As we roll into summer we are reminded of the special trips we would have had this summer. Mine included a wedding in Puglia (the heel of Italy) with some incredible friends. We can't make it there, but some tastes of Puglia, Abruzzo, Portugal, and Chile made it to us, and I'm stoked to be able to share with all of you. Drink them with a chill, and chill.
L'Archetipo - Litrozzo Bianco
Puglia is in the southern heel of Italy and has some of the best burrata cheese and beaches in the country. Grab a ball (or wheel) of cheese, a big glass, and a beach towel and soak the sun in with this litre of natural wine. A blend of local grape varieties: Fiano, Falanghina, Verdeca, and Marchiona. The wine was produced with the intention of creating an “everyday wine”. Citrus, peach, apricot, mango, chamomile.
L'Archetipo - Litrozzo Rosso
The red sister of the above wine. Equally easy to drink and enjoy. Grapes are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Primitivo, Susumaniello - but they don't drink as you'd expect these grapes to drink. This is light, funky and fun. Perfect for a summer BBQ.
Terraviva - Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Modern winemaking without additions is the theme here. Indigenous yeasts are used throughout, with all wines spending time in stainless steel tank, on their lees, before bottling.
The Montepulciano comes from the estate’s young vines (18 years old and counting) and sees 12 months in tank and 3 months in bottle. Fruit-forward, vibrant and crunchy.
Suggested pairing from producer: lunchtime with family.
Niepoort - Nat Cool Voyeur
The second Nat Cool from Niepoort to make the Klub. The first one didn't disappoint and neither will this. His creative free-spirit decided to test vinifying his wines in a clay amphorae. The Voyeur 2018 was fermented and macerated in six 1000L clay amphorae for approximately 8 months. Six different grapes go into this wine - three red and three white - 50/50 split. Originally, planned to make 3 different wines, the mix worked so well he decided to keep it like this! Alive, electric and crunchy. Slurp.
Vina Gonzalez Bastias - Pais en Tinaja
González Bastías is a town, and a small, family-owned winery in western Maule Valley, Chile. Like stepping back in time, you can only access the vineyards by canoe! 🤯Jose (the winemaker) uses old school techniques - no machines and hand pressing aged in barrels or amphoras. All made without the addition of sulphur to truly express the tastes of ancient Chile!
Pais is the "workingman's" grape of Chile aged in tinaja, or amphora. Totally unique!
Vina Gonzalez Bastias - Naranjo
"The orange tree" - A blend of Moscatel, Torrontel and País. The Moscatel and the Torrontel ferment on the skins with a maceration that lasts 60 days; 20% of País juice is then added with skins of their other white wine. Funky and wild.
The absence of trips around the world doesn't mean you can't pour yourself a glass, close your eyes, and imagine the place the wine comes from. These wines are true to their sense of place - so put yourself there, reflect, and enjoy!