"In little over a decade Liberty Wines has established itself as one of the UK's foremost wine importers. It started as an Italian specialist and is still an Italian specialist, but now has a portfolio which covers the world. What sets it above so many is that agencies aren't acquired just to fill gaps: they're taken when quality, or the potential, justifies it."

News - March 2010

Come dine with Pieropan at Fifteen London

Fifteen will be hosting their first ever wine dinner event on Thursday 22nd April in conjunction with Andrea Pieropan, fourth generation family winemaker at the legendary estate in Soave Classico. Executive chef Andrew Parkinson has designed a five-course tasting menu that embraces the regional food of Verona, paired with six of Pieropan's stunning wines, including the debut release of their much-anticipated Amarone della Valpolicella. To make a reservation for this special evening, priced at £110 per person including tasting menu, wine pairings, water and coffee, please call the Fifteen team on 0203 375 1515.

Galatrona 2007 reminds Wine Spectator of 1989 Petrus

The 2007 vintage of Petrolo's iconic 'Galatrona' has been awarded 98 points by Wine Spectator. James Suckling comments "This has a great colour, with fabulous aromas of crushed blackberry, violet, toasty oak and black olive. Full-bodied with powerful, ripe tannins and amazing flavours of blueberry, dark chocolate and toast. Lasts for minutes on the palate. Reminds me of the 1989 Petrus. A stunning Merlot."

Ata Rangi honoured at Pinot Noir 2010 event

Ata Rangi is one of the first two producers to have been awarded the title of 'Tipuranga Teitei o Aotearoa' ('Grand Cru or Great Growth of New Zealand') at the Pinot Noir 2010 gala dinner in Wellington.

Chairman Alastair Maling MW says "This award recognises those who have taken time to evolve and develop Pinot Noir. They are considered a Premier Producer of Pinot Noir; the top echelon and an inspiration to the rest of the industry. This award is a uniquely New Zealand one, combining terroir with winemaking philosophy and consistent quality. It can only be achieved with vine age, proven wine quality and undoubted global recognition."

Italy 2009 Vintage Report now available

A comprehensive guide to the 2009 vintage across Italy, covering Piemonte, Veneto, Trentino-Alto-Adige, Friuli, Tuscany, Marche, Abruzzo, Campania, Puglia, Sardinia and Sicily is now available for download. More...

Greywacke, Delta & Ata Rangi in Matthew Jukes' Top 60 from New Zealand

Matthew Jukes has selected his 60 Best New Zealand Wines 2010 - a list which includes the Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2009 and Delta Pinot Noir 2008 from Marlborough, and Ata Rangi's Martinborough Pinot Noir 2008. More...

Greenstone, Clonakilla & Ata Rangi make Epicure Age Best of 2009 list

Australian newspaper The Age has named Ata Rangi's Sauvignon Blanc 2009 as its Best Sauvignon Blanc of 2009 and Clonakilla's O'Riada Shiraz 2008 as Best Shiraz. The Greenstone Vineyard Shiraz 2006 was chosen as the 'Best use of an Aussie classic grape variety' and praised for being "the classic Aussie red grape from a new classic region (Heathcote), as you have never seen it before...(it) has an Italian maker and an Aussie grower and is shy and retiring. Prepare to be gobsmacked."

Nicola Cornelius wins COWW Young Wine Writers Award

Congratulations to Nicola Cornelius, who has been named the Circle of Wine Writers' Young Wine Writer of the Year 2009 for her entry 'From Backpacking Cellar-Hands to Flying Winemakers: The Sunny Side of Globalisation'. Nicola joined Liberty Wines in 2008.

Now in its ninth year and sponsored by Pavilion Books and Wine Australia, the prestigious Young Wine Writers Award aims to 'encourage new writing talent within the world of wine', and received a record number of quality entries this year.

Flaccianello is highest-rated wine in Wine Spectator Top 100

The 2006 vintage of Fontodi's iconic Flaccianello della Pieve is the highest-rated wine to be included in Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2009. Awarding the wine 99 points in Wine Spectator's Tuscany report (31 Oct), James Suckling commented: "Shows excellent colour and richness for a Sangiovese, with aromas of sultana, coffee, toasty oak and vanilla bean. Full-bodied, with masses of fruit and chewy tannins. The concentration  and depth of fruit and layers of tannins are breathtaking. A blockbuster."

Vanya Cullen awarded 'Winemaker of the Year' by Penguin Wine Guide

The Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide 2010 edition has named Vanya Cullen as its 'Winemaker of the Year', the Cullen Kevin John Chardonnay 2007 as 'Wine of the Year' and 'Best Chardonnay', and the Cullen Diana Madeline 2007 as 'Best Cabernet Merlot Blend'.

The guide's author Nick Stock says: "The Diana Madeline Cabernet Merlot and the Kevin John Chardonnay wines from the stunning 2007 vintage are delivered with all the skill, experience and wisdom that places (Cullen Wines) at the very top of the tree. Vanya’s role in leading this family operation to ever-new heights is a shining achievement.”

Treble Trophy Triumph for S.C. Pannell Nebbiolo

Winemaker Stephen Pannell has scooped Best Wine of Show, Best Red Wine and Best Italian Varietal trophies at the annual Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show with his own label S.C. Pannell Adelaide Hills Nebbiolo 2007.