Furmint is the grape used to produce Hungary’s renowned sweet wine, Tokaji. When vinified dry, however, Furmint is capable of producing some very compelling white wine. This wine exhibits a bouquet of white flowers, grapefruit and pears. A refreshing texture gives way to expressive fruit on the palate and a lingering mineral finish. It will pair well with shellfish, white fishes, salads and picnic foods, but it also possesses the weight and profile to match with white meats and creamy pasta dishes as well. - Importer notes

The Irouleguy Rouge “Ohitza” cuvée is typically made from 50% Tannat and 50% Cabernet Franc. The parcels are from sandstone soils at mid-elevation. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel with a maceration of around seventeen days. The wine is aged 70% in barrels of 3/4/5 years and 30% in cement tanks. Every three months the wine is racked and assembled and then redivided among the barrels and tanks. After a year, a final assemblage is made which then continues to mature in barrel and tank until bottling in June, eighteen months after harvest. Ohitza is the basque word for tradition.

—Dustin Soiseth (KLWM)

The domaine farms ten acres in this high elevation appellation just southwest of Morgon. The vines are all head-pruned (as are all of the domaine's Gamay), average 50 years and grow on a steep, south-facing hillside of sandy granitic soil. The grapes are de-stemmed but not crushed, and ferments are spontaneous. The élevage is a relatively short one of six or so months in concrete vats, making for an especially exuberant wine of crisp red berry fruit. Production averages 1,670 cases.

-Importer notes