White Wine Marcel Deiss Mambourg Grand Cru 2019. The Deiss family have been making wine in Alsace for generations, with the earliest record of the family dating back to 1744 in the village of Bergheim. Since taking over from his father, Jean Michel has successfully turned their estate into one of Alsace’s most promising producers. He’s regarded as a bit of a maverick winemaker thanks to his unconventional methods which include replanting forgotten indigenous Alsatian varieties which are not authorised for use under the appellation regulations. Jean Michel has also replanted many of his Grand Cru sites with a range of different grape varieties which he uses to make field blends like this Mambourg Grand Cru. It’s a complex cuvee of Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Blanc, and the very rare Pinot Beurot grown in an area that has been known for its elegant, long-lived wines since as early as 783. What makes this appellation special is the magnesium-rich limestone soils and hillside setting which helps produce graceful yet powerful wines. On the nose there are complex layers of ripe stone fruit, zesty citrus, mineral notes and hints of white flowers which linger in the glass. The first sip reveals a bright acidity balanced by a smooth texture and intense finish with plenty of rich fruit. A great gastronomic wine which can be paired with roast chicken, pan-fried fish, truffle-base dishes, and most cheeses.
2019
White Wine Marcel Deiss Mambourg Grand Cru 2019
White Wine Markus Huber Berg Erste Lage Gruner Veltliner 2019. Serve well chilled. Markus Huber is one of Austria’s leading young winemakers and was recently named Falstaff Winemaker of the Year” at the awards ceremony that is considered to be the Oscars of the Austrian wine industry. His eponymous winery is set in the Traisental Valley, Austria’s smallest winegrowing region which is famous for its full-bodied Gruner Veltliner and Riesling wines. Markus’ Berg Gruner Veltliner is an Erste Lage” or first-class site” wine, the classification which is given to selected vineyards in recognition of their exceptional terroir. This particular vineyard is planted on terraces on a very steep slope with a 25% gradient. The soil here has very little organic matter, forcing the vines to struggle to get enough nutrients which helps to produce very concentrated and aromatic grapes. After harvest these grapes are carefully transported to the winery and fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged in acacia wood barrels for 8 months on the lees, a process which helps to add more body and a creamy texture. The result is an intense, full-bodied Gruner with plenty of the classic spicy varietal character along with hints of bright citrus and stone fruit. The bold flavour profile makes it a great white to pair with tricky ingredients like asparagus as well as spicy Asian curries and salads.
2019
White Wine Masciarelli Marina Cvetic Chardonnay 2019. The Masciarelli winery was founded in 1981 by visionary winemaker Gianni Masciarelli in his grandfather’s old house with just five acres of vines. Gianni had spent an inspirational summer in France’s Champagne region and returned home determined to make top quality wines in his native Abruzzo. Over the years Gianni’s winery became a benchmark for premium Abruzzo wines, winning 29 Tre Bicchieri awards for his excellent red and white wines. Gianni sadly passed away in 2008, leaving the property in the capable hands of his wife Marina and his oldest daughter, Miriam, who oversee 900 acres of land with vineyards located in each of Abruzzo’s four provinces. Masciarelli’s premium Marina Cvetic wines were first made in 1991 in honour of Gianni’s wife in a style which skilfully combines elegance, power, and plenty of character. This stunning Chardonnay comes from grapes planted in the village of San Martino sulla Marrucina where Gianni founded his winery all those years ago. The fruit is fermented and aged in 100% new French oak barrels for 23 months followed by another year of ageing in the bottle. The extensive ageing helps to create a rich, full-bodied wine with a creamy texture, fine tannins, and intense stone fruit and tropical fruit balanced by vanilla, woodsmoke, and hints of spice.
2019