Nothing Taken Out
Savoring Rare Unfiltered Whites
by Anthony Lynch
Take 20% OFF wines in the collection below, now through the end of the month.
Click to apply this promo code to your order
Click to apply: UNFILTERED20 Valid through Monday, September 29thPromo code terms
You have probably heard us applaud many of our vignerons for bottling unfiltered. Kermit even earned a reputation for importing wines that had not been subject to filtration, going so far as to request a special unfiltered bottling for the US from many producers following years of comparative tastings with domaines such as Tempier and Vieux Télégraphe. “Mine will have a sediment,” he wrote of one such cuvée in Adventures on the Wine Route, “but it is a natural wine; it is alive; nothing has been added or taken out.”
In what is possibly the first written instance of the phrase natural wine, Kermit made it clear that he valued a wine’s depth of aroma and flavor—its soul—over a spotless appearance in the glass. It must be noted, however, that most of these experiments involved red wines. And while unfiltered reds make up a significant portion of the wines we import, whites bottled without filtration remain a rarity in the world of wine. Conventionally made white wines are expected to be crystal-clear, so it has become the standard in modern enology to impose tight filtrations that remove what some see as “impurities.” But at KLWM, we work with artisans seeking to draw the maximum from their grapes, even if it means taking risks. In this collection, we will highlight some of the rare white wines that go into bottle with nothing taken out.
Skilled vignerons have mastered ways of bottling limpid whites with minimal intervention. They let gravity and time do the work for them, allowing tartrates, lees, and other suspended particles to fall to the bottom of the tank or barrel before racking the wine off into a new vessel. They observe lunar cycles and weather patterns, aware that tides and atmospheric pressure impact the tiny particles responsible for cloudiness. If the winemaker doesn’t rush to bottle early, the wine practically filters itself through a natural settling process. Ensuring it has fermented to completion avoids any risk of it coming alive again, guaranteeing long-term stability in bottle.
What do unfiltered whites taste like? In many cases, you wouldn’t know it without tasting the same wine filtered. While there are gentle ways of filtering that may in fact benefit a wine—many exceptional whites are filtered—it is nonetheless a significant manipulation in a wine’s life that the vignerons featured here have chosen to forgo. You’ll find more wine in your wine: they flaunt a delightfully full, fleshy texture and long finish that keeps on giving, whether they’re clear-looking or slightly cloudy. These domaines truly push the envelope and remind us that great wine is made to drink—not only to look at.
Nothing Taken Out
Savoring Rare Unfiltered Whites
by Anthony Lynch
Simon Chotard in Sancerre
© Jimmy Hayes
A glass of Verdicchio in Cupramontana
© Gail Skoff
Carlo Deperu
© Joanie Bonfiglio
Nicolas Robert
© Jimmy Hayes
Christine de Mianville’s cellar
© Jimmy Hayes
Tasting with Valentin Montanet
© Jimmy Hayes
You’ll find more wine in your wine: they flaunt a delightfully full, fleshy texture and long finish that keeps on giving, whether they’re clear-looking or slightly cloudy. These domaines truly push the envelope and remind us that great wine is made to drink—not only to look at.
Take 20% OFF wines in the collection below, now through the end of the month.
Click to apply this promo code to your order
Click to apply: UNFILTERED20 Valid through Monday, September 29thPromo code terms
Wines In The Collection
Château Graville-Lacoste France | Bordeaux
Whatever snacks are on your table or picnic blanket, this blanc will fit the bill with its pretty notes of green apple, citrus, and subtle tropical fruits.
La Sœur Cadette France | Burgundy
August Club Gourmand ~ A thirst-quenching, spirit-lifting, and downright delicious white Burgundy.
Nicolas Maillart France | Champagne
This impressive bottling shows great freshness and finesse allied with smooth, silky roundness and completed with a long, chalky finish.
Daniel Chotard France | Loire
A fleshy, full-bodied Sancerre with great freshness and the ability to age in bottle for a few years after release.
Domaine d’Aupilhac France | Languedoc-Roussillon
A blend of Grenache Blanc, Ugni Blanc, Clairette, and Vermentino planted in the lieu-dit of Aupilhac, the little corner of the Larzac behind Sylvain’s winery.
Domaine Robert-Denogent France | Burgundy
More-than-fifty-year-old vines running through limestone and clay produce a wine that offers a creamy and luscious mouthfeel intertwined with a dry, stony minerality.
Domaine Montanet-Thoden France | Burgundy
Valentin’s Galerne blanc is a divine rendition of pure, chiseled Chardonnay, bearing notes of orchard fruit, citrus, and oyster shells.
Antoine-Marie Arena France | Corsica
A beautiful example of Biancu Gentile, an heirloom white grape revived from near-extinction by Arena in the 1990s.
Christine de Mianville France | Loire
Juicy and open-knit, it mirrors the sensation of biting into fleshy slices of white peach, nectarine, and guava.
Maxime Magnon France | Languedoc-Roussillon
The imprint of the sun-kissed landscape of the Languedoc is clear, with aromas of honeysuckle and lime zest.
Giovanni Montisci Italy | Sardinia
Old-vine Moscato from Sardinian mountaintops, 4 days on skins, fermented dry and aged in barrel—heavenly with sea urchin pasta
Domaine Robert-Denogent France | Burgundy
Limited to vintages where the weather hinders production of individual bottlings, Climat renders all the chart-topping qualities of the Robert family’s Pouilly Fuissé holdings.
Deperu Holler Italy | Sardinia
A field blend of Vermentino and other native Sardinian grapes, one week maceration; deep, broad, savory, and salty
Domaine d’Aupilhac France | Languedoc-Roussillon
One of five or six most outstanding dry whites of the Mediterranean rim, vintage after vintage and worth every centime!
Domaine Giudicelli France | Corsica
It’s beautifully ethereal, with pillowy fruit that tastes so sublime it would be limiting to attempt a description, although quince and verbena jump to mind.
Domaine Hauvette France | Provence
Biodynamically farmed Roussanne, Clairette, and Marsanne from rocky limestone in Van Gogh's Provence.
Ludovic Engelvin France | Languedoc-Roussillon
If you’re a fan of Jura’s vin jaune or fino and manzanilla sherry, find yourself a new friend in this rare bottling from Ludovic Engelvin.
La Marca di San Michele Italy | Le Marche
A luscious Verdicchio with layered textures that white Burgundy lovers chase after.
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
This low-alcohol Etna white shows subtly smoky aroma complemented by notes of yellow fruit, herbs, and wild broom.
Domaine Leon Barral France | Languedoc-Roussillon
Searching for something a bit funky to enliven your jaded palate? Look no further and prepare for an experience like none other.
Maxime Magnon France | Languedoc-Roussillon
Just different and obscure enough to deliver the thrill of introducing someone to a gorgeous wine that is familiar, but new.
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
Aromas of wildflowers, saffron, beeswax, and Mediterranean herbs. Rich, fleshy, and focused, all at just 12% alcohol.
France | Bordeaux
Whatever snacks are on your table or picnic blanket, this blanc will fit the bill with its pretty notes of green apple, citrus, and subtle tropical fruits.
France | Burgundy
August Club Gourmand ~ A thirst-quenching, spirit-lifting, and downright delicious white Burgundy.
France | Champagne
This impressive bottling shows great freshness and finesse allied with smooth, silky roundness and completed with a long, chalky finish.
France | Loire
A fleshy, full-bodied Sancerre with great freshness and the ability to age in bottle for a few years after release.
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
A blend of Grenache Blanc, Ugni Blanc, Clairette, and Vermentino planted in the lieu-dit of Aupilhac, the little corner of the Larzac behind Sylvain’s winery.
France | Burgundy
More-than-fifty-year-old vines running through limestone and clay produce a wine that offers a creamy and luscious mouthfeel intertwined with a dry, stony minerality.
France | Burgundy
Valentin’s Galerne blanc is a divine rendition of pure, chiseled Chardonnay, bearing notes of orchard fruit, citrus, and oyster shells.
France | Corsica
A beautiful example of Biancu Gentile, an heirloom white grape revived from near-extinction by Arena in the 1990s.
France | Loire
Juicy and open-knit, it mirrors the sensation of biting into fleshy slices of white peach, nectarine, and guava.
France | Loire
Welcome to depth, complexity, understatement, finesse.
Italy | Sardinia
A fleshy and savory unfiltered Vermentino from northern Sardinia.
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
The imprint of the sun-kissed landscape of the Languedoc is clear, with aromas of honeysuckle and lime zest.
Italy | Sardinia
Old-vine Moscato from Sardinian mountaintops, 4 days on skins, fermented dry and aged in barrel—heavenly with sea urchin pasta
France | Burgundy
Limited to vintages where the weather hinders production of individual bottlings, Climat renders all the chart-topping qualities of the Robert family’s Pouilly Fuissé holdings.
Italy | Sardinia
A field blend of Vermentino and other native Sardinian grapes, one week maceration; deep, broad, savory, and salty
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
One of five or six most outstanding dry whites of the Mediterranean rim, vintage after vintage and worth every centime!
France | Corsica
It’s beautifully ethereal, with pillowy fruit that tastes so sublime it would be limiting to attempt a description, although quince and verbena jump to mind.
France | Provence
Biodynamically farmed Roussanne, Clairette, and Marsanne from rocky limestone in Van Gogh's Provence.
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
If you’re a fan of Jura’s vin jaune or fino and manzanilla sherry, find yourself a new friend in this rare bottling from Ludovic Engelvin.
Italy | Le Marche
A luscious Verdicchio with layered textures that white Burgundy lovers chase after.
Italy | Sicily
This low-alcohol Etna white shows subtly smoky aroma complemented by notes of yellow fruit, herbs, and wild broom.
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
Searching for something a bit funky to enliven your jaded palate? Look no further and prepare for an experience like none other.
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
Just different and obscure enough to deliver the thrill of introducing someone to a gorgeous wine that is familiar, but new.
Italy | Sicily
Aromas of wildflowers, saffron, beeswax, and Mediterranean herbs. Rich, fleshy, and focused, all at just 12% alcohol.
More Collections
Kermit’s Best Bargains
For five decades, Kermit has sought out France and Italy’s highest-quality selections at all price levels, so we can imbibe thoughtfully crafted wines without breaking the bank. Budget-friendly yet reliably delicious…
A Classic, Vibrant Vintage from Famille Savary
Certain wine estates are all about the story: centuries of family production, obscure heirloom grape varieties, perilous vertical vineyards, radical production methods... With Domaine Savary, forget the fluff and romantic backstory. Focus instead on what’s in your glass: delicious, vibrant, classic wines that place this among the most consistent, reliable Chablis to be found…
Arretxea in Irouléguy
Oh, how far Irouléguy, the hidden gem of French Basque country, has come! Once upon a time, not so long ago, a local joke went something like this: “How do you say vinegar in Basque? Irouléguy!” Vines covered hardly any ground, and you could count the growers on a single hand. Enter the Riouspeyrous family…
This Just In!
The old winemaking adage says that you only have one shot each year to get the vintage right. While this idea may be daunting to a vigneron, we see things a bit differently: one vintage per year means that we are always looking forward to a new batch of wines from all our favorite producers…
New Arrivals
Here is a collection of recent arrivals. Every week, we’ll be adding a dozen or more new arrivals, so check back often for your favorite classics or new discoveries!
The Carpe Vinum Collection
An ever-changing offering of wines that are just about to sell out; one last opportunity to seize a range of selections before they disappear from our shelves forever.
50th Anniversary Merchandise
When the esteemed French wine artist Michel Tolmer created beautiful artwork for our 50th anniversary, we knew right away that we had to feature it on a few select items of merch. After spending maybe a little too much time researching the options, we landed on a classy, leather-strap cap, a comfortable t-shirt made from 100% cotton, and a tote made with incredibly sturdy, fair-trade, and organic cotton by a certified B corp that invests in the livelihoods of women and farmers of India, featuring three wine sleeves and two other compartments for all of your other needs!
Recent Wine Club Selections
Our five wine clubs feature our best values from France and Italy as well as complex and cellar-worthy wines.