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French wine gets 70m euro top-up.

"The French government is to hand its struggling wine industry 70m euros ($91m) in aid to help it battle falling sales and damaging overproduction."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/
business/4224445.stm

Technorati Tags: wine drink

Posted January 31, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)

UKWinesOnline Update - ES-Fine Wines.

A new website launch for fine wine merchants Elliston & Southwick (ES Fine Wines). With the likes of Petrus, Cote Rotie Ladonne, Pahlmeyer and the like listed you would expect prices to be in the 'if you have to ask the price you can't afford it' bracket. What is really annoying is the search facility - lots of countries/regions listed that produce zero results. Off-putting. But a refined looking site overall.

Technorati Tags: wine drink

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Scribblings Newsletter (Delay).

The latest issue of the email newsletter I produce - www.andys-scribblings.co.uk - has been delayed. It was actually ready to be dispatched last Wednesday but an 'ftp error' with the site hosts squashed that. That error is still running... annoying to say the least.

It has long been apparent that email newsletters are in their death throws; we have been toying with the idea of halting the production of Scribblings with issue 200. (The last issue sent out was Issue 193). This latest problem combined with blacklisting, mailing list maintenance, financial cost, incompatible display issues and the rising dominance of weblogs makes it even more likely that Scribblings will cease. Spittoon carries many more links and information than the newsletter ever did and in a much more accessible form. RSS feeds are gaining in popularity but are still not understood by the majority. The major problem is that Scribblings is what I am 'known' for...

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End of the Month Egg on Toast Extravaganza.

For my initial participation in this non-exclusive, non-discriminatory and (lets be honest here) fairly silly web-log event I went posh.

Ingredients
Element-charred muffin
Thick slice of black pudding
Duck egg
Cornish Butter
Three cherry Tomatoes

The Final Egg Extraveganza

The black-pudding was gently fried in butter. The egg was poached. The muffin, liberally smothered with more butter, was layered first with the black pudding and then the egg. With cherry tomatoes and chopped parsley as a garnish it all slipped down rather nicely. In fact it was so good I went and made another one�

Drink with: freshly squeezed orange juice (although mine was from a carton) and, if I had any in the house, it would have been topped up with a sparkling wine of some description; but I didn�t, so it was �au naturel�.

Technorati Tags: egg food & drink

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Bordeaux Dinner with an M.W.

A superb, informal, evening is promised by The Wine Maestro as Richard Bampfield MW hosts a Bordeaux Dinner. Mark your calenders for the 25th November (a Thursday) 8pm-10:30pm at 24 Norsey Road, Billericay, Essex. Cost is just �45 per person.
http://thewinemaestro.co.uk/
artman/publish/article_15.shtml

Technorati Tags: wine food & drink

Posted January 30, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tasmanian Wine Show Results.

Ben over at Pinot Island has just posted the results from the 2005 Tasmania Wine Show. I am off to the main Australian Trade Tasting next month. As it always helps to go with a theme or plan in mind (when confronted by hundreds of wines) I may just concentrate on this relatively unknown region.

Technorati Tags: wine australia

Posted January 29, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Real Ale in a Bottle Accreditation Scheme.

The idea of the scheme is to clearly distinguish 'real ale in a bottle' as a natural live beer from other types of bottled ales. Over the coming months the CAMRA logo should appear on labels of true bottled-conditioned ales. Currently over 60 breweries have joined the scheme.
http://www.camra.org.uk/SHWebClass.asp?WCI=ShowCat&CatId=585

Technorati Tags: beer drink

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End of Month Egg on Toast Extravaganza.

It is a bit of a quiet news day so just thought I would announce my intention to participate in this months EoMEoTE! Eggs, toast.. what more do you need!
http://cooksister.typepad.com/cook_sister/
2005/01/announcing_the_.html

Technorati Tags: eggs food & drink

Posted January 28, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Linearity and other 'new' wine speak.

Never used it and never seen 'linearity' used in wine descriptions but this is the new wine writers buzz word. Apparently. I thought it had negative connotations. Would love to hear what Lendevours, Fermentations, Vinography and others have to say regarding this and 'deconstructionism' in relation to wine. To me it means nothing...
http://www.wine.co.za/news/news.aspx?
NEWSID=6490&Source=NewsFeed

Technorati Tags: wine drink

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UKWinesOnline Update - Wine Direct.

Not entirely sure what the point of this new site is as the company, Hailsham Cellars, already has a fully functioning website. So why maintain Wine Direct as well? Still this one offers mixed cases only but minimum purchase is just 6 bottles� which confuses me further as a case is generally accepted to be 12 bottles. Good low delivery charge though of just �5 for 6 bottles (or 12). The site has a slightly dated, perhaps even amateurish, feel but the wines are good and the company has a good reputation. If you register you receive a 5% discount on all purchases.

Technorati Tags: wine drink

Posted January 27, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Australian Vodka ships to Russia.

The Tamar Distillery, Tasmania, Australia has secured a 6-year contract to supply vodka to Russia. The deal requires Tamar to supply 35,000 litres a year of Russian labelled vodka Russian distributor Vozdka. I would say coals to newcastle although the last pit has now closed...
http://www.examiner.com.au/story.asp?id=269282

Technorati Tags: drink

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Discovered - Australian Wine Blog.

Found one! At last! An Australian Wine blog. Knew there had to be one out there somewhere - Appellation Australia. Early days yet with just a handful of postings; but we all have to start somewhere...

Technorati Tags: wine food & drink

Posted January 26, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)

UKWinesOnline Update - Wine Discoveries.

Wine Discoveries - A merchant specialising in the wines of France (like we need another). Most regions seem to be covered with a smattering of wines from most of the major wine varieties and styles. Each producer is fully detailed and listed against his wines. Some interesting stuff here so you shouldn't have problems filling a case.

I just cant feeling that there are just so many specialists covering France that they cant all possibly survive. Still I wish them all well.

Technorati Tags: wine food & drink

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Wine Blogging Wednesday - Wacky Wine Names.

Wine Blogging Wedesday - The Cover Drive Bottle

I sparked a little debate over at Lets Talk Wine (although the topic seems to have disappeared) on the subject of the latest Wine Blogging Wednesday theme � whacky wine names. Plenty of options and suggestions there and what did I come up with? 'The Cover Drive' which isn�t that wacky really... oh well, it is a nice wine. I also found a white with an Orang-utan on the label; now that is wacky!

This months topic was set and is hosted by Chez �you might think me a glutton' Pim. Head on over to see what other bloggers have discovered!

Jim Barry The Cover Drive, 2002, Clare Valley/Coonawarra, Australia.
�10.50 Robersons.
Aged in American and French oak. Plenty of rich ripe fruit a touch of sweetness to the midfield while silly-mid-on held an abundance of blackcurrant fruit. A complex structure kicks in around deep mid wicket. Finishes with a fine leg. For those who revel in such things this received 89 points in Wine Advocate. Various American retailers list this wine for $16.99. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Alcohol 15% but hardly noticable. Consumed with a creamy beef stroganoff - this was a beaut.
Scribblings Rating - 92/100

On the southern boundary of Coonawarra is the old Penola cricket ground, which first saw a ball bowled in anger and the flashing cover drives of the local champions in 1950. Sadly, the ground closed in 1996. Soon after Jim Barry purchased the 30 acre property and planted a Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard. The original pavilion and pitch have been retained, the vineyard was actually planted around the cricket pitch. So a little piece of history has been preserved.

Today, this vineyard provides some of the fruit for The Cover Drive Cabernet Sauvignon. Selected parcels of fruit from our other family owned Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards in the Clare Valley have been blended with the our Coonawarra fruit to produce a wine that is rich, soft and approachable.

Orangutan bottle

Comte Cathare Orangutan Rainforest Chardonnay, 2002, Limoux, France.
Available from Oddbins �8.49.
Hand-picked grapes go into this minerally Chard. Nice touch of oak melds into a refined palate full of lemon and orange pith flavours. Nice weight but a little sharp on the finish for drinking on its own.
Scribblings Rating - 90/100

Comte Cathare have produced four wines in support of the Rainforest Foundation; each is named after an endangered rainforest plant or animal. By buying a bottle you are assisting the Rainforest Foundation preserve what remains of some of the world�s most precious ecosystems. As I had such an amazing experience with Orang-utans in Sarawak during my travels these litte critters are really close to my heart.

Technorati Tags: wine food & drink

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Lost Nero Mosaic depicts winemaking.

"Potholers exploring a site near Nero's palace have discovered a mosaic showing ancient Romans trampling grapes to make wine."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news
/2005/01/19/wnero19.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/
01/19/ixworld.html
http://www.detnews.com/2005/
commuting/0501/26/A09-70299.htm

Technorati Tags: wine food & drink

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Grape Radio - Podcast

Now on their third podcast the guys behind GrapeRadio offer shows around 20 minutes in length for you to downlaod and listen to.

"Our shows consist of the three hosts sharing their opinions and experiences with the audience. Shows topics review issues such as the enjoyment of wine, wine news and industry trends. The hallmark of the show will be guest interviews with winemaker, vineyard owners, wine retail/wholesale leaders, restaurateurs and sommeliers. The scope of the show will be international so expect to hear many guests from around the world."

Technorati Tags: wine food & drink podcast

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Eight Ways to Seduce with Wine this Valentine's Day.

If you aim to make pulses race this Valentine�s Day, head straight for one of these savvy strategies, derived from the award-winning Oldman�s Guide to Outsmarting Wine (Penguin Books):
http://www.happyhours.com/pressRelease_story.htm?&itemid=593

Technorati Tags: wine drink

Posted January 25, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fired wine makers flavour of month.

Ian Niewoudt and Gideon Theron, the two wine makers that KWV, the wine and brandy maker, fired after they admitted to adding flavourants to last year's Sauvignon Blanc, are back in the wine industry. Niewoudt and Theron have been employed as wine makers at Citrusdal Cellars and Montpellier du Tulbagh respectively. In December, KWV dumped 67 000 litres of wine valued at R1 million after finding it contaminated by flavourants.
http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?
fSectionId=&fArticleId=2383261

Technorati Tags: wine drink africa

Posted January 24, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wine Sales Update.

Two additions to the list of wine sales. French Regional specialists Allez Vins is offering a huge 20% off selected wines until the 15th February. Down to Argentina for the Vinos Vinos sale. These guys have 15% off the entire range until 24th February. Check out the Malbecs from VV - excellent!

Technorati Tags: wine drink

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Ultimate Wine Company Burgundy Tasting.

The Ultimate Wine Company is organising two tastings covering the excellent wines from Domaine Olivier, Maison Propser Maufoux and Domaine d�Ardhuy. Dates are Saturday 29th January and Saturday 12th February (5:00pm � 6:30pm). The tastings will be in Marlow, Buckinghamshire. Cost is just �5 but seats are limited so booking is essential. See you there on the 12th!

Contact Paula Sindberg paula@ultimatewines.co.uk or telephone 01628 472214.

Technorati Tags: wine drink

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Vive La France Part 2.

So was Vive la France a total washout? No, of course not. From a wine point-of-view there was plenty to try � if you could get to the front of the stand of course. There was an impressive stand choke full of ciders (and oddly Belgian Abbey beers) and a series of tutored tastings throughout each day.

The latter looked horrendous � no tables, tasters had to balance a glass on their lap; just making sure each one got a glass and sample in the packed enclosure looked a logistical nightmare in itself.

I did read my leaflets. One I collected during the day concerned a retailer I was previously unaware of Red White and You. An odd name if you ask me but each to his own. Operating from offices in London and Paris this company offers a small range of wines from the more diminutive producer from all the major regions. Looked interesting but I didn�t get to try anything.

Technorati Tags: wine drink france

I did sample the wines of Domaine de Garrou. This is a Bergerac based estate whose initial releases were on display. To be honest I wasn�t hugely impressed with the two reds; but I put this down to the less than ideal tasting conditions. Had a nice chat with owners Fiona and Bruce Kingwall though.

These South African �migr�s do not own any vines themselves. Instead they seek to work with a select group of growers in sourcing the best produce thus freeing them to concentrate on the wine-making (and lessening any financial commitment, but this wasn�t mentioned) with Strellenbosch winemaker Etienne le Riche.

They currently produce two reds � Richesse Classic 2002 (�7.50) a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet with just a smidgen of oak influence and the Richesse Barrel Reserve 2002 (�9) with 70% Cabernet, 30% Merlot and more oak. On balance the cheaper version appeared more interesting but I will have to sample these in better conditions to give them due respect.

Posted January 23, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wanted: dead or alive .

An unwanted visitor has been seen frequenting the South African winelands recently. "It's small and beautiful but extraordinarily mean. In fact its so nasty that it may even find a bounty placed on its head. The unwelcome character to which I refer is the yellow jacket wasp, Vespula germanica"
http://www.wine.co.za/news/news.aspx?
NEWSID=6446&Source=NewsFeed

Technorati Tags: wine drink africa

Posted January 22, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Vive Le France Part 1.

With the intention of �sussing out the place for future participation� I scuttled up to Olympia yesterday for the Vive La France Show. I hated it.

A couple of years ago I swore I would never attend The BBC Good Food show again; it being one of the most overcrowded, life sapping shows I ever had the misfortune to attend. Vive La France wasn�t far behind. Hundreds of people of a certain age and disposition milling around (i.e. getting in the bloody way) with no intent or purpose and most were freeloaders too - sampling any free morsel of food or slurping any sample of booze they could get their sweaty mitts around.

Technorati Tags: wine drink france

The exhibits themselves were as diverse as France itself � but generally they concentrated on holidays and buying properties in France. Food and wine were well represented � aromatic piles of fresh bread and plenty of dried sausages and the like. Can I just say to the woman at one smoked meat produce stand that if someone is waving a wallet in your face he WANTS to buy something! Grief. We walked away. Oh, and do people ever taste and compare five different types of fresh garlic? One formidable woman kept thrusting a sampling tray at me heaped with garlic; I ask you � it would have ruined the wines I wanted to taste!

Vive la France

From a business point of view � we were looking at the possibilities of setting up a smaller independent merchants wine stand � the punters were certainly in attendance. But the chances of selling anything to cover costs looked slim. Viewed as a publicity venture it may be more successful; but does anyone ever look at the hundreds of leaflets they collect from these shows?

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Global wine production hits 12-year record.

"Vintners produced the most wine last year since 1992 but consumers cannot keep up with all the output, a French association for the industry said."
http://www.bday.co.za/bday/content/direct
/1,3523,1793902-6078-0,00.html

Technorati Tags: wine drink

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Global wine production hits 12-year record.

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Plans for Levy on Rowdy Pubs & Clubs.

"U.K. Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell spelled out plans to impose a levy on pubs and clubs in areas where there is drinking-related violence, saying the drinks industry should pay the cost of extra policing."
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?
pid=10000102&sid=a6AIE3spvgaQ&refer=uk

Technorati Tags: drink

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New Wine Blog - FargleSnargle.

Interesting name... but another blog offering wine tasting notes; here these are informal with a true bloggie (ie chatty) feel.
http://farglesnargle.com/

This blog was discovered via the Technorati Wine Tag search.

Posted January 21, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Binge Drinking: How much is too much?

"Almost one in three men and nearly one in five women are now judged to be drinking too much alcohol. But how much is too much and how often is too often?"
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4188071.stm

Technorati Tags: drink

Posted January 20, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chateau Palmer: Bordeaux's Underdog?

"If there was ever a reason to junk the notorious ratings system of Bordeaux wines concocted by wine merchants 150 years ago, it would be the case of Chateau Palmer."
http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?
pid=10000039&cid=mariani&sid=aBmbv5yMYSJE

Technorati Tags: wine drink

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South Africa farmers hope for profits.

"Talk to Patrick Kraukamp and it becomes clear how much - and how little - South Africa has changed in the 10 years since the end of apartheid. Mr Kraukamp used to work as a forklift driver and a labourer at the famous Paul Cluver wines company in Cape Town. He barely drank wine, preferring beer.

Now, he is an award-winning wine maker and part-owner of Thandi wines, the first wine to be accredited to Fairtrade."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4002533.stm

Technorati Tags: wine drink

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Wine Blogging Wednesday - Wacky Wine Names.

Wine Blogging Wednesday - as Lenn reminds us is next Wednesday... and I had forgotton. Open to all, even those with out a blog of their own (how do you sleep at night?).

Technorati Tags: wine drink

Posted January 19, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Alcohol-Free beer 'stops cancer' - apparently.

"Drinking non-alcoholic beer may ward off cancer, research on lab mice shows. Mice given the beer while exposed to cancer-causing chemicals had 85% less damage to their liver, lung and kidneys than those given water, the study said."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4189615.stm

Technorati Tags: wine drink

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Funny? Footballers and What they Drink...

This probably means more to football fans than it does to me... honestly, I didn't find it at all amusing.

http://www.football365.com/
features/fun_features/story_140702.shtml

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ASA castigates Bacardi.

The Advertising Standards Authority has upheld a complaint against Bacardi-Martini. The advertising watchdog agreed with the complainant about a cinema advert for Bacardi which features a group of revellers on a train platform with a trolley full of bottles of the drink.

http://www.latinquarter.com/latinquarter.asp

Although Bacardi denied that the advert encouraged excessive consumption, claiming that the trolley of bottles was �obviously stock for the whole train,� the ASA partly upheld the complaint.

While the Authority did not consider the location of the consumption to be unsafe, nor the amount to be excessive, �the amount of alcohol featured and the manner of its pouring were socially irresponsible,� it said.

A cinemagoer complained about the advert after it was screened before a 12A certificate film.

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UKWinesOnline Update - Wines of the World.

A new addition to the array of online only wine retailers - Wines of the World. The site is functional rather than offering anything new, interesting or cutting edge design/concept wise, while the wine range, covering all the main wine producing countries, is not large but does offer some relatively unknown names � but nothing here really lept out.

The site has just been launched and many wine bottle pictures and descriptions are absent � still its early days and you should easily be able to put together a mixed case. It looks like you can order in quantities of six or pick from the pre-mixed selection. Overall prices are in the under �15 bracket with the range of mixed cases starting at �49.99.

Technorati Tags: wine

Posted January 18, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)

New Wine Blog - Viv's Wine Journal.

Looks like there are more wine related blogs than there are 'mainstream' wine websites. Just discovered Viv's Wine Journal. One of the recent postings details a poster - De Long's Wine Info - that overs 100 grape varieties with tasting guide; if you taste wines covering all the squares you get to join their Century Club. Now I wonder if its available in the UK...

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Tullibardine Whisky Distillery launches a beer.

"Tullibardine whisky distillery, which was restored to life last year after being moth-balled for a decade, has added a beer-brewing operation to the business to help finance the crucial 10-year maturation gap before its first new malts are produced in 2014.

The beer, which the Perthshire company claims is the first whisky ale to be produced by a distillery, is the latest addition to the arsenal of non-whisky Tullibardine-related plans and products devised by the four-man consortium of entrepreneurs which bought the operation in 2003."
http://www.theherald.co.uk/business/31532.html

Technorati Tags: whisky beer drink

Posted January 17, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Film: Sideways - Awards and Map.

Not seen the film myself but it has done well at the Golden Globe Awards with seven nominations and finally winning two - best musical or comedy and best screenplay. There is a pdf download available entitled "Sideways: The Map. A Santa Barbara wine country tour inspired by the Fox Searchlight Pictures film Sideways".

Technorati Tags: wine

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TN: Domaine de Nizas Carignan Vieilles Vignes, 2003, Languedoc, France.

Wine Tasting Note: Domaine de Nizas Carignan Vieilles Vignes, 2003, Languedoc, France.
Young, primary fruit, vibrant colour and a concentrated ripe, fruit-led palate. A little research reveals this has undergone carbonic maceration which would explain the vibrancy of colour. 13.5% Alcohol, 100% Carignan. Although Carignan is generally derided for poor quality � �high in everything � acidity, tannins, colour, bitterness � but flavour and charm� this is actually packed with flavour and doesn�t lack in the character department either. No price for this as it is not listed on the Mayfair Cellars website but it was tasted at their January trade fair but it should be around �8.
Scribblings Rating - 90/100

Technorati Tags: wine

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TN: Lalla Gully Riesling, 2003, Tasmania, Australia.

Wine Tasting Note: Lalla Gully Riesling, 2003, Tasmania, Australia.
Available from Mayfair Cellars �9.95.
Splashes of white flowers and fresh limes lift the nose while a nice softness tampers any exuberance on the palate. Lovely stuff and quite captivating. 12.5% alcohol.
Scribblings Rating - 90/100

Technorati Tags: wine

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Jancis Robinson on European Wine Labels.

An article in an American newspaper but with references to UK wines and their labels. Interesting read.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2005/01/13/WIGB0AORCU1.DTL

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Gordon Ramsey's House Wine - Ch�teau Bauduc.

Ch�teau Bauduc produces the house wines for Gordon Ramsay restaurants and have a listing at Rick Stein's. They also supply direct (mixed and unmixed cases) to the UK and the rest of the world from their vineyard. Prices start at �66 for a case of 12.

"Hardly a January sale, but we are celebrating the fact that our white wines have sold out with a special offer on our Portfolio mixed cases. Until stocks last, we are giving �5 off a case � it�s a great selection in a wooden box of five different wines, four of which are sold at Gordon Ramsay�s restaurants. In addition, for every case of Chateau Bauduc wine sold online during January we will donate �10 to a Tsunami Disaster appeal fund which is being organised by a good friend of ours..."

Posted January 16, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Winecast - AudioFeed/PodCast on Wine.

I knew there would be one somewhere - audio postings (podcast) on a wine theme from WineCast.net.

Update: Just received a nice email from Tim Elliot, the chap behind the winecast concept. Tim describes winecast as being "like the WSJ Tastings column; very accessible to the novice, with enough depth for the more serious wine affectionado. I'm going for about 10 minutes per week; the one I'm recording in about an hour hopefully will be more in this range than the first four."

I have subscribed to the feed in NewsGator - where you can set the program to automatically download the cast.

Posted January 15, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (3)

TN: Domaine de Nizas Coteaux du Languedoc, 2001, Languedoc, France.

Wine Tasting Note: Domaine de Nizas Coteaux du Languedoc, 2001, Languedoc, France.
�10.95 Mayfair Cellars
A superb red being a blend of 60 % Syrah, 35 %, Mourv�dre and 5 % Grenache noir � a wine that packs a stylish and classy punch. There is plenty happening on the palate � herbs and spices intertwined with black fruits and liquorice with soft but substantial tannins leading into a long finish. This is the estates flagship wine with potential to continue for four or five years.
Scribblings Rating - 92/100

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TN: Woodside Valley Estate Le Bas Chardonnay, 2003, Margaret River, Western Australia.

Wine Tasting Note: Woodside Valley Estate Le Bas Chardonnay, 2003, Margaret River, Western Australia.
�23 Mayfair Cellars.
Superb packaging sets this wine apart (as does the price perhaps!). A touch of French oak lifts the peach and melon aromas and adds a superb nutty dimension. The palate is full-bodied, superbly structured with citrus and mineral touches enveloping the creamy, melon rich fruit.
Scribblings Rating - 90/100

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TN: Clover Hill Sparkling, 2000, Tasmania, Australia.

Wine Tasting Note: Clover Hill Sparkling, 2000, Tasmania, Australia.
Superb aroma all biscuits, bacon, butter and yeasty complexity. Mirrored on the palate too with a fine fizz. Rich, creamy, sherberty. Sourced from vineyards in the Pipers River region of northern Tasmania this is made from 53% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 12% Pinot Meunier.
Scribblings Rating - 94/100

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Ignore - claiming my Feedster Feed

No Need to Click Here - I'm just claiming my feed at Feedster

Posted January 14, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Technorati Wine Tag.

This is interesting from both a geek point of view and those with an interest in wine. By collecting all the Flickr images and del.icio.us links tagged with a particular word, and adding in all the weblog posts categorized with that same word, they've created tag pages on a wide range of topics. You can browse popular tags or check out individual words, if you want to track a single topic such as Wine.

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Celebrity Names On Wine Bottles.

This is one of those lists I have been meaning to put together for ages - celebrities who own or put their name to wine. The Sun-Herald, a Mississippi newspaper, has beaten me to it. Not mentioned on the list is Cliff Richard's Portuguese wine; perhaps because it is not available in the USA...
http://www.sunherald.com/mld/thesunherald
/entertainment/10631705.htm

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The Wine Cask - a new wine blog.

You may not have noticed but Serona has been lurking around these pages of late; but stepping out from behind the bottle she emailed me about her very own wine blog - The Wine Cask. No feed supplied but I have added the site to the blog-roll on the left (which should also show when it has been updated). Go on over and say hello.
http://winecask.blogspot.com/

Incidentally there are moves afoot in a certain wine blogging sphere for something quite interesting - can't say anymore at the moment!

Posted January 13, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)

TN: Carta Vieja Yerba Loca Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc, 2002, Maule, Chile.

Carta Vieja Yerba Loca Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc, 2002, Maule, Chile.
�3.99 or currently 3 for �10 Oddbins.
Chardonnay comprises 60% of this blend, Sauvignon Blanc makes up the rest. For a party wine - where you are not really going to notice the subdued nose - this is ideal. Generous nutty flavours with a touch of baked apple and a citrussy acidity. Unoaked. Small touch of sweetness to ease the drinkability. Easy to drink and would accompany all sorts of foods well from party nibbles, roast chicken to creamy pasta dishes and salads. Length is short. Fun packaging.
Scribblings Rating - 86/100

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TN: Casa Silva Do�a Dominga Carmen�re Reserva, 2002, Colchagua Valley, Chile.

Casa Silva Do�a Dominga Carmen�re Reserva, 2002, Colchagua Valley, Chile.
Waitrose �7.99
This is a stunning example of a full-bodied Carmen�re - tannins are evident but wrapped up in a concentrated black fruits. There is a delicious coffee edge to the flavours and a very long finish. Stylish.

This was awarded the Best Chilean Carmen�re Trophy at the Annual Wines of Chile Awards in 2003.
Scribblings Rating - 94/100

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TN: Los Robles Fairtrade Carmen�re, 2003, Curico Valley, Chile.

Wine Tasting Note: Los Robles Fairtrade Carmen�re, 2003, Curico Valley, Chile.
Waitrose �4.99
Soft, silky with a layer of inky complexity revealing itself oas the tannins - substantial but soft - make themselves known. Flavours of black fruits and rose hips lead into a tar edged mouthful. Good length.

This is a fair trade product which gives a 'better deal for third world producers'. In my book gets an extra interest point automatically!
Scribblings Rating - 92/100

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Revealed: secret labyrinth of wine cellars.

IT is a subterranean home to millions of pounds' worth of vintage wine which has remained a secret for more than three centuries.

Now a merchant in Ayr is to open the labyrinth of eighteenth-century cellars to the public for the first time, and it is hoped the cluster of tunnels beneath the town centre will soon become a major tourist attraction.

The tunnels, built in 1766 to store wine barrels from clipper ships, run for hundreds of feet and are still used by Corney & Barrow with Whighams of Ayr, to store thousands of cases of fine wine and port. Robert Burns probably walked the tunnels in his work as a local exciseman.
http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/31121-print.shtml

Posted January 12, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mayfair Cellars and Jacquesson Champagne.

A jaunt to the great metropolis today for the Mayfair Cellars New Year Trade Tasting. Nice to have seen Capsar Auchterlonie of Little Red Bottle fame at the Great Eastern Hotel. Ol' Caspar has had a horrendous time over the last few months so it was great to see him on fine form and talking of the plans for the coming year.

One thing he did recommend was sampling the Jacqueeson Avize Grand Cru 1995 Champagne with a slice of Parmesan Reggiano. A sublime match indeed. Tasting notes from the show to follow.

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Cows prefer their feed spiked with beer.

"Cows in eastern Iowa prefer their feed spiked with beer. In fact, a dozen or so cattlemen say their cattle now hesitate to eat food prepared any other way."
http://www.realbeer.com/news/articles/news-002421.php

Posted January 11, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Valentines Gift Packs from Wine-Parcels.

Dynamic Wine-Parcels has announced that they have launched a range of gift packs for Valentines Day (bit early don't you think?) which include hand-made truffles from Gorvett & Stone - didn't send me any samples though :-(

I don't think these packs should be restricted to just Valentines surprises though - they look suitable for all occasions. Oh, I have just realised that Gorvett & Stone are based in Henley - local to me. How nice.
http://www.wine-parcels.co.uk/Wines/ourCases.asp?KC=7&PL=2&FP=32&TID=c&GID=15080&SCI=15081

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Atkins diet boosts US whiskey sales.

"The Atkins diet craze in America has helped push sales of Irish whiskey to record levels over the past two years as people search out low-carb alcoholic drinks to help with their weight-loss lifestyles"
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2095-1415392,00.html

Whisky (thats the Scottish stuff) is also taking the 'champagne set' by storm in New York with the Famous Grouse Crimson Crush cocktail (fresh raspberries and ginger beer) in high demand.
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1452542004

Posted January 10, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Google GMail Problem.

Is it me or has GMail stopped working since the installation of the Microsoft AntiSpyware package? The invite link doesnt work and neither does the replying to an email...

Posted January 9, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (3)

Red Wine May Reduce Prostate Cancer Risk.

Another red wine is good for you story. "The results of a new study add to accumulating evidence that consumption of red wine may reduce the risk of prostate cancer in middle-aged men."
http://xtramsn.co.nz/news/0,,11965-4001045,00.html

What I want to know though is when 'middle age' actually starts. Please say its 45... bugger, the article says its 40...

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Clive Coates ending the Vine.

Clive Coates MW has announced the end of his tasting note publication - the Vine; a regular read for many a fine wine fanatic for the last 20 years and 241 editions.

You can read his full letter on the website. It is an old fashioned framed site and as such I cant link direct to the page but it is under Notice Board.
http://www.clive-coates.com/

Posted January 8, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Site Tweaking and Additions.

Far too windy to venture outside, so today is 'site tweaking day' in Gladstone Terrace. Additions include new graphics and a Geek Stuff section in the sidebar. The latter is to highlight a few interesting things that do not have a wine theme - without ruining Spittoons overall focus.

The most interesting new addition, however, is the Gigablast Search box. This has been tailored to only search wine blogs! Cool or what? Not entirely sure of its usefulness or the accuracy of the results - so if you use it I would love to hear/read your comments.

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Return of a show-stopper.

Jilly Goolden pops up in defence of the natural cork in this weekends Telegraph.
http://wine.telegraph.co.uk/wine/main.jhtml?xml=/wine/2005/01/08/edcork08.xml

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The Museum of Food Anomalies.

Basically freaky food. But it has some bunches of grapes in it to retain some connection. And its funny. Especially the gummy bears.
http://www.hanttula.com/exhibits/freakyfood/index.htm

Posted January 7, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)

UKWinesOnline Update - Cento per Cento.

A new addition to the UKWOL directory - hearty backslaps in welcome to Italian specialist Cento per Cento.

All the wines are personally sampled and imported by David Slorach from his base in Scotland. There are a good number of wines on the list ranging in price from �4.95 up to �35.95. Wines can be purchased in any quantity, gift packaging can be added easily to all, or, if you are stuck the site offers a number of pre-mixed selections. Looks good!

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Online Spanish Wine Guide.

Searching for information on Spanish Wines? One of the top Spanish Guides � The Red Seals Guide is available for free online via Todo Vino. This is a Spanish based retailer � they ship to the UK and Europe � they publish the guide and have the 2004 version available for browsing, a download to a PDA and a printed version (Spanish language only). It appears to cover top-end wines only.
http://www.todovino.co.uk/guia.html

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B-to-the-E.

Bud Lite with caffine, guarana and ginseng. Sounds delightful. Travis in Boston isn't happy...

Not available in the UK... shame...

Posted January 6, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (1)

New Blog: Cultured Wino.

Picked up from Lenndevours - another new wine blog the Cultured Wino from one Tiffany Brown. Subscribed - well I would if the RSS feed was working.
http://www.culturedwino.com/

Question: Why are all the wine blogs from America? Anything out there from South Africa? Australia? New Zealand?

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Wine Maestro Tastings.

The Wine Maestro has announced dates for the next series of informal tastings, dinners and courses.

Friday 21st January 2005 :New Zealand Dinner
Chris Seifried will host a special dinner where he will present a selection of wines from his family winery in Nelson, New Zealand. The Seifried family have been making stylish food-friendly wines since 1976. The range includes rich full Chardonnays, fine floral Rieslings, lively herbaceous Sauvignon Blancs, warm plummy Pinot Noir and, when conditions are right, intensely delicious dessert wines.
8pm till 10.30pm �45 pp

Tuesday 1st February 2005 The Wine Education Service Introductory Wine Course at Webber�s
Starts on 1st February until 19th April 2005. 10 x 2hour sessions on Tuesdays 7.30pm-9.30pm. �185.

This course will be run by Brett Jones, WSET Recommended Tutor Interested? Just ask for more information.

Thursday 10th February 2005 Bordeaux Dinner
I am delighted that Richard Bampfield MW will be coming here to host a dinner with wines from Bordeaux. Richard is closely involved with the Yvon Mau Wine School in Bordeaux and has an intimate knowledge of the region so it promises to be a very interesting and entertaining evening where you will learn a lot about what is going on in this important French wine area.
8pm till 10.30pm �45 pp

Wednesday 23rd February 2005 Wines from South Africa
A special tasting of wines from this exciting country. A light supper will be served. 8pm till 10.30pm �25 pp

Saturday 26th February & Sunday 27th February 2005 FREE Wine Tasting
A great opportunity to try a range of wines, some of which will be bin ends. Bring friends! Let us know if you�ll be coming. 12 noon till 3pm.

All events must be booked and paid for in advance. As space is limited please book as soon as possible.

At the tastings there will be a range of 6 wines and they will be available for sale. The minimum order for wine is 12 bottles.

http://www.thewinemaestro.co.uk

24 Norsey Road, Billericay, Essex CM11 1AE

FREEPHONE: 0800 652 6610

fax: 08700 516628

email: brett@thewinemaestro.co.uk

www. thewinemaestro.co.uk

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January Wine Sale.

Nick Dobson Wines has launched their wine sale. They are supporting the Asian Tsunami relief efforts by donating �5 per 12 bottles of wine sold from the sale.
http://www.nickdobsonwines.co.uk/acatalog/Winter_Sale.html

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Wine Tasting Reports from 2004

Just posted on UKWinesOnline links to all my 2004 tasting reports.
http://www.ukwinesonline.co.uk/FAQS/xtraPages.asp?PG=c4

Posted January 5, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Unwins Latest.

Latest report indicate that high street chain Unwins has a new potential buyer. Castel (owner of Oddbins) has been over taken by a consortium. Variously reported as DM Private Equity or UW Acquisitions they have links to wine producer Palandri. Spookily a Wetz family member (current owners of Unwins) is a non-executive director of Palandri.

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Police seize gang targeting Italy's finest wines.

Police in the city of Potenza, in Italy's deep south, yesterday announced that they had smashed a gang of thieves they dubbed the "Banda del Brunello", the "Brunello gang", for their dedication to stealing some of Italy's most expensive wines. Brunello di Montalcino from the town of Montalcino in Tuscany is one of Italy's most celebrated red wines, retailing for �40 or more per bottle. http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/story.jsp?story=597509

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Champichute - ingenious?

Saw this on some American gadget site or other - and bugger me if it isnt available in the UK too. �3.59 The Drink Shop

Posted January 4, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (1)

New Wine Blog - 750ml.

Just wiling away some spare time with an aimless trawl through random blogs and I discovered a new wine blog! Came as a bit of a shock, I can tell you. 750ml is chock full of tasting notes by one Nilay Gandhi.
http://750ml.blogspot.com/

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TN: Egly-Ouriet Brut Tradition, NV, Champagne, France.

Wine Tasting Note: Egly-Ouriet Brut Tradition, NV, Champagne, France.
�22 Maison du Champagne.
From a true organic artisan producer this Champagne is a delight. A frothy mouthful of nuts and gentle fruits, very creamy. Delicious. Made from 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay.

Scribblings Rating - 92/100

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TN: Launois Pere et Fils Reserve Champagne, NV, Champagne, France.

Wine Tasting Note: Launois Pere et Fils Reserve Champagne, NV, Champagne, France.
£18 Maison du Champagne
This has a lovely fresh enticing aroma and the palate doesn't disappoint either. Fresh, crisp, clean and oh so very drinkable. An aperitif style; also a Blanc de Blanc made only from Chardonnay.
Scribblings Rating - 90/100

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TN: E Barnaut Blanc de Noirs Brut, NV, Champagne.

Wine Tasting Note: E Barnaut Blanc de Noirs Brut, NV, Champagne, France.
�18.50 Maison du Champagne.
This has a distinctive aroma and palate � notes of smoky bacon abound.; but don�t let that put you off its rather good! Peter, from Maison du Champagne recommends this as a food wine and states that it will even complement roast beef.
Scribblings Rating - 90/100

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Cold temperatures equal good ice wine.

It's been a great start to 2005 for wine makers in the Okanagan Valley, Canada. Temperatures in the region fell to around -10 degrees overnight for the first two days of the year.
http://www.winebc.com/news.php3?newsID=13
http://vancouver.cbc.ca/regionalnews/caches/bc_ice-wine20050103.html

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UKWinesOnline Update - Maison du Champagne.

A new listing in the UKWinesOnline merchant listings - Maison du Champagne.

This small importer specialises in quality Champagne from lesser known houses and producers. Having tasted three of the wines at the recent Harrogate Wine Fair there is no question of the quality or prices of the range. It is just the range is a tad small with just 12 wines available. This should not discourage experimentation however, especially as you can mix and match a case of differing wines, delivery is free and the minimum purchase is just six bottles.

Posted January 3, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)

UKWinesOnline Update - FAB Plastics.

FAB Plastics - you can ignore the rather cheesy sound track to this site but if you are after a range of plastic glasses this is the place to come. Great for weddings, receptions, puba, clubs and other large events the range covers beer, wine, shot and martini glasses. They look very good too from the photographs.

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First of the January Wine Sales.

Yipee! the first of the wine sales� well two.

Wine-Parcels kicks off with the good Vinas del Vero Cabernet-Sauvignon down to �4 a bottle. OK at �5.99 rather good at four quid. Equally the Chilean De Martino Cabernet. Pricy at �6.99 great at a fiver. Others include the Yalumba Viognier (a great price at �5 as normally over �7 a bottle) and various bin ends.

Leon Stolarski sent an email yesterday � 'For two weeks only, we have big discounts on over 30 wines from our list, including whites, ros�s and reds from Beaujolais, Languedoc and Rhone. We will leave the maths to you, but reductions range from 20% to over 40%! The sale includes wines from some of our finest producers, including Domaine La Combe Blanche and Les Vignes de l�Arque in Languedoc, Cave Cairanne and Domaine Marcel Richaud in the southern Rhone and Daniel Rampon in Beaujolais, plus lots more.'

As with all specialist retailers stocks will be small so first come, first satisfied.

Posted January 2, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Festive fizz for British drinkers.

"Supermarkets and wine merchants in Britain are facing a real challenge to keep the nation in top-quality champagne because the British are drinking fizz at record rates."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4107419.stm

Posted January 1, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)

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