- Jean-François Quénard, Crémant de Savoie ‘Entre Amis’ Brut Zéro NV
Region: Savoie, France
Grapes: 60% Jacquère, 20% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir
ABV: 12.5%
As fresh as a bubbly Alpine stream, this superb Savoie sparkler sees the local Jacquère grape take centre stage, blended with Chardonnay and Pinot noir. It is aged on its lees for 16 month and bottled with zero dosage (without any added sugar). This is bone-dry, light and refreshing.
The Wine Society £22.50 - Cave De La Côte, Chasselas Romand, Switzerland 2024
Region: The Vaud, Switzerland
Grape: 100% Chasselas
ABV: 11.5%
Chasselas is Switzerland’s flagship white grape variety, and this particular wine comes from selected vineyards in the cantons of Vaud and Geneva, just west of Lausanne on the shores of Lake Léman. Leading with a delicate nose of apple skins and lime blossom, the palate is pleasingly fuller with juicy white peach and pineapple notes. The finish is both creamy in texture and very refreshing.
Novel Wines (online) £19.99 - Cantina Terlano, Cuvée Terlaner, Alto Adige 2024
Region: Alto Adige, Italy
Grapes: 60% Pinot Bianco, 30% Chardonnay, 10% Sauvignon Blanc
ABV: 13.5%
Cantina Terlano is a Co-op founded in 1893 in Italy’s Alto Adige region, situated in the northeast, just south of the Austrian Alps. They specialise in Weissburgunder/Pinot Bianco, making a diverse range of different styles. They also produce blends, which are renowned for their finesse and complexity. White peach, cut grass and stony mineral aromas lead into a palate that while packed with flavour retains an ethereal lightness. Delicious with or without food, it is a wine that also has a remarkable capacity to age.
Butlers £26.99 - La Crotta di Vegneron, Petite Arvine, Val d’Aosta, Italy 2020
Region: Val d’Aosta, Italy
Grape: 100% Petite Arvine
ABV: 13%
From the foothills of the Northwest Italian Alps, with vineyards set into steep slopes, La Crotta has the advantage of great growing conditions. The vineyards are located at a fairly high altitude, ranging from 500 to 850m, and enjoy a special microclimate with little rainfall and a good diurnal temperature range. Fragrant and spicy white from a fine, typically Swiss grape. White pepper, pineapple and pear on the nose, with a soft mouthfeel and orchard fruit and spice on the delicate finish.
Kwoff (online) £19.99 - Jean Perrier et Fils, ‘Graine de Terrior’ Arbin Mondeuse, Savoie 2019
Region: Arbin, Savoie, France
Grapes: 100% Mondeuse Noir
ABV: 12.5%
Mondeuse is a red grape unique to Savoie, and is related to Syrah. This wine boasts a deep ruby colour with violet highlights and a purple hue on the rim. On the nose, there are aromas of flowers (lilac, violet) and black fruit (plums, red cherries); on the palate it shows dark fruit notes with peppermint, vanilla, and liquorice. This cuvée is both fruity and floral, with a beautiful menthol freshness.
Cave sur Vin, Chamonix, 18 Euros - Nals Margreid, Lagrein ‘Sand’, Alto Adige 2023
Region: Alto Adige, Italy
Grape: 100% Lagrein
ABV: 13.5%
Nals Margreid is a high-quality Cooperative, producing wines from grapes grown only on the most suitable sites in the Alto Adige. Lagrein is a grape unique to Alto Adige, although there are now some scattered plantings in Australia too. The grapes are harvested by hand and destemmed. The must is fermented in stainless steel tanks to retain freshness, and the wine is aged for seven months in 40 hl wooden barrels. On the nose there are notes of Maraschino cherry and blackberry, pepper and liquorice. On the palate it is dense yet fresh, with full-flavoured tannins and a finish of balsamic undertones.
Quaff £23.50 - Travaglini, Nebbiolo, Coste della Sesia 2023
Region: Alto Piemonte, Italy
Grape: 100% Nebbiolo
ABV: 13.5%
Over the past 40 years, Giancarlo Travaglini has brought global recognition to Gattinara, a historic wine from northern Piedmont, known for its exceptional Nebbiolo-based red wines. The winery follows traditional methods, with medium to long macerations and aging in large Slavonian oak. This young and fresh ‘Costa della Sesia,’ is complex and full-bodied, and can age gracefully, displaying intense cherry fruit and rose petal and violet aromas.
Butlers £23.99 - Stéphane & Bénédicte Tissot, Macvin du Jura blanc NV
Region: The Jura, France
Grapes: 50% Chardonnay, 25% Savagnin, 25% Trousseau
ABV: 17%
A blend of Savagnin, Trousseau and Chardonnay must, that is fortified with Marc du Jura (a locally made brandy) and subsequently aged for four years in a cool, dry cellar to concentrate the flavours. Beeswax, baked apples and dried apricots combine with an attractive floral character and supported by a charming sweetness on the palate.
The Wine Society £39
Served with Comte, Camembert & Raclette cheeses, and a selection of biscuits/crackers
The group voted the Cantina Terlano as wine of the evening, with the Lagrein the preferred red.
