen.

Learn more about Clos des B

Clos des B (initials of the two owners) is an organic and natural wine estate located in Grimaud, in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Gwendolyn Berger and Jean-Jacques Branger are the happy producers of the very first natural cuvées from this geographical area. Before the two Bs bought these three hectares of vines, all these wines went to the cooperative cellar of the Vignerons de Saint-Tropez. Driven by a "thirst for vines," as they say, Gwendolyn and Jean-Jacques overcame administrative difficulties, restored the vineyard, and soon produced reds, rosés, and even a blanc de noirs. Their grape varieties are typical of the region: Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, growing on schist sands crisscrossed by quartz veins. The property benefits from a microclimate that protects the vines from humidity, disease, and frost. The viticulture and winemaking approach resolutely embraces organic (the estate is under the Écocert label, applied for in 2020), biodynamics, and natural methods. The wines are made without added sulfites, fining, or filtration. The wines of Clos des B are a true reflection of their terroir and climate: fresh, fruity, and very pleasant to drink, beautiful natural wines from the terroir of Provence.

Coup de Foudre Rosé 2021,

Domaine Bois Moisset
A cloudy pink color that already makes you thirsty, a nose that expresses its fruit and fermentation discreetly, while the palate, on the contrary, blossoms with great opulence and roundness, making this Coup de foudre a very easy-drinking wine. The texture on the palate is soft, enveloping, silky, with a fruity and delicious substance. The bubbles are fine and lively, with a tonic and tense finish. From the beginning to the end of the tasting, notes of bitter orange and candied citrus peel, a lovely mineral astringency and a bitterness that further ennobles the whole, balancing the velvety fruitiness. A magnificent bottle, this Coup de foudre, which one might think is vinified in a tuns given its name, but this is not the case: here we have an entirely organic and natural wine, one hundred percent Cabernet Sauvignon, pressed at the harvest and fermented in fresh juice in a room where the temperature is maintained at 19 °C. This alcoholic fermentation is followed by malolactic fermentation and the wine is bottled without filtration. The secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle with indigenous yeasts and, of course, without sulfites added at any stage of the vinification. Disgorging in December. We recommend chilling this beautiful wine upright for a day before opening to avoid excessive overflow upon opening.

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The name Gaillac, the region where the Bois-Moisset estate is located, owned by Sylvie Ledran and Philippe Maffre, has been associated with wines since Antiquity; it is the oldest vineyard in France, with two thousand years of history and an impressive collection of ancient indigenous grape varieties. It is also a region of dazzling beauty, nicknamed "French Tuscany" because of its gentle hills planted with groves and its almost Florentine brightness. Many estates, along with that of Bois-Moisset, showcase this uniquely rich winemaking heritage. Along with a vineyard, this is an organic mixed farm that directly sells its production of lentils, sunflower oil, cereal flours, and grape juice. A herd of old local breed cows also thrives there, and guest rooms are available during the summer months. It is in this small rural paradise that natural wines typical of their origin and terroir are born, on fifteen hectares of boulbènes, gravelly and sandy-loam soils carried by the Tarn for thousands of years. The grape varieties are dominated by Syrah and Duras, but the ampelographic richness of the Gaillac region (braucol, prunelart, loin-de-l'œil, etc.) is also evident in the Bois-Moisset estate's vintages, which consist particularly of red wines with crisp fruit, concentrated but with smooth and delicate tannins.

Punch Coco 20° - 100cl

Distillerie Longueteau

This coconut punch is a marvel, encapsulating the quintessence of the coconut trees that line the shores of Guadeloupe. This punch is made with the utmost respect for Guadeloupean traditions. Each nut is carefully selected, cracked, grated, and then blended with a decoction of Longueteau 50° rum infused with natural vanilla. The whole thing macerates for several weeks. The profile of this punch is very slightly sweet, marked by fresh coconut and subtle notes of fresh, toasted almonds.

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The Longueteau distillery, located in Capesterre-Belle-Eau (Guadeloupe), is the oldest distillery on the island still in operation. It has the distinction of being entirely self-sufficient in sugar cane production, which it uses to obtain its magnificent terroir agricultural rums. Agricultural rum, we should point out, is made from pure sugar cane juice, unlike many other Caribbean rums, which are produced from cane molasses. It is a specialty of the French West Indies. The estate is currently in the hands of François Longueteau, a distiller since 1979. Production is, as it was originally, artisanal and traditional, but the sugar cane terroirs are developed using plot-by-plot methods - this is the great originality of Longueteau, the first distillery on the island to have adopted this approach. Two varieties of sugar cane, blue cane and red cane, are cultivated, as well as fruits from the Guadeloupean terroir. Longueteau rums and the resulting preparations (punches, shrubbs, etc.) are fine, aromatic, deep and fragrant.

Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Charmottes Red 2020,

Frédéric Cossard

This Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Charmottes 2020, by Frédéric Cossard, is a vibrant and natural expression of this prestigious appellation from the Côte de Nuits. Produced using unpretentious vinification, it reveals exceptional aromatic depth, combining floral finesse and fruity intensity.

The Nuits-Saint-Georges AOC, an exceptional terroir

Renowned for its structured and expressive wines, the Nuits-Saint-Georges AOC offers powerful and distinguished reds with long aging potential. The Charmottes plot, located on deep clay-limestone soils, gives this wine a beautiful concentration and a satiny feel. In the old Burgundian dialect, "charmottes" or "charmes" refers to formerly fallow lands, now enhanced by the meticulous work of Frédéric Cossard.

A natural and elegant Pinot Noir

This 2020 vintage, produced through a whole-bunch maceration, expresses a captivating floral nose, blending peony and violet, before giving way to an explosion of fruit black like blackberry and blackcurrant. On the palate, the body is silky and supple, with tannins of rare elegance and a lingering finish marked by a subtle minerality.

A wine of character, to enjoy now or to keep

With its balanced structure and its aging potential of 5 to 10 years, this Nuits-Saint-Georges can be enjoyed young, for the purity of its fruit, or after a few years, for a more complex and refined expression. Serve between 16 and 18°C, it will perfectly accompany a grilled prime rib, duck breast with red fruits or game in sauce. A great Burgundy wine, in a natural and masterful interpretation.

Pure malt, first peat, organic malted barley brandy, Ergaster Distillery

Ergaster Distillery

This is Ergaster's peated whisky, aged for eighteen months in new French oak barrels and then in reused barrels containing equal proportions of Banyuls, Cognac, and Pineau des Charentes. The nose is floral and musky, finishing with a mineral and earthy note. The attack is sweet, smoky, and saline, well-structured, then gives way to leather, cocoa bean, and a hint of prune. The finish is warm and woody, leaving aromas of toasted almonds on the palate. Those who love peat will love it, those who have never tried it can learn.

Himmel auf Erden Blanc 2018

Christian Tschida
Heaven on Earth: this is the name of this dry white wine made from destemmed and crushed Weissburgunder, Scheurebe, and a touch of Muscat grapes, with a brief skin maceration. Aged for a year in large barrels, bottled unfiltered and unsulfured. The title of a work by Austrian artist Alfred Hrdlicka, known for his iconoclastic style, inspired the name of the cuvée. Crisp, sweet, and romantic without lacking complexity, this wine offers great aromatic precision and superb texture. A masterpiece for a romantic dinner, pikeperch with beurre blanc or grilled turbot.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Sémélé (exclusive vintage) Rosé 2023,

Sous le Végétal

With Sémélé 2023, Sous le Végétal revisits the notion of rosé by offering a cuvée halfway between a light red and a structured rosé. A bold blend of 50% Avgoustatis macerated for a week and 50% Muscat Petit Grain pressed directly, it reveals beautiful aromatic intensity and vibrant acidity.

A rosé off the beaten track

This wine is distinguished by its deep, vivid color, revealing its structure and aromatic intensity. The short maceration of Avgoustatis gives it fine tannins and a nice length on the palate.

A fruity nose and a balanced palate

The nose explodes with notes of strawberry, raspberry and crisp red fruits. On the palate, the attack is fresh, the structure light but persistent, with a tangy and dynamic finish.

How to enjoy Sémélé?

At 10-12°C and decanted before tasting, Sémélé will accompany summer grills, Mediterranean dishes and soft cheeses. With an aging potential of more than 10 years, it will gain complexity with time.

BN Blanco Natural White 2022,

Partida Creus

A fresh and vibrant Macabeu from the clay-limestone terroir of Catalonia
BN Blanco Natural 2022 is a pure and luminous interpretation of the Macabeu grape variety, produced in the sunny Bonastre region of Catalonia. This natural white wine, vinified using direct pressing and aged for 8 months in stainless steel vats, captures the essence of the clay-limestone terroir while revealing a fresh and thirst-quenching personality. With only 10% alcohol, it is part of the line of light, easy-drinking wines full of character.

Tasting: a brilliant freshness
BN Blanco Natural seduces with its aromatic delicacy. On the nose, it reveals notes of juicy pear, white flowers and a touch of minerality. On the palate, freshness dominates, supported by a well-balanced acidity and a silky texture. The subtly saline finish reflects the maritime character of its terroir. This wine is a true call to conviviality and simple pleasures.

An ideal wine for gourmet moments
This light white goes perfectly with grilled fish, seafood or delicate dishes made with fresh vegetables. It also goes wonderfully with summer salads, fresh cheeses or dishes with Mediterranean influences. Versatile, it can be enjoyed as an aperitif or with a meal.

Served chilled, between 10 and 12°C, this wine does not require decanting and can be enjoyed immediately. It also offers a good aging potential of 5 years, allowing its aromas to gain complexity over time.

Munjebel Red 2022,

Frank Cornelissen

The traditional essence of Etna in an iconic cuvée
The Munjebel 2022, a pure Nerello Mascalese, is a true ode to the unique terroirs of the northern Etna valley. Made with grapes from the estate's best plots (Zottorinoto-Chiusa Spagnolo, Feudo di Mezzo-Sottana, Porcaria) and from vineyards selected for this cuvée (Rampante Sottana, Piano Daini, and Crasà), this wine reflects Frank Cornelissen's vision of a balanced, traditional, and rich wine. Vinified in destemmed maceration for one month and aged briefly in vats, it combines freshness and maturity.

A rich and spicy Nerello Mascalese
The Munjebel 2022 seduces with its bright and deep ruby ​​color. On the nose, it reveals captivating aromas of spices, ripe red fruits and a minerality typical of basalt soils. On the palate, it impresses with its elegant structure and fine tannins, perfectly balanced by a fruity sweetness and vibrant freshness. The finish, long and harmonious, leaves a spicy and slightly saline imprint, characteristic of the great wines of Etna. Best enjoyed between 14 and 16°C, after decanting to express all its richness.

A gastronomic wine par excellence
This generous and balanced red is the ideal companion to grilled or sauced red meats, Mediterranean-flavored stews and mature cheeses. It fits perfectly into a gourmet meal, enhancing each bite with its aromatic complexity.

With extended aging potential, the Munjebel 2022 stands out as a classic and masterful interpretation of Nerello Mascalese, rooted in tradition and enhanced by Cornelissen's expertise.

AA Anonimo Ancestral Rosé 2018

Partida Creus
The olfactory and flavor notes of this Anonimo Ancestral evoke undergrowth, grass, and yeast, along with red fruit. This wine is a sparkling rosé with a creamy texture and fine bubbles, offering a magnificent mineral sensation on the palate, superb texture, and remarkable freshness that requires a very low serving temperature (8-10°C) in a Bordeaux or tulip glass. Obtained using the bottle refermentation method and aged for twelve months on fine lees, it is not filtered or sulfite-added. It is the result of a blend of several traditional Catalan grape varieties that differ depending on the color: for example, Xarel lo, Macabeu, Parellada, Moscatel, and Ull de Llebre. The blend and its proportions are subject to variation depending on the vintage. It pairs well with Mediterranean dishes, particularly those containing garlic, for example, snails Burgundy style, a Romesco sauce, cod aioli, etc. Anonimo Ancestral is a friend of all grilled dishes, including fish and seafood (octopus, squid, etc.).

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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 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.

SM Rouge 2018,

Partida Creus
This Partida Creus estate is as important from a winemaking perspective as it is from a historical perspective—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 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. On their part, it’s not just a matter of saving heritage, no: it’s a matter of taste and nature. Natural wines, which they will continue to make from now on on these sandy, poor, clay-limestone or clay-gravelly, poor and poorly irrigated lands, where the vines suffer to give 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. Moscatel, Grenache, Merlot, and Cabernet (among others) are also grown there. Few wineries can boast 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 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 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 exclamations of joy. This red Sumoll, a very old Catalan red grape variety long neglected, is a favorite at Partida Creus. Not very productive, Sumoll gives its best on poor soils, which gives it great concentration, a beautiful balance, a black and juicy fruit, dense and generous, notes of spices and Mediterranean plants, and finally an earthy, animal and smoky character. The short maceration allows to preserve the freshness and acidity. It will be excellent with red meats, roasts, duck, but the range of its pairings is in truth very vast.

Garnatxa Wine Beer 2020, Cyclic Beer Farm

Cyclic Beer Farm
Packaged in 75 cl bottles so everyone can satisfy their thirst, the beers from the Barcelona-based brewery Cyclic Beer Farm play between classicism and flights of inspiration, in a contrasting and creative way, in the Catalan style. Based on classic principles and a Belgian fermentation model, the two brewer-winemakers Joshua and Alberto play with ingredients, aromas, and macerations, including cereals, fruits, vegetables, and grape skins from Catalan grape varieties, to achieve flavors reminiscent of an unidentified drinkable object (OBNI). Whether they assert themselves on balance or on a certain controlled dissonance, these beers will never leave you indifferent and will reveal their full potential in the summer heat, served well chilled. Garnatxa (6.7% alcohol) is part of the Cyclic Beer Farm 2020 Wine Ales series, which also includes Carignan, Xarel·10 and Trepat. They are fermented with the skins of local grape varieties. All the grapes are organic and harvested by hand before being pressed or macerated for winemaking. The resulting marc (skins and stems) is then added to already fermented and aged beers, selected for each type of grape variety. A maceration of one to six months follows to allow the residual sugar to complete its fermentation and the character of the grape variety to be communicated to the beer through infusion. Before bottling, brewers decide whether or not to add beer to achieve the desired flavors, based on acidity, the natural taste of the grape variety, tannins, complexity, and drinkability.
Brewers choose beers from three bases: their saison, their sour base (fermented from their lactic acid bacteria blend and their indigenous yeast blend), and their “funky” base (indigenous yeast and a cocktail of brettanomyces yeasts). After blending and bottling, the beers referment and mature for varying lengths of time.
Here, the garnatxa (Grenache) and carinyena (Carignan) grape varieties give this beer a lovely pink color and fruity and tannic accents, enhanced with a touch of wildness from the funky fermentation base.

Sumoll Red 2019,

Cyclic Beer Farm

Cyclic Beer Farm is a duo of friends from Barcelona, 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, are available 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 part is the wine, made exclusively from native Catalan grape varieties. As merchant winemakers, Alberto and Joshua themselves harvest by hand from organic wineries throughout Catalonia and bring the harvest to their winery-brewery workshop in La Sagrera (Barcelona). There they sort the grapes, tread them under foot and vat 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 the whites and between six and fifteen days for the 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 to the vinification; nothing is added or removed from the wine, which is never filtered. The harvest and other viticultural operations are decided according to the lunar calendar.
This all-Sumoll red wine (a traditional Catalan grape variety) comes from almost century-old vines planted in Mas Llorenç, in the Lower Penedès, on limestone soils. The altitude of the plot is 260 meters. The harvest is sorted, 10% foot-crushed, then undergoes 27 days of semi-carbonic maceration. After a second, very moderate crushing, fermentation continues in stainless steel tanks. This wine truly reflects the grape variety's signature, with a very fresh attack, lovely acidity, fruity complexity, and moderate tannins. Its modest alcohol content makes it a good aperitif and get-together wine. It will be a hit at a summer barbecue.

Trepat Red 2019,

Cyclic Beer Farm

Cyclic Beer Farm is a duo of friends from Barcelona, 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, are available 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 part is the wine, made exclusively from native Catalan grape varieties. As merchant winemakers, Alberto and Joshua themselves harvest by hand from organic wineries throughout Catalonia and bring the harvest to their winery-brewery workshop in La Sagrera (Barcelona). There they sort the grapes, tread them under foot and vat 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 the whites and between six and fifteen days for the 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 to the vinification; nothing is added or removed from the wine, which is never filtered. The harvest and other viticultural operations are decided according to the lunar calendar.
The tannins have pride of place in this 100% Trepat red wine (a traditional Catalan grape variety); they assert themselves from the attack with a crisp acidity. Rustic and fruity, invigorating, almost a gurgle (it needs a little time and rest to become fully so). The grapes grow on a clay-limestone plot in Prenafeta (municipality of La Conca de Barberà) and the vines are two years old. The altitude is 400 meters. The harvest, hand-picked, is crushed and then macerated for twelve days on the skins and stalks, with punching down every two days. A second, very gentle crushing precedes the second phase of fermentation in stainless steel vats.