Reviews
Reviews of wines I have tried
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Duca di Castelmonte Zibibbo
I discovered this wine at the Lidl Italian and Iberian Wine Tours tasting and subsequently purchased for deeper exploration. Zibibbo, better known globally as Muscat of Alexandria is one of the oldest genetically unmodified vines in existence, a heritage that lends an intriguing depth to this wine produced by Carlo Pellegrino in Sicily. Initially, my…
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Morrisons Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
My wife recently pointed out an article in the Metro that praised Morrisons Villa Verde Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2022 wine as providing the quality of a wine that could be double or even two and a half times its modest price of £6. This piqued my curiosity, particularly because I’ve repurchased a different, slightly pricier, £7.75,…
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Wine on a P&O Cruise
I recently embarked on a short P&O cruise, primarily for a holiday rather than to scrutinise their wine offerings. However, I couldn’t help but take a few notes. The quality of wine on cruises can be unpredictable, with underqualified staff and seriously overpriced bottles due to the captive audience. However, P&O stands out from the…
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Co-op Irresistible Provence Rosé
Produced by Les Maîtres Vignerons de Vidauban wine cooperative in the Côtes de Provence, this winery has been crafting wines for over a century. The 2022 vintage has 13% alcohol by volume and is vegan-friendly. This wine is distinguished by its delicate pale pink colour. The aroma is of small red fruits complemented by subtle…
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JPR Alicante Bouschet
If you come across this particular Portuguese wine at the Coop, its modest label and unfamiliar name might not immediately catch your eye. Alicante Bouschet is a varietal developed in the late 19th century by vine breeder Henri Bouschet. Henri crossed one of his father’s hybrids with the Grenache (or Garnacha) grape, resulting in an…
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La Gioiosa et Amorosa Rosea NV
La Gioiosa et Amorosa Rosea NV was a great surprise gift at a recent dinner party, which is how I came to try this different wine. Produced by La Gioiosa, a prominent name in Italian wine known particularly for its Prosecco, this rosé variant offers a twist on the traditional. Helmed by winemaker Valerio Fuson,…
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Marques De Valido Gran Reserva Rioja
The Marques De Valido Gran Reserva Rioja 2014 comes from a family winery operated by a father, son and cousin team. This is a Gran Reserva, which is typically only made in the finest vintages and spends two years maturing in oak barrels followed by another three years in the bottle. This wine has an…
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Ángeles de Amaren
The Bodegas Ángeles de Amaren Rioja 2017 is a modern interpretation of Rioja Alavesa, consisting of a blend of 85% Tempranillo and 15% Graciano grapes. I thought I’d try this wine again having previously singled it out at a Rioja tasting, although the vintage I received via retail is 2017, rather than 2019 as was…
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Kir-Yianni Assyrtiko
The Kir-Yianni Assyrtiko 2022 from Greece is an example of the increasing popularity and distinctive character of the Assyrtiko grape, traditionally associated with the volcanic terroir of Santorini. However, under the stewardship of Stelios, the son of Yiannis who founded the Kir-Yianni winery, this particular variant is cultivated in the cooler, higher altitude vineyards of…
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Roche Lacour Crémant de Limoux
This sparkling wine captures the essence of the South of France, specifically from beneath the hills of Limoux. It is made from a blend of 60% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir and 20% Chenin Blanc and is 12.5% ABV. This 2020 vintage heralds the return of Laurent Mingaud, its original winemaker, who brings his expertise back…
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Feuerheerd’s Anchor Wine Reserva Douro
Barão de Vilar has introduced this 2020 vintage wine that intrigues from the outset, not least due to its unusual packaging. The decision to wrap the bottle in a different paper-over-glass certainly catches the eye, but this novelty might wear thin as it obscures how much wine is left. Made from a blend of Touriga…
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Sainsbury’s CVNE Rioja Gran Reserva
The 2016 vintage Gran Reserva, produced for Sainsbury’s by CVNE Winery, is a CVNE variant that stands out even among the winery’s diverse Rioja selections available at Sainsbury’s and other retailers. This particular wine is made from a blend of Tempranillo Graciano, and Mazuelo grapes hand-picked from CVNE’s own premier vineyards and is 14% ABV….
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Sainsbury’s Valpolicella Ripasso
The 2020 vintage, made from a blend of Corvina, Rondinella, Corvinone and Croatina grapes. This wine is described on the bottle as “juicy ripe cherries, rich and complex,” due to the Ripasso technique. However, my experience with this particular bottle was somewhat unexpected. While the wine is ok, Instead of the anticipated concentrated fruit notes,…
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Gran Montana Malbec
The Gran Montana Malbec 2021 is an Argentinian wine from the Familia Zuccardi Winery located in the Uco Valley, created by winemaker Ruben Rufo. This 2021 vintage has had a mixed reception on Vivino with a rating of 3.8, a dip from the winery’s historically higher 4.0 scores. This Malbec reveals bramble fruit aromas, which…
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Duca di Sasseta Primitivo IGT
This 2022 vintage wine was part of the Lidl Italian and Iberian Wine Tours tasting when it was one of my favourites. I have since purchased it and it’s as good as I remembered and I now know it also works great with (Italian) food. It has also gained a respectable 4.0 score on Vivino….
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Faustino V Reserva
Faustino V Reserva 2018 Rioja is aged for a minimum of 24 months in American oak barrels. The previous vintage was highly regarded by James Suckling, receiving a commendable score of 93, and the wine itself has been adorned with multiple accolades, including a Silver Medal from Mundus Vini, the Bacchus Award, a Gold Medal…
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Bodacious Red
This a red blend from the Tejo wine region of Portugal formerly known as Ribatejo until its rebranding in 2009, now named after the Tejo River. It’s produced by Falua Sociedade de Vinos. The blend includes Castelão, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Syrah. The wine gained a Bronze Medal at the 2023 IWSC and the…
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Cimarosa Sauvignon Blanc 2022
The Cimarosa Sauvignon Blanc 2022 from Marlborough, New Zealand, stands out in the crowded field of affordable wines, not just for its price point but also for its quality and accolades. Awarded at the Berliner Wine Trophy 2023 and scoring an impressive 90 points from the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), alongside a commendable…
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Varzea do Marão Vinho Verde Rose
The Varzea do Marão Vinho Verde Rosé 2023 is from Quinta da Calçada, a winery in the heart of the Vinho Verde region in Amarante, Portugal. Owned by the da Mota family since 1917, Quinta da Calçada stands as one of the oldest producers in the region, with a heritage of crafting high-quality still and…
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Albacore Longfin Shiraz 2021
The Albacore Longfin Shiraz 2021 is blend crafted by the Fuse Winemaking Team from grapes from McLaren Vale, Australia. Marketed as the ‘top drawer Aussie Shiraz’ that promises to surpass expectations for enthusiasts of the Albacore Shiraz, this wine certainly set a high bar for itself. It enjoys a high 4.1 rating on Vivino, indicating…
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