×
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $107.78
This medium-bodied Riesling delivers plenty of character, with velvety texture and an expressive palate. Bursts with...
WS
93
DC
92
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $65.70
I thought the 2011 was the best ever from this stylish wine producer in Sardinia. But the 2012 is clearly better...
JS
94
VM
92
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $60.83
Very beautiful aromas of violets, purple fruit, fresh lavender and thyme follow through to a medium body with...
JS
93
WS
91
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $84.83
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $96.95
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $54.57
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $62.98
Beautiful ripe-apricot and orange aromas pour from glass and, on the palate, this makes a bold statement, thanks to...
JS
96
WA
93
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $59.45
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $51.95
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $175.28
From very low yielding vines on rocky terroir, the 2017 Zellertal Kreuzberg Riesling is quite open and fresh on the...
WA
96
JS
92
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 3
Bottle: $241.32
The 2018 Zellertal Kreuzberg Riesling is clear, intense yet discreet on the nose, with ripe and concentrated fruit...
WA
94
JS
93
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 3
Bottle: $347.45
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $367.26
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $60.81
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $40.78
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $139.13
Essence of Mosel wine here, which immediately conjures up an image of tiny riesling grapes that have turned a perfect...
JS
99
WA
98
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $76.80
From gray slate, the 2015 Pündericher Marienburg Riesling GG Falkenlay is pure, yet deep, intense and flinty on the...
WA
94
JS
94
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $53.13
The faintest hints of smoke, apricot and honey hit the nose, while the palate of this wine shows balmy apricot notes...
WE
94
JS
91

Carignan Retsina Riesling Savatiano Pre-Arrival Wine

Carignan is an ancient blue-skinned grape varietal, thought to be indigenous to the Aragon region of Spain. However, today it is most commonly associated with the fine wines of southern France, and has been grown in many countries around the world which have the warm and dry conditions it requires to thrive. Carignan is recognized as being quite a sensitive vine, highly susceptible to all kinds of rot and mildew, although producing excellent results when given the right conditions and handled correctly. Its high tannin levels and acidity make the Carignan grapes very astringent, and as such, they are often used as a blending grape to give body to other, lesser bodied varietals. Despite this, with careful treatment, Carignan can produce superb single varietal wines packed full of character and unique attributes.

Riesling grapes have been grown in and around central Europe for centuries, and over time, they became the lasting symbol of south Germany's ancient and proud wine culture. Whilst the reputation of German wines abroad has in the past been mixed, the Germans themselves take an enormous amount of pride in their wineries, and Riesling grapes have now spread around the globe, growing anywhere with the correct climate in which they can thrive. Riesling grape varietals generally require much cooler climatic conditions than many other white grapes, and they are generally considered to be a very 'terroir expressive' varietal, meaning that the features and characteristics of the terroir they are grown on comes across in the flavors and aromas in the bottle. It is this important feature which has allowed Riesling wines to be elevated into the category of 'fine' white wines, as the features of the top quality bottles are generally considered to be highly unique and offer much to interest wine enthusiasts.

Savatiano is probably Greece's most well known and most widely grown grape varietal, as it is the primary grape used in the production of Retsina, where the fermenting juices of the Savatiano varietal are flavored with pine resin in order to make this distinctive and famous wine. One of the reasons for the wide cultivation of this grape is due to its hardiness, and resistance to drought conditions. In the sun-drenched and dry, rocky Greek landscapes, this makes it an ideal vine to grow for wine-makers who require a strong and bounteous yield each year.

However, there are plenty of examples of Greek white wines which use the Savatiano grape but withhold from the addition the pine resin flavoring, allowing the true characteristics of this varietal to shine through. The result is often very pleasing indeed, with Savatiano grapes generally producing extremely well balanced and rounded white wines, with a juicily fruity flavor. Their aromas can vary quite a lot, with many Savatiano wines bearing the fragrance of citrus fruits, and also occasionally having a strong floral aroma reminiscent of elder and rose. Due to the relatively low acidity of Savatiano grapes, the wines which use them (including Retsina) generally bolster themselves with the addition of smaller quantities of more acidic varieties, such as Assyrtiko or Rhoditis, in order to improve their sometimes weak structure.

Additional Information on Greek Wines


Greek Wines
Ancient Greek Wines – A Brief History of Wine in Greece
The Myth of Dionysus, Greek God of Wine
What is Retsina?