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Producer Details

 

Adria Vini

 

A joint winemaking venture owned by Boutinot and Araldica Vini Piemontesi, the leading co-operative in northwest Italy. Adria Vini produces wines from mature, low yielding vineyards in southern Italy, the source of some of Europe's most undervalued and characterful wines.

 

Agricola Castellana

 

The wine is made with 100% Verdejo grapes over 30 years old. These vines are grown in gravel, in goblet shape, and are low in production. The colour of the wine is brilliant lemon yellow with flashes of green. The bouquet of the wine is clean, powerful and fresh, very typical of the variety: aromas of stone-fruits (peach) with a backdrop of fennel. The wine is full in the mouth, big and oily, with hints of white fruit .

 

Alan McCorkindale

 

With the experience of working for Corbans in Marlborough, McWilliams in the Hunter Valley, Pipers Brook in Tasmania, Cooks/McWilliams in Hawke’s Bay and a stint in Alsace and Germany all under his belt, Alan McCorkindale decided it was time to pursue his passion for aromatic wines. He and his wife Mary, own 17 hectares on a Waipara hillside which they bought in 1995. Currently only 2.5 hectares are given to vines and the rest of his fruit comes from local growers and growers in Marlborough. His choice of location rested on limestone-based soils which drain well and also impart a mineral character to his wines. In addition the light intensity and length of days in North Canterbury give greater levels of sunlight enabling the fruit to ripen. Although he is a small producer (about 10,000 cases) McCorkindale’s wines have won many awards and accolades.

 

Alejandro Fernandez

 

Pesquera del Duero in the region of Ribera del Duero is one of Spain’s fastest developing wine regions. Its most famous wine is Vega Sicilia Unico Reserva but winemaker Alejandro Fernandez has brought additional fame to the area with a more modestly priced wine – Pesquera. He has won the admiration of many and no less a worthy than Robert Parker, Jr has described his winemaking style as having “. . . remarkable depth and richness, and a texture that is not unlike a top-notch Ponerol”. Praise indeed!

 

Allesverloren

 

The history of the estate dates back to between 1696 and 1704, when the governor of the Cape left it to a certain widow named Cloete. This courageous woman was one of the first settlers who ventured into the inhospitable Swartland region. The early settlers were simple people, with only the most limited agricultural equipment and basic necessities to support themselves. In order to purchase tools or attend church, they had to undertake a long and arduous wagon journey along primitive roads to Stellenbosch. It was on their return from one such journey in 1704 that the settlers found their house burnt to the ground and the farm destroyed. Hence the estate's sad name, “Allesverloren”, which means “all is lost”. However, with curious irony, the fate of Allesverloren has since been an unusually happy one. By 1806, Allesverloren's owners had already harvested the estate's first wines, and since the estate passed into the hands of the Malan family in 1872, Allesverloren has gone from strength to strength. The estate has increased to 227 hectares and is still making wines of renown.

 

Alpha Zeta

 

This Italian range of wines is made by Matt Thomson, a winemaker from New Zealand. Matt has a proven reputation as a consultant winemaker with over 17 vintages in New Zealand and Italy and experience from a number of well known wine labels which he also consults for. His philosophy is to allow the vineyards to express themselves. A significant fact in the tremendous quality of the Alpha Zeta range of wine he makes in Italy is his success in convincing doubtful Italian growers to reduce their yields in the vineyard and also to pick later.

 

Araldica

 

The Araldica group of companies is a major force in wine growing, production and distribution based in the Piemonte region of northwest Italy. Thanks to the combination of a modern attitude towards production and marketing with a commitment to producing wines that are identifiably Piemontese, the group enjoys ever-growing international success.

 

Bodega Pago de Carrovejas

 

Year on year the wine from this small producer has just got better and better. The vineyard is in the Ribera del Duero, on a south-facing hillside protected from the cold north winds and receives the benefit of as much sun as possible, essential for the ripening of the Cabernet Sauvignon which comprises about a quarter of the vineyard. The winery is built on the side of the hill and uses gravity feed for grapes and wines. As they fall, the grapes are split, not crushed, and fermentation starts naturally. After fermentation is complete, the free-run juice is emptied and the grapes are then pressed, yielding a further much darker wine useful for blending. The wine is aged in a variety of French and American oaks. It has unbelievably pure fruit characteristics, intense purple colours and balanced tannins.

 

Bodegas Lurton

 

This wine is made from grapes grown in the cooler climate of the Casablanca region which helps it to retain its freshness. Quite plump, with lemon zest, straw and honeysuckle flavors and a rich finish. Stays fresh despite a richer-than-usual Sauvignon Blanc profile. 2005 Gran Araucano Sauvignon Blanc

 

Bodegas Piqueras

 

Bodegas Piqueras, the driving force behind the creation of the DO Almansa, was founded in 1915 by Mario Bonete. Bottling began in 1961, followed by a successful export market. His son, Juan Pablo Bonete, who studied oenology and worked closely alongside his father, eventually took over as the energetic, young proprietor and winemaker, assisted by his brother Angel - their only objective being to produce eminent wines in limited quantities. Piqueras has 190 hectares of its own vineyards and another 500 hectares contracted from growers. In 2002, they moved into a modern, immaculate, purpose-built bodega in Almansa designed and equipped to produce top quality, exciting wines.

 

Bodegas Santa Eulalia

 

Bodega Santa Eulalia was founded in 1950 by Teofilo Reyes, who went on to achieve lasting fame with Pesquera and then his own bodega. Santa Eulalia was bought by the Frutos Villar family who had an established negociants and wine-making business of about 100years. The contrasting temperatures of cold nights and mornings and very hot days enable the grapes to produce thick skins, rich in tannins and polyphenols (colouring pigment) that are imparted to the wine during maceration and pressing. Aged in American oak for 1 year and in bottle for a further year prior to release enables the wine to be called Crianza.

 

Bodegas Vega Sicilia

 

Spain's first growth. Like all great wines, Vega Sicilia begins in the vineyard. The Tempranillo is trained in gobelet fashion, whereas the French varieties of Cabernet, Malbec and Merlot are trained in a Guyot system. Although there is great respect for tradition at Vega Sicilia, there is also innovation. Most notably, the purchase of the nearby Alion estate so that Vega Sicilia could also produce a high quality wine for drinking young, without detracting from the fruit supply for Unico.

 

Bollinger

 

Bollinger was founded in 1829 as a partnership between Jacques Joseph Placide Bollinger and Amiral Comte Athanase Louis Emmanuel de Villermont and Paul-Josephe Renaudin and was first called Champagne Renaudin, Bollinger et Cie. Jacques married de Villermont’s daughter, Louise Charlotte thus consolidating his hold on the company. Jacques had a Grandson (also called Jacques) and when Grandson Jacques died his wife Elizabeth Law (Lily) Bollinger took over and for 40 years until her death in 1977 she ran the concern and became a familiar figure in the vineyards on both foot and bicycle! Under Lily, Bollinger prospered and perhaps this was due in part to her insistence on retaining the unusual Bollinger style which marries a core of Pinot Noir with a proportion of the wine fermented in barrel. The blend is generally 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, and 15% Pinot Meunier and 5 to 10% of reserve wines are incorporated into the blend for continuity of style. It is matured in Bollinger's cellars for a minimum of three years far longer than the minimum requirements of the Champagne Appellation. It gives the wines the necessary time to achieve balance and liberates a full range of aromas.

 

Bonhomme

 

This 15 hectare domaine is owned by François Bonhomme and is planted solely with 'Melon', or more familiarly, Muscadet. 'Fief de la Brie' is a single vineyard and is perhaps one of the best "sur lie" Muscadets, fermented in cask to give a crisp wine with a surprising depth of flavour.

 

Brocard

 

Jean-Marc Brocard was not born to winemaking but was the son of a farmer in the Cote d'Or. It was through marriage he came to winemaking. His father-in-law gave him a hectare of vines. The young Jean-Marc sought the advice of an old vigneron who gave him the sense of tradition and respect for nature, showing him that you can still maintain the old tradition whist practicing modern methods. His vines are planted in soils that alternate layers of dense chalk and softer permeable clay encrusted with marine fossils. His vineyards are on south facing slopes in the south of Chablis AC. Since his early beginning his vineyard holding have increased to 120 hectares in Chablis and Burgundy. Alain Bretin is a second label of Domaine Brocard.

 

Brumont

 

Expert winemaker and his protégée Fabrice Dubosc have blended the Southern French Gros Manseng grape with the ever-popular Sauvignon Blanc to make this distinctive but easy-drinking wine, packed with citrus and pineapple flavours. Crisp and refreshing on the finish, it makes a delicious aperitif or accompaniment to salads.

 

Campbells

 

Pride in the past and a commitment to the future by the Campbell Family today is evident with the 4th generation brothers Malcolm (viticulturist) and Colin (winemaker), who together with their wives Jenny and Prue and their mother Isabel, own and operate Campbells Wines. They have been joined by the fifth generation, Susan, daughter of Colin and Prue. Situated entirely within the defined Rutherglen Wine Region, our vineyards total approximately 64 hectares (160 acres) of trialled and proven varieties. Rutherglen’s warm and dependable climate is, in many ways similar to the Rhone region of France and it comes as no surprise that the Rhone specialties of Shiraz (known as Syrah in France) and Durif prosper here.

 

Cantina Birgi

 

Cantina Birgi was founded in 1960 by a group of forty vineyard owners and the rise of their enterprise has been spectacular. Today, this dynamic and forward thinking co-operative has almost 1000 members who cultivate around 3000 hectares of prime vineyards in the coastal area lying between the two ports of Marsala and Trapani on the western tip of Sicily. The winery is well equipped and favours the use of modern technology, a feature reflected through the clean, pure and authentic style of the wines, to the clear and stylish packaging. Members produce top quality fruit in ideal growing conditions and the winemaking philosophy is very clearly organised to reflect the excellence of those raw materials. Neither red nor white wines undergo any wood ageing in order to maximise fruit aromas and flavours. Varieties used are primarily local ones, though with a sprinkling of international varieties for added interest.

 

Cantina di Monteforte

 

The Cantina di Monteforte is situated in the eastern part of Soave Classico and Soave. They have 1200 hectares in total. Most merchants in Verona have long held the view that this co-operative has some of the best vineyards in the area

 

Cantine Leonardo da Vinci

 

Alberto Antonini took over as consultant winemaker at Cantine Leonardo in 1996. Since Alberto's arrival, the quality of the wines from this co-operative has risen dramatically. The grapes come from a small, hilly area in the commune of Cerreto Guidi, as well as from a small number of surrounding communes. The grape growers belong to the Cantine Leonardo da Vinci in Vinci, near Florence - hence the name! Cantine di Montalcino is part of the Leonardo group.

 

Cantine Manfredi

 

Cantine Manfredi is a family tradition begun in 1863 when Nicolao Manfredi produced his first Dolcetto in Farigliano. His descendants have been handing down this activity from father to son and it is now the fourth generation who have control of the winemaking. Produced, like the majority of Barolos’ from three Nebbiolo sub-varieties, the Michet, Lampi and Rose, the majority of the grapes are harvested from their own vineyards around La Morra. Fermentation takes place for around 15 days at a high temperature of 27 degrees Celsius and then the wine ages in Slovenian oak barrels for around 24 months.

 

Cantine Sasso

 

Sasso is one of the top leaders of winemaking in Basilicata and from their Tenuta Le Querce (the estate of the oaks) they produce an Aglianico which ranks with the finest reds in Southern Italy and is known as “the Barolo of the South”.

 

Carmen

 

Viña Carmen was founded in 1850 by Christian Lanz, who named the winery in honour to his beloved wife Carmen. More than a century later, in 1987, the Claro Group acquired the brand to take it into a new direction. In 1992 a new winery was built and new vineyards were planted, to produce the best quality wines from Chile, and export them worldwide. Carmen Winery and the main vineyards are located in Maipo Valley, 35 kms. south of Santiago the Chilean capital. The rest of the vineyards are in the main vine growing areas: Rapel, Casablanca and Curicó Valley.

 

Cartuxa

 

Probably better known as the Adega de Cartuxa (pronounced, Cartoosha), this estate has now fully established itself at the vinous heart of the sprawling Alentejo region. The winery, originally built by Carthusian monks in 1776, has been extensively renovated and modernised but the old vaulted cellars still remain. These are where Cartuxa and Pera Manca are cellared. Cartuxa Tinto - the wine on which the estate's reputation was founded - is a regular medal winner both at home and abroad. Trincadeira, Periquita and Aragonês form the backbone of the wine which is aged in American oak for 12 months.

 

Casa Lapostolle

 

This is the Chilean venture of French family Marnier-Lapostolle. They are not solely responsible for the Casa Lapostolle success story. There is an oenologist involved, none other than Michel Rolland. He consults exclusively for Casa Lapostolle in Chile, being contractually prevented from consulting elsewhere in this country. And permanently on site is Michel Friou, who has worked at Chateau Margaux and Cape Mentelle to name just two. In the beginning the Marnier-Lapostolle family were looking for a new venture when they chanced upon the Clos Apalta vineyard in Colchagua (which is in Rapel). This was a vineyard populated with many old vines. Even more remarkable, the vines were ungrafted, protected from the Phylloxera louse by the Andes to the east. And as these vines had all been propagated from French rootstock, imported the previous century, these were truly special vines. From that small beginning Casa Lapostolle expanded, and now there are vineyards covering an amazing 300 hectares, planted up with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Carmenere and even Syrah. These grapes are vinified in Casa Lapostolle's brand new gravity-fed winery, spread over an impressive five floors, and built at an expense of over $3 million.

 

Casa Vinicola Roxan

 

The Roxan winery is situated in the Province of Pescara, on hills sloping down to the sea and overlooking a beautiful view of the Adriatic and Mounts Gran Sasso and Majella. A beautiful violet bouquet is followed by a delicious and gulpable palate packed with juicy concentrated fruits and almond overtones

 

Castell del Remei

 

The Castell del Remei winery, more or less in its current shape, dates back to the late nineteenth century. 1780 is the top of the range, an unfiltered Cabernet, Ull de Llebre (Tempranillo) and Garnatxa blend aged for 12 months in new American oak. Conceived as a wine to be cellared, it still needs additional time in the bottle to fully integrate the oak. Gotim Bru is a blend of Ull de Llebre, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and spends 10 months in American oak barrels.

 

Cesari

 

Azienda Due Torri is based in San Martino della Battaglia and produces wines from the Lake Garda region, such as Bianco di Custoza, as well wines form the neighbouring Trentino area. Owned by Gerardo Cesari Spa, and under the expert eye of renowned oenologist Dr Franco Cesari (owner of Barolo Vigna Saccrone), Due Torri produces a very fine Pinot Grigio from grapes sourced from their own vineyards and from a small select band of contract growers, who operate under the watchful eye of Franco’s agronomists

 

Champy

 

Champy’s roots go back to 1720 and it remained in the same family until it was sold at the end of 1989. Robert Parker has described the Champy wines “. . . deeply coloured, chunky, muscular wines with a robust, forceful texture and plenty of tannin and extract.” Anthony Hanson, MW refers to “ . . . exciting developments at Champy since 1990. I find the wines frank and open-faced, their characters varied and interesting.” The ‘Aux Forches’ has an elegant bouquet, with good intensity which is marked by red currants and raspberries. Full bodied with earthy and animal aromas. Its tannins are well balanced by its acidity, this creates its good structure and a fresh finish. Puligny Montrachet Les Enseigneres has a complex bouquet marked by floral notes and lilies. Rich and fleshy on the palette with good concentration, notes of peaches and ripe fruits that give this wine is sweet finish. Fermented and matured in oak.

 

Château de Saule

 

The Chateau de la Saule, the largest and most prestigious domaine in the appellation of Montagny, has been in the Roy family since 1805. Alain Roy, the current proprietor, has been responsible for the entire domaine since 1972. Chateau de la Saule has 15 hectares of vineyards, 13 of which are planted to Chardonnay. The vineyards face full south and the majority are located within the premier cru sites of "Burnins", "Les Vignes Sur Le Clou", and "Les Monts Cuchots". The classic cuvee of Chateau de la Saule, always derived exclusively from 1er Cru vineyards, is normally bottled in May or June following the harvest.

 

Chateau La Bastide

 

The imposing castle of La Bastide is shown on land surveys of 1770, but has been altered several times. It was acquired in 1989 by Anne-Marie and Guilhem DURAND who have maintained the development and quality of the wines and the improvement of the vineyards with a very strong rate of replanting vines. Bastide harvest at night so that the white wine grapes are as fresh as possible and then cooled to 7-8° C and then pressed. The juice is fermented at a temperature of 14 to 16° C.Approximately 15 % of the juices are vinified in barrels and matured for 6 months, with regular bâtonnages. Some of the wine is allowed to stay on the fine lees for up to 6 months. With the red wines there is a steeping for 8-10 days to extract colour and tanins. Then towards 12-13° C fermentation begins with indigenous yeasts and generally continues from 12 to 18 days.

 

Chateau Musar

 

It is amazing that a country which has been seared by continuing conflict and unrest since 1975 has been able to continue with fine wine production (apart from two vintages, 1976 and 1984, when the front line of the conflict prevented safe access to the vineyards). This is down to the sheer will and determination of Serge Hochar. His, and Chateau Musar’s story is the stuff of legends.It was in 1930 that Gaston Hochar, businessman and banker, established his vineyard in the Bekaa Valley, planting his vines at some 3000 feet. Here a combination of altitude and climate provide an almost frost free zone and disease is negligible. With the backdrop of a 200 year old stone fort, this really is a place of great beauty and M’sar in arabic means just that and is the root of the Chateau’s name. Gaston’s sons Serge and Ronald are now at the helm with Serge as winemaker. His son, called Gaston (junior) is quickly learning the trade.

 

Chivite

 

A Chivite winery has existed since at least 1779 but there is evidence tracing the firm back to 1647. Currently run by four brothers, Bodegas Juilan Chivite combine traditional winemaking with the most modern vinification processes that include temperature controlled self-cooling stainless steel tanks and 225litre and 300litre American and French oak casks for ageing

 

Claude Lafond

 

Founded in 1960, the estate now covers 15 hectares most of which is Sauvignon Blanc. La Raie is a 6 hectare vineyard planted with Sauvignon producing a wine with succulent, concentrated gooseberry fruit flavours and a deliciously dry finish.

 

Cloudy Bay

 

The wine is certainly a head-turner. With up-front gooseberry, green pepper and elderflower character typical of the region, together with a touch of fatness from the oak and often a slight dash of Semillon, Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc is undoubtedly one of the best examples of this variety to come from New Zealand. But this doesn't explain its scarcity in the UK, especially when other similarly priced and equally meritorious New Zealand Sauvignons sit on the shelf all year round.

 

Coffele

 

Located in the heart of the old town of Soave, Coffele is the "little winery that could." The endearing Chiara Coffele and her brother/winemaker Alberto have done wonderful things over the last decade to make this producer into an estate that always delivers flavourful, complex offerings of Soave that are truly representative of what this wonderful wine type can be when done right. The "Ca Visco" bottling is richer than their regular Soave Classico and features flavors of lemon, pear, chamomile and pomegranate.

 

Concha y Toro

 

The Concha y Toro Vineyard was founded by Melchor Santiago de Concha y Cerda and his wife, Emiliana Subercaseaux, in 1883. [To start the winery, he brought grape varieties from the Bordeaux region in France . The grapes that he brought were: Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Merlot, and Carménère. Winemaker Enrique Santelices and consultant Ignacio Recabarren are leading the field in terms of innovation and experimentation in both the winery and the vineyard. In 1994, Concha y Toro became the first Chilean winery to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

 

Cousino Macul

 

In 2006, Cousiño-Macul celebrated its 150th anniversary. The Cousiño family's wine estate in Santiago was established in 1856. The Cousiños recently moved many of their vines to a new estate at Buin, and built a new winery there. This move took place five years, ago, and the majority of the 2002 bottling of Cousiño-Macul comes from the Buin Estate. Few Wine producers have the opportunity to make a completely new start, incorporating the best of their age-old experience, their unique vines from their personal greenhouse and the most contemporary technology available.

 

Cuevas de Castilla

 

A family-run bodega producing the top wines from Rueda. A very popular style of Sauvignon Blanc from the 'unlikely' Spain. A very bright light gold in colour with green tints. A complex nose of gooseberry, kiwi and white fruit aromas with a slightly smoky edge. A rich, crisp well-balanced wine with clean Sauvignon Blanc varietal character

 

Delicato

 

The San Bernabe vineyard, thought to have been naned after Saint Barnabas was owned the local Mission San Antonio de Padua, the third mission established in California. In 1842, it was deeded as a land grant to Petronillo Rios, a cattle rancher believed to have made wine from grapes grown around his home. The remains of his adobe still grace the property today. In 1988, the Indelicato family purchased the San Bernabe Vineyard in Monterey. Immediately following the purchase of the vineyard, the Indelicato family embarked on an aggressive 10-year replanting program designed to optimize quality production, focusing on specific varieties and clones, rootstock selection and trellising methods. Today, San Bernabe is the world's most diverse single vineyard property and the cornerstone of DFV Wines' wine grape growing and winemaking. The Angels Flight range of wines is named after the Los Angeles Funicular Railway which offers great views across ‘The City of the Angels’ and the spectacular nature of the coastal area of California. Class Californian wines at this price are hard to come by.

 

Dom Perignon

 

Dom Pérignon was the 17th century Benedictine monk who has gone down in history as the person who "invented" Champagne. His name was originally registered by Eugène Mercier. He sold the brand name to Moët & Chandon, which used it as the name for its prestige cuvée, which was first released in 1937. Each vintage offers thus a new aspect of Dom Pérignon, reflecting an assemblage that is a unique act of creation for the wine maker Richard Geoffroy. In its constant quest for the ultimate balance between Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the Dom Pérignon style traces, vintage after vintage, a complex structure made up of aroma and sensations, silky smooth, light as air and full of sensuality.

 

Domaine Carneros

 

Domaine Carneros know a thing or two about Pinot Noir and especially Carneros Pinot Noir. The California sister of Taittinger Champagne (which itself has undergone ownership turmoil recently), Dom. Carneros has been making some of the U.S.’s best wine for years. It started making still wine from Pinot in 1992 and is now getting it right, from perhaps the Napa Valley’s most challenging region. They have some proper “brett” aromas in the nose as well as on the palate. (The yeast brettanomyces found in many Burgundian houses which lends a barnyard-like aroma that is to some, a serendipitously positive characteristic of the variety.)

 

Domaine Cornu-Camus

 

The 8 hectars of vineyards of the small family business of Pierre Cornu are in the upper regions of the Cote d'Or, on the plateau around Echevronne. The rubble soils with high pebble proportion offer a nutrient-poor, but mineral-rich soil for the vines. The yields are usually very low, and so Pierre Cornu obtains amazing results and much finesse. After hand picking Pierre Cornu lets the wines ferment classically 12-14 days in barrel, one third new each year. d classes the wine is not filtered. Pierre Cornu is very reserved, He lets wines speak its for itself.

 

Domaine Couly-Dutheil

 

One of the better known wine producers in Chinon. Couly-Dutheil is a family property dating back to 1921. They own 90 hectares. their wines show that Cabernet Franc can, if well done, be a quite powerful wine that also ages well.

 

Domaine de Mourchon

 

When Walter retired from his IT business in 1993 he set about looking for a vineyard to retire to (well, semi retire to) and after a long search came across Domaine de Mourchon in Seguret. Some of the vines had been planted in the fifties. The local owners sent their grapes to a near-by family-run winery for vinification. Walter took over the Domaine in 1998 despite it having no house or winery and only ruined remains of long defunct buildings. Restoration is complete including a brand new winery and further replanting of the vineyards. From his first vintage in 1998 Walter met with great success and no less an authority than Robert Parker, Jr has been impressed with the wines from Mourchon. Now joined by his daughter and son-in-law, Walter may yet get to retire – one day!

 

Domaine des Clos

 

This domaine goes back to 1160 and Mathilde, Duchess of Bourgogne. In 1198 she gifted it to the Abbey of Tart, it then being transferred in the 13th century to the Convent of Bernadines. It was yielded to Lazre Beradier in 1723 but in 1767 was sold to Henri Goureau, an infantry officer under King Louis XV. After the French revolution it went to the Azincourt family, then in 1926 to the Floquet family. Finally in 1995 it came to Gregoire Bichot. His aim is to respect tradition but with a modern touch. He does not use weedkillers and he hand harvests and sorts. The grapes are transferred to the winery in small batches not exceeding 17kg to avoid the effects of crushing. Fermentation is in traditional wood tanks without the addition of yeast. The wine spends 18 to 24 months in oak, 40% of which are new. His objective is to preserve the expression of the ‘terroir’ and the scents and flavours so typical of Pinot Noir

 

Domaine Gabriel et Paul Jouard

 

Paul Jouard represents the sixth generation of his family to run the domaine, which now comprises some 10.5 hectares. The Chassagne Blanc Village has purity and minerality. The balance between the ripe fruit and racy acidity was superb. This village wine comes from vines of 15 – 20 years of age and sees around 30% new oak. The 1er Cru have extra concentration from the older vines averaging 40 years. Like the village wine the 1er Cru was also very mineral in character but with more intensity and complexity. The Les Vide-Bourses, which is located on the Puligny side of the appellation.is produced from 40-45 year old vines. The wine displays a more floral and softly honeyed character with amazing intensity, harmony and finesse. The precious Batard-Montrachet is a serious but refined thoroughbred displaying its charm with the finesse and discretion one would expect from such a fine aristocrat.

 

Domaine Latour-Giraud

 

Jean-Pierre is known in the region as one of Meursault’s best winemakers. The estate underwent a dramatic revival when he took over in the 1990’s. The village wines are aged in one-quarter to one-third new oak barrels. Jean-Pierre Latour’s wines are classic white Burgundies: intense and concentrated, stylish and powerful, layered and balanced. Jean-Pierre Latour ferments only free-run juice with wild, natural yeasts. The premier cru wines are aged in 40-70% new barrels depending on the character of the wine and the vintage. The wines are kept on their lees as long as possible and racking is kept to a minimum. They are fined, but not filtered, and bottled by hand. Jean-Pierre carefully monitors each wine and bottles each when it is ready over the course of six months.

 

Domaine Ott

 

Founded by Marcel Ott at the end of the 19th century, Domaines Ott is a family owned operation involving three estates, Château de Selle (Taradeau), Clos Mireille (La Londe Les Maures) and Château Romassan (La Castellet). These three estates produce an extensive portfolio of Provencale wines in three colours, and although the bottle shapes will scare most geeks away (see their website; they really are very ugly), they are quite serious wines. It’s quite a large operation, with over 170 ha of vines spread among the three estates.

 

Domaine Parent

 

The parochial registers in the middle of the 17th century record one Claude Parent, vine grower. In 1787, Etienne Parent became friendly with Thomas Jefferson, the future President of the United States and thus became the precursor of wine exports of Burgundy to north America. At the beginning of the 19th century Claude Jacques Parent left Volnay to settle in Pommard. In 1947, Jacques Parent, then 19 years old, started work in the vineyards with his father, taking over direction in 1953. It is under his impulse that the domaine takes a dynamic and innovative orientation in the making and marketing of the wines. Today, the wines can be found all over the world. The family spirit remains a subtle mixture of rigour and imagination, perfectionism and dynamism while remaining attached to the traditions and the know-how built up over twelve generations. With confidence Jacques was able to pass the baton to his two daughters, Anne and Catherine.

 

Domaine Patrick Miolane

 

Patrick Miolane began in the trade in 1983 with only 2 hectares of vine. Then in 1998, he took over another 5 hectares of land from his parents between the communes of Saint-Aubin, Chassagne and Puligny-Montrachet.

 

Domaine Philipe Gavignet

 

Four generations of the Gavignet family have been winemakers in Nuits St Georges. Today the domain covers around 10 hectares and is sread out over 12 different appellations. Their Argillats is a gorgeous wine, fruity and floral with honest, clean savoury fruit on the palate. " Une curiosité : moitié de pinot blanc et moitié de chardonnay sur 0,34 ha en Argillats 'à droite quand on quitte Nuits pour monter aux Hautes-Côtes). L'oeil brille, le nez est assez fin. Plutôt sec de caractère mais sachant montrer une certaine aménité, ce vin est à servir maintenant à des connaisseurs qui y prendront intérêt et apprécieront la trouvaille. Les Argillats rouge 2004 obtiennent une citation. Choisir un mignon de porc aux échalottes." Le Guide Hachette 2007

 

Domaine Pierre Marey

 

Domaine Marey consists of 10 hectares located in Pernand-Vergelesses. The wine making is traditional, the wines are fermented and matured in French oak. The superb Corton-Charlemagne is scented, very fine, powerful and long in mouth, with intense flavours of ripe fruits and vanilla.

 

Domaine Prain

 

Frederick Prain’s Domaine D’Elise is located at Milly, on the slopes above the Premier Cru vineyards of the Côte de Léchet. Acknowledged as one of the finest producers in the area, he has produced a terrific wine, ripe and concentrated fruit with an intense, vibrant acidity.

 

Domaine Taupenot-Merme

 

Domaine Taupenot-Merme has 9 hectares of prestigious vineyards in Morey-Saint-Denis and 4 hectares in other areas of the Cote de Beaune and Cote de Nuits. Jean Taupenot (7th generation winemaker) and his wife Denise Merme have recently handed over the reins to Romain Taupenot and Virginia Taupenot who studied at the Beaune Wine School and then qualified in Oenology at Dijon University. Taupenot vinify in a traditional way, respecting the soil, and seeking wines with subtlety and finesse. Limiting yields, a longer cuvaison and the judicial use of oak reveal the nature and fruitiness of the Pinot Noir. They regard winemaking as an art and this is reflected by rich, high class wines which are cordial, convivial and generous.

 

Drappier

 

Established in Urville in the Cote des Bars region since 1908, the Drappier family tend a 75 hectare (99-acre) estate. The vineyards here have a very ancient history having been planted by the Gallo Romans circa 1 AD. This vineyard was one of the first to be improved by the Cistercians of the Clairvaux Abbey and Saint Bernard participated in the building of the 12th Century cellars. The Drappier cuvees are noted for their strength of flavour.

 

Ellner

 

Charles Ellner was established fairly recently, at the beginning of the century and were registered as wine merchants and vinifiers in 1972. The House of Ellner own more than 54 hectares (140 acres) of vineyards in 15 villages situated in the principal vinegrowing areas of Champagne ; More than 50% of the total area under vine is planted with the Chardonnay grape-variety, thus enabling the house of "Charles ELLNER " to produce "cuvées" of great finesse, elegance and distinction.

 

Errazuriz and Robert Mondavi

 

The production of Seña is under the guidance of three individuals. Led by Tim Mondavi are winemakers Edward Flaherty (representing Viña Errazuriz) and Tony Coltrin (representing Mondavi Wines). Together these three produced the inaugural vintage of Seña in 1995. It is a blend of classic Bordeaux varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenere, this latter grape being widespread in Chile, having once been mistaken for Merlot.

 

Esporao

 

Esporao Estate is one of the largest and oldest domains in Portugal’s Alentejo region, dating back to Roman times. Alentejo is one of Portugal’s best red wine producing regions and Tim Atkins of ‘Wine Magazine’ has even suggested that it is one of the most exciting wine regions in the world. Little wonder that it attracted the attention of David Baverstock, an Austrlian winemaker, who wondered just what traditional local grape varieties could achieve with modern winemaking techniques. The result is quite astounding!

 

Etienne Daulny

 

Etienne Daulny owns 15 hectares of vines (37 acres) which are divided into about 50 different plots. Daulny combines various plots from these varying soil types into his regular cuvée of Sancerre. the wine is fermented and aged in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine sees no malolactic fermentation and thus retains freshness and vibrancy beneath plenty of forward, ripe fruit.

 

Faiveley

 

Founded in 1825 Faiveley is the largest domaine in Burgundy. Their philosophy, handed down through the generations is “low yields, low yields and low yields”. They use only organic fertilisers and have reduced the level of pesticides and fungicides in their move to semi-organic production. Their grapes are de-stalked and fermentation takes place at 29 degrees Centigrade for 15 to 20 days (occasionally 30 days). The wines are matured in Troncais, Nevers and Bertrange casks. The majority of their Grand Cru wines and some of the Premier Cru wines are bottled by hand without filtration directly from the cask. The 2003 Mercurey Les Framboisiere is packed with aromas and flavours reminiscent of raspberries and other summer fruits. Still young, nevertheless it is making veryenjoyable drinking.

 

Ferngrove

 

This is a label of the Ferngrove Vineyard Estates set up in 1996, by Murray Burton. Murray has nearly 90 years of beef and dairy farming history behind him. His winemaker, Kim Horton, has been named Young Winemaker of the Year 2005 in the inaugural Australian Wine Selector’s Shining Lights awards. Kim, 31, received his award for his exceptional winemaking. Kim was the only award winner from Western Australia. In 2004 7 wines from 2 vintages received a total of 11 gold medals including the trophy for the Best Western Australian Dry Table Red Wine at the Royal Perth Wine Show.The Karri Oak ( a Eucalyptus native to south-west Western Australia) is one of Australia's tallest hardwood trees and are hard and tough.

 

Font de Michelle

 

Vieux Télégraphe is Font de Michelle’s closest neighbour, and it comes as no surprise to learn that Daniel and Frederic Brunier, proprietors of Vieux Télégraphe, are cousins to Jean and Michel Gonnet. This Chateauneuf is 70% Grenache - from 50 year old vines - with 10% each of Syrah, Cinsaut and Mourvèdre. Unusually the Syrah is fermented using a method approaching that of carbonic maceration, with whole, lightly crushed grapes passed into vats filled with carbon dioxide. The wine sees malolactic, and between six and nine months en foudre, before bottling.

 

Franschhoek

 

Franschhoek Cellars has recently morphed from a local co-operative producing adequate old fashioned wine, to a new private company with their sights firmly set on the modern. A young team of winemakers and viticulturialists, assisted by Consultant Winemaker Jacques Borman formerly of La Motte Estate, have started to produce superb wines that belie their price tag. Ancient Earth is a second label for Franschhoek Cellars.

 

Gerald and Philibert Talmard

 

This Domaine Talmard wine is a luscious, deep straw-colored wine showing scents and flavors of butterscotch, honey and lemon with a distinct mineral taste on the finish that identifies it as French. One of the best Macon you are ever likely to come across. Fresh fruity but serious. Anyone visiting the estate is bound to be impressed, not only by the wines but also by Volga the dog.

 

Gianni Dugas

 

Tavel Rose is made with a short maceration on the skins before pressing, followed by fermentation at a controlled temperature and a blending of the different grape varieties. The main objective of the vinification is to promote and emphasise the qualities of each individual grape variety.

 

Grande Serres

 

Grandes Serres are a specialist négociant blending wines from across the southern Rhône at their modern premises in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. They produce wines that are consistent in quality. Based in the southern part of the appellation, Rempart have 12 hectares. This is a blend of 13 varieties, but predominantly Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Aromas of blackcurrant and liquorice with a long silky finish.

 

Grant Burge

 

Grant Burge is a fifth generation winemaker committed to the Barossa Valley. He believes that fine wines are born in the vineyard and that vineyards are the cradle of wine quality. With this in mind, he has developed an extensive network of premium quality vineyards in Australia strategically positioned in the Barossa. The Grant Burge Wines offering is based around individual vineyard selections from the vineyards in the Barossa. With each of his Barossa vineyards having different climates, soils and characters, Grant matches them with suitable grape varieties, ensuring harvests of the best quality fruit.

 

Grassa

 

The 17th century Chateau Tariquet has been in the Grassa family since 1912 when Hélène and Pierre Grassa crafted beautiful Armagnacs. It then became home to their children Maïté and Yves fervent wine makers. Meticulous attention to detail in both vineyard and winery is the source of the quality of the Grassa wines. This about a family wine dynasty founded by a hairdresser! Well to be fair, Pierre Grassa, ex hairdresser, married Hélène whose parents had taken on Chateau Tariquet which was then planted with an obscure local grape variety. Between them Pierre and Hélène transformed the Chateau, and with their children Maitè and Yves went on to establish Domaine de Rieux, Domaine de Plantèrieux and La Jalousie. It is Yves Grassa who has carried the torch in more recent times with a well deserved reputation as a winemaker of exceptional skill.

 

Guelbenzu

 

Winning Gold Medals is nothing new to the Guelbenzu family, they’ve been at it since the 1880’s and making and exhibiting wine goes even back further. Their wines were shown at the London Universal Exhibition in 1851. Innovation and experimentation also come quite naturally to them. Recently they established new vineyards near to the little village of Vierlas about 5 miles from their Cascante base in Navarra. They have also established themselves in Chile.

 

Hamilton Russell

 

This famous estate is run by Anthony Hamilton-Russell with winemaker Kevin Grant. Together they produce some of the best wine in South Africa Superb, clean Pinot Noir which is amongst the best in the New World. Very, very scarce!

 

Henri d'Estutt d'Assay

 

Chateau de Tracy dates back to the late 14th Century, but it only came into the hands of the current owners, the d'Estutt d'Assay family, in 1586. Although dripping with centuries of history, including archives that indicate the presence of vineyards as long ago as 1396, it was not until the 1950s that the property was revitalised by Comte Alain d'Estutt d'Assay, including the re-establishment of the vineyards in 1952. There are 23 ha in all, of which some surround the chateau and some are located in Les Loges closer to Pouilly-Fumé. The terroir is quite variable, with silex around the chateau and Kimmeridgien marl elsewhere, but proprietor Henri d'Estutt d'Assay bottles his wine as a single, blended cuvée Chateau de Tracy.

 

Isabel Estate

 

Isabel Estate Vineyard was established in 1982 to produce premium classical grape varieties in Marlborough. Prior to the 1994 vintage, Proprietor Michael Tiller, then an airline pilot with Air New Zealand, together with his wife Robyn, operated Isabel Estate successfully as a contract grape growing vineyard supplying some of Marlborough's leading wine producers with much sought after premium fruit. The character and individuality of their fruit derived from a unique soil profile and vineyard location encouraged them to produce and market their own wine under the Isabel Estate label. The wines have consistently won praise and high scores in wine tastings.

 

Jacques & Jean Louis Pradelle

 

The Pradelle brothers, Jean-Louis and Jacques, run a traditional Domaine based in the best part of the appellation producing a mere 8,500 cases of an outstanding wine a year. This wine is a beautifully crafted deeply coloured red, aged for 9 months in new and old oak barrels. It is made exclusively from the Syrah grape and shows a rich, meaty, smoky aroma and beautiful soft finish.

 

Jacquesson

 

It was in 1798, following in the footsteps of his father Claude, that Memmie Jacquesson founded the House which today, more than two hundred years later, still bears his name.Cuvée No. 730, being the 730th cuvée made by the House since our Centenary Cuvée in 1898, as reflected in our tirage records, was produced by assemblage based on the 2002 harvest and thus succeeds Cuvée No. 729 based on the 2001 harvest and Cuvée No. 728 based on the 2000 harvest.The assemblage, 100% from Grands Crus and Premiers Crus, comes entirely from the villages where our vineyard holdings are located: Ay, Cumières, Dizy, Hautvillers and Mareuil-sur-Ay in the Grande Vallée de la Marne, as well as Avize, Chouilly and Oiry on the Côte des Blancs. Produced from pure cuvée, this assemblage contains 48% Chardonnay, 32% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Meunier.

 

Jadot

 

Among the leading negociant firms in Burgundy, Jadot currently occupies pole position. As well as buying in grapes, they own some 50 ha of Pinot Noir vineyards, 20 ha of Chardonnay and also the large 27 ha Château des Jacques estate in Beaujolais.

 

Jean Pabiot

 

Jean Pabiot's showcase domaine comprises vineyards at several favoured lieux dits (sites) around the Pouilly-sur-Loire including the renowned Les Loges and Le Bouchet. Limestone and flint soils provide the perfect nutrients for beautifully balanced, aromatic Sauvignon Blanc. LIghter and more restrained than the 2004. Complex and refreshing, with aromas of grass, gooseberry and flint, this is the accompaniment par excellence to seafood, goat's cheese and summer salads.

 

Jean-Luc Terrier and Christian Colovray

 

This estate is under the direction of Christian Collovray and Jean-Luc Terrier. Quality rather than quantity is the key and severe pruning to reduce crop levels is carried out. Some of the wine is vinified and aged in casks and the balance in vats.

 

Kendermann

 

Pride in the past and a commitment to the future by the Campbell Family today is evident with the 4th generation brothers Malcolm (viticulturist) and Colin (winemaker), who together with their wives Jenny and Prue and their mother Isabel, own and operate Campbells Wines. They have been joined by the fifth generation, Susan, daughter of Colin and Prue. Situated entirely within the defined Rutherglen Wine Region, our vineyards total approximately 64 hectares (160 acres) of trialled and proven varieties. Rutherglen’s warm and dependable climate is, in many ways similar to the Rhone region of France and it comes as no surprise that the Rhone specialties of Shiraz (known as Syrah in France) and Durif prosper here.

 

Klein Constantia

 

From the first vintage (1985), international wine writers have been consistent in their praise of Klein Constantia terroir and wine. Hugh Johnson’s 1991 Pocket Wine Book said ‘Klein Constantia: South Africa’s new star.’ The summer 2002 issue of US Wine and Spirits magazine listed Klein Constantia as one of the world’s 25 great vineyards, rubbing shoulders with Lafite Rothschild, La Tâche and again Yquem. The Telegraph featured Klein Constantia Vin de Constance in its weekly Grail Trail. The enthusiasm that greeted the wine’s entry into the British market in 2002 was endorsed in the London Sunday Times by internationally known wine writer Joanna Simon. In her column ‘A Taste of History’ she devoted considerable space to the wine that was ‘a favourite tipple in the era of Napoleon and Jane Austen’ and its recreation by Klein Constantia, ending with the words ‘Welcome back.’

 

Krug

 

A wonderful creamy bouquet leads to a magical combination of richness and balance on the palate. The long lingering finish is both nutty and toasty, always ending with a final flourish of freshness, leaving one longing for more! 25-35% Chardonnay, 45-55% Pinot Noir, 15-20% Pinot Meunier A real mosaic of flavours , Krug Grande Cuvée is a blend of 40 to 50 wines, 20 to 25 crus and 6 to 10 different years.

 

La Rioja Alta

 

La Rioja Alta was established in 1890 by five Basque and Riojan vinegrowing families. The family connection remains today in the Shareholders, Directors and some employees of the company. It is not usual in Rioja for the great Bodegas to own their own vineyards, but La Rioja Alta have around 741 acres mostly in Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavasa. This enables them to control and secure grapes of the highest quality. To maintain quality they maintain their yields at some 20% below the level authorised under the Rioja Regulations. Rioja Alta mature their wines for several years in American oak casks of 225Litres. The average age of this oak is 5 years as this permits the best ageing spectrum without an undue “woody” influence. They operate their own cooperage. Every 6 months the wine is racked into a different barrel.

 

La Vita

 

This fresh, fruity wine has been described as central Italy’s most promising white grape variety (Oz Clarke) with its delicate floral creamy character and surprising complexity. It is blisteringly dry with a high acidity and just a prickle of tannin from skin contact. A medium bodied wine with medium alcohol.

 

Lagar de Cervera

 

Owned by La Rioja Alta S.A. since 1988, Lagar de Cervera produces some of the finest dry white Albarino in Spain. Located at El Rosal in Galicia, in north west Spain, the wines are meticulously made and rank with the very best from the region. Lagar de Cervera is a delicious full rich intensely fruity wine that is delightful when young but will age beautifully up to 3 years.

 

Latour

 

Regarded as one of the traditional négociant-éléveurs, Maison Louis Latour is the producer of some of the finest Burgundian wines but has also pioneered the production of fine wines from outside of the confines of Burgundy

 

Laurent-Perrier

 

Produced from 100% Pinot Noir from a total of ten 100% rated Grand Crus villages. Rather than using the common practice of blending to create a rosé wine, this family owned home uses the traditional sainee method in which the skins of the grapes are left in contact with the juice for three days. The result is a delicious, fresh wine with rounded red fruit flavours. The only problem is the limited quantities available.

 

Le Cinciole

 

This estate, now recognized throughout Italy for its quality, extends across northern Chianti Classico district Greve’s famed “Conca d’Oro”, or “golden vale”. Though most vineyards in Greve are at approximately 200-350 meters, Le Cinciole’s Panzano slopes rise to a cool 400-450 meters and host Chianti’s famous galestro soil mixed with sand and chalk. This Chianti Classico, is made using the traditional varietals for Chianti Classico (5% Canaiolo is blended in with Sangiovese) and vinified in large vats.

 

Lonardi

 

Giuseppe Lonardi was born into a family where it is a tradition for the eldest son to receive the name Giuseppe, as well as to become a restaurateur. His Grandfather Giuseppe, whose nickname was “Il Bepi”, first started opening “L’Antica Osteria Da Bepi” with a strong passion for good food and fine wines. As our Giuseppe was brought up in healthy sweet smells from the kitchen and from the cellar, it is evident that he puts into his work the same energy and enthousiasm as his Grandfather. He learnt to appreciate good things, and as well as the popular “trattoria Da Bepi” he began making wines, establishing his company in 1984. In this he had the support of his friend and Oenologist, Roberto Ferrarini. He now owns around 7 hectares of vines and produces traditional wines well suited to the typical cuisine of Valpolicella. He makes very elegant wines by maintaining traditional methods whilst adopting up-to-date vinification and viticultural techniques. He uses oak barrels from the Massif Central of France and buys new barrels every two years. He also makes extra virgin olive oil and very good grappa from the pomace of his Amarone.

 

Loron et Fils

 

Maison Loron, created in 1821, is one of the oldest family wine houses in the Beaujolais region. Owning vines in six of the ten Crus, it is one of the main brokering houses of which 80% is in Beaujolais and Mâconnais appellations. In 1998, Loron created the first vinification centre in the region to have full control over the quality of its grapes.

 

Marcel Guigal

 

Marcel Guigal has been hailed as a talented winemaker, indeed “exceptional” according to wine guru Robert Parker, Jr who eulogised “. . . There is no winemaker on planet earth who has produced so many compelling wines irrespective of the vintage conditions as Marcel Guigal.”

 

Marcel Ryckwaert

 

In 1958 Marcel Ryckwaert left the (then) troubled French Province of Algeria to establish a 72 acre estate close to the small village of Mornas which lies between Orange and Bollene. Now in the hands of brothers Marc and Yves Ryckwaert, the estate has grown to become one of the top producers of Cotes-du-Rhone.

 

Marimar Torres

 

Nestled in the rolling hills of western Sonoma County, the Russian River/Green Valley appellation is a perfect microclimate for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Only 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean and 50 miles north of San Francisco, the site is influenced by the sea's cooling breezes and drifting fog. That is why Marimar Torres selected this privileged location to "export" the Torres family legacy of fine wines to California.

 

Mark Shannon

 

Called A Mano ("hand-made"), and entirely hand-crafted from indigenous Primitivo grapes (the original source of Zinfandel, by the way...), this fruit-packed, food-friendly red expresses the region's quality potential, and the reasons for American, Mark Shannon’s Apulian connection.

 

Marques de Caceres

 

It was during the Spanish Civil War that the Forner family left to live in France, settling in Bordeaux where they continued in the wine business which has occupied generations of Forner’s. In 1964 Enrique (Henri) Forner and his brother acquired Chateau Camensac in the Haut Medoc and restored both the winery and the wines to former glories. In 1970 Enrique decided to return to winemaking in Spain and with the advice of Emile Peynaud chose Cenicero in the Rioja Alta. With Michel Rolland as Wine Consultant, Enrique chooses to use grapes only from the local area and vinification follows closely the methods used in Bordeaux. This combination of French winemaking techniques and Spanish grapes has produced one of the finest modern Riojas.

 

Marques de Vargas

 

Bodegas y Viñedos Marqués de Vargas was established in the mid 1980‘s with its first wine being a 1991 Reserva Tinto. This new bodega, located at the Hacienda Pradolagar estate, next to Marqués de Murrieta, has been created with the goal of selling exclusively Reserva wines with grapes from the 60-hectare estate surrounding the bodega. This vineyard has been the property of the Vargas family for four generations.. From the outset they produced a fruity, lush wine with great approachability but as their winemaking experience has grown, so to has the structure and quality of their wines which have greater structure, weight and complexity. Vinification and ageing style follows current trends of short periods in new oak casks and longer time in the bottle. The wines have deep colour and strong and complex structure and fruity reminiscences as well as an interesting complement brought about by the new wood. They have very good potential for further evolution in the bottle where the structure and aromas will become even finer. The Bodega has the assistance of the renowned Oenologist from Bordeaux, Michel Rolland.

 

Massaya

 

In 1998 the Ghosn brothers formed a partnership with Dominique Hebrard of Chateau Trianon and brothers Daniel and Frederic Brunier of Vieux Telegraphe. Their aim was to produce a new wine named MASSAYA - after the time of day that the sky turns purple and the sun sets behind Mount Lebanon. The vineyards of the Tanail Estate in the Bekaa Valley are 1000 feet above sea level. Bekaa is disease and frost free with long gentle summers, wet winters and an average temperature of 25 Centigrade.

 

McGuigan

 

The McGuigans have been involved in winemaking for well over 50 years. It started with Perc McGuigan, a winery manager with Penfolds in the 1940’s to 1960’s at the old Dalwood property in the Hunter Valley. His son Brian founded the Wyndham Estate brand at Dalwood in 1970 which later grew to encompass Richmond Grive, Montrose, Craigmoor, Poets Corner, Saxonvale, Hunter Estate and the Amberton brand. Brian’s wife, Fay, became Export Manager. In 1992 Brian and Fay launched Brian McGuigan Wines Limited and built it up from nothing to the now 800,000 cases with more than 50% going to the export market. McGuigan have since acquired or formed alliances with other wine producers under the name of McGuigan-Simeon Wines.

 

Meerlust

 

Meerlust, one of the Cape’s most historic wine estates, has been the pride of the Myburgh family since 1756. Today, after eight generations, owner Hannes Myburgh (who studied at Geisenheim and Chateau Lafite), and winemaker Girgio Dalla Cia, continue the great family tradition of winemaking. In 1980 Nico Myburgh, father of the present owner, realised a life-long ambition when he and Giorgio produced the first Rubicon, a wine in the style of the famous clarets of France. The 200 hectares of vineyards, situated 15km south of Stellenbosch and only 5 km from False Bay, benefit from the cooling effect of the prevailing south-easterly summer wind. The wind permits slow ripening of the grapes resulting in a rich varietal character. In the cellar, the red grapes are pressed separately and the juices allowed about 8 hours of skin contact. After removal of the skins the young wines are left to ferment in open steel tanks for 7 days. They then complete a secondary malolactic fermentation in the tanks and are then blended.

 

Michel Chapoutier

 

Since taking over the winemaking helm at Chapoutier some 20 years ago Michel has presided over tremendous leaps in the quality of their wines. He has abiding faith in the philosophy of authenticity of terroir and raising the quality of management in the vineyard. “Great wines are made in the vineyards and not the cellar. Indeed, we ought to go back to the earth, let the soil dictate. The winemaker must subordinate himself to the total terroir of his vineyard and let nature make the wine.” Boundless energy and enthusiasm characterise his relentless study of the winemaking business and his respect for the intrinsic value of the legendary soils which fashion the slopes throughout the Rhone Valley and his recognition of the significance and true meaning of ‘Appelation d’Origine Controlee’

 

Miguel Torres

 

Chile is a viticultural paradise, in part thanks to its location, within the same sort of latitudes as the European viticultural equivalents. Its geography, its soils and its remarkable absence of Phylloxera make it a very sought after location by winemakers the world over. Torres recognised these virtues before any other European company dared compete or invest in Chile. Today, more than two decades after its first discoveries, Torres produces some of its best and most prized wines in Chile.

 

Mitchell

 

Andrew Mitchell made wines for the first time from his family’s vineyards in 1975. Now Mitchell do some 30 000 cases annually from their 75 hectares of vineyards, and are self-reliant for fruit. Andrew has a quiet, studied manner and isn’t a self-publicist: if he was, perhaps these wines would be hyped more in the media and cost twice the price. The Riesling is consistently among the best half dozen in Australia, and the Cabernet is pretty serious also. But don’t forget the Grenache, a super wine with real character. Andrew says that his Shiraz is the easiest wine to sell.

 

Moet & Chandon

 

Moët & Chandon can trace its history back to 1743 when it was established by Claude Moët in 1743. It is now part of the massive LVMH group and is by far the largest house in Champagne, producing a staggering 24 million bottles a year and with nearly 30 kilometres of cellars to mature its stocks.

 

Mommessin

 

Mommessin, established in 1865, bought the Clos de Tart vineyard in 1932, the only Clos never to have been divided. No chemical fertilisers are used. Pests and diseases are controlled by plant pairings and beneficial insect predators. Aged 18 months in new Allier oak, bottling is by hand, unfined and unfiltered. The 1998 has a nose of great finesse with aromas of red fruits of strawberry, raspberry and blackcurrant. The palate is polished and rich with an impressive spicy berry character and lovely, fine tannins.

 

Mondavi & Rothschild

 

Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild met first in 1970, when Baron Philippe was in the US and, rumour has it, specifically looking for a potential partner in a joint venture. The first vintage of Opus One was 1979, and from the outset two winemakers were employed, one from California and one from Bordeaux. The partners were determined that the wine should reflect both parents' identities.

 

Mud House

 

Named after a mud block house built in the founding vineyard, the Mud House Wine Company produced its first wines in 1996. The wines continue to be made from carefully nurtured grapes from boutique vineyards overseen by viticulturalist Malcolm Adams, and from their own vineyards overseen by Viticulturalist of the Year 2006, Marcus Wickham, both very knowledgeable viticulturists. The company is now part of a group of companies, including Waipara Hills Wine Estate, who are the pre-eminent wine company in the emerging Waipara region of New Zealand. The group is therefore able to offer all that is the very best of New Zealand wines.

 

Navajas

 

Bodegas Navajas (pronounced “Na va cas”) is a family run winery based in Navarette, Rioja. It was founded in 1918 as Bodegas Arjona. In 1978 the Navajas family joined the running of the winery. By 1983 Navajas became sole stock holders and the company changed its name to Bodegas Navajas. S.L. Antonio Navajas senior, who still potters around the winery, built the original Navajas bodega in 1983. A new state of the art winery was built a few years ago by Antonio junior. Here he steel ferments his wines prior to oak aging in high toast American oak barrels supplied by Murua, the famous Riojan cooperage in Logrono. The winery vinifies about a million kilos of grapes sourced from 350 growers in and around Navarette. This region is renowned for for its old vines and high quality of fruit.

 

Omaka Springs Estates

 

Omaka Springs Estates is a family business owned solely by Geoff and Robina Jensen. Omaka Springs Estates produces cool climate varietal grapes from the 110 acres of vineyards located on the Estates’ 146 acres of land in the Omaka Valley. These grapes are used to make medal-winning wines in the Omaka Springs Estates Limited winery where the aim -- and indeed policy -- is to make only "high quality wines at affordable prices."

 

Pask

 

C J Pask Winery was founded in 1985 by Chris Pask and his daughter Tessa McKay - his first two vintages won wide acclaim and gave a hint of the possibilities with red grapes from the region. In 1991 Kate Radburnd was appointed as Winemaker to complement the growth of the winery with her talent and affinity for Hawke's Bay vine growing. Their very first vintage of one barrel of Cabernet Sauvignon has increased over the last eighteen years to an annual production of some 48,000 cases, based largely on four premium varieties; Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc with Syrah having made a recent appearance. Chris literally pioneered grape plantings at Gimblett Road, Hawkes Bay in 1982 - a move viewed with some scepticism at the time. The winery now owns and manages over 142 hectares of vineyard in Gimblett Road, arguably the leading viticultural site in New Zealand. Four main blocks are planted at Gimblett Road, on the old riverbed of the Ngaruroro river. The soil profile is typically fine river silt over free draining shingle which supports premium vine growth exceptionally well and are within the Hawke's Bay sub-region known as 'Gimblett Gravels', now a highly sought after area. The pedigree of the Gimblett Road site has been proven time and again, both by C J Pask wines and their neighbours winning the highest accolades here and internationally for their wines.

 

Penfolds

 

For over 160 years Penfolds has been a producer of remarkable wines.They developed an obsession with quality and were commitment to producing fine wine. A tradition evolved which has had a profound influence on the entire Australian industry and is recognised worldwide. Penfolds is able to source quality fruit from a diverse range of vineyard sites, including some of the best and oldest vineyards in South Australia.

 

Penley Estate

 

Penley Estate is a medium sized winery and vineyard located in the famous Coonawarra winemaking district in the South East of the state of South Australia. The mission of Penley Estate and Kym Tolley is to produce a selection of wines with an emphasis on quality of product as well as the skill, enthusiasm and artistry of the team of people involved in the wine making process.

 

Peter Lehmann

 

Peter Lehmann Wines is one of Australia’s most respected and innovative winemakers. Winemaking operations are carried out at a single site located near Tanunda, in the heart of the internationally famous Barossa Valley, South Australia. The care and consideration which Peter Lehmann Wines brings to the selection of grapes enable the winery to produce its wide range of distinctive, award-winning and internationally acclaimed wines. The wide range of soils and micro-climates produce a wealth of grape styles, providing the luxury of being able to select from the known vineyard flavour profile, the grapes which will create the style they are seeking

 

Pierre & Alain Dezat

 

One of the most respected of Loire estates, the domaine has been reaching new heights by making incremental changes to improve the wine: more time is spent among the vines, fine-tuning the vine, while a sorting table has been recently adopted to select only the healthiest fruit. Their ripe understated Sancerre delivers year-in, year-out,

 

Pol Roger

 

Pol Roger recently celebrated its 150th anniversary and is perhaps best known as Winston Churchill's favourite Champagne. The house remains family-owned and has a reputation for producing champagnes of finesse and elegance which age very well. Pol Roger White Foil is made from equal parts of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, is consistently one of the very best on the market, largely due to the high proportion of aged reserve wines in the blend.

 

Prats & Symington

 

In 1998, the two families resolved to embark on a project to make a top class red wine in the Douro. Both families were convinced that the Douro was capable of producing a red wine of great distinction. Chryseia is made from Touriga Nacional, a low yielding variety of great complexity and finesse, and Touriga Franca (was Touriga Francesa) which is more tannic. Also used are Tinta Roriz, known as Tinto del País (Tempranillo) in Ribera del Duero, and Tinto Cão, a variety with a most attractive aroma.

 

Principe De Viana

 

Bodegas Príncipe de Viana is one of the most modern, go-ahead vitivinicultural groups in Spain. Since its creation in 1983, our growth and expansion has been constant and they are, at present, an important company in the Navarra business scene with outstanding facilities. The wines are produced on a stringent selection of grapes from their own 400 hectares of vines.

 

Producteurs Plaimont

 

In 1979, a group of winegrowers in the region of Saint-Mont, Madiran, Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh, and Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne , assisted by André Dubosc embarked on the challenge of making first classs modern wines whilst retaining respect for the age-old traditions. Aware of the necessity to preserve their land and heritage for future generations they use environmentally friendly methods and help young winegrowers to set themselves up. To achieve this they established Producteurs Plaimont.Château de Sabazan’s vineyards occupy 16 hectares in the village of Sabazan. Made from the Tannat grape and matured in oak barrels for 11-14 months. The wine is deep garnet in colour and the nose is intense with hints of stewed prunes, cherries and blackberries.

 

R.H.Phillips

 

The Giguiere family, founders of R.H. Phillips, has been farming and ranching inthe Dunnigan Hills of California since 1946. The Dunnigan Hills American Viticultural Area lies thirty miles due east of Calistoga on the eastern side of the Coast Range mountains. The Mediterranean climate allows for a long, dry growing season. Many R.H. Phillips wines are estate bottled and express the character of the land, with bright fruit flavours and approachable tannins. R.H. Phillips has long been a pioneer in warm weather viticulture and has research staff in both viticulture and enology devoted to finding the best ways to grow and vinify winegrapes in the Dunnigan Hills.

 

Raka

 

The ‘Raka’ label was named after Piet Dreyer’s famous, pitch-black fishing vessel. One of Piet’s other passions has always been the sea. And when he’s not busy producing award winning wines, he spends his time skippering his fleet of squid boats. For more than three decades, he has braved the storms and high seas of the southern ocean in search of the finest catch. It is with this same passion that the Dreyer family now pursue the art of winemaking. Raka don’t make large amounts of wine so they are meticulous to ensure that the ones they do make are of the highest quality. This path to excellence begins in the vineyards on the hills not too far from the Cape coastline where the cooling sea breezes cause the grapes to grow a little slower. That’s how they like it at Raka. . The grapes are carefully picked by hand, at optimal ripeness, and transported to the cellar in crates. There, they are destemmed and hand-sorted. An air-conditioned maturation cellar allows the wine to mature at constant temperatures in small barrels of French and American oak prior to bottling on the premises.

 

Ramos Pinto

 

Founded by Adriano Ramos Pinto in 1880, today Ramos Pinto is part of the prestigious Roederer Group, famous for their champagnes. Meticulous selection of the best vintage grapes from Quinta de Ervamoira and Quinta dos Bons Ares are is used to produce the Reserva wine. It is vinified vineyard-by-vineyard and variety-by-variety. Duas Quintas Reserva is blended mainly from Touriga Nacional grapes, with a small proportion of Tinta Barroca. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged for six months in new oak casks.

 

Recchia

 

The Recchia family winery lies to the northwest of the village of Negrar at the heart of one of the most esteemed vineyard areas of the Valpolicella Classico zone, Jago. The wines from Jago are renowned for the intensity of their structure and perfume. Traditionally, brothers Riccardo and Roberto Recchia supplied wine in bulk to many of the prestigious names in Valpolicella but the new generation of the family are pressing ahead with the transition from bulk to their own bottlings. A brand new winery is the result of this determination. Their approach to winemaking is an 'enlightened' traditional one and the style of the wines demonstrate minimal interference with first class raw materials.

 

Rioja Vega

 

Its origins go back to 1882 when Don Felipe Ugalde established a Bodega bearing his name in Haro. Many years later in 1983, the winery was acquired by Group Príncipe de Viana. Made from Tempranillo, Mazuelo and Garnacha grapes. Picked at their optimal ripeness. Careful ageing for twelve months in oak casks, followed by at least a further six months in the bottle. The result is a complex wine, rich in aromas and flavours.

 

Rive dei Ciliego

 

Prosecco is Italy's answer to refreshing, well-made sparkling wine at a reasonable price. Prosecco has quickly become one of the most successful sparkling wine types made today. Prosecco is the name of the grape that is used to make this sparkling wine. As this is a grape that is prized for its delicate flavors and aromatics, the wine itself is not made in the classic method made famous in the Champagne district of France. Rather, the Charmat method of sparkling wine is used to make Prosecco as the classic Champagne method would mean aging the wine for several years before release, robbing the wine of its freshness.

 

Robertson

 

Established in 1941, Robertson Winery, who produce Wide River, is recognised today as one of South Africa's leading cellars. The fertile Robertson Valley with its variety of meso-climates and soil conditions create a wide spectrum of terroirs, allowing them to produce an exciting diversity of wine styles.

 

Roederer

 

Roederer, a wonderful family-owned Champagne house founded in 1776, has a tremendous reputation for quality. Frederick Rouzard now runs the house. 80% of the firm's needs are supplied by their own, magnificent, 444 acres of vineyard holdings. Roederer's Pinot Noir based non-vintage Brut Premier is powerful and richly-honeyed and is far superior to most other producers` vintage Champagnes. In 1876 Louis Roederer created the now famous Cristal, at the request of Alexander II. This once intensely sweet wine is now one of the most luscious, deeply flavoured champagnes available.

 

Roger Sabon

 

The Sabon family has a long history in the Rhone Valley. Quote from the homepage of the domain: The Sabon family has controlled vineyards in the zone since 1540. Roger Sabon is the father of the three brothers who run the domain today Jean-Jacques, Denis and Gilbert Sabon. The vinification since 2001 is by Didier Négron, son-in- law of Jean Jacques Sabon. Denis and his son Julien take care of the vineyards.Today the Sabon family own a property of 17 ha. in the Lirac area from where they produce Lirac and Cotes du Rhone.

 

Rowlands Brook

 

Good quality South Australian wines The whiteis blended from Semillon and Chardonnay grapes, from selected vineyards. This wine displays the true character of Chardonnay and the distinct fullness of a typical Semillon. Australia has just the right climate to grow Chardonnay fruit well. With the addition of the Semillon it produces a rounded and creamy style of wine . The wine has a hint of aging which marries the blend together. We have found this to be a universally popular style.

 

Sabe

 

The reds are delicious and full-bodied from the parched slopes of the Languedoc. Red berries, a touch of spice and supple tannins. Perfectly ripe grapes are hand picked and fermented at lower temperatures than most reds to preserve primary fruit characters. Bottled early to capture vibrant red fruit. Le Vedette whites are produced from vines in the Languedoc rgion in the South of France. Luscious wines with a lingering fruitness and crisp finish.

 

Saiagricola

 

Saiagricola is a prestigious agriculture company which includes Vino Nobile di Montepulciano produced by Fattoria del Cerro; Brunello di Montalcino by La Poderina; and Sagrantino di Montefalco and Montefalco Rosso by Colpetrone among the many wines they produce.

 

Salceda

 

The history of Viña Salceda stretches back over little more than thirty years. The present-day bodega was finished in 1974 and is located in Elciego, on the banks of the river Ebro. Viña Salceda has an ultra-modern wine-preparation facility with a capacity for up to one million kilos of grapes. Salceda is owned by Chivite.

 

Schlumberger

 

Although Domaines Schlumberger is considerably large (120ha) their wines are considered to be a superb source of high quality reliable Alsace at very reasonable prices. Many of the vineyards are on steep hills, leading the need for expert terracing and harvest by hand and horseback. They use only grapes grown on their own land and do not buy any grapes of wine must from any outside contractors which really allows quality control along the whole winemaking process. The yields are kept quite low which allows the wines to show more power and complexity than one would imagine from such a large Domaine.

 

Seresin Estate

 

Seresin Estate was founded in 1992 on the Wairau River terraces in Marlborough on New Zealand’s South Island. Here they enjoy the highest sunshine hours in New Zealand and sheltered between the sweep of parallel mountain ranges. The two terraces provide distinct meso-climates and soil types: on the lower terrace, silty loam over free-draining river gravels lends elegance to White wines, while Pinot Noir thrives on the upper level tongue of clay. The sentinel stone at the entrance to Seresin Estate in Marlborough signals the path to both the winery and Serein’s philosophy. The stone bears a subtle handprint, a symbol of the individual and of creative endeavour; it represents their philosophy to blend tradition with technology, to work with natural elements and elicit a true Marlborough character in their wines and their extra virgin olive oils. Organically grown, hand-tended, some fermented with wild yeasts, the grapes from their estate are raised on a cornerstone of working in harmony with nature. They seek to elicit complex flavours and palate texture in both their wines and their extra virgin olive oil.

 

Sharpham

 

A blend of Madeleine Angevine, Phoenix and Kernling. This dry and ever popular wine has a light, fresh character achieved by carefully blending the different grape varieties and partially ageing in American oak. It has lovely fruit aromas with supple delicate flavours and a just off-dry style resulting in a wine ideal for drinking alone or with food.

 

St Eulalie

 

Domaine Eulalie is a blend of 55% Syrah, 30% Grenache, and 15% Carrignan. A beautifully dense aubergine colour, it has a delicate note of oak, toast and ripe cherry. The palate explodes with spices, ripe red fruit, good sturdy tannins and roundness. The finish lingers with full, rich, yet fresh intensity.

 

St Francis

 

The vines are at least fifty and often over a hundred years old from a series of small vineyards in Sonoma County that date back to the turn of the last century. Because of their great age, these plots yield less than two tons per acre of exceptionally concentrated fruit. Petite Sirah and Alicante Bouschet vines planted among the Zinfandel add texture and color to the “field blend.” The wine is held another four to eight months after bottling. This distinct “old world style” of wine displays deep aromas of ripe black cherries and licorice, rich with spice and toasty oak notes that carry into a long luscious finish

 

Standish

 

Dan Standish, the winemaker for Torbreck, has branched out to produce a wine from his father's 87-year old block of dry grown Shiraz which is managed with organic farming. The approach to winemaking is very natural utilizing wild, indigenous yeasts, open ferments and a basket press. There are no additives and the wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered. The Standish is 100% Barossa Valley Shiraz aged in French oak, 10% of which is new.

 

Stirling Hills

 

Very approachable, very good value wines from South Australia. The red has a ripe fruit bouquet, soft tannins and a pleasant, lingering finish.. The white is a medium straw colour with a spicy, melon-like bouquet. Soft and fruity, smooth and round on the palate with good length and a crisp dry finish.

 

Sunnycliff

 

Most of the grapes are harvested from the vineyards in North West Victoria near to the town of Red Cliffs. The grapes are harvested in the cool of the night, this helps to preserve the fruit characters of the wine. Coonawarra is one of the best red wine regions of Australia and is famed for it's Cabernet Sauvignon - a full-flavoured, generous wine with blackcurrant fruit and well-integrated oak.

 

Symington Family

 

This wine comes from the Douro Valley vineyards of Northern Portugal and is produced from the Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca varietals. The first provides intense ripe berry flavours and the second, lifted floral aromas. Made by the Symington family, wine producers in the Douro since the 19th Century.

 

Taittinger

 

In 1734, Jacques Fourneaux, a merchant of champagne wines, established the company that would some day become Taittinger. Taittinger Brut Réserve is a blend of Chardonnay wines (40%) and Pinot wines (60%) from 40 different vineyards and matured to perfection. Such a high proportion of Chardonnay is seldom found among the great champagnes. The Prestige Rose is a blend of various Champagne wines from several harvests. Approximately 12% to 15% of red wine are added before bottling to give this wine its delightful pink hue. Compte de Champagne Rosé is made from only Pinot Noir grapes and only in years exceptional enough to declare a vintage. Exquisitely refined, it has a brilliant salmon pink colour with a very fine, long-lasting mousse. The sweet, red berry nose has subtle notes of earth and minerals. Clean, vibrant red fruit flavours abound on the generous palate, balanced by a crisp acidity leading to an elegant and persistent finish

 

Tenuta dell' Ornellaia

 

Ornellaia 2002 is a wine that shows the great ripeness of the vintage through its abundant ripe fruit flavours, scents of exotic spices and a rich and generous texture. The important proportion of Cabernet franc and Petit Verdot add complex aromatics and freshness, producing a wine of great harmony and balance. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot.

 

Tenuta Luisa

 

The whole of the Luisa family is involved in their winemaking, father Eddi, mother Nella and sons Michele who is an oenologist, and Davide who is an agronomist. They have a modern, to-to-date cellar. They are skilled in the sensitive use of wood.

 

Tenuta San Guido

 

Whilst Tenuta San Guido may not ring bells I’m sure that Sassicaia does, being pre-eminent in the world of Italian wine. Now it is joined by another super wine named GUIDALBERTO – the first since 1968. Although the Incisa della Rocchetta family trace way back into the 15th century their move into winemaking was relatively more recent, some 70 years ago when they first planted Cabernet Sauvignon in Rochetta and then in Bolgheri The Marquis’ use of Cabernet grapes and his implementation of the barriques aging process soon spread throughout Italy. Sassicaia was the first Italian wine to successfully establish itself abroad, and is almost universally recognized as the father of the new Italian wine family or simply the Super Tuscan Pioneer. Mario Incisa della Rocchetta’s planting is now considered the birthplace of Italian Cabernet. Sassicaia is the only wine to be given its own DOC - the "DOC Bolgheri Sassicaia”.

 

Teusner

 

Kym Teusner is an oenologist who has made wine at Torbreck and Veritas. As with many other winemakers, he aspired to make wines which expressed his own personal wine values and so Teusner Wines was born when Kym and his brother-in-law Michael Page bought the fruit from a condemned 75 year old bush vine Grenache vineyard, allowing the vineyard to see another year. Using some other small parcels of fruit from the Barossa, the Teusner label was launched with the 2002 Joshua. Kym and Michael’s aim is to build a label worthy of world recognition as an ultra premium Australian producer. They are currently endeavouring to acquire their own vineyards to produce estate wines typifying the terroir, or regionality of the Barossa Valley.

 

Tin Shed

 

Tin Shed is the work of viticulturalist Andrew Wardlaw (previously of Henschke) and restaurateur Peter Clarke, and has been going since 1998. It’s a ‘natural’ approach, with wild yeast fermentation and minimal new oak influence. They are committed to making wines the old fashioned way with much hand and foot plunging of the grape skins. Using both Eden Valley and Barossa Valley grapes they achieve wines showing plenty of rich ripe fruit and fabulously full flavours.

 

Tobelos

 

The overly oaked, dusty style has been replaced by powerful berry fruit, balanced with vanilla and spice. This is unquestionably great Rioja from an estate in the ascendancy. Perched on a hill above the river Ebro, La Encina is the first Bodega you arrive at, on entering the denominacion of Rioja from the north. This is prime Tempranillo country. Ricardo Reinoso (pictured facing) is the general manager.

 

Tokay Classic

 

One of the Worlds great sweet wines, Tokay has a rich, oxidised character quite unlike any other wine. Deep golden colour with an intriguing bouquet the wine is truly unique.

 

Torres

 

Torres is probably Spain’s best known producer on export markets. Over recent decades they have built up a hugely successful business with quality wines at every level, available in quantities large enough that you’ll find them just about everywhere. Today theit family owned vineyards amount to over 1,700 hectares, among the best terroir in the region. The use of modern viticultural techniques, the preservation of traditional methods and a desire not to use chemical products have contributed to their success.

 

Torrevento

 

The Torrevento Winery, founded in 1989, is located near to where Frederick II's castle, known as Castel del Monte, dominates the hills of the Alta Murgia highlands. Brothers Francesco and Domenico Liantonio started a wine making activity which was later transformed into the Torrevento Winery company. Massive renovation works have been accompanied by more sophisticated wine making practices like controlled temperature fermentation and an accurate selection of grape varieties. The Torrevento Winery, started as a rural wine cellar, became in the 1990’s one of the most important companies in wine production in the area.

 

Veuve Clicquot

 

It was in 1772 that Philippe Clicquot-Muiron founded a wine business under the name of Clicquot. In 1798 his son, François, married Nicole Barbe Ponsardin. In 1805, at the age of 27, she was widowed and took over the business. In 1814 she expanded her champagne trade to include Russia. She died in 1866 at the age of 89. She was a bold, imaginative woman who presented her champagne in all the great courts. From the outset she was a commercial success and her product became a whole myth. A stickler for perfection, she would inspect the cellars at night to make sure everything was right.

 

Vieux Telegraphe

 

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe does indeed derive its name from an old telegraph station, which was once sited on the hill where this Chateauneuf domaine now stands. The domaine is run by the Brunier family, with brothers Daniel and Frederic having taken over from their father, Henri, in 1988. The vines average an impressive 40 years of age, with a significant proportion old enough to draw their pension at 65 years. The grand vin is the red Vieux Télégraphe, a classic Chateauneuf blend aged in French Oak. The second wine is called Vieux Mas des Pape which does not see any new oak. The white Chateauneuf can see some oak, with some varieties vinified en barrique.

 

Vignerons du Rivesaltes

 

The Pierre de Marca range, named after a Prefect of Catalonia in the mid-17th century, is made by the co-operatives of Rivesaltes and Salses, both picturesque villages, a few miles north of Perignan. Together they produce wines using modern technology and local varietals that display excellent fruit and character. The red is a very popular, well-made fruity southern French wine, whilst the white is delicious ripe and dry, with plenty of floral aromas.

 

Vignerons Vacqueyras

 

The Vignerons Vacqueyras employ low yields to provide good concentration. By using environment-friendly production methods, chemical use is reduced as much as possible to produce a pure and natural wine.

 

Villa Morena

 

The vineyards are in various plots within the DOC zone at about 300 metres above sea level. New plantings made in 1993 are now on stream and have been planted to allow for mechanical harvesting. Temperature controlled fermentation is used to maintain freshness.

 

Vincent Girardin

 

Burgundy’s ‘Golden Boy’ has built one of the most dynamic, young, successful comoanies in all of Burgundy. This cannot be achieved unless the wines are truly exceptional – and they are! From his base in Santenay, he insists on low yields throughout. His white wines are fermented and matured in a combination of stainless steel tanks and oak, depending on the appellation.

 

Vinedo Chadwick (Errazuriz)

 

Our Viñedo Chadwick wine represents a long cherished desire of the Chadwick family to honour the memory of the late Don Alfonso Chadwick Errázuriz, with an ultra-premium red wine showcasing the ancestry, tradition and expertise of the Chadwick-Errázuriz family in producing fine wines reflecting the family's passion for excellence.

 

Vitanza

 

Rosalba Vitanza is the winemaker, and Guido, an aerospace engineer, is her husband. As he likes to tell anyone who'll listen, "If you don't like the wines, blame her, not me!" Vitanza's first vintage was 1995, and since that time, the Montalcino producer has grown steadily, with 30 hectares now under production, and has been turning out traditionally styled wines that have been critically well received. Rosalba’s passion for her wines is immediately apparent, and she is only too happy to expound at length about their makeup and method of production, sometimes stopping briefly to inquire of her husband as to a specific word or phrase in English. The wines themselves are quite delicious.

 

Wynns

 

Wynns Coonawarra Estate is the region's pre-eminent wine producer and largest single vineyard holder with the best and longest established vineyard sites in Coonawarra. Its wines are regarded as benchmarks for the district, lauded for their consistent quality and depth of flavour.
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