weekly wine features
Marchesi di Barolo’s Michet Nebbiolo d’Alba is proof that great Nebbiolo doesn’t always have to wait a decade to be enjoyed.
Bright red cherry, wild rose and subtle spice lead into fine tannins and fresh acidity, creating a wine that is both elegant and approachable.
Crafted from parcels surrounding the famed Barolo vineyards, it offers a glimpse into the character of Piedmont through a softer, more immediate lens.
A beautiful wine for winter evenings, shared plates and slow conversations.
Barbaresco, but make it timeless. This weeks’ wine feature is the 1966 Riserva from Produttori del Barbaresco, the kind of bottle that doesn’t just age, it proves a point.
Structured, long-lived, and quietly powerful, this vintage changed everything. The 1966 Barbaresco proved the cooperative model could produce wines that aged on par with top Barolo. Bottles started showing unexpected longevity in the late 70s and early 80s. Importers and collectors began paying attention.
One internal story often repeated: a few growers who had considered leaving the co-op tasted their own 1968 years later from a bottle they hadn’t individually controlled and realized the collective approach had outperformed what they could have done alone. That shifted loyalty. Turns out, the cooperative model could stand shoulder to shoulder with the greats of Barolo.
This week’s pour is Bodega Chacra Pinot Noir, straight from the wild edges of Patagonia. Founded by Piero Incisa della Rocchetta, the grandson of the creator of Sassicaia (so yes, the pedigree is real.)
Cool climate, old vines, and a whole lot of personality in the glass. Think bright red fruit, earthy whispers, and a finish that quietly flexes. It’s elegant without being precious. Pinot that knows how to behave but still has fun. Farmed with serious care, made with minimal fuss.
Fresh, savoury, and dangerously drinkable.
A reminder that great Pinot doesn’t only come from the usual postcodes. Patagonia called and we answered with a full glass. 🍷
A wine older than many of our guests.
This week, we’re featuring Brédif Grande Année 1979, Vouvray, a remarkable example of just how gracefully Chenin Blanc can age.
Nearly five decades in the bottle have transformed it into something deeply complex, with notes of honey, candied citrus, beeswax and toasted nuts, balanced by a freshness that still feels remarkably alive.
These wines become rarer with every bottle opened, making each glass a chance to experience a piece of wine history.
It’s Wednesday which means it’s time for this weeks’ wine crush. Meet Mistral, proof that white wines can have just as much attitude as reds 🍷
From Hans Herzog Estate in Marlborough, this Rhône-style blend brings together Marsanne, Viognier and Roussanne in one very confident glass.
Rich, textured, and unapologetically bold, this is not your crisp, quiet Sauvignon Blanc. Think stone fruit, florals, a little honey and a whole lot of depth. It’s giving sunshine… but with structure.
The kind of white that actually wants a seat at the dinner table, not just the pre-drinks. A white wine with weight, character, and just the right amount of drama.
This week’s wine crush is François Villard Les Contours de Deponcins Viognier 2023, and yes, it’s as fancy as it sounds.
From the Northern Rhône, this is Viognier doing what Viognier does best: aromatics for days. Think ripe apricot, white peach and a little floral moment that smells like you’ve made excellent life choices. There’s richness, but it’s balanced ; not loud, not flabby, just confidently put together. Fresh acidity keeps it lively, so it’s not here to sit quietly in the corner.
This is the kind of white that works just as well with food as it does on its own. Perfect with our menu, or honestly… perfect with absolutely nothing except another sip 👌🏼
This week’s wine feature takes us to Tuscany with Massa Vecchia.
Raw, energetic, a little wild and completely unforgettable. The kind of wine that doesn’t try to be polished, because it doesn’t need to be.
Massa Vecchia has become cult status for a reason. Biodynamic farming, minimal intervention and wines that feel deeply alive in the glass. Expect texture, earth, freshness and a personality that changes as it opens.
These are wines that make people fall in love with wine all over again. Or at the very least, order another glass.
Le Macchiole’s Paleo 2017 has entered the chat.
Straight out of Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast, this 100% Cabernet Franc is the kind of wine that makes sommeliers quietly nod and guests ask for another glass.
Paleo isn’t made every year either, only when the fruit behaves itself. 2017 brought concentration, warmth, and serious depth. Think blackcurrant, tobacco, spice and a finish that lingers.
This is the bottle you order when you’re feeling a little bit fancy. Or when you want the table next to you wondering what you’re drinking 🍷
Say hello to The Wrekin Libby’s Block Chenin Blanc 2021, our wine of the week. This is a Marlborough-grown gem with serious personality.
Chenin Blanc lovers will instantly spot its trademark zing and texture. Think apples, citrus, beeswax and a little “I woke up like this” attitude.
It starts crisp, gets creamy, and finishes like it knows it’s the favourite child. There’s a sneaky richness here that makes it dangerously drinkable. We adore it because it’s charming without being showy. You’ll adore it because it makes every sip feel intentional
This week at Toast & Oak, we’re excited to feature a standout bottle from one of Germany’s most celebrated producers: Fritz Haag.
The wine is Paulinsberg Riesling GG. Beautifully expressive and refined, this Riesling opens with bright citrus, ripe stone fruit, and delicate floral notes, all balanced by striking minerality and a crisp, lingering finish.
It’s the kind of wine that captures attention with the first sip and keeps revealing something new with every glass.
Clos Lojen Bobal 2023 🍷
Hailing from the sun-drenched hills of Manchuela, this Bobal is proof that not all heroes wear capes, some wear corks. It’s vibrant, juicy, and full of red fruit energy.
This grape (3rd most planted red grape in Spain) is light on its feet but seriously expressive. Winemaker Juan Antonio Ponce works biodynamically, which basically means he treats his vines better than most people treat their houseplants.
Fermented in whole bunches, it’s got that wild, slightly untamed vibe that makes every sip a little adventure. Pairs perfectly with good company, bold flavours, and mild mischief. It’s the kind of red that converts white wine loyalists and silences Pinot snobs.
This week we swoon over Destiny Bay Destinae 2010. A little bit Waiheke, a little bit Bordeaux & a whole lot of wow.
Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc all playing their parts in perfect harmony. Expect depth, dark fruit and a finish that lingers like a well-kept secret.
Aged to perfection, poured with intention, and yes, it’s as good as it sounds.
Meet Conceito from Douro 🍇 or we think ‘Portugal in a bottle’.
From the terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley comes a red that balances juicy berries, subtle spice, and a silky, refined finish. It’s perfect for those evenings when you want to impress your taste buds (and maybe your friends) without trying too hard.
Whether paired with food or savoured on its own, this wine is a gentle reminder that some things in life, like great wine, are meant to be enjoyed slowly.
This week’s wine is a lesson in patience. Château Brane-Cantenac 1999—because some things only get better with age (like this Margaux, and your taste).
A second growth Bordeaux with first-class charm—this wine is all elegance, depth, and quiet power. Silky tannins, dark berries, a whisper of cedar… it’s the kind of bottle that doesn’t shout, but lingers in your memory.
A rare pour from a remarkable vintage. Come see why time has been so kind to this beauty 🍷
Not all Pinot Grigio is created equal.
From Italy's Veneto region, Italo Cescon Pinot Grigio 2023 is a wine that reminds us why this variety became famous in the first place. Bright, textural and effortlessly drinkable, it offers crisp pear, white peach and citrus, balanced by delicate floral notes and a refreshing mineral finish.
Founded in 1957, Italo Cescon has become known not only for its elegant wines, but also for the small vine branch tied to every bottle—a tribute to the family's deep connection to the vineyard and a symbol that has become instantly recognisable around the world.
Sometimes the simplest wines, when made with care, are the most memorable.
Known as the “King of Wines,” this week’s Wine Series features a bold, elegant Barolo from Verduno, Italy.
Fratelli Alessandria is one of the most long-standing wineries in the area, having already been operational around the middle of the 1800s, at the time of the birth of Barolo.
The Fratelli Alessandria Barolo is rich, complex, and made for savoring—don’t miss this pour!
Every bottle has a story.
Our Weekly Wine Series is a chance to share some of the wines that excite us most—whether they're iconic producers, hidden gems, or new discoveries we've recently added to our cellar.
From the vineyards and people behind each label to what makes every wine unique, these features offer a closer look at the bottles we're passionate about. We hope they inspire your next glass, whether you're joining us at Toast & Oak or simply exploring the world of wine from home.
Browse the collection below and discover the stories behind the wines.
Some wines are good. Some wines are great. And then there’s Château Margaux; the kind of Bordeaux that was born knowing it’s a star. Premier Grand Cru Classé since 1855, it doesn’t need to brag… but the 2019 vintage does all the talking anyway.
Think violets, cassis, and blackberries wrapped up in tannins smoother than a well-rehearsed encore. The finish? It lingers longer than a standing ovation. Critics are already calling it a modern triumph, but we’ll just say: Margaux doesn’t make wine, it makes history; bottled, corked, and ready for its spotlight.
This is Bordeaux at full volume: commanding, graceful, and impossible to forget.
We’re pouring something truly exceptional this week: the 2007 Valli Pinot Noir.
Crafted by the godfather of Central Otago Pinot, Grant Taylor, this bottle has spent the last 17 years quietly becoming a masterpiece—no rush, no drama, just pure elegance. Dark cherry, forest floor, and fine tannins glide together in a way only time can teach.
It’s not often a wine this rare graces the glass. Available on our Somms Cellar List. Come taste what patience tastes like 🍷
This week we bring you a staff favourite, the Montessu – Isola dei Nuraghi by Agricola Punica 🍷
From Sardinia’s rugged southwestern coast comes Montessu, a wine with as much character as the island itself. Carignano takes center stage, supported by a polished ensemble of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. These Bordeaux grapes aren’t here by accident. Sassicaia’s legendary team, the pioneers of Italy’s “Super Tuscan” movement, brought their expertise to Sardinia with the same vision: take world-class varieties, plant them in the perfect terroir, and let the island work its magic.
The result? Layers of plush black fruit, wild Mediterranean herbs, a flicker of spice, and a whisper of salty sea breeze that lingers well past the final sip. Silky, savory, and just the right amount of mysterious. This is Sardinia, bottled with a Super Tuscan soul.
A true gem from Piedmont, Italy — meet Travaglini Gattinara, our featured wine of the week. Crafted from 100% Nebbiolo, this elegant red brings bold structure, refined tannins, and a touch of alpine freshness.
In 1958 Giancarlo Travaglini set out to create a bottle for an exceptional wine that would also be a work of art. The shape of the bottle featuring a unique curve that fits naturally in the palm of the hand serves to catch sediment during pouring, allowing the wine to be served directly from the bottle to the glass without decanting.
You can expect aromas of dried rose petals, black cherry, and spice, with a long, earthy finish that pairs beautifully with our Beef & carrot dish as well as our charcuterie board.
This week’s pour is not just wine, it’s history in a glass. V
iña Tondonia Reserva 2011 hails from one of Rioja’s most celebrated estates, where time is the secret ingredient. Aged for years in oak before it ever meets your table, it offers a harmony of ripe fruit, tobacco, vanilla, and spice, with a structure as refined as it is bold.
It’s the kind of wine that makes small talk unnecessary as it speaks volumes with every sip. If you’ve ever wondered what “white classic Rioja” really tastes like, this is your invitation to find out.
This week, we’re pouring something truly special — the Henri Giraud MV17. Crafted in the heart of Champagne, this elegant drop is everything you want in a glass of bubbles: rich, refined, and undeniably expressive.
This Champagne house produces only what they grow, with extraordinary attention to detail—starting from the very forests where they source the wood for their barrels, all the way through to the meticulous winemaking process.
Expect golden orchard fruit, delicate brioche notes, and a silky mousse that lingers beautifully. A Grand Cru with grand personality.
This week, we’re pouring a stunning Spanish Tinto Fino - Bodegas y Viñedos Alión 2007. From Castilla y León this wine is deep, expressive, and full of Spanish soul.
Bodegas Alión, owned by the legendary Vega Sicilia estate, was founded in 1986. The name Alión comes from the birthplace of the Álvarez (the owners) family patriarch.
Come uncork this bottle and discover why this bold red is a regional favourite of Spain 🍷
Each week, we’re uncorking something special—featuring a standout wine and diving into the beauty of older vintages.
This week: Te Mata Coleraine | Cabernet / Merlot 1995. A staple in the winemaking industry of New Zealand and a name known around the world.
Come explore New Zealand’s older vintages and sip a piece of history.
Opus One 2012 🍷
A vintage for those who know. And if you know, you sip.
Crafted in collaboration between Napa royalty and Bordeaux finesse, Opus One 2012 is everything you want a grand red to be; elegant, expressive, and quietly commanding. The season was near flawless, and so is this pour: ripe cassis, black cherry, graphite, and fine oak weaving seamlessly into satin-like tannins.
Cabernet Sauvignon reigns supreme, supported by Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc in perfect harmony.
In short: it’s smooth, structured, and aged like someone who drinks very good wine.
This week, we’re taking your tastebuds on a trip—to the foothills of Mt. Fuji.
Meet Grace Koshu: Made from Japan’s signature Koshu grape, this wine is light, crisp, and delicately aromatic with notes of citrus, white peach, and a hint of minerality. It’s the perfect pairing for lighter fare—or simply enjoyed on its own.
Discover something new in your glass this week.
The weekly wine series continues with another standout bottle, this time from Alto Adige, Italy.
Each week, we’re uncorking something special—featuring our cellar list wines and diving into the beauty of older vintages.
Terlan Chardonnay Rarity 1997 // The Rarity range consists of wines that have undergone extended aging (up to a decade) in the cellars of the winery before bottling. Cantina Terlano Winery is a cooperative, one of the best in Italy, that was founded in 1893 and now has 143 member growers.
A wine we feel very privileged to have on our Somm’s cellar list 🍷
This week our taste buds travel to Northern Portugal. The Century Port J.H Andresen 1845/1945 Port is a fortified wine that was a special release to mark the 100th year anniversary of the founding J.H Andresen.
Port is wine that only completes about half of its fermentation and is then fortified with brandy. It comes in dry, semi-dry and white varieties as well.
The J.H Andresen 1845/1945 is considered a collectable bottle and one we are thrilled to include in our Somm’s Cellar List 🍷