KATLA WINES
Woellstein
Rheinhessen
Jasmine Swan of Katla Wines runs a small négociant project in Woellstein, Germany. Her fruit comes from organically-farmed vineyards located on the steep slopes facing the Moselle river but also from nearby regions such as Nahe and Rheinhessen. On top of looking after her tiny 0.3ha of vines in the Mosel, Jasmine aims to fully manage as many of the plots she works with throughout the year and to harvest everything by hand.
In the cellar, she favours the use of a manual wooden press and neutral vessels for fermentations. Grapes are often de-stemmed and work is carried out without the use of any additions nor corrections. “I make wines that I like to drink, but that don’t essentially go along with the traditional style of the area where I am based at. I prefer to make my own traditions, instead of following others.”
Her creative nature has also led her to experiment and introduce different ideas and approaches to her practice. From ageing wine in barrels left outdoors, exposed to the elements throughout the year - or adding foraged herbs and flowers to the fermentation tank. Jas never ceases to surprise us with beautiful recipes and flavours.
Dried foraged Lilac
Dried foraged Douglas Fir
Queendom
Vintage 2023
Style Sparkling Rosé
Region Nahe & Rheinhessen
Varieties Regent, Pinot Gris, Riesling
ABV
Soils
Farming Organic
Winemaking A blend of 40% Regent, 30% Pinot Gris and 30% Riesling. All grapes are processed separately in stainless steel. The Riesling grapes are direct pressed, whilst both the Regent and Pinot Gris undergo a semi carbonic maceration - 5 and 14 days respectively. The Riesling and Regent are sourced from Piri Naturel in Nahe and the Pinot Gris from Jas’ vineyard at Andi Mann in the Rheinhessen. The wine is then blended and aged after fermentation in stainless steel.
Tasting Note Crunchy dark brambles, lingonberries and a touch of dark and violet notes come to mind. Beautiful freshness yet powerful red sparkling that can stand up to food and certainly a touch more coloured and intense than last years’ release.
Mosó
Vintage 2023
Style Skin Contact
Region Mosel
Varieties Riesling
ABV 12%
Soils Limestone, Clay
Farming Organic
Winemaking This Riesling is macerated on the skins for 1 week to add a bit of body and crunch. This was aged for one year in old barrel.
Tasting Note A refreshing fragrant Riesling showcasing notes of citrus zest, acacia, cedar and crushed wild mint.
Eff Eff
Vintage 2023
Style White
Region Rheinhessen, Pfalz & Nahe
Varieties Müller Thurgau, Pinot Blanc
ABV
Soils Porphyr, Limestone
Farming Organic
Winemaking A blend of 60% Müller Thurgau and 40% Pinot Blanc. The fruit is all sourced from the Rheinhessen, the former from Niklas Rückrich and the latter from Andi Mann’s vineyards. The Pinot Blanc sees a very short cold maceration of 24 hours for freshness and purity whilst the the Müller Thurgau undergoes a 7 day semi carbonic maceration. Both grapes are processed separately the MT in old barrique and the PB in stainless steel.
Tasting Note Notes of lemon curb and fresh herbs blend in with more savoury woody tones. Round, fragrant with generous fruit.
Some Kind of Peace
Vintage 2023
Style Orange
Region Pfalz & Nahe
Varieties Riesling, Kerner
ABV
Soils Clay, Sand
Farming Organic
Winemaking A blend of de-stemmed Kerner and direct press Riesling, sealed for 2 weeks from oxygen exposure. This encouraged the fermentation not only of the direct press juice but also an internal fermentation of the Kerner grapes.
Tasting Note A collaboration with Grammy nominated
Icelandic musician and artist Ólafur
Arnalds (latest album Some kind od P
eace/soundtrack broadchurch/bbc
podcast ultimate calm).
A playful elegant and soothing amber wine showcasing oxidative savoury notes of brioche, cedar, honey and calendula.
Soley
Vintage 2022
Style Orange
Region Eckelsheim, Rheinhessen
Varieties Kerner
ABV
Soils Limestone, Clay
Farming Organic
Winemaking
Tasting Note
Doris
Vintage 2022
Style Rosé
Region Eckelsheim, Rheinhessen
Varieties Dornfelder, Riesling
ABV 9.5%
Soils
Farming Organic
Winemaking Both grapes are direct pressed in to create a light and vibrant rosé. Dornfelder and Riesling are picked separately and kept separate throughout the vinification process, only blended before going into bottle. A minimal dose of sulphur was added at the time of bottling.
Tasting Note Elegant strawberry fruit, kirsch and sweeter notes are lifted by a sharp minerality and salivating finish.
Heks
Vintage 2023
Style Red
Region
Varieties Regent, Pinot Blanc
ABV
Soils Volcanic, Clay, Porphyr, Limestone an
Farming Organic
Winemaking A blend of direct press juice of Pinot Blanc and 5 day semi carbonic macerated Regent.
Tasting Note ‘Heks’ stands for ‘Witch’ in Norwegian. A playful wine and Jas’s take on a “Cuvée rot, roetlich“. This elegant with aromas of fresh redcurrants, cherry cola and spiced lavender. Perfect as chilled red.
Móa
Vintage 2023
Style Red
Region Eckelsheim, Rheinhessen
Varieties Merlot
ABV
Soils Limestone, Clay
Farming Organic
Winemaking A 100% whole bunch macerated Merlot from fruit sourced from Jas vineyard she farms at Andi Mann, in Eckelsheim.
Tasting Note Call her ‘mother’, Jas’ rounder red cuvée, with generous plum tones, forest fruits and soft sage aromas.
Blóma
Vintage 2023
Style Red
Region Eckelsheim, Rheinhessen
Varieties Merlot, Foraged Herbs
ABV 12%
Soils Limestone, Clay
Farming Organic
Winemaking The Merlot fruit is sourced from Jas vineyard at Andi Mann and is carbonically macerated for 3 weeks and infused with a selection of foraged wild herbs. These consist of a selection of Globe Thistles, Spruce Tips, Douglas Fir Tips, Hops and Elderflower. The herbs were added on the foot stomped layer of semi carbonic Merlot and removed at pressing. This is not a Vermouth as no spirit or sugar was added to the grapes. The final wine is aged in one old barrel.
Tasting Note ‘Regulations dictate that I don’t call it a wine, but often people say this reminds them of Cabernet Franc’. Notes of wild brambles, dark currants, lavender, clovers and sage. The fruit is elegant, yet generous and with a gentle grip on the finish.