TN : La Grola 2003, Veronese, IGT, Allegrini, Italy

Colour : Deep plum

Aroma : Oak, red fruits

Taste : Oak, slight vanilla, red fruits, some dark fruits, drying tanins at end of long finish

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 149 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Allegrini

TN : Chateau Lyonnat 2002, Lussac-Saint-Emilion, France

Chateau Lyonnat is one of four Bordeaux chateaux owned by Ets. Milhade S.A. It is located in the southeastern part of Lussac Saint-Emilion. The vineyard is located on a hillside with a southern exposure and is 52 hectares. The soil is composed of thin, red sandy clay over limestone. The average age of the vines is 30 years old and some vines are 100 years old

At reception, the grapes are sorted on the bench to eliminate any undesirable berries. Then there is 100% destemming and a gentle crushing before placing the berries in temperature controlled vats. Natural yeasts initiate fermentation which generally last 10 days. A long maceration (3 Weeks) follows that extracts color, flavor, and tannins. The wine is transferred by gravity into new oak barrels (Demptos, Seguin Moreau) for malolactic fermentation and continues to age in these casks for 18 months. Fining is with egg whites and because the wine is racked clear, there is only a light filtration.

The wine is a blend of Merlot, Carbernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet France

Colour : Maroon, purple

Aroma : Black fruits, raspberry, oak, cedar, pencils

Taste : red fruits, some black fruits, oak, soft dry tanins

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 143 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Chateau Lyonnat

VinUnic Newsletter August 2007

I have just read the VinUnic AB newsletter for August 2007. Australia and South Africa are the focus. However, the highlights for me are the tw wines from Shafer.

Website : VinUnic August 2007 Newsletter

Systembolaget New Wines September 2007

The next issue of Varunytt (September 2007) is available for download from the Systembolaget site. This month there is a large offering of 2005 red and white burgundies.

Website : Systembolaget Varunytt September 2007

TN : Carmenere Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Reserva, Valle Central, Concha Y Toro, Chile, 3 litre Bag-In-Box

This was a really good glugger; it would be great for barbecues.

Colour : Dark purple

Aroma : Blackcurrant, green peppper

Taste : Coffee, green pepper, blueberry, blackcurrant

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 239 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Concha Y Toro

TN : Lacrimarosa 2006, Mastroberardino, Italy

This wine is made from 100% Aglianico.

Colour : Salmon, orange hues

Aroma : red berries

Taste : Fresh, red berries, bitter finish

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 115 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Mastroberardino

TN : Jester Sangiovese Rose, 2007, Mitolo Wines, Mclaren Vale, Australia

This is 100% Sangiovese. The winemaker was Ben Glaetzer.

On the back label "Italian born, Giacomo was known as the King of all Jesters. Quick witted and a skilled performer, he delighted audiences with his magical acts, juggling, story-telling, music and sorcery. Jester to the Duke’s Court, he spent his early years surrounded by the castle’s opulence and grandeur. Promiscuous by nature, in 1575 he was promptly banished due to scandalous behaviour involving the duke’s daughter. Giacomo Rosé ‘Jester’ celebrates the era where boredom was alleviated through humour and the banal through intellect."

Colour : Bright strawberry

Aroma : Strawberry, cherry

Taste : Dry, cherry, strawberry, rosehip

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 139 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Mitolo Group

TN : Moselland Insignum Riesling Spaetlese 2006, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany

Colour : Pale yellow

Aroma : Honey, marmelade, orange blossom

Taste : Lime marmelade, fruity, off dry, slight mineral finish

Alcohol : 8%

Price : 79 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Moselland

TN : Insoglio del Cinghiale 2005, Campo di Sasso, Tuscany, Italy

The blend is 30% Syrah, 25% Cabernet Franc, 25% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petit Verdot. The grapes were handpicked and placed in 15kg small cases. Fermentation was in stainless steel tanks or approximately 20 days. Malolactic fermentation was 25% in new French oak barrels and 75% in stainless steel tanks. The wine was subject to 8 months of barrel ageing and 4 months of bottle ageing before release.

Colour : Dark plum

Aroma : Spicy, oak, cherry, olives, blackcurrant

Taste : Red fruits, dark fruits, liquorice, oak, hot finish

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 151 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Campo di Sasso

Calvet-Thunevin Cuvee Constance 2005, VdP des Cotes Catalanes, France

This is a blend of 45% Grenache, 45% Carignan, and 10% Syrah.

Cotes Catalanes lies in Roussillon which is north of Perpignan. The grapes come from 10.5 hectares. The soils are 70% schistes and 30% clayey limestone. The average age of the vines is 45 years. Ageing was done in concrete tanks. 19,600 bottles were produced.

The wine is the result of a collaboration between Roger Calvet and Jean-Luc Thunevin.

Colour : Purple

Aroma : Spicy, blackcurrant, blackberry, vanilla

Taste : Spicy finish, vanilla, dark fruits

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 109 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Calvet
Website : Thunevin

TN : Falesco Tellus 2006, Lazio, Italy

The blend for this wine is 50% merlot and 50% syrah. The grape varities were vinified separately in stainless steel tanks. The fermentation lasted two weeks. The syrah was stored in barrels for one month.

Lazio is near Rome in central Italy.

The wine was imported by V&S.

Colour : Dark blueberry

Aroma : Dark berries, mint, violets

Taste : Blackberry, blackcurrant, herbs, oak

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 99 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : V&S
Website : Barbro Guaccero

TN : Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Medella Real Single Estate, Santa Rita, Valle del Maipo, Chile

This is made from 20 year old vineyards Alto Jahuel in the Maipo Valley. The vineyard has a sub-humid Mediterranean climate. The vineyards are located 500m – 550m above sea level. The rains fall mainly in winter with a 500 mm/year average. Spring is fresh and dry and summer is hot and dry with temperatures occasionally reaching over 30°C. The influence of the Andes Mountains is expressed by an ample thermal oscillation of over 15°C between day and night and a gradual decrease in temperatures towards the end of summer, allowing the grapes to slowly ripen thus, the berries maintain their fruit concentration and proper tannin maturing. The soils are of alluvial origin, stratified and gently sloped with medium depth, a loamy texture and basic pH.

Each lot is vinified separately in accordance with its optimum point of ripeness. Vinification, in terms of temperature and extraction, is performed based on the individual characteristics of each lot, between 25° and 28°C. The extraction is usually more violent at the beginning of the fermentation process and is gradually reduced based on its development and increase in the level of alcohol. Post fermentative maceration is performed on some batches in order to assure the best possible balance. The wine is aged 12 to 14 months in French oak barrels, 40% new, 30% second year and 30% third year. The winemaker was Andres Ilabaca. The blend is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. The pH is 3.58, acidity is 5.19 grammes per litre (tartaric acid), and residual sugar is 3.09 grammes per litre. According to the winemaking notes published by Santa Rita, the alcohol level is 14.5% (not what it states on the bottle but probably an allowed deviation by law).

It is imported by Amka.

Colour : Cassis, purple

Aroma : Oak, blackcurrant, olives

Taste : Overoaked, sandalwood, blackcurrant, dark fruits, toast, vanilla

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 143 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Santa Rita

Website : Amka

TN : Chateau Ducluzeau 2001, Crus Bourgeois, Listrac-Medoc, France

Château Ducluzeau bears the name of the man who founded it. The vineyards are situated on the Listrac gravel plateau and have been owned by the Borie family for over 100 years. This chateau was classified as an ordinary cru bourgeois in the 2003 classification that has recently been overturned.

The vineyard is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvingon. The grapes were hand-harvested. fermentation and maceration was done at temperatures between 26 and 28 degrees. Pumping over was used during maceration of skins. The wine was matured for 14 to 18 months in 225 litre French oak barrels of which 10 to 20 percent were new.

The wine was imported by Swedish Brand AB. There is no mention of this wine on their website though. In fact, their web site is pretty awful with almost no interesting content.

Colour : Cassis, maroon

Aroma : Blackberry, oak, tobacco

Taste : Oak, some tanins, blackcurrant, dark fruits, sandalwood finish, a bit thin

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 159 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Swedish Brand AB

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

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

Colour : Pale red, well-cooked salmon with copper notes.

Aroma : Fresh red berries

Taste : Dry, red berries, slight spice & herb finish, liquorice

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 55 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Bornicon & Salming

Website : Les Domaines Paul Mas

TN : Riesling, 2006, A. Christmann, Pfalz, Germany

This wine was bottled under screwcap. It was imported by Enosvezia AB.

Colour : Pale straw

Aroma : Lemon, lime, minerals

Taste : Simple lemon, acidic, mineral and dry finish

Alcohol : 11.5%

Price : 109 SEK

Mark : C-

Website : Weingut Christmann

Website : Enosvezia AB

TN : Villa Antinori 2003, IGT, Antinori, Tuscany, Italy

They say that wine is meant to go with food. The only food this would work well is grilled oak plank. This wine is overoaked. What was the winemaker thinking. I would have expected better from a well established and well recognised producer such as Antinori. This also goes to show what a joke the Systembolaget monopoly is. The idea is that all wines are tasted so that it isn't possible to get a bad bottle. This one got through. It was probably bought because the Systembolaget buys it every year. It had some fruit lurking in the background but it was quite well masked.

This wine is a blend of 60% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 5% Syrah.

Autumn and winter 2002 were rainy and fairly cold. The spring and summer of 2003 were among the hottest and driest in recent years. Budding was earlier than average for all varieties because of the dry mild weather. From June onwards the temperatures were very high and there was no rain at all. Thus the grapes ripened early. High sugar levels were recorded after 15th August for the earliest ripening varieties. Production quantities were low because of the lack of water.

The grapes were destemmed, lightly presses, and macerated in stainless steel tanks for 12 days, at a temperature below 30 degrees. Alcoholic fermentation took place during this time. By the end of 2003, the malolactic fermentation had completed. The wine was then partially transferred to French, American, and Hungarian oak barriques to age for 12 months. The wine was then aged in bottle for 8 months prior to its release.

Colour : Purple, brown

Aroma : Oak, dark fruits

Taste : Oak, sour cherries, slight blackcurrant

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 128 SEK

Mark : D

Website : Antinori

TN : Syrah 2003, Dehesa del Carrizal, Spain

The vineyard from where the grapes come is 2.5 hectares. It was planted in 1997 on the back of 3x2 frames. There were 1666 plants per hectare. An additional 2.5 hectares were planted in 2000.

Alcoholic fermentation takes place at termperatures less than 28 degrees. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is transfered to French and European oak casks for 12 months maturation. The wine is then fined with egg whites and subjected to a superficial filtering and released after a further 4 to 6 months bottle aging.

Colour : Purple

Aroma : Spice, bacon, dark fruits

Taste : Pepper, spice, violets, blueberry

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 137 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Dehesa del Carrizal

VinUnic Newsletter August 2007

I recieved the August 2007 newsletter from VinUnic today. There are new wines launched from both Vergelegen, and Shafer.

Website : VinUnic Newsletter August 2007

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