F Furmint
Juliet Victor, Sparkling Furmint Brut Nature 2021
Country – Hungary
Region – Tokaj ABV 11.5%
Furmint is a white grape variety grown in Hungary and Slovakia and the main ingredient of Tokaji Aszú. It is an early budding late ripening variety and is particularly susceptible to botrytis. Its wines are characterised by their high acidity – it is the latter which gives Tokaji wines their longevity. The grape is also grown widely to produce acidic but sturdy dry white wine. The first official release of this 100% furmint sparkling by Juliet Victor winery from the cool south-east facing vineyard of Kiraly. The wine spends 36 months on lees in barrel giving a bready and brioche note. Wine Society £21
A Arneis
Marcarini, Roero Arneis DOCG 2023
Country – Italy Region – Piedmont ABV 14%
Arneis is a white Italian wine grape variety originating from Piedmont, Italy. It is most commonly found in the hills of the Roero, northwest of Alba, where it is part of the white DOCG wines of Roero. The name translates as ‘little rascal’ in local dialect – seemingly named because it’s tricky to grow and perhaps the reason it almost became extinct. That hasn’t stopped the Marchetti family from carrying on the tradition. Sixth-generation winemaker Elisa Marchetti makes this one in Roero from vineyards 300m above sea level. The high altitude and a tank fermentation method helps to preserve the grapes’ natural fruity flavour and freshness. Expect fresh peach and floral aromas and a note of crisp apple.
Majestic £15
H Hárslevelű
Château Megyer, Hárslevelű, Tokaji 2019
Country – Hungary Region – Tokaj ABV 12%
Hárslevelü refers to the ‘lime (tree) leaf”. The grape is native to the Carpathian Basin and is planted in several Hungarian wine regions, but most prominently in Tokaj-Hegyalja. Vinified as a pure varietal dry wine, Hárslevelü is capable of yielding a dense, full-bodied, green-gold wine with an intense aroma spice, pollen and elderflowers. A long ripening season adds tropical fruit notes to this wine’s flinty minerality. Beautiful ripe peach and apricot flavours and aromas. Oxford Wine Co £13.95
G Grüner Veltliner
Ecker Grüner von Eckhof 2024
Country – Austria Region – Niedosterreich ABV 12%
Grüner Veltliner is a late ripening variety that typically produces wines that are pale green in colour and display fruit notes of grapefruits, limes, pears, and sometimes hints of white pepper. They normally possess a steely backbone of acidity which enables the best bottles to age gracefully. The grape’s natural acidity accompanied by its restrained and understated fruit characters makes its wines ideal partners for food. The Ecker-Eckhof winery is located in the heart of Lower Austria, in Mitterstockstall am Wagram. The family business is backed by more than 400 years of winemaking tradition and has received numerous national and international awards for its quality wines. Quaff £15.49
E Espadeiro
Terras de Asorei Espadeiro, Val do Salnés 2021
Country – Spain Region – Rías Baixas ABV – 12%
Espadeiro is a unique grape variety that produces light bodied, juicy reds from Galicia. A smooth, harmonious wine with aromas of strawberry, raspberry and blackberry. The grapes are harvested from vines that are over 50 years old, providing concentration and quality. Terra de Asorei is a modern, forward-thinking winery located in the region of Rias Baixas in the Northwest of Spain. There is limited production of this wine, with under 2,000 bottles being produced. This wine would pair perfectly with Spanish tapas. Oxford Wine Co £19.75
B Blaufränkisch
Pittnauer Ungerberg Blaufränkisch, Burgenland 2011
Country – Austria Region – Burgenland ABV – 13.5%
Blaufränkisch is a traditional Austrian variety is probably a cross between Sbulzina and Weißer Heunisch; it was previously widely planted throughout the Habsburg Monarchy, and is the most important variety in Mittelburgenland. This is a rare chance to enjoy fully mature Blaufränkisch from one of Burgenland’s most progressive producers, Gerhard and Brigitte Pittnauer. Sourced from the Ungerberg vineyard, this 2011 shows just how beautifully this variety can age when grown on great terroir and handled with care. The nose is deeply inviting, with layers of dark plum, wild blackberry and forest floor, alongside notes of pepper, leather and a subtle wild-herb edge that gives it real complexity. The palate is medium-bodied and savoury, with flavours of black cherry, coffee and tobacco, balanced by gentle tannins and a lovely, earthy freshness. A delicious, soulful wine that is drinking beautifully now, showing the character, elegance and quiet power that mature Blaufränkisch can offer at its best. Wine Society £36
D Dolcetto
Massolino, Dolcetto d’Alba 2023
Country – Italy Region – Alba, Piedmont ABV – 13.5%
Dolcetto wines come from grapes grown on soils rich with white marls, especially those found on the right bank of the River Tauro. The wines generally are low in tannins and acidity and are usually fruity and fragrant, often with hints of almonds. Most Dolcettos should be drunk within a year or two of the vintage, but the wines from the best producers can last for 5 years and sometimes longer. The 2023 vintage has yielded especially ebullient dolcettos from the best growers in Piemonte. This, from Barolo maestros, Massolino, is bright and vivacious with raspberry, red cherry, and violet perfume. They do not ferment their dolcetto with the seeds giving this wine gentle, easy-going tannins, which with the refreshing acidity, make it deliciously drinkable. Wine Society £18
C Chenin Blanc
Domaine de Clayou, Coteaux de Layon 2018
Country – France Region – Loire ABV 12%
Chenin Blanc is an important white grape variety planted in the Anjou-Saumur and Touraine regions of the Loire Valley, where it produces high quality dry wines in Savenniéres, and luscious, sweet, dessert wines in Coteaux du Layon, Bonnezeaux and Quarts de Chaume. Whether dry or sweet, the best Loire Chenin Blancs possess marvellously concentrated rich, honeyed fruit together with refreshingly vibrant acidity. Jean-Bernard Chauvin comes from a family of winemakers who first came to St Lambert du Lattay in the 1920s, he became head of the estate in 1984 with his wife Catherine. Today, Denis, their son, has joined them in this adventure. Domaine de Clayou has joined the “Terra Vitis” network of vingerons who work their land in a sustainable way. Quaff £16.49
Wines were accompanied by three cheeses (Blackstocks Blue, Comte and Kidderton Ash) plus crackers and a vanilla muffin.
The group voted the Gruner Veltliner as their favourite white and Blaufrankisch as the best red – a good night for Austria then!
