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Laborde au Chateau Aligote, France $16.99
In 1119, La Borde de Reulée was a simple fortress located just a short distance from Beaune. In 1645, the Barony was transformed into a Marquisate for Denis Brûlart, the first President of the Parliament of Dijon. His son, Nicolas II Brûlart, built a magnificent château which was completed in 1678 and became known as the ‘Versailles of Burgundy’. According to historical documents, in 1704, Château de Laborde farmed at least 90 “ouvrées” (3.85 hectares) of vineyards. The château was purchased in 1785 by a former banker, Jean Joseph de Laborde (the name is just a coincidence!), who was knighted by Louis XV, becoming the Marquis de Laborde. He was executed by guillotine in 1794 and the château was left abandoned until 1814. During the Restoration Period, when the château was almost in a state of ruin, it was purchased back by his heirs. However, time has taken its toll and sadly only a few of the buildings adjoining the original château remain today, including the barn, which is now the vat-house (“la cuverie”), the stables, which have been turned into offices, and the old farmhouse where Hervé Kerlann and his family now live. The vines are located in Corcelles-les-Arts next to the village of Puligny-Montrachet. Aligoté is Burgundy’s “other” white grape, more rarely encountered than Chardonnay; yielding light, citrusy wines.
Fritz Muller Perlwein Rosa Troken, Germany $18.99
“Can Müller-Thurgau do Dolce Vita?”, Guido Walter mused while the whole world was quaffing Prosecco. Müller-Thurgau had mutated into a cheap wine for the masses in the 1980s. It had become dated, dusty and forgotten. Despite this, vintner Jürgen Hofmann never doubted this robust vine. His father cultivated it. Perhaps the old Müller simply needed a good kick. Müller-Thurgau as a frizzante – in short: Fritz Müller. Semi-sparkling, "the pink Fritz" comes from the German red-wine Portugieser and Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) grape varieties. Vinified rosé and effervesced, "the pink Fritz" refreshes best well chilled or on the rocks.
Vite Colte Valdolma Nebbiolo d’Alba, Italy $17.99
Vite Colte is made up of people who strongly believe in a shared concept of quality, where the responsibility of individuals is an integral part of the result. Inaugurated in 2000, the winery is situated below the most prestigious Barolo cru vineyards and the architectural design has been reviewed by numerous modern architecture magazines. Attention to new technologies and a philological study of the territory which gives the Langhe its specificity and identity, were paramount in the mind of Gianni Arnaudo, the architect responsible for designing the winery. Integration and eco-compatibility. Great consideration was paid by the designer and Vite Colte to the architecture, with the aim of integrating the winery into the landscape, offering a contemporary interpretation of the traditional architectural language. The Nebbiolo grapes destined to produce this wine come from some vineyards planted in sandy soils with virtually no limestone, that can give an elegant wine, even when young. Vinification is traditional, with 15 days' maceration. This is followed by malolactic fermentation and ageing in oak barrels for about 6 months.
Fiorini Becco Rosso Lambrusco Grasparossa, Italy $16.99
The family’s wine history was born in the Modena plain, north of Modena between two small hamlets, Gargallo di Carpi and Ganaceto di Modena. Growing up in a peasant family following in the footsteps of his father Ugo, Giuseppe always loved to say, joking, that he was born in a barrel. To testify to that great love the production of Lambrusco rather is not his job, but has always been his great passion. In 2011, the entire production was moved closer to the historic site of Ganaceto in the plain. Fiorini Becco's Rosso Lambrusco Grasparossa is made mostly of organically farmed Lambrusco grapes from the Grasparossa di Castelvetro region but softened by the addition of a little Lancellotta
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