GUESS WHO'S BACK 😇

WHAT’S UP WINOS!!!

Did you miss me?? I sure missed you, while I was on my 250 mile backcountry hike from Massachusetts to Canada, traversing several 4000ft mountains along the way (or as Dan called it, my ‘walk’). It’s good to be among civilisation again, by which I mean it’s good to be among people whose first response when I open my mouth isn’t ‘Wait, you’re Britissshhh?!’. There’s nothing like subsisting on a diet of sachets of Tuna Sensations (1% Tuna, 99% Sensations) and wearing the same sweat-wicking T-shirt for three weeks straight to make you appreciate the finer things in life. Luckily, I work somewhere that specialises in fine things.

Case in point: fresh arrivals from Can Sumoi, excellent winemakers based in Catalonia. They oversee 20 hectares of indigenous varieties planted 600m above sea level, giving their bottlings that all-important freshness. Basically, they’re the perfect wines to enjoy in what will presumably be the last burst of sun we see until 2025, so, no time like the present to stock up. For your quaffing pleasure, we’ve got their Ancestral sparkling, which is a far cry from most Cava you’ve ever had the misfortune of drinking. Lively and tart, lightly floral and chock full of white fruit, this is celebratory piss at a snip of the price of most celebratory piss. Got two still white wines for ya too - the Xarel-lo is a creamy, herbal sensation, while the Garnatxa Blanca is citrusy, pristine and light as air. For the red-heads, get in on their Garnatxa Sumoll, an explosion of red fruit and chiselling acidity. These are wines worth a proper look, and at that price, you’ve got no excuse whatsoever. Add 2 cart.

Over on the other side of the world, and very much at the pointy end of things, we’ve got two primo bottlings from the Cullen family, one of the oldest and most celebrated estates in Margaret River. Daughter Vanya is at the helm these days, and spent years tirelessly bringing the winery in line with sustainable practices, earning her the notable achievement of the first woman to receive the Qantas/The Wine Magazine winemaker of the year award. We love a trailblazing queen. We’re bringing you their two flagship wines, named after Vanya’s parents. The ‘Kevin John’ Chardonnay is a stunner, a beautiful example of an aromatic wine done properly. Nutmeg, florals and mandarins combine for a belter of a nose, followed up with a palate of super concentrated citrus and tropical fruit, all tied together with sizzling acidity and a solid core of minerality. The ‘Diana Madeline’ is a red blend of Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Merlot and Malbec, so it’s one to head into the autumn with - deep, supple and rich, it’s got all those warm cuddly feels you want in a red, while still maintaining an enviable elegance. Man, these are good. How good? Get one of each and find out.

Sticking with Oz, got two new single-site cuvees in from Giant Steps, a longtime Dan’s/Parched favourite. The Applejack Pinot is their most concentrated bottling yet, with aromatics and spice for days, while the Primavera (one in stock! Run!) is a vibrant, structured wine with a long life ahead of it. Race you to the checkout.

Lastly, events are coming thick n fast these days. Cannot quite believe we’ve managed to score the pleasure of hosting the launch of Wink Lorch’s new book, an update to her seminal volume about the Jura, but I guess we’re a big deal nowadays. I’ll be there, in case you need any more convincing (idk why u would). Once Wink has done her thing, sharing her enviable knowledge and guiding us through a tasting, we’ll be cracking open some seriously primo Jura bottlings that we’ve been saving for an occasion just like this. Get your tickets here. You’ll kick yourself if you don’t (or maybe I’ll kick you, who knows). Hot on the heels of that tasting, the following Weds we’ll be hosting Fred from Tutto Wines as he gives us a whistle stop tour of the delectable wines of Cantina Giardino. If you like wacky Italian wines and good chat, this is the tasting for you. It’s gonna be banging. When are our tastings ever not?

That’s all from me, I’ve got five weeks of emails to catch up on. Pray for me.

SEE U ON SUNDAY!

xoxo

Megan