September 2024 - 12 Bottle Club

Moscato di Amburgo, Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo, Aleatico

Fresh red fruits, balsamic notes, floral hints, zesty finish

Vintage:

• 2021

ABV:

• 11.5%

Funky Scale:

Middle of the Road

Style:

Region: Tuscany, Italy

A unique winery with a heart of gold. Founded by a group of friends with a passion for the land and a desire to make a difference, Calafata is more than just a wine producer. It's a social enterprise that has been instrumental in supporting at-risk youth in the region. The winery's commitment to social causes is as evident in its wines as it is in its community involvement. Each bottle reflects the passion and dedication of the people behind Calafata, making them more than just a beverage.

Grenache Noir

Pomegranate, unripe raspberries, mountain herbs

Vintage:

• 2023

ABV:

• 12%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Classic

Style:

Region: Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Domaine de l'Accent is a small, family-owned winery in the Languedoc's Terrasses du Larzac region. Run by Konrad Pixner, a passionate winemaker with global experience, the winery focuses on producing high-quality wines that reflect the unique terroir of the area. Their vineyards are situated on ancient terraced slopes with limestone and stony soils, contributing to the complexity of their wines. Pixner employs traditional winemaking techniques like spontaneous fermentation and minimal intervention to preserve the natural integrity of the grapes. While Grenache Noir is the primary grape, they also experiment with other local varieties, showcasing the region's versatility. Pixner's international experience influences his approach to blending and expressing the unique characteristics of the L

Zweigeltrebe, Blauer Portugieser, Dornfelder

Light red fruits, subtle spice, smooth tannins, hint of oak

Vintage:

• 2021

ABV:

• 12%

Funky Scale:

Middle of the Road

Style:

Region: Moravia, Czech Republic

The Herzánovi winery is a testament to the power of family, passion, and sustainable winemaking. Founded in 1997 by Jakub and Zuzana’s father, the winery has evolved into a thriving family business. Jakub and Sandra Herzán, both trained winemakers, met while pursuing their studies at a nearby winemaking college. Their shared passion for winemaking and their commitment to sustainable practices have shaped the unique character of their winery. One of the distinguishing features of Herzánovi wines is the use of Georgian qvevri, traditional earthenware vessels, for a portion of their winemaking process. This technique, influenced by Jakub's interest in maceration, imparts a distinctive flavor profile to the wines.

Moscato di Amburgo, Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo, Aleatico

Fresh red fruits, balsamic notes, floral hints, zesty finish

Vintage:

• 2020

ABV:

• 14%

Funky Scale:

Middle of the Road

Style:

Region: Umbria, Italy

Meet Marco Merly, a passionate winemaker from the charming Umbrian village of Casa del Diavolo. His family-run winery, founded in 2002, is nestled in a picturesque landscape where nature reigns supreme. Marco and his father personally oversee every aspect of the winemaking process, from the vineyard to the cellar. Committed to preserving the natural character of his wines, Marco relies on indigenous yeasts for fermentation and avoids excessive technological intervention. It's a philosophy driven by a deep respect for the land and a desire to let the grapes speak for themselves. With minimal chemical treatments and a focus on sustainable practices, Marco Merly wines offer a pure and authentic taste of Umbria.

Gamay

Floral, fresh red fruits, vibrant acidity, succulent finish

Vintage:

• 2022

ABV:

• 13%

Funky Scale:

Classic

Style:

Region: Beaujolais, France

Tasting the 2020 wines, we were impressed by their purity and the clear vision of their young creator, only in his early twenties and on his second vintage. Adding these promising gourmand wines to our collection was an easy decision, and we eagerly anticipate his future work. It's delightful to see the Beaujolais, a region renowned for its iconic natural winemakers, continue to produce fresh talent.

Cinsault

Refreshing and crunchy glou glou with lots of berries, bramble, and minerality to hold up to food or on its own!

Vintage:

• 2020

ABV:

• 13%

Funky Scale:

Middle of the Road

Style:

Glou Glou, Food Wine

Region: Swartland, South Africa

Tremayne Smith's journey into winemaking began in East London, where he initially pursued a career as a chef. Influenced by his father's passion for wine, he transitioned into the world of winemaking. After completing his studies, he honed his skills as the assistant winemaker and vineyard manager at Sijnn, followed by a stint at Mullineux, before assuming the role of winemaker at Fable. In 2014, Tremayne embarked on his own venture, The Blacksmith, driven by his experiences working with varietals like Cinsault, Carignan, and Grenache, both locally and abroad. The ethos of The Blacksmith centers on crafting natural wines that captivate the senses and resonate with the soul. Tremayne possesses a profound understanding of the nuances involved in producing natural wines.

This bottle is rich, nutty, spiced like curry… yet also bright, fresh, with a spine of minerality

Vintage:

• NV

ABV:

• 12.5%

Funky Scale:

Middle of the Road

Style:

Food Wine

Region: Jura, France

Nestled amidst the breathtaking terroirs of Arbois and Pupillin, our Estate sprawls across 34 hectares of vineyards, graced by the distinctive blue marls of the lias. Perched at an altitude of 400 meters, our vines thrive in this unique microclimate. Within our holdings, we cultivate a diverse array of varietals, including 17 hectares of Savagnin, 6 hectares of Chardonnay, 7 hectares of Poulsard, and 4 hectares each of Trousseau and Pinot Noir. As stewards of the land, we oversee every facet of winemaking, from nurturing the vines to crafting the final bottled expression. Since 1999, we've embraced organic viticulture, and in 2009, we embarked on a journey towards biodynamic practices. Our commitment to sustainability is unwavering, reflecting our deep reverence for the land.

Montepulciano

Fresh with oranges, cherries, strawberries, and hints of herbs.

Vintage:

• 2021

ABV:

• 12%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Funky

Style:

Glou Glou

Region: Abruzzo, Italy

Named "Controvento," meaning "upwind" in Italian, this 5-hectare vineyard in the Rocca San Giovanni region of Abruzzo, just kilometers from the Adriatic Sea, epitomizes the essence of terroir-driven winemaking. Enzo Di Meo's farm, nestled partially in a valley with the picturesque Adriatic in view, operates as a completely organic and biologically-run vineyard. Cultivating seven varietals on calcareous soil, the vines benefit from the refreshing influence of the salty sea breeze. Enzo's commitment to natural practices is unwavering; the vines are fertilized with winter green manure, and no chemicals are ever used. Following a strict philosophy that honors his grandfather's winemaking traditions, Enzo abstains from fining, clarifying, filtering, or using SO2.

Sauvignon blanc, Riesling

Grapefruit, strawberries, cherries, and wild rose.

Vintage:

• 2023

ABV:

• 11.5%

Funky Scale:

Middle of the Road

Style:

Region: Swabia, Germany

To uphold the belief that quality originates in the vineyard rather than solely in the cellar demands unwavering idealism and dedication, steering clear of opportunistic endeavors. Recognizing the significance of biological cycles and the need for mindful stewardship of nature, they champion the natural equilibrium within the vineyard. Through meticulously prepared compost and the avoidance of chemical-synthetic substances, they nurture the vitality and equilibrium of their vines, yielding robust, dynamic wines that eloquently express their terroir. Harnessing the sun's luminance and warmth to enhance grape quality, and attuned to the moon's influence on vine growth and vitality, they meticulously align their vineyard practices with the lunar phases. - Minum Selections