Monthly Archives: September 2012



Yali Wetland Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2011, Colchagua, Chile (£6.99 Morrisons) Not much to start with but then opens up to show fresh but gentle red berry, blackcurrant and redcurrant fruit freshened up by notes of citrus and baked apple. B(-) Guerrieri Rizzardi Bardolino DOC Chiaretto 2011, Veneto, Italy (£12.99 Harrods, […]

Wine tasting Video – Rosé wines from six countries


Viña Real Rioja Crianza 2009 (£9.99 Harrods, Cambridge Wine Merchants, Bin 21, The Clifton Cellar, Pimlico Dozen, D K Vintners, Liquid Treasures) Bouncy, Tigger-like wine with earthy, warm raspberry and loganberry fruit, some spicy coconut and vanilla notes from the oak, and an orange peel and apple freshness to the […]

Wine Tasting Video: Five Minutes with Rioja (-ish)



Errázuriz Aconcagua Costa Single Vineyard Syrah 2010, Chile (£19.99 Averys) Full bodied style, quite aromatic with notes of sage-tinted sausage meat and lavender, but there’s that tell-tale reduced blackcurrant pastille feel, and the finish is rather dry and lacking charm. B Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz 2009, Clare Valley/McLaren Vale, Australia (£16.99 […]

Wine Tasting Video: Syrah/Shiraz from Chile, Australia & New Zealand


  (For full results, go to the main International Wine Challenge site here) Champion Red Wine: Charmes Chambertin Les Mazoyères Grand Cru 2010, Domaine de la Vougeraie Champion White Wine: Vineyard Select Clare Valley Riesling 2006, Angove Family Winemakers Daniel Thibault Trophy for Champion Sparkling: Champagne Piper Heidsieck Rare Millésime […]

International Wine Challenge 2012 – the top trophies


Seven Springs Unoaked Chardonnay 2011, Overberg, South Africa (£11.25-£12.25 Loki Wine, Bijou Bottles, Proteas Wines, Underwood Wines, C. A. Rookes, S.H. Jones, Frasers Budgens (Yarnton), City Beverage Company) Good punchy style, with quite flesh peach and pear flavours and some nutty, leesy richness balanced by a zesty citrus and mineral […]

Wine Tasting Video: Chardonnays from California & South Africa