Your Guide to Island Wines

Take a taste tour of the Mediterranean Islands' most intriguing wines; reds and whites that evoke the romance of stumbling across a hidden cove or unspoilt village; the scent of heat-baked herbs and fruits on the vine; of taking that first sip of chilled white wine in the heat of the Mediterranean sun.

Wild ferments from Crete, volcanic gems from Sicily, and under-the-radar native grapes from Majorca await and much more; let us be your guide, with a selection of 13 exceptional reds and whites that really sing of the land from which they were created.

So why should you make space for this deliciously esoteric but very drinkable selection this summer? Senior Buyer Robert Mathias MW explains...

Wild, aka ‘native’ yeasts, are strains that are native to the vineyard and winery – they already exist in the surrounding environment and haven’t been commercially created to a recipe and create a ‘spontaneous’ fermentation. The results can produce very distinctive wines that reflect the unique microbiome of the vineyards where the fruit is grown, and the combinations of yeasts strains working together can add a very complex and distinctive tastes to these wines.

Wild fermentation is very often a hallmark of winemakers who make with a ‘low intervention’ philiosopy. It’s exciting stuff but not without its risks (it’s much harder to control the process for one) but when it works it creates a taste experience like no other you’ll have tried.

There’s a reason why volcanic wines are hot property right now; because while living in the shadows of slumbering volcanic giants can be precarious, winemakers benefit from the sought-after, mineral-rich soils of these regions. 

Grapes from vines grown on volcanic soils can impart the unique flavour profile of their terroir in the glass, expressed as smoky, savoury and saline qualities, making these wines ideal for food pairings. The soils contain a mineral-rich combination of trace elements (such as iron, calcium and magnesium) well-drained due to their porous nature which encourages the vine’s roots to dig deep in search of nutrients. The dark coloured soils slowly absorb heat during the hot days and releases slowly during night, making for perfect grape ripeness.

Cabernet, Malbec, Merlot – these grapes can all make exceptional fine wines, but they can become a bit of a ‘comfort blanket’ when it comes to buying. What makes the wines in our Island Wines collection interesting is the exclusive use of native grape varieties.

These grapes – combined with skillful winemaking – really tell a distinct and beautiful story about the place they were made, as they’ve often been grown and tended for generations – even centuries- on the unique terroir in which they thrive, and by winemakers who understand their distinct character.