Maria Cruz Garcia and her husband, Carlos Aliaga, have run the viticulture and vinification at this independent 80 hectare farm in the Ribera Baja since 1999. There is a lot of pride here in working “the old way” meaning low sulphites and indigenous yeasts. 100% Tempranillo, from vines averaging 50...

The Costières de Nîmes is a sub-region at the southernmost edge of the Rhône valley; it has a multitude of geographies and the flinty pebbles (called grès) that litter Pierre’s organic vineyards give his wines all the juiciness of Côtes du Rhône with a wild, almost rustic streak.  A typical blend...

Again from the Contrada San Nicola vineyard, outside the village of Mazara del Vallo in western Sicily, we find Nero d’Avola vines tended to by the ever thoughtful Sala sisters. The vines are just 15 years old on average but the wine is ever complex. While some Nero d’Avola wines can be on the...

From artisan winemaker Jean Marc Barthez, who serves as president of a small co-operative winery in the ancient village of Monségur. A blend of 95% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Semillon fermented without oak to preserve the underlying expression of its classic, gravel-rich terroir, offering the enhanced...

Buzet was recognized as an Appellation in 1973, as it’s clay limestone soils are ideal for Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Christophe tends to these vines with the utmost respect for biodiversity of the terroir and this cuvée is vinified without oak. 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Certified...

Odile Delpon inherited the family vineyards, tobacco farm, and saffron plantation in Albas in 1968. She developed the winery with her husband Claude, until their son Didier Pelvillain took over a few decades ago. Soils here are clay and limestone. Didier farms at the highest level of sustainability...

The Domaine du Bois de Simon celebrated its 90th birthday in 2019. Christophe Avi, great-grandson of the founder, joined the estate in 1992.  After finishing his degree in oenology and viticulture, Christophe honed his skills cultivating what is called ‘the blood of the Garonne,’ Cabernet Sauvignon...

Nathalie Larroque and her family live at the farm known as Mas d’Oustry, built in 1498. This blanc “Perlé” is made from 80% Mauzac and 20% Muscadelle – two grapes typical to the Southwest of France. The word “Perlé” indicates a slight prickle – nearly imperceptible bubbles in the wine. It’s bottled...

The Gessler family settled in Gascony after immigrating from Switzerland in 1928. Now in their fourth generation of winemakers, a tiny farm has become a robust family business. The domaine is settled deep in the Bas-Armagnac, where the soil is a mix of red clay and sand. A blend of 50% Colombard,...

This extremely conscientious farm in the Coteaux de L’Aubance, within the Anjou-Villages, is run by the Biotteau family. This is the fourth generation of Biotteau to make wine here, so they are careful to respect the land.  This gorgeously subtle Chenin Blanc comes from the village of Saint-Jean-de...

Coteaux du Giennois red vines are planted on limestone soils of Pougny and Saint Père, small villages located in the heart of the Centre-Loire area. This deep and typical Pinot- noir “terroir” provides wide complexity to the wine. 85% Pinot Noir and 15% Gamay, from vines averaging 30 years old. ....

The Gaillacoise Pétillant Naturel is made in the méthode ancestrale: an ancient, artisanal method of making sparkling wine which consists of a single fermentation. Nathalie and Rémi Larroque, who also make the Gaillac Perlé, tend to indigenous grapes in this ancient vineyard area and make just 3,...