Sommelier Selections

Rich & Mineral

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.

The Etna Rosso has notes of red berries, morello cherry and black cherry on the nose. Mediterranean herbs and white pepper framed in glossy tannins and fresh acidity. The palate is characterized by a surprising fullness, flavour and persistence.

Etna Rosso is very food friendly and versatile. It can be paired perfectly with a wide variety of dishes. Tomato sauces are a natural pairing for this wine; but it also goes great with roasted meats, sausages, meatballs; and oily fish like smoked sardines.

Bold & Floral

Located on the hills that rise from the Adriatic Sea and neighbouring the coastal town of Vasto in Abruzzo, the Jasci family has been growing grapes and producing wine for three generations. In 1980, the family decided to convert the farm to organic, becoming one of the first ten wineries in all of Italy to be certified. 

This vegan-certified wine is made from hand-picked Montelpulciano grapes cultivated at 250 meters in the sunny hills of Abruzzo. The healthy grapes macerate on the skins for 15 days and age in concrete tanks. Expect intense floral aromas of violet on the nose that intermingle with fruity notes of strawberry and black currant, backed with fragrant hints of cinnamon and vanilla. On the palate is full-bodied, round and with a long fruity aftertaste.

This bold Montepulciano d'Abruzzo pairs well with flavourful dishes, such as hoisin and balsamic glazed lamb chops or seared mushrooms with garlic and thyme.

Light & Earthy

The vineyards of Fattoria di Sammontana are located along the hills that border the Arno River, 20km to the south west of Florence. Today, the family - now in its fourth generation - runs the farm according to organic and biodynamic practices, with the intent to fully preserve and sustain the traditions and winemaking history of the land.

This wine is a nod to the old tradition that made Trebbiano a compulsory component of any Chianti blend. Almost entirely Sangiovese with just a touch of Trebbiano, Alberese is such a delicious, simple and easy drinking wine that it could go with just about anything. 

We particularly love opening a bottle of Alberese when cooking pizza or when having an aperitivo before dinner: a beautiful choice with cured meats, cheeses and olives. Any rich pasta dish made with bacon and tons of pecorino would also be a delicious option!

Intense & Rich

Established in 2001 by Julien Montagné and his family. Clos del Rey is located in the heart of the Maury appellation in the Roussillon. Although Maury is best known for its sweet, port-like wines, Clos del Rey only produces dry red wines now produced as AOC Maury Sec.

Le Sabina is an old bush vine cuvée of grenache, carignan and syrah grown on very stony, black schist soils. This engaging red is a concentrated, aromatic, flavourful wine, with a pure essence of blackberry and blueberry fruit, sweet and resinous wild herbs, scorched earth and liquorice. A highly satisfying and bold ensemble. Tannins are abundant but coated and softened by highly intense fruit extract. Great length as noted by Master Sommelier John Szabo.

This wine is great with BBQ meats, lamb, beef, you name it.

Earthy & Rustic

The construction of Château Plaisance dates back to the 1780s, however its vineyards are much older. Bordering the Margaux appellation, Château Plaisance's vineyards overlooks the Garonne River and counts with ten hectares. 

The soils name 'palues' are mostly composed of clay, with a small percentage of sand. Its particularity is that is is located only a few meters away from the Garonne River. The 'palues' were gained on the river thanks to a draining technique implemented in Bordeaux by the Dutch. The 'palues' contain a large amount of sediments that were before underwater, making it a rich and fertile soil. In the past, wines produced on 'palues' were considered the best of their appellation.

An elegantly matured Bordeaux Superieur with surprising persistence. Named after the limestone soils ('palues') of the vineyards, this blend of 70% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot is showing lovely earthy, leather and licorice notes along with cherry, raspberry and blackcurrant.

 A stunning value.

Pair with rack of lamb and braised fennel.

Rich & Elegant

Just across the Rhone river from the beautiful vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the Lirac appellation extends itself on the low hills alongside the river. This is a blend of Grenache (60%), Syrah (30%) and Cinsault (10%) planted on very old terraces made up of rocky pebbles.

This Lirac rouge shows lovely aromatics with notes of lavender, cinnamon dusted black cherries and plums. Some bright acidity and slightly dusty tannin provide a nice structure for this this full-bodied wine. It's a fantastic pairing for hearty dishes like stews and roasts.

Leathery & Silky

The Baud estate dates back to 1742, today the 9th generation manages the winery. Siblings Clementine and Bastien, both under 30, are making some of the best-value wines in the area. Jura is that narrow valley in the remote hills between Burgundy and Switzerland, which millions of years ago was covered by an Ocean and today still bares many of the fossils from that time. If you kick a stone in a Jura vineyard, it will probably be a fossil!

A delicious blend of 70% Trousseau and 30% Pinot Noir, this cuvée is named “Ancestral” because it is made from Baud's oldest plots of red grapes planted by Clementine and Bastien's grandfather.

This light and whimsical red wine has aromas of leather and concentrated notes of morello cherry and wild strawberries. The tannins are soft, silky, and elegant. Extra sensation with a light chill. 

Enjoy it on its own, or serve with red meats such as game and venison.

Soft & Peppery

Stéphane Aviron can be considered a pioneer in his approach to winemaking in Beaujolais, however he would just tell you that he’s simply returning to the traditional practices that have always made fantastic Gamay wines. Sustainable viticulture, extremely old vines and classic Burgundian techniques.

The Morgon Côte du Py is Stéphane Aviron’s most structured, earthy wine, that is drinkable now and can age wonderfully for as much as ten years. The grapes are sourced from the slopes of an 1150-foot inactive volcano that is regarded as one of the top terroirs in all of Beaujolais. Vines face due south on a well-pitched hillside of volcanic soils with schist and blue stone.

The nose is refined and captivating, offering aromas of ripe berries layered with earthy and mineral undertones. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and balanced, showcasing vibrant crushed berry flavors that lead into a firm, well-defined finish. It pairs beautifully with red meats, hearty stews, French onion soup, soft cheeses, and dark chocolate.