ENGLAND
English Bacchus 2011 £11.99
Marks & Spencer
Winemaker and winery: Andrew Parley, Chapel Down
Grape variety: 100% Bacchus
Region: Lamberhurst, Kent
Viticulture/Vinification: 2011 was an excellent vintage in the South East of England, with low yields and a long, warm, dry autumn. The grapes were hand-harvested from the Lamberhurst vineyard and gently whole bunch pressed to preserve the purity and delicacy of this aromatic grape variety. The juice was cool fermented in stainless steel with yeast selected to enhance the varietal expression.
Availability: 159 stores
Just the floral side of a sauvignon nose. Bone dry and sharp. On the finish there’s some tiny sweetness, which makes the finish almost flabby.
12.5% vol.
Darting Estate Riesling 2011 £8.99
Marks & Spencer
Winemaker and winery: Helmut Darting, Darting Estate
Grape variety: 100% Riesling
Region: Dürkheimer Michelsberg, Pfalz
Viticulture/Vinification: The fruit for this wine comes from Bad Dürkheim‟s best vineyard site. The grapes underwent a cold slow reductive fermentation in stainless steel tanks. This wine is unoaked.
Availability: 301 stores
Tasting Notes
Heavy, ripe nose. Just a touch of spritz. It’s practically dry, but with some weight of fruit. Pithy, tart and lovely. £8.99 is a crazy price for this quality of riesling. Just delicious.
12.5% vol.
ALSACE
Alsace Gewürztraminer 2011 £9.49
Marks & Spencer
Winemaker and winery: Michel Lihrmann, Cave de Turckheim
Grape variety: 100% Gewürztraminer
Region: Turckheim
Viticulture/Vinification: Gravel and limestone soils. Harvested late October by hand and machine. 2011 was a much more typical vintage for Alsace (than 2010), yields returned to normal levels with good acidity and better ageing potential. Fermentation at a maximum of 23ºC in stainless steel tanks. The wine is kept on its fine lees for 3 months prior to bottling. This wine is unoaked.
Availability: 280 stores
Smells like rose hand-cream. Pretty sweet. Typical taste. The alcohol is a little warm. I would say 13.5% is dumbing down. Typical (of the grape, not the dumbing down).
13.5% vol.
ITALY
Quadro Sei Gavi 2011 £7.49
Marks & Spencer
Winemaker and winery: Claudio Manera
Grape variety: 100% Cortese
Region: Piedmont
Viticulture/Vinification: From 35 year old vines in south-facing vineyards at an altitude of 180-250m. Planted to a density of 4000-4500 vines per hectare on chalky soil. The wine is hand-harvested and unoaked.
Availability: 282 stores
Quite a spicy nose. Fruity and full. Just off dry. Fruity and very pleasant. Tastes very hot country the acidity isn’t forward. Lasts fairly well.
13.0% vol.
Falanghina Beneventano IGT 2011 £5.99
Marks & Spencer
Winemaker and winery: Dr Riccardo Cotarella & Marco Giulioli, La Guardiense
Grape variety: 100% Falanghina
Region: Campania
Viticulture/Vinification: Guyot pruning system, single curtain and low spurred cordon. Grapes underwent cold maceration with soft and decreasing pressing. Fermentation was at a controlled temperature (15° C).
Availability: 256 stores
Rich, spicy, interesting nose. Earthy, rich, savoury taste. Good. Needs very tasty food. Fruity finish.
12.0% vol.
Vermentino 2011 £6.99
Marks & Spencer
Winemaker and winery: Valerio Fiorelli, Femar Vini
Grape varieties: 85% Vermentino, 7.5% Malvasia, 2.5% Grecanico, 5% Fiano
Region: Lazio
Viticulture/Vinification: Guyot pruning system. Vinification in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature.
Availability: 422 stores
Nice green label with old vine. Inviting fruit on the nose. Pithy, dry taste. Very savoury and quite grown up. Not for beginners.
13.0% vol.
PORTUGAL
Tapada de Villar Vinho Verde 2011 £6.99
Marks & Spencer
Winemaker and winery: Fernando Machado & Henrique Lopes, Quinta das Arcas
Grape varieties: 50% Loureiro, 40% Arinto, 10% Trajadura
Region: Minho
Viticulture/Vinification: Hot summers and wet and cold winters. Atlantic influence evident in fresh breezes. Mainly granite and schist soil. Handpicked grapes at short distance from winery are immediately de-stemmed and then crushed to capture fresh aromas. Low temperature fermentation in stainless steel vats.
Availability: 300 stores
Tasting Notes
Gorgeous touchy feely label. If I didn’t know better I’d buy this for the label. Full, heavy nose and not at all what I’d expect. A touch of spritz, as expected. I’m not saying it’s not good, in the scheme of Vinho Verde, but it just doesn’t hold up as a dry white wine at £6.99. Not its fault.
11.0% vol.