White Wine Soellner Irden 2018. Roter Veltliner is little known outside of its native Austria, but white wine aficionados across the world are quickly realising the qualities of this cult variety. The stronghold of the variety is the Wagram region which is set on rolling hills on either side of the Danube river. Here plantings of Roter Veltliner had been decreasing drastically and owe their survival to the dedication of local winemakers like the Soellner family who recognised the potential of the variety. The variety gets its name from its red-tinged grapes which do not give any colour to the finished wine. The family ferment 80% of the Roter Veltliner grapes with the skins to add extra complexity to the finished wine and the remaining 20% in a stoneware tank. The wines are then blended and bottled in unique black stoneware bottles which are sealed with organic corks. This unusual white wine is sure to delight fans of dry Riesling and Gruner Veltliner thanks to its crisp aromas of lemon zest, apples and white flowers. On the palate there is a racy acidity, light body and pure fruit flavours with a very clean finish.
2018
White Wine Soellner Irden 2018
White Wine Isole e Olena Chardonnay 2018. Isole e Olena is a family-owned winery which has been in the attentive hands of the De Marchi clan since the 1950s. The property is actually formed of two estates, Isole and Olena, in the heart of Chianti Classico which were purchased by the family and worked together as a single winery. Today the leading light of the winery is fourth generation winemaker Paolo De Marchi who cut his teeth working vintages in California and France before heading home to put what he had seen and learned into practice. Known as Mr Sangiovese” in Italy, Paolo De Marchi has put his stamp on the industry since taking over Isole e Olena at the tender age of 25. He was amongst the early Super Tuscan pioneers with his 100% Sangiovese wines and focus on elegance and finesse which is perfectly demonstrated by this graceful Chardonnay. Reminiscent of fine white Burgundy, this stunning wine opens with toasted almond and buttery notes which evolve into ripe tropical fruit, brioche and a clean minerality on the palate. The influence of oak is very well-balanced, giving a rich creamy texture and generous nutty flavours that linger long on the tongue. Consider pairing this elegant Chardonnay with sole meunière, seared scallops or even chicken in a creamy sauce to show it off at its best.
2018
White Wine Jean-Paul Benoit Droin Chablis 2018. The Droin family have been producing wine in Chablis for over four centuries. This domaine is named after Jean-Paul Droin who started to work in the family business in 1965 aged just 14, and his son Benoit who joined the business in 1999. The property sits in the heart of Chablis and is blessed with some exceptional vineyards including several Grand and Premier Cru sites. This bottling is their charming Chablis AOP which is sourced from shallow soils made up of grey marl and limestone rich in fossils. Wherever possible the family adopt sustainable practices in the vineyard, including regular ploughing of the soils to eliminate weeds. Once in the winery the fruit is pressed gently and fermented using wild yeasts in stainless steel tanks. The young wine is then left to rest for 8-10 months before it is lightly filtered and bottled. Zingy citrus fruit immediately leaps out of the glass followed by hints of salty minerality from the terroir. The first sip reveals a racy, mouthwatering freshness, intense lemon and green apple flavors, and a pure, clean finish. It’s a great choice to serve as an elegant aperitif alongside fresh seafood, sushi, leafy salads, or canapes.
2018