Les Gravières de Marsac Margaux 2011 (France)

Nose:  Moderately sweet and fruity (dark fruits) with woodchips and pepper.  Really nice and subtle.

Taste:  Smooth and lighter than I expected, with peppery notes towards the end

Finish:  Moderate to light tannins and lingering pepper.

What we say:  V - "Kind of smells like a really good dessert."  S - "Small hint of cat pee? ... no, I'm joking!"  S - "Is there something caramelly in the taste?  But not in a sweet way?" S - "I can't think of how to rate this. How harsh have we been in the past?"

What they say: Expresseive notse with fruity aromas of blueberries and blackcurrants.  Supple and balanced with a frank attack.

Rating: 6.5 (V - 6; S - 7)

Price: 119 kr (or a 20-minute presentation on Russian foreign policy)

Vendemmia Amarone Della Valpolicella 2011 (Italy)

Nose:  Very fruity, mostly dark berries, a bit of oakiness

Taste:  Very slight sweetness at first, but then moves into a peppery finish

Finish:  Reasonably strong tannins with a definite pepper flavour

What we say:  V - 'Smells a bit like an expensive alcoholic dessert'   S - 'Yeah, it's a bit sweet, and flavourful.'  V - 'There's something slightly different about the nose from your typical red'

What they say: Dry with fruity notes of plums and prunes and soft tannins

Rating:  5.5 (S - 5; V - 6)

Price: kr. 210

Frederiksdal Kirsebær Vin 2011 (Denmark)

Nose:  Other than the obvious cherries, woody and a bit damp.

Taste:  Quite thick, semi-sweet, definitely cherries, with a little bit of wood at the end.

Finish:  Doesn't really finish sweet - but no tannins whatsoever.  A short woody finish.

What we say:  S - 'Well, smells like cherries, I guess...'  'It tickles the nose.'  V - 'I think there's some sort of spice on the nose - cinnamon or nutmeg?'  'It's actually quite odd, because there's that definite red wine oakiness amidst the cherries.'  S - 'Does it smell like gum?'  V - 'The nose is like a cherry pie that you sucked the sugar out of'  S - 'And added gum?'  'I wonder what you would drink this with?'  V- 'Man, you wouldn't want to get drunk on this.' S - 'Yeah, but it's good though.  It's interesting.  It's something that you only have a  bit of.  Maybe with a picnic in the park?'

What they say:  Good with blue cheese, salty cheese, pâté, chocolate desserts, or raw sugared summer berries.

Rating:  7

Price: kr. 140,00

Fincas del Sur Malbec 2011 (Argentina)

Nose:  Rich, dark berries with definite oakiness.  Pretty nondescript in terms of most of the red we've been drinking.

Taste:  Really smooth, with something a little bit sweet.  Maybe a bit caramelly (but only slightly).

Finish:  Pretty balanced tannins, but not much else.

What we say:  S - "It's a little tickly in the nose at the end.  Is that pepper?  I dont' know if it's pepper, but it's tickley in the nose..."

What they say: full bodied with powerful aromas of plum, cocoa and blackcurrants; long finish dominated by soft, sweet tannins.

Rating: 6.5 (S - 7; V - 6)

Tesco Finest Awatere Valley Pinot Grigio 2011 (New Zealand)

Nose:  Light and citrusy, not that sweet - maybe a bit of green apple.

Taste:  Slightly sweeter than expected from the nose.  Still at the sweetness level of green apple though.

Finish:  Slight citrus sourness that balances off the apple.

What we say:  S - 'I was expecting some vanilla in there, but I don't think it's there'  V - 'It's a refreshing citrus nose - almost green apple as well though'  S - Yeah, I agree with the apple.'  S - 'For a second I almost thought I tasted black licorice, but that would be unusual, wouldn't it?'  V - 'I think it's simple, but it's well-done' S - 'This is a pretty dry Pinot Grigio - I've had sweeter ones, and I think I prefer this one over the others'

What they say:  Aromas of rose petals and honeysuckle with flavour of ripe pears and quince with a fruity, crisp finish.

Rating:  7

Price:  £9.99

Westinghouse Chardonnay Viognier 2011 (USA)

Nose:  Very fresh with prominent citrus and a hint of vanilla.

Taste:  Somewhat dry and smooth

Finish:  Citrus finish with a hint of sweetness, but a bitterness as well that stays with you.

What we say:  V - 'Bananas?" S - 'It could be lychee fruit'  V - 'I still smell ripe bananas'  S - 'I can't really taste anything.  Maybe the aftertaste is a bit banana-y?' 'I find it really weird.  It's an odd flavour.  I can't place the little that I can taste.  It's not bad though.'  V - 'It's definitely a summer wine - might work well on a superhot day.'  S - 'Yeah, but not a British summer, a proper summer'

What they say:  5.5 (S - 6; V - 5)

Rating:  Fusion of citrussy, butterscotch-edged Chardonnay and floral, honeyed Viognier, with a touch of oak.

Price:  £9.99

C4 Barossa Valley Chardonnay 2011 (Australia)

Nose:  Fruity, kind of a sweet citrus.  Maybe a bit of vanilla that gives it the sweet element.

Taste:  Almost like a really fresh grape, but not as sweet.  Pretty crisp.

Finish:  Somewhat bitter but not unpleasant - maybe minerals.

What we say: S - 'Wow, it's strong. I think I can smell it from here.... or is that just the flowers?'  V - 'The finish tastes like dessert.'  S - 'It's pretty fresh and refreshing'  V - 'I have no idea what that taste is.'  S - 'It's a bit tangy, or tart.'  V - 'It's sort of like mineral water without the bubbles.'  S - 'It's crisp, like when you have the first coating of ice on something.'

What they say:  Fresh and vibrant with tropical notes and a mid-weight body.

Rating:  7 (S - 8; V - 6)

Price:  £9.99

Hagnauer Burgstall Spätburgunder 2011 (Germany)

Nose:  Sort of fruity, maybe a bit of pepper or spice.  Definitely has a bit of a punch.  Just a tiny bit of wood.

Taste:  Reasonably dry with dark berries prominent.

Finish:  Medium tannins

What we say:  V - "It almost smells like dessert, or Christmas, or something"  S - "The finish seems a bit metallic or minerally, but I don't know if that's just because of the pesto we ate"  V - "It's similar to the one last night, but has a tannin finish instead of just being sour and a more interesting nose" "The problem is that it's still not that great"

What they say:  A full-bodied red wine with deep berry and cherry scents.  Strong stature, soft tannins, and dry.

Rating:  4 (a real four, unlike the previous wine that got a bonus point for the wolf...)

Price: €8.99

Spitalkellerei Konstanz Müller-Thurgau 2011 (Germany)

Nose:  Fresh, lively, and citrusy, on the grapefruit side of things - a bit sweet, maybe a hint of vanilla?

Taste:  A bit tart at the beginning, but only a medium-dry overall - there's a hint of sweetness.

Finish: Interestingly, honey - but not overly sweet at all - just a touch.  Perhaps honeysuckle?

What we say:  S - "It's a bit sweet, what is it?"  "It's almost floral, but it's not - definitely honey."  "I think it's good - it's a good summer wine."  V - "This is reasonably unique from what we've had before in white wine - a good combination of citrus with a smattering of sweetness - I like it."

What they say: Nuttin'

Rating:  7

Price:  €7.29

Budavár Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (Hungary)

Nose:  Pretty fruity.  Little bit of oakiness, but mostly fruit.

Taste:  Black currents, kind of a medium red with some sweetness.

Finish:  Very little tannins - pretty unremarkable.

What we say:  V - "It's certainly not unpleasant on the nose, but almost a bit syrupy."  S - "There's something here, not necessarily sweet.  Caramel?  There's something to it - a sort of thickness you'd get from chocolate or caramel - but it's not caramel."  "It's not bad as a very simple wine."  V - "I agree, it doesn't do much, but it's drinkable."  S - "It's very middle of the road.  It's not absent flavour, but it's not particularly exciting."  V - "This is the wine that a 5 was made for."

What they say:  Supple and smooth with natural fruit flavours.

Rating:  5

Price:  £3.49

Finca Los Principes El Rihuelo Rioja 2011 (Spain)

Nose:  Grapey, quite sweet, maybe with blackberry?

Taste:  Sweet in the beginning, but it gets dry.  Either cherry or blackberry.

Finish:  Medium tannins flourishing in the mouth, maybe pepper as well.

What we say:  V - "Maybe cranberries on the nose?"  S - "I don't know.  Maybe those red hard berries?  What are they called?"  "There something lingering and spicy in the end."

What they say:  Intense aromas of blackberry and licorice assembled with roasted coffee and vanilla.  The palate is fresh, long and velvety.

Rating: 6.5 (V - 7; S - 6)

Price:  £12.99

Arc du Rhône Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2011 (France)

Nose:  Definitely on the oaky side, with underlying dark berries.

Taste:  Thick and almost a little syrupy, dry.

Finish:  Medium-light tannins, a little bit tart

What we say:  V - "It was mostly oak on the nose at first, but I think I'm getting some of the berries now."   S - "There was a flavour I had initially, maybe dark cherry?"  V - "I don't know, I don't think there's a lot more to say about it" S - "Yes, it's certainly not a flavour explosion.  It's solid for what it is, but a bit boring."

What they say:  Ripe, full flavoured with black cherry, plum, black pepper, tapenade, and kirsch.

Rating:  5.5 (V - 6; S - 5)

Price:  £19.99

André Brunel Vin de Pays de Vaucluse 2011 (France)

Nose:  Quite oaky, almost a bit pungent, with dark berries underneath.  Certainly dry.

Taste:  Sweeter than we expected it to be, almost a little bit caramelly.

Finish:  A little tart, not a lot of tannins, but with a little bit of a bite.

What we say:  V - "It's almost like wasabi in your nose."  S - "There's something tingley on your tongue at the end - is that pepper? Or is it just because I have garlic on my fingertips?"

What they say:  Nuttin'

Rating:  6

Price:  £9.99

Cuvée Émile Fleurie 2011 (France)

Nose:  Pretty light, but with some oakiness

Taste:  Dry with berries, most likely cherry or the darker red berries.  Maybe a bit sour.

Finish:  Medium tannins that linger.

What we say:  V - 'It's hard to get much from the nose.'  S - 'Maybe it will be better with food?'  'This is drinkable, but might not be our taste.'

What they say:  Nuttin'

Rating:  5

Price:  £6.00

Cono Sur Pinot Noir 2011 (Chile)

Nose:  Good balance between dark berries and oak, maybe some spiciness or pepper?

Taste:  Definitely red berries, with a little bit of sweetness.  Sort of a medium-dry.

Finish:  Medium-light tannins

What we say:  S - 'Ah, it's one of those smells we've had before.  I always forget what this is!'  V - 'The nose is sort of dessertish'.  V - 'There's a bit of sourness in the finish.' S - 'Yeah, almost like you want to chew on something?'

What they say:  Aromas and flavours of cherry, plum, and strawberry, finished with subtle spiciness.

Rating:  6

Price:  £7.49

Leroy Chevalier Puisseguin Saint-Émilion 2011 (France)

Nose:  Really light, with a tiny bit of oak

Taste:  Definitely oaky and dry

Finish:  Medium tannins, but nothing else of note

What we say:  S - 'The nose has a tiny hint of wet dog.'  V - 'This is possibly the lightest nose we've had.'  S - 'Tastes a little bit lie smokey wet dog.'  V - 'It's pretty unimpressive.  This is why we don't drink French wine.'

What they say:  Nuttin'

Rating:  3

Price:  £6.99

Les Audrelles Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (France)

Nose:  Super light.  Maybe a hint of citrus and a hint of vanilla?  Definitely pear after a while.

Taste:  Really dry and orchardy.  A little bit of sour apple juice.

Finish:  A bit perfumy in the finish?  But there's a lingering sour fruit.

What we say:  S - 'there's somethign sweet by orcahrdy to the smell.'  V - 'It's like it you have a basket of sour fruits.  That's what it takes like.'  S - 'I think it's pretty subtle  but I like it.  It's a relaxed wine for when you want to chill without the over the top flavour explosions.'  V - 'I'm less impressed.  I find it a bit dull.'

What they say:  Citrus fruit with a streak of minerality and gooseberry aromas.

Rating:  5.5 (V- 5; S - 6)

Price:  £9.99

d'Arcana Pinot Grigio 2011 (Italy)

Nose:  Very light but citrusy

Taste:  Fairly dry, maybe pear

Finish:  Somewhat tart

What we say:  V - 'The nose is so light I can't really tell what's going on.'  S - 'You can't put cucumber in wine, can you?'  V - 'There's just not a lot going on here.'

What they say:  Fresh, dry and delicate with floral and citrus aromas

Rating:  4

Price:  £7.49

Caminito Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2011 (Argentina)

Nose:  Potent and oaky.  Slightly sweet, some kind of berry, possibly black current.

Taste:  Oaky throughout - pretty heavy.

Finish:  Relatively tart

What we say:  L - 'Oh no, I just gave myself a mustache...'  'I like it for the TO, like Toronto!'  S - 'Oh, there, there was something there.'

What they say:  A beautiful, fragrant wine with vibrant red fruit.

Rating:  7.3 (V - 7; S - 7; L - 8)

Price:  £9.99

Lateral Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (Chile)

Nose:  Sweet berries, a little bit of wood

Taste:  Medium-dry, kind of non-discript.  Not particularly exciting.  Borderline light 'smooth drinking' wine.

Finish:  Minerals?  Almost no tannins.

What we say:  V - 'What's the nose?  It's a bit unusual.  There's something there that we've had before that's almost earthy.  It's almost like that weird M&S wine we had ages ago.'  S - 'Maybe something damp and wet?  Like salt water or seaweed?'  S - 'There's a mineral finish that I think is linked to the dark wet.'  'This certainly isn't one of my favourites.'  'Maybe it has Llama in it?  Could that be the wet damp?'

What they say:  Fruity and deep  with smooth tannins and a chocolatey finish.

Rating:  4.5 (S - 4; V - 5)

Price:  £6.79