Spain


There is a video down below somewhere but first, let’s talk brett. Brettanomyces to give it its full name is a strain of yeast that has been around for centuries, but which began to appear on the wine radar around 20 years ago, and has really sprung to prominence in […]

Spain, 4, Portugal, 1 – plus a bit about brett


Chivite Gran Feudo Garnacha Rosado 2009, Navarra, Spain (£7.99 Waitrose) Sappy young rosé packed with blackcurrant, apple & blackberry pie flavours, refreshing and juicy, with a dry, succulent finish. B(+) Palo Alto Shiraz Reserva Rosé 2009, Maule, Chile (£7.99 Asda, Booths) Gentle style, maybe lacking some freshness, pleasant red berry […]

Five appetising rosés from Spain, Chile & South Africa


More from the batches of wine that arrived from Morrisons & The Wine Society – this time it’s the reds (the whites are here). The Society’s Claret NV (Sichel), Bordeaux, France (£5.95/£5.42 The Wine Society) Leafy, sappy, young and refreshing unoaked style, uncomplicated tender and fruity, does just what it […]

Blind Tasting: Morrisons & The Wine Society Part 2



No particular theme, just four wines that needed tasting…. Tahbilk Viognier 2009, Nagambie Lakes, Central Victoria, Australia (£9.99 The Wine Society, Jeroboams, City Beverage, Stanton Wine Company, Morecambe Bay Wine Company, www.everywine.co.uk, Goodrich Wines, Posh Plonk, Rodney Densem, Cambridge Wine Merchants) Quite heady, almost creamy peach kernel aromas, but then […]

Shiraz and Viognier from Australia + reds from Rioja and ...


Segura Viudas Brut Reserva NV (£8.99 Oddbins) Earthy lemon aromas, quite pleasant toasty notes, but then the finish is just too sweet and a little flabby. OK, but lacks crispness. C+ Raventós i Blanc L’Hereu Brut Reserva 2007 (£14.99 Hamilton Yorke, Handford, Martinez, Davy’s Wine Shop, The Vineyard, SWIG) Dry, […]

Cava time – three excellent wines from Raventós i Blanc


Bisol ‘Cartizze’ Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore 2008, Veneto, Italy (£22.99 Bibendum) Starts off lush and peachy, but then the minerally restraint kicks, adding a drier, more serious, clay-like edge and keeping you coming back for more. S- Cono Sur Brut NV, Bío-Bío, Chile (£9.99 Morrisons, Oddbins, Tesco.com) Toasty sweet’n’sour Riesling […]

Five different sparkling wines, five different countries