What's In Our Glasses: October

Bright & Juicy

At the very heart of the Rhône Valley, at the northerly tip of the Southern Rhône, lie the vineyards of Grignan-Les-Adhémar.

Le Devoy checks in as a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan. It has terrific notes of forest floor, cracked pepper, flowers and darker berry fruits as well as medium-bodied richness, an elegant, supple texture and notable purity of fruit. This wine has considerable charm and appeal and makes for a great everyday bottle.

Pair this wine with just about anything!

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 & Zesty

Espérance Rosé exemplifies the Mediterranean lifestyle and 'Joie de Vivre'. The idea is to offer a pure expression of the Mediterranean: a rosé blend made with traditional grape varieties from the South of France: Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah.

This exquisite rosé has aromas of rose petals and sweet English candy on the nose. On the palate, it's fresh, nicely balanced and savoury, with notes of citrus on the finish.

The Espérance Rosé will turn any charcuterie and cheese boards, fresh salads, light pastas, or cold appetizers into a slice of gastronomic heaven.

Rich & Elegant

Softly-textured wine from an estate in Lussac-Saint-Emilion. Moulin Noir consists of seven hectares of vineyards on a good clay and limestone site. The wine is a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc and is aged 12 months in oak.

This notably complex right bank blend from a satellite appellation of Saint-Emilion offers appealing savoury notes along with a mineral, iron component and liquorice spice. The oak treatment is wonderfully integrated with wood spice elevating the bright red fruit. Harmoniously matured, graceful and very elegant. The staying power of the finish is impressive. Drinking very well now.

The high content of Merlot in this wines makes it perfect with spicy Asian dishes like Korean hotpots or Chinese food. It also pairs nicely with roasted lamb or duck terrines and with fatty cheeses like Comté.

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.

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.

Structured & Floral

Located along the Loire river on the most reputable clay and limestone terroir of Saumur-Champigny appellation, Château de Parnay has been producing outstanding wines for more than two centuries.

This wine is made from old vine Cabernet Franc and it shows with beautiful notes of ripe red fruits, mint and spices. The palate is structured, silky and very well balanced. The length is exceptional.

Suggested pairing: grilled white meat, meaty stews, bœuf bourguignon, casseroles, and more) stuffed vegetables, cold meats, soft cheeses. 

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.

Mineral & Rich

In 2010, Joana and António founded Maçanita Vinhos after an invitation from a local Douro family who had read about these playful and ambitious sibling winemakers. Both siblings contribute to Maçanita Vinhos, but the challenging Douro Valley has been Joana’s passion project since the start, and Joana and her children even moved to the Porto area to be closer to the winery and vineyards. Setting down roots in the region has allowed her to focus her famous energy into expanding the rising star that is her Douro career.

Maçanita’s Douro Branco exemplifies the confluence of richness and elegant minerality that is the hallmark of Douro whites. The indigenous Viosinho provides the backbone to this mineral driven wine, showcasing the slate soil and high altitude plantings that fuel this project. Fermented and aged all in stainless steel, Antonio and Joana very capably maintain the freshness and acidity in this wine, yielding a wine of purity and balance.

Bright yellow-gold. On the nose, fresh floral aromas commingle with ripe yellow and green orchard fruit and a touch of slate. On the palate, bright and juicy, with mouth filling concentration and refreshing acidity. A core of green and gold apple, pear and white pepper are wrapped with pleasant floral and mineral flavours on the long finish. Maçanita Douro Branco is a beautiful pair for roasted or grilled poultry, as well as richer seafood dishes.

Bright & Textured

Established in 2007 by the folks at Radford Dale winery in South Africa, the Land of Hope project aims to produce and market a range of premium wines wherein 50% of all profits are directed back towards previously disadvantaged employees, their families, and dependents. The Land of Hope Trust focuses on providing high-quality education and skill development opportunities, empowering individuals for long-term social upliftment and contributing to positive economic and democratic evolution.

Château Haut Grelot is located near the Gironde Estuaire, north of the town of Bordeaux. Haut Grelot has been making wine and taking great care of their vineyards since its establishment in 1920!

This Vin de France is made from 100% Cabernet Franc, sourced from a 2-hectare vineyard with sandy, silty, and clay-rich soils. Yields are kept to 50 hl/ha, with grapes mechanically harvested and sorted. Vinification is followed by 6 months of aging in stainless steel vats to preserve freshness and varietal character. The wine shows a vibrant dark pink hue and a very bright appearance. Its intense nose reveals aromas of strawberry and floral notes, while the palate is round and fruity with lovely richness, leading to a generous, persistent finish.

Perfect to serve young and fresh as an aperitif, with a summer salad, pizzas, or grilled meat.

Volcanic & Floral

A breakout star in the Etna DOC of Sicily, Tornatore has become one of the region's largest and most respected wineries. Established back in 1865, the estate continues to be run by the same family who have acted as the faithful custodians of the land for generations. Tending to high altitude vineyards on the north side of the active volcano, the conditions are ideal for indigenous grape varieties to thrive. The wines are distinctive bottlings which encapsulate the essence of Mount Etna and effortlessly reveal the unique characteristics that make the region one to watch.

The wine has enticing floral scents of spring blossoms and Spanish broom that mingle with summer orchard fruit and wet stone. The tangy, savoury palate boasts finesse and mineral tension, delivering juicy Meyer lemon, creamy pear, yellow apple and saline before a white pepper finish. Fresh acidity brightens the rich flavours.

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

Fresh & Floral

Welcome to the intimate world of Quevedo, a small, family-owned winery where quality is a treasured tradition. The Quevedo family's viticultural heritage spans over five generations, beginning with Abel Gouveia Costa, who planted the first vines in 1889. Through the years, the family diligently expanded their vineyards, culminating in the 1970s when Oscar and Beatriz Quevedo modernized their facilities and established the Quevedo winery in 1993. Today, Quevedo oversees 100 hectares of vineyards and 25 hectares of organic olive groves, with current proprietors Cláudia and Oscar Quevedo Jr. continuing the legacy of crafting exceptional wines.

The Bravo Red is led by notes of violets. It’s followed by a vibrant array of red fruits like raspberry, cherry, and red plum, with a subtle hint of black pepper adding a sophisticated layer. This wine is all about elegance and a silky mouthfeel. It’s incredibly smooth, with a refreshing and spicy finish that makes it dangerously seductive.

Ideal matches for this wine include light meat dishes, pasta, and cheese boards.

Mineral & Spicy

Robert, whose family is originally from Hungary, was born in Canada and grew up on a farm. After some years working as an architect, he found his passion in winemaking, and relocated to his grandparent's country to start a winery.

Furmint is the historic grape of the region and this example shows its true strength. Alongside the lemon and lime rind nose, the palate is led by a lean minerality and exciting flavours that come from the various organically farmed vineyards across Szent György-hegy. The grapes are gently pressed, spontaneously fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks for 6 months. It has a complex character and long aging potential. 

Furmint complements herb-crusted poultry or fish. You can also try it with delicate Asian dishes like sushi or dumplings.