Colina de Piatra Alba Pinot Noir 2007

Pinot Noir is described as the 'fickle mistress' of the red grape world, seductive, teasing and tantalizing. For those winemakers besotted with its charms, it's a challenge because it's not the easiest variety to ripen. However, it is also one of the most memorable with an ability to produce wines of intense flavours (strawberries, redcurrants, red plums, cherries), a satiny texture, earthy, floral maybe even a hint of farmyard bouquets.

Living life on the edge this finicky grape prefers a cooler climate, albeit not too cold. Burgundy is its first home, happily, however, it is enjoying success further afield in Romania, home to "some of Europe's greatest cool-climate vineyards" says Hugh Johnson.

Vines are planted high in the mountain foothills, where warm days and cool nights allow grapes to ripen perfectly. They also grow in ancient soil, strewn with marine fossils (like top sites in Burgundy) - perfect for nurturing complex, concentrated Pinot Noir. And with Aussie winemaker Stephen Bennett at the helm, results are seriously exciting. The Pinot grapes come from the winery's own vineyards in the Dealu Mare wine region. This area is situated in the Piedmont of the Carpathian Mountains, one of the youngest ranges of mountains, part of a chain called Alpino-Carpato-Himalayan Chain. The wine's name is taken from th e Romanian translation for hill; Dealu Mare also means Big or High Hill. The 2007 was awarded a medal in the prestigious Mondial Pinot Noir competition.

Mondial Pinot Noir 2008, France