Graig Farm - What We Offer > Our Range > The Off-Licence > Organic Red Wine

FranceBUY NOW

Chateau Couronneau - The enthusiasm of Bénédicte and Christophe Piat, owners of this estate, is positively infectious. In the twelve years since they bought the property, they have won gold medals aplenty, received glowing reviews from Robert Parker and countless other recommendations in wine publications at home and abroad for their fruit-driven, supple wines. Located at the highest point of the Gironde, the estate’s chalky clay soil rests on top of steep chalky substratum – perfect for the merlot grape, which thrives in these conditions.
Fantastic wine from Couronneau. Merlot-dominated it has been made with 'easy-drinking' very much in mind. Ripe, soft merlot fruits dominate.
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Chateau de Combebelle St Chinian (ref: R32)

Combebelle

This estate used to be owned by the mildly eccentric Bertie Eden and is now in the hands of Catherine Wallace. Her first vintages are superb and we're delighted to be listing the St Chinian. Under her stewardship the vineyard is going through reconversion to re-establish its organic status.

With soft fruit flavours arising from organic syrah, Grenache and cabernet sauvignon grapes grown on red clay subsoils and a sturdy character, this is every inch a wine of southern France. Very high quality and winner of several gold medals. Gold medal (2005 vintage), Concours Mondial Bruxelles (Vinopres) 2007

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AOC Corbieres - Domaine Montmija (Ref: R4)
Well-established favourite in our list, this wine has a welcoming nose of herb-scented black fruit that follows through to the palate. Succulent and smooth, this is so agreeable that most people just keep coming back for more!

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VDP D'OC - Cuvee Gabriel - Merlot Reference :R15
Domaine de Brau.

Organic since 1989, with appproximately 40 hectares of vineyards planted on a range of loam, chalk, marl and sandstone soils, Gabriel and Wenny are able to plant their vines in the soil that suits each grape variety. Voted Great Value Red Wine of the Year by WINE Magazine, this Gold Medal-winning wine has excellent Merlot fruit character, an inviting purple character and good juicy fruit. What else is there to say? "A cracker …. Lush, bouncy warm-climate summer red pitched just right for ripeness and crispness" Spyglass Magazine.
Maceration is closely controlled to ensure the wine is both supple and fruity. Excellent fruit extraction means that this organic Merlot is full of gently spiced black fruits. Tannins are well rounded, leaving a soft, easy-drinking wine.
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Italy

Mont’albano GT delle Venezie Merlot Refosco (Ref R33)

The north-easterly district of Friuli Grave is home to Mont’albano. Slowly becoming better known in the UK, it has long been worshipped by the Italians themselves who place a high value on its unique climate in the production of aromatic, delicate wines. Mauro Braidot is a hugely enthusiastic, passionate and talented winemaker.
This wine has soft, juicy fruits nicely integrated with creamy oak. Just as good with or without food!
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"The 11th November is St Martin's day, a very merry day in France. They passe it in eating, drinking and singing excessivelie. Every one tastes his new wine that day, and in tasting it takes too much".

Sir John Lauder, 1665-76

South Africa BUY NOW

Cabernet Sauvignon (No added sulphur, low sulphur wine) Stellar Organics - (ref: R34) FAIRTRADE

Stellar Winery is situated 275 kilometres north of Cape Town on the road to Namibia. It is a joint venture between four farmers and the cellar. The cellar processes about 900 tonnes of organic grapes from farms straddling the northern boundary of the Olifants river wine region and Namaqualand. Working closely with the farms, winemaker Dudley Wilson (ex-Flagstone), produces a great range of wines.

This Cabernet has had no sulphites added and is all the better for it. Soft blackberry fruits and gentle tannins combine to give a soft mouthfeel brimming with fresh fruit. Great by itself or with a homemade game stew.
If you're looking for a sulphur free wine you'll be looking for a very long time, sulphur dioxide is naturally occuring in the fermentation process. This low sulphur wine was tested for levels of sulphur, ordinary wines can have as much as 200 parts per million and this tested with 3 parts per million.

Awards and Reviews
Manchester Evening News: One treat on the list is Stellar Cabernet Sauvignon (£6.50), from South Africa, which ticks all kind of ethical and health boxes - Fair Trade, organic, no added sulphur - and is a delicious pure tasting red. This Cabernet has had no sulphites added and is all the better for it. Soft blackberry fruits and gentle tannins make it very gluggable.
Vintage: 2006
22/11/2007

Spain

Tempranillo Classic Albet I Noya (R35)

In 1978, Josep Maria Albet i Noya became the first winemaker in Spain to adopt organic practices in the vineyard, eliminating the use of chemical and synthetic insecticides and pesticides. Returning to more traditional methods, the balance of the vines is maintained using only permitted green, organic and composted fertilisers, resulting in healthy grapes of ‘true’ character.

No oak and made using the carbonic maceration technique which means a super-fruity, ultra-soft raspberry and strawberry delight. Wonderful organic Tempranillo.

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Yecla - Old Vine Monastrell (R36)

Bodegas La Purísima currently has 3325 Ha of vines, representing around 60% of the Yecla Denomination of Origin area. La Monastrell, an autochthonous variety of the area, is the queen of their vines. The vine of La Monastrell has been dry farmed for many years-, and the fields have been meticulously selected in order to offer the best of this variety. At Bodegas La Purísima, they have almost 100 Ha of ungrafted Monastrell vines, authentic vines which have grown on the land without being planted, bearing witness to the vines of their predecessors and providing them with authentic wines impregnated with the essence of the land. Monastrell is the variety which is best suited to their land, as it can grow in poor, arid soils, and is resistant to hot, dry summers. Other varieties such as Airen, Tempranillo, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah are also cultivated.

One of the juiciest, softest and expressive reds at this price you`ll find. Rich, welcoming, warming fruits that will never fail to lift your spirits.

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DO Rioja Livor Viña Ijalba (R37)

Comprising 80 hectares of vineyards planted around Logroño, San Vicente de la Sonsierre and Valle del Oja, the innovative Viña Ijalba was the very first organically certified estate in La Rioja (1994). The vines are planted on abandoned opencast mines where the thin, stony soils ensure that yields are kept low and the quality of the fruit is high. The estate was also the first to make a single varietal rioja from the graciano grape in 1995.

Made from 100% tempranillo this has a beguiling raspberry jam character which has no rough edges. Velvety smooth from start to finish.

Viña Ijalba have been making organic Rioja since 1994.

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Chile

Novas Carmenere Cabernet (R38)

Emiliana Orgánico - The most prominent organic and biodynamic estate in Chile, the vineyards of Emiliana Orgánico (formerly VOE) are planted in three of the country’s key viticultural valleys: Maipo, Colchagua and Casablanca. The winemaker here is the remarkably talented Alvaro Espinoza. Acacia trees are grown around the vineyard to draw nitrogen from the atmosphere into the soil, and plants are grown to make homeopathic treatments which are subsequently used on the vines.

Its not hard to see why the Chileans are so happy with Carmenère - the grape variety that hailed originally from Bordeaux - it has a delightful seductive quality with moreish fruits and firm tannins. It makes up two-thirds of this blend, with cabernet sauvignon bringing structure to the final wine. The result is a supple red, full to bursting with baked plums and prunes.

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Argentina

Buenos Ondas, Malbec Ref : R26

Bodegas Fabril Alto Verde - Situated in San Juan in the foothills of the Andes, this estate is run by Dr Rodolfo and Carla Nale. At an altitude of 625 metres above sea level the vineyards benefit from long warm summers and cool evenings, enabling the grapes to ripen slowly and to develop good aromatics and characteristics. The vineyards, cellar, and methods of production are all overseen by Argencert, the Argentinean arm of IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements).

Top-selling red with silky smooth black orchard fruits and well-integrated tannins.

Demonstrating the very best of the Malbec, this is a terrific wine. Attractive nose of loganberries with a delectable palate full of black, spiced cherries and a tasty chocolately finish. Silky smooth, it has wide appeal. All put together by a Master of Wine.

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Austria

BUY NOW

Meinklang Burgenland Pinot Noir (R31)

Run by the delightful Werner Michlits, the Meinklang vineyards are to be found on the eastern side of Neusiedlersee in eastern Austrian close to the Hungarian border. Long summer days allow for the best physiological ripeness, whilst cool evenings give the grapes ‘resting’ time. Vineyards planted close to the lakes have high atmospheric humidity combined with warm air, the ideal conditions for Austria’s world-famous sweet wines: eiswein, or ice wine. With its clear flavour and well-balanced acidity, it is made from grapes picked when temperatures plummet below freezing.

Pinot noir is thriving in the Austria and this excellent example shows what it`s capable of here. Ripe, red cherry fruits define the palate and are neatly intertwined with soft tannins. Very seductive indeed.

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Australia

Jamberoo Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon (R29)

OVA - Organic Vignerons Australia (OVA) are an inspirational group of five independent organic estates who have been working together since 2002. By combining their grapes they are able to make a wide range of bespoke wine styles to suit their different markets. Already proving very popular

Juicy blackberry flavours, smooth tannins and a moreish finish.

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