artisan drinks from small producers product portfolio

Original & Distinctive Limited

Small Producer Drinks Specialist

Product Portfolio

Artisan Drinks From Small Producers

Piccadilly, London


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ARTISAN DRINKS FROM SMALL PRODUCERS

Providing quality original & distinctive beverages™ to up-market hotels & restaurants; wine bars, nightclubs & event management companies; wholesalers, discerning retailers & specialist shops;

and, private clients in the UK, Scandinavian and, the Asian markets. Original & Distinctive Limited (O&D) is a specialist in premium, artisan drink products from small producers. WHAT WE DO O&D source a variety of Artisan Drink Products in order to offer a PORTFOLIO of premium, niche, original & distinctive beverages™ from small producers. Because these producers are small, stocks may at times be limited, which is why we constantly review and refresh our portfolio of ‘hand crafted’ drink products (which will change from time to time) to ensure we always have on offer a range of quality products that are creative and stylish and, not readily available in the supermarkets chains. OUR SUPPLIERS Our Artisan Drink Products come from smaller producers in France, Italy, Spain and the UK, including: Grower Champagne, Premium Sparkling Wine, Original Still Wine, Craft Beer, Traditional Cider & Perry and Distinguished Spirits. OUR CUSTOMERS Suppliers of Artisan Drink Products to such as respected establishments as The Lanesborough Hotel at Hyde Park; the Bleeding Heart & Don restaurants in the City of London; and, Bubbledogs in Fitzrovia; we have also worked with other wholesalers, discerning retailers and specialist shops - such as Vanquish Wine of Mayfair; The Sampler; and, Jeroboams Fine Wine & Champagne Merchants. OUR PRICE LIST For more details of our Artisan Drink Products and pricing options, please email: [email protected] OUR CONTACT DETAILS Original & Distinctive Limited 180 Piccadilly London W1J 9HF United Kingdom Office: +44 20 7917 2776 Fax: +44 20 7439 0262 Email: [email protected] Web: www.originalanddistinctive.com


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OUR UK PRODUCT PORTFOLIO

Artisan Drinks from UK Small Producers Wine Original Still Wine Red White Rosé Dessert Wine

Beer & Cider Craft Beer Lager Dark Ale Ale Sparkling Beer - Champagne Method

Spirits Distinguished Spirits Whisky - Grain Whisky - Malt Whisky Vodka - Neutral Vodka - Flavoured Vodka Gin - Juniper Gin - Distilled Gin - London Gin

Premium Sparkling Wine Sparkling Red Sparkling White Sparkling Rosé

Traditional Cider & Perry Traditional Still Cider Traditional Sparkling Cider Sparkling Cider - Champagne Method Traditional Still Perry Traditional Sparkling Perry


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ORIGINAL STILL WINE FROM THE UK “Although we’re best known for our sparkling wines, it’s not only fizz that England is excelling at. Indeed it’s no longer the sun-blasted vineyards of the Med that are scooping all the awards and accolades for roses and whites, but the likes of Surrey and Kent.” - The Independent

ORIGINAL STILL WINE producers are increasingly holding their own against their continental cousins, with English and Welsh wines winning many prestigious international awards. There are over 400 vineyards in England and Wales covering some 3,500 acres. These vineyards support around 130 wineries, which produce some 3 million bottles of wine per year - Sparkling: 60% / Still White: 30% / Red & Rosé: 10%. BOLNEY (West Sussex) - has been making wine at its Estate in West Sussex since 1976. Their aim is to produce top quality red, white and sparkling English wines from Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Bacchus and, a number of other varieties. Their sandstone soils are perfect for growing vines which, in no small way, has contributed to the success in winning many international and national awards along the way. BRIGHTWELL (Oxfordshire) - produces award-winning, quality English wines which frequently win medals at National and International competitions. The 14-acre vineyard is situated 1 mile north of Wallingford and 8 miles south of the city of Oxford abutting the south side of the River Thames in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and produces white, rosé, red and sparkling wines. HUSH HEATH (Kent) - is focused on creating an environment where it can produce the finest wines possible; wines that truly reflect the unique character of the Hush Heath Estate and the people that work there. Passion, energy and determination permeate throughout the Estate, from its beautiful oak woodlands, immaculate vineyards & apple orchards and stunning gardens, through to its state of the art winery.


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KINGSCOTE (West Sussex) - began making sparkling wine in 2011 and so far, 15-acres have been planted under the watchful eye of award-winning English winemaker Owen Elias. The site incorporates a two-acre apple orchard and combined, the site will produce up to 100,000 litres of wine and cider.


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PREMIUM SPARKLING WINE FROM THE UK “English wine is now something to be proud of . . . there are a growing number of producers who can hold their own against their continental cousins. Now you can buy English Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and fizz to rival Champagne.” - The Telegraph

PREMIUM SPARKLING WINE producers are increasingly holding their own against their continental cousins, with English and Welsh wines winning many prestigious international awards. There are over 400 vineyards in England and Wales covering some 3,500 acres. These vineyards support around 130 wineries, which produce some 3 million bottles of wine per year - Sparkling: 60% / Still White: 30% / Red & Rosé: 10%. In the last 15 years English sparkling wines have won 8 Trophies for Best International Sparkling Wine and 4 Trophies for Best Sparkling Rose in Global Competitions – no other country has achieved this. BLUEBELL (East Sussex) - produces wines of distinction, marked by their freshness, elegance and finesse. Supported in the vineyard by the selection of classic Champagne varieties (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier) it has a policy of minimal intervention in the use of chemicals and herbicides. The grapes are entirely hand-harvested and then gently whole-bunch pressed to extract the freshest juice for the base wine. BOLNEY (West Sussex) - has been making wine at its Estate in West Sussex since 1976. Their aim is to produce top quality red, white and sparkling English wines from Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Bacchus and, a number of other varieties. Their sandstone soils are perfect for growing vines which, in no small way, has contributed to the success in winning many international and national awards along the way.


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BRIGHTWELL (Oxfordshire) - produces award-winning, quality English wines which frequently win medals at National and International competitions. The 14-acre vineyard is situated 1 mile north of Wallingford and 8 miles south of the city of Oxford abutting the south side of the River Thames in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and produces white, rosé, red and sparkling wines. HUSH HEATH (Kent) - is focused on creating an environment where it can produce the finest wines possible; wines that truly reflect the unique character of the Hush Heath Estate and the people that work there. Passion, energy and determination permeate throughout the Estate, from its beautiful oak woodlands, immaculate vineyards & apple orchards and stunning gardens, through to its state of the art winery. KINGSCOTE (West Sussex) - began making sparkling wine in 2011 and so far, 15-acres have been planted under the watchful eye of award-winning English winemaker Owen Elias. The site incorporates a two-acre apple orchard and combined, the site will produce up to 100,000 litres of wine and cider.


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CRAFT BEER FROM THE UK “The Rise and Rise of Craft Beer: There’s a revolution going on. Away from football sponsorship and mainstream media, beer has been reinventing itself. Across the country, small breweries are refreshing, reviving and reinventing beer, as we know it. It’s never been a better time for quality ale.” - ShortList Magazine

CRAFT BEERS are broken into two different families, Ales and Lagers. ALE is the more common of the two craft beer categories; it is also the older of the two types of beer, having a history thousands of years older than lagers. Created in many different varieties, the ale style of beer is brewed with top-fermenting yeast and fermented warm. They are generally “stronger and more forceful in taste” than lagers, due to their faster and warmer fermentation. LAGER is less common on the craft beer scene, and is made with bottom-fermenting yeast, and are brewed at colder temperatures. Due to the colder temperatures involved, the process can take weeks to months in order to get a finished product. The colder fermentation process tends to provide a cleaner, crisper, smoother, and mellower taste. BATH ALES (South Gloucestershire) - founders all come from a brewing background and share a passion for craft ale. Cutting edge technology blends with brewers' skill and patience, where time-honoured brewing techniques produce a rich and diverse range that is sure to satisfy lovers of each and every kind of real ale.


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BIG HUG BREWING (London) - is an exciting new craft beer brand from London. As “homeless brewers”, they work with some of the best breweries in the industry - using their experience, knowledge, facilities and time - coupled with their own unique recipes and brewer skills to produce some great beers for all to enjoy. CELT EXPERIENCE (Caerphilly) - is the home of Welsh Craft Sommelier Tom Newman where, along with his brewing brothers, he exploits his natural penchant for craft beer and experimentation with nature’s tools. With the mantra that there’s no such thing as perfection, Tom and his team of talented brewers keep pushing the boundary of innovation through dedication to quality and growing attention for what it brews, and not what it shouts! HAWKES (London) - has been making Ginger Beer since 2012. They improved their recipe with every batch until they created the best authentic ginger beer around. It wasn’t easy, and it took a lot of hard work and dedication, but finally they got it right and Hawkes was born. LONDON FIELDS (London) - is an East London brewery that produces handcrafted beers. Its beers are produced using very traditional methods - you’ll find no automated hoppers or 100-feet-high steel vessels here. The small team of brewers do everything by hand, from loading the hops to labelling the bottles. REDCHURCH (London) - strives to create uncompromising modern beers. Produced in Bethnal Green, their beers are distinctive and adventurous and, bottle conditioned to allow them time to mature and grow. They never filter or pasteurise, so that the depth of flavour and complexity they work hard to produce are preserved. REDWILLOW BREWERY (Cheshire) - was born from a passion for brewing and an uncompromising approach to flavour. Its founders, Toby and Caroline, founded Macclesfield’s award winning Redwillow brewery in late 2010. Their objective was simply to make the types of beer that they loved to drink, big in flavour, well balanced and very drinkable. Their core beers are available all year round and offer a balanced range of styles and strengths. SAVOUR BEER (Berkshire) - make beer with a twist, being one of only a handful of craft beers makers in the world that make a beer using the traditional method used in the making of sparkling wines. Using 100% British malted barley, they make truly unique and exceptional Belgian style golden beers. WILD CARD BREWERY (London) - punches well above its weight. With the backing of peer-to-peer lending from local supporters, the brewery moved into it's own site in Walthamstow in January 2014 where it operates a six brewers barrel kit. They have achieved a reputation for no-nonsense, uncompromising beers.


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TRADITIONAL CIDER & PERRY FROM THE UK “The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has revealed that the real cider and perry industry is booming in line with the UK’s real ale market. The UK cider industry echoes the brewing sector with substantial growth in number of producers.” - The Drinks Business

TRADITIONAL CIDER & PERRY falls into two broad main traditions in cider production in the UK - the West Country tradition and the eastern Kent and East Anglia tradition. The former are made using a much higher percentage of true cider apples and so are richer in tannins and sharper in flavour. Kent and East Anglia ciders tend to use a higher percentage of, or are exclusively made from, culinary and dessert fruit. Most cider brewers use beer bottles, which work perfectly well, and allow the cider to become naturally carbonated. Higher quality ciders can be made using the Champagne method or “Méthode Traditionnelle”. Note: The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) defines "real" or “traditional” cider (as supplied by O&D) as a product containing at least 90% fresh apple juice, with no added flavourings or colourings. Their definition prohibits the use of apple and pear concentrates, and prohibits substantial chaptalisation of the juice (adding sugar prior to fermentation) except in years when the level of natural sugar in the fruit is low. APPLE COUNTY CIDER (Monmouthshire) - is the creation of the award winning cider producer Ben Culpin. Ben has been producing cider for over six years during which time he has won numerous awards. Produced from some of the finest bittersweet apples available, Ben's cider has won acclaim from chefs, critics, writers and food enthusiasts alike. DORSET NECTAR CIDER (Dorset) - only use natural wild yeasts to craft their unique range of ciders. The apples are grown without pesticides and artificial fertilizers and, their cider is certified Organic. The award winning artisan Ciders are fermented from sun ripened whole crushed cider apples, pressed at the orchard’s cider barn near Bridport Dorset, then patiently nurtured to create a smooth, delicious cider that is fruity in taste and bursting with flavour.


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HAWKES (London) - blend country apples with hand picked urban apples, provided by the community. To them, the urban apple and orchard are the perfect representation of the Hawkes ethos. They show that against all the odds, in the most unlikely of environments, a fruit-bearing tree can be born, survive and flourish. HOGAN’S CIDER (Warwickshire) - is one of a new breed of artisan cider maker that has placed itself firmly on the cider map with a fresh and distinctive approach to the age-old tradition of cider making. It ferments its ciders and perries from just fresh pressed English apples and pears; no sugars are added prior to fermentation and no apple or pear juice concentrate is used. HUSH HEATH (Kent) - creates a special range (Jake's Orchard Cider) of still and sparkling (bottle-fermented - méthode champenoise) ciders near Staplehurst in Kent. The ciders are made using winemaking techniques from the classic dessert and culinary varieties: Bramley, Egremont Russet & Cox, which are all grown on the estate. The still ciders are bottled in a classic Burgundy bottle sealed with a screw-cap; the sparkling cider is in a traditional Champagne bottle sealed with cork and wire. KINGSCOTE CYDER (West Sussex) - began making sparkling wine in 2011 and so far, 15-acres have been planted, under the watchful eye of award-winning English winemaker Owen Elias. The site incorporates a two-acre apple orchard and combined, the site will produce up to 100,000 litres of wine and cider. PERRY’S CIDER (Somerset) - produces award winning farmhouse and premium single variety ciders near Ilminster in Somerset. They are a freethinking craft cider company that doesn't like being constrained. They make craft ciders as naturally and as simply as possible - using the very best fresh apples, small batch techniques, wild yeasts and 100% juice. TURNERS CIDER (Kent) - makes craft cider in the Eastern Counties style from 100% Kentish apples. It sources all its apples from in and around the village of Marden, which has been at the centre of the English apple industry for many years. Having access to some of the best dessert and culinary fruit available, Phil Turner produces a cider that is clean, light and refreshing, with a balance of sweetness and acidity MR WHITEHEAD’S CIDER COMPANY (Hampshire) - creates new and interesting cider blends using traditional methods near Alton in Hampshire. Many of their apples and pears are grown on the south-east facing Hampshire Downs of the neighbouring Blackmoor Farm Estate in Selborne, one of the most respected growers in the south of England.


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DISTINGUISHED SPIRITS FROM THE UK “British gin has grown by in 18% in the last two years alone, with premium offerings growing by nearly 50% in the same period. Globally, gin output is expected to reach 13 million litres per year, with much of this growth being met by British producers.” - The Drinks Business

DISTINGUISHED SPIRITS include Whisky, Vodka & Gin - three of the most popular alcoholic drinks worldwide. Whisky is distilled from a fermented mash of grains (rye, barley, wheat, corn, etc.) and matured in wooden casks, usually for three years or more. They differ in base product, alcoholic content, and quality. Grain whisky is made from any type of grains, whereas Malt whisky is made primarily from malted barley. Vodka is the simplest of spirits and consists almost entirely of water and ethanol. It's distilled many times to a very high proof, removing almost all impurities, and then watered down to desired strength. Since just about all impurities are removed, it can be made from just about anything - potatoes, grain, or a mixture are most common. Adding flavours and sugars after the fact when the liquor is bottled makes flavoured vodkas. Gin starts its life as beer, which is then distilled to a high proof like vodka. Aromatic herbs including juniper berries and often gentian, angelica root, and a host of secret flavourings, depending on the brand, are added to the pure spirit. The liquor is then distilled again. The second distillation leaves behind heavy bitter molecules that don't vaporize readily, capturing only the lighter aromatics.


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ANNO DISTILLERS (Kent) - are a small artisanal spirits producer based in the beautiful Kentish countryside. Patience, their stunning copper-pot still, works magic and transforms carefully selected natural ingredients into premium gin and vodka for drinking pleasure. The co-founders are PhD research and development chemists Andy and Norman. With a shared passion for high quality spirits they were intrigued by the idea of producing their own products and revitalising an industry that was active in Kent in the Georgian period. Their fusion of science and nature, which they call ‘the spirit of Alchemy’, allows them to make incredibly smooth and distinctive spirits. ECCENTRIC GIN (Mid Glamorgan) - is based in the cellars of a building that has stood in Llantrisant in Wales for over 200 years. Their gin is distilled with a natural spring that runs beneath the stone floors of the washroom, by brewers, mixologists and even a freeman of Llantrisant. They source the best local botanicals including a specially imported Croatian juniper. They also feature the sacred Celtic botanical ‘wild sunflower’ in each of their gins. This botanical is also known as ‘elfwort’, or ‘marchalan’ in Welsh and imparts a subtle sweetness with an underlying floral bitterness. THE LAKES DISTILLERY (Cumbria) - is nestled in the heart of the stunning Lake District National Park, where the flow of the majestic River Derwent provides an ideal water supply for distilling outstanding spirits - whisky, gin and vodka. The distillery is set in a stunning 19th Century model farm, which has been lovingly renovated so that its magnificent buildings can house the working distillery, where their experienced team produces a range of exceptional, unique and award winning spirits. They use traditional copper pot stills and ideal water from the famous River Derwent.


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OUR EUROPEAN PRODUCT PORTFOLIO

Artisan Wines from European Small Producers France Champagne Non Vintage Rosé - NV - Vintage NV Cuvées Spéciale - Demi-Sec - Brut Zéro - Blanc De Blancs - Blanc De Noirs - Cuvée Prestige Vintage

Italy Friuli-Venezia Giulia Colli Orientali del Friuli DOCG Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC Friuli Grave DOC

Spain Rioja Rioja Alta DOCa

Loire Sancerre AOC

Sicily Etna DOC Riesi DOC Terre Siciliane IGP Terre Siciliane IGT


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GROWER CHAMPAGNE FROM FRANCE “Until the wine world wakes up to the joys of vintage Champagne, take advantage. It’s the wine for those who like authenticity not ostentation, and love the idea of drinking Champagne throughout the meal.” - Square Meal Lifestyle

GROWER CHAMPAGNE is a sparkling wines made in the Champagne region of France that is produced by the same estate that owns the vineyards from which the grapes come. By contrast to the big brand names, these independent growers handcraft their limited quantities of Champagne from individual villages and parcels, where the inherent qualities of the vineyards imprint themselves into the wines. Most of our Champagne Houses produce less than 150,000 bottles a year and are owned, or significantly influenced, by “new generation” owners (i.e. sons and daughters of the family owners who are in their 30s to 40s). Most are “Récoltants-Manipulants” (or equivalent) and produce top quality award winning premium wines with passion and vision from all of the five wine producing districts of Champagne.

Vallée de la Marne - Guy Charbaut - Dérouillat - Denis Robert - J. de Telmont Montagne de Reims - Guy Charbaut - J. de Telmont Côte des Blancs - Guy Charbaut - Guy Charlemagne - Dérouillat - Doyard Mahé - J. de Telmont Côte de Sézanne - Guy Charlemagne - J. de Telmont Côte des Bar - L&S Cheurlin - Jacquinot et Fils - Moutaux - J. de Telmont


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Today there are over 19,000 independent growers in the Champagne region, accounting for nearly 88% of all vineyard land in the region. Around 5,000 of these small growers produce wine from their own grapes – “Grower Champagne” - and can be identified by the initials RM (meaning Récoltant-Manipulant) on the wine label. These winemakers are brave souls in an industrialised age: growing, crafting, vinifying and bottling their own Champagne and, offering it to the world as their life’s work. They deserve your support. CHAMPAGNE GUY CHARBAUT - (Son - Xavier) has vineyards in Côte des Blancs, Montagne de Reims and the Vallée de la Marne; where 70% of its grapes used are Premier Cru. Wine growers from father to son for three generations, in 1930, the grandfather André planted his first vines in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, the greater part of which is situated on the most favourable hillsides classified 90 to 100% in the vintage scale, combining both a production of Champagnes of quality with an excellent presentation. André’s son, Guy, continued the activity of wine grower and in 1960 he planted about 10 hectares of vines. Guy's son, Xavier, who is now heading the House, has vineyards that now extend to about 20 hectares. CHAMPAGNE GUY CHARLEMAGNE - (Son - Philippe) has vineyards in the Côte de Sézanne and the Côte des Blancs where 65% of their grapes are Grand Cru. Champagne Guy Charlemagne is situated in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, in the small village of Mesnil sur Oger. As father to son winegrowers since 1892, Philippe Charlemagne only harvests and vinifies grapes from his own vineyards. Le Mesnil sur Oger and Oger, where the Charlemagne house owns its terroirs, are two of the prestigious ‘Grand Crus’ of the Champagne vineyards and, where by practicing culture raisonée and adding very little dosage, Philippe is able to express the quality of his world-class terroir. CHAMPAGNE L&S CHEURLIN - (Daughter & Son - Lucie & Sébastien) already produce ‘near organic’ wines of outstanding quality and have further ecological aspirations from their vineyards in the Côte des Bar. Wine producers for several generations to date, Lucie and Sébastien Cheurlin’s expertise was initiated by their ancestors. They handle each stage in making the wines themselves - all the way from the grape to the glass. Out of respect for the generations to come, they tend towards a type of viticulture and vinification which includes the use of essential oils on the vineyard to prevent against any disease, whereby their fundamental aims are the pursuit of authenticity, purity and enjoyment. CHAMPAGNE DÉROUILLAT - (Son - Luc) has vineyards in the Côte des Blancs and the Vallée de la Marne where it has a strong environmental approach in producing their Champagnes. The family-owned house was founded in 1929. Today, it combines the best of tradition (traditional press) and eco-friendly modern technology (stainless tanks, & disgorgement with ice) to obtain the best possible results, choosing to: put their champagnes in lighter bottles to reduce the carbon impact; use recycled materials for their labels and boxes; and, recycle the wine effluents into a recovery tank. CHAMPAGNE DOYARD-MAHÉ - (Daughter - Carole) produces wine with passion in the Côte des Blancs where 100% of its grapes are Premier Cru and “family life” is at the heart of its Champagne. The Moulin d'Argensole is, since 1952, is a place of love: where life has a sense; where men and women work; and, where generations have succeeded in making ‘Champagne’ and ‘family life’ the keywords of well-being. Today Philippe and his daughter Carole produce their wines with the same passion as Carole’s great-grandfather Maurice and grandfather Jean; every step in production and vinification being executed in a traditional way.


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CHAMPAGNE JACQUINOT ET FILS - (Son - Jean-Manuel) has been producing wines for over 80 years and additionally provide grapes to Moët & Chandon from their vineyards in the Côte des Bar. Pierre Jacquinot commercially developed the family vineyard, which dates back to the French revolution, just after First World War; at the same time establishing Champagne Jacquinot & Fils as a grape broker and Champagne wine merchant. Today, the tradition is continued by Jean-Manuel Jacquinot, who has been in charge of production since 1998. Trained away from the family firm in some of the big Houses, Jean-Manuel is also an Oenologist, bringing a different approach to wine making to his forebears. CHAMPAGNE MOUTAUX - (Daughter & Husband - Christine & Renaud) is a fifth generation Champagne maker, who were awarded the certification of “Terra Vitis” (Sustainable viticulture) in the Côte des Bar. The owners, Christine and Renaud Fischer, make their wines with respect to the Champagne tradition. Their Champagne vineyards are harvested manually and they blend in traditional stone and wood buildings. However, they ferment in stainless steel using the most advanced technological equipment. CHAMPAGNE DENIS ROBERT - (Son - Vincent) cultivate in accordance with the charter of environmentally friendly viticulture, in its vineyards in the Vallée de la Marne. Champagne Denis Robert, is today recognised by many wine and catering professionals. Situated in the south-west of the Marne Valley, the Robert family produce ‘earthy’ wines, with two-thirds of the grapes being Meunier, which preserves the essential characteristics created by the effort and passion of the winegrower. CHAMPAGNE J. DE TELMONT - (Son & Daughter - Bertrand & Pascale) is a fourth generation Champagne maker that owns 36 hectares of vineyard located in prestigious villages throughout Champagne. André Lhopital, second generation, increased vineyard capacity by buying different plots in the best villages of the region. He is also created the name J. de Telmont. Serge Lhopital, third generation, further developed the House when he decided to build a new production site in 1968 in Damery. Today, fourth generation, Bertrand Lhopital, with his sister Pascale and his brother-in-law Philippe, continue to develop J. de Telmont brand as a top 20 Champagne House.


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ARTISAN WINE FROM EUROPE “There's a silent revolution taking place.” - The Guardian

ARTISAN WINE revitalises an earlier era, when producers were more likely to check every barrel and take chances with unfamiliar varietals, or let grapes hang on the vine longer to achieve extra ripeness - risks the larger producers tend to avoid. Most artisan producers make wines in a way that emphasises the uniqueness of their grapes and vineyard sites; they typically harvest the grapes from low-yield vines, handle them minimally and often bottle the wines unfiltered and unfined. FRANCE LOIRE wine region includes the French wine regions situated along the Loire River from the Muscadet region near the city of Nantes on the Atlantic coast to the region of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé just southeast of the city of Orléans in north central France. In between are the regions of Anjou, Saumur, Bourgueil, Chinon, and Vouvray. Among these different wine styles, Loire wines tend to exhibit characteristic fruitiness with fresh, crisp flavours - especially in their youth. The Loire Valley has a long history of winemaking dating back to the 1st century. In the High Middle Ages, the wines of the Loire Valley were the most esteemed wines in England and France, even more prized than those from Bordeaux. The relatively crisp style of most of these wines - white and red - contrast with the oaky, full-bodied whites and tannic, strong, fruit-driven reds from some other French and international regions. Our producers include: GITTON PÈRE & FILS (Sancerre & Ménétréol, Centre)


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ITALY FRIULI-VENEZIA GIULIA is one of the 20 regions of Italy, and one of five autonomous regions with special statute - the capital is Trieste. Though the wines produced in this region represent only two percent of the Italy's production, to some they are comparable in quality to wine produced in Piedmont and Tuscany, the two most celebrated wine producing regions of Italy. The local wines are remarkable for the number of grape varieties that are used in their blends. In addition to the native grapes, different varieties have been introduced over time. Add to this the winemaking skills of the “Friulani”, and the result is the creation of exceptional wines. Our producers include:

- SARA & SARA (Savorgnano del Torre, Udine) SICILY has an ancient oenological, dating from the time when the island was part of Magna Graecia. One usually associates fine wines with western Sicily or the areas near Mount Etna, but many new wineries have sprung up across the island. Sicilian oeniculture is not just varietals. Sicily's vintage wines are a magical creation, and many of the island's traditional wines and spirits are famous far beyond its shores. Several boast denomination of origin (appellation). The high-altitude of some Sicilian vineyards creates climatic conditions similar to northern regions, with the advantage of much more sunlight. Overall however, the predominant climate is hot and dry which results in characteristically robust and powerful wines. Our producers include:

- FERRERI & BIANCO (Santa Ninfa, Trapani)

- TENUTA MONTE GORNA (Monte Gorna, Catania)

- TERRE SIKANE (Riesi, Caltanissetta)

- TORRE FAVARA (Mazzarino, Caltanissetta) SPAIN RIOJA is a region in Spain with a long, glorious vinicultural history. Rioja wine, especially the red, has been well known for centuries. The Rioja vineyards were planted even before the traditional bringers of wine, the expanding Romans, moved into the area. Rioja is made from a blend of grape varieties, with Tempranillo the dominant grape. Spain is very proud of its indigenous Tempranillo grape because they have been making it into wine for over 2,000 years. Unlike other countries that have adopted grapes that were originally indigenous to France of Italy, Tempranillo was born and cultivated in Spain. The three principal regions of La Rioja each produce their own unique expression of Rioja wine: Rioja Alta produces the highest quality wines with great verve and balance. Rioja Alavesa produces full bodied and high acid wines. Rioja Baja produces wines of ripeness and power. Our producers include:

- CIALU (Bobadilla, Rioja Alta)

- DAVID MORENO (Badarán, Rioja Alta)

- FINCA LOS ARANDINOS (Entrena, Rioja Alta)