100 SOME 20192019

from the Association of Educators Our 100 AWESOME WINES White under £10 5. Carpinus Hárslevelu Dry White 2017, Hungary: Lidl £7.99 A superb price for 1. Verdicchio Classico Superiore, Villa this rare . Deliciously citric aromas Bucci 2016, Marche, Italy: The Wine with pear and grapefruit notes, sweet Society (half bottle) £6.75 Villa Bucci sour flavours in a rich sappy minerally wines always have elegance, purity and style made by the Bai family – it makes a great depth of fruit. Verdicchio in the really unusual aperitif. (Rose Murray- right hands is one of Italy’s very best Brown MW) 100 great value wines as recommended by wine professionals white grape varieties. It’s softly golden in colour, dry, fresh and zingy, with white 6. Navajas Blanco Crianza, 2015, If you have ever wished you knew a little more about wine but haven’t known where peach fruit flavours. Fantastic with Spain: The Wine Society £8.50 Yes, a to start, checking out the Association of Wine Educators would be a very good place. seafood or on its own. A delicious white Rioja, and this one is as delicious bargain and organic too, it’s only as red Rioja. Huge flavour for the money, Our members are qualified to at least Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) available in the UK in half bottles, so buy you’ll need to like ; it is nutty and Diploma, several are Masters of Wine, and all have been assessed for their teaching two! (Paul Howard) toasty, with lashings of vanilla. Perfect and presenting skills. We are located all over the country, and overseas, running with creamy chicken. (Rob Price) courses, classes and tastings and you can find your most local wine educator very 2. Winemakers Selection Sauvignon easily by searching the AWE website: www.wineeducators.com Blanc 2017, Awatere, New Zealand: 7. Stellenrust 2018, South Lidl £6.99 Marlborough Sauvignon Africa: Sainsbury’s £8.50 Chenin Blanc This popular brochure, now in its fifth year, is a list of wines which our members Blanc may not be the most original is South Africa’s classic variety grown recommend to you as being some of the best value wines they have found on the choice to feature here but there is a here on old vines in the famous region of market, whether under a tenner or £25. These are wines they have enjoyed reason that it has become so popular – Stellenbosch. It is a wine of grapefruit and presenting at tastings or drinking themselves and which they believe to hit that all some of it is really good. From lime flavours working beautifully alongside important quality versus price sweet spot. Marlborough’s top sub-region, the a more tropical fruit character. One of its Awatere Valley, this is highly expressive attributes is its versatility to match with We hope that the brochure will encourage you to try different styles of wines, Sauvignon yet with above average verve many different dishes such as chicken possibly to spend a little more than you normally might, in the knowledge that a wine and energy. (Richard Bampfield MW) fricassée or pork and apple, salads and professional, who tastes hundreds of wines a year, thinks it’s pretty smart. Chinese food. Another is its propensity to 3. Grillo 2017, Sicily, Italy: Marks & slip down easily on its own. An absolute The brochure is also available online so please share it with your wine-loving friends: Spencer €11 ROI/£7 Very enjoyable steal at this price. (Laura Clay) http://wineeducators.com/100-awesome-wines/ wine at a fantastic price. Textured Laura Clay honeysuckle styling makes this 8. Picpoul de Pinet Domaine Saint-Peyre approachable to either drink on its own 2017 Côteaux du Languedoc, France: AWE Chairman or to pair it up with rich flavours such as Staintons Wines £8.95 Fresh summer a goat’s cheese or smoked bacon. fruits with floral aromas and herbaceous (Kevin Ecock) undertones. Alert, crisp and crunchy that goes perfectly with 4. Zalze Bush Vine Chenin Blanc modern cuisine. (Paul Quinn) 2017/2018, Coastal Region, South Africa: Morrisons £7.25 An excellent 9. Waitrose Foundation Chenin Blanc Charles Metcalfe “The Association of Wine Educators are an amazing example of easy-drinking New World Cederberg 2018, South Africa: bunch. They are dedicated to helping everyone find Chenin Blanc. Dry, unoaked with ripe Waitrose £8.99 A crisp, dry white to out more about wine, and get more enjoyment from tropical fruit and accents of lime zest, celebrate giving money to an extremely it. AWE members really know their winey stuff, and lemon custard and mango supported worthy cause, the Waitrose Foundation. Author, educator and are very skilled at spreading the winey word. In fact, with racy acidity. Medium-bodied, This provides grants to agricultural refreshing wine, great as an aperitif or communities for education, health care Honorary President of they are AWEsome. By the way, this is a really handy with seafood or poultry. (Patricia and many other positive projects, funded the AWE booklet of wines.” Stefanowicz MW) by some of what you pay for the wine.

2 www.wineeducators.com www.wineeducators.com 3 The come from vines over 1000 smooth. Marvellous with manchego aromas of cherries, pepper, mocha and metres in altitude, and the wine is tight, cheese. (Rob Price) rosemary. The palate is medium bodied herby and intense. It’s very young, and and very soft with a nice touch of fine 14. Côtes-du-Rhône Rive Droite, Rive I’d keep it until summer 2019. (Charles grain tannins, lively red fruit and Gauche 2017, France: The Wine Metcalfe) refreshing acidity giving balance and Society £7.75 A perfect wine all year tension. (Quentin Sadler) 10. Dourthe La Grande Cuvée Sauvignon round. A and blend that Blanc 2016/7, Bordeaux, France: is so juicy and full of fruit. The ultimate 19. Taste the Difference Zweigelt 2017, Waitrose £9.49 Fresh, crisp and dry from good value quaffable wine. Chill it in the Huber, Austria: Sainsbury’s £8 Hats off the pioneers of modern - summer with your barbeque or it’s to Sainsbury’s for continuing to making. Herby, grassy with ripe fruit and equally good as a robust match for a champion off-piste wines through their hints of grapefruit. Aromatic, with winter casserole. (Carolyn Bosworth- excellent Taste the Difference range. This satisfying depth of flavour. (Richard Esling) Davies) Zweigelt is a typical example with its bright, refreshing slightly savoury ripe 11. Château de Vallagon Touraine 15. Château Canada, Bordeaux Supérieur cherry fruit. It takes chilling so well and 2015, France: Taurus 2016, France: The Wine Society £7.95 drinks perfectly with anything from a Wines £9.99 A typical grassy, apple-y As this soft, fruity blend of 70% picnic to a barbecue, making it an ideal and herbal-toned Sauvignon Blanc with a and 30% summer red. (Pippa Hayward) subtle underlying mineral flavour. This is a demonstrates, good red Bordeaux genuine rival to many a Sancerre and at doesn’t have to be expensive. A glass or 20. Château d’Emeringes - a very good price. (David Timmons) two will enhance the simplest of meals. Villages 2017 Vieilles Vignes, France: 12. Mâcon-Villages Les Pierres Blanches, Enjoy it with richly sauced pasta, a plain The Wine Society £8.50 Beaujolais is 23. Don David, Blend of , Cave de Lugny, Bourgogne 2016, grilled chop or steak, good British back in fashion. If you don’t know where Argentina: Co-op £9 Made by one of France: Majestic £9.99 Fresh, fruity cheeses or your comfort food of the to start, start here. This is light yet the largest producers in Argentina, style, with a very gentle buttery character moment. (Sandy Leckie) intense and beautifully balanced with meaning that they can call on grapes (but there’s no new oak) so a wine which plenty of fruit and lovely minerality, doing from all the major wine regions. This 16. Exquisite Collection Marqués de everything you hope that Beaujolais- Malbec has good depth and structure is a great match for fish or pork dishes Carrión Rioja Reserva 2014, Spain: Aldi with light sauces. (Ian Symonds) Villages will do, but better, in fact better but also retains the freshness and sheer £7.99 Rioja is often a good price for a than many of the crus! (Nina Cerullo) drinkability that are the hallmarks of all Red under £10 prestige wine but rarely is it as much of a good wine. One of the best-selling bargain as this one. For well under a 21. Cabaret Frank No 2, Old Vine Cabernet 13. Marqués De Carano Gran Reservado, brands in Argentina itself. (Richard tenner you’re rewarded with an Franc 2016, Lodi, California, USA: 2014, Spain: Tesco £5.50 It may be Bampfield MW) impressive, rounded wine, silky-smooth Field & Fawcett £8.60 A for cheap, but it just slips down beautifully. with juicy cherry and vanilla flavours those times when you don’t want to take 24. Frappato di Sicilia, Nicosia 2017, Italy: Like a Rioja, but from the Cariñena perfectly padded with mouth-filling life too seriously. Medium-bodied and The Wine Society £9.95 I develop a real region that offers wines at fabulous tannins. (Laura Clay) with aromas of blackberries, black weakness for chilled, light-bodied, value. Lovely red fruits and hints of cherries and hints of plum. With bags of fragrant reds over the summer months – spice, it’s soft, satisfying and silky 17. Mon Plaisir de la Vallée flavour and very good length this wine and this one fits the bill perfectly! (Anne 2015, Vin de France: Majestic £7.99 epitomises the fun side of California. Krebiehl MW) This is a fresh and easy drinking red. (Richard Goodacre) Very refreshing with crunchy raspberry 25. Primitivo Passitivo Appassimento, 22. Morandé One to One Old Vines País Paolo Leo 2015, Italy: Jeroboams and blackcurrant aromas, with a great hit 2016, Maule Valley, Chile: Majestic £9.95 These Primitivo grapes are of acidity and a touch of spice on the £8.99 Old vines, averaging 65 years old, allowed to semi-raisin on the vine (rather finish. Great value. (Paul Quinn) make this an interesting light-bodied red than after picking) which intensifies the 18. Poggiotondo Organic Chianti 2016 with spicy blackcurrant and raspberry plump, spicy black fruit character. The DOCG Chianti Cerreto Guidi, Italy: aromas. On tasting it has juicy acidity and tannins are mellow and there is a Waitrose £7.99 A traditional blend of light tannins bringing out lots of freshness chocolate-y richness that is very 85% , 10% Canaiolo and 5% with a persistent finish. If you like appealing. Baby Amarone at a bargain Colorino, with fragrant, lifted and lively Beaujolais, you will love this. (Paul Quinn) price. (Patty Green)

4 www.wineeducators.com www.wineeducators.com 5 Rosé under £10 33. Domaine des Forges, Moulin de Gué, 37. Santa Rita Medalla Real Savennières 2014, France: Co-op 2017, Leyda Valley, Chile: Majestic 29. Côté Garrigue 2017 AOP Languedoc, £10.49 For me, the Loire in France is £11.99 This northern wine producing France: Lidl £5.99 The south of France where the Chenin Blanc grape reaches region of Chile is cooled by sea breezes produces some fantastic dry rosés, but which provide a fresh clean style of whilst those from Provence are well its zenith. From the small enclave of Chardonnay with crisp acidity. Bright, known, a short trip west to Languedoc Savennières in Anjou, a dry Chenin can age for decades. This example is riper golden in colour with vibrant aromas finds some stunning rosés at keener of citrus, apple and stone fruit. The prices. Côté Garrigue comes from the and fruitier than many rivals, without the youthful austerity of some more barrel fermentation and regular lees smallish house of Ferdinand Labarthe. stirring add weight and creaminess to A beautiful salmon pink colour, it has celebrated estates. Bone dry and with the typical smell of damp straw, plus the palate. This is a really classy elegant red fruits on the nose and a Chardonnay and sits happily alongside welcome tangerine and honey notes lovely clean bite. Perfect with a wide many AC Burgundy wines. (Linda from botrytis. Full bodied with zingy range of foods including lightly-spiced Simpson) curries. (Dr Gareth Morgan) acidity and mineral notes. Irresistible at this price and vegan too. (Paul Howard) 38. Davy’s White Burgundy, Domaine 30. Porcupine Ridge Rosé 2018, Swartland, Chêne NV, France: www.davy.co.uk 34. Villa Flora Lugana 2017 Zenato South Africa: Waitrose Wine £7.99 For £12.95 From a single domaine in the 26. Teroldego Rotaliano Riserva Castel me, this wine is particularly attractive as it Peschiera del Garda, Italy: Waitrose south of the Mâcon district with riper fruit Firmian Mezzacorona 2013, Italy: The is one of the first 2018 wines available, £10.99 The nose of this wine is than the norm from extended hang-time. Wine Society £9.95 This wine punches which will keep it fresh and lively understated, taut and delicately fruity Silky smooth, lightly creamy Chardonnay well above its price point and offers an throughout 2019. A blend of Syrah for with wafts of light white peach, apricot flecked with mineral notes and roasted alternative to the more well-known Italian strength and acidity with Cinsault for red- and blossom. There are herbs and nuts nut richness. A cut above most Mâcon. varieties and regions. From Trentino in fruited charm. (Gilbert Winfield) too, as well as straw and a tight, stony (Patty Green) North East Italy it displays bright cherry quality. The palate is reasonably full with 31. Ramon Bilbao El Viaje Rosé 2017, fruit and subtle spice, a perfect everyday some texture and even a hint of cream. A 39. Dr Loosen Graacher Himmelreich Rioja, Spain: Co-op £8 There’s a lot of Kabinett 2016 Mosel, red for your pizza. (Lydia Harrison) delicious wine that goes with all manner forgettable rosé around, but this is a real Germany: Sainsbury’s £13 Riesling’s 27. Syrah, Paul Jaboulet Aîné 2017, of light dishes, fish, chicken or whatever delight from Rioja. It’s made from homeland is Germany where it makes France: Majestic £9.99 I love a wine takes your fancy. (Quentin Sadler) Garnacha (the original version of many styles of wine. The Mosel offers with a story and pedigree and this wine southern France’s Grenache Noir), 35. Dashwood Marlborough some of the best soils and climate for it. has both, coming from a long-standing fashionably pale in colour, and packed 2017, New Zealand: Templeton Direct This style is light, delicate, minerally and family business which goes back to the with fresh, juicy fragrance. It has crisp early nineteenth century and includes £11.29 Embracing a flavour profile acidity and lovely delicate, red fruit great wines such as La Chapelle 1961, across apple and citrus, and backed flavours, truly a pink to purr over when yet here is a taste of classic Syrah for with subtle aromatic spice, this wine has the summer sun arrives. (Charles under £10! Typical Syrah characters of crystalline purity and presence in the Metcalfe) blackcurrant and liquorice with subtle glass. This virtuous Kiwi Pinot Gris also wild shrub characters and pepper. White £10-25 proves itself a star as a food match, What’s not to love! (Linda Simpson) particularly alongside Chinese/Asian 32. Tblvino Qvevris 2015, Georgia, Marks dishes. (John Ducker) 28. Domaine les Roches Bleues, Côte de & Spencer £10/bottle (case of 6 online) Brouilly 2016, Beaujolais, France: If you want to experiment with the 36. McManis Family Lodi Viognier, Askew Wines £9.99 The grape trend but don’t want any California 2016, USA: The Wine creates a fresh, crisp and fruity red wine flavours that are too unusual this is a Society £11.50 A rich, round mouthful of and this is a typical example of the great option. Made in the traditional flavours backed up with balancing modern improved style from Beaujolais. Qvevri (clay amphora) with skin contact acidity. A wine dominated by lovely ripe An ideal wine served chilled for summer this more deeply coloured white has apricot flavours, with a touch of spice picnics or it can be paired with poultry quince fruit flavours with a lovely texture. and fragrance. A Viognier with the WOW and fruity sauces. (Vivienne Franks) A great food wine. (Lydia Harrison) factor. (Helen Duddridge)

6 www.wineeducators.com www.wineeducators.com 7 floral. The slight sweetness, combined simply savour its delicious complexity on plots of vines cling to the steep slopes of aroma and a smoky finish. Enjoy with with racy acidity, makes this a good its own. (Carolyn Bosworth-Davies) the River Sil, and Dominio do Bibei is charcuterie, or Netflix. (Heather accompaniment to rich, oily/fatty foods one of the very best bodegas here. The Dougherty) 44. Soalheiro Classic Alvarinho 2017, like soft cheeses and dishes with spicy blend is mostly Godello with a bit of Vinho Verde, Portugal: The Wine 51. Koyle ‘El Peuco’ Alto Colchagua ingredients. (John Callow) Albariño and Dona Blanca. The wine has Society £16.50 A fabulous example of -Mourvèdre 2014, Chile: a beguilingly rich texture with layers of 40. Rüdesheimer Magdalenenkreuz varietal Alvarinho from the top producer The Wine Society £11.50 Silky, spicy quince, apple and stone fruit flavours, Riesling Kabinett 2017, Weingut Leitz, in northern Vinho Verde in the most and seductive. An attack of dark red while a very Galician thread of acidity Germany: Waitrose £13.99 A textbook northerly of Portugal. Lovely fruits, mocha coffee and well integrated and minerality keeps the tension Rheingau Kabinett which I use regularly pure fragrance with floral notes, limey oak last on the palate for some time. El perfectly. (Pippa Hayward) for teaching. Trouble is, I can never resist minerality, crisp, zingy and dry, well Peuco is a Harris Hawk and an a second bottle just for me. Intense rounded with impressive long length. It Red £10-£25 appropriate name for a wine that soars lemon and honey aromas and a perfect can age surprisingly well too if you tuck and persists. Very good value for money. 49. The Society’s Exhibition Pinotage balance of ripe fruit and mouth-watering a few bottles away in the cellar for a few (Richard Goodacre) 2015, Stellenbosch, South Africa: The acidity. (Helen Savage) years. (Rose Murray-Brown MW) Wine Society £10.50 This is a very bold 52. Wild Flower 2017, Cramele 41. Old Vine Auxerrois, Domaine Paul 45. Mac Forbes RS19 Strathbogie Ranges example of this grape with baked red Recas, : O’Briens Wines Blanck, 2016, Alsace, France: Riesling 2017, Australia: The Wine plum flavours backed up with leathery, Ireland €13.95 An inexpensive Pinot Noir Waitrose £14.99 Although a fair Society £17 A brilliantly pure Riesling with smoky overtones. A robust wine to that actually tastes like Pinot Noir. Light amount of Auxerrois is grown in tonnes of sharp citrus fruit and aromatic partner strong flavours and an ideal ruby colour, full ripe red berry bouquet Alsace, most of it is either blended floral notes, beautifully balanced with just representation for students learning tinged with an edge of balsam and ripe with Pinot Blanc or used to make a touch of this wine is immediately about wine. (Helen Duddridge) tomato. Fine, well-balanced juice-filled . Straight Auxerrois is enjoyable but could also age. One for a palate. (Kevin Ecock) 50. Domaine de la Noblaie Chinon ‘Le a bit of a rarity. Just off dry with soft perfect summer’s day and sharing with Temps des Cerises’ 2017 , 53. Diablo Dark Red 2015 Chile: peachy fruit, zesty citrus peel and good friends! (Lydia Harrison) a hint of spice, this is a great example. France: The Wine Society £10.95 This Sainsbury’s £12 This is Concha y Toro’s Drink well chilled as an aperitif or 46. Grüner Veltliner Der Ott 2016, Bernhard is an absolute cracker. 100% Cabernet star wine – an unusual concentrated enjoy with crab, prawns, fish or white Ott, Wagram, Austria: Savage Selection Franc from the Loire Valley, unoaked to blend of beautiful, ripe almost port-like meat in creamy sauces or hard £19.80 A beautifully fresh, lively, textbook let the exuberant, juicy raspberry and Syrah and also Malbec which adds a cheeses. (Sandy Leckie) expression of Grüner Veltliner. Focused cherry fruit shine, it has just a hint of the touch of rich, ripe plums. An absolutely stone fruit flavours and real vitality on the classic Cabernet Franc pencil shaving delicious wine ready to drink right away 42. Chafor Estate Bacchus 2016/2017, palate, finishing with very good length. Buckinghamshire, England: From the The 2016 was not an easy year in Austria and Waitrose £14.99 Elegant, but this wine shows genuine style and this wine shows the purity and crisp elegance. (Nancy Gilchrist MW) acidity of the Bacchus variety. Like a gentler version of Sauvignon Blanc with 47. Trinity Hill ‘Gimblett Gravels’ lime and greengage aromas and flavours Marsanne/Viognier 2016, New Zealand: and overtones of elderflower and English nzhouseofwine.co.uk £20.99 Silky flower garden. A very pretty wine, texture and succulent stone fruit perfect as an aperitif or with lighter opulence flecked with exotic jasmine dishes. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW) makes this Kiwi ‘Rhône Ranger’ stand out. Super stylish and with curves that 43. Grenache Gris Côtes Catalanes 2015 will man up to richer dishes. Treat Domaine Jones, France: The Wine yourself! (Patty Green) Society £16 A rich full-bodied white wine from old vineyards in Roussillon. 48. Lapola Dominio do Bibei, 2015 Ribeira This is a match for food with its dry and Sacra, Galicia, Spain: The Good Wine herbal notes and its good depth of Shop £21 From Ribeira Sacra, one of flavour and really long finish. Or you can Galicia’s inland wine regions where tiny

8 www.wineeducators.com www.wineeducators.com 9 or in a few years’ time, if preferred. 59. Autòcton Vinyes Velles, /Ull de 63. Moss Wood Amy’s Blend 2016, (Trudy Welsh) Llebre 2015, Catalonia, Spain: Lea and Margaret River, Australia: Waitrose Sandeman £15.25 Quite a mouthful to Cellar £16.49 This wine is a blend of 54. Château Le Coin, Bordeaux Rouge pronounce and a gorgeous mouthful to Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, 2016/17 France: Laithwaites £12.49 A taste! This is a blend of Tempranillo Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot). The really lovely Merlot-based claret with (masquerading as Ull de Llebre in palate is rich and velvety with hints of ripe, plummy fruit, a hint of cassis and Catalonia) with the local Sumoll grape. It’s blackcurrants and plums. A stunning just the right amount of silky smooth, a brilliant expression of all that is good wine ready to drink now but equally, ripe tannins. Made to drink young but about New Spain reds with its focus on there’s no rush. (Trudy Welsh) with the ability to age, too. (Trudy Welsh) variety and vineyards – beautiful, cool, red 64. Cerasuolo di Vittoria 2016, Planeta, 55. Mondeuse Domaine de l’Idylle, Tiollier fruit with mulberry and plums, fresh and Sicily, Italy: Great Western Wines £16.75 2016 Savoie, France: Yapp Brothers elegant with very gentle tannins yet intense Unusual Sicilian wine from the native Nero £13.75 French alpine freshness from and satisfying. Drink with lamb or roast d’Avola and Frappato grapes: spicy black 68. La Lus Albarossa 2015 DOC Haute-Savoie in a lighter-style sappy red autumnal root vegetables with herbs and fruit from the Nero d’Avola, with intriguing Castello Banfi Italy: Noel Young Wines wine apt to be enjoyed slightly chilled, some light goat cheese. (Pippa Hayward) wild strawberry and pomegranate alongside a fondue, raclette or even £18.99 This is 100% Albarossa, one of 60. Fitou Domaine Jones 2015, France: flavours from the Frappato grown in pasta. Dark in colour though translucent, only four such wines in the world, aged The Wine Society £15.50 Languedoc- Sicily’s volcanic soils. (Gilbert Winfield) Mondeuse has distinctive hedgerow-berry for 12 months in French oak barriques. Roussillon by way of Ashby-de-la-Zouch fruit characteristics with the same style 65. Bessa Valley , Enira Reserve Oh my, this is an enticing wine with a from the award-winning Katie Jones. and weight some associate with Cabernet 2013, Thracian Valley, : beautifully opaque plum colour, lifted Fast becoming quite the cult classic, this Franc wines from the Loire. (John Ducker) www.theoldcellar.com £16.95 A aromas of cherries, plums and Grenache-based blend is all untamed delicious blend of Petit Verdot, Syrah, redcurrant. The palate is seductively soft, 56. Ritual Pinot Noir 2015, Casablanca, bramble fruits, spice and wild herb Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, which velvety smooth and round with lovely Chile: Oddbins and Slaley Village Shop flavours. Packing a deceptive jab rather shows real potential from an up-and- weight of concentrated fruit making it £14.50 The best Chilean Pinot I’ve than a punch, the grapes come from coming region. Intense full-bodied and full-flavoured, but the tasted – rich, mouth-filling black and gnarled old vines which give as much in black fruit with rich complexity and freshness really shines through making it bitter cherry fruit balanced by silky the way of elegance as they do boldness balance, a great find. (Vivienne Franks) feel lively and balanced. The tannins are tannins and just enough acidity. It’s a of flavour. (Deborah Zbinden) sinfully soft and the whole thing is utterly, 66. Rustenberg Buzzard Kloof Syrah bargain. (Helen Savage) utterly delicious. (Quentin Sadler) 61. Chateau Ste Michelle Columbia Valley, Stellenbosch, 2015 South Africa: Lea & 57. Medici Riccardi Carmignano DOCG Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, USA: Sandeman £17.25 Loads of brambly, 69. Canace Nero di Troia 2014 Cantina 2015, Italy: Lidl Ireland €16.99 A well- Hailsham Cellars £15.50 This was an blackberry fruit with toasty oak; on the Diomede, Italy: Luvians, St Andrews; priced powerhouse of rich, soft, ideal year in eastern Washington for palate savoury black fruit, firm tannins, Valvona & Crolla, Edinburgh; Fine Wine generous and exciting fruit. This is a growing Cabernet Sauvignon. This is an and a long, peppery finish. The quality of Company £19.99-£23.99 With dried structured wine supporting a great blend inviting wine from one of the State’s possibly South Africa’s greatest ever grapes added to the blend here, the of Tuscan fruits that combine really well most respected winemakers. There is shines through. A perfect match result is delicious rich and raisiny with a in a long finish, rich with mature tannins plenty of complexity and structure with for venison or beef. (Christos Ioannou) glycerol feel. Black-fruited dense sweet and layers of interest. Super to see it silky tannins. (David Timmons) powerful red with coffee, liquorice notes 67. Touriga Vai Nua Fitapreta Alentejo, widely available. (Kevin Ecock) and a luscious mouthfeel – just a 62. Don Guerino ‘Vintage’ Malbec 2016, 2017 Portugal: Swig £17.50 Made from gorgeous wine which is always a winner 58. Domaine la Cabotte Côtes du Rhône Brazil: www.gobrazilwines.com £16 one of Portugal’s most revered red Port at tastings. Made from 85% Nero di Villages Massif d’Uchaux 2016, France: Malbec from Brazil? Yes and this is very grapes and produced in the south on Troia with 15% Aglianico in north central Virgin Wines £14.99 This organic and good – fragrant with dark fruit, rocky schistous soils in the Alentejo. Full Puglia and matured for 12 months in is a classic blend of raspberries, spice and savoury oak (it of crunchy red fruits and without any French oak. (Rose Murray-Brown MW) 50% Grenache with the rest Syrah and spends around six months in French and oak. It has lifted floral notes and Mourvèdre. The purity and density of American oak). It’s full, very smooth with minerality, and at the same time is 70. Côtes de Nuits-Villages Nicolas Potel, fruit is a delight, and, coupled with the plum and under lying raspberry and red vibrant and thirst quenching. If you like Bourgogne, 2016, France: Majestic freshness of the 2016 vintage, it’s a real cherry flavours, soft tannins and subtle Rhône wines you will love this! (Carolyn £19.99 Lovely elegant Pinot, a great charmer. (Heather Dougherty) oak. (Carol Brown) Bosworth-Davies) example of how light a Bourgogne can

10 www.wineeducators.com www.wineeducators.com 11 74. Leeuwin Estate Prelude Cabernet Rosé £10-£25 82. Graham Beck Brut NV, South Africa: Merlot 2012, Australia: Wine Direct Waitrose £14.99 This blend of pretty 78. Mirabeau Classic Rosé 2017, Côtes de £22.95 Leeuwin Estate is one of the much 50/50 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay Provence, France: Waitrose £10.99 founding in the now famous is a consistently good value sparkling Made from Grenache and Syrah grapes, Margaret River district in Western wine, year in year out. It’s made by the wine has a very pale peach-pink Australia. The blend here is 77% the ‘Méthode Cap Classique’, i.e. the colour. Dry, refined, light bodied with Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and same way as , and offers aromas of wild strawberry and raspberry 4% Malbec. A concentrated and dense some of the same yeasty, biscuity continuing onto the palate, framed by bouquet with rich layers of ripe currants, charms, alongside the apple-citrus lively acidity, lingering finish. Perfect with dark cherries and plums. Immense fruit. (Heather Dougherty) seafood or salads. (Patricia Stefanowicz length with silky fine tannins. (David MW) 83. Tesco Finest Franciacorta DOCG Timmons) Brut, Lombardy, Italy: Tesco £15 79. Mirabeau Pure Rosé, Côtes de 75. CVNE Imperial Rioja Reserva 2014, Strict grape selection process, gentle Provence 2017, France: Waitrose Spain: Co-op, Waitrose, Majestic, and a minimum of 18 months £13.99 This classic Rosé is made by be in colour yet with how much fruit Morrisons £23-£25 Tempranillo- on lees, give this wine balance and British ex-pats from 60% Grenache and flavour and a nice touch of tannin. dominated with Graciano and Mazuelo in structure. On the palate the flavours 40% Syrah. A pink-salmon colour that Superb value for such a well-crafted the blend too, this Rioja Reserva spends are bright, ripe citrus fruit and brioche has the satin-textured mouthfeel so wine. (Ian Symonds) two years in French and American oak with a fabulously dry finish. A top typical of a Provençal pink. Some grassy and then another two years in bottle Italian sparkling fit for any celebration 71. Bóhorquez, 2009, and herby aromas are mixed in with red before release. So vibrant with cherry, or to enjoy with seafood. (Linda Spain: The Wine Society £20 Stop-you- fruits, and there’s a tropical hint too. A berry, spice and vanilla scents. In the Simpson) in-your-tracks aromas of fresh black charming wine that’s good at any time of mouth it’s soft and so well-balanced with fruits, tobacco smoke and spice, this year, whether served as an apéritif or 84. Montlouis-sur-Loire, Domaine des long lingering flavours of dark berries, fully mature 2009 Ribera del Duero has with food. (Paul Howard) Liards Brut, Berger Frères, France: the concentrated depth of flavour and brambles and spice. (Carol Brown) Yapp Brothers £16.25 I love this classy, weight to be expected from this part of 76. Les Mesjeans 2013, Jean-Luc Sparkling organic, Loire fizz, with its toasty green Spain but with refreshing acidity that lifts Colombo, Cornas, France: Waitrose 80. Waitrose Brut Castillo Perelada, apple aromas, linear acidity and dry, elegant finish. Champagne apart, it’s my and carries the dark juicy flavours to a £24.99 Pure, perfumed, black pepper Spain: Waitrose £9.99 Good Cava can favourite sparkling wine by a country long lingering finish. (David Harker) aromas and really, really fine silky be such great value and this is a real go- mile. (Helen Savage) 72. Cline ‘Ancient Vines’ Mourvèdre 2015, tannins; particularly extraordinary for to as an affordable option for fizz. Made Contra Costa County, California, USA: Cornas. This is the most gorgeously from the traditional Cava trio of Xarel-lo, WoodWinters £20 This was a favourite correct Syrah from a very small vintage and Parellada this is bright, at a recent Aberdeen Wine Appreciators in the northern Rhône. Super elegant lifted and bursting with citrus flavours meeting. Rich fruit cake and warm spice wine. (Nancy Gilchrist MW) and nutty characters. Invaluable as a aromas link into a rich glassful. This really standby rack-filler for those occasions 77. Petit Verdot Quinta da Romaneira 2015 ripe Mourvèdre has raisin and liquorice when only bubbles will do! (Deborah Douro, Portugal: Lea & Sandeman notes, balanced oak and tannins with a Zbinden) £25.25 (£22.75 as part of a case of 12) lingering finish. (Carol Brown) An ‘understudy’ grape comes into the 81. Juve y Camps Seleccion Reserva 73. Julian Reynolds Grande Reserva 2008, limelight. Here’s a rich, dense Vintage Cava 2016, Spain: Waitrose Portugal: Wright Wine Co Skipton £22 cornucopia of earthy, brambly, tobacco £11.99 Cava seems to be getting Deep colour with black fruit on the nose. and herbal scents followed by complex squeezed between and Elegant but powerful, exhibiting sweet flavours of spiced ripe cherry and Champagne, which is a real pity, black fruit with a long finish. Capable of blackberry on the palate. Beautifully because this one is as good as any fizz ageing. This is a blend of Alicante structured, with balancing acidity and you can buy. Made by a family business, Bouschet with Syrah and Cabernet length aplenty, this is a class act from all handmade, it’s fruity and refreshing Sauvignon. A delightful wine worth one of Portugal’s oldest quintas. (John but with some richness on the palate. seeking out. (Brian Davis) Ducker) Simply sit back and enjoy! (Rob Price)

12 www.wineeducators.com www.wineeducators.com 13 85. Champagne Les Pionniers Brut NV, 90. Champagne AR Lenoble Brut Intense 94. Barbadillo Solear , Spain: layers, this takes sweetness to the France: Co-op £18.99 Outstanding Mag 14, France: Stannary St Wine Co Waitrose £9.29 is such an extreme. Perfect for the classic pour Champagne that genuinely tastes like (when bought as a case of 6) £32.32 underrated wine style. I love the way this over ice cream but well worth a parking that cost twice the price. A The brother and sister team, Anne and bone dry wine with its intense salty tang space in the fridge door ready for when consistent award winner at blind tastings Antoine Malassagne at AR Lenoble are just slaps your taste buds into the mood takes you. (Deborah Zbinden) showing depth of flavour, balance and, constantly innovating to produce action immediately you taste it. Fabulous above all, it’s highly moreish. (Richard wonderful wines. This is the first release as an aperitif, to enliven your palate and Sake Bampfield MW) of their Mag Intense, designed to get all your juices running before a meal. 99. Brewer’s Perfection, Japan: This fresh dry wine has a unique 86. Special Reserve Brut Vintage preserve all the freshness of a great sakestore.co.uk £20 Winner of the personality in what can sometimes be a Champagne 2007, France: Waitrose Champagne. It is bright with enough International Wine Challenge Futsushu rather bland wine world. And all this for £25.99 This rich creamy Chardonnay- complexity to make you sit up and pay trophy 2016 and 2017. This humble under a tenner! (Lindsay Oram) based Champagne with both Pinot Noir attention. Great value for such a futsushu is just a gem of a sake with and Pinot Meunier in the blend, is an beautiful wine. (Wendy Narby) 95. Gonzalez Byass Viña AB Amontillado melon and pear flavours and so elegant and flavoursome sparkling wine 91. Nyetimber Classic Cuvée, England – Seco, Spain: Soho Wine Supply £14.50 refreshing. Well-balanced and seriously which is both a great aperitif wine and an widely distributed, Waitrose (if you buy A stylish, classy, 12 year old dry sherry. delicious. Still one of my favourite sakes excellent accompaniment to a six) £32.99 The name is apt: it’s become Hints of oak, a salty tang, with in the world both price wise and food celebratory dinner. (Vivienne Franks) a classic with its creamy freshness. underlying dried fruit. Pale amber colour, matching wise. (Marie Cheong-Thong) medium bodied, almonds and hazelnuts, 87. Champagne de Barfontarc Brut Blanc (Anne Krebiehl MW) 100.Tatenokawa 50 ‘Stream’, Japan: with a long, dry finish. (Richard Esling) de Noirs, France: Olivers Beer and Wine Sweet Wine Tengusake tengusake.com £30 Winner £26.50 Tremendous value Champagne 96. Pedro’s Almacenista Selection of a Gold Award at the 2015 and 2016 from the Côte des Bar sub-region, this is 92. The Society’s Exhibition Oloroso, Spain: Majestic £14.99 For a Fine Sake Awards, this junmai daiginjo 100% Pinot Noir, showing brioche on the 2015, France: The Wine Society £20 sherry lover, no selection could be was created to appeal to white wine nose from four years ageing and the use Rich deep gold colour with great complete without one of these fortified lovers. Using local dewasansan rice of six-year-old reserve wines. Sophistica- intensity of complex flavours. Packed beauties from the south of Spain. This is Tatenokawa have strived to make a tion and depth at an unbelievable price with honey, saffron, apricot and a wine sourced from an almacenista, semi-sweet, lighter style of sake. A fresh for the quality. (Richard Esling) candied citrus. Really sexy and lush someone who keeps a stock of barrels fruity fragrance is perfectly balanced by texture and a long, long finish. The of sherry, maybe for himself and his 88. Hambledon Classic Cuvée NV, the subtle flavour and structure. (Marie combination of opulent sweetness and friends, maybe for sale. This is a Hampshire, England: Ministry of Cheong-Thong) razor acidity make this wine great with delicious dry oloroso, with aromas of Drinks/WineTrust 100 £28 A wonderful blue cheeses, pâté and desserts, but I caramel, toffee and wood, elegant and example of English sparkling wine with just love it on its own and on my own. lighter in style than the rich bouquet aromas of brioche, baked apples and (Lindsay Oram) suggests. (Charles Metcalfe) red berries. On the palate, broad and rich with a touch of yeastiness and fine Fortified 97. Leacock’s Saint John Full Rich balance. Tasted blind this has fooled me 93. Taste the Difference 12-Year-Old Pedro Madeira: Great Wines Direct £16.92 A more than once in thinking that it was Ximénez Sherry, Spain: Sainsbury’s £8 fully mature aged wine with exotic fruit Champagne! (Christos Ioannou) Made by allowing the grapes to over cake, molasses, roasted nuts, candied fruits, all refreshed by tangy, salty 89. Champagne Castelnau, Brut Réserve, ripen on the vine, then drying them Atlantic freshness. Christmas in a glass! France: The Wine Society £28 A under the scorching hot summer sun. (Gilbert Winfield) Champagne that delivers so much in One of the sweetest wines on Earth! Photo © Marie Cheong-Thong flavour and class that it tastes much This sticky, sweet sherry is great with 98. Hidalgo Triana Pedro Ximénez, Spain: more expensive than it is. The extra dessert or blue cheese. Flavours of Majestic £16.99 Drop for syrupy drop, ageing this wine is given brings out a raisins, dried figs and prune, walnut, could this be the best value wine toasty maturity which stands well coffee and dark chocolate. Can be around? Who needs cake when you’ve alongside its uplifting zestiness. A real served over vanilla ice cream, got caramel, mocha and nuts all in one pleasure to drink as an aperitif or with all traditionally with a shot of espresso. place with just a sip of this -aged sorts of dishes. (Laura Clay) (John Callow) treat? Densely concentrated with silky

14 www.wineeducators.com www.wineeducators.com 15 Contact a local AWE member: Contacting AWE The AWE has members in most regions of the UK, and increasingly in other parts of the world. Further information about the association, all its members and how to book a can be obtained either at the AWE website, or through the AWE Administrator, Andrea Warren. • www.wineeducators.com • 00 44 (0)1753 882320 • [email protected]

The AWE has taken all reasonable steps to check the accuracy of the information contained in this brochure at the time of going to print. January 2019.

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