Description
For those who like fresh, mineral, saline wines, we have a trio for you. Fantastic pairings with white fish and shellfish but can just as happily be drunk as an aperitif.
DOMAINE BONNET-HUTEAU LES GAUTRONNIERES – The nose of this lip-smacking Loire Valley white is filled with delicious notes of ripe lemons, wet stone, and white flowers with a hint of butter. The palate is medium-weighted and saline with citrus skins and lemon pulp. The finish is a concentrated mix of more-ish bitterness and a salty touch. Domaine Bonnet-Huteau is run by passionate winegrowers Jean-Jacques, Rémi Bonnet and Vincent Pineau. Family-owned for over 150 years, it sits in the centre of the Sèvre et Maine appellation. Here they strive to develop the full range of flavours achievable from well-grown Muscadet and the minerality of each terroir they own (gneiss, mica schists, amphibolite and granite). Viticultural practices are respectful of the soil and nature, now conducted biodynamically (Biodyvin certified). Respect for people, the environment and nature are critical points in the approach and daily work of the estate. In the vineyards, the objective of the winegrowers is to promote the life of the soil and the natural defences of the vine thanks to organic and biodynamic work, which allows minerality and finesse to express themselves in the wines. In the cellar, they take a low-intervention approach that naturally accompanies the wine during the vinification process to create “living wines” that reflect the wonderful Muscadet terroirs. The Les Gautronnières cuvée comes from Melon de Bourgogne vines planted on amphibolite rocks on silico-clay soil. Vineyards are organic certified by Ecocert and biodynamic certified by Biodyvin.
MATTHIEU COSSE BLAYE BORDEAUX BLANC- These wines are the result of an exciting new Bordeaux project by Matthieu Cosse of Domaine Cosse Maisonneuve. The blanc is a beautifully balanced and fresh Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle blend. Matthieu’s wines are made collaboration with an old friend of his, Jérôme Ossard, who has been working in Bordeaux for over 24 years with winegrowers who want to really make the most of their best plots of vines. These particular cuvées come from plot selections of vines with a very high potential thanks to the quality of the terroir from which they grow, resulting in exceptional grapes that in turn, produce high quality yet affordable wine.
ZARATE ALBARINO – Albariño as it should be. Minerality and balance in a bottle. Strongly mineral, balanced and very focused and tight, like a good Chablis. Hidden amongst the steely character of the wine, stone fruits such as peach and apricot lurk. Unlike some paler versions of Albariño, this wine should last well over the next two or three years. Zarate is a family-owned estate located in Meaño, the heart of the Salnés Valley in the Rías Baixas appellation. Grapes are sourced from 6.54 ha divided among 11 vineyards in the villages of Sisán and Padrenda, planted on mostly granitic soil. Average vine age is 35 years old. Climate is Atlantic.
