Achillee Cremant d’Alsace Zero 2019
Origin: Alsace, France
Retail: $35.95 | Sale: $32.36
Approximately 28 km north of Colmar and 50 km southwest of Strasbourg lies the village of Scherwiller. Here at the confluence of the Haut-Rhin and the Bas-Rhin the Dietrich family have been farming the land since 1600. It was not until Yves Dietrich, father of the current generation, that the focus became grape growing. In 2016 Yves handed over the reins of the Domaine to his more than capable sons Jean and Pierre, who decided it was time for the Domaine to bottle its own production. Thus, Achillée (French for yarrow) was born. Achillée, comes from the plant name Achillea Millefolium, or common Yarrow. The plant is a popular choice for those practicing biodynamic farming. While it grows naturally among the vines, Achillea Millefolium is often planted intentionally by vignerons for its antifungal properties, which reduces the necessity for using sulfur in vineyards. The grapes for the Crémant come predominantly from two terroirs and were farmed biodynamically. Light and smoky on the nose, with hints of butter, caramel, citrus zest and white pome fruit. Firm and full-bodied on the palate with grated almonds and yuzu. 55% Riesling, 15% Pinot Blanc, 15% Auxerrois, 15% Chardonnay
Domaine Olivier Pithon Mon P’Tit Pithon 2022
Origin: Roussillon, France
Retail: $24.95 | Sale: $22.46
Born into a family of vignerons from Anjou in the Loire Valley, Olivier’s maternal grandfather was a winemaker and many of his earliest memories take place in the hillside vineyards of Layon and in the cellar of his older brother, Jo Pithon. At 18 Olivier left his native Anjou to continue his training and to study oenology in Bordeaux. Internships in Beaujolais and Jurançon also provided him the opportunity to explore other regions and to work with new grapes and diverse terroirs. Near the end of 2000, after five years working in Bordeaux, Olivier began searching for a place to start his own Domaine and apply his own philosophy. He ended up in the village of Calce nestled between the Pyrenees, Corbières and the Mediterranean Sea. This spirit, along with the other special elements of Olivier’s methodology, translate into wines with a purity of fruit, extraordinary balance and a distinct sense of place. These are truly some of the most complex and exciting wines coming out of the Roussillon, if not the whole of France today. This friendly, mineral white wine from the IGP Cotes Catalanes shows flavors of juicy pear, stone fruit, honey, verbena, and wet stone. 40% Macabeu, 40% Grenache Blanc, 20% Grenache Gris
Les Hautes Terres ‘Autres Terres’ Rouge 2022
Origin: Languedoc , France
Retail: $23.95 | Sale: $21.56
Les Hautes Terres is located on the very western edge of the Languedoc in the tiny village of Roquetaillade. Geneviève and Gilles live and work at the very top of a 600m summit overlooking land that was once occupied by the armies of Charlemagne. For nearly 20 years they have been slowly building the Domaine, which is now over 30 hectares. All the Domaine’s vineyards are farmed organically, the grapes hand harvested, and all wines ferment spontaneously using only native yeasts. To say that Geneviève and Gilles Azam are among the elite producers in the Languedoc is not an over statement. Their sparkling wines rank among the best in all of France, and the still wines offer precision and minerality rarely found so far south. It’s hard to match the quality to price ratio offered by Les Hautes Terres. A smooth red with notes of crisp red fruits. 50% Merlot, 50% Cinsault
Domaine Olivier Pithon ‘Cuvée Laïs’ Rouge 2020
Origin: Roussillon, France
Retail: $34.95 | Sale: $31.46
Today, Domaine Olivier Pithon has grown to 25 hectares of meticulously farmed vines on the complex schist, marl and calcareous-clay soils of Calce. From the beginning Olivier worked organically in the vines. The domaine was certified organic in 2002 and fully biodynamic by 2010. By practicing biodynamics and minimal intervention, his goal is to make the wine as good as possible by getting as much out of the soil as he can, whilst respecting the environment and leaving generations to come with equally healthy soil. In the cellar, vinification is as non-interventionist as possible, as Olivier believes firmly that great wine is made in the vineyard. This wine has notes of licorice, red currants, earth and tobacco. Light on its feet with a long, textured finish. 30% Carignan Noir, 40% Grenache Noir, 20% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah