​Bodegas Menade Verdejo  ($15.99)
Rueda, Spain

From the producer:
"At Menade we use no chemical treatments opting instead for a natural approach consisting for example of plant-based infusions (nettles, cinnamon…) or whey, which are kinder on the soil, plants and naturally occurring yeasts

In a similar way, the insect population that teams in our soils far from being our enemies are trusted allies that help us ward off pests. When a problem arises therefore – let us take the example of ladybirds and red spiders – we attract the latter by spraying the problem area diluted vanilla, and once they have feasted and done their job we re-spray with a diluted vinegar infusion which persuades them home to chill out in their ‘hotels’: a series of pollination gardens consisting of a profusion of aromatic plants where both insects and lizards co-exist in harmony.
 
All these measures play an important part in our wines, for not only do they taste good but they make you feel good and they are both allergen and histamine free.

100% Verdejo
Aromas of fresh herbs, fennel, anis and aromatic plants like lavender and thyme. Hints of citrus (green orange peel), lemon pie, grapefruit and chamomile flowers.
Harmonious on the palate, with a rich mouth filling texture. The long lingering flavours of grapefruit, lemon peel and mandarin are enhanced by a well balanced acidity."

From me:
This wine hits all of the notes I look for: excellent farming practices, natural yeast, indigenous grape variety, and beautiful flavor. I often sell this to Sauvignon Blanc drinkers who appreciate the citrus tones.

Famille Lieubeau "La Fruitiere" Folle Blanche  ($15.99)
Loire Valley, France

From the producer:
"With our team, and in harmony with nature, we care for the vines all year long, as the different seasons require. The desire to achieve the very best quality of fruit dictates our work, which includes short pruning, tilling, cover planting, trellising, leaf removal and sorting at harvest.

Our organic certification (AB) and sustainable farming certification (Terra Vitis) illustrate our commitment to biodiversity. Our daily actions are guided by observation. The weather station and vineyard mapping solution, which we have developed ourselves, give us a finer understanding of the terroirs and vintages, and allow us to adapt our winegrowing methods to each plot.

As a tribute to Joseph Gregoire, the first Lieubeau, who was left abandoned as an orphan in the porch of the hospital in Nantes in 1816, our emblem is a child wearing a hat, a symbol of family history and nature. The Folle Blanche variety is historic to the Nantes region. Planted near the Atlantic, it produces a lemony, saline and mineral wine that is ideal with oysters."

From me:
This wine comes from the mouth of the Loire River, just near the Atlantic coast. Its salty minerality and fresh citrus notes evoke the ocean breeze that blows through the vines. Unusual, fresh, and delicious!

Atance Bobal  ($13.99)
Valencia, Spain

From the producer:
"Atance is a venture from Bodegas Mustiguillo as they step outside of their small Vino de Pago of El Terrerazo and into the broader DO of Valencia. The commitment to quality remains the same as Bodegas Mustiguillo, offering remarkable value. In the late 1990’s, Toni Sarrion began a one man crusade to save the indigenous variety Bobal and coax it from obscurity and rusticity to the forefront of truly world class wines. Ever evolving and pushing the quality level forward, Toni and Bodegas Mustiguillo have been widely recognized as one of Spain’s best wineries, including Wine & Spirits Top 100 Wineries of 2012.

100% Bobal 
Organic viticulture and hand picked grapes from bush vines in Requena, specifically the Casa Segura estate vineyards with well drained, sandy soils. Vinification in stainless steel tanks and elevage in French oak foudre. 

PRESS | 91+ WA 'The 2020 ATANCE, pure Bobal from vines planted in 1975, fermented in 10,000-liter stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts at controlled temperature for a week and had a short maceration. The wine matured in 8,000-liter French oak vats for three months. This feels really harmonious, serious, nuanced and elegant, with subtle aromas and great balance and length.' - Luis Gutierrez"

From me: 
I'm always interested in the revival of forgotten grapes. This Bobal is delicate, lighter in body, with elegant notes of red fruits. A great option for Pinot Noir drinkers.

Amaro dell'Etna  ($34.99)
Sicily, Italy

From the producer:
"Our Amaro dell’Etna has its roots on the slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily where more than twenty-six herbs and aromatic plants grow. Its special recipe embodies the volcanic nature of Sicilian soil and even after over one hundred years still conveys an authentic and traditional taste.

From its origins in 1901 to the present day our digestif has been enjoyed by lovers of good liqueurs and has been appreciated for its delicious spiced taste. Its authentic character is the result of the careful selection of unique ingredients based on a particular mixture of herbs and aromatic plants.

It excels as an after-dinner digestif or can be served as an aperitif with ice, soda and a slice of orange."

From me:
This is a bold and rich style of Amaro that is versatile; aside from the suggestions above, I like to use it in a Manhattan instead of sweet vermouth.

H. Blin Champagne Brut Tradition ($43.99)
Champagne, France

From the producer:

"Champagne H. BLIN is a union of vintner (Vincelles Cooperative) founded in 1947 by Henri BLIN and 28 other growers.

Located in Vincelles in Marne Valley (25 minutes west of Epernay and Reims), Champagne H. BLIN is known for its cuvees with a strong identity, crafted to express their unique character. These wines are based around the historic local grape variety, Pinot Meunier.

Our 110 hectares of vines, planted around Vincelles, are predominantly Pinot Meunier (70%), but we also grow Chardonnay (16%) and Pinot Noir (14%).

The Blend : 70% Meunier – 20% Chardonnay – 10% Pinot Noir

Ageing : 24 months minimum

Visual : A golden colour. Fine bubbles.

On the nose : Aromas of peach and apricot.

On the palate: : Rich and generous, the stone fruit aromas persist with freshness and balance."

Poderi Vaiot Arneis "Franco" ($17.99)
Piedmont, Italy

From the producer:

"Typical Piedmontese white wine, highly structured and pronounced.

Appearance: deep straw yellow with green hues.

Nose: fresh, delicate and tempting with a well-balanced fragrance of chamomile and white flesh fruit, an indelible remembrance of this kind of grape.

Palate: smooth and pronounced, slightly sharp for a fresh and lingering wine.

Gastronomic matching: it is excellent with the typical Piedmontese starters, cooked with white meat too. However, it also accompanies fish and first dishes, prepared with vegetable sauces, very well.

Our vineyards are proof of the environmental commitment that my brother Walter and I have at heart: here the grapes grow luxuriantly, among healthy rows surrounded by the wild herbs of the Roero.

Savory, Tansy, Chicory … many plants that grow on our lands, witnesses to the health and well-being of the soil.

All the treatments carried out in the vineyard are followed with the utmost care and attention. Most of the work is done manually in order to preserve the natural biodiversity of these lands."

Casale del Giglio Petit Verdot ($24.99)
Lazio, Italy

From the producer:
"As a child and young teenager the fields and lanes of the family estate, Casale del Giglio, were nothing more to Antonio Santarelli than a place where he could spend carefree weekends and indulge his budding passion for motorbike riding; but all that changed when he joined his father Dino in the family business. By then, a shrewd twenty-five year old, he knew instinctively that their unconventional land in the Agro Pontino valley, some 50 kms south of Rome, offered a unique opportunity to attempt something no one had ever attempted before.
 
The total lack of any vine growing tradition in the area meant that Antonio and his father could give free rein to their pioneering ideas. Some of the most famous ampelographers and university researchers of the day were convinced by these ideas and were inspired to join them in a research project which was launched in 1985 with the planting of close to 60 different experimental vines in Casale del Giglio’s soil.

100% very ripe Petit Verdot grapes.
During vinification both the ‘submerged cap’ technique and that of ‘punching down’ are adopted; the first is aimed principally at extracting the grape’s softer tannins, the second, its strong colour. Submerged cap fermentation extends over 15 days at a temperature which ranges from 26-28°C. This is followed by ‘délestage’ (rack and return) to further soften the tannins and stabilize the colour. After the new wine has been racked, a part of it undergoes malolactic fermentation in stainless steel, another part in wood. Once blended, the new wine spends from 8-12 months ‘in barrique’ and a further 6 in the bottle before leaving the winery.

This deep crimson wine displays an intense, lingering aroma of red berry fruit, cherry, myrtle and juniper. Elegant and full-bodied, with rich velvety tannins, the wine presents a spicy, white peppery finish."