Wild Wines This Week

Château de Parnay is the legacy of Loire icon Antoine Cristal and the flagship property of Saumur-Champigny. The historic property was taken over by Mathias Levron & Régis Vincenot in 2006 with the aim of restoring the nobility of this special place. Its vineyards are found on the region’s reputable clay and limestone soils, and all the wines are certified organic since 2013 by Ecocert.

The Clos of Chemin des Murs was built, planted and cultivated according to an unprecedented technique, from the imagination of its original owner, Antoine Cristal. Rooted in cold soil, the vines cross through a stone wall to ripen the grapes in the southern sun.

Out of a Sicilian family heritage that traces back to the 17th century, the Tornatore’s Mount Etna wine ventures began in 1865. Today, the family’s operations are headed by Giuseppe Tornatore, a businessman whose expertise led to the acquisition of some of the region’s finest north-facing vineyards in the early 2000’s. Tornatore’s profound respect and understanding of the land is showcased in wines that capture the essence of Etna, deftly balancing concentrated flavors, complexity, freshness and refinement.

Located in the northern side of Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe, the soils have volcanic origin and were created through the disintegration of lava, ash and stones from previous volcanic eruptions. The combination of soil, climate and the skill of the winemakers, have made the northern slope of Etna an ideal area for the production of high-quality wines.