TN : Chinon 2005, Domaine de la Colline, Loire Valley, France

This wine was imported by Primeur Vin AB. Though I couldn't find any information about this wine on their, frankly, exceedingly poor website.

Colour : Plum

Aroma : Dark and red fruits, herbs

Taste : Red fruits, dark fruits, plum, tangy, tannins on finish, herbs, earthy

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 88 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Primeur Vin AB

Devon Vineyard Trail

Available from English Wine Producers is the Devon Vineyard Trail. This consists of a map with each of the nine vineyards shown on it. For each vineyard there is the postal address, email, website, facilities, opening hours, and tour and tasting details.

Website : English Wine Producers

VinUnic Newsletter June 2008

VinUnic have just published their latest newsletter for June 2008. It can be downloaded from their website. Included in next month's releases are wines from Gaja and some very affordable Bordeaux.

Website : VinUnic Våra Viner Juni 2008

Vinkällaren Grappe Newsletter June 2008

Vinkällaren Grappe have just released their newsletter for June 2008. It can be downloaded from their website.

Website : Vinkällaren Grappes Nyhetsbrev Juni 2008

TN : Shadrach Cabernet Sauvignon 2001, Grant Burge, Australia

Grant Burge's great grandfather, Meshach Burge, was named after the biblical Meshach, one of the men who refused to bow to a gold image of the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar (after which the largest wine bottle is named, 15 litre capacity). The other two men were Shadrach and Abednego. All three were cast into a fiery furnace for their sins but with the help of angels they survived. This convinced Nebuchadnezzar to give them positions of power and to worship their god.

The grapes for this wine came from individual parcels from Coonawarra, the Adelaide Hills, and the Barossa.

This wine was imported by Fondberg & Co.

This wine received 91 points from Wine Advocate in November 2007. However, it was tasted by Jay Miller and NOT Robert Parker.

Colour : Purple, brown hues

Aroma : Mint, blackcurrant, oak, vanilla, slight vinegar

Taste : Vinegar on finish, blackcurrant, mint, talcum power like drying tannins on finish

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 219 SEK

Mark : D-

Website : Grant Burge Wines
Website : Fondberg & Co

TN : Mora Negra 2005, Finca Las Moras, Tulum Valley, Argentina

This wine is a blend of 70% Malbec and 30% Bonarda. The grapes were hand harvested. The wine was aged in small oak barrels for 15 months. 18,850 bottles were produced.

Nora Negra means "black mulberry".

This wine was imported by PrimeWine Sweden AB.

Colour : Deep purple

Aroma : Violets, spicy, dark berries, mint, savoury

Taste : Dark fruits, vanilla, savoury, spicy, concentrated, mouth filling, mint, long finish

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 149 SEK

Mark : C

Website : PrimeWine Sweden AB

TN : Agathan 2005, Vin de pays de Mont Athos, Evangelos Tsantalis, Greece

Agathon means precious, noble.

This wine was made from organically grown grapes. It is a blend of Limnio and Cabernet Sauvignon.



Colour : Dark red

Aroma : Earthy, oak, dark berries, mint, violets, talcum powder

Taste : Heat on finish, cherry, violets, dark fruits, red fruit notes, earthy

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 80 SEK

Mark : C+

TN : Ocio Pinot Noir 2006, Cono Sur, Casablanca Valley, Chile

This wine was crafted by Chilean winemaker Adolfo Hurtado together with Burgundian consultant Martin Prieur.



Colour : Cherry, purple

Aroma : Cherry, plum, coca cola

Taste : Tart finish, cherry, blackcurrant, almost no tannins, coca cola, blackberry, minerals

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 339 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Cono Sur

TN : Kaiken Ultra Malbec 2006, Lomas del Valle, Mendoza, Argentina

This wine was made by the Chilean Motes Alpha team.

Kaiken is the Mapuche Indian name for the wild Patagonian geese found on both sides of the Andes.

The details on the Kaiken website are different to that in the Systembolaget Varunytt May 2008. This is what it says on the website. This wine is 100% Malbec. The yield in the vineyard was 6 tonnes per hectare. The grapes were handharvested into 15 Kg bins. The wine was aged in 80% French oak barrels for 18 months. 32,000 cases were produced. A winery analysis showed that the alcohol was 14.5%, the pH was 3.66, the total acidity was 3.38 grammes per litre, the volatile acidity was 0.6 grammes per litre, and the residual sugar was 2.4 grammes per litre.



The wine was imported by Hjo Grosshandel AB.

Colour : Deep purple

Aroma : Muted, herbs, spice, violets, oak, plums

Taste : Overwhelming smothering oak, spice, savoury notes, coffee, pepper, violets, licqourice, dry tanins on finish

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 129 SEK

Mark : C-

Website : Kaiken Wines
Website : Hjo Grosshandel AB

WineWorld Newsletter May 2008

WineWorld AB have just published their newletter for May 2008. It can be downloaded from their website. This issue focuses on new wines from Barone Ricasoli.

Website : WineWorld Nyhetsbrev Maj 2008

TN : Las Moras Gran Shiraz 2004, Finca Las Moras, San Juan, Argentina

The grapes for this wine come from three valleys. The first is the Pedernal Valley at 4429 feet where the grapes are hand-picked at the end of April. Then there is the Zonda valley at 3116 feet where the grapes are hand-picked at the end of January. Finally, there is the Tulum Valley at 2132 feet where the grapes are hand-picked at the end of February.



This wine was imported by PrimeWine Sweden AB.

Colour : Dark blackberry

Aroma : Dark berries, mint, oak, violets

Taste : Savoury, soy sauce notes, violets, oak, pepper, dark fruits

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 139 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Finca Las Moras
Website : PrimeWine Sweden AB

TN : Vergelegen Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Vergelegen means situated "far away" and was granted to the Governor of the Cape in 1700.

The grapes were selected from Vergelegen’s Stonepine, Rondekop, Rooiland and Kopland Vineyards. These vineyards are all north to northwest facing, with granite, Hutton and Clovelly soils. Vines were planted 4000 to the hectare. The preferred Cabernet clone was 46, while for the Merlot, the Italian clones 12 and 192, as well as the French clones 181 and 3 were used. The average yield was 4 tons per hectare. The Cabernets were fermented in open tanks at high temperatures, 28 to 32 degrees, and punched down every 3 to 4 hours in order to maximise colour and tannin extraction. The alcoholic fermentation was followed by a post-fermentation maceration of 21 days. The wine was racked every 3 to 4 months and was matured in 225 litre barrels for 2 years. The blend is 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4.5% Cabernet Franc, and 4.5% Merlot. A winery analysis of the wine showed that the alcohol was 14.5%, the residual sugar was 3.1 grammes per litre, the total acidity was 5.8 grammes per litre, and the pH was 3.80.

This wine was imported by VinUnic AB.

Colour : Deep dark maroon

Aroma : Blackcurrant, slight green pepper, oak, plums

Taste : Cold tea, blackcurrant, slight oak, plums, green pepper, currants

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 195 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Vergelegen Wine Estate
Website : VinUnic AB

TN : Santorini Assyrtico 2007, Dry White Wine, Appellation of Origin Santorini of High Quality, Santo Wines, Greece

Colour : Pale yellow

Aroma : Apple, pear, mandarin oranges, almond

Taste : Mandarin oranges, almond, pear, bitter finish

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 79 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Santo Wines

TN : Kanzemer Altenberg Riesling 1998, Weingut Von Othegraven, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany

The estate has its roots in the 16th century. It has always been privately owned and came into the possession of the Grach–Weissebach-von-Othegraven family in 1805. The Second World War caused major devastation. However, the estate was rebuilt and new life emerged again from the unscathed Devon slate soil of the vineyards. Weingut von Othegraven is a founding member of the VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikats-und Qualitätsweingüter, the Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates).

Colour : Pale lemon

Aroma : Petrol, honey

Taste : Dry, pronounced petrol, honey, sharp grapefruit and acidity, some minerality

Alcohol : 10.5%

Price : 139 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Weingut Von Othegraven

Systembolaget New Wines June 2008

Systembolaget now have for download from their website the new wines that will be available for June 2008. They should be in the shops on Monday 2nd June.

Website : Systembolaget Varunytt Juni 2008

Systembolaget New Wines May 15th 2008

Systembolaget will release a new set of wines on May 15th 2008. The complete list can be found on their website.

Website : Systembolaget Nyheter den 15 maj

TN : Special Blend Reserva 2005, Bodega del Fin del Mundo, Neuquen, Patagonia, Argentina

This wine was imported by Primewine Sweden AB.

The wine spent 15 months in new French oak barrels which ruined it.

It is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Merlot. A winery analysis showed an alcohol level of 14%, a total acidity of 5.47 grammes per litre, and a pH of 3.7. The maceration and fermentation took 30 days. The wine underwent 100% malocatic fermentation. The wine was bottled in August 2006.



Colour : Black/purple

Aroma : Oak, plum, blackcurrant, herbs

Taste : Burnt toasty oak on finish obliterates all fruit, thus finish is very long, upfront herbs, blackcurrant, plum

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 159 SEK

Mark : C+ (for the fruit)

Website : Bodega del Fin del Mundo
Website : Primewine Sweden AB

TN : Sauvignon Gris 2007, Vina Casa Silva, Colchagua Valley, Chile

This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

The vines were planted in 1912 from French pre-phylloxera originals.

The grapes were harvested between February 25th and March 4th 2007. The grapes were then pre cold storing at three degrees for 24 hours. There was a hand sorting of the grapes before destemming. Then followed a cold maceration in press for six hours at under eight degrees using reductive method. The grapes were then crushed and racked for 24 hours at ten degrees. The wine underwent a post fermentation in stainless steel tanks between thirteen and fifteen degrees. The wine was then aged in stainless steel tanks.

The wine was imported by Tegner Hermansson.

Colour : Very pale straw

Aroma : Blackcurrant leaf, slight tropical fruits, passionfruit

Taste : Blackcurrant leaf, gooseberry, sharp acidity, bitter finish

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 119 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Vina Casa Silva
Website : Tegner Hermansson

TN : Syrah Polkura 2006, Polkura Estate, Marchigue Colchagua Valley, Chile

This wine was bottled unfiltered. A limited number of 1350 cases were made. It is a blend of 92% Syrah, 4% Malbec, 2% Viognier, 2% Grenache Noir, Mourvedre, and Tempranillo. The grapes were handharvested during the last week of April 2006. The wine spent one year in 85% French oak and 15% American oak. One third of the oak was new.

The wine was imported into Sweden by Primewine.

The wine was produced and bottled by Agricola La Vina S.A.

Polkura is the name of a hill, located in Marchigue. In the native Chilean Mapuche language Polkura means "yellow stone" making reference to the large amounts of yellow granite spread along the clay soils of the area.

Colour : Brooding dark cassis

Aroma : Dark fruits, oak, violets, black peppr

Taste : Dark and red fruits up front, violets, black pepper throughout, burnt toasty oak at end which obliterated the fruit, concentrated

Alcohol : 14.8%

Price : 148 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Primewine Sweden

TN : Grains de Folie Syrah, Rose, Groupe Uccoar, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

This wine was bottled with a screwcap. It was very refreshing and would be idea for something like an indian curry. The bottle was marked best before August 2009.

Colour : Bright strawberry

Aroma : Red fruits, fresh

Taste : Red fruits, slight sweetness

Alcohol : De-alcoholised, alcohol-free, 0.2%

Price : 39 SEK

Mark : B-

TN : Terra Solare Syrah 2006, IGT, La Pierotta, Maremma, Tuscany, Italy

This wine was fermented in cement tanks at 25 degrees. 6000 bottles were produced.



Colour : Deep red

Aroma : Oak, red fruits, cherry, licqourice

Taste : Heavy-handed oak, cherry, violets, licqourice

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 99 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : La Pierotta

Mancico "the little man" Bobal Rose 2007, Verde Marte, Utiel-Requena, Spain

Colour : "Glow-in-dark" neon pink

Aroma : Cherry, jellied raspberry sweets

Taste : Red fruits, raspberry, bitter finish

Alcohol : 12%

Price : 59 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Verde Marte

TN : Mediterra Winery, Dry Rose Wine, 2007, Regional Wine of Crete, Greece

This is a blend of the grape varieties Kotsifali and Mandilaria. It is from Heraklion region of Crete.

This wine is imported by Divine AB.

Colour : Copper/strawberry

Aroma : Strawberries, red berries

Taste : Strawberry, creamy mouthfeel, red fruits, cherries

Alcohol : 12.5 % (from label, 13% is stated in Systembolaget Varunytt May 2008)
Price : 79 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Mediterra Winery
Website : Divine AB

TN : Vida Salvaje Malbec Rose 2007, Finca La Chamiza, Mendoza, Argentina

This wine was imported by Chris-Wine Sweden AB.



On the back label it is stated "Yaguarete, Leo Onca, the biggest feline of America. This specie lives in Argentina and is endangered by the destruction of its environment."

Colour : Deep raspberry

Aroma : Raspberry, vanilla ice cream

Taste : Raspberry, vanilla, sangria, oranges, dry

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 60 SEK

Mark : B+

Website : Chris-Wine Sweden

VinUnic Newsletter May 2008

The May 2008 newsletter from VinUnic can now be downloaded from their website. Their are new wines from Vergelegen, Georg Breuer, Catena, Allegrini, Domaine Zind-Humbrecht and Dr. Loosen.

Website : VinUnic Nyhetsbrev Maj 2008

Vinkällaren Grappe Courses and Tastings

Details of upcoming tastings and courses ran by Vinkällaren Grappe can now be found on their website.

Website : Vinkällaren Grappe courses/tastings details

TN : Quinta Generacion 2004, Red Wine, Colchagua Valley, Vina Casa Silva, Chile

This wine is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Carmenere, 15% Shiraz, and 5% Petit Verdot. All the grapes came from the Colchagua Valley. The Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Petit Verdot were from Los Lingues Estate at the foot of the Andes Mountains and the Syrah from Lolol Estate within a stone´s throw of the Pacific Ocean.

The grapes underwent hand selection prior and post-destemming and, depending on the variety,
pre-fermentive maceration for 6 to 8 days at 6 degrees, alcoholic fermentation for 15 to 17 days at 27 to 30 degrees, post fermentation maceration for up to 15 days. The wine as then run off and underwent malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels. The result was aged in new French oak barrels for 13 months.

The wine was imported into Sweden by Tegner Hermansson.

Colour : Deep dark cassis

Aroma : Blackcurrant, mint, toast, green pepper

Taste : Concentrated, blackcurrant and mint and spice upfront, toasted oak and obtrusive green pepper on finish

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 169 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Vina Casa Silva
Website : Tegner Hermansson

TN : Casillero del Diablo Reserva Chardonnay 2007, Concha Y Toro, Chile

This wine was in its 375 ml half-bottle format.

30% of the must was fermented and aged in French oak barrels and 70% in stainless steel tanks.

Colour : Pale straw

Aroma : Dominant wood, green bananas, slight tropical fruit notes

Taste : Tropical fruits, oak, pineapple, slight vanilla

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 37 SEK (375 ml bottle format)

Mark : C

Website : Casillero Del Diablo

TN : Errazuriz Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Rose 2007, Vina Errazuriz, Central Valley, Chile

The grapes for this wine were hand-harvested. The grapes were then destemmed and crushed into stainless steel tanks for a 24 hour pre- fermentation maceration period to allow the must to take on colour before bleeding of 5-10% prior to fermentation. The clean must is centrifuged, protected from oxygenation and fermented at 12-15 degrees. Fermentation is halted in some lots to allow a small amount of residual sugar to remain in the wine, along with the fruity aromas of the fermentation to remain in the wine. The wine is then stabilized, filtered, and bottled as soon as possible.

A winery analysis showed that the alcohol was 13.3%, the pH was 3.3, the total acidity was 5.89 grammes per litre (as tartaric acid), and the residual sugar was 4.1 grammes per litre.

This wine was in its half-bottle, 375 ml, format. It was also sealed with a screwcap.

Colour : Pink cherry

Aroma : Strawberry jelly, cherry jelly, raspberry jelly

Taste : Jellied red fruits, hint of black pepper

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 39 SEK (375 ml bottle format)

Mark : B

Website : Vina Errazuriz