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Mondavi 'notes' Series Wines.
Classy packaging including guitar stings; add a couple of notes and the series plays a harmonious cord in A major. A short flash-based movie showing a little background to the Mondavi 'Notes' Series wines - click on the Mondavi link at the bottom next to the home button. Wine Tasting Note: Philippe de Sivray Vouvray, 2004, Loire, France.
Wine Tasting Note: Philippe de Sivray Vouvray, 2004, Loire, France.Listed by Oddbins for £5.49.
Personal preference edges towards a touch more development in Loire Chenin's - at the moment this ain't bad with a rounded palate laced with pear and custard flavours but with a touch more age should reveal more depth in the way of quince and cress. The finish harbours the acidity, cutting through the touch of sweetness to end dry and crunchy.
Scribblings Rating - 88/100
A splash or two of this white soaked some Agen prunes overnight that were then utilised in a creamy Porc Aux Pruneaux de Tours (Pork and Prunes) dish - not a bad match. Certainly good with the cream sauce but perhaps lacking a just a touch in sweetness to match the prunes. Good though in keeping everything regional - the town of Tours being just a hop from the Vouvray region of the Loire.
World's Strongest Whisky
The Bruichladdich whisky distillery in Scotland is to revive an ancient tradition by producing a quadruple distilled single malt - a process likely to produce a 92 per cent proof spirit.Apparently such distillates were used to suppress colic and smallpox but the modern version is more likely to end up on collectors shelves; only 12 barrels are to be produced on the 27th February - oh, that's today!
A book dated 1695 details a journey in the Hebrides and refers to a quadruple distilled whisky known as usquebaugh-baul pronounced something like ‘woo-sh-ka-voll’ and which does not appear to have any current meaning known to Gaelic speakers.
The only tasting note available, and perhaps the oldest whisky tasting note of all, states: "… the first taste affects all the members of the body: two spoonfuls of this last liquor is a sufficient dose; and if any man should exceed this, it would presently stop his breath, and endanger his life”. The writer went on to say “Two spoonfuls of this last liquor is a sufficient dose; if any man should exceed this, it would presently stop his breath, and endanger his life”. (What a Lightweight....)
Bruichladdich is attempting to recreate the process and hopes that they don't blow themselves up in the process! Apparently in 2003 the US Secret Service said it had been monitoring the distillery because the difference between distilling a fine whisky and making chemical weapons was “just a small tweak”.
Unwins: Missing Cash
Myles Halley of KPMG, Unwins' administrator, told creditors last Friday he was investigating deals where assets were sold for less than their true value, as well as the attempted spin-off of ten shops from the group shortly before its December 19 collapse.
ThisIsMoney.co.uk
"'The books and banking were all over the place,' he said. 'We have identified a seven-figure sum paid into DM's accounts from some 50 collections of cash from Unwins shops and we are looking for more. DM said they were concerned about staff honesty. We are not yet satisfied by that explanation.'"
ThisIsMoney.co.uk
"'The books and banking were all over the place,' he said. 'We have identified a seven-figure sum paid into DM's accounts from some 50 collections of cash from Unwins shops and we are looking for more. DM said they were concerned about staff honesty. We are not yet satisfied by that explanation.'"
Tastings and Wine Dinners.
Emails clogging the in-box; all of interest and awaiting an airing... Red Carnation Hotels hosts monthly wine dinners in London (Milestone Hotel, W8) and Dorset (Evershot) Summer Lodge Country House. The next tasting is in Dorset (Tuesday 7th March, £80) with organic/biodynamic Champagne £80 per person and at London with the Loire Valley from Yapp Brothers (22nd March, £75).... The Flying Corkscrew (Hemel Hempstead 01442 412311) has Derek Smedly MW hosting a tasting on the 30th March (£10 per person) and a free open-day tasting from April 7th to 9th.... Bibendum (£30 per person email for tickets) has the Nursery Pavilion at Lord's on the 26th April for a Bordeaux Tasting... barrel samples from 2005 and two other vintages of the same wines.
Bibendum Sale.
Bibendum’s biggest ever sale starts on February 28th. With hundreds of wines from £2.99 to £299 a bottle. They have set up a PDF file to download for the full list.
Founding Father's Love Affair With Wine.
Although born on the Virginia frontier, Thomas Jefferson became the most knowledgeable wine connoisseur of his age, and his tastes in wine covered the world.
Forbes.com
"His interests in wine developed early as indicated by his 1769 Shadwell wine inventory: 83 bottles of rum, 15 bottles of Madeira, four bottles of “Lisbon wine for common use,” and 54 bottles of cider, an inventory that would change radically with the passage of time."
Forbes.com
"His interests in wine developed early as indicated by his 1769 Shadwell wine inventory: 83 bottles of rum, 15 bottles of Madeira, four bottles of “Lisbon wine for common use,” and 54 bottles of cider, an inventory that would change radically with the passage of time."
Acid - Wines Important Ingredient.
Acidity is one of the important components of a wine - without it wine would be flabby and unbalanced.
SFGate.com
"Acidity is what keeps wine safe from microbes and helps it endure and improve over years in the cellar. It even makes wine smell better. "When you move the pH (a measure of acidity) down to a more acceptable range, the bouquet changes," says chemical engineer and winemaker Thomas Coyne. "The aroma just seems to blossom."
SFGate.com
"Acidity is what keeps wine safe from microbes and helps it endure and improve over years in the cellar. It even makes wine smell better. "When you move the pH (a measure of acidity) down to a more acceptable range, the bouquet changes," says chemical engineer and winemaker Thomas Coyne. "The aroma just seems to blossom."
The Curious Affair of the Long Haul Bottle.
To be honest it had been so long its dispatch had slipped from memory. Good ol' Beau had posted a Long Island wine, a Macari Cabernet Franc, to these shores some months ago. It never arrived. A chance to sample 'a unique representative of Long Island vino' squandered by some unknown mishap. Today Beau reports that it arrived back at his pad, battered, ragged but sound. During the bottles travels it had actually reached the UK.
And then he drunk it; with some grilled Gruyere.
And then he drunk it; with some grilled Gruyere.
Enthusiasm and new vines put fizz in English Wines.
The English wine industry, long the butt of dinner party jokes, is being revolutionised by a new generation of professionals who are replanting orchards and wheat fields with vines and winning prizes worldwide. The wine is so good that at least one champagne house has moved across the Channel from France to invest in an English vineyard and will soon be producing sparkling wines it hopes will rival the great marques of Reims and Epernay.
Reuters.co.uk
"Helped by a warming climate, new varieties of grapes, modern methods and government grants, production is rising rapidly. "English and Welsh wines are getting better very quickly, and some of them, English sparkling wines particularly, are already exceptionally good -- world class," said Stephen Skelton, author of "The Wines of Britain and Ireland".
Reuters.co.uk
"Helped by a warming climate, new varieties of grapes, modern methods and government grants, production is rising rapidly. "English and Welsh wines are getting better very quickly, and some of them, English sparkling wines particularly, are already exceptionally good -- world class," said Stephen Skelton, author of "The Wines of Britain and Ireland".
Chinese Wines to hit Duty Free
Cognac giant Camus, the world's leading tax-free shop operator, has signed a 10 year agreement with Chinese winemaker Dragon Seal over the weekend, vowing to sell their wines in 50 of its 4,000 duty-free outlets globally within six months.
Yahoo.com
"The partnership is part of Camus' "Spirit of China" project. The French company has already struck deals with top Chinese liquor companies Moutai, Gu Yue Long Shan and Chunghwa Cognac, a liquor jointly developed by Camus and a leading Chinese cigarette company. These liquors are already on Camus' store shelves. In the agreement with Dragon Seal, Camus will introduce the company's signature Osmanthus King wine to its shops. Since last September, Camus President Cyril Camus started the plan to sell Chinese spirits in his tax-free shops at over 20 international airports, such as Rome, Paris, Bangkok, Singapore, Amsterdam and Helsinki."
Yahoo.com
"The partnership is part of Camus' "Spirit of China" project. The French company has already struck deals with top Chinese liquor companies Moutai, Gu Yue Long Shan and Chunghwa Cognac, a liquor jointly developed by Camus and a leading Chinese cigarette company. These liquors are already on Camus' store shelves. In the agreement with Dragon Seal, Camus will introduce the company's signature Osmanthus King wine to its shops. Since last September, Camus President Cyril Camus started the plan to sell Chinese spirits in his tax-free shops at over 20 international airports, such as Rome, Paris, Bangkok, Singapore, Amsterdam and Helsinki."
Vinho Verde from Afros.
Received a batch of Portuguese wines the other day; unsolicited direct from the producer. In the accompanying notes there is a mention of a white made from Siria; now that IS interesting. A new grape variety... sadly they have doubled up a red in the samples and I will have to miss out on sampling a Sira. First to pass the scribblers lips though were two Vinho Verde. Not a wine style I would purposely purchase, if only for the reason that those sampled in the past would strip several layers off the tongue with their rasping acidity and lemon-tart flavours. Not a fan.
Wine Tasting Note: Afros Loureiro Vinho Verde, 2004, Portugal.No details of price or stockist.
Pale but vibrantly bright colour, faint lemon aroma with a wheaty undertone. Medium bodied, crisp acidity. Not hugely complex but limes, a touch of grapefruit and a green, fresh finish. Dry. Excepting the subdued aroma reminiscent of a Sauvignon or perhaps a Riesling. Loureiro is the grape variety which is usually blended with others rather than appearing as a single varietal.
Scribblings Rating - 88/100
Wine Tasting Note: Afros Escolha Vinho Verde, 2004, Portugal.No details of price or stockist.
Unsure if Escolha is another new grape variety or the name of the wine. I have a feeling that it is Loureiro given a little oak treatment. Either way the wine is deeper in hue than the Loureiro above. An interesting aroma something like an unripe papaya or guava. A little fuller in body but still with a lime and grapefruit edge to that unripe fruit. Maybe it's more wet sandy stones... Crisp acidity and reasonably good length. Dry.
Scribblings Rating - 90/100
Vinho Verde as a wine region occupies the very north western area of Portugal abutting Spanish Galacia further north. It has a damp, maritime climate. As well as the 'green' wine the cuisine is also green - spindly cabbages and caldo verde or green broth (potato and cabbage soup) for example. Fish, perhaps the classic accompaniment to a glass of Vinho Verde, is also widespread especially locally caught fresh water trout and salmon. A prawn risotto using Japanese Miso soup as a stock base was my choice; a more herby Mediterranean rendition might have worked better but it was an edible match...
Subterranean Wineries.
Caves have long been recognized as the ideal environments for aging and storing wine. There are the aesthetic reasons - rows of stainless steel tanks are not the most picturesque additions to any landscape - and the costs of cooling them. Several Napa Valley wineries have been constructed underground including the Jarvis winery leaving its beautiful surrounds practically untouched.
WineAndVines
" Jarvis' property lies in largely unspoiled countryside, and he and his wife didn't want to spoil the natural beauty of the area with large stainless steel tanks. He admits, however, "I wanted to have it all underground, and I was willing to pay what it took". Putting tanks underground required chambers much larger than the typical 12-foot by 12-foot tunnels that had been previously excavated for barrel aging. Fortunately, the timing was good, for geotechnical engineers at the University of California had just made great progress in computer calculations for large underground caves, work initiated for large underground spaces for testing nuclear bombs.
WineAndVines
" Jarvis' property lies in largely unspoiled countryside, and he and his wife didn't want to spoil the natural beauty of the area with large stainless steel tanks. He admits, however, "I wanted to have it all underground, and I was willing to pay what it took". Putting tanks underground required chambers much larger than the typical 12-foot by 12-foot tunnels that had been previously excavated for barrel aging. Fortunately, the timing was good, for geotechnical engineers at the University of California had just made great progress in computer calculations for large underground caves, work initiated for large underground spaces for testing nuclear bombs.
Wine Tasting Note: Cecchi Litorale Vermentino, 2004, Tuscany, Italy.
Wine Tasting Note: Cecchi Litorale Vermentino, 2004, Tuscany, Italy.Oddbins £7.99.
The colour of sun-splattered wheat followed by a tantalising aroma of candied fruits and white flowers. Medium to full bodied swept clean by crisp acidity. Flavours of tropical fruits abound reminiscent at times of a Viognier in its musky overcoat. Seafood is a natural partner but a simple creamy risotto was a delicious pairing.
Scribblings Rating - 92/100
The name comes from the littoral winds that come off the Mediterranean Sea to cool the vineyards. You might wonder why growers bother with Trebbiano and Vernaccia when Vermentino can produce such lovely wines; when did a Trebbiano ever get you excited? Vermentino is widespread in nearby Sardinia and Corsica and across the lower Rhone and Provence going under the name of Rolle.
The next Wine Blogging Wednesday.
Looking good with a new design Wine Expression is the host for the 19th edition of Wine Blogging Wednesday. Jathan has selected the Rhone Valley as the base of the theme - When in Rhone - but has expanded it to include the regions unique varieties planted outside of France. He lists the 22 grape varieties planted in the region but I don't expect to see many Bourboulenc, Camarese, Clairette Blanc or Vaccarese (and several others) from anywhere outside France!Climate threat to Marlborough wine.
News that probably effects all wine growing regions in the world -
Stuff.co.nz
Marlborough's world-renowned sauvignon blanc wines could lose their distinctive flavours in the next 50 years as temperatures rise through climate change. Australian wine author and viticulture researcher Richard Smart is convinced that continued global warming will see the New Zealand grape-growing success story having to move further south and to higher elevations. He said there was no doubt that global warming had begun over the past two to three decades and its effects were being felt in European vineyards, with increased disease. Studies were already documenting earlier vintages. "As the temperature goes up, the regions will lose their unique climate that makes good wine. For example, Marlborough will have a climate like Hawke's Bay or Auckland, which do not produce the same style as Marlborough."
Stuff.co.nz
Marlborough's world-renowned sauvignon blanc wines could lose their distinctive flavours in the next 50 years as temperatures rise through climate change. Australian wine author and viticulture researcher Richard Smart is convinced that continued global warming will see the New Zealand grape-growing success story having to move further south and to higher elevations. He said there was no doubt that global warming had begun over the past two to three decades and its effects were being felt in European vineyards, with increased disease. Studies were already documenting earlier vintages. "As the temperature goes up, the regions will lose their unique climate that makes good wine. For example, Marlborough will have a climate like Hawke's Bay or Auckland, which do not produce the same style as Marlborough."
On the move.
Just moved house... blah, blah... no internet connection until the 16th... blah, blah.... so posting schedule up the Swanee... blah, blah, blah...
Investigations into Unwins.
How does this sound to you - we transferred money out of the company as there was a lot of theft. Shouldn't the police have been called?
Times Online
"Administrators to Unwins, the off-licence chain, are investigating claims that money was transferred to its private-equity owner in the weeks leading up to its collapse late last year.... “We have commenced an early investigation into matters that have come to our attention . . . particularly the use of the bank accounts of DM (Devereux Montague) to bank Unwins’ takings in the period prior to administration,”... However Cook strenuously denied any suggestions of wrongdoing. He claimed that money had been transferred through Devereux Montague because of “extremely high levels of theft at Unwins”. He said: “I don’t care how it looks to an outsider — it was all audited and checked at the time. (KPMG) probably just want to earn some more fees. "
Times Online
"Administrators to Unwins, the off-licence chain, are investigating claims that money was transferred to its private-equity owner in the weeks leading up to its collapse late last year.... “We have commenced an early investigation into matters that have come to our attention . . . particularly the use of the bank accounts of DM (Devereux Montague) to bank Unwins’ takings in the period prior to administration,”... However Cook strenuously denied any suggestions of wrongdoing. He claimed that money had been transferred through Devereux Montague because of “extremely high levels of theft at Unwins”. He said: “I don’t care how it looks to an outsider — it was all audited and checked at the time. (KPMG) probably just want to earn some more fees. "
Most expensive bottle of wine ever sold.
Yquem 1787
A day late on this one but the worlds most expensive wine bottle...
NewsWire
"One wine connoisseur has just bought what is thought to be the most expensive bottle of white wine in the world at US$100,000 (£55,000): a 1787 vintage Sauternes from Chateau Yquem. Stephen Williams, Managing Director of Antique Wine Company (was interviewed by him for a job once... didn't stand an earthly....) who sourced and completed the deal, said: "We have been working for some time on this commission and the purchaser is a long standing customer of ours. Even though we regularly work on commissions to source rare wines this one has been particularly gratifying. "This is really a very rare wine and our client, a US based collector of fine wines, will treasure this prize to add to an already impressive collection." The valuable bottle was acquired by the Antique Wine Company from a private collector in France. Williams, who collected it in his private plane,will now fly to The United States to complete his mission by personally delivering the wine to his US client. When asked if this is rather a fuss over a bottle of wine Williams replied, "Not really, it might be the most expensive and pampered travelling companion I've ever had, but providing highly personal service is what our business is all about, and at £10,000 per glass I have to be sure that our client is left with a sweet taste in his mouth".
Flying Corkscrew Prices.
It just goes to show that you never know who is reading; Mike Boniface, the knowledgeable chap behind the counter at the Flying Corkscrew emailed with the correct price details for the wines I purchased - "Good to see the reviews of the wines you bought here up on the website. Just thought i`d mention the prices though; the Domaine de Lavabre is £8.00, Four Sisters shiraz £7.75 and the Porter Mill Chardonnay £6.25."
Cheers Mike and sorry for the errors.
Cheers Mike and sorry for the errors.
Low-alcohol Guinness for 'new Ireland'.
The new, faster-paced lifestyle of the Irish has led Guinness to experiment with a new version of its famous stout. Guinness Mid-Strength, is planned to be identical in every way to traditional Guinness except for a lower level of alcohol - 2.8 per cent rather than the regular 4.2 per cent. Guinness Light, launched in 1979 and soon dropped, had 3.6 per cent. To try it though you will have to head to the 80 bars in Limerick, who will be test-marketing the drink for six months from March 9th. Limerick was chosen for the honour as the most demographically representative part of Ireland.
Independent
"The brewery says it is a new Guinness for a new age in which Irish men want to drink but also want to keep their wits about them for more hectic and exacting lifestyles.
Independent
"The brewery says it is a new Guinness for a new age in which Irish men want to drink but also want to keep their wits about them for more hectic and exacting lifestyles.
Bat and Bottle Sale.
This time of year it is next to impossible to keep up with the sales and bin-end clearances the UK's merchants are offering. One I would like to highlight though is over at Bat and Bottle.
If you have not come across this excellent Italian specialist before now is the time to get a list and get an early pick at their sale offerings. No website at the moment, they are looking at a spring relaunch, so drop Emma and Ben an email.
If you have not come across this excellent Italian specialist before now is the time to get a list and get an early pick at their sale offerings. No website at the moment, they are looking at a spring relaunch, so drop Emma and Ben an email.
Framingham Wines, New Zealand.
More wines from the 25th Anniversary New Zealand Wine Tasting at Lords, these from Framingham Wines in Marlborough. The company name is taken from the village of Framingham, Norfolk in the UK. This small village was the ancestral home of the Company’s founder, Rex Brooke-Taylor. The first wine made under the Framingham label, a Riesling, was released in 1994. The vineyards however date back to the early 1980’s where Rex Brooke-Taylor first started planting the river bed soils of the Estate just outside Renwick. Varietals from Framingham cover Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Noir. I managed to try three whites at the tasting.
Wine Tasting Note Framingham Dry Riesling, 2004, Marlborough, New Zealand.
Approximately £11.
The only Riesling sampled at the tasting that displayed that elusive and haunting kerosene aroma. Lime and a mineral, steely edge to the palate. Finishes in a long, dry finish. Held more interests and complexity than many other punchy, lime dominated Rieslings.
Scribblings Rating - 88/100
Wine Tasting Note: Framingham Pinot Gris, 2004, Marlborough, New Zealand.
Approximately £11.
A delicious weighty rendition. Pears, apples and a hint of citrus, an Alsace-like touch of spice and musk. Excellent balanced. Rounded and a small level of sweetness on the finish.
Scribblings Rating - 90/100
Wine Tasting Note Framingham Gewürztraminer, 2004, Marlborough, New Zealand.
Around £11.
Not an overly flowery nose but layers of ginger and spice play on the nose. A distinct touch of sweetness which adds to the rich texture. Apricot and lychee. Lovely weight and a delicious chocolatly finish. Alcohol 14.5%.
Scribblings Rating - 92/100
Wine Tasting Note Framingham Dry Riesling, 2004, Marlborough, New Zealand.Approximately £11.
The only Riesling sampled at the tasting that displayed that elusive and haunting kerosene aroma. Lime and a mineral, steely edge to the palate. Finishes in a long, dry finish. Held more interests and complexity than many other punchy, lime dominated Rieslings.
Scribblings Rating - 88/100
Wine Tasting Note: Framingham Pinot Gris, 2004, Marlborough, New Zealand.Approximately £11.
A delicious weighty rendition. Pears, apples and a hint of citrus, an Alsace-like touch of spice and musk. Excellent balanced. Rounded and a small level of sweetness on the finish.
Scribblings Rating - 90/100
Wine Tasting Note Framingham Gewürztraminer, 2004, Marlborough, New Zealand.Around £11.
Not an overly flowery nose but layers of ginger and spice play on the nose. A distinct touch of sweetness which adds to the rich texture. Apricot and lychee. Lovely weight and a delicious chocolatly finish. Alcohol 14.5%.
Scribblings Rating - 92/100
Spittoon and BlogBridge.
Over the last few weeks the wonders of RSS reader BlogBridge have captured my attention. While not perfect BlogBridge (which the weekly updates are addressing) has a host of interesting functions that more than make up for the small quirks; what is more I have the honour to be selected as a topic expert covering wine and food.
For those interested in exploring this field can load my site recommendations into the reader. There are three sections - Best Food Blogs, Best Wine Blogs and, following my photography interests, Best Food Porn Blogs. There is more though. Uniquely to BlogBridge are reading lists, subscribe to an experts reading list and they will be automatically updated as I add or remove recommended sites.
Worth exploring is blogbridge.
For those interested in exploring this field can load my site recommendations into the reader. There are three sections - Best Food Blogs, Best Wine Blogs and, following my photography interests, Best Food Porn Blogs. There is more though. Uniquely to BlogBridge are reading lists, subscribe to an experts reading list and they will be automatically updated as I add or remove recommended sites.
Worth exploring is blogbridge.
A Mention In OLN.
Just flicking through trade paper Off Licence News and bugger me if my ugly mug isn't at the bottom of page 10. Yep, spittoon is given a mention in the papers Blog Spot... which is nice. They have picked the Fire and Wine Don't Mix post from a few days ago which isn't the best of posts to highlight my skill, pizazz or writing aqumen. Probably couldn't find any...
Maven Wines, New Zealand
I was bowled over with the Maven Wine range - from the superb packaging through to the flavours of the wines themselves. Based in the rapaura area of Marlborough this is the first vintage made under the guiding hand of the unique Mike Just - he of the eye-patch, Plantagenet descent and suit of armour. These notes were taken at the 25th Anniversary New Zealand Wine Tasting at Lords
Wine Tasting Note Maven Wines Chardonnay, 2005, Marlborough, New Zealand.
Approximately £10.
Here the grapes are purchased from other growers and average 20 years. Just a smidgen of oak influence here with 10% in new oak and 10% in old. Certainly fruit-driven with the oak underpinning the whole. Citrus and orange flavours enliven the palate.
Scribblings Rating - 92/100
Wine Tasting Note: Maven Wines Sauvignon Blanc, 2005, Marlborough, New Zealand.
Approximately £10.
Six different blocks output are blended into this. The vines are still young at just three years old, but with selection and post-fermentation blending produce a tight, crisp but lively wine perhaps lacking a touch in complexity (young vines) - still bright, crisp, vivacious.
Scribblings Rating - 92/100
I was lucky to sample the yet to be released oak aged Chardonnay. While they have engaged in battonage and full oak treatment the balance was spot on. Hard to fully pronounce on a wine that isnt going to be released for six months but it seemed damn good to me!
Wine Tasting Note Maven Wines Pinot Gris, Marlborough, New Zealand.
Around £10.
I love a good Pinot Gris here we have a good weight, broad delicious flavours and good balance. Nice golden hue to the colour and a goodly amount of pear and honey aromas. Peach and honeyed-apple with a sprinkling of spice, coupled with a good creamy texture, provide the interest in a broad, full palate. All this squeezed from the seven year old vines.
Scribblings Rating - 96/100
Wine Tasting Note Maven Wines Chardonnay, 2005, Marlborough, New Zealand.Approximately £10.
Here the grapes are purchased from other growers and average 20 years. Just a smidgen of oak influence here with 10% in new oak and 10% in old. Certainly fruit-driven with the oak underpinning the whole. Citrus and orange flavours enliven the palate.
Scribblings Rating - 92/100
Wine Tasting Note: Maven Wines Sauvignon Blanc, 2005, Marlborough, New Zealand.Approximately £10.
Six different blocks output are blended into this. The vines are still young at just three years old, but with selection and post-fermentation blending produce a tight, crisp but lively wine perhaps lacking a touch in complexity (young vines) - still bright, crisp, vivacious.
Scribblings Rating - 92/100
I was lucky to sample the yet to be released oak aged Chardonnay. While they have engaged in battonage and full oak treatment the balance was spot on. Hard to fully pronounce on a wine that isnt going to be released for six months but it seemed damn good to me!
Wine Tasting Note Maven Wines Pinot Gris, Marlborough, New Zealand.Around £10.
I love a good Pinot Gris here we have a good weight, broad delicious flavours and good balance. Nice golden hue to the colour and a goodly amount of pear and honey aromas. Peach and honeyed-apple with a sprinkling of spice, coupled with a good creamy texture, provide the interest in a broad, full palate. All this squeezed from the seven year old vines.
Scribblings Rating - 96/100
Wine Blogging Wednesday #18: Wine Shops.
The UK is blessed with a plethora of specialist wine merchants. At the last count, before UKWinesOnline was closed, the listings counted nearly 400. These range from the internet only merchants covering individual product areas (such as Champagne) or more likely countries (Spain, regional France and Italy are popular) through to general wine shops with an on-line presence and on to supermarkets and the national wine chains. A vast majority are happy to deliver nationwide thus offering a simply massive range of wines, beers and spirits to us all. Something many American residents will look upon with envy. For day to day drinking I tend to frequent my local Oddbins and Waitrose supermarket. But for Wine Blogging Wednesday I wanted to try somewhere new; although it is supposed to be your favourite wine shop I selected a totally new establishment.
Philglass and Swiggot (geditt?) have a basic website that is tricky to locate and is not updated that often and operate three stores across London (Battersea, Richmond and Marylebone). The latter is the newest opening and the one I nipped into, seeing as it is located just behind Marble Arch tube station.
It's posh. It's upmarket. And you could spend a fortune. Little under £10 with the majority over £20. Premium wines from California, Australia and New Zealand dominate and there are some very, very tempting stickies too. In a locked glass-fronted (temperature controlled?) cabinet were a collection of top clarets and I spotted a bottle of Grange in there too.
A request for a red and a white for 'around ten pounds each' raised not a flicker of derision, which I tend to expect in up-market establishments, and a friendly guide through a few wines in my price bracket, of which I purchased two. The white I have yet to broach, but the red is superb...
Wine Tasting Note: Le Roc Des Anges Segna de Cor, 2004, Côtes du Roussillon Villages, France.
Purchased from Philglass & Swiggot £9.99.
Resplendent in a long necked bottle with a simple, stylish label, this tenners worth of red holds all I desire from a wine. Quite a dark colour and an aroma that changes from sweet brambly perfume to a more subtle and complex savoury edge. The palate is full and ripe, almost New World in richness but holding an edge that is distinctly French in its mingling of flavour, fine tannins and black-fruit acidity. The richness of the fruit is well countered by the tannins. The finish has an edge of liquorice and a port-like sweetness the high alcohol is noticeable, perhaps adding to the port-like feel. Made from 60 - 80 year old Carignan blended with Grenache and Syrah.
Scribblings Rating - 94/100
It's posh. It's upmarket. And you could spend a fortune. Little under £10 with the majority over £20. Premium wines from California, Australia and New Zealand dominate and there are some very, very tempting stickies too. In a locked glass-fronted (temperature controlled?) cabinet were a collection of top clarets and I spotted a bottle of Grange in there too.
A request for a red and a white for 'around ten pounds each' raised not a flicker of derision, which I tend to expect in up-market establishments, and a friendly guide through a few wines in my price bracket, of which I purchased two. The white I have yet to broach, but the red is superb...
Wine Tasting Note: Le Roc Des Anges Segna de Cor, 2004, Côtes du Roussillon Villages, France.Purchased from Philglass & Swiggot £9.99.
Resplendent in a long necked bottle with a simple, stylish label, this tenners worth of red holds all I desire from a wine. Quite a dark colour and an aroma that changes from sweet brambly perfume to a more subtle and complex savoury edge. The palate is full and ripe, almost New World in richness but holding an edge that is distinctly French in its mingling of flavour, fine tannins and black-fruit acidity. The richness of the fruit is well countered by the tannins. The finish has an edge of liquorice and a port-like sweetness the high alcohol is noticeable, perhaps adding to the port-like feel. Made from 60 - 80 year old Carignan blended with Grenache and Syrah.
Scribblings Rating - 94/100