We are so delighted for @vinyesdomenech for the outstanding article and review by Ferran Adria (of El Bulli fame) in @cluboenologique magazine. These incredible wines have always so impressed us and we are glad to represent them in the UK. #monsant #garnachapeluda #catalunya #ferranadria

2023 Birak has landed. @aseginolazayleunda Garnacha from the village of Olite is here. This Cuvee is made by Jon and Pedro to show off the fruit forward juicy style if wines this limestone terroir produces. Raised in stainless steel it is immediate and ridiculously drinkable, and the vintage has created a stand out example. We also have a tiny quantity of the hens teeth rare Camino de Torroza Tinto 2020 straight from the cellar. Usual channels are open… #garnacha #navarra #terroir

News letter incoming. Focussing on Clovallon, Trevallon and Cheveau. If you are not signed up and you would like be visit our website carteblanchewines.com and follow the steps at the bottom of the page. #newsletter #trevallon #clovallon #faugeres #pouillyfuisse #burgundy #terroir

New Vintages: Mas d’Alezon and Clovallon. We are delighted to have landed the new wines of Catherine and Alix Roque, mother and daughter owners of the groundbreaking Clovallon Estate in Bedarieux (dolomitic limestone, planted to Pinot Noir and Riesling and Viognier in 1989) and Mas D’Alezon, Faugeres. The wines produced are as one might expect, terroir honed and elegantly presented. We have shipped 2022 Monfalette (black blue Schist from Soumarte, the most northern Faugeres commune), 2023 Presbytere, from the village of Faugeres, and from Clovallon, Pinot Noir and 2023 En Noir et Blanc, the Pinot Riesling Viognier white which has become something of a cult classic. Wines available now and as always get in touch for more info. #faugeres #whitefromred #terroir #demeter #biodynamic #somm

The wines of yesterday’s Galician tasting at @lowerwine all showing beautifully. Thx @pittyverdot and team Lower Wine for hosting us, and to those who made it. If you couldn’t make it along and want more info, let us know and we will send you a booklet. Photos courtesy of @ruthspivey_

Today is the day… @lowerwine 12 to 4pm.

A little teaser ahead of a very exciting ex cellar offering from one of France’s most respected and intriguing estates. Watch this space for more news….

2021 Bourgogne Blanc from @anthony_perol, located in Chatillon d’Azergues. A super example of the ‘Pierres Dorees’ terroir. Available now. For info and samples please get in touch. #bourgogne #chardonny #terroir

Top Wine @adegasainas (and corkscrew @winerackd!). Top Food @sonnystores. Top Human @lukeaharbor . #bristol #riberasacra

Excellent article on the wines of Terrasses du Larzac and feature on @pasdelescalette. Bravo Julien and Delphine, for the beautiful wines and work you put in to those extraordinary vineyards. @decanter #Languedoc #terroir #decanter

If you can find lunch on Wales, go to the place in London that has a lot of Wales in it. As always thebbest good with the best people. Even if they can’t keep their eyes open in a photo. (Must be my chat?) @clothrestaurant @vinoyrosados @jep_haynes #cloth #muscadet #tablenumber1

Galician Tasting 15th October, Lower Wine, 12 to 4pm. Manuel Formigo, Teira, Ribeiro. Manuel took on 5 ha of vines in the Avia valley over a decade ago, when he inherited from his Grandfather, Tino. Escaping the rat race he has become one of Ribeiras great success stories, producing wines on an artisanal scale without ego or hyperbole. The vines are planted on very poor granitic sand banks, terraced to help with erosion and vine management. Excepting Formigo Blanco, all wines are free run juice only, allowing the terroir to balance varietal character in harmony. Only Palamino and press juice is used for Formigo, which is a delicious snapshot into how good this region is. No MLF (frowned upon on this DO) and only stainless steel. We have secured a small parcel of Tino, from the incredibly rare Abilla de Avia which Tino rescued from extinction. It is one of the most beguiling wines of the region. @formigo_beade @lowerwine #ribeiro #formigo #sommlife #tasting #galicia

In a very good place figuratively and literally. @caillevincent

News Flash: Mountain People Wine x CBW We a pleased to announce the imminent arrival of TAM 2023. One stockinger barrel of Somerset Chardonnay fermented aged and bottled by David Morris. Label by Helen Salter @helensalter (our very own) and ready for release in early October. #davidmorris #chardonnay #englishwine #welshwine #noaddedsulphur #dimsylffwrychwanegol

15th October, 12 to 4pm at Lower Wine. We will be showing the wines of this great estate, Adega Sainas (details in the today’s news letter). RSVP via DM or email. #sainas #galicia #riberasacra @adegasainas @lowerwine

This brilliant new book by @windingwoodvineyard Christopher Cooke has landed. A wonderful insight into setting up and running a small biodynamic vineyard in Berkshire with lots of useful information on biodynamic work and detail on the daily rigours of vineyard management. We have ten books to give away… dm in interested! First come first served.

First outing for this beautiful wine from @victorausejoviticultor . Many of@you@will know of his white Parcella 333 and Barrica, but he has made tiny portions of red for a couple of vintages from vineyards in the southern reaches beyond Alberite, near Sojuela. This is initially dense then bursts open with bright acidity and spicy tannin. Will age, but who’s is really going to let it! #rioja #garnacha #spain

10 years of The Vaults tasting. A huge thank you to @winemakersclub for hosting another wonderful collaborative tasting with many of the UKs leading importers. Not enough photos taken as always but lots of good memories and meetings. Here’s to another 10 years… #vaults #muscadet #rioja

Another home from home @cloth. X

Galician & Friends Tasting: 15th October Lower Wine 12 to 4pm Info@carteblanchewines.com Trade Only. #galicia

Remo Nardone 1935-2024. I have always kept a photo of Remo (although this one borrowed from the press) as a reminder of a person who inspired me and for whom I had the greatest respect. I am forever grateful to him for not only taking a chance on me as a young and inexperienced wine rep in 1999, but also in backing me along my journey when others doubted me. We enjoyed many lunches together, nerve wracking chats in the office where he would ask my opinion on company defining decisions (and would then instruct me on why I was wrong), and even the odd visit to Italy, (where once he got Angelo Gaja to blame me for breaking the orange juicing machine in our hotel!). Each meeting with Remo was a life lesson and my admiration for him and the way he ran Enotria holds fast to this day. What a loss to the industry this is and my thoughts go to his family at this very sad time.

Weingut Thörle: after another set of extraordinary reviews from @james_sucking_wine, we are very pleased to have the new vintages of two of our most sought after cuvées back in stock. 2022 Spatburgunder is, if possible, even more impressive than the 21 vintage. Detailed black cherry, smoked ham, cherry, a touch of spice. Tannins so seamlessly integrated one is in mind of Pinot from further west, and balance and length we have come to associate with this great domaine. Will age of course, but we suspect it won’t get a chance. 2023 Kalke & Kreide is the blend of Chardonnay and Wiessburgunder that made its debut in 2021. Since then it has become a go to for those who love classically poised white wine with a little twist. Think Pouilly Fuisse with a dash of Chablis (sorry, but it’s just what pops into our heads when we taste it!). Stocks of these two and the Grand Cru wines are landed. Please enquire within if you are keen to taste. @thorlewein #rheinhessen #spatburgunder #germanwine #organic #grandcru #jamessuckling

New Grower: Adegas O Cabalin, Valdeorras. We are thrilled to have secured an allocation from Teresa and Luis of their extraordinary wines produced from tiny plots high above O Barco, made in their lovingly crafted cellar in Vilamartin. Luis, from the a famous family of Bierzo and Teresa, a lawyer from the region, created this Adega in order to showcase the altitude and terroir of O Cabalin, and Viladequinta. They have two parcels with 6 plots of old vine Mencia, Godello, Barancallao Garnacha Tinta Roriz and more besides, co-planted at altitudes of 600 to 800 metres. Wine making is almost Burgundian in style allowing the terroir of these individual parcels to shine, framed in their trademark light footed approach. Elegance, ‘weight without weight’ and purity are all watchwords here, we have never tasted wines quite like it from this increasingly popular region of Galicia. Our parcel is here, and will be on taste on the 15th October at our Galicia tasting at Lower in Waterloo. Details to follow. #mencia #valdeorras #somms #galicia @adegaocabalin @pittyverdot @winefreedom

Adegas Sainas. Ribera Sacra.

New Grower: Adegas Sainas, Ribera Sacra. Jorge and Saleta own 5 hectares of old vines within the Mino subzone along the Cabe river. Most will be familiar with the sweeping curves and violently steep slopes of the Sil valley, but the areas off the beaten track (we are close the the village of Sober here) often produce fresher and more detailed wines from absurdly steep, roughly terraced vineyards. Setting out to take on the family domaine in 2018, it was in an immediate turn to biodynamic viticulture working to bring life back into the vineyards. It is a now familiar story, but with help from friends (such as Luis Seabra from Xisto Cru) a friend who helps with the oenology), Jorge and Saleta have become legends of the region with only a few vintages under their belt. They are modest and incredibly hard working and theirs wines are a reflection of their care for the soils as much as their fastidiousness in the cellar. It is no coincidence that the likes of Ferran Centelles have already been attracted to their little corner of the world, once you taste the wines you will see what all the noise is about. We have landed 4 cuvées, details of which can be found on our next news letter. We will also be hosting a tasing of Galician wines at Lower in Waterloo on October 8th. @adegasainas #galicia #riberasacra #mencia #somm #terroir

10 years ago we had the privilege of taking part in what become a kickstarter for so many great collaborative tastings. Instigated by the great John Baum, guided by somm legend Emily Harman, a group of us piled into the newly lacquered winemakers club and awaited the hoards. Who came. In their hundreds. Games of ‘Ouvre le Bouche’ were played, as were rounds of the great ‘One more no more’ (played by so many at the Winemakers since), all among the clinking and slurping of so many great bottles. So it is with great pleasure we return to this hallowed turf for a 10 Year of The Vaults Tastings with many of the originals and some amazing new additions to the scene. We can’t wait. 16th September, you know the venue. #thevaults #winemakersclub #tradetasting #londonsomm #OLB #Onemorenomore @winemakersclub @vinalupa

A very small parcel of 2021 Abaris Blanco from Abeica has landed. Catch it while you can. 100% Viura from the Santa Ana parcel to the east of the village of Abalos. This is a very special parcel of old vines in a south facing amphitheater where the vines are planted in the poorer soils at the top of the parcel. Fermented and aged in 600 litre French oak for 12 months, aged in bottle for a further 12. Released to us last year and a small portion this year. #viura #rioja #abeica @bodegasabeica

We pulled this from the archives and thank goodness we did. A very pointed reminder that these wines need age to lose all their puppy fat and stretch out. Aromatically somewhere between Rheinhessen Spatburgunder and Cotes de Nuits. Structurally all its own, and just the most sublime tannins. Note to self: Buy more (these wines are such amazing value) age more and revel in the glow. @domaine_camille_braun #pinotnoir #alsace #natural #demeter #somm

Acacias 2021, Mas del Perie. The finest expression of vintage and terroir there is from Cahors. Fabien, this is a genius wine. 100% infusion Malbec 11% with a chassis of Burgundy and livery of Cahors. @masdelperiefabienjouves @londonshellco #malbec #cahors #demeter #somm #fishforlunch

A new wine to the portfolio from @ricardelle_de_lautrec. A Demeter certified Pinot Noir from Lionel Boutie which exudes great value for money, alongside great typicity (varietal) and restraint. None of the heat, over ripeness and dubious sweetness of this region, thanks to a meticulous approach to viticulture and a light hand in the cellar. Available now (request for samples). #pinotnoir #demeter #biodynamic

One of the more delicious examples of Rolle (Vermentino) from the South of France (the Cevennes). The whole estate is Demeter certified and is high up in the dolomitic limestone that marks this garrrigue infused wilderness. Costeplan are one of our go-to producers for excellent value characterful country wines and this vintage is on peak form. The wine for Bouillabaisse, Mediterranean grilled fish or simply as an aperitif. #cevennes #rollenotvermentino #demeter #biodynamic @costeplane

World Albariño Day. Here is someone who makes excellent Albariño, among other things… @adegaentreosrios @choumimx

We now have the 2021 @jklperryco MB available for sale. Variety is Monmouthshire Burgundy. 1 year on fine lees. Absolutely no additives. 300 year old trees hand harvested and pressed in 19th century Perry press. 6x75cl packs available now. This vintage is a pale hue, lucid and bright, with faint aromatics of cherry blossom, pear skin, freshly cut hedgerow and delicate sweet spice. Dry on the palate, with a soft mineral texture and flush of acidity on the finish. 5.5% abv. (Also please excuse massive bottle but it is the only they had access to when bottling was needed!) #perry #wales #noandlo #artisan #authentic

Huge congratulations to Winding Wood on their second trophy of the year for 2020 Rose Brut at WineGB awards. (And to Daniel Ham for his incredible efforts too, with WW Brut only being pipped to the white trophy by Domaine Hugo!). @winegb @daniel___ham @windingwoodvineyard #englishwine #brut #davidmorris

The latest shipment from Jon and Pedro has arrived including 2021 Las Santas and 2023 Txuria. We also have a few more case of Arossa, Auritz, Otsaka Kauten and Matsanko. @aseginolazayleunda #navarra #garnacha #viura #camino

The best. Thank you Pedro, Jon, Javier David, Victor, Jose Victor and Maia for your amazing hospitality, beautiful wines and plentiful lamb chops. @aseginolazayleunda @arizcurenbodega @bodegasabeica @vigneronsdelasonsierra @victorausejoviticultor And to fellow travellers @hollywillcocks @un.tidiness and Phoebe . You were awesome tour companions. #rioja #navarra #garnacha #tempranillo #parcelas #vinyedossingulares

Just the most perfect wine pre the Kings. Thx Meg for steering us here. (Btw I think Caleb actually loves a fruity red from the Ardeche!) @tommyllewelyn

News letter incoming with news from beautiful people and places such as these… #galicia #mencia #albarino #winetrip #somms

Very much back in the game. Last ate here 22 years ago. Then it had a reputation beyond its menu, now it will gain a reputation for its menu. And staff. And decor. What a brilliant reboot of a classic. @juliesw11 @underwood_emma

Two from the archive. It’s hard to convey via the non Scratch and Sniff world of insta but these were so aromatic and full of vitality that had there been more bottles to open they would have been. (Need to find more). 2019 Chez Muron Gamay St Romain from Amphora at Domaine Serol and the always brilliant 2021 Alegre Valgañon Rioja from the tiny Carra Santo Domingo vineyard @alegrevalganon @stfserol (opened for the purposes of bench marking of course).

2023 Picpoul de Pinet. This vintage is perfect for Picpoul, where the weight of the fruit and acidity balance each other and a top note of wild herb and peach skin appears on the nose. Available now. #picpoul #whitewine #summer

Some of the greatest Spatburgunder produced? Who are we to say, but we would also say that some of these have found their way into our own personal cellars to sleep for 10 years or so. @thorlewein #spatburgunder #pinotnoir #rheinhessen

Camino de Ribas. 2022. #lower @vigneronsdelasonsierra @lowerwine

We are pleased as punch to have Christoph and his wines over with us for a day or two this week. @thorlewein has become on of Germany’s most sought after growers and a go to for top terroir honed Riesling and Spatburgunder (which among some parties is rated as the best in the country). London Wednesday evening and Thursday and then a client tasting at @cavistewine on Thursday evening. #riesling #rheinhessen #thorle #spatburgunder #london

Manuel Formigo has taken an inheritance and turned it into a lifestyle. His plots in Beade, Avia Valley Ribeiro amount to just 5 hectares played in granitic sands, quartzite and schist. His vision is for white wines which express the terroir through the lens of the variety and in this enterprise he has succeeded completely. Two blends, Formigo predominantly Palamino, and Teirra, Treixadira, make up the front row of how production, both refined and easy flowing examples of this fantastic DO. Teira X is a sublime blend that has concetration and vitality, a truly brilliant white. Cholo (Loureiro) and Tino (Albilla de Avia, of which he holds half a hectare of only 3 or 4 that exist) are two white wines that transcend the DO, being as thrilling as they are delicious, but made in tiny quantities. @formigo_beade is a passionate hard working and generous human and we are extremely lucky represent his wines here in the UK. #ribeiro #treixadura #galicia #sommlife #spain

Our relationship with Jose and Julia @jose_viticultor in Bierzo goes back almost 10 years. Then, Bierzo was really still very unknown, with a handful of names popping above the parapet, mainly Perez and Palacios. Today, Jose is mentioned in the same articles and lauded for the precision and refinement of his wines, and for the incredible dedication to his vineyards in Valtuille, Corullon (where he has some of the highest and oldest plots) and Villafranca (where ‘Julia’ originates). His whites have a Burgundian chassis with Bierzo livery, his reds exude the characteristics if soils, (sand in Valtuille and Schist Slate in Corullon) whilst retaining a drinkability verging on the addictive. A new wine, Corrullon Palamino, must rate as one of the most beautiful white wines to have passed these lips for some time. We await the release of his single vineyard wines, surely to be ranked alongside those of Perez and Palacios (who are also friends) in the Autumn, but for now, taste the 2022 Vinas Viejas Mencia, which must rank as one of the best value fine wines out there. #bierzo #corullon #valtuille #mencia #sommlife #natural

For those of you interested in life beyond the DO, one of the exciting insider tracks is discovering the less well known IXP of Galicia. Five regions outside the DO but where land is cheaper, the rules a bit more relaxed and the energy is rising. There will be a tasting soon for a collective of these regions so watch this space (in Spain organised by the IXP committee.) but for now here is a map…

It is always with great pleasure and excitement when we visit the verdant and reclusive vineyards of Jose Crusat of @adegaentreosrios in Barbanza. His knowledge and enthusiasm are honed with great skill and practical understanding, so his wines are both as wild and intriguing as he looks, and as focussed and pure as he is. 2023 was a tough year for him, but the wines in bottle and on the verge of being released are his finest yet. We will introduce Altares 21 in the Autumn, homage to the trellising system used in the valley. This wine will be familiar to anyone who appreciates the Salnes style, being equal in concentration and finesse as any I have tasted at this level. We will also take a little fizz, because it is outrageously delicious! @choumimx thank you for you time and energy. #galicia #albarino #granite #schist #sommlife

2022 Gaznata is here and with a bang too. A fruit forward vintage with raw silk tannins, bright blood orange acidity and cool long finish. Always one of our most loved wines and it’s great to have it back. #gredos #garnacha #spain

A fantastic result for 2020 Winding Wood Rose Brut, achieving one of only 5 Gold Medals for Sparkling wines among over 100 entries in this year’s IEWA awards. This 1 hectare biodynamic vineyard in Berkshire has got such huge potential, especially with the help and guidance of Daniel Ham and David Morris. Bravo Christopher and Leone. A spectacular effort. #iewa #englishsparklingwine @the.iewa @windingwoodvineyard

Looking forward to being part of this incredible tasting at Sandridge Barton ,near Totnes, Devon on Monday. There are still a few spaces (trade only, sorry!) and we’d love you to join us. RSVP with a DM to us or email hello@pullo.shop. As well as the tasting @wildwineschool will be hosting masterclasses throughout the day. We will be joining Debbie with a few special bottles for the Rioja talk. Running from 10.30-6 you are welcome to pop in for half an hour or make a day of it. See you there! . . . . @wildwineschool @pullo.shop @naturalgrowthwine @winesutb @winemakersclubshop @rolandwinesuk @wanderlustwine @lescavesdepyrene @beattieandroberts @wrightswines @findcider @smithhayneorchards

Sanzay has arrived. 2022 Paterne is a top class example of Saumur Champigny, and we have a smattering of his other cuvées too if you are quick. See emails for news and send us one if you would like to see what’s here. @antoinesanzayofficiel #saumur #loire #sommlife

Very proud to be part of this amazing event in Margate. More details to follow but sign up asap to avoid disappointment!

Producer focus page at Asador 44 in Cardiff showcasing Jose Gil and Aseginolaza y Leunda. In high demand too. Thanks Owen Sophie and the team. @asador44 @vigneronsdelasonsierra @aseginolazayleunda #navarra #rioja #cardiff #asador

The 2022 vintage seems to suit this terroir down to the ground. Old vine Mencia from Valtuille produced with a deft lightness of touch, layered with juicy fruit and finely honed tannins. Jose and Julia have been blazing a trail for almost 19 years now and their wines are rightly considered among the finest of the region. If you would like to taste, please get in touch. #mencia #bierzo #spain #valtuilledeabajo #sommlifestyle

Great choice @sherrymonster44 Thank you for picking this. Tasting amazing right now too. @vigneronsdelasonsierra @decanter #rioja #decanter #asador44

Bristol, South West and Wales. We are extremely excited about our shared event this coming Monday at The Forge. We will be joining Swig, 266 Wines and Vins Clair to highlight the new additions to our Summer Portfolio. There are still spaces for the afternoon sessions so please sign up if you have yet to do so. We look forward to seeing you. @swig_trade @266_wines @vins_clairs

Domaine Alain Mathias, Chablis and Epineuil. Our annual allocation will be with us next week. The excellent 2022 vintage showcases the immense effort Carole and Bastien have put into their vineyards, and comes as a relief after so many ‘difficult’ harvests. We will have the wines on tasting at the Forge on the 13th May, Bristol. #chablis #bourgogne #chardonnay

New Grower: Benjamin Taillandier, Minervois. @taillandierbenjamin After a fairly exhausting few days in a shed in Montpellier, there was a spring like gait to our step when we spent the day with Benjamin in January. Minervois is a region most have a vague idea of, and for us one that far to often produces wines that can be a bit sullen and ‘impressive’. Not so here, in Caunes, where BT produces cuvées from two distinct terroirs with a lightness of touch and purity that induces thirst quenching gulps rather than reticent sips. Fully bio and committed to planting heritage varieties (the best, he says, to deal with the temperature increase) there is as much energy to his enthusiasm for his parcels as there is in his wines. We are thrilled to have them here and thanks @masdelperiefabienjouves for the intro! #minervois #bio

New Vintage: 2023 Terras do Sur Albariño has now arrived. The second vintage of this remarkable wine made from old pergola trained vines in the Mino, a stones throw from Portugal, in Condado do Tea, has arrived. This year Pepe has bottled all his production so we should in theory have plenty to share. #albariño #riasbaixas #terrasdosur

We await the new releases of @masdelperiefabienjouves with anticipation in the summer, but this 2017 Acacias is a reminder of just how well these wines can age if you let them. Elegant, expressive and lightly touched complexity with DNA that can only be Cahors.

New Grower: Vinyes Domenech, Capçanes Monsant. Founded in 2002, the Domenech family set about preserving and regenerating vineyards in this most remote of valleys in south east Monsant. They have built a self sustaining cellar and invested thousands of hours in the vineyards to create one of the most spectacular properties in Catalonia. In 2015 their single parcel ‘Teixar’ was awarded Vi de Finca status (Grand Cru) in recognition of this plots ancient Garnacha Peluda vines, and the unique quality of the wine. When we visited in 2023, we were struck by the family’s passion and hands on approach to the ongoing work in the valley. The range of soils include fragmented limestone, Clays, Loess and Chalk, planted to Garnacha, Blanco, Gris, Noir and Peluda (known as hairy Garnacha, and of which they have the oldest vines). Vineyard work is biodynamic encouraging healthy growth if all the native flora and fauna, some of the former finding its way onto the menus of Barcelonas great menus. Each wine is framed by a sense of place, echoing the depth and complexity of the best of Monsant, alongside the freshness and purity derived from the altitude the Collet valley affords. Quietly the family have built one of the most beautiful estates in the region and we are thrilled to now represent them in the UK. For more details visit our website or email us. #monsant #garnacha #catalunya #vinyesdomenech #sommlife @vinyesdomenech

13th May, The Forge, Bristol. Trade Tasting with @swig_trade @266_wines @vins_clairs to register follow the link in our bio (eventbrite) or send us an email at info@. Thx to @ortiz_foto for design work too. #bristol #winetrade #sommlife #organic #biodynamic

New Grower: Aixala i Alcait, Torroja Priorat. Jordi and Sussi produced their first wine from the Pardelasses vineyard in Torroja in 2005. Their work is organic (ecological) dedicated to producing low yielding terroir driven wines but incorporating technics to ensure the wines remain drinkable and not just statement wines. Sulphur use is also kept to a bare minimum. This is a love story, not just with the land and culture but also of these two, who have overcome so much and who live next to the small cellar with their family in the huddled streets of the village. Jordi is also the mayor of the village and a leading environmental activist for the area. Production is around 1000 cases per annum. For more information please contact us in the usual way. #priorat #torroja #aixalaialcait #carignan #catalunya #sommlife

New Grower: we are delighted to announce the arrival of Domaine Perol, a family estate founded in 1912 close to the town of Chatillon d’Azergues, north west of Lyon, known as ‘Pierres Dorees’ (and within Beaujolais and Comtes Rhodaniens) This still relatively unknown patch of land is home to Gamay, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, as well as fresh vital Viognier and peppery spicy Syrah. Anthony Perol, current incumbent, is an energetic and open minded man, who has farmed vineyards and cattle organically since 2005 and has carefully selected parcels for each of his cuvées. The resulting wines are brimming with life, beautifully honed and very drinkable. We were drawn to this area through Quentin Harel (who sadly died a couple of years ago) and it is one steeped in history, gastronomy and viticulture, so we are very pleased to be able to conifer working here with Anthony. #gamay #lyon #viognier #beaujolias #pierresdorees

David Morris. Pinot Noir. Old and young. Wales #wales #pinotnoir

A legend. #rioja #remirezdeganuza

Matsanko. Meaning ‘Whole Cluster’ is as deliciously effortless as it is photogenic. The 2022 vintage has been a revelation that is almost at an end. @aseginolazayleunda cru wines, Rosado and one two other gems are soon to be on there way but for now, we have a few cases of this, 2021 Cuvee and a drop of Birak left.

Congratulations to our amazing friend @rosiebluebell for her latest culinary classic. Now available through all reputable outlets. #recipe #cook #delicious

Happy St David’s Day! Dydd Dewi Sant Hapus! A new release from one of our favourite Welshmen modelling in a counter top of a haven for Welsh folk in London run by another of our favourite Welshmen. Daffs are out in Wales, rain has abated and the mountains call. Diolch Dewi!

An end to a beautiful couple of days with some amazing growers, clients and friends. Than you to all those today who hosted Jose and us on our tour of London (his first visit!) and for making him feel so welcome. You know who you are. It is incredibly uplifting to meet so many engaged and enthused people working in some of the best establishments in the world. Thank you . @vigneronsdelasonsierra #rioja #london #sommlife

@vinaterosldn thus far…

“The littlest birds sing the prettiest songs.” Mountain People Wine Roll Call 2022 is released. We have 114 bottles of David Morris’s much anticipated latest release. An aromatic and mineral driven skin contact wine produced from all the varieties of his Tintern Parva vineyard (except Pinot Noir!) and the are some unusual ones in there. He will be presenting this and a preview of his 2022 Pinot Noir at @bedrockfair on March 3rd at @arestaurantwherethelightgetsin . We will also have a bottle in hand next week on London if anyone is keen to taste before it all goes. #welshwine #skincontact #MPW

Table 24: These two.. Jon and Pedro of Aseginolaza y Leunda, making a huge noise very quietly in their corner of Navarra, in San Martín de Unx. They are the epitome of Vinateros, discovering and reinvigorating micro parcels of old vines, principally of Garnacha, from Olite, San Martín, Dicastillo and other tiny western Navarran communities. The results are ethereal and unlike anything else you will taste here, we guarantee it. Come and say hi @vinaterosldn @aseginolazayleunda #navarra #basque #garnacha #spain #terroir

Table 27: Ca di Mat, Sam Martin de Valdeglasias, Sierra de Gredos. Paolo and Victoria produce parcel selected Garnacha and Albillo Real from what must be among the most dramatic vineyards in Europe. Shimmering pink granitic sand with a European nature reserve as a back drop, studded with cherry and almond trees. Production here is about time, patience and lightness of touch, creating classically Gredos wines which hark to a more ‘water colour rather than oil painting’ effect. Paolo will be on hand @vinaterosldn to guide you through the current releases. #gredos #vinaterosldn #sommlife #garnacha #spainishwine #albilloreal

Jose Antonio Garcia, Bierzo. We look forward to welcoming Jose and Julia to London for @vinaterosldn on the 27th February. With some of the most sought after vineyards in Valtuille and Corrullon they also make some of the most fascinating cuvées using ancient methods. Meticulous, precise and elegant are probably the best way to describe them and their wines. Please come and visit on table 8. #vinateros #sommlife #bierzo #mencia #terroir

Pre Shipment Offer: the 2023 vintage release of Fabien’s gorgeous Vin de Soif wines is upon us, just in time for the Spring. We have sent out emails but if you would@like to take part please either DM or get in touch via the website or email us direct. We will happily send out the vintage report too if you are interested in reading what was going on in Cahors in 2023. @masdelperiefabienjouves #cahors #yfmw #vindesoif #sommlife

Some highlights of the exceptional tasting of the greatest growers in Rioja. This is what the UK has been waiting for. To get this gang together for the day was no mean feat and it is down to the energy and graft of @timatkinmw that it came to pass. (And @grapesland too!). This must be one of the most exciting regions in the world right now. So lovely to meet so@many new faces too. And thanks to @arizcurenbodega @vigneronsdelasonsierra and @victorausejoviticultor for being there too. (And next year @bodegasabeica) #rioja #riojareport #spain #sommlife #terroir #growers #jamon

Two labels we are incredibly proud of. One of Birak 22 from @aseginolazayleunda and the other of their importers… a happy marriage for sure.

On Tuesday, these legends of Rioja will be pouring their wines alongside a whole host of the very greatest producers of Rioja, of all styles, at what will be the greatest tasting of this region in the UK ever. Many of whom have never presented their wines in person in the UK. It is thanks to the hard work of @timatkinmw and his team Inc @grapesland . It marks the release of the much anticipated Rioja Report 2024. 13th Feb, 1 Great George Street , London. #rioja #spain

@adegaocabalin O Barco, in the heart if Valdeorras, is a familiar stop off for those head to or from the Atlantic from Castilla. It is lies in the South Eastern corner of Galicia, over the hill from Bierzo (a big hill). As it happens Luis is also from over the hill, son of the Peique family of Abajo. He and Teresa have created their own adega, nestled in a beautiful renovated Galician granite village farmstead, bathed in warm gold hues. The wines are uncompromising and unlike any other wines from this region, produced from two sides of a valley high up in the mountains to the south of the village, with the largest parcel of old vine being Cabolin. This is micro selection and each Cuvee corresponds, in some cases, to just a couple of rows of mixed planted Mencia, Brancallao, Merancao and so on. The way are elegant, seamless and expressive and destined to be known among the great names of Galicia. Come and taste them at @vinaterosldn on the 27th February. #valdeorras #galicia #vinateros #mencia #sommlife

An embarrassment of riches on day two. New wines, new labels, new faces and new ideas… but always the old terroir and finesse. Some great people with some great wines. Thank you one and all.

Such an enjoyable day… what a lovely bunch they are….

Bodegas Abeica. @bodegasabeica new vintages have arrived, with a tiny parcel of their single vineyard wines. The quality of these wines matches them among the finest in the valley, with Chulato and Coleccion de Vineyedos being two of the best value wines around. We have a few cases of the cru wines so DM if interested. #rioja #spain #abeica #sommlife #grower

Meet Javier at @vinaterosldn on the 27th February. @arizcuren produce some of the most compelling wines in Orientale, if not Rioja.

Very much looking forward to February and introducing Jose and Vicky (and Maia!) to the UK. This bottle was the first to be sent to me (during lockdown) and inspired a new desire to revisit Rioja and all who sails in her. We hope to present a vertical of San Vicente during their extended visit during Vinateros, details to follow. #rioja #sanvicente

2023 Rioja Report. We have had time to finesse our own report ahead of the @timatkinmw 2023 Rioja Report release tasting in February and @vinateros later that month. We are privileged to work with and visit many great growers in this region and to gain interesting oversight of vintages, wines, vineyards and the news in general (but there is still so much to learn!). We will send out the report via our news letter on Friday or dm for a pdf copy. We look forward to introducing you to @vigneronsdelasonsierra @arizcurenbodega and @victorausejoviticultor in February at Tim’s Report release tasting. Details of which to follow.

We would like to wish all our clients and growers a very Happy New Year, you have been amazing in your support and encouragement. There is so much to look forward to in 2024, with tastings galore on the imminent horizon and new producers chalked up for the first quarter. We will be sending out our Rioja Report in the first news letter of the year and details of the fabulous Vinateros tasting in February. So, here’s to a fantastic year ahead for one and all, hope to see you very soon. With best wishes from Ben, Tamsin, Angus Helen and David.

Jean Paul Labaille produces his beautiful wines from Chavignol in the little red house as one approaches the famous Mont Damnes ‘Cru’, just outside the village. His cuvées are made in much the same way as his father in law produced them, and still only used large oak foudre for his cru wine. This vintage, the 2022, is a more forward, opulent style when compared to the citric racier edged 21s, so offers more pleasure in its youth, but has the acidity and mineral core that defines Mont Damnes, and will no doubt make old bones. Available now in limited quantities. #sancerre #montdamnes #loire

All showing beautifully at the end of year tasting with @goatontheroof with a very impressive audience to, well, impress.

A new shipment of this wine has arrived. Fabien makes this in conjunction with a handful of growers he is mentoring in one way or another and from whom he buys part of the fruit (to help them with their own cashflow). Their philosophies chime with his so the resulting wine is a bright, expressive Malbec from the Quercy limestone of southern Cahors. Made with the table in mind, it has great freshness and drinkability. One of a gaggle@of perfect bistro BTG wines we have on the list at the moment. @masdelperiefabienjouves #cahors #malbec #bio #terroir #somm

It is very gratifying to see @terrasdosur awarded the best value red of the year gong in @timatkinmw excellent report on Rias Baixas. To be named among luminaries such as Valdemar, Fulcro and Forjas del Salnes for a nascent Adegas is high praise indeed and obviously we could not be happier for Pepe and his family, and thrilled to be representing him in the UK. (The Albariño and Red blend didn’t do too badly either!)

Tondonia and Tondonia. The patch work of terraces and hills give way to one continuous plot of vines with several varieties that is Tondonia. Like a slab of Bordeaux being placed in Burgundy. The rosado was tasting very well.

Mountain People Wine. 23 vintage coming along well. Watch this space for release of the Roll Call skin contact. 180 bottles only…

A huge thanks to @arturoartuke for taking us through the wines despite major building works. We first visited in 2010 and for some reason didn’t pick up the agency (the reasons are so cringy we dare not divulge) but it is so great to see them very much at the front of the pack, never once doubting their ethos and philosophy. They have made the path for the likes of Jose Gil et al and the world is better for that. Just the most beautiful and consistent range of wines from some of the great terroir of Baños el Ebro (and friends). One day I’ll work out which vineyard is the one we visited back in the day too… (was it Los Locos?!) special mention to Sara for the tour and @266_wines for being such passionate importers of these wines.

Rioja: From one end to the other. The stunning wines of Carlos Mazo in the east, and the stunning wines of Oscar and Eva Alegre Valgañon in the west. 180km apart and two different worlds bound by a single thread. Carlos produces aromatically profound (I really mean that) wines from 6ha on the Sierra de Yerga in his cellar in Aldeanueva de Ebro, whilst Oscar and Eva produce ethereal, detailed wines from the village of Sajazarra on the cusp of the Burgos Plateau. Both producers deserve international success for wines that exude a sense of place, as well as being complete ‘fine’ wines on an international level. Thank you for your time and hospitality. @alegrevalganon @vinosenvozbaja

@arizcurenbodega we arrived at Javier’s den in Quel to news of his own vineyard Barranco del Prado had been rated as a Top Ten Rioja in US magazine The Wine Review. Those who know this wine will understand the significance of this as it is as one of the very few in the whole list to be a single parcel grower wine. Javier of course didn’t mention it! (Power of insta told us). His modest and humble approach remains a mainstay to his winemaking style and still the torchlight for the new wave wines of Orientale. Pictures here is his new vineyard, which he will blend with Monte Gatun for now but is destined for a single parcel wine, and Monte Gatun white, one of the revelations of this visit. #sierradeyerga #rioja #montegatun #garnacha

Where to start? A tour of Labastida’s intricately woven vineyards with @vigneronsdelasonsierra Jose Gil gives insight into one of the more famous villages of Alavesa (left bank). His four new plots will, for now, head to his village wine, but there are certainly single parcels here worthy of being bottled. A visit to the Castle cellar is a reminder that there is a bit more wine being made now, there are few more barrels, and some stock in storage for future tastings. The fermentation cellar is where we now taste, more space and light. 21 Maia, now bottled for a year and awaiting a label, is spectacular. 2022 vintage wines all show their personality as well as the livery of the vintage, and a slight uplift thanks to some whole bunch ferment and light extraction. Labastida is open faced and generous, San Vicente taut and restrained, El Bardallo elegant expressive and silky, Conoca brooding and wild, and Camino de Ribas ethereal and complex. (Garnacha is amazing too, now the tannins have calmed down!). Vicky and Jose have created something very special here and it has been a privilege to watch them grow, challenging themselves to improve with every step. They will be in London in February for @timatkinmw Rioja Report tasting and @vinaterosldn later in the same month. Watch this space some special events around their visit too. #rioja #sonsierra #vinaterosldn2024 #riojareport

@bodegasabeica the latest cuvées from @david_fernandezespinosaand @ricardofernandez__ are proof of the upward elevation of this pairs projection. The introduction of El Bardallo, a single parcel in the most westerly ‘valley’ of San Vicente is a masterpiece and adds to the other names who share the same terroir, Contador, Jose Gil, Abel Mendoza to name a few. The wine has the same silky tannins and bright elevated fruit of those others, with dense complexity and finesse. It is a joy to taste and, with Santa Ana Blanco and Carronillo, puts Abeica as one of the most exciting single parcel wines on the left bank of Rioja. Also new this year is an upgraded Seleccion de Vineyedos, now a blend and a bit more grown up… but still incredible value!

Thank you to Jose and Anna for taking the time to show us around @remirezdeganuza and for the tasting too. We have always had the greatest respect for this Bodegas, located in Samaniego (Álava) which has the feel of a truly historical place, despite being founded in 1989 by Fernando R de G. Despite new tenureship since 2010, Fernando’s philosophy is still at the heart of operations and the wines are as generous, elegant and long lived as they have ever been. Bravo.