There is an old yellow Citroën 2CV that has become closely tied to the story of Venus La Universal. Sara Pérez divides her time between Venus in Montsant and her family estate, Mas Martinet, in neighbouring Priorat. The two cellars are separated by a ten-minute drive along a narrow, winding mountain road, a journey she [...]
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Venus ‘La Universal’ 2021
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Barbadillo and Fernando de Castilla: the dry side of Sherry
Palomino is behind some remarkably different wines. In Sanlúcar de Barrameda, it becomes pale, dry Manzanilla aged beneath a layer of yeast. With exposure to oxygen, it develops into darker, fuller Oloroso. Amontillado goes through both types of ageing. The grape is the starting point, but what happens in the cellar makes a substantial difference. [...] More -
Trediberri: Barbera, Nebbiolo and Barolo from La Morra
The best way to get to know Trediberri: is to start with their Barbera, move to Langhe Nebbiolo, then try Barolo Berri. Three wines from the same producer, with different grapes, origins and approaches to ageing. Together, they explain the estate’s priorities rather well: fruit, balance and wines that are enjoyable to drink. Based in [...] More -
South African Pinot Noir: What to Drink
Pinot Noir has never been the obvious grape for South Africa. It makes up only a small part of the national vineyard, and compared with varieties such as Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, there simply isn't very much of it around. There's a good reason for that. Pinot Noir is notoriously particular about where [...] More -
La Figuera: Sindicat Montsant
Venus ‘Sindicat La Figuera Vi Sec’ Garnatxa 2023 begins with an entire village. La Figuera sits high above Montsant in Catalunya, at approximately 575 metres above sea level. The village is surrounded by old Garnatxa vineyards and looks across the neighbouring hills of Priorat. It is a cooler, windier part of the region, producing a [...] More -
Eulogio Pomares: One Winemaker, Two Views of Galicia
For Eulogio Pomares, Galicia cannot be explained through one grape or one denomination. At Bodegas Zárate, he works within a family estate whose history in the Val do Salnés stretches back for centuries. Through Fento Wines, the project he established with his wife, Rebeca Montero, he looks further afield, working with different vineyards, growers and [...] More -
Alsace: Julien Schaal’s 2024 Grand Cru Rieslings
Say “Riesling” and one question usually follows: is it sweet? Sometimes. But not here. The new Julien Schaal releases are dry Alsace Grand Cru Rieslings built around freshness, acidity and the character of three very different vineyards. They are also an excellent reminder that Riesling is not one fixed style. It can be fine and [...] More -
Introducing Beaujolais Vintage 2022
We are very excited to announce that Ex Animo Wine Co. is now selling vintage 2022 wines from two exceptional Beaujolais producers: Château Thivin (Côte de Brouilly) Domaine de la Grosse Pierre (Chiroubles) Cru Beaujolais refers to the ten highest-quality appellations in Beaujolais, France (see above), producing complex, terroir-driven wines from the Gamay grape. Unlike generic Beaujolais, [...] More -
Three Expressions of Alsace: Julien Schaal’s 2023 Grand Cru Rieslings
Julien and Sophie Schaal are on a roll at the moment, fresh off their Pinot Noir of the Year award from Platter's, they were in South Africa recently to launch their 2023 Alsace Grands Crus. They have now moved into their new Hunawihr winery, overlooking Clos St. Hune. The Julien Schaal label reserved for the range [...] More