McHenry Hohnen Rocky Road Chardonnay 2010 Margaret River Australia

McHenry Hohnen Rocky Road Chardonnay 2010 from Western Australia - Margaret River. It is a cracking wine, fresh clean aromas of melon, peach and apricot and a hint of cleverly integrated spice introduce it nicely. On the palate an apple start leads to melon and peach and then a cheesy edge, the acidity of the wine is fine and fresh and the alcohol, well integrated is enrobing the flavours, adding a warmth that is still clean and balanced. The length is long and the spice skips in an out of the fruit, all sweet and ripe, a really carefully crafted wine.
Score : 88 and is available to purchase form WineDirect at a cost of £17.50.

David Hohnen is well-known in the wine industry for his development of both the Cape Mentelle and Cloudy Bay brands, his latest wine venture is in partnership with his brother-in-law Murray McHenry, his daughter Freya and her partner, winemaker Ryan Walsh. They have planted a wide range of alternative varietals from southern France and Spain ( marsanne, roussanne, grenache, mataro, shiraz, tempranillo ) which are proving to be very well-suited to the area. Grapes are sourced from three vineyards owned within the families of David Hohnen and his brother-in-law Murray McHenry. Within the three vineyards, fourteen varieties are cultivated. These reflect the region's heritage with the Bordeaux varieties (semillon, sauvignon blanc, malbec, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot) and as well as the varieties mentioned above (marsanne, roussanne etc.)  are Chardonnay and Zinfandel
From the Rocky Road vineyard, fruit is picked separately from the top and bottom of the valley, fermented separately and then blended to produce a wine that represents the minerality style of the vineyard "creamy clay" . The grapes were picked during the coolness of the night and following pressing were fermented in oak barrels. The wine was left on its lees untill the blend was assembled and bottled in late summer.

Margaret River
Located approximately three hours' drive south of Perth, the region was ‘discovered’ in the early 1970s after various pieces of research from Professor Harold Olmo and Dr John Gladstones identified it as a potentially great grape growing region. The Margaret River area includes the rolling hills of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, extending 90 kilometres north-south between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin, and is bounded to the west by the Indian Ocean. Highly regarded as a producer of powerful yet elegant Cabernet Sauvignon, the region has also forged a great reputation for its white wines notably Chardonnay and Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blends. However, it is capable of producing all the classic varietal wines. The region is a vibrant and popular wine destination for visitors from around the world. 

Margaret River wine region first saw European settlement as late as the 1830’s and has evolved from pioneer ‘outstation’, forestry, dairy, alternative life stylers who enjoyed the unique coast and its surfing to an area dedicated to the pursuit of great vines and fine wine.

The climate is strongly maritime-influenced, as might be expected in a region surrounded by the ocean on three sides.  With a mean annual temperature range of only 7.6°C (45.68°F), it has less than 25% of its annual rain falling between October and April. The low diurnal and seasonal temperature range means an unusually even accumulation of warmth. While spring frosts are very rare and highly localised, the lack of winter dormancy for the vines can cause problems that are unique to this region.

Reviews.

Robert Parker (2009)90 pts

Wine Advocate #191 Oct 2010 - Lisa Perrotti-Brown - 2009 Rocky Road Vineyard Chardonnay was fermented in oak with a proportion of natural yeast. It gives intense citrus and tropical fruit aromas with notes of lemon curd, pineapple and green guava plus nuances of passion fruit and cedar. This medium bodied wine has a good backbone of high acidity enlivening the concentrated flavors and a long, zesty finish. Drinking now, it should continue to be delicious until 2014+.

Jancis Robinson (2010)16.5 pts

Tasted Jan 2012 - Smoky oak aroma (all French). Rich, dense and fresh with ripe fruit flavours giving breadth. (JH)

James Halliday (2010)94 pts

Pale straw-green; similar restraint in the winery, both McHenry Hohnen Chardonnays are wild-yeast-fermented, but here the flavours are in the grapefruit spectrum, heightened by the linear acidity the fruit offers; this wine, too, is driven by fruit, not oak.

Wine Front (2010)95 pts

Cumquat, nectarine and spice to smell and taste with a startling burst on the palate of intense grapefruit flavour and acidity – the acid line and drive is unswerving and precise. It’s a leaner style, that’s flinty and refined, but has no shortage of flavour, impact or length. Terrific.

Shaw and Smith M3 Chardonnay 2010 Adelaide Hills Australia

This Shaw and Smith M3 Chardonnay 2010 from the Adelaide Hills  in South Australia is pale lemon with a definite green tint at the rim ( sign of a young wine), it has fresh clean aromas that have a lime character with other citric fruits also play their part. On the palate there is fresh bright acidity keeping the apple, peach and pithy grapefruit clean and lively, a little spice intermingles and it has a bit of a cheesey character. Great length and a complex peachey finish define this wine as a carefully well made wine, with a great future. It has elegance and finesse, the oak usage is not obvious but part of its well knitted charcater. The texture is silky and overall you could enjoy this wine with or without food. Just enjoy!
This wine is available from Majestic for £25.
Score : 86

Established in 1989 by Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith, Shaw and Smith's aim is to make contemporary, high quality wines that stand amongst the best of their type in Australia. The wines are made exclusively from fruit grown in the Adelaide Hills, one of Australia's coolest and most exciting regions. Shaw and Smith specialise in grape varieties suited to the cooler climate, such as Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The wines are vinified at Shaw and Smith's winery in the Hills.'

Winemakers are Martin Shaw and Darryl Catlin.

 

The M3 Vineyard at Woodside is named after the vineyard owners, Michael and Martin along with Michael‘s brother Matthew. It was planted in 1995.  The vines are planted at a high density of 2,780 vines per hectare and are hand pruned with vertical shoot positioned canopies.

The winemaker says ' Hand picked grapes - 3 different cultivars of Chardonnay - were chilled overnight and then whole bunch pressed. The must was barrel fermented with over 50% wild yeasts in one third new, one third one year old and one third two year old French barriques (approx 228 litres) for ten months during which time the lees were regularly stirred and malolactic fermentation allowed to take place.'

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yering Station Village Chadonnay 2010, Yarra Valley, Australia

Yering Station Village Chadonnay 2010 from the Yarra Valley in Victoria, Australia is a pale lemon coloured wine with green tints, it has peach, melon and spice on the nose which is carried through to the palate which is rounded and etheral. The acidity saves this ripe, spicey fruit mix from being flabby and fat, the oak is obvious but cleverly integrated, it is sweet and structural, edgy winemaking at its best! Barrel fermantation is part of this wines make-up and this is where the nuts and creamy texture come from, 9 months maturation in barrel furthers the complexity of this wine and underwrites its longevity. The length is long and persistant, rounded sweet spices and white stone fruits with a little pear in the mix - a well crafted and exciting wine.Wild ferment yeast also helps to increase the layered interest.
Score : 83 and can be bought through Nywines at a cost of just over £14 per bottle.

About the Yarra Valley

The Yarra Valley was Victoria's first wine growing district with a history stretching back 170 years. It is known as the birthplace of Victoria's wine industry. Vines were first planted in 1838 and viticulture spread rapidly through the 1860s and 1870s And is now recognised as one of Australia's foremost cool climate regions, capable of making classic styles from a wide range of varieties. It is located less than one hour's drive east of Melbourne and is currently home to more than 80 wineries and although grows many grapes successfully it is well known for its high quality for production of premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The Yarra Valley is one of Australia's coolest regions, with elevation varying from 50 metres to 400 metres. Rainfall is winter/spring dominant, with the summer relatively cool, dry and humid and there is limited maritime influence a small diurnal temperature range reflects the proximity of the sea. Frost is rarely a problem, but can affect the lower vineyards on the valley floor from time to time. A rainfall of 750-950 millimetres and restricted water holding capacity in some soils, irrigation is considered essential − although the extent of its use does vary significantly between producers. Another  point worth noting is that the Yarra Valley is Phyloxera free.

Victoria's first vineyard, Yering Station, is located in the 'heart' of the Yarra Valley only one hours drive from Melbourne. As a family-owned winery and led by Winemaker Willy Lunn since 2008. It is set in a stunning location with breathtaking views, beautifully kept gardens and dramatic architecture.

Victoria’s first vineyard was planted at Yering Station in 1838. The Scottish-born Ryrie brothers ventured into the Yarra Valley as they moved their cattle south from Sydney. Taking up a grazing license of 43 000 acres, they named the property ‘Yering’, its Aboriginal name. The Ryrie’s planted two varieties, the Black Cluster of Hamburg and a white grape variety called Sweetwater. During the early 1850’s they returned to Sydney and Paul de Castella took ownership of Yering Station, developing the property from what remained primarily a cattle station into a landmark of winemaking in Victoria.

Paul de Castella arrived in the Yarra Valley after traveling from his home town- the Neuchatel district in Switzerland. Many Swiss settled in the Yarra Valley around this time due to the sympathetic presence of the Victorian Governor’s wife, Sophie La Trobe, who also came from the region. Without them, the story of wine in the Yarra Valley would have been very different.
By the early 20th century, the Yarra Valley wine industry was in decline. The phylloxera epidemic had destroyed many Victorian vineyards and although it never reached the Yarra Valley, economic and social factors (such as palate preference) impacted upon cool climate viticulture in Victoria. The Yarra Valley area returned to dairy farming. It was not until the early 1970’s that, in response to the changing cultural demands of the new generation, coupled with the growing success of other Australian regions, the Yarra Valley vineyards began to thrive once more.
After changing hands several times throughout the early-to-mid 1900’s, Yering Station was purchased by the Rathbone family in 1996. A further 100 acres of vines were planted and that same year a joint venture was signed with Champagne Devaux, a leading Champagne house in France, to make the now famed Yarrabank sparkling. The Rathbone family made plans for the development of a state-of-the-art winery to accommodate and complement the anticipated increase in winemaking standards. John Evans moved across from nearby Yarra Ridge to manage the expanding vineyards.

Melbourne architect Robert Conti was appointed and designs were laid to recreate Yering Station as a landmark tourist destination and key contributor to the international wine community.

Paringa Estate Chardonnay 2008 Mornington Peninsula Australia

Paringa Estate Chardonnay 2008 from the cool region of Red Hill in Mornington Peninsula  in Victoria, Australia is a wine with character. It has punchy aromas of tropical fruits and spice, it comes from the warmer 2008 vintage and the tropical elements may be attributed to this.
There is a silky texture on the palate which has apple, melon with a hint of pithy grapefruit especially on the finish, the vanilla and spice intermingle comfortably and there is a developed character which adds butterscotch and honey to the fray - though the wine is dry. The acidity is freshening and the alcohol feels bang on. This beautifully textured wine has a long length with spicey peaches at the end, warm and rich.
The wine making included - 100% destemmed and cold soaked for 1-2 days. Each fermenter was hand plunged 3 times per day. Several days of post-ferment maceration then pressed to tank (1 day) and barrel for malolactic. 50% was aged in new French oak barriques and 50% in 1st and 2nd use barrels for 10 months.
Score : 84 and it is available from Swig at £36.

The Mornington Peninsula wine region lies to the South East of Melbourne and is bounded by Port Phillip and Westernport Bays and so has a true maritime climate which modifies the temperature range and provides relatively high summer humidity hence vine stress is low, sunshine hours are abundant, and rainfall is plentiful during winter and spring, a great growing enviroment.

It also leads to late ripening, a prolonged gentle autumn leads to fully ripe grapes with outstanding fruit flavours, high natural acidity and fine tannins. This is perfect for Chardonnay, but over the last century many have tried to grow grapes here without little success as matching the variety to climate is never more important than here. Here the average vine age is 15 - 20 years. The soil on all 3 vineyards is deep red volcanic clay that allows dry land growing (no irrigation).

About the Paringa Estate

The Paringa Estate was founded in 1984 by Lindsay McCall when he purchased a derelict orchard in 1984 on Paringa Road, Red Hill South. Lindsay continued his day job of teaching while he set about planting the first vines in 1985 - the first vintage was in 1988 and was just a mere 3 tonnes  In 1996, Lindsay gave up teaching to focus entirely on Paringa Estate and making great wines. Twenty-five years on the production is now 200 tonnes and Paringa Estate is one of the most highly awarded wineries in Australia regularly winning gold trophies for their Shiraz, Pinot Noirs and Chardonnay.

Lindsay believes that great wine is made in the vineyard. After struggling with vine vigour in the early years and discovering that the vines needed room to find their natural balance, he implemented the rarely seen Lyre trellis system.  Each vine is split horizontally resulting in two parallel canopies allowing maximum light exposure to both fruit and leaves. The quality of fruit that this produces is second to none.

When it comes to winemaking Lindsay’s philosophy is fairly basic – the aim is to preserve the unique fruit qualities of each variety and allow the wines to express the individual ‘terroir’ of Paringa Estate. The wine processed in small batches - plunging and management of the ferments is all done by hand and most recently, Lindsay has been experimenting with natural yeasts.

Philip Shaw The Architect Chardonnay 2011 Orange Australia

Orange, New South Wales - Originally known as the Central Highlands, the region centres on the slopes of Mount Canobolas an experimental viticultural station was established at nearby Molong in the 1940s, but vines were first planted commercially in 1980. The region's elevation strongly influences the climate and the soils are variable. Overall, mild to warm midsummer mean temperatures, seldom rising above 32°C, but offset by cool / cold nights during the growing season hence keeping fresh acidity in the grapes. Rainfall is predominately in winter and springand  the three driest months are February, March and April hence irrigation is highly desirable. The strong winds reduce the risk of frost but they also hinder fruit set. Another problem that this area ( like quite a few in the cooler Australian growing regions) has are flocks of feeding birds – netting is used by some growers as a necessity. Chardonnay is the most established variety in the Orange region and is noted for its bright elegant styles. It is well suited to the varying altitudes and conditions.

Philip Shaw The Architect Chardonnay 2011  is medium lemon with a limey green tinge, on the nose are subtle aromas of green apple and peaches, on the palate the same fruits exhibit themselves with a sneaky cheesey nuance, this wine has had oak contact - but it is subtle older oak and has a fattness that enrobes the wines flavours. Fresh acidity keeps this wine clean and would work well with food, the alcohol embellishes rather than dominates - a nicely made wine. The maker comments on the production methods 'Fermentation occurred utilising yeast from the vineyard at a moderate temperature taking about 14 days to complete. The wine remained on yeast lees for 6 months in old French oak barrels and small stainless tanks. This allowed a build up of complexity without a noticeable amount of oak character.' The finish is peach and apple with a slightly acidc end. 

This is a wine that will keep - so look forward to drinking it over the next few years.

Score : 82

This is available from Amazon at a cost of £13.30.

 

Jansz Premium Cuvee Brut NV Tasmania

Jansz Premium Cuvee Brut NV is a wine made with grapes from the Tamar  Valley in the heart of the Pipers River region in north eastern Tasmania.  Red basalt soils and a cool climate moderated by the proximity of Bass Strait, means the vineyards are ideal for allowing grapes to ripen slowly and develop the lingering acidity essential to produce a premium sparkling wine.
Jansz was Tasmania’s first sparkling wine to be made according to the traditional méthod champenoise, the winemaker since 2001 is Natalie Fryar, and the blend of grapes used  is 53% Chardonnay and 47% Pinot Noir. The grapes come from various vineyard plots and are vinified separately until the wines go through secondary fermentation in bottles and are aged on yeast lees for as long as possible; the average tirage of the final blend is 2 years.
This sparkling wine had fine swift bubbles which prickled in the mouth and had persistence. Aromas of white flowers, biscuit and apple are followed by apricot, lemon, apple and generally fresh well balanced acidity, a hint of nutty biscuit generally adds another dimension to this wine, it has an elegance not often found in New World sparklers maybe due to its time on the lees or the 100% Malolactic Fermentation and the final assemblage! The length is fresh, appley and has a minerality that was not apparent initially on the palate. At £12.95 from Slurp - a bargain!
Score : 87

Tasmania
Tasmania is the most southerly point in the world involved with grape growing and wine making - and the thing that is most surprising is the many microclimates that exist on this island with its maritime climate. The west coast is wet, cold and has rainforest scenery with mountainous terrain, the east coast is very dry ( due to the rainshadow from the mountains) and the north coast also has a good climate for grapes, the soil is good for grape production - overall a great place for cool climate grapes! Pinot Noir is the most planted grape, with Chardonnay following in second place with half its weight per annum. The land is being snapped up by many Australian producers as well as international big producers - so watch this space.

The wine surplus much talked about in Australias mainland does not esist here - they can sell everything they produce ( the level of production is about 3% of the Australian production) and the quality is high, little gets exported .

Chez Pierre Blanc 2011 France M&S

Chez Pierre Blanc 2011 is a wine that falls under the new designation of Vin de France ( Vin de Table with no Geographic Indication!) It is a new category which has to be made in France ( anywhere and may have mixed grapes from different region) and can have the variety on the label. It is a way that France sees that it can compete on the wider stage of the New World competative market.
It is supplied by M&S at £5.99 is a blend of 65% Ugni Blanc, 20% Colombard, 10% Gros Manseng and 5% Chardonnay , all this comes in at 11.5% abv. This wine has seen no oak so is fresh, bright and fruity, and this is obvious on both looking at the wine and on the nose, low aromas of pear, apricot, green apple, and honeysuckle with a hint of pea shoots, on the palate this is dry, with tangy acidity and flavours echoed what is on the nose, the length is quite short with a lemony finish. This is a fresh simple wine that lacks real complexity, it has been produced in large volumes and won a bronze at the IWSC .
Score : 80

Doña Paula Chardonnay 2010 Argentina

Doña Paula Chardonnay 2010 comes from the 800ha estate Finca Alluvia at 1,350 meters above sea level in Tupungato of the Uco Valley just south of Mendoza in Argentina where there are warm days and cool nights. The grapevines are espalier trained and drip irrigation with melt water is used, and managed using sustainable agriculture practices where possible.  The vineyard is owned by Santa Rita, a Chilean producer in the Maipo valley The grapes were pressed and then fermented at low temperatures in stainless steel tanks. 50% of the must was fermented  in new French oak barriques then aged partly in new French oak barriques for a period of 6 to 8 months. And you get all of this for £10.99.
Aromas of peach, apricot and a sprinkling of spice with a floral edge, it tempts you in. In the mouth, nectarine and green apple join the flavours and a chalky minerality enrobes the bunch! Great acidity, well integrated alcohol at 14% and a silky mouth feel all support this great fresh and fruity wine, it has an elegance that is often not found in Chardonnays. The length is good and linear, lemony to the end with a sharp acidity, this feels slightly out of kilter with the rest of the wine and may indicate some acidification that has not quite knitted in as yet, but the oak treatment has been sympathetic and stylish, a good wine at the money!
Score : 82

Quintas das Amoras 2007 Vinho Regional Portugal

Quintas das Amoras 2007 Vinho Regional from Estremadura in Portugal is a white wine made from various grapes that include Arinto and Chardonnay, but Portugese other varieties as well. It has pronounced aromas of apricot, elderflower and ripe apples and a florality to it that was very attractive. It was a dry wine with warming alcohol (though only 12.5%) which was slightly out of balance requiring more acidity to refresh it enough . The silky texture was in line with the full body of the wine  and flavours of apple, apricot and pithy grapefruit were in line with the aromas, but  there was a chemical metallic streak which did not feel in character. Overall a wine from a hot area that had managed to retain the fruity aromatics but needed more acidity to keep it fresh. This wine won a bronze medal at both the 2007 and 2008 International Wine Challenges.

Camille Giroud Bourgogne Rose 2010

Camille Giroud Bourgogne Rose 2010 supplied by Berry Brothers at a cost of £13.50 was a pale garnet some may say salmon pink, darker than a Provence Rose, but clear. Aromas of red fruits with a herbal note lead to flavours of red berry fruits including strawberry and raspberry, the acidity keeps it fresh and the alcohol is well integrated. The texture lacks conviction and the wine feels sleek, linear and as if something is missing - the length is good and has fresh fruits to the end. Overall I feel that this is a fresh, simple wine made for drinking soon.


Bourgogne Rose is the title used for still rose wines produced under the generic Bourgogne appellation and the grapes can come from 4600 hectares which is practically the whole of the region. While Pinot Noir is the main grape, Pinot Gris is a secondary one and both Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc are permitted varieties.

Louis Jadot Macon 'Les Roches Rouges' 2010

Louis Jadot Macon 'Les Roches Rouges' 2010 is a red wine made in the Macon where most (95%) of the wines are white and made from the Chardonnay grape. The Macon is in the south of the Burgundy region.
 It is supplied by Majestic Wine at £9.99 ( special offer reduces it to less if buying 2 or cheaper at Majestic Wine in France)
It has a good ruby colour with slight purple glints - showing its laCK OF age. On the nose, ripe red fruits and baked black fruits are apparent and a hint at smokiness. The red and black fruits come through in abundance on the mouth with a little spice or pepper but not alot of complexity, it has a light linear fruity character and the low tannins are ripe with a grippy chalky texture. Overall I enjoyed this light Pinot and would probably chill it slightly and drink it soon while it is fresh and fruity.

Jean-Bourguigon Mersault 2009 Burgundy

Jean-Bourguigon Mersault 2009 Burgundy is a wine from Majestic Wine  and is £18.99. It has low level aromas of white stone fruits and hazelnuts, it tempts you to investigate further.
The silky texture with clear acidity and minerality layered with white stone fruits and green apples and once more the appearance of nuts. It is complex and sleek with elegance, it has a long length with solid fruit to the end!
Mersault is in the Cote de Beaune in Burgundy and is a narrow slope in most parts for all of its 20km length and gives great sun exposure. The soils consist of mainly marl and marly limestone and it is here that some of the best white ( Chardonnay) and Red (Pinot Noir) Burgundies come from.

Domaine Thilbert Pere et Fils Pouilly-Fuisse 2010

Domaine Thilbert Pere et Fils  now run by Christophe Thibert and his wife Christine along with his sister Sandrine, they own a 60 acre estate in 'the Fuisse' in the heart of the Pouilly-Fuisse appellation in the Mâconnais. The Mâcon region is in Burgundy and offers good value and often high quality white wine. The Thiberts  vineyards are now mainly organic, the fruit is picked by hand (not a universal practice in this region) and use low yields, new oak and minimium filtration producing wines that are intense, pure and long.
The Domaine Thilbert Pere et Fils Pouilly-Fuisse 2010 is one such wine produced from the 16 hectares they own in Pouilly-Fuisse, an appellation making 95% white wine from Chardonnay with the remaining 5% making red wine from Gamay.

This wine has a lovely pale gold colour and aromas of limes and apricots and a hint of spice, this indiactes some oak usage and maybe malolcatic fermentation. On tasting it there is noticeable acidity balanced by the alcohol and a silky texture. The green appley/lime flavours have a cheesey aftertaste which then gives way to red apple finish and the crisp apple adding padding to the body of the wine. It has a freshening mouth feel and is richer and fatter than a Chablis wine - less linear and not a elegant but complex. A great quality wine with alot to offer.

Fourchaume Chablis Premier cru 2009 La Chablisienne

Fourchaume is one of 12  Premier cru's in Chablis an appellation within the Burgundy region, and it is situated to the north of Chablis town,  in 2009 a highly recommended coop La Chablisienne made a Chablis that we tasted recently and were wowed by its minerality and complexity.
Initially the lemon fruits aromas were fresh and clean but veiled slightly as they opened to exhibit green crunchier fruits - we felt it had much to give. On tasting it the green fruits, steely minerality and spice were complex with concentrated elegant acidity balanced by the alcohol which added structure and support to the full bodied silky wine. The length was long and rounded, the style less austere than many I have tasted - and steely and clean throughout.
This wine could age for another 8-10 years gaining much on the way - enjoy!This wine was good value at £16.74 from Roberson wine.

Arbois Chardonnay 2010 Fruitiere Vinicole d'Arbois Jura

Arbois Chardonnay 2010  made by Fruitiere Vinicole d'Arbois (cooperative ) in Arbois - Jura.  This gold coloured wine has a creamy apple aromas on the nose mixed with white stone fruits, on the palate it is dry with good acidity and the lemon, apple skin flavours are initially simple but develop a more complex character in the mouth , there is some minerality apparent on the nose after tasting it and the moderate length finish is clean and angular. This is a good quality wine with a lovely mineral finish and a fresh, clean, crisp appeal.

Domaine Gilles Berlioz Chignon Vin de Savoie 2010

Chignon Vin de Savoie 2010 is a Biodynamically made blended wine from the Jacquere grape along with Chardonnay and Mondeuse ( a very important Savoie Red variety) in the Savoie region of Eastern France made by Domaine Gilles Berlioz. This is not a particularly aromatic wine but there were slight aromas of apple, pear and stone fruits, on the palate flavours of apple, lemon and baked fruits, good acidity and simple, single dimension flavour array and the alcohol does not interrupt this wines character ( 11.5%), the length was short and had a crisp lemon finish. Overall my feelings on this wine are that it is a simple, clean, crisp aperitif wine that has alot of the Savoie in it - cool region wines that have not been tampered with. This wine is supplied by the Wine Society - £10.95

Zind by Domaine Zind-Humbrecht 2008 in Alsace, France

Domaine Zind-Humbrecht 2008 makes Zind which is a blend of 2/3rds Chardonnay and then a mix of Auxerrois and  Pinot Blanc with the grapes coming from the Windsbuhl which is a terraced limestone and clay site, it is partially fermented and aged in a large new oak cask (82hl).

Clean apple aromas are restrained and had a slight smokey mushroom edge. On the mouth there was an initial spritz which disappeared quickly, the dry concentrated elegant but high acidity frames the fruit which is zesty apple and citric pithyness, the body is medium but enlivened by the zippy acidity. The overall texture is quite rich and solid - not a light fresh wine - this has structure and definition and has an international prescence. The oak plays its part in the formation of this wines character.
Supplied by Waitose at a price of £16.14.

Simonnet – Febver Sauvignon de Saint Bris 2010

Sauvignon de Saint Bris 2010 Simonnet – Febver Burgundy France

When one thinks of Burgundy white wine, the grape that springs to mind is Chardonnay with maybe Aligote coming into play as a secondary option, but this wine comes from a special appellation in Chablis, Burgundy, the winery was started in 1840 by Jean Febvre and is the only place that can grow Sauvignon grapes in the whole of Burgundy with the Loire only 30 miles away. It is bottled in a Burgundy shaped bottle ( as are most New and Old World Sauvignons). The grapes come from vineyards which average 25 years age and are on clay and limestone soils as would be expected in this location Burgundy/Loire.

It is pale lemon, clear and sparkling, with high notes of nettle, grass, green apple and pea shoots. It is dry, crisp and fresh with a silky texture. The finish is green apple with a citric twist and has a little florality wandering through it. The acidity is as expected – keeping the expected fruit expression fresh and the alcohol is well integrated (12.5%). There is no minerality on nose or palate, but the wine is a typical French Sauvignon, pure green fruits which are robustly expressive. At under £10, this feels like a gentle aperitif – enjoy!

Anselmi 2011 San Vincenzo IGT

We tried a real summery wine last night, a white wine  from Monteforte  in the Veneto region of Italy which is actually the Soave DOC area ( they decided  to leave the Soave DOC  but have gone IGT registered instead ) it was a blend of 70% Garganega, 30% Chardonnay and Trebbiano ( or Sauvignon Blanc its close cousin). The vines are grown near the top of a hill on volcanic / tuff ground, picked at the end of September / start of October. Destemmed, cold maceration, pneumatic pressing followed by fermentation at 16C in stainless steel and then bottled 3 months before sale. Roberto Anselmi, the maker/grower, is regarded as one of the leading white wine makers in Italy. He uses high density planted vines, trained carefully, uses green harvesting to produce the best fruit to make his wines from.

I bought it from a shop in Birmingham called Loki when I was shopping with a friend.

The wine, Anselmi 2011 San Vincenzo IGT, a golden straw yellow, had apple, floral notes with a tropical edge ( kiwi, melon...), on tasting it the crisp acidity balanced the fairly full body with the well integrated alcohol. Flavours of apricot, green apple with a hint of asparagus were followed by a long cirtic finish and a slight toasty edge with a touch of minerality. This is a wine that pairs well with alot of fish, chicken, vegetarian foods and is a lovely wine with pasta which is what we had with it - delish.