‘Force Celeste Chenin Blanc 2021’ / SALTY PINEAPPLE WHITE
Mother Rock, Swartland, South Africa; 100% Chenin Blanc; 12.5% ABV. Eye: Straw yellow, light, clear. Nose: – OJ …!! Adhesive! But it’s not bad … this one is silky, tropical – pineapple! Wine gum … Later: Groin … Tongue: Still glue, bakery, smooth; slightly more acidic and fresh fruit - apple - in the round off, loads of pineapple again. Salty. The big surprise! We normally do not like white; this one is a gem: tropical, yet very elegant. Grapes from granite soils. The grapes are juiced whole, natural yeast, unfiltered. Natural. Tonight’s favourite. Persona: Honest, the one that sticks.
‘Foradori Lezèr 2021’ / RED — THE WING
Az. Agr. Foradori, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy; 100% Teroldego; 12.5% ABV. What do the eyes see? Clear light red. The nose? Red fruit, berries, earth, some spices. Does the tongue agree? Yes. Firm. Long juicy aftertaste. Cranberry, pomegranate perhaps, but less acidic. Good to know: Femme producer Elisabetta Foradori is considered one of the most influential winemakers in the world. Biodynamic, all natural. Kudos. Persona: Never boring company, the one you bring to the party that will keep the conversation going (or, if they keep their mouth shut, you never feel alone).
‘Force Celeste PetNat 2022’ / PEACHY FOAM
Mother Rock, Swartland, South Africa; 62% Chenin Blanc, 38% Pinotage; 10.0% ABV. Eye: Peachy pink, bubbles. Nose/tongue: Peach and apricot, minerals, sea, salt. — A fun peach coloured sparkling one! You might get tricked by its pink looks, not to mention the berry and flowery nose ... sweetness? No. This is fresh like sea foam, a warm summer night at the beach (still warm and light even though the time has passed 8 PM). Fruity, yes — loads of peach — but well balanced and surprisingly nuanced. In it: Chenin Blanc from granite soil and Pinotage from slate and clay, naturally fermented on steel, unfiltered. Persona: The always fun summer fling that you somehow just know you will meet again. No need for tears. (But perhaps it’s about time getting serious?)
‘Epic 2022’ / ORANGE FLOWER
Meinklang, Burgenland, Austria; Grüner Veltliner & Welschriesling; 10.5% ABV. Eye: Straw yellow, gold; bubbles. Nose: Peachy, minerals, touch of the corner where the petrol station meets the bakery. Tongue: Very fizzy! Floral (orange flowers!), spring, extremely foamy, some marzipan. From clay and sandstone soils. Hand-harvested, spontaneously fermented, unfiltered. Ecological, vegan. Persona: Very comfortable, but not boring. It’s named ‘epic’, after all.
‘Mulatschak 2021’ / LICHI DREAM
Meinklang, Burgenland, Austria; Pinot Gris +++; 11,5% ABV. Orange, slightly fizzy. Eye: Cloudy, honey golden, appealing. Nose: Lichi, some peach, indeed. Flowers (even rose?) Tongue: For sure lichi, fresh/fizzy peach; some minerals in the aftertaste, salty; acidic ending. From sandy and rocky soils. Biodynamic, vegan. A week of skin contact, unfiltered. Our second favourite tonight. Persona: A dream becoming real; the perfect balance of pleasure and challenge.
‘Weiße Blumen 2021’ / SOFT, EASY
Biokult, Burgenland, Austria; Grüner Veltliner +++; 11% ABV. Eye: Warm, deep orange. Tropical, fresh, loads of minerals. Tongue: Soft, smooth, peachy. Silky as a ripe honey melon. Enjoy chilled. These grapes are from clay and sandstone soils. Biodynamic, spontaneously fermented, macerated with skin and stones for about one week on neutral steel, unfiltered. Persona: Easy going.
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Hot tip: Dare to ask for the donkey, ‘Rebuzno’ (Las Cepas, ‘Rebuzno Maturana Tinta’)? A crazy dark red Spanish one.
