Over the last 15 years, since the advent of the Southern Hemisphere wines in the UK, a good proportion of wines are now sold by their grape variety rather than their geographical origin. But with an ever increasing demand on multiple producers to reduce prices are the wines produced true to their grape varieties? To demonstrate the true character of each variety for you, we have composed 6 bottles of white wine and 6 bottles of red wines that demonstrate perfectly the characteristics of each of their grape varieties for you to use either as a benchmark of quality or simply to decide which ones are best for you.

Chardonnay - Chateau de la Ragotiere

The bouquet has floral notes together with notes of yellow fruits. The palate is generous and well flavoured with notes of peaches of apricots predominant. The finish is fresh, elegant and lasting with the well-balanced acidity balancing the mouth watering.

Sauvignon de Touraine - Chateau de la Presle

Aromas are bright and fresh with delightful gooseberry and nettle notes. On the palate it is clean and refreshing with an excellent balancing acidity that makes the cheeks water leaving a grassy, direct finish.

Riesling - Hollick Wines, Coonawarra

The aromas are fun and lead with petrol/diesel notes that lead to hints of apple on contact with air. The palate is full, crisp and refreshing with citrus notes of lemon and lime, good, crisp acidity and a fresh and generous aftertaste.

Pinot Grigio 'Alisia' - Astoria Wines

Aromas and flavours are dominated by ripe pears that are underpinned by a salty minerality (making it an ideal food partner) and a crunch acidity to refresh the palate. It is medium bodied with faint hints of spice in the finish.

Chenin Blanc - Vouvray Demi-Sec, Domaine Darragon

The hallmark of Chenin Blanc is the crisp acidity which balances against the green apple fruit. This demi-sec has retained some residual sugar past fermentation giving it a richness on the palate and a luscious and lingering fruity finish.

Gewurztraminer - Elena Walch, Alto Adige

Ripe aromas and flavours of lychee, roses and cumin are foremost which combine effortlessly with the clean, fresh acidity. Good length and definition in the finish.

Eventide Cabernet Sauvignon - Wellington, South Africa

The heat of Wellington mean the Cabernet Sauvignon can achieve full ripeness unlike areas of Europe where it can be a little green and austere in certain vintages. Here it is ripe and loaded with notes of black fruits in both the aromas and on the palate. Blackcurrant dominates with notes of glycerine on the palate, ripe tannins and a big finish that still maintains an elegance.

Merlot - Rust En Vrede - Stellenbosch

Matured for just over a year in barrel, the oak nuances are well integrated with the plum and chocolate aromas that are backed by spices and notes of lead pencil. The palate has plenty of ripe, berry fruit and is rich in ripe tannins to give structure and backbone.

Bourgogne Pinot Noir - Champy et Cie

This pure Pinot Noir is a combination of fruit from both the Cote d’Or and Cote Challonaise, vinified to protect the primary spicy berry aromas and flavours. Light in colour it has good structure and plenty of flavours that will enhance in time to the more animal notes associated with this grape.

Shiraz (Syrah) - Rams Leap, New South Wales, Australia

Stylistically, it is a combination of old and New World’s with plenty of bright aromatic fruit (blackcurrant and bramble) with spice. On the palate it is dark and richly flavoured with some hints of bacon fat and thyme. Tannins are full and ripe and the finish is big and strong.

Tempranillo - Rioja Tinto, Bodegas Sierra Cantabria

This basic Rioja (regularly featured in Robert Parker’s greatest wines under $10 per bottle) is a blend of 2 to 3 vintages with the latest one being declared. The aromas are those of berry fruits (raspberry and blackberry) with notes of vanilla. The palate is structured and well balanced with plenty of mature fruit and good acid/tannin balance with hints of toast in the finish.

Malbec - Monte Flores Winery, Mendoza, Argentina

This is a full and robust red wine with generous spicy black fruit flavours with good ripe tannin structure and acidity. Lasting in the aftertaste with a core of dark fruit above mineral notes.