You know the gang by now–Lapierre, Foillard, and Breton. These guys banded up in their twenties to (help) change the world of French wine, natural wine, and Beaujolais forever. But the name Thévenet, the fourth gang of Four member, rarely gets mentioned. That's partially because Jean-Paul makes far less wine than the others. The single wine he makes, perhaps the most elegant and long-lived expression of Morgon I've ever tasted is a true study on that lovely village. It is high-toned, zesty, and lightly funk in its youth, and can age like great Burgundy–if, unlike me, you have the patience to wait. I've gone through chilled bottle after chilled bottle this summer. If you love Beaujolais and haven't yet experienced Thévenet's rendition, now's the time to do it!
Spicy, smoky, and complex, this bottle contains many different native red grape varieties, some of them unidentified, but include Listan Negro, Listan Gaucho, Malvasia Negro. The untrained vines grow gnarly, and the resulting wine is just as wild.
Get a taste of that insane landscap. This blend of indigenous grapes — Listan Negro, Negramoll, and a small portion of Listan Blanco — is what Envínate is all about. It comes from a high elevation vineyard in the Canary Islands, like this one, a land of volcanic mountains and centenarian vines.
The Listan Negro for this bottle is sourced from two very old parcels of braided vines, or “cordon trenzado.” The plots are hand-harvested, foot-trodden and fermented whole cluster in large concrete vats, then into old French barrels for malolactic and aging for 11 months. Complexity at an all time high.
Looking for something refreshing and dry? This bottle is for you. This Petit Chablis is a stunning example of what Chardonnay can be! Sourced from higher slopes around the outskirts of the Chablis appellation, this wine has very bright acidity and zesty citrus notes.
Rarely can we find structure and ‘glou-glou’ in the same bottle. But here, Catherine and Pierre Breton hit us with both: classic peppery Cabernet Franc structure with a juiciness that when served chilled, is the perfect bistro bottle.
Coming from the oldest estate on Mount Brouilly, this rosé of Gamay is year after year a celebrated favorite by the Dedalus staff. The playful attitude of Gamay in harmony with the ancient volcanic soils of this region make for a joyful experience for those who reach for this bottle.
This stunning Bourgogne Blanc is natural white Burgundy at its finest. From the cellar of one of Burgundy's rising stars, Valentin Montanet, this mineral-driven Chardonnay will give your favorite Chablis a run for its money. Delicious with cheeses of all kinds, it's the perfect summer sipper with a little extra.
Sustainably produced, this bottle is incredibly detailed and precise. Bruno Colin is one of our favorite producers - he is fond of the classics. This wine is delicious now, but also has serious ageability. Notes of citrus and figs. Enjoy with grilled fish and green salsa.
Here is your new go to for Sunday gravy. Thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in the 70s, Schioppettino is naturally high in rotundone, which is the compound found in black pepper. Expect chunky cracked pepper cushioned by juicy strawberries and cherries.
Young winemaker Laura Lorenzo has set up her winery in the small Orense village of Manzaneda. She has devoted herself to reviving abandoned vineyards with the love and attention they deserve. This means farming biodynamically, manual harvests, and unadulterated wine. Polished and rugged - like a silver screen cowboy.
A blend of all the “noble grapes” of Alsace: Pinot blanc, Muscat, Chasselas, & Riesling - this is the perfect white for rich winter fare. The style in Alsace veers toward producing drier, more intensely mineral whites. This is no exception with charming notes of orchard fruits, white flowers, and chalky minerals.
A concert pianist and painter, Lorenzo Piccione of Pianogrillo treats his farm as a work of fine art by ensuring that every aspect is run sustainably. This bottle immediately transports the drinker to the sunny green plain Pianogrillo overlooks from its perch on the hill with bright acidity and herbaceousness.
Intrigued? Dive into island wine regions on our blog.
Pianogrillo Cerasuolo di Vittoria Curva Minore 2020
Cerasuolo di Vittoria is Sicily’s first-ever DOCG classified wine, and will always contain a near-equal blend of the island’s star grapes, Nero d’Avola and Frappato. The result is magical. Deep spiciness and lifted fruit blend effortlessly to create an intoxicating bottle that is perfect for dinner parties, date nights, and conversations that last deep into the evening.
Intrigued? Dive into island wine regions on our blog.
