Chatham Wine & Liquor
Fine selections from around the world – and around the corner
Natural Wines
So-called natural wines are getting more attention lately as consumers pursue products deemed to be healthier and more authentic. Natural wines are wines made by people who approach their craft with a minimalist philosophy, both in the vineyard and in the winery. The grapes are grown organically, meaning that they are not sprayed with pesticides or herbicides. They may also be grown bio-dynamically which, in addition to no pesticides, involves enhancing the soil with certain organic preparations. It also includes processes and timelines for enriching the soil, planting, pruning, and harvesting based on the phases of the moon and astrological signs.
In the winery, natural wines are made with minimal intervention. Grapes are hand-picked and hand de-stemmed. Only naturally occurring yeasts are used for fermentation, and mechanical processes in the wine making are avoided. Since filtration is rare, there may be a cloudiness to the wine that is harmless. Sulfites are not added and nothing extraneous is added to the juice. Therefore, natural wines are said to be the purest expression of the fruit, the most authentic product of the vineyard.
Reds
Ambrositsch "Rakete" Roter Gemischter Satz
The "Viennese Rocket" (Rakete is German for "Rocket") is a crunchy light ruby wine, full of bright cranberry and cherry. There's unriper green gooseberry tartness, and a little earthiness that cuts through the fruite. It's a blend of both red and white wine varieties, elegant, clean, balanced, and refreshing. Made from Zweigelt, St. Laurent, Blauburger & Merlot. Give the bottle a shake before you pour.
$24.99
Chateau Haut-Rian Pure Gourmandise 2019
100% Merlot with no added S02. Light and fresh with a little bit of savage wildness at the end. Fantastic natural wine and an excellent to this new wave of winemaking.
$15.99
Weingut Brand Red Wine 2020
Light-bodied red from a biodynamic vineyard, 80% Blauer Portugieser and 20% Cabernet Franc grown in the cool climate of the Pfalz region. Great expressions of tart berried and beautiful spice, racy and chuggable. No filtering or fining, wild yeast fermentation, very low sulfur. Great with antipasto.
$26.99
Philippe Viret Renaissance 2016
Grenache with some Mourvedre and Carignan. Native yeast, no S02 added. Vibrant, fresh, vital. Perfectly ripe black fruit, red fruit, herbaceous, slightly candied but still fresh. Terrific energy. Purity, elegance and concentration with an incredibly silky mouthfeel. Grapes farmed by "Cosmoculture" which is beyond biodynamic.
$24.99
Whites
Bloomer Creek Riesling "X" Pet-Nat 2019
A lightly effervescent sparkler from the Finger Lakes with a tiny touch of sweetness.
$25.99
Philipe Lardot Kontakt 2020
60% Riesling, 40% skin macerated Muller-Thurgau. Refreshing yet textural, savoury herbs and just the right amount of fruit.
$26.99
Sparkling
The Kalkspitz Pétillant Grüner Veltliner
blended with Zweigelt, Sauvignon Blanc, Blauer Portugieser and Muskat Ottonel. Fermented on the skins. Dry and savory with a refreshing acidity and creaminess. It also has a delightful saline element that keeps you coming back for more. Biodynamic
$22.99
Previously Featured Natural Wines
Brand Wilder Satz 2019
A beautifully acidic blend of Chardonnay, Muller-Thurgau, Riesling, Scheurebe and Sylvanier. Passion fruit, lychee, lime, green apple, sherbert, salt and a chalky minerality. Who could ask for anything more?
$17.99
Florian Fauth Elektrisch Riesling Kabinett 2018
From the Rheinhesses, a crisp, relatively dry (there is some residual sugar) Riesling Kabinett that evokes peaches, honey, and zesty lemon-lime acidity. It’s a perfect pair for spicy food.
$16.99 Out of Stock
i no es Pituko 2019
A rare and unusual Chardonnay from Chile. Not for oak and butter lovers, it is fruity and juicy with a nice texture and light acidity.
$14.99
Lestignac Va Te Faire Boire 2018
Camille and Mathias Marquet of Château Lestignac are the wizards of the Bergerac region! Working already for more than 10 year Biodynamic, with 100% natural vinification, 100% expression of the terroir and an almost Burgundy style in taste, juicy, powerful and mineral. They are not afraid to experiment.
$21.99
Mas Theo P'tit Gaby 2018
A light bodied Grenache Syrah Mourvedre quaffer from the Southern Rhone. Delicious tart red fruit and nice acidity.
$15.99
Primata Nat Cool 2019
It has a slight ”funky” note but with a distinct mineral driven aromatic profile. palate is deeply refreshing and austere, with beautiful tension and a purity which follows through to a dry, spicy and persistent finish.
$19.99 Out of Stock
Roterfaden & Rosswag Co-op
"Terraces Red" 2019
A wine from grapes grown in ancient terraces in southern Germany, producing a dark fruited wine of Lemberger, Trollinger, Regent and Schwarzriesling, The producers describe it as a wine to quench the soul and to preserve this sacred growing ground.
$17.99
Beurer Portugieser 2019
A lighter-styled red, with darker fruits and a complex herbal profile of dried spices. It is made from the Portugieser grape which originated in Austria or Slovenia and is somewhat obscure. There is a little hint of funk to this. Jochen Beurer is a wildly influential grower in southern Germany, farming biodynamically and making wines with energy and life.
$31.99
Hild Elbling Sekt
The spunky sparkler is from the obscure Elbling grape grown in the Upper Mosel. Made in the traditional method, it is aged on its lees for nine months giving it extra creaminess. Juicy, tropical fruit, white flowers and chalk.
$20.99
Falkenstein Blauburgunder 2016
A Pinot Noir of sheer elegance from the Alto Adige region of Italy. Full bodied with fruits of the forest and cherries with gloriously fine tannins.
$25.99