London Wine Fair – 2019 Revisited
The London Wine Fair 2019 revisited. A look back at a selection of wines and spirits from exhibitors at the 2019 London Wine Fair. This annual UK wine fair proved once again why it is the best!
Beginning with wines from Mitravelas Estate, in southern Greece. Mitravelas it is the oldest modern winery in Nemea, in the Peloponnese peninsula. Founded in the centre of the city by the Mitravelas brothers in 1913, Konstantinos Mitravelas took control of the estate from his father in 2003. Their Mitrevalas Red on Black Agiorgitiko 2018, is a good value vibrant balanced wine. Mitravelas Nemea 2017, also made from the Agiorgitiko grape, is award-winning.
Cantine Polvanera organic wine from vineyards situated between Acquaviva delle Fonti and Gioia del Colle, near Bari, Apulia, southern Italy. Their 70 year old bush Primitivo vines produce some luscious red wines, as with Polvanera 17 Primitivo DOC Gioia del Colle Bio.
Another winery from southern Italy, is Azienda Agricola Marino from Agropli, in the Cilento area of the province of Salerno. Producing Campania Piedirosso and Proclamo wines, Lorenzo Marino established Azienda Agricola Marino in 1977. Proclamo Cilento Aglianico was available, also Piedirosso IGP Paestum, an intense red wine, made from the ancient, black-skinned grape variety found throughout Campania, Italy.
From Castilla y Leon region in north-western Spain, is the location of Bodegas y Viñedos Alilian, near to Aranda de Duero, Burgos. Their fine Tempranillo wines such Alilian Buenagente, Riberia del Duro 2014 was awarded Gold Medal at 2019 Vinalies Internationales, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles.
Now from South Africa. Babylonstoren is one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms, dating back to 1692. Situated near the slopes of Simonsberg, they make a wide range elegant and balanced wines. I have always been fond of South African Chenin Blanc wines, and their Babylonstoren Chenin Blanc 2019, crispy fruity wine, is exceptional.
Wines from China. Panda Fine wine is a UK specialist importer and distributor of Chinese wines in the UK. From Château Rongzi winery, their vineyards are situated Xiangning in north-east Shanxi Province. Rongzi Winery Red Label 2014, medium/full-bodied wine, is a blend of 55% Marselan, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Cabernet Franc. Another fine import from Panda wine came from the Sanhe Winery. The winery is located amongst the mountains of the Southern Changbai mountain range, Liaoning Province. Their award winning Sanhe Cailonglin Icewine Silver Label Vidal , Liaoning, China, 2014, deserves a special mention.
Domaine Fontaine Sable Winery, Ningxia, was another wine exhibitor from China. The winery is located in the Qingtongxia region at the southernmost part of Helan Mountain, in the north-west of Ningxia province. It is a significant wine producing region. The terroir of Ningxia, being part of the Yellow River floodplain, has pebbly, sandy, free draining soils particularly suited to the Chardonnay grape. Their excellent Domaine Fontaine Sable Semi Sweet Chardonnay Cuvée No 61 2017, is a 100% Chardonnay grape, semi-sweet dessert wine. Domaine Fontaine Sable, Camel label wine brand is named Meng Shaquan 梦沙泉, being a range of good quality red and white wines.
Finally spirits drinks from Minsk Kristall, the largest distillery in Belarus. They had an interesting display of spirits, vodka, brandy, liqueurs and balms . The three vodkas of note that I sampled, were Vodka Zubrovka Bison, Vodka Vseslav and Vodka Radzivill.
In the absence of the 2020 London Wine Fair, I hope my LWF 2019 revisited – a look back, has shone a light on some interesting world wines. Now, looking forward to LWF 2021.
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