Curious Case - January 2021 - Private

The Curious Case Selection

Coupon Code (for 10% off all of the below wines) - Curious0121
expires 25/03/2021

The beginning of every year, after the 'boozy' holiday season a lot of people try to give their body a well-deserved break. A few of them committing to 'Dry January', we - by nature - prefer 'Try January' though. This is the time to pick up something new, to try something unusual, to change habits and to broaden one's horizons. Therefore we choose a selection of wines which does all those things and popped them into this month's Curious Case.

Don't worry we went for the 'lighter' wines, at least by abv.

Feel free to tell us your opinion by posting on social media.

Happy Curious New Year!

If you missed the video reveal, don't stress, we've got you covered!

Olim Bauda Centive Moscato d'Asti Frizzante

In a nutshell: A subtly sweet, lightly sparkling and low alcohol Moscato d'Asti from Piedmont in north-west Italy.

The lowdown: These days it has a bit of a low profile but Moscato d'Asti was once Italy's best selling sparkling wine before the emergence of Prosecco. This is quite a different style of wine though, having a honeyed sweetness, bright aromatics, a modest level of alcohol and gentle sparkle. While certainly a fun wine it's nonetheless very well made. After pressing it's left on its skins for a while before fermentation which is halted at the right point to achieve the desired level of sweetness and it's bottled in the November following harvest. The result is a wine packed full of flavour, zesty with lots of rich, ripe fruits - red apple, peach, nectarine and mandarin orange and really well balanced, so there's a nice clean refreshing finish.

When to drink: Playful and enjoyable and with plenty of interest, it's great with cakes and desserts.

Rabl Gruner Veltliner, 'Loss'

In a nutshell: A crisp, dry and aromatic white from one of Austria's most prestigious wine regions.

The lowdown: Rudi Rabl Jr is well known for the quality of wines he produces and this superb example of Grüner Veltliner, Austria's signature white grape variety is a perfect example of his skill. It has a delightfully fresh, youthful nose full of tropical fruits, blossom and lime aromas which lead onto a honeyed palate with slight hints of white pepper and a crisp mineral finish.

When to drink: A cracking wine from the Kamp Valley which will suit many types of Asian recipes, asparagus, or firm-fleshed fish dishes.

Eroica Riesling

In a nutshell: An aromatic, off-dry Riesling from Washington's Columbia Valley in the USA.

The lowdown: This collaboration between Chateau Ste Michelle and Germany's Dr Loosen has been producing exemplary Rieslings for two decades as demonstrated in this, their standard-bearing wine that comes from cool-climate vineyards in the east of the state. A cool and slow fermentation ensures that the aromas and fruit flavours are preserved and the result is a wine with sweet lime and tangerine flavours, subtle mineral notes and mouth-watering acidity that's well balanced by the generous fruity character.

When to drink: Rich, ripe and elegant, it's a perfect match for spicy Asian dishes, Indian curries, crab, and scallops.

Waterkloof Seriously Cool Cinsault

In a nutshell: One of our favourite South African summer reds, best served slightly chilled.

The lowdown: From old bush vines grown in the cool Helderberg region, not that far from the ocean, and made with minimal human intervention. Cinsault is an often under-rated variety, but here it really thrives. The wine has fresh and crunchy flavours of blackcurrant, raspberry and spice mix with mild earthy notes and soft tannins.

When to drink: Put in in the fridge half an hour before drinking and serve with game or rack of lamb.

Segal Levant Argaman

In a nutshell: A deep ruby-coloured and fruit-filled Israeli Red with an easy appeal and it's also Kosher.

The lowdown: The vineyards for this wine are found in the foothill of the Judean hills, not too far from Jerusalem. It's made by one of the country's foremost winemakers, Ido Lewinsohn from the distinctively Israeli grape variety Argaman. After fermentation, the wine was aged for 12 months in French oak barrels prior to bottling. It has aromas of ripe black fruits which combine with a touch of oak on the nose. On the palate, it's light to medium-bodied, with flavours of red fruit, spice and Mediterranean herbs. Well structured with smooth tannins and balanced acidity, the red fruit flavours lingering long on the lingering finish.

When to drink: Bright and bracing this excellent value wine if great by itself and as a partner to mildly spicy Mediterranean cuisine.

Villalobos Carignan Reserve Limited Edition

In a nutshell: A smooth and silky biodynamic Chilean Carignan from a unique wild vineyard in the Colchagua Valley.

The lowdown: Carignan is a relative rarity in Chile and in addition to that it's unlikely you'll drink a wine originating from as wild a vineyard this. However don't let that put you off, this natural wine, grown and made in a true artisan manner, is also delicious and refined. It undergoes spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts and is aged for 18 months in old French oak barrels before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. It has fresh and vibrant aromas of blackberries and ripe plums followed by flavours of cherries and strawberries. With delicate and soft tannins and excellent balancing acidity, the overall feel is elegant and ripe as it leads to a nice dry and lengthy finish.

When to drink: Lively, fruity and not too heavy this is a very versatile wine to drink by itself or with many different foods; spicy North African cuisine works well as do most white meats.