Latest wines tasted...

Here's a (completely subjective) view of the recent Shropshire area wines I've bought. With the caveat, of course that 'I'm no expert, but...' Tasting notes are based on the WSET Level 2 approach and tasting lexicon. 

Shropshire Lady 2018	Kerry Vale Vineyard | Solaris | £12.50, Kerry Vale Vineyard | Tasted: July 2020
Appearance	Clear, pale, lemony
Nose	Clean, light, citrus
Palette	Off-dry, medium acidity, low in tannin, medium in body. Citrus flavours.
Remarks	A first timer for me, having previously tried Kerry Vale's reds. Light refreshing white, well worth a try.

Montgomery Solaris 2018	Montgomery Vineyard | Solaris | £20, Derwen Farm Shop, Guilsfield | Tasted: July 2020
Appearance	Clear, pale, lemony
Nose	Clean, light, difficult to detect aroma
Palette	Off-dry, medium acidity, low in tannin, medium in body. Biscuity flavour.
Remarks	Not a wine to knock your socks off, particularly at £20 a bottle. Made for a pleasant evening's refreshment in front of the telly. Complemented by milk chocolate.

Hencote Solaris 2018	Hencote Vineyard | Solaris | £21, Hencote Wine Shop | Tasted: July 2020
Appearance	Clear, pale, lemony gold
Nose	Clean, light, tending towards oily
Palette	Off-dry, medium acidity, low in tannin, medium in body. Mineral notes carry on into the flavour.
Remarks	Most expensive selection so far. Would I go back for more at the price? Not sure. Safe to say, however, it's a grower after an unremarkable first tasting. Perhaps you have to approach UK wines with a UK wine head on, leave your preference and prejudice at the door and just taste what's in front of you.

Madeleine Angevine 2018	Astley Vineyard | Madeleine Angevine, Siegerrebe | £12.99, Ludlow Farm Shop, Brimfield | Tasted: July 2020
Appearance	Clear, pale, lemony gold
Nose	Clean, light, citrus
Palette	Medium dry, medium acidity, low in tannin, medium in body. Zingy in the mouth.
Remarks	A polished wine from Astley. Very drinkable, especially when chilled. Kind of a 'ying' to the 'yang' of the Branwen.

Phoenix 2018	Wroxeter Roman Vineyard | Phoenix | £11.99, Wroxeter Roman Vineyard | Tasted: July 2020
Appearance	Clear, pale, lemony gold
Nose	Clean, light, citrus fruits
Palette	Off dry, medium acidity, medium body. Definite taste of citrus fruits on the palette in a longish finish.
Remarks	Drink chilled. Seems to be a pattern that the palette and mouth feel improves in tasting. Bottled at Wroxeter.

Colehurst Dry White	Jones's Vineyard | Phoenix/Solaris | £9.99, Battlefield 1403 | Tasted: July 2020
Appearance	Clear, pale, almost brassy gold
Nose	Clean, light, citrus fruits
Palette	Medium dry heading to medium, medium acidity, medium body. Citrusy with a long finish.
Remarks	Very drinkable. Not sure, in fact, if the right label was on this bottle, because it definitely felt more medium than dry.

Branwen 2018	Astley Vineyard | Siegerrebe, Madeleine Angevine | £12.99, Ludlow Farm Shop, Brimfield | Tasted: July 2020
Appearance	Clear, pale, salmony, heading for orange
Nose	Clean, medium intensity with summer fruits
Palette	Medium sweet, low acidity, low in tannin, medium in body. Strawberries.
Remarks	If you're a fan of wines like Gallo's White Grenache, you'll love this. Not too expensive, really accessible. We'll definitely be going back for more. Won a silver medal in the Wine GB West Wine of the Year competition in 2019.

Emily Rose 2018	Wroxeter Roman Vineyard | Dornfelder | £12.50, Wroxeter Roman Vineyard | Tasted: July 2020
Appearance	Clear, pale, salmon-orange, very similar to the Branwen.
Nose	Clean, medium intensity with summer fruits and cherries
Palette	Medium sweet, low acidity, low in tannin, medium in body. Mixed summer fruit flavours
Remarks	Named for the Mandy and David Millington's daughter. Enjoyable wine for a summer's evening. Bottled at Wroxter.

Rodington Rose 2015	Rodington Vineyard | Seyval Blanc, Rondo | £12.50, Rodington Vineyard | Tasted: July 2020
Appearance	Clear, pale, somewhere between the Branwen and the Emily Rose.
Nose	Clean, high intensity with summer fruits and strawberries.
Palette	Medium sweet, low acidity, low in tannin, medium in body. Mixed summer fruit flavours
Remarks	There can't be much of this vintage left. Get it while you can. Beautiful sipping wine for a summer's day.

Oaked Rondo 2015	Rodington Vineyard | Rondo | £12.50, Rodington Vineyard | Tasted: July 2020
Appearance	Clear, deep ruby
Nose	Clean, pronounced summer berries
Palette	Medium sweet, medium acidity, tannin and body. Blackcurrent.
Remarks	This wine takes two years to make, sitting in oak chips (or is that the other way round?). Believe me, it's well worth the wait. Not for quaffing,  but to be appreciated. Definitely benefits from a good airing.