New Year, New Wines

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Markus Altenburger Chardonnay Vom Kalk 2021
Burgenland, Austria
$28.95 / bottle
$347.40 / case of 12
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Tornatore Valdemone Spumante Rosato Extra Dry
Sicily, Italy
$31.95 / bottle
$191.70 / case of 6
Markus Altenburger Chardonnay Vom Kalk 2021
  • White Wine
  • Chardonnay
  • Biodynamic, Natural, Organic
  • Dry
  • Light Bodied
  • 750ml
  • 12.5% alc./vol

Markus Altenburger Chardonnay Vom Kalk 2021

Burgenland, Austria
$28.95per bottle ($347.40per case)
12 bottles per case
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Bright & Lush

The Altenburger family has farmed land in and around Jois since the 16th century. Their vineyards are only half an hour from Vienna, but seemingly in another cosmos altogether.

Grown on calcareous loam, the The Chardonnay vom Kalk is the counterpart to Blaufränkisch vom Kalk – which is Altenburger's most famous wine. Markus lets the vines do their work in the vineyards and the wine do its thing at the winery. The result is therefore honest: natural wines that translate the terroir and the cool climate aspect through and through. In a visit to the winery in May, 2022, Markus confirmed that 2021 had been an exceptional year for his white wines.

For this wine, half of the fruit gets pressed directly, while the other half macerates on the skins for two days. This skin contact maceration adds a lot of texture and character to the wine. 50% of the juice ferments in concrete eggs, and 50% in big oak casks.

Pale gold colour, with a stony, chalky nose and aromas of fresh peaches. On the palate, fine aromas of exotic fruits such as tangerine and meyer lemon bloom, accompanied by a salty minerality. It has a dense structure coming from the ageing in concrete and big wooden barrels, with fresh acidity. Long finish.

Enjoy this Chardonnay with with fresh fish or creamy lemony pasta.

About the Winery

Markus Altenburger

The Altenburger family has farmed land in and around Jois since the 16th century. Their vineyards are only half an hour from Vienna, but seemingly in another cosmos altogether. 

Markus is fascinated by Blaufränkisch – the red grape of Burgenland. He works with massal selections from his Gritschenberg vineyard's old vines. There, loose clusters and small berries are well adapted to the dry Pannonian summers. The grapes express the schist for fruiter wines charming in their youth, as well as the limestone, for length and structure. The wines express this tension, the influences of limestone and schist soils, and something of the wild abundance of nature, as well.

Since Markus took over his family’s estate more than a decade ago, he’s moved from what he calls “well-behaved wines” to those that are much closer to nature and bear a far more personal stamp. In the cellar, he favours native yeasts, minimal added sulphur, long, protective lees contact, and concrete and neutral wood for ageing. 

Tornatore Valdemone Spumante Rosato Extra Dry
  • Sparkling Wine
  • Nerello Mascalese
  • Sustainable
  • Dry
  • Light Bodied
  • 750ml
  • 12.5% alc./vol

Tornatore Valdemone Spumante Rosato Extra Dry

Sicily, Italy
$31.95per bottle ($191.70per case)
6 bottles per case
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Fine & Delicate

A rising star in the Etna region, Tornatore is becoming one of the region's biggest and most respected wineries. Their vineyards are located at an altitude of 1,000 meters above sea level on the north side of this active volcano.

This sparkling wine is made form Nerello Mascalese grapes. It is fine and elegant on the nose, with delicate and continuous bubbles. The nose is fragrant and harmonious, with pleasant aromas of wild strawberry, roses and red geranium. Fresh and savoury on the palate, it is creamy and has a hint of red berries .

This is a perfect sparkling wine to enjoy at aperitif time, with charcuterie, salmon tartare and pizza.

About the Winery

Azienda Agricola Tornatore

Out of a Sicilian family heritage that traces back to the 17th century, the Tornatore’s Mount Etna wine ventures began in 1865. Today the family’s operations are headed by Giuseppe Tornatore, a businessman whose expertise led to the acquisition of some of the region’s finest north-facing vineyards in the early 2000’s. That heritage and the Tornatore’s profound respect and understanding of the land is showcased in wines that capture the essence of Etna, deftly balancing concentrated flavors, complexity, freshness and refinement.

The company lies in the northern side of Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. The soils have volcanic origin and were created through the disintegration of lava, ash and stones from previous volcanic eruptions. The climate on the northern side of the Etna is characterized by mild temperatures, and more rain fall reflecting the influence of the Volcano. The combination of soil, climate and the skill of the winemakers, have made the northern slope of Etna an ideal area for the production of high-quality wines. “Our vineyards and our winery are only a few kilometers from our family home. Our entire family is rooted there. We have the greatest respect for this region, and we believe we have a responsibility to be stewards of Etna and to reflect its distinct character in our wines.” - Giuseppe Tornatore