Julia Johnston is a UK-based sommelier and my dear friend whose life and work extends to all corners of the wine world. Spending half the year working at Noble Rot in London—one of the most influential institutions in the natural wine world—she spends the other half on Nantucket buying wines for two of the island’s most celebrated Italian restaurants. Drinking wine, talking about it, and eating good food are probably her favorite things—and she’s awfully good at them in equal measure. So how lucky are we that she shares here a few bottles she’s been loving lately that you might love too. Ask her nicely and Julia might just share her picks with us in a new regular column for Amuse-Bouche. You can follow Julia on Instagram for updates from her travels and work.
2023 Mas de Libian ‘Bout d’Zan’ ($25)
Ardèche, France
Starting out with a humble and—as the Brits say—“natty banger,” this is one of my go-to-wines for drinking at home. It’s from southern France, and is produced by the Thibon family who have been cultivating this land since 1670! It is both organic and biodynamic—no weedkiller nor pesticide has ever touched these soils. The vineyards are plowed by horse, and drenched in sunlight. Vines swim in a soil of Rhône river rock which play a crucial role in shaping the wine’s distinct terroir. Grenache with a touch of Syrah, this wine is smooth and light-to-medium bodied, bursting with notes of juicy blackberries and perfectly ripe blueberries, along with an incredibly earthy, Mediterranean herbaceousness. What else could you want?
NV Marie-Courtin Extra Brut Rosé de Macération ‘Indulgence’ ($140)
Champagne, France
I’m a freak for Champagne, and this Rosé de Macération did not alter that opinion. DARK in color—I’m talking pomegranate juice going to stain your white t-shirt dark—this structured wine once carried me through an hours long sunny London lunch which I would repeat regularly if I could. 100% Pinot Noir, grapes are crushed by foot (cute) for three days to seep color from the skins. Full bodied champagne, with aromas of dark cherries, pomegranate seeds and a minty freshness. Zero dosage (no sugar added!) so bone dry, it honestly tasted like sparkling Burgundy (a compliment I don’t give lightly). Bing bang bosh.
2018 Domaine Raveneau Chablis ($320)
Burgundy, France
This Chablis is lemon meringue pie on a summer day. Alive, zingy & zesty, compact and concentrated, you could spend hours kneading and stretching it and it would just keep on giving. This wine was even better after an hour in the decanter! These aren’t easy to find, but worth the hunt.
2023 Chiara Condello Romagna Sangiovese Predappio ($30)
Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Cool climate Sangiovese di Predappio strikes again! This isn’t your typical Tuscan Sangiovese; it’s a vibrant expression from Emilia-Romagna in the north. Vivid in color, it offers an explosion of fruit—dense red cherries intertwined with crushed violets—paired with soft, fine tannins and an enduring, fresh finish. Well done Chiara!
Labet Macvin du Jura ($65)
Jura, France
Labet Macvin du Jura isn’t something you tackle alone—or even with just one friend. At 16% ABV with a heaping amount of residual sugar, this is a polarizing pour. We opened it at the tail-end of a boozy lunch to share among five friends alongside cheese and dessert. It delivers a nutty, straw-colored profile with a bruised, raisin-like depth of fruit. The style is unique: unfermented grape juice is blended with Marc du Jura (grape pomace brandy), which kills the yeast to prevent fermentation and preserve that intense natural sweetness. Maybe not something to indulge in everyday, but a star on that occasion when the cork is popped.
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