It's the wine talking....: 2011

Old Vines Garnacha

Smooth, rich, full-bodied Spanish red.
Full of deep, black cherry and plum flavours with lighter red-cherry flavours on the finish.

Verdict: 2nd red in Spanish wine tasting
Appellation: Spain
Vintage: 2008
Grapes: Grenache (Garnacha)
14%
Awards:
Cost: £4.85

Monesterio de Santa Cruz

From a great small estate, this delicious gem is a must-try for fans of fruity Rioja and Ribera

Monasterio is a red you know you can rely on ... mouthfillingly rich and mellow, crafted by one of Spain's winemaking masters - and amazing value given its quality credentials.

Deep plum, damson and cherry with a hint of spice.

Verdict: 3rd Red in Spanish wine tasting

Appellation: Spain

Vintage: 2009

Grapes: 70% Monastrell, 30% Tempranillo

14%

Awards:

Cost: £6.99

Barrel-matured Reserva from Spain's ancient Cariñena region.
Mellow raspberry and blackberry fruit with a twist of spicy oak.
Silky smooth with gentle summer berry fruits well married to the toasty vanilla oak and coconut hints.

Verdict: 1st Red in Spanish Wine Testing
Appellation: Spain (Carinena)
Vintage: 2001
Grapes: Grenache (Garnacha)
13%
Awards:
Cost: £6.49 Laithwaites

Las Falleras

A fresh and lively dry white with an enticing fruity aroma and flavours of zesty lime and green apples. It has a crisp, clean finish

Verdict: 3rd in Spanish Wine Tasting
Appellation: Spain
Vintage: 2009
Grapes: Macabeo
11.5%
Awards:
Cost: £4.49 Marks and Spencer

Palacio de Bornos Verdejo

A fresh white wine made from the Spanish grape Verdejo with crisp Sauvignon Blanc-like aromas given an intriguing herby lift. Cool fermentation techniques extract the maximum fruit intensity from the flavoursome grapes, and careful handling ensures good acidity levels are retained throughout.

Verdict: 1st in Spanish Wine Tasting
Appellation: Spain (Rueda)
Vintage: 2009
Grapes: Verdejo
12.5%
Awards: IWC medal: Bronze (2009 vintage)
Cost: £8.50 Waitrose

Sainsbury's Vino de Mesa

Sainsbury's basics Table Wine
a medium dry table wine with fresh fruity flavours

Verdict: 2nd in Spanish white tasting

Appellation: Spain

Vintage: ?

Grapes: ?

11%

Awards:

Cost: £2.89

Waipara West Ram Paddock - Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot

This wine is only prodcued in very good years, rich berry fruit, chocolate, vanilla and coconut aromas on the nose.
Lovely texture on the palate with a silky finish.

Carrick Unravelled - Pinot Noir

This wine displays lots of vibrant fruit from red cherry, raspberry to blackberries with a hint of spice underneath. The soft tannins give a lovely mid palate weight and a dark cocoa finish.

Verdict: ?
Appellation: New Zealand
Vintage: 2008
Grapes: Pinot Noir
14%
Awards:
Cost: £?

Vinopolis
http://www.greatwesternwine.co.uk/carrick-unravelled-pinot-noir.html

De Wetshof Estate - Savignon Blanc

A complex Sauvignon Blanc robust and fruity, with a style of its own.
French oak barrels.
De Wetshof pioneer of the noble white varieties at the cape, produces some of the finest quality in the rich calcarious soils of the Robertson area.
Blanc Fume/Savignon Blanc.
The De Wetshof estate blanc fume is a tropical style sauvignon blank with passionfruit, papaya and gooseberry aromas finishing off with a tangy citrus mineral touch on the palate.

Verdict: ?
Appellation: South Africa
Vintage: 2008
Grapes: Savignon Blanc
12.5%
Awards:
Cost: £

Vinopolis
http://websites.wine.co.za/Wine.aspx?WINEID=18610&CLIENTID=1072&BRANDID=131&MENU=17461&Archive=1

Clare Hills - Riesling

This is dry, aromatic and pronounced. With crisp bright acidity and floral notes. its light and Riesling is having somewhat of a revival.
Clare Hills Riesling is made by Neil Pike - who has worked hard to make sure his white wines are some of the best around. This Riesling has the signature elegance and distinctive flavour of the Polish Hill River: the hilly terrain here makes it the best land for Riesling in Australia.

Verdict: VERY GOOD!
Appellation: Australia
Vintage: 2009
Grapes: Riesling
12%
Awards:
Cost: £

Vinopolis
Link to laithwaites.co.uk

Fairview - Pinotage

After yeast and maltactic fermentation was completed in stainless tanks, the wine spent ten months in used French and American oak barrels. The oaking is therefore very subtle, elevating the fruit flavours of the pinotage.
Vibrant purple red. Spicy dark fruit aromas and flavours. Brooding and savoury, with ripe tannins and opulent fruit.

Verdict: ?
Appellation: South Africa
Vintage: 2008
Grapes: Pinotage
?%
Awards:
Cost: £
Vinopolis

Vinozavod Asenovgrad - Mavrud

The wine is fermented in steel tanks to keep the body of the wine lighter and to maintain the red fruit character of the wine, but a percentage of the wine is aged in small oak barrels to bring out the spciy clove character.
Pale ruby colour. Sweet spicy aromas, lots of clove and a bit of cherry on the nose. On the palate it is a very earthy and rich wine, and shows more of the clove, and some ripe red cherries. The wine has smooth tannins, and a balanced acidity.

Verdict: ?
Appellation: Bulgaria
Vintage: 2001
Grapes: Mavrud
12.5%
Awards:
Cost: £
Vinopolis

Santomas - Refosco

Santomas is one of the leading wine producers in Slovenia. This wine is fermented in steel vats with no oak ageing to preserve the delicate fruit flavours and its freshness.
Subtle bitter cherries with a little bit of juicy pepper. Fresh and delicate.

Verdict: ?
Appellation: Slovenia
Vintage: 2007
Grapes: Refosco
13.5%
Awards:
Cost: £10.99
Vinopolis
http://www.santomas.si/en/vina_refosk_2007.htm

Torres - Garnacha Tinta, Cariñena

Short skin contact before racking and fermentation. The wine is matured in stainless steel tanks for 5 months before bottling and release. This wine goes especially well with informal food, such as pasta, vegetable dishes, picnics and traditional Spanish tapas.
Exceptionally good with recipes that use tomoto or tomoato sauce, including Italian pasta.
Elegant cherry and plum aromas, accompanied by vivid scents of mimosa and iris. The smooth, dry finish and delicate aromas linger on the palate.

Verdict: ?
Appellation: Spain
Vintage: 2009
Grapes: Garnacha Tinta, Cariñena
13.5%
Awards:
Cost: £8.50
Vinopolis

Donnafugata Polena - Catarratto, Voignier

Fresh lemon lightness with hints of green herbs on the nose. The palate moves more into a crisp bitter lemon/lime direction with a nice mellow acidity.

Viognier is harvested in August while the Catarratto is harvested in September. The grapes are subjected to soft pressing. The juice is fermented at a controlled temperature and the wine is released onto the market after fining and three months in the bottle.

Verdict: ?

Appellation: Sicily, Italy

Vintage: 2008

Grapes: Catarratto, Voignier

12.5%

Awards:

Cost: £14.99

Vinopolis

http://www.donnafugata.it/showPage.php?template=news&id=380

Turner Road - Chardonnay

Our Reserve Chardonnay offers aromas of fresh green apple, pear, and bright lemon notes and just the right touch of vanilla oak.

Verdict: Ranked 5th in California tasting
Appellation: California
Vintage: 2008
Grapes: Chardonnay
13%
Awards:
Cost: £5.99

Zinfandel Rose

A soft and gently fruity rosé for casual, everyday drinking. Attractive aromas of strawberries and raspberries combined with a delicate touch of sweetness in the month make this a refreshingly light and easy-drinking style of wine.

Verdict: Ranked bottom in California Tasting
Appellation: California
Vintage: 2009
Grapes: Zinfandel
10.5%
Awards:
Cost: £

Gallo Family Wineyards - Merlot

Rich aromas and flavours of dark cherry with hints of mocha and spices for a balanced mouth feel with a long fruit finish.

Verdict: Ranked 1st in California tasting
Appellation: California
Vintage: 2009
Grapes: Merlot
13.5%
Awards:
Cost: £6.49
http://www.gallofamily.co.uk/wines/merlot/

Robert Mondavi - Savignon Blanc/ Semillon

Fume Blanc
The Original Fumé Blanc. Robert Mondavi created the term in 1966 to distinguish his dry Sauvignon Blanc from the sweeter-styled Sauvignon Blanc wines made at the time.
Intense primary aromas of lemongrass mingle with the subtle scent of lime blossoms and hints of sage and spice. Mouthfilling flavors of crisp yellow peach are couched in a very smooth, rounded texture. Thanks to the small Sauvignon Blanc yields of 2008, flavors are concentrated and the wine is already very expressive in its youth.

Verdict: Ranked 3 in Californian tasting
Appellation: California
Vintage: 2007
Grapes: Savignon Blanc/ Semillon
14.5%
Awards:
Cost: £14.99
http://www.robertmondavi.com/wines/

Bonterra Vineyards - Sangiovese / Zinfandel / Grenache

Juicy and fresh organic rosé from California.
This is a sophisticated and dry rosé made mainly from Sangiovese grapes grown organically in cool Californian vineyards. With fresh strawberry aromas and a palate full of cherry and red berry flavours, this dry yet juicy rosé is a great tipple on its own but would be wonderful with lighter salads.

Verdict: Ranked 4th in Californian wine tasting.
Appellation: California
Vintage: 2008
Grapes: Sangiovese / Zinfandel / Grenache
13.5%
Awards:
Cost: £9.50
http://www.bonterra.com/

Ravenswood Vintners - Zinfandel

A delicious wine from a company renown for their expertise with the Zinfandel grape.
Rich, sweet, ripe fruit dominates the palate which is perfectly matched to the soft oaky flavours imparted by French and American wood. Great with steaks or burgers.

Verdict: Ranked 2nd at California tasting
Appellation: California
Vintage: 2007
Grapes: Zinfandel
13.5%
Awards: Decanter Magazine Bronze
Cost: £8.50
http://www.ravenswoodwinery.com/#home

Bigi - Orvieto

This wine is produced in Umbria, in the centre of Italy. It is light and refreshing and its natural sweetness should please those who do not like their white wine too dry.
The palate is soft and delicate, with blasts of ripe pear and vanilla. Will be ideal with spicy food, salad or on its own.

Verdict: ?
Appellation: Italy - Umbria
Vintage: 2009
Grapes: Orvieto
12%
Awards:
Cost:

Belliccia - Montepulciano

Forest fruit aromas followed by lush, velvety flavours of plums and damsons and a soft lingering finish.

Verdict: Ranked 3rd in Italian Red wine challenge 2010
Appellation: Italy - Abruzzo
Vintage: 2008
Grapes: Montepulciano
13%
Awards:
Cost: £8.50

Piccini - Sangiovese

Deep ruby red in colour. A smooth, elegant and velvety wine, with powerful aromas of ripe cherry, hints of spice and woody notes. soft tannins and long finish.

Verdict: Ranked 2nd in Italian Red wine challenge 2010
Appellation: Italy - Chianti
Vintage: 2007
Grapes: Sangiovese
13%
Awards:
Cost:

Italia - Primitivo

This savoury and slightly rustic red wine comes from the heel of Italy.
This wine is a true example of southern Italian winemaking. Try it with hard, mature cheeses (Parmesan or Cheddar) or with bolognese or similar sauces.

Verdict: Ranked 3rd in Italian Red wine challenge 2010
Appellation: Italy - Puglia
Vintage: 2008
Grapes: Primitivo
14%
Awards: IWC medal: Bronze (2008 vintage) IWSC medal: Bronze
Cost: £6.49
Waitrose link

Araldica - Cortese

Gavi is a well-known wine village in the heart of Piemonte in the north east of Italy.
Gavi makes fresh, crisp and lightly aromatic dry white wines from the local Cortese grapes.

It displays flavours of citrus, nuts and hints of grass. Enjoy this crisp white with a fresh salad or seafood.
Exclusive to Waitrose.

PICTURE MISSING!! NEED TO DRINK ANOTHER BOTTLE!

Verdict: Ranked 2nd in Italian White Wine challenge 2010

Appellation: Italy - Piedmont

Vintage: 2009

Grapes: Cortese

12%

Awards:

Cost: £9.01

Via Collina - Falanghina

A wonderful white showing floral notes with a mineral and herbal complexity.
Falanghina is one of southern Italy’s ancient grape varieties, dating back to Roman times. Recently, winemakers have been looking at this grape anew using modern techniques to produce crisp, fresh whites like this one from the talented Giorgio Flessati.
Ideal with grilled fish.

Verdict: Ranked 1st in Italian White Wine challenge 2010
Appellation: Italy - Puglia
Vintage: 2008
Grapes: Falanghina
13%
Awards:
Cost: £7.99 Waitrose

Banrock Station - Shiraz Mataro

Shiraz / Mataro (Mourvèdre)
The warm spicy berry fruit flavours and hints of oak are ideal with pasta, casseroles or roasts.

Verdict: ?
Appellation: Australia
Vintage: 2009
Grapes: Shiraz Mataro
14%
Awards:
Cost: £6.75
http://www.banrockstation.com.au/content/shiraz-mataro

Baroncini - Canaiolo Sangiovese

Deep ruby in colour, with aromas of wild cherry and spice. The palate is soft and juicy with wild berry flavours and a tangy finish.
San Gimignano estate in Tuscany.

Verdict: ?

Appellation: Italy - Chianti

Vintage: 2006

Grapes: Canaiolo Sangiovese

13.5%

Awards:

Cost: £10 Tesco

Domaine Gobelsburg - Grüner Veltliner

Grüner Veltliner reflects the cool and fresh characteristics of the Danube area.

The long ripening season with high temperature differences between night and day brings both: fruit and freshness.
For us it is the perfect wine for every day and every situation.
Grüner Veltliner has been reported as the up and coming white grape.
Schloss Gobelsberg's easy style of crisp, ripe fruit flavours and mineral acidity offers superb refreshment.
Often served in good restaurants with oriental foods - compare it with an Alsace white for a change.

Verdict: ?

Appellation: Austria

Vintage: 2008

Grapes: Grüner Veltliner

12.5%

Awards:

Cost: £8.50

http://www.gobelsburg.com/wines/domgob_gv.html

Casablanca Valley - Sauvignon blanc

Clean, crisp and lemony Chilean Sauvignon Blanc.
A vibrant, mouth-watering and refreshing Chilean Sauvignon Blanc from the Casablanca Valley. It has clean and crisp lemony fruit flavours and a zesty finish making it an excellent tipple on its own or try with a Greek salad.

Verdict: ?

Appellation: Chile

Vintage: 2008

Grapes: Sauvignon blanc

13.5%

Awards: IWC Silver Medal (2008)

Cost: £8.50
Link on waitrosewine.com

Via Collina - Dolcetto

Young and fresh, easy-drinking Italian red.
This is a powerful, pure and charming red wine showing great typicity. It’s young and fresh with juicy cherry fruit aromas and flavours. Ready to enjoy now, this wine is for early-drinking and is a delicious partner to pork or risotto.

Verdict: 1 star

Appelation: Italy - Piedmont

Vintage: 2008

Grapes: Dolcetto

13%

Awards: IWC Silver Medal (2008)

Cost: £7.50

Prestige de Calvet - Semillion Sauvignon

This white Bordeaux has been made with 75% semillion and 25% sauvignon.
Harvested at an early stage, this wine has a very fruity and crispy taste typical of the sauvignon grape.
Ideal by the glass or with light food.

Verdict: 4 star
Appelation: Bordeaux Controlee
Vintage: 2008
Grapes: Semillion Sauvignon
11.5%