{"title":"IMOGEN Top 10 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0251\/6048\/2912\/files\/IMOGEN_85146ebb-1397-4f72-a239-c4310ff2a26b.jpg?v=1765299366\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"bodega-garzon-reserva-marselan","title":"Garzon Marselan Reserva","description":"\u003cp\u003eBodega Garzon is a family-owned winery in Maldonado on the Atlantic coast in southern Uruguay. They pioneered viticulture in this area over 10 years ago, and have since become the standard-bearer for premium wines from Uruguay. In November 2018, their pioneering status was recognised by Wine Enthusiast with the \"New World Winery of the Year\" award.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2007, owner Alejandro Bulgheroni invited consultant winemaker Alberto Antonini to visit his 700 hectare olive farm situated between the small town of Garzon and the beach. With stunning views, rolling hills and olive trees, Alberto was taken aback by its beauty, likening it to his native Tuscany. Following proper analysis of the soil and conditions, it became clear that this site had huge potential to produce premium wines. Originally they planted Tannat (Uruguay's flagship variety) and Albarino, as Alberto identified clear similarities between Galicia and Garzon in terms of the cooling Atlantic breezes and well-draining granitic soils. Over the past 10 years, these rolling hills have been planted with olive groves and vineyards, with 12 grape varieties now planted on the estate. It is a patchwork quilt of 1,150 individual plots of around 0.2 hectares in size, each plot carefully chosen for a specific variety according to its soil and microclimate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlberto has a light hand in the winery and is very careful with the use of oak. As with his other projects around the world, he has moved away from barriques in favour of concrete fermenters and large, untoasted oak. He does this in order to produce pure expressions of variety and place and to avoid masking the character of his wines. The winery is specially designed to operate as sustainably as possible and is the first winery outside North America to pursue LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Built on natural terraces, the winery uses cutting edge technology and operates using a gravity flow system to ensure quality and energy efficiency at every stage of production. Given the spectacular winery and stunning landscape, the on-site Francis Mallmann restaurant and proximity to Punta del Este, Uruguay's most popular resort, it was no surprise that Garzon came in at number two at the IWC-sponsored World's Best Vineyards Awards in 2019, as voted by over 500 wine industry experts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocated 11 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, the estate has more than 1,000 small vineyard blocks covering hillside slopes, which benefit from varying microclimates, different levels of humidity and an intense canopy management. Well-draining granitic soils and cooling Atlantic breezes allow the grapes to ripen steadily. The vineyards are surrounded by lush forests, palm trees, rocky soils and granite boulders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVinification\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe hand-harvested grapes were macerated for five days before fermentation in large 150 hectolitre cement tanks at 26-28ºC for one week with twice daily pump overs. The wine was then aged on lees for 6-12 months in a combination of stainless-steel tanks, second-use 225 litre oak barrels and 25 hectolitre casks. The oak used was a mixture of untoasted and lightly-toasted wood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis wine is deep ruby red in colour, with powerful aromas of red fruits, minty eucalyptus and mineral notes on the nose. The palate is soft and smooth with ripe red fruits and a long minerally finish.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Latitude Wine \u0026 Liquor Merchant","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39331468083296,"sku":"URUGU152004","price":24.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0251\/6048\/2912\/products\/bodega-garzon-reserva-marselan-532206.jpg?v=1700141119"},{"product_id":"caliterra-petreo-carmenere","title":"Caliterra Petreo Carmenere","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eCaliterra derives its name from the Spanish calidad or \"quality\" and tierra \"land\", combining a passion for viticulture and winemaking to produce environmentally friendly wines of typicity, reflecting their terroir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe home of Caliterra is the spectacular 1,030ha estate in the heart of Colchagua, a protected valley southeast of Lago Rapel. A total of 250ha have been planted to vine of a possible 415ha. The whole estate is managed with the utmost respect to sustainable agricultural practices; not only in the vineyard itself but the surrounding bush land as well, where the grazing of wild horses helps reduce the risk of fire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHigh quality grapes are sourced from Caliterra's vineyards in Curica and Casablanca. The best of the high density and terraced vineyards on the Colchagua estate provide fruit for the Tributo reds while the Tributo whites come from the cooler Casablanca. The roots of the brand however are firmly in the Colchagua Valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eCaliterra has implemented various systems in the cellar in order to be increasingly more energy efficient. The most important are the use of gravity flow in all winery operations and free cooling in the barrel room.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eGravity flow consists of using gravity to rack the wines. To facilitate the process, the Caliterra cellar was built on different levels, which is approximately 20% more energy efficient than using pumps. This system prevents pressure and stress on the grapes which can generate a phenolic bitterness in the wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe barrel room benefits from a \"free cooling\" concept to control temperatures. This is a semi-passive system that transfers air between the interior and exterior of the room. To lower the temperature night air is brought in from the vineyard to raise it the system uses daytime air. This is approximately 30% more efficient than conventional methods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eVineyards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eColluvial in its origin and granitic with ferric rock alteration and schist of sedimentary-clay incrustations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eVinification\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e100% barrel fermentation using native yeasts 100% aged for 18 months 100% in barrels of second and third use\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThis special carmenere is both intense and surprising. Its aromatic palette is very different from the one normally exhibited by this variety. It all comes from the special terroir of the rocky slope where its vines are grown. Its bouquet is completed with pleasant and fruity aromas of sour cherries and blueberries. It is juicy, bracing and sanguineous. Filled with fruitiness, with a medium yet deep structure, the unique texture of its tannins makes this wine an outspoken and elegant one, which gradually shows its whole personality as it's being served.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Latitude Wine \u0026 Liquor Merchant","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32623147286624,"sku":"CHILE110063","price":18.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0251\/6048\/2912\/files\/CHILE110063.png?v=1769518791"},{"product_id":"domaine-la-bouissiere-gigondas","title":"Domaine la Bouissiere Gigondas","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThierry and Gilles Faravel's Domaine la Bouissiere in Gigondas is exceptional in many ways, but perhaps apart from the personality of Thierry himself, it is the site of the vineyard, high up under the 'Dentelles de Montmirail' which makes the defining difference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIn contrast to the vines being baked on the plains of stones at the foot of the hill, the Bouissiere vines benefit from cooling air at night falling from the high peaks, and the wines retain a freshness and subtle persistence which is very different to the sometimes bludgeoning broadness and alcoholic heat of the wines on the plain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eGilles and Thierry Faravel employ non-interventionalist practices to make wines as naturally as possible, resulting in wines of immense concentration and depth, with true vibrancy and the capacity to age ten to fifteen years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThey've come back to 80% whole bunch fermentation - as Thierry says, it's their form of acidity, it gives the wines more energy and tension, and stops them getting too heavy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eVineyards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFrom some of the highest vineyards in Gigondas. Most of the Faravel family's Gigondas vines are located in a high-altitude, narrow valley between the Dentelles de Montmirail, a row of steep granite cliffs west of Mont Ventoux. Top soils are thin and very rocky; sub-soils are solid rock. (These vineyards are so steep that the Faravels have to use a tractor with caterpillar treads to get up and down.) Vines are cared for according to organic principles as each vintage allows. The oldest vines are between 60 and 70 years old.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eVinification\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e74% Grenache and 26% Syrah. Harvest is performed by hand, and grapes are partially destemmed and lightly crushed, depending on the vintage. Fermentation on indigenous yeasts takes place in unlined cement tanks or stainless steel tanks; wines age in a combination of tank, larger foudre and barrique. Wines are bottled by gravity and are unfined and unfiltered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLimpid ruby. Pungent red and dark berry and floral scents, along with suggestions of liquorice, cola, olive and smoky minerals. Youthfully taut bitter cherry and black raspberry flavours show very good depth and a sharp, spicy jolt of cracked pepper on the back half. Fine-grained tannins build steadily on a long, penetrating finish that leaves dark chocolate and candied lavender notes behind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eGreat for grilled steak, spicy pork sausages, North African inspired cuisine, such as lamb tagine.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Latitude Wine \u0026 Liquor Merchant","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39331384459360,"sku":"FRANC124034","price":35.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0251\/6048\/2912\/files\/domaine-la-bouissiere-gigondas-638603.jpg?v=1730377528"},{"product_id":"fabien-duveau-saumur-champigny-varrains-les-menais","title":"Fabien Duveau Menais Saumur Champigny","description":"\u003cp\u003e“I was born on a barrel.” — Fabien Duveau\u003cbr\u003eFabien says this with a wink. But it acknowledges his position as the 8th generation of the family to make wine in Saumur-Champigny and his dedication to his profession. Fabien regards his region, distinguished by its tuffeau bedrock and singular microclimate, as “one of the jewels of the Loire.” Here he holds some 40 parcels of chenin blanc and cabernet franc, a pair of varieties that enthrall him. As Fabien observes, “We always do better and with rigor the things that fascinate us.” Lately, that has meant drilling into the character of his single parcels.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHaving worked among these parcels his whole life, he intuits the temperament and inclinations of each. Since taking over the domaine from his father in 2008, he has converted all of the family holdings to organics, a move he regards as his decisive thumbprint on the domaine. His “desire for clean farming and the preservation of the natural heritage” extends to his cultivation of biodiversity in and around the vineyards. In the cellar, his minimalist approach results in wines that express “the complex nature of the land and the know-how of its winemakers.” His intuition, dedication, and innovative perspectives infuse his wines with a freshness and delicacy that mark them as vibrant, eloquent examples of what Saumur-Champigny wines are at heart.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGrowing up, Fabien “always knew” he wanted to be a winemaker. Since childhood, he worked alongside his father and grandfather since childhood. He studied at the nearby lycée, then left home for a stage in Bergerac, four years at Château Grand Corbin-Despagne in St. Emilion, and later a harvest internship at Rutherford Hill in Napa. He returned to Saumur-Champigny to take over winemaking from his father, guided by a shared view that “wine is first and foremost a pleasure and a generosity.” Now Fabien and his wife, Emmanuelle, jointly manage the domaine, supported by a two-person vineyard crew. Beyond wine, Fabien is ardent about Latin American dance. He feels “dancing and wine are two passions that have no connection except passion itself. Our profession is above all our passion.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFabien's farming and winemaking is entirely certified organic, with some workings of biodynamics here and there, that they're considering working to certification. Fabien has banded together with other local winemakers to form Ecological Zone Resevoirs (EZR's), which act as border areas of bushes, trees and vegetation to provide shelter, food, and breeding sites for insects, birds, and animals that in term can help with pest predation and pollination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFarming organically and encouraging biodiversity in and around the vineyards are integral to Fabien's approach. At about the time Fabien converted the family holdings to organics, Saumur-Champigny growers were banding together to establish Ecological Zone Reservoirs (EZR) — border areas of bushes, trees, and creepers, designed to provide year-round shelter, food, and breeding sites for helpful insects, birds, and animals. “Proximity to the plot encourages exchanges between the EZR and the vine. Grasses around the plot and the presence of vegetation between the rows accentuate these exchanges,” Fabien explains.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the vineyards, Fabien has a mix of clones, though his oldest plots are of massal selections. All training is guyot and yields are carefully controlled. Vine age varies considerably from plot to plot. For his two single-vineyard bottlings, Clos de la Côte cabernet franc and Poyeux chenin blanc, vines are 60 and 25 years old, respectively.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVinification\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFabien makes his wines in a cave dug in the 14th century from the same stone that later went to build the great Loire chateaux. The caves were first used as dwellings for the Saumurois, but the constant chill and humidity levels they harbour are friendlier to winemaking and storage than human habitation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“If we have good grapes,” Fabien explains, “the most essential work is done. I'm just here to control my fermentation.” He strives to minimize sulphites and use only wild yeasts “because I am convinced that the yeasts naturally present on the grapes give the complexity and the originality to my different wines.” He matures his wines in the constant cool (12°C\/53°F) of his cellar, using barrique: one-third new, one-third one-year, and one-third two years. For his single-vineyard Clos de la Cote, he picks at “big maturity,” with fermentation lasting between four and six weeks. For his Episode cuvee, he selects grapes with more pronounced tannins, then softens them with 18 months barrique elevage. Fabien believes correct serving temperature is essential to the appreciation of his wines: “Neither too cool nor at room temperature: 13°C [55°F] to 16°C [60°F] is ideal.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe easiest of easy reds, silky enough to enjoy by the pint glass.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVinified with native yeasts in cement and aged in stainless steel, Duveau's  Saumur-Champigny is a beautifully bright, fresh, juicy wine.  The organic vineyard of Les Menais, located in Verrains, has clay\/limestone soils.  The wine captures the classic aromatic quality of cabernet franc and the elegance of the terroir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDeliciously lightly chilled and drunk with grilled meats, BBQ and crunchy red salads.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Latitude Wine \u0026 Liquor Merchant","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39470030553184,"sku":"FRANC122034","price":20.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0251\/6048\/2912\/files\/fabien-duveau-saumur-champigny-varrains-les-menais-416441.jpg?v=1733946466"},{"product_id":"deuric-marmalade-chardonnay","title":"Deuric Marmalade Chardonnay Orange Wine","description":"\u003cp\u003eDeuric is a young winery located on the Southern slopes of Fruska Gora, the oldest national park in Serbia. Though young, Deuric was named \"Best Winery in Serbia\" in 2017.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDeuric carefully combine extraordinary natural conditions provided by their micro-locations, modern technologies in grape and wine production, as well as experience of a team of world-class French consultants, and the ambitions and desires of the young winery team, in order to create distinctive and unique wines, with the strong stamp of terroir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey watchfully nurture any variety, in relation to what type of wine they wish to produce. In that manner, they train the same variety in two different ways in order to get two different wines. The end result is an authentic taste, which conquers all genuine wine lovers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFruska Gora represents an amazing geological treasury, with well preserved fossils of flora \u0026amp; fauna. The geological richness consists of various rock types from the oldest magmatic rocks to phyllite and limestone pinnacles. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVinification\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaceration was 7 days long in opened casks out of that if was 3 days of cold maceration and 4 days with fermentation. After maceration was finished wine was transferred into Franch oak barrels for agening on lies for 10 months and bottled.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRoasted sesame seeds follow by apricot marmalade. Full body and well balanced acidity gives long and delicious aftertaste.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is great with mezze dishes, particulally hummus.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Latitude Wine \u0026 Liquor Merchant","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39639085842528,"sku":"SERBI100002","price":25.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0251\/6048\/2912\/products\/deuric-marmalade-chardonnay-903146.jpg?v=1700141544"},{"product_id":"waterkloof-boreas","title":"Waterkloof Boreas Blend","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFounded by Paul Boutinot in 2004, Waterkloof is a family-owned farm using organic practices. The farm is perched high up on the windswept Schapenberg, overlooking False Bay and The Atlantic Ocean. Living soils, naturally low yields and a long growing season help provide talented Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard with naturally balanced grapes that are imbued with a truly defining sense of origin. Those grapes are then transformed into wine with a minimum of intervention. The resulting wines are fine, inimitable and best enjoyed with food.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs well as being ECOCERT certified as organic, and working biodynamically, Waterkloof goes much further than many in its efforts to be a highly sustainable winery. A member of The Integrated Production of Wine Scheme, a voluntary environmental sustainability scheme established by the South African wine industry in 1998, and of The Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trading Association, a multi-stakeholder, non-profit voluntary organisation which actively promotes ethical trade in the wine industry, it is has also been a member of the World Wildlife Fund's Biodiversity \u0026amp; Wine Initiative from its inception. Through a partnership between the IPW and the BWI, Waterkloof is a WWF Conservation Champion and has in place a formal nature conservation plan that includes: clearing approximately 55 hectares of land from alien invader species and restoring the Cape's precious indigenous flora and fauna; re-establishing natural vegetation in previously disturbed areas; introducing preventive erosion control measures; providing migration corridors for species between isolated areas of natural vegetation; mulching of winter cover crops to create a healthy environment for the natural predators of vine pests and installing perches for birds of prey for natural rodent control measures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the vineyards, drip irrigation is used only on young vines as a more efficient system to conserve water. Most of Waterkloof is dry-farmed; the biological control of pests is employed as an alternative to chemical spraying; annual legume cover crops are sown to add nitrogen to the soil and annual grain cover crops are sown in alternate rows as a carbon source and to return nutrients to the soil; earthworms are farmed and their casts are used to make a tea, which is used on the cover crops and soil as a living fertiliser; 380-400 tons of compost a year are made each year to boost carbon matter in the soil, to enhance its water holding capacity, and to boost the level of microbes in the soil keeping it fertile and alive; and, as part of the estate's biodynamic regime, various foliar feeds are made. No damaging herbicides, pesticides or fungicide are used, only natural predatory fungi and metabolites to control mildew and to build the plants' immunity. Six Percheron horses are used to plough, compost, spray and harvest the vineyards to reduce damage to the soil and vines and to reduce carbon emissions. Using the horses also teaches the handlers the rare skill of training these horses. A flock of chickens reduces the number of pests in the vineyard and returns nitrogen to the soil and compost, as well as providing fresh, free-range eggs for the restaurant. A small herd of cows is kept, which is key to producing biodynamic composts and teas, and a flock of sheep and a herd of goats are allowed to graze in the vineyards in winter to naturally reduce the level of weeds and vegetation between vine rows, as well as to put nitrogen back into the soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the cellar, waste water gets pumped through a stainless-steel filter into a bioreactor where it is combined with the rest of the waste water from the building. Aerobic bacteria remove most of the contaminants before the water is pumped into a sand bed to remove any solids. From there, it runs into a reed bed for a final clean up and it is then used to irrigate the young vines. Peroxide is used a cleaning agent in the cellar as it breaks down in water after 15 minutes, leaving no residue. The cellar itself is built into the hillside to maintain a stable temperature, to avoid pumping the wines and hence reducing energy usage. Used boxes, dividers, bottles, screwcaps, plastics, paper and labels are recycled with an external company that take everything away for recycling. Old, unused bottles are sold to bottle recyclers who wash and resell them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA selection of grapes from across the estate's best blocks of Bordeaux varieties grown at an altitude of 240-250m. Average yield 17 hl\/ha.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVinification\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e51% Cabernet Franc, 25% Merlot, 14% Petit Verdot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHand-picked and hand-sorted grapes were whole bunch pressed (other than Cabernet Sauvignon) and naturally fermented in old, open-top, French oak foudres. Gentle maceration with foot treading and manual punch-downs. Ageing took place in French oak barriques and 9,000 ltr old oak foudres for 27 months. No fining, minimal filtration, no additions other than sulphur. 13,390 bottles 2020 produced.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA wine is only bottled under the Waterkloof label when one of the vineyard blocks on the Schapenberg offers up something extraordinary. This fourth such release from a great vintage for reds is a wonderfully complex Bordeaux blend, predominantly Cabernet Franc.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSublimely complex aromas of redcurrant, plum and red cherry with cedary spice and a hint of pencil shaving. The predominance of Cabernet Franc gives a wine of subtlety and elegance with lifted berry fruit and a supple, finely structured mid palate. Firm yet fine tannins frame the spicy, ethereal finish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDecant 2 hours before serving with rib of beef or similar.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Latitude Wine \u0026 Liquor Merchant","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39968210747488,"sku":"SOUTH142089","price":34.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0251\/6048\/2912\/products\/waterkloof-boreas-375591.jpg?v=1703923826"},{"product_id":"coterie-by-wildeberg-cabernet-franc-malbec","title":"Coterie by Wildeberg Cabernet Franc \/ Malbec","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Earth's mantle thrusts up above the gentle town of Franschhoek, a wild slice of untamed mountain on which sits a farm named Wildeberg. An established wine region for some 350 years, sensible generations never thought to plant a vine here until a happy band of idealists recently craned their necks up at this hillside and, dizzy with hope, decided to give it a go. Franschhoek is on the very edge of the south-eastern corner of the Cape's venerable Coastal Region, indeed Wildeberg's property border runs over the top of the mountain where the Coastal Region gives way to the baboon-strewn road to Grabouw and the wider Western Cape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Wildeberg wines express the most captivating Franschhoek Valley fruit. In our Wildeberg Terroirs bottlings we look beyond our home to a clutch of exceptional sites of other origin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eA mountain rich in metaphor with the visual heft to flatter any wine, releases of Wildeberg and Terroirs express our continued purpose – exceptional wines of place, however humble the origin. If the abiding memory of our wines remains a textural sense of place then we are portraying the Cape as hoped.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWildeberg is a 144ha wine farm set against the backdrop of the dramatic Franschhoek mountains, on the very edge of viticultural possibilities. To farm here you have to be in tune with nature, respecting the earth and the elements, creating wines which truly express the terroir with minimal intervention.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis special area is home to 4 endangered Fynbos species, and a key mission of Wildeberg is to conserve this vegetation type as they are critical to the biodiversity of the Western Cape. This work entails clearing invasive alien trees which can overwhelm the Fynbos and contribute to the threat of forest fires. Fynbos covered mountains like those at Wildeberg are thought to be responsible for delivering one glass of water in five in South Africa, due to the plants allowing up to 80% of rainwater to run off into rivers and reservoirs rather than being absorbed into the soil.\u003cbr\u003eWater is precious in South Africa, and waste water from the winery passes through a natural wetland with indigenous reeds and plants before being pumped into our irrigation dam. We then use this water to irrigate the vines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll Wildeberg wines are certified as part of South Africa's sustainability accreditation, the ‘Integrated Production of Wine' (IPW) system. The IPW scheme, started in 1998, consists of a set of audited guidelines specifying agricultural practices, manufacturing practices and bottling activities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWildeberg is also a proud member of the Cape's Old Vine Project (OVP), which preserves blocks of vines which are 35 years and older. The project encourages producers to farm as close to nature as possible whilst raising awareness of the inherent potential of old vines to produce outstanding and expressive wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWildeberg's rationale is to source the finest vineyards available to us across Franschhoek and the Coastal Region, from which cuvées the eyes are plucked to make Wildeberg and the Terroir Series releases In doing so there remains a small yet definitive expression of all the vineyards we worked with, and its these cuvees that are again selected to go into Coterie by Wildeberg. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVinification\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e67% Cabernet Franc, 33% Malbec.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAll fruit is hand-harvested in February from selected sites in Franschhoek and Paarl. Both cultivars are fermented whole bunch, with some whole berry fruit, there is no crush, just a daily pump over during the natural fermentation. We want to express place over cultivar so this slow, gentle extraction gives wines truer of origin than winery. The components are racked to French and Austrian oak, new and old, for 20 months before blending and bottling.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA fruit forward, approachable wine of deceptively serious quality, a satisfyingly ripe, richly flavoured blend of Cab Franc and Malbec with great purity of fruit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA vibrant, expressive nose of crushed fruits, black cherry, wild plum and blackberry, with brown spice and star anise. Generous and richly fruity with concentrated damson fruit backed by juicy acidity and a savoury mid palate with subtle, gently spicy oak. The mouthfilling fruit is offset by fine tannins on a fresh, sappy finish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePair with grilled meats, especially lamb and spiced meat dishes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Latitude Wine \u0026 Liquor Merchant","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40264960999520,"sku":"SOUTH142091","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0251\/6048\/2912\/files\/SOUTH142091.jpg?v=1769521325"},{"product_id":"vie-de-romans-friuli-chardonnay","title":"Vie Di Romans Friuli Chardonnay","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVie di Romans is based in the heart of Isonzo, in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, where winemaker Gianfranco Gallo's 65 hectares of vineyard produce about 250,000 bottles a year. Here, the well-drained soil is stony, glacial and rich in minerals, soaking up rainfall like a sponge. An easterly wind ensures cool night temperatures to temper the hot summer days, with a large diurnal range slowing ripening and allowing the grapes to accumulate flavour. This, along with the low yields that Gallo achieves, alongside his proclivity for picking grapes once fully mature, results in single-vineyard wines of great intensity and richness. As a result, Gallo releases the Vie di Romans wines a year later than the local norm.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis elegant Chardonnay has a spicy character due to Gianfranco's judicious use of oak. All the Vie di Romans wines have the hallmark of excellent individuality, which sets Gianfranco Gallo apart from the crowd.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe grapes for the Vie di Romans Chardonnay are sourced from the estate's 10.75-hectare vineyard in the commune of Mariano del Friuli, located at an altitude of 31 metres above sea level. Soils here are medium to deep, reddish-hued clay with a gravel-pebbly texture. The vines are an average of 24 years of age, planted at a density of 6,000-7,800 vines per hectare, and are trained using the Guyot method and spur pruning.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVinification\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAfter de-stemming and crushing, the grapes underwent a pre-fermentation cold maceration at 8ºC for 20 hours. Fermentation took place in stainless-steel tanks over a period of 29\/30 days at temperatures of 16ºC to 19ºC with selected yeasts. The wine did not undergo malolactic fermentation and spent 9 months on its lees in French oak barriques prior to clarification and bottling. The wine then aged for a further 8 months in bottle before release.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLight golden in colour with a subtle, elegant nose of summer flowers, acacia blossom and hints of honeysuckle. The wine is lightly spiced, with the judicious oak ageing bringing notes of vanilla and cinnamon. It shows lovely buttery, honeyed and floral characters, all lifted on the finish by a lively freshness that is characteristic of this area of Italy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA wine of this caliber deserves only the finest of foods. Lobster in garlic butter, fish in buerre blanc.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Latitude Wine \u0026 Liquor Merchant","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40367135850592,"sku":"ITALY135098","price":51.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0251\/6048\/2912\/products\/vie-di-romans-friuli-chardonnay-954940.jpg?v=1709971931"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0251\/6048\/2912\/collections\/imogen-top-10-2025-9286690.jpg?v=1765347384","url":"https:\/\/latitudewine.co.uk\/collections\/imogen-top-10-2025.oembed","provider":"Latitude Wine \u0026 Liquor Merchant ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}