Klein Constantia: stellar whites, sweet and dry 
Marqués de Riscal: Gehry hotel outshining solid Rioja and Rueda 
La Rioja Alta: benchmark classical Riojas especially top flight Gran Reservas 
Marqués de Murrieta: Rioja aristocracy built around Castillo Ygay 
CVNE: Combining volume and classical quality 
Contino: Château-style Rioja and Graciano pioneers Home (Page 19)
Book 1
4. M. Chapoutier, Saint-Joseph Deschants, 1996
Another fine one from M. Chapoutier. Deep & fruity like P. Jaboulet’s Grand Pompée from same year, and with the same meal…
3. Domaine Schoffit, Riesling Harth Cuvée Prestige, Alsace, 1996
Rich and deep Alsatian white, but not overpowering – stood up quite well to spiced red pepper sauce with saffron flavoured couscous.
2. Coldstream Hills, Reserve Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, 1997
This was a very rich wine but I was cooking when I drank it so I didn’t spend enough time paying attention to it. …
1. Paul Jaboulet Aîne, Saint-Joseph “Le Grand Pompée”, 1996
Deep & fruity Rhône from one of the big names – nice. Drank a second bottle a couple of months later and it was …