Friday, January 25, 2008

BEST VALUE IN SPAIN!

Tom Stevenson has been writing about wine for nearly thirty years and is the author of more than 20 books. He's been nominated on three occasions as Wine Writer of the Year and received the coveted Wine Literary Award, America's lifetime achievement award for wine writing.

Every year he invites a team of specialised journalists to help him compile a handbook of the best wines that the world has to offer. These fall under numerous different categories, from best newcomer to the best bargain wine.

In the case of Spain, Tom handed responsibility to John Radford, author of the award winning New Spain, winner of the Livre Gormand Best European Wine Book and the Premio Especial Alimentos de EspaƱa from the Spanish Government. John is also chairman of the Spanish committee of the Decanter World Wine Awards.

We are therefore delighted to reveal that Bodegas Castro Martin is now listed as one of the Top 10 'Best Value' producers in the whole of Spain.

As a former buyer I am truly delighted to receive the accolade of 'best value wine', which for me is the most significant of all the different categories in this report - quality and value is, after all, the Holy Grail of any worthwhile wine buyer......

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

First post, first review

After a few celebrations and a brief norovirus (don't ask), I finally find the time to wish you all a very Happy New Year - a healthy, safe and prosperous 2008.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, we have just received our copy of a new guide, produced by Wines from Spain and distributed throughout the United States. Our entry is for Castro Martin 2005, and the tasting note, written by Doug Frost (Master Sommelier and MW), reads as follows:

"The aromas show both red and green apple, white peach, apple blossom, and some honey; dusty rocks and minerals are prevalent in the nose as well. The mouth is a bit fleshier, with sweet peach skin, apple, lots of ripe citrus, and a stony finish. I'm sure there are other combinations, but this wine just loves seared scallops."

Who are we to argue?