Stratfords Wine Agencies shows its 2011 portfolio

It's a busy couple of weeks for Stratfords Wine Agencies as it shows its 2011 portfolio throughout the UK before its attendance at LIWF.

The carefully thought out range of wines and grape varieties cover a variety bases in 'New World attitude'. But that goes for its Old World wines too as it moves into taking on board Spain and new producers Sensi and Calatrasi from Italy. Managing director, Paul Stratford, says "business is doing very well", but confesses to it being a much harder sell and more difficult to try to maintain price points in the face of duty rises and currency fluctuations. He adds, some bulk shipping through Stratford's range of own label wines, such as Rosedale from Barossa Valley has helped combat unfavourable exchange rates to give good value on a wine that would normally see an extra few pounds on the bottle price.

The newly launched Villa Calappiano Prosecco 2010, Treviso Italy would lift anyone's spirits in the grey days of government cuts and duty hikes. It is a light flavoursome Prosecco that displays overt aromas and flavours of pear, apple and almond and a creamy Panna Cotta finish. (£10.99)

One of my current favourites is the 100% certified, bio-dynamically grown, Paxton Thomas Block Chardonnay 2008, McLaren Vale, Australia (rrp £20.50). It displays medium weight luscious yellow fruit flavours complemented by a buttery, caramel and upbeat, lively fruit finish. It's definitely one to help consumers rediscover the joys that Chardonnay has to offer.

The Pirie range really stood out for me with its distinctly unique style. As aromatics go its Pirie Estate Gewurztraminer 2007, Tasmania (rrp £15.50), has an abundance of aromas and flavours. Ginger and spices as well as succulent lychees and soft unctuous fruits, blend together to make a well-balanced, nicely restrained and complex wine. The Pirie Sparkling NV (rrp£20.40) is a corker too.

De Grendel Rosé, South Africa, 2010, is great fun summer rosé that combines 30% Pinotage and 70% Cabernet Sauvignon to give up front New World fruit-salad aromas alongside an Old World elegant style finish at a good value price. (rrp £8.00).

As Stratfords look to the Old World for New World styles the Lar de Paula Cepas Viejas 2005, Rioja Alavesa, Spain, (£25.00) meets somewhere in the middle. This wine scooped three International Wine Challenge trophies last year. Ripe red  fruit and soft earth aromas lead to a juicy palate of dark berry fruits, vanilla, spicy, toasty and chocolate notes.

And for when we're all feeling a bit more financially flush, the Northstar Merlot, Walla Walla, Washington State, 2005, USA (£34.00) shows aromas of cherry, plum and blackberry that follow through with leathery, tobacco, mint and forest fruit tastes that make for a bold yet elegant red.

• Harpers Says...