Bottles ‘N’ Jars Mountain Wines Tasting
You had me at raclette! Last week we visited Bottles ‘N’ Jars for a tasting of mountain wines, presented by Bert Blaize, who brilliantly explained the wonderful qualities imparted by growing grapes at altitude, perfectly highlighting why it is unquestionably worth the effort.
Vineyards at altitude benefit from longer days and exposure to the sun, allowing the grapes to ripen beautifully and then cool at night, meaning the grapes don’t over ripen and still maintain their freshness.
After a great online tasting with Bottles ‘N’ Jars during lockdown, it was on my ever-growing list of venues to visit and was so worth the wait. The shop is impressive and dangerously full of an incredible selection of wines and jars of foodie heaven. The tasting space is a cool, modern mezzanine above the shop and was beautifully laid out, balanced with a relaxed ambience; massive props to the guy who turned up in full lederhosen!
Accompanied by delicious Tomme de Savoie and raclette, we enjoyed a couple of stunning white wines from Savoie and Veneto. Then we moved to the red wines; a Pinot Noir from Jura, a Hungarian red from Mátra, followed by a stunning Nebbiolo from Alto Piedmont, enjoyed with some coppa, finishing with a surprisingly different style of Aussie Shiraz. Full details of the wines tasted below. We did not go home empty handed!
Risk the nosebleed and make the trek to North London for the next tasting on 30th March which is Easter-themed. You also get 10% off the wines tasted on the night.
The wines
Described in brilliantly concise Bottles ‘N’ Jars style!
Vignaioli Contrà Soarda, Vespaiolo 2021
WHERE - Veneto, Italy- altitude: 150-300m
WHICH - Vespaiolo similar in style to Riesling but lesser-known
WHAT - Viscosity on the palate balanced by lovely zippy acidity
WITH - Matched perfectly with the Tomme de Savoie
£18.50 from Bottles ‘N’ Jars
Château de Merande, Chignin-Bergeron, Le Grand Blanc 2019 WHERE - Savoie, France - altitude: 800m
WHICH - Bergeron, the local name for Roussanne
WHAT - Aromatic, honey and almonds
WITH - Another great match for the Tomme de Savoie
£25.00 from Bottles ‘N’ Jars
Cote du Jura Rouge, Château d’Arlay 2011
WHERE - Jura, France - altitude: 240m
WHICH - Pinot Noir
WHAT - Delicate on the palate but with a delicious meaty quality
WITH - Enough acidity to cut through the raclette
£38.00 from Bottles ‘N’ Jars
Karner Gábor & Fanni, Otthon #1
WHERE - Mátra, Hungary - a volcanic mineral-rich mountainous area in the North between Budapest and Eger - altitude: 400m WHICH - Kékfrankos (Blaufränkisch)
WHAT - Elegant with red and black fruit
WITH - I enjoyed this with gherkins - great contrast of fruit and acidity!
£32.00 from Bottles ‘N’ Jars
Lessona, Noah 2017
WHERE - Bramaterra. Italy - altitude: 200m & influenced by cool air travelling down from neighbouring 650m peaks
WHICH - Nebbiolo
WHAT - Elegant, cherry & liquorice with gorgeously soft tannins and a lovely long finish
WITH - Red meats - enjoyed with the delicious coppa we had on the night
£39.00 from Bottles ‘N’ Jars
Grove Estate, Hilltops Shiraz 2020
WHAT - NSW, Hilltops, Australia - altitude: 500m
WHICH - Shiraz
WHAT - Refreshing change of style from the heavier Aussie Shiraz, achieved by the altitude influence. Great value. Tipped by wine expert, Matthew Jukes so get hold of it whilst you still can!
WITH - Already purchased to go with my Easter lamb (if it lasts that long!)
£20.00 from Bottles ‘N’ Jars
