TN : 2005 Deidesheimer Herrgottsacker, Riesling Spätlese, Pfalz, Germany

Colour : Pale lemon

Aroma : Orange and Lemon Marmelade

Taste : Honey, Orange & Lemon & Lime Marmelades, Good clean acidic long finish

Alcohol : 10%

Mark : B

Website : http://www.winzervereindeidesheim.de/

TN : Casa Silva 2002 Red Quinta Generacion

This is a blend from different vineyards found in the Colchagua Valley of Chile. It has a sticker on the neck stating that it was best in class in the 2005 Internation Wine & Sprit Competition. It is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Carmenere, 10% Shirax, 10% Petit Verdot.

Colour : Dark Blackcurrant / Blackberry

Aroma : Blackcurrants, Ribena, White Pepper

Taste : Vanilla oak, Hints of white pepper, Black fruits, Drying finish

Alcohol : 14%

Mark : B+

Website : http://www.casasilva.cl

TN : Gaja Ca'marcanda Promis 2003

From Angelo Gaja's Maremma winery. This is a blend of Merlot (55%), Syrah (35%) and Sangiovese (10%). The three varieties are fermented separately and then later blended in the January or February following the harvest. It has spent 18 months in new and slightly old oak. This was bottled with a screwcap.

Aroma : oak, coffee, burnt toast

Colour : Raspberry / Plum

Taste : Smooth, integrated almost non-existant oak, red fruits, coffee, some vanilla, liquorice, normal concentration. As it warmed up, the oak became more apparent and the finish a bit drying.

Alcohol : 13.5%

Mark : B

TN : Teroldego Rotaliano Riserva 2003

Colour : Cherry Red

Taste : Red Berries, Thin, Sour

Alcohol : 13%

Mark : D

Website : http://www.mezzacorona.com

Scoring Systems

The scoring system I am using is loosely based upon what the 3 Wine Guys are using.

A : Exellent
B : A buy
C : Good wine but I wouldn't necessarily buy it
D : should pour it down the sink but can be drunk if nothing else available
E : Undrinkable

I don't understand the Parker and Decanter grading systems that don't start at zero. All I can guess is that they are afraid of giving bad scores since they will not get any wines to review or any invitations to wineries should they start this practice.

I like the 3 Wine Guys. If a wine is bad then they say it is bad. The show is great entertainment though the only thing of any real value is the great tasting notes/descriptions.

Website : http://www.3wineguys.com

Munskänkarna

The Munskänkarna is a Wine Club which boasts over 20000 members in Sweden and 2000 members in the Stockholm section. It is a "must-join" if you are into Wine. It costs a one-off 200Kr joining fee and then 330Kr per year.

For this you get access to a lot (and more than one every week) of organised tastings (you must pay a fee) plus access to a few trade tastings.

There is a Forum where you can exchange information etc with other members.

There is also a regularly appearing magazine which also includes reviews of the next month's new wines (Systembolaget).

Web site : http://www.munskankarna.se/

TN : Chakana Reserve Malbec 2004

Colour : Dark Deep Red / Plum

Taste : oaky, plummy, a bit thin

Alcohol : 14%

Mark : C+

Website : www.chakanawines.com.ar