What's In Our Glasses: November

Textured & 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.

This Etna Bianco is made with the indigenous grape Carricante aged in concrete vats. The wine offers pleasant hints of grapefruit, white peach and herbs on the nose. The palate has a lovely texture and freshness complemented by an extraordinary minerality.

It is perfect with young and medium-aged cheeses, poultry and fish. 

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.

Floral & Subtle

Cascina Castlèt has belonged to the Borio family for generations; Mariuccia, the current owner, inherited it from her father in 1970. Mariuccia focuses on her terroir and the local varieties.

The vineyards of the estate are spread over 31 hectares, and are all located in Costigliole d'Asti. The clusters of Barbera were hand-harvested and unveil a rather aromatic wine with a crunchy fruitiness. The wine evokes blackberry and cherry on a delicately floral background. Balanced and delectable, there is even a subtle note of minerality.

A wine that will pair perfectly with white and red grilled meats, salami and young cheeses.

Soft & Creamy

Just across the Rhône river from the beautiful vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the Lirac appellation extends over the low hills alongside the river.

This is a blend of Marsanne, Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Picpoul. The grapes are hand-picked and aged for 8 months in oak barrels.

This wine is creamy and lush, with hints of honeyed tangerine, melon and lime. Backed by a palate that's medium to full-bodied, slowly fading in intensity on the finish. A great example of how deliciously amazing Lirac can be.

What to drink with a Lirac Blanc? This wine and the mediterranean flavours of Bouillabaisse are a super match! It also pairs beautifully with poulet au citron et lavande (Lemon Lavender Chicken), another iconic recipe from the south of France.

Silky & Rich

Ca del Monte is situated on the hillsides overlooking the village of Negrar, in the heart of Valpolicella. This Ripasso shows a pure red-berry and black-cherry bouquet with notes of grilled herbs, iris, violet and almond. With a great depth of flavour, the wine is silky and warm with a surprisingly elegant mid-weight mouth feel that finishes with plump fruit and a well integrated spicy/oak kiss. 

Pair this rich wine with game meats, roast chicken, wood oven pizza and pasta with full flavoured sauces. It is also amazing when served with aged cheeses.

Floral & Fresh

The Puiggros family has been producing wines from their own vineyards in Odena since 1843 for friends and family, however their wines have only been available commercially since 2008. Working exclusively with Garnatxas, the family came to realize that their traditional techniques and special terroir were something worth sharing with the rest of the world.

Exedra Blanc comes from a beautiful vineyard surrounded by pine trees planted with Garnatxa Blanca on limestone and clay soils, at 500 meters above sea level, with a breath-taking view to the beautiful mountains of Montserrat. Hand-harvested, the wine ferments and ages naturally in 800-litre clay amphorae. 

On the nose, the wine is extremely aromatic: lemon zest, fleshy peaches, pineapple; and hints of sweet flowers such as jasmine, Mediterranean herbs and a delicate note of beeswax. On the palate, it has a nice mouthfeel and an ample freshness.

This wine is perfect to pair with seafood and to have on its own as an aperitif.

Floral & Fresh

Vitivinicola Fangareggi is located in the heart of the Lambrusco region, between the provinces of Reggio Emilia and Modena. Their ancestors have been making wine since the 19th century, and in 2004 the family decided to resume their winemaking tradition.

Specialized in making Lambrusco, the family takes care of the whole production from vineyard to bottle. In 2021, they began the process of converting the vineyard to organic farming.

Made from a blend of Lambrusco di Sorbara, Fortana and Pinot Nero, this low-alcohol rosato frizzante is the perfect bubbly to pop and enjoy at any occasion. Rose petals, black cherry, vague reminiscences of bread crust, and lots of freshness. Pop and enjoy.

Juicy & Fresh

While the vineyards that form Punset have been farmed by the Marcarino family for generations, it is truly thanks to Marina and her incredible energy that the estate is how it is nowadays. Her passion for the soil and the environment led her to embrace biodynamics and the agronomic philosophy of Manasobu Fukuoka. From one of the healthiest vineyards in Italy, Marina crafts wines that brim with life, energy, and pure terroir. 

The Barbera d'Alba stands as Punset's flagship wine, exemplifying the esteemed traditional style that defines the Piedmont region. This Barbera is characterized by its authenticity and a desirable touch of rusticity. 

The fermentation process occurs in small batches to prevent elevated temperatures and the emergence of overly jammy aromas. A crucial aspect of the winemaking process is achieving a harmonious balance between alcohol content and acidity, with freshness being the paramount objective.

The resulting ruby red wine presents delightful aromas of fresh red berries that are both intense and harmonious. On the palate, the fruity notes shine through, characterized by an energetic acidity and a dry, clean finish. Its appeal lies in its authentic character and distinctiveness, made even more evident by the complete absence of oak aging.

Thanks to its high acidity, Barbera pairs wonderfully with rich, fatty foods.

Fresh & Crisp

Nestled on the rolling hills of Abruzzo near Vasto, the Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo from the Jasci family, who have cultivated vineyards for three generations, is a vibrant, organic-certified rosé that showcases the region's rich winemaking tradition.

This wine bursts with fruity notes of cherry and strawberry, complemented by subtle hints of grapefruit, apricot, and nectarine. It offers a fresh, lively profile with good body, balanced acidity, and a delightful aftertaste of bitter almond.

Perfectly suited to pair with light salads, seafood, and white meats, this Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo embodies elegance and delicacy, reflecting the sun-kissed terroir of the Abruzzo hills.