Fancy trying a bottle of something new but not sure what to pick? That’s why we’re here. Drop in to see us and we’ll happily provide some grape related inspiration.

We regularly select some wines that we think are interesting and let you know why. You’ll see these wines in our shop with a ‘Vino Gusto recommends’ sticker on. This week, we’ve added some newcomers to our list and want to showcase 4 of them here. Take away a copy of our tasting notes or have a read of them here…

‘No es Pituko’, Viña Echeverría, Valle de Curicó, Cabernet Franc, 2019, 14%

As a student (and eager consumer) of wine, I often shudder at the idea of ‘natural wine’. Isn’t all well-made wine natural? Or at least made without the unnecessary use of chemical and flavour manipulation through winemaking? It’s unusual (and frankly off-putting to me) that a winery would label their wine as ‘natural wine’, as there is no agreed upon definition.

That being said, this wine is an excellent (and unusually well priced) example of high-quality juice made with so much respect for the land and ‘terroir’. An intense, vibrant cherry colour, it has lively aromas of black cherry and fresh plum which lead to a fresh palate with silky tannins and a luscious floral note on the finish.

4-6H Rosé, Gaia Wines, Agiorgitiko, Peloponnese, Greece, 2019, 12%

We’ve had this wine in stock for less than a week and the boss has already made it her favourite.

A pale, fresh and vivid rosé with an intense and aromatic profile which hovers between delicate & floral with notes of rose petals and fruity flavours of pomegranate and strawberry.

Vibrant with lifted crisp acidity and a refreshing, salty finish. Just as if you were enjoying this wine in its spiritual home, the Peloponnese.

‘Apostrophe Stone’s Throw White’ Larry Cherubino, Great Southern, Australia, 2019, 13%

Named ‘Winery of the Year’ by James Halliday and Matt Skinner, Larry Cherubino wants his wines to be distinctive and to speak clearly of their variety and vineyard site. He believes in paying meticulous attention to the vineyard, canopy and water management, picking at the right time and minimal intervention in the winery. This is (in an ideal world) how all winemaking should be approached.

Riesling’s cool lime and minerality meshes with Gewurztraminer’s exotic spice, orange and rose water. The softly textured palate has a long, refreshing acidity supported by citrus notes and rose petal on the finish. Slight (but well judged) sweetness.

Vinho Tinto, ‘Vale de Mata’ Red, Lisboa, Portugal, 2016, 13%

Portugal is the ‘hottest region right now’ for excellent value, genuinely interesting and immaculately well-made wines. Now adopting modern, low intervention winemaking practises, paired with exceptional climatic conditions, a new generation of winemakers are thriving.

Vale de Mata is an exceptional, cool(ish) climate, single vineyard. This is a ‘field blend’ from the best vines in the vineyard that produce a fresh, textured wine. Floral notes combine with lively red fruits and well-integrated oak. Smooth and round on the palate, with a bright acidity that leaves a vibrant, lifted finish.