Winter Warmer Whites

For those of us who would like a white wine to match the wintery weather outside! 

Delivery timeline:
It requires four full cases of each wine in order for us to build and fulfill four mixed cases. This process usually takes about 7-10 business days but may vary.

Each case includes three bottles of the following wines:

3 bottles x 2021 Soave Classico Grisela Tessari (Veneto, Italy)
White | Garganega

90 Points - Wine Align

Wines from Soave are made with the local grape Garganega. Cantina Tessari has its vineyards in the volcanic hills above il Castello di Soave, which is the original - or 'Classico' - wine growing area in Soave, the best vines are located here.

Tessari’s golden straw coloured Grisela is the backbone of the vineyard; a delicious entry level wine that is meant to be enjoyed on any occasion. Melba toast, elderflower and chamomile aromatics fill the glass with a notable mineral quality. The taste of crushed seashells dance on your tongue with a fun duo of stone fruit and citrus. The finish is refreshing with balanced acidity.

Pairing suggestion: Grisela is excellent as an aperitif. Perfect with light appetizers, rich Italian seafood, risotto with black squid ink or on its own.

3 bottles x 2021 Markus Altenburger Chardonnay Vom Kalk (Burgenland, Austria)

White | Chardonnay

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.

Pairing suggestion: Enjoy this Chardonnay with with fresh fish or creamy lemony pasta.

3 bottles x Domaine Muré Signature Sylvaner 2020 (Alsace, France)
White | Sylvaner
90 points - Wine Align

When Michel Muré settled in Rouffach and planted his vineyard in the 17th century, he surely had little conception of the beautiful adventure that he was setting in motion for his descendants. In 1935, Alfred Muré extended the property with the addition of the 12-hectare (25-acre) wholly owned Clos Saint Landelin, foreseeing already its potential for exceptional quality. He replanted the terraces, ideally situated with their sunny exposure and shelter from the rain.

Nowadays it is Alfred’s grandson René, together with his children Véronique and Thomas, the 11th and 12th generations of the family, who are responsible for running this exceptional, wholly-owned vineyard and its neighbouring terroirs, using biodynamic methods.

Muré's Sylvaner is a lovely wine.  On the nose, it delivers delicate aromas and flavours of quince, green apple and mineral. On the palate, it finishes long and clean with a soft refined perfume. 

Pairing suggestion: Lovely as an aperitif; a must with shellfish and asparagus dishes.

3 bottles x Château de Montfaucon Comtesse Madeleine Lirac Blanc 2020 (Côtes du Rhône, France)
White | Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Picpoul
90 points - Decanter

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.

Pairing suggestion: 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.