Muriel Gran Reserva 1999

Traditionally produced from grapes coming from wineyards of 20 years old. Delicate ruby colour.

Alcohol Percentage : 13.5% Vol.

Bottle Size : 75cl

Price : 9.99 GBP

Personal Opinion : Excellent exemple for Rioja Wines. Very good value for money. Any Gran Reserva under 10 pound with a quality like this one is for trying. We were having a wine and cheese night and this one was the highlight of our evening. We all agreed that this one was standing out from the rest.

Personal Points : 8.5/10

Marques Del Romeral Reserva - Rioja 2001

ABOUT THIS WINE: A classic mature red for those who like their wine traditional. Made from a blend of classic Spanish grapes - Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo. Classified as a Reserva, this wine was aged in American oak barrels for 2 years and a further year in bottle. The winemaker was Elana Adell.

SERVING: Serve at room temperature with roast meat (lamb or chicken), fine full-flavoured cheeses and game dishes.

KEEPING: This wine has been aged at the winery and released ready to drink. Open within 2 years of purchase and finish up within 2 or 3 days of opening.

Alcohol Percentage : 13% Vol.

Bottle Size : 75cl.

Price : 6-8 GPB

Personal Opinion : Very enjoyable Rioja. Well worth its status. This is good value for money. Ideal if you want to buy something that is ready to drink. Doesn't keep very long, so don't expect this wine to become better buy keeping it.

Personal Points : 8/10

Vieux Marc de Banyuls !

Vieux Marc de Banyuls

Vieux Marc de Banyuls is made from what remains of the skin, flesh and stalk of the grapes. It is distilled on a still, acquiring a fiery colour with golden tints, and develops intense aromas of walnuts with hints of vanilla and liquorice. Superb as a digestive at the end of a good meal or with a good cigar.

Alcohol Percentage : 40% Vol.

Bottle Size : 75cl

Price : 35-40 GPB

Where to buy : http://www.banyuls.com/

Personal Opinion : Forget all your brandys and ports as a digestive drink. A Marc is far better as a digestive and will finish your meal in style. This Vieux Marc de Banyuls is a rare product and unique in every aspect. Try it and you will not be dissappointed.

Personal Points : 8.5/10

Chateau des Abelles - AOC Collioure

Chateau des Abelles

Set inland from the village of Banyuls Sur Mer, the vineyards of Château des Abelles grow on terraces forming a south-facing amphitheatre, protected from the Tramontane winds. The Estate’s chosen varieties of Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvedre and Carignan flourish in the soil of broken-down schist, producing wine with powerful tannins and a deep colour.

Alcohol Percentage : 13% Vol.

Bottle Size : 75cl

Price : 15 GPB

Where to buy : http://www.banyuls.com/

Personal Opinion : This is one of the smallest Appellation Controlees (AOC) in France. Cellier des Templiers is by far the most interesting producer of Collioure and Banyuls Wines. This particular wine stands out from the rest. If there was a grand cru classification for Collioure then this one would definitely get it. This wine can compete with any high class Bordeaux or Burgundy wine.

In this price-range, it is good value for money.

Personal Points : 9/10

Cuvee Prestige President Henry Vidal - Banyuls Grand Cru.

Président Henry Vidal

Vinified as a sweet vin doux, Cuvée Président Henri Vidal is the emblematic cuvee of the Cellier des Templiers. It fully embodies all the characteristics of very great Banyuls wine. Bright in colour, with aromatic intensity, complexity and finesse in the nose, it is remarkably balanced in the mouth, blending smoothness and liveliness, topped off with a particularly long finish. This cuvee will take you on a journey to the Orient, with aromas of citrus and sweet spices and just a touch of coffee.

Alcohol Percentage : 18.5% Vol.

Bottle Size : 75cl

Price : 25-30 GBP

Where to buy : www.banuyls.com

Personal Opinion : This wine is known to be the only wine to drink with chocolates. The combination is incredible. This particular Banyuls Grand Cru is by far the best in its range. Anyone who likes a good port will find that once you've tasted a Vin Doux Naturel, you will never drink Port again. This particular wine also exists in medium and in dry.

Personal Points : 9/10

Taylor's Late Bottled Vintage Port 1999

Taylor's Ports represent a Three hundred year old tradition that began with the foundation of Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman in 1692. Three centuries of independent family ownership and experience in producing the finest Ports of all styles ensure that Taylor's Ports continue to be made to the highest standards, combining the best of tradition and innovation. Late Bottled vintage was developed as an alternative to Vintage Port for more informal occasions. Produced from wines from a single harvest., it is a wine with the rich fruity character of a classic Vintage. However the longer time spent in cask means that it is ready to drink when bottled and needs no decanting. It will remain in good conditions for two or three weeks after the bottle is opened.

Alcohol Percentage : 20% Vol.

Bottle Size : 75cl

Price : 6.49 GBP (on offer)

Where to buy : Morrisson's

Personal Opinion : In this range you will not get much better than this. I bought this bottle when it was on offer. Now I go to Morrisson's very often and look at the LBV Ports to see if any of them are on offer. I wouldn't pay the full price which ranges between 10 and 15 pound, but when I see a bargain, I will buy more than one bottle at a time.

Personal points : 9.5/10

Romanetti Vermouth di Torino

Vermouth Bianco combines the elegance of Premium white wines with the mystic power of selected herbs. The result is a memorable aromatic-sweet taste experience. Either as a cocktail, long drink or on the rocks.

Alcohol Percentage : 15% Vol.

Bottle Size : 75cl

Where to buy : Lidl

Price : 2.49 GBP

Personal opinion : we only drink this with lemonade as a long-drink, so there is no need to pay twice that amount of money to buy the real Martini. I wouldn't drink this on the rocks.

Personal points : 7.5/10

Baron Del Cega - Valdepenas - Gran Reserva 1999

This well-balanced Gran Reserva is made from hand-picked Tempranillo grapes which give it an intense ruby-red colour with amber tones. Matured for 24 months in American oak barrels, it has complex flavours of red fruits and vanilla. On the palette, the wine is characterised by its sweet tannins and fragrant bouquet.

Alcohol percentage : 13% Vol.

Bottle Size : 75cl

Where to buy : Lidl

Price : 5.49 GBP

Personal Opinion : This wine was well worth the money, however the next time I would drink it with a heavy meal. I personally think that it would shine better. We were drinking this by itself and we both agreed that the wine was very strong in flavours and heavy to drink.

Personal points : 8/10

The Legendary Alnwick Rum - Vatted Rum

The Legendary Alnwick Rum - A Fine Old Blend of Guyana & Jamaica Rums.

This distinguished dark rum, which has been enjoyed around the world for generations, is based on an old, secret recipe from Alnwick. Lost for 20 years, this unique recipe requires the masterful blending of aged rums from Guyana and Jamaica. The introduction of other selectively aged rums during the marrying process gives this exceptional blend a distinctive, full round character with a depth of flavour to delight the palate. And so ... The Legend Lives on.

Percentage : 43% Vol.

Bottle Size : 70cl

Personal Opinion : dark rum is my favourite drink, but to live in a town that produces a quality rum like this is very fortunate. Obviously I don't drink any other rum than this one.

Personal Points : 10/10 Perfect !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where to buy : visit the website www.alnwickrum.com

Price : 19.99 - 21.99 GBP

Alnwick IPA - Indian Pale Ale

India Pale Ale (IPA) is a historic beer style developed in the 19th Century to aid in transportation to British Empire troops and officials in India and the West Indies. It was "a strengthening, exhilarating and wholesome beverage."
Masses of hops were used as a natural preservative on the long sea voyage and, some may say, to disguise any off-flavours that may have developed. A high alcohol content also helped its endurance.
Alnwick IPA which was last brewed in the late 1950's is now being brewed to match the original recipe as closely as possible to give you the taste experience of that indigenous brew that was certainly in existence in the late 19th Century.
Alnwick Brewery recently featured in the Journal newspaper, in a great article by Alistair Gilmour who is a highly respected journalist and beer connoisseur,
Alistair said of our beer "Alnwick IPA is a beautiful, mid-gold colour with some malt on the nose but not a lot of hop.More malt develops in the flavour and a slightly bitter caramel influence takes it through to a long-lingering toffee sweet finale when some earthy hop eventually catches up. It's a very good beer indeed, and one that you'd want if it was your money put where Alnwick's mouth is."
If you would like to order any of this superb beer please call on (0191) 2512372.

Percentage : 4.5% Vol.

Bottle Size : 500 ml

Personal Opinion : I am proud to live in a town that produces a Beer of this quality. For anyone who visits the area, the Alnwick IPA is available in most pubs and restaurants, so don't miss out on the opportunity to taste something special.

Personal Points : 9.5/10

Vina Albali - Gran Reserva 1999 - Felix Solis !

Viña Albali (Spain) Valdepeñas Gran Reserva 1997

This wine is undeniably Rioja-like in style, but modern Rioja, where the quality and purity of ripe, rich black Tempranillo fruit is allowed to sing and is supported by, rather than smothered in, creamy American oak. It is aromatic, sumptuous and beautifully balanced, with warming tobacco and spice layered with masses of fruit. Great value wine and excellent. £6.49 - £6.99 - Booth's, Budgens, Morrison's, Sainsbury's, Unwins and Thresher from early summer.

Tresher has an offer on this wine, buy 2 and get the 3rd one free, which would make this wine approx. 5 pound per bottle.

percentage : 13% Vol.

Year : 1999

Origin : Valdepenas

Personal opinion : Don't forget that this is a Gran Reserva and is the nearest thing to a Rioja. The price of this bottle is amazing. I don't think you could get any better at that price.

Personal points : 9.5/10

Baywood Zinfandel Rose 2006 - California

Zinfandel Rose is a Californian wine with a fruity bouguet. Enjoy this wine well-chilled together with lighter meat dishes, seafood and mild cheeses. Once opened please consume within 3 days.

Price : 2.99 GBP.

Place of Purchase : Lidl

Alcohol percentage : 10,5% vol.

Personal Opinion : cheap enough but not very impressive.

Personal Score : 4.5/10