Alanna McIntyre
Product Specialist
This time of year I am looking for good value wines that still have personality and depth. Permien Rouge checks all the boxes for me. This French red blend from the appellation Terrasses-Du-Larsac in the Languedoc-Rousillon is made following organic and biodynamic principles. The blend is 80% old vine Carignan (vines almost 100 years old from volcanic origin soil) with Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre making up the balance. The wine is medium weight and opens on the palate with a red fruit freshness and evolves to floral notes, spice and savory black olive. The wines offers concentration from start to finish with an underlying mineral purity. Enjoy this drop with charcuterie, an earthy vegetarian chilli or meaty stew.
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Jason MacLeod
Assistant Retail Manager
Grown on gravel and sandy soils, this biodynamic Cabernet Franc comes from the heart of the Loire Valley. After being destemmed the grapes spend up to one year aging in concrete tanks. Expect aromas of ripe berries with a lively and juicy palate. Next to no sulfur is added upon bottling.
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Jason MacPhee
Wine Category Manager
Bodegas Alceno is a traditional family-owned winery located in Jumilla, considered to be the first winery in the DO to market wines commercially. The winery has been in operation since 1870. The 12 Meses Monastrell drinks well above its price point. Reminiscent of Monastrell from more sought after regions such as Bandol, The nose is intense with aromas of vanilla, blackberry, spice and some earthy notes. The palate is bold, flavourful, warming, and has just enough tannin to offer some grip.
Ideal for the wine geek and the casual wine drinker. It offers something for everyone. A 20 minute decant will help but its not necessary.
It’s going to be cold until pitchers and catchers report, this will keep you warm until then.
Jenny Gammon
Brand, Communications & Event Manager
Like many, I am a bit of a seasonal wine drinker. When the days are cold and the nights grow dark, I want to curl up next to the fire with a good book and a ripe, warming red wine. Coming from the heart of Spain’s Ribera del Duero region, Casajus is a small operation that crafts honest wines that express the region. Fermented with indigenous yeast and aged in used French and American barrels, this Tempranillo wine has ripe blackberry, plum, and a bright minerality.
Kathryn Harding
Sommelier and Retail Manager
Osvaldo Barberis is a small family-run winery in Piedmonte, Italy. This organically farmed Dolchetto is full of dark black and purple fruit; notes of plums, blackberries & dark chocolate jump from the glass. The flavours carry through to the palate and are joined by a silky mouthfeel, fine tannins, and a fresh acidic finish. I enjoyed this with a simple sausage pasta and finished it while vegging out to Netflix.
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Osvaldo Barberis Dogliani Valdiba
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Lucas Mader
Retail Staff
Mud House Pinot Gris coming to you from Marlborough, New Zealand – from old gold mining lands turned vineyards. Hot summer days and cool nights provide ripeness, and bright acidity lending to great concentration and expressive complexity. After fermentation, a portion of the wine is aged in French Oak barrels for an undisclosed amount of time giving extra lusciousness and subtle oak character. This wine has notes of ripe tropical fruits, citrus, orange blossom, and fresh pear that lead into a medium full body with fresh acidity and long finish.
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Mud House South Island Pinot Gris
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Martha Kelly
Retail Staff
The Librandi Critone Val di Neto Bianco 2018 is harmonious blend of 90% Chardonnay and 10% Sauvignon Blanc. Vines grown in the Calabrian region of Italy, from their Rosaneti and Critone properties. The wine is fermented & aged in stainless steel and a further 6 months in bottle, providing a refreshing and concentrated palate. The ideal white to pair with seafood, white fish or creamy pasta, risotto or chowder.
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Ryan Almeida
Retail Staff
Sitting in somewhat of a sweet spot regarding both quality and price, Bra winery Ascheri (established in 1880) produces a terrific expression of Nebbiolo from the Langhe region with tons of red fruit, delicate tannins, and an abundance of acidity. Pair this with porcini mushroom risotto, cheaper, fattier cuts of slowly braised beef, or hearty, rich stews. I’d be hard pressed to find another instance where Nebbiolo has been so approachable yet so delicious at the same time.
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Tristan Gray
Retail Staff
Malvasia may be new to some of you, but this grape has been quenching thirsts for thousands of years. The Malvasia family of grapes is believed to be named after Monemvasia: the greek trade port which spread the love of this grape throughout the medieval world. At some point before the phylloxera epidemic in Italy, immigrants from Piemonte brought their beloved Malvasia grapes along with them and planted them throughout the Central Coast. Once again this charming aromatic grape won over many winemakers and spread throughout California and there are currently about 500 hectares planted there. The Birichino Malvasia Bianca shows off classic jasmine, honeysuckle, apricot and citrus notes with a subtle green almond richness on the palate which finishes surprisingly dry despite its ripeness. A great accompaniment to spicy food and wonderful on its own – come find out for yourself why this grape has stood the test of time.
