ARTISAN EUROPEAN WINE SPECIALISTS,
DELIVERING AUSTRALIA.

From Nebbiolo in Barolo, Valtellina & Alto Piemonte to Grenache in Rioja,
Languedoc & Roussillon — unique bottles from the finest small growers across Italy, Spain and France.

Crotin 1897 is a terrific, affordable Piedmontese discoveries — an organic family estate in the rolling Monferrato hills near Maretto, west of Asti, making wines of purity and character from some of Piedmont's most obscure and endangered grape varieties. The estate was founded in 1897 — hence the name — and is today run by three Calabrian-born Russo brothers: Federico (agronomist), Corrado (enologist) and Marcello (chef and hospitality). 'Crotin' means 'little cellar' in Piedmontese dialect. Everything here is certified organic, using indigenous yeasts, minimal sulphur and no chemical intervention. The vineyards sit in one of the coolest microclimates in the Asti commune, influenced by the Alps, on varying soils of clay, limestone and sand. The range is a treasure map of Piedmontese grape culture. Grignolino — pale, peppery and light with a wonderful bitter finish — from a single hectare of organically farmed vines. Freisa, Nebbiolo's relative, in three fascinating renditions: bone dry sparkling, a racy rosato and a juicy structured red. Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato — a "marvellous, if unknown, native variety" producing wines of fresh rose, violet and cherry with wild herb complexity (91 points, Wine Enthusiast). Barbera, pure and elegant, raised in stainless steel for freshness. And their extraordinary sparkling wines. But the most remarkable thing in the range is Bussanello — a cross between Furmint and Riesling Italico, created in 1936, registered in Italy's National Register of Vine Varieties in 1977, and now produced in purity by only one winery on earth: Crotin 1897. Lovely pear and jasmine aromatics, a wine of genuine fascination and rarity. Gary Walsh of The Wine Front, on the Grignolino: "Yum. Strawberry and raspberry, maybe red cherry, but pretty much all the fresh and juicy red fruits your heart desires. Chill it lightly, and you'll be smiling. It's one of those wines that's pure joy to drink."

Delivered Australia-wide. 15% off any dozen.