Valencia, Spain
Oenologist: Derrick Neleman
Environmental Practice: Sustainable, Organic & Vegan
Derrick Neleman started his study to become a biodynamic farmer with the belief good wine could save the world. After his training, he ended up in the vineyards in Spain. When he realized how culturally historically important wine is as a binder in a civilization, everything fell into place. Derrick wanted to make the most beautiful wines in optimal cooperation with nature to enable people to experience how beautiful & special life is.
They believe if you take good care of the people who make the wine, then you make better wine & we completely agree! This reflects their personal belief of nurturing the human spirit, in all its variety & glory. With better wine they create more special moments for the people who drink our wines.
Neleman organic wine is made without the use of pesticides & additives. A healthy & balanced soil yields a richer biodiversity that provides a richer breeding ground for tastier grapes. And taking good care of nature not only serves us with good wine today, but more importantly, with good wine for eternity!
Neleman is also a carbon proof organisation planting a tree for every 175 bottles that they produce & always choosing the most sustainable option in their operations. They are in the heart of the Natural Park Hoces del Cabriel (Unesco Biosphere Reserve). They give nature & people the right attention with labels created by modern designers.
Wickedly wholesome wines to wow the whole world!
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Neleman Chardonnay Muscat - 2022
NEL2-W - Valencia - Chardonnay: 70% Muscat: 30% - 12%
The Neleman wines reflect the aromas & flavours of Casa Corones, in the Alforins Valley. Here the soil is white limestone & its surprising bright white surface gives its name to the entire region: Vall d’Albaida (The White One). Rain is absorbed like a sponge. When it dries up, the upper layers form a natural barrier, which restricts evaporation. This reserve of moisture contributes to the roots development.
The Chardonnay has been picked at an advanced point of maturation & the Muscat in an early state in order to give a subtle touch of flowers, white fruits & peach in the nose & a wide mouthfeel. Pale in colour with golden reflections. Middle-high aromatic intensity, fresh & exciting, with a long fruity finish. Very well balanced.
Drink this wine with raw & lightly cooked shellfish, grilled fish, fish pâtés, or vegetable terrines & pasta or risotto with spring vegetables.
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Neleman Viognier Verdil - 2022
NEL3-W - Valencia - Viognier: 40% Verdil: 60% - 12%
The bodega was founded in 1999 & is located in the southwest of the province of Valencia, in the River Clariano District, which comes under the ‘Valencia’ Designation of Origin. The white varieties are being harvested early on in the season to preserve a good acidity & at night to protect from oxidation. The grapes are placed in a cool store for 5 days at -5ºC. It then goes directly under temperature controlled fermentation in order to extract & preserve the citrus & anis-like aromas.
Really distinctive white made from rare Verdil grapes & Viognier grown at high altitude to produce a smoky, tense wine with broad lemon & lime notes. Great as an aperitif or with a seafood salad.
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Neleman Garnacha Marselan - 2022
NEL3-R - Valencia - Garnacha: 60% Marselan 40% - 13%
The vineyards are situated in a hilly district that offers great conditions of rocky soils to grow Marselan variety (hybrid between Garnacha & Cabernet Sauvignon). Blending it with Garnacha to reinforce the bold fruity nature of the wine.
Red wine, young, fruity, organic, vegan.
Clean & bright with garnet reflections. In the nose clean violets & cherries, soft tannins in the mouth. Powerful taste & fruitiness are the best words to define this delicious wine.
Serve this wine with cold meat or light pasta meals, or just enjoy on its own!
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Neleman Tempranillo Monastrell - 2022
NEL2-R - Valencia - Tempranillo: 65% Monastrell: 35% - 13%
The vineyards are situated in a hilly district set in a mountainous region, cut up by ravines more than 100m deep. Both varieties are produced in a rarely fresh area in the Valencia region, 700m above sea level. Harvesting is done at night, avoiding oxidation & the high temperatures of the day. Once in the winery, the must is cooled to 10°C (sweet maceration). After 3 days, fermentation takes place, controlling the temperature at around 21°C.
Brilliant crimson with ruby hues in colour. Aromatics of bright red fruits, floral with a fleshy, soft & silky palate. Displaying good natural acidity, which promotes food pairing opportunities, making this wine ideal for food lovers everywhere. Red wine, young, fruity, organic, vegan.
Serve slightly chilled with black pepper steak, lamb koftas, spicy curries & of course pepperoni pizza.
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Just Fucking Good White - 2022
NEL1-W - Valencia - Verdil 70% Sauv. Blanc 10% Viognier 10% Chardonnay 10% - 13%
The wine is composed mainly by Verdil, an indigenous Alforins variety. After being blended with Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc & Viognier, the grapes are placed in a cold store for 15 days at 5ºC. It is partially fermented in new French Oak thus adding extra aromas (toasted, spices) & a velvety after taste.
White wine, strong & fruity, organic, vegan. This wine is made with very ripe but shaded grapes in order to achieve a sexy mouth filling taste but keeping freshness & acidity. It is a white that surprises for its complexity & balance.
Yummy with risotto, great with goats cheese & perfect with friends.
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Just Fucking Good Red - 2022
NEL-1 R - Valencia - Marselan - 13.5%
Marselan is a varietal that is a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon & garnacha. We are growing it very happily because we find it unites the Mediterranean character of Garnacha & the elegance of Cabernet. The wine is made from low yielding vines in small fermentation tanks, then aged in new French oak for over 14 months. Bottled without fining or cold stabilization to keep the wine as pure as possible. Strong, fruity, organic & vegan red! What’s not to love!
We believe it is a powerful, tasty & balanced wine that can match fine foods or be enjoyed as a welcoming drink.... Try this wine with good spicy vegetarian food.
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Neleman Just Fucking Good Rosé - 2021
NEL1-RS - Valencia - 100% Garnacha - 11.5%
The vineyard is at the bottom of a very scenic small valley in Valencia. Just below the vineyard runs the river Canyoles providing natural moisture to the soil at the plot, the wine is from a clos. The vineyard is planted north-south so one side of the vines gets the morning sun & the other the evening sun, perfect conditions for some Fucking Good Rosé! Hand-picked & made using the traditional free-run method, with light maceration at 8°C in pre-fermentation stage.
Controlled temperature alcoholic fermentation at 18°C in 5.000-liter stainless steel vats, locking in freshness, flavour & finesse. It is the allowed to rest on its delicate lees to lend the wine body & structure.
Tasting Notes: Clear, medium-light intensity, brilliant, pinkish raspberry colour. In nose it is clean, fresh, delicate, floral, with “cake-ish” hints. Subtle strawberry notes, typical of the Garnacha grape. On the palate it’s fresh tempting & lively acidity really show off what Garnacha can do! With an uncharacteristically gentle & long finish, making this a stand-out winner among rosés!
Food Pairing: Lovely with fresh, stewed or grilled vegetables, & rice dishes. Also a lovely aperitif to drink between meals.
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Neleman All Day Long Red - 2022
NEL4-R - Valencia - Tempranillo - 13%
The Tempranillo grapes are produced in a rarely fresh area in Valencia region, at 700m above sea level. Harvesting is done during night time, avoiding oxidation & high temperatures of day hours. Once in the winery, the must is cooled to 10°C (sweet maceration). After 3 days, fermentation takes place, controlling the temperature at around 21°C. Pump-over is done twice a day during the first week & once a day during the second one. Then the marc is pressed & fermentation finishes slowly.
TASTING NOTES Brilliant crimson with ruby hues in colour. Aromatics of bright red fruits, pretty floral with a fleshy, soft & silky palate. Displaying elegance, good natural acidity promotes food pairing opportunities, making this wine ideal for enjoyment.
FOOD PAIRING: Serve slightly chilled with spicy foods or pizza.
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Neleman All Day Long White - 2021
NEL4-W - Valencia - Macabeo - 12%
The Macabeo grapes are harvested early on in the season to preserve a good acidity & at night to protect from oxidation. They are placed in a cool store for 5 days at -5ºC. It then goes directly under temperature controlled fermentation in order to extract & preserve the citrusy & anis-like aromas.
TASTING NOTES: Really distinctive white made from Macabeo grapes at high altitude to produce a fresh & fruity wines with notes of lemon, apple & white pears. Light, fresh, balanced, full of tropical fruit & with a touch of viscosity that adds body & a longer finish.
FOOD PAIRING: Great as an aperitif or with a salad.
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Neleman Organic Cava
NEL1-SPK - Valencia - Macabeo 85% Chardonnay 15% - 11.5%
This Cava uses the best white grape selection in Requena. After soft pressing they keep just a fraction of the must to achieve a delicate unique balance. First fermentation & second fermentation (in bottle), at 16ºC to widen the range of flavours. Fruity & floral, typically characteristic of Valencian Cavas. Sparkling white wine, dry, organic.
Straw yellow Cava with greenish tones to the rim. Lively, fine & persistent bubbles. Fresh & zingy with aromas of white fruits & citrus notes with buttery elegant pastry background. On the palate it is round & easy.
Great with rice dishes, seafood & pasta. But also perfect as an aperitif or served with hors d'oeuvres.
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Neleman Can - Verdejo White - 2022
NELCAN-W - Valencia - Verdejo - 12%
Winemaking Process: The wines of Dutchman Derrick Neleman are always organic and made from indigenous grape varieties. In this case, the wine comes from the DO Valencia and is made from the grape variety that plays the leading role in the Rueda wine region: Verdejo. Like in Rueda, Neleman chooses to harvest his grapes in Valencia at night, which helps to preserve the freshness in the final wine.
Tasting Notes: The wine does not come into contact with wood, and you can taste the flavor of tropical fruit such as mango, pineapple, and papaya, as well as apple, grass, and fennel.
Here's what Harold Hamersma has to say about it: "Verdejo, but not of the screaming type. Rather soft, refined, modest, and already ripe for its age. Apple-like. Look at the color of the figures on the label, and you see the color of the apples you taste: red and yellow. It also has hidden salmiac and a lemon without zest. Sealed with a screw cap because, according to founder Derrick Neleman, this reduces our CO2 footprint. So not only organic and vegan but also good for our planet." The Grote Hamersma, score 8.5
Food Pairings: This wine is perfect to serve with tapas, seafood paella, or shellfish.
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Neleman Can - Tempranillo monastrell red 2022
NELCAN-R - Valencia - Tempranillo: 65% Monastrell: 35% - 13%
Winemaking Process: The vineyards for this wine are located in a hilly district in a mountainous region with ravines that are over 100m deep. The grapes are harvested at night to avoid oxidation and high temperatures. Once they arrive at the winery, the must is sweetly macerated by cooling it to 10°C. After three days, the fermentation process starts with temperature control at around 21°C.
Tasting Notes: This brilliant crimson wine with ruby hues has aromatics of bright red fruits and floral notes. Its palate is soft and silky with a fleshy texture. The wine's natural acidity is well balanced, adding to its food pairing versatility. As a young and fruity red wine, this organic and vegan wine is perfect for those who enjoy flavorful wines.
Food Pairings: This wine's versatility makes it a perfect accompaniment to a range of foods. It can be served slightly chilled and pairs well with dishes that have black pepper steak, lamb koftas, spicy curries, and pepperoni pizza.