{"title":"Best of WineSpark","description":"\u003cp\u003eYou can imagine my nerves putting this selection together for Jancis. You and I both know these wines are sensational, but this is the most powerful and respected wine critic in the world! So I had to pick bottles in a range of styles that best explain what WineSpark is all about.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"lagar-de-sabariz-a-pita-cega-2017","title":"Lagar de Sabariz A Pita Cega 2017","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThis is an incredibly special white wine, one of Spain’s very best. It might be unlike any other white wine you’ve ever tasted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a traditional Ribeiro blend of Albarino, Godello and Treixadura. The exact blend changes every year, depending on what nature throws at Pilar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEverything is 100% natural here in the growing of the grapes, and the making of the wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe winemaking is a little bit mad - but it works. Pilar ages the grapes separately in stainless steel tanks for 3 years. She then blends the wine together, and it sits in steel for another 3 years to properly come together. It’s then bottled and aged for another year before release.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou end up with a rich, complex and highly aromatic white wine. The texture is just so soft and effortless, it’s a joy to drink and indeed, savour. There’s peach and apricot fruit, there’s plenty of florals, and great balance and freshness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou wouldn't be far off if it reminded you of a great Viognier like Condrieu, home of Pilar's great-grandparents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou’d also never think it was eight years old, and in fact it’s got plenty left in the tank too, if you wanted to lay down a few bottles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Pita Cega is found in Spain’s best restaurants - which is pretty cool. But what I find much more credible is that the likes of César Márquez, Ana Carazo, Iria Otero - \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003esome of the Spanish winemakers that I respect the most - all lit up when I told them I was going to work with Pilar and bring this wine to Ireland.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat’s all the validation I needed - and the same should go for you!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50866943099211,"sku":"LSAPC17","price":45.34,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0138.jpg?v=1732111623"},{"product_id":"a-coroa-godello-2024","title":"A Coroa Godello 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003eImagine the perfect Spanish white wine… and I might just have found it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTake the citrusy freshness of an Albariño, and the richness and lip-smacking minerality of a good Chablis, and you’re pretty close.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Godello grape thrives on the slate soils and warm weather of Valdeorras - producing white wines with loads of flavour, balance and freshness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Coroa is one of the region’s oldest and most respected wineries. The winemaker, Ángel Sánchez, was one of the first winemakers in Valdeorras in the 1980s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis secret, like all great wines, is in the vineyard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheirs yield 40% less than the region’s average, so you get a much richer and more intense expression of Godello and the land that it comes from.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe nose here is fresh and zippy, loaded with juicy limes and pears. On the palate it's refreshing, clean and lifted, with lovely florals, apples and a touch of peaches and cream. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’m constantly on the hunt for more better value wines for you. And thanks to my experience and contacts in places like Spain, I’ve landed another gem.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52546352382283,"sku":"ACGDLO24","price":18.47,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/ACoroaGodello2022.jpg?v=1716302504"},{"product_id":"domaine-des-berthiers-pouilly-fume-2024","title":"Domaine des Berthiers Pouilly Fumé 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003ePouilly Fumé lives in the shadow of its more famous neighbour, Sancerre. It’s a bit more intense and full-on than Sancerre, if that’s your thing (it is mine).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd winemaker Damien tells me Domaine des Berthiers is one of the most underrated estates in all of Pouilly Fumé.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s got amazing soils - 100% on silex (flint), the most coveted soil in the region. This brings out a piercing, mineral and almost smoky expression of Sauvignon Blanc - you don’t get this anywhere else in the world!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost of this wine is sold to high-end and Michelin-starred restaurants. The owners usually avoid retail, but Damien thought WineSpark customers would be the perfect drinkers for this wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou’ll have to try it and find out for yourself!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52816511697227,"sku":"DDBPF24","price":23.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0013_2.jpg?v=1730726739"},{"product_id":"dominique-cornin-macon-fuisse-les-bruyeres-2023","title":"Cornin Mâcon-Fuissé Les Bruyères 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eMâcon has long been seen as the value and volume end of white Burgundy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost bottles are labelled as Mâcon-Villages, with grapes picked from several villages, blended together and sold by the big negociants. Solid white wine, but often uninspiring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut there’s a new generation of Burgundian winemakers coming through who are eager to show the true potential of the region and its villages. Small can be beautiful too!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRomain Cornin is a shining example of this, as one of the rising stars of the Burgundy wine scene.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis comes from Romain’s youngest Chardonnay vineyard, which he planted with his late father 15 years ago. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s north-facing, just over the hill from the more famous Pouilly-Fuissé, and based on blue schist soils, which he tells me are very unusual in the area.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRomain is all about natural winemaking. The wine is aged in stainless steel to preserve the fruit and freshness, and left unfined and unfiltered to keep its full texture and character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a gem of a white Burgundy at an amazing price - a buttery, lemony and crisp Chardonnay with beautiful energy and minerality.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53080335253835,"sku":"DCMFLB23","price":24.45,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0249_02f3c208-2fdc-4c1c-91fc-2e8ea3e748ab.jpg?v=1758883112"},{"product_id":"mcfarlane-saturdays-child-pinotage-2023","title":"McFarlane Saturday's Child Pinotage 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eForget everything you thought you knew about Pinotage, and try this bottle. It’s a revelation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s had such a bad rep for years, and for good reason.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePinotage is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, invented in a university garden in Stellenbosch in 1924.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen South Africa opened up after apartheid in the 1990s, international markets demanded big reds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo Pinotage was made like Shiraz - picked late and overripe and overworked in the winery. It was generally terrible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut if you think about its heritage - Pinot Noir and Cinsault, which are both lighter reds - you’ll realise this is the exactly wrong approach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrown on cooler sites and in the right hands, it can be amazing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd that’s exactly what we have here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grapes come from Stanford in the cool-climate Walker Bay region, just south of Cape Town. The vineyard is based on \u003cem\u003ekoffieklip\u003c\/em\u003e granite soils, which gives a lovely density to the grapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlex’s winemaking is incredibly gentle (including foot stomping!) which allows the gorgeously perfumed and aromatic fruit in the wine to shine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a dark and brooding wine, with real elegance and intensity. Ageing in old French oak barrels gives it serious structure and this one will age for years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinally a Pinotage I can get behind!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53339591606603,"sku":"MCSAT23","price":31.24,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0195_2.jpg?v=1729090246"},{"product_id":"nomades-campania-faino-fiano-2023","title":"Nomades Faino Fiano 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eIf Fiano from Campania isn’t on your radar, it’s time to change that!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTucked away from the bright lights of Naples and sparkling sea of the Amalfi Coast, you’ll find the Irpinia sub-region, high up in the mountains behind Mount Vesuvius.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe combination here of hot days and cold nights, rainy weather and volcanic soils produces Fiano with great intensity, minerality and freshness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grapes in this wine come from a magical vineyard at 550m above sea level, based on mostly clay soils.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe amazing fruit shines through in the wine - it’s serious and complex, with a mineral and almost smoky nose. On the palate it’s layered and tropical, with a very fine and very long finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Faino' is what winemaker Onofrio’s grandfather used to call Fiano.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike any good Fiano (or Faino), this one will age for years. So if you like a good Riesling or even Chablis, you’ll love this!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53359958524235,"sku":"NOMFIA23","price":22.51,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/NomadesCampaniaFainoFiano2022.jpg?v=1716302557"},{"product_id":"i-filari-sicilia-grillo-2022","title":"I Filari Sicilia Grillo 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eItaly isn’t best known for its finer whites, but with quality like this, it’s only a matter of time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe conditions in Sicily - hot weather, mountainous terrain and cooling sea breezes - are perfect for producing fresh and healthy grapes, loaded with Mediterranean flavour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut until recently, the Grillo grapes grown here were mainly destined for Marsala, a powerful fortified wine a bit like sherry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut that’s finally starting to change - and the charge is led by talented winemakers like Federico Cerelli, who can see Sicily’s unbelievable potential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrillo’s thick skins and small berries are just as suited to making punchy and refreshing whites as they are to making powerful Marsala.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the nose it’s ripe and complex, with tantalizing aromas of peach, lemons and a whiff of blossom honey. On the palate, it’s juicy and textured, with lovely intensity and a long, lifted finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis would go perfectly with white fish, creamy risottos and general slamming in front of the rugby.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like a rich and round style of white, like an Albariño, Godello or Chablis, then this is definitely for you.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53561764249931,"sku":"FEDGRS22","price":26.73,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/IFilariSiciliaGrillo2021.jpg?v=1716301640"},{"product_id":"domaine-gerin-cote-rotie-champin-le-seigneur-2023","title":"Domaine Gerin Côte-Rôtie Champin le Seigneur 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor a short two-kilometre stretch where the Rhône river turns a sharp right at Vienne, you’ll find the dramatic vineyards of \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eCôte-Rôtie carved into steep terraces of granite and slate. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vineyards face south-east, avoiding the late-afternoon burn from the sun, and the steep slopes ensure maximum exposure for the grapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s breathtaking. Then you taste the wines, and wonder how on earth they can deliver such colour, power and complexity, at just 13% alcohol. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChampin le Seigneur is a blend of 11 tiny parcels across slate and granite soils. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is exactly what great Côte-Rôtie should taste like: big, oaky and leathery on the nose, with cassis and florals that you could sniff all day. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s dense and juicy on the palate, with a balanced and long finish. And that classic 5% of Viognier adds lift and even more aromatics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDomaine Jean-Michel Gerin is a cult name in France, adored by collectors and those in the know. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnly 10% of their production ever leaves the country, which is why you might not have come across them until now.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd as long as we can keep sneaking a little over to WineSpark in the UK and Ireland, I’m very happy that it stays that way!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53620143620427,"sku":"JMGCR23","price":48.86,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey_0259.jpg?v=1763554713"},{"product_id":"terre-des-dames-la-dame-2023","title":"Terre des Dames La Dame 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eIf you’re looking for the perfect easy-drinking red, then you’ve come to the right place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a classic Languedoc blend of Grenache, Carignan and Syrah, made by Lidewij van Wilgen, a rising name in the Languedoc.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s from the Saint-Chinian region, which is traditionally known for pretty robust and rustic reds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis wine couldn’t be any more different, and it’s all thanks to the quality of fruit in Lidewij’s beautiful organic vineyards. And her gentle winemaking which preserves the freshness of the wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAromas of vibrant blueberry, fresh herbs and red fruits leap out of the glass - there’s Carignan from a special 70 year-old vineyard in the blend, which gives it this gorgeous nose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd then on the palate it’s rich and elegant, with layers of juicy fruit and a long and fresh finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a family affair - Lidewij’s three daughters are actively involved with the business, working hard in the vineyards and cellar. The three hearts you’ll see on the label are Lidewij’s tribute to them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eServe it lightly chilled and with literally anything grilled, for instant transportation to good times in the south of France!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53722069238091,"sku":"TDDLDM23","price":16.94,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0157_1.jpg?v=1729868686"},{"product_id":"stepp-pinot-noir-buntsandstein-2023","title":"Stepp Pinot Noir Buntsandstein 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003ePfalz is perfect Pinot country - terraced vineyards overlooking the Rhine valley, on sandstone, with a long gentle growing season to achieve full ripeness in the grapes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJust 90 minutes south of Frankfurt, it has a real Burgundy-meets-Alsace feel to it. Each village, as charming as the next one, is only a few minutes’ beautiful drive apart.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eGerd Stepp describes his winemaking as ‘New Zealand winemaking with a French influence’. It’s all about maximising the fruit purity, and then he puts it in French oak barrels for 18 months.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eBut these aren’t any old oak barrels. Gerd has a pal who makes Grand Cru Burgundy, uses the barrels once, and sells them on to him.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWe're talking Pommard, Chambertin, Échezeaux here... all the seriously good stuff.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eYou end up with an intense, juicy, and perfumed Pinot, loaded with red fruit, Christmas cake and cloves. The oak gives it a really luxurious dimension - it supports the fruit perfectly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eNo wonder Pfalz is home to Germany’s best Pinots, and getting more and more international attention. You can add this one to the list as one of the regions’ best.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55823888384331,"sku":"STPVOMB23","price":20.63,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/Stepp_Pinot_Noir.jpg?v=1722437135"},{"product_id":"vinyes-dolivardots-gresa-emporda-2019","title":"Vinyes d'Olivardots Gresa Empordà 2019","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Empordà wine region, in the far north-east corner of Spain right next to the French border, has all the right ingredients for making world-class big reds:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA smorgasbord of clay, slate and granite soils, which means the grapes develop amazingly varied and complex flavours\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe chilly \u003cem\u003etramuntana\u003c\/em\u003e wind, which blows in from the Pyrenees and keeps the vineyards healthy and fresh\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA patchwork of old vines going back decades, including some of the oldest Carignan in Spain.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is winemaker Carlota’s flagship red, and is a typical local blend of Carignan, Grenache and Syrah.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a blend of several tiny vineyards around the region, on a mixture of slate, granite and alluvial soils. It makes for the perfect introduction to Empordà and its huge potential. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe nose is incredibly bright and vibrant, with blue fruit and savoury notes, while the palate is juicy, pure and spicy. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s been aged for 14 months in large French foudres and small Austrian barrels, and another 4-5 years in bottle, ensuring you get a deliciously smooth and silky experience wtih this wine. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like Priorat, you’ll love this - and at a fraction of the price! \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56034314846539,"sku":"OLIGR19","price":26.24,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey_0255_f0d9c683-5c8e-42bf-8cee-4f3f1463cee9.jpg?v=1764775018"},{"product_id":"cordero-hica-barbera-dalba-2023","title":"Cordero Hica Barbera d'Alba 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis Barbera was one of the first wines I decided to bring in for WineSpark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a deep, rich red with serious personality. ‘A bit impolite like me’ says winemaker Serena.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’d never tasted it before - its tiny production would have been way too small to come across my radar before. And that’s the best thing about it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s from an area called Bricco Gatti, well-known to experts as one of Alba’s best vineyards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vineyard is a prime south-west facing site - the extended afternoon sun gives the Barbera grapes serious power.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s lovingly tended to, vine by vine, by Serena’s brother Gabriele. He’s at peak happiness surrounded by the bees, bugs and butterflies that thrive in the vineyard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis attention to detail doesn’t happen anywhere else in the region. And the meticulous work speaks for itself in the wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s unmistakably Italian on the nose, with aromas of dark fruit, dried herbs and tea leaves. Then it’s rich, creamy and powerful on the palate - if you love your Italian reds, this is absolutely guaranteed to be right up your street.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57496414060875,"sku":"COHBA23","price":27.3,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/Hica_Barbera.jpg?v=1722606426"}],"url":"https:\/\/winespark.com\/collections\/best-of-winespark.oembed","provider":"WineSpark","version":"1.0","type":"link"}