Wine: No Added Sulfites
Results
Villa Malacari Rosso Conero
The Malacari estate was founded in 1668, and they make their wine with great respect for tradition. This is a big, rustic red with red berry cherry and spice notes.
L'Indigine Sulfureux Rouge Yelen
Although his name does not appear on the label, this wine is made by Eric Texier. We've heard that his sons asked him to make wine for them that didn't give them a headache, and he responded with this cuveé, which contains no added sulfur at all. Dark purple in color, the nose shows smoke and a bit of black olive. This is followed by black berries, black pepper and minerals on the palate. Medium-bodied and quite savory, it finish long with plenty of acidity.
Domaine de Montrieux White
Winemaker Emile Heredia has a huge amount of respect among the natural wine community in Paris. This beautiful Chenin is made in a partially oxidative style. It is crazy aromatic and savory all the way, showing a little sherry character and salty yeast with a hint of pine. This wine will start lively debate at any dinner party. Winemaking Details: Vinified in Used Barrel, Wild Yeast Fermentation, Unfiltered, Unfined, No SO2 Added
Jacques Puffeney Chardonnay
A forward and relatively supple vintage for Puffeney’s Chardonnay. Fresh and easygoing, but still with classic trad-Jura twang and that signature Puffeney “analog” texture (highlighting overall feel and presence over absolute clarity). As always, a great gateway drug. Winemaking Details: Wild Yeast Fermentation, Unfiltered, Unfined, Low SO2 Added
Donkey and Goat Grenache Noir
Natural wine from California! This is made by husband and wife team, Tracey and Jared Brandt, based in Berkeley. All their wines are fermented in wood vats and they add nothing at all except a small amount of sulfur at bottling. This is an El Dorado blend of Grenache from Fenaughty, Swansboro and Lightner vineyards and will simply shine on the outdoor table on a warm summer night or next to the fireplace on a cool fall evening. Deep, bright red color with earthy and meaty notes laced with spice and red and dark berries. A lush texture with an array of juicy red fruit flavors and a minerality that adds vibrancy to the long and focused finish. Winemaking Details: Unfiltered, Unfined, Wild Yeast Fermentation, Low SO2 Added
Puzelat In KO We Trust
Thierry Puzelat is the rock star of the natural wine world and he's got groupies in Tokyo, Paris and New York! This is an amazing wine of dark bramble fruits, floral and an almost saline-mineral edge. Winemaking Details: Unfiltered, No SO2 Added, Wild Yeast Fermentation
Babiole
A bona-fide natural winemaker sporting a mohawk. Andrea Calek fled the army in Prague and moved to France to make wine in the Ardèche region (just west of the southern Rhone Valley) where he kips in a trailer beside his vineyards. Has a compelling gamey character with black pepper, and a dose of dark, brooding fruit. Complex and fantastic. Winemaking Details: No SO2 Added, Unfined, Unfiltered, Vegan, Wild Yeast Fermentation
La Clarine Farms Suma Kaw Syrah
Hank Beckmeyer and his wife Caroline juggle full time jobs, a herd of 50 goats, cheese and soap-making while, of course, making their unique style of natural wines. Suma Kaw is one of their two vineyards, and while they used to combine fruit from both, they have recently started bottling each separately. We like Suma Kaw best (obviously). Dark fruits, a bit floral, a bit gamey and a bit spicy. Mineral driven lasting finish. Drink slowly and see how it changes., this wine is truly alive! Only a few hundred bottles are made. Winemaking Details: Low SO2 Added, Foot Treading, Wild Yeast Fermentation
Jacques Puffeney Arbois Rouge Poulsard
A classic. Captures the scrappy, beam-of-fruit exuberance of the variety in ruggedly delicious form. Puffeney added no sulfur at all to his 2010 reds. His (typically non-dogmatic) reply to the question “Why not?”: “They didn’t need it.” Winemaking Details: Wild Yeast Fermentation, Unfiltered, Unfined, Low SO2 Added
Donkey and Goat Roussanne "Stone Crusher"
Natural wine from California! This is made by husband and wife team, Tracey and Jared Brandt, who trained under Eric Texier in Rhone Valley. All their wines are fermented in wood vats and they add nothing at all except a small amount of sulfur at bottling. This white (orange) wine will surprise as it spent 16 days on the skins before it was pressed off to complete fermentation in neutral oak barrels. Honeysuckle, jasmine and nectarines mingle with cinnamon and apricot aromas to entice. On the palate, if not for the zippy acidity, this wine could easily be mistaken for a red with such weight, tannin and lingering finish. Winemaking Details: Low SO2 Added, Unfined, Unfiltered, Vegan, Spontaneous Yeast Fermentation, Foot Treading