Home > Trade Tastings

Trade Tastings

Some tasting notes from the odd trade tasting, and received samples.

• Beaujolais from Caves de Pyrene (2/9/10)
  Two wines, from two of the region's most iconic winemakers, Jean-Claude Lapalu and Jean Foillard.
• Classic Styles from Cadman Fine Wines (19/8/10)
  A tasting of eight wines from under-the-radar domaines in classic wine regions; wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux the Rhône Valley and Tuscany.
• An Inycon Six (27/5/10)
  I look at six of the latest releases from Inycon, a joint venture between Italian co-operative Settesoli and UK wholesaler Enotria.
• Bibendum 2010 Tasting: Part 1 (19/5/10)
  I taste dozens of wines from Bibendum, starting with the white, sparkling, rosé and sweet styles. Includes wines from Bruno Paillard, Jean Defaix, Bisol, Ceretto, Graham Beck and more.
• Bibendum 2010 Tasting: Part 2 (19/5/10)
  The red wines, starring Quinta do Vallado, Castello Banfi, Larose de Gruaud, Ceretto, Katnook, St Hallett and perhaps one or two others.
• Wyndham Estate New Releases, 2010 (13/5/10)
  A selection of branded wines produced under the Wyndham Estate label tasted, including the new Founder's Reserve and Black Cluster wines.
• Enotria 2010 Tasting: Part 1 (5/5/10)
  I kick off my report from this tasting with the wines of France, featuring Henriot, Trimbach, Domaine de la Janasse and more.
• Enotria 2010 Tasting: Part 2 (5/5/10)
  More from Enotria, in this part Italy, the UK and Canada, including wines from the Mazzei family, Ruggeri Prosecco and Peller Family Estates.
• Ten Green Bottles 2010 Tasting (29/4/10)
  Four wines from this Brighton-based 'clicks-and-mortar' merchant specialising in small-producer wines from Italy and the Loire.
• Three Regional Classics (18/2/10)
  I taste Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, Clare Valley Riesling and Californian Zinfandel, all part of the Constellation Brands portfolio.
• Bibendum Winter Sale 2010 (2/2/10)
  Six wines from Bibendum's January sale, taking in Australia, Austria, California and Italy.

• The Wines of Királyudvar (10/12/09)
  Following a recent tasting of Vouvray from Huet, I had the opportunity to taste the wines of Királyudvar, also owned by Anthony Hwang, where Noël Pinguet consults.
• FromVineyardsDirect 2009 Tasting (8/12/09)
  A selection of wines from this relatively young online merchant, featuring Markus Molitor, claret from Jonathon Malthus, Castelnau de Suduiraut, Churchill's Port and more.
• Two from Laurent-Perrier (3/12/09)
  The first chance in many years for me to revisit Laurent-Perrier's Cuvée Rosé Brut, alongside the non-vintage Brut L-P.
• Two from Emilio Valerio (20/11/09)
  Two Spanish wines from a fascinating project led by an legal prosecutor with a partcular interest in environmental and agricultural issues.
• Two from Chateau d'Esclans (12/11/09)
  Tip-top rosé from Provence, courtesy of Sacha Lichine, Patrick Léon and Michel Rolland, brought to the UK market by Goedhuis & Co.
• Vinifera Boutique and Chateau Soucherie (29/10/09)
  Two wines from the newly revitalised Chateau Soucherie, brought into the UK by new merchant Vinifera Boutique.
• New Agencies from H & H Bancroft (14/10/09)
  Some wines just listed by London merchant H & H Bancroft, including the delicious Las Colinas del Ebro and Michel Rolland's Bertineau St Vincent.
• A Taste of Slovenia (29/9/09)
  I taste fourteen wines from across Slovenia, imported by Spirits of Serendipity Imports; the range is diverse, esoteric, interesting and on occasion of very good quality too.
• Winedirect 2009 Nonet (11/8/09)
  Nine wines from online merchant Winedirect. A diverse array here featuring eight different countries, including good-value Rioja and top quality Malbec from Argentina.
• Six Wines from Tenuta di Pomine (18/6/09)
  From a relatively young affair in Tuscany, run by the Barbera family since 1982, six of their current releases.
• Wines of the Loire from Artisan Wines (21/5/09)
  Five wines from Andrew Kerr of Artisan Wines, a small, independent retailer specialising in small volume wines of interest and quality.
• Liberty Wines Tasting 2009 (13/5/09)
  Another look at the current Liberty Wines range, touching on wines from Serge Mathieu, Jaboulet, Allegrini, Fontodi, Felsina, Isole e Olena, Aldo Conterno and many more.
• Three from Naked Wines (8/5/09)
  I take a look at a new UK merchant empowering consumers, and taste three of the latest additions to their list.
• Enotria 2009 Tasting - Part 2 (5/3/09)
  In part two I look at the red wines tasted, including examples from Poliziano, Brolio, Fantino, Quinta do Crasto, Marqués de Riscal and others.
• Enotria 2009 Tasting - Part 1 (4/3/09)
  Featuring wines of Italy, from Jermann, Laura Aschero, Planeta, Umani Ronchi and more, France from the likes of Champalou, Henriot and Domaine de Vauroux, and many other wines.
• The Wines of Moldova: Four from Cricova (15/1/09)
  Four wines from Cricova listed by Exquisite Wine, an online merchant based in the UK specialising in the wines of Moldova.
• Wines of New Zealand from Hellion Wines (14/1/09)
  A tasting of a selection of wines from New Zealand imported by Hellion Wines, including The Aurora Vineyard, Clearview Estate, Waipara Springs and more.

• Woodwinters 2008 Tasting Part 2 (18/12/08)
  Now the red wines, with some excellent bottles tasted here. Wines from Ca'Marcanda, Felsina, Roger Sabon, Pintia, Pesquera, Quinta de la Rosa, Elderton and Ridge all steal the show.
• Woodwinters 2008 Tasting Part 1 (16/12/08)
  I take a look at the portfolio of one of Scotland's leading merchants, beginning with the fizzes and whites; Krug, Cloudy Bay, Pieropan, Cape Mentelle, Markus Molitor, Sepp Moser, Seresin, Charles Hours and more.
• The Wines of FromVineyardsDirect (10/12/08)
  Just four wines from this new retailer, recently established by Esme Johnstone and David Campbell.
• Lay & Wheeler 2008 Tasting Part 2 (4/12/08)
  More wines from Lay & Wheeler's Top 100 Wines for Drinking list. The red wines, including Larrivert-Haut-Brion, Berliquet, Pierre Usseglio, Celler de Capçanes and more, as well as an attractive Port from Smith Woodhouse.
• Lay & Wheeler 2008 Tasting Part 1 (2/12/08)
  A look at wines from Lay & Wheeler's Top 100 Wines for Drinking list, starting with the white wines, including Chablis and other wines from Burgundy, New Zealand Sauvignon and Sancerre, Spanish Godello, Italian Roero Arneis and more.
• Ports for Winter (27/11/08)
  I take a look at five currently available wines, perfect for wintry evenings, from Taylor's, Dow's, Croft and Fonseca.
• Champers Champagne (26/11/08)
  Just five wines from Champers Ltd, including wines from Du Mont-Hauban and a mature vintage Champagne from Joseph Perrier.
• Six Wines from Yapp Brothers (13/11/08)
  A small but well-chosen selection of wines from French specialists Yapp Brothers; Bandol, Cassis, Quincy, Chinon and more.
• A Selection of South Africans (2/10/08)
  I taste a dozen wines from two co-operatives based in Worcester; Aan de Doorns and Brandvlei Cellar (BC) Wines.
• Nine from Laithwaites (30/9/08)
  I taste a selection from the UK's largest wine retailer.
• A Taste of Slovenia: Črnko (29/8/08)
  Five wines from this well-regarded Slovenian estate.
• Champagne: Philizot and Comte de Lantage (15/8/08)
  I taste four wines from this tiny Champagne house which is now run by Virginie and Stéphane Philizot.
• Liberty Wines Tasting 2008 (12/8/08)
  Great Italians and more from David Gleave's portfolio.
• Six from Gimenez Mendez (30/5/08)
  Tannat and more from Uruguay.
• New Releases from Caiarossa (23/5/08)
  I taste the 2004 Pergolaia and Caiarossa.
• Old World Classics from Cadman Fine Wines (25/3/08)
  From Champagne, the Loire, Bordeaux and Tuscany.

• More wines of New Zealand from Hellion Wines (25/10/07)
  Aurora Vineyard, Ra Nui, Clearview and more.
• Wines of the Loire from Artisan Wines (27/9/07)
  Roches Neuves, de l'Ecu and more.
• The wines of Rickety Bridge Winery (5/9/07)
  A very attractive array of South Africans from Rickety Bridge.
• Champers Champagne (28/6/07)
  Good value Champagne from Henry Speer.
• More Wines of New Zealand from Hellion Wines (9/3/07)
  New vintages and new wines from this New Zealand specialist.

• Wines of New Zealand from Hellion Wines (26/7/06)
  Delightful Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon and more.
• Summer Drinking from H & H Bancroft (5/7/06)
  Wines just perfect for sipping in the garden, should our weather ever allow it.
• Wines of the Languedoc from Joseph Barnes (28/6/06)
  Excellent value wines from Minervois, St Chinian and Montpeyroux.
• Austrians from Nick Dobson (18/5/06)
  Wines from Carnuntum, Thermenregion and Neusiedlersee.
• Wines of Australia from The Boutique Wine Co. (11/5/06)
  A fine selection of limited production wines from down under.
• Languedoc-Roussillon from LM Wines Online (13/4/06)
  A further selection of wines from this online wine retailer.
• Vin de Pays from LM Wines Online (21/2/06)
  A large selection from this online wine retailer.
• Wines of Western Australia from John Gerard Wines (17/1/06)
  Lovely wines from the West of Australia.

• Christmas Cases from H & H Bancroft (1/12/05)
  Great deals on pre-mixed cases. I taste the wines of the Platinum Collection.
• New Zealand Pinot Noir from Hellion Wines (14/9/05)
  Two good Central Otago Pinots tasted from NZ specialist Jim Ledwith.
• Lay & Wheeler Spring 2005 Range Part 2 (8/6/05)
  The red wines; Domaine la Roquette, Enzo Boglietti, Ducru Beaucaillou, Pio Cesare, Tommaso Bussola, Fromm, Henschke, Frog's Leap and much more!
• Lay & Wheeler Spring 2005 Range Part 1 (7/6/05)
  Sparkling and white wine; Pol Roger, Fritz Haag, Domaine de Vauroux, Domaine Pinson, Lawson's Dry Hills, Chateau Guiraud and much more!
• Burgundy from H & H Bancroft (2/6/05)
  Chablis, Meursault and more. Five wines from some excellent producers.
• Porto Solene (17/2/05)
  Two new Port releases tasted.

• The Wines of Régis Camus (5/11/04)
  Two new Champagne releases.
• Wines of New Zealand from Hellion Wines (30/9/04)
  Three wines from this New Zealand specialist run by Jim Ledwith.
• Wines of the Languedoc from Pic Wines (7/4/04)
  I taste a small selection of wines from this independent merchant.

• Vin de Pays from H & H Bancroft (16/12/03)
  Some delicious wines that offer excellent value for money from this top London merchant.
• South Africans from Roger Harris (26/11/03)
  Three delightful wines from small producers, sourced by Roger Harris.
• Burgundy from Nick Dobson (1/10/03)
  Impressive and affordable white Burgundy and a selection of Beaujolais.
• Italians from Vernon Wines (1/7/03)
  Vernon Wines import a number of single estate Italian wines into the UK.
• Beaujolais from Nick Dobson (2/4/03)
  Six examples of Beaujolais, including some lovely cru Beaujolais.

• Beaujolais Nouveau 2002 from Roger Harris (27/11/02)
  Three examples from the Beaujolais 2002 vintage, from Roger Harris.
• Fine Wines at Edencroft Autumn 2002 (23/10/02)
  Two wines completely new to me.
• Emilio Lustau Tasting with Luncheon (25/9/02)
  I taste some Sherry, accompanied by some delicious Tapas, with Lustau's UK director Michael Hall.
• The Personal Drinks Company (11/9/02)
  Two pleasing Chilean wines are used by this mail order business providing personalised wine labels.
• Fine Wines at Edencroft Spring 2002 (28/5/02)
  There are some great wines available from this Nantwich based merchant. Here I taste two vintages of Mouton Rothschild, as well as Leoville-Poyferre, Poliziano, Cloudy Bay and Niepoort.

• Oddbins Wine Fair 2001 - Old World (18/12/01)
  More wines from the 2001-2002 Oddbins range, featuring some lovely 1998 clarets, good Chablis from J. M. Brocard, a great Bonnezeaux from Château de Fesles and an amazing LBV Port from Warre's.
• Oddbins Wine Fair 2001 - New World (14/12/01)
  An amazing array of wines from top producers in North and South America, Australia and new Zealand. Producers showing well include Peter Lehmann, Penfolds, Katnook, Villa Maria and Errazuriz. Some tremendous star wines discovered.
• Oddbins Wine Fair 2001 - Champagne & Sparkling Wine (29/11/01)
  The first of my tasting notes from the recent Oddbins Wine Fair. Some great Champagnes here, particularly from Bollinger, Roederer and Taittinger, among others.
• Majestic Press 2001 Press Tasting - Reds, Dessert Wines & Ports (15/11/01)
  Just a few bottles worth thinking about for Christmas, including 1996 LBV's from both Taylor's and Fonseca, Canadian Icewine from Inniskillen, and one or two worthy clarets.
• Majestic Press 2001 Press Tasting - White & Sparkling Wines (14/11/01)
  Some great wines tasted here. Standing head and shoulder above the others are three new Burgundies from Vincent Girardin. Also some great value German Rieslings, and a couple more Loire Sauvignons worth considering.
• Spring 2001 Wines at Majestic (22/5/01)
  A selection from Majestic's range shows they currently have some good Loire Sauvignons that would make great drinking this coming Summer. Also some decent everyday reds from Penfolds.
• Spring 2001 Wines at Oddbins (15/3/01)
  A small selection of wines currently available at Oddbins.

• Portland Wine Christmas Tasting 2000 - Old World (12/12/00)
  More great wines tasted here, from top producers such as Gosset, Bollinger, Louis Jadot, Louis Latour, Guigal and Chapoutier.
• Australian Wine Bureau Tasting 2000 (8/12/00)
  A huge tasting, taking in wines from some of Australia's leading estates and producers. Great wines from some producers.
• Portland Wine Christmas Tasting 2000 - New World (23/11/00)
  Some super wines tasted here. Some amazing quality and structure evident in wines from the likes of Hamilton Russell, Rustenberg, Meerlust and Stonier. Wines from South America impress less.
• Torres in the New World (15/11/00)
  Torres wines from both North and South America.
• Autumn 2000 Wines at Majestic (13/11/00)
  A selection of wines available at Majestic this Autumn. Wines from Guigal and Gérard Thomas seem good. The first of many parcels of great value German Rieslings includes wines from Sanctus Jacobus, one of which is tasted here.
• Oddbins IWC 2000 Medallists (18/9/00)
  Three wines that have picked up medals in the International Wine Challenge 2000 - or have they?
• Autumn 2000 Wines at Scatchard's (10/9/00)
  A selection of wines available from Scatchard's, a local Merseyside merchant, this Autumn. The Palmes d'Or from Nicolas Feuillate was good, but probably not my first choice of prestige cuvée.
• Summer 2000 Wines at Oddbins (27/8/00)
  Wines curently available at Oddbins this Summer include good value buys from Deakin Estate and D'Arenberg.
• Wine Rack Summer 2000 Tasting (17/8/00)
  A selection of wines available from the First Quench group of retailers, predominantly at Wine Rack. Hiding among the rather unimpressive range of wines on offer are some real gems, including Champagnes from Laurent-Perrier and Ruinart, and Leasingham Classic Clare Cabernets.
• Summer 2000 Wines at Majestic (4/7/00)
  A small selection of wines currently available at Majestic this Summer.