Reviews

  • Caliterra Tributo ‘Single Vineyard’ Carmenère

    Caliterra Tributo ‘Single Vineyard’ Carmenère

    Caliterra Tributo ‘Single Vineyard’ Carmenère 2020 is a wine that caught my attention during a Hatch Mansfield tasting, and it has been a pleasure to explore it further following subsequent purchase. Produced by Caliterra Winery, a brand owned by the Mondavi/Errazuriz partnership, this wine is a fusion of modern winemaking techniques with Chile’s rich heritage….

  • Kingscote Sparkling

    Kingscote Sparkling

    Unusually, this review of English Kingscote Sparkling begins with its price. Originally sold at £18 in Tesco, it recently became discounted to £12 and then available for a mere £9 during a special 25% off offer. But how does an Sparkling English wine, typically retailing at £20 or much more, end up at such a…

  • Diablo Deep Carmenere

    Diablo Deep Carmenere

    Diablo Deep Carmenere is a new wine from Chile’s Rapel Valley and as a big fan of Carmenere, I was tempted enough to give it a try, especially since their Diablo Black Cabernet Sauvignon is among my picks. However, I’ve always found Diablo Red too sweet, so I approached this one with a sense of…

  • Wine Atlas Jaen Dão

    Wine Atlas Jaen Dão

    The Wine Atlas Jaen Dão 2021 from Asda’s new Wine Atlas range is a great find for those seeking less familiar wines that deliver both quality and affordability. Mencía, known as Jaen in Portugal, is an indigenous grape variety originating from the western regions of the Iberian Peninsula. This medium-bodied red, with a 13% ABV,…

  • Kylie Minogue Prosecco

    Kylie Minogue Prosecco

    When my wife picked up this Kylie Minogue Prosecco, I had my doubts. Too much Prosecco DOC (not DOCG) nowadays is mass-produced, resulting in a loss of the distinctive taste it once had. I assumed this newly launched, non-Rosé Prosecco from Kylie Minogue would be just a bottle relying on celebrity branding to disguise a…

  • Two Pinot Noir

    Two Pinot Noir

    On the eve of Pinot Noir Day, we had two bottles of Pinot Noir waiting to be tasted, perfect timing for a mini tasting session. Three of us gathered, each with expectations of a light wine experience, especially given the wine variety. We decided to put them to the test not just by themselves but…

  • ASDA Extra Special Pinotage

    ASDA Extra Special Pinotage

    Having recently enjoyed this wine at an Asda press tasting, I decided to purchase a bottle to experience it in a different setting. This wine comes from South Africa. Pinotage originated in 1925 as a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut and was developed by Abraham Izak Perold, the first Professor of Viticulture at Stellenbosch…

  • Jas des Vignes Rosé Méditerranée

    Jas des Vignes Rosé Méditerranée

    This Provence-style rosé from Ravoire & Fils, a family-owned producer in the IGP Méditerranée region, is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault. The main label sits proudly at the top of the bottle, drawing attention to its shapely bottle, a hallmark of Provence-style rosé bottles. The grapes are picked at night to preserve their…

  • Los Tontos Sabios

    Los Tontos Sabios

    Los Tontos Sabios is a quirky and intriguing red ‘field blend’ crafted from organic grapes. This wine, from the La Mancha region of Spain, is a harmonious mix of native Spanish grape varieties, all grown in the same field and fermented together. The specific grapes are not disclosed, which adds an element of mystery to…

  • Mucho Mas Sparkling

    Mucho Mas Sparkling

    My wife picked up Mucho Mas Sparkling when it was on offer, demonstrating her eye for the unusual and unique. This intriguing sparkling wine, usually found on the Prosecco shelf, stands out by being Spanish rather than Italian and isn’t Cava. The Mucho Mas brand, created around 2017 by Félix Solís, one of the world’s…

  • Villa Vito Pinot Grigio

    Villa Vito Pinot Grigio

    I don’t usually buy Pinot Grigio, as most of it is mass-produced, of average quality and has a mediocre taste. However, according to Bibendum, it’s the most popular wine on trade, in hospitality venues. So, when I was recently tasked with selecting some wines for a gathering, I felt compelled to include a Pinot Grigio…

  • Rosemount Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

    Rosemount Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

    Having initially enjoyed the Rosemount Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 during a press tasting at the Asda Spring Summer Showcase, I decided to purchase a bottle to, spend more time with it and see how it fares in a different setting. To test it further, I paired it with beef and compared it side by side…

  • Marques de Los Rios Rioja Gran Reserva

    Marques de Los Rios Rioja Gran Reserva

    I picked this up on a whim mainly because it was on offer and I’m glad I did. Initially, I was slightly concerned because the cashier hit the bottle extremely hard to remove the security tag, seriously damaging the foil. However, my worries went away once I tasted it. This 2014 Rioja, with an ABV…

  • Ramón Bilbao Rosé 2023

    Ramón Bilbao Rosé 2023

    Ramón Bilbao, well-known for its presence in both Rioja and Rueda, produces this Ramón Bilbao Rosé 2023. This wine is made with the aim of reviving a classic Rioja Alta wine tradition. Winemaker Rodolfo Bastida has focused on Rioja rosados, specifically ‘clarete’, a style that has been a staple in the restaurants around his hometown…

  • El Duque De Miralta Rioja Reserva

    El Duque De Miralta Rioja Reserva

    This 2019 Rioja Reserva is made by winemaker César Fernández at El Coto. The Tempranillo grapes are sourced from the three prestigious areas of Rioja, Alavesia, Alta and Oriental, ensuring a rich and diverse flavour profile. The wine is aged for 24 months in American oak barrels, which imparts a distinct and inviting aroma of…

  • Millefiori Appasimento Veneto

    Millefiori Appasimento Veneto

    From the Veneto region, renowned for its Amarone and Valpolicella wines, the Millefiori Appassimento Veneto is a different blend of Corvina and Merlot grapes. These grapes are selected from low-yielding vineyards in Northern Italy. 60% of the harvest undergoes the traditional appassimento method, where the grapes are dried in well-ventilated lofts. This technique, commonly associated…

  • Mouton Cadet Bordeaux Reds

    Mouton Cadet Bordeaux Reds

    Mouton Cadet owes its reputation to the passion and enthusiasm of the Rothschild family. They have cultivated a legacy of winemaking over three generations. This review is a side-by-side tasting of two Mouton Cadet wines: the Mouton Cadet Classic Rouge 2021 and the Mouton Cadet Cuvée Heritage 2019. The Mouton Cadet Classic Rouge 2021, made…

  • Kew Gardens Crémant de Loire Rosé Brut

    Kew Gardens Crémant de Loire Rosé Brut

    This wine, created in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, features a beautifully designed label that captures the essence of nature. The nude cork adds a rustic charm, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal. On pouring, the wine reveals a strong mousse and an attractive blush colour. The bottle label promises berry fruit and citrus…

  • Wine Atlas Île-de-Beauté Rosé

    Wine Atlas Île-de-Beauté Rosé

    The Wine Atlas Île-de-Beauté Rosé, 2023 vintage, comes from Corsica and is produced by Vignerons D’Aghione. It features a blend of Niellucciu, Sciacarellu (20%), Syrah (10%) and Grenache (50%), with a 4-month maturation period and an 11% ABV. The wine is a IWC Bronze Medal Winner 2024 and is a new wine in the Asda…

  • Wyfold Vineyard Brut 2017

    Wyfold Vineyard Brut 2017

    Wyfold Vineyard Brut 2017 is a small release from a small site in Oxfordshire. Coming from Barbara Laithwaite CBE’s cherished two hectares of vineyards on the Chiltern Hills, this English Sparkling reflects her award-winning legacy. With accolades including a recent Gold at WineGB, a Silver Decanter Medal, and Bronze awards from both the International Wine…