It might be best known for its reds, but the Rhone’s whites have an awful lot to offer too, as Clinton Cawood and a team of tasters discover

Second International Grenache Day to be held on 23 September

More 2011 Sommelier Wine Awards winners announced

Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Priorat all make much of their aristocratic roots. Clinton Cawood joins a team of tannin-hardened sommeliers to put their top wines to the test and find out which region has the strongest claim to the Spanish throne

A series of masterclasses have been helping the trade get to grips with a few of the wines within Europe that have the heritage and quality levels required to gain Protected Designation of Origin status. In case you missed them, turn the page to take a closer look at the wines of Burgundy and the Douro Valley...

That golden rum in your speed rail – it’s as good as gold coins in your till. An Imbibe panel put 11 examples through their paces so that you, too, can cash in. ker-ching! says Clinton Cawood

Carluccio's summer of wine

After a shocking first year in the SWAs, Carmenère found its feet with some style this year, delivering some great wines

Still no Golds for Viognier, though certainly lighter, fresher, more food-friendly wines than in previous years

More ambitious pricing but some decent wines too, with Australia, Argentina and South Africa leading the way

Some undeniably excellent wines in this price band, with only perceived youthfulness preventing a slew of Golds

A good selection of medals from across the New World shows this is a category with real strength in depth

Some great wines and amazing prices. In fact, it was only the category’s persistent (and troubling) lack of fashionability that prevented more Golds being awarded

With screwcaps to the fore, the quality of the whites (particularly) and the reds here was amazing for the price. Rosé was another matter entirely

The mid-weight wines of the North-East were the stars, but overall Italy succeeded in providing a wide range of good food-friendly reds at decent prices