About The Pack
What a pleasure to put together a global mixed pack of fantastic wines all made by female winemakers.
Kick off with Natalie Falmet's brilliant value Champagne, then it's a short trip to Chablis for some crunchy joy from Celine Guegen at Domaine Gueguen...
There's a zingy Austrian white courtesy of Ingrid Groiss, some glorious Piemonte refreshment from the Tibaldi family, an outstanding Argentinian Malbec from Laura Catena, and finally some lovely Cotes du Rhone from the Armenier sisters at the famous Chateauneuf-du-Pape producer Domaine de Marcoux.
NV Nathalie Falmet Cuvee Brut
Vigneron/Oenologist Nathalie Falmet was the first woman to hold those two titles simultaneously in France - essentially meaning she manages her wines every step of the way from grape to barrel to glass.
She is considered a pioneer for female grape-grower/winemakers in Champagne, with her fuller-bodied yet focused wine styles receiving wide acclaim. Her vineyards are found in the warmer, more humid sub-region of Côte des Bar, where her Pinot Noir dominant blends build more power and weight due to the climate. Her signature style combines this element of richness with a freshness and vibrancy that makes them compelling to drink in any situation.
The 'Brut' is built in a drier style with 80% Pinot noir and 20% Chardonnay in total, with a portion of the Pinot Noir coming from a solera started in 2009 giving an added element of complexity and a lovely balance of power and finesse to the final cuveé.
Read more about NV Nathalie Falmet Cuvee Brut2020 Groiss Gemischter Satz
A true field blend! About 15 varieties planted in a single plot, all co-fermented, within the great Weinviertel region near Vienna, in the traditional manner.
Gemischter Satz (field blend is rough translation) became recognised a wine style in 2013, the first wine in Austria to be designated as a style, rather than a region.
There's real value here - a crunchy, dry herbal white with excellent persistence and a real savoury feel. Toned and refreshing with apple, citrus and pepper flavours galore.
Read more about 2020 Groiss Gemischter Satz2019 Tibaldi Langhe Favorita Bianco
With a name like Favorita, you can’t help but be intrigued.
Organically farmed by the fabulous Tibaldi sisters, these grapes grow in sandy, limestone soils in Piedmont’s gently rolling hills.
It’s a sparky white number with crunchy green apple and a pungent floral nose of honeysuckle and lime leaf.
And if you really must know this mystery grape, its usual handle is Vermentino.
Read more about 2019 Tibaldi Langhe Favorita Bianco2020 Domaine Gueguen Chablis
From the villages of Chichee & Prehy, the 40 year old vines are planted on regionally classic soils of Kimmeridgian, and limestone. This Jurassic soil, with its maritime fossils, is what provide the wines of Chablis with their hallmark minerality and salinity.
The palate of this wine is fruity, well-balanced, silky, racy, and offers a light acid structure. It is slightly unctuous, with a faint nutty character in harmony with its yellow stone and orchard fruit elements.
Like all their wines, there is a distinct modern feel, while at the same time still being true to its origins, both respectful and representative of the terroir on which the grapes are grown. The perfect drop for any occasion.
Read more about 2020 Domaine Gueguen Chablis2019 Laura Catena La Posta Paulucci Malbec
This wine was grown by Angel Paulucci on a beautiful vineyard in Ugarteche. It's basically the perfect everyday Argentine Malbec - full bodied and opulent but delivered with restraint.
A delicious wine and great value given the price, the love and the care gone into making it.
La Posta roughly translates to 'the 'inn' or the 'tavern' where the various growers and farmers meet to exchange ideas, and indulge their passion for great Malbec!
Read more about 2019 Laura Catena La Posta Paulucci Malbec2019 Domaine de Marcoux Cotes du Rhone Rouge
The Cotes du Rhone, often referred to as the "Mini-Marcoux," is from two parcels just north of the CNdP appellation boundary. Composed of primarily Grenache, it has small bits of Syrah, Mourvedre blended, from vineyards range between 40-80 years of age.
Quite Provençal with its perfume of spiced red fruits, peppery garrigue, and floral tones, this wine is a bit of a benchmark for CdR reds and provides exceptional value when you consider its provenance.
Seductive and balanced, this wine punches well above its weight class.
Read more about 2019 Domaine de Marcoux Cotes du Rhone Rouge