White Wines
The initial part of this introduction is the same as the one on our REDS page, but the country descriptions further down refer directly to the white wines from each country.
As you will probably know the wine world is divided up into “old world” and “new world” countries. Old world consists of mainland Europe – France, Spain, Italy, Germany etc, while New World consists mainly of the regions colonised by European settlers such as Australia, New Zealand, USA, Chile, Argentina and South Africa, although the South African wine insustry dates back to the mid 17th century so “new” could be a misleading term. This sector is ever expanding with new emerging regions such as Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay, and these days even India and China.
So there is a lot to choose from! The UK is regarded as the “shop window” of the world and most producers want their goods on sale here. And as the UK has no history of producing quality wines there is no allegiance to traditional regions or styles over here, giving every wine an equal chance to shine on it’s own merits. Hence the UK wine market is probably the most diverse in the world.
Naturally we assume more choice is a good thing. But with a subject as vast and confusing as wine there is such a thing as too much choice. Most UK consumers find selecting the right white wine amid the myriad of different retailers and brands a very challenging experience. Unfortunately the UK is flooded with poor quality wine, driven by low supermarket prices and some of the highest excise duty rates in the world – the UK pays over 40% of all the excise duty of the entire European Union! This means a cheap wine in mainland Europe costing three Euros, would cost you more like £8.99 by the time it is on sale in a UK off license – three times as much!
Most retailers, whether supermarkets, grocery chains, off licenses or even independent retailers end up sourcing factory produced wines made on a large scale, with large quantities of additives, driven by price, so finding a good bottle of wine amongst them is like finding a needle in a haystack. This is where we come in. We are a small privately owned, fiercely independent business specialising in sourcing only good quality white wines, made properly by people (not machines), with minimal if any additives. We buy the vast majority of our white wines direct from small family owned wineries, and pass the savings onto our customers.
That means you get great quality wines at the right price, our small family wineries get their wines to market, and hopefully we make a profit in the middle which we reinvest into sourcing more great wines. We only sell GOOD WINES so every wine on our site is good, many are exceptional. Most have at least one award, many are multi gold medal winners. So you can be confident of getting a good bottle regardless of which country or region you choose. Many of our really tiny artisan wineries don’t actually enter their wines for awards as they produce so little, but these are also sourced on their merits and are excellent wines.
Here is a guide to help you decide where to start looking.
Argentina
Their signature grape is Torrontes which makes floral aromatic dry white wines. There are some innovative producers who now barrel ferment this grape to produce fuller more rounded wines, and some who make late harvest dessert wines from this grape too. But don’t overlook Argentina for great fresh Sauvignons and good oaked Chardonnays as they can be high quality at low prices.
Australia
As we can’t find any whites low in enough in sulphites we don’t currently offer any white wines from here.
Chile
Great Sauvignon if from the right area – avoid EVERYTHING from the Central Valley though as this is all rubbish. We don’t stock anything from this region. Some good Chardonnays too and cool climate Gewurztraminer.
France
Again we avoid the expensive areas. We have good barrel fermented organic Chardonnay from Limoux, and other good sulphite free or organic whites from along the south coast. We don’t offer anything from Burgundy, the Loire or Bordeaux as we believe these regions are already well catered for in the UK and they don’t offer value for money.
Italy
Again some sensational whites from this country. We have stunning barrel fermented Chardonnays from right up in the Alto Adige to right down the bottom in Sicily. Plus world class Sauvignons, world class Gavi, the best Pinot Grigio from Santa Margherita, Vermentino and a whole host of other whites such as Lugana and Soave. And many top class sparkling wines too.
New Zealand
Sorry – we have stopped importing directly from New Zealand and we are aware this area is now a weakness for us but do take a look a our exceptional Sauvignons from South Africa. We have only a handful of NZ whites which we source through UK importers.
South Africa
We are hoping our disappointed New Zealand fans will try some of the world class whites from here instead, such as Grande Provence Sauvignon Blanc. In South Africa, if you avoid the big producers, you can find top quality Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s not just Chenin Blanc anymore, They also make some good blends, and some very good dessert wines too. And again these wines are great value.
Spain
Spain used to have a reputation for making poor quality flabby whites, but since the introduction of much better technology and facilities it is now producing some excellent examples, particularly from Rueda and Ribeiro. The whites we have sourced are real handcrafted boutique wines which are not only superb wines but also exceptional value for money. They tend to be made from native Spanish grapes which many Brits have never heard of, but please give them a try as there is a wealth of great white wines coming from Spain these days.
USA
Again we concentrate on sulphite free whites from Fey winery.
This artisan Tampesta Albarin is from the DO Tierra de Leon in North Western Spain. It’s a lovely full flavoured wine with body and good mouth feel, having been aged on the lees. Very fresh and natural on the long finish, made by expert Galician winemaker Luis Buitrón, vice-president of the Spanish Federation of Winemakers and president of the Association of Oenologists of Galicia. This vintage is excellent once again.
£13.99
This artisan Tampesta Albarin is from the DO Tierra de Leon in North Western Spain. It’s a lovely full flavoured wine with body and good mouth feel, having been aged on the lees. Very fresh and natural on the long finish, made by expert Galician winemaker Luis Buitrón, vice-president of the Spanish Federation of Winemakers and president of the Association of Oenologists of Galicia. This vintage is excellent once again.
£13.99
Tampesta Maneki is again made from the Albarin grape, although aged for longer on the lees to impart complexity and body. There was also a brief spell in oak.
The resultant wine is lovely. Full, rich and round in the mouth with noticeable peach flavours, ending with a long nutty finish. It is “gourmet” in style ideally paired with cured meats and good cheese. If you prefer a lighter fresher style of wine then opt for Tampesta’s Albarin instead.
£14.99
Tampesta Maneki is again made from the Albarin grape, although aged for longer on the lees to impart complexity and body. There was also a brief spell in oak.
The resultant wine is lovely. Full, rich and round in the mouth with noticeable peach flavours, ending with a long nutty finish. It is “gourmet” in style ideally paired with cured meats and good cheese. If you prefer a lighter fresher style of wine then opt for Tampesta’s Albarin instead.
£14.99
Tampesta Neko is a brand new wine made from the Godello grape.
Pale gold with good clarity. Some gentle legs. Full and fresh in the mouth with pear drop flavours, well balanced natural acidity and a long dry finish.
This is a lovely fresh wine, low in sulphites, ideal for summer. If you can let it breathe for ten minutes as being a new young wine it will benefit and soften a little.
£13.49
Tampesta Neko is a brand new wine made from the Godello grape.
Pale gold with good clarity. Some gentle legs. Full and fresh in the mouth with pear drop flavours, well balanced natural acidity and a long dry finish.
This is a lovely fresh wine, low in sulphites, ideal for summer. If you can let it breathe for ten minutes as being a new young wine it will benefit and soften a little.
£13.49
A fantastic new wine which is a pet project from our favourite Spanish supplier. Cecilia had Rosa Zarza make the wine, and many of you will have enjoyed her reds such as the Incredulo wines and the superb Tinta Rosa and 14 Meses. Well here Rosa has made a superb Verdejo from organically grown grapes. This “Julia” has now been rebranded this vintage under Malcaracter’s name where the wine is actually made, and presentation has changed – we don’t have an up to date image as yet. They are basically all working together producing a small selection of superior wines and it made sense for them to have the “Julia” under the Malcaracter brand.
The wine itself is of course the same excellent quality and is delicious and highly recommended. Low in sulphites so a great healthy lifestyle option.
£13.00
A fantastic new wine which is a pet project from our favourite Spanish supplier. Cecilia had Rosa Zarza make the wine, and many of you will have enjoyed her reds such as the Incredulo wines and the superb Tinta Rosa and 14 Meses. Well here Rosa has made a superb Verdejo from organically grown grapes. This “Julia” has now been rebranded this vintage under Malcaracter’s name where the wine is actually made, and presentation has changed – we don’t have an up to date image as yet. They are basically all working together producing a small selection of superior wines and it made sense for them to have the “Julia” under the Malcaracter brand.
The wine itself is of course the same excellent quality and is delicious and highly recommended. Low in sulphites so a great healthy lifestyle option.
£13.00
Recuerdame Organic Dominio de la Vega is a barrel aged organic wine made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes. That said it is a complex aromatic wine with full body and gentle acidity, about as far as you can get from the typical New Zealand or Chilean Sauvignons that dominate the market. Ideal with food from cured meats, good cheeses to buttered fish and herby pasta dishes, even roast pork or turkey. It’s a gourmet wine with a very long finish, well worth trying a bottle as wines like this are rare and hard to come by.
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£14.99
Recuerdame Organic Dominio de la Vega is a barrel aged organic wine made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes. That said it is a complex aromatic wine with full body and gentle acidity, about as far as you can get from the typical New Zealand or Chilean Sauvignons that dominate the market. Ideal with food from cured meats, good cheeses to buttered fish and herby pasta dishes, even roast pork or turkey. It’s a gourmet wine with a very long finish, well worth trying a bottle as wines like this are rare and hard to come by.
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£14.99
This Blanco de Roberto, organic white is a straight Sauvignon Blanc, made in a soft and gentle style.
It’s an excellent, easy drinking wine with balanced natural acidity, fresh flavours and a long crisp finish.
Perfect for summer, great with all kinds of food.
£13.99
This Blanco de Roberto, organic white is a straight Sauvignon Blanc, made in a soft and gentle style.
It’s an excellent, easy drinking wine with balanced natural acidity, fresh flavours and a long crisp finish.
Perfect for summer, great with all kinds of food.
£13.99
This Blanco de Maria, organic white blend is a great find in time for the summer.
Lovely flavours, soft and gentle acidity, pure and clean with low sulphite content.
Highly recommended.
£13.49
This Blanco de Maria, organic white blend is a great find in time for the summer.
Lovely flavours, soft and gentle acidity, pure and clean with low sulphite content.
Highly recommended.
£13.49
Bodegas de Galicia – Gold 2017, 91 Points by the Penin Guide
A true artisan Albarino from this tiny family winery. Very natural and pure. Delicate and elegant, yet quite full bodied. Highly recommended.
Just moved onto the 2019.
£13.99
Bodegas de Galicia – Gold 2017, 91 Points by the Penin Guide
A true artisan Albarino from this tiny family winery. Very natural and pure. Delicate and elegant, yet quite full bodied. Highly recommended.
Just moved onto the 2019.
£13.99
A new wine in a different style! Just 2600 bottles produced.
It is very floral on the nose. Complex flavours, again quite floral with a very long dry finish with notes of citrus. Full body and good mouthfeel, noticeable oak yet with refeshing acidity.
This is somewhere between a clean oaked chardonnay and a bone dry Alsace Reisling. If you’re after something more mainstream in style stick to Carlos’s fantastic white label Albariño.
£18.00
A new wine in a different style! Just 2600 bottles produced.
It is very floral on the nose. Complex flavours, again quite floral with a very long dry finish with notes of citrus. Full body and good mouthfeel, noticeable oak yet with refeshing acidity.
This is somewhere between a clean oaked chardonnay and a bone dry Alsace Reisling. If you’re after something more mainstream in style stick to Carlos’s fantastic white label Albariño.
£18.00
Bodegas de Galicia – Gold for 2014 vintage in 2015 and 2016
Just moved onto the 2018 vintage. A fine, elegant Albarino, full and round in the mouth with beautiful delicate flavours. Please note the free SO2 of 33mg/l was at bottling and will have reduced by now so this is a very healthy low sulphite wine.
£16.96
Out of stock
Bodegas de Galicia – Gold for 2014 vintage in 2015 and 2016
Just moved onto the 2018 vintage. A fine, elegant Albarino, full and round in the mouth with beautiful delicate flavours. Please note the free SO2 of 33mg/l was at bottling and will have reduced by now so this is a very healthy low sulphite wine.
£16.96
Out of stock
Organically certified by ICEA and Demeter
A fabulous natural Vermentino with nothing added or taken away. We have just received stock of the 2022 which in my opinion is their best vintage to date. Bear in mind they only make tiny quantities of this wine. It’s a little darker in colour but it’s still fresh and crisp with good fruit and a slightly nutty finish. The 2021 had a little dissolved CO2 which made it slightly frizzante when first opened but not so with the 2022. This wine has become popular with our sulphite free audience and this vintage will be in demand!
Please be aware this wine is cloudy as it is unfiltered.
If you don’t appreciate this style of natural wine please do not order this wine, as it is supremely rare and we want it to go to natural wine fans who will appreciate it. Thank you.
“grapes, sun and earth – that’s it”
£14.99
Organically certified by ICEA and Demeter
A fabulous natural Vermentino with nothing added or taken away. We have just received stock of the 2022 which in my opinion is their best vintage to date. Bear in mind they only make tiny quantities of this wine. It’s a little darker in colour but it’s still fresh and crisp with good fruit and a slightly nutty finish. The 2021 had a little dissolved CO2 which made it slightly frizzante when first opened but not so with the 2022. This wine has become popular with our sulphite free audience and this vintage will be in demand!
Please be aware this wine is cloudy as it is unfiltered.
If you don’t appreciate this style of natural wine please do not order this wine, as it is supremely rare and we want it to go to natural wine fans who will appreciate it. Thank you.
“grapes, sun and earth – that’s it”
£14.99
Sommelier Wine Awards – Gold, James Suckling 90 Points, CWSA – Gold
This is the extremely limited Gold 100 year anniversary edition bottle of the 2020 vintage. A very rare opportunity.
£40.00
Sommelier Wine Awards – Gold, James Suckling 90 Points, CWSA – Gold
This is the extremely limited Gold 100 year anniversary edition bottle of the 2020 vintage. A very rare opportunity.
£40.00
This wine has been renamed and used to be their Milesime Blanc.
A delicious blend of Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc (and Mauzac) aged in oak. Light in colour with a fresh nose. Citrus fruits on the palate, yet full and creamy in the mouth with noticeable oak. Plenty of body but very clean and fresh on the finish.
£14.99
This wine has been renamed and used to be their Milesime Blanc.
A delicious blend of Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc (and Mauzac) aged in oak. Light in colour with a fresh nose. Citrus fruits on the palate, yet full and creamy in the mouth with noticeable oak. Plenty of body but very clean and fresh on the finish.
£14.99
Santa Margherita Lugana is a brand new wine and it is superb!
Pale gold in colour with good body and mouthfeel. Big fruit flavours, yet elegant and superbly balanced with a really long finish.
I highly recommend this wine, it really is as good as it looks!
Beautiful to drink on it’s own or will pair with almost any food (particularly seafood cooked in butter).
£17.50
Santa Margherita Lugana is a brand new wine and it is superb!
Pale gold in colour with good body and mouthfeel. Big fruit flavours, yet elegant and superbly balanced with a really long finish.
I highly recommend this wine, it really is as good as it looks!
Beautiful to drink on it’s own or will pair with almost any food (particularly seafood cooked in butter).
£17.50
We have a very limited quantity of the 2020 vintage due in first week of December.
Given the huge success with their flagship Gamka red, Margaux opted to produce a classic white Cape Blend too.
It’s a blend of Chardonnay, Viognier, Grenache blanc, Verdelho & Chenin Blanc from different regions – Elgin, Stellenbosch, Swartland and Klein Karro, so pretty much the entire Western Cape.
It was both barrel fermented and barrel matured on the lees for nine months. Bottled unfined and unflitered to retain the goodness.
Pale gold in colour with wonderful clarity. Full in the mouth with a melange of fruit flavours, delicate balanced acidity and a very long bone dry finish. This is a great wine!
Only 1400 bottles produced!
£19.99
Out of stock
We have a very limited quantity of the 2020 vintage due in first week of December.
Given the huge success with their flagship Gamka red, Margaux opted to produce a classic white Cape Blend too.
It’s a blend of Chardonnay, Viognier, Grenache blanc, Verdelho & Chenin Blanc from different regions – Elgin, Stellenbosch, Swartland and Klein Karro, so pretty much the entire Western Cape.
It was both barrel fermented and barrel matured on the lees for nine months. Bottled unfined and unflitered to retain the goodness.
Pale gold in colour with wonderful clarity. Full in the mouth with a melange of fruit flavours, delicate balanced acidity and a very long bone dry finish. This is a great wine!
Only 1400 bottles produced!
£19.99
Out of stock
The Abelia range from Cave de Cairanne is a fantastic value introduction to their delicious wines, all AC Cotes du Rhone.
This is a lovely fresh Rhone blend, easy drinking and well balanced. Great with food or on it’s own.
£11.99
The Abelia range from Cave de Cairanne is a fantastic value introduction to their delicious wines, all AC Cotes du Rhone.
This is a lovely fresh Rhone blend, easy drinking and well balanced. Great with food or on it’s own.
£11.99
Orange 21 – Silver Medal
Please note – new modern presentation, and a new name for their superb “Reserve Blanc” blend.
This is a fantastic wine for the money. Full flavour with good body, well ballanced natural aciidity and a long crisp finish.
£13.99
Orange 21 – Silver Medal
Please note – new modern presentation, and a new name for their superb “Reserve Blanc” blend.
This is a fantastic wine for the money. Full flavour with good body, well ballanced natural aciidity and a long crisp finish.
£13.99
Fantastic Chardonnay. Clean, full bodied, fresh and delightful.
£14.99
Fantastic Chardonnay. Clean, full bodied, fresh and delightful.
£14.99
This is our most popular sulphite free white wine, and it gets better each vintage from it’s inception in 2017. It’s grown at altitude giving the wine a lovely freshness unusual for sulphite free whites.
£13.00
This is our most popular sulphite free white wine, and it gets better each vintage from it’s inception in 2017. It’s grown at altitude giving the wine a lovely freshness unusual for sulphite free whites.
£13.00
A blend of 60% White Grenache, 30% Viognier, and10% Vermentino. This wine has a little bottle age and is showing well. Full and rounded with good flavour. Last chance to get some of this wine at this price as the latest vintage has been oak aged and is likely to be nearer £18 if we can even get any (they make less than 2000 bottles per year).
£16.99
A blend of 60% White Grenache, 30% Viognier, and10% Vermentino. This wine has a little bottle age and is showing well. Full and rounded with good flavour. Last chance to get some of this wine at this price as the latest vintage has been oak aged and is likely to be nearer £18 if we can even get any (they make less than 2000 bottles per year).
£16.99
D’Anglas Petit Roy Blanc is a brand new sulphite free white wine from Roger and Carole. It comes from a one hectare vineyard of Roussane and Marsanne producing under 2,500 bottles, so we were restricted on how much we could have.
No wood used, aged in stainless steel tanks for three months. It underwent a light filtering.
Fresh with some citrus on the palate. Good body too, soft with gentle acidity and a dry finish.
Overall a very good sulphite free white, very easy to drink!
Apologies for the photo shopped image!
Please note this wine has some sediment which will be disturbed during transit so either leave it to settle for a few days or pour carefully.
£14.99
Out of stock
D’Anglas Petit Roy Blanc is a brand new sulphite free white wine from Roger and Carole. It comes from a one hectare vineyard of Roussane and Marsanne producing under 2,500 bottles, so we were restricted on how much we could have.
No wood used, aged in stainless steel tanks for three months. It underwent a light filtering.
Fresh with some citrus on the palate. Good body too, soft with gentle acidity and a dry finish.
Overall a very good sulphite free white, very easy to drink!
Apologies for the photo shopped image!
Please note this wine has some sediment which will be disturbed during transit so either leave it to settle for a few days or pour carefully.
£14.99
Out of stock
Silver – Milesime Bio
A complex aromatic blend of Chenin and Rousanne. Full in the mouth with good body. Lovely full soft flavours and a long lingering finish. This wine is excellent.
£16.00
Silver – Milesime Bio
A complex aromatic blend of Chenin and Rousanne. Full in the mouth with good body. Lovely full soft flavours and a long lingering finish. This wine is excellent.
£16.00
Another lovely organic wine from Domain Mayrac.
Pale gold with green highlights. On the palate it has apple and pear flavours – Jane said “pear drops”. Good mouthfeel, natural acidity and a long dry finish.
Delicious for a glass of wine in the sun or pair with buttered seafood.
£11.99
Another lovely organic wine from Domain Mayrac.
Pale gold with green highlights. On the palate it has apple and pear flavours – Jane said “pear drops”. Good mouthfeel, natural acidity and a long dry finish.
Delicious for a glass of wine in the sun or pair with buttered seafood.
£11.99
Audacia Chenin Blanc 2021 – No Added Sulphites, is a brand new wine from Trevor at Audacia, produced via his patented method of using the native plant Roobois as an anti-oxidant, negating the need for any added sulphites.
It has already been awarded a gold medal (Gilbert & Gallard) and Trevor assures us it is up to his usual very high standards. I will post my tasting notes as soon as I can.
£14.99
Out of stock
Audacia Chenin Blanc 2021 – No Added Sulphites, is a brand new wine from Trevor at Audacia, produced via his patented method of using the native plant Roobois as an anti-oxidant, negating the need for any added sulphites.
It has already been awarded a gold medal (Gilbert & Gallard) and Trevor assures us it is up to his usual very high standards. I will post my tasting notes as soon as I can.
£14.99
Out of stock
Friulano Collio DOC Livon Linea Classica is an excellent example of this local grape. The Collio DOC is one of Italy’s most prestigious regions for producing quality white wines, and Livon are one of the areas top wineries, and in fact the region’s largest family owned winery
Founded by Dorino Livon in the 1960s it has grown to a sizeable 260 hectares with Dorino’s sons Valneo and Tonino and their families all involved.
Friulano is the local name for the grape which is also called “sauvignon vert” in other regions. No surprise then that this wine is similar in style to their Sauvignon Blanc being clear, almost waterlike in appearance. Again good body. More subtle flavours, more like a hybrid of their excellent Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc. Again very clean and natural, wine made properly by a passionate producer, so you know you are drinking a wine which is healthy and good for you.
Vey well balanced natural acidity and a long clean finish. I think this wine would be very well received by fans of good Chablis and similar quality old world dry whites.
£15.49
Friulano Collio DOC Livon Linea Classica is an excellent example of this local grape. The Collio DOC is one of Italy’s most prestigious regions for producing quality white wines, and Livon are one of the areas top wineries, and in fact the region’s largest family owned winery
Founded by Dorino Livon in the 1960s it has grown to a sizeable 260 hectares with Dorino’s sons Valneo and Tonino and their families all involved.
Friulano is the local name for the grape which is also called “sauvignon vert” in other regions. No surprise then that this wine is similar in style to their Sauvignon Blanc being clear, almost waterlike in appearance. Again good body. More subtle flavours, more like a hybrid of their excellent Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc. Again very clean and natural, wine made properly by a passionate producer, so you know you are drinking a wine which is healthy and good for you.
Vey well balanced natural acidity and a long clean finish. I think this wine would be very well received by fans of good Chablis and similar quality old world dry whites.
£15.49
La Scolca Black Label Gavi (also known as “Gigi”) is regarded as the ultimate Gavi – excepting La Scolca’s exclusive extremely limited D’Antan which is Black Label Gavi aged in tanks on the lees for a straight ten years! That is extremely limited and expensive of course but this black label is more affordable and easier to get stock of.
La Scolca Black Label Gavi is highly sought after. Although pale in colour, this is deceptive as it’s a big, rich wine packed with flavour and a real weight on the palate. It has a very very long finish.
Currently on the 2021 vintage.
£33.00
La Scolca Black Label Gavi (also known as “Gigi”) is regarded as the ultimate Gavi – excepting La Scolca’s exclusive extremely limited D’Antan which is Black Label Gavi aged in tanks on the lees for a straight ten years! That is extremely limited and expensive of course but this black label is more affordable and easier to get stock of.
La Scolca Black Label Gavi is highly sought after. Although pale in colour, this is deceptive as it’s a big, rich wine packed with flavour and a real weight on the palate. It has a very very long finish.
Currently on the 2021 vintage.
£33.00
This is their flagship range Pinot Gris, not to be confused with their junior “Jealous Sisters” or “12000 miles” ranges. There are quite a few reviews and awards dotted about for the Jealous Sisters 2014 but I can’t find any reviews for this wine as it is much more limited. It is very good however.
£12.95
Out of stock
This is their flagship range Pinot Gris, not to be confused with their junior “Jealous Sisters” or “12000 miles” ranges. There are quite a few reviews and awards dotted about for the Jealous Sisters 2014 but I can’t find any reviews for this wine as it is much more limited. It is very good however.
£12.95
Out of stock
Gold Medal TheFiftyBest.com April 2016
Silver Medal International Wine Challenge 2015
Gladstone is a fantastic boutique winery in Wairarapa in the Martinborough region, at the bottom of North Island up in the hills to the east of Wellington. This Sauvignon from their flagship “Gladstone” range is fantastic. Extensively lees aged for body, complexity and longevity. It is full of tropical fruit yet with a real mineral streak on the back palate. It is very good indeed.
£14.99
Out of stock
Gold Medal TheFiftyBest.com April 2016
Silver Medal International Wine Challenge 2015
Gladstone is a fantastic boutique winery in Wairarapa in the Martinborough region, at the bottom of North Island up in the hills to the east of Wellington. This Sauvignon from their flagship “Gladstone” range is fantastic. Extensively lees aged for body, complexity and longevity. It is full of tropical fruit yet with a real mineral streak on the back palate. It is very good indeed.
£14.99
Out of stock
Descorchados 94 Points
A unique wine!
These sauvignon grapes were fermented with Sake yeast – Vina Marty is the only winemaker outside Japan permitted to use it.
The wine is clear gold in colour with legs and a complex nose. Big concentrated flavours with a very long finish. Presented in a fabulous heavyweight bottle too.
This is a special wine with very restricted allocation.
£18.95
Descorchados 94 Points
A unique wine!
These sauvignon grapes were fermented with Sake yeast – Vina Marty is the only winemaker outside Japan permitted to use it.
The wine is clear gold in colour with legs and a complex nose. Big concentrated flavours with a very long finish. Presented in a fabulous heavyweight bottle too.
This is a special wine with very restricted allocation.
£18.95
Jean Daneel is one of South Africa’s finest winemakers, known as “the father of Chenin”.
The grapes were sourced from assorted old vineyards (35 years plus) in Malmesbury, Perdeberg, Stellenbosch and Darling, all dry farmed unirrigated. Barrel fermented and matured for 12 months with 20% new oak.
£23.99
Jean Daneel is one of South Africa’s finest winemakers, known as “the father of Chenin”.
The grapes were sourced from assorted old vineyards (35 years plus) in Malmesbury, Perdeberg, Stellenbosch and Darling, all dry farmed unirrigated. Barrel fermented and matured for 12 months with 20% new oak.
£23.99
Platter 4 Stars
The Fledge & Co is the fabulous winemaking venture from Margaux Nel (younger daughter of Carel Nel and winemaker at the family winery, Boplaas) and her husband Leon Coetzee. They handcraft tiny quantities of different wines from specific vineyard sites all over the Cape winelands. Often using exciting “experimental” techniques like extended skin contact, whole bunch pressing etc. They travel 20,000km to hand harvest the grapes from 35 different vineyards.
This Jikken Barreru (Japanese for “experimental barrels”) Sauvignon is from two different sites, one at Simonsberg, the best site for Sauvignon in Stellenbosch, blended with wine from Elgin, well known as the best cool climate zone in SA due to it’s altitude and location right above False Bay.
Very pale, almost clear in the glass. It has an intense nose with typical big Sauvignon aromas. Then big fruit on the palate finishing absolutely bone dry. This is very good wine for the money.
Please note for anybody with a full blown sulphite allergy, we gave it a medium low sulphite rating as Jane had a very mild reaction and we prefer to err on the side of caution. If you have a sulphite allergy try Leon’s other Sauvignon Blanc – “Fume Blanc” which has just 4mg/l free SO2.
£11.50
Platter 4 Stars
The Fledge & Co is the fabulous winemaking venture from Margaux Nel (younger daughter of Carel Nel and winemaker at the family winery, Boplaas) and her husband Leon Coetzee. They handcraft tiny quantities of different wines from specific vineyard sites all over the Cape winelands. Often using exciting “experimental” techniques like extended skin contact, whole bunch pressing etc. They travel 20,000km to hand harvest the grapes from 35 different vineyards.
This Jikken Barreru (Japanese for “experimental barrels”) Sauvignon is from two different sites, one at Simonsberg, the best site for Sauvignon in Stellenbosch, blended with wine from Elgin, well known as the best cool climate zone in SA due to it’s altitude and location right above False Bay.
Very pale, almost clear in the glass. It has an intense nose with typical big Sauvignon aromas. Then big fruit on the palate finishing absolutely bone dry. This is very good wine for the money.
Please note for anybody with a full blown sulphite allergy, we gave it a medium low sulphite rating as Jane had a very mild reaction and we prefer to err on the side of caution. If you have a sulphite allergy try Leon’s other Sauvignon Blanc – “Fume Blanc” which has just 4mg/l free SO2.
£11.50
La Selva Organic Sangiovese Bianco is a delicious full bodied rounded wine with plenty of fruit and a great overall balance. Made properly without added tartaric acid, La Selva have relied purely on the quality of the grapes and their natural acidity to produce this delicious healthy wine. Lovely on it’s own and great with seafood too.
This wine is excellent and highly recommended.
£13.00
La Selva Organic Sangiovese Bianco is a delicious full bodied rounded wine with plenty of fruit and a great overall balance. Made properly without added tartaric acid, La Selva have relied purely on the quality of the grapes and their natural acidity to produce this delicious healthy wine. Lovely on it’s own and great with seafood too.
This wine is excellent and highly recommended.
£13.00
A brand new white from Robin & Imogen. 100% organic Macabeu having had 12 months in oak.
Please note this wine does say “contains sulphites” on the label as it is just over the 10ppm total sulphites limit. However it’s total sulphites are extremely low and it will be fine even if you have a sulphite allergy. Normally we wouldn’t list it on this page, just on our organic page, but we have put it here so fans of Robins wines can find it.
We only have 96 bottles in total.
£25.00
A brand new white from Robin & Imogen. 100% organic Macabeu having had 12 months in oak.
Please note this wine does say “contains sulphites” on the label as it is just over the 10ppm total sulphites limit. However it’s total sulphites are extremely low and it will be fine even if you have a sulphite allergy. Normally we wouldn’t list it on this page, just on our organic page, but we have put it here so fans of Robins wines can find it.
We only have 96 bottles in total.
£25.00
An artisan Chardonnay with no added sulphur, aged in oak for 12 months.
We have an extremely limited stock.
The naturally occurring sulphites in this wine are over 10mg/l – technically too high to be classed as “sulphite free” for which the limit is no more than 10 mg/l. But this is extremely low and the wine is still suitable for people with a sulphite allergy. Hence we have put it on our sulphite free wines page (as well as our organic page) so our regular customers who buy Robin’s other wines and wines from his family’s brand Costes Cirgues, are aware of it’s existence.
£25.00
An artisan Chardonnay with no added sulphur, aged in oak for 12 months.
We have an extremely limited stock.
The naturally occurring sulphites in this wine are over 10mg/l – technically too high to be classed as “sulphite free” for which the limit is no more than 10 mg/l. But this is extremely low and the wine is still suitable for people with a sulphite allergy. Hence we have put it on our sulphite free wines page (as well as our organic page) so our regular customers who buy Robin’s other wines and wines from his family’s brand Costes Cirgues, are aware of it’s existence.
£25.00
Descorchados 93 Points
This is a great artisan wine produced in the Malleco Valley which is just about as far south as wine country goes in Chile.
Pale gold in colour with a lychee nose. Reminded me very much of good Awatere Valley Sauvignon. It has big concentrated fruit flavours with gentle natural acidity (rare in sauvignon blanc) and a very long dry finish.
A great summer wine, also will pair well with food.
£14.99
Descorchados 93 Points
This is a great artisan wine produced in the Malleco Valley which is just about as far south as wine country goes in Chile.
Pale gold in colour with a lychee nose. Reminded me very much of good Awatere Valley Sauvignon. It has big concentrated fruit flavours with gentle natural acidity (rare in sauvignon blanc) and a very long dry finish.
A great summer wine, also will pair well with food.
£14.99
A wonderful Lugana. Full flavoured with body and complexity. Pure, beautifully structured with a long finish. This wine is lovely.
£19.99
Out of stock
A wonderful Lugana. Full flavoured with body and complexity. Pure, beautifully structured with a long finish. This wine is lovely.
£19.99
Out of stock
93 points – James Suckling
Lugana Riserva Sergio Zenato is the top Lugana from this prestigious house. Made in tiny quantities with a host of awards over the years. An exceptional wine.
£36.00
93 points – James Suckling
Lugana Riserva Sergio Zenato is the top Lugana from this prestigious house. Made in tiny quantities with a host of awards over the years. An exceptional wine.
£36.00
A new release for this winery – hence no decent photo available.
Excellent of course.
Tasting notes to follow.
£14.95
A new release for this winery – hence no decent photo available.
Excellent of course.
Tasting notes to follow.
£14.95
A good solid wine for everyday drinking at this price. Soft and fruity with a dry finish.
£9.49
A good solid wine for everyday drinking at this price. Soft and fruity with a dry finish.
£9.49
Pinot Grigio Livon is a great example of quality Pinot Grigio from Collio, one of the best areas in all Italy for this grape. The Livon family are the biggest privately owned winery in the region consistently producing very high quality white wines in particular, although they also produce some good reds from local grapes such as Refosco.
This Pinot Grigio is superb. Very pale in appearance yet full and round and full flavoured. This is very well made wine with a long finish. If you’ve never tried quality Pinot Grigio before this one from Livon is very highly recommended.
£15.49
Pinot Grigio Livon is a great example of quality Pinot Grigio from Collio, one of the best areas in all Italy for this grape. The Livon family are the biggest privately owned winery in the region consistently producing very high quality white wines in particular, although they also produce some good reds from local grapes such as Refosco.
This Pinot Grigio is superb. Very pale in appearance yet full and round and full flavoured. This is very well made wine with a long finish. If you’ve never tried quality Pinot Grigio before this one from Livon is very highly recommended.
£15.49
Due Bicchieri – Gambero Rosso ’17
Another beautiful wine from St Michael Eppan from their premium Sanct Valentin range. Normally I find Northern Italian chardonnays a little thin although I love the purity and clean feel. This one however is full bodied from being both barrel fermented (50% new, 50% used) and then further barrel aged for 11 months before bottling.
Pale gold in colour. Full of flavour with fruit and vanilla, rich and round with good mouthfeel. Beautifully balanced with integrated acidity and a long luscious finish. Superb.
Please note presentation has changed to a wider, squatter bottle.
£29.99
Due Bicchieri – Gambero Rosso ’17
Another beautiful wine from St Michael Eppan from their premium Sanct Valentin range. Normally I find Northern Italian chardonnays a little thin although I love the purity and clean feel. This one however is full bodied from being both barrel fermented (50% new, 50% used) and then further barrel aged for 11 months before bottling.
Pale gold in colour. Full of flavour with fruit and vanilla, rich and round with good mouthfeel. Beautifully balanced with integrated acidity and a long luscious finish. Superb.
Please note presentation has changed to a wider, squatter bottle.
£29.99
Awarded Gambero Rosso’s highest rating of Tre Bicchieri for an incredible 17 years in succession! Gambero Rosso also voted Hans Terzer as one of the Top 10 Winemakers in the world.
This is the flagship wine from this prestigious estate, regarded as the best Sauvignon Blanc in all Italy.
Please note presentation for this 2016 has changed to a wider, squatter bottle.
£29.99
Awarded Gambero Rosso’s highest rating of Tre Bicchieri for an incredible 17 years in succession! Gambero Rosso also voted Hans Terzer as one of the Top 10 Winemakers in the world.
This is the flagship wine from this prestigious estate, regarded as the best Sauvignon Blanc in all Italy.
Please note presentation for this 2016 has changed to a wider, squatter bottle.
£29.99
Santa Margherita have been awarded Gambero Rosso “Winery of the Year 2021”
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio is one of Italy’s very best, and best known Pinot Grigios, hailing from the premier Valdadige region, and was responsible for starting the worldwide interest in this Italian variety. Santa Margherita are one of Italy’s best known and most prestigious wineries. This Pinot Grigio is excellent with full flavour, good body and a crisp finish.
£12.95
Santa Margherita have been awarded Gambero Rosso “Winery of the Year 2021”
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio is one of Italy’s very best, and best known Pinot Grigios, hailing from the premier Valdadige region, and was responsible for starting the worldwide interest in this Italian variety. Santa Margherita are one of Italy’s best known and most prestigious wineries. This Pinot Grigio is excellent with full flavour, good body and a crisp finish.
£12.95
Sauvignon Blanc Collio DOC Livon Linea Classica is a beauty. New world green fruit with old world body and style!
This is a fantastic sauvignon from the excellent Livon winery. The region of Friuli produces some of Italy’s best white wines, in a very fresh, cooler climate style, and this sauvignon is no exception. Coming from the Collio hills DOC at an altitude of 250m which borders Slovenia.
Very pale in colour with green and gold highlights. Legs sticking to the side of the glass showing some body. Lovely big green fruit flavours with good acidity cleansing the palate. It’s deliciously crisp and refreshing, very clean and natural in style with only minimal additives.
For anybody who hasn’t discovered Friulan white wines I highly recommend trying this. “New world fruit with old world heritage!”.
£15.49
Sauvignon Blanc Collio DOC Livon Linea Classica is a beauty. New world green fruit with old world body and style!
This is a fantastic sauvignon from the excellent Livon winery. The region of Friuli produces some of Italy’s best white wines, in a very fresh, cooler climate style, and this sauvignon is no exception. Coming from the Collio hills DOC at an altitude of 250m which borders Slovenia.
Very pale in colour with green and gold highlights. Legs sticking to the side of the glass showing some body. Lovely big green fruit flavours with good acidity cleansing the palate. It’s deliciously crisp and refreshing, very clean and natural in style with only minimal additives.
For anybody who hasn’t discovered Friulan white wines I highly recommend trying this. “New world fruit with old world heritage!”.
£15.49
James Suckling 91 Points
St Michael Eppan is one of Italy’s finest wineries. It’s a cooperative of around 340 individual growers all with tiny vineyard parcels totalling something like 360 hectares. They pool the grapes and have the privilege of Hanz Terzer, one of the most highly regarded winemakers in the world, making their wines!
Hand harvested grapes were hand selected to go into this wine. Fermented and aged on the less for longevity. The wine is fresh and mineral in style with some tropical fruit notes. Great wine as always from Hanz.
£21.95
James Suckling 91 Points
St Michael Eppan is one of Italy’s finest wineries. It’s a cooperative of around 340 individual growers all with tiny vineyard parcels totalling something like 360 hectares. They pool the grapes and have the privilege of Hanz Terzer, one of the most highly regarded winemakers in the world, making their wines!
Hand harvested grapes were hand selected to go into this wine. Fermented and aged on the less for longevity. The wine is fresh and mineral in style with some tropical fruit notes. Great wine as always from Hanz.
£21.95
Soave Classico Colombara Zenato is a superb single vineyard Classico Soave, restoring faith in the DOC for producing quality wines.
A blend of Chardonnay and Garganega from a single vineyard, hand picked, soft pressed and fermented under temperature control. Another lovely full flavoured wine from the Zenato family. Recommended.
£11.99
Soave Classico Colombara Zenato is a superb single vineyard Classico Soave, restoring faith in the DOC for producing quality wines.
A blend of Chardonnay and Garganega from a single vineyard, hand picked, soft pressed and fermented under temperature control. Another lovely full flavoured wine from the Zenato family. Recommended.
£11.99
The 2022 vintage is arriving first week of December.
Below are the notes of the previous vintage.
Tim Atkin 93 Points
Platter 4 Stars
Neal Martin 91 Points
James Suckling 90 Points
Winemag.co.za 90 Points
The Fledge & Co is the fabulous winemaking venture from Margaux Nel (younger daughter of Carel Nel and winemaker at the family winery, Boplaas) and her husband Leon Coetzee. They handcraft tiny quantities of different wines from specific vineyard sites all over the Cape winelands. Often using exciting “experimental” techniques like extended skin contact, whole bunch pressing etc. They travel 20,000km to hand harvest the grapes from 35 different vineyards.
This “Fume Blanc” is a blend of hand harvested Sauvignon grapes from two sites, one in Stellenbosch overlooking False Bay and the other up at Gansbaai north of Cape Town on the Atlantic coast. It was both barrel fermented and barrel matured, then bottled unfined and unfiltered.
This is a complex wine, a big hit with their customers in South Africa and clearly well liked by Tim Atkin MW too. Big and round for a Sauvignon with bags of flavour, yet gentle natural acidity. This is a sophisticated wine suited to buttered seafood.
All the Fledge wines are low sulphite, but we also wanted to mention that all the free SO2 readings were at bottling which will have reduced significantly since, so they will in fact be even lower than stated now.
£14.99
Out of stock
The 2022 vintage is arriving first week of December.
Below are the notes of the previous vintage.
Tim Atkin 93 Points
Platter 4 Stars
Neal Martin 91 Points
James Suckling 90 Points
Winemag.co.za 90 Points
The Fledge & Co is the fabulous winemaking venture from Margaux Nel (younger daughter of Carel Nel and winemaker at the family winery, Boplaas) and her husband Leon Coetzee. They handcraft tiny quantities of different wines from specific vineyard sites all over the Cape winelands. Often using exciting “experimental” techniques like extended skin contact, whole bunch pressing etc. They travel 20,000km to hand harvest the grapes from 35 different vineyards.
This “Fume Blanc” is a blend of hand harvested Sauvignon grapes from two sites, one in Stellenbosch overlooking False Bay and the other up at Gansbaai north of Cape Town on the Atlantic coast. It was both barrel fermented and barrel matured, then bottled unfined and unfiltered.
This is a complex wine, a big hit with their customers in South Africa and clearly well liked by Tim Atkin MW too. Big and round for a Sauvignon with bags of flavour, yet gentle natural acidity. This is a sophisticated wine suited to buttered seafood.
All the Fledge wines are low sulphite, but we also wanted to mention that all the free SO2 readings were at bottling which will have reduced significantly since, so they will in fact be even lower than stated now.
£14.99
Out of stock
Tim Atkin 92 Points
Platter 4 Stars
Winemag.co.za 93 Points
The Fledge & Co is the fabulous winemaking venture from Margaux Nel (younger daughter of Carel Nel and winemaker at the family winery, Boplaas) and her husband Leon Coetzee. They handcraft tiny quantities of different wines from specific vineyard sites all over the Cape winelands. Often using exciting “experimental” techniques like extended skin contact, whole bunch pressing etc. They travel 20,000km to hand harvest the grapes from 35 different vineyards.
Part barrel fermented and matured on the lees to produce a complex wine with real ageing potential. Plale gold in colour with amazing clarity, some legs sticking to the glass. Lovely flavours, yet fairly delicate. Fine palate weight and a crisp cleansing natural acidity on the finish. This is very good wine, particularly suited to food such as grilled fish or chicken dishes. Be careful not to over chill it though. We chose not to use an ice bucket and let the wine relax a bit, and it just got better and better.
£15.95
Tim Atkin 92 Points
Platter 4 Stars
Winemag.co.za 93 Points
The Fledge & Co is the fabulous winemaking venture from Margaux Nel (younger daughter of Carel Nel and winemaker at the family winery, Boplaas) and her husband Leon Coetzee. They handcraft tiny quantities of different wines from specific vineyard sites all over the Cape winelands. Often using exciting “experimental” techniques like extended skin contact, whole bunch pressing etc. They travel 20,000km to hand harvest the grapes from 35 different vineyards.
Part barrel fermented and matured on the lees to produce a complex wine with real ageing potential. Plale gold in colour with amazing clarity, some legs sticking to the glass. Lovely flavours, yet fairly delicate. Fine palate weight and a crisp cleansing natural acidity on the finish. This is very good wine, particularly suited to food such as grilled fish or chicken dishes. Be careful not to over chill it though. We chose not to use an ice bucket and let the wine relax a bit, and it just got better and better.
£15.95
A very limited quantity arriving first week of December.
Leon assures me this 2021 is a real beauty! The previous vintage Vagabond gained a real following with our regular customers. Best be quick as this wont hang around.
All the Fledge wines are low sulphite, but we also wanted to mention that all the free SO2 readings were at bottling which will have reduced significantly since, so they will in fact be even lower than stated now.
£17.50
Out of stock
A very limited quantity arriving first week of December.
Leon assures me this 2021 is a real beauty! The previous vintage Vagabond gained a real following with our regular customers. Best be quick as this wont hang around.
All the Fledge wines are low sulphite, but we also wanted to mention that all the free SO2 readings were at bottling which will have reduced significantly since, so they will in fact be even lower than stated now.
£17.50
Out of stock
Brand new wine to join the very popular Insouciante organic red (and the new rose too)
£10.99
Out of stock
Brand new wine to join the very popular Insouciante organic red (and the new rose too)
£10.99
Out of stock
The Terroir Hunter wines are tiny production from individual vineyard plots specially selected to showcase Chile’s ability.
This Sauvignon from Lo Abarca comes from a tiny vineyard producing just 670 cases.
The grapes were part barrel fermented (20%) and aged on lees for five moths producing a rounder style complex wine. It has been very highly awarded and previous vintage won Best White Wine in Chile at the International Wine Challenge.
£16.99
The Terroir Hunter wines are tiny production from individual vineyard plots specially selected to showcase Chile’s ability.
This Sauvignon from Lo Abarca comes from a tiny vineyard producing just 670 cases.
The grapes were part barrel fermented (20%) and aged on lees for five moths producing a rounder style complex wine. It has been very highly awarded and previous vintage won Best White Wine in Chile at the International Wine Challenge.
£16.99
A delicious sauvignon from the prestigious Leyda Valley. Great value.
£11.39
A delicious sauvignon from the prestigious Leyda Valley. Great value.
£11.39
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