Renegade isn't a traditional producer as they don't have a vineyard and instead buy their grapes depending on quality from growers in the UK and as far and wide as Albania. This may seem mad to a lot of traditionalists however a great line/description on their about us page is "Just like a chef who can select in-season vegetables from the best growers, we can change suppliers and pick the best grapes depending on the weather, regional variances and other external factors" which when you think about it seems obvious right? Why have the restraints of having to use the same grapes year in year out even if you know the previous vintage was better?
We have put together six of their very latest releases to give you an opportunity to discover Renegade.
1. Renegade, Courtney 2021
Courtney is a 2021 Nero Di Troia. Grown in Puglia, made in London. It's a really unusual wine. Medium-bodied and fruity. It's got a nose of palma violets and cardamon. Cherry and fig flavour. Soft tannins. Wild ferment. Unfiltered. Unfined. Bit of secondary oak contact. Lovely unique wine.
Producer: Renegade
Region: Puglia, Italy
Grapes: Nero Di Troia
Style: Red
Size: 100ml
ABV: 11%
2. Renegade, Kyra 2022
'Kyra' is "a clean, fresh Sauvignon Blanc" in a classic, almost Sancerre style. This translates to a crisp and citrusy wine with a hint of melon which is easydrinking, flavoursome and very, very moreish.
Producer: Renegade
Region: Bethnal Green, London
Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc
Style: White
Size: 100ml
ABV: 13%
3. Renegade, Gary 2021
Top draw Pinot Noir grapes grown in Oltrepo Pavese, Italy are then whisked off to Renegade's urban winery where they are destemmed over a wire mesh by hand so as to be very gentle and reduce skin breakage. The grapes are then fermented spontaneously in a stainless steel tank, without the addition of any yeast - otherwise known as wild fermentation. After 20 days on the skins the wine was pressed off and aged in old french barrels (90%) and new American (10%) for 8 months, where it underwent full malolactic fermentation. A beautiful light/med-bodied red with soft tannins, lots of red fruit (wild strawberries, cherries), and some floral notes. Overall, it's very nicely balanced.
Producer: Renegade
Region: Oltrepo Pavese, Italy
Grapes: Pinot Noir
Style: Red
Size: 100ml
ABV: 13%
4. Renegade, Maria 2022
Maria is a really special one. a floral nose with wonderful apricot aromas balanced nicely with a focused dry palate. Herbal notes are forthcoming, basil and mint leaf with a tinge of lemon peely acidity. This wine walks the line between acidity, fruit and floral elements. A certified banger.
Producer: Renegade
Region: Herefordshire, England
Grapes: Madeline Angevine
Style: Orange
Size: 100ml
ABV: 11%
5. Renegade, Josh 2021
The Sangiovese grapes are left to ferment in contact with the skins (with daily manual punch downs) for nearly 4 weeks before being pressed off and transferred back to stainless steel for aging. The resulting wine is soft, fresh, fruity, and velvety with notes of violets and nutmeg. Medium/light body/colour. Soft tannins. Gentle soft oak.
Producer: Renegade
Region: Puglia, Italy
Grapes: Sangiovese
Style: Red
Size: 100ml
ABV: 11%
6. Renegade, Alf 2019
Grown in Portugal but made in Bethnal Green, we present to you, Alf 2019. Renegade has turned the notch up on this one with a far more 'natural' vibe on the nose compared to most of their wines. Castelão is whole bunch & hand destemmed before being aged in neutral old French oak barrels for 10 months, then left to bottle age for 12 months. He's full of blackcurrant with a natural overtone leading to leather, spice and dates. A slightly divisive wine, loved by many, challenging to some.
Producer: Renegade
Region: Oltrepo Pavese, Italy
Grapes: Castelão
Style: Red
Size: 100ml
ABV: 13%
