Basically, it means maximising creativity to the benefit of all parties involved – the producer,the importer and the consumer. The actors presenting this collection are on the one side, the specialist importers of really fine wines into Great Britain, and on the other is the enthusiastic Wine Trade, which tastes, forms opinions, discusses, decides and concludes agreements to buy these wines produced with great passion and which show tremendous diversity.
 It is solely business to business between partners seeking to propose and to find exciting and authentic wines and spirits. It is a unique opportunity to taste and to get to know better a concentrated array of some of the best wines (and spirits) from all over the world, presented by eminently knowledgeable people in a diligent business atmosphere with no frills or distractions. It portrays the energy and the reality of this sector of the Wine Trade today. Some exhibitors are from small, strictly family companies, whilst others are large and national concerns.

The Wine Press is very present and active. In fact, there is no chit chat, but noses in the glass and pens scribbling away to capture the taste and the soul of each wine. One is struck by the relevancy of the quality and the scope of wines available for tasting. Restaurateurs and hoteliers are able to find the gems that they look for to suit their cuisine and their wine list, whilst tasting their way around the 41 tables. Even better, at the end of the day, the forum for on-trade and suppliers provided the restaurant, hotel and on-trade sectors with the possibility of a deeper immersion into the challenges and the opportunities
of the moment.
There was also a very stimulating Forum for Independent Wine Merchants and suppliers. The irrefutable proof of the success of SITT, both in Manchester, where it took place on 25th February, and in London, where is took place on 27th February in the vaults of Vinopolis, is the unanimous acclaim of all participants, whether exhibitors, trade visitors or members of the specialist press. No doomsday proclamations. Only warm, welcoming enthusiasm and the eagerness to present wines made by passion - driven caretakers of their land and their heritage.

The choice was huge and the conditions ideal. Plenty of light and space. Good spittoons. However, due to the increasing success of the event, the throng of tasters grew steadily and all tables become very much busier as the day advanced. The size of the collection is one of its virtues. There were 41 tables with between 8 and 25 wines to taste. One was able to taste at one’s own rhythm, with attentive personnel in the wings ready to answer questions and to provide complementary information. Also, for the smaller houses, to launch commercial discussions and eventual agreements.

The conversation was definitely business like, especially once a prospective buyer found a wine that stimulated his or her particular attention. It is decidedly a business to business event. I spoke to several wine importers as well as wine writers and the reaction was unfailingly complimentary. For example, “We think SITT provides excellent tastings. It is a better platform for the independent wine trade than some of the much bigger fairs ... we use it as a shop window or a picture of what we do, hence we only use one table.

Lots of good small shippers and importers are showing really good wines, so we feel it important to be here”, says Jeremy Hunt of Thorman Hunt & Co. Andrew Darwin exclaims, “SITT is a triumph.
 I’ve come to expect nothing less”. Wine writer, Steven Spurrier, finds that “SITT shows the vibrancy of the Wine Trade”. Whereas, Brigid Forrest of Forrest Estate in New Zealand affirms, “We did much better business than we have ever managed before...”, in a comparison between SITT and the larger London fairs. Simon Woods, wine writer, feels that it is “the best tasting of the year”.

Julia Harding M.W., fulltime assistant to Jancis Robinson, acknowledges that she “was able to taste only a selection of the SITT wines. I was impressed by the consistently high quality of the wines that I did taste and especially the intrinsic interest of what the importers were showing – in terms of producers, regions and grape varieties.
Not a moment’s boredom”. I could add, “Not enough time !!” Please visit www.sittastings.org for full details of all importers present and a complete list of wines available for tasting. A phenomenal collection, you will agree.Herewith some of my favourite wines to set the mouth watering and those taste buds tingling. “Bonne dégustation !” ·


· New Zealand Wine Distribution

Clayridge Pinot Noir 2006,
Marlborough
Pale, bright, ruby with a smoky, Pinot Noir bouquet, hint of ripe cherry and dark plum. Smooth and silky palate with good grip to allow for laying down. Excellent fruit, which blends very harmoniously with the tannins. Pleasing roundness in the mouth, yet showing refined backbone. Complete wine. Fine example of exceptional Pinot Noir of complexity and depth of fruit.


· Raymond Reynolds Ltd.
Vale da Murta 2006,
Estremadura, Portugal
Touriga Nacional and Syrah blend. Deep, dark, ruby robe. Quite spicy bouquet. Very tight structure, still young in texture, but attractively made. Tannins are powerful, but extremely well managed.


· Thorman Hunt & Co

Domaine FranCois Raquillet,
Mercurey les Naugues 2005,
Burgundy, France
Bright, ruby red robe. Smoky notes and undergrowth, yet vibrant and complex. Long and lingering bouquet of excellent quality and finesse on a fresh fruit basis with delicate notes of smoky rosewood. Fine Pinot Noir at its best. Red berries with hints of blackcurrant. Tremendous structure, dry and clean with the wood in abeyance. Very long and delicious now but possesses huge potential.

Tenuta di Argiano,
Brunello di Montalcino 2003,
Tuscany, Italy
Bright, red garnet robe with flame red reflections. Delicately spicy, smoky bouquet with deep, red fruit aromas. Hint of black cherry, raspberry and bilberry against backdrop of tobacco notes. Firm and tight texture of flavours in mouth. Full and intense, tones of ripe berry fruit with touch of liquorice.Tremendous tannins of fine quality and huge structure. Good, thoroughly fruited acidity prevents heaviness. Well made wine with prune, black cherry and bilberry notes to very end.Very exciting wine, but certainly a mouthful!


· Yeo & Co

Bosman Family Vineyards Chenin
Blanc 2007, Wellington, South Africa
Pale robe, fresh attack with fruit in wings waiting to burst forth. Spicy, blossom notes. On palate round, but bright and fresh on attack. Good fruit, excellent acidity/fruit balance.Lingers in mouth. Most attractive crisp finish. Spicy and long. Wait for this one. Quite delicious now, but good potential for enjoying later.

Morgenster Estate, Morgenster 2003,
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Deep, purple, turning crimson, robe. “Terroir” expression, but refined, smoky notes and definite “fynbos” (particular Cape undergrowth) undertones. Well knit palate with everything in place. Well spiced fruit flavours. Tannins controlled, but present. Attractive herbal touch. Hint of chocolate. Long and lingering on tongue. Good structure, smooth texture. Developing very enjoyably.

Jean Daneel Initial Red 2005,
Franschoek, South Africa
Deep, ruby, red crimson robe. Fruit freshness on bouquet with hint of nutmeg and cedar tones. Attractive and pleasing with ripe, black fruit to add voluptuous note. Smooth and round on palate, honestly made wine. Very juicy but with good volume and attractive texture in the mouth. Both balanced and structured. Hint of tobacco and leather on end. Most appealing, mid-range wine.


· Top Selection

Egon Muller, Scharzhofberger,
Kabinett 2006, Saar, Germany
Pale, white gold robe. Bouquet pure and rich with finesse and elegance. Lovely fruit expression with delicate acidity balance. Fresh, smooth, round in mouth with exciting fruit flavours. The expression lingers for ever. Bright tones of peach and fresh blossom. Perfect coming together of sweetness and acidity rendering the wine lively and confirming its refinement. Most euphoric and exhilarating experience.

Pares Balta, Melis Chardonnay 2004,
Penedès, Spain
Very pale, yellow robe. Fascinating palette of fruit aromas, spearmint touch and hint of honeyed almonds on bouquet. Rich expression on palate. Roasted peaches, deep but subtle hint of honey and raisins. Very finely made wine with excellent control and balance. Very rich and long.

Istvan Szepsy, Tokaji Aszu 6 Puttonyos
2003,Tokaji, Hungary
Bright, gold robe. Bouquet in one word – out of this world! Deep, rich, heady. Roasted “confit” fruit. Delicious and controlled. Excellent fruit on palate. Very fine sugar/acidity balance. Long and deep. Pure “confit” fruit notes. Clean and refined. No cloying. Total control.


· John Armit Wines

Le Serre N uove 2005, Tenuta
dell’Ornellaia, Tuscany, Italy
Deep, dark, almost black, red robe. Wonderfully complex bouquet. Bitter cherry and black berry fruit. Palate balanced, rounded, well controlled. Everything is in place with lovely fruit/tannin expression. Excellent wine with huge potential.

Gimonnet Fleuron Brut Premier Cru
2002, Champagne, France
Lovely robe, miniscule bubbles, swirling, tight “cordon”. Invigorating, delicate, straw notes followed by fresh “brioche” aromas. Rich and nutty. Long, round and generous palate. Roasted and nut flavours with decided mineral notes. Refreshing, yet firm and complex. Lovely, pure Champagne.

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