Norm Wines Vol. 2

Feeling knackered after a day at the office? Grabbing a late-night bite while YouTube does its thing? Lost in the world of Final Fantasy XIV? Or perhaps chatting with your other half before dreamland calls? Here's the thing: none of these moments scream, 'Let's dissect the complexities of wine!' And that's absolutely okay. Sometimes, what you need is a straightforward, decent wine. It's the unsung hero that adds a dash of something special to your evening, without demanding the spotlight or breaking the bank.

As a wine enthusiast, I usually approach wine with a certain level of intellectual curiosity. But I'm equally comfortable enjoying a simple glass without overthinking. Not every occasion calls for a grandiose wine experience. Fortunately, we're in a great era for wine variety and accessibility.

The focus this time is on exploring a few entry-level wines, perfect for those beginning their journey into the world of wine appreciation. It's about learning to appreciate wine gradually, without overwhelming the senses or the intellect. This is not just about finding a good deal; it's about understanding and enjoying wine in its most fundamental form. Today, I'm sharing a selection of wines that have been my companions over the last year (at least once) - wines that are ideal for those taking their first steps into the vast and intriguing world of wine.

Important disclaimer. I specifically omitted wines that are not available in the shops today.

Marco De Bartoli Vignaverde 2022

This wine secured the 🏅 5th place in our wine tasting lineup.

Choosing a Sicilian Grillo might not come as a surprise, given my fondness for the rich diversity of Sicily. I'm sure some of you, including my readers, have shared a glass or even a case of Sicilian wines with me on more than one occasion.

But there's a good reason for this preference. If I were to summarize the legacy of Marco De Bartoli in a single sentence, it would be his remarkable dry Zibibbo (Muscat d'Alexandria) from Pantelleria and Grillo from Marsala, both in fortified and unfortified forms. However, it seems that Vignaverde often gets overlooked. Perhaps it's due to its modest price or the seemingly unassuming name (no pun intended). Regardless, I feel compelled to introduce this hidden gem and the exceptional value it offers.

Moreover, its outstanding quality-price ratio makes it a prime candidate for stocking up. So, here's to discovering and appreciating such treasures!

Wild Rock Sauvignon Blanc 2022

This wine secured the 🏅 7th place in our wine tasting lineup.

Wild Rock Winery, drawing its inspiration from the historic 1769 voyage of Captain James Cook and Sir Joseph Banks, pays homage to New Zealand's rich natural history and biodiversity. Its name and branding, incorporating flora and fauna drawings from this early exploration, reflect a deep connection to the land and its history. The winery is situated in Marlborough, a region celebrated for its aromatic whites and Pinot Noir, and it benefits from the diverse microclimates within the area. These range from cooler, drier inland sites to those more influenced by the sea breeze along the coast, contributing to the distinct character and high quality of their grapes. Wild Rock's commitment to capturing the essence of New Zealand's terroir is evident in its meticulous vineyard selection and the focus on regional strengths.

Beyond the picturesque landscapes and historical narratives, Wild Rock is driven by a mission to produce distinctive and affordable New Zealand wines. Emphasizing value without compromising quality (hehe), the winery has cultivated a reputation for delivering varietal flavours from New Zealand's leading viticultural regions, including Hawke's Bay and Marlborough. Their approach to winemaking is marked by an understanding and respect for each region's unique characteristics, as seen in their diverse collection. This range, carefully curated to showcase regional strengths, is a testament to Wild Rock's dedication to both viticultural excellence and accessibility, offering wines that are not only reflective of their origin but also attainable.

Nugan Estate Third Generation Chardonnay 2020

This wine secured the 🏅 6th place in our wine tasting lineup.

Nugan Estate, an Australian winery with a rich history, is rooted in the diverse cultural heritage brought by its founders, Alfredo and Annelise Nugan, from Spain in 1938. The estate has evolved from humble beginnings in selling seasonal produce to becoming a significant name in the wine industry, showcasing a strong commitment to quality and innovation. This dedication is evident in their adoption of environmentally sustainable practices, including the unique indoor design of their winery to reduce environmental impacts and fluctuations in temperature. They also demonstrate a commitment to sustainability through water recycling and other green initiatives. Their focus on legacy and environmental responsibility highlights a depth that goes beyond mere wine production.

Over the decades, Nugan Estate has developed a reputation for excellence, reflected in its award-winning status and global distribution. With a portfolio that includes the Alfredo Series, Cookoothama range, and Third Generation wines, Nugan Estate showcases a variety of styles, each embodying the family's passion and dedication to winemaking. Their Barrel Cave (storage facility), a testament to their focus on quality maturation, is a striking example of their commitment to the craft. Despite their growth and success, the family has maintained their ethos of hard work and innovation, contributing to community projects such as funding preschools in Africa, which reflects the caring spirit of their founders.

The Nugan Estate Third Generation Chardonnay 2020 reflects the winery's dedication to preserving the natural character and flavour of the grapes. By selecting specific fruit parcels, the winemaking process starts with gentle crushing and light pressing, ensuring the retention of the fruit's delicate aromas and flavours. The cool fermentation process, conducted in the presence of French oak, is a deliberate choice to maintain the integrity of the fruit's profile while adding a subtle complexity and spice characteristic of Chardonnay.

Tchotiashvili Mtsvane Rcheuli Qvevri 2017

This wine secured the 🥉 3rd place in our wine tasting lineup.

The Tchotiashvili winery, steeped in history and tradition, has its roots deeply embedded in the Alazani Valley of Georgia, a region renowned for its rich viticultural heritage. Dating back to the early 18th century, the Tchotiashvili family has been engaged in winemaking for over six generations, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to the ancient art of wine production. The family's ancestral home in the village of Saniore, beside the Lopota River, has been the epicentre of their winemaking journey, where they have traditionally harvested grapes and crafted wine in Qvevri - large earthenware vessels used for fermentation, storage, and ageing.

Kakha and Ucha Tchotiashvili, the current custodians of the family business, continue to uphold these time-honoured traditions. Kakha, the winemaker and technologist, has blended inherited wisdom with modern scientific methods and experimental approaches to viticulture and oenology. In 2002, the brothers expanded their vineyards to include rare grape varieties, creating experimental ampelographic sections that have become instrumental in their winemaking evolution.

2013 marked a significant milestone for the family, as they transformed their business into a small yet promising company, "Satsnakheli". This transition allowed them to introduce their traditionally made Qvevri wines to a broader market. The Tchotiashvili family's dedication to wine production encompasses everything from meticulous soil care to the final bottling process, with each family member actively participating in every stage. The wines are only released after thorough inspection and approval by Kakha, ensuring the highest quality standards.

Their relentless pursuit of excellence and love for their craft have earned Tchotiashvili wines high acclaim and numerous awards at various international exhibitions. This recognition is a testament to their tireless work, deep-rooted love for winemaking, and a strong sense of responsibility towards maintaining and elevating the family legacy.

Vineyards and Cellar

The Tchotiashvili vineyards are scenically situated on the slopes of the Caucasus Mountains, near the rivers Lopota and Stori in the Kakheti region, known for its unique microclimate and famed grape varieties like Saperavi and Rkatsiteli. Positioned 420-450 meters above sea level, the vineyards span 12 hectares and cultivate over 40 wine grape varieties. This extensive range includes 12 Georgian varieties like Rkatsiteli, Mtsvane, and Saperavi, as well as European ones such as Montepulciano and Shiraz. The focus on a diverse array of grapes, including those in the experimental ampelographic plot, showcases the winery's commitment to exploring and expanding the potential of Georgian winemaking.

The winery's cellar complex was designed with a deep respect for local cultural and architectural traditions, utilizing old bricks as the primary building material. The complex includes a residential building with an attached cellar, featuring a guest hall, tasting room, and various agricultural and household pantries. Traditional Georgian elements like the "tone" (stove for baking Georgian bread) and a large machine for making grape vodka enhance the authenticity of the experience.

The on-ground cellar houses 22 Kakhetian Qvevri, each with a capacity of approximately 2 tons, alongside traditional devices for Qvevri care and oak barrels. To accommodate growing production and visitor reception, a new production room and warehouse equipped with modern facilities, including an Italian bottling line, were added in 2018. Despite these modern additions, the winery maintains its traditional practices, with manual labelling and hand-sticking of labels on bottles.

In 2019, a new building with an underground cellar was constructed, featuring 23 Qvevri and additional space for the enlarged family. This expansion not only increased their production capacity but also allowed for further experimentation in winemaking techniques, using both Caucasian and French oak barrels for fermentation and ageing.

Winemaking Technology

Georgian winemaking, with its 8,000-year history, is an integral part of the country's culture, and Tchotiashvili is a proud proponent of this rich tradition. The Qvevri method, a hallmark of Georgian winemaking, involves fermenting and ageing wine with grape skins, pips and stems. This process imparts unique flavours, colours, and textures to the wines. The traditional method includes crushing grapes in a winepress, transferring the juice into Qvevri for fermentation, and then adding grape dregs, skins, and pips.

The meticulous process of fermentation and maturation in Qvevri is carefully monitored through laboratory and organoleptic control. The wines undergo a natural evolution in these vessels, acquiring distinct aromas and flavours. After maturation, the wines are bottled and sealed, continuing their development in the bottle, and enhancing their complexity and drinkability over time.

Mtsvane Rcheuli Qvevri 2017

The Tchotiashvili Mtsvane Rcheuli Qvevri 2017 is a splendid showcase of the Mtsvane grape, a variety native to Georgia, and known for its aromatic complexity and depth. This wine is crafted using the traditional Kakhetian method, undergoing an 8-month maceration period on full grape skins, pips, and stems in Qvevri. Such an extensive maceration process allows the wine to extract a wide array of flavours and tannins from the grape components, resulting in a wine with a rich texture and profound character.

Grown in the Inner Kakheti region, on the left bank of the Alazani River at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains, the Mtsvane grapes come from vines planted in 1980. The soil's light, sandy nature, rich in Cordier-carbonate, contributes to the wine's distinctive profile. The wine is bottled without filtration, and minimal sulfites are used only for Qvevri disinfection, adhering to the winery's philosophy of natural winemaking. The Mtsvane Rcheuli Qvevri 2017 offers a unique tasting experience, reflecting the terroir's influence and the winery's dedication to preserving and celebrating Georgian winemaking traditions.

Johnson Estate Pinot Noir 2018

This wine secured the 🏅 4th place in our wine tasting lineup.

Johnson Estate, nestled in the heart of Marlborough, New Zealand, stands as a testament to the pioneering spirit and dedication of its founders, Bryan and Jan Johnson. Since its establishment in 1990, the estate has remained a 100% family-owned entity, emphasizing a commitment to tradition and personal touch in every aspect of its winemaking. In 1993, the Johnsons undertook the ambitious task of cultivating 180 hectares of vineyards in an area initially deemed too challenging for viticulture. Their success in this endeavour speaks volumes about their perseverance and innovative approach to winemaking. The estate's significant milestone in 2023, celebrating 30 years since the initial vine plantings and 20 years since the construction of their winery, coincides with the 50-year anniversary of Marlborough's wine industry, highlighting Johnson Estate's integral role in the region's viticultural history.

The journey of Johnson Estate is marked by milestones and achievements, including the establishment of the Johnson Estate label in 1997, originally selling grapes to Corbans Wines before venturing into independent label production. Their foresight and courage in planting the first vineyards in the Waihopai Valley have contributed significantly to the region's reputation as a premier wine-producing area. This legacy is further cemented by the family's involvement in Spy Valley Wines, another notable chapter in their winemaking story. The Johnsons' dedication to quality and innovation, combined with a deep respect for the land and its history, has positioned them as key players in Marlborough's thriving wine industry.

The 2018 Pinot Noir comes from Johnson and Outpost vineyards from Waihopai and Omaka valleys (respectively). Different selected estate vineyard blocks were kept separately until final blending. The grapes were mostly destemmed and all fermented in open vats. After gentle plunging, the wine is drained into barrels for 11 months before blending.

Cascina Tavijn Bandita 2020

This wine secured the 🥇 1st place in our wine tasting lineup.

Cascina Tavijn, located in the overlooked Asti province of Piemonte, Italy, is a testament to the passionate and experimental spirit of its padronina, Nadia Verrua. Despite its modest size of approximately seven hectares, the winery stands out for its ambitious and diverse wine production. Nadia's approach is deeply rooted in the region's unique varietals, primarily focusing on Barbera, Grignolino, and Ruché. These indigenous grapes, particularly Grignolino and Ruché, have gained a cultish rise in popularity, reflecting the winery's influence in reviving and celebrating local varieties.

Nadia's journey in winemaking has been marked by a progressive shift from adhering to regional DOC and DOCG labels to a more liberated approach, allowing her greater creativity and expression in her wines. This evolution is evident in her historic wines, which have been renamed in honour of her parents -- 'Ottavio' for Grignolino, 'Teresa' for Ruché, and 'La Bandita' for Barbera. Her experimental nature extends to the use of other varietals like Cortese, Moscato, Slarina, and Freisa, sourced from various means, including purchased fruit and newly planted vines. Nadia's commitment to natural winemaking is also notable, with a focus on limiting the use of sulfites and embracing organic farming practices.

The playful and colourful label designs by Gianluca Cannizzo, underpinning Nadia's vibrant personality and innovative approach, further emphasize the winery's unique character. Cascina Tavijn's wines, particularly their special bottlings, showcase the rich diversity and potential of the Asti region's indigenous grapes, making them a noteworthy contributor to the Italian wine landscape.

The 2020 Bandita is a remarkable expression of the Barbera grape, originating from the estate's parcels in the steep hills of the Monferrato zone of Asti. Embodying the winery's organic and hands-on approach, the grapes, averaging 40 years of age, are meticulously farmed and harvested by hand. The winemaking process is equally thoughtful, with grapes being destemmed and gently pressed without breaking the skins, initiating a native-yeast fermentation. The long fermentation and maceration process in the winery's cool cellar, sometimes extending up to two months, and the subsequent ageing in concrete for a year, contribute to the wine's depth and complexity.

Bandita, once named so before legal pressures led to a change, showcases the essence of the Barbera variety - a deep, intense wine with a strong character, reflective of the terroir and the winemaker's philosophy. The wine is bottled unfiltered and without added sulfur, emphasizing Nadia's commitment to natural winemaking. The label, featuring Nadia depicted as a Bandita by artist Gianluca Cannizzo, captures the rebellious and spirited nature of both the wine and its maker. This wine not only represents the unique qualities of the Barbera grape but also stands as a symbol of Nadia Verrua's dedication to authentic, expressive winemaking.

Weinert Merlot 2011

This wine secured the 🥈 2nd place in our wine tasting lineup.

Bodega & Cavas de Weinert, established by Don Bernardo Weinert, a Brazilian of German descent, is located in Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza. Before establishing the winery, Don Bernardo conducted an extensive analysis of Mendoza's climate, soil, and vines, ultimately choosing Luján de Cuyo as the ideal location for his venture. The winery, acquired in 1974, underwent significant restoration and modernization, incorporating advanced technology in its wine production processes.

A key figure in the winery's history is Rául de la Mota, renowned for his role in modernizing Argentine winemaking. De la Mota's expertise greatly influenced the winery's early development. Later, in 1996, Swiss oenologist Hubert Weber joined the team. At the young age of 27, he took on the role of the main oenologist, a position he holds to this day.

Weinert is situated in Luján de Cuyo at an elevation of 900 meters above sea level. This high-altitude region, near the Andes mountains, is conducive to producing complex and well-structured wines. Notably, Weinert has a practice of aging its wines in the bottle for extended periods before release, often offering wines that are over a decade old.

The winemaking process involves aging the wine in French oak casks ranging from 2,000 to 6,000 liters. During this period, Weber carefully selects casks to create a terroir blend of Merlot from various vineyards within Luján de Cuyo. An example of this process can be seen in a batch bottled in October 2019, which underwent eight years of oak aging. The combination of the unique terroir, extended aging practices, and the expertise of its winemakers positions Weinert as a noteworthy entity in the world of wine.

Resources

• Nugan Estate.
• Third Generation Chardonnay. Nugan Estate.
• Wild Rock.
• Johnson Estate.
• Secrets Worth Sharing. A Legacy Worth Growing. Spy Valley.
• Bodega Weinert.
• Cascina Tavijn. Louis/Dressner Selections.
• Cascina Tavijn. Bowler Wine.
• Tchotiashvili.

Raw scores