Under the Radar Wines for Everyday Drinking

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We all have our go-to wines, those that we reach for time and time again, safe in the knowledge that we are buying what we enjoy and that they represent everyday great value for money. This mixed case aims to break you out of your comfort zone and let you experience three very different wines that you may not yet have stumbled across.  Sourced from top producers in Austria, Portugal and Oregon, USA this case offers an eye-opening look at new grape varieties, blends and in the case of the Oregon Pinot Noir, a whole new philosophy of wine. 

2018 Allram Grüner Veltliner Strass, Kamptal, Austria

Allram Estate lies in the heart of Austria’s Kamptal, with holdings in the famous vineyards of Heiligenstein, Gaisberg and Renner.  The harmony of the generations is at the root of the winery philosophy and charismatic winemaker Lorenz Haas values family traditions whilst still seeking to strive for tomorrow, creating marvellous wines with distinctive varietal character.  Grüner Veltliner is the flagship varietal of this region.   This wine comes from the steep terraces of the Strass valley with its loess and lime soils, which provide an unmistakable minerality, grapes are picked by hand.  An elegant, crisp, and moreish wine, with terrific minerality on the palate and refreshing finish.  Delicious served with roast pork or roast chicken, as well as Asian cuisine.

2015 Herdade do Mouchão, Dom Rafael Red, Alentejo, Portugal

In a country steeped in winemaking history, the name Mouchão is synonymous with wines of distinction. The family-owned estate has been producing wine for over a hundred years and maintains the traditions established in 1901 when the winery was built. The distinctive character of Mouchão wines derives from three principal characteristics: the Alicante Bouschet grape, the specific terroir and adherence to traditional winemaking methods.   Dom Rafael Red is made from indigenous Portuguese grape varieties Aragonez, Trincadeira, Castelao and Alicante Bouschet. The grapes are hand-picked, foot trod in marble cement lining Lagares and then allowed to mature in oak ‘tonels’ and barriques until bottled, 12 months from harvest.  Serve with pizza, pasta or roasted red meats.

2018 Division Winemaking Company, Pinot Noir Methode Carbonique, Oregon, USA

Division Winemaking Company is a Portland, Oregon based winery founded in 2010 by Kate Norris and Thomas Monroe. Inspired by the wineries of the Loire, Beaujolais, Burgundy and the Northern Rhône where they first learned winemaking and viticulture.  Division Winemaking Company represents a new generation of winemakers that are looking beyond the status quo to create unique styles of wine, with a purpose, a story and without barriers.
Grapes for this Pinot Noir were sourced from dry-farmed 20-year-old vineyards in the Willamette Valley.  The grapes were fermented whole-cluster with carbonic maceration in cement fermenters, using native yeasts.  A light and juicy red, super pretty and crying out to be gulped not sipped, strawberry notes continue from start to finish with great structure and just enough tannin and a nervy acidity finish long and dry. Very versatile food wine can pair with fish, chicken, red meat, and even with vegetables and desserts.

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