Wine Education


Viñalta Chardonnay 2014, Mendoza, Argentina (£8.00 Marks & Spencer) A slightly disjointed style, with overrichness – creamy toffee, slightly confected pineapple and fig – set against underrichness -grapefruit pith. And doesn’t seem to settle down with time… C Andeluna 1300 Chardonnay 2014, Mendoza, Argentina (~£11-12 Anglia Wines, Smoking Jacket, Strictly […]

Five Chardonnays from Argentina


Clefs du Pontif Grenache/Syrah Pays d’Oc 2014, Languedoc, France (£9.99 Averys) Young, crunchy wine, juicy berry and plum with a hint of spice, I can’t fault its intensity, but it just feels a bit correct, too ‘made’. C+ Ess & See Mataro 2013, McLaren Vale, Australia (£15.99 Virgin Wines) Boisterous […]

Spicy Reds from the Languedoc & Australia


Domaine Saint Gayan Côtes du Rhône Rosé 2014, France (£10.50 Yapp Brothers) Bright and breezy style with juicy apple and strawberry flavours, and a slightly salty edge to the finish. Not hugely complex, but it’s a decent fresh quaff. B- Père Anselme La Grivelière Côtes du Rhône Rosé 2014, France […]

A bunch of Côtes du Rhône Rosés



Blind Spot Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Margaret River, Australia (£7.75 The Wine Society) They’ve done this really well. Some Margaret River SSBs can be too angular, but this sees the slightly catty/citrussy Sauvignon character in with a richer, muskier guava note. Great for this price, and no sign that it’s going […]

Four(-ish) Semillons from Australia


Château de Ricaud Bordeaux Supérieur 2012, France (£9.99 Booths) Honest, juicy style, ripe plummy red berry flavours backed up by chewy but never harsh tannins, plus a refreshing finish. Good midweek quaff. B Château Fonguillon Montagne-Saint-Émilion 2012, Bordeaux, France (£9.99 Tesco) Deeper, darker style with plummy blackberry and blackcurrant flesh […]

Three 2012 Reds from Bordeaux


Dourthe No.1 Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc 2014, France (£7.95 The Wine Society) Young, vibrant wine, classic ‘green’ Sauvignon flavours – cut grass, greengage and asparagus, with a squeeze of lemon and lime – but also a weightier side, with a hint of nectarine coming through. Really tasty wine. S- Château Argadens […]

Three Bordeaux whites