TN : Trilogie 2005, Red Wine, Lujan de Cuyo, Domaine Vistalba, Argentina

This wine is a blend of 70% Malbec, 15% Merlot, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.

It was vinted and bottled by Domaine Vistalba. It was distributed by Bornicon & Salming.

Colour : Plum, maroon

Aroma : Red fruits, spice

Taste : Spicy, plummy, hot finish, vanilla oak

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 59 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Bornicon & Salming

Website : Domaine Vistalba

English Sparkling Rose Wine as good as French efforts

Being a fan of English wines, I love to hear news like this.

Ridegview Wine Estate won a trophy at the recent Le Mondial de Rose competition which has the best Rose wines in the world competiting against the French. RidgeView’s Merret Fitzrovia 2004 won the Jean Feraud trophy in the 2007 competition for the Best International Sparkling Rosé.

RidgeView have been producing sparkling wine for the past 8 years, and are no strangers to awards, with 80 medals and 15 trophies to date. Their sparkling wine was the only English Wine on the menu for the Queens 80th Birthday lunch.

Website : English Wine Producers News

TN : Vinahonda Tinto 2005, Jumilla, Bodegas Silvano Garcia, Spain

This wine is a blend of 90% Monstrell and 10% Tempranillo.

Colour : Maroon, blackberry

Aroma : Savoury berries

Taste : Oak, dark and red berries

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 51 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Bodegas Silvano Garcia

TN . Black Tie 2004, Pinot Gris & Riesling, Caves des Vignerons Pfaffenheim, Alsace, France

This wine is a blend of 40% Riesling and 60% Pinot Gris.

Colour : Yellow

Aroma : Lemon, honey, quince, spice

Taste : Almonds, ginger, lemon, honey

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 116 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Caves des Vignerons Pfaffenheim

TN : Claude Val Rouge 2006, Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, France

This wine is imported by Bornicon & Salming. It is a blend of Grenache, Carignan, Cinsault, and Merlot. The grapes were grown in the Herlaut Hills in Languedoc. The producer is Les Domaines Paul Mas.

Colour : Deep dark plum, purple

Aroma : Savoury, spicy red fruits

Taste : Red fruits, spicy finish, drying tanins

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 55 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Bornicon & Salming

Website : Les Domaines Paul Mas

Wine Taxes

The Advocate General of the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg said on Wednesday 18th July that the difference in taxes in wine and beer in Sweden breaks EU law. Wine currently is taxed higher than beer. As usual, the Swedish government conjured up some figures saying that the difference is negligible and doesn't affect purchases. However, The European Court usually follows the Advocate General's recommendations, although it can go against them. Sweden's Public Health Minister Maria Larsson and Finance Minister Anders Borg declined to comment on the Advocate General's opinion, saying they would wait for the court's decision.

What will happen, either beer taxes will go up or wine taxes will come down.

Website : Sweden's wine tax breaks EU law

TN : Trilogie 2006, Torrontes, Argentina

This wine was vinted and bottled by Domaine Vistalba. It was distributed by Bornicon & Salming.

Colour : Pale straw

Aroma : Stone fruits

Taste : Almonds, apricots, peaches

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 59 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Bornicon & Salming

Website : Domaine Vistalba

TN . Petalos 2006, Descendientes de J Palacios, Bierzo, Spain

This wine is imported by Prime Wine Sweden AB. It is 100% Mencia. It was matured for six months in new French oak and fined using egg whites before bottling.

Colour : Dark cherry

Aroma : Herby, dark berries

Taste : Drying tannins and slight herbs on finish, violets, blackberry, blueberry, dark fruits

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 139 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : PrimeWine Sweden AB

Systembolaget Varunytt August 2007

Systembolaget have released Varunytt which details the wines that will be launched on Wednesday 1st August 2007.

Website : VaruNytt August 2007

Schloss Reinhartshausen Riesling Classic 2005, Rheingau, Germany

Colour : Pale yellow

Aroma : Lemon marmelade, fruity

Taste : Lemon. fruity, slightly off dry, some minerals on finish

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 113 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Schloss Reinhartshausen

TN : Poggio Teo, Chianti Classico, 2003, Fattoria di Valiano, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Italy

Great fruit but overoaked.

The Valiano Estate is situated in the heart of the favored Chianti Classico production area, whose well-defined boundaries were established back in 1716. Valiano is in the municipality of Castelnuovo Berardenga.

Poggio Teo originates from slope of the hill to the same name, in a typical Tuscan landscape like a little corner of paradise where time seem to stand still.

The grapes are harvested by hand in late September when they have reached their peak of maturity. Only the most carefully selected fruit is used to create this particular wine.

The wine undergoes further maturation in bottle as well before it is ready to be sold.

This wine is 1005 Sangiovese.

This wine was awarded 88 points by Wine Enthusiast magazine.

Colour : Dark plum

Aroma : Dark fruits, oak

Taste : Cherry, blackcurrant, too much oak

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 149 SEK

Mark : C+

TN : Clos du Pape 2003, J J Mortier, Graves, Bordeaux

This wine was quite pinot noir like with tobacco notes. The blend is 20% Cabernet Sauvingon, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 60% Merlot. The residual sugar was 1.5 grammes per litre and acid was 3.19 grames per litre. Vinification was traditional and fermentation was approximately 25 days. The wine was imported by Bornicon and Salming.

J. J. Mortier is a Bordeaux negotiant which was founded in 1889 by Chateau lafite owner Louis Mortier. Jerome Faugere is the leader of the company today and the fifth generation of the family to lead the firm. 90% of the company's turnover is via the export market.

Colour : Stewed fruits, brown hues

Aroma : Stewed fruits, oak

Taste : Tobacco, stewed fruits, oak

Alcohol : 12.5 %

Price : 79 SEK

Mark : C

Website : J J Mortier

Website : Bornicon & Salming AB

Wine Studies at Plumpton College, UK

Plumpton College is the only educational establishment in Europe where one can take courses in winemaking and viticulture in English. It is possible to study for a BSc degree in Viticulture and Oenology and take the WSET courses.

Interestingly enough, Plumpton College is working in association with the Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) at Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand to offer the EIT Certificate in Wine through correspondence study in Europe. The Certificate in Wine (Correspondence) is a two year programme that is designed for people wishing to pursue a career in the wine industry, or those already working within the industry and looking to gain a formal qualification. It is mainly completed through independent learning, guided by distance learning packages. However, attendance at a residential school, where students gain practical experience, is an essential part of the programme. These schools are held annually at both EIT (NZ) and Plumpton College (UK).

In addition, there is a small commercial winery and both red and white wines are produced.

Website : Plumpton College Wine Studies
Website : Chris Foss Podcast

TN : 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Assemblage Red Wine, Central Coast, Limited Edition, Concannon Vineyard

Overall this was disappointing. I think I could have got a cab of similar quality from Chile for half the price. The wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with some Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah.

Colour : Blackcurrant

Aroma : Red fruits, Dark fruits, slight oak

Taste : Dilute blackcurrant and dark fruits, some dark chocolate, oak, drying tannic finish

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 130 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Concannon Vineyard

Skåne Vinvägen / Skåne Vineyards

The Skåne area of Sweden now has a clickable map of vineyards available online. Simply click on a vineyard location and it takes you to the vineyard's own web site.

Website : Välkommen till Vinvägen i Skåne

TN : Chateau Hourtin-Ducasse, 2004, Cru Bourgeois, Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux

This wine won a Bronze medal in the Decanter World Wine Awards in 2006.

Chateau Hourtin-Ducasse is located in Saint-Sauveur at the edge of the Pauillac commune. Its name undoubtedly comes from the juxtaposition of those of two of its former owners, Mr. Hourtin (18th century) and Mr. Fleury-Ducasse (19thcentury). The Chateau was acquired in 1976 by Mr. Marengo.

The property includes approximately 30 hectares, including 25 devoted to the vine. The wine making is carried out under the vigilance of Jean-Claude Arcennathury.

Colour : Dark plum, cassis

Aroma : Blackcurrant hints, green vegetal, oak

Taste : Oak, cedar, dark fruits, drying finish

Alcohol : 12.5 %

Price : 99 SEK

Mark : C-

Website : Chateau Hourtin-Ducasse

Malborough Wine Research Centre

Malborough Wine Research Centre is located in prime New Sauvignon Blanc country i.e. Blenheim, Malborough. All publications and information about research projects can be found on their web site. The aim of the centre is to provide scientific leadership, authorative information and innovative technological development for the grape and wine industry, both in Marlborough and throughout New Zealand.

Currently the research centre is running New Zealand's first large-scale wine research project, into Sauvignon Blanc, funded by FoRST. This project aims to help the industry retain and understand the unique flavour of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and to ensure it maintains its international reputation.

The campus includes four laboratories, a technology transfer theatre seating 84, a wine sensory room for conducting specialised tastings, and a small-scale winery for teaching and training viticulture and oenology students.

Website : Malborough Wine Research Centre

The Focus Vineyard Project New Zealand

The Focus Vineyard programme is a three-year project funded by the MAF Sustainable Farming Fund and the New Zealand wine industry. The aim of the project is to investigate best practice techniques within the industry and improve the adoption of this best practice. The project encompasses Malborough, Gimblett Gravels, and Hawke's Bay. All material from the project are available from the project website.

Website : Focus Vineyard Project

TN : Le Cardinal, Merlot-Cabernet Suvignon, Bordeaux, 2006, Dourthe

The blend is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Colour : Ruby red

Aroma : Muted Red fruits

Taste : Heavy cedar, oak, muted red fruits

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 69 SEK

Mark : D+

Website : Dourthe

TN : Tsar, Cabernet Sauvingon Reserve, 2004

This is a quality wine of origina Plovdiv. It was produced and bottled by Vinzavod PLC, Assenovgrad, Bulgaria. The town of Assenovgrad is located in Southern Bulgaria.

Colour : Plum, brown hues

Aroma : Green leaf, dusty, red fruits, blackcurrant

Taste : Strong tobacco, oak, red fruits, earthy finish

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 39 SEK

Mark : D-

TN : Dourthe, Barrel Select, Bordeaux Superieur, 2003

This wine is 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon. It has nice balance, typical Bordeaux style, but was a bit thin on fruit and lacking in concentration.

Colour : Plummy red

Aroma : Red fruit

Taste : Red fruits, oak, vanilla

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 88 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Dourthe

WineWorld

I got an email from VinUnic this morning with a link to the June 2007 newsletter from WineWorld. It covers their wines that will be distributed by the Systembolaget in June 2007 and new wines that can be ordered.

Website : Bonarome WineWorld AB
Website : WineWorld June 2007 Newsletter

TN : Chateau Belgrave 2004, Haut-Medoc, Grand Cru Classe, Vignoble Dourthe

My overall impression of this wine was it was a classic left-bank Bordeaux. The only thing letting it down was a slight lack of fruit.

Decanter Magazine gave it 3 out of 5 starts and 16 out of 20 points. The drinking window was estimated to between 2008 and 2014.

Chateau Belgrave was graded a 5th tier Grand Cru Classe in the 1855 classification.

The vineyard is composed of deep gravelly soil set on a clay subsoil. It has been tenant-famred by Dourthe since 1979. 60 ha are used for vines. It is 100% hand-harvested and a double sortign tabel is used for grape selection.

The grape varieties in the blend are 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 5% Cabernet France, and 3% Petit Verdot. The wine is matured in oak barrels; typically from 12 to 15 months. Part of the wine is matured in barrel on lees to preserve aromas.

A new cellar was constructed in 2003 equipped with average-sized vats and wooden vats. A conveyor belt system is used to minimise contact with the grapes.

The winemaking manager is Antoine Gonzales and the vinegrowing manager is Olivier Gayrard. The consultant oenologist is the omni-present Michel Rolland.

Colour : Blackberry, blackcurrant

Aroma : Cedar, oak, blackberry, spice

Taste : Blackcurrant, cedar, soft tannins, integrated oak, blackberry

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 245 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Dourthe

Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation Podcasts

The AWBC have started podcasting audio and video. Currently available are a set of MP3s by renowned Australian wine journalist and book author Max Allen. Each podcast is examining a different wine region of Australia going into detail about the history, stories, and wine.

Website : Wine Australia Podcasting

TN : 2003 Christian Moueix, Red, Saint-Emilion, France

This was packaged using a conglomerated cork. One of the points that the Systembolaget continually make is that they have quality control. In this case, all wines should be of good quality compared to their price i.e. good value for money. The person responsible for buying this wine should be made to sit down and drink a bottle every night until the supplies are depleted. This wine was almost totally lacking in fruit and very hard to drink.

Colour : Plum

Aroma : Red fruits, cedar, oak

Taste : Oak and cedar on finish, lead pencil, some plum, lacking fruit

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 119 SEK

Mark : E+

TN : Chateau des Annereaux 2003, Lalande de Pomerol, Bordeaux, France

Chateau des Annereaux has been owned by the same family for six centuries (20 generations). The Chateau is headed by Dominique Hessel, who manages Chateau Moulin-a-Vent in Moulis.

The vineyard soil, 22.7 ha, is sandy-gravel and the subsoil is Crasse de Fer (Iron Pan).

The blend is 72% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvingon.

Colour : Purple, brown

Aroma : Green vegetable, some dark fruits

Taste : Herbs, dark fruits, slight green vegetable, slight oak on finish

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 143 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Chateau des Annereaux

Neal Martin & Robert Parker

Recently, a number of Decanter article authors have written pieces in which they state that they disagree with the current trend of high alcohol, concentrated wines; sometimes they even mention Robert Parker himself. Well this month, July 2007, sees Neal Martin publish an article defending Robert Parker. I ask myself, why isn't Robert Parker writing his own article. I also observe that Neal Martin is now working for Robert Parker and publishes his own articles on the Robert Parker web site.

Website : Decanter Magazine

TN : Chateau Labadie, 2003, Cotes de Bourg, Bordeaux, France

Chateau Labadie is located in the Medoc in the Commune of Begadan, 70Km from Bordeaux. It owner is Yves Bibey having acquired the chateau in 1970. There 47 ha under vines and the average age of the vines is 28 years. The wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet France, and Petit Verdot.

The label shown is from 2002 but the 2003 label is identical except for the change of year.

Colour : Blackberry, red hues

Aroma : Cedar, smoke, blackberry

Taste : Cedar, blackberry, blackcurrant, oak on finish

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 119 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Cru Bourgeois du Medoc

Fine Wine Magazine

Fine Wine magazine is distributed in PDF form. It is available in both English and Swedish. The next issue will be out in September, the editor Ove Canemyr assures me with a couple of articles relating to the Swedish tax laws, Swedish customs and excise, and private imports via the Internet.

The latest issue is May 2007. There are articles on what's happening in Priorat, the dangers of alcohol and labelling, Lavinia - a wine boutique in Paris, a review of some of the wines available to bid for in the Sweden Drinks Auction, held in cooperation with Systembolaget, which was held last week in Stockholm, Veuve Clicquot, Rose wines, Hungarian wines, and an offer to buy some fine wines from Mastroberadino.

Website : Fine Wine

TN : 2007 Malbec Rose, Chakana, Argentina

Unlike the 2006 which was sealed with a black synthetic cork, it seems that Chakana have now switched over to screwcaps. This wine was imported by PrimeWine Sweden AB. What I like about all the wines I have had from Chakana are that they are extremely good value and their wine label design is brilliant.

Colour : Canned strawberries

Aroma : Candied red fruits

Taste : Candied jellied cherries

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 65 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Chakana

Website : PrimeWine

Vinfo

I received a magazine called Vinfo yesterday, No 39 May 2007. It is published by Granqvist Vinagentur. The articles aren't that interesting It does have one interesting piece on Patrick d'Aulan who used to own, along with his family, Piper-Heidsieck Champagne and still own Chateau Sansonnet in Bordeaux. He now runs a company called Edonia wines whose properties include Alta Vista in Argentina.

Website : Granqvist Vinagentur

TN : Forster Jesuitengarten Riesling Spaetlese Trocken 2004, J L Wolf, Pfalz, Germany

This was quite similar to an Aussie Riesling in that it was mostly lemon on the palatte. The minerality was just too much for me though and I wasn't that keen.

The J L Wolf estate in Wachenheim is a model farm designed by the architect Eisenlohr. It was completed in 1843 and boasts a unique country villa, a courtyard with mature trees, a formal garden and magnificent vaulted cellars.

The winery was founded in 1756 by the then mayor, Johann Wolf, who bought some of the best vineyard parcels above the villages of Wachenheim, Forst and Deidesheim.

In 1828 the King of Bavaria commissioned a cartographer to produce a map showing the taxable value of every slope in the area. The J L Wolf holdings still include five grand cru and four premier cru vineyards.

In 1996 Ernst Loosen took over the winemaking business, bringing new winemaking concepts and goals with him, including reduced yields, the use of organic fertilisers and selective harvesting.

Colour : Light lemon

Aroma : Green apple, honey tinge, lemon, minerally

Taste : Extremely minerally, Extreme lemon, slight spritz, slight honey

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 165 SEK

Mark : C

Website : JL Wolf

TN : Dolcetto Lagrein 2005, Heartland, Langhorne Creek, Australia

Superstar winemaker Ben Glaetzer was responsible for this blend of northern Italien varieties though quite what winemakers from North Italy would make of this wine I don't know.

This is a blend of 70% Dolcetto and 30% Lagrein.

The Dolcetto component was crushed and macerated for 4 days prior to yeast addition. A warm ferment (28 degrees) with 4 times daily hand-plunging. The wine was left on skins for 10 days before pressing.

Approximately 50% of the Dolcetto was transferred to French oak hogsheads for completion of ferment, the remainder was unoaked. The Lagrein was fermented at cooler temperatures (18-22 degrees) to preserve aromatics and limit bitter tannin extraction. The wine was transferred to four year old French oak for nine months maturation prior to blending.

Colour : Black cherry, plum

Aroma : Dark berries, herby, vegetal

Taste : Herby, slight vegetal taste upfront, savoury, cedar, dark and red berries, sweet (from the high alcohol)

Alcohol : 14.5 %

Price : 119 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Heartland Wines

Berry Brothers and Rudd Podcasks

Simon Staples, Sales Director of BBR, talks to Jancis Robinson. You can listen online or download the MP3. Simon Staples also did a series of nine podcasks, which are downloadable also in MP3 format, on the 2006 Bordeaux En Primeur tastings which were interesting. Unfortunately he failed to name, like most people who write or talk about wine, those chateaux that are not worth buying.

BBR has been in business since 1698 ! and they are still in the original shop in St James's Street.

I used to enjoy their London Heathrow shops but these have been shut down recently which I am not happy about as you can imagine :-(

Website : Berry Brothers and Rudd

New Zealand Wine Grower

Take a look at the New Zealand Wine Grower magazine. It is available by subscription and also as a free PDF download. This is the official journal of the New Zealand Wine and Viticultural industry. Beware : I could read it ok online but it didn't print properly; coming out as goggledygook on most pages.

Website : NZ Wine Grower

TN : Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004, Sonomo County, Gallo Family Vineyards, USA

Colour : Blackcurrant, purple, black cherry

Aroma : Vegetally, dark berries

Taste : Blackcurrant, vanilla, slight vegetale notes, sandelwood finish

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 126 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Gallo

Private imports of wine into Sweden

Importing wine into Sweden, what is allowed and what is not allowed isn't clear at all anymore.

Last Tuesday, 5th June, the European Court of Justice, based in Luxembourg, ruled that the importing of alcohol into Sweden by private individuals is not justified i.e. illegal !. This is good news and maybe a wake up call to the Swedish government that Sweden isn't supposed to be a communist country; people want freedom of choice and do not want to be dictated to. Come on Sweden !, if you want to be in the EU then you have to play by EU regulations.

The Swedish government have already issued a statement defending their beloved Systembolaget monopoly.

On Sunday, June 9th, Swedish customs stopped confiscating alcohol that is bought over the Internet. This week, the Swedish goverment is supposed to clarify how things will work and how taxes will be collected; a private internet buyer shouldn't be taxed twice within the EU.

Can I buy from an internet site in Sweden ?

Website : European Court slams Sweden's alcohol import ban
Website : Sweden defends state alcohol monopoly
Website : Swedish Customs lets online booze through

TN : Hellenic Portraits, Limnio - Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Red Dry Wine, Domaine Porto Carras, Regional Wine of Sithonia, Greece

This wine was imported by Ward Wines AB. Their web site contains no information about this wine :-(. The back label states that Limnio was Aristotle's favourite grape variety !.

Colour : Blackcurrants

Aroma : Blackcurrants, herbs

Taste : Blackcurrant, cedar, herbs, blueberry, licquorice, drying dusty tannins on finish

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 79 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Ward Wines
Website : Domaine Porto Carras

TN : Attitude Sauvignon Blanc 2005, Loire, France

Pascal Jolivet was founded in 1987. The vines are planted close to the Loire castle Touraine. Jamie Goode, on the Wine Anorak, gave this 88 out of 100.

Colour : Pale yellow

Aroma : Blackcurrant leaf, green apple

Taste : Blackcurrant leaf, slight tropical fruit taste, green apple, slight lemon

Alcohol : 12%

Price : 115 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Pascal Jolivet

TN : Artino Riesling Kabinett, 2006, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany

This wine was bottled by F.W. Langguth Erben. They have been making wine since 1789.

Colour : Light yellow

Aroma : Stone fruits, lime

Taste : Apple, lemon, lime, citrus, off dry

Alcohol : 11%

Price : 69 SEK

Mark : C-

Website : F.W. Langguth Erben

TN : Rompicollo 2005, Poggio Al Tuffo, Maremma Tuscany Italy, IGT, Tomassi

Poggio al Tufo estate is located in Pitigliano, a very important Etruscan city in Maremma, a few Kilometres from Savana, Sorano and Saturnia and about 1,5 hour north or Rome. It has been owned by the Tommasi family since 1997.

There are 66 ha of vineyards, the soil has vulcanic origins, very rich of “tufo”, and is about 350 metres above sea level. The Rompicollo vineyard is 35ha.
After a very meticulous analysis of the soil, in 1998, 50 ha of the vineyards were replanted using a modern system with very high density ( 6.500 vines per ha. ) and with selected clones of traditional and international grape varieties.

The wine was bottles unfiltered. It is 60% Sangiovese and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. It was fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks for 10 days and the maturation was doen in 35hl barrels for about a year.

Colour : Plum, cassis

Aroma : Oak, blackcurrant

Taste : Oak, cherry, blackcurrant

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 95 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Tommasi Viticoltori

Vinunic Montly News June 2006

Vinunic have published their June 2006 monthly news Våra Viner.

Website : Vinunic Våra Viner June 2006

TN : Soldimela Vermentino 2006, Tenuta Moraia, Maremma, Tuscany, Italy

100% vermentino. This wine had 18 hours skin contact, which is presumably where it picked up the harsh bitter phenolics, and then was fermented in steel tanks.

Colour : Gold, yellow

Aroma : Apple, grapefruit

Taste : Stone fruits, apple, bitter finish

Alcohol : 12%

Price : 79 SEK

Mark : D

Website : Tenute Piccini

Pinot Noir NZ 2007

The presentations, in MP3 audio format, from the New Zealand Pinot Noir 2007 event are now available for download.

Website : Pinot Noir NZ 2007

TN : Erdener Herrenberg, Riesling Auslese, 1994, Dr Pauly-Bergweiler, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany

A classic aged riesling showing good petroleum character. This wine was imported by PrimeWine AB; however there is no information on their (not updated) web site for this wine. There is no information available for this wine (or vineyard site) on the Dr Pauly-Bergweiler site also.

Colour : Lemon

Aroma : Petrol, lime

Taste : Petrol, lemon, sweet, golden syrup finish

Alcohol : 8%

Price : 99 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Primewine
Website : Dr Pauly-Bergweiler

TN : Redfin, Shiraz - Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005, South Australia

A "critter" wine. This has what looks like a Perch on the label. It is imported by MondoWine Sweden AB. The grapes were sourced from Mclaren vale and is a blend of 65% Shiraz and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine was stored for a short time in oak and then bottled unfiltered in November 2006. The winemaker was Stephen Pannell.

Colour : Dark blackcurrant, plum

Aroma : Oak, blackcurrant, slight oak

Taste : No tanins, hot finish, slight oak and pepper on finish, vanilla, blackcurrant, slight spicey note

Alcohol : 15%

Price : 67 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : MondoWine Sweden AB

TN : Susana Balbo, Malbec, 2005, Dominio del Plata, Mendoza, Argentina

This wine is 100% Malbec, grown at 1000 metres in the high desert district of Angrelo in Mendoza. It has spent 13 months in 80% new French oak and 20% second year American oak. It was bottles unfined and unfiltered. This wine is imported into Sweden by Wicked Wine thought there is no information about this wine on their website !.

Colour : Dark plum

Aroma : Herbs, red berries

Taste : Red and dark berries, herbs, slight oak, slight vinegar notes, thin, astringent and drying tanins

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 139 SEK

Mark : C-

Website : Dominio del Plata
Website : Wicked Wine

TN : Pinot Gris, 2006, Reserve, BestHeim, Alsace, France

This wine was sealed with a synthetic cork and was imported by Giertz Vinimport AB. All the grapes were handpicked.

Colour : Yellow/straw

Aroma : Spicy, mango, pineapple

Taste : Spice, dry, tropical fruits, ginger

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 49 SEK for 375ml bottle

Mark : C

Website : Bestheim
Website : Giertz Vinimport

TN : Le Coq Rouge, 2002, Vin de pays d'oc, Sacha Lichine, France

This wine was bottled by Sacha Lichine Vin Sans Frontieres.

Colour : Brown stewed fruits

Aroma : Earthy raspberry

Taste : Earthy finish, non existant tanins, red fruits

Alcohol : 12.5 %

Mark : C+

Price : 77 SEK

Website : Sacha Lichine

TN : Simi, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, 2004, USA

This wine is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot and 1% each of Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Sirah, and Petit Verdot. It spent 13 months is French and American oak. One third of the French oak was new and nine percent of the American oak was new. Total acidity is 6.1 grammes per litre. The Ph is 3.69. The wine was releases in January 2007.

Simi winery was founded in 1876 by the Italian brothers Giuseppe and Pietro Simi.

The winemaker was Steve Reeder.

Colour : Dark Blackcurrant, blueish tones

Aroma : oak, blackcurrants

Taste : smooth, dark berries, slight coffee, oaky finish

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 199 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Simi Winery

VinUnic June 2007

VinUnic have their June 2007 newsletter available for download.

The Vergelegen 2005 Mill Race looks to be a bargain at 99 SEK.

Website : Våra Viner June 2007

Lay & Wheeler Great Burgundy Offer

Recently, I received a catalogue from Lay & Wheeler in the UK outlining their Burgundy offer. Basically they have over 200 wines from 12 vintages for sale, some with large discounts. All the wines are in bond and so can be bought and kept at Lay & Wheeler storage facilities for investment purposes and sold on later without having to pay any duty or VAT. The catalogue contains maps and descriptions of all the major areas of Burgundy and descriptions of the associated wines. The 1994 Domaine Leroy Chambertin Grand Cru looked nice and the "on offer" price is 1440 pounds a case. The offer closes on the 30th June. Now how would I get this imported into Sweden ?.

Website : Great Burgundy Offer

Dr Loosen and Vinunic

Christian Havervall of Vinunic told me that they have taken over as the importer, from Modern Wines, of Dr Loosen into Sweden and that they will be distributing the wines from next week. This only reenforces my opinion that Vinuc have the best portfolio of any importer in Sweden. He said that as they work with Chateau St Michelle that Vinunic also hopes to start importing Eroica Riesling into Sweden and that he hopes that Systembolaget will make a small purchase of Eroica to launch near the end of this year. He also hopes that Eroica should be available in restaurants.

Website : Vinunic

VDP Grosser Ring, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Riesling Tasting, 23 May 2007, Stockholm, Sweden

Last evening saw me visiting the Grosser Ring 2007 Riesling tasting held a the Swedish-German Chamber of Commerce in Stockholm. The vintage that was the focus was 2006. This was the second time that the Grosser Ring had exhibited in Sweden.

The Grosser Ring is an association of 29 wine producers dedicated to producing high quality Riesling and storing each parcel in separate fuder (1000 litre) barrels. It was founded in 1908 which is 99 years ago !. 20 members were present in Stockholm yesterday.

I got to talk to Ernst Loosen who was there representing his wines and he told me some interesting snippets of information which I will repeat here. Global warming isn't really affecting him. It is now very difficult to find people to work in the vineyards. Nobody wants to be known as a vineyard manager for instance (it is just not that socially acceptable). It is no problem to get a winemaker; everybody wants to be the star. Dr. Loosen usually get workers from Poland, for instance, to help with the harvets but Germany's employment laws are making this more and more difficult. The Eroica Riesling, from Washington state, will be available in Sweden this year. Ernst's first Oregon Pinot Noir will be bottled this year. Ernst flies over to the USA once a month to vist Oregon and Chateau St Michelle in Washington State. Ernst is now stating to put is "low-end" wines under screwcap; both the 2006 Erdener Treppchen Riesling Kabinett and 2006 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spaetlese were under screwcap. Ernst said that Brian Croser had shown him some 30 year-old Australian Rieslings that were bottled with screwcaps and were showing just fine. I found the 2006 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spaetlese to be better, to my taste, than the 2005; it had a more acidic finish, thus wasn't so cloying, and more delicate, not so rich. Ernst said that we just drink his wines young, the first two or three years, or older, after 10, if stored under perfect conditions though he claimed that wine cellars, particularly in the USA were too warm which meant that one could drink his wines after 5 or 6 years. He mentioned that he had a 1959 that was stored at friends under ground, very cold, and at 100% humidity that was as fresh as when it was bottled. Dr Loosen is only bottling Rieslings but at J L Wolf, which is run as completely separate business with a different team, they have all three Pinots and a Gewurztraminer.

The highlights for me were Dr. Loosen, Fritz Haag, and St Urbans-Hof. Wines that I didn't really enjoy were the feinherb style (I find the herbiness clashes with the sweetness) and the very high minerality that was found in some wines (especially those on show from Dr. H. Thanisch).

According the organisers, the Grosser Ring tasting will be back in Stockholm in May next year.

Website : Grosser Ring Tasting Programme
Website : Grosser Ring

TN : Canaletto, Nero d'Avola Merlot 2005, Winemaker's selection, IGT, Casa Girelli, Sicilia, Italy

This is a blend of Nero d'Avola and Merlot. The grapes come from southern Sicily between the towns of Gela and Vittoria. The vineyards are close to the sea and the soil is sandy and rich in minerals. The vines are trained using the Alberello Basso method. Yield is about 60 hl per hectare. All the grapes are handharvested in September. Each grape variety is vinified separately. In both cases grapes are de-stemmed, but not crushed, allowing some to remain intact, and selected yeasts (different yeast strains are used for each grape variety) are added. Maceration lasts approximately 10 days for the Nero d'Avola and 18-20 days for the Merlot. The must is fermented at 28-30°C, with remontage occurring at the beginning and "delestage" from 5% alcohol until fermentation is complete. Malolactic fermentation occurs in both wines immediately after primary fermentation, after which the two wines are blended together.

Colour : Dark plum

Aroma : Spicy, dark fruits

Taste : Spicy, red fruits, plums

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 62 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Casa Girelli

TN : Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spaetlese 2005, Dr Loosen, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany

Wehlener Sonnenuhr (VAY-len-er ZON-en-ooer) means "The sundial of Wehlen". Wehlener Sonnenuhr is a precipitously steep and rocky vineyard. There is virtually no topsoil in Wehlen, only broken and weathered shards of the purest blue slate in the Mosel valley.

The wine is made by Dr Loosen and imported by Modern Wines Sweden.

Colour : Lemon

Aroma : Lime marmelade

Taste : Lemon, stone fruits, turkish delight overtones, minerals, long cloying finish, lacking acidity

Alcohol : 7.5%

Price : 184 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Dr Loosen
Website : Modern Wines Sweden

Wine Labelling US-Style

I was reading the March 2007 issue of Wines & Vines and came across an article discussing the contents of wines labeled as "American". Apparently, they can contain 25% of wine from other countries !. Vintage dated wines are also a bit "suspect". They can contain 15% of other vintages for wines with county and state AVAs !.

Source : The Un-American Appellation, page 8, Wines & Vines, March 2007
Website : Wines & Vines

Systembolaget Varunytt June 2006

The June 2006 edition of Varunytt detaling the new wines which will be available is now downloadable. The wines will be available in the Systembolaget monopoly shops from Friday June 1st.

Website : Varunytt June 2006

TN : Palazzo Simoncelli Sangiovese Merlot 2005, IGT, Umbria, Italy

This wine was bottled by Barone Montalto for Oenoforos AB Sweden. It has spent 6 months in French and American oak.

Colour : Dark plum

Aroma : Oak, spice, dark fruits

Taste : Fruity, dark and red fruits, oak and spicy finish

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 69 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Oenoforos AB
Website : Barone Montalto

TN : Brennfleck Iphoefer Kronsberg Silvaner, Kabinett Trocken, 2005, WG Brennfleck, Franken, Germany

This wine is imported by Occasion Wine AB.

Colour : Pale yellow, lemon

Aroma : Grapes, pear, tropical fruits

Taste : Apple, pear, lemon, almond

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 91 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Occasion Wine AB
Website : Weingut Brennfleck

TN : Les Perruches, 2005, Domaine de la Cotelleraie, St Nicolas de Bourgueil, France

This wine is 100% Cabernet Franc. It is imported by Granqvist Vinagentur.

Colour : Dark deep blackcurrant

Aroma : Cedar wood, blackcurrant, blackberry

Taste : Cedar wood, blackcurrant, blackberry, raspberry, drying tannins on finish

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 115 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Granqvist Vinagentur

TN : Chateau d'Aqueria. Rose, 2006, Tavel, France

Tavel is situated in the southern end of the Côtes-du-Rhône across the river from and roughly five miles west of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Its name is thought to be derived either from the word "taveau," meaning "ridge," or from the River Tave, a tributary of the Rhône. The Romans first introduced the vine to this very old viticultural area by way of the Rhône River, from where it gradually spread northward. Grape seeds dating from approximately 200 AD indicate some sort of pressing operation, suggesting that wine was produced in the area in that period. Tavel later claims a mention in history in a 13th century reference to King Philippe le Bel, who on a journey through his territories passed through Tavel. Without dismounting his horse, he downed a goblet of the local wine and exclaimed, "There is no good wine but that of Tavel!" Various brief historical references are made to Tavel thereafter, and the notoriety of the wine was doubtless spread as a result of the relocation of the papal seat to Avignon in the 14th century.

While it is clear that the wines of Tavel were over time increasingly widely consumed, it is likely that they were frequently blended and shipped northward with other wines of the region. Documentation prior to and during this period citing wines named for villages a few miles distant supports the conclusion that the wines of Tavel were for some time confused with those of surrounding villages and specifically with wines produced around the river port of Roquemaure from which they were shipped, a point which from the 17th to 19th centuries was an important port of embarkation to Lyons, Paris, Great Britain and Holland. Tavel's recognition as a wine from a specific area only became established in the first quarter of the 1800s.

The Tavel appellation covers 2,000 acres defined by law in 1936, of which a tiny part lies in the adjoining commune of Roquemaure to the east. The distinguishing feature of the area's soils is that, in contrast to the red, stony soils on the left river bank, Tavel's soils are characterized by hillocks of sand over a chalky clay subsoil, very well-drained, arid and without limestone content. The long growing season and intense, sunny summers yield fruit of extraordinary ripeness, concentration and richness in sugar.

The Tavel appellation designates rosé wines only, which are produced from a blend of red and white grape varieties in varying proportions. In 1968 the percentages of permitted varieties were modified to allow at most sixty percent Grenache and at least fifteen percent Cinsault with Syrah, Bourboulenc, Mourvèdre, Clairette, and Picpoult in various proportions at the producer's discretion. Syrah and Mourvèdre had not previously been included among the permitted varieties.

In 1595, the monks of the Abbey of Villeneuve-les-Avignon transferred a large portion of their landholding northeast of Avignon, on the right bank of the Rhône River, to a citizen and aristocrat of Avignon, Louis Joseph d'Aquéria. This district, known as the "puy sablonnier," or "sandy hill," covered the east-central quarter of what was then and is now Tavel. Aquéria planted vines there and built a residence at the beginning of the 1600s, and the area became known by his name. Over the next two centuries the vineyard remained productive, but was sold and subdivided many times; at the beginning of the 18th century the present château was constructed. Sometime in the vicinity of 1830 the wines from the vineyard of Aquéria became recognized in their own right and under their own name.

Jean Olivier purchased Château d'Aquéria in 1920 and began to reassemble the original vineyard parcels surrounding the château. It is one of 45 estates in the appellation, but one of only four properties in Tavel which is a domaine in the sense that its vineyards are contiguous as opposed to lying on holdings scattered throughout the appellation. It is also the largest of the four, covering 244 acres of which 161 are planted in vines. Of these, 120 acres are under production in Tavel and the balance under production in red and white Lirac. Production in Tavel averages 24,500 cases annually, with that in Lirac Rouge and Blanc at 4,500 and 1,000 cases, respectively. Château d'Aquéria is now owned by the son of Jean Olivier, Paul de Bez, and his sons Vincent and Bruno, who over the end of the 1980s renovated the vinification facilities and cellars with the addition of stainless steel fermentation tanks and exact temperature control over wines in storage.

Colour : Strawberry

Aroma : Black Cherry, raspberry

Taste : Dry, fruity, hot finish, slightly herby

Alcohol : 13.5 %

Price : 125 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Chateau d'Aqueria

TN : Achaval-Ferrer, Malbec, 2005, Mendoza, Argentina

The grapes came from Vistalba, Medrano and the Uco Valley. It spent 10 months in 95% French oak and 5% American oak. Achaval-Ferrer was founded in 1998 by Santiago Achaval and Manuel Ferrer. The winemaker was Robert Cipresso. This was imported by Divine AB.

Colour : Plum, blueberry soup

Aroma : Blueberry, plum, oak, violets

Taste : Fruity, blueberry, plum, oak, slight vinegar note on a lean finish

Alcohol : 13.5 %

Price : 174 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Divine AB
Website : Achaval-Ferrer

Wine Growing in Sweden : Skåne

Will Skåne be the next big wine growing region in Europe ?. See these two articles, published in Expressen in Helsinborg, for more detailed information :

Website : http://www.helsingborg.expressen.se/Nyheter/1.674509
Website : http://www.helsingborg.expressen.se/Nyheter/1.674257

TN : 2004 Reichestal Pinot Noir, WG Franz Kuenstkler, Rheingau, Germany

Reichestal means "rich valley". The soil consists of loess and heavy water storing clay. The wine is imported by AB Nigab.

Colour : Pale red

Aroma : Stewed fruits, violets, oak

Taste : Stewed mouthwatering unsweetened strawberries, herby, spicy, hot, slight burnt rubber like finish which spoilt the wine

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 169 SEK

Mark : C-

Website : Weingut Kuenstler
Website : AB Nigab

TN : Villa Wolf, Pinot Noir, 2005, Pfalz, Germany

This wine is made by Ernst Loosen, who took over the estate in 1996, and was fermented and matured in old French oak. 5% of the total J L Wolf estate is pinot noir. This wine is imported by Modern Wines Sweden; however, there is no information about this wine on their outdated site !!.

Colour : Pale raspberry

Aroma : Mostly violets, some red berry fruits

Taste : Violets, slight oak, stewed fruits, lingering violet finish

Alcohol : 13%

Mark : C

Website : J L Wolf
Website : Modern Wines Sweden

TN : Rietburg Creation, Grauer Burgunder Trocken 2006, CWG Rietburg, Pfalz, Germany

Imported by Granqvist Vinagentur

Colour : Very pale yellow

Aroma : Honey, grapey, melon, almond

Taste : acidic green apple, citrus like and almond finish

Alcohol : 12.5%

Mark : C

Website : Granqvist Vinagentur
Website : Moselland

TN : Chakana 2006 Malbec Rose, Mendoza, Argentina

This is the best rose I have ever had except for the very full flavoured Fetzer vineyards Valley Oaks Syrah Rose which is, of course, not available by the bottle in Sweden thanks the people-controlling, anti consumer freedom, attitude of the goverment. It is imported by Primewine Sweden AB. Unfortunately, there is hardly any information about this wine on the Primewine website and it is not even present on the Chakana wines website. However, I include the links in the hope that these websites get updated.

Colour : very deep colour for a rose wine. Canned cherries

Aroma : Summer fruit pudding

Taste : Clean, summer fruits

Alcohol : 13%

Mark : B+

Website : Primewine Sweden AB
Website : Chakana Wines

TN : Valiano Toscana IGT 2005

This was a smooth easy "glugger". It is a blend of 60% sangiovese, 20% cabernet sauvignon and 20% merlot. The wine was vinified in stainless steel tanks for 15 days and then spent 3 monthd in 500 litre oak barrels It is imported by Fondberg.

Colour : Dark plum

Aroma : oak, cherries

Taste : soft tannins, slight almos non-existant oak, slight cassis, plum, cherry

Alcohol : 13.5%

Mark : C

Website : Fondberg

New Glasses

I just traded in my old Schott-Zwiesel Vina Bordeaux glasses to the Diva range. Both are made with Tritan crystal glass which makes them a bit stronger. The Divas are quite a bit bigger, can hold up to 770 ml, and will only fit on one of the shelves in our kitchen cupboard at home. But to make up for this only drawback, the aromas are much more concentrated with these new glasses and I would recommend them as they are not that expensive.

Website : Schott Zwiesel

Champagne Charlie DVD

I just finished watching "Champagne Charlie" yesterday. It is a 2 DVD set and stars Hugh Grant who isn't too bad in the role. It is the story of Charles Heidseck who travels to America to promote his champagne and ends up spying for the French prior to the American civil war. In the end he regains control of his vineyards and winery from his uncle who is jealous because his mother didn't marry him.