(S) Oliver Zeter, Sauvignon Blanc Sekt Brut, Pfalz 2020
Region: Pfalz, Germany
Grape: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Oliver Zeter and his brother Christian have been making wine in the Pfalz region since 2007, when Oliver started the winery from scratch. The Brut was first produced in the 2014 vintage. The goal is, and remains, a 100% Sauvignon Blanc Sekt of the highest order. Sauvignon Blanc is a notably aromatic and early ripening variety. The challenge comes in conveying the charm of this varietal character through a sparkling wine. This is a delicious Brut Sauvignon Blanc, with hints of elderflower with the vibrant Sauvignon Blanc character meld together to form a lovely, soft mousse and refreshing clean sparkling wine. 12% ABV
Harvey’s wine shop Lewes, £19.18
(R) Weingut Ecker Eckhof, Roter Veltliner, Wagram 2024
Region: Wagram, Austria
Grape: 100% Roter Veltliner
Roter Veltliner is one of Austria’s rarest and most fascinating white varieties, unrelated to the more famous Grüner Veltliner, and few producers make it quite like Ecker Eckhof in Wagram. This 11th-generation family estate is known for creating wines that combine regional authenticity with precision, and their Roter Veltliner is a perfect example. The 2024 vintage shows the grape at its best: aromatic yet refined, with ripe pear, yellow apple and quince at its core, lifted by subtle notes of blossom and spice. On the palate it is fuller and more textural than Grüner Veltliner, with a gentle creaminess from time on fine lees, balanced by a mineral freshness from the gravel soils of Wagram. The finish is long, elegant and slightly nutty. 13% ABV
Butler’s £17.95
(V) Cantina Lunae, Etichetta Grigia Vermentino, Colli di Luni, 2024
Region: Liguria, Italy
Grape: 100% Vermentino
Between the villages of Ortonovo and Castelnuovo Magra, lies the ancient Roman city of Luni, close to the Ligurian border with Tuscany. Now in the fifth generation of winemaking, the winery passed into Paolo Bosoni’s hands in 1966. Vermentino is the main white grape of Liguria and matches its cuisine perfectly. This wine is light greenish yellow with an intense bouquet concentrated on citrus notes of lemon peel and lime. Hints of white peach, myrtle leaves and chamomile complete the aroma. Soft and round on the palate, balanced between acidity and a pleasant sapidity, with juicy peach, apple and lemon notes. It has a fruity finish of extraordinary persistence. 12.5% ABV
Symposium Lewes, £22.50
(X) Thymiopoulos, Rosé de Xinomavro, Macedonia 2024
Region: Macedonia, Greece
Grape: 100% Xinomavro
A wholly individual and totally delicious rosé, light salmon in colour, with flavours of dried cranberries, blood orange and wild strawberries with cedar spice. Three months in very large barrels brings creaminess without oak flavour. This ‘do-it-all’ rosé works brilliantly alongside Greek fare like gyros or souvlaki, matching whatever meat you go for with ease and providing enough substance to deal with all those tangy, spicy, savoury sauces liberally added on top! 12.5% ABV
The Wine Society, £14.95
(U) Maree d’Ione Organic Uva (Nero) di Troia, Puglia 2024
Region: Puglia, Italy
Grape: 100% Uva/Nero di Troia
Uva di Troia, also known as Nero di Troia, is an ancient red wine grape variety primarily grown in the Apulia (Puglia) region of Southern Italy. Believed to have originated in the town of Troia, hence its name, this grape has a rich history and is an integral part of the local winemaking tradition. This wine is rich, dark-fruited and spicy, a delicious alternative to Primitivo. 13% ABV
Waitrose, £10.50
(T) Bodega Convento San Francisco, Ribera del Duero Crianza 2019
Region: Ribera del Duero, Spain
Grape: 100% Tempranillo
Convento San Francisco 2019 is made from a combination of Tempranillo grapes within the D.O.Ribera del Duero, located within the municipalities of Gumiel de Izán, La Horra, Quintana del Pidio and Fuentenebro. On the nose it shows aromas of red fruits, wild herbs, lavender and thyme with elegant toasty nuances. On the palate initial polished and silky tannins, very good acidity and balance. Long persistence, very tasty with great freshness. 14.5% ABV
Quaff, £28.99
(Z) Kendall- Jackson ‘Vintners Reserve’ Zinfandel, California 2022
Region: North Coast, California, USA
Grape: Zinfandel (with a bit of Petite Sirah)
Bright, fruity Zinfandel from one of California’s oldest family run wineries. Founded in 1982, the Kendall-Jackson story is one of family, quality and stewardship. Eight years after planting the first grapes on his Lake County property, founder, Jess Jackson, and his family set out to make a premium, yet affordable, Californian wine. This Reserve Zinfandel is crafted in the boutique-winery style using small individual lots throughout the winemaking process for flavour distinction – before ageing in French oak. It bursts with plum, raspberry jam and blackberry flavours. Supported with solid chalky tannins and sultry cedar and spice highlights. A great pairing for smoky, grilled meats or BBQ. 14.5% ABV
Majestic, £20.50 single bottle (£15.50 mix six)
(W) Esterházy, Beerenauslese, Burgenland 2023
Region: Burgenland, Austria
Grapes: Welschriesling (with a bit of Chardonnay)
Wine growing has been part of the house of Esterházy for more than 250 years and has evolved to today’s standard with the opening of the 2006 new winery with state-of-the-art equipment and tasting rooms, near Eisenstadt. This Beerenauslese is made from organic grapes grown in the Leithaberg subregion of Burgenland, from vineyards bordering Lake Neusiedle in eastern Austria. Intense golden yellow colour. Aromas of apricot citrus dried fruit and honey. On the palate it is concentrated and rich with dried fruit, oranges and honey. Lovely weight and silky texture. 11.5% ABV
Tanners (online), £13.90 per half bottle
The group’s favourite wines of the evening were the Roter Veltliner and (for the price) the Uva di Troia.
