All the big super markets have at least one Grüner Veltliner. Sainsbury’s have stocked one since 2010 – well ahead of the game. There has been a recent growth in interest in this wine: why? Again global warming may play a part in making this ‘green’ wine more complex and attractive. Jancis Robinson may have…
Month: May 2020
Picpoul de Pinet 2019 – Baron de Guers – Update 2
This is an update to reflect that Sainsbury’s have changed the label on this wine. This is purely aesthetic – the contents are exactly the same. Is it a better label? Yes – the old one was dark and dull; this one signposts the wines suitability as an accompaniment to shellfish, particularly oysters. This is…
Blackfoot Daisy Pinot Grigio 2019 – Virgin Wines
Pinot Grigio is the World’s favourite white wine grape. Is this offering from Virgin Wine any good and in any way different from the vast array available on the UK market? Well, yes. I’ve tasted Pinot Grigios from Argentina and California (good) and from Hungary and Bulgaria (not great) and done comparative tastings with Pinot…
Trivento Reserve Chardonnay 2017 – UPDATE
Trivento is the global market leader in Argentinian wines. We visited the winery in November 2016 and tried their entire range. The UK offerings were mostly retailed in Tesco but they no longer stock this or the Parra Alta Chardonnay – which is a shame as these were excellent value. Tesco still sell their Malbecs,…
Viña Sol – Torres 2018 UPDATE
Founded in 1870, Torres have been producing this wine since the 1960s. It’s decent wine with a timeless quality to it and fairly good value. I buy it regularly in the summer and it remains popular in Spain. This wine comes in a thin, light bottle which is more environmentally friendly – more producers should…
‘Chateau La Pierre’ Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu, Jerome Choblet
I’ve tasted my way from Nantes to Pouilly-sur-Loire over the course of several visits to the region. I’m a big fan of Muscadet in the summer; for me it’s the perfect wine to wash down moules mariniere. This wine comes from the area around Nantes. Tasting notes: Pale straw yellow with green reflections. Floral and…
Grüner Veltliner Reserve 2018 – Lidl
Austrian wines are good – Grüner Veltliner being the pre-eminent white. All the big super markets have at least one. Why the interest? Global warming may have played a part in making this ‘green’ wine more complex and attractive. Jancis Robinson may have played a part – she attended a blind tasting of Austrian whites…
Eventus – Giordano
Giordano wines are a mixed bunch; the wines are variable in quality but are at the cheaper end of the spectrum. This wine was very vague about details. Giordano take an inordinately long time (3 weeks) to deliver their wine to customers. They don’t have great ‘trust pilot’ reviews as a result. There is a…
Raggiante – Giordano
Giordano wines are a mixed bunch; the wines are variable in quality but are at the cheaper end of the spectrum. This wine was very vague about details. Giordano take an inordinately long time (3 weeks) to deliver their wine to customers. They don’t have great ‘trust pilot’ reviews as a result. There is a…
Visionario, Bianco Trevenezie 2018 – Laithwaite’s
Laithwaite’s have been in the game for some time -about 50 years, and their founder Tony Laithwaite knows his stuff. They have physical shops and a mail order business. At the time of writing the UK is in lockdown – and as a result mail-order wine businesses are thriving. Laithwaite’s are seeing their annual Christmas…
Faustino Rivero Ulecia Albariño 2018 Rias Baixas
Albariño is currently rather fashionable, particularly when from Rias Baixas in Galicia. It’s a somewhat forgotten, often rainy inland area of North Western Spain. This one comes in a distinctive blue bottle (it’s not the only Rias Baixas Albariño that does) and would be good to bring to a dinner party. The salty hint to…
Yalumba Organic Chardonnay 2018
Enjoyable wine and proudly organic – not always easy to achieve with viticulture due to the risks involved – but bonus points from me. At £10 a bottle this is good wine. Tasting notes: Medium intensity, pale lemon colour. Primary apple and citrus notes. No secondary or tertiary notes. Balanced acidity; dry. Medium finish. Flavours…
A Time for Wine 