The most flavoursome Chardonnay barrels are selected after a year of aging and then blended together to make this pinnacle of Seresin's dry, full bodied white wines, the Reserve Chardonnay. The reserve wine spends another six months in old oak puncheons, gaining depth, complexity and integration of flavour thanks to this additional maturation. 

Organic certification

The organic story at Seresin

One of the greatest things about Seresin Estate is the organic certification. This came relatively early on for Seresin, who was dismayed by the amount used and the impacts of man made chemicals, which were routinely and frequently sprayed on vines. His early adopting philosophy of organic certification paved a positive path for the integrity of the wines as well as leading others to follow suit.

South Island Chardonnay is on a roll as this tasty drop from Mt Maude in Central Otago shows. Winemakers Sarah Kate and Dan Dineen use hand picked grapes from 27 years old vines to make this dry full bodied, creamy smooth wine. 

The grapes are foot stomped, basket pressed, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and the wine is aged in seasoned French oak to produce what they describe as a seamless wine. We agree. 

Try it. 

Joven means young in Spanish and refers to red wines with low to no oak, like this lush, fruity Spanish red made from the most popular grape in Spain, Tempranillo. This wine is full of dark plum flavours in this firmly textured red wine. 

It offers exceptional value for money and is certified organic.

Bottled in 2021, this retsina from Gaia has a screw cap to preserve freshness. Retsina dates back to the Greece of ancient times and is made with the addition of resin from the pine tree Pinus halepensis during fermentation. 

European wine legislation has recognized it as a "traditional appellation" wine that can only be produced in Greece. Although in the past Retsina has been associated with bad oxidized and resin-exaggerated wines that many tourists have experienced during their holidays in Greece, today Retsina is a completely different delicate taste experience. Gaia decided to create a "new wave" or style around Retsina, RITINITIS NOBILIS, to redefine and reposition the quality context of their traditional wine.

Gaia produces Ritinitis Nobilis using modern winemaking technology and by adding a very carefully calculated amount of pine resin as fermenting "must" from selected grapes of the Roditis variety growing on the hills around Corinth in the Peloponnese. The result is an elegant and refreshing wine with a perfect balance between pine and grapes. Ritinitis Nobilis is a lovely partner for Greek dishes and Spanish tapas and is best enjoyed chilled to around 8?-10?C.

Domaine Pattes Loup is a 24 hectare certified organic vineyard owned by Thomas Pico in the village of Courgis in Burgundy's northern outpost, Chablis. This creamy and crisp Chablis is an excellent example of what happens when small scale meets lofty ambitions of making full bodied, beautifully balanced, complex Chablis using organically certified grapes. 

Pattes Loup, which means 'wolf's paw'.

The Cuvée Royale Brut is a superbly intense champagne with depth of flavour and complex tastes of white peach, floral notes of white flowers giving way to the fruity ones and dialled up yeasty freshness, derived from 36 months aging with 20% reserve wines in the blend. The cepage is 35% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Meunier and grapes come from over 20 different top ranking vineyards, including at Cumières, Damery, Hautvillers and Verneuil.

What the critics say

“Vanilla shortbread seems seductive on the nose. Slender but fine palate majors on the lemon, spice, and hints of honey in a soothing and gentle fashion. Lovely aperitif. Drinking Window 2020 to 2025.” 

Decanter - 90 Points

This is a very refined sake with flavors and aromas that are subtle and soothing. It's wonderful near a warm fireplace in the evening after a long day on the ski slopes. Subtle aromas reminiscent of French vanilla ice cream and cardamom lead into a soft, creamy palate with silky texture and flavors of lightly seasoned cream of wheat and honeydew. At room temperature, baking spice aromas and flavors become prominent and the palate is even creamier.

13.9% ABV.

When winemaker Kevin Judd was still head honcho of winemaking at Cloudy Bay, he decided to register the name Greywacke, just in case. 

It turned out to be a foresighted thing to do and the brand has now taken off with his wide and rich experience translating into some of Marlborough's highest quality wines, both white and red - and sweet, as in this half bottle of deliciousness. This luscious Pinot Gris has lots of tasty botrytis, which adds a honeyed texture and rich layers of flavour. Think liquid marmalade and you're on the right track.

Looking for a treat? Here it is... with cheese or your favourite pud'.

This fabulous Italian red is old school Barolo with a modern twist; clean, bright and fresh with savoury, earthy flavour notes and a truffly overtone that says Piemonte and Nebbiolo in every lingering sip.

Castellero is a 0.4 hectare vineyard, situated between Bussia and Cannubi, which produces wine full of earthy freshness and flavours of roasted mushrooms, porcini supported by a firm backbone of refreshing floral notes and firm acidity, which provides this wine with its long finish. 

The winemaking is considered traditional. Long macerations of up to 40 days see the wine go through a natural fermentation without added yeast in steel tanks. It was then aged for 30 months in Slavonian oak barrels. It's old school with a modern twist; clean, bright and fresh with savoury, earthy flavour notes and a truffly overtone that says Piemonte and Nebbiolo in every lingering sip.

What the critics say

Wine Enthusiast - 94 points

"Rose, wild berry, baking-spice aromas mingle with whiffs of menthol. Linear and structured, the vibrant palate delivers raspberry, orange zest, cinnamon and tobacco set against tightly knit, refined tannins while bright acidity keeps it balanced and energized. Drink 2024–2036."

Vinious Media - 93+ points

"The 2016 Barolo Castellero captures so much of what makes this site special. Mint, lavender, blood orange, raspberry and chalk notes give he 2016 striking aromatic brightness to play off its translucent, mid-weight feel. A wine of tremendous fascinating complexity, the Castellero will delight readers who enjoy classically-built Barolos. The Castellero is perhaps not quite as deep as the most complete wines in this lineup, but that is really splitting hairs at this level."

James Suckling - 93 points

"Aromas of strawberries and spices and hints of wet earth follow through to a medium body with firm, silky tannins and a long, driven finish, Better after 2022."

Giacomo Fenocchio's winemaking philosophy

Giacomo Fenocchio is regarded as one of the best Barolo producers today. Here's a piece that sums up why he is so highly respected and what makes his wines an authentic expression of Piemonte as a wine region.

"Claudio Fenocchio took over from his father Giacomo in 1989 – probably the moment of greatest pressure to follow the ‘modern’ winemaking path of short fermentations and aging in new barriques. In fact, it’s difficult now to understand how much pressure was exerted – from peers and neighbors, old and young, from the press, importers, customers, and that mysterious thing called “the market”. It took a strong will to resist, and a strong devotion to tradition. Lucky for us that Claudio stuck with the best of tradition – organic farming, long fermentations, and aging in large Slavonian oak casks. Easy for us too, since we get to drink his wines. Here’s a rare group of Fenocchio bottles spanning the generations, and ending with the beautiful 2016s."

From Chalmers Street Wine

This Grenache dominant blend comes from certified organic vineyards in the southern Rhone. This wine offers excellent ripe red fruit notes and great structure. The palate is spiced, complex and rich. Charbonniere Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2016 is fresh enough for drinking young, yet promises to age gracefully.

Jeb Dunnuck - 94 Points 

"Mostly Grenache with 15% Syrah brought up in foudre and old barrels, the 2019 Côtes Du Rhône Les Quartz tastes like a Châteauneuf du Pape as opposed to a Côtes du Rhône and offers a powerful bouquet of red and black fruits, melted licorice, and peppery garrigue. With loads of Provençal charm, full-bodied richness, and supple tannins, it's already hard to resist, and I see no need to delay gratification. Drink this beautiful Côtes du Rhône over the coming 5-7 years."

Château Maucoil’s vineyards are located in the northwest of the Châteauneuf du Pape area, on the left bank of the River Rhône. This wine consists of Grenache blanc (90%) Bourboulenc (8%) Clairette (2%). This wine is clean and bright. Rich and fine on the nose with pear and citrus aromas. The palate is mineral with notes of green apple and lemon.

Sourced exclusively from 2 family farms that are increasingly practicing sustainable farming. Most of the fruit is sourced from the right bank of the Rhone River. 50% Grenache Blanc, 20% Marsanne, 20% Viognier, 10% Bourboulenc. A lively mineral-laced Rhone white, with wet stones and laser pure white fruit in a lip smacking and succulent white. Delivers the elegance and texture of the finest cool climate white wines.

80 % Grenache and 20% Syrah. Nice freshness in the nose with herbal and wild blackberry notes. The palate is fruity and spicy with wild raspberry, rosemary and thyme notes. This is a balanced, well-structured and mineral Rhone red.