Wine Education


Tons de Duorum Red 2014, Douro, Portugal (£8.90 Tanners) Young, juicy style, fleshy berry to the fore, notes of liquorice, vanilla and herby in the background. Should appeal to Argie Malbec fans. B+ Ramos Reserva 2014, VR Alentejano, Portugal (£6.99 Majestic) A plusher, plummier wine than the above, still spicy, […]

Two reds from Portugal


Christmas morning fodder? Champagne Thiénot Brut Rosé Édition Limitée NV, France (£40.49 Champagne & Châteaux) Quite a rich, yeasty, almost creamy young wine with crisp citrus and apple to the fore, and hints of darker fruit – cherries and raspberries, plus an almost Cab Franc-like blackcurrant leaf character – in […]

Champagne Thiénot Brut Rosé Édition Limitée NV, France


Not the most subtle of Champagnes, but I like the honest rich flavours here Champagne Duménil Amour de Cuvée Blanc de Noirs NV, France (N/A in the UK) A rich, savoury edged Champagne, quite wine-y, with a mature brioche character and rich mouthfilling red fruit flavours. Almost too much to […]

Champagne Duménil Amour de Cuvée Blanc de Noirs NV



Same price, same region, but not same flavour… Château Haut Courneau Graves 2011, Bordeaux, France (£10.00 Oddbins) I like the sweet fleshy plummy berry flesh and hint of cedar; I’m less keen on the touch of greenness and slightly baked character, and I don’t think it’s going to get any […]

Two Bordeaux reds from Graves


Frares Priorat 2013, Catalunya, Spain (£13.00 Marks & Spencer) Plenty of burly plum and damson jam flavour plus dark berry flesh, but there’s still freshness form somewhere, despite the 15% alcohol. Add in warm dustiness, some smoky bacon and a wild, spicy element and you have a fascinating young and […]

Two reds from Priorat


Viña Real Rioja Crianza 2011, Spain (£11.05 Lea & Sandeman Company Ltd, Fortnum and Mason Plc, Cranbrook Wines, D.Byrne & Co, Ann et Vin Ltd, Hailsham Cellars, York Wines, Pimlico Dozen Ltd, Field and Fawcett, Cheers Wine Merchants, Wino’s Ltd, Bin 21 Limited, The Clifton Cellars, The Drinkshop.com Ltd, Dickens […]

Five Tempranillos (-ish) from Spain & Australia