The Sauce Subscription - February '25
Whole Bunch Wines is here and up and running. So, we wanted to find a theme for the next subscription which fitted in with taking on a new image.
We’ve taken a selection of the most popular grape varieties among wine drinks in the UK. However, we’ve traversed the globe to find expressions of these grape varieties in regions and nations which you wouldn’t expect.
Many of these wines aren't regulars on our shelves, so if you'd like to see some of these in the future, please let us know!
Red Wine
Causse de Théron Terrasse [£25]
- This project actually melds the South American and French worlds as it comes from the minds of Antonio Morescalchi and Pedro Parra. Perfect for Malbec. It spends 2-3 weeks on skins, before being aged in cement tanks for 18 months to let the wine mellow out. Unoaked, lightly filtered and without fining. This wine truly lets the fresh fruit flavours shine in this low intervention wines. These flavours include violet, blackberry and blueberry.
Azamor Vinho Regional Alentejano Tinto [£23]
- A Portuguese red blends that stars the fabled Syrah/Shiraz grape variety. Every grape variety has been fermented separately in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks which ensures each one is treated perfectly. Wildly complex for the price, it displays notes of violet, lavender, red fruits, blueberry and blackberry.
Vinarija Dalia Kos Merlot [£36.50]
- We are really excited to introduce this next producer, who Domaine de Montille has been a big fan of for some time. Meet Kristina Lukić. Pure red fruits, with waves of dark chocolate, all spices, cherry, sable grapes and ripe plums. A pure delight.
Kaiken Classico Cabernet Sauvignon [£17.50]
- Another 'classico' from the iconic Kaiken. Hand picked grapes are fermentated and macerated for just one month. Once fermentation is complete 60% of the wine is aged in French oak for six months. This adds just a touch of body and spiced notes, without overwhelming the fresh and vibrant fruit flavours.
G.D. Vajra Langhe Pinot Nero [£38.50]
- Piedmont may be Barolo country, but this Pinot Noir makes itself known! A complex and rich wine, that has seen some real barrel ageing. The most dominant notes include wild strawberry, violet, clove, red cherry, raspberry and vanilla.
Cantina di Gambellara Monopolio [£16]
- This belongs on Bargain Hunters because we were blown away by the quality for the price point. The grapes are picked at their absolute best time, with optimal phenolic maturity. Fermentation and maceration then occurs in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures for 15 days, before being transferred to a mixture of stainless steel tanks and oak barrels. This means the fruit flavours will sing, alongside some bolstered texture and spiced flavours.
White Wine
Bodega Garzón Reserva Albariño [£27.50]
- Who knew that Uruguayan Albariño would have Spain quaking in their boots...? Fermentation occurs in stainless steel fto retain and highlight the fresh varietal notes of the grape variety, such as lemon peel, peach, pink grapefruit and honeysuckle. It does also spend a further three to six months being aged on lees in stainless steel which seeks to add texture to this sumptuous wine.
Gašper Pinot Grigio [£23.50]
- Slovenian Pinot Grigio is next on this list of stunners. Gašper sits on the Slovenian border to Italy, neighbouring the Italian regions of Collio and Fruili-Venezia Giulia. The former is actually also recognised as a Slovenian wine region. From this, it should come as no surprise that it is responsible for some high-class and refined Pinot Grigio. Spread your wings and try this delight.
Framingham Marlborough Pinot Gris [£25]
- Framingham have been making wine in the Wairau Valley area of Marlborough since 1981. All host of winemaking techniques seek to balance the fresh and fruity, with the rich and unctuous to create a top-tier wine. Red apple, nectarine, flint, stone fruit, ginger and golden pear. Delicious!
Bodega Garzón Rosé de Corte [£22]
- It ain't white wine, but it's crisp and spot on so we threw it in. Another stonker from Bodega Garzón. 100% Pinot Noir, it is fresh and vibrant fruit flavours shine, but there’s also just a touch of texture on the palate.
Pacheco Pereda Estirpe Chardonnay [£21]
- Whole Bunch Wines loves Chardonnay, but Burgundy is played out, so we're off to Mendoza. Malbec move aside. Fresh and fruity, but around 15% of the wine does go through oak ageing, in a combination of 500 litre French oak and 3500 litre foudres for four months which adds a lovely, rich texture to this really exciting and vibrant wine.
Weingut Sattlerhof Südsteiermark [£32.50]
- Austria may be Grüner country, but so many premium white wines exist in this fine country. For this wine, we're shining a light on Austrian Sauvignon Blanc. Once the grapes reach the vineyard, they undergo a 12 hour period of maceration on their skins prior to gentle pressing and fermentation with indigenous yeasts, in large stainless steel tanks, which preserve delicate floral notes. Yet, you'll also note flavours of yellow bell pepper, white pear, white grapefruit, lemon juice and red apple.
Don't Miss Out!
Make sure to check out our wine tastings and monthly wine club, if you want to try great wines like the ones mentioned in this blog post. Links below:
- Manchester Wine Tastings & Events
-
Sauce Subscription (Monthly Wine Club)
- 50% Off Your First Box