Chateau Gaudrelle Vouvray Sparkling Methode Traditionnelle Brut NV

description: This is a Pét-Nat Prosecco. 
Pét-Nat is short for Pétillant Naturel (French for Naturally Sparkling).
It is the same vinification method as "Methode Ancestrale" used in Bugey Cerdon. 
The wine is bottled before the end of the first alcoholic fermentation. Unlike Champagne method (in which the base wine completes his first fermentation in tank and only the secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle adding sugar and yeast also known as liqueur de tirage, which will requires the wine to be disgorged), Pét-Nat method doesn't imply the wine will be filtered or disgorged upon fermentation. 
This gives Pét-Nat its light and fizzy mouthfeel, generally with a little sweetness and low alcohol. Most of the times, bottles are slightly cloudy from the presence of lees.
The wine is vibrant with complex lemon citrus, pear and verbena. It finishes dry with delicate yeasty notes.

Alcohol 11,0% vol.
Acidity 5,1 g/l.
Residual sugar 0 g/l
PH 3.3
Pressure 2.4 atm

Area of origin: Vittorio Veneto
Soil: calcareous
Varietal: 95% Glera (known as Prosecco)
Harvest: Manual, with selection of the grapes.
Vinification: Soft pressing with bladder membrane press, settling of must, fermentation at controlled temperature
Fermentation: Processed according to the traditional method of fermentation in yeast bottles. Is normal his natural “bottom” deposit in the bottle, which is why it is brilliant or velvety straw yellow if shaken; the bubble development is brilliant.

Extremely digestible wine, suitable for casual moments or tasting the typical sausages of the local tradition such as the sopressa. Great with pizza daisy.

Review:

"Showing orchard fruit aromas, this wine offers exuberant fruit with light lemon and herbal notes. It offers bright acidity and finishes complete dry. One of the best Pet-Nats we’ve had this year. Made of 95% Glera, this is a sparkling wine made the ancestrale method where the wine is bottled before the end of fermentation, resulting in dissolved carbon dioxide that lends a light sparkling quality to the wine."

- International Wine Review (Champagnes & Sparkling Wines for the Holidays: The Best of 2018), 90 pts

The Jeio line is inspired by the influential Desiderio Bisol, whose wife lovingly referred to him as Jeio. The father of the current generation of Bisol, Desiderio was dedicated to product quality, acquiring only the steepest plots. While considerably more difficult to work, these plots are ideal for vine cultivation. As a result of his vision, the Glera cultivated in these vineyards is especially rich in malic acid, making the final wine more dynamic and evolved. Glera sourced for the Prosecco Brut comes from vineyards in the DOC area just outside Valdobbiadene, taking advantage of the altitude and unique character.

Review:

A fresh and lively Prosecco with lots of lemon and lime character, as well as spiced pears. Medium body, lovely fruit and a fresh finish. Bottled in 2018. Drink now.

-James Suckling 91 Points

Beliere Bugey-Cerdon  is made from 95% Gamay, 5% Poulsard (a local grape from Jura).

Spontaneous fermentation. An altogether preferable scenario to spontaneous combustion, and A LOT more fun to drink. This pink, semi-dry bubbly was made by spontaneous fermentation, otherwise known as methode ancestrale. Grapes are picked by hand (not just any grapes, these are the local Poulsard and Gamay grown on mountainous slopes in the shadow of the Alps), and fermented in chilled vats just reaching 5 or 6 degrees alcohol. The young and light wine is then bottled, along with its active yeast and considerable unfermented sugars. Under pressure of the cork, the wine continues to ferment, gaining a few degrees of alcohol but retaining a nice amount of sweetness. The bubbles, of course, are another result of fermentation under pressure. This one is so delicious and fun to drink, with a distinctly, well, grapy aroma and a fruitiness that calls out for celebration and jubilation. 
This is also wonderful served with chocolate cake! 
8% ABV.

Produced from the "Ancestral method" (also used to produce Clairette de Die): Low temperature fermentation starting in the tank, light filtration that leaves active yeast in the wine, bottling of the wine with fermentation continuing in the bottle ("spontaneous fermentation in the bottle"), retaining some sugar (40 gr/liter at the end). Made from 95% Gamay, 5% Poulsard (a local grape from Jura).

Review:

"Amber color. Aromas and flavors of cranberry juice, rose petal, cherry and kiwi, and red apple with a round, bright, effervescent, fruity medium-to-full body and a delightful, medium-long finish that shows nuances of cherry, cranberry, beeswax, and rose water. Concentrated fruit flavors, creamy bubbles, and well balanced acidity will make this a splendid pairing with charcuterie." - Beverage Testing -Institute (November 2022), 92 pts - Gold Medal

Arzuaga Ribera del Duero Crianza 95% Tempranillo and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Dark cherry color with purple highlights. Powerful nose and high aromatic diversity of ripe red and black fruits, spicy and balsamic notes, and a roasted finish. Soft and mellow in the mouth with a great fruitiness and length.

Review:

This is a big wine with alluring aromas of cedary oak and black fruit. Ripe palate of black berries, some dark chocolate and integrated, polished oak. Long spicy finish. Classy Ribera. -Decanter 95 Points

While Pieter Cuythoff humbly named the valley after his patron, Jan van Riebeeck, Riebeek Cellars feels it is only fitting that this wine, which expresses the best of its valley, should carry the name of its founder. So, in honor of Mr. Cruythoff, this range of fine wine bears his name.

Bright red berry notes and a hint of spice is balanced by a luxurious texture & an elegant, lingering, dry finish.

The Chardonnay & Pinot Noir grapes are crushed together. To ensure an array of layered fruit flavors and to capture freshness, we use only free run juice from the crushed grapes. The juice is cold fermented with selected Champagne yeast, blend with a touch of ‘spicy’ Shiraz and then left on the gross lees for 6 months where it undergoes malolactic fermentation and develops the distinct sparkling wine flavors. After the wine is stabilized and filtered it is bottled with CO2 for a Charmat style sparkling wine.

Perfect with a variety of dishes including rich chocolate desserts.

THE LEGEND

Dispatched by Jan van Riebeek in search of the perfect place to grow provisions for the Dutch East India Company, Pieter Cruythoff stumbled upon a beautiful valley. But it was more than just the scenic beauty of this valley that had caught his eye; situated in the lee of the majestic Kasteelberg, the winters were mild, the summers were hot and the soil was uncommonly fertile. What's more, ships spotted from the lookout point on Kasteelberg were just a day away from Cape Town, and so were the wagons that went to meet them, laden with the treasures of  the Riebeek Valley.

TIMELESS JEWELS

While he humbly named the valley after his patron, Jan van Riebeek, we feel it is only fitting that our valley's most coveted treasure should carry the name of its founder. So, in honour of Pieter Cruythoff, this range of fine wine bears his name.

From the vibrant whites to the seductive reds, each one is a gem gently coaxed from the fertile soil of that same magical valley. Ironically, much of the valley's bounty still finds its way to Europe, and in particular to the Netherlands, the land of Cruythoff's birth. 

Imperial Stag Reserva Iconic Red Mendoza is made from 55% Malbec and 45% Syrah.

This is a single vineyard planted with Malbec and Syrah with low yields (2.5 ton per acre for the Malbec and 3.5 ton per acre for the Syrah).

Bright and intense, full bodied red wine with violet hues at the lips. Elegant and savory, with silky persistence. Captivating aromas of currants, raspberries and other red fruits. Distinct tobacco and chocolate aroma melded with honey and amalgamated notes of pepper and nuts from its passage through French oak barrels.

Pair with venison of course ! but also duck, lamb and strong cheeses.