Wines to inspire volcanic suggestions from our portfolio.
Vineyards on volcanic soils, from Santorini to Soave, yield some of the most intriguing and renowned wines globally. Unsurprisingly, there has been a surge in interest among sommeliers and wine merchants in these 'volcanic' wines. What distinguishes these wines from others? The substantial influence of mineral-rich volcanic soils and the limited availability of wines from these distinct sites play pivotal roles. While wines produced from clay or limestone soils can also attain exceptional quality, the prevalence of these soil types across various wine-growing regions is noteworthy. The compelling allure and narrative surrounding volcanic wines should not be underestimated. Vines cultivated in ancient soils elevate the concept of terroir through their mineral qualities, refreshing acidity, salinity, and remarkable longevity. The emergence of green shoots and leaves from the dark volcanic soil creates an ethereal ambience in the vineyard. Wines derived from volcanic soils are reputed for their ripeness, weight, richness, and textural minerality, rendering them suitable for ageing. These attributes prompt an inquiry into their origins.
Volcanic soils boast significant potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, and other elements, profoundly influencing a wine's mineral profile. Potassium-rich soils often impart wines with an almost almond-tinged and savoury finish, while black volcanic soils accentuate citrus, peach, and apricot aromas, all accompanied by a delightful freshness.
Furthermore, volcanic rocks create substantial macro-porosity in soils, facilitating the gradual delivery of water to vine roots. This water-retentive characteristic proves invaluable during arid growing seasons when vines depend on groundwater for survival. Many vineyards' volcanic terrain and elevation contribute to producing high-quality fruit, alongside the unwavering dedication of generations of viticulturists who have persevered through volcanic eruptions to plant, nurture, and harvest vines. In sum, these exceptionally unique sites boast remarkable aesthetics.
Here are a few volcanic suggestions from our portfolio-----
Feudi di San Gregorio Campania Greco di Tufo 2023
“An aromatic and mineral wine showing peach, melon and citrus flavours over a creamy texture.”
Jako Vino, Stina ‘Cuvee White’, Dalmatia 2020 Aromas of salty smoke, a flash of white pepper, and lemon so bright I wrote ‘ignition’ in my notes. The palate is remarkable, packed with salinity and invigorating as a citrus meteorite. This wine took my tastebuds into orbit, lifted by pristine acidity with a finish that keeps rising. And such depth. It's a truly stunning wine.
Ca'Rugate Monte Fiorentine Soave Classico 2022
“A beautifully layered wine with a rich flavour of ripe pineapple through to a fresh, mineral and lemon finish, full of flavour.”
Jako Vino Stina Posip Dalmatia 2023
This hauntingly pale Croatian gem exudes exotic scents of pineapple, peach, and passionfruit. Again, there’s a salty sage hint and a sense of salinity. It tastes utterly mesmeric; finesse is the hallmark and super textural. Its boulders turn to diamonds, finely shredded coils of exotic fruit ground through a salt cellar, a wine of charm and laser-guided precision.
Gaia Wines Thalassitis Santorini Assyrtiko 2023
“Explosive minerality with fresh lemon zest on the nose, crisp acidity on the palate and underlying floral notes. Refreshing with a crisp, mineral finish.”
Bodegas Vinatigo Vijariego Blanco Islas Canarias Tenerife 2022
This wine leaps out of the glass with a sherbet-ash eruption of salty lemon rind. There’s a subtle sense of roasted nuts, along with a lacing of dried oregano and lemon thyme. It’s gorgeous.
Domaine Lavigne Saumur Champigny Vieilles Vignes 2022
“A red Loire showing typical Cabernet Franc rhubarb and graphite character with a refreshing dryness on the finish.”
Basilisco Teodosio Aglianico del Vulture 2020
“A full-bodied and concentrated wine with aromas of soft fruit, plum and Morello cherry. Well balanced through to a dry, lingering finish.”
Badiola Vino de Pueblo Laguardia L4GD4 Rioja 2020
Wow! This red has that quintessentially Rioja scent – the tickle of oak and the smoky allure -but beneath it is a layer of something special, a little like the faint fine ashy mist that softly billows when you’re clearing out a fireplace. This wine is impeccably judged. Whoever harvested picked exactly the right moment! In terms of ageing, this wine has the next five years to evolve and unfurl thanks to very fine grippy tannin and eruption of redcurrant acidity. I’d describe this wine’s overall impression as super turbo-charged finesse.
Undurraga TH Cabernet Franc Valle de Maipo 2022
Lovely to taste a red with a bit of evolution, glowing garnet in the glass with a sweet and savoury aroma that I could happily enjoy for years. Cigar, blueberry, ripe raspberry, leather, black peppercorn, black olive and a tiny whisper of cola nut. Just lovely in its complexity and the same on the palate, a real sense of ease with intrigue. It’s a diverse spectrum of richness, plush, and beginning to enter its prime time. Firm fine to medium velvet tannin, the hallmark here is tastiness, enhancing rather than shutting down the flavour.
