Box: July 2015
Welcome in First Class
Our July box gives all our members a free upgrade. That’s right, this month you are all traveling “Business Class” ! We decided to splurge a bit for the start of summer holidays, and not only feature some wines that are a bit up market, but also a selection of wineries that are indeed served in First and Business class on one of the worlds premium airlines – Emirates. And just to make sure that you will feel absolutely spoiled with quality, we have also included a free gift.
Welcome on board. This month we feature wines from our new supplier Fanda Group who do a great selection of German Rieslings and South African wines that I thought would really help to get us away from Cabernet and Chardonay for a while. The fact that these wineries also have their wines in Business and first class of Emirates Airlines is testament of their quality. This is also the first time we have included a Pinotage in our box, which is the classic South African red and the craziest cross of 2 varieties you will ever find. Pinot Noir and Cinsault. This is a great variety for those still unsure about Pinot Noir, as it is much rounder.
Just in case German and Afrikaans isn’t your thing, we also dropped in a couple award winning Italians just to make sure you have some closer to summer holiday spirit (Yes, we know that sum of you are in Tuscany this month).
And in typical business class fashion, this month’s box also includes a free “goody bag”. We know that a pair of socks and hand cream are not really 
what our members are after, so we included a sample pack of fresh express blend (Brazilia Santos, Ethiopia Sidamo a Colombia Supremo to be exact) right from the roaster of one of our members! Eliska and Jan started Hoel Coffee just a year ago, and have already established themselves as a boutique cafe of choice. 100% Arabica, perfect for that morning jolt :-) . And of course like all our partners, you can always order more with your IWCoK discount.
So enjoy the upper deck, and start your holiday season in style!
Pfandturm Grauburgunder 2013
Wine description:
- Country: Germany
- Grape: Pinot grigio
- Alcohol: 12,5%
- Style: Light and refreshing dry white wine
- Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
- Supplier: FANDA Group
- Price: 279 Kč
Mike's Tip
A first class Pinot Gris with all the classic hallmarks of the region. Sweet apples and pears up front, then the acidity kicks in to give you that lovely ballanced flavor. A real mouth full! And we mean full!!!
Royal Blue Riesling
Wine description:
- Country: Germany
- Grape: Welschriesling
- Alcohol: 9,5%
- Style: Floral sweet semidry white wine
- Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
- Supplier: FANDA Group
- Price: 209 Kč
Mike's Tip
Don't worry, this is not Blue Nun! Indeed the most popular wine in the world in the 1980s was a sweet German Riesling in a blue bottle, but this one shares only the color. This is a light semi-dry refreshing summer cooler. Not to be taken too seriously, it will go well with just about any food and should be drank in generous quantities.
Louis Dry Riesling
Wine description:
- Country: Germany
- Grape: Welschriesling
- Alcohol: 12,5%
- Style: Light and refreshing dry white wine
- Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
- Supplier: FANDA Group
- Price: 209 Kč
Mike's Tip
This was our first serious entry level Riesling that came off surprisingly dry. Riesling fans may look for a bit more sugar and acidity, but the dryness makes this all the more easy to drink anytime.
Grillo
Wine description:
- Country: Italy
- Grape: Cuveé
- Alcohol: 12,5%
- Style: Light and refreshing dry white wine
- Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
- Supplier: FANDA Group
- Price: 297 Kč
Mike's Tip
This golden tinted wine like its name is a 100% Grillo from Sicily. No barrels touched this one having "matured" in steel tanks. That doesn't stop the almonds and peaches coming out full force. Another full bodied white and all without the barrique.
Stellenrust, Pinotage
Wine description:
- Country: South Africa
- Grape: Pinotage
- Alcohol: 14%
- Style: Full-bodied red aged in oak
- Drink: Wine with potencial 2 to 5 years
- Supplier: FANDA Group
- Price: 496 Kč
Mike's Tip
Coming from the oldest vines on the vineyard, this 100% Pinotage will go great with spicy food. Oak aged, you will find this to be very mellow for it's age. Old cherries, rasberries and peach over high tannin. This goes some way to introduce you to it sister variety Pinot Noir. Sophisticated and complex.
Vigna di Pallino Chianti
Wine description:
- Country: Italy
- Grape: Sangiovese
- Alcohol: 13,5%
- Style: Medium-bodied red wine
- Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
- Supplier: FANDA Group
- Price: 327 Kč
Mike's Tip
100% Sangiovesse, from what one organization dubbed the Italian winemaker of the year. Medium bodied with pronounced tannin, Chianti is my ideal red wine for red meat.
Stellenrust, Stell Red
Wine description:
- Country: South Africa
- Grape: Cuveé
- Alcohol: 14%
- Style: Full-bodied, rich red wine
- Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
- Supplier: FANDA Group
- Price: 190 Kč
Mike's Tip
This is our entry level Pinotage cuvee mixed with Shiraz. We took a bit of a risk here with 2 varieties that are a bit particular. High in tannins and spice, this is a wine full of flavor and alcohol that needs to be drank with some seriously strong meat or cheese. Think lamb not pork, goat not gouda. And give it a chance. You may well discover that there is more to these varieties than you gave them credit for.
Stellenrust Sauvignon Blanc
Wine description:
- Country: South Africa
- Grape: Sauvignon blanc
- Alcohol: 12,5%
- Style: Light and refreshing dry white wine
- Drink: Wine with potencial 2 to 5 years
- Supplier: FANDA Group
- Price: 270 Kč
Mike's Tip
A Sauvignon Blanc with all the spring green that you will either love or discover that this wine variety isn't your thing. Sauvignon comes from the French word "sauvage" or "wild" and I found this wine to be crisp and green as grass. A very special flavor that Sauvignon fans will love, and the those who need something a bit fruitier and rounder probably won't.