Syrah, Grenache

Black fruits, pepper, and a fresh finish that makes you excited for the next taste!

Vintage:

• 2021

ABV:

• 13.5%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Classic

Style:

Food Wine

Region: Corbières, France

From the Brigitte Bardot of Corbières and her endearing husband come the wines of Fond Cyprès, a soulful, luscious lineup of Carignan, Syrah, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Viognier, Muscat, Cinsault and blends thereof. The couple, whose real names are Laetitia Ourliac & Rodolphe Gianesini, is intent on producing wines that express their sultry slice of the Languedoc — specifically, Escales, in the northernmost part of the Corbières AOC. Their domaine begins at the end of a road lined with Cypress trees and extends in either direction across 15ha of lush vegetation, a secret garden of olives, tomatoes, eggplants, wild herbs, and newly-born kittens. We first met Laetitia and Rodolphe in the deep, damp recesses of Cave Ackerman on a February afternoon in the Loire, and even then their wines were singing. But when we pulled up to their home in August and were greeted by bowls of freshly grilled palourdes, mussels, garlic, and parsley cooked in the juice we were about to drink, we understood their wines had made it feel like summer all along. - Minum Selections.

Cinsault

Cherry, strawberry, blackberry and rosemary.

Vintage:

• 2020

ABV:

• 13.4%

Funky Scale:

Middle of the Road

Style:

Food Wine

Region: Itata Valley, Chile

Carter Mollenhauer, a dynamic husband-and-wife winemaking duo, passionately crafts exceptional wines from indigenous grape varieties in Chile's Maule Valley. Edgard Carter's viticultural expertise and Karine Mollenhauer's winemaking finesse result in a limited selection that authentically captures the Itata Valley's terroir. Their hands-on, sustainable approach from vine to bottle reflects a deep respect for the land, preserving the Maule Valley's viticultural heritage. Tasting Carter Mollenhauer's wines promises an authentic, sensorial journey through Chilean winemaking, showcasing the duo's skillful hands and genuine love for their craft.

Zweigelt, St. Laurent

Cherry, blackberry, violet and pepper.

Vintage:

• 2020

ABV:

• 10

Funky Scale:

Middle of the Road

Style:

Glou Glou

Region: Weinland, Weinland, Austria

Alexander and Maria Koppitsch began making wine in Burgenland in 2011. They took over their parents 5.5-hectare winery and moved from selling their grapes into making their own wine. The vineyards are in the Neusiedl am See, a small village situated at the shores of the Neusidl Lake and on the eastern end of the Leitha Mountains which feature soft, rolling hills of mostly limestone soil. Like his father and grandfather before him, Alex does not believe in introducing any additives into the grapes or the wine. They use Rudolf Steiner’s biodynamic principles to cultivate their grapes, and pride themselves on performing every aspect of the vineyard management and the winemaking by hand, on a very small scale. - Jenny & Francois.

Valdiguié, Petite Sirah, and Zinfandel

Blackberry, plum, raspberry, violet, and black pepper.

Vintage:

• 2023

ABV:

• 14%

Funky Scale:

Middle of the Road

Style:

Glou Glou

Region: California, USA

At Las Jaras, our goal is to make delicious wine that has tons of energy and balance. We want them to be vibrant, delicate, and supple all at the same time while also being food-friendly and easy for anyone to enjoy. Our wines are designed to reflect the unique terroir of the vineyards using minimal intervention so you can taste their natural, rhythmic expression. If you are not used to drinking wines made this way, the experience can be a revelation. Our lighter wines can elevate your daily experiences. Bring the elegant bubbles of our Sparkling Wine to your best friend's engagement party. Nestle the Rosé into your backpack for a trip to the park to watch an epic sunset. Pair the chilled Glou Glou with a Margherita pizza to make takeout tastier. Our medium-bodied reds pair with deep savory meals and create thought-provoking moments. A holiday dinner includes a conversation about Carignan. The Cabernet Sauvignon is brought to your favorite restaurant to share a taste with your server. “Does this remind you of 70’s Napa?” And our Sweet Berry Wine demands an explanation, inspires stories, and creates joy. For your Wine!

Pinot Noir

Cherries, mulberries, rose petals, mushrooms, and vanilla!

Vintage:

• 2022

ABV:

• 10%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Classic

Style:

Food Wine

Region: Alsace, France

Les Vins Pirouettes is a project launched by Christian Binner, that brings affordable natural wines to the table, and at the same time helps organic and biodynamic grape growers in Alsace move away from selling their grapes to cooperatives towards making and bottling natural wines. Each cuvée is made at a young grower’s winery, where they supply the grapes and Christian supplies his 20 years of expertise in making natural wine in Alsace, and of course his marketing and distribution savviness. Each cuvée will feature the name of the grower on the bottle. - Jenny & Francois.

Pais

Vintage:

• 2021

ABV:

• 13%

Funky Scale:

Middle of the Road

Style:

Glou Glou, Party Wine

Region: Bio-Bio, Chile

Manuel Moraga Gutierrez is the owner and winemaker of Cacique Maravilla, a winery focused on traditional and non-interventionist Chilean wines in Yumbel in the Bio-Bio Valley of Chile’s Southern Regions. Manuel is the seventh generation of the Gutierrez family to call Yumbel home, and at least the fourth generation to tend vines. His great, great, great, great, great grandfather, Francisco Gutierrez Gutierrez, arrived in Chile in 1750 from the Canary Islands in search of gold and eventually amassed enough treasure to acquire land in Yumbel, some of which has remained in the family and is still owned by Manuel Moraga today. Francisco Gutierrez earned the respect of the local indigenous Mapuche people and was given the nickname ‘Cacique Maravilla’ (roughly translating to ‘Magnificent Chief’).

Swedish apples

Peas, apples, quince and pepper.

Vintage:

• 2021

ABV:

• 7%

Funky Scale:

Middle of the Road

Style:

Glou Glou

Region: Stockholm, Sweden

Brutes Cider is a collaborative endeavor led by five passionate individuals, each contributing distinct skills. Brad Sawicki, an accomplished American cidermaker renowned for natural winemaking, brings an international flair. Tobias Eriksson, a Swedish cidermaker and sommelier, adds depth with extensive fermentation knowledge and dedication to tradition.

Nicklas Ivarsson, another Swedish cidermaker, prioritizes sustainability and terroir-driven cider, enhancing ecological integrity. Joakim Kviberg, a Swedish musician, injects creativity with unique perspectives, resulting in innovative flavors. Fredrik Winberg, a Swedish restaurateur, provides valuable insights into consumer preferences, ensuring Brutes Cider complements diverse dining experiences.

Though lacking a singular "winemaker," the collaborative efforts of these individuals define Brutes Cider. Their unique amalgamation of talents, blending French and Swedish traditions, creates a must-try, promising a distinctive and delightful tasting experience.

Xarello, Macabeu, Parellada, Malvasia

Green apple, apricot, lemon, honeysuckle and jasmine.

Vintage:

• NV

ABV:

• 11.5%

Funky Scale:

Middle of the Road

Style:

Glou Glou

Region: Penedès, Spain

Agustí Costa and Paula Sandoval of Cal Xurriu, nestled in the hilltops near Barcelona, epitomize the essence of natural winemaking in Alt Penedès. Agustí, a passionate winemaker from a grape-growing lineage, prioritizes micro plots or "special vineyards" over mass production, uncovering Penedès' magic often overlooked for bulk wine. Together with Paula, they explore hidden biophysical colosseums accessible only by foot, fostering an ecosystem of wildflowers, asparagus, rosemary, and olive trees alongside 100-year-old vines.

Agustí's reverence for nature reflects in his unorthodox approach. He allows seemingly competitive plants to thrive, inviting wild goats and boar into the vineyards. In a heartfelt moment, a channel of wind surrounded him, a vineyard embrace that moved him to tears. His cool demeanor hides genuine vulnerability and compassion; his love for farming is evident in wines that mirror his character—delicate, vivacious, and brimming with care. Tasting Cal Xurriu wines is an invitation to experience the terroir's love and Agustí's devotion, a journey into the untouched soul of Alt Penedès.

Trollinger

Strawberry, raspberry, cherry and rose

Vintage:

• 2021

ABV:

• 11%

Funky Scale:

Middle of the Road

Style:

Cellar

Region: Swabia, Germany

According to the motto "Quality arises in the vineyard and not just in the cellar", a lot of idealism and perseverance is needed to produce a special wine quality instead of "Goldgräberstimmung". Knowing the importance of biological cycles and the respectful use of nature, they support the natural balance in the vineyard. With their specially prepared compost and the absence of chemical-synthetic agents, they promote the vitality and harmony of their vines. In this way, full-bodied, vivid wines are produced whose quality is later reflected in the glass. While the sun directly increases the quality of the grapes with its light and warmth, the moon influences the growth and vitality of the vines. During the work in the vineyard, they consciously focus on the different phases of the moon. - Minum Selections.