Drinking Albariño / Alvarinho from the Iberian Peninsula
Albariño is one of my all-time favourite white grape varieties. As some folks will know, I’m on the Riesling side of white wine, so anything with great acidity and vividity …
Category: Tasting Notes
View all tasting notes by Ben Franks Wine. Includes: red wines, white wines, rose wines, dessert wines, sparkling wines, spirits, beers and cocktails.
Dipping my toes into the Loire Valley
I haven’t had the chance to drink much French wine until recently. A group of friends and I have got together to try French wines in preparation for the WSET …
Sabar Rhine Riesling Leszner 2017
I had to capture the tasting note for this wine as I enjoyed one of the last bottles of this vintage. The Leszner single vineyard is due to be turfed …
Japanese Wines – Tasting Note Highlights 2019
The Japanese have cultivated vines for around 1,000 years and have had a wine trade there since the mid 19th Century. However, the idea of Japanese wine is still fairly …
Bourgogne Wines – 2019 Quick Tasting
Below are some tasting notes made on the Bourgogne with geographical denomination trade tasting in 2019. Red 2015, Domaine Manuel Oliver Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits Vieilles Vignes Red – …
Lumiere Sparkling Koshu 2016
★★★★☆ (how do my ratings work?) Hails from: Yamanashi, Japan. Grapes: Koshu Popular with Japanese fusion restaurants in the UK and a sure-fire hit with oysters, this delicate sparkling wine …
Barone Ricasoli Rocca Guicciarda Chianti Classico Riserva 2014
★★★☆☆ (how do my ratings work?) Hails from: Tuscany, Italy. Grapes: Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot From Ricasoli, one of the four oldest wine estates in the world. This Riserva style …
Jackfall Cabernet Franc Classic 2012
★★★★☆ (how do my ratings work?) Hails from: Villany, Hungary. Grapes: Cabernet Franc Founded in 2001, this 13.5 hectare estate is co-owned by Gábor Jandrasics and Sára Elek. The wine …
Lismore Estate Reserve Viognier, Greyton, 2017
★★★★☆ (how do my ratings work?) Hails from: Greyton, South Africa. Grapes: Viognier This is Samantha O’Keefe’s flagship white wine, a 100% Viognier from fruit harvested at her Greyton vineyard. …
Lismore Estate Reserve Chardonnay, Greyton, 2017
★★★★★ Pick! (how do my ratings work?) Hails from: Greyton, South Africa. Grapes: Chardonnay Samantha O’Keefe is a great winemaker. Need proof? Taste this wine. I’ve tried a lot of …