Wine:Domaine des Clairneaux 2007 Sancerre BlancA delicious stylish balanced Sancerre that drinks beautifully early on and develops well with age. Quite a ripe style for Sancerre with almost New Zealand like gooseberry fruit along with pear and apple. Zesty but ripe acidity lovely minerality anchoring it firmly in Sancerre! and a clean long finish.Jean-Marie Berthier created this domaine from scratch in 1980 in the north of the appellation. He grows the two classic grape varieties of the Sancerre appellation Sauvignon Blanc for the whites and Pinot Noir for the rosé and reds on the slopes above Sainte-Gemme-en-Sancerre. He aims for delicate refreshing wines that reflect their origins in this classic Loire valley region. His 8 or so hectares are fifty-fifty chalky clay and flint and are exposed to long hours of sunlight so his wines have a combination of ripe fruit flavours as well as expressing the lovely natural flintiness of Sancerre.

Wine:Domaine des Clairneaux and Domaine Couly-Dutheil Chinon France Domaine des Clairneaux Sancerre FranceJean-Marie Berthier created this domaine from scratch in 1980 in the north of the appellation. He grows the two classic grape varieties of the Sancerre appellation Sauvignon Blanc for the whites and Pinot Noir for the rosé and reds on the slopes above Sainte-Gemme-en-Sancerre. He aims for delicate refreshing wines that reflect their origins in this classic Loire valley region. His 8 or so hectares are fifty-fifty chalky clay and flint and are exposed to long hours of sunlight so his wines have a combination of ripe fruit flavours as well as expressing the lovely natural flintiness of Sancerre.2007 Sancerre BlancA delicious stylish balanced Sancerre that drinks beautifully early on and develops well with age. Quite a ripe style for Sancerre with almost New Zealand like gooseberry fruit along with pear and apple. Zesty but ripe acidity lovely minerality anchoring it firmly in Sancerre! and a clean long finish.2008 Sancerre RoséA beautiful glass of wine – it even looks gorgeous. 100% Pinot Noir rosé of delicacy and elegance. Medium bodied with fabulous summer pudding fruit; strawberry redcurrant and raspberry. Stunning. Domaine Couly-Dutheil Chinon FranceWhilst many people associate the Loire valley exclusively with white wine Sancerre Pouilly Fumé etc. much of the Touraine region on the banks of this river are planted to red varieties such as Cabernet Franc and Gamay. Amongst the best of these wines come from Chinon and this well established domaine in the heart of the appellation has been given a new lease of life by the younger generation. Jacques Bertrand and Arnaud Couly have recently closed down the negociant side of the business thank goodness! to concentrate on making wines exclusively from their own grapes and the change has been immediate dramatic and impressive.2007 Chinon La Gravières The Chinon La Gravières is from a vineyard next to the River Vienne a tributary of the Loire and is a perfect summer red packed with juicy dark fruits blackcurrant leaf and capsicum. It provides instant pleasure the moment the cork is drawn.

Wine:Cantina Terlano was founded as a co-operative back in 1893 and now numbers over 100 contributing producers all farming tiny plots on terraces cut into the slopes of Mount Schöggel at altitudes of up to 1000 metres. These south-facing slopes strewn with crystals and volcanic rock give rise to wines of wonderful elegance complexity and minerality and give spectacular views into the Bolzano Valley below – this is where Italy meets Germany in more ways than one. What is so striking about Cantina Terlano is the consistent excellence of the wines produced vintage after vintage and the varietal character that marks every single wine without oak to cloak the aromatics. ‘Kellermeister’ Rudi Kofler aims for wines of typicity and longevity and he achieves this with impressive regularity.Pinot Grigio 2007From vineyards at between 250-300 m on gravel and sandy clay soils this is a Pinot Grigio to banish memories of thin tasteless versions of this wine so often encountered. A fruity bouquet of ripe honeydew melon with a soft full palate balanced with a long clean fresh finish.

Wine:Domaine des Clairneaux 2007 Sancerre BlancA delicious stylish balanced Sancerre that drinks beautifully early on and develops well with age. Quite a ripe style for Sancerre with almost New Zealand like gooseberry fruit along with pear and apple. Zesty but ripe acidity lovely minerality anchoring it firmly in Sancerre! and a clean long finish.Jean-Marie Berthier created this domaine from scratch in 1980 in the north of the appellation. He grows the two classic grape varieties of the Sancerre appellation Sauvignon Blanc for the whites and Pinot Noir for the rosé and reds on the slopes above Sainte-Gemme-en-Sancerre. He aims for delicate refreshing wines that reflect their origins in this classic Loire valley region. His 8 or so hectares are fifty-fifty chalky clay and flint and are exposed to long hours of sunlight so his wines have a combination of ripe fruit flavours as well as expressing the lovely natural flintiness of Sancerre.

Wine:David and Hélène Barrault took over this vineyard perched on slopes overlooking the River Gironde two weeks before the ‘challenging’ 1997 vintage not too far from Sainte-Croix–du-Mont. Since the 2003 vintage in particular they have been making terrific wines. As the Gault Millau guide says of Ch. Tire Pé; ‘these are very very good ‘simple’ bordeaux wines’; something most of us spend our lives searching for without much success!2005 Chateau Tire Pe90% Merlot plus Cabernet Sauvignon. Luscious plummy fruit on the nose with minty notes. Lovely richness on the palate; ripe blackberry and cherry fruit silky tannins quite full with medium long balanced minerally finish.

Wine:Domaine des Clairneaux 2007 Sancerre BlancA delicious stylish balanced Sancerre that drinks beautifully early on and develops well with age. Quite a ripe style for Sancerre with almost New Zealand like gooseberry fruit along with pear and apple. Zesty but ripe acidity lovely minerality anchoring it firmly in Sancerre! and a clean long finish.Jean-Marie Berthier created this domaine from scratch in 1980 in the north of the appellation. He grows the two classic grape varieties of the Sancerre appellation Sauvignon Blanc for the whites and Pinot Noir for the rosé and reds on the slopes above Sainte-Gemme-en-Sancerre. He aims for delicate refreshing wines that reflect their origins in this classic Loire valley region. His 8 or so hectares are fifty-fifty chalky clay and flint and are exposed to long hours of sunlight so his wines have a combination of ripe fruit flavours as well as expressing the lovely natural flintiness of Sancerre.

Wine:The estate is situated between Florence and Siena and the vineyards lie between 280 and 400 metres on south or south-west facing slopes. The cooling breezes at this height extend the growing season slightly giving better quality grapes and used to provide the power for the mill Il Molino = the Windmill which now houses the winery. This project was started by Frank Grace an English-based American who first acquired the ancient Villa Castagnoli which had 26 hectares of vineyards as well as some wonderful woodland. In 1997 the opportunity arose to buy his next door neighbour’s 27 hectares which included some 12 hectares of superb Chianti Classico-rated vineyard and a significant area available for additional plantings. The views from the vineyards are quite breathtaking and one has to very disciplined not to get carried away with the whole property when tasting the wines!2006 Il VolanoA simple but beautifully made Sangiovese-based wine with a little Merlot from the hills above Lucarelli. No oak just pure clean Sangiovese black and red berry fruit with light violet notes.The family can trace their winemaking roots back to 1870 when Don Amancio Ugarte began cultivating vines in this part of Spain. The current cellars are carved into the rock of Rioja Alavesa and the family still take care of every stage of the winemaking process – the best of the old with a modern twist.2006 Ugarte Cosecha A fantastic ‘baby Rioja’; oak is scaled down to let the pure red fruit sing through. Tempranillo plus Garnacha with a hint of gentle vanilla oak to add Spanish warmth.

Wine:Manoir du Carra + Chateau La Noe Loire Valley France Chateau La Noe Muscadet de Sevre et Maine Sur Lie Loire Valley FranceThe vibrant and refreshing wines of Muscadet from the western Loire near Nantes have been having a well deserved resurgence in popularity recently and we think the wines of Chateau La Noe are amongst the best. The current home of the Comte de Malestroit his family have been based here since 1741 has been growing vines since the 17th century. 2007 Muscadet sur LieCrisp green apple fruit and a balancing nutty richness from the lees ageing. Refreshing acidity and an impressive finish. A perfect match with seafood especially oysters and a joyous reminder of how enjoyable Muscadet can be.Manoir du Carra Denice Beaujolais FranceThe Sambardier family have 20 hectares of vineyards on very exposed granite slopes in the southern Beaujolais hills above Denice where they have been for generations. Their wines are made with skill and dedication and offer the best of Beaujolais – vibrant fruit with classy minerality from the granite soils. Their wines are a joy.2007 Beaujolais A really classy Beaujolais – the redcurrant and damson fruit jumps out of the glass and is well complemented by the fresh lively palate. Invigorating.

Wine:Cantina Terlano was founded as a co-operative back in 1893 and now numbers over 100 contributing producers all farming tiny plots on terraces cut into the slopes of Mount Schöggel at altitudes of up to 1000 metres. These south-facing slopes strewn with crystals and volcanic rock give rise to wines of wonderful elegance complexity and minerality and give spectacular views into the Bolzano Valley below – this is where Italy meets Germany in more ways than one. What is so striking about Cantina Terlano is the consistent excellence of the wines produced vintage after vintage and the varietal character that marks every single wine without oak to cloak the aromatics. ‘Kellermeister’ Rudi Kofler aims for wines of typicity and longevity and he achieves this with impressive regularity.Pinot Blanco 2007The Pinot Bianco benefits from the coolness of vineyards between 300-600 m on free draining and warm sand and gravel soils. Six months ageing on the fine lees adds complexity and length to this orchard fruit apples and pears scented wine. In 2006 the Pinot Bianco was awarded the honour of best value Italian white by the influential Gambero Rosso guide and this is just as good.

Wine:Cantina Terlano was founded as a co-operative back in 1893 and now numbers over 100 contributing producers all farming tiny plots on terraces cut into the slopes of Mount Schöggel at altitudes of up to 1000 metres. These south-facing slopes strewn with crystals and volcanic rock give rise to wines of wonderful elegance complexity and minerality and give spectacular views into the Bolzano Valley below – this is where Italy meets Germany in more ways than one. What is so striking about Cantina Terlano is the consistent excellence of the wines produced vintage after vintage and the varietal character that marks every single wine without oak to cloak the aromatics. ‘Kellermeister’ Rudi Kofler aims for wines of typicity and longevity and he achieves this with impressive regularity.Pinot Blanco 2007The Pinot Bianco benefits from the coolness of vineyards between 300-600 m on free draining and warm sand and gravel soils. Six months ageing on the fine lees adds complexity and length to this orchard fruit apples and pears scented wine. In 2006 the Pinot Bianco was awarded the honour of best value Italian white by the influential Gambero Rosso guide and this is just as good.