Cover

Hannes Hoffmann at Roterfaden in Württemberg

German

Trade Portfolio Class February 2021 Our Story

— Our Story A New Old World

In 2014, Newcomer Wines emerged as an unconventional wine importer specialising in ‘The New Old World’, sourcing wines from Austria that lie close to our hearts. Since then, we have ventured to other countries that culturally and historically share deep common grounds. Whether borrowing from or rewriting tradition, our growers share a common purpose — to make wines that are an honest reflection of the place and the people that make them, leaving as little imprint and re- establishing bio-diversity on the natural world — as they go. In 2018, we partnered with Jimmy from Kiffe My Wines, who shares the same ethos and passion as us, with a speciality in French wines.

Speaking about ’The New Old World’, this expression does not only mean looking off the beaten paths of Europe — it also means going beyond the topic of wine — connecting our growers with an audience and colleagues who they usually wouldn’t have the chance to meet in their local communities. Given the recent circumstances and restrictions that we all faced in 2020 with regards to travels around the world, we initiated a virtual forum called In—House — a unique, global platform for exchange between some of the deepest thinkers and pioneers of the natural wine world, hospitality and agriculture. These inspiring conversations unfolded on topics such as The Art of Balance and Back to Basics, and we concluded the series in December 2020 with a brilliant chat with Sebastien Riffault, Aris Blancardi and Karl Schnabel. These are still available online via our website, and we’d encourage you to explore them as there is a wealth of knowledge available.

Cheers,

Peter & Jimmy on behalf of the team

2 2 Inspiration Quote

— Inspiration

‘If you don’t believe in the esoteric part, then you can’t work biodynamically. You can use it, and it works of course, but if you do things you don’t believe in, then what are you telling people?’ — Andreas Schumann, Odinstal

3 Grower Index 1

— Click and explore the growers Our Growers Austria Czech Republic

Burgenland Moravia

Markus Altenburger 9 Milan Nestarec 50 Nittnaus 11

Claus Preisinger 13 Rennersistas 15 France Hannes Schuster 17

Christian Tschida 19 Alsace Christoph Wachter-Wiesler 21

Michael Wenzel 23 Domaine Rieffel 53

Kamptal & Wagram Beaujolais

Alwin & Stefanie Jurtschitsch 25 Pierre Cotton 55 Clemens & Lukas Strobl 27

Burgundy Kremstal & Wachau

NEW Raphaelle Guyot 57 Christoph Hoch 29 Domaine des Rouges Queues 59 Martin Muthenthaler 31

Lesehof Stagård 33 Champagne Styria Émilien Feneuil 61

Christoph Neumeister 35 Aurelien Lurquin 63

NEW Karl & Eva Schnabel 37 Flavien Nowack 65

Franz & Christine Strohmeier 39 Thomas Perseval 67

Alice & Roland Tauss 41 Timothée Stroebel 69

Werlitsch — Ewald Tscheppe 43 Jura Vienna & Weinviertel Valentin Morel 71 Jutta Ambrositsch 45

Michael Gindl 47 Languedoc

Domaine Inebriati — Victor Beau 73

Olivier Cohen 75

NEW Domaine Mada 77

4 Grower Index 2

— Click and explore the growers Our Growers

Loire Germany Pierre Ménard 79

NEW Alexandre Giquel 81 Baden Sébastien Riffault 83 Sylvain Dittière 85 Enderle & Moll 114 Wasenhaus — Alexander Götze & Jacques Antoine Toublanc 87 116 Christoph Wölber Les Jardins de Theseïs 89

Württemberg

Roterfaden — Olympia Samara & 118 Rhône Hannes Hoffmann

Thomas Finot 91 Les Frères Soulier 93 Mosel 95 Valentin Valles Thorsten Melsheimer 120 Rita & Rudolf Trossen 122

Roussillon Pfalz

Matassa — 97 Odinstal 124 Tom Lubbe Domaine de Majas 99 Les Arabesques — 101 Saskia van der Horst Hungary

Savoie & Isere Sopron

Ça Boit Libre — Franz Weninger 127 103 Damien Bastian Goddard

NEW Corentin Houillon 105 Tokaj Marie & Florian Curtet 107 Cellier de la Baraterie — Attila Homonna 129 109 Julien Viana Domaine de Chevillard — 111 Mathieu Goury

5 Grower Index 3

— Click and explore the growers Our Growers

Italy Switzerland

Alto Adige Gruyère & Thurgau

Pranzegg — Martin Gojer 132 Cidrerie du Vulcain 146

Friuli Venezia Giulia Klettgau Markus Ruch 148 NEW Alexis Paraschos 134 Obstmosterei Oswald + Ruch 150 NEW Paolo Vodopivec 136

Liguria Valais Mythopia — Hans-Peter Schmidt 152 Selvadolce — 138 NEW Domaine de Chérouche 154 Aris Blancardi

Slovenia Special Formats

Kras Magnums & Key Kegs 156 Beers, Spirits & Juice 159 NEW Vina Čotar 141

Stajerska

NEW Radovan Šuman 143 Glassware

Gabriel Glassware 160

Other

Delivery Information 161

Terms & Conditions 162

Contact Us 163

6 Legend

— Legend

Colours

⬤ Sparkling

⬤ White

⬤ Orange, Skin-Contact

⬤ Rosé

⬤ Light Red

⬤ Dark Red

⬤ Sweet

⬤ Beer, Cider

⬤ Other

7 AUSTRIA

INDEX Austria

8 Markus Altenburger

— INDEX Austria, Burgenland Markus Altenburger

’Our fields look different to neatly trimmed and properly cut vineyards you might know from fancy advertisements. Bees, butterflies and all kind of beneficial species have started to return and give us an idea of natural beauty.’

9 — INDEX Markus Altenburger

If there is one winemaker that represents the Alpine mountain range, shows a high density of evolution of Newcomer Wines better than anyone limestone, whereas Jungenberg, a mere few else, then without a question it is Markus hundred metres apart, contains a pure schist Altenburger. In 2006 Markus took over the family composition, giving the wines a more vertical and winery in Jois, and to this day solely focuses on the direct expression of fruit. Beyond Blaufränkisch, varieties that best express this unique terroir. His old-vine Chardonnay (grown on limestone), approach in the vineyards and cellar has shown a Neuburger (on schist and limestone) as well as 180-degree change over the last 15 years, and Grüner Veltliner (on limestone) represent other today all of his vineyards are certified organic, now incrementally important varieties, which Markus gearing towards biodynamic certification in the vinifies and releases as single vineyard wines with coming year. Blaufränkisch, undoubtetly Austria's little to no intervention. Markus' wines are some of highest quality red terroir grape stands at the the most serious examples of Blaufränkisch we centre of Markus Altenburger's work. Together have encountered to date - what is even more with his wife Bernadette and his cellar master impressive is his skill to show a clear imprint of his Kathrin, Markus tends 13 hectares of vines local terroir from his estate blend 'Vom Kalk' all the scattered mainly on two of the Leithaberg way to his limited release single-vineyard wines appellation's premier single-vineyards, making him one of the most complete growers Gritschenberg and Jungenberg. Gritschenberg, in within the Austrian wine scene. its geological core formed by the outskirts of the

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

NEW ⬤ ⬤ Skins & Stones Pet Nat White Blend 2019 75cl

⬤ Vom Kalk Chardonnay 2018 75cl

⬤ Jungenberg Chardonnay 2018 75cl

NEW ⬤ Skins & Stones White Blend 2018 75cl

⬤ Betont Neuburger 2019 75cl

⬤ Ladisberg Grüner Veltliner 2016 75cl

⬤ Vom Kalk Blaufränkisch 2018 75cl

⬤ Leithaberg Blaufränkisch 2017 75cl

⬤ Gritschenberg Blaufränkisch 2017 75cl

10 Nittnaus

— INDEX Austria, Burgenland

Nittnaus

’Nittnaus with Attitude’

11 — INDEX Nittnaus

If you walk through the doors of any restaurant in excited to finally release the trio’s first joint project Austria, ordering a bottle of Nittnaus will certainly - a selection of different interpretations of Grüner give you a respectful nod from the Sommelier. Veltliner and Blaufränkisch from various plots of the biodynamic estate. The winery - Anita und Hans Nittnaus - has been among the 'créme de la créme' of Austria’s leading While the 'Manila‘ line represents the entry point wineries for over 30 years now. The winemaker of the project, with a macerated Grüner as well as behind this success is Hans 'John‘ Nittnaus, a true a juicy Blaufränkisch, the 'Elektra‘ - a highly pioneer, and still today, a mastermind behind many energetic white from a limestone vineyard on the important developments in Burgenland. Many of North tip of Lake Neusiedlersee - as well as the Austria’s great vignerons, including our very own more advanced cuvées under the ’Tochter’ label, Jutta Ambrositsch and Claus Preisinger, have display micro cuvées that try to redefine the idea learned their trade under his wings. of the native varieties and showcase a side of the But behind the shadow of his legacy, sons Martin Burgenland we have yet to come across. and Andi, as well as their cousin Lydia Nittnaus (an alumni of Newcomer Wines), have been working While their new venture is very much a 'work-in- hard to slowly take over the reins of the winery progress‘, we are excited to share them with you today. We first started importing micro amounts of and look forward to the years to come for their Martin’s own wines a few years back, but we are wines!

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Manila Grüner Veltliner 2019 75cl

⬤ Elektra Grüner Veltliner 2019 75cl

⬤ Tochter Grüner Veltliner 2019 75cl

12 Claus Preisinger

— INDEX Austria, Burgenland Claus Preisinger

‘You have this goal of achieving perfection when you start out. When I taste these wines now, from my first years, I feel this kind of aggression in them — of trying so hard to get it right. Now, I’m much more laissez-faire, and intuitive with how I make wine; but it takes time.’

13 — INDEX Claus Preisinger

Claus Preisinger’s story starts 20 years ago at the combined with a naturally occurring earlier harvest tender age of 20 with a few tanks and barrels. The and a search for freshness rarely seen in the area newly trained winemaker had just started working before. for Hans Nittnaus - back then, and still today, one of the pioneers of early organic winemaking in the The North of Burgenland in some vintages can be region. What always stayed was his immense as hot as the South of France, which makes the talent to reflect purity and balance in his wines. exercise even more so a balancing act. Fast Around 2006/2007, alongside like-minded forward to today, Claus’s bottles are some of the growers in the village, he switched to biodynamics most vibrant wines of the entire area and many of and this, in his own words, 'changed everything‘. his cuvées have become a hallmark for the Natural Today Claus farms around 20 hectares around the Wine movement around the globe - yet his true North stretch of Lake Neusiedlersee in the villages passion for the coming years is increasingly of Purbach, Weiden, Gols and Mönchhof. As resembled in his efforts for Cru Blaufränkisch and impressive as his track record has been since the working out the smallest parcel differences across start, his wines truly advanced around 10 years many of his vineyards. What we tried in his cellar ago with his early-stage experimentation in the and what we have received in the past months is cellar (Claus was one of the first to use Georgian nothing short of impressive. We could start a Qvevris and then continued to experiment with whole new chapter here about his fantastic whites vessels from Spain, Italy and even China). His and rosés but more to come on this in the future! hands-off approach in the winemaking was

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ ⬤ Ancestral Sankt Laurent 2019 75cl

⬤ ⬤ Xtravaganza Sankt Laurent 2014 75cl

Grüner Veltliner, ⬤ Kalk und Kiesel 2019 75cl Weissburgunder

⬤ Edelgraben Grüner Veltliner 2016 75cl

⬤ Edelgraben Weissburgunder 2017 75cl

⬤ Kalkstein Blaufränkisch 2019 75cl

Zweigelt, ⬤ Heideboden 2017 75cl Blaufrankisch

⬤ Pinot Noir Pinot Noir 2018 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Edelgraben Blaufränkisch 2013 75cl

14 Rennersistas

— INDEX Austria, Burgenland

Rennersistas

‘Working as a family is a shared learning process. We learn from our parents, but they are learning from us too. We are younger; change and adapting to new situations is more natural for us. With each vintage, we have to adapt with what nature is giving us.’ — Stefanie Renner

15 — INDEX Rennersistas, Stefanie and Susanne Renner

The Renner family have been cultivating vines in burden of keeping a style or collection of the the village of Gols in Neusiedlersee since 1988. estate alive, breathing new life into the winery. Already back then, parents Helmuth and Birgit put a deep emphasis on organic viticulture. When the What started as the 'Rennersistas' with Steffi and new generation was slowly coming to an age to Susanne's return, is now an ever-evolving family think about careers, their parents never forced estate under the working title 'Renner und them to take over, and so Susanne, Stefanie and Rennersistas’, since Georg (the youngest of the Georg pursued alternative careers without ever three) joined the winery from his previous job in losing touch with their home and local friends. logistics. Together, they tend parcels in some of After some years spent working in fashion and the best vineyards by Lake Neusiedlersee studying water management respectively, including Altenberg, Schafleiten, Goldberg, Gebühl Susanne and Stefanie took a chance and returned and Ungerberg. For them, maintaining healthy to their family's winery without formal education. It vines and soil is paramount to producing honest, was by chance that Steffi ended up working characterful wines. The 13 hectares of vines are harvest with Tom Lubbe of Domaine Matassa as farmed biodynamically and most recently the well as Tom Shobbrook, two dear friends and family has also planted new mixed field blend mentors of the family today. They dived straight vineyards that will show an exciting new facet to into a new world of wine that allowed them early their work over the coming years! on to work by instinct rather than having the

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Welschriesling Welschriesling 2016 75cl

⬤ Weissburgunder Weissburgunder 2017 75cl

⬤ Waiting for Tom Blaufränkisch 2019 75cl

⬤ Grauburgunder Grauburgunder 2019 75cl

⬤ Superglitzer Red Blend 2018 75cl

⬤ Waiting for Tom Red Blend 2017 75cl

⬤ Zweigelt Zweigelt 2016 75cl

⬤ Sankt Laurent Sankt Laurent 2017 75cl

16 Hannes Schuster

— INDEX Austria, Burgenland Hannes Schuster

‘I have a big problem with the wine law in Austria. Because you can more or less do anything to the wine — add sugar, or acidity; filter and fine, etc. Wines made this way are always allowed to name their origin on the label — except that these wines have had the place stripped out of them.’

17 — INDEX Hannes Schuster

The story of Weingut Rosi Schuster starts back in vine Grüner Veltliner and Furmint. Hannes is a 1979 when a young female winemaker, Rosi silent fighter for a redefinition of the Burgenland Schuster, and her partner Franz, decided to work as a whole - championing a low-tech, hands-off on a mere 3 hectares in and around their home approach in the vineyards and the cellar. However, village Sankt Margarethen on the western shores beyond the pursuit for a ’new old’ style he has of Neusiedlersee. Already in 2000, whilst at always put quality and an appreciation for old- viticulture school, Hannes Schuster started vines on top of his philosophy. experimenting with small batches of Chardonnay and Sankt Laurent at the family estate. In 2007, Year after year he is proving this approach in his after having supported his parents the years wines which comes through in the precision and before, Hannes eventually took over the reigns at purity hardly achieved in Austria today. His single the now 14 hectare 'large' winery and a couple of vineyard interpretation of both Sankt Laurent and years later completed the conversion to organic Blaufränkisch are made with an eye for longevity farming. whilst respecting balance and freshness, mirroring the character of the vintage every single time. His love and affection for old Austro-Hungarian Watch out for special releases named after the varieties manifested in the early days of his work, villages 'Sankt Margarethen', 'Zagersdorf', which meant purely focusing on native 'Müllendorf' and 'Deutsch-Schützen' as these Blaufränkisch, Sankt Laurent as well as white field represent the very best bottlings in Hannes’s blend vineyards and an increasing amount of old- views each year.

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

NEW ⬤ Furmint Furmint 2019 75cl

Furmint, ⬤ Reserve 2018 75cl Grüner Veltliner

⬤ Nose To Tail Gemischter Satz 2019 75cl

⬤ Aus Den Dörfern Rotburger Blend 2019 75cl

⬤ Blaufränkisch Blaufränkisch 2019 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Zagersdorf Sankt Laurent 2012 75cl

18 Christian Tschida

— INDEX Austria, Burgenland Christian Tschida

‘I only feel like a winemaker during harvest. Before harvest, I feel like a poor farmer; and around Christmas time, when I’m travelling and visiting friends, I feel like a hippie on a road-trip in a movie.’

19 — INDEX Christian Tschida

Christian Tschida started his career long before he investment are his vineyards. Each year he and his ever bottled wines under his own label. In fact, for father would bring out compost and straw from a long time Christian was experimenting with the nearby lake to consistently cover the soil from different techniques, methods and vessels, long the heat and therefore keep the vineyards moist before the ’natural movement’ was widely and balanced. His vertical press (the only technical established in Austria. The Tschida family is a tool he uses) imitates the pressure of a long-lasting legacy of winemakers in the village of handshake, meaning that only the brightest and Illmitz on the Eastern shores of Neusiedlersee. In purest juice is used. In the cellar, Christian now addition to his family vineyards, Christian has also works with large barrels ranging from 1000L to invested in new (and old) vineyards in the village of 3000L in size, which to him, give the ideal balance Purbach located on the opposite side of the lake of freshness and maturation. within the Leithaberg mountain range. His creativity and love for experimentation is often In total, Christian owns around 14 hectares of resembled in his passion for art and label design vineyards on both sides of the lake, working with a (having trained as a graphic designer). Next to his vast variety of indigenous grapes, as well as beautiful Himmel Auf Erden collection, he has personal favorites such as old-vine Cabernet recently released one-off art labels such as Abra Franc and Syrah on pure limestone. Ka Dabra, Birdscape and Brutal!, a special Christian’s perfectionist approach is apparent in friendship release with the team behind Bar Brutal both the vineyards and cellar. Christian’s biggest in Barcelona.

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Himmel auf Erden Muskat Blend 2017 75cl

⬤ Non-Tradition Grüner Veltliner 2017 75cl

⬤ Birdscape Field Blend 2019 75cl

Grüner Veltliner, NEW ⬤ Hokus Pokus 2018 75cl Riesling

⬤ Himmel Auf Erden Rosé Cabernet Franc 2019 75cl

⬤ Birdscape Field Blend 2018 75cl

NEW ⬤ Engel Auf Erden Cabernet Franc 2019 75cl

⬤ Brutal Pinot Noir 2019 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Himmel auf Erden Rød Red Blend 2014 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Non-Tradition Cabernet Franc 2015 75cl

NEW ⬤ Felsen I Blaufränkisch 2015 75cl

20 Christoph Wachter-Wiesler

— INDEX Austria, Burgenland Christoph Wachter-Wiesler

‘I took over the running of the vineyards and winery with my ideas in 2010, but all of the changes we’ve been through — with biodynamics especially — we have gone through together as a family’

21 — INDEX Christoph Wachter-Wiesler

Even if you are an Austrian wine aficionado, was a German-speaking region of Hungary. The chances are you haven't been to Südburgenland. Hungarian heritage is still hugely influential today, Rural and relatively remote, South Burgenland is both culturally and vinously. Eisenberg, meaning perhaps best described as quaint, especially iron mountain in German, is extremely rich in iron, juxtaposed with its thriving and buzzing northern and gives the crumbly schist a blue-green color neighbour that is Burgenland. In 2010, at an that turns brown when oxidized by water or almost absurdly young age of 20, Christoph oxygen. The only other place to find greenschist is Wachter-Wiesler took over all responsibilities of above 4,000m in the Alps, but here it’s loaded with his family winery. As a fifth generation winemaker, minerals that gives Christoph's Blaufränkisch an Christoph immediately shifted the focus to incredibly beautiful minerality. Blaufränkisch, the indigenous grape variety that probably originated not far from the area and has Now at 31, Christoph is already an old hand always been around. Over the last few years, around the winery and has been accumulating all Christoph painstakingly converted to organic the know-how he needs to make waves in the wine farming practices in all 65 parcels of 16 total world. He is now making some of the most refined hectares of vines spread across the gentle hills and energetic Olaszrizling we've tasted and has around the village Deutsch Schützen-Eisenberg, vowed to grow and make the most mineral and where Christoph's father has been the mayor and elegant Blaufränkisch, many of them from single the Wachter-Wiesler family call home. vineyards, to fully explore the delicacy and aging Up until about 100 years ago, this corner of Austria potential.

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

NEW ⬤ Handgemenge Traminer blend 2018 75cl

⬤ Olaszrizling Welschriesling 2016 75cl

NEW ⬤ Alte Reben Olaszrizling 2017 75cl

⬤ Béla Jóska Blaufränkisch 2017 75cl

NEW ⬤ Eisenberg Blaufränkisch 2017 75cl

NEW ⬤ Deutsch Schützen Blaufränkisch 2017 75cl

NEW ⬤ Ried Weinberg Blaufränkisch 2017 75cl

NEW ⬤ Ried Saybritz Blaufränkisch 2017 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Ried Ratschen Blaufränkisch 2015 75cl

22 Michael Wenzel

— INDEX Austria, Burgenland Michael Wenzel

‘I expanded my Furmint vineyards in the 90s when everyone else was planting Chardonnay & Sauvignon Blanc. It was an adventure — like climbing a summit in the Austrian Alps.’

23 — INDEX Michael Wenzel

Furmint and Austria would not be the same limestone and blue quartz named Vogelsang. without the story of the Wenzel family. Based Today, Michael cultivates 3 of the 10 hectares in Rust, a (former) stronghold of world famous of Furmint planted in the country and is widely sweet wines, Michael Wenzel’s grandfather considered to be a pioneer of this variety in and father believed in this grape so much that Austria. The quartz, gneiss and mica schist they secretly smuggled back historic clones soils of his vineyards are perfectly suited to from Hungary in times of the Iron Curtain and the Furmint grape, producing structured, Cold War, risking getting caught (with severe mineral wines. He also grows Blaukfränkisch consequences). But when they arrived back to grapes on his more calcareous sites, which the Hungarian-Austrian border, Wenzel senior yield focused, elegant expressions of this would pull out his clarinet, playing old traditional Austrian variety. Michael is Hungarian folk music which was forbidden dedicated to organic farming and minimal back in the communist time. The officer, intervention winemaking - preferring to let his despite his secret affection for the music, grapes speak for themselves. All his wines are quickly pushed them through border control, spontaneously fermented without the addition allowing the hidden rootstocks to reach their of any yeast, and the cellar work is kept to a final destination - a vineyard with layered bare minimum.

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

NEW ⬤ Aus dem Quartz Furmint 2019 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Kvarc Furmint 2016 75cl

⬤ Vogelsang Furmint 2018 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Garten Eden Furmint 2016 75cl

NEW ⬤ Lockvogel | Wild + Free Gelber Muskateller 2019 75cl

NEW ⬤ Pinot Noir Pinot Noir 2018 75cl

⬤ Beerenauslese Gelber Muskateller 2017 37.5cl

CELLAR ⬤ Ruster Ausbruch Furmint 2017 37.5cl

24 Alwin & Stefanie Jurtschitsch

— INDEX Austria, Kamptal Alwin & Stefanie Jurtschitsch

‘I ended up in Ecuador, working for a permaculture farm, in the middle of the Amazon rainforest, with really badass snakes and s&*t. This is where I learnt about the symbiosis of plants: which plants do you need so that other plants can grow? It was a next- level experience that made me fall even more in love with agriculture.’ — Alwin Jurtschitsch

Quote kindly provided by © littlewine.co

25 — INDEX Alwin & Stefanie Jurtschitsch

Alwin and Stefanie’s winery dates back to the 16th Alwin and Stefanie shy away from producing wine century, making it one of Austria’s oldest estates. in the rich, ripe style Kamptal is often associated The Jurtschitsch family bought the property in with. Instead, they work with densely planted 1868 and in 2010 Alwin and his wife Stefanie took vineyards and older vines, giving their wines over and have taken the winery from strength to concentration and depth of flavour while strength ever since. Their first step was to convert maintaining moderate alcohol levels and keeping to organic farming and place sustainability and the focus on site expression. In recent years they site expression at the heart of their winemaking have also allowed themselves to work on practice. They also started to cut down on the 'experiments' both in the vineyards and cellar, number of hectares they cultivate so they could which play an incredibly important role in the dedicate their time to their top vineyards - evolution of the wines and the overall estate. including the renowned vineyards of Loiserberg, Despite being regarded as a 'classic' estate, many Lamm, Käferberg and Heiligenstein. Alwin and of the regions most forward-thinking projects Stefanie produce some of the most highly have orginated within the Jurtschitsch's deep regarded single vineyard Rieslings and Grüner thought process (Fuchs und Hase is a brain child Veltliners in the Kamptal. They also produce some of them alongside fellow winemakers Martin & Eva stellar Champagne Method sparkling wines from Arndorfer) and we are excited to see what's to local varieties. come next!

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ ⬤ Brut Nature Grüner Veltliner 2016 75cl

Zweigelt, NEW ⬤ ⬤ Brut Rosé Pinot Noir, NV 75cl Sankt Laurent

⬤ Stein Grüner Veltliner 2019 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Heiligenstein Alte Reben Riesling 2016 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Heiligenstein ’Quelle’ Riesling 2016 75cl

⬤ Belle Naturelle Grüner Veltliner 2018 75cl

⬤ Mon Blanc Field Blend 2019 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Freier Loiser Grüner Veltliner 2015 75cl

Zweigelt, ⬤ Belle Naturelle 2019 75cl Pinot Noir

⬤ Langenlois Pinot Noir 2017 75cl

⬤ Jungle Sankt Laurent 2017 75cl

26 Clemens & Lukas Strobl

— INDEX Austria, Wagram Clemens & Lukas Strobl

‘We produce wines with character. Wines with rough edges. For people who know what they want. Just like us.’ — Clemens Strobl

27 — INDEX Clemens & Lukas Strobl

When people think about Lower Austria, it is often 'Schreckenberg' and 'Losling' for Grüner Veltiner. a story of age-old family dynasties who have Their delicious estate blend 'Donauschotter' worked the same land, the same vineyards, and represents a blend of all their vineyards each year the same cellar for decades. and to us speaks perfectly of the Wagram's signature texture. For Clemens and Lukas Strobl the story seems different from the start. Their family history in wine Despite their relative youth as a producer, the only starts in 2008 when Clemens commits to a Strobl family has shown a tremendous evolution, mere hectare of vines in the underrated Wagram identifying early on the importance of organic region. He was fascinated by the unique texture of farming as a base for quality in their wines. With the wines of the area and believed in the potential Lukas slowly taking over the responsibility of the of single-vineyard Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. vineyards and the cellar (after having worked with Both varieties are rooted in the dense aeolian the likes of Martin Gojer of Pranzegg and Clemens sediments formed by the wind-blown silt over Busch) they constantly look at increasing thousands of years. Each year the family (who just biodiversity within their vineyards while keeping finished works on their beautiful new estate in the their impact in the cellar to a minimum. small village of Kirchberg) produces a small amount of single-vineyard wines coming from Crus like 'Rosenberg' and 'Pfaffenberg' for Riesling and

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Donauschotter Grüner Veltliner 2017 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Rosenberg Riesling 2016 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Losling Grüner Veltliner 2014 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Pfaffenberg Grüner Veltliner 2015 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Pfaffenberg Riesling 2015 75cl

⬤ Donauschotter Pinot Noir Blend 2018 75cl

28 Christoph Hoch

— INDEX Austria, Kremstal Christoph Hoch

‘A friend of mine told me that I could make good sparkling wine because of the natural acidity in the grapes. However, I didn’t want to make a “traditional” Champagne-style sparkling wine, with added lab-yeasts and cane sugar. So, I contemplated how to do this naturally…’

Picture and quote kindly provided by © littlewine.co

29 — INDEX Christoph Hoch

Christoph started making wine at the family winery limestone of Champagne, and it's no wonder that in 2009. By 2013, he had started biodynamic his sparklings are full of beautiful minerality and conversion and released his very own first vintage. acidity that rival the French stuff. Today, aided by his wife Julie-Ann and father Harald, Christoph continues to explore the Blending is the name of the game when it comes region's potential and the boundaries of to winemaking. Christoph makes 40 batches of biodynamic farming. Their newest experiment is wine every year, utilising two different cellars highly fermented vegetable juice, sprayed in the (warmer cellar for malo fermentation, cooler one vineyards as a natural protection against disease. for non-malo). The wines that make it into his final "It's the future!" Christoph cheekily told us. bottling are from a variety of different vineyard sites, harvest times, vinification methods and even The vineyards of Hollenburg are dominated by a different vintages, as Christoph believes that unique subsoil type called conglomerate. limiting a wine to a single vintage or vineyard is not Essentially solidified river sediment, conglomerate the fullest expression of the terroir. We can't wait was formed when the ancient Traisen river to bring you the new releases that we tasted in carrying Alpine chalk crashed into the Danube, Hollenburg – let's just say Champagne is not the compacting the chalk and the river pebbles only French region Christoph will challenge! together. Held by calcium carbonate, Christoph compares conglomerate to the chalk and

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Hollenburger Grüner Veltliner NV 75cl

⬤ Hollenburger Riesling NV 75cl

Portugieser, NEW ⬤ Hollenburger NV 75cl Zweigelt

30 Martin Muthenthaler

— INDEX Austria, Wachau Martin Muthenthaler

‘I have never attended a viticultural school and do not consider it as something I have missed. This way I have never been laced into the corset of recommendations and opinions – they would probably have hampered me to take decisions with the freedom I did then and do now.’

31 — INDEX Martin Muthenthaler

For many Austrians, Wachau stands as a symbol eventually moved on from his day job, he decided of prestige, a place where the very best wines can that it was time for a change. Fast forward 2020, consistently be found. The steep terraces, paired Martin is now one of only a handful of growers in with Austria’s favourite variety Grüner Veltliner (as the Wachau practicing organic viticulture, as well well as some Riesling), still today attracts a certain as producing wines without the local classification fascination among Austrophile aficionados. But system which values the quality of wine based on what started in the 1980s as a region with high alcohol levels - a value system that may have natural acidity and low alcohol has now evolved worked back in the 1980s when temperatures into an area yielding wines often reaching 14% were more moderate and only healthy, non- alcohol or more, mainly as a choice of style, but botrytized grapes were harvested. However, in also due to ever progressing global warming. Back today’s context balance is more important than in the 1980s, Martin Muthenthaler was working for the level of ripeness. Strangely, both working the local cooperative Domäne Wachau, as his organically and preferring to stay out of the vineyards high up in the Spitzer Graben wouldn’t common system has made Martin a persona non always produce prime fruit due to the cool winds grata in the Wachau, selling his few thousand coming from the continental plate, making bottles exclusively outside of the Wachau region. physiological ripeness in his grapes the exception His single-vineyard wines from 'Bruck' and 'Schön’, rather than the rule. Despite possessing the same as well as his monopole Cru 'Viesslinger Stern' on terroir, few families would rarely bottle their own top of the mountain, are among some of the most wine. So in the early 2000s, when Martin celebrated wines coming out of Austria today.

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Spitzer Graben Grüner Veltliner 2017 75cl

⬤ Vergelt’s Gott Grüner Veltliner 2017 75cl

⬤ Ried Schön Grüner Veltliner 2017 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Ried Schön Grüner Veltliner 2015 75cl

⬤ Ried Bruck Riesling 2017 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Ried Bruck Riesling 2015 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Ried Bruck Riesling 2012 75cl

⬤ Viesslinger Stern Grüner Veltliner 2017 75cl

⬤ Viesslinger Stern Riesling 2017 75cl

32 Lesehof Stagård

— INDEX Austria, Kremstal Lesehof Stagård

‘We wanted to make courageous, exciting and authentic wines, wines for which evolution and tradition should be two sides of the same coin, wines that are fun and others that should challenge. And we wanted Riesling.’ — Urban Stagård

33 — INDEX Lesehof Stagård

The roots of this historic estate in the Kremstal and Dominique are dedicated to conveying the valley can be traced back almost a thousand individual character of each site, so their portfolio years, when the surrounding land was used by is focused on single vineyard wines. They have Tegernseer monks to grow a variety of different vines planted in the Steiner Grillenparz, Steiner crops, grapes and fruit. Since 1786, this estate has Schreck, Steiner Hund, and Steiner Gaisberg been in the hands of the Stagård family and has vineyards - parcels with some of the best been used solely for wine production. When Urban exposures and soils of the Kremstal valley. and Dominique Stagård took over from Urban’s father in 2006, they began converting the estate They also have a unique Grüner Veltliner project - to organic farming. For them, this was the only way a wine they age under flor for 18 months. In recent their wines could adequately express their unique years their effort in the vineyards has extended terroir. Most of their parcels are planted on the further and they are now in the process of steep, rocky terraces around the town of Stein and biodynamic conversion - a step that was another Krems. The complex soils, favourable site logical progression in their pursuit for balanced exposures and temperate climactic conditions of wines and high-quality grapes. the Kremstal all help explain the region’s longstanding viticultural traditions. The terroir here is particularly suited to Riesling, a grape that has flourished in the Kremstal for centuries. Urban

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

CELLAR ⬤ D.U. Grüner Veltliner 2011 75cl

⬤ Steiner Schreck Riesling 2016 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Steiner Schreck Riesling 2014 75cl

⬤ Steiner Hund Riesling 2016 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Steiner Hund Riesling 2014 75cl

⬤ Steiner Gaisberg Riesling 2016 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Steiner Gaisberg Riesling 2015 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Steiner Gaisberg Riesling 2014 75cl

⬤ Steiner Kögl Riesling 2016 75cl

34 Christoph Neumeister

— INDEX Austria, Styria Christoph Neumeister

‘Winemakers are always touching or doing something. I’m not sure where they have learned this — from their fathers or grandfathers maybe — but they are so afraid of not doing anything that they always end up doing too much.’

35 — INDEX Christoph Neumeister

The history of the Neumeister estate starts with complexity. Christoph's father, Albert, who back in the late 1990s paved the way for a young, dynamic generation that has The Neumeister family have parcels growing in some of put organic farming and high-quality winemaking at the the top vineyards in the area, including the Saziani, forefront of their work. Despite having been established Klausen, Moarfeitl, Steintal and Buchberg - Styria’s as one of the region's prime estates, it is thanks to oldest Sauvignon Blanc vineyard. Most of the vines are Christoph that the winery continues to evolve and planted to local (planted for more than 200 years) white develop a modern yet traditional approach when it varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Morillon comes to the style and character of the wines. Christoph (Chardonnay), Welschriesling, Weissburgunder, Gelber organically cultivates 24 hectares of vines scattered Muskateller, Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris) and Traminer. around the steep hillsides of Straden in south eastern Styria. The vineyards surrounding the town are rich in We would like to think of Christoph as a future classic in chalky limestone and sandy loam with volcanic rock and the making - mindful of his soils and vineyards but with a sandstone topsoils. Christoph and his family go to great great deal of consistency and desire to create long- lengths to ensure that the fruit they bring in is of the lasting wines with length and freshness. best quality. The grapes are hand harvested and transported in small crates to minimise damage to the berries. The fruit then undergoes a meticulous selection process before fermentation begins. Their wines are fermented with native yeasts and kept on the fine lees for prolonged periods of time to promote stability and

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Straden Sauvignon Blanc 2018 75cl

⬤ Klausen Sauvignon Blanc 2017 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Klausen Sauvignon Blanc 2014 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Klausen Sauvignon Blanc 2011 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Moarfeitl Sauvignon Blanc 2015 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Straden Alte Reben Sauvignon Blanc 2015 75cl

⬤ Steintal Roter Traminer 2017 75cl

36 Karl & Eva Schnabel

INDEX Sausal, Austria Karl & Eva Schnabel

‘It’s not about using reasons why it is not possible to produce cheap — it is about why small is beautiful!’

37 — INDEX Karl & Eva Schnabel

Karl and Eva Schnabel are somewhat of a rare siliceous primary rock island that was in fact never species within the Styrian hillsides. They both met covered by the primal sea. The combination of this in the late 1990s while completing their respective soil with the incredible gradients of up 70% in their studies in Vienna (Karl on agronomy and Eva on vineyards create singular wines with a deep economics) but already then, they felt a deep imprint of origin. desire to return to the countryside and set up their young family in a place closely connected to What started as a brave operation has evolved nature. Karl’s parents who had run a small tavern into a unique pursuit to work alongside an eco- (with some vines) in the Sausal valley died at an system that thrives due to natural co-existence, or early age which meant that there was no as Karl ambitiously proclaims on our recent visit, expectation or commitment to keep trading when what the Schnabel’s deeply care for is to ‘Change the young family moved back to Styria in 2000. Agriculture’ — in a way that cherishes the unspoilt Instead, after study trips to Burgundy in 1998 and and true sense of farming. As a logical 1999 Karl and Eva decided to plant a small plot of consequence of working as a circular economy, vineyards focusing on (back-then, and to this day) tending vines, raising cattle and growing a large uncommon red varieties such as Blaufränkisch, part of the necessary crops themselves, have Pinot Noir and Zweigelt. The Sausal valley, in its become steppingstones of their everyday life. core, is a unique part of Styria. It arose from the Alpine geological bedrock, making it a pure

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

Chardonnay, NEW ⬤ Silicium 2019 75cl Riesling

NEW ⬤ Koregg Blaufränkisch 2018 75cl

NEW ⬤ Hochegg Pinot Noir 2019 75cl

38 Franz & Christine Strohmeier

— INDEX Austria, Styria

Franz & Christine Strohmeier

‘I have such high respect for developments happening unseen - both in the vineyard and later in the wine itself - that I´m afraid of disturbing and defacing the natural process through interference…’ — Franz Strohmeier

39 — INDEX Franz & Christine Strohmeier

It was 35°C and about 120% humidity on the day Franz believes that the vineyard as a whole is one we visited Christine and Franz Strohmeier last living organism, and the thriving biodiversity in his year in August. Walking in the lush vineyards on vineyards is the best health approval from Mother steep hills felt like hiking a subtropical rainforest in Nature. Thailand, but it was actually just another summer day in this part of West Styria. They say it takes a Like a few seconds of silence in a piece of music or special place to make a special wine – for a large shadow in a photograph, it often takes a Strohmeier's ethereal wines, the secret tremendous amount of knowledge and courage ingredients must include an abundance of sun and for a maker to completely let go and do nothing. “I about 1,000mm of annual rainfall – where the have such high respect for developments South-Eastern foothills of the Alps meet the base happening unseen – both in the vineyard and later of the Koralpe, the Adriatic influence also meets in the wine itself, that I'm afraid of disturbing and the cold mountain air. defacing the natural process through interference.” The lack of actions is not due to In a craft where precision and technical know-how Franz’s indolence, but rather a reflection of his tend to become bragging rights, Franz is not afraid confidence and trust in nature. Franz's mastery is of the unknown. If disease strikes a vine, he would in his utter contentment, not only in his land and often forgo treatment, opting to remove the vine grapes, but also in the love and time that he puts and planting a tree in its place. What exactly the into the bottles. tree does to the wine is anybody's guess, but

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

NEW ⬤ ⬤ Blanc d’Orange White Blend NV 75cl

⬤ ⬤ Rosé Sekt Wildbacher NV 75cl

NEW ⬤ Catsilver No. 1 White Blend 2019 75cl

Weissburgunder, ⬤ TLZ Weiss No. 8 NV 75cl Chardonnay

⬤ TLZ Lysegrön No. 5 Weissburgunder NV 75cl

NEW ⬤ TLZ Sonne No. 7 Sauvignon Blanc NV 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ TLZ Wein der Stille No. 8 Sauvignon Blanc NV 75cl

⬤ Lys-Röd No. 30 Wildbacher NV 75cl

NEW ⬤ TLZ Karmin No. 8 Wildbacher NV 75cl

NEW ⬤ A Siassa No. 8 Wildbacher NV 75cl

40 Roland Tauss

— INDEX Austria, Styria Alice & Roland Tauss

‘You are either working for nature, or against nature.’ — Roland Tauss

41 — INDEX Roland Tauss

If we told you about a place, that offers endless generation winemaker started out producing lush and steep hills, Mediterranean summers, and conventional wine in 1991. After 14 years, Roland looks that could easily pass for Tuscany; a place decided to only make wine as he liked it, converted that becomes proper Alpine country in the winter, to biodynamic practices and stopped all where Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay reign and unnecessary interventions in the cellar. Together the vinous history goes back to Roman times; a with four other young, like-minded winegrowers place that is the actual home state of the (you might've heard of Werlitsch, Strohmeier, Terminator where fried chicken is an actual Muster and Tscheppe), Roland led their group to traditional dish, would you have believed that such heights that only a few regions in the world have a place existed? Welcome to Styria, the Green achieved. Heart of Austria and if you like wine, you need to know about Roland Tauss. Today, Roland farms 6 beautiful and steep hectares sitting on Opok (a unique, mineral-rich Even to the newcomers working at Newcomer, soil that consists of clay and loam) between 380 to Roland Tauss was a bit of a mythical figure. Due to 480 meters above sea level with southern and winery and other local commitments, Roland is southwestern exposure. He uses all wooden rarely seen outside of Austria or even Styria itself. barrels (because "they are living lifeforms that add In a region where wine tourism can be reminiscent to the energy mix") in a 400-year-old cellar that is of that of the Napa Valley, Roland, a fourth- almost clinical in organisation.

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Opok Welschriesling 2018 75cl

⬤ Opok Chardonnay 2018 75cl

NEW ⬤ Hohenegg Sauvignon Blanc 2017 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Roter Traminer Roter Traminer 2015 75cl

NEW ⬤ Rosé Vom Opok Blaufränkisch 2017 75cl

⬤ Opok Blaufränkisch 2015 75cl

42 Werlitsch

— INDEX Austria, Styria Werlitsch — Ewald Tscheppe

‘When I first tasted a (natural) skin-contact wine, I felt everything was wrong in this wine. But I liked the idea behind it; of the producer and the way he put his ideas into it. I couldn’t say the wine was bad, just that I didn’t understand it, and that I wanted to know more — to educate myself.’ — Ewald Tscheppe

43 — INDEX Werlitsch, Ewald Tscheppe

Ewald and Brigitte Tscheppe's farm ‚Werlitsch‘ has where it’s almost impossible to work with any form become the synonym for some of the world’s of tractors or machinery. The so-called 'Opok', a greatest white wines. The farm has come a long local chalky marl builds the foundation of the hills, way and its early beginnings in the 2000s were far giving the wines its singular character. away from easy. At that time Ewald already visited biodynamic farms in different corners of the world Just like in the vineyards, the hands-off approach and subsequently decided to transition the efforts continues in the cellar. Fermentation happens of his work on biodynamic principles too. Despite naturally and may take up to a year, giving the the local market raising eyebrows and rarely wines plenty of time to evolve. All wines spend 18 enjoying this ’non-traditional’ Styrian style he kept to 30 months in barrel before being bottled. In going until people from further afield started addition to the main range, Ewald and Brigitte also noticing. The core range are the Sauvignon bottle single-variety wines such as Welschriesling, Chardonnay blends called ‚Ex Vero‘ which are Morillon and Sauvignon Blanc which should divided further into different expositions of the deserve equal attention. In ideal vintages they also incredibly steep vineyards surrounding the family’s produce skin-contact wines such as their house. While Ex Vero I comes from the 'least‘ phenomenal Glück or Freude. These are special steep vineyards, Ex Vero II and Ex Vero III almost wines from special people who have stood the test exclusively come from sections of the hill where of time and deserve all the credit this world has to the vines grow on the poorest parts of the rock, offer!

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

NEW ⬤ Vom Opok Welschriesling 2017 75cl

NEW ⬤ Vom Opok Welschriesling 2018 75cl

NEW ⬤ Vom Opok Sauvignon Blanc 2017 75cl

NEW ⬤ Vom Opok Sauvignon Blanc 2018 75cl

Chardonnay, NEW ⬤ Ex Vero I 2017 75cl Sauvignon Blanc

Chardonnay, NEW ⬤ Ex Vero II S 2017 75cl Sauvignon Blanc

Chardonnay, NEW ⬤ Glück 2016 75cl Sauvignon Blanc

44 Jutta Ambrositsch

— INDEX Austria, Vienna Jutta Ambrositsch

‘Start small and grow slowly, is my advice if you want to make wine. And get ready to cry again — because there will be tears and failures in the first years especially. This makes you humble, and it’s okay.’ — Jutta & Marco Kalchbrenner

45 — INDEX Jutta Ambrositsch

In 2005 Jutta Kalchbrenner (formerly from closely related friends and artisans in the Ambrositsch) decided to make a dramatic career area. change and left her job as a graphic designer to make traditionally inspired wines from old vine Her wines are best characterized by Marco's witty parcels in the middle of Austria's capital, Vienna. descriptions like 'Last year, the vineyards in The city is particularly famous for its historic field Vienna’s 21st district decided to bring a blends known as ‘Gemischter Satz’. Most of Jutta's neighbouring vineyard friend on board the far from wines are blends or field blends inspired by this full boat of the Satellit. And because they Viennese tradition, and her goal is to always put understood each other so well, they were also terroir first. Despite not working under harvested together, fermented together and - ta- certification, she has been working organically for dah! - the Satellit has put on a little weight. Grüner now more than 10 years. Together with husband Veltliner, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Marco as well as Fox Terrier 'Edgar’, Jutta today Chardonnay cut a dazzlingly good-humoured Miss runs a total of four hectares including the well- Piggy out of old Stammersdorfer vine-stock. So to known Viennese Crus like Rosengartel within the speak. There’s yellow fruit, orange fruit, there’s renowned Nussberg appellation. Besides making substance and length, honey, herbs; in brief: the wine, Jutta and Marco run one of Vienna's most Satellit stands more for the rubber boots of popular 'pop-up' Buschenschank (Viennese central France rather than the stilettos of north- traditional wine tavern) where they serve their own eastern Europe. Bisamberg with beret.' wine alongside snacks and delicious delicatessen

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

NEW ⬤ Satellit Gemischter Satz 2019 75cl

⬤ Kosmopolit Gemischter Satz 2018 75cl

⬤ Glockenturm Gemischter Satz 2016 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Sieveringer Ringelspiel Gemischter Satz 2016 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Revision Grüner Veltliner 2017 75cl

NEW ⬤ Utopie Riesling 2018 75cl

NEW ⬤ Rakete Gemischter Satz 2019 75cl

46 Michael Gindl

— INDEX Austria, Weinviertel Michael Gindl

‘Working with horses and animals helps us come back to the land. It is not so easy to return to healthy soils after so many years of chemicals. For me, these older techniques help us to come back to this — to find greater balance.’

47 — INDEX Michael Gindl

It's almost impossible to talk about Michael Gindl His dedication to biodynamics and inspiration without talking about his animals. The 30 Scottish draws from his early childhood when he would Highland cattle provide all the manure for Michael, ‘work’ all day with his grandfather visiting the are cold resistant and are happy to hang out in the animals on the farm, but also going to the snow in the winter. The 20 Breton dwarf sheep vineyards and cellar. His vines sit on a variety of help to graze the vineyards; they eat the bottom soil types: loam, loess, sandstone, clay and chalk. vine leaves, but once 50% of the fruit starts In the cellar, Michael was one of the first in Austria ripening, they would start eating the berries and to use acacia barrels instead of oak for aging. need to be moved to other vineyards. The horses Lightly toasted acacia barrels don't kill the floral help mowing and rotating cover crops. As Michael aroma from grapes like Grüner Veltliner, bringing rarely opens the soil – "healthy soil doesn't need out delicacy and elegance of the wine. to be opened" – the horses are not used for ploughing but help with spraying. Michael hopes to use tractors less and less to reduce soil As the saying goes, what's old is revolutionary. compaction, as vines would be much healthier and Michael has been a rebel using the most can then protect themselves with just biodynamic traditional methods, and at this point in his career, preparations. Michael took over the family winery he's found his stride. in the village of Hohenruppersdorf when he was just 20 years old.

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

NEW ⬤ Little Buteo Grüner Veltliner 2019 75cl

NEW ⬤ Flora Riesling, Scheurebe 2019 75cl

Grüner Veltliner, NEW ⬤ White Bessi No. 3 NV 75cl Riesling

Grüner Veltliner, ⬤ White Bessi No. 2 NV 75cl Riesling

CELLAR ⬤ Buteo 12 Grüner Veltliner 2016 75cl

Weissburgunder CELLAR ⬤ SOL NV 75cl Blend

48 CZECH REPUBLIC

INDEX Czech Republic

49 Milan Nestarec

— INDEX Czech Republic, Moravia Milan Nestarec

‘I am so fortunate that I can create something that I do not have to ask anyone for approval of. I love that freedom, and I want my wines to feel that way — to be unbound’

50 — INDEX Milan Nestarec

When summarizing Milan’s work we would like to himself is growing up & with the best vintages still start by quoting our dear friend Marko Kovac, co- to come. founder of Central Europe’s most respected Salon - Karakterre: 'There really should be a division to Milan's latest releases from 2017 and 2018 are yet BMC and AD in the Czech Republic. That’s Before another impressive showcase how hard work in Milan Nestarec & Anno Domini. Not to say that he the vineyard combined with a great deal of is the reincarnation of Christ. But he did show the patience (his wines spent at least two winters and way for many who today make Eastern Europe one full summer in the cellar for the main cuvées, one of the world’s most exciting & vibrant wine making all the difference for minimum intervention regions. Milan's name is on many of grower’s lips wines to showcase a great deal of terroir and there. (To the point that “like Nestarec” really quality without the use of SO2). Even though to should become Moravia dictionary’s proper entry) this date Milan works with a variety of Czech and Austrian varieties, his style has become a style of Yet, what does it really mean to be Nestarec...as his own giving varieties like Neuburger (in his Milan himself is changing and now coming to a TRBLMKR) and Grüner Veltliner a completely phase of greater than ever precision & elegance of different direction, yet making them somewhat wines. Plus, the dedication to pure low- future classics of Central Europe. intervention wines is undisputed here. Now taken to the next level, one where the winegrower

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

Neuburger, NEW ⬤ Forks And Knives Sauvignon, Traminer, 2018 75cl Palava, Riesling

NEW ⬤ What The Flor Grüner Veltliner 2017 75cl

NEW ⬤ TRBLMKR Neuburger 2017 75cl

Welschriesling, Müller NEW ⬤ Miky Maus 2017 75cl Thurgau, Veltliner

NEW ⬤ I am not a big wine Riesling, Chardonnay 2017 75cl

Pinot Blanc, Gris, Noir, NEW ⬤ Juicy Fruit Chardonnay, Veltliner, 2017 75cl Neuburger

Riesling, Neuburger NEW ⬤ Transcendent 2017 75cl Regent

NEW ⬤ Podfuck Pinot Gris 2017 75cl

51 FRANCE

INDEX France

52 Domaine Rieffel

— INDEX France, Alsace Domaine Rieffel

‘I don’t want to do more than we do now. This works for us; we’re not some beast of a company. Instead of being a commercial director, I’d rather be a farmer.’

Picture and quote kindly provided by © littlewine.co

53 — INDEX Domaine Rieffel

Lucas Riefel is the third-generation winemaker in site vineyards to the family holdings, resulted in a the family of the estate, located in Mittlebergheim, major jump in quality. Alsace. His grandfather Julien (whose birth certificate is the front label of many wines) started Introducing new vessels, focusing on large old oak to sell his first bottle of Sylvaner in 1946 taking barrels, and long aging on the lees, as well as care of a mixed farmed at the time. Lucas’ dad extending the press cycle – placing focus on this André took the lead in 1971 to expand the domain important transformation phase for the grapes - in both quality and quantity and turned especially and playing with bottle closures in order to reduce to the wine production. the amount of sulphur added at bottling, all play an immense role in the shifting the paradigm that Lucas is aiming to achieve. In 1996, it was Lucas’ turn to take over the family estate and continued his dad’s journey. After working with Andre Ostertag and seeing a Only three people work at the winery for the 10ha diferent approach, Lucas slowly changed a few estate, one of which has been there for over 40 things over the years; hard-working and discreet, years. He is the soul of the business, having taking his time, and reflecting greatly with every worked back with Lucas’ grandfather. This estate new change. The changes in both the cellar and is a great representation of community; of how vineyards brought about organic certification in knowledge is being passed on from 3 generations 2009. This, along with the addition of new single and how the status quo keeps being challenged.

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

Auxerrois NEW ⬤ ⬤ Crémant Pinot Gris Riesling 2018 75cl Chardonnay

⬤ Vieilles Vignes Riesling 2018 75cl

⬤ Wiebelsberg Grand Cru Riesling 2016 75cl

Gewurztraminer, ⬤ Lâcher Prise 2018 75cl Riesling

⬤ Nature Pinot Noir 2018 75cl

54 Pierre Cotton

— INDEX France, Beaujolais Pierre Cotton

‘Us human beings, we're so fortunate to be able to work in this natural ecosystem. That's why we don't use any chemicals - we don't want to pollute the vines. We want our wines to reflect the nature that they come from…’

Picture and quote kindly provided by © littlewine.co

55 — INDEX Pierre Cotton

Over the past 5 years Pierre has slowly taken over bunch macerated in concrete tanks and then aged the family domain in Odenas “Sanvers & Cotton” in large oak foudres for 8 to 10 months. There is located in the heart of the Côte de Brouilly in very low or no additions of Sulphur at bottling. Beaujolais. Before his return, Pierre spent two Despite being still at a tender age, Pierre has years studying and interning with some of the achieved an international recognition few of his greatest natural growers in the Loire Valley. colleagues have been able to reach. His approach Furthermore he shares a deep friendship with is very much led by the traditions of the family's some of the regions brightest minds including legacy, without losing a sense of experimentation. Yvon Metras who has been a great mentor in the In the 2019 vintage Pierre and his partner Marine early years (and still today) for Pierre. In 2014, he have started buying a small amount of fruit of reclaimed 1 hectare of Côte de Brouilly for his first friend and fellow vigneron Julian Viana, who grows cuvée - 100% Cotton. “It was kind of a test to see Mondeuse in Savoie and who Pierre regularly how the market will react to it” says Pierre. exchanges thoughts with. It is also the first year that Pierre and Marine have made a small batch of Every year from that date Pierre reclaimed more skin fermented white and dark rosé, to keep them hectares and bought other plots. As of now, Pierre on their toes and blend a fun, more approachable is looking after 10ha of vineyards - mainly Brouilly dimension to the serious and focused domaine & Côte de Brouilly - but also has a plot of Regnié, collection. Fleurie and now also 0,3ha of Chardonnay. Pierre's yields are quite low for the Beaujolais region on average 25hl/ha. Gamay are whole

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

NEW ⬤ Vin de France Gamay 2019 75cl

NEW ⬤ Regnié Gamay 2019 75cl

NEW ⬤ Fleurie ‘Poncié’ Gamay 2019 75cl

NEW ⬤ Côte de Brouilly ”La Chapelle” Gamay 2019 75cl

56 — INDEX France, Burgundy Raphaelle Guyot

‘Wine is an emotional thing. It is a way of talking about history, terroir and a sense of place.’

57 — INDEX Raphaelle Guyot

Raphaelle Guyot’s winery sits on the periphery of Pinot Noir. The vines she works with are always what is still considered Burgundy, being densely planted, and she believes that working the geographically almost closer to the Loire than it is soils hard and regularly at the start, couple with to the heart of Burgundian production. Here, they biodynamic farming, is the key to producing even have even have a Burgundy appellation that exceptional quality fruit in the future. makes room for the use of Sauvignon Blanc! Although today the landscape is very stark, this is Although she only has about 1.5ha currently under a part of Burgundy that pre-Phylloxera was vine, Raphaelle has dreams to increase this to an planted prolifically with vines (over 200ha), and so impressive 15ha, and encourage diversity in the raises the intrigue in curious growers like crops on the farm, including oat, wheats and Raphaelle to explore the possibilities of replanting lentils. She is actively integrating cattle and and discovering a forgotten landscape. livestock into her vineyards and farms.

Having finished business school, Raphaelle then All of her wines display a distinct freshness and worked internships with an importer in China, as the deft touch of a mature winemaker who is well as harvests in Sancerre and Chablis. Her committed to working in a low intervention experience naturally gave her a broad manner, but who will intervene where necessary. understanding of both the commercial and Although a big chunk of the production is from agricultural aspects of owning a winery, and it fruit purchased negociant style, the more she shines through in her demeanour and presentation plants and begins to cultivate and produce from of her work. Raphaelle is intrepid in her viticulture her own grapes, the more she believes the quality endeavours, seeing potential in the 0.5ha Les of the wines will improve and take on a greater Hates parcel that was completely overgrown by identity. wild vegetation and fruit trees, and painstakingly working it back to life to producing outstanding

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

NEW ⬤ L’Idylle Pinot Noir 2019 75cl

NEW ⬤ Les Hates Pinot Noir 2019 75cl

58 Domaine des Rouges Queues

— INDEX France, Burgundy Domaine des Rouges Queues

‘When we first arrived in Maranges, we completely fell in love with the place. We first bought it without thinking of making wine. It is completely different form the rest of Burgundy. It is wild, with lots of forests around here, and birds, hence the name of the estate.’

59 — INDEX Domaine des Rouges Queues

In the early 90’s, Isabelle and Jean Yves Vantey much disturbance. In 2008, they applied to receive met in the hills of Valais, Switzerland. Their love the organic/biodynamic certification. In the cellar, and passion for wines led them to Burgundy to all fermentation starts naturally - Pinots are whole start an adventure together, with the creation of bunch macerated in open, old oak vats, with some Domaine des Rouges Queues in 1998 in the village pumping over, and punch downs. Maceration lasts of Sampigny-Les-Maranges, farming 1ha of 10-15 days, and very little sulphur is added in the Manages Rouge. To date the domaine process. Whites are whole bunch pressed. The encompasses 15 diferent sites across various Aligoté is aged in tank on the lees, whereas all areas/appellations for a total of 5.46ha, including other cuveeś are barrel aged for about 10-12 Cotê de Beaune Blanc, Santenay, Aligote,́ Haute months before being bottled. Cotê de Beaune Rouge, Haute Bourgogne Rouge as well as Maranges Blanc. It took us a while to search and find the right Since 1998, they have been working the land in the Burgundy producer. While there are a great most respectable way, following organic and amount of extremely talented growers in this area biodynamic principles, each site having its own it was also clear to us, that we needed to meet management plan, depending on the wines’ profile people that can match the values we are fighting - some plots are ploughed with horses, some are for. Isabelle and Jean Yves take time to analyse, fully covered with natural grass and left without reflect and don't impose too much on nature.

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Hautes Côtes de Beaune Chardonnay 2018 75cl

⬤ Hautes Côtes de Beaune Pinot Noir 2018 75cl

60 Émilien Feneuil

— INDEX France, Champagne Émilien Feneuil

‘The day I saw an old olive tree, fig tree and almond tree, growing together with a grapevine in communion, was a revelation. I then understood that I needed to go one step further in my vineyards.’

61 — INDEX Émilien Feneuil

Émilien is based in Sermiers in the Montagne de communion that we often heard about, but that Reims and looks after just over 2ha of vines already exists in his vines. Émilien explains, that spread over more than 15 plots across Sermiers during a trip in Morocco with his assistant Aissam, and Chamery. His yields (even outside of he has seen an olive tree, almond tree, a fig tree Champagne) are incredibly low, as he applies an and a grapevine, all advanced in age, growing immense amount of biodiversity to his vineyards. together in communion. After this encounter he decided to go one step further in his vineyards.

When visiting Émilien's vines you understand that he is promoting a completely new way of farming. In 2015, Émilien decided to jump into uncharted His vineyards are fascinating given the immense waters. He started making his own wines with the social pressure from peers that still prevails in the help of a few fellow winemakers in the area, using region today. Over the last decade he has literally the small 2000 kg press from Aurelien Lurquin, promoted vineyard life to an extent that wild and the ‘bigger' 4000 kg one from Thomas growing trees have started populating again Perseval, with whom he also aged his wines for the among his rows of vineyards. This approach to first year. All his wines are barrel aged and come agroforestry is not necessarily new in vinegrowing, from single vineyards (except the cuvée ‘Totum' but we've not experienced this level of risk taking which is the blend of all cuvées). We are excited to in a newly established estate to date. The trees share with you his first arrivals to the UK - are giving shade to entire rows of vineyards, some allocation only! canes are growing inside the trees. There is a

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Disgorgement Format

Chardonnay, ⬤ ⬤ 1er Cru ‘Totum’ Pinot Meunier, 2015 Jun 2019 75cl Pinot Noir

Pinot Meunier, ⬤ ⬤ 1er Cru ‘Les Puits’ 2015 Nov 2019 75cl Pinot Noir

62 Aurelien Lurquin

— INDEX France, Champagne Aurélien Lurquin

‘Everyone in the village knows me now, they know where my vines are, they are getting used to seeing me doing things differently and they do not annoy me anymore when they see trees in my vineyards or see me working with my horses.’

63 — INDEX Aurélien Lurquin

We have known Aurélien since first tasting with in the estate’s young history as he bought his him back in April 2016, where he was pouring his magnificent Coquart press that can hold 2000kg. first ever vintage (2013). Aurélien is based at the After pressing, juice travels by gravity to the old end of the Vallée de la Marne, in the village of traditional cellar. The press cuvées and tailles are Romery, where he farms 2.3 ha on 15 plots, the normally separated, but can also be blended, with oldest one planted by his grandfather in 1947, and a tendency to do 3/4 cuvée and 1/4 of the taille. called Les Crayères. Since the start, Aurélien has Aurélien really wants a pristine freshness to define been working his soil with his horse and has also his wines, so he is extra careful with the overall increased the height of the plant to allow a natural level of tension in the wines. growth without cutting the apex of the vine.

The fermentations are rather slow in his cellar. Prior to the start of his estate, Aurélien trained in Aurélien is doing more and more trials by adding Burgundy with Luc Pavelot in Vergelesse between some must from the coming vintage to the base 2002 and 2005. Afterwards, he moved for a short wine, extending his lees aging for the base wines stint to Maule, Chile where he encountered to even more than a full year now. For his Coteaux working with horses on a day-to-day basis. Champenois, he is now leaving the wine to settle in Eventually, when he finally came back to barrels for up to 3 years. There is no compromise Champagne, Aurélien started organic conversion to quality in this estate, and the quantities are very in 2007. That year also marked another milestone low.

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Disgorgement Format

⬤ ⬤ Meunier Pinot Meunier 2017 Jan 2020 75cl

⬤ ‘Les Forcières’ à L’État Pur Pinot Noir 2015 - 75cl

64 Flavien Nowack

— INDEX France, Champagne Flavien Nowack

‘The goal for a domain my size is to find the right balance. I would love to go even more extreme in my practices if I could, as it is the right way to go!’

65 — INDEX Flavien Nowack

Located in Vandières, in the beautiful Vallée de La The soil types here are quite various but Marne, Domaine Nowack is a family winery that predominantly sand and clay. Today, he vinifies 6 has seen some big changes in the last decade, cuvées from 7 hectares of vineyards. particularly with the introduction of Flavien Nowack, who joined the family winery in 2011, and has slowly taken over the reins of the operations. In order to translate the minerality and energy of his terroir, Flavien allows his wines to be exposed to the right level of oxygen in the cellar as well as Like in most successions between generations, initiated a big campaign of tree plantation in 2018. changes are slow, and have to reflect and engage He has since replanted more than 100 trees in and with the overall philosophy of the estate. Having around his Crus. The grapes are pressed slowly been established in Vandières since 1795, and and for a long period (he developed a special involved in Champagne production since the late technique with his uncle, an electrician) and most 1900’s, Flavien has a profound respect for his of his wines are aged in barrels on their lees, family's legacy, meaning he always preferred to do allowing them to evolve with the season. During changes from the inside out rather than jumping the secondary fermentation, each bottle is bottled on trends every year. His first goal was to display under cork, allowing the wine to absorb some the difference between Meunier, Pinot Noir and oxygen and for Flavien, results in a more pristine Chardonnay from three single parcels at the same taste. The dosage, if necessary, is done with grape elevation all within his home village of Vandières. must, which helps to retain freshness.

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Disgorgement Format

Chardonnay, ⬤ ⬤ S.A. ’Brut Sans Année’ NV Jan 2020 75cl Pinot Meunier

⬤ ⬤ Les Terres Bleues Pinot Meunier 2016 Dec 2019 75cl

Pinot Meunier, ⬤ ⬤ L’Arpent Rouge 2016 Dec 2019 75cl Chardonnay

66 Thomas Perseval

— INDEX France, Champagne Thomas Perseval

‘I have started to make single vineyard wine, because I wanted my vineyard work to make the wine, and not the work in my cellar.’

67 — INDEX Thomas Perseval

Thomas’s small estate (2.5ha), based in Chamery, variety of soils and with different expositions, as has been passed on by many generations in the the village of Chamery comes into the form of an family who also farm cereals (hence the wheat amphitheatre. The domain is entirely certified sheaf represented on the label). In the early 1980s, organic since 2012, and Thomas is now focusing his parents created their own brand and decided on making single vineyard wines, which are all to leave the co-op. They invested in a traditional aged in barrels (228l and 500l) for at least 9 Champagne press, and started making their own months, with very minimum sulphur or none added. Champagne, focusing on quality. At the end of the 1990s, they started to plough between the vines It is not an easy task to fully understand the only, and left natural cover crops between the personality of a farmer, simply by tasting the rows in order to restore the balance of the soil. In wines. It involves a certain degree of time travel 2003, after an internship with biodynamic and it's important to interpret the grower's own winemakers in Burgundy, Thomas really journey throughout the vintages. Having tasted understood the means to prioritise a more natural the single vineyard releases, we are touched to approach in farming, so to let the expression of see Thomas’s philosophy mirrored in his wines. the fruit speak. All the wines we’ve started to bring in were The domain encompasses 7 vineyard Crus that are disgorged a la volée, making them enjoyable soon on the bottom to mid slopes, laying on a rich after the release date.

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Disgorgement Format

⬤ ⬤ Le Hazat Pinot Noir 2014 Feb 2020 75cl

⬤ ⬤ Le Village Chardonnay 2014 May 2019 75cl

Chardonnay, ⬤ ⬤ La Masure 2015 Apr 2019 75cl Pinot Noir

68 Timothée Stroebel

— INDEX France, Champagne Timothée Stroebel

‘When I first arrived, everyone used to laugh and take the piss out of me for having grass in my vineyards. They told me I didn’t know how to farm.’

Picture and quote kindly provided by © littlewine.co

69 — INDEX Timothée Stroebel

Timothée’s family came from Alsace, and settled in Montreval". When the vintage allows, Timothée Champagne after the Second World War. will try to make more wine than Champagne, as he Vineyards were planted in the early 60’s in Villers often says that 'La Bulle est accessoire". If he Allerand, a small 1er cru village tucked in makes Champagne he needs to feel something, Montagne de Reims, where they still farm today. hence, he is not going to produce the same wine twice. From the vintage 2018, all the wines are Two generations later, Timothée had the dream to barrel aged, and he is working towards bigger size produce his own Champagne from the plots barrels starting from 400L. The alcoholic and planted by his grandfather. After studying wine malolactic fermentation happens naturally, wines and working in Burgundy, Timothée slowly got are not cold stabilised and there is no dosage nor back the plots that were divided between the filtration. family members. Installation was done in steps: 2001 the vineyards; 2005 the first wines were In 2018, an exceptional year for both quality and produced. The domain encompasses the three quantity, Timothée has made the decision to known Champagne varieties: Pinot Meunier, Pinot produce 5 Coteaux Champenois showing that he Noir and Chardonnay. Tim picks at relatively high really believes in the potential of his grapes. He levels of maturity for the region, and has a Pinot has made three different still wines (White, Rose, Meunier vineyard plot from which he only makes a Red), from the Meunier grapes, in order to express Coteaux Champenois Rouge every year "Le the potential of this too often undervalued variety.

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Disgorgement Format

⬤ ⬤ Héraclite Sous Bois Pinot Meunier 2015 Dec 2019 75cl

⬤ Le Vin Tranquille ‘Blanc’ Chardonnay 2018 - 75cl

⬤ Le Vin Tranquille ‘Blanc’ Pinot Meunier 2018 - 75cl

Le Vin Tranquille ‘Rosé de Pinot Meunier, ⬤ 2018 - 75cl Saignée’ Chardonnay

⬤ Le Vin Tranquille ‘Rouge’ Pinot Meunier 2018 - 75cl

⬤ Le Vin Tranquille ‘Rouge’ Pinot Noir 2018 - 75cl

70 Valentin Morel

— INDEX France, Jura Valentin Morel

‘I took over my father's winery and changed a lot of things. Funny enough, my dad does not like my wine. He has been drinking commercial wine for a while and there is a standardisation of taste, and we have to be careful about it especially when judging new things.’

71 — INDEX Valentin Morel

After earning a degree in international law, wines' that do not need any additions. His reds are Valentin decided that he would prefer to make destemmed, macerated and aged in stainless steel wine, and so travelled to Alsace to learn tanks, unlike the whites which are pressed, winemaking, where he was influenced by fermented and aged in barriques. Speaking to producers like Bruno Schueller and Pierre Frick. Valentin is always about deep thoughts and great discussions - he is a highly political, intelligent In 2014, he took over the family domain and human being who deeply believes that manual quickly introduced TCS (simplified cultivation work (and in that the whole idea of a farmer) has techniques) in the vineyard. Valentin is looking been tremendously undervalued in the past, as after 6 ha of vineyards, Chardonnay and Savagnin academia and intangible work has become the for the white grapes, Pinot, Trousseau and new 'elite' work. To him, working his soil is as much Poulsard for reds. Soils here are typically Jurassic of an intellectual process as is being a lawyer, and soil composed of Triassic Marne (marl). Valentin's in that he is fighting for a political change in his vines are on average 40 to 45 years old except region that sees small farmers take more control from the Bois d'Arnaux vineyard. The Bois over their fields and farms. It's incredible to see his d'Arnaux is a younger plot planted by Valentin, purpose, not just in making wine, but also in the with massale selection cuttings from Philippe greater impact and voice that he can have as a Bornard for the Poulsard, and Savagnin from vigneron. We are very proud to have him as part of Julien Labet. Minimum intervention in the cellar is our portfolio. a consequence of Valentin's desire to make 'true

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Les Trouillots Chardonnay 2016 75cl

⬤ Les Trouillots Chardonnay 2018 75cl

⬤ Champ d’Aubert Chardonnay 2016 75cl

⬤ Trouillots Batârd Poulsard 2018 75cl

⬤ Les Trouillots Pinot Noir 2018 75cl

72 Domaine Inebriati, Victor Beau

— INDEX France, Languedoc Domaine Inebriati — Victor Beau

‘I do enjoy harvest a lot, as my friend Herve comes to join me and makes the wine with me. We are often having long discussions about what to do. We have different point of views, but in the end, we are very complementary. We take the time to decide, and do not rush things, there is room for exchange.’

73 — INDEX Domaine Inebriati, Victor Beau

The estate was created in 1982, and although it Today, Victor makes the wines with a good family was very much avant-garde in its farming friend Herve, a teacher at the Arts et Metiers straightaway (biodynamic since 1985), Christoph ParisTech, but also one of the first natural wine Beau was seen as young and crazy for preferring distributors in Paris. Victor, following his father's to optimise the natural process, relying on his path, leads the farming work, while Herve follows intuition and conviction rather than scientific the same philosophy in the cellar. The duo like to measures. In 2010 Victor, Christoph's son, took keep an outsider's eye on each other and are over after a short career in physiotherapy, and constantly challenging themselves. As Victor's dad now runs the 8ha estate. Victor feels priviliged to often says wisely, we are easily trapped by fame be working with vineyards with some of the most and the name on the label, while forgetting that interesting terroir in the famed appellation. the mission is to look after and cherish the land. Surrounded by limestone cliffs, with soils that are rich in gravette de Corconne - big limestone Today, in Victor and Herve’s hands, the farming sediments that help to retain freshness during the and the wines are as ‘avant-garde’ as Domaine long summer days. He is very thankful for the Inebriati has ever been, and we are looking knowledge and the "bon sens paysan" passed forward to seeing what the upcoming vintages will down from his father. bring as they will start experimenting with amphoras directly burried in the vineyards.

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Nerei Ugni Blanc 2019 75cl

⬤ Nerei Ugni Blanc 2018 75cl

⬤ Orea Terret Blanc 2017 75cl

⬤ Naia Carignan 2019 75cl

Syrah, ⬤ Drya 2017 75cl Cinsault

⬤ Thyia Syrah 2017 75cl

74 Olivier Cohen

— INDEX France, Languedoc Olivier Cohen

‘When I arrived in my vineyards, I didn’t know how to drive a tractor or operate a forklift. I needed to ask a lot of questions. It was exciting, but stressful too. Every month, every season, you learn, adapt, and understand how to do the best by your vines.’

75 — INDEX Olivier Cohen

After working with some of the top growers in the benefits from cool summer nights, allowing the French wine scene such as Philippe Valette in the grapes to slowly ripen. Olivier´s vines are on Mâconnais, Thierry Allemand in Cornas, Frederic average 30-40 years old and planted on clay and Rivaton in Latour de France and the Arena Family limestone soils. in Corsica, Olivier Cohen took over Bernard Boubal´s vineyards in the village of Argelliers in The freshness of the area, combined with a January 2014 and produced his first vintage the respectful viticulture allows him to have moderate same year. The domain was already in great yields at around 30hl/ha, but most importantly, to shape. Bernard was one of the first ones in the produce fresh wines. Since 2017 (spurred on by a village to follow organic principles in the vineyard. terrible frost episode in his own vines) Olivier has The domain encompasses 7.5 ha of different red started to source fruit from great organic growers varieties including Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, in the area to produce collaborative wines. These Merlot, Carignan, Mourvèdre and Cabernet wines are bottled under the ‘Deferlante” label, Sauvignon, divided in multiple blocks around the which translate the idea of a new project! village of Argelliers in Languedoc Roussillon. In terms of vinification, each grape variety is This tiny village is located 10 min away from vinified separately, with whole clusters and no famous domaines such as La Grange des Pères additives used during the process. and Montcalmes. Located in a special climatic zone in the Hérault department, this village

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Deferlante Blanc Chenin Blanc 2019 75cl

⬤ Rond Noir Syrah blend 2018 75cl

76 Languedoc, France INDEX Domaine Mada

‘I spend most of my time and energy trying to grow grapes on the vines; to then sit and separate the berries and use a de-stemmer seems counter- intuitive.’

77 — INDEX Domaine Mada, Edouard Adam

On arriving at Domaine Mada, you feel as though Our story with Edouard started a few years before you’ve stumbled upon an untouched nature that. We first crossed paths when he was still reserve. It is a unique, magical oasis. And this studying wine in Montpellier and met with him magic permeates Edouard’s wines. regularly in wine bars. We also worked an entire harvest in 2015 together, helping Olivier Cohen. When Edouard started, he was mainly using fibre We knew that Edouard was talented and would glass tanks, and made the wine in his garage. make honest, pure and fantastic wines down the Always a good way to start, as you cannot cover line. He uses mainly local varieties that are grown mistakes with such simple equipment, but also a on limestone subsoils, keeping freshness in the good way to better understand your winemaking wines for this relatively warm area. situation and terroir. Since 2019, all wines from the domain are barrel In 2018, due to quite rainy conditions early in the aged, barely topped up, and do not see any season, they lost all their crop, and had to resort to sulphur. Sometimes white and red grapes would buying grapes in from friends. Something they be blended together to offer more complexity too. coined "marche noir" - from the Black Market. Last Edouard is one of the youngest natural year, Edouard and his girlfriend Pauline decided to winemakers in France (he is only a mere 27 years acquire more land in a different area. This has old), but trust us, he is truly talented. You should given them the opportunity to work with different try his wines as they are 'Tout sauf l"ennui" – terroirs, but also to build a real cellar. The property Everything, except boring. they found has perfect vaulted walls, and now gives them the added advantage to age the wines.

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

NEW ⬤ Bang-Bang Grenache Noir 2019 75cl

NEW ⬤ Mignon Sauvignon Blanc 2018 75cl

Clairette, Grenache NEW ⬤ Khallina 2019 75cl Noir

NEW ⬤ Tout Sauf L’ennui Carignan 2019 75cl

NEW ⬤ Substance Syrah 2018 75cl

Carignan, Grenache NEW ⬤ Furie 2019 75cl Noir, Œillade

78 Pierre Ménard

— INDEX France, Loire Pierre Ménard

‘With dry wines, you increase the acoustic of the variety, you hear more of the place.’

79 — INDEX Pierre Ménard

After studying wine in the Agronomic school of Blanc, but also Cabernet Franc and Sauvingon Angers, Pierre traveled the world to learn about Blanc. He also makes (when vintage allows) an the different processes and made wine in Canada, extra sweet wine called " Chaos". New Zealand and Hungary. Grapes are picked by hand and carefully selected Only in his late twenties, Pierre started to produce for the production of dry whites. The grapes are wine in the Layon in 2013, using a 100-year-old pressed very slowly using a pneumatic press, and Chenin Blanc vineyard planted on schist called “Le the wine is then transferred and left in the barrel Quart des Noëls”. The plot used to belong to his for at least a year. For the sweet coteaux, Pierre parents who withdrew some of the vines from the picks the vineyard 3-4 times to select the right cooperative contract. A year later, Pierre added up noble rot fruit. two new plots: an old Sauvignon Blanc “Clos de La Roche” and a young Chenin Blanc vineyard and Pierre plays music, draws his own beautiful labels, made two new cuvées: Laïka, a dry Sauvignon and and reads a lot. Making wine for him is an Cosmos a beautifully balanced Côteaux du Layon. intellectual exercise, and he does produce Pierre at the time, also produces a Verjus by meditative wines. They are a reflection of the time picking at véraison the unripe berries in his Clos de spent by him tending his vines. We invite you to la Roche & Quart des Noëls, which helps the discover his own world, by trying one of his bottles. remaining grapes to achieve full maturity. Since You won't be disappointed. 2016, Pierre has been producing, 6 dry cuvées, all coming from single site vineyards, mainly Chenin

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Laika Sauvignon Blanc 2018 75cl

⬤ Clos des Mailles Chenin Blanc 2018 75cl

⬤ Varenne de Chanzé Chenin Blanc 2018 75cl

⬤ Quart des Noëls Chenin Blanc 2018 75cl

⬤ Pluton Chenin Blanc 2018 75cl

⬤ Orion Alpha Cabernet Franc 2018 75cl

⬤ Cosmos Chenin Blanc 2017 50cl

80 — INDEX France, Loire Alexandre Giquel

‘When you work with horses, people have a different idea of you. They remember you, and this makes a difference. I would have never got my first vines without it’

81 — INDEX Alexandre Giquel

We are pleased to announce our newest addition this is the most efficient way of doing it, despite to the Loire section, with the wines from young the physical difficulty of such a task, as those bags winemaker Alexandre Giquel. Based in Noizay, he can weigh up to 30kg when full. was never predestined to make wine or to become a farmer, as no one is his family was in the trade. All his vines, are planted on clay with silex, with a subsoil of Tuffeau. They are at least 20 years old, He is a Loire native, and has dedicated his time in and he has a few Chenin plots in Vouvray the region doing numerous internships to really averaging about 90+ years old. understanding the area. He has worked with many organic growers, and therefore was always inclined to leaning into that approach from the His installation was done in steps, starting with his word go. negoce called “Huit Launay” in 2017, and then taking on a vineyard in 2018 that was difficult to manage with a tractor (according to the farmer Alexandre is one of the few makers we met in the that gave him the land). He is now looking after region to farm without any tractors. He is 3.15ha, and we cannot wait to see what the future committed to work his soils with horses, and holds for this young estate. For now, we will be having trained for many years previously with bringing to the UK shores 2 negoce wine from this Philippe Guichard from La Table Rouge, it only domain. A small production barrel aged pet nat makes sense. They now share up to 6 horses, and (400 btls) aged on the lees for 3 years, and a when time allows, will likely also work for other sublime velvety Cabernet Franc, aged for 2 years winemakers’ vineyards as well. He only sprays his before bottling too. vines with a backpack, and he really thinks that

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

NEW ⬤ ⬤ Pet Nat Chenin Blanc 2017 75cl

NEW ⬤ Cabernet Franc Cabernet Franc 2018 75cl

82 Sébastien Riffault

— INDEX France, Loire Sébastien Riffault

‘I make wine like the generation prior to my father did; the true expression of Sancerre. The problem is that the "baby boomers", my dad's generation, they do not understand it, as they have been using too many chemicals, to simply make their life easier.’

83 — INDEX Sébastien Riffault

The Riffault family have been making wine in Sébastien believes that well-balanced vineyards Sancerre for generations. After working with his produce looser bunches, avoiding the father Etienne, Sébastien began working under his accumulation of pockets of humidity within the own label in 2002 and converted all vineyards to grape bunch, which helps in order to have less organic. Today he is running the entire estate with grey rot. All his wines are vinified dry and without a total of 12 hectares. any additives. Stability is achieved through long élevage in stainless steel and large wooden Naturally, his wines within the Sancerre barrels. In recent years, Sébastien also started appellation are quite unique, as the majority of the experimenting with skin maceration, and we are region picks early, to enhance the well marketed extremely lucky to bring the 'Auksinis maceration’ "grassy-exotic" aromas. Sébastien aims to make to the UK! wines in the pure old-school Sancerre style - using Sauvignon Blanc grapes partly affected by The cuvée names are a tribute to his wife and botrytis. Old farmers often tell him the old adage 'it brother-in-law, who both come from Lithuania and is never too late to pick grapes' referring to the are the only people working wih him during the tradition of picking very late, waiting for some year. Akmèniné - Made of stones. Skeveldra - A botrytis to happen. To work in such a way, you fragment of stone. Auksinis - Golden. Saulétas - need to know your vineyards parcels by hand, and Sunny. Raudonas - Red. Sébastien's wines are spend more time observing the development of transcendental - a real cornerstone of the new old the rot. Timing of picking is crucial, as well as Sancerre and with a bright future ahead! sorting the grapes and discarding the grey rot.

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Sancerre ‘Akméniné’ Sauvignon Blanc 2016 75cl

NEW ⬤ Sancerre ‘Saulétas’ Sauvignon Blanc 2016 75cl

⬤ Sancerre ‘Skeveldra’ Sauvignon Blanc 2016 75cl

⬤ Sancerre ‘Auksinis’ Sauvignon Blanc 2016 75cl

NEW ⬤ Sancerre ‘Auksinis’ Sauvignon Blanc 2015 75cl

NEW ⬤ Sancerre ‘Auksinis’ Sauvignon Blanc 2014 75cl

NEW ⬤ Sancerre ‘Auksinis’ Sauvignon Blanc 2013 75cl

⬤ Sancerre ‘Raudonas’ Pinot Noir 2016 75cl

84 Sylvain Dittière

— INDEX France, Loire Sylvain Dittière

‘The goal is to translate the work done in the vineyard. We spend a lot of time, in my cellar, tasting from barrel to barrel, because I want to show how important the farming element is to it.’

85 — INDEX Sylvain Dittière

After studying Enology, Sylvain interned with with a subsoil of limestone. At harvest, the red Gerard Gauby in Roussillon, Thierry Germain and grapes are carefully sorted and then macerated in Antoine Foucault in Saumur Champigny. When the concrete tanks, whereas whites are directly opportunity arose in 2010, Sylvain decided to pressed. All wines are subsequently aged in an make wine in Montreuil-Bellay (where he is still ancient troglodyte cave, where the temperature based today) as he had the opportunity to buy does not fluctuate too much, and hence creates a some Cabernet Franc vineyards that were perfect environment for long ageing on the lees. organically farmed and naturally produced low His (used) barrels originate from Haut Brion and yields . Clos Rougeard, however Sylvain has also introduced some new oak from a well-known Today, he produces three reds, ‘La Porte Saint cooperage in Burgundy over the past years. Jean’, as well as ‘Les Pouches’ and ‘Les Cormiers’. Aside of Cabernet Franc, Sylvain also works a few From vintage 2017, Sylvain is beginning to really hectares of Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc. understand his vineyards and wines, to an extent The two vineyards for the whites are ‘Le Saut not seen in the past. The wines are becoming Mignon’ and ‘La Perlée’ as well as a newly increasingly approachable and require less and acquired plot of Chenin named ‘Les Pouches’ less bottle ageing before being accessible, which (labelled under Saumur Blanc). translates directly to his increased efforts in the vineyards and cellar management. A future classic His vineyards are planted on sand, silt, and clay, in the making!

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Le Saut Mignon Sauvignon Blanc 2018 75cl

⬤ La Perlée Chenin Blanc 2017 75cl

⬤ La Perlée Chenin Blanc 2016 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ La Perlée Chenin Blanc 2015 75cl

NEW ⬤ La Porte Saint Jean Cabernet Franc 2018 75cl

⬤ Les Pouches Cabernet Franc 2017 75cl

⬤ Les Cormiers Cabernet Franc 2017 75cl

86 Jacques Antoine Toublanc

— INDEX France, Loire Jacques Antoine Toublanc

‘I have been making wines as a consultant for Clos Rougeard for a long time now, and I have seen the region evolve. It is now time for me, to put my ideas into bottles under my name.’

87 — INDEX Jacques Antoine Toublanc

Wine sourcing can be like treasure hunting especially to us outside of the Garden of France, sometimes, you never know what surprises will Jacques-Antoine is a master of the Loire, hidden in come your way. Back in February 2019, when plain sight. trying to pick out a good Champagne to drink at a restaurant in Saumur, the chef-owner put a bottle Now back to the Cremant́ de Loire – the surprise on our table and declared: "This is what you want. treasure. All sparkling wines by Jacques-Antoine Trust me." The wine turned out to be the most go through secondary fermentation and spend at memorable of the night, and there were very many least three years on the lees – no short-cuts, good bottles that night. Jacques-Antoine Toublanc proper vintage Champagne standards. The was the winemaker, and his Cremant́ de Loire 2014 precision, opulence, and taste of the cremant́ rival the wine. Toublanc, a Saumur native, received his some of the best grower Champagnes, indicative enology degree in Bordeaux in the mid-'80s, then of Jacques-Antoine's winemaking approach and spent the next two decades or so working in quality. With over three decades of experience, Saumur before going on a seven-year stint in Chile. Jacques-Antoine has seen it all and is now A couple of years ago, having been a long-time carefully choosing grapes from his close and well- friend of and consultant to the Foucault Brothers, known friends, making wine for himself and Jacques-Antoine was asked to take over putting his own ideas into the few bottles that he winemaking at the fabled Clos Rougeard after the makes each year. passing of Charly Foucault. In many ways,

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ ⬤ Crémant de Loire Chardonnay 2015 75cl

⬤ ⬤ Crémant de Loire Rosé Pinot Noir 2014 75cl

NEW ⬤ Bourgueil Cabernet Franc 2014 75cl

88 Les Jardins de Theseïs

— INDEX France, Loire Les Jardins de Theseïs

‘Here we don't cultivate vines. We garden them.’

89 — INDEX Les Jardins de Theseïs, Anouk Lavoie-Lamoureux & Paul-André Risse

Les Jardins de Theseïs is a new domaine created harvest with the persistent pressure of disease. by Anouk Lavoie-Lamoureux and Paul-André Risse. They've taken on 4.9ha of vineyards in The duo have an incredible pedigree, both in and Thesée, Loir-et-Cher, planted and previously outside the wine world. Both biologists and worked by Bruno Allion, who has been farming researchers in the field of respiratory diseases, impeccably since the late 90s (Demeter certified with a passion for wine, they came to study in since ‘97). The name of their domaine refers to the Montpellier and Italy and worked with various 16th century namesake of the village and points to estates including the likes of Mark Angeli and the fact that the majority of the vineyards are co- Chateau Palmer. planted with fruit trees and vegetable gardens. Many decades ago, their cellar was dug out of the Rather than put their own name on the label, they sandstone hills, keeping it naturally cool all year chose to pay homage to this, wanting to cherish long. The whites are aged in used Burgundy the land and pass it on to the next generation. barrels, and the reds in second-hand barrels from 2018 has been their first solo vintage, and what an Chateau Palmer. They show great confidence, incredible year it has been for them, as this year depth and personality. Having been there at the also gave birth to their daughter. It was not an beginning of their wine journey, studying in the easy one, as Paul recalled, saying that at one point same class, it was clear that out of the 30 students Anouk had two babies crying at home - their these two would go on to do great things! daughter and him - for fear of losing the entire

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

NEW ⬤ Jardin du Poira Sauvignon Blanc 2018 75cl

⬤ La Grande Piece Sauvignon Blanc 2018 75cl

⬤ Jardin du Poira Romorantin 2018 75cl

⬤ La Grande Piece Gamay 2018 75cl

⬤ Jardin du Poira Pineau d’Aunis 2018 75cl

90 Thomas Finot

— INDEX France, Isère & Northern Rhône Thomas Finot

‘I love working with varieties that are unknown such as Verdesse and Etraire de la Dhuy, as the truth is in the glass, and we can’t really label them as good or bad, before we work with them.’

91 — INDEX Thomas Finot

Thomas Finot, orginally born and raised on the of Gamay, Pinot and Chardonnay that he usually foothills of the Rhône valley, is a young vigneron blends for accessible day-to-day 'vin de table'. based in the “Coteaux du Gresivaudan" (Isère) Northeast of Grenoble. After diverse work Despite his focus on Isère, Thomas also makes experience in the South of France and Switzerland beautiful Syrah, Viognier and Marsanne blends he now looks after 5 hectares of old vines, mainly from his his own fruit from Crozes-Hermitage. The planted with hyper local varieties such as the 1.8 hectare plot is in a village named Larnage on a white Verdesse and Jacquere, as well as rare red hillside with granite and limestone. In terms of varieties such as Persan and Etraire de la Dhuy. vinification, Thomas destems and macerates all his Despite his family legacy and a few remaining wines in tanks for several weeks. After pressing, vineyards being based in the Crozes Hermitage they are all aged in barrels for at least 18 months appellation, Thomas truly believes in the potential and most may only receive a small dose of SO2 of the Isère valley and is determined to recultivate before bottling. If you haven't had a chance yet to these long-forgotten varieties in the former 'cave try Thomas’s wines, they are an exciting dimension cooperative' of the village. Taking over vineyards to the lesser travelled paths of France - make sure that were wanted by real estate companies and to give his beautiful Persan a go! making few friends along the way, Thomas is an outsider who is saving heritage. In addition to the native varieties Thomas also farms small amounts

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Chardonnay Chardonnay 2018 75cl

Crozes-Hermitage ⬤ Syrah 2016 75cl ‘Cuvée Claude’

NEW ⬤ Etraire de la Dhuy Etraire de la Dhuy 2018 75cl

⬤ Persan Persan 2017 75cl

92 Valentin Valles

— INDEX France, Southern Rhône Valentin Valles

‘I have chosen to put birds on my labels, because there is a part of mystery about them. We do not understand everything. How they fly, why they do certain things. It is the same with wine, and that’s what makes it magical.’

93 — INDEX Valentin Valles

After working with Eric Pfifferling for several add S02 or not when blending the different years, Valentin settled himself not too far away barriques together. from Tavel, a mere 30 min drive away in Saint Quentin de la Poterie, a very famous village for For the Sauvignon Blanc wines, Valentin is picking local potters. Valentin has been buying organic grapes at different level of ripeness, in small batch, grapes and making wines there since 2011. Since (early - at maturity - at over maturity), that is then 2015, he has farmed 7ha of Syrah, Grenache, blended together providing a great amount of Cinsault and Sauvignon Blanc. freshness in the wines. Most of what is pressed directly will go in the cuvée "Goeland”, while some His winemaking approach is simple “Laissez faire”. is left on the skins and will be destined for the Grapes are of course hand picked, and carried in "Queue de Paon". He also makes a beautiful lightly 15kg boxes to the cellar. Valentin has a few small macerated Rosé made from Grenache Noir grapes stainless steel tanks that he is using for that he calls after the famous Atlantic puffin (bird) macerating the grapes. The grapes will then be 'Lundi'. pressed in a very old wooden vertical press, and are then transferred by gravity to barriques. Fermentation in barriques is long and slow, and the only control is Valentin’s palate. Depending on the wines Valentin will decide whether he wants to

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Lundi Grenache Noir 2018 75cl

⬤ Rollier Syrah 2018 75cl

94 Les Frères Soulier

— INDEX France, Southern Rhône Les Frères Soulier

‘Many young winemakers start out working in a very natural way, even if their vines are not ready for it yet. There are many steps to go through before taking the risk to ‘do nothing’ with your vines.’ — Charles Soulier

Picture kindly provided by © littlewine.co

95 — INDEX Les Frères Soulier, Charles & Guillaume Soulier

Charles and Guillaume took over their father’s wines such as Picardan, Terret Noir and Counoise, domain in 2014 and produced their first wines in all coming from massale selection. They plough 2015. They selected the best plots and are now the soil using a horse, and now have now animals looking after ten hectares mainly red varieties that act as weed-killer. In the cellar, the brothers such as Grenache and Syrah. are very meticulous. They use a very old wooden basket press, that helps to preserve the quality of Their plots are spread out around the village of the juice at the extraction time. One particularity of Saint Hilaire d’Ozilhan with a rich diversity of soil the estate during the winemaking is that the types. Here you can find sand, clay and limestone, brothers play a lot with the ‘non top up’ technique as well as red clay and pebbles for the domains for their barrels. This is to encourage pre- best site “Valmal”, an 80-year-old Grenache. developed flor in order to enhance the freshness Charles, who studied Viticulture and Enology at in the wines. the prestigious agronomic school of Montpellier, and Guillaume, his younger brother who has a The two brothers want to make wine with a sense strong passion for nature (landscaping), are of place by employing no additives and removing pulling out some amazing work since they took none of the character, with only sparse addition of back some vineyard blocks in 2014. They SO2 when needed. replanted some forgotten old varieties that can match their terroir and bring freshness to their

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Pur Kiffe Grenache 2017 75cl

NEW ⬤ Les Dessous de la Terre Syrah 2019 75cl

Mourvedre, NEW ⬤ Les Croses 2019 75cl Carignan, Syrah

Syrah, Grenache, ⬤ Côte du Rhone 2018 75cl Picardan

NEW ⬤ Kayak Grenache Noir 2020 75cl

⬤ Valmal Grenache Noir 2016 75cl

⬤ Coulure Grenache Noir 2017 75cl

Grenache Noir, NEW ⬤ Cartagene 2019 50cl Cinsault

96 Matassa, Tom Lubbe

— INDEX France, Roussillon Matassa — Tom Lubbe

‘There is a tendency in the natural wine world to downplay the role of the human making the wine. Which is wrong, I think. Just because we don’t use additives, or much machinery, doesn’t mean that we don’t impact on the grapes.’ — Tom Lubbe

Picture kindly provided by © littlewine.co

97 — INDEX Matassa, Tom Lubbe

After working with the only estate in South Africa granitic soil can be found in the cooler, high- (Welgemeend) that championed indigenous altitude vineyards in Fenouillèdes. All the yeasts and lower yields in the late ’90s, Tom came vineyards are worked naturally without any to Roussillon and interned at Domaine Gauby for chemical aid; some biodynamic and plant several years to explore Mediterranean varieties preparations are used to activate and nourish the and climate. During this time, Tom met his wife, soil’s life. Whites are whole bunch basket pressed, who just so happens to be Gauby’s sister and and reds are whole-bunch fermented with one together they started Matassa in 2003. Fast pigéage in the beginning to get the juice out and forward today, Tom and Nathalie farm 20 hectares the spontaneous fermentation started. They are of different white & red varieties (Macabeu, usually pressed off half-way through fermentation Grenache Gris, Muscat d’Alexandrie, Muscat à and the sugar fermentation is finished in old demi- petits grains, Carignan, Lledoner Pelut, Mourvèdre muid as well as large Austrian barrels where they and Grenache) divided in various vineyards around also go through malolactic fermentation. the village of Calce and Espira-de-l’Agly where they now have settled with their estate. It would be a shame not to mention Tom's incredible mentorship over the years that has Most of the vineyards are 60-120 years old, co- paved the way for many well-known and highly planted with different varieties on schist & marl regarded vignerons today - among them (and to and yielding extremely low quantities. An name a few) Craig Hawkins, Jurgen Gouws, additional 2 hectares of Carignan laying on Stefanie Renner.

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

Grenache Gris, ⬤ Matassa Blanc 2019 75cl Macabeu

Grenache, ⬤ Olla Rouge 2019 75cl Macabeu, Syrah

⬤ Mambo Sun Grenache, Macabeu 2019 75cl

Carignan, ⬤ Ace Of Spades 2019 75cl Mourvedre

⬤ Matassa Rouge Carignan 2019 75cl

98 Domaine de Majas

— INDEX France, Roussillon Domaine de Majas

‘Soil health and composting needs to be more of a universal concern. To bring life into your vineyards and create balance in your wines, they are the only things that are going to allow us to do this; to help us navigate these huge fluctuations in weather patterns.’ — Tom Lubbe

99 — INDEX Domaine de Majas, Alain Carrère & Tom Lubbe

Alain Carrère founded Domaine de Majas with his converting all 30 hectares to organic viticulture, as wife Agnès in 1992. Today, the estate represents well as eliminating all commercial yeasts, additives 30 hectares, all in the commune of Caudiès-de- and excessive sulfur in the cellar. Tom also showed Fenouillèdes. The terroir consists of schist, Alain the importance of highlighting different volcanic stone, and mountainous limestone. terroirs, a lesson that has produced great results. Each vintage, the Majas collection represents truly Alain spent years selling to large French authentic, naturally made wines of the Côtes supermarkets and realized the unsustainable Catalanes. relationship ultimately resulted in him losing money given his dependency on them. He decided Above all, the wines and the philosophy of the to shift his approach and to begin creating wines estate prove that making natural wine is not just as he thought would best reflect his estate, and so an exercise of small-batch, single hectare projects he reached out to a young, (back then) fairly with one-man operations, but can become a unknown grower that he had seen made waves by philosophy regardless of size or history. Every year practicing organic viticulture, Tom Lubbe. After the wines represent incredibly delicious and real tasting the wines, Tom told Alain he would start 'vin de table' wines punching way above their helping them rebuild the estate from the ground weight and price-point. up. The two agreed on a partnership, and with Tom's guidance, they immediately started

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

Macabeu, Rolle, ⬤ Majas Blanc 2019 75cl Carignan Blanc

⬤ Majas Chardonnay Chardonnay 2018 75cl

⬤ Majas Rosé Merlot, Syrah 2019 75cl

Cabernet Franc, ⬤ Majas Rouge Cortado 2018 75cl Carignan, Grenache

100 Les Arabesques, Saskia van der Horst

— INDEX France, Roussillon

Les Arabesques — Saskia van der Horst

‘As a grower, every year is different. When you are planting and looking after vines year after year, they become part of your history — your memories — and other people’s too. This is something beautiful; and to be proud of.’

101 — INDEX Les Arabesques, Saskia van der Horst

Born in New York, Saskia was studying terroir and soils: schist in Montner, marl slate in photography in London before she turned to a life Planèzes, and greiss granite in Latour-de-France. as a sommelier and her love of natural wine began. After working in the London scene for several Les Arabesques uses natural and organic years, Saskia decided to study wine in Burgundy, winemaking methods in the respect of age-old while doing internships with famous growers such traditions: grapes are harvested and carefully as Jean Claude Rateau in Beaune and Jean selected by hand, and fermentation takes place Christophe Comor in Provence. She then worked thanks to naturally occurring indigenous yeast. with Alain Castex in Banyuls-sur-Mer before Saskia is using a mixture of old oak barrels and starting her own project in the Pyrenees Orientles fiber glass tanks. Grape varieties in red and dry where her family is based. white vintages include Carignan, Lledoner Pelut, Grenache Noir, Grenache Gris, Grenache Blanc, In 2013, she found vineyards in the Roussillon and Macabeu, and Syrah. Our favorite, and already a decided to create the domaine ‘Les Arabesques’. classic of hers, is the Ocarina, coming from a Her love for old vines and her tenacity (she does vineyard located in Montner that is co-planted all treatments and soil work by hand as she does with Carignan Noir, Syrah and Grenache. This low not own a tractor) is an inspiration. While only yielding vineyard sits on black schist and always 4.5ha in size, her eight vine plots across three provides a fruity, spicy aroma that can only be neighbouring villages provide a rich diversity of found in this wine - a truly exceptional Rosé.

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

Grenache, Syrah, ⬤ Ocarina 2019 75cl Carignan

Grenache, Syrah, CELLAR ⬤ Ocarina 2018 75cl Carignan

⬤ Lou Pal Syrah 2019 75cl

⬤ Lou Pal Syrah 2017 75cl

102 Ça Boit Libre, Damien Bastian Goddard

— INDEX France, Savoie

Ça Boit Libre — Damien Bastian Goddard

‘I feel very bad when I see a plant dying, once I have taken a vine through his roots, with my tractor. It is now in my garden in a pot and is growing again.’

103 — INDEX Ça Boit Libre, Damien Bastian Goddard

We first came across the wines of Damien Bastian and Freedom for Savoie (Savoie LIBRE), is the when we drank a bottle with Charles Soulier late name of his estate. This is by far the smallest last year, quite late at night. We were struck by the estate we work with as Damien only farms 0.75 ha energy of the wine, especially considering it was a of vineyards. Despite the small scale we have single varietal wine from Chasselas, a grape rarely seen someone so sensitive when it comes to variety generally known for high yields and the cultivation of plants and vines, and the result producing fairly uninteresting wines. of his care is striking in the wines.

We hunted down the wine and the producer, along The estate encompasses two west-facing the way discovering that the maker of this vineyards in Sciez, planted in 1985, in the fabulous wine had been working in the Jura with appellation “Marignan.” The vineyards are planted the well-known Jean-François Ganevat since early on glacial moraine, a mere 500m away from the 2018, following a four-year stint with Dominique breathtaking Lake Geneva. The first wines to land Lucas. Damien’s background is in Horticultural with us are barrel-aged and show the real Agriculture, and he has many years of experience potential of the Chasselas variety. Needless to say, in cultivating vegetables and developing complex we are looking forward to seeing what he will do systems in Africa. After working a few years in next, as the estate will increase by two hectares Geneva and coming in contact with wine, he next year with the addition of plots of Gamay, decided that he wanted to work in nature again. Pinot Noir & Altesse. “Ca boit libre” is a play on words; drinking freely,

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

NEW ⬤ Moitie-Moitie Chasselas 2019 75cl

NEW ⬤ Mon Blanc Chasselas 2019 75cl

NEW ⬤ Mon Blanc qu’a Trainé Chasselas 2018 75cl

NEW ⬤ 21600’ Chasselas 2019 75cl

NEW ⬤ M 18 Chasselas 2018 75cl

104 France, Savoie INDEX Corentin Houillon

‘I have grown up in an environment where we advocate zero additives, zero chemicals, and no sulphur. I’ve always learnt to work this way.’

105 — INDEX Corentin Houillon

Corentin Houillon’s first wine memories date back Curtet. He is now looking after 5ha of steep to 1991, when he was foot treading the Poulsard vineyards (Altesse, Jacquère, Pinot, Gamay & grapes from the legendary Pierre Overnoy. Having Mondeuse) that comes as one single block, all the chance to be fully immersed in such a family planted on "molasses soils" surrounded by forest. from a young age is of course a huge asset. Those experiences were a decisive influence in his We visited the vineyards in June this year in the decision to become a winemaker, and he went on early afternoon. The vineyard has no neighbours to study wine in Beaune and Montpellier. Corentin at all, just their cellar at the bottom of the hill. subsequently worked with some stellar estates Corentin works mainly with concrete tanks and that are at the forefront of Biodynamic farming in barrels, giving the wines time and oxygen. Talking France, such as Domaine Tissot in Jura and to him is quite invigorating as he has quite a lot of Domnique Derain in Burgundy. He then travelled energy, and he laughs a lot too. He knows exactly to the New World to broaden his experiences, and what he wants to do, and has invested a lot in finally began making wine in Switzerland under his state of the art equipment to work the soil in his name for La Ville de Morges, where we first tasted particular conditions, and in some instances, has his craft. At the time, he told us that he has been built his own bespoke tools that are better suited. looking for a place to start his own project, and that he would not be too far from his native Jura, The first two wines we are bringing from him are and close to Switzerland as his wife is from there. both barrel aged for a year on the full lees, and shows the immense potential of this newly We were really happy to hear back that Corentin established estate. has found this real gem in the Chautagne region, literally a 5 min drive from Marie and Florian

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

NEW ⬤ Veronnet Altesse 2019 75cl

NEW ⬤ Veronnet Mondeuse 2019 75cl

106 Marie & Florian Curtet

— INDEX France, Savoie Marie & Florian Curtet

‘You have to unlearn everything that you’ve been taught previously. Then you have to experiment. I put a lot of energy initially into combatting disease in the vines. Now I use that energy in a positive way — to enable the plant to be autonomous.’ — Marie Curtet

Picture kindly provided by © littlewine.co

107 — INDEX Marie & Florian Curtet

Marie and Florian Curtet took over the biodynamic the Lac du Bourget, on steep slopes, overlooking estate of the retired Jacques Maillet in 2016, with the Rhône river. The climate is greatly influenced whom Florian worked since 2013. Meanwhile, by the proximity to the river, and the high winds, Marie worked with Gilles Berlioz, meeting Florian helping them work alongside nature to achieve while helping Jacques Maillet during harvest one optimal ripeness and reduce the need for spraying. year. Together, they have been working to The famous Chautagne "molasse soils" understand and reinterpret this unique terroir as (decomposed sandstone) gives extra freshness to their own, climbing the equivalent of Mont Blanc the wines and an incredible potential for ageing. every single week! Reds are whole bunch macerated and whites are pressed directly. A very limited amount of sulphur The vineyards are located in the idyllic commune is used during the winemaking process. of Motz and Serrieres in Chautagne, on steep slopes. Three hectares are planted to Mondeuse, The 2018 and 2019 wines landing in the UK, as Gamay and Pinot Noir, and two hectares are well as a small amount of Altesse 2017, are all planted to Altesse and Jacquère. They have also bottled under AOP Savoie. They highlight what planted a section to a massale selection of Gringet this energetic, young couple can achieve through (clonage material which comes from Belluard), experimenting with new bottlings and blends, thus Savagnin, Molette, and the rare Mondeuse expressing this unique terroir through their own Blanche. The vineyards sites are located close to lens.

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

NEW ⬤ Tonnere de Grès Altesse, Jacquère 2019 75cl

NEW ⬤ Altesse Altesse 2017 75cl

Gamay, NEW ⬤ Frissons des Cimes Pinot Noir, 2019 75cl Mondeuse

108 Cellier de la Baraterie, Julien Viana

— INDEX France, Savoie

Cellier de la Baraterie — Julien Viana

‘My next project is to make organic cereal. I Want my friends close by to make good bread & good beer from the land I farm.’

109 — INDEX Cellier de la Baraterie, Julien Viana

The Cellier de La Baraterie is a small domain namely Jacquere, Altesse, and Malvoisie for the created in 2014 in the heart of the Alps. Julien whites. Pinot Noir, Mondeuse, and Gamay are started with three plots at the age of 21 years old used for his reds across different plots. Most of when he got the opportunity to work with a farmer the wines are fermented with natural yeasts, and that was about to retire. Julien could get access to aged in both stainless steel and fibre glass tanks the winery, the land, and finish his training with on the fine lees to preserve the freshness of the him. He is now currently organically farming 10 ha wines. He has recently also acquired land to grow of vineyard in the village of Cruet in the Combe de cereals and other crops, as his ambition is to Savoie. diversify gradually to a mixed farm structure, common with the former generations of farmers in We came across Julien’s wines during a visit at the Savoie. Pierre Cotton’s winery in Beaujolais while tasting his first Malvoisie. They both studied winemaking To us, both his white and red wines show and viticulture together at the same school. Julien beautifully well with time in bottle and when does use Beaujolais techniques for the entire poured in a large, open glass. A young vigneron production of his reds, as they are all whole bunch with serious potential in the future ! macerated. The type of soil is quite diverse in the area as you can find some marl, limestone, and red clay. Julien is working with various varieties,

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Cruet Jacquère 2018 75cl

⬤ Roussette de Savoie Altesse 2018 75cl

Gamay, ⬤ Paroxysme Pinot Noir, 2018 75cl Mondeuse

⬤ Saint Jean de la Porte Mondeuse 2018 75cl

110 Domaine de Chevillard, Mathieu Goury

— INDEX France, Savoie

Domaine de Chevillard — Mathieu Goury

‘The idea is to always go further in quality. From 2020, I will bottle all my wines straight from the barrels, even if it takes longer, and I only bottle them after 24 months.’

111 — INDEX Domaine de Chevillard, Mathieu Goury

Kiffe my wines was created with the idea of tends at altitude are mostly on South East bringing new wines from exciting young growers exposure, favoring great maturity. The white to the UK market. Having travelled and tasted varieties (Jacquère, Altesse, Chardonnay, many wines over the last few years from young Mondeuse Blanche) are pressed very gently using emerging talents, we have to say that it is not an old Coquard press (widely used in Champagne often that we come across first vintages that are for the quality of extraction) and fermented simply exceptional. Experience, conviction, as well directly in oak (large & small barrels). The red as better logistics often enable winegrowers to varieties (Pinot Noir, Mondeuse Noir) are progress in delivering more precise and refined destemmed and macerated for a long period in wines with time. However, this is not the case for concrete tanks, and the rare pump overs are done the wines of Mathieu Goury of Domaine de with buckets. Mathieu has an old school approach, Chevillard based in St Pierre d’Albigny in Savoie, with wines being racked only once before bottling whose 2016 was the 1st official vintage of his. and a minimum amount of Sulphur is added at that Mathieu, who studied in many wine regions of time. France (Beaujolais, Loire, Rhône) and travelled extensively making wines abroad (Canada, Mathieu has also been awarded “Discovery of the Australia) has a deep understanding and passion Year” in 2019 by France’s most prominent wine for wine and a “no compromise” approach to publication La Revue de Vin de France. Savoie and quality that is impressive. The 12ha of vineyards he Mathieu definitely have a bright future.

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Jacquère Jacquère 2018 75cl

⬤ Apremont Jacquère 2018 75cl

⬤ Mondeuse Blanche Mondeuse Blanche 2018 75cl

⬤ Roussette de Savoie Altesse 2016 75cl

⬤ Pinot Noir Pinot Noir 2018 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Mondeuse Mondeuse 2016 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Saint Jean de la Porte Mondeuse 2016 75cl

112 GERMANY

INDEX

Germany

113 Enderle & Moll

— INDEX Germany, Baden Enderle & Moll

‘We have a tradition in our region of making Pinot Noir. There are other possibilities to evolve and ensure freshness in our wines in the face of climate change — in the way we farm, or work in the cellar — without moving away from the grapes that we love, and that define the region.’ — Florian Moll

114 — INDEX Enderle & Moll

Sven Enderle and Florian Moll are one of pneumatic press and elévage is carried out in used Germany’s most sought-after Pinot Noir barrels between 225 and 500L in size. producers. Even though they’ve only been going since 2007, the estate has already developed a Despite often being compared to great cult following despite their 'no fuss' low tech Burgundian estates, Sven and Florian are not approach. Sven and Florian cultivate 4 hectares of trying to replicate the Burgundian style. For them, vines in Münchweier, a historic winemaking village it is far more important to capture and express the on the slopes of the Black Forest in Baden. The potential of their own impressive terroir. Overly sandstone and limestone rich soils found here are ripe fruit and high alcohol levels can obscure capable of yielding lifted and focused expressions terroir, which is why they choose to declassify all of Pinot Noir and the duo cultivate some of the their wines to ‘Tafelwein’ (table wine). This frees oldest Pinot Noir vines in Baden. Sven and Florian them up to make wine in a more transparent and do not have a certification but believe that farming energetic style; a far cry from the heavy-handed organically is the 'new old’, normal way that their Pinot Noirs that Baden is often associated with. grandfather’s generation would have always relied Over the past few years, they have also proven a on. Despite being the exception to the rule in the real talent for more experimental white and skin- otherwise heavily industrialised (however small contact wines, and in fact, were making unfiltered, structured) region of Baden, all the steep vineyard low sulphur white wines years before Germany work is done by hand. Naturally, their yields are saw a birth of young generation natural kept very low, the grapes are pressed with a winemakers.

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Auxerrois Auxerrois 2018 75cl

⬤ Spätburgunder Rosé Pinot Noir 2018 75cl

⬤ Basis Pinot Noir 2018 75cl

⬤ Grauburgunder Grauburgunder 2018 75cl

⬤ Liaison Pinot Noir 2018 75cl

⬤ Buntsandstein Pinot Noir 2017 75cl

⬤ Muschelkalk Pinot Noir 2018 75cl

115 Wasenhaus

— INDEX Germany, Baden

Wasenhaus

‘When I was a landscape architect I used to sit in an office for 8-10 hours a day. Now I am outside 12 months of the year. I really learned that I needed to be exposed to the seasons — everything from flowering in springtime, to combing back to the rain and quiet in fall after harvest.’ — Alexander Götze

116 — INDEX Wasenhaus, Alex Götze & Christoph Wolber

When we last visited Christoph Wolber and Alex impressive terroir of Baden. Their old vine parcels Götze from Weingut Wasenhaus in October 2019 are located in and around the town of Staufen, as they had just finished a long but rewarding harvest well as in the nearby Kaiserstuhl appellation. in the little town of Staufen, a mere half an hour Alexander and Christoph work along biodynamic away from Alsace and the French border. To the principles in the vineyards and keep their influence East, the rolling hills of the Black Forest influence in the cellar to a minimum. their South-East exposed vineyards with cool winds during the night, allowing them to pick ”It’s a place with huge potential. We have some grapes with perfect ripeness but high natural vineyards of Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc reaching acidity. Weingut Wasenhaus (orginally the old 100 years,” says Christoph when we walk through name of the farm Christoph and his family grew up the vineyards last year. “Today, most people do in in the area) was founded by Alexander and not farm the steep plots on the Ölberg vineyard Christoph after many years working for anymore. It is just too much manual work, and the Burgundian estates such as Domaine Leflaive, cooperative which takes most of the grapes Domaine Comte des Armand and Domaine de doesn’t pay enough for all this effort.’ Montille. After working alongside some of Burgundy’s greatest producers, Alexander and Christoph decided to set up shop back home and apply their knowledge and experience to the

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Gutedel Gutedel (Chasselas) 2019 75cl

⬤ Weissburgunder Weissburgunder 2018 75cl

NEW ⬤ Filzen Chardonnay 2018 75cl

NEW ⬤ Möhlin Weissburgunder 2018 75cl

⬤ Spätburgunder Spätburgunder 2018 75cl

NEW ⬤ Vulkan Spätburgunder 2018 75cl

NEW ⬤ Kanzel Spätburgunder 2018 75cl

NEW ⬤ Bellen Spätburgunder 2018 75cl

NEW ⬤ Möhlin Spätburgunder 2018 75cl

117 Roterfaden

— INDEX Germany, Württemberg

Roterfaden

‘Agriculture is a business where things change very slowly. Our region is very conservative. The people who work differently here in Germany are the people that have travelled and worked in different countries. If they come back, they bring with them new ideas; and change begins.’ — Hannes Hoffmann

118 — INDEX Roterfaden, Olympia Samara & Hannes Hoffmann

When people in Württemberg think about wine, it idea of the region upside down. They invest a is mostly shaped by the large (and often outdated) tremendous amount into the old terraced parcels, cooperatives that most growers bring their fruit to often forgone by local farmers due to the difficulty year after year. Organic, or even biodynamic of managing small and hard to access plots. principles, simply aren't a thing, and the average age of the grape grower generation is Fast forward today, the duo (alongside their new approaching retirement. In 2014, Greek-born born Nicolas) farm a total of 2 hectares, mainly Olympia Samara and Hannes Hoffmann began planted with Lemberger, but also small amounts of setting up shop and recultivating a mere 0.6 Pinot Noir and Riesling that should have equal hectares that Hannes took over from his family. attention in the future. Olympia and Hannes firmly Lemberger (also known as Blaufränkisch and believe in a minimal interventionist approach; Kekfrankos in other parts of Europe) is the name everything is done by hand both in the vineyards of the game and despite its untapped potential, and in the cellar, and since 2019 they are also the soil (a type of blue limestone) and grapes yield certified Demeter. If you are looking for 'French' perfect conditions for high quality, low yielding wines from Germany - making wines with the wines with low alcohol and enourmous tension. It's silent voice of terroir - you shouldn’t miss this not just their pedigree working with the likes of fantastic young estate. Claus Preisinger and Dirk van der Niepoort, but an equal amount of ambition, that’s helped turn the

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Riesling Riesling 2018 75cl

⬤ Endschleife Riesling 2017 75cl

⬤ Pinot Noir Pinot Noir 2018 75cl

⬤ Lemberger Lemberger 2018 75cl

⬤ Endschleife Lemberger 2017 75cl

119 Thorsten Melsheimer

— INDEX Germany, Mosel Thorsten Melsheimer

‘The Mosel in Germany is on the mainstream tourist route. People who come in to taste my wines are wondering why they taste so different from my neighbor’s wines. But I tell them the story — the unbeatable story — of taking time, and they get it. Because more people are looking for natural products these days.’

Picture kindly provided by © littlewine.co

120 — INDEX Thorsten Melsheimer

The Melsheimer winery is a place full of history hillside has been home to vines since the 12th and tradition. Walking into the small cobbled century. This undulating vineyard sits below a street in the village of Reil indeed feels like a forest and plateau - helping the plants retain moment of the past, as if we are in the middle of water and preventing excessive vine stress even in the 19th century where this may well have been the hottest vintages. the Burgundy or Bordeaux of the wine world. The Melsheimers were never part of the 'top' estates For many years now, Thorsten has been reducing or 'prime' single-vineyards, but already Thorsten the impact of the cellar - often allowing his wines Melsheimer's grand father was incredibly proud of to ferment and age for more than two years! In the family's monopole vineyard - Reiler Mullay some vintages he may release such special barrels Hofberg - a few minutes away from the tiny village. under the 'Lentum' label - to us some of the most Thorsten and his wife Steffi took over the 200- mineral white wines we have ever had. Despite his year-old family estate in 1994 and immediately affection for traditional Spätlese, Beerenauslese began cultivating the vineyards to organic. Since and other 'off-dry' styles, his love for non- 2009, all the vineyard work has been done traditional wines hasn’t gone unnoticed in the according to biodynamic principles, receiving its world of wine. His ‘Vade Retro’ (a take on zero Demeter certification in 2013. To date, 8 of the 11 sulphur Mosel Riesling) as well as ‘Orange’, are hectares grow on the steep hill of the Mullay- challenging the status quo without losing a sense Hofberg, which ranks among the steepest of place. It's a great honour to be working with vineyards in the entire Mosel. The Mullay-Hofberg these special wines from very special people.

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ ⬤ Ancestral Rurale Riesling 2018 75cl

⬤ Trocken Riesling 2016 75cl

⬤ Lentum Riesling 2015 75cl

⬤ Vade Retro Riesling 2016 75cl

⬤ Schäf Spätlese Riesling 2018 37.5cl

⬤ Schäf Spätlese Riesling 2018 75cl

⬤ Goldlay Beerenauslese Riesling 2017 37.5cl

121 Rita & Rudolf Trossen

— INDEX Germany, Mosel Rita & Rudolf Trossen

‘As you get older, you realise this is a road you’ve chosen to walk on, without knowing where you will end up. You have an inner compass — your heart usually — which shows you what is right or wrong, left or right. This has been my journey with biodynamics. And I still feel like a rookie, even 40 years on.’ — Rudolf Trossen Picture kindly provided by © littlewine.co

122 — INDEX Rita & Rudolf Trossen

It is almost impossible to summarize the unique allowing them to pick grapes from vineyards often work that Rudolf and Rita Trossen have achieved reaching more than 100 years of age today. The over the past 40 years in a matter of a few weathered slate soils, combined with some of paragraphs. Back in the late 1970s when Germany Europe’s steepest Riesling vineyards, are an was first exposed to a counter-culture movement, immense foundation for their truly remarkable the young Rudolf and his partner Rita were wines. While they always kept a deep respect for inspired by everything but the traditional Mosel the off-dry Mosel Riesling style (they still bottle vignerons. Most importantly, they felt a desire to small amounts of it every year) Rudolf and Rita dive deeper into the idea of biodynamic agriculture have always worked a non-interventionist and in fact became aware of the likes of Maria approach in their tiny cellar. Since 2010 the couple Thun and other biodynamic legends that have largely stopped using SO2 in their wines which has formulated and researched Rudolf Steiner’s allowed them to showcase an even greater principles in great depth. dimension in their wines.

Over the years, the couple remained an important It is not a coincidence that their wines are force in the Mosel, promoting biodiversity and represented in some of the most acclaimed following a 180-degree philosophy to what back restaurants of our time. Their Rieslings are then (and still largely today) is common for the remarkably balanced and precise, and each cuvée Mosel region. While the vineyards have been reflects the character of the site it came from - certified organic since the 1970s, Rudolf and Rita showing that minimal intervention Rieslings are have also kept most of the family vines untouched, more than capable of terroir expression.

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Eule Purus Riesling 2017 75cl

⬤ Kestenbüsch Purus Riesling 2018 75cl

⬤ Pyramide Purus Riesling 2017 75cl

⬤ Lay Purus Riesling 2017 75cl

⬤ Madonna Purus Riesling 2017 75cl

⬤ Schiefergold Purus Riesling 2017 75cl

Pinot Noir, ⬤ Rotwein 2018 75cl Dornfelder

Pinot Noir, ⬤ Pur Pur Purus 2018 75cl Dornfelder

123 Odinstal

— INDEX Germany, Pfalz

Odinstal

‘I am less critical of wines made by people that I love, and more critical of wines made by people that I don’t like so much. When I love the people, I love the wine — it has a really personal impact on me.’ — Andreas Schumann

124 — INDEX Odinstal

The Odinstal Estate was established back in 1802 is achieved much later than the region's average, by the Mayor of Wachenheim who was on the hunt allowing the grapes to develop a slower and more for a unique plot of land to plant a special concentrated flavour. Winemaker Andreas vineyard. The tiny 5.5 hectare parcel is planted on Schumann, the mastermind behind the success of a number of different soil types - basalt, the estate, also keeps his influence in the cellar to calcareous clay, shell limestone and red a minimum, using only native yeasts and ageing sandstone. This diversity of soils is highly unusual the wines for a prolonged period of time on the for the Pfalz region. lees. The wines are then aged in the bottle for 4-6 months until the wine is ready to be released. Odinstal is one of Germany’s most unique vineyards. All of the treatments and preparations Do not be fooled by the rather classical labels - the for the soils are produced on site, showing a amount of risk the team at Odsintal has taken in remarkable commitment to biodynamic principles the recent years is nothing short of inspiring. and sustainable farming. The land has been Especially from the 2018 vintage, where the wines farmed organically since the 90s and are surrounded by a certain tension not achieved biodynamically since 2006. When walking through in previous years when the estate still added SO2 the vineyards there is a special energy that at bottling. Their standout wine has to be surrounds these vineyards that are completely ‘Terrassen Nakt' - a blend of three vintages and apart from any other farm or vineyard in the entire three extreme projects that come from a vineyard area. The ripeness (due to the unsual high altitude) hardly touched and sprayed throughout the year.

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ ⬤ Brut Nature Riesling 2015 150cl

⬤ 120 NN Riesling 2018 75cl

⬤ 350 NN Weissburgunder 2019 75cl

NEW ⬤ Silvaner [Nakt] Silvaner 2019 75cl

NEW ⬤ Vulkan Riesling 2018 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Muschelkalk Riesling 2016 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Buntsandstein Riesling 2017 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Basalt Riesling 2016 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Terrassen [Nakt] Riesling NV 75cl

125 HUNGARY

INDEX Hungary

126 Franz Weninger

— INDEX Hungary, Sopron Franz Weninger

‘It is important for us winemakers to learn about our history and roots. Most of the time, we were happier being in the West, not East. With time, we can now trust and be proud of our past; go further with it.’

127 — INDEX Franz Weninger

A good place to start is Franz Weninger's fantastic Hungary started opening up following the fall of and dangerously delicious rosé, which is named the Iron Curtain, Franz's father acquired some after his grandmother. Rózsa Petsovits was born parcels close to the town of Balf near Sopron. 1921 in Horitschon, Hungary in the shadow of Three years later, upon his return from California, WWI. Within the same year, Horitschon became a young Franz took over the Hungarian operations part of Austria but the nearby city of Sopron and immediately started experimenting with defiantly voted to remain in Hungary. Today, spontaneous fermentation instead of using almost a century on, the vinous history of commercial yeasts. Burgenland is still the history of German-speaking Hungarians. During the Communist era, Hungary’s winemaking culture was severely compromised. Many old vines Before the existence of a border between Austria were uprooted, and plantings were replaced with and Hungary, Sopron was considered to be the more commercially viable international varieties. heart of the historic winemaking region. It is Throughout the 2000s, Franz and his father have thought to be the likely birthplace of done considerable work to rediscover the region’s Blaukfränkisch, locally known as Kékfrankos. The unique traits and traditions, converting to Weninger Family's winemaking roots can be biodynamics in 2006 to unlock the full potential of traced back to 1828, when the name first all 50ha of vines on either side of the border. appeared in the records. In 1997, not long after

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

NEW ⬤ Fehérburgundi Pinot Blanc 2018 75cl

⬤ Steiner Furmint 2018 75cl

⬤ Ponzichter Pinot Noir, Zweigelt 2018 75cl

NEW ⬤ Glimmer Of Hops Blaufränkisch 2019 50cl

NEW ⬤ Balf Kékfrankos 2018 75cl

⬤ Steiner Kékfrankos 2016 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Frettner Cabernet Franc 2015 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Frettner Cabernet Franc 2007 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Steiner Kékfrankos 2006 75cl

128 Attila Homonna

— INDEX Hungary, Tokaj Attila Homonna

‘My first three vintages I thought I knew everything. It wasn’t until the fourth year that I realized I didn’t know anything! I had so much to learn still. That’s when I changed everything — the style of the wines, how I worked, how I made wine …’

129 — INDEX Attila Homonna

Attila Homonna retrained as a winemaker after a works exclusively with old vines and small yields in career in marketing and advertising, and a brief order to explore the full potential of his terroir. His stint working as a DJ in New York. After gaining wines are all fermented and aged in old barrels experience with winemakers in Portugal and until Attila decides they are ready to be bottled. In Languedoc, Attila decided to establish his own recent years Attila has also been taking on many winery, and has been making some of Hungary’s small 'consulting' projects, supporting many small most compelling wines since 1999. winemakers around Hungary with successfully converting vineyards to organic viticulture, but Attila’s tiny estate in the Hungarian village of also helping them with a 'hands-off' approach in Erdőbénye is the definition of a boutique winery - the cellar. Due to his project work, he also producing a mere 3,000 to 5,000 bottles a year. encountered the region of Lake Balaton - a The quantity might be tiny, but the quality is most wonderful, ancient volcanic region that shows certainly outstanding. Attila’s 3 hectares of vines immense potential for Kekfrankos as well as grow in the Határi, Csáky and Rány vineyards - Olaszrizling. some of the best sites in the villages of Erdőbénye and Olasziszka. The historic vineyards are planted No matter if you are a fan of 'natural' or 'fine' to old clones of Furmint and Hárslevelű, Hungary’s wines, Attila does not put his wines into narrow most highly regarded white grape varieties, boxes - preferring the wines to speak for producing wines with immense focus and themselves. We couldn't agree more. complexity. Attila seamlessly integrates traditional practices with innovative ideas in the cellar, and

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Tokaji Furmint, Hárslevelū 2018 75cl

⬤ Birtokbor Furmint, Hárslevelū 2017 75cl

⬤ Határi Furmint 2017 75cl

NEW ⬤ Rany Furmint, Hárslevelū 2017 75cl

NEW ⬤ Secret Garden Kékfrankos 2018 75cl

NEW ⬤ Edes Harmas Furmint, Hárslevelū 2018 50cl

⬤ Edes Harmas Furmint, Hárslevelū 2017 50cl

130 ITALY

INDEX Italy

131 Pranzegg, Martin Gojer

— INDEX Italy, Alto Adige Pranzegg — Martin Gojer

‘In our region, 95% of growers sell their grapes. The economy here is about scale. I’m not really a rebel when it comes to how I make wine — the bigger problem is that we are one of a few producers in the region to work organically and make wines with an idea of terroir.’

Picture © Matt Hickman

132 — INDEX Pranzegg, Martin Gojer

Weingut Pranzegg is a small 3.5 hectare family seeing a farm as a closed and sustainable eco- estate nestled in the surrounding mountain system. Naturally, Martin and Marion grow foothills of the town of Bozen in Südtirol (or more varieties most suited and native to the region commonly known as Alto Adige), just 50 km south including Lagrein, Schiava/Vernatsch - but also of the Austrian border. The winery has been in the mixed white field blends including Müller Thurgau, hands of the Gojer family for three generations. Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc as well as Chardonnay, Martin took over the estate in 2008 and started Sauvignon and Manzoni Bianco. In the cellar, the conversion to biodynamic farming straight Martin allows his wines to take their time - often away. Everything is done by hand here, and the two or even three years on the full lees before wines are bottled without fining or filtration, and bottling. The wines of Pranzegg carry a real with minimal doses of sulphur. For Martin, the finesse with them, often only showing their most important thing is to make ‘living wines’ that potential at second glance. For Martin, it is about are able to express a sense of place. focus. 'As a winegrower, it is primarily my intention to narrate the region, the scene, the year and our Contrary to the areas largely spread cooperative way of living. Working biodynamically helps us not system (over 90% of all grapes are bottled by to blur the narration.’ cooperatives and associated winemaker structures), Martin and his partner Marion continue to preserve the small-structured farm set-up that always rooted in the philosophy of

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, ⬤ Caroline 2016 75cl Viognier, Manzoni Bianco

Müller-Thurgau, Weissburgunder, ⬤ Tonsur 2018 75cl Chardonnay, Sylvaner

CELLAR ⬤ GT Gewürztraminer 2018 75cl

⬤ Rosso Leggero Vernatsch 2018 75cl

⬤ Campill Vernatsch 2016 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Quirein Lagrein 2013 75cl

133 Alexis Paraschos

— INDEX Italy, Friuli Venezia Giulia Alexis Paraschos

‘In 1999 my father literally started making wine in a garage. He was inspired by the great Stanko Radikon and Josko Gravner who opened his eyes to a new world.’

134 — INDEX Alexis Paraschos

The Paraschos family started making wine in the varieties and emphasizes the fantastic geologic late 1990s when father Evangelos was first conditions of the region. inspired by the wines of Stanko Radikon and Josko Gravner. The born Greek from Thessaloniki Over the past few years, Alexis, son of Evangelos first came to the region in the late 1980s where he is now at the helm of the family’s winery, later met his future wife and partner in Gorizia. continuing the legacy and carrying forward a The family’s vineyards in the small village of San certain spirit that translates in the purity and Floriano and Oslavje are some of the highest plots precision of their wines. In a way they seem on the Italian side of the region. They are planted complete, without losing their tension and natural with a large variety of native grapes such as energy, thanks to a deep commitment to organic Ribolla Gialla, Tokaj Friulano, Malvasia as well as farming and respectful treatment of the grapes. domesticated varieties such as Pinot Gris (planted Time is another key element of their philosophy — on single-vineyard Slatnik), Chardonnay, many of the wines are aged for at least 3 years Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir. The vineyards before being released — whether it’s their sit on a variety of soils, commonly known as Ponka phenomenal ‘Amphoreus’ collection or a (Opok) which consists of a layer of sandy clay and beautifully delicate Merlot that has been aged on a bedrock of marl (argile). As with most wines of the lees for 5 years. It’s a great honour to the region, their whites all feature a degree of skin introduce their wines to the UK for the first time maceration, a decision that more than anything ever. suits the climatic conditions and the prevailing

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

Ribolla Gialla, ⬤ Orange One Friulano, Malvasia 2018 75cl istriana

⬤ � Amphoreus Malvasia 2017 75cl

⬤ � Amphoreus Ribollla Gialla 2015 75cl

⬤ Merlot Merlot 2014 75cl

135 Paolo Vodopivec

— INDEX Italy, Friuli Venezia Giulia Paolo Vodopivec

‘The first problem for wine producers is not oidium, it’s ego’

136 — INDEX Paolo Vodopivec

It only takes a few moments in Paolo’s company to winds and big drops of temperature during day instantly understand his incredible depth of and night in late summer. This ensures that knowledge, paired with an almost absurd love for despite its Mediterranean character Paolo’s wines perfection. The level of detail that he invests in the show a wonderful delicate perspective rarely vineyards as well as the cellar is unique, and found in more moderate climates and regions. speaking to him about his philosophy is like speaking about quantum physics and Buddhism all Entering his cellar is like stepping into at same time. another universe where every vessel and every barrel has its purpose and vital role to catalyse the Paolo’s family already farmed a few hectares of quality of his grapes. Yet again, the level of detail vines organically back when they were mixed in how Paolo chooses his Qvevris is unheard of farmers on the Italian side of the Carso region. (even identifying the right bees wax coating for Long macerations on white wine grapes has been each Qvevri he picks from small makers in the a tradition for many generations, and Vitovska, the mountain villages of Georgia) and his rigid, almost perfect ‘terroir translator’ for the unforgiving rocky religious aging protocol results in singular wines landscape, is the exclusive grape that Paolo that go far beyond the term of skin-contact or cultivates. The vineyards are heavily influenced by white wines. They are terroir wines in the best the sea yet are situated on a plateau 260m above sense, from one of the greats of the world of wine. sea level. This gives the plots a lot of thermic influences, emphasized by the signature Burja

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Vitovska Vitovska 2016 75cl

⬤ Vitovska Vitovska 2017 75cl

⬤ Solo Vitovska 2017 75cl

137 Selvadolce, Aris Blancardi

— INDEX Italy, Liguria Selvadolce — Aris Blancardi

‘Nature gives itself what it needs. That is what’s so terrifying about GMO in the plant world. Us humans, we use technology and software. If a program fails, we can start again — we can reboot the computer. But if we permanently modify something in a plant and it doesn’t work, nature’s answer is evolution, and that can take millions of years.’

Picture and quote kindly provided by © littlewine.co

138 — INDEX Selvadolce, Aris Blancardi

We first came across the wines from Selvadolce, a letting nature be the guide, and as a result he small biodynamic farm in Bordighera on the coast produced what we now call “natural wine” from of Liguria, in 2013 at a tasting in Champagne, and the very beginning. Aris looks after 7 hectare of have been fans of the work of Aris Blancardi ever vineyards that are strongly influenced by the sea since. Selvadolce is a family legacy – a flower farm and the powerful mistral winds. The vines are that has been around for more than a century on comprised of a few young vineyards of Pigato, the Bordighera Hills. After working as a horse Vermentino, plus some splendid vineyards of veterinarian, Aris came back to the family Rossese that he planted at 600m altitude on business, taking over his father’s work and sandy soil, close to the inland village of improved the farming practices by looking for Dolceacqua. For most of the wines, fermentation alternative ways to grow flowers. He first learnt happens naturally in wooden vats. Some stirring of the basics of biodynamic farming in Langhe, then the lees is done to give a little boost for the yeast followed up with a course led by Nicholas Joly that to finish fermentation, as Aris picks grapes with convinced him to start making wine at Selvadolce. high alcohol potential which always magically turn Aris’ grandfather had planted vineyards using local into fresh and vibrant wines. Aris also experiments grape varieties such as Pigato and Vermentino. with a few skin maceration whites made from the The first vintage with these grapes was released in old vines his grandfather planted. These superb 2007. Having no experts around him Aris was wines are truly inspiring and nothing like we've forced to learn how to be observant in the cellar, come across before.

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

NEW ⬤ ⬤ Turbolento Pigato 2018 75cl

NEW ⬤ Rebosso Vermentino 2018 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Rebosso Plus Vermentino 2016 75cl

⬤ Crescendo Pigato 2018 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Crescendo Plus Pigato 2016 75cl

⬤ Rucantu Pigato 2017 75cl

⬤ VB1 Vermentino 2017 75cl

⬤ Rosso Se Rossese 2016 75cl

139 INDEX Slovenia

140 Vina Čotar

— INDEX Slovenia, Kras

Vina Čotar

‘Because we were part of the Iron Curtain, the area was always completely void of any outside influence. The wine was always made this way. No one even knew what sulfur was up until 20 years ago.’ — Branko Čotar

141 — INDEX Vina Čotar, Branko Čotar

Tasting with Branko and Vasja Čotar is like taking particular micro-climate that suits the rocky a journey through the history of the Slovenian landscape, and beyond local varieties, grapes such Karst — one of Europe’s greatest (and possibly as Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and most underrated) region for skin-contact and red Merlot grow well too. Paired with a pioneering wines today. Their history originates partly with commitment to natural farming over the last 30 the story of the old Soviet philosophy of years, it is not a big surprise that the wines of agriculture, producing high yields to send across the Čotar family are natural icons. They are a the entire union with very little attention to grape testament to the notion of ‘eternal youth’ and have or soil health. Branko’s father first planted field a striking energy even 15-20 years after bottling. blend vineyards in the mid 1970s in a time when Without a doubt, their wines are complex and the local growers naturally gravitated towards skin profound, best enjoyed with textured food that maceration on all their whites (and of course reds) can stand the lightning acidity and dense structure as they did not know additives such as SO2 that somehow leave an impression long after the existed. The Karst, a region bordering with the bottle is finished. These wines are as close as it Italian Carso, is a mere 6 kilometres away from the gets to the real idea of natural wines — wines that sea. Its unique red ’Terra Rossa’, a thick layer clay speak of place, time and culture, perfected over and silt soils, is the foundation of the local varieties decades of hard work by the Branko Čotar, and such as Vitovska, Malvazija, as well as Teran. The now continued by his son Vasja and his daughter heavy influence of the Burja winds creates a in law Andreja.

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Vitovska Vitovska 2018 75cl

⬤ Malvazija Malvazija 2018 75cl

⬤ Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc 2016, 2017 75cl

⬤ Malvazija Malvazija 2003 75cl

⬤ Teran Teran 2016 75cl

⬤ Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 75cl

Teran, Cabernet, ⬤ Terra Rossa 2005 75cl Merlot

142 Radovan Šuman

— INDEX Slovenia, Stajerska Radovan Šuman

‘Our relationship towards nature, and, consequently wine, stems from a very complex view of the entire way in which the universe works and functions. All of us, the universe included, are living beings who exist according to the most fundamental gesture of life: Inhaling and exhaling.’

143 — INDEX Radovan Šuman

The history of the Šuman family goes back to the rich and biodiverse set of plants and animals to 14th century, back then they were based in the grow and exist next to the vines. The micro- Vosges region in France. Through the periods of climatic foundation derives from a mix of the the last crusades and the demise of the chivalric Pannonian influence from the Hungarian planes, orders, they settled in Slovenia, where the family is Mediterranean influences from the Vipava valley based today. Already Radovan’s grandfather, down South as well as Alpine streams originating Franc, dedicated his attention to viticulture and from the Northern borders with Austria. Soils are subsequently passed on his respect and passion typically formed by a variety of clay and sandstone to his sons, including Radovan’s father Joze and limestone soils. Šuman. Today, Radovan, alongside his wife Simona, farms 8 hectares of vineyards in the His deep commitment to biodynamics is further Stajerska region of Slovenia. It is historically and resembled in his two main cuvées, Moon Drops culturally interconnected with its Northern and Sun Drops. While Moon Drops is a lighter, Austrian counterpart, better known as Styria. more delicate blend (mainly using Chardonnay and Naturally, the Šumans grow a similar set of Muskateller) the Sun Drops blend is a more varieties such as Chardonnay and Welschriesling powerful and structured cuvée using Sauvignon as well as Sauvignon Blanc, Traminer to name a Blanc and Traminer. To us, they are wines of great few. Visiting the family’s vineyards, you instantly detail and exciting dimension to the Slovenian sense a deep connection with nature, allowing a Styrian cultural landscape.

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

Chardonnay, ⬤ Moon Drops Muskateller, 2017 75cl Riesling, Pinot Gris

Traminer, ⬤ Sun Drops 2017 75cl Sauvignon, Riesling

144 SWITZERLAND

INDEX

Switzerland

145 Cidrerie du Vulcain, Jacques Perritaz

— INDEX Switzerland, Gruyère & Thurgau Cidrerie du Vulcain — Jacques Perritaz

‘It was a slow- moving thing, when I started making cider 20 years ago — to understand it, and because there was no real market for it. Now, it is exciting to see sommeliers at restaurants treating my cider respectfully and with enthusiasm.’

146 — INDEX Cidrerie du Vulcain, Jacques Perritaz

Jacques Perritaz was working as a biologist for the some of them are up to 200 years old. Each year Swiss government when he decided to abandon Jacques picks the fruit of 150-200 trees. Although the life of report writing in favour of a career that the trees can only produce tiny quantities of would bring him closer to nature. apples every year - largely due to their age - the fruit they yield is of exceptional quality and At first, Jacques considered becoming a concentration of flavour. winemaker and started working for a few Swiss producers. During his time in the countryside Jacques only uses indigenous yeasts in the Jacques began to notice old forgotten apple trees fermentation process, and unlike most cider scattered in the wild or in small pastures that producers, he never artificially carbonates - belonged to people with little interest in harvesting preferring to keep the cider as natural as possible. the fruit. Jacques became fascinated with these Today, Jacques works with apples, pears, and abandoned trees and in 2000 decided to set up a quince, producing cider that is unusually delicate small cider mill in an old tile factory in Gruyère and and complex. started making cider from foraged fruit.

Jacques works with ancient Swiss apple varieties that are too rare and yield too little fruit for commercial use. The trees are all untreated and

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Cidre de Soif Apple 2018 33cl

⬤ Cidre Transparente Apple 2018 75cl

⬤ Cidre de Fer Apple 2018 75cl

⬤ Cidre Belle Brutale Apple 2017 75cl

⬤ Cidre Brute Bestiale Apple 2017 75cl

⬤ Cidre Trois Pepins Apple, Pear, Quince 2018 75cl

⬤ Cidre Raw Boskop Apple 2018 75cl

⬤ Cidre Brute de Rue Apple 2018 75cl

⬤ Cidre A Propos d’Ailes Apple 2016 75cl

⬤ Cidre Transparente Apple 2016 20l

⬤ Botsi de Glace | Vin Liquoreux Pear 2015 35cl

⬤ Eau de Vie de Poire Pear 2019 50cl

147 Markus Ruch

— INDEX Switzerland, Klettgau

Markus Ruch

‘Many people have no idea about the incredible potential of our area.’

148 — INDEX Markus Ruch

Markus Ruch is a biodynamic grower based in the regional terroir. His vines are among the oldest in Klettgau valley, close to the German border. After the region, planted on parcels that date back to working with Swiss pioneers like Marie-Thérèse the 14th century. Markus also works with a Chappaz and Christian Zündel in Tessin, Markus number of different local grapes such as Müller- spent some time with a number of biodynamic Thurgau, which he ferments on the skins in growers in Burgundy, where he fell in love with amphorae. The focus is very much on biodiversity Pinot Noir. In 2007 he decided to return to his in the vineyards and minimal intervention in the roots and set up his 3 hectare estate not far from cellar. All his wines are fermented using natural the Swiss town of Schaffhausen. Only 400 yeasts and bottled unfiltered, with only a small hectares of vines are planted in the Klettgau addition of sulphur. region, and most of the vines are used for large quantity production rather than terroir driven In recent years he has also started using some of wines. However, the Klettgau’s climatic conditions his Pinot Noir grapes to experiment on 'methode and limestone rich soils are perfect for yielding ancestrale' directly pressed sparkling that he also elegant and restrained expressions of Pinot Noir. labels under the appellation 'Klettgau'. To us, Markus is redefining the idea of modern Swiss Markus works with old Swiss clones of Pinot Noir wine while not forgetting the past and long history rather than Burgundy clones, believing that the of wine in the region. local vines are better suited to expressing the

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ ⬤ Klettgau | Pet Nat Pinot Noir 2019 75cl

⬤ Klettgau Amphore Müller-Thurgau 2017 75cl

⬤ Klettgau Amphore Müller-Thurgau 2015 75cl

⬤ Klettgau Pinot Noir 2017 75cl

⬤ Haalde Hallau Pinot Noir 2016 75cl

⬤ Schlemmweg Gächlingen Pinot Noir 2016 75cl

149 Obstmosterei Oswald + Ruch

— INDEX Switzerland, Klettgau Obstmosterei Oswald + Ruch

‘As a chef, the important parallel I see between the kitchen and working as a wine and cider maker is that the quality of your product depends on the quality of the raw material you are using — it is as simple as that.’ — Benni Oswald

150 — INDEX Obstmosterei Oswald + Ruch

Benni Oswald, a trained chef, first cut his teeth naturally bottle fermented (just like Petillant working with Jacques Perritaz of Cidrerie du Naturelle) and tend to be released without Vulcain in the French speaking part of Gruyeré . disgorgement, preserving a wholesome texture. When he eventually returned to the Schafhausen Having worked with Jacques Perritaz since 2017, region, he started working for Markus Ruch, who we were thrilled to find yet another Swiss estate himself had only started making terroir-driven championing 200+ year old orchard varieties from wines a few years before. Already back then, hard to find (and hard to pronounce) varieties, Markus was known as a quality vigneron who had preserving a deep cultural heritage that would started tending his vines biodynamically. Over the otherwise disappear over the coming decades. course of the past few years, they nurtured their The the unique and incredible freshness is striking, passion for ancient Swiss orchard fruit varieties, and rarely found in the ciders produced in the UK and eventually decided to establish Obstmosterei or the West of France. These tend to focus on a Oswald+Ruch. The duo wanted to lessen their rustic, tannin-rich style, rather than a more reliance on only one fruit (due to frosts being delicate, highly drinkable and fruit-forward style common in the area), which spurred them on to that we encountered with Cidrerie du Vulcain and make apple, pear and quince ciders coming from Oswald+Ruch. If the world would value apples, local orchards that still work with hard-to-find pears and quince the way they value wine grapes, heritage varieties such as Bohnapfel, Engishofer these ciders would possibly be some of most and Konstantinopler Apfelquitte. All the ciders are sought-after beverages in the world.

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

⬤ Apfel Klettgau Apple 2019 75cl

⬤ Birne Klettgau Pear 2019 75cl

⬤ Quitte, Birne und Apfel Quince, Pear, Apple 2019 75cl

⬤ Nussbaumen Apfel Apple 2019 75cl

⬤ Engishofer Apfel Apple 2019 75cl

151 Mythopia, Hans-Peter Schmidt

— INDEX Switzerland, Valais

Mythopia — Hans-Peter Schmidt

‘When you have biodiversity in the vineyard, it attracts all sorts of wildlife — hares, foxes, deer. It is a sign that there is life, from the soil to the plant; everything is as it should be.’

152 — INDEX Mythopia, Hans-Peter Schmidt

Domaine de Mythopia was started in 2004 when brought back to them was nothing short of Hans-Peter and Romaine Schmidt bought impressive. conventional vineyards in the Valais and began converting them to organic farming. When they The vines are planted on diverse soils - largely first started working the soils, they were consisting of Calcareous-schist. The steeper completely depleted - a product of years of parcels are planted to Pinot Noir, which makes up intensive farming. Hans-Peter immediately set out 70% of production, with the lower parcels planted to bring them back to life - using only natural to local white varieties such as Fendant. These remedies to nurse the land back to health and vineyards are planted at the highest possible encourage biodiversity in his vineyards. He altitude in the region - any higher and the drastically reduced the number of vines, temperatures would be too low and the gradient introduced beehives and planted bushes, peach too steep for wine production. Hans-Peter says his trees and herb gardens. In 2010 the land finally wine is simply ‘grapes and air’ - with nothing being began to recover, and the steep Mythopia added or taken away. Tasting wines from vineyards are now home to a uniquely diverse Mythopia is an intellectual journey - it is not just ecosystem. about the actual taste and sensoric pleasure but it is also about an energy that comes from within We still remember the first time we visited the that you will rarely find around the globe. Wines vineyards of Mythopia back in winter of 2017 - that are not seeking technical perfection but result even then, at minus 5°C the atmosphere and in emotional perfection beyond words. energy of the place and the impact that nature has

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

CELLAR ⬤ dliW Fendant 2013 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Disobedience Fendant 2016 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Finito Johannisberg 2016 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Schiller Pinot Noir, Fendant 2015 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Blue Velvet Pinot Noir 2016 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Clockwork Orange Pinot Noir 2009 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ The Shining Pinot Noir 2009 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Illusion Pinot Noir 2013 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Imago Pinot Noir 2009 75cl

CELLAR ⬤ Vagabond Pinot Noir 2015 75cl

153 Switzerland, Valais INDEX Domaine de Chérouche

‘Wine connects people to nature, but also creates meaningful encounters.’

154 — INDEX Domaine de Chérouche, Marc Balzan and Andrea Grossman

Marc and Andrea met whilst working harvest with but also some international varieties such as a domaine in the Lavaux near Lausanne back in Chardonnay, Gamay and Pinot Noir. In the tiny 2007. It was back then when they began working cellar under their house, one needs to work on the idea of farming and making their own wines meticulously and pragmatically, as there isn’t a lot together. Domaine de Chérouche (lieu dits who of room to manoeuvre machinery. The cellar is translate for "under the bedrock”) came to be in spotless, and when doing a tasting with Marc, you 2010, when they found a few small, isolated realise that he is very well organised in the tiny vineyards that they could work by hand, using their space. All of their wines are aged in small stainless own philosophies. Being as far away from your steel tanks. Whites are directly pressed for at least neighbours is primordial in Valais, as working the 10-12 hours, and see one or two rackings (natural steep slopes is evidently extremely hard. Some clarification) when needed. The reds are all commercial wineries here continue to use a lot of destemmed by hand, and depending on the year, chemicals whilst spraying their vines (quite often some whole bunches can be used too. still using a helicopter). All of their wines have a strong alpine identity. Prior to this, Marc had worked two years in the They are lifted and elegant, and possess an extra nearby winery Mythopia, and there is certainly a layer of juiciness that will please all the Jura very similar approach in the way of working the drinkers. We are proud that they have chosen us land. As of 2017, they now look after 8 plots, all to represent them in the UK, as we will be bringing located in Ayent, on a mixture of schist and quartz their wines in for the first time. soils. Altitudes are between 550-850, with often up to 30-35% gradient slopes. They work with local varieties Arvine, Amigne, Paien & Chasselas,

Cuvée Grapes Vintage Format

NEW ⬤ Amigne Amigne 2018 75cl

NEW ⬤ Arvine Petit Arvine 2018 75cl

NEW ⬤ Nonantième Rugissant Merlot 2014 75cl

NEW ⬤ Clos Pinot Noir 2015 75cl

155 Special Formats

— INDEX Special Formats

Country, Region Grower Cuvée Vintage Format

⬤ ⬤ Germany, Pfalz Odinstal Brut Nature 2015 150cl

⬤ Alwin & Stefanie Austria, Kamptal Jurtschitsch Löss 2018 150cl

⬤ Austria, Wagram Clemens & Lukas Strobl Donauschotter 2017 150cl

⬤ Austria, Burgenland Christian Tschida Himmel auf Erden 2017 150cl

⬤ Austria, Burgenland Christian Tschida Himmel auf Erden 2015 150cl

⬤ Austria, Wachau Martin Muthenthaler Vergelt’s Gott 2015 150cl

⬤ Austria, Burgenland Hannes Schuster Ungerberg 2017 150cl

⬤ France, Alsace Lucas Rieffel Granite 2018 150cl

⬤ France, Loire Jardins de Theseïs Jardins de Poira 2018 150cl

⬤ France, Loire Jardins de Theseïs La Grande Piece 2018 150cl

⬤ Germany, Baden Wasenhaus Filzen 2018 150cl

⬤ Germany, Baden Wasenhaus Möhlin 2018 150cl

156 Special Formats

— INDEX Special Formats

Country, Region Grower Cuvée Vintage Format

⬤ Austria, Burgenland Claus Preisinger Kalk & Kiesel 2018 150cl

⬤ Austria, Burgenland Christian Tschida Himmel auf Erden II 2017 150cl

⬤ Czech Republic, Moravia Milan Nestarec Forks & Knives 2016 150cl

⬤ Czech Republic, Moravia Milan Nestarec Juicy Fruit 2016 150cl

⬤ France, Rousillon Matassa Olla Blanc 2019 150cl

⬤ France, Loire Sébastien Riffault Sancerre ‘Auksinis’ 2016 150cl

⬤ Germany, Baden Wasenhaus Gutedel 2019 150cl

⬤ Italy, Liguria Selvadolce VB1 2017 150cl

⬤ Italy, Liguria Selvadolce Rucantu 2017 150cl

⬤ Italy, Friuli Paolo Vodopivec Solo 2017 150cl

⬤ Italy, Friuli Paolo Vodopivec Vitovska 2017 150cl

⬤ Italy, Friuli Paolo Vodopivec Vitovska 2016 150cl

⬤ Austria, Wagram Clemens & Lukas Strobl Rosé Donauschotter 2018 150cl

⬤ Austria, Burgenland Christian Tschida Himmel auf Erden 2019 150cl

⬤ France, Southern Rhône Les Frères Soulier Counoise 2018 150cl

157 Special Formats

— INDEX Special Formats

Country, Region Grower Cuvée Vintage Format

⬤ Austria, Burgenland Markus Altenburger Vom Kalk 2018 150cl

⬤ Austria, Burgenland Claus Preisinger Heideboden 2015 150cl

⬤ Austria, Burgenland Hannes Schuster Reserve 2013 150cl

⬤ Austria, Burgenland Christian Tschida Himmel auf Erden 2015 150cl

⬤ Austria, Burgenland Christian Tschida ABRA KA DABRA 2017 150cl

⬤ Austria, Burgenland Christian Tschida BRUTAL 2018 150cl

⬤ Austria, Burgenland Christian Tschida HOKUS POKUS 2017 150cl

⬤ Austria, Burgenland Christian Tschida T.N.T. 2017 150cl

⬤ Czech Republic, Moravia Milan Nestarec Forks & Knives 2016 150cl

⬤ Germany, Württemberg Roterfaden Lemberger 2018 150cl

⬤ Germany, Baden Wasenhaus Spätburgunder 2018 150cl

⬤ Germany, Baden Wasenhaus Kanzel 2018 150cl

⬤ Germany, Baden Wasenhaus Bellen 2018 150cl

⬤ Germany, Baden Wasenhaus Möhlin 2018 150cl

⬤ France, Loire Jardins de Theseïs Les Jardin de Poira 2018 150cl

⬤ France, Roussillon Domaine de Majas Cortado 2018 150cl

⬤ France, Roussillon Matassa Olla Rouge 2019 150cl

⬤ France, Savoie Marie & Florian Curtet Frissons des Cimes 2019 150cl

⬤ Switzerland, Valais Cidrerie du Vulcain Premiers Emois 2016 150cl

⬤ Austria, Salzkammergut Eggenberg Hopfenkönig Pilsner Beer NV Key Keg, 30l

⬤ Switzerland, Valais Cidrerie du Vulcain Transparente 2016 Key Keg, 20l

Alwin & Stefanie ⬤ Austria, Kamptal Jurtschisch Sonnhof 2017 Key Keg, 20l

158 Special Formats

— INDEX Beers, Spirits & Juice

Country, Region Grower Cuvée Vintage Format

⬤ Austria Eggenberger Pils - 33cl

⬤ Austria Eggenberger Radler - 33cl

Motel Brew X 33cl ⬤ Germany Melsheimer Beers Riesling IPA -

Motel Brew X 33cl ⬤ Germany Melsheimer Beers Pale Ale -

Motel Brew X 33cl ⬤ Germany Melsheimer Beers Pale Ale II -

Motel Brew X ⬤ 33cl Germany Melsheimer Beers Reinickendorf Kellerbier -

Cox Orangen Renette | ⬤ Austria, Weinviertel Wetter - 25cl Apple Juice

159 Gabriel Glassware Gabriel Glassware

— INDEX Gabriel Glassware

Glassware marked with ⬤ is available for top up of your wine order directly from our warehouse. Please note that large orders may require a longer lead time of up to 3 weeks.

If you would like to order glassware only, minimum orders will apply with upfront payment terms.

Items marked with ⬤* are available on request with a lead time of up to 3 weeks. Minimum order quantities apply and smaller order quantities will incur a delivery fee.

Type, Item Packaging Capacity

⬤ Gabriel Standart Box of 6 Universal

⬤ Gabriel Standart Gift Box of 2 Universal

⬤ Gabriel Gold Box of 6 Handblown Universal

⬤ AquaVino Carafe Single 1,000ml

Gabriel Standart ⬤* 1 Box of 6 Universal incl. /8 Pour Mark

Handblown Water ⬤* Gabriel Aqua Box of 6 Glass

⬤* Quatrophil Champagner Box of 6 Flute

⬤* Gabriel Gold Gift Box of 2 Handblown Universal

⬤* AquaVino Carafe Single 500ml

160 Delivery

— INDEX Logistics Delivery

Minimum Order Delivery Charge Zone Locations for FREE Delivery Below Minimum Order

E; EC; N; NW; S; SE; SW; 1 6 bottles £10 for orders of less than 6 bottles W; WV; HA; KT; TW; UB

The rest of England and Wales £10 for orders of less than 12 2 12 bottles excl. IOW + below postcodes bottles

CA; DH; DL; DT, EX, FY; HG; LA; £10 for orders of less than 12 3 12 bottles NE; NR; PR; SR; TA; TS; YO bottles

Lowland Scotland and West England and £10 for orders of less than 12 4 Wales; DG; EH; G; KY; LD; LL; ML; PA; PL; 12 bottles bottles SA; SY; TD; TQ

Highland Scotland; 5 POA POA IOW; AB; DD; FK; IV; TR; PA

Delivery Timeline Pricing

Zone 1: All orders received Monday – Wednesday by 12PM All prices are subject to adaptations without prior notice. Prices will be dispatched by Thursday for Friday delivery. are quoted including excise and customs charges as well as VAT. All wines are subject to availability at the time of order. Zones 2-5: All orders received Monday – Wednesday by 12PM will be dispatched by Thursday for Friday delivery.

Delivery of Goods

All goods shall be examined at the time of delivery. Any breakage or shortage must be clearly indicated on the delivery note. We regret that we cannot credit in the case of late breakage or shortage reporting. Any reporting must be made in writing.

161 161 Terms & conditions

— INDEX Terms & Conditions T&C

This list renders invalid all previous lists.

Legal Payment

The conditions outlined in this portfolio apply to all orders from Unless agreed differently, we require up-front payment. Newcomer Wines Ltd. To the exclusion of any other terms that the buyer seeks to impose or incorporate, or which are implied by trade, custom, practice or course of dealing.

Newcomer Wines Ltd. Remains the owner of all delivered wines until the receipt of full payment for the goods delivered and any other sums outstanding.

Risk in property shall pass to the purchaser as from the date of delivery of goods.

For a complete version of our current terms & conditions, please reach out to us via [email protected]

162 162 Contact

— INDEX How to Reach Us Contact Us

Newcomer Wines Ltd. 5 Dalston Lane London, E8 3DF United Kingdom

Orders Peter Honegger [email protected] [email protected]

Accounts Jimmy Tassan Toffola [email protected] [email protected]

General Enquiries Angelo van Dyk [email protected] [email protected]

Dalston Shop & Wine Bar George Doyle [email protected] [email protected]

163 163