Sláinte to Spain and Australia at wine awards

AFICIONADOS of wine from Australia and Spain have reason to raise a glass to the 2007 National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA) Gold Star selection as those countries have made a clean sweep of two key categories.

In picking three Spanish reds, the NOffLA tasting panel has given a welcome starring role to oaked tempranillo grapes, one of the world’s great wine traditions.

While the Campo Viejo is a blend including other traditional Spanish grapes, all three showcase tempranillo’s attractive savoury richness and toffee-ish, slightly sweet notes.