presented by Johnny Utah from Au-Vin-Guarde
‘Blanquette de Limoux ‘Le Berceau’ Brut NV
The historical vineyards of Domaine de Martinolles cover the sun-baked, chalky hillsides of Saint-Hilaire within the Limoux region of western Languedoc, France. This precise landscape lies just south of Carcassonne, catching a unique dual climate shaped by cool Atlantic moisture and hot Mediterranean winds. Acclaimed native Languedoc vigneron Jean-Claude Mas took over the estate in 2011, continuing a winemaking legacy that honors the birthplace of sparkling wine. The vines are planted at high elevations ranging from 200 to 600 meters above sea level, where the monks of Saint-Hilaire famously produced the world’s very first sparkling wines back in 1531.
The “Le Berceau” (which translates to “The Cradle”) bottling represents a remarkably fresh, crisp, and beautifully expressive sparkling wine made exclusively from Mauzac—the highly traditional native white grape of the region. Hand-harvested carefully from low-yielding plots, the wine is crafted using the classic Méthode Traditionnelle. The juice is allowed a slow, controlled cool fermentation followed by a minimum of 9 months of resting on its fine lees before disgorgement. It pours a brilliant pale yellow-green color with a fine, streaming effervescence. The aromatic nose opens with a generous bouquet full of fresh white flowers, white peaches, and zesty citrus fruit. On the palate, the wine balances its rich orchard fruit and subtle, yeasty leesy character against a vertical backbone of crisp acidity, leading into a clean, mineral-driven finish.
Appellation: Blanquette de Limoux AOC, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Grapes: 100% Mauzac – ABV: 12.5%
Tasting notes: Energetic, floral, and precise. It reveals pronounced aromas of white peach and floral blooms, giving way to a medium-bodied, creamy palate layered with green apple, fresh pear, and a zesty, flinty spark.
Pairing: Best served well-chilled at 6–8°C. It serves as an ultimate companion to fresh raw oysters, light starters, fried zucchini, mild cheeses, or simply enjoyed on its own as a festive welcome toast.
Producer: Jean-Claude Mas (Domaine de Martinolles)
Grüner Veltliner ‘T26’ ~ 2025
The majestic Weingut Tegernseerhof estate carries a rich winemaking history that dates all the way back to 1176, when it was originally established as a monastery cellar. Today, fifth-generation winemaker Martin Mittelbach leads the family property in the historic village of Unterloiben, nestled within Austria’s famous Wachau Valley. The “T26” nickname was born out of a fun cellar discovery, when an importer tasted through the freshly vinified tanks, found his absolute favorite lot, and immediately claimed all of Tank #26. Sourced from 50-year-old vines rooted deep in light, sandy loess and gneiss terraces along the Danube River, the dry-farmed rows face steep slopes that catch warm Pannonian winds balanced by chilly mountain air drainage at night.
The 2025 vintage delivers a dry, razor-sharp, and beautifully balanced local expression of Grüner Veltliner within the mid-weight Federspiel category. Harvested strictly by hand without any botrytis interference, the juice undergoes a cool, low-intervention fermentation and is aged entirely inside clean stainless steel tanks to protect its crystalline purity.
Appellation: Wachau, Niederösterreich, Austria
Grapes: 100% Grüner Veltliner – ABV: 12%
Tasting notes: Focused, razor-sharp, and crystalline. It layers direct, fresh aromas of green pear and orchard apple over a beautifully structured palate full of restrained white pepper spice and clean, wet-stone minerality.
Pairing: Serve chilled at 8–10°C. An incredibly versatile everyday white, it pairs magnificently with traditional Wiener Schnitzel, fresh garden salads, flavorful cutlets, or mild vegetable curries.
Producer: Weingut Tegernseerhof
Apollo’s Praise ~ 2024
Crafted by the dynamic winemaking team of Kelby and Julia, Apollo’s Praise is a highly celebrated, boutique project focused on cold-climate viticulture in the Finger Lakes region of New York. The cuvée is named “Picardie” as an affectionate, direct nod to the traditional, heavy glass tumblers found across classic French bistros the world over. Sourced from mature vines planted at Nutt Road Vineyard, the rows thrive on cool, lake-moderated sloped terrains. This cold climate creates a lengthy growing season, allowing the fruit to ripen exceptionally late into the autumn months to develop deep phenolic complexity while keeping its vital structure of natural acidity and tannin completely intact.
The 2024 vintage stands as a vibrant, unoaked, and highly acclaimed expression that earned a stellar 93-point review from James Suckling. Vinified and aged entirely inside temperature-controlled stainless steel vats to keep the fruit raw and unmasked, this “bistro red” is specifically designed to maximize crunchiness, freshness, and high drinkability.
Appellation: Finger Lakes, New York, USA
Grapes: 100% Cabernet Franc – ABV: 12% – 12.5%
Tasting notes: Juicy, un-oaked, and crushable. It balances perfumed aromas of blackcurrant, lavender, and tobacco against an energetic palate full of wild black raspberry fruit, crunchy acids, and firm tannins.
Pairing: Best enjoyed with a slight chill. Its bright acidity and firm frame make it an absolutely perfect match for rich tomato-based pasta sauces, herb-roasted poultry, charcuterie, or casual bistro meals.
Producer: Apollo’s Praise (Winemakers: Kelby & Julia)
Boschkloof Cabernet / Merlot ~ 2024
The family-run Boschkloof Wines estate is situated in the rolling hills of the prized Polkadraai Hills ward within Stellenbosch, South Africa. Today, the Borman family handles the property with an ultimate dedication to organic farming, terroir precision, and small-lot artisanal viticulture. The grapes for this premium red blend are hand-harvested from 30-year-old vines planted on unique, ancient topsoils of decomposed granite lying over deep ironstone subsoils. Catching regular maritime ocean air currents moving up from nearby False Bay, the roots are naturally cooled, allowing classic Bordeaux cultivars to accumulate serious structural depth without losing fresh balance.
The 2024 vintage delivers a beautifully bold, rich, and highly expressive Bordeaux-style red blend that represents a top-selling staple for the estate. Following a manual sorting and a slow fermentation inside stainless steel tanks, the juice spends 12 days on its skins to draw out complex structural depth. The young wine is then carefully transferred to mature for 12 to 14 months inside neutral 225-liter French oak barrels to naturally soften its frame.
Appellation: W.O. Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South Africa
Grapes: 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot – ABV: 14%
Tasting notes: Full-bodied, smoky, and complex. It features deep aromas of black plum, cedar wood, and chocolate spice, giving way to a rich, structured palate framed by dense blackberry fruit and lingering oak tannins.
Pairing: Best enjoyed at a standard red wine temperature. This heavily structured blend requires robust meals and pairs perfectly with roast beef, braised lamb shanks, pepper-crusted steaks, or sharp, aged Gouda.
Producer: The Borman Family (Boschkloof Wines)
