Mixed red/white Case of the Month (November), 6 bottles

This month's selection is a cracker! Case contents as follows:

ONTANON RIOJA BLANCO (Rioja, Spain) Produced solely from the grape Viura and given 4 months in American oak to mellow you get just the right balance between ripe tropical fruit and toasty brioche. This boasts opulent aromas of pear and jasmine, with tropical notes and well-integrated but obvious oak. The palate is poised with vanilla oak characters, but left fresh by balancing acidity. Flavours of pineapple, crisp lemon, and brioche notes on the finish.

LES VIGNES DE L’EGLISE VERMENTINO (Languedoc, France) Renowned for producing fresh, fruit forward wines, Vermentino thrives is the sunny Picpoul de Pinet wine region in the south of France. Fresh breezes roll in off the Mediterranean, keeping vineyards cool and allowing the grapes to ripen with balance and freshness. Clean and bright, this aromatic wine is brimming with aromas of peach, mango, pineapple and pear followed by a fresh, well-balanced palate.

CORK OF THE NORTH VINHO VERDE (Minho, Portugal) This delicious Vinho Verde is the first of our ‘own-production’ wines – an exclusive cuvee that we have expertly blended at the Casa de Vila Nova winery in Sousa, at the eastern edge of the Vinho Verde region in Northern Portugal. We have blended three indigenous grape varieties for this modern, vibrant Vinho Verde – Loureiro, Avesso and Arinto. There are floral, citrus and gentle tropical aromas, and then on the palate is it deliciously off-dry, with flavours of ripe melon and a sherbert lemon acidity. The finish/after-taste is super refreshing, with a classic spritz. This lip-smackingly delicious white wine really is sunshine in a glass. It’s great as an aperitif with salads, sushi or grilled fish – but this is a wine that can be happily drank on its own without food.

LA PAUSA MALBEC (Famatina, Argentina) This organic Malbec offers a deliciously ripe, fruit-driven nose with violet aromatics, and a freshness on the palate complements the full, smooth, and rich fruit character of the wine, and a note of spice adding complexity to the long finish. Sensationally smooth, with ripe red fruits on the palate, and a luxurious chocolate character which really makes this wine special. An Argentinian Malbec that puts sustainability and fairtrade conditions at the forefront. ‘La Pausa’ which means ‘The Pause’ is a wine designed to allow the drinker to take stock and reflect on the things that are truly important in the world. Not only is this wine certified organic and vegan, it is also certified fairtrade and uses sustainable glass production. This wine is ideal with a juicy rump steak as well as other types of grilled red meats and tomato-based -pasta dishes.

RIPPA DORII ROBLE (Ribera del Duero, Spain) Fancy an alternative to Rioja? Try Ribera del Duero! Where Rioja tends to be red-fruit driven, oaky and smooth, Ribera emerges as the more intense, concentrated black-fruit driven older sibling. Aromatically, this has a really inviting and vibrant fresh fruit expression of dark cherries, red plums, baking spices, with gently floral notes. The palate focuses on fruit, but with enough tannin to give structure, a good length finish, and gentle oaky notes. Pair this with richly-flavoured pasta dishes.

DE BORTOLI MASTERS BLEND (Riverlands, Australia) A juicy and vibrantly fruity Aussie red, this is a blend of Durif, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium-bodied, this boasts a blueberry fruit flavour, along with hints of dark chocolate and hints of cedar spice aromas. Pair with your favourite roast, lamb shanks or a delicious ragu.

*Please note that all of the wines in this mixed case are suitable for vegans.