Try January
A whole month dedicated to curiosity and trying new things seems like the perfect way to start a new year. In what is deemed by most to be the bleakest and longest month of the year, this approach can apply to your outlook on everything, and everything that you do. You may socialise less in January, and open less bottles of wine as a result, but putting thought and focus into the wines you do open, might expand your palette and your knowledge. Try Something new this January. To help, we've hand picked this case of starlets for you to try. You'll find some gems in here!
Gavi di Gavi, Tenute Seraffa
Piemonte, Italy
75cl Bottles
A Gavi from a single estate which is steeped in history. A fine and pure expression of Gavi with pretty aromas of flora, citrus and green apple combined with more complex hints of frangipane. The palate has apple and lemon characters, and an appealing weight and minerality. The finish is textural, long and defined.
The vines, planted on a mixture of soils - but with a clay base, are nurtured from bud-break to harvest. The 100% Cortese grapes typically ripen relatively late (end of September / start of October) and undergo a very careful pressing in the winery to avoid oxidation of the juice. Whole bunch pressing is utilised to retain higher acidity levels and a more floral, textured style. After static settling for 48 hours, to separate the lees from the juice, the clean juice is racked for fermentation in stainless steel. The wine then enjoys a period of maturation on fine lees before bottling – for longevity and freshness in bottle.
This wine is a perfect accompaniment to seafood and shellfish - unsurprising for a wine sourced just 35km from the Ligurian coast.
Jean Leon Xarello
Penedes, Spain
75cl Bottles
Xarel-lo is a native grape variety to Penedes, it is also one of the main grapes that make up the sparkling wine 'Cava'.
In its still wine form its a wine with a wonderful herbal character and beautiful citrus fruit.
This is an excellent example of how great this grape can be. A dazzling and clean yellow colour with greenish ribbons. On the nose it presents aromas of white fruit, nutmeg, citrus, fennel and other fruity hints. On the palate it feels refined, light and fresh, with an excellent start and well-defined acidity. It culminates with a prolonged charm.
Aurkitu Garnacha
Navarra, spain
75cl Bottles
Hand picked and vinified using selected wild ferment and whole bunch parcels, which bring aromatics and freshness to the wine. The musts are handled gently to avoid over-extraction and retain the fruit essence. Post primary fermentation, the wine is pressed to predominantly older oak in order to preserve the wild, energetic fruit profile that defines this region.
The resulting wine is intense, with bright red fruits, hints of spice and beautiful texture. There is a coolness to the fruit set against the irrepressible generosity of Grenache. A wonderful grenache with depth and purity
Terre Fidele L'Ombra de Queribus
Cotes de Roussillon, France
75cl Bottles
This is arguably one of the best wines we have in HQ today. It is incredibly underrated, unknown and unheard of. However, the key things you need to know abut this wine is that it is one of Fergal Tynans Wines. He is the winemaker and he is from Ireland if you haven't heard us talk of his wines previously. This wine is made fro grapes that are being pulled up all across the hilly slopes of the south of France today. Younger generations are less interested in the hard work it takes to harvest these grapes, but the 70 year old vineyard vines produce incredible fruit and Fergals passion is turning this incredible fruit into the most amazing Syrah and Grenache blend. You will simply love it too!
Rupe Secca Nero d'Avola
Sicily, Italy
75cl Bottles
Rupe Secca was founded by an Italian, Frenchman and Dutchman. The company controls the winemaking and the production process, from the careful management of the grapes, to the winemaking that takes place under the meticulous eye of Stefano Chioccioli and Mattia Giacomelli. Wines produced are sourced from the classic Italian regions of Tuscany, Veneto, Abruzzo, Puglia and Sicily.This is an Intense and smooth red wine, full of ripe red berry, sweet cherry, baked plum, damson and raspberry coulis aromas and flavours supported by soft tannins.
Sassoregale Maremma Toscana Sangiovese
Maremma Toscana
75cl Bottles
Sassoregale is born in the rugged La Maremma region in the heart of Tuscany. The rolling hills and dense forests of our home are as proud and untamed as they have been for ages. Wild boars roam freely and guard our vineyards.
Tradition and culture run deep in this region. It is the bold frontier that yields the best and most authentic expressions of Italian food and wine. This is the heritage of Sassoregale.
The Sassoregale estate at Civitella Paganico covers 94 acres and looks out over the broad plain traversed by the river Ombrone. Most of our vine stock is Sangiovese, with selected rows of merlot and Syrah
Its colour is bright ruby red. On the nose, it is clean and precise, with hints of Morello cherries, wild berries and a moderate spiciness. On the palate it reveals a full-bodied, assertive flavor, which expresses both great intensity and elegance.
12 Bottle Case contains 2 of each
*From time to time vintages/wines may become unavailable, it is rare but in this instance we will replace the wine with a similar wine of equal or greater value.
