{"title":"Autumn Classics","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"baldassari-russian-river-pinot-noir-2018","title":"Baldassari Russian River Pinot Noir 2018","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eDue to extremely limited supply, there's a limit of 3 bottles per customer on this wine.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRussian River in Sonoma is heaven for making world-class Pinot Noir.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s far enough inland to get the right heat for ripening the grapes, but close enough to the coast for afternoon breezes to blow in from the ocean which cools them right down again.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt’s this swing in temperature that Pinot needs to ripen fully and taste amazing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMatt sources his grapes from a sustainably farmed vineyard on the sun-kissed Eastern bench of the valley. He tells me it’s prized fruit and there’s a waiting list for it - he daren’t lose it because there’s no way of getting it back!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThen in the winery he employs every winemaking tactic from his 20 year career for the wine to reach its potential. He ferments 20% whole cluster at the bottom of the tank, which gives it a spicy, earthy note. The fermentation takes 4-5 days to get going naturally, which builds more complexity into the wine.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHe ages the wine on its lees for 18 months in barrel, 20-30% of which is new.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYou land up with a stunning Pinot with Californian sunshine and Burgundian elegance. The best of both worlds!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePlease note due to increased shipping costs from the US, we've had to temporarily increase the price of this wine\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41968045752540,"sku":"BALDPN18","price":41.04,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/products\/baldassaripinotnoir.jpg?v=1637078252"},{"product_id":"baldassari-sonoma-coast-chardonnay-2018","title":"Baldassari Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2018","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIf you’ve been waiting for that big, oaky American Chardonnay, then it’s your lucky day! \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt comes from the Sonoma Coast in California, which is heaven for making cool-climate wines. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s all about balance around here. You get typically hot Californian days, but the cold nights, strong ocean breezes and foggy mornings provide the cooling influence needed to produce grapes of great flavour and freshness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWinemaker Matt takes these immaculate grapes and works his magic in the winery. He ages the wine on its lees for 18 months in French oak barrels, 20% of which are new.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result is a powerful, exotic and rich Chardonnay, where the oak is obvious but at the same time incredibly integrated and balanced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s the best of both worlds - if you like big oaky Chardonnay you’ll love this. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEqually if you like a more elegant style from the likes of Burgundy, then give this a try, let it open up in the glass, and enjoy a classic punchy Californian Chardonnay from a brilliant winemaker.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43064077615324,"sku":"BALDCH18","price":38.53,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/products\/WS-HighKey-0137.jpg?v=1661939837"},{"product_id":"la-suerte-de-arrayan-albillo-real-2023","title":"La Suerte de Arrayán Albillo Real 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eIf I’m going to bring the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/winespark.com\/products\/el-bufon-de-arrayan-albillo-real-2022?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=d8a0fdcab\u0026amp;_ss=r\"\u003efirst Albillo Real\u003c\/a\u003e to Ireland, I may as well bring the second!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s from the Méntrida region outside of Madrid, and made by the incredibly talented Maite Sánchez.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaite’s previous experience, making wine at the likes of Vega Sicilia, Clos Mogador and Comte Armand taught her the importance of respecting local grape varieties and making wines in a traditional, artisanal way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat’s exactly what she does here - Albillo Real is a very rare grape that grows really well in the harsh and remote mountains around Madrid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 70 year-old vineyard is near Toledo and is based on granite-sandy soils.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFermentation starts gently and spontaneously to preserve all that vineyard character and build complexity, and the wine is aged for 9 months in old French oak barrels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou get a bright and mineral nose with hints of pear and honey, and the palate is beautifully textured and balanced, with a very long finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut don’t just take my word for it - Decanter magazine gave this 95 points in a recent review of indigenous Spanish whites, and ranked it in second place out of 87 wines tasted!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50730596729163,"sku":"ARRSAR23","price":19.91,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0221.jpg?v=1732719197"},{"product_id":"el-bufon-de-arrayan-albillo-real-2023","title":"El Bufón de Arrayán Albillo Real 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is a rare wine in Spain, let alone Ireland and the UK.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s from the hugely exciting and up-and-coming Cebreros wine region, made using a forgotten grape called Albillo Real.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s the first grape to mature in the vineyards around here, and in the past, people would have eaten it while picking the other grapes. The small berries, freckled skin and sweet taste make it especially delicious, and also for birds!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese characteristics however make Albillo Real difficult to turn into great wine, and that’s where a rising star winemaker like Maite Sánchez comes in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe sources the grapes from three high-altitude vineyards around Cebreros, with an average vine age of 70 years, and on sandy-granite soils.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grapes are gently crushed by foot for two days, before being transferred into clay amphora, where the wine is aged for 6-7 months. This winemaking preserves all the gorgeous fruit, like pears, orange blossom, and grapefruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a golden, citrusy and full-bodied white with hints of honey and tropical flavours, and a distinct minerality from the granite soils in the vineyard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s even better with food, and it really reminds me of a good Chenin Blanc from South Africa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou won’t find Albillo Real anywhere else in Ireland, and we only have a tiny amount of left. So give it a try while it’s still available!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50730602266955,"sku":"ARRALB23","price":22.02,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0228.jpg?v=1732722136"},{"product_id":"domaine-du-grand-brussy-menetou-salon-2023","title":"Domaine du Grand Brussy Menetou-Salon 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eGiven the popularity of winemaker Damien’s Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé, I had to go back and see what else he had up his sleeve.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe immediately suggested Menetou-Salon, one of the Loire’s best-kept secrets. It’s a wine which you don’t find much of outside of France.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat’s because you’ll find it as the white by-the-glass option in nearly every single Parisian restaurant. As a result, only 15% of the region’s production is exported.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou get all the elegance and sophistication of a Loire Sauvignon Blanc here, but the Kimmeridgian clay you find in Menetou-Salon gives it a much richer and more tropical flavour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd because it’s not as famous as neighbouring Sancerre, the price is an absolute snip for the quality.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50752358121803,"sku":"DGBMSB23","price":20.61,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0156.jpg?v=1730726784"},{"product_id":"domaine-olivier-hillaire-cotes-du-rhone-vieilles-vignes-2023","title":"Domaine Olivier Hillaire Côtes du Rhône Vieilles Vignes 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eOlivier Hillaire grew up on his parents’ Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyard, and started making wine aged 18.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe also played rugby for Grenoble and Bayonne - in the equivalent of the Top 14 back in the day. Although he told me back then there was \u003cem\u003e‘plus de bagarre que le rugby’ \u003c\/em\u003e- more fightin’ than playin’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe’s built like a bull, but played at inside centre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhich is exactly how you could describe his wines - strong, powerful, but with a lightness and deftness which is the signature of great Grenache wines.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eOlivier makes this Côtes du Rhône in exactly the same way as his Châteauneuf-du-Pape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOlder vines, grown with organic principles and harvested manually - to promote the freshness and purity of fruit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA long fermentation in tank - to develop complexity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnd a long maturation in oak and concrete - to add softness and structure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah - so you get the red fruit and juiciness of the Grenache, along with the spice and power of the Syrah.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’d been looking for a great value southern Rhône red for yonks - and as soon as I tried this at a wine fair in Paris, I knew I’d found the one.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50842445021515,"sku":"HCDRVV23","price":17.67,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0122.jpg?v=1731685562"},{"product_id":"chiara-condello-predappio-sangiovese-2022","title":"Chiara Condello Predappio Sangiovese 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eThis is Sangiovese, but not as as you know it.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s Sangiovese Piccolo, a close cousin of the Sangiovese you’ll find in Tuscany.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bunches and berries are smaller, and as a result there’s a greater skin-juice ratio. You get more colour, more fruitiness and softer tannins in the wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a great and gentle introduction to Predappio Sangiovese. Chiara takes the grapes from three different vineyard sites, each parcel giving something different to the wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vineyards are farmed organically, so the fruit is healthy and buoyant. Everything is picked and sorted by hand - so only the best fruit makes it through.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wine is aged in big oak casks, and then in concrete tanks before being bottled. Ensuring none of that tasty fruit gets overshadowed by the oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe nose is classically Italian - it’s savoury and leathery, with lovely bright red fruit and peppery notes. The palate is rich and balanced, with good intensity and lifted finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you’re a fan of those charming Italian reds, then this is one to add to the list.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50842496237899,"sku":"CCPRED22","price":21.41,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0130.jpg?v=1731685503"},{"product_id":"lagar-de-sabariz-a-pita-cega-2017","title":"Lagar de Sabariz A Pita Cega 2017","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThis is an incredibly special white wine, one of Spain’s very best. It might be unlike any other white wine you’ve ever tasted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a traditional Ribeiro blend of Albarino, Godello and Treixadura. The exact blend changes every year, depending on what nature throws at Pilar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEverything is 100% natural here in the growing of the grapes, and the making of the wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe winemaking is a little bit mad - but it works. Pilar ages the grapes separately in stainless steel tanks for 3 years. She then blends the wine together, and it sits in steel for another 3 years to properly come together. It’s then bottled and aged for another year before release.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou end up with a rich, complex and highly aromatic white wine. The texture is just so soft and effortless, it’s a joy to drink and indeed, savour. There’s peach and apricot fruit, there’s plenty of florals, and great balance and freshness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou wouldn't be far off if it reminded you of a great Viognier like Condrieu, home of Pilar's great-grandparents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou’d also never think it was eight years old, and in fact it’s got plenty left in the tank too, if you wanted to lay down a few bottles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Pita Cega is found in Spain’s best restaurants - which is pretty cool. But what I find much more credible is that the likes of César Márquez, Ana Carazo, Iria Otero - \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003esome of the Spanish winemakers that I respect the most - all lit up when I told them I was going to work with Pilar and bring this wine to Ireland.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat’s all the validation I needed - and the same should go for you!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50866943099211,"sku":"LSAPC17","price":45.34,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0138.jpg?v=1732111623"},{"product_id":"el-mago-garnacha-blanca-2023","title":"El Mago Garnacha Blanca 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eFranck Massard is hands-down one of Spain’s most respected independent winemakers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eOriginally from the Loire Valley and now based in Priorat, his wines combine French sophistication with Spanish power.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ePriorat isn’t cheap, so a few years back Franck ventured further southwest to Terra Alta on the hunt for great value and quality.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eHe found a small family winery here who were ahead of their time - they were the first growers in the region to pioneer organic farming.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eTerra Alta is perfectly suited to organics. It has two winds - \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eEl Cierzo\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e which is hot and dry and blows from inland, and the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eGarbinada\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e, which is cool and fresh and blows in from the sea.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThese winds keep the grapes in the vineyards healthy, dry and fresh.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eFranck picks the grapes slightly earlier than most locals - this preserves even more freshness in the wine - and ferments in a mixture of stainless steel and concrete tanks.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eHe then ages the wine for seven months in old French oak barrels, which gives the wine lovely  texture. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis is everything I love in a white wine - textured, easy-drinking and lip-smackingly fresh.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51510698410315,"sku":"MAGGBL23","price":21.21,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/ELMagoGarnachaBlanca2022.jpg?v=1716302457"},{"product_id":"mantel-blanco-verdejo-2024","title":"Mantel Blanco Verdejo 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eRueda is a high, hot and wild region in north west Spain - the perfect place to make refreshing whites like Verdejo. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eHot sunny days ripen the grapes with loads of flavour, while chilly nights keep them crisp and fresh.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd I have a confession to make... Verdejo is my guilty pleasure white wine. It’s fresh, crisp and delicious, slips down easily and you don’t feel guilty opening a cheeky midweek bottle given the price.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe good ones rarely make it over here, given they can’t compete with Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon on price. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eSo I made it my business to find a top notch Verdejo for WineSpark.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eStep forward Pilar Garcia, who I found through my friend Franck Massard. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt’s fair to say she's a bit of a white wine nut. She only makes white wine. Her husband makes white wine. She’s a lecturer in the University of Valladolid, teaching students about the chemistry of white wine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSo if you’re a fellow white wine lover, you’re in good hands with Pilar!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eSpeak to any Spanish sommelier and they’ll tell you Verdejo is the most versatile white wine - unbelievably drinkable on its own, but goes with so many dishes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo it's always worth having a bottle in the fridge!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51620397351243,"sku":"MBVERD24","price":14.17,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/Mantel_Blanco_Verdejo.jpg?v=1722438838"},{"product_id":"mantel-blanco-sauvignon-blanc-2024","title":"Mantel Blanco Sauvignon Blanc 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003eWinemaker Pilar Garcia is obsessed with white wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe only makes white wine. She teaches students all about it at Valladolid University. She’ll make a strong argument why you should pair any cheese with white wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd her Mantel Blanco Verdejo has taken WineSpark by storm - becoming our best-selling white wine by a distance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo one year later, I had to see what other of Pilar’s whites we could add to the range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt turns out that Sauvignon Blanc loves Rueda’s altitude, and its climate of hot days and cold nights just as much as Verdejo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s got all the grassy, nettley and citrus flavours of a good Sauvignon Blanc, with Pilar’s trademark purity and intensity. And because it’s from northern Spain, rather than New Zealand or the Loire, the price is great.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’m predicting this will fly just like Pilar’s Verdejo - so grab a bottle and see what you think!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51620420682059,"sku":"MBSVBL24","price":15.26,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0151_1.jpg?v=1730730591"},{"product_id":"las-pedreras-pelito-lindo-garnacha-2023","title":"Las Pedreras Pelito Lindo Garnacha 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eThere’s a saying in the business that ‘great wine starts in the vineyard’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd the winemaker’s job is to guide the grapes into bottle, leaving the drinker with a vivid sense of where the wine comes from.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat’s exactly how the best do it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of those amazing vineyards, Las Calzadas, is the main component in this wine from Cebreros.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCebreros is Spain’s answer to Burgundy, and its patchwork of old vineyards dotted around a remote, mountainous region of imposing granite peaks makes it all the more dramatic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI've had the pleasure of visiting it with winemaker Bárbara - even better I’d enjoyed the wine at lunch just moments before.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wine is named after the vineyard’s previous owner, an old guy who lived in nearby Villanueva de Ávila.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLots of old people in Spanish villages have nicknames - I’ve heard of \u003cem\u003eLa Loba\u003c\/em\u003e (the wolf) and \u003cem\u003eEl Ratón\u003c\/em\u003e (the mouse).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePelito Lindo\u003c\/em\u003e means ‘beautiful little hair’ - Bárbara tells me he was bald with a fringe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis amazing fact aside, the wine is one of the best Garnachas in Spain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vines are over 100 years old, and the vineyard faces south east. It produces an elegant, refined Garnacha with serious perfume and power.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThink of Châteauneuf-du-Pape meets Côte de Nuits Burgundy, and you’re in business.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’m very lucky to work with winemakers who in turn work with some of the most special vineyard sites in the world - and this is definitely one of them!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51745196638539,"sku":"PLTLND23","price":49.48,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/LasPedrerasPelitoLindo21.jpg?v=1715952830"},{"product_id":"el-bufon-de-arrayan-garnacha-2021","title":"El Bufón de Arrayán Garnacha 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003eIf you’ve vaguely heard about Cebreros and wondered what the fuss is all about, then you’ve come to the right place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a high-altitude, single-vineyard Garnacha from Maite Sánchez, one of the region’s rising star winemakers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGarnacha is also known as Grenache, and you’ll find it in some of the best (and most expensive) Chateauneuf-du-Papes and Priorats.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI think however the style of this wine is somewhere in between Burgundy and Barolo, which is no surprise given Maite’s influences and experience making wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe’s previously made wine at some of the world’s most iconic wineries, including Vega Sicilia, Clos Mogador and Comte Armand in Burgundy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Cebreros vineyard is based on steep slopes made up of slate soils, which gives a lovely perfume to the wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vines are old - 80 years - so what little fruit they produce is very concentrated and pure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFermentation starts gently and spontaneously to preserve all that vineyard character and build complexity, and the wine is aged for 14 months in old French oak barrels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe nose is elegant and subtle, with hints of dried fruit and wild herbs in there. On the palate it’s rich, structured and creamy, with bright and floral aromatics and a balsamic core. It finishes so fresh for a wine of its age, and there’s easily 5-10 years still in it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause this wine is from the dead-centre of Spain and not somewhere else more famous, the value is spectacular!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52781572325707,"sku":"ARRBFG21","price":24.69,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0230.jpg?v=1732722360"},{"product_id":"la-suerte-de-arrayan-garnacha-2019","title":"La Suerte de Arrayán Garnacha 2019","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eGarnacha is all the rage in Spain right now, and after tasting this wine, hopefully you’ll agree.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grape’s thin skins and light colour remind some people of Burgundy Pinot, but you get more power and more alcohol. It’s ideally suited to the heat and altitude of central Spain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis wine is from the Méntrida region, in the mountains just south-west of Madrid. Until recently, most Garnacha from here was shipped up to Rioja to bulk up their reds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTalented young winemakers like Maite Sánchez are driving the Garnacha revolution in Spain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Suerte de Arrayán is a single-vineyard, high-altitude Garnacha from 70 year-old vines. The nose is delicate and creamy, with lovely juicy red fruit. It leads to a palate that is balanced, juicy and elegant, with tons of minerality and complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThink Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but with extra elegance and freshness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSarah Jane Evans MW gave the last vintage 93 points in Decanter magazine - for a wine of this age and quality, it’s a total steal at the price.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52781821002059,"sku":"ARYSRT19","price":19.91,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0241.jpg?v=1753255669"},{"product_id":"domaine-des-berthiers-pouilly-fume-cuvee-deve-2022","title":"Domaine des Berthiers Pouilly Fumé Cuvée d'Ève 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ePouilly Fumé lives in the shadow of its more famous neighbour Sancerre. It’s a bit more intense and full-on than Sancerre, if that’s your thing (it is mine).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd Damien tells me Domaine des Berthiers is one of the most underrated estates in Pouilly Fumé.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s got amazing soils - 100% on silex (flintstone), the top soil in the region. This brings out the optimal flavour and expression of Sauvignon Blanc - you don’t get this anywhere else in the world.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSilex lends itself particularly well to wood - so this is aged for 12 months in old French oak, to make it richer, more structured, and a bit of toasty oaky goodness. Mmm.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is one for the wine nerds out there!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52816545513803,"sku":"DDBPFE22","price":29.69,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0038.jpg?v=1730726761"},{"product_id":"domaine-de-st-romble-sancerre-2024","title":"Domaine de Saint Romble Sancerre 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003eSancerre, which is just two hours south of Paris, is the holy grail of Sauvignon Blanc.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWinemakers all over the world - from New Zealand through to South Africa and Chile - try (and nearly always fail) to emulate it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat makes this part of the world special is its soils. Especially \u003cem\u003eTerres Blanches\u003c\/em\u003e, a similar Kimmeridgian clay-limestone soil that you find in Chablis and parts of Champagne.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese soils give the Sauvignon grapes a kaleidoscope of mouth-watering flavours that you just don’t get anywhere else.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDomaine de Saint Romble is a tiny but highly respected estate in Sancerre. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIt’s on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eTerres Blanches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e - which gives this wide spectrum of flavour to the grapes - everything from tropical, herbaceous to cassis flavours.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eDamien makes this wine in a very low intervention way, to maximise the expression of this special land.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis is classic Sancerre at an amazing price.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52816614457675,"sku":"DSRS24","price":24.06,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0026.jpg?v=1730726712"},{"product_id":"domaine-olivier-hillaire-chateauneuf-du-pape-2023","title":"Domaine Olivier Hillaire Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eOlivier tells me that the best Châteauneufs come from old vines. Olivier only has old vines - so Grenache makes up the majority (90%) of this blend. 10% of Syrah is added for extra oomph and power.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe average age of the vines is 85 years. And you can taste the concentration and complexity in every sip.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a blend of a few of Olivier’s favourite vineyards dotted around Châteauneuf - some are on sand, others on pebbles, and others on limestone. Olivier is searching for great balance when he puts this wine together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne sniff and you know you’re looking at something serious - there’s lovely bright red fruit, but also a herbaceousness and earthiness that makes you want to dive straight in. Then on the palate, it’s weighty, dense and juicy, with lovely lifted aromas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s amazingly approachable for a Châteauneuf so young - so grab a couple of bottles, drink one and stick the other away for a while!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52952269422923,"sku":"HCDP23","price":32.45,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0121.jpg?v=1729090595"},{"product_id":"cordero-hica-barbera-dalba-2022","title":"Cordero Hica Barbera d'Alba 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis Barbera was one of the first wines I decided to bring in for WineSpark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a deep, rich red with serious personality. ‘A bit impolite like me’ says winemaker Serena.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’d never tasted it before - its tiny production would have been way too small to come across my radar before. And that’s the best thing about it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s from an area called Bricco Gatti, well-known to experts as one of Alba’s best vineyards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vineyard is a prime south-west facing site - the extended afternoon sun gives the Barbera grapes serious power.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s lovingly tended to, vine by vine, by Serena’s brother Gabriele. He’s at peak happiness surrounded by the bees, bugs and butterflies that thrive in the vineyard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis attention to detail doesn’t happen anywhere else in the region. And the meticulous work speaks for itself in the wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s unmistakably Italian on the nose, with aromas of dark fruit, dried herbs and tea leaves. Then it’s rich, creamy and powerful on the palate - if you love your Italian reds, this is absolutely guaranteed to be right up your street.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53061734891851,"sku":"COHBA22","price":27.23,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/Hica_Barbera.jpg?v=1722606426"},{"product_id":"i-filari-toscana-viognier-2022","title":"I Filari Toscana Viognier 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eIf you like your northern Rhone whites, this is a must-try.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt’s from the under-the-radar Suvereto region in Tuscany, right next to Bolgheri, its more famous neighbour.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReds are the order of the day around here, but if you know where to look, you can find some absolute gems of whites too. If you know where to look.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLuckily you have Federico Cerelli on your side, and he’s uncovered this gem exclusively for WineSpark customers.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe sandy soils and cool temperatures here are perfect for Viognier - you get great ripeness, dried apricot and tropical flavours. Six months in French oak give it a lovely honeyed creaminess - and the minerality might even remind you of a good Chablis.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt’s balanced, long and delightful - give this a go and see why Viognier is quietly building a name for itself in these parts.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53307136377163,"sku":"FEDVG22","price":24.72,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/IFilariToscanaViognier2019.jpg?v=1716301342"},{"product_id":"mcfarlane-monday-s-child-chenin-blanc-2024","title":"McFarlane Monday’s Child Chenin Blanc 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003eAlex decided to take the leap and start her own business with husband Wayne in 2018.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor her first wine, she chose a Chenin Blanc vineyard in the gorgeous Polkadraai sub-region of Stellenbosch, where afternoon sea-breezes blow in, amplifying the fruit character and freshness in the grapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlex told me the grapes were picked on ‘the most spectacular Monday morning’ - it seemed like the perfect day to start her new adventure. So she called the wine Monday’s Child, after the old nursery rhyme.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter ageing for 7 months in old French oak, the wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered to preserve all that gorgeous character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn aromatic, flinty and floral nose leads to an intense, piercing and refreshing palate, with gorgeous texture and impressive length.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’m on a mission to get more people to drink Chenin Blanc, and this wine is exactly why.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53339682013515,"sku":"MCMON24","price":24.2,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0119.jpg?v=1729090032"},{"product_id":"i-filari-sicilia-nero-davola-2021","title":"I Filari Sicilia Nero D'Avola 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003eFederico Cerelli's latest creation from Sicily is here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's from the village of Salaparuta, which is one hour south of Palermo on the island's western side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Nero d'Avola vineyards have been farmed organically for over 20 years, and with strong winds blowing through all year round, the grapes are kept cool, fresh and healthy despite the heat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFederico tells me that this is exactly what you need to achieve the balance of ripeness and freshness to make truly great red wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThink luscious black cherries and blackberries, bright florals and those lovely tea leaf flavours you get in Italian reds. It’s spicy, powerful and smooth, but with a delicious elegance and freshness to it too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI poured a sneak preview at our Spring tastings, and people loved it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJohn Wilson of The Irish Times was seriously impressed, highlighting it as one of his wines of the tasting and adding: \u003cem\u003e'big and full-bodied with masses of dark fruits and a core of soft tannins; it still has a certain elegance. One for the hedonists amongst us'\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd because this is Salaparuta, and not Etna or even Tuscany, at €28.54 a bottle it is just amazing value for a wine of this quality.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53561761005899,"sku":"FEDNER20","price":26.73,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/IFilariNeroDAvola2020.jpg?v=1715952238"},{"product_id":"i-filari-sicilia-grillo-2022","title":"I Filari Sicilia Grillo 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eItaly isn’t best known for its finer whites, but with quality like this, it’s only a matter of time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe conditions in Sicily - hot weather, mountainous terrain and cooling sea breezes - are perfect for producing fresh and healthy grapes, loaded with Mediterranean flavour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut until recently, the Grillo grapes grown here were mainly destined for Marsala, a powerful fortified wine a bit like sherry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut that’s finally starting to change - and the charge is led by talented winemakers like Federico Cerelli, who can see Sicily’s unbelievable potential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrillo’s thick skins and small berries are just as suited to making punchy and refreshing whites as they are to making powerful Marsala.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the nose it’s ripe and complex, with tantalizing aromas of peach, lemons and a whiff of blossom honey. On the palate, it’s juicy and textured, with lovely intensity and a long, lifted finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis would go perfectly with white fish, creamy risottos and general slamming in front of the rugby.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like a rich and round style of white, like an Albariño, Godello or Chablis, then this is definitely for you.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53561764249931,"sku":"FEDGRS22","price":26.73,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/IFilariSiciliaGrillo2021.jpg?v=1716301640"},{"product_id":"domaine-jean-fournier-fixin-les-petits-crais-2023","title":"Domaine Jean Fournier Fixin Les Petits Crais 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eLaurent Fournier is one of the most talked-about young producers in Burgundy. So it’s a real deal to have him on board for WineSpark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs with lots of French people, that first face-to-face helps build trust and understanding. And my first visit to him in February 2022 did just that.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy the end of the tasting, we were BFFs and he was pouring me all sorts of delights. One of those delights was this wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFixin is a real hidden gem in Burgundy - like Marsannay, it’s at the northern end of the Côte de Nuits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eIt’s between Marsannay and Gevrey Chambertin, and its limestone and clay soils give real power and structure to the grapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a dark, savoury and fleshy Pinot - with an extra dimension of layered fruit and aromatics which makes it unmistakably Burgundian.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFixin can be a bit of a beast in youth, and Laurent says don’t hesitate to pair it with strong flavoured meat dishes like boeuf bourguignon, lamb chops or côte de boeuf.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55809007255883,"sku":"FOUFIX23","price":45.55,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0123.jpg?v=1732192890"},{"product_id":"stepp-pinot-noir-buntsandstein-2023","title":"Stepp Pinot Noir Buntsandstein 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003ePfalz is perfect Pinot country - terraced vineyards overlooking the Rhine valley, on sandstone, with a long gentle growing season to achieve full ripeness in the grapes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJust 90 minutes south of Frankfurt, it has a real Burgundy-meets-Alsace feel to it. Each village, as charming as the next one, is only a few minutes’ beautiful drive apart.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eGerd Stepp describes his winemaking as ‘New Zealand winemaking with a French influence’. It’s all about maximising the fruit purity, and then he puts it in French oak barrels for 18 months.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eBut these aren’t any old oak barrels. Gerd has a pal who makes Grand Cru Burgundy, uses the barrels once, and sells them on to him.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWe're talking Pommard, Chambertin, Échezeaux here... all the seriously good stuff.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eYou end up with an intense, juicy, and perfumed Pinot, loaded with red fruit, Christmas cake and cloves. The oak gives it a really luxurious dimension - it supports the fruit perfectly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eNo wonder Pfalz is home to Germany’s best Pinots, and getting more and more international attention. You can add this one to the list as one of the regions’ best.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55823888384331,"sku":"STPVOMB23","price":20.63,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/Stepp_Pinot_Noir.jpg?v=1722437135"},{"product_id":"carinus-family-chenin-blanc-2023","title":"Carinus Family Chenin Blanc 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eDanie reckons this might be the best pound-for-pound value white wine in South Africa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou might have heard of Swartland… it means ‘Black Land’ and until not-too-long ago it was better known for producing grain than grapes. Wheat growers would have a few blocks of grapes to get their quota of brandy from KMV, South Africa’s ginormous spirits producer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s now home to the who’s-who of South African winemakers, who discovered that these old, previously unloved vines could actually make some of South Africa’s best and most iconic wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI must admit that I’ve found Swartland a bit intimidating to get into in the past, so Danie and Hugo’s Family Chenin offers the perfect gateway to experiencing the region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe secret to Swartland is the combination of magical soils and sun exposure. And Danie enlists one of South Africa’s best winemakers, Lukas van Loggerenberg, to guide his amazing fruit into bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s the ultimate guilty pleasure white wine… you get limes, you get florals, pears and apples, with a lovely creaminess and touch of marzipan too. It’s super refreshing but will also stand up to any braai\/barbecue dish too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe value here is insane… give it a try and tell us if you agree!\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55856285679947,"sku":"CFVCBL23","price":19.41,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0271_1.jpg?v=1768578175"},{"product_id":"carinus-rooidraai-chenin-blanc-2023","title":"Carinus Rooidraai Chenin Blanc 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eDanie and Hugo’s amazing value Family Chenin Blanc comes from their premier cru equivalent grapes. This wine is their grand cru.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe grapes are grown on Rooidraai soil - a granite derivative which stains your hands blood red when you pick it up. These special soils give the wine an amazing minerality and salinity which is so unique in this wine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eYou might have heard of Swartland… it means ‘Black Land’ and until not-too-long ago it was better known for producing grain than grapes. Wheat growers would have a few blocks of grapes to get their quota of brandy from KMV, South Africa’s ginormous spirits producer.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIt’s now home to the who’s-who of South African winemakers, who discovered that these old, previously unloved vines could actually make some of South Africa’s best and most iconic wines.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe secret to Swartland is the combination of magical soils and sun exposure. And Danie enlists one of South Africa’s best winemakers, Lukas van Loggerenberg, to guide his amazing fruit into bottle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe grapes come off a block of 40-year old vineyard with steep slopes and Rooidraai soil which is rich in minerals. The wine is aged in old oak barrels for 10 months, and then bottled, giving you the simplest, purest expression of this special place in your glass.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWhen Danie talks about making the soils and the vineyards the rockstars again, you’ll see exactly what he means with this wine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55856327033163,"sku":"CFVROO23","price":25.47,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0067.jpg?v=1762529340"},{"product_id":"carinus-family-syrah-2023","title":"Carinus Family Syrah 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis amazing-value red is the combined work of one of South Africa’s top growers (Danie \u0026amp; Hugo Carinus) and one of its very best winemakers (Lucas van Loggerenberg).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt comes from the Polkadraai Hills in Stellenbosch, one of the best places in the world for growing Syrah.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDanie describes it as a ‘melting pot’ of soils. Polkadraai sits on an ancient river bed that once ran down to False Bay. As the sea came in, it deposited sandstone, and as it receded, it mixed in decomposed granite and shale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe comparison to Cornas is, in Danie’s words, ‘uncanny’. You have granite at the top of the hills, and as you move down south it gets sandier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vineyard behind this wine was planted in 1996 on sandy soils - and the whole area is cooled by south-easterly winds blowing from False Bay. Perfect for aromatic, perfumed Syrah.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like your northern Rhône reds you’ll be in heaven here… the nose is all white pepper, lavender and blackberry, while the palate is fresh, juicy and wonderfully pure.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWines like this are why I believe South Africa delivers the best bang for buck in the wine world. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDanie could only spare us a tiny allocation - so grab yours while you can, and I’ll do my best to secure more next time around!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55856941826379,"sku":"CFVSYR23","price":19.41,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0268_1.jpg?v=1765447682"},{"product_id":"stepp-cabernet-franc-2023","title":"Stepp Cabernet Franc 2023","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Pfalz wine region in Germany is less than an hour away from France. In fact it’s been part of France several times throughout its history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSo when it comes to growing and making classic French varietals around here, it’s completely natural to the locals.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdd in perfect growing conditions and a new generation of winemakers who’ve seen the world and come back home, and you have the ideal breeding ground for wines of huge quality and potential.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStep forward Gerd Stepp - everything he touches turns to gold in our members’ eyes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGerd spent many years making wine in Argentina before returning home to Pfalz, and while he was there he was always impressed by the Cabernet Franc. So when he came across a Cabernet Franc vineyard back home, he immediately saw the potential and opportunity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis wine is aged in second-use barrels which previously held Grand Cru Burgundy for 18 months, and it’s also left on its lees for the whole time to build additional mouthfeel and texture.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is elegant, pure and delicious Cabernet Franc - I’m delighted to add this to Gerd’s growing stable of WineSpark best-sellers!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56020271857995,"sku":"STPCF23","price":21.51,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0274_5328502b-57a4-4ca6-9a38-fc0f0c4b5cc3.jpg?v=1764771930"},{"product_id":"chiara-condello-predappio-sangiovese-2022-magnum","title":"Chiara Condello Predappio Sangiovese 2022 Magnum","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eThis is Sangiovese, but not as as you know it.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s Sangiovese Piccolo, a close cousin of the Sangiovese you’ll find in Tuscany.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bunches and berries are smaller, and as a result there’s a greater skin-juice ratio. You get more colour, more fruitiness and softer tannins in the wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a great and gentle introduction to Predappio Sangiovese. Chiara takes the grapes from three different vineyard sites, each parcel giving something different to the wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vineyards are farmed organically, so the fruit is healthy and buoyant. Everything is picked and sorted by hand - so only the best fruit makes it through.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wine is aged in big oak casks, and then in concrete tanks before being bottled. Ensuring none of that tasty fruit gets overshadowed by the oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe nose is classically Italian - it’s savoury and leathery, with lovely bright red fruit and peppery notes. The palate is rich and balanced, with good intensity and lifted finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you’re a fan of those charming Italian reds, then this is one to add to the list.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56080929620299,"sku":"CCPMG22","price":49.59,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey_0283.jpg?v=1771343388"},{"product_id":"domaine-julien-gros-savigny-les-beaune-blanc-2022","title":"Domaine Julien Gros Savigny-Lès-Beaune Blanc 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eA few years back I was at Wine Paris, the big French wine fair, sniffing around for quality white Burgundy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMy nose led me to the area of the \u003cem\u003eGroupe des Jeunes Professionnels de la Vigne\u003c\/em\u003e, or the young winemakers of Burgundy. Mylène and Benoit of Domaine Nicolas are members, so I thought there’d be further talent to discover here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne sniff of this wine and I knew I’d found The One. A flinty, nutty, citrusy nose, followed by a broad, textured and complex palate - this is premium white Burgundy heaven.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJulien Gros is a bit of an outlier in Savigny-Lès-Beaune, a village much better known for its reds. 80% of Julien’s production is white wine, and being the tenth generation in his family to make wine, it’s fair to say that he knows what he's doing at this point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s from a small, south-facing vineyard on clay-limestone soil called Clos du Village. Even better, the vineyard is a 'Monopole', which is the rarest of rare things in Burgundy - a whole enclosed plot owned by a single producer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wine is aged for 14 months in 50% new oak barrels, and this combination of ripeness, minerality from the soil, and influence from the oak, makes it a full-flavoured, opulent Chardonnay, full of elegance and complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a gem of a wine from a young prodigy in Burgundy, and at under €40... it's a steal.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56849956077899,"sku":"DJGSLB22","price":39.8,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0105.jpg?v=1715952885"},{"product_id":"monte-branco-branco-2022","title":"Luís Louro Monte Branco Branco 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis is Luís’ flagship wine… made from the top 1% of grapes on his property. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eOnly the very best fruit makes the cut - so some years Luís doesn’t make this wine. Thankfully for us, the 2020 vintage was a stunner.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLuís takes his two best vineyard plots - Alicante Bouschet on schist soils, and Aragonez (which is Tempranillo to you and me) on limestone, and gives them the Rolls Royce treatment in the winery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIt’s proper luxury winemaking… co-fermentation in open-top tanks, aged for 12-16 months in 85% new French oak. Even at this point, Luís will cull the least spectacular 30% of barrels and use them in other wines.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s then aged for a minimum of 2.5 to 3 years before release - so it’s absolutely perfect for when you want to drink it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eLike any great fine wine, Luís is aiming for freshness and power, but also elegance at the same time.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is one of the best wines in Portugal, one of the best wines I tasted all year, and if this all hasn’t whetted your appetite to try it, I don’t know what will.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57047417028939,"sku":"MBBRC22","price":38.97,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0233.jpg?v=1734254451"},{"product_id":"las-pedreras-los-arroyuelos-garnacha-2024","title":"Las Pedreras Los Arroyuelos Garnacha 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhen it comes to Spanish fine wine, Gredos is now the talk of the town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt’s all about Garnacha here, which is the same grape (Grenache) behind great Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Priorat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe unique combination of high altitude and sandy-granite soils in Gredos produces Garnacha with intense flavour, but also great finesse\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThink Burgundian elegance with Spanish sunshine, and you’re in business.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a beautifully balanced Garnacha, a blend of different plots along the Alto Alberche valley. It has the juicy fruit of a good Côtes du Rhône, with classic Gredos structure and freshness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpain's most respected wine critic, Ferran Centelles, gave the 2021 vintage 17\/20 points on JancisRobinson.com and also a big thumbs up for its value.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI think this one's even better!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57047494426955,"sku":"ARYLS24","price":21.59,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0238.jpg?v=1753384767"},{"product_id":"cordero-hica-barbera-dalba-2023","title":"Cordero Hica Barbera d'Alba 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis Barbera was one of the first wines I decided to bring in for WineSpark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a deep, rich red with serious personality. ‘A bit impolite like me’ says winemaker Serena.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’d never tasted it before - its tiny production would have been way too small to come across my radar before. And that’s the best thing about it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s from an area called Bricco Gatti, well-known to experts as one of Alba’s best vineyards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vineyard is a prime south-west facing site - the extended afternoon sun gives the Barbera grapes serious power.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s lovingly tended to, vine by vine, by Serena’s brother Gabriele. He’s at peak happiness surrounded by the bees, bugs and butterflies that thrive in the vineyard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis attention to detail doesn’t happen anywhere else in the region. And the meticulous work speaks for itself in the wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s unmistakably Italian on the nose, with aromas of dark fruit, dried herbs and tea leaves. Then it’s rich, creamy and powerful on the palate - if you love your Italian reds, this is absolutely guaranteed to be right up your street.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57496414060875,"sku":"COHBA23","price":27.3,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/Hica_Barbera.jpg?v=1722606426"}],"url":"https:\/\/winespark.co.uk\/collections\/autumn-classics.oembed","provider":"WineSpark","version":"1.0","type":"link"}