Vintage: 2006
Type: Foch
Country: Canada-Okanagan Valley

This wine is practically an inky black, so black that there is hardly any fading at the edges of your glass. The wine is highly alcoholic, leaving a feeling that your tongue has been disinfected.

The taste, if you can get past the initial shock (say one hour in a decanter later) is slightly metallic but the berry flavours do manage to sneak through.

Vintage: 2006
Type: Riesling
Country: Australia – Victoria

This was a wine that I thought was produced in Germany but only at the end of the evening did I realise it was produced in Australia.

It was a bright and zesty Riesling that complemented our Oriental dinner: chilli and soy-glazed salmon fillets on Pancit (Filipino noodles).

The wine tastes sweeter than most Rieslings that I have tasted and will prompt your mouth to water. It was a good bottle of wine.

Vintage: 2004
Type: Champagne
Country: France – Epernay

We had this champagne one evening to celebrate a special occasion. Boy were we not disappointed. This champagne has great citrus tones, a slightly malty vintage flavour and smooth uniform bubbles. Certainly worth giving a try and I recommend it, if you can find it outside of France!

Vintage: 2008
Type: Rioja – White
Country: Spain

This wine was presented to us as a gift and we had high expectations of this Baron de Ley sibling. You might be fooled to think that the flavour might be washed out due to its severely pale colour. Think again! This wine is well-structured and has a fresh after-taste. This would go well with a summer salad or a mildly spiced oriental stir fry.

Vintage: 2008
Type: Riesling
Country: Canada – Okanagan Valley, BC

One of the few bottles we carried back from our wedding, we savoured this gorgeous Riesling a couple of weeks ago on a hot evening.

This is a zesty wine that is fresh and aromatic. It has flavours of pineapple and green apple. Just lovely. This would go very well with a sweet and spicy dish, for example, Thai chilli chicken cashew stir fry with egg noodles.

Vintage: 1998
Type: Bordeaux
Country: France – Bordeaux – Margaux

This Margaux is quite lovely with a nose of flowers and berries on the palette. It is still quite closed at the moment and requires decanting and at least an hour before drinking. Recommended. You can find this wine at Costco in the UK for a very reasonable price.

Vintage: Non-Vintage
Type: Pink Port
Country: Portugal – Douro

This was the first blush Port I was served, ever, so I had no expectations! It didn’t make the best first impression because it had stolen Thomas Pink’s logo. Oh well.

The wine itself is bright and refreshing, reminiscent of a sparkling raspberry cocktail laced with floral notes. This would appeal to the ladies. I think that the lads will stick with white port mixed with tonic water and mint and lime.

Vintage: Non vintage
Type: White Port
Country: Portugal – Douro

Fonseca Siroco is a white port, best enjoyed chilled — sometimes with a slice of lemon and some tonic water. It is a dry port, certainly one of the driest that you will find. Light and refreshing with sweet citrus flavours. Great for hot summer days or as an aperitif.

Vintage: 2006
Type: Bordeaux
Country: France – Bordeaux – Graves

This classy claret has an excellent earthy nose and mineral taste that you would expect from a Bordeaux.  Not the type of wine for everyone, but I quite enjoyed it.  Certainly will age well and will need to be decanted.  Quite good for the price.

Vintage: Non Vintage
Type: Champagne
Country: France – Champagne

We tried this champagne because it had been recommend to us by a friend. Overall, it was quite good (and great value for money). This medium sweet champagne had great hints of citrus and a nice creamy texture.