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%