Some Vino Winners from 2011

Here are some of the whites that have won at the vino races for The Wine Tipster in 2011. The John Platter 5 Star rated Diemersfontein Chenin Blanc 2010, Wellington, South Africa,which is dry, beautifully balanced and exotic. Stockist: www.diemersfontein.co.za . Another Platter 5 Star winner was the super impressive Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Stellenbosch, South Africa, £16. Stockist: Tescos Wine by the Case www.tesco.com/wine . Kevin Judd’s Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2010, New Zealand, £15.99, has great minerality, complexity and taut refinement. Stockist: www.slurp.co.uk with allocations selling out fast. From Tuscany, Fattoria Michi’s Montecarlo Bianco 2010, Italy, £15.75, made from Trebbiano, Rousanne, Sauvignon and Vermentino is a stunning dry, classy white. Stockists: Soho Wines, www.clubviniitaliani.co.uk . Chapel Down’s Bacchus Reserve 2010, Kent, England, stepping in at a friendly 12.5% abv, this wine delivered real depth and was a great match at Roast Restaurant with their pork belly. Stockist: Roast. Portugal could have several winners included here, however a real stand out is Nossa 2009, Vinhos Doidos, Filipa Pato, Beiras, Portugal, £20.00, with ripe lemon and orange fruit flavours, subtle oak influence and minerality. Stockist: www.clarkfoysterwines.co.uk. Burgundy has provided many real highlights this year including Rully 1er Cru La Pucelle 2009, Antonin Rodet, France, £15.99, lemony, spice, vanilla, buttery character, with development to come. Stockist: M&S.Whites under a tenner that continue to be real handicap certainties are Vinho Verde Quinta de Azevedo 2010, Portugal, £6.99-7.49, Majestic and Waitrose, with from Chile, Anakena’s Chardonnay/Viognier 2011, £6.49, Co-op.