Quinta Sardonia Sardon 2020

This vibrant Spanish/Portuguese grape variety is characterized by a uniquely palate-tingling, light-bodied freshness. Imagine an invigorating sea breeze blowing through an orchard on a scorching summer day: fresh, fruity and aromatic, with a bracing hint of salinity. It’s the natural partner of ceviche, sushi and Friday fish and chips.

The grape is bi-regional, (albarinho being Spanish, alvarinho being Portuguese) so we’ll use the term albariño from here on out to avoid confusion.

World-renowned and well-travelled, cabernet sauvignon wines makes some of the world’s finest red wines, working either on its own, or blended with other varieties.

While many grape varieties are known for their friendly fruit aromas, cabernet sauvignon’s success as a fine wine lies in its subtleties: secondary, complex flavours that have the potential to develop deliciously in bottle over time. For this reason, cabernet is often seen as quite a ‘serious’ red wine designed for cellaring and keeping for many years. However, you can certainly find younger, fruitier styles to help you explore the flavours of this iconic grape.

Deliciously, round, fruity and heartwarming, grenache can be truly majestic when done well. Its likeability comes largely from its full body and sensation of sweetness which comes from its high levels of alcohol and glycerol. Expect plump, red fruits, black cherry, baking spice flavours and a hit of white pepper, developing into jammier, stewed fruit flavours in hotter regions.

Malbec is a fascinating grape variety with a rich history and diverse expressions.

While Malbec is French by origin, it has become synonymous with Argentina, where it dominates vineyards. Over 75% of all Malbec grapes are grown in Argentina, particularly in Mendoza at significant altitudes.

Soft mouthfeel and flavors like red plum, blackberries, vanilla, sweet tobacco, and cocoa emerge during tasting. Oak aging influences these flavors, with more affordable Malbec spending less time in oak than top-shelf versions.

Malbec pairs well with a range of meats, strong cheeses, and earthy herbs and spices.

Syrah, or shiraz as it’s known in the New World, is considered to be one of the great noble black grape varieties, because it can produce such deliciously dark, full-bodied and age-worthy wines.

Expect rich, brooding flavours of blackberry, black plums and blackcurrant, with spicy, coffee, leathery and liquorice notes in hotter regions and gamey, truffle notes developing with a bit of age.

Tempranillo is a very old, thick skinned grape variety with deep colour. It’s the fourth most planted grape variety in the world and the most widely planted red variety in its native Spain. In fact, the name Tempranillo actually comes from the Spanish word temprano, meaning “early”, in reference to the early ripening of the grapes in comparison to other varietals. While Tempranillo is the dominant Spanish grape, it’s primarily used for blending with other varieties including Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano, to create a wonderfully balanced red wines, such as those from Rioja.