| Name: | La Carenyeta de Cal Pla |
| Type: | Red |
| Country: | Spain |
| Region: | DOQ Priorat |
| Grapes: | Carenyena |
| Year: | 2010 |
| Producer: | Porrera |
| ABV%: | 14 |
Had this in a wine restaurant in Barcelona. The owner didn’t speak Catalan or English but I think he said it was unusual to get pure Carenyena. Aroma and taste distinctly redcurrant. Perfect with the duck rillette, green asparagus, tomato bread and octopus layered with potato.
| Name: | L'Enclos des Roses |
| Type: | Red |
| Country: | France |
| Region: | Gaillac |
| Grapes: | Duras, Prunelart |
| Year: | 2015 |
| Producer: | Aurélie Balaran |
| ABV%: | 13 |
Two unusual grape varieties combine to make a dark and full-bodied red. Spicy and charming.
| Name: | Chateau Musar Hochar |
| Type: | Red |
| Country: | Lebanon |
| Region: | Bekaa Valley |
| Grapes: | Cinsault, Carignon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache |
| Year: | 2012 |
| Producer: | Chateau Ghazir |
| ABV%: | 14 |
Gorgeous potent full bodied single vineyard blend made with low yield Cinsault. We had it with pan fried pheasant in red wine. I would suggest lamb steaks.
| Name: | Viognier IGP Collines Rhodaniennes |
| Type: | White |
| Country: | France |
| Region: | Rhone |
| Grapes: | Viognier |
| Year: | 2014 |
| Producer: | Yves Cuilleron |
| ABV%: | 13 |
Superb viognier with powerful dried apricot flavour but without the suggestion of slimy tinned fruit I’ve had with New World attempts.
| Name: | Fleurie, Bouchard Père & Fils |
| Type: | Red |
| Country: | France |
| Region: | Beaujolais |
| Grapes: | Gamay |
| Year: | 2015 |
| Producer: | Bouchard Père & Fils |
| ABV%: | 13.5 |
Delicious cherry flavoured gamay. Just perfect with roast beef even though I was planning a steak.
| Name: | Irpinia Aglianico |
| Type: | Red |
| Country: | Italy |
| Region: | Campania |
| Grapes: | Aglianico |
| Year: | 2013 |
| Producer: | Villa Raiano |
| ABV%: | 13 |
A huge surprise. This wine is enormous, rich and overflowing with flavour. If you don’t want to fork out for Barolo I suggest this as a near perfect substitute.
Probably best with rich meat.
| Name: | Russian River Valley Arneis |
| Type: | White |
| Country: | United States |
| Region: | Sonoma County |
| Grapes: | Arneis |
| Year: | 2012 |
| Producer: | Seghesio |
| ABV%: | 13 |
Another extremely good Arneis. Luscious but elegant. From Martinez of Ilkley.
| Name: | Teleki |
| Type: | Red |
| Country: | Hungary |
| Region: | Vaillány |
| Grapes: | Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Kekfrankos |
| Year: | 2012 |
| Producer: | Csányi Pincészet |
| ABV%: | 14 |
Rich, soft and velvety with smooth tannins. From Waitrose.
| Name: | Balatonfüred-Csopaki Olaszrizling |
| Type: | White |
| Country: | Hungary |
| Region: | Balatonfüred-Csopak |
| Grapes: | Olaszrizling |
| Year: | 2014 |
| Producer: | Figula |
| ABV%: | 12 |
The grape is not related to riesling but you would hardly know it. Slightly sweet but perfect with prawns.
| Name: | Recit Roero Arneis |
| Type: | White |
| Country: | Italy |
| Region: | Piedmont |
| Grapes: | Arneis |
| Year: | 2015 |
| Producer: | Monchiero Carbone |
| ABV%: | 13.5 |
Proper full flavoured Arneis. Perfect with any strong tasting food including meaty dishes.