“Ancient Vines” Carignane, 2004, Bonny Doon Vineyard, £10.49 from Heart Buchanan, Byres Rd

Perhaps for some, a game of footie would be vastly more exciting if all the players wore knee-high boots, like the ones on this wine label.  Didn’t David once admit to donning Posh’s knickers for fun?  There’s no real connection between label and wine, it’s just that winemaker, Randall Grahm, is a bit of an eccentric.  Nicknamed the Rhone Ranger for his pioneering work with Rhone varietals in the Santa Cruz foothills, he sports a dodgy haircut (common in the wine world), loves his thesaurus and is responsible for superb wines such as Le Cigare Volant and Old Telegram.  Try them now!

This Carignan (spelt Carignane in the U.S) is made from vines that are over 100 years old, brought over by the Italian and Portuguese immigrants.  I adore Bonny Doon wines, but I was a little disappointed by this one.  The cherry flavour was overwhelming… a bit like cherryade. Perhaps a little on the thin side, which left a spirity after taste.  Not unpleasant in the slightest, but it lacked the earthy, dung aromas that I like from a Carignan.  6.5 outta 10 (0.5 for the label)