The aroma edition

Welcome to the April club. This month, we’re focusing on aromas: how they come from the grape, develop during fermentation, and evolve with time, and this lineup is packed with wines that show those layers beautifully. Expect florals, citrus, herbs, spice, and vibrant fruit, with each bottle offering its own aromatic point of view.

When we talk about aroma in wine, it usually comes from three main places:

1. The grape
   Different grape varieties naturally carry different aromatic compounds, which is why one wine might smell floral while another leans herbal, citrusy, or fruit-driven. Climate and ripeness shape this too, with cooler conditions preserving fresher citrus and herbal notes, and warmer conditions bringing riper fruit.

2. Fermentation
   As yeast turns sugar into alcohol, it also creates new aroma compounds. That process can add notes like pear, banana, or tropical fruit, depending on how the wine is made.

3. Aging
   Time in the barrel or bottle adds another layer of complexity, bringing in notes like vanilla, spice, toasted nuts, dried fruit, earth, or other savory qualities.

In other words, the full aromatic picture comes from grape + yeast + time.

Give these bottles a good ol’ sniff, and then enjoy!
The Halfseas Team

Lageder “Misto Mare” Bianco 2024

Grapes: Muscat (Gelber Muskateller), Müller-Thurgau, Chardonnay

Similar to: Alpine aromatic whites, think dry Muscat + Pinot Blanc

Region + terroir: Alto Adige, Italy. High-elevation vineyards in the Dolomites with limestone and porphyry soils. Warm days + very cool nights preserve aromatics and acidity.

Retail: $26

Producer: Alois Lageder is a pioneer of biodynamics in Italy, farming estate vineyards holistically since the early 2000s, with a deep focus on biodiversity, energy neutrality, and expressive, site-driven wines.

Production: Biodynamic farming, native yeast, stainless steel + gentle handling

Why the aromas: Muscat drives floral intensity, Müller-Thurgau adds herbal + citrus lift, and the alpine diurnal shift locks in high-toned aromatics.

Aromas

• Primary: jasmine, orange blossom, citrus, herbs, apple, pear

• Secondary: cool native fermentation preserves delicate aromatics and adds light orchard fruit esters

• Tertiary: no oak or aging keeps aromatics fresh, clean, and lifted

Structure + style: Light-bodied, high acid, crisp, clean

Personality + vibe: Fresh mountain air in a glass

Spring pairing: Shaved fennel + citrus salad

Luna Duna Orange 2024

Grapes: 90% Moscatel, 10% Criolla Blanca

Similar to: Orange Muscat or a lighter, more aromatic skin-contact Torrontés

Region + terroir: Mendoza, Argentina. High-elevation vineyards with intense sun + cool nights give ripe aromatics with preserved acidity, while alluvial soils contribute freshness and lift.

Retail: $25

Producer: Luna Duna is a low-intervention label working with organically farmed fruit, focused on approachable, expressive wines that highlight Mendoza’s brighter, more playful side.

Production: Skin-contact fermentation, native yeast, minimal sulfur, unfined + unfiltered

Why the aromas: Moscatel is highly terpene-driven with floral and citrus blossom notes, and skin contact amplifies those compounds while Criolla Blanca adds subtle red fruit and lift.

Aromas

• Primary: floral, citrus blossom, light red fruit

• Secondary: skin contact extracts aromatic compounds, bringing orange peel, tea spice, and dried florals

• Tertiary: minimal aging preserves freshness and a slightly wild edge

Structure + style: Light to medium body, textured with gentle tannin, moderate acid, dry

Personality + vibe: Sunny, slightly wild, effortlessly cool

Spring pairing: Carrot-ginger salad or spicy shrimp tacos

Lucchetti Lacrima di Morro “Guardengo” 2022

Grapes: Lacrima

Similar to: Gamay meets Nebbiolo aromatics, light body with big perfume

Region + terroir: Marche, Italy. Adriatic proximity and clay-limestone soils bring freshness + aromatic intensity.

Retail: $26

Producer: Azienda Agricola Lucchetti is a small, family-run winery dedicated to preserving Lacrima, a rare native grape that was nearly extinct 50 years ago.

Production: Stainless steel fermentation to preserve aromatics, minimal oak

Why the aromas: Lacrima is naturally rich in aromatic compounds, especially rose and violet, and gentle extraction preserves its signature floral profile.

Aromas

• Primary: rose, violet, dark cherry

• Secondary: gentle fermentation maintains floral intensity and freshness

• Tertiary: no oak influence keeps aromatics pure and lifted

Structure + style: Light to medium body, moderate acid, soft tannin

Personality + vibe: Perfumed, romantic, slightly dramatic

Spring pairing: Prosciutto + spring herbs

Lubanzi Rosé Bubbles NV (6-bottle club exclusive)

Grape: Cinsault

Similar to: Dry sparkling rosé

Region + terroir: Swartland, South Africa. A dry, sunny climate with ocean influence gives ripe fruit + natural freshness.

Retail: $25

Producer: Lubanzi Wines partners with sustainable growers and reinvests in local communities. They’re known for fresh, accessible wines with purpose.

Production: Tank-method sparkling (Charmat), low-intervention approach

Why the aromas: Cinsault naturally produces red fruit + floral aromatics, and early picking + gentle handling preserve those bright, fresh notes.

Aromas

• Primary: strawberry, watermelon, soft florals

• Secondary: tank fermentation enhances juicy red fruit esters

• Tertiary: no aging keeps aromatics youthful and vibrant

Structure + style: Light-bodied, crisp, lively mousse

Personality + vibe: Bright, social, picnic-ready

Spring pairing: Strawberry + burrata

Domaine Miolanne “Blanc Volcane” VdF 2023 (6-bottle club exclusive)

Grapes: 50% Chardonnay, 45% Gewürztraminer, 5% Pinot Gris

Similar to: Alpine Chablis

Region + terroir: Savoie, France. Limestone scree and an alpine climate create high-acid, mineral-driven wines.

Retail: $26

Producer: Domaine Miolanne farms organically and focuses on traditional Savoie varieties, highlighting purity and mountain terroir.

Production: Stainless steel, native yeast, minimal intervention

Why the aromas: Cool alpine conditions slow ripening and preserve delicate citrus and herbal aromatics, while limestone soils contribute subtle mineral notes.

Aromas

• Primary: citrus, apple, lychee, rose, spice, pear

• Secondary: cool fermentation preserves freshness and lifts aromatics

• Tertiary: no oak, with mineral expression coming from terroir rather than aging

Structure + style: Light-bodied, high acid, very crisp

Personality + vibe: Quiet, mineral, effortlessly cool

Spring pairing: Oysters or chèvre + herbs

Nicosia “Sabdisut” Frappato 2024 (6-bottle club exclusive)

Grape: Frappato

Similar to: Pinot Noir + Gamay

Region + terroir: Sicily, Italy. Warm Mediterranean conditions are balanced by elevation, while volcanic and sandy soils enhance brightness.

Retail: $26

Producer: Cantine Nicosia is a family-run estate committed to organic farming and showcasing native Sicilian grapes, with a strong focus on Etna terroir.

Production: Stainless steel, short maceration to emphasize aromatics over structure

Why the aromas: Frappato is naturally high in aromatic esters that show up as red fruit and florals, and lighter extraction preserves its lifted, perfumed profile.

Aromas

• Primary: strawberry, raspberry, rose, herbs

• Secondary: short maceration enhances fresh red fruit expression

• Tertiary: no oak keeps it vibrant and perfume-forward

Structure + style: Light-bodied, bright acid, low tannin

Personality + vibe: Flirty, vibrant, easygoing

Spring pairing: Tomato tart or grilled veggies

Looking for past lineups? We got you.

REMINDERS

• As always, our food suggestions are just starting points. Wine is nostalgic and we’re big fans of making what you like, drinking what you like, and not giving a damn if they “go” together.

• Email us at info@halfseaswine.com to buy more single bottles or a 12-bottle case with special pricing.

• Wine pairs best with friends. Tell your friends.