2022 Der Pollerhof - Gruner Veltliner Liters ORGANIC (1L)

I went out of my way last year to visit this beautiful property located right in the heart of the Entre-Deux-Mers between the Garonne and the Dordogne, not far from Saint-Émilion. A very beautiful terroir, and their Merlot based red is easy-drinking yet has some very fine complexity. WSJ columnist Lettie Teague wrote up the Chateau after we sent her a bottle to try for one of her columns. Perfect burger on the grill wine! -Phil

This wine consists of 100% Picpoul (or Piquepoul) - a very popular, traditional local variety planted on sun-drenched hillsides called "costières" (coastal region) in the Mediterranean garrigue, near the Etang de Thau - a coastal lagoon situated between the port of Sète and Marseillan. The vines are 15-20 years old.

The garrigue is the name given to open scrubland made up of low-growing, dwarf bushy shrubs including holm oak, juniper, broom and wild herbs such as rosemary, thyme and sage.

The color is a superb pale yellow with bright hues. The nose is elegant, with aromas of fresh fruit and citrus fruit especially grapefruit. Well-balanced with typical focusing and zesty acidity.

A pure expression of the grape varietal, the wine shows how good Picpoul can be when grown on its favorite terroir. Our best value, this wine impresses novices and hardened geeks equally.

With 30 years of existence, Atlantis is the first table wine produced and bottled in Madeira and represents the freshness of the Atlantic and the beauty of the Island where this nectar is produced. The Atlantis rosé is produced with the grape variety Tinta Negra. A dry & crisp rosé with undertones of strawberry fruit. Excellent as an aperitif or paired with grilled fish, shellfish, pasta and salads.

This direct import was "discovered" for us by the same broker who sells us Pasquiers. A small family-run operation 

With 40 ha in DOC Friuli, they care about the bees (SNQP = sustainable certification for the wines  / close to organic certification/ and also for workers ).

They are located in Friuli Venezia Giulia.

From our friends at the winery:

"The lower Friuli area is a landscape particularly favourable to the cultivation of vine. This is possible due to the proximity to the Adriatic Sea that mitigates the temperatures, but also due to the presence of the mountain range of the Julian Prealps that divert the cold northern currents away"