Account Manager Top Five: Springtime Favourites
Spring is just around the corner and we’re getting ready to welcome the warmer days with some sensational wines to match.
We asked George Randall, Account Manager for the South East, for a round-up of his favourite spring wines.
1. Mantlerhof – Weitgasse Gruner-Veltliner 2018
Who?
Sepp Mantler is one of the most respected winemakers within his native Kremstal. His estate is based in a 16th Century monastery and has been in the family for over 200 years. They are well known for producing their signature style of mineral, crisp and clean Gruner-Veltliner.
How?
The Weitgasse Gruner-Veltliner is produced from fruit cultivated on steep, terraced vineyards on prime loess soils farmed organically. In the winery, usage of sulphur is kept to a minimum, along with no acidification or chaptalisation, allowing the fruit to take centre stage, while reflecting the true climate and soil of the Kremstal.
George says…
“This Gruner-Veltliner is a true ‘vintage in a bottle’! With aromas of apple peel, tree resin and lemon followed by flavours of pear skin and earthy minerality, this wine has a lovely weight, a lemony acid backbone and floral elegance. It really is the perfect spring wine!”
2. Suavia – Soave Classico Monte Carbonare 2017
Who?
Located in Fitta, Suavia is owned and run by the Tessari sisters, Meri, Valentina and Alessandra, who inherited the winery from their parents and have taken it to the next level, focusing only on Soave’s native varieties, Trebbiano di Soave and Garganega. The wines produced at Suavia are aromatic, lively and fresh with a fabulous concentration of flavour.
How?
Made from 100% Garganega planted in the Monte Carbonare hillside, literally translated as ‘hill of coal’, the vines sink their roots deep into the black, volcanic soil from which they gain a characteristic minerality. In the winery, the grapes are gently pressed, fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks for up to 15 months on their lees.
George says…
“Light and floral, the Monte Carbonare has flavours of apple and citrus fruit accompanied by a very subtle creamy texture. More complex mineral notes balance the exotic fruit character, making it very elegant. This wine is everything I want to drink in a white wine. Salute!”
3. Xanadu – Estate Chardonnay 2017
Who?
One of the oldest producers in Margret River, Xanadu was founded in 1977 by Irishman Dr John Lagan and quickly got famous for producing wines of uncompromising quality from its idyllic location surrounded by magnificent coastline. Senior winemaker Glenn Goodall and his team create expressive regional wines of incredible quality that have achieved several awards in the past decade.
How?
This Chardonnay is made with grapes pressed and barrel-fermented in French oak, 25% new, with wild fermentation adding layers of complexity and personality. The wine was then matured in oak for a further 9 months, but malolactic fermentation was deliberately prevented to allow the wine to show beautiful freshness.
George says…
“Xanadu is an expression of Aussie Chardonnay that I really enjoy. The freshness of this wine combined with the ripeness of the fruit means that the wine has both power and precision. Something very rare and certainly to be celebrated. If you’ve previously dismissed all Aussie Chardonnay, try this and think again!”
4. Llopart – Brut Rosé Cava
Who?
Llopart is a family winery founded in 1385, and one of the nine ‘breakaway’ producers, which sought to differentiate themselves from some of the low-quality sparkling wine allowed by Cava DO, by forming their own brand ‘Corpinnat’. They produce beautifully crisp, yet creamy sparkling wine using the traditional method. Llopart’s vineyards are 100% certified organic.
How?
Made from a blend of 60% Monastrell, 20% Garnacha and 20% Pinot Noir cultivated in vineyards that are 100% certified organic, the grapes for their rosé are gently pressed and bottle fermented through the methode champenoise for up to 18 months.
George says…
“Without any doubt, one of the best sparkling wines in our portfolio. An exuberant bouquet of forest fruits is followed by a fruity palate with a lovely mineral backbone and a long finish. It’s really delicious and exceptional value for money!”
5. Peth Wetz – Unfiltered Pinot Noir Rheinhessen 2017
Who?
Weingut Peth Wetz is run by husband-and-wife team, Christian and Maja, and epitomises the new face of German wine. Having learnt from his travels around the world, Christian cultivates 30ha of vineyards in the Rheinhessen and makes wines that are unapologetically different to what you might expect from the region.
How?
Made from 100% Pinot Noir, the grapes undergo 42 days of open mash fermentation with daily punch-downs. The juice is then aged in old barriques to retain the fruit’s characteristics while enabling oxygenation. Bottling is carried out without filtration.
George says…
“Unfiltered, this wine has a lovely texture. Bright fruity aromas and flavours lead to a complex, long finish characterised by a crisp acidity. A truly lovely Pinot at a great retail price!”
Want to chat about wine with us? Get in touch with your Account Manager, or follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @walkerwodehouse!
George Randall
When George graduated university with a degree in Ancient History, he would have never dreamed that he would soon embark on a life-long carer in wine. But, after receiving a WSET Level 2 course as a present for his 21st birthday, he got a taste for the world of wine and has never looked back since. After working for Majestic and Boutinot for 8 years, he joined the Walker & Wodehouse family as the South East Account Manager. In his free time, you can find him drinking sherry and trekking through the countryside (not always at the same time).