Since their wines first appeared in 2004, Château Vartely has established itself as one of Moldova’s top wineries. The team controls 300 hectares of vines grown in ideal conditions and soils, very similar to the best of Bordeaux. Most are naturally organic too – winds blow hard and chase away any disease. Glowing online reviews every vintage prove that UK wine lovers have given this estate their backing. From grape harvesting to bottling, each step takes place under the watchful eye of Arcadie Fosnea, ‘Moldovan Winemaker of the Year 2014' and his deputy, Valentin Vrancean. Pristine, handpicked Pinot Grigio, cool fermented, the wine bursts forth with bright orchard fruit and zesty lemon notes. Ideal with lighter dishes or solo.
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He was born in Friuli, but doesn't come from a long line of winemakers. His dad was a truck driver, but everyone in the village used to have a few rows of vines and, from these, each family used to make a bit of wine.
All this fascinated Alessandro as he was growing up and winemaking became his chosen career. For some years he was president of a local winery but in 2010 he started up on his own and his wines have continued to impress us.
Made with grapes from the region's top areas, this wine delivers delicate pear fruit and crisp minerally ‘zing’.
The 187ml bottle size is perfect for picnics or enjoy a solo glass of an evening.
Brilliant deal Pinot Grigio from top Friuli vineyards. From an estate that really put top-quality Friuli Pinot Grigio on the map, this is a glorious white with floral, candied peel, orange and peach notes.
Our Buyer Leo was delighted to secure this terrific white. It's a wine that's been named among Wine Spectator's World Top 100 wines, from a cellar that's also on their list of Top 100 Wineries in the World. (We can't tell you who, but we don't think you'll mind once you taste it). Of course, Pinot Grigio is known for being a very refreshing drop; crisp with delicate flavours. But a Pinot Grigio from this winemaker, using grapes from Friuli's premium vineyards, is in another realm. The flavours reach an intensity you wouldn't dream possible of this variety. Discover here intense apple and peach fruit, with a floral lift and a subtle spicy finish. Gently chill, it'll be an elegant partner for your finest fish or chicken dishes or solo.
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Pinot Grigio has staged something of a coup in fridge doors and on dining tables in recent years. Gorgeously fruity, well-priced examples like our Il Papavero are rare, however. The wine is from Scipione Giuliani, who searches throughout Italy to find the finest parcels of grapes, usually blending them to get the perfect balance in a wine. For this Pinot Grigio, however, he was so taken with the fruit from the high hills of Sicily, with its idyllic sunshine and sea breezes, there was no need to look elsewhere.
Il Papavero is mouthwatering stuff, a moreish mix of pear and citrus flavours with both ripeness and bracing freshness thanks to the coastal cooled location of the vines. Pure delight on its own or with white meats or risotto.
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Our good friend, the winemaker Alessandro Gallici, was the one who insisted our Buyer Leo dropped by to see the Anselmi family in 2019. They have a winery in Friuli, NE Italy, an area renowned for its crisp, aromatic whites. The family have been making wines there since 1928 and now have extensive vineyards, running almost to the shore, naturally cooled by breezes from the Adriatic.
The clay soils are ideal for the many native varieties – Refosco, Friulano, Verduzza, Pignolo, Ribolla Gialla and, of course, Pinot Grigio, as well as international stars Cabernet and Merlot. Above all, their wines are terrific value. Named after the originally called Romeo and Juliet, Luigi e Lucina is a refreshing white. Ideal solo or with light dishes.
