New Releases Stimulate Sales

New wines are the lifeblood of any wine shop, although I am sure it depends upon your point of view.

Wineries already in possession of valuable shelf space in government stores are not likely to welcome the competition, and quotas and limited display space do not make it easy for any new product to break into the system.

Fortunately, consumers think differently. We like new and the more informed a wine drinker becomes, the more curious he or she gets. That curiosity drives many consumers to reach for something different every time they enter a wine shop.

Not surprisingly, this month's new releases take us around the globe, beginning in Italy, moving to the south of France, then on to Australia and South American .

The Piccini Tegole 2003, a sangiovese red, hails from Tuscany. Its meaty, smoky, resiny nose streaked with earth and saddle-leather notes preview a soft, supple entry with licorice root, pepper and tobacco-leaf flavours. A solid everyday pizza red with a meaty, cherry fruit finish.

Much farther south, Sicily is home to Fuedo d'Elimi Nero d'Avola 2003, a wine whose colour is as impressive as its fragrant earthy, cherry-scented nose. This is a midweight red with plummy, cherry vanilla flavours and just enough edge (acidity) to hold your interest. Perfect for damp fall evenings. Serve with mushrooms and/or meat.

Phoque Blanc 2004 is a Southern Rhone chardonnay with an enticing floral, mineral, green-apple, lemon and honey-scented nose. It is fairly weighty and warm, with somewhat sweet buttery, citrus, anise and baked-pear flavours. Definitely a bargain.

Proving that the sum of its parts is more the Thorn-Clarke Terra Barossa Cuvee 2003 is a bold new offering from Barossa Valley. The 60/33/7/ blend of shiraz/cabernet sauvignon/ mourvedre gives the wine immediate textural presence in the mouth. There is gobs of black fruit balanced by plenty of youthful tannins. Despite this description, it is leaner than you might expect. It should improve even more with another year or two in the bottle.

Dona Dominga Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon Carmenere 2004 from Chile is a 50/50 blend but the carmenere tends to dominate the nose and the flavours with its peppery, earthy, red-fruit notes. It's a fun and fruity barbecue red with a few youthful tannins to disperse.

Speaking of new listings it's been more than a decade since I first visited Nieto Senetiner in Mendoza, Argentina. I was impressed with the winery's blended wines during that visit and wondered why they weren't selling anyin British Columbia. Thankfully, they were persistent.

The Nieto Senetiner Cabernet Shiraz Reserva 2003 may be fashioned after the classic Australian blend, but its earthy savoury characters would suggest this cabernet shiraz is more cabernet syrah. Look for a smooth herbal coffee and red fruit scented nose with similar flavours flecked with vanilla and pepper. The finish is spicy with dry savoury notes.

NEW RELEASES:

PICCINI TEGOLE 2003, TUSCANY, ITALY
Price: $12.95
UPC: 8002793959697
Score: 85/100
Remarks: A supple pizza red with licorice root, meaty, cherry fruit flavours.

FUEDO D'ELIMI NERO D'AVOLA 2003, SICILY, ITALY
Price: $11.99
UPC: 8000186100039
Score: 86/100
Remarks: A mid-weight red with plummy, cherry, vanilla flavours.

PHOQUE BLANC 2004, SOUTHERN RHONE, RHONE VALLEY, FRANCE
Price: $10.99
UPC: 3395943404365
Score: 85/100
Remarks: Fresh, citrus, anise and buttery baked pear flavours.

THORN-CLARKE TERRA BAROSSA CUVEE 2003, BAROSSA VALLEY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Price: $19.99
UPC: 853065000511
Score: 88/100
Remarks: Gobs of black fruit and youthful tannins.

DONA DOMINGA OLD VINES CABERNET SAUVIGNON CARMENERE 2004, VALLE DEL COLCHAGUA, CHILE
Price: $12.99
UPC: 688438000290
Score: 86/100
Remarks: Peppery, earthy, fruity barbecue red.

NIETO SENETINER CABERNET SHIRAZ RESERVA 2003, MENDOZA, ARGENTINA
Price: $15.99
UPC: 7793440701844
Score: 87/100
Remarks: Full-bodied, rich, dry savoury red.