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Fusion Wines Ltd. |
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Berkshire
Office 38 Crail Close Wokingham Berkshire RG41 2PZ +44 (0)118 9771545 |
Suffolk
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sales@fusionwines.co.uk www.fusionwines.co.uk |
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The Fusion Philosophy |
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| Fusion aims to offer you top quality wines at good prices. We place particular emphasis on the quality of the wines we have selected for our portfolio, across the entire price spectrum. Even at house wine level, we won't be listing anything we wouldn't be happy to drink ourselves. It's really important to us that our customers can depend on the wines they buy from us, and that they in turn can take pride in their own customer offering. We also aim to offer wines that are a little unusual - you will find some exotic and unusual wines that you simply won't find easily elsewhere, and which can add some interest to your own list. | ||
The Fusion Portfolio |
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| Fusion offers a comprehensive selection of wines from the principle winegrowing countries in the world, and a few of the less well-known ones as well. In every case we have selected wines which offer good value throughout the quality spectrum. | ||
Wine List |
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Please download a copy of our comprehensive
trade pricelist:- |
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| Please download, complete, and return our trade account application form to open an account with us:- | |
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| Producers |
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There is a comprehensive list of producers
on the Producers Page on this page - just scroll down to see it. In many
cases we have known these producers for many years, and have every faith
in them and their wines. We prefer wherever possible to deal with small
family producers who make wines of individuality and quality. |
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New World:- Australia, New
Zealand |
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| Jonathan Maltus - Château Teyssier, (St-Emilion) "Since purchasing the estate in 1994, Jonathan and Lyn Maltus have raised the quality of Château Teyssier to rival that of the Crus Classés" (Oz Clarke & Steven Spurrier's Fine Wine Guide, Websters). "Everything is done as at the very best châteaux to make a deeply coloured, aromatic wine with ripe fruit, charm and structure and, above all, character. Teyssier is currently among the legion of Grand Crus and is easily of Grand Cru Classé quality and when the next re-classification takes place in 2006, the Maltus effort should certainly be officially recognised." (Steven Spurrier, Decanter 1999) "Château Teyssier is in hot pursuit of proving that these sandier flat lands can make head turning wines." (The World Atlas of Wine, Hugh Johnson & Jancis Robinson, 2001) Bordeaux' Château Teyssier is a rising star in St-Emilion -one of two right bank "stellar cellars" according to Williamson & Moore's Wine Behind the Label (the other is the rather more expensive Ausone). The Vineyard Manger is Robert Fortin (ex-Petit-Village, Pomerol), the Consulting Oenologist is Gilles Pauquet (Cheval Blanc etc) and the winemaker is Jonathan Maltus assisted by Cyril Beziat. The team has steadily improved Teyssier which now must surely rank as one of the greatest value Bordeaux available. Meanwhile, Jonathan has been purchasing more land around the appellation and now produces premium wines including "Le Dôme" and "Laforge". In 2004 he made, for the first time, a wine from the recently acquired Château Grand Destieu which promises great things. The white Teyssier, "Contre le Vent" is so-called because whilst it is on a par, qualitatively, with the St-Emilion Grand Cru wines, there are of course no white wines permitted by the appellation's rules so it remains an outsider, a mere Bordeaux Blanc, flying against the wind. In addition to the Teyssier labels, the Maltus empire includes a very good range of Bordeaux Supérieurs under the label of Château Lacroix and the new Pezat range. These are some of the better inexpensive wines from Bordeaux. More recently, Jonathan has widened his range to include a Barossa Valley old-vine Shiraz from the Colonial Wine Company. |
Domaine des Malandes, Chablis Jean-Bernard Marchive's attention to detail in the vineyard, especially at harvest time, and non-interventionist winemaking allows his wines a chance to assert their own character. Double pruning to control yield. Lightest settings on the press. Proper investment in stainless steel for maximum freshness, depth and character. Chardonnay at its most pure. |
Michel Rocurt, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger In the heart of the Côte des Blancs, Michel Rocourt makes superb Grand and Premier Cru Champagnes exclusively from the Chardonnay grape. He bought his first plot of land in 1964 and 1975 saw the first release of Champagne Michel Rocourt with the cellar following five years later. Now he has six hectares (15 acres) planted in the Premier and Grand Cru vineyards on the slopes of Mesnil and Vertus. We find these some of the purest, most delicious Champagnes with complexity coming with age. As the wines are not released until the base wine is at least seven years old, these wines have a head start over most of their peers! |
Champagne Jean Milan, Oger Milan is a top quality family producer in the Côtes des Blancs - a real "find" - producing superb wines of great purity, with graphite-pencil minerality beneath layers of exquisite fruit. Real terroir wines, which are nothing short of stunning; Milan uses 100% Chardonnay for it's wines (except for the rosé) and all the fruit is of the highest quality and is sourced from plots in and around Oger. The Village sits in a natural basin, at a slightly lower altitude than the surrounding villages, and enjoys a slightly higher average temperature and hence better ripeness. The chalky soils and beneficial microclimate mean Oger is regarded as one of the finest locations in the Côtes des Blancs for cultivation of the noble Chardonnay grape, and the terroir in Oger and neighbouring Avize gives a subtle minerality and graphite spiciness to the wines, along with power and weight. Milan's is a small Domaine - it has just 6 hectares of vines, scattered over some 42 plots, aged on average some 33 years. But this is not enough, given the demand for the wine, and to expand, it has been necessary for Milan to acquire négoçiant status, allowing it to buy additional fruit, which is sourced from trusted neighbouring landowners, but all the vineyard husbandry is carried out by Milan, thereby ensuring 100% control over the quality of the fruit. |
Mas de Daumas Gassac, Aniane "A Lafite in Languedoc
" (Gault & Millau) Daumas Gassac, the estate of the Guibert de la Vaissière family, is generally regarded as the Languedoc's greatest wine, perhaps the only truly world-class wine the region has to offer even now if the above comments are anything to go by. The vineyard consists of 18 hectares of north-west facing slopes which enables the organically produced, manually harvested grapes on the low yielding vines (maximum 37 hectolitres per hectare) to become fully ripe whilst retaining their expression of the exceptional terroir. Vinification techniques were introduced here by the legendary oenologist, Emile Peynaud. Wines are designated vins de pays since the main grape (of the red grand vin) is Cabernet Sauvignon which is not permitted in by the AC. This makes up around 80% of the wine with the balance comprising some 20 other varietals, many of which are virtually unknown to most consumers. The white is an attractive blend which includes Viognier. In addition to the grand vin, the family oversees a negoçiant operation in the valley, producing a range of wines under the Moulin de Gassac label. These are generally good, straightforward expressions of the varietals and blends used. |
La Bastide Blanche, Bandol One of the very best producers of the Mediterranean (primarily red wine) appellation of Bandol (the only appellation in Provence consistently producing world class wines primarily from the Mourvèdre grape famed for its use in Châteauneuf-du-Pape's Château de Beaucastel), La Bastide Blanche produces three cuvées of red Bandol. We offer the two prestige wines: one for the medium term (which blends the long-lived Mourvèdre with some Grenache) and one for the long haul (almost pure Mourvèdre). Bandol was the holiday hangout of Aldous Huxley and Thomas Mann years before Bridgette Bardot had even heard of St. Tropez. Its wines use the same grape varietals as those of the Southern Rhône but with at least 50 percent Mourvèdre they are markedly different, taking up to a decade to flesh out and soften the tannins. La Bastide Blanche was acquired by a member of the INAO (the French board that governs wine laws and regions), Louis Bronzo, who wanted to raise the world’s awareness of Bandol wines by creating wines that were the equals of wines from more famous appellations. After 30 years they have begun to succeed, as these examples demonstrate: deep and dark, with brooding earthy and brambly blackberry notes, yet still soft and silky in texture. |
| Domaine Berthoumieu, Madiran Didier Barré's family has taken its estate, Domaine Berthoumieu, to the top of the Madiran appellation. Not content with this, Didier has added Domaine Lacassagne to the portfolio and this is fast becoming the rising star of Madiran. These are wines widely regarded not only for the pleasure they undoubtedly give but also for their health benefits: when consumed in moderation (of course), Tannat-based wines are considered to be at the heart of the French paradox. The high fat content of the South-Western diet (lots of duck and foie gras) is, it seems, countered by the high procyanidin content (higher than any other variety). Dr Corder recommends up to half a bottle for men and a third for women to be consumed daily with food. The other glass could always be used in cooking, I suppose. |
Château Lamartine, Cahors A family estate, this traditional vineyard is located at Soturac on the terraces of the Lot valley. This large estate originating from Gallo-Romaine era was partly destroyed during the Middle-Age however managed to survive until Philloxera attack in 1878. Some Auxerrois plants were nonetheless conserved by Edouard Serougne who during the 1920s fell in love with the estate owner and with this grape variety. The Lamartine estate was built over a former oak forest and according to legend is the place where Martine, a local girl, used to have her rendez-vous hence the name Lamartine! Alain Gayraud is a dedicated wine-maker producing relatively small quantities of great wine. Whilst Auxerrois (aka Cot or Malbec) is the mainstay, providing 100% of the superb top cuvée "Expression", it is blended with small quantities of Tannat or Merlot in the other wines. All are drinking well but, equally, these are wines with good futures ahead. |
Château Montauriol, Fronton The name Montauriol comes from "Mons Aureolus", Latin for Golden Mountain. The property belonged originally to the Knights of Saint Jean de Jérusalem and to the abbey of Moissac at which time its wines travelled in the Crusades. Enjoyed by Pope Calixte II, Richelieu and King Louis XIII who camped there during the siege of Montauban, the estate passed to the Compte d’Espié, a noble inhabitant of Toulouse. Later acquired at a court sale on August 13th 1789 by a lawyer of the Toulousian Parliament, M. Saint-Plancat, Montauriol belonged to the same family for seven generations. Nicolas Gelis bought the property in 1998. He has 35 hectares of vines here, the lion's share of which are Négrette, a local variety rarely seen elsewhere (some Syrah and Cabernet Franc too). Sustainable viticulture is practised along with more commonplace practices for quality wines such as green harvesting. He has updated the estate with some modern practices and now is among the vanguard of wine production in the South West of France. |
Domaine Bressy-Masson, Rasteau "First class Rasteau-based property" (Wine Behind the Label) We thought it about time we found a good Rasteau producer
and scoured the area last summer to find a challenger to Andre Romero's
title as Rasteau superstar. The Masson family could easily take him on:
their top cuvées are exquisite. Daughter of Emile Bressy, Marie-France
Masson has improved the quality of wines from this 34 hectare Rasteau
estate. With many vines over 100 years old, Marie-France and her husband
Thierry have some excellent raw materials and, following a sustainable
approach to viticulture and vinification, the wines here have a wonderful
purity and richness. |
Domaine Brusset, Gigondas & Cairanne "Les Hauts de Montmirail" is one of the most concentrated, magical wines of the appellation (Robert Parker, Wines of the Rhône Valley , Dorling Kindersley) Andre Brusset founded this estate in 1947 since when it has grown into one of the largest landowners in Cairanne and Gigondas with some important holdings in both appellations. Following his death in 1999, his son Daniel and grandson Laurent have created a special cuvee "Hommage à André Brusset" from their oldest vines planted on the estate's best parcels in Cairanne. It is a remarkable wine. Daniel Brusset has made the estate world famous, principally for the two Gigondas cuvees, "Le Grand Montmirail" and the oaked "Les Hauts de Montmirail". Both are consistently amongst the finest wines to come out of the appellation each year with "Les Hauts" one of the most powerful wines from this appellation of over the top wines. With a high percentage of new oak used in the upbringing of the wine, it is attractive young but can age effortlessly for a decade or more. Because "Les Hauts" is (as the name suggests) high in the Dentelles de Montmirail, the Brussets were able to make it even in the rain-soaked 2002 vintage. Perhaps a little lighter than usual, it is still an extremely good wine. The Brussets' wines are always in the top tier from both Gigondas and Cairanne. A personal favourite is the Cairanne cuvée "Vendange Chabrille", named after a lieu dit in the appellation. It is a concentrated Grenache-Syrah blend which generally drinks well young but has a good lifespan too. Otherwise from Cairanne, there is the "Côteaux des Travers" cuvée, also named after a lieu dit which is generally a very attractive and approachable wine. In 2002, this was the only Cairanne produced by the family so all the old vine grapes that would normally be used to make the more prestigious wines found their way into this cuvée, thereby making an extremely acceptable - and enjoyable - bottle. |
Domaine de la Charité, Côtes du Rhône & Villages This excellent Côtes du Rhône estate is managed by young winemaker Christophe Coste in Saze, west of Avignon. The estate was founded by Christophe's grandfather in 1970 at which time there were just 5 hectares (ha) producing grapes which were sold to the local cooperative. Now there are 45 ha of vines and some more with olive trees. That said, the estate is not growing too quickly: Christophe is keen not to let anything get out of his control. In 1998, his first vintage after completing his degree in oenology, Christophe produced excellent Côtes du Rhône and Villages wines but his follow-up vintage in 1999 surpassed the high standard he set himself gaining him a "Coup de Coeur" in the Guide Hachette. The 2000 was another great success, earning him another exceptional citation. He has continued this trend with citations in every edition of the guide since then. Christophe is determined to respect the land and joined Terra Vitis, a grower's organisation whose members agree to follow organic principles (usually they are too small-scale to go for Ecocert status) early on. Whilst the Côtes du Rhône is Christophe's main production, the family also has vines in the Villages appellation from which he makes two excellent cuvees, both a little richer than the Côtes du Rhône. However, Christophe is always looking for new challenges and, following a very successful vintage in 2004, he set aside some of the best Syrah which was aged in new oak for two years and bottled with the name "Ombres". This is a tour de force to rival good ripe Northern Rhône wines or the best cool climate Shiraz from Australia. |
Domaine des Côteaux des Travers, Rasteau "Robert Charavin produces some of the best examples from this Rhône village which is now a candidate for its own appellation" (Wine Behind the Label) We keep returning to this estate which is quietly producing some fabulous wines. One of the very first people we worked with, Robert Charavin's wines were good enough in the nineties but he has still found room for improvement over the last few years. Now his red wines are some of the very best of the village: no mean feat given the soaring reputation of the top estates (including Bressy-Masson). Robert's 2005s are probably the best he has ever made. The 13 hectare estate (9 in Rasteau, 4 in Cairanne) was established by Robert's grandfather Elie in 1931 although Charavins have been producing wine in Rasteau for over a century. The name of the estate, Côteaux des Travers, means "the side of the rising sun": vineyards are situated on hills with exceptional exposure to the sun. Wines are made from vines averaging 40 years cultivated traditionally with limited use of herbicides. In recent years, a little more oak has been used in the ageing of the wines although in all but the top cuvées this is apparent only in the texture, not in the flavour of the bottled wine. |
Domaine de Cristia, Châteauneuf-du-Pape "New superstars from Châteauneuf-du-Pape... The 2003 Cuvée Renaissance is a candidate for the appellation's wine of the vintage" (The Wine Advocate) Baptiste Grangeon's family estate is a relative newcomer, wines having been sold off in bulk until the 1999 vintage. A slow start ensued with bad corks causing a problem for much of the 1999 vintage (Baptiste advises people not to buy this at any price should they come across it). 2000 was much better and by 2001 Baptiste was clearly a rising star of the appellation. Then came 2002 with the terrible rains which destroyed so much of the harvest. Baptiste adapted as well as he could, cutting down the volume of Grenache in the blend, usually 80%. Seven-eighths of this was discarded so that the final blend was equal parts Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Anyone possessing a few bottles would be well advised to hold them until the end of the decade. Then came 2003. Baptiste took advantage of the extreme heat to produce a remarkable wine, full yet not overblown. Additionally he considered the grapes were good enough to make a luxury cuvée "Renaissance" which Robert Parker has described as a "poor man's Hommage à Jacques Perrin" (the ultra-expensive limited release wine from Château de Beaucastel). We are convinced that we have stumbled upon one of the up-and-coming great estates of Châteauneuf-du-Pape (literally: we first met Baptiste and his sister Dominique who runs the business side of things at the Fête de la Veraison in Châteauneuf and promptly visited them at the winery the following day) and hope to continue working with this charming team for many years. |
Domaine de Mourchon "This is the best estate today in Séguret"
(Parker) |
Domaine Raymond Usseglio, Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Of the three Usseglios, Raymond produces the richest and fullest wines... a juicy, plump, chewy style of Châteauneuf-du-Pape that can drink well for a decade." (Robert M. Parker, Wines of the Rhône Valley, Dorling Kindersley) Raymond Usseglio's father, Francis, came from Piemonte
in Northern Italy in 1931 and in 1948, after several years working for
other growers, acquired 8 hectares which eventually passed to his eldest
son, Pierre. Raymond had to build his own estate which he began in 1964.
There are now 16 ha in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and a further 5ha in
the Côtes du Rhône appellation spread over more than 30 parcels.
Raymond's son, Stéphane, produces rich, full, ageworthy Châteauneuf
from vines over 50 years old. They tend to be jammy and juicy with a good
amount of fat to cuddle up to yet more elegant than the wines from Raymond's
brother Pierre Usseglio, for example. |
René Rostaing, Côte Rôtie "One taste of Rostaing's wine will no doubt convince anyone that he is a star of his appellation" (Robert Parker, Wines of the Rhône Valley) One of the very best estates of the Northern Rhône, René Rostaing produces Côte Rôtie of the highest order: a "Classique" cuvée as well as two luxury single-vineyard wines, "La Landonne" and "Côte Blonde". There are very few wines in the appellation to rival these for sheer class. |
Domaine des Sept Chemins, Crozes-Hermitage Over the past couple of generations, the 12 hectare estate of Domaine des Sept Chemins has perpetuated tradition and expertise in its production and vinification of a red (90% of production) and white Crozes Hermitage, which have received numerous awards. Controlling the temperatures during the entire vinification, enables oenologist Jean-Etienne Guibert and proprietor Jean-Louis Buffière to extract exceptional flavours. Produced from 100% Syrah, the red Crozes Hermitage with slightly oaky notes and boasting a ruby colour, goes perfectly well with red meat and game. Domaine des Sept Chemins ages its wine in barrels for a year, and controls all production steps through to the in-house bottling all of the estate's wines. |
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Gino Bertolla, Domaine du Granit, La Rochelle and Franck Bessone, Domaine de la Croix Barraud (Chénas, Moulin-à-Vent) |
| Luigi Einaudi, Piemonte "Einaudi is a name to reckon with in Italy" (Daniel Thomases, The Wine Advocate) Located in Dogliani, just a few miles from the small town of Barolo, the estate belonging to the family of former Italian president Luigi Einaudi has a well-established reputation for producing high-quality Dolcetto di Dogliani as well as some classic examples of Barolo. Recent land purchases have enabled the production of the prestigious "Barolo nei Cannubi", made from a plot purchased from Fratelli Gancia which produces a very classy, long-lived Barolo. The Luigi Einaudi estate is the oldest wine producing concern in Dogliani. In 1897 the twenty-three year old Luigi Einaudi invested the earnings from his first book to buy up the farmhouse of San Giacomo. As well as including a deconsacrated chapel and a noble eighteenth century residence in ruins, the property also included 15 hectares of Dolcetto vineyards. Over the years, other vineyards have been added to the family portfolio. The vineyards are cultivated by direct employees who live in the nine farmhouses making up the property; each farmhouse is responsible for the running of its own plot, a real working farm among the estates. Paola Einaudi spent her holidays and free time in San Giacomo rubbing shoulders with famous guests of her grandfather who still took a personal interest in his much loved vineyards. A passion he passed on to Paola who for some years now, with Giorgio Ruffo, has taken over the full time running of the estates, following the family tradition and the teaching of the former President: "Innovation with respect for tradition". |
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Scarbolo, Friuli Valter Scarbolo is a Friulian winemaker with over 25 hectares of vineyards on land originally cultivated by his father Gino. Two renowned Friulian oenologists who both share his philosophy of winemaking are employed as consultants. Between them, they are producing a small range of very high quality wines which reveal both the characteristics of the grape variety and the place they are grown. Azienda Agricola Scarbolo is a family-operated winery, with 25 hectares of cultivated land located on the right bank of the Torre and 5 km south of the Colli Orientali. The terrain is of alluvial origins, and is composed of clay and gravel deposited during the Quaternaria era. The vineyards are located in close proximity to the cellar and are cultivated according to the Guyot training system. The climate is ventilated and dry, with cooling winds from the east and warm-marine air from the south. The sea and mountains assist in creating the ideal climate for viticulture, warm days and cool nights, preserving aromas and flavours by allowing the grapes to mature less rapidly. The grapes grown are those of Friulian tradition, Tocai Friulano, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. |
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Tenuta Monte Rosola, Volterra A magical scene: two miles along a dirt track in the middle of nowhere, Tuscany. A roadside clue informs you that you are near your destination and you make a left turn. Suddenly the garrigue gives way to immaculate olive groves and the rolling hills of Tuscany offer their finest product: the vine. The 15th Century U-shaped farmhouse, La Rosola is spectacular. Acquired in 1999 by Gottfried Schmitt and his wife Carmen Vieytes, it has been spectacularly restored and a vineyard planted, mainly to Sangiovese with a smattering of international varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. However, there are only 2 hectares of vines, producing only around 5,000 bottles in total. This means that every vine, each barrel and, ultimately, every bottle of wine released receives a disproportionately high level of care. And it shows. It is almost unheard of to produce wines of this quality with good intensity and great finesse from such a young vineyard but Gottfried and his team have succeeded well. The vineyard quality is similar to the renowned Montalcino with rich clay soils which form a hard crust in the hot summer months locking the humidity into the ground. High in the hills, the vineyard benefits from steady breezes which keep the vines healthy. The vineyard is maintained immaculately with 50% green crop reduction and rigorous selection helping to ensure the very best possible fruit is transformed into wine. Essentially there are two wines: "Crescendo" is pure Sangiovese and gives out a warmth that suggests a Tuscan sunset. "Corpo Notte" is a classic Super-Tuscan blend of 65% Sangiovese, the rest made up of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. A bigger, more brooding wine which evokes the Tuscan night. New barriques are used for ageing the wines for 12-16 months but wines are released only when they are deemed ready. Perfectionism has never come so reasonably priced as this! |
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Marco Maci, Puglia "The Marco Maci wines were conspicuous by their excellence" (Michael Franz, Washington Post) Marco Maci is the current owner of a portfolio of family-owned vineyards started by his great grandfather. The La Mea winery is located in the Salento area of Puglia in Cellino San Marco town between Brindisi and Lecce. Many of the wines are designated IGT Salento as they are from just outside the DOCs of Salice Salentino, Copertino and Squinzano. However, therein lies their excellent value. The star grape down here is Negroamaro ("black bitter") which is capable of making some stunning, quintessentially Italian wine either on its own or blended with the ubiquitous Malvasia Nera. The other variety of note is Primitivo, related to California's Zinfandel (some say it is exactly the same variety although the relationship could be similar to Syrah and Shiraz, for example). The range of wines is quite impressive from inexpensive, good value varietals to oaked varietals and blends uncommonly good for a region known for low cost wines. We have focused primarily on Negroamaro-based wines but have included one stunning Primitivo ("Fra Diavolo") in our range. |
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Weingut Milla, Alto Adige Milla is run by Gert Pomella, who established
the vineyard on steep slopes below the village of Kurtatch (Cortaccia)
in Alto |
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Peter Dipoli, Alto Adige A top producer with a small range of exquisite wines, widely admired and regularly receiving industry accolades for his products. The Peter Dipoli estate was born in 1987 when the Dipoli family bought 1.2 hectares of vines in Penon, a hamlet near the village of Kurtatsch. The vineyard was completely replanted with Sauvignon Blanc and in 1990, the first 1637 bottles of Voglar were produced. In the following years, the estate was enlarged, with the addition of the Iugum vineyard in nearby Magré, and the purchase of an ancient rural property in Villa, near Egna, that in 1998 was restored and became the estate winery. Peter's background had been in farming, and he had studied viticulture at the San Michele all’Adige High School, and worked for 5 years at the research station of Laimburg, before going back to his father’s property with the aim of creating his own vineyard estate. Today, he is very active in the promotion of wines from Alto Adige, and is the Vice-President of the Freie Weinbauern Südtirol - the Committee of Free Winegrowers South Tyrol. |
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Otmar Mair, Alto Adige |
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Kellerei Kurtatsch, Alto Adige A small co-operative offering good value Südtiroler wines. |
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Miguel Angel Muro As with so many of the producers on our list, Bodegas Miguel Ángel Muro came about because of the interest of the younger generation. The Muro family has owned 22 hectares of Tempranillo, Graciano and Macabeo in Laguardia and Lapuebla de Labarca for generations but it was only with the arrival of Miguel Angel Muro at the helm that estate bottling has begun. Bodegas Muro comprises 22 hectares of freehold vineyard (Tempranillo 84%, Graciano 5% and Macabeo 11%) in the municipal areas of Lapuebla de Labarca and Laguardia, with vines averaging 35 years old. The south-facing vineyards are located at an exceptional height above sea level (450m to 570 m) receiving a small amount of rainfall throughout the year - around 380 litres. All these characteristics contribute to the excellent personality of the grapes, which is the main basis for preparing its exceptional quality wines. The winery has been updated with 200 French and American barrels used. The range includes a strikingly good unoaked Rioja (85% Tempranillo and 15% Macabeo) which has vibrant fruit from carbonic maceration. This is from the stunning 2004 vintage. The more prestigious wine is the special selection from the excellent 2001 vintage. Only from top vintages, this is an oaked blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano. |
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Bodega Esteban Martin, Cariñena This Cariñena Bodega produces a range of wines from traditional grape varieties such as Garnacha, Mazuela, Macabao, Tempranillo, and also Cabernet Sauvignon, grown at altitudes between 500 and 850m above sea level, in spotless modern production facilities which have benefited from significant investment in recent years. Esteban Martin’s range covers the entire spectrum of red, white, and rosé wines of excellent quality offering very good value for money.
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Weingut Stift Klosterneuberg Klosterneuberg, Wagram Weingut Stift Klosterneuberg is the winemaking operation of the historic Augustinian Monastery in the town of Klosterneuberg, located in the north-western suburbs of Vienna. At nearly 900-years old, it is one of the oldest and most well-respected wine producers in Austria. The monastery is traditionally associated with viticulture , scholarship, and art, and has an extensive library, enormous wine cellars, and the famous Verduner Altar (1181) by Nicholaus of Verdun. Today, the Monastery owns vineyards in Klosterneuberg itself, and also in Vienna, both growing predominantly white grapes, and at Tattendorf in Thermenregion, where grapes for red wines are grown. Of particular interest are the excellent value white varietals, and fine Sekt. The town of Klosterneuberg is also home to the Federal College of Viticulture, one of the only schools in the world with a focus on wine-making, and the viticultural research station responsible for, amongst other things, the creation of the Zweigelt red grape variety in 1922. |
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Weingut Familie Zull Schrattenthal,
Weinviertel The Zull family vineyard is located in Schrattenthal, which is the smallest winemaking community in Austria. Early records indicate wine was made here as early as 1220, and by the middle ages, the microclimate around Schrattenthal was already well known as being ideal for growing grapes; dry and hot summer days, with cooler nights during the ripening period gives the wines power and elegance. The adjacent Manhartsberg protects the gentle hills from cold winds. The Zull family produces an excellent range of red and white wines on several sites totalling 17 hectares, each with it’s own individual character. Soils vary; Rieslings are grown on thin soil over mineral bedrock, and are strongly mineral in character; Grüner Veltliner and the red grapes are grown on sand and Löss, and elsewhere clay loam soils are found in the vineyards used for Chardonnay. |
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Christian Fischer, Sooß 
Christian Fischer is widely regarded as one of Austria’s top red wine makers. He grows a mixture of indigenous and international grape varieties, and the internationals are often cited as outstanding examples of how Austria can excel at these. Perhaps best known within Austria is his “Gradenthal” – a blend of mainly Zweigelt, with some Cabernet Sauvignon and a little Merlot. Also outstanding is his Cabernet-Merlot blend – a Austrian Bordeaux look-alike. Also made are a few useful everyday whites, and an outstanding oaked Chardonnay. The Fischers also run an outstanding Heurige in Sooß, where their wines can be sampled along with fine regional food.
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Weinbau Altenriederer Wagram/Traismauer,
Traisental Erich Altenriederer’s family estate produces wine from 7.5 hectares of grapes, and also a range of fresh fruit juices from a further 8 hectares of orchards, mainly for the local market. The estate is located at Wagram/Traismauer, near Krems, a small village between the Danube and the Traisen (a tributary of the Danube) which gives the Traisental its name. This region enjoys a good local micro-climate. In recent years, Erich has, together with his wife Sibylle and mother Angela, invested in a new modern cellar, and has planted new vineyards, which yield better and better quality wine as time passes. They have planted new varieties for this region, such as Riesling, and selected the best Grüner Veltliner clones available. Other varieties grown include Chardonnay, Zweigelt, Blauer Portugieser, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Blauburger. Erich spends a lot of time on vineyard husbandry, as he believes quality starts in the vineyard. The family opens its doors to visitors who wish to sample produce, and the local community help out at harvest time. To summarise, Altenriederer wines are of good quality and offer outstanding value for money; particularly with their 1 litre bottles of Grüner Veltliner & Zweigelt. |
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F&D Giroud, Chamoson, Valais François Giroud and his son Dominique have run a 25 hectare domaine at Chamoson since 1992. They produce a wide range of wines, some from rarer indigenous Swiss Valaisan grape varieties. In addition to it’s excellent standard range of wines, there is also a premium range called “Danse des Étoiles”. Giroud wines continue to regularly garner a wide range of accolades both at home and abroad, including the “Best Cellar in Switzerland” award at Vinitaly in 2004. Giroud wines are dependable, offer good value, and unlike wines from many Swiss producers, there is good availability.
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Feliciano Gialdi, Casa Vinicoli
Gialdi Mendrisio, Ticino Gialdi and Brivio co-operate by sharing premises at Mendrisio, where considerable investments have been made to renovate cellars that are excavated directly in the rock of Monte Generoso, where natural fresh air vents create a draught of fresh air at a temperature of 10° - 12° C all year long, creating a natural micro-climate that is particularly suitable for the preservation and aging of wines. Both produce some superb wines – both red and white - from the Merlot grape, some of which count amongst Switzerland’s best red wines – such as the legendary Sassi Grossi. |
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Amor-Bendall Wines, Gisborne Amor Bendall Wines in Gisborne, North Island, was established in 1998, and produced its first vintage in 1999. AB is owned and operated by partners Noel Amor and Alison Bendall. Noel's winemaking skills are the culmination of more than 20 years experience in the Food Industry, but he has now stepped aside from corporate life to bring one of his dreams to fruition. He is assisted by his partner Alison, who helps with the administration of the business. AB started life as a small-scale venture, in true Kiwi style in a shed - but has now matured into a serious wine producer concentrating on the very best grape varieties in the Gisborne region. AB has no vineyards of its own, but sources grapes from leading Gisborne growers to meet it's exacting quality needs. "We require vine mature fruit with a pre-determined acid balance" says Noel. Grapes are hand selected and hand picked and quickly converted to juice with minimal skin contact. AB is located in a stunning oceanside location at Wainui Beach just outside Gisborne; this little company now produces mainly white wines including stunning Sauvignon Blancs, Chardonnays, and a world-class Guwürztraminer amongst others. AB wines win countless awards both at home in New Zealand and also elsewhere in the world, and are proving immensely popular on the NZ restaurant circuit. |
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