Someone else can do the counting but there were bloody dozens of sauvignons. Too many, in my opinion (sorry, G)
PX Elqui 2009 M&S 4.99
Winemaker and winery: Geo Wines / Alvaro Espinoza.
Grape variety: Pedro Ximenez.
Region: Elqui Valley, Chile.
Viticulture/Vinification: The Elqui Valley is located 500 kilometres north of Santiago bordering desert. Weather conditions are very dry with an annual rainfall of only 60 millimetres, however water coming from the Andes mountain glaciers, makes it a perfect place for growing vines. The soils have very low natural fertility. The grapes were harvested in mid April and fermented in stainless steel tanks at a temperature of 17° Celsius.
Availability:297 stores.
Fresh, fruity and appealing nose. Dry and acidic with some interesting savoury notes. Good, if quite sharp.
Tierra Y Hombre Sauvignon Blanc 2009 M&S 6.49
Winemaker: Roberto Carrancá (Chief Winemaker).
Grape Varieties: 100% Sauvignon Blanc.
Region: Casablanca Valley, Chile.
Viticulture/Vinification: Grapes are harvested in 10kg in the early morning, taking advantage of the low temperatures. The grapes are de-stemmed and crushed, less than 2 hours after they have been harvested. After a short maceration the free run juice is fermented in stainless steel tanks at 13-15ºC.
Availability: 229 stores.
13%vol.
Fresh, green and peapoddy nose. Inviting. Also creamy and full. Tangy, sharp and refreshing. Not bad.
Corriente del Bio Sauvignon Blanc 2009 M&S 5.99
Winemaker and winery: Rodrigo Romero, Bodegas Y Vinedos Corpora.
Grape variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc.
Region: Bio Bio Valley, Chile.
Viticulture/Vinification: The alluvial and volcanic stones, rocks, clay and sand in the soil gradually stress the vines and make them struggle to find nutrients. Grapes are de-stemmed and cool macerated. Fermentation takes place in steel tanks between 12 and 15ºC, and then the wine is aged over lees.
Availability: 85 stores.
Only the lightest fragrance. Quite pithy and textured. Not at all fruity. Pretty full-flavoured on the finish, greenly.
Secano Estate Sauvignon Gris 2009 M&S 7.49
Winemaker and winery: Viviana Navarrete, Viña Leyda.
Grape variety: 100% Sauvignon Gris.
Region: Leyda Valley, San Antonio Valley, south west of Santiago.
Viticulture/Vinification: The red clay soil of the Leyda Valley restricts the growth of the vines, forcing them to yield particularly concentrated berries. Grapes are hand-harvested very early in the morning so that they arrive at the winery cold. Softly pressed and fermented at cool temperature to retain the fruit flavours of this unusual grape variety. This wine is unoaked.
Availability: 89 stores.
14% vol.
Goodness, gracious me. What an attractive smell. So floral, so creamy, so fruity. A lot of gooseberry in the mouth. Fresh, light, lemony acidity with cool gooseberry finish. Great for an aperitif. Beats a lot of Marlborough SB. *
Cartagena Sauvignon Blanc ‘Tres Vinedos’ 2009 M&S 9.99
Winemaker and winery: Maria Luz Marin and Felipe Marin Viña Casa Marin.
Grape variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc.
Region: San Antonio Valley, Chile.
Viticulture/Vinification: This is a blend of three specific vineyard sites within the Lo Abarca area, obtained predominantly from the lower vineyard areas, with a percentage of higher vineyard area grapes that bring minerality and structure to the wine. All the vineyards (and especially the higher planted areas) are exposed to very windy conditions which keep grape productivity low and quality high. The sites all have different exposures and are all based on slightly different soil types which bring some different elements to the final wine.
Availability: 30 stores.
14% vol.
Fresh and appealing peapod aroma. Tart and a bit pithy. Completely overshadowed by the Secano Estate, which is significantly cheaper.
Argentina Pinot Grigio 2009 M&S 6.49
Winemaker and winery: Cristián García, Finca La Celia.
Grape variety: 100% Pinot Grigio.
Region: Mendoza, Argentina.
Viticulture/Vinification: Vines are planted in predominantly sandy alluvial soils at the foot of the Andes. Grapes were hand-harvested between March 10th-20th 2009. The wine was fermented at 16-18°C over 15 days and is entirely unoaked.
Availability: 307 stores.
12.5%
Quite green in colour. A very odd chemical smell, like deep heat. Dry, savoury and not beautiful at all.
Altos del Condor Sauvignon Blanc 2009 M&S 6.99
Winemaker and winery: Daniel Pi, Trapiche.
Grape variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc.
Region: Tupungato, Uco Valley, Mendoza.
Viticulture/Vinification: These 17 year old vines are grown in the highest vineyard area in the Mendoza area at 1450m, yielding just 10t/ha. Hand harvested in early March 2009, the grapes were bunch sorted, destemmed and cold macerated at 8C for 5 hours. The clear juice was then fermented with wild yeast and aged on lees for 6 months before filtration and bottling.
Availability: 146 stores.
13.5% vol.
Lightly, fragrantly Sauvignon on the nose. Very savoury, pithy and dry. Searingly dry and begging for nuts, olives. Drink instead of Fino.
Altos del Condor Sauvignon Gris 2009 M&S 6.99
Winemaker and winery: Daniel Pi, Trapiche.
Grape variety: 100% Sauvignon Gris.
Region: Tunuyan, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina.
Viticulture/Vinification: Grown on 15 year old vines yielding 12t/ha, this vineyard is located 1450m above sea level, the highest in the Mendoza area. Hand harvested in early February 2009, the grapes were bunch sorted, destemmed, and left on skins at 8C for 5 hours. After pressing and cold settling the clear juice was fermented with wild yeast and then remained on lees for 6 months.
Availability: 146 stores.
14%
Green, pungent and spicy, but with something floral on the finish. Quite fruity, and the alcohol is warm. Not bad at all. I like this Sauvignon Gris business. Must investigate.
Vinalta Chardonnay 2009 M&S 5.49
Winemaker and winery: Hervé Joyaux Fabre, Domaine Vistalba.
Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay.
Region: Mendoza, Argentina.
Viticulture/Vinification: Vineyards are planted at 1200m altitude and the average age of vines is 10 years old. Carefully hand harvested in small trays of 20kg. Meticulous hand sorting takes place prior to fermentation. Fermentation occurs at a controlled temperature of 15°C.The wine does not spend any time in oak. Filtration takes place before bottling.
Availability: 152 stores.
13.5% vol.
Pretty little tree on the label. The merest hint on the nose that there’s wine in the glass. Fairly neutral unoaked Chardonnay. It’s dry, it’s white and there’s a little, slightly leesy, texture.
Crows Fountain Traditional Bush Vine Sauvignon Blanc
2009 M&S 8.99
Winemaker and winery: Jeff Grier, Villiera Wines.
Grape variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc.
Region: Stellenbosch.
Viticulture/Vinification: From low-yielding, unirrigated, old-bush vines. Natural shading ensures development of intense aromas in the greener spectrum. Hand-picked fruit at optimum ripeness with good acidity. Well-protected at crush and during eight hours skin contact. Gentle pressing, followed by clean settling and a cold fermentation.
Availability: Now - 75 stores.
12.5%
Green, peapod and elder twig nose. Astringent, dry and not beautiful. Not great.
Sterhuis Sauvignon Blanc 2009 M&S 9.99
Winemaker and winery: Johan Kruger, Sterhuis.
Grape variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc.
Region: Bottelary Hills, Stellenbosch, Western Cape.
Viticulture/Vinification: Blessed with altitude, winemaker and owner Johan Kruger, produces wines that are naturally lower in alcohol and therefore more delicate and elegant. Johan had no formal training as winemaker, but after several harvests around the world he decided to start his own winery on the family farm located on the Bottelary Hills. All grapes are whole bunch pressed before fermentation takes place.
Availability: 43 stores.
13 % vol.
A little ripe pineapple on the nose. Vibrant, pithy and exciting. Like it. *
Knock on Wood Riesling Viognier 2009 M&S 8.99
Winemaker and winery: Gerhard Swart, Flagstone.
Grape variety: 55% Riesling and 45% Viognier.
Region: Swartberg and Elgin/Elim.
Viticulture/Vinification: Bladder pressing, open top stainless steel tanks, native yeast. 100% malolactic fermentation, no fining. Stainless steel fermentation at 14C and barrel fermentation, no wild fermentation.
Availability: 100 stores.
13.5% vol.
Two gold rabbits on the label, unless they’re hares. Would be good for a label quiz. Nice savoury oak on the nose, but also rounded and yet fresh fruit. A very appealing nose. Alive. Lovely flavour. Bright and while there’s some vanilla flavour, the oak texture is limited, until the finish. Like it.
Villiera Traditional Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc
2009 M&S 9.99
Winemaker and winery: Jeff Grier, Villiera Wines.
Grape variety: 100% Chenin Blanc.
Region: Stellenbosch.
Viticulture/Vinification: Ripe fruit selected from three mature vineyards is picked with about 5% botrytis infection. One of the blocks is a low yielding dry land bush vine vineyard. The settled juice is fermented in 225 litre French oak barrels (50% new and 509% second fill) and to improve complexity it consists of 2 very different parts. The first component is treated with limited SO2 and malolactic fermentation is allowed while the balance is kept fresher and malolactic is prevented. Batonage is practiced on each barrel and wine is kept in the barrels for a total of 4 months.
Availability: Now - 100 stores.
14% vol.
A lot of sulphur on the nose, I thought, and then I realised it was Chenin Blanc, and so we could call it “wet wool”. Very savoury and textured. Not quite beautiful.
Snapper Cove Chardonnay 2009 M&S 6.99
Winemaker & Winery: Adrian Sparks, McWillliams.
Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay.
Region: South East Australia.
Viticulture/Vinification: The grapes were harvested in the cool of the night. One parcel was fermented with the best yeast strain to enhance varietal flavours. Another parcel was fermented on French oak planks to contribute complexity to the resulting wine and the third parcel had malo-lactic fermentation.
Availability: Now – 400 stores.
13.5% vol.
Light, fresh, lemony nose. Fruity, light and with a hint of fizz. Plain and just not £6.99 worth of interest.
Lost Sheep Chardonnay 2009 M&S 6.99
Winemaker & Winery: Mark Zeppel, Zilzewines.
Grape Variety: 95% Chardonnay and 5% Viognier.
Region: South Eastern Australia: Sourced predominately from our own vineyards and long term contracted growers in the Swan Hill and Murray Darling regions of north west Victoria.
Viticulture/Vinification:
The fruit was harvested in the cool of the night to preserve freshness and quality. Individual batches were cold settled and cool fermented in stainless steel and some French oak with lees stirring to give length and roundness. The wine was stabilized and filtered prior to bottling.
Availability: 100 stores.
12.5% vol.
Love the little sheep on the label. It looks a bit lonely, though. Ripe nose and taste. Fresh and pretty good. Fair price.
Margaret River Semillon Sauvignon 2008 M&S 7.99
Winemaker and winery: Matt Byrne, Evans and Tate.
Grape varieties: 62% Semillon, 34% Sauvignon Blanc and 4% other varieties.
Region: Margaret River, Western Australia.
Viticulture/vinification: De-stemmed grapes were must-chilled to 10ºC and slowly pressed in an air-bag press. After cold settling in tank at 5-10ºC for 48 hours, the juice was racked, warmed and inoculated with dry yeast culture. Fermentation temperature was 14-16ºC. This wine is unoaked.
Availability: 261 stores.
12% vol.
Pithy, appealing, Semillon nose. Dry, pithy and with nice texture. Price about right. Ends fairly quickly.
Shepherds Ridge Chardonnay 2008 M&S 8.99
Winemaker and winery: Ben Glover, Wither Hills Vineyards.
Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay.
Region: Marlborough.
Viticulture/Vinification: Machine harvested at optimal ripeness and maturity early in the morning from 5 key vineyard sites throughout the Wairau valley. The juice was destemmed only and gently pressed off skins to tank where it was lightly settled overnight and racked. 30% of the wine saw fermentation in older French oak barriques for approximately 10months, while 70% remained in tank to retain the bright aromatics and palate intensity of the variety. The wine was then blended, fined, stabilised, and filtered ready to bottle.
Availability: 147 stores.
14.0% vol.
Unexpected nose. Clearly not, but to me it had a touch of the Hunter Valley about it. I little grunt of surprise escaped. Very interesting nose. Full, ripe and yet pithy so it doesn’t end sweetly. This is good. *
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009 M&S 7.99
Winemaker and winery: Ben Glover, Wither Hills Vineyards.
Grape variety: 100%Sauvignon Blanc.
Region: Marlborough.
Viticulture/Vinification: Machine Harvested at optimal ripeness & maturity during the night to retain the delicate vibrant aromas, gently pressed to tank where it was settled and racked. Fermentation was in 100% Stainless Steel for approximately 25days at low temperatures to retain the bright aromatics and palate intensity of the variety. The wine was then blended, and stabilised, and filtered ready to bottle.
Availability:459 stores.
13.0% vol.
Very, very plain label. An enticing aroma. There’s something just on the periphery, that I almost recognise and it’s bugging me, but in a good way. Fruity but greenly fresh. I like it. It doesn’t shout MSB, and is most like, if I had to say, a slightly off dry Touraine Sauvignon.
Kaituna Hills Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2009 M&S 9.99
Winemaker and winery:. Nigel Fraser, Montana Brancott Winery.
Grape variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc.
Region Marlborough: From the Brancott and Awatere valleys, Marlborough.
Viticulture/Vinification: From two and four cane VSP low cropping vineyards. The fruit was 100 % machine harvested and bag pressed to settling tanks. The juice was racked taking light lees and fermented at cool temperatures (10-12 degrees). The wine is left on ferment lees until blending to add palate weight. The blend is lightly fined to soften the palate and give the wine flavour clarity.
Availability: Now – 177 stores.
13.5% vol.
Typical MSB. Fresh, unmistakeable, gooseberry. Like coming home. Pithy and very fresh. Just about as textbook as you could get. *
Te Muna Sauvignon Blanc 2008 M&S 12.99
Winemaker and winery: Adrian Baker, Craggy Range Vineyards.
Grape variety:100% Sauvignon Blanc.
Region: Martinborough.
Viticulture/Vinification: Craggy Range’s Martinborough vineyard is located at Te Muna, which means ‘secret place’. This wine is sourced exclusively from several parcels of vines growing on a stony, Limestone influenced soil adjacent to the Huangarua River. Grapes are 100% hand picked, whole bunch pressed; components are 75% indigenous and 25% inoculated fermentations in barrel. Aged in barrel on lees for 14 months.
Availability: Now - 77 stores.
13.5% vol.
Beautiful oak on the nose. I just love what oak does to Sauvignon Blanc. Savoury but fresh and light, and fruity. Love it. Wish it were cheaper, but bow to the value of the price. It’s excellent. *
Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc 2009 M&S 5.99
Winemaker and winery: Yvan Meyer.
Grape variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc.
Region: AOC Bordeaux.
Viticulture/Vinification: The grapes were pressed and the juice maintained at a low temperature (12°C). After the juice settled for 24 hours, the wine was drawn off and put in stainless steel tanks with automatic thermo-regulators. The must was fermented with dried active yeast, specially selected for Sauvignon Blanc. The fermentation temperatures were kept between 13 and 15°C in order to best preserve the aromas. After fermentation the wine was racked once in order to remove the heavy lees and then matured for 3 to 4 months on the fine lees, whilst being stirred once a week.
Availability: April 2010 – 251 stores.
12% vol.
There merest hint of Sauvignon on the nose. Dry, plain and with a Sauvignon finish. Alright.
Grand Enclos de Château Cerons 2006 M&S 14.99
Winemaker and winery: Patrick Léon, Château Cérons.
Grape varieties: 70% Semillon, 21% Sauvignon Blanc and 9% Sauvignon Gris.
Region: Graves.
Viticulture/Vinification: The grapes were selectively handpicked from 15-70 year old vines. Stalks were removed and the grapes cold macerated before being gently pressed. The majority of the wine was fermented in new oak barrels and matured for 11 months. The remaining wine was fermented in stainless steel.
Availability: 53 stores.
13.0% vol.
Dark gold. Very, very toasty oak on the nose, and a little sulphur, which is odd. Oaky taste, even for me and it seems rather short. One minute you’re swallowing and the next there’s nothing in your mouth except oak. Disappointing and surprising.
Giardini Veneto Tai-Pinot Grigio 2009 M&S 5.99
Winemaker and winery: Mr. Elvio Forato - Cantina B. Bartolomeo da Breganze s.c.a.
Grape variety: Tai 75%, 25% Pinot Grigio.
Region: Veneto, Italy.
Viticulture/Vinification Harvested early in order to achieve naturally low alcohol grade. Soft pressing with only top-grade must extracted, cool fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Maturation: in stainless steel tanks.
Availability: April – 100 stores.
9.5 % vol.
What the heck’s Tai? It smells like Sauvignon Gris or Verdejo. Light as anything in the mouth and oddly fruity. As in odd fruit. Can’t understand it. Almost parma violets on the finish or fragrant pear?
Chardonnay Piedmont 2009 M&S 4.99
Winemaker and winery: Claudio Manera, Araldica.
Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay.
Region: Piedmont.
Viticulture/Vinification: Grapes are harvested at the end of August/early September from vineyards in Piedmonte in the undulating Monferrato Hills. Standard white vinification; pneumatic press, temperature controlled stainless steel fermentation at low temperatures to maintain freshness. Left in tank on fine lees until bottled under screw cap to retain freshness.
Availability: Now - 308 stores.
13.5% vol.
Quite a vegetal nose. Pointless wine. I’d never buy this. It’s neutral and provokes no interest at all. For me.
Sauvignon Friuli DOC Grave 2009 M&S 6.99
Winemaker and winery: Arrigo Bidoli, Bidoli Vini – Margherita & Arrigo srl.
Grape variety: 100% Sauvignon.
Region: Friuli.
Viticulture/Vinification: The grapes are stored at 10°C, pressed, settled and racked. On some batches we made a cold maceration under 10°C for about 12 hours. Fermentation started with selected yeasts at a controlled temperature of about 9-11°C for about 2/3 weeks.
Availability: Now - 131 stores.
12.5% vol.
Nicely recognisable nose. Fresh, snapped elder twigs, but with some curry spice. Quite ripe, but with sharp acidity. Good, and bright. Reasonable price. +
English Bacchus 2009 M&S 9.99
Winemaker and winery: Owen Elias, Chapel Down.
Grape variety: 100% Bacchus.
Region: Lamberhurst, Kent.
Viticulture/Vinification: 2009 was an excellent vintage in England, and particularly in the Lamberhurst vineyard in Kent where the grapes for this wine were sourced. The grapes were harvested with good ripeness 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, producing this classic Bacchus wine.
Availability: June – 50 stores.
12.5% vol.
Very pretty, Germanic nose, but with a lot of musky cat, as well. A very inviting nose. Just off dry, and quite Germanic in the mouth, but with sharp and exciting acidity. I like it enormously. *
Sauvignon Blanc Vin de Pays du Val de Loire 2009 M&S 4.99
Winemaker and winery: Jean Francois Heret & Serge de Bucy, Lacheteau.
Grape variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc.
Region: Vin de Pays du Val de Loire.
Viticulture/Vinification: Grapes are sourced from Nantes and Anjou regions. 2009 saw a mostly dry summer so quality is high with good PHs and balanced acidity. Cool fermentation to preserve aromas. No oak used.
Availability: April 2010.
12% vol.
Catty aroma. Dry, plain and acidic. As it should be. Fair price. +
Quincy Domaine Bailly 2008 M&S 9.99
Winemakers and winery: Virginie Bigonneau and Jacques Bailly, Domaine Bailly.
Grape variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc.
Region: Quincy, Loire Valley.
Viticulture/Vinification: The 15 year old vines are grown in soils of clay, limestone and red sand in the small appellation of the Cher department – on the left bank of the Cher river between Bourges and Vierzon. This wine is unoaked.
Availability: Now – 193 stores.
12.5% vol.
Fruity, almost tropical, nose. Blimey, this is ripe. Catty taste, but intense and fruity, like New Zealand. Extraordinary. Good, but massive for Quincy.
Sancerre Domaine Hubert Brochard 2008 M&S 12.99
Winemaker and winery: Benoit Brochard Domaine Hubert Brochard.
Grape variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc.
Region: Sancerre, Loire Valley.
Viticulture/Vinification: Grapes are sourced from 35-year-old vines, which were planted on 100% flinty soils within the Chavignol region. Soft pressing in pneumatic wine press. Slow fermentation in low temperature in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. This wine is unoaked.
Availability: 304 stores.
12.5% vol.
Rock shaped label, with photos of rock. That’ll be the terroir. Very light nose. Some perfume, some lemon. Intense flavour. Very savoury, with only the cleanest, most lemony fruit. Sharp and invigorating.
Pouilly Fumé Mathilde Favray 2008 M&S 10.99
Winemaker and winery: Quentin David, Domaine Favray.
Grape variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc.
Region: Loire Valley.
Viticulture/Vinification: Unusually for this region, the soils are chalky. Harvesting is carried out plot by plot, at the optimum degree of ripeness. Within 30 minutes of picking, pressing follows to avoid any oxidation. Fermentation is controlled at a constant 18ºC. The wine stays on its fine lees for three to six months, in tank.
Availability: Now – 309 stores.
12.5% vol.
Creamy nose. Light, with some elder. Tangy, zingy acidity. Bright but with a steadying texture of lees. Good.
Petit Chablis 2008 M&S 8.99
Winemaker and winery: David Delaye and Philippe Birolleau, La Chablisienne.
Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay.
Region: Chablis, Burgundy.
Viticulture/Vinification: The 20 year old vines are grown on chalk and clay soils. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and undergoes partial malolactic fermentation. This wine is aged on fine lees for nine months prior to bottling.
Availability: 629 stores.
12.5% vol.
Very leesy smell. Really milky. Full, leesy flavour. Lasts well. Good price. +
La Fleur Jeune Pouilly Fuissé 2008 M&S 14.99
Winemaker and winery: Rotem Brakin, Cave de la Colombe.
Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay.
Region: The Mâconnais area of Burgundy.
Viticulture/Vinification: Grapes are hand picked. Whole bunch pressed and kept on fine lees. 100% fermented in stainless steel at 16ºC. 20% was aged in French oak for five months.
Availability: Now – 243 stores.
13.5% vol.
Quite a mineral nose. The 20% that is aged in French oak isn’t obvious. Full, tangy and with great mouth feel. This is good. Price is fair, but it could do with a couple of years to come into its own.
Saint Aubin 1er Cru, Domaine du Pimont Les Charmois
2006 M&S 17.99
Winemaker and winery: Frédéric Barnier, Michel Picard.
Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay.
Region: The Domaine’s vineyards are in the village of Chassagne-Montrachet.
Viticulture/Vinification: Minimal intervention in the vineyard (‘lutte raisonnée’). Guyot pruning. The wine was fermented in Alliers oak barrels at a temperature of 16-18ºC. 40% of the barrels were new, the rest one to two years old. The wine was kept on its lees with regular bâtonnage for 11 months before bottling.
Availability: 33 stores.
13.5% vol.
Really gold-coloured. Loads of new oak on the nose. Very inviting. The oak is very forward in the mouth, making the taste quite nutty. The bottle age is showing wonderfully. A fair price and a lovely wine. *
Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chalumeaux 2007 M&S 35.00
Winemaker and winery: Alexandra Pascal, Domaine Jean Pascal & Fils.
Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay.
Region: Puligny-Montrachet. Viticulture/Vinification: “Minimal intervention” policy in the vineyard, using phytosanitaire products and manual work. Manual harvest from average 40 year old vines. Press with a pneumatic press and racking of the must. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation. Nine months in oak.
Availability: Major stores only – 15 stores.
13.5% vol.
Quite greenish in colour. New oak on the nose. Ripe grapefruity, pithy fruit with some oak on the finish. Could do with some time, still. Not more than a year or two. Lovely apricot aftertaste. Yum.
Gascogne Rosé 2009 M&S 4.99
Winemaker and winery: Cédric Garzuel, Plaimont Vignoble de Gascogne.
Grape variety: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot.
Region: Gascony, South West France.
Viticulture/Vinification: Harvesting of the grapes in September. Light pressing of the grapes until an intense pink colour is obtained. Fermentation in controlled-temperature conditions for approximately 10 days. Matured on fine lees to give volume to the wine. Blending of the different grape varieties. Sterile bottling.
Availability: Now – 500 stores.
Very fruity nose. Like fragrant pears. Dry and quite plain, with the merest hint of strawberry. OK, but not great.
Réserve de la Saurine Rosé 2009 M&S 5.99
Winemaker and winery: Philippe Amphoux, Laudun Chusclan Vignerons.
Grape variety: 60% Grenache Noir, 15% Cinsault, 15% Carignan and 10% Syrah.
Region: Rhône Valley.
Viticulture/Vinification: The vines are planted on gravel slopes, not far from the Cèze River. Quite traditional, “cordon de Royat” on trellis and gobelet pruning. Direct pressing of the juice. Vinification 100% traditional; 24 hours of vatting in cement tanks. Temperature controlled between 20-25°C.
Availability: 500 stores.
13.5% vol.
Dry, cranberry nose. Pithy and dry. Quite grown up and there’s no hint of it being pink. Like it, actually.
Cabernet Franc Rosé IGT Delle Venezie 2009 M&S 6.99
Winemaker and winery: Arrigo Bidoli, Bidoli Vini – Margherita & Arrigo srl.
Grape variety: 100% Cabernet Franc.
Region: Friuli, Northern Italy.
Viticulture/Vinification: A part of the grapes are directly pressed, the other macerated for some hours and then pressed, settled, racked and fermented with selected yeasts at a controlled temperature of about 14°C.
Availability: Now – 138 stores.
This has a really pink label. My friend Sandra said it’s hen party wine. There’s very little on the nose. Just a touch of strawberry on the finish and an edge of tannin. OK.
English Rosé 2009 M&S 9.99
Winemaker and winery: Owen Elias, Chapel Down.
Grape variety: 34% Pinot noir, 22% Rondo, 10% Regent, 8% Bacchus, 7% Schönburger, 5% Reichensteiner and 5% Pinot Meunier. The additional 9% comprises small amounts of Dornfelder, Huxelrebe, Madeline Angevine, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay.
Region: Vineyards in Kent, Essex and Sussex, South East England.
Viticulture/Vinification: The 2009 harvest produced an excellent vintage for all of England’s wine producers, with good crop levels and ripeness. Owen Elias selected some excellent parcels of red grape varieties, carefully cold fermented the juice (12-18°) in stainless steel tanks to produce a fresh aromatic rosé. Grapes are sourced from 5-20 year-old vines. This wine is unoaked.
Availability: June – 106 stores.
12% vol.
Salmon pink. A lot of sulphur on the nose and nothing pleasant. A hint of fizz and nice fresh acidity. Pity about the nose. Lovely after taste.
La Prendina Estate Rosé 2009 M&S 7.49
Winemaker and winery: Luciano Piona, Cavalchina.
Grape Varieties: 82% Rondinella & 18% Pinot Grigio.
Region: A single estate in the Mantova region of Lombardy, near Lake Garda.
Viticulture/Vinification: After pressing, the grapes are left to cool at 8ºC and left overnight for maceration. After fining, fermentation takes place for 15 days at 17ºC. The wine remains in contact with the lees for a further 90 days.
Availability: Now – 600 stores.
Almost no smell. Tastes like a very dry white wine, and it’s rather nice. A hint of fruit on the finish. Good.
Soleado Merlot 2009 M&S 4.29
Winemaker and winery: Adolfo Hurtado, Viña Cono Sur.
Grape variety: 85% Merlot, 15% Carmenere.
Region: Merlot component 1 (65% of blend): Perallilo vineyard, Colchagua, Merlot component 2 (20% of blend): Lolol vineyard, Colchagua, Carmenere 1 (10% of blend): San Vincente vineyard, Cachapoal, Carmenere 2 (5% of blend): Marchihue vineyard, Colchagua.
Viticulture/Vinification: Viticulture: vines trained in vertical trellised double guyot, mix of drip and furrow irrigation, average yield of 12t/ha. Hand harvested. Grapes crushed and fermented in stainless steel for up to 10 days at 29 degrees celcius.
Availability: 100 stores.
Cherry red. Sweet, spicy nose. Stalky but with sweet, spicy fruit. The price is about right. It's alright.
Los Nucos Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 M&S 4.99
Winemaker and winery: Nicolas Bizzarri, Vina Luis Felipe Edwards.
Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon.
Region: Colchagua Valley, Chile.
Viticulture/Vinification: The vintage for our Cabernet Sauvignon started in April. The grapes were hand picked at optimum ripeness, the grapes were healthy and with great acidity. Up to that point we had no rain which made it a calm harvest. After the destemming and crushing procedures, the juice was inoculated with selected yeast and the fermentation carried out between 26-28°C in stainless steel tanks. This wine has no maceration, with careful and soft extraction criteria in order to make it soft and easy to drink. The final blend is stabilized, filtered and bottled.
Availability: In-store now
13% vol.
Dark, inky colour. Quite a raw, stalky smell. Not a bad taste. Very Cabernet, with coffee-flavoured tannins. OK and very fair price.
Tierra Y Hombre Pinot Noir 2009 M&S 6.49
Winemaker & Winery: Roberto Carrancá (Chief Winemaker).
Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir.
Region: Casablanca Valley.
Viticulture/Vinification: The foliage is handled taking care not to expose the bunches to too much sun to avoid any loss of primary aromas. The grapes are harvested in trays and gently de-stemmed; gravity flow is used to fill the tanks. Cold maceration follows to enhance the colour and fruit. During the fermentation there is almost no movement to respect the fragility of this variety. At the end of fermentation one part of the blend spent time in barrels for 4-5 months.
Availability:.400 stores.
Smells warm. It’s 14.5% and you can feel it in your nose. There’s plenty of Pinot fruit – perhaps raspberries – but it’s ruined by lighter fuel. Pity.
Corriente del Bio Pinot Noir 2009 M&S 7.49
Winemaker and winery: Rodrigo Romero, Bodegas Y Vinedos Corpora.
Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir.
Region: Bio Bio Valley, Chile.
Viticulture/Vinification: A blend from selected single vineyards planted on the slopes near the river in the valley of Bio Bio in Southern Chile. The wine was fermented in French barrels and bottled relatively early to retain its fresh and aromatic character.
Availability:.250 stores.
14% vol.
Spicy, minty and very interesting nose – fresh and inviting. Chalky tannin, which dries the mouth. Pity.
Fragoso Merlot 2009 M&S 6.49
Winemaker and winery: Rodolfo “Opi” Sadler, Bodegas Santa Ana.
Grape variety: 100% Merlot.
Region: Cuyo Mendoza, Argentina.
Viticulture/Vinification: Warm and dry, continental influence. The Andes to the West block the prevailing rain patterns but water is available from snow melt on the mountains. From selected vineyards in the High Area of Mendoza, flood irrigated with fresh water from the Andes, controlled yield, spur pruned and vertical shoot positioning. Hand-harvest followed by destemming and crushing. Addition of selected yeasts leading to controlled alcoholic fermentation, pneumatic pressing and racking and controlled natural malolactic fermentation. The wine is stabilised and filtered before bottling.
Availability: 295 stores.
Nice polo pony, moving at speed across the label. Rich, sweet and spicy fruit. Fruity, with dark, spicy Merlot flavours. Good price.
Vinalta Malbec 2009 M&S 6.49
Winemaker and winery: Hervé & Diane Joyaux Fabre, Domaine Vistalba.
Grape variety: 100% Malbec.
Region: Mendoza.
Viticulture/Vinification: Vines are grown at altitude of 1200m. Grapes are hand harvested and carefully sorted by hand. Cold maceration occurs before fermentation, which takes place at a controlled temperature of 25°C. Wine is pumped over three times a day. Post fermentation, the maceration occurs for 10 days. This wine is treated minimally with only filtration. The wine has not spent any time in oak.
Availability: 338 stores.
14% vol.
Dark, juicy nose. Darkly fruity and with high alcohol. Spicy, dark coffee finish. Not my thing.
Charles Back Barbera 2008 M&S 9.99
Winemaker and winery: Anthony de Jager, Fairview Estate.
Grape variety: 100% Barbera.
Region: Coastal Region, South Africa.
Viticulture/Vinification: Paarl grapes were hand harvested at 24.5 degrees balling. Seven tons of grapes were harvested from this 1.2 hectare vineyard. The yield on the Amoskuil vineyard was 4.5 tons per hectare. The grapes were cold soaked in stainless steel tanks for 48 hours and then allowed to warm up and inoculated with BM45 yeast. Fermentation took place in tank and lasted approximately ten days before being pressed and sent to older French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation. The wine was racked off and sent back to barrels for a further 12 months.
Availability: 200 stores.
14 % vol.
Rich and with heady vanilla, like something you’d spray around your living room. Very rounded tannins. Curious. It’s spicy, and dark, but lacking structure. Rather sweet. A curiosity.
Snapper Cove Shiraz 2009 M&S 6.99
Winemaker: Adrian Sparks, McWilliams.
Grape Variety: 92% Shiraz, 5% Durif, 3% other.
Region: South East Australia - 90% of this wine is from the Riverina area of South Australia with 10% Barossa Fruit.
Viticulture/Vinification: Careful fermentation on skins at cool temperatures to retain the fruity character is followed by gentle pressing.
Availability: Now – 200 stores.
Very sweet blackberry nose. Extremely fruity wine. Like squashed blackberries with gin. Not ideal.
Lost Sheep Cabernet 2009 M&S 6.99
Winemaker: Mark Zeppel, Zilzie.
Grape Varieties:. 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot.
Region: South Eastern Australia - Sourced predominately from our own vineyards and long term contracted growers in the Swan Hill and Murray Darling regions of north west Victoria.
Viticulture/Vinification: Selected parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot grapes were fermented on skins in static and rotary fermenters with a neutral yeast strain to maximise primary fruit characters. After primary fermentation the wines were soft pressed and underwent malolactic fermentation before being aged in American and French oak for six months before being blended.
Availability: Now – all stores.
14% vol.
What a beautiful label. Taupe background and with a nicely drawn sheep, looking a bit lost. Dark, spicy Cabernet nose. Pretty sweet and fiery. I’m not sure when I’d drink this. There’s a tropical fruit after taste and I can’t see how I could eat savoury food with it.
Harrowgate Victoria Shiraz 2006 M&S 8.99
Winemaker and winery: Toby Barlow, Mitchelton.
Grape varieties: 100% Shiraz.
Region: Goulburn Valley, Central Victoria, Australia.
Viticulture/Vinification: Old vines, low yields, open canopy, minimal or no irrigation, all combine to produce fruit of outstanding quality. Extended skin contact for three weeks, before being pressed and then put into French oak casks for 14-16 months.
Availability: October – 150 stores.
A rotting smell. Dark, baked fruit. Perhaps a plum crumble that’s been out in the kitchen for 3 or 4 days and is starting to go off. Not absolutely appealing. Great taste though. Minty and fresh. It’s 14.5% but doesn’t feel it. The smell might put you off, and I think you might be right.
Knappstein Winery Shady Grove Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 M&S 16.00
Winemaker & Winery: Paul Smith, Knappstein.
Grape Varieties: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Region: 100% sourced from Enterprise Vineyard in the Clare Valley, South Australia.
Viticulture/Vinification: Terra Rossa soils. 35 year old spur pruned, no tillage/cultivation of the vineyard. The vines are naturally low yielding which helps to maintain high concentration of flavour and quality. Standard vinification processes are followed by 18 months ageing in French oak.
Availability: June – 100 stores.
14.5% vol.
Minty, with a hint of marmite and maybe liquorice. The taste is the same. It’s rather wonderful. Really spicy and savoury. With steak, perhaps, or sausages?
Kaituna Hills Reserve Pinot Noir 2008 M&S 10.99
Winemaker and winery:. Nigel Fraser, Montana Brancott Winery.
Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir.
Region Marlborough: Southern Valleys (Brancott & Omaka Valley) of Marlborough.
Viticulture/Vinification: Low cropping, two cane VSP. The grapes were 100% machine harvest. The grapes were destemmed and cold soaked for 6 days. The must is warmed and inoculated with cultured strains. The grapes were fermented on skins for 10 days then drained to French barrels. A mixture of barrel ages were used The wine spends 10 months in oak, then blended for bottling.
Availability: Now – 400 stores.
13.5% vol.
Lovely Pinot nose. Warm cherries, but also some oak and interest. Nice balance of alcohol and also flavours. Just fruity enough, oaky enough and, well, nice.
Earths End Pinot Noir 2008 M&S 14.99
Winemaker and winery: Duncan Forsyth, Mount Edward Wines.
Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir.
Region: Central Otago.
Viticulture/Vinification:
Earth’s End Pinot Noir is grown from vines in the Gibbston and Lowburn sub regions of Central Otago. The wine has been made in a traditional fashion, hand harvesting followed by fermentation with natural yeasts. The wine was hand plunged up to three times daily with total time on skins an average of 21 days. The wine was matured 100% in French oak barrels, 25% new, for 10 months. Natural malolaction fermentation occurred in barrel during spring and followed by racking and light filtration.
Availability: Now - 75 stores.
13.5% vol.
Very hot on the nose. Sweet, rich and fruity. Not at all Burgundian.
Vintage Te Kahu Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2005 M&S 12.99
Winemaker and winery: Rod Easthorpe, Craggy Range.
Grape variety: 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Region: Gimblett Gravels Winegrowing District, Hawkes Bay.
Viticulture/Vinification: A single vineyard wine made with grapes grown in the stony soils of Craggy Range. The 2005 vintage was a classical vintage in Hawkes Bay and on average 69 hectolitres have been harvested per hectare. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks, and afterwards the wine was aged for 19 months in 55% new French oak barrels.
Availability: Now – 45 stores.
14% vol.
Very stinky, in a blown fruit way. Not promising. It’s really hot in the mouth and without fruit or much interest. How odd.
Château Puy Mouton St Emilion Grand Cru 2006 M&S 13.99
Winemaker and winery: Catherine Devaud-Pequignot, Château Puy Mouton.
Grape Varieties: 65% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc.
Region: Saint-Émilion.
Viticulture/Vinification: Traditional harvesting methods and treatments used for both the soil and the vines. Limestone-clay top soil, magnesium subsoil. Harvested by hand. Long malolactic fermentation in tanks. 75% is matured in oak barriques, using a progressive approach with the use of 30% Mendocino American oak barriques.
Availability: Now – 160 stores.
12.5% vol.
Almost no smell. Dry and unappealing. Perhaps with food.
Vin de Pays de l’Ardeche Gamay 2009 M&S 3.99
Winemaker and winery: Jean-Luc Chaleat, Cave de Saint Désirat.
Grape variety: 100% Gamay.
Region: Northern Rhône – south of Lyon on the right bank of the Rhône river.
Viticulture/Vinification: The grapes are from both terraced and plateaux vineyards located between the middle and northern end of the St. Joseph AC and have undergone carbonic maceration. This wine is unoaked.
Availability: 461 stores.
12% vol.
Young red Gamay nose, with something nutty. Nutty taste as well. OK, but who will buy it at this price. Who likes dry French £3.99 wine?
Gaston de Veau Rouge 2009 M&S 4.99
Winemaker and winery: Cédric Jenin, Castel Frères.
Grape variety: 50% Merlot & 50% blend cépages méditerranéens (Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan ).
Region: Languedoc.
Viticulture/Vinification: Traditional for 25% of Merlot varietals and for the rest of the blend (25% Merlot + 50% Mediterranean blend) it is a thermo-vinification: Alcoholic fermentation in liquid phase with low temperature. No ageing process.
Availability: April - 475 stores.
12.5% vol.
Very dark, moody nose. Spicy taste, but lacking acidity for me. The aftertaste is black.
Les Orris Rouge 2007 M&S 7.99
Winemaker and winery: Bernard Marty and Christian Pons, SCV les Vignerons du Château de Calce.
Grape variety: 50% Carignan Noir & 50% Grenache Noir.
Region: Calce, Roussillon, Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes.
Viticulture/Vinification: Unlike many red wines from the region, the fruit is fermented at cooler temperatures and with limited extraction of tannins. Made in a very non-interventional manner. A portion of the wine is fermented in 2-3 year-old oak barrels.
Availability: Now - 150 stores.
13.5% vol.
Stinky nose. Dry, French and savoury. Perhaps herbal. Definitely a food wine.
Old Vines Grenache Noir 2008 M&S 5.99
Winemaker and winery: Hervé Sabardeil. Vindivin.
Grape variety: 100% Grenache Noir.
Region: Corbières, Maury and vineyards across Eastern Pyrenees.
Viticulture/Vinification: Hand-picked fruit from vines aged between 25 and 100 years old. Part-fermented at 25-26°C and part at 19-20°C before assemblage. This wine is unoaked.
Availability: Now – 600 stores.
14.5% vol.
Spicy and hot nose. Dark, plummy and not as hot as expected. Not my think, but not bad. Might be good with sautéed liquorice and venison.
Crozes Hermitage Domaine Collonge 2007 M&S 10.99
Winemaker and winery: Philippe and Vincent Jaboulet, Domaine Collonge.. Grape variety: 100% Syrah. Region: Crozes Hermitage, North Rhône Valley. Viticulture/Vinification: The grapes are de-stemmed and cool fermented for two days. The fermentation takes place in concrete or stainless steel tanks and the wine benefits from regular pumping over. The wine is unoaked.
Availability: 500 stores.
13% vol.
Just a damp hint of something on the nose. Peppery and juicy Syrah. Good. Needs food and a bit more bottle age. Not much.
Mourvèdre Bonny Doon 2008 M&S 11.99
Winemaker and winery: Bonny Doon Vineyard, Randall Grahm, Santa Cruz, California.
Grape variety: 75% Mourvedre, 7% Grenache, 7% Carignane, 8% Syrah, 3% Grenache.
Region: California, Central Coast.
Viticulture/Vinification: 120+ year-old ungrafted Mourvèdre vines from the sandy soils of the Sacramento River Delta comprise the majority of the sourcing for this wine. The fruit was handpicked, cold soaked for several days then fermented using indigenous yeasts in a combination of older large French oak fermenters and 2nd fill French oak demi-muids (550l barrels). Roughly half the cooperage was neutral in character, and all was French oak, primarily sourced from coopers in the Cognac region.
Availability: April – 75 stores.
13.5% vol.
Dark, spicy nose. Dark and fruity taste. Good. I’d like to hold onto it and see what happens.
Piedmont Barbera 2009 M&S 5.49
Winemaker and winery: Claudio Manera, Araldica.
Grape variety: 100% Barbera.
Region: Piedmont.
Viticulture/Vinification: This wine is made from hand-picked grapes. Classic red fermentation at coolish temperatures. A proportion of the wine is matured in oak to add complexity.
Availability: Now - 316 stores.
13.0% vol.
Young, juicy, bright fruit on the nose and very juicy acidity. Refreshing picnic wine.
Baglio Rosso Nero d’Avola Sicilia 2008 M&S 5.99
Winemaker and winery: Angelo Molito, Canicatti, Cantina Sociale Viticultori Associati.
Grape variety: 100% Nero d’Avola.
Region: Southern Sicily.
Viticulture/Vinification: Macerated for eight days and fermented at controlled temperature in stainless steel vats. Ageing for 4-6 months in steel vats.
Availability: Now - 266 stores.
13% vol.
Very cerise/purple label. May put real men off. Pleasant savoury smell. Taste good as well. Dark fruits and spice but the alcohol is controlled. Good.
Barolo Villa Peironte 2005 M&S 20.00
Winemaker & Winery: Bruno Cordero, Terra do Vino.
Grape Variety: 100% Nebbiolo.
Region: Barolo, Piedmont.
Viticulture/Vinification: Hand harvested late October. The grapes were lightly crushed and softly pressed. Fermentation lasts for 20/25 days at 30°C. The wine is barrel aged for 24 months.
Availability: Now - 79 stores.
13.5% vol.
Heavy bottle. Typical transparent brown colour. Cracking smell. Lovely aged, evolved, slightly decaying fruit. Textbook Barolo tannins – chalky and drying. Softened, baked and beautiful taste. Savoury finish. Yum *
Valdepomares Rioja 2008 M&S 5.99
Winemaker and winery: Jean-Francois Gadeau, Lorrein S.L.
Grape variety: 100% Tempranillo.
Region: Rioja Alavesa.
Viticulture/Vinification: Traditional viticultural methods followed by classic alcoholic and malolactic fermentation with ageing for 3-4 months in French oak barrels.
Availability: May - 600 stores.
13% vol.
Pale cherry red Rioja. No oak on the nose, just juicy red fruit. Lovely taste. Juicy and refreshing. Served a little chilled – I think intentionally – which would be excellent for a picnic. The daffs are only just starting to come out and already I’m making plans.
Rioja Pago Real 2007 M&S 12.99
Winemaker and winery: Telmo Rodriguez.
Grape variety: 90% Tempranillo and 10 % Garnacha.
Region: Rioja Alavesa.
Viticulture/Vinification: The 35-50 year old bush vines are situated in the eastern and highest part of Rioja Alavesa on clay and calcareous soils. The wine is aged for twelve months in French oak barrels and foudres.
Availability: Now – 150 stores.
14% vol.
Very appealing oak on the nose, but the alcohol she burns the nostrils. Similarly the actual flavours are delicious, but there’s a burn.
20 year old Tawny Port NV M&S 29.99
Winemaker and winery: David Guimaraens, Quinta & Vineyard Bottlers.
Grape variety: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinto Cão, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca and Tinta Amarela.
Region: Douro Valley, Portugal.
Viticulture/Vinification: Grapes are grown on steep terraces with schist soils and are hand-picked. Natural yeasts convert half the sugar to alcohol, and neutral grape spirit is added to stop fermentation. The wine is aged in 550-litre old oak barrels for an average of twenty years.
Availability: Now – 204 stores.
20% vol.
Earthy with some chocolate on the nose. Rich, sweet, chocolate flavour. God, it’s wonderful. Last wine of the tasting (I changed the order, to suit my palate) and I’m not spitting. Lovely, brown sugar aftertaste, but also some liquorice, wood, earth, marmite.
Marks & Spencer Fino Sherry NV M&S 5.99
Winemaker and winery: Bodegas Williams & Humbert SAU.
Grape variety: Palomino.
Region: Jerez –Xérès-Sherry, Jerez Superior Pago Balbaina.
Viticulture/Vinification: Prime grape must is used. After controlled fermentation of the must the wine is transferred to the “criadera and solera” system where it is biologically aged under a veil of yeast (‘flor’) in 500 L. American white oak butts for an average of 3 years.
Availability:279 stores.
Very marmitey nose. Yeasty and full-flavoured. Fabulous after a row of blinding reds.
Marks & Spencer Manzanilla NV M&S 5.99
Winemaker and winery: Bodegas Williams & Humbert SAU .
Grape variety: Palomino.
Region: Jerez-Xérès-Sherry: Jerez Superior.
Viticulture/Vinification: Prime grape must is used. After controlled fermentation of the must the wine is transferred to the “criadera and solera” system where it is biologically aged under a veil of yeast (‘flor’) in 500 L. American white oak butts for an average of 3 years. This ageing takes place in Sanlúcar de Barrameda as the microclimate of the area is what lends Manzanilla its special aromatic characteristics which differentiate it slightly from Fino.
Availability: 205 stores.
15 % vol.
Very fresh and fruity nose. Like a spring day. Light, fresh and invigorating. Bloody marvellous.
Pink Port NV M&S 7.99
Winemaker and winery: David Guimaraens, Quinta da Roeda.
Grape variety: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinto Cão, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Amarela.
Region: Douro Valley, Portugal.
Viticulture/Vinification: A short pre-fermentation maceration gives a pale colour and avoids the extraction of astringent tannins. Cold settling prior to a cool fermentation in stainless steel is enhancing the freshness and elegance of the fruit.
Availability: 368 stores.
19% vol.
Nice packaging in a slim 50cl bottle. Quite a spicy nose – like baking spices. Sweet, cherry flavours, with alcohol burn, as expected. Refreshing and quite lovely.
White Port NV M&S 7.99
Winemaker and winery: David Guimaraens, Quinta da Roeda.
Grape variety: Malvasia Fina, Viozinho, Esgana Cão, Rabigato, Gouveio.
Region: Douro Valley, Portugal.
Viticulture/Vinification: A blend of indigenous white port grapes grown in the terraced vineyards surrounding the village of Pinhão. An ancient seabed is a unique feature of the region, with layers of schist in the hillsides.
Availability: 147 stores.
19% vol.
Definitely sweet, but doesn’t seem as sweet as the pink. The alcohol burns but I could do this with tonic.
I overheard someone saying this and it makes no difference to you, when buying the wine for home consumption, but does point to a professional M&S wine staff - the wines were terribly well chilled. Really, the temperature of all the wines was absolutely perfect, throughout the day. I was first to arrive and was there until 3.15 and every wine was the perfect temperature.
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yesterday, will be available on their web site, and, is there any intention to do so, while the 25% online offer is running ?