It all began in the mid-1970s when André Dubosc – a third-generation wine grower – set out to build up the reputation of the wines from their region of South-West France. He and other passionate young winegrowers fashioned local dry white wines (now a PGI: Côtes de Gascogne), revived the Saint Mont appellation and gave a new breath of life to the Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh, made from late-harvested grapes. In 1979, these women and men, who put their heart, soul and know-how into producing the best the terroir could offer, decided to strengthen their foothold by uniting their wine cellars and estates. And so they set up the Plaimont union of cooperatives (“Pl” for Plaisance, “Ai” for Aignan and “Mont” for Saint Mont).
Plaimont invites you to discover a whole universe of native varietals from South-West France. The cuvée PAN brings together Colombard and Petit Manseng in a unique blend offering a wonderful balance between freshness and sweetness. Influenced by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Pyrenees to the south, the particular microclimate of Gascony alone determines the freshness and aromatic typicity of the wines of the area. The Colombard expresses here all its aromatic freshness while the Petit Manseng, harvested later, brings complexity and delicacy.
Ancient legends recount tales of nymphs, giants and winged serpents in the encompassing Apennine mountains. During the 5th century BC, the most feared mythical dragon devastated Ate and Tixa, in the southern part of Abruzzo. St. Leucio, famed slayer was summoned to kill the dragon. Today St. Leucio Cathedral stands on the monster’s den and contains the dragon’s 2 meter rib as proof of the diocesan’s bravery.
Hand-harvested grapes from the Abruzzo region make up this fruit-forward red wine. Classic Italian varietal Sangiovese is combined with French Merlot and aged for three months in large vessels made from oak, to soften and round out the tannins. Sangiovese gives crunchy red fruits, brisk acidity and fine tannins for structure, while Merlot adds soft, fleshy red stone fruits, producing a plush, satisfying red.
Quinta de Porrais is located in the area of the Douro Demarcated Region, recognized for having defined the world’s first organization model for a wine region and for the quality of its wines. In partnership with Ferreira family, Casa Santos Lima has been a partner of Quinta de Porrais since 2011 and responsible for the production and commercialization of the wines of this historic place.
Situated at an altitude of around 600 metres, winding terraces, the centuries-old vines planted here have excellent exposure to the sun. Made of this region’s traditionally grapes this wine shows great aromatic intensity and Douro’s character.
Casa Santos Lima was created to ensure the continuous development of Santos Lima’s wine producing activity created several generations ago. This activity was first started by Joaquim Santos Lima, who, by the turn of 19th century, was already a great producer and exporter of Portuguese wines. Still a family owned company, today is present in the regions of Lisboa, Algarve, Alentejo, Vinho Verde and Douro.
Porta do Monte is a genuine wine expressing all the authenticity of the region. The deep violet colour reveals rich aromas, with combined dark fruit and floral notes.
Casa Santos Lima was created to ensure the continuous development of Santos Lima’s wine producing activity created several generations ago. This activity was first started by Joaquim Santos Lima, who, by the turn of 19th century, was already a great producer and exporter of Portuguese wines. Still a family owned company, today is present in the regions of Lisboa, Algarve, Alentejo, Vinho Verde and Douro.
The Red Blend Portugal pays homage to the Portuguese producers’ art to take the best of each grape in order to create the perfect blend in a country with a vast variety of native grapes and incomparable skills to combine them the best way possible to produce quality wines.
Producing unique Rieslings that capture the distinctive personality of the great vineyard sites on the Mosel, Saar and Ruwer has been the mission at Weingut Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt for the last 650 years. The Gunter-Reh family arrived at the end of the 1970’s when they purchased the Imperial property of “Reichsgrafen von Kesselstatt” in 1978. Today, covering 46 hectares, their vines occupy an extraordinary range of superior terroirs along the three river valleys of Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, expressing the individuality and personality of these unique terroirs as effectively and tangibly as possible.
Here is a wine that is revealed immediately, with those markedly fresh and drinkable aromas that make it an ideal companion for an aperitif or throughout the meal, ideally as an opening bottle for a dinner among enthusiastic admirers of Riesling.
For more info, visit Reichsgraf von Kesselstattwebsite.
Rocca delle Macìe was established in 1973, when Italo Zingarelli, a film-maker, producer and director, decided to realize his lifelong dream by acquiring the “Le Macìe” estate, in order to create a winery in the heart of the Chianti Classico zone and to produce wines that, thanks to their balance between the tannic structure, fruit and pleasantness, can be appreciated by young people and wines that are able to give over the years a great evolution.
The “Zingarelli Family” is the Classic Chianti of Rocca delle Macìe which well represents the characteristics of this great wine area according to the interpretation of a winery in which tradition and experience blend with modern techniques.
A Chianti Classico made as it should be and that likes to be drunk young to show its purity and the imprint of a unique territory.
Rocca delle Macìe was established in 1973, when Italo Zingarelli, a film-maker, producer and director, decided to realize his lifelong dream by acquiring the “Le Macìe” estate, in order to create a winery in the heart of the Chianti Classico zone and to produce wines that, thanks to their balance between the tannic structure, fruit and pleasantness, can be appreciated by young people and wines that are able to give over the years a great evolution.
Sasyr is a highly quaffable wine that is fruity and polished on the palate, with no sharp edges; well-rounded, sinuous, and immensely drinkable. Like all great women, it has character and personality, making for a complete, well-balanced wine. In relation to more ‘masculine’ wines that require specific matches to find a sense of equilibrium at the dinner table, Sasyr is a very versatile proposal that works well with all manner of dishes, but is also very pleasant on its own, accompanied only by some great music.
The warm days and cool nights of this estate vineyard in Colchagua Valley provide the long growing season for the Carmenere grape to reach its maximum potential, producing a wine that is deep, dark and pleasantly fragrant.
“The lost grape of Bordeaux” comes home to Chile with this subtly spicy, refreshingly fruity example that showcases how delightfully dynamic Carmenere can truly be.
Schild Estate Wines are created with an authenticity and passion that comes from generations of a family who have made their home in the Southern Barossa.
This wine comes from a blend of Shiraz grapes from select parcels of vineyards including ‘Workshop’, ‘Angus Brae’ and ‘Three Springs’. Angus Brae is located in Altona between Rowland Flat and Lyndoch, named after Ed Schild’s grandson (Michael’s eldest). Three Springs Farm Vineyard is located at the site of the original family Estate.
The classic example of Barossa Shiraz with an exceptional elegance.
Located on a schist Terroir, typical of Languedoc, and with a very sunny Mediterranean microclimate, La Cave de Roquebrun produces wines in AOC Saint-Chinian-Roquebrun, AOC Saint-Chinian, AOC Languedoc and IGP Pays d’Oc, all original and high quality wines.
The schist and clay-limestone hillsides offer ideal soil for Syrah, Grenache and Carignan, revealing all the typicity of the AOP Saint-Chinian terroir.
João António Cerdeira was the first to break from this tradition in Melgaço and planted a full parcel as a continuous vineyard of Alvarinho. Today the third generation family members continue to embrace this spirit of innovation.
The name “Allo” is a merge of Alvarinho and Loureiro’s initials, two noble grape varieties of the Minho Region in northern Portugal. Loureiro, representing the majority (70%) of the blend, provides floral notes. Alvarinho, on the other hand, is responsible for the wine’s structure. By combining the delicate nature of Loureiro with the confidence of Alvarinho, “Allo” is a wine that embodies both the fun and serious sides of our Minho’s territory.
Some 340 winemaking families joined forces in 1907 to create St. Michael-Eppan Winery, home to South Tyrol’s largest wine-growing municipality, Eppan.
Cellar Master Hans Terzer’s attaches the utmost importance to vinifying top wines that are clear, pure in tone and true to their varietal characteristics.
In the top wines Sanct Valentin, winemaker Hans Terzer expresses all his skill and experience. Using only the finest grapes from the territory of the Cantina St. Michael-Eppan, he composes elegant, layered and multidimensional wines, characterized by exquisite minerality, elegant aromas and excellent aging potential.
Although it is a variety widespread throughout the world, it is one of the Cantina’s favorite vines. Since 1986, this Chardonnay has been part of the top line Sanct Valentin. Grown only in selected microzones in the municipality of Appiano, it guarantees extraordinary grapes that give life to a fine wine of remarkable strength and elegance. Balance, acidity and excellent aging potential are its characteristics.
Some 340 winemaking families joined forces in 1907 to create St. Michael-Eppan Winery, home to South Tyrol’s largest wine-growing municipality, Eppan.
Cellar Master Hans Terzer’s attaches the utmost importance to vinifying top wines that are clear, pure in tone and true to their varietal characteristics.
In the top wines Sanct Valentin, winemaker Hans Terzer expresses all his skill and experience. Using only the finest grapes from the territory of the Cantina St. Michael-Eppan, he composes elegant, layered and multidimensional wines, characterized by exquisite minerality, elegant aromas and excellent aging potential.
Pinot Grigio Sanct Valentin was born in 1986, when – making the first selections of grapes from different vineyards – for the first time it was vinified in purity and refined in small barrels. The expressive Pinot Grigio Sanct Valentin convinces with the perfect integration of acidity, strength and concentration. It is one of the most gifted Italian Pinot Grigios and offers excellent drinkability even after many years of aging.
Stonehaven Winery and vineyards are embedded in the heart of the Limestone Coast. The region produces a wide range of premium fruit from rich soils, which benefits from readily abundant water and cool evening temperatures even when daytime temperatures soar. Stonehaven Wines use these to make complex, balanced wines that retain the flavours and characters.
Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay provide the bulk of the region’s harvest, with plantings of Merlot, Pinot Gris and Riesling also gaining in popularity and quality.
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