Alsace


Domaine de la Ville de Colmar Clos Saint Jacques Riesling 2014, Alsace, France (£12.99 Majestic) Already quite developed for 2014, with none of the freshness you expect, and a gentle, bruised apple character. C(+) Kuehn Crémant d’Alsace Brut Cuvée Prestige NV, Alsace, France (£11.99 Virgin Wines) Slightly sherbetty, crowd pleasing […]

Three wines from Alsace


Grattamacco Bolgheri Vermentino 2014, Tuscany, Italy (£25 Laithwaites) Rich and juicy but always vibrant, with pithy lemon and rounder muskier pear fruit joined by notes of herbs and pine, and a tense finish to hold it all together. Very good. S Cave de Turckheim Gewürztraminer Grand Cru Brand 2011, Alsace, […]

Assorted Aromatic Whites from Italy, France & Argentina


Sauvion Crémant de Loire NV, France (£13.99 Oxford Wine Company, Flagship Wines) Balances a bracing green apple tang against honeyed richness to good effect, crisp zesty finish. B(+) Terroir La Baume Saint Paul Crémant de Limoux Brut* NV, Languedoc, France (N/A in the UK) Quite a plush, rich style, with […]

Four sparkling French wines – but no Champagne…



Hugel Gentil 2014, Alsace, France (£13.90 Cambridge Wine Merchants Ltd, The Oxford Wine Company Ltd, Salut Wines, Lewis & Cooper Ltd, Taurus Wines, Last Drop Wines Ltd, Liquorice, Italian Continental Stores Ltd) No shortage of flavour here, with peachy weight, a lightly perfumed edge and creamy buttery notes, but it’s […]

Aromatic white wines from France & Argentina


Matetic Corralillo Gewurztraminer 2014, San Antonio, Chile (£12.95-£13.55 Armit Wines, Wine Direct) Classic lime/lemon jelly, rose water, lychee aromas, with crystallised orange and ginger notes making their presence felt. Powerful and punchy, but quite dry, so the spice comes more to the fore. Fascinating but not for everyone. S- Morrisons […]

Gewurztraminer from Chile and Alsace


Another of the catch-up-on-tasting-notes posts (see intro HERE if that doesn’t make sense) Josmeyer Mise du Printemps Pinot Blanc 2014, Alsace, France (£10.95 The Wine Society) The lightly salty edge here plus the hint of yeastiness is very similar to good Vinho Verde, but this is fleshier in style, with a […]

Two Pinot Blancs, One Pinot Gris