New wines at the Beautiful South

Zorzal

Barwell & Jones has announced it has the exclusive distribution for Argentine wine brand, Zorzal.

Founded by the Michelini brothers (pictured) in 2008, the winery is situated in the Uco Valley sub-region of Gualtallary.

With vines planted 1,350 metres above sea level on chalky soils, desert conditions prevail in the region which contributes to the wines’ structure and acidity.

Fiona Juby, marketing manager at Barwell & Jones, added: “It isn’t often that you get to work with new winemakers so full of passion, and who aren’t afraid to challenge the norm in order to produce the best quality wines possible.

“Defying the myths of winemaking, the brothers use innovative practices in both the winery and vineyard such as vinifying in concrete eggs for their ‘Eggo’ wine, and harvesting and co-fermenting Cabernet and Malbec for their ‘Field Blend’.”

Juan Pablo Zorxal will be on stand number 28.

Viu Manent – ViBo

Louis Latour will be showing off a new range of wines from the Viu Manent winery in Chile’s Colchagua Valley.

There are two new wines, each from a specific vineyard location.

The fist wine is “Viñedo Centenario”, a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot, which comes from one of Chile’s oldest estates and from vines that are pre-phylloxera and over 100 years old.

Soils are alluvial with sandy clay which means they are extremely porous but with excellent water retention capabilities – important for the dry summer months.

The second wine, pictured, “Puenta de Viento” is a 68% Grenache, 21% Mourvedre and 11% Syrah blend from the El Olivar Estate.

The blend is “Mediterranean inspired” and “represents the future of the Colchagua Valley”.

The vines were plated in the 1990s by managing director, José Miguel Viu Bottini, who was searching for sites outside of the traditional growing areas.

The wines are positioned between the brand’s Gran Reserva and Single Vineyard ranges. Priced at £15 a bottle it is the first time the brand has been shown to the UK trade.

 Cape Legends – Earthbound

Alongside its existing SKUs, Cape Legends is unveiling a new organic and Fairtrade range of wines at the tasting.

The Earthbound range is made up of a Chenin Blanc and Pinotage, with grapes coming from Fairtrade farms in Papkuilsfontein Vineyards near South Africa’s west coast around Groenekloof/Darling.

Ross Sleet, marketing director for Cape Legends, said: “Our particular emphasis is the launch of Earthbound, a sustainable organic and Fairtrade wine range which we are incredibly proud of and are confident that it will be a strong point of interest for customers at the show.”

Cape Legends is seeking distribution for Earthbound.

Bodega Colomé and Graffigna Centenario Malbec

Founded in 1831 and considered the oldest winery in Argentina, Colomé also boasts some of the world’s highest vineyards at 3,111 metres.

Situated in the Payogasta-Salta area, the winery will be showing its new 2013 Torrontés as well as a new high altitude Malbec, “Auténtico”, from vineyards 2,300m above sea level.

The high altitude winemaking theme is strong among Argentine winemakers.

Another estate launching a high altitude Malbec is Graffigna’s “Centenario Malbec”.

Celebrating over 140 years of winemaking at the winery, the new launch is made from fruit sourced from across the San Juan region, including the Tullum and Pedernal Valleys.

The rest of Graffigna’s range will also be available to taste.

Viña Tamaya – T Limited Release

The Chilean winery, Tamaya, will be showing off its cool climate credentials at the show.

Located in Limari, the winery will be unveiling its new “über” top-of –the-range line, which includes a Chardonnay, Malbec (a first from Limari), Carmenere, Syrah and a blanc de blancs sparkling.

Stellar Organics – Running Duck Sparkling

Another fair trade wine from South Africa this time from Stellar Organics which is launching a sparkling wine to its range.

Made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the wine is priced at £9.99 and is the first of its kind for the Fair for Life accredited winery.

The wine is exclusive to the on-trade and independents. Stellar Organics will also be unveiling a packaging refresh for its core range and Running Duck.

For those looking for more wines with a conservation/ethical background, Ehrmanns’ is also presenting Painted Wolf Wines, with two ranges for the off-trade.

Made at partner vineyards in Paarl and Swartland, the ranges include a Chenin Blanc and Pinotage for “Pedals” and a “Peloton Rouge”, which is a blend of Shiraz, Pinotage, Mourvedre, Grenache and Viognier.

A percentage of the sales value of these wines will go towards the conservation of African Wild Dogs through the Tusk Trust which operates in a number of African countries.

Premium Independent Wineries of South Africa

PIWOSA which launched earlier this year will return to the UK for the Beautiful South tasting.

Although not releasing “new” wines, the group is a new initiative for the country. Composed of 15 of South Africa’s leading independent wineries, they are seeking to “lead the charge” for premium South African wines.

Chairman, Rollo Gabb, said: “The Beautiful South is an exciting ‘first’ for the UK wine industry with its collaboration between three generic bodies representing three exceptional wine producing countries – Chile, Argentina and South Africa. “So it is fitting that we are collaborating at this event too.  We are proud to be showing our wines at a generic tasting under the PIWOSA banner for the first time- it is great to see how much can be achieved by joining forces.”

The group includes many well known names, including Journey’s End, Paul Cluver, Ken Forrester and Jordan Wine Estates.

Casa Silva

Chilean winery Casa Silva will be showcasing its “super-premium” sparkling wine “Fervor” and a new cool climate Pinot Noir for the first time at the show.

The Pinot Noir comes from Paredones in coastal Colchagua and is an addition to a Sauvignon Blanc from the same area that Casa Silva brought out three years ago.

Fervor meanwhile is a 50/50 blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay also from Paredones, which has spent two years on its lees.