Spain

…including some biggish names that weren’t quite as good as I’d have hoped… Clotilde Davenne Bourgogne Blanc 2014, France (was £10.95 From Vineyards Direct) From vineyards close to Chablis, so the pert, minerally character and mix of crispness and creaminess come as no surprise. Lovely balanced style, excellent value, the […]

Four Chardonnays from four countries

by
Casa do Capitão-mor Alvarinho 2015, Vinho Verde, Portugal (£12.90 Alfama Wines) Young and fresh, a bracing tang of sea air and mineral in among the lightly spicy (ginger?) just-ripe peach and citrus peel flavours. Very tasty, and quite full bodied. S(-) Anselmo Mendes Alvarinho 2015, Vinho Verde, Portugal (£11.99 Laithwaites) […]

Albariño meets Alvarinho

by
I nearly like this a lot… Las Chorlas Tempranillo 2013, Arlanza, Spain (£9.99 Laithwaites) Bits of this I like, and bits I don’t. The latter is probably a consequence of the less than ideal vintage, so there’s a slightly earthy green edge and it’s not as concentrated as it could […]

Las Chorlas Tempranillo 2013, Arlanza, Spain

by
A superb wine, not just for International Sherry Week Fernando de Castilla Antique Amontillado NV, Spain (£23.99 per 50cl Virgin Wines*) Wonderful gentle yet complex style, with lush flavours of creamy butter toffee, tangy Christmas cake fruits and spices and a touch of herbs. Soft yet persistent and heady, with a […]

Fernando de Castilla Antique Amontillado NV, Spain

by
Barbadillo Solear Manzanilla, Spain (£6 per half/£9.50 per full bottle widely available) Punchy and pungent, lightly salty with a proving bread dough character and a persistent finish – make you crave nibbles… S- Barbadillo Manzanilla Pasada En Rama ‘Pastora’, Spain (£13 Taurus Wines, The Solent Cellar, Roberts & Speight, Baythorne […]

In celebration of International Sherry Week…

by