What We're Drinking...

I lost my heart to Burgundy early in my career, having the privilege to work with the late greats Anne-Claude Leflaive and Patrick Bize, and the Fontaine, Javillier, Machard de Gramont, Rossignol-Trapet, Vincent and Lamy families (and many, many more) to this day. It is a very special region, populated by hard-working, passionate people. I have always said that when you shake the hand of a Burgundian vigneron or vigneronne, you feel the mark of the terroir.

I arrived at Lay & Wheeler in late September 2024, and our Buyer Jemma was already talking about the 2023 Burgundy vintage and her impending visit to the region to taste the new wines. Since then I have been lucky to taste a huge number of memorable wines – we really do have an embarrass de choix in terms of our range – but one of the first wines that made me sit up was Claudie Jobard’s 2023 Rully Blanc Montagne La Folie, which Jemma brought back from Burgundy to give us a snapshot of the quality of the vintage.

I love wines with nervy tension, marked minerality, freshness and purity. Claudie’s wine combines all these attributes and I cannot recommend it highly enough. And, for any of our customers driving south in the coming months, make sure you make a pit stop at Lameloise in the beautiful town of Chagny, very close to Claudie’s vineyards. It is one of Burgundy’s finest restaurants and most definitely merits le detour!

I’ve been working in the wine industry for a few years, across a number of different roles, and I typically gravitate toward New World wines. Bold, tannic reds are often what I reach for. So when I had the opportunity to try the 2021 Côtes du Rhône Le Temps Est Venu from Domaine Michel et Stéphane Ogier, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect.

I was genuinely impressed. The wine demonstrates a level of elegance and precision that exceeds expectations for the appellation. The fruit is fresh and vibrant, bursting with notes of raspberry and strawberry complemented by subtle spice and a savoury hint of dark olive. The finish is slightly peppery, providing a nice contrast to the fruit. There’s a touch of sweetness, but it’s perfectly balanced with a purity and focus that makes the wine really enjoyable.

What stands out to me is its versatility. It’s complex without being overwhelming, and it pairs beautifully with a wide range of dishes, from grilled meats to more delicate fare. I hadn’t anticipated liking it as much as I did, but now it’s definitely a wine I have to have on hand! It’s a great example of what the Southern Rhône can offer—character, complexity, and balance. I’m excited to explore more of the portfolio and look forward to discovering more gems like this as I settle into my new role at Lay & Wheeler.

Such is the depth and breadth of the Lay & Wheeler wine list that I felt like a child in a sweet shop when I first joined. Now, nearly a year down the line, I have only made a small start on my voyage of discovery, although not for lack of trying! I have always been fascinated by the wines from Sicily so was naturally drawn to the exceptional selection from Barone di Villagrande.

Situated on the eastern slopes of Mount Etna, this is one of Sicily's oldest wineries dating back to the 17th century and was instrumental in getting Etna granted DOC status. They make both white and red wines from indigenous varieties and it is their white wine that has really impressed me. The Etna Bianco Contrada Villagrande is a compelling expression of the native grape Carricante; on the nose it displays beautiful aromas of white fruits, flowers and almonds and continues to develop on the palate with minerality and fresh acidity concluding with a long saline finish.

For me, it is a perfect expression of the volcanic soils of Etna and, for the price, is a worthy rival for better known French wines.

My first month at Lay & Wheeler consisted of system navigation and the deep end of Burgundy en primeur – a whirlwind of new names and unfamiliar wines that felt like an overwhelming spiral, until I came across Domaine Gilbert Picq. Residing in the small village of Chichée, just southeast of Chablis, are brothers Didier and Pascal Picq with a modest 14-hectare estate and a fondness for smaller plots that produce wines that are honestly delicious. 

Vosgros itself is 3.5 acres of south-west facing vines which produce elegant, yet powerfully structured wine, as to be expected from a 1er Cru vineyard. Truly classic notes of oyster shell, grapefruit and white peach gently reach your nose, alongside a palate of mouthwatering salinity, crisp green apples and flinty characters that pair effortlessly with fish and chips, or even just another glass of the same. 

Renowned for ageing, it coincides perfectly with one of my favourite ‘wine things’ to do. I’ll buy a case (or two) and then crack open a bottle on the same day every year, comparing my notes to the previous, testing both my palate and the wine. For this Chardonnay, you can expect notes similar to honey, apricots and almonds.

And p.s: we have magnums! Going to a BBQ this year? A day out on a boat? Summer drinks on a patio? Vosgros is the perfect wine to start with and, let’s be honest, if there are more than 2 of you, a magnum just makes sense.
 

Wine for me is an expression of specific moments in time that you hold onto, it allows you to dive into a world that shows complexity and delight in a simple sip.

Since joining Lay & Wheeler, I have had the opportunity to taste many delicious wines and I am delighted to be working with our brilliant Sales team in my new role. Throughout my career in the wine industry, I have always loved whites with plenty of body and complexity, and the 2022 Aristargos from David & Nadia is just that.

The first sip of this wine I can still remember - the delicious ripe fruits that zing through, having been grown in the warm Mediterranean climate found in Swartland, give this wine an enticing mouthfeel that is brilliantly layered.  A delicious blend of nine varieties, predominately Chenin with a touch of my favourite varieties Roussanne and Marsanne too! With a fuller-bodied style that still has a refreshing acidity that runs through, it offers delightful notes of lemon, honey, and peach with plenty of savoury herbal notes. I am always happy to enjoy this simply by itself; however it would pair perfectly with grilled fish on a BBQ on a gorgeous summer's day.

Not only is this wine quite scrumptious –‘David and Nadia’ is a love story of wine, where David studied Viticulture and Oenology at the University of Stellenbosch and first met Nadia, all of which has led them on a path to make the most delightful wines together.