The grape and the good

1.
red
Cepparello, Isole e Olena, Toscana
Old World favourite

A Tuscan icon. Pure sangiovese from the best terroir. Cepparello is the name of a troubled character from the 14th-century Decameron by Boccaccio. The wine itself is rather friendlier.

2.
red
Hirsch Vineyards Pinot Noir, California
New World beauty

Pinot noir from Hirsch Vineyards, a winery in the northern wine region of Fort Ross-Seaview next to the Pacific, with vines planted in 1817. Pure oenological gems.

3.
red
Monolith Pinot Noir, Obrecht, Graubünden
Swiss wine to remember

Swiss wine is a bit of a secret – and rarely exported – but this red will convince any doubters. An elegant, complex and juicy pinot noir from winemakers Christian and Francisca Obrecht.

4.
red
Beaujolais Nouveau Moillard, Beaujolais Primeur
To enjoy with thirsty friends

Always one of the first wines of the new vintage, one that invites palates looking for a casual drink. Seduces with fruity aromas, delicate tannins and a medium body weight.

5.
red
Rozas, Comando G, Madrid DO
A bottle to always have on hand

In the village of Rozas de Puerto Real, Daniel Landi and Fernando García started their project with the Comando G wines. Throughout the Sierra de Gredos region they are looking for old and forgotten vineyards, which they cultivate according to Burgundian philosophy.

6.
red
Chëpìka Pet Nat, Concord Catawba, New York
Something to keep things sparkly

The project of winemaker Nathan Kendall and sommelier Pascaline Lepeltier. The Chëpìka sparkling wines come from the Finger Lakes region (New York) and are vinified exclusively with natural yeasts without the use of any additives or modern technology.

7.
white
Chenin Blanc, Scions of Sinai, Stellenbosch
An alternative to chardonnay

A South African chenin blanc. This grape has a fresh taste of lemon zest. The wine is aged for nine months on the fermented fine lees in a larger egg-shaped concrete vat. The result is a concentrated delight.

8.
white
Bordeaux Blanc, Château Faugères, Bordeaux
A stone-cold French classic

This blend of sauvignon blanc, sauvignon gris and sémillon fizzes across the palate. Pure refreshment with notes of passion fruit, lime and mint sorbet.

9.
white
Quinta do Ameal, Loureiro, Vinho Verde
Something versatile and light

The Quinta do Ameal is a winery in the heart of Portugal’s Vinho Verde region that dates back to 1710. Enjoy this crisp and refreshing loureiro for aperitif or tapas-style dishes.

10.
white
Litorale Vermentino, Val delle Rose, Cecchi, Maremma
An Italian big-hitter

Try this Tuscan vermentino from Val delle Rose in the heart of the Maremma. Vinified with cold maceration and then left to rest for two months in the bottle. Ideal with antipasti or fish.

11.
white
Listrão Dos Profetas, Vinho do P Santo, Madeira
An interesting island wine

A complex white from the Portuguese island of Porto Santo. Old vines are cultivated on special terroirs; everything is handmade and organically processed, and the spontaneous fermentation is done with whole bunches.

12.
white
Dönnhoff Hermannshöhle Riesling, Grosses Gewächs, Nahe
Always keep chilling in the fridge

A splendid riesling from one of my favourite producers,  Weingut Dönnhoff. In German we say that this wine is “Grosses Kino für den Gaumen” – meaning fireworks of elegance, grace and finesse for the palate.

13.
rosé
Klara Rosé, Domaine Clarence Dillon, Vin de France
Rosé to convince us it’s still summer

This new organic creation from the south of France is a pure palate pleaser. A blend of grenache and syrah with lots of charming fruity notes and an easy-drinking character.

14.
rosé
Cecilia Rosé, Gut Oggau, Burgenland
A rosé that can stand up to winter

For 16 years, Stephanie and Eduard Tscheppe have been producing biodynamic wines in Burgenland that showcase the character of the soil rather than that of the grape. Cecilia is a cheekily different rosé with good structure and funkiness.

15.
orange
Sancerre Blanc Auksinis, Domaine Sébastien Riffault, Loire
Unusual orange that won’t be a headache

A vinified biodynamic by the wine enthusiast Riffault, who lets the wine age for three years before releasing it. The result? A tender, delicate and aromatic profound wine with notes of honey, chamomile and apricot tart and a tart-sweet finish.

16.
orange
Fuoripista Pinot Grigio, Foradori, Vigneti delle Dolomiti
A skin-contact that shows the genre is worth exploring

The grapes spend more than eight months on the skins inside tinajas (amphorae), resulting in an energetic and inviting wine. Notes of dried rose petals, cranberry, mint and wild flowers are dominant.

17.
sparkling
Champagne Chavost, Blanc de Chardonnay, Brut Nature
Chandra’s go-to champagne

Handmade with no added sulphites, each bottle is a delight. A champagne that can seduce with a strong personality originating from a clever non-interventionist winemaker.

18.
sparkling
Spätburgunder Jour Fixe Rosé Sekt, Brut Nature, Immich-Batterieberg, Mosel
Some overlooked sparkling

This German sekt was vinified for the first time in 2008, with the wine first maturing in wooden barrels for six months. Top-quality bubbly that flies across the palate.

19.
fortified
Boal 2005, Colheita, Barbeito, Madeira
Finish the night strong

It’s about time to rediscover the sweet, aromatic multi-dimensionality that a Madeira shows on the palate. For me, this is the best wine to end a great night. This Boal has an almost ethereal note as well as aromas of roasted nuts, oranges, fleur de sel and raisins.

20.
fortified
Moscatel Douro Fortificado 5 anos, Niepoort, Douro
And another nightcap… just in case you’re still thirsty

The sweetness of the Moscatel grape and the funny label will reroute the discussion – and if you are left alone with it, its sweet, delicate and seductive character will do you just well. Best enjoyed slightly chilled.