TN : Coyam 2004, Vinedos Emiliana, Colchagua, Chile

This wine is a blend of 37% Syrah, 34% Carmenere, 14% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Mourvedre. It was matured for one year in oak, 70% French and 30% American. The winemaker was Alvara Espinosa.

This wine was imported by Premium Wines Sweden.

Colour : Very dark purple

Aroma : Red and dark berries, spicy, herbs

Taste : Red and dark berries, herbs, liqourice

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 150 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Vinedos Emiliana
Website : Premium Wines Sweden

Occasion Wine Newsletter September 2007

I received the September 2007 newsletter from Occasion Wine AB yesterday. Occasion Wine AB started up in 2004 and is located in Stockholm

There are two new wines available. A Pouilly-Fuisee 2005 from Domain de Fussiacus which is orderable from the Systembolaget monopoly and the Langmeil Barossa Old Vine Shiraz 2004 which is orderable by the case from Occasion Wine AB. The latter wine received 96 out of 100 points from noted Australian wine writer James Halliday in the 2008 revision of his Australian Wine Companion.

You can subscribe via their website.

Website : Occasion Wine AB

TN : Alix, Chateau Plaisance, 2005, Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux, France

This wine was awarded 85/87 out of 100 by Robert Parker. It is a blend od 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc. The bottle was heavy and tall with the Château Plaisance Lion Head embossed on it.

Colour : Dark plum, cassis

Aroma : Dark fruits, plums, spice

Taste : Dark fruits, blackcurrant hints, violets, very spicy finish leading to dry chalky tanins

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 16.50 Euro (price at Bernard Magrez Wine Boutique, Chateau Pape Clement, August 2007)

Mark : B-

Website : Bernard Magrez
Website : Chateau Plaisance

VinUnic Newsletter September 2007

The latest newsletter from VinUnic AB can now be downloaded.

Website : VinUnic Nyhetsbrev September 2007

TN : Intriga Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Vina Intriga, Maipo, Chile

This wine was slightly spoilt by the burnt rubber finish which was presumably due to the very toasty oak that was used.

Intriga was founded in 1865, then called Linderos, by Alejandro Reyes. Today's winemaker is Cristian Correa and Alberto Antonini is the consultant.

The grapes for the 2005 Intriga Cabernet Sauvignon were all hand harvested and carefully selected prior to fermentation. Made from 100 % Cabernet Sauvignon grapes the wine spent 14 months in oak, 30% of which was American with the remainder French.

Colour : Deep dark cassis

Aroma : Blackcurrant, toasty oak, mint

Taste : Blackcurrant, coffee, mint, licquorice, toasty oak, slight burnt rubber finish

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 139 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Vina Intriga

TN : Chateau de Rochemorin 2005, White, Pessac-Leognan, Andre Lurton, France

This wine is 100% Sauvignon Blanc. The vins are double guyot pruned. The grapes are harvested by hand and fermented in oak barrels. The fermentation temperature is between 18 and 23 degrees. There is no malolactic fermentation. The wine is matured in oak for 10 months, of which 35% is new, on full lees with stiring.

The vineyard dedicated to white grapes is 18 hectares out of 110 hectares. The soil is deep gravel slopes with limestone outcrops at the foot of the slopes. The rootstock is 101.14 Riparia gloire 3309.

Denis Durbourdieu is the consultant.

This wine won the regional white Bordeaux under 10 pounds trophy at the 2007 Decanter World Wine Awards.

Colour : Pale yellow

Aroma : Blackcurrant, leafy, lemon

Taste : Creamy, blackcurrant, leafy, lemon

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 125 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Andre Lurton

TN : Geoff Merrill Jacko's Blend, McLaren Vale Shiraz, 2003, Australia

This wien is dedicated to Michael James, nickname "Jacko", who worked at Geoff Merrill wines. He died aged 26.

Colour : Deep dark purple

Aroma : Fruity, violets, oak, blackberry, spicy

Taste : Long peppery finish, alcoholic heat on finish, dark fruits

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 131 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Geoff Merrill Wines

TN : Sine Sole Nihil, Rose, 2006, Chateau Mourgues du Gris, Costieres de Nimes, France

Mourvedre grapes are fermented and aged in barriques and then blended with Grenache and Syrah to produce this rose.

Colour : Pale pink, strawberry

Aroma : Candied red fruits, herbs

Taste : Bone dry, candied cherry, raspberry, strawberry, long finish with herbs

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 119 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Chateau Mourgues

TN : Chateau Roylland 2003, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France

This is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Green harvets was performed and all the grapes were picked by hand. Vinification takes place in concrete and stainless steel vats with capacities of between 50 and 90 hl. The wine was matured in oak barrels of which 50% were new. 45000 bottles were produced.

Château Roylland is located in the commune of Saint Emilion, more precisely in the Anse de Mazérat, on the southwest slopes of Saint Emilion. Château Roylland has 5,5 hectares of vines at the base of a hill, on even terrain with sandy clay soil, resting on a vein of hard iron rich sandstone, and another 5 hectares on the limestone plateau in the commune of Saint Christophe des Bardes with chalky clay soil.

Colour : Dark burgundy red

Aroma : Oak, dark fruits, red fruits

Taste : Oak, vanilla, plummy, dark fruits, red fruits, drying tannic finish

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 16.15 Euros (price at Maison du Vin de St Emilion, St Emilion, August 2007)

Mark : B

Website : Chateau Roylland

TN : Saint Clair Pinot Noir 2006, Malborough, New Zealand

The is wine was bottled with a screwcap. The winemaker was Matt Thomson.

The grapes were ourced from several low cropping vineyards in the Wairau Valley, Marlborough, each block of fruit was harvested at optimum ripeness in the cool of the evening. At the winery each batch of fruit was held cold for four to five days prior to ferment to help extract maximum flavour and to enhance colour stability. A mixture of indigenous and cultured yeasts were used to carry out the primary alcoholic fermentation during which the fermenting must was hand plunged up to six times daily. At dryness each batch was pressed to tank and then racked off gross lees to stainless steel tanks and a mixture of new and used French oak. The wine then underwent malolactic fermentation and barrel portion was aged for eight months before being blended and prepared for bottling. The Titratable Acid is 5.4g/litre and the pH 3.6

The bottle had a gold sticker proclaiming that Saint Clair was the New Zealand producer of the year at the 2005 International Wine and Spirit Competition in 2005 (held in London). Interesting but not really relevant as this wine is a 2006 vintage.

Colour : Stewed red fruits, raspberry tint

Aroma : Stewed red fruit, spicy

Taste : Stewed red fruits, cherry, violets, spicy finish

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 106 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Saint Clair

TN : Kuenstler Hochheimer Stielweg Riesling Spaetlese Dry 1999

The grapes in Stielweg were grown on light loam soil. The vineyard was 50 years old and the yield was 38hl per hectare.

Colour : Deep yellow

Aroma : Honey, petrol

Taste : Citrus, petrol, honey,long mineral finish

Alcohol : 11%

Price : 159 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Weingut Kuenstler
Website : AB Nigab

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-