Germany, Spain
Germany is fully capable of producing some of the world's great white wines. One hundred years ago the demand for and thus prices commanded for the wines from the finest vineyards in Piesport, Morcobrunn and Rudesheim rivalled the best wines from Bordeaux. Largely due to the lack of government regulation into the quality of wine output, Germany over the past century became known for producing sweet sugar-water wines at cheap costs, flooding the world market. This has had a negative effect on the perception of Germany wines worldwide, but rest assured we only choose to stock Germany wines of high quality.
The Riesling grape with all its versatility is the main grape variety, and whilst many countries make Riesling, none can match the mouth-watering freshness and supreme delicacy achieved in a Mosel Kabinett from a top producer. Germany dry Rieslings as a rule tend to to be very graceful and elegant as compared to Rieslings from other countries, with an emphasis on finesse, not power. Standout producers such as Robert Weil make the headlines, but Donnhoff, JL Wolf, A Christmann and Dr Loosen are too worth seeking out.
Another most interesting contribution from Germany was Eiswine (ice wine), which until the 1970s was a freak of nature, though is now carefully managed. To produce Eiswine, parcels of vines are left out exposed to the frost, and although the production cost is astronomical they remain very popular. Robust Pinot Blancs and Pinot Gris are also produced in the whites and Pinot Noir, referred to as Spätburgunder is also grown.
The climate in Germany is, for the most part, cool, the exception being in the Pfalz and in Baden. As a result, vineyards are carefully selected with good sunlight exposure a must. For example along the banks of the Mosel River, vines are only planted one side, as there isn't enough sunlight exposure to ripen grapes on the north-facing side.
Key regions include Mosel and Nahe where extraordinary Rieslings are produced.
Spain is definitely one of the new-world players to keep an eye on. It is the land of old-vines, american oak and sherry! The main varieties grown in Spain are Tempranillo and Garnacha (Grenache) in the reds, and Airén, Viura/Macabeo, Verdejo and Albarino for the whites. Lesser grown whites include Palomino. Other reds successfully cultivated include Carignan, Mourvedre and Mencia.
Although Spain can be quite a warm country, the vast majority of vineyards are 600m or so above sea level, so the cooler nights allow the grapes to develop full colour and acidity.
Rioja is undoubtedly the long-standing king of all the Spanish wine regions, where Tempranillo and Garnacha are commonly blended. However more recently many more regions have come to the forefront of interest. Ribera Del Duero is producing excellent Tempranillo blends rivalling those coming out of Rioja. Jerez in the South is the home of the fortified wine Sherry.
Spanish wine laws created the Denominación de Origen (DO) system in 1932 and were later revised in 1970. These include:
The Riesling grape with all its versatility is the main grape variety, and whilst many countries make Riesling, none can match the mouth-watering freshness and supreme delicacy achieved in a Mosel Kabinett from a top producer. Germany dry Rieslings as a rule tend to to be very graceful and elegant as compared to Rieslings from other countries, with an emphasis on finesse, not power. Standout producers such as Robert Weil make the headlines, but Donnhoff, JL Wolf, A Christmann and Dr Loosen are too worth seeking out.
Another most interesting contribution from Germany was Eiswine (ice wine), which until the 1970s was a freak of nature, though is now carefully managed. To produce Eiswine, parcels of vines are left out exposed to the frost, and although the production cost is astronomical they remain very popular. Robust Pinot Blancs and Pinot Gris are also produced in the whites and Pinot Noir, referred to as Spätburgunder is also grown.
The climate in Germany is, for the most part, cool, the exception being in the Pfalz and in Baden. As a result, vineyards are carefully selected with good sunlight exposure a must. For example along the banks of the Mosel River, vines are only planted one side, as there isn't enough sunlight exposure to ripen grapes on the north-facing side.
Key regions include Mosel and Nahe where extraordinary Rieslings are produced.
Spain is definitely one of the new-world players to keep an eye on. It is the land of old-vines, american oak and sherry! The main varieties grown in Spain are Tempranillo and Garnacha (Grenache) in the reds, and Airén, Viura/Macabeo, Verdejo and Albarino for the whites. Lesser grown whites include Palomino. Other reds successfully cultivated include Carignan, Mourvedre and Mencia.
Although Spain can be quite a warm country, the vast majority of vineyards are 600m or so above sea level, so the cooler nights allow the grapes to develop full colour and acidity.
Rioja is undoubtedly the long-standing king of all the Spanish wine regions, where Tempranillo and Garnacha are commonly blended. However more recently many more regions have come to the forefront of interest. Ribera Del Duero is producing excellent Tempranillo blends rivalling those coming out of Rioja. Jerez in the South is the home of the fortified wine Sherry.
Spanish wine laws created the Denominación de Origen (DO) system in 1932 and were later revised in 1970. These include:
- - Denominación de Origen Calificada (formerly called DOCa) Priorat calls itself DOQ for Denominació d'Origen Qualificada in Catalan and has a track record of consistent quality and is meant to be a step above DO level.
- - Denominación de Origen (DO)- Used for mainstream-quality wine regions. Nearly two thirds of the total vineyard area in Spain is within the boundaries of a DO region.
- - Vino de Calidad Producido en Región Determinada (VCPRD) - This is somewhat of a stepping stone to DO status.
- - Vinos de la Tierra (VdIT) - A level similar to France's vin de pays system, where the regions are much larger.
- - Vino de Mesa (VdM)- The equivalent of 'table wines' from France or Italy
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An impressively complete and versatile wine suitable for immediate appreciation. Rich, yet elegant with beautiful flavours, softness and very approachable - this is great quality for the price! The nose shows ripe redcurrants, wild strawberries, dried herbs and some savoury ... Learn MoreMarques De Tezona Tempranillo 2018$12.00 Per item -
An impressively complete and versatile wine suitable for immediate appreciation. Rich, yet elegant with beautiful flavours, softness and very approachable - this is great quality for the price! The nose shows ripe redcurrants, wild strawberries, dried herbs and some savoury ... Learn MoreMarques De Tezona Tempranillo 2017$12.00 Per itemOut of stock -
A great value tempranillo with an inviting nose of ripe dark berries and plums with hints of smoked spice. An elegant, medium bodied palate with lots of ripe red berried fruit and smoky spice. All supported by fine graphite tannins. ... Learn MoreAltacena Tempranillo 2018$12.99 Per item -
A fun, fruity wine, perfect to enjoy every day with a snack or any Mediterranean dishes, like rice, vegetable or pasta. This wine is representative of the virtues of the Tempranillo variety: intense floral aromas, very fresh red and dark ... Learn MoreAlegro Rioja Tinto Tempranillo 2019$19.99 Per item -
Very bright and cherry red in colour leading to ripe red fruited aromas and flavours combined with subtle vanilla, mocha and liquorice notes. The palate is fleshy and mouth-filling with soft, juicy fruit, soft acidity and supple tannins. A very ... Learn MoreVina Muriel Rioja Crianza 2015$19.99 Per item -
Selected small vineyards around the winery, in Salnes Valley, in the heart of the Rias Baixas appellation (in Galicia - Northwestern Spain). The soil is granite, quite rich in quartz but poor in organic components, with a sandy texture. The ... Learn MorePazo Cilleiro Albarino 2019$21.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Selected small vineyards around the winery, in Salnes Valley, in the heart of the Rias Baixas appellation (in Galicia - Northwestern Spain). The soil is granite, quite rich in quartz but poor in organic components, with a sandy texture. The ... Learn MorePazo Cilleiro Albarino 2018$21.99 Per itemOut of stock -
The Finca Nueva Rosado is made for easy and enjoyable drinking. From the creator of Finca Allende, these wines over deliver on expectations. Miguel Ángel de Gregorio, one of the great revolutionaries pushing for modernity in Rioja, is the man ... Learn MoreFinca Nueva Rioja Rosado 2016$23.99 Per itemOut of stock -
The fruit is processed as quickly as possible to preserve freshness. Delicate varietal aromas of spice and fresh roses. A juicy textured palate. Very refreshing to drink with a crisp, dry finish. ... Learn MoreJl Wolf Villa Wolf Gewurztraminer 2019$24.99 Per item -
A representative wine of the new Rioja style, interpreted from modernity. Elegant, balanced and reliable on any occasion, with classic aromas of red fruit and vanilla and subtle hints of liquorice and toffee. Versatile with all kinds of Mediterranean dishes ( ... Learn MoreAlegro Rioja Crianza 2017$24.99 Per itemOut of stock -
The fruit is processed as quickly as possible to preserve freshness. Delicate varietal aromas of spice and fresh roses. A juicy textured palate. Very refreshing to drink with a crisp, dry finish. ... Learn MoreJl Wolf Villa Wolf Gewurztraminer 2018$24.99 Per item -
Classic ruby red with a terracotta hue. Lifted aromas of red berries, cola, vanilla and subtle garden herbs. Ripe fruit flavour is pulled elegantly firm with fine sandy tannins and perky, refreshing acidity. This is an expressive yet refined Tempranillo ... Learn MoreVina Muriel Rioja Reserva 2015$25.99 Per item -
Made by the famous and energetic Ernie Loosen (of Dr Loosen fame), voted one of the World's 50 Most Influential Winemakers in Wine & Spirits Magazine. The fruit for the Wachenheimer Riesling comes from a single-vineyard site , called Königswingert (“King’s ... Learn MoreJl Wolf 'Wachenheimer' Riesling 2019$29.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Made by the famous and energetic Ernie Loosen (of Dr Loosen fame), voted one of the World's 50 Most Influential Winemakers in Wine & Spirits Magazine. The fruit for the Wachenheimer Riesling comes from a single-vineyard site , called Königswingert (“King’s ... Learn MoreJl Wolf 'Wachenheimer' Riesling 2018$29.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Made by the famous and energetic Ernie Loosen (of Dr Loosen fame), voted one of the World's 50 Most Influential Winemakers in Wine & Spirits Magazine. The fruit for the Wachenheimer Riesling comes from a single-vineyard site , called Königswingert (“King’s ... Learn MoreJl Wolf 'Wachenheimer' Riesling 2017$29.99 Per itemOut of stock -
A clear example of the elegance and silkiness of Rioja Reservas but with a more modern profile. With the complexity of long ageing in the barrel and bottle, and the delicateness of the Tempranillo. A wine with intense aromas of ... Learn MoreAlegro Rioja Reserva 2014$34.99 Per item -
The 2018 Riesling trocken is sourced 100% from the calcareous sites in Westhofen. ... Learn MoreWittmann Estate Riesling 2018$36.99 Per itemOut of stock -
The Pfalz Riesling is produced from the grapes of first pickings in our classified sites. These are always picked on the perfect degree of ripeness limiting the amount of fruit acid to a moderate level. The wine unites the minerality, ... Learn MoreA. Christmann 'Pfalz' Riesling 2018$39.99 Per item -
Deep bright red , smokey, bright cherry and cranberry nose , hints of anis , mint and earth . Crunchy and bright on the palate with gorgeous , generous savoury strawberry fruit . Fine but mouthcoating tannins give the wine a long finish . Cool in style ... Learn MoreDr Mayer Remstal Pinot Noir 2018$43.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Sourced from a steep, southeast-facing slope with grey clay slate soil. A perfect vineyard for Kabinett wines! A cool, fresh nose with white peach, fresh fig and apple aromas. With well-defined, spicy fruit, very elegant with a wonderful balance between ... Learn More -
The small village of Graach lies between two more-famous neighbours: Bernkastel and Wehlen. This vineyard’s steep, southwest-facing slopes and deep soils produce wines that combine the elegance of Wehlen with the rustic strength of Bernkastel. Because of the forceful ... Learn MoreDr Loosen 'Graacher Himmelreich' Kabinett 2017$46.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Made from 100% Pedro Ximénez, the dominant grape variety in Montilla-Moriles. It's a fino that differs from its Jerez counterparts on two counts: firstly it is made from 100% Pedro Ximénez and secondly it is not fortified (as the grapes ... Learn MoreToro Albala Fino Electrico Bombilla 750Ml$58.99 Per itemOut of stock -
It's naturally fermented, vinified in concrete vats and aged in low toast French and Russian oak for just 12 months. Forest fruits on the nose with some cherry aromas. There are also some earthy notes and hints of liquorice. Has liquorice, ... Learn MoreValenciso Reserva Rioja 2012$59.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Made from 75% Grenache and 25% Carignan. "It fermented with full clusters in stainless steel, where it was kept until bottling. It's a fruit-driven, light, refreshing Mediterranean blend with notes of licorice and wild berries. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins ... Learn MoreTerroir Al Limit Priorat Historic Negre 2017$59.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Toro Albalá put aside select lots of their best vintage wines for later release under this label. These rich and complex Pedro Ximénez wines are destined for very long ageing in oak barrels. After filling and sealing, these barrels ... Learn MoreToro Albala Don Px 1994 (Half Bottle 375Ml)$62.99 Per item -
There is no time limit for storage of this, and it improves with age even in opened bottle. Balsamic on the nose with pronounced notes of carob bean, marinades, liquorice, and raisined plums. These fragrances suddenly evolve into marked herbal ... Learn MoreToro Albala Don Px Gran Reserva 1990 (Half Bottle 375Ml)$62.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Santamanía's unique choice comes from the highest Mountain in Spain, the volcano of Mount Teide in Tenerife. The water that makes its way through the underground volcanic galleries of Tiede derive from the humid trade winds that come off ... Learn MoreSantamania Premium Grape Vodka (700Ml)$69.99 Per item -
100% Tempranillo sourced from an estate-owned vineyard in Rioja. ... Learn MoreLa Rioja Alta Rioja Reserva ‘Vina Alberdi’ 2012$70.00 Per item -
A juniper-driven London Dry style, with a distinctive Spanish accent. A beautifully balanced contemporary gin. The nose shows pungent rosemary and fresh citrus aromas. The flavour profile is both zesty and sappy with delicate floral notes and of course the ... Learn MoreSantamania Madrid Dry Gin 700Ml$79.99 Per item -
The Tempranillo grapes (80%) come from the 30-year-old La Cuesta and Montecillo vineyards, located in Fuenmayor y Cenicero. For the first time in the blend of this brand, the Garnacha (20%) comes from La Pedriza vineyard in Tudelilla (Rioja Baja) at an ... Learn MoreLa Rioja Alta Rioja Reserva ‘Vina Ardanza’ 2008$80.00 Per item -
The Tempranillo grapes (80%) come from the 30-year-old La Cuesta and Montecillo vineyards, located in Fuenmayor y Cenicero. For the first time in the blend of this brand, the Garnacha (20%) comes from La Pedriza vineyard in Tudelilla (Rioja Baja) at an ... Learn MoreLa Rioja Alta Rioja Reserva ‘Vina Ardanza’ 2009$80.00 Per itemOut of stock -
**THIS ONLINE TASTING IS OVER**
This pack contains a bottle of 3 different wines to be opened during an online tasting held on Thursday the 22nd of October 2020. This event is all about the perfect summer ... Learn More
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The Tempranillo grapes (80%) come from the 30-year-old La Cuesta and Montecillo vineyards, located in Fuenmayor y Cenicero. For the first time in the blend of this brand, the Garnacha (20%) comes from La Pedriza vineyard in Tudelilla (Rioja Baja) at an ... Learn MoreLa Rioja Alta Rioja Reserva ‘Vina Ardanza’ 2010$84.99 Per itemOut of stock -
"Almost two years of research have gone into creating a gin that is aged in an entirely natural way. With our RESERVA gin, we have managed to combine the action of oak over time with the delicate flavours and aromas ... Learn MoreSantamania Reserva Dry Gin 700Ml$84.99 Per item -
It's a brilliantly perfumed and floral wine offering ripe red fruits, milk chocolate and spice from the subtle oak. The palate is really fine and medium-bodied--Burgundy weighted even--with notes of fresh plum, cranberry, and again, that subtle and delicious cocoa ... Learn MoreTerroir Al Limit Vi De La Vila Torroja 2016$89.99 Per item -
A stunning combination of elegance and rustic strength. Aromas or white fruit and citrus with floral notes.Rich on the palate with juicy fruit and the crisp minerality balances the slight sweetness. ... Learn MoreBrundlmayer 'Heiligenstein Lyra' Riesling 2016$99.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Good ageing potential. ... Learn More -
A mouthwatering German Riesling, sourced from the Rothenberg vineyard, a "Grosses Gewachs" or "Great Growth" vineyard. Off-dry in character with a cleansing acidity and plenty of citrus and stone fruit make this a perfect aperitif. Aromas of citrus, floral, honey ... Learn MoreGunderloch 'Rothenberg Grosses Gewachs' Riesling 2017$115.01 Per item -
"..an intense, savory aroma, with racy flavors of slate, sea salt and white pepper accented by green apple and white cherry notes. Fine, bright apricot fruit. It is sweet but somehow you hardly notice the sweetness within the harmony of ... Learn MoreJoh. Jos Prum 'Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese' Riesling 2017$130.00 Per itemOut of stock -
The Kirchspiel grand cru site opens toward the Rhine like an amphitheatre. Its southern and southeastern exposure protects the vines from cold westerly winds – and accounts for the excellent microclimate of the vineyard. The soil structure is similar to that ... Learn MoreWittmann Kirchspiel Riesling Grosses Gewächs 2018$145.00 Per itemOut of stock
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