News, Awards and Reviews

May 2009

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You'll note that, due to the Awards Calendar, this months edition has a huge number of awards to report - all fantastic news.  You'll find below some items containing some of the key wins.

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An Energetic London Wine Trade Fair 2009

The Alliance Team attended the 2009 LWTF at ExCeL, London from 12 - 14 May 2009.  The show was a great opportunity for us to internationally demonstrate our new style, and in particular our new stand.  We were joined on stand, by a large representation of suppliers, to present a broad range of wines, over 5 tasting counters, that very well represent the style of our current portfolio.

There was a real buzz and energy around our stand and the relaxed, informal atmosphere easily facilitated tastings with customers and journalists, while also attracting new contacts.

Additional excitement was generated in connection with the release of the International Wine Challenge (IWC) and Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) results on the first day of the show.  Many of the attending suppliers wines had won awards, including some Alliance Wine own production wines.  Our listed wines achieved a number of Golds and Silvers and even a couple of Trophies. Some of the more notable wins are summarised later in this ezine. 

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this years event such a great success.

An enjoyable, and very busy, time was had by all in attendance and we look forward to an even bigger and busier LWTF 2010.

IWC and DWWA Medal Winners 2009

A full list of Alliance Winners is available however a summary of some of the key achievements is below.  Full list of winners

Some Impressive IWC Wins

The 26th International Wine Challenge (IWC) – the world’s most prestigious and influential independent wine competition – unveiled the results of the 2009 Challenge during the LWTF. Entries came from a record 41 countries, with 304 Gold medals awarded, up 13% on last year.  Retaining the top gold medal nation status is France with 49 medals, closely followed by Australia and then Portugal.

Alliance scooped medals across the board - Gold, Silver, Bronze and Commended.

We are delighted with Gold medals for:

• Cobos, Argentina - 2007 Felino Malbec

• Thorn Clarke, Australia - Shotfire Shiraz 2007

• Luis Canas - Rioja Reserva de la Familia 2003
• Cillar de Silos - Cillar de Silos 2006

Silver medals were achieved for the following wines including our own production One Chain and Los Pecadillos ranges:

• One Chain Vineyards, Australia - The Opportunist 2008
• Cobos, Argentina - Bramare Cabernet Lujan de Cuyo
• Shelmerdine, Australia - Shelmderdine Chardonnay 2007
• Shelmerdine, Australia - Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2006
• Thorn Clarke, Australia - Shotfire Quartage 2006
• Domaene Wachau, Austria - Gruner Veltliner Wachau 2008
• Los Pecadillos, Spain - Invidia Verdejo Sauvignon
• Los Pecadillos, Spain - Lujaria Graciano Garnacha
• Luis Canas, Spain - Amaren Reserva Especial 2002

A Gold Rush in DWWA

The 2009 Decanter World Wine Awards attracted more entries this year than any other wine competition in the world, cementing its position as the world's biggest wine competition. In total 10,285 wines were entered, more than double the amount when the competition launched six years ago. The number of companies submitting wines increased by 23% to 2,240.

Alliance submissions raked in medals of all varieties - Trophy, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Commended.  The following wines were awarded Gold medals. 

• Domaene Wachau, Austria - Gruner Veltliner Wachau 2008
• Domaene Wachau, Austria - Gruner Veltliner Smaragd, Achleiten 2008
• Luis Canas, Spain - Rioja Reserva Especial Amaren 2002
• Luis Canas, Spain -Hiru 3 Racimos 2005
• Indomita, Chile - Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

In addition, Domaene Wachau, Austria - Gruner Veltliner Wachau 2008 lifted the Austrian White Trophy and Indomita, Chile - Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 lifted the Chilean Red Bordeaux Varietal Trophy.

• Cobos, Argentina - Bramare Cabernet Lujan de Cuyo
• Zuccardi, Argentina - Serie A Bonarda 2008
• Stella Bella, Australia - Stella Bella Chardonnay 2007
• Stella Bella, Australia - Stella Bella Viognier 2007
• Stella Bella, Australia - Stella Bella Sangiovese 2007
• Domaene Wachau, Austria - Gruner Veltliner Smaragd, Achleiten 2008
• Indomita, Chile - Duette Pinot Noir 2008
• Odfjell, Chile - Armador Carmenere 2007
• Latium Morini, Italy - Valpolicella Superior Campo Prognai 2006
• Latium Morini, Italy - Amarone Della Valpolicella Campo Leon 2004
• Chateau Ka, Lebanon - Chateau Ka Source Blanche 2008
• Castel De Bouza, Spain - Albarino Lagar de Bouza 2008
• Bodegas Manzanos, Spain - Rioja Reserva 2004
• Bodegas Remelluri, Spain - Remelluri Colleccion Jaime Rodriguez 2004
• Luis Canas, Spain - Rioja Reserva de la Familia 2003
• Recas, Romania - Merlot Rose 2008

Domaene Wachau, Austria - Gruner Veltliner Wachau 2008 also won a trophy in the International Wine and Spirits Challenge 2009.

Sommelier Wine Awards 2009

Stoney Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Domaine A/ Stoney Vineyard, Coal River, Tasmania, Australia successfully attained a place on the Sommelier Wine Awards 2009 shortlist - distinguishing it as an on-trade wine of character and value.

Stoney Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Domaine A/ Stoney Vineyard, Coal River, Tasmania, Australia successfully attained a place on the Sommelier Wine Awards 2009 shortlist - distinguishing it as an on-trade wine of character and value.

'Argentinian Zuccardi Wines are a Revelation'

Neil Sowerby, Manchester Evening News and Gordo, Manchester Confidential website, reported after enjoying a tasting evening at Gaucho in Manchester.  Some of their comments are below. 

Neil Sowerby, Manchester Evening News

Consolation came from a chilled glass of Zuccardi Vida Organica Torrontes 2008, aromatic fruit salad in a glass with a rasp of acidity.  Jose Alberto Zuccardi, patriarch of this wine dynasty, stretching back to the 19th century, was on hand to enjoy our enjoyment of this underrated Argentinian speciality. 

Gordo, Manchester Confidential Website

'The Gaucho is one of Manchester’s alpha restaurants, standards are always high and the wine list, Argentinean, is quite possibly the finest of its kind around. On this occasion the tasting was hosted by the Zuccardi family, owners of one of Argentina’s most prestigious wineries, headed up by José Alberto Zuccardi, a man with a proper smile who distinguished himself as a very gracious host.

First off a sparkling Chardonnay, Vida Organica 2007 which was a delightful glassful of soft tiny bubbles and digestive biscuits with none of the metallic finish at the back of the mouth with, for example, the Spanish Cava’s.

Stand-out wines during the course of the evening included Vida Organica Torrontés 2008; white, unusual and reminding Gordo of his Gran’s violet sweets which he disliked as a child but loved in this glassful (go to www.alliancewine.co.uk).

A rosé showed very strongly, Zuccardi ‘Serie A' Malbec, 2008. One hundred percent Malbec grapes, the wine rewards a highly professional team of winemakers, including José’s two sons, one of whom, Sebastian, was showing his own wine, Zuccardi Alma 4 Sparkling Bonarda at the end of the meal, which wasn’t so much to Gordo’s taste.

Previously we had tasted four reds, two of which were outstanding, a Zuccardi Q Malbec 2006 a big beefy bruiser of a wine and Zuccardi Zeta 2006, (see www.alliancewine.co.uk again) a very silky finishing drink with a much better nose and a big mouthful of spices and old fruit.'

The full story is available online at this link - see the full story

Amayna - 'One of the Best Wineries in Chile'

Vina Cobos Profile

The Argentinian Wine Supplement by Restaurant Magazine awarded Vina Cobos a trophy for Bramare Lujan de Cujo Sauvignon 2006 (also a winner in the International Wine Challenge and Decanter World Wine Awards).

Winemakers:  Paul Hobbs, 55 and Luis Barraud, 40

Trophy:  Cabernet Sauvignon $20 - $40

Region:  Mendoza, Lujan de Cujo, Perdriel

Produced:  Malolactic fermentation takes place in the barrel before the wine is aged 18 months in French and American Oak.

Tasting Notes:  Sweet fruit on the nose, almost blackcurrant syrup in character.  Very concentrated in the mouth, very intense with quite high alcohol yet beautifully flavoured.

Ideal food matches:  Meat, chocolate-based desserts.

We love this wine because...The concentration of fruit due to the low production by hectare is balanced with the wood for a complex wine.

Women and Wines of the World International Competition™

Stella Bella Wines achieved the following impressive results (as only 2 Diamond, 12 Gold and 65 Silver medals were awarded in total).

• GOLD MEDAL 2006 Stella Bella Cabernet Merlot
• SILVER MEDAL 2007 Stella Bella Chardonnay
• SILVER MEDAL 2007 Skuttlebutt Red

Quinta da Aveleda - Top Values of the Year Wine and Spirits

100 wines were sampled by Wine and Spirits Magazine to create a top 100 based on ratio of quality to price.  Quinta da Aveleda was rated 2nd best value!

2007 Vinho Verde Quinta da Aveleda

'Ever since the Guedes Family decided to put their best selection of loureiro, trajadura and alvarinho into their quinta wine, the quality has risen dramatically.  This 2007 is full of fruit, a lasting peach flavour targeted with laserlike acidity through the finish.  It has the bite of salty ocean air and a lot of zing.

What else is rated this month?

Wineanorak on Suckfizzle Cabernet Sauvignon

Jamie Goode was impressed by:

Suckfizzle Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Margaret River, Australia
14% alcohol. A really delicious, expressive Cabernet. The nose shows sweet yet fresh blackcurrant fruit, with attractive aromatics and a hint of earth/gravel savouriness. The palate shows good concentration of beautifully balanced dark fruits and savoury, smooth, tannic structure. There’s a really nice fusion of sweet fruit with the spicy, gravelly, savoury notes. Pretty serious stuff. 92/100

Jamie loved the label image - 'a foot with angel's wings treading grapes - nice!'
http://www.wineanorak.com/blog/labels/coonawarra.html

Chateau Ka continues to impress

Following last months review by Jane Macquitty Chateau Ka continues to attract press interest.

Best Deal of the Weekend - Chateau Ka Source Blanche 2008

Rose Murray Brown, Scotsman Magazine (2 May 2009)

Very impressive Lebanese blend of semillon/ sauvignon blanc/ muscat; honeysuckle, eastern spice and zippy fresh acidity.

Chateau Ka Source de Rouge 2005

Victoria Moore, The Guardian (18 April 2009)

'This Lebanese red is a feisty blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and syrah - I took some to a BYO Lebanese to wash down spicy lambkebabs.'

Redtree Californian Pinot Noir

REDTREE Pinot Noir California 2008 Score: 88
Offers baked cherry pie, with rhubarb and blueberry, showing a wonderful fruit profile that's spicy, elegant
and easy to drink. Great balance. Drink now. 35,000 cases made.

http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Home/

Indomita Zardoz and Duette Cabernet Sauvignon- Carmenere

Zardoz 2007- Indomita's Premium Wine

Jay Miller, Wine Advocate Magazine
Awarded 90+ points.  In his tasting notes Jay emphasises the wonderful aromas, colour and structure.

Duette Cabernet Sauvignon- Carmenere

Silver medal win in Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2009

Jewels from South Africa from www.jancisrobinson.com

http://www.jancisrobinson.com/sitesearch.html
Julia Harding on MVEMVE RAATS, Stellenbosch:
This single wine is a joint venture between winemakers Mzo Mvemve and Bruwer Raats (of Raats Family Wines). Its main markets are the US and Germany and it sells for 450 Rand at the cellar door.

Mvemve Raats, MR de Compostela 2006 Stellenbosch
26% Cabernet Franc, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon,18% Petit Verdot, 8% Malbec, 8% Merlot. Each variety spent 12 months in barrel before being blended to 60% new and 40% second fill French oak for a further eight months. Total 20 months' maturation. Components for the wine selected by blind tasting.
Very slightly herbal on the nose. Rich, thick soft chocolatey tannins. Extremely smooth and a slight floral note on the mid palate. Lovely freshness. Natural, earthy flavours. Some cedary notes. Fine and fresh. Dry, fine-grained tannins on the finish and velvety length. The fine herbal fresh note on the nose is really important for the overall balance. There seems to be a focus on getting the best expression of the varieties rather than on expressing a specific origin and Mzokhona Mvemve confirms that they seek out the best pockets of fruit for each variety. TA 5.9 g/l, RS 2 g/l, 14% (JH)

Shelmerdine - A good example of an Australian Shiraz

Shelmerdine Heathcote Shiraz 2006

Jane Faulkner, The Age (Melbourne)

A wonderfully fragrant, medium-bodied shiraz that is beautifully balanced with a core of bright fruit, especially black cherries, muted spice notes and touch of floral. Essentially, it's a savoury wine that builds, with soft, silky tannins and cleansing acidity.

Cillar de Silos

El Correo de Burgos (Tuesday 19 May 2009)

The article highlights that Cillar de Silos was the only wine from the region of Castilla y Leon to win a gold medal in the International Wine Challenge, and has cemented its place among the best wines in the world.

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