The Blueberries (Empty Awards for 2011)

Here at team empty we have decided that we could kick off the new year by having ourselves a little bout of awards just to mention some of the best wines, people, producers, regions and wine businesses that we've come across over the 2011. Our format is very simple, there is a first, second and third place, see simple. That in mind, here are our Blueberry awards for 2011.

Conde De Valdemar Crianza 2007

Conde De Valdemar Crianza has long been a favourite of mine for many reasons. The has always been of exceptional quality, even in ropey vintages, such as 2006. When it returned to my local I wept with joy. Well, not really that would be a bit odd. I did however, purchase a bottle.

Gate 108 [Edinburgh Wine trip:Part I of II]

Gate 108, entrance to Edinburgh. Long a hold of cheap drink. Cheap drink means cheap wine. Now, unlike the Irish system which despite constant warning from the front-line wino's has  resisted price regulation until late, however even with the hikes in Scotland, they have cleverly decided not to squeeze the good out of the world of wine. For students with friends over there to whom they make constant visit too, this is good news.