Wolf Blass Wines is one of Australia’s greatest success stories. From a humble tin shed in the legendary Barossa Valley in 1966, Wolf Blass has grown to become one of Australia’s most successful and awarded winemakers. I have a lot of affection for this brand – but had read recently that the winery was on the…
Month: August 2018
Coolwater Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2017
This New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc again has that characteristic ‘New World’ taste to it – I guess from fermentation at relatively low temperatures. The winemakers are Peter Yealands Estate and this wine tasted indistinguishable from their sauvignon Blanc reviewed here The difference is therefore only the label – as both wines cost £8. Tasting notes:…
Picpoul de Pinet ‘La Font Française’ Ormarine 2017
Picpoul used to be cheap, and unusual to find outside France until a few years ago when it cropped up more frequently, particularly on gastro-pub wine lists. Prices rose as it became more popular. My most read article of all time with hundreds of views, is Sainsbury’s Baron de Guers Picpoul de Pinet which is…
Contralto Pinot Grigio 2017 Sainsbury’s Winemaker’s Selection
My most read review of the last year was for a Pinot Grigio. This review has had hundreds of hits, from all over the world. This shows that people may be a little unsure about this wine, and google it whilst in the supermarket to see if it’s any good. This isn’t surprising as Sainsbury…
Rocca Murer Pinot Grigio 2017
My most read review of the last year was for Rocca Murer Pinot Grigio 2016. This review has had hundreds of hits, from all over the world. If you type Rocca Murer Pinot Grigio into Google, the top hit is for my review. This shows the global reach of Cavit wines. I think it also…
Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2017
This New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is the first this year to elicit a ‘Wow’ from me. It has that characteristic ‘New World’ taste to it – and would definitely appeal to lovers of ‘The Ned’ & Cloudy Bay (one of the winemakers used to work for Cloudy Bay). I guess that the fermentation took place…
Hubert Brochard Sancerre 2017
We had our annual booking at ‘Rocky Bottoms’, a good lobster/crab place near Sherringham, and they allow you to bring your own wine for a £2.50 pp corkage charge. I often resent the mark up on a bottle of wine in pubs/restaurants, so was grateful of a chance to select a decent bottle to go…
Soffio Prosecco
Prosecco sales in the UK went up by 75% in 2014 alone; this year sales overtook champagne and 1 in 3 bottles of sparkling wine sold today will be Prosecco. But will this wine strip your teeth of enamel…? This is OK sparkling wine at £9, but we quickly used it to make Aperol Spritz….
Graham Norton’s Own Sauvignon Blanc
Invivo co-founders Tim Lightbourne and winemaker Rob Cameron travelled over 20,000 kilometres to Norton’s summer location – County Cork, Ireland (complete with their precious cargo of six distinctive Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc pressings). Then, over a reportedly riotous afternoon blending session the trio created Graham’s 2016 Sauvignon Blanc. New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, like South African Chenin…
Santa Julia Malbec Rosé
I have had this wine twice in recent weeks, as we are in the midst of an actual summer in England, with sunshine and everything, and it’s been very good. I’m a fan of Zuccardi wines, following a trip to Mendoza. The fact that Mendoza produces any wine is pretty miraculous – it’s in the…
St Veran, Blason de Bourgogne
Blason de Bourgogne St Veran is good wine from another well respected producer/negotiant. It was good, but I had higher expectations from a £10 bottle – I could have done better… Tasting notes: Crisp,fresh chardonnay with flavours of citrus, white flowers and some minerality. Wine Colour – White Price – £10 Where do I get…
Chablis Vielles Vignes, Closerie des Alisieres
Chablis Vielles Vignes, Closerie des Alisieres is good wine from a respected producer. Good value for money, Auchan have a magnum of this at €17.99 – which is a bit of a steal, and almost makes a trip to France worth it. Tasting notes: Crisp Chablis with flavours of citrus, white peach and some minerality. Wine…
A Time for Wine 