Loki welcomes a genre-defying chilled red from the West Midlands underground!
Outer City Limits, The Producer
Midland Press is a brand-new name in English wine — but one making serious waves from the start. Based in Birmingham, the team operates out of an urban winemaking space under a viaduct arch, blending experimental technique with strong regional identity. ‘Outer City Limits’ 2024 was their debut bottling: just under 800 bottles made from a single vineyard parcel and an adventurous winemaking approach. It’s a wine that rewrites the rules — part natural, part serious, all about purity and vibe.
Outer City Limits, Winemaking
Sourced from a single vineyard in North Worcestershire, this 100% Pinot Noir Précoce — a German early-ripening clone of Pinot Noir — is perfectly suited to England’s cooler growing conditions. The grapes were fermented using carbonic maceration for 3 weeks, untouched and whole-clustered, in their viaduct arch cellar, which maintains a naturally cool and stable temperature. After fermentation, the wine rested for 5 months in stainless steel, before being bottled unfiltered and unfined on site.
The result? A crunchy, lightweight red with almost rosé-like freshness — no oak, no additives, just raw, expressive fruit and English minimalism at its best.
Outer City Limits, Tasting Notes
Translucent ruby in colour with electric pink flashes. The nose offers a burst of fresh wild strawberry, red cherry, and a touch of crushed rhubarb, followed by a subtle herbal edge. The palate is feather-light and bone-dry, with refreshing acidity and soft, grippy tannins. Fruit-driven but not sweet, with a whisper of savoury spice and a vibrant, crunchy finish. Best served chilled, and preferably with a bit of sun.
Food pairing suggestion: terrines, pâtés, and grilled green vegetables.
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