Wine List — curated by Pete Connell at By The Bottle
Including biodynamic, local, refreshing wines and, of course, French champagne...
We are excited to share an in-depth wine recommendation list from By The Bottle's Pete Connell, featuring a range of grapes, fizz and fruits, from Pét-Nats, Chill-able Reds and Orange wines. Curated with the festive season and summer in mind, there's something for everyone.
We hope you are all enjoying some well deserved down time with your families and friends!
SPARKLING - CHAMPAGNE
André Clouet Brut Grande Réserve Champagne NV
We choose smaller Champagne houses like André Clouet over the big brands every time. The quality is exceptional and this family house has been producing Champagne in Bouzy and Ambonnay since the 1700s. Their beautiful labels are also a tribute to their history in printing for the French monarchy.
SPARKLING - PET-NAT
Moonlight Mile One Palm Pét-Nat
With its fresh, youthful immediacy, Pet-Nat is made for summer. This red fruited, crunchy fizz from the chaps at Moonlight Mile is made from co-fermented Central Otago Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir.
Pét-nat stands for pétillant naturel, French for natural sparkling. These are produced with a single fermentation that finishes, usually under crown seal, in a bottle.
Astier de Villatte Champagne Glasses
FRESH, DRY WHITE
Scout Riesling 2021
Driven, vibrant, dry and fresh, Sarah Adamson at Scout clearly has a deft touch with Riesling. And this 2021 Central Otago number is summer seafood’s best friend. For the love of Riesling, get this in your glass.
FULL, TEXTURAL WHITE
Alta Mora Etna Bianco 2019
Textural and full, yet taut and fresh, this is a sophisticated, ‘dinner party’ kinda wine. It’s the Sicilian variety Carricante, grown on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna. Lovers of Chablis and fresher styles of Chardonnay will love this too.
CHARDONNAY
Deep Down Chardonnay 2021
We’ve fallen deep for Deep Down wines. Their stylish, organic expressions of great Marlborough vineyards will leave you reaching for another glass. Sourced from the biodynamic Wrekin vineyard, this Chardonnay has stone fruit, citrus and nutty flavours packed neatly around a svelte line of fresh acidity. Delicious.
ROSÉ
La Source Gabriel Côtes de Provence Rosé 2021
This is the real deal, that refreshing, dry, pale style of Rosé that is synonymous with Provence. In 1985 Régine Sumeire, who makes this wine in collaboration with her nephew, actually pioneered the pale Provence style we know and love. Her delicate, refined style of winemaking continues today.
ORANGE
Kenzie Beautiful Strangers Orange 2022
Lightly perfumed, with the kind of quenching tang of a G&T after a hot day, this is a great introduction to skin contact (orange) wines. It’s made from co-fermented Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and Chardonnay. These first releases of Dave MacIntosh’s Kenzie label, mark his exciting return to Hawkes Bay, after 15 successful years of winemaking in Australia.
Read an Orange wine explainer here.
R+D Lab Luisa Calice Glassware
LIGHT, CHILLABLE RED
Lammidia Flamingo Field Blend 2020
Made from over 10 different Italian varieties, Flamingo comes with as much excitement as the pool party it should be consumed at. Lammidia’s organic and biodynamically farmed vineyards are in the small town of Villa Celiera in the Italian province of Pescara. With bright red fruits like pomegranate, black cherry and strawberries, this Flamingo really struts when it's been slightly chilled.
PINOT NOIR
Burn Cottage Moonlight Race Pinot Noir 2019
Not the usual immediate, sun-lit style of Central Otago Pinot Noir, this wine reveals itself romantically and slowly, as if by the strained light of the moon. Fruit from two biodynamic vineyards, in the hands of the talented Clare Mulholland of Burn Cottage, and the result is elegant, understated Central Otago Pinot Noir. Best enjoyed in romantic company.
FULL BODIED RED
The Boneline Iridium 2018
Layered with flavours of red and dark berries, and ripe tannic structure, that hot, North Canterbury sun is palpable in this wine. Basking in it are the Bordeaux varieties Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, lovingly and organically grown by the Boneline team.
Thank you Pete for your expertise! For a wider selection from Pete, see here at By The Bottle.
R+D Lab Luisa Calice Glassware