The iDealwine cellar is bursting with new vintages! Here is your chance to get off the beaten path and (re)discover some of the more modest regions and domains. With this in mind, take a look at the rising stars in France and beyond by journeying with us from Beaujolais to New Zealand, via California and calling at the Loire Valley.

Let’s escape to New Zealand to explore the iconic region of Marlborough and discover the white wines of the Dog Point domain. Here we have a pioneer in the region’s wine industry, notably as growers of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Our favourite is the Section 94 cuvée: ideal for an aperitif or to accompany a starter.

Moving to the USA, more specifically California, a state which is full to the brim with vines and good wines from AVA Napa Valley and Sonoma Coast. In the first region, nestled among the mountains, is the Shafer estate, a family domain home to Wine Spectator magazine’s ‘Wine of the Year’. North of San Francisco, the Sonoma Valley hosts such gems as the Kistler domain, whose crus are not entirely unlike those of our Burgundian Côte d’Or. A word to the wise!

Much further south, in the Argentine vines of Mendoza, Domaine Cheval des Andes produces wines that bring together the expertise of the iconic Saint-Emilion Château Cheval Blanc and the Argentine winemaker Terrazas de los Andes. The Malbec variety that dominates this blend brings just the right amount of power and elegance to the 2016 vintage which you can get your hands on.

Let’s return to Europe but staying in the sun to discover Rinitis Nobilis from the Greek Gaia domain. A typical wine which will surprise you with its pine aromas and pleasant acidity which offer freshness and length. This short stop allows us to slowly journey back towards France, calling in the south-west where we find waiting for us the fine wines of the region’s rising star: Arrextea. Note that its 2014 and 2016 Irouléguy are unmissable.

After this long trip, it’s not a bad idea to stay a little longer in France and rediscover some of the classics like Domaine Albert Bichot and its beautiful 2016 and 2017 vintages. Impossible not to cite Clos Rousseau, a fruity and well-structured Santenay, as well as Clos des Mouches, a Beaune premier cru with an explosive floral bouquet. Or let yourself be tempted by something entirely different such as the fine and powerful Pernand-Vergelesses from the biodynamic Domaine Chandon de Briailles – this is a lovely wine that our team got to taste during one of our unmissable masterclasses at 228 Litres. On an alternative note, why not go head over heels for the magnums of Domaine Valette Mâcon-Chaintré which have found their way into our new stock and promise to be wonderfully fresh and fruity.

As for the Loire Valley, we have to present one of our favourite partner domains: that of Philippe Alliet. Producing some remarkable wines, the 2017 and 2018 vintages of the domain’s Cabernet Franc are fantastically vinified. And if you have a weak spot for the 2017 vintage more broadly, consider Lucien Crochet’s Sancerre, from a family estate that represents quality across the world.

Let’s round off our trip with a stop in Beaujolais, with the 2016 Brouilly and Morgon from Georges Descombes. And finally Louis-Claude Desvignes’ 2018 Javernières, a delicious and fine Morgon-Côte-du-Py, perfect to serve with white meat or pork.

We hope this virtual journey will have inspired you and brought to your attention the gems and rare vintages available in this selection. Find the rest of our new bottles at iDealwine.