Wine Education



Ferngrove “Symbols” Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2009, Frankland River, Western Australia (£8.99-£9.50 Seckford Agencies) Crisp, grassy, herby, with the Semillon adds punchy pungent weight to the citrussy treble notes of Sauvignon. Nice seafood style. B+ Leaping Lizard Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Western Australia (£7.99-£8.50 Seckford Agencies) Not as immediate and forward as the […]

Semillon – a very fine swan indeed


All with Merlot as the predominant grape. Château de Sours Bordeaux Rouge 2007, France (~£11) Crunchy young wine, fresh and earthy but with pleasing plump plum and blackcurrant fruit behind, touches of smoke and vanilla, clean refreshing finish. B(+) Clos Cantenac St Emilion Grand Cru 2007, Bordeaux, France (~£25 contact […]

A quartet of Bordeaux reds



Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo Reserve Porto NV (£9.95 per 500 ml Halifax Wine Company, Oakley Wine Agencies) Juicy young port, warm and welcoming, with an almost velvety texture, broad but still fragrant berry and damson flavours, and a citrus tang to the finish – you could almost […]

Four Ports – Quinta do Noval and Quinta Nova



Houghton The Bandit Shiraz/Tempranillo 2008, Western Australia (£8.99 – available from Spring 2010) Young but not disturbingly so, with bright strawberry, blackcurrant and jammy dodger fruit, a touch of reduction and hints of mint and milk chocolate. B(+) D’Arenberg “d’Arry’s Original” Shiraz Grenache 2006, McLaren Vale, South Australia (£9.95-£12.99 The […]

Australian Shiraz – with variations