In the wine region, so-called ‘Landwein’ reigns supreme – often too simple, standardised and sweet. It takes courage to think differently, just like Nadine and Cédric. The journey was not an easy one: the switch to biodynamics, the return to dry whites and terroir-driven reds in the cellar. Or their passion for the indigenous Räuschling variety, their involvement in the 8247 project in Flurlingen and the associated, forward-thinking cellar renovation. After a good 15 vintages, Besson-Strasser wines have secured their place among Switzerland’s top wines. Various accolades in specialist publications bear this out. We are proud to stock their exquisite wines. The Pinots are in a class of their own – yet the Räuschling Non-filtré, bottled after two years of yeast ageing, embodies the Besson-Strasser ‘DNA’ to perfection!

Hugues Godmé, who has been part of the family business since 1978, is regarded by Champagne expert Peter Liem as a star among the Grand Cru vineyards of the village of Verzenay, in the Montagne de Reims. Since 2015, he has been forging his own path with great passion, having broken free from family constraints. His vineyards are Biodyvin-certified, and he is dedicated to the Brut Nature style – clear, precise, uncompromising. Most of the vines are rooted in Verzenay, with additional plots in Verzy, Villers-Marmery and Ville-Dommange. Since the 2020 vintage, his daughter Lucille has brought new energy and lightness to these crystalline, profound wines. The Blanc de Noirs can be considered his signature cuvée. The vinous Rosé de Macération displays character and smoothness. The vintages, aged on the lees for over ten years, captivate with their texture, depth and radiant freshness.

In the heart of tranquil Savigny-lès-Beaune, a family has been perfecting their Crémant de Bourgogne since 1907. Today, the warm-hearted Grégory runs the estate as the fifth generation – with deep respect for history, terroir and his team. The grapes come from their own vineyards. From the base wine to bottle fermentation, from riddling to disgorging – everything is carried out with meticulous care by hand. Even the basic cuvées mature on the lees for 36 months. Compared to still wines from the Côte, these Crémants are pleasantly down-to-earth in price. The Cuvée Origine Brut – a fine blend of Pinot, Chardonnay and Aligoté – is a true all-rounder, ideal for an aperitif. The Rosé Monochrome shines with delicate berry fruit, elegant structure and astonishing length.

Thomas Pico’s wines speak volumes even for Chablis: they tell the story of the terroir – and of a winemaker with conviction. Since 2005, he has been working tirelessly towards his vision of a great Chablis: his aim is not freshness at any cost, but perfect physiological ripeness. To achieve this, he puts enormous effort into his biodynamically farmed vineyards – with a strong focus on ground cover and vine training. The grapes should reach the bottle as unadulterated as possible. This means: slow pressing, no pumping, no sulphur until bottling. No fining, no filtering – gravity takes care of that. After a year in used 500-litre barrels, they mature for a further two to four years in tanks. These ‘Mises Tardives’ or ‘late releases’ are truly unique – impressive even when young, with great potential for ageing.

The Domaine du Pré Semelé, named after the hamlet of the same name, is picturesquely situated in the heart of Sancerre, near Chavignol. Clément and Julien Raimbault manage the family estate with great sensitivity. Respect reigns in the vineyard: sustainable practices, minimal intervention, extensive cover cropping, and no pesticides or herbicides. In the cellar, the motto is: less is more. The wines speak softly but powerfully. Sauvignon Blancs that combine clarity with depth and minerality – a modern interpretation of the Sancerre style, which is not diluted by selected yeasts or the suppression of malolactic fermentation, and requires only a small dose of home-produced, volcanic sulphur. The Cuvée Mainbré is the ‘staple piece’. Terroir enthusiasts compare the Cotelin from Kimmeridgian limestone with the Chasseignes Portlandian soils.

These wines captivate and provoke thought: cool, ethereal, vibrant, fruity. Built on chalk-soft tannins, juicy acidity and notes of graphite. One wine more fascinating than the next, and one wonders: how does he do it? The modest Aurélien would surely put it down to the terroir. But that alone cannot be the answer; the wines have too distinctive a signature for that. The mostly old vines are planted in prime sites around the village of Restigné, AC Bourgeuil, on Turonian limestone and are biodynamically certified (Biodyvin). In the cellar, everything is destemmed, fermented slowly without mechanical intervention (ne pas toucher!) and aged in used barrels in the cool cellar for at least 24 months. Malolactic fermentation takes place without intervention, only in the spring. SO2 is used in small doses, only at bottling. It all sounds rather simple, somehow …

It was a Clos de la Roche from Dujac that prompted Andrew to give up his career in advertising. After completing his studies and apprenticeships at Kosta Browne (CA), Felton Road (NZ) and with Simon Bize in Burgundy, he founded Le Grappin in 2011. His passion lies in soils and forgotten winemaking techniques. Consequently, the terroir dictates the approach in the cellar – inspired by the wealth of specialist literature that Andrew devours. Over the years, this has given rise to his delicate yet highly personal style. All the wines are left to rest undisturbed for long periods in neutral wood or concrete eggs and, despite minimal intervention, are clear and clean. We love the Mâcon-Villages with its aroma of white fruit and herbs and its salty finish. Our insider tip: the rare white Beaune 1er Les Grêves is in a class of its own!

Domaine AMI is the labour of love of two friends – Willy and Paul – who combine their passion for wine, craftsmanship and terroir. The pair cultivate small, often little-known vineyards with care and respect for nature. Their meticulously crafted wines are lively, full of character and often skilfully play on a hint of reduction. Domaine AMI embodies a modern Burgundian style: clear, accessible, yet with depth and terroir. Whilst it is primarily the visually striking labels such as the ‘Amivice’ or the ‘Nuages’ range that are familiar from fine wine bars around the globe, it is the ‘more serious’ wines, such as the Pommard Villages, that are all the more astonishing. Each wine tells a story of the soils, the climate and the friendship from which the project was born.

A picture-perfect walled vineyard (clos): within it, perfect rows of healthy vines, a charming house with a wine cellar, and a close-knit three-generation team working with passion – all just a stone’s throw from the gourmet capital of Lyon. To the south lies the Côte Rôtie, to the north the Beaujolais, yet here we are in the little-known AOC ‘Côteaux du Lyonnais’, whose wines rarely make it beyond the city walls. Pierre Tholet, the youngest scion, gained experience with M. T. Chappaz in Valais and Besson-Strasser. Founded by his great-grandfather and now run by Pierre, his father Patrice and his grandfather Robert, authentic, characterful wines are produced here on deep glacial moraine soils; wines that delight completely with their honest expression and surprisingly fair prices.

The Fliederhof is a family-run estate with heart and history – deeply rooted in the diverse soils of South Tyrol. On mineral-rich gravel terraces, loamy hills and sun-drenched, partly steep slopes, wines with an unmistakable character are produced. Since 1930, the Ramoser family has been working here in harmony with nature. Martin Ramoser has now converted the estate entirely to biodynamic farming. Every wine from the Fliederhof combines traditional craftsmanship with modern precision. The indigenous varieties Lagrein and Vernatsch are particularly close to the Ramosers’ hearts. The Lagrein is dark, dense and spicy, whilst the Vernatsch, as an elegant, fragrant South Tyrolean classic, embodies the region’s finesse. The result is authentic wines that cannot deny their origins.