Wines in the press, February 14-15

Our review of what the critics had to say in this weekend's national press

Burgundy favourite makes on-trade debut

Blason de Bourgogne has made its on-trade debut, almost seven years after it first appeared in the UK take-home market.

Life of a salesman: Week 2: Anyone for Beaujolais Nouveau?

As I write this, the wine bar across the street is doing a Beaujolais Nouveau Day breakfast, complete with red, white and blue bunting and a blackboard shouting Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivée! Despite a steady decline in popularity since its heyday in the '70s and '80s, the Beaujolais breakfast is a wine world idiosyncrasy that refuses to die, blithely rooted in a time when blackberries were fruit and latte was Italian for milk.

Wines in the Press: The clash of the titans

The focus is very much on Europe this week. Victoria Moore and Jancis Robinson MW hone in on France, with Robinson concentrating on Bordeaux and Moore pitting the same region against other French "titan" Burgundy. Susy Atkins and Tim Atkin MW tell us why they're into their Italian reds, whilst Anthony Rose rounds things off with a look at UK retail stalwart Oddbins.

Wines in the Press: sake, Constantia and the trouble with single varietals

Jancis Robinson mulls over the mysteries of sake, Jonathan Ray visits the Western Cape, and Anthony Rose joins the wine club. Meanwhile, Jane MacQuitty considers what to drink in a recession and Tim Atkin tires of the domination of the big five grape varieties in New World wine.

Wines in the Press: From old wines to sweet wines

Paragon re-establishes Australian connection

UK distributor Paragon Vintners has re-established an Australian representation in its portfolio by winning the full UK distribution for South Australian winery Jip Jip Rocks.

Wines in the Press: Malbec, Muscadet and wines in the desert

This week Jane MacQuitty assesses the future of Oddbins, Victoria Moore goes back to her roots and Jonny Beardsall takes a trip to the Namib desert to meet a remarkable winemaker. Meanwhile Joanna Simon is surprised by the following on new website thewinegang.com.

Wines in the Press: Chardonnay and PX are back in vogue

Some unfashionable wines get some good publicity this week; Jancis Robinson sings the praises of sweet Spanish PX varieties and Jamie Goode attempts to reverse some of the damage Bridget Jones has inflicted on Chardonnay in recent years. Elsewhere, last month's Dispatches programme on the use of chemicals in wine is still a talking point; this week Jane MacQuitty has her say.

ZGM appoints award winning winemaker

International wine producer ZGM has appointed award-winning winemaker Julian Grubb to its team.

Didier Dagueneau dies in plane crash

Acclaimed Pouilly Fumé producer, Didier Dagueneau, has died aged 52. Dagueneau was tragically involved in a microlite accident last Wednesday in the Dordogne region of western France.

Wines in the Press: Washington, South Africa and the rise of M&S

Peter Grogan sings the praises of Washington wines, Jamie Goode comes over all fruit and nut, and Jancis Robinson's tastebuds experience something of a sense of déjà vu this week. Tom Atkin meanwhile might not be a fan of Marks & Spencer's undies collection, but when it comes to its wines it's a different story...

Wines in the Press: Ways to enjoy seventy-five centilitres of fun

Jane MacQuitty indulges in a spot of armchair shopping, Jancis Robinson learns where not to mention the 'S' word and Tim Aktin enjoys "seventy-five centilitres of fun" with some Sauvignon this week. Meanwhile for those with cash to flash, Antony Rose's column makes for inspiring reading...

Wines in the Press: Cocktail shaking and blog making

Jane MacQuitty has been getting busy with her cocktail shaker, Victoria Moore has been indulging in a spot of wine blogging, and Jonathan Ray has been on a trip to one of Chile's most exciting prospects, the Limarí region. Meanwhile, for those of us still holding out for some late summer sun, Joanna Simon has dug out some perfect picnic picks, whilst Tim Atkin raves about Riesling.

Wines in the Press: Spirit of the summer

Summer is in full swing this week, with Tim Atkin MW getting into the holiday spirit, Jane MacQuitty going on the hunt for the perfect summer red and Jamie Goode giving his run down of the best wines to enjoy in the warm weather.

Wine trio become LEAF accredited

Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF) has authorised the world's first LEAF Marque wines.

Wines in the Press: Of sherry, spittoons and sparkling wines...

Jane MacQuitty sings the praises of fino and manzanilla, Joanna Simon discusses her spittoon technique, Anthony Rose visits Cahors and Tim Atkins gets busy with his wand.

The Independent

In these times of credit woe we should take note that Aldi has taken the "discount mantle" from Kwik Save, says Anthony Rose.  "Aldi's low wine prices are all the more remarkable, given that the euro is so strong and the government now takes £1.72 in tax on every bottle of wine," he adds. The 2007 Chardonnay Torrontes Tierra del Sol (£3.49) "would not disgrace the dinner table" while Aldi's flush shoppers might want to try the 2007 Latuilière Sancerre (£8.99) which "offers the requisite herbaceous quality to customers in search of a treat".

The Independent

Last week Anthony Rose organised a themed wine tasting for a select group of Independent hacks at the stipulation of his magazine editor. Using the game of options - where teams of participants have to answer multiple-choice questions on the wines to remain in the tasting - was, he said, "the only way of holding the attention of a bunch of rowdy journalists". Each round Rose quizzed the teams on two bottles of wine, which were linked by factors such as grape type and price. The chief sub at the newspaper spotted the link between the 2005 Trimbach Riesling (8, The Wine Society) and 2001 Pewsey Vale Eden Valley Riesling (11.99, Selfridges). Rose said the former had a "dry and youthful" character while the latter displayed the "kerosene undertone of age". And who were the overall winners? The magazine editor's team, funnily enough.

The Sunday Times

Joanna Simon debates the merits of Beaujolais despite her belief that many leave it to one side at this time of year. Suited to "fish, fowl or meat", she mentions it is "the bottles that don't mention the B-word that are the best the region produces". And while we may be familiar with Fleurie, Brouilly and Morgon, it is instead worth investigating the likes of Chnas, Julinas and Chiroubles. She picks out the 2006 Julinas, Domaine du Clos du Fief, (9.99, Wheeler Cellars) and 2005 Chnas, Bernard Sant, (8.50, Stone, Vine & Sun) as good options.