Giordano wines have offices near Alba in Italy, from where I receive regular cold calls offering me wine. I usually explain that I’m driving and can’t take the call, which I usually am… Their cases are a mixed bunch; the wines are variable in quality but their U.S.P. is that they offer Italian delicacies or…
Casillero del Diablo Chardonnay 2019 – update
Concha y Toro are one of the world’s biggest and most recognisable wine brands. Connoisseurs may turn up their noses at this – but they produce a great range of good quality, good value wines. The story behind Casillero del Diablo began over 120 years ago. The founder of Concha y Toro, Don Melchor stored batches…
Mumm Cordon Rouge NV Champagne
A champagne whose label perhaps doesn’t carry the cachet of others in the same price bracket that denotes quality. At £35 a bottle it should be good… Thankfully it was delicious – better than I expected. Tasting notes: Biscuity, aromas of lemon and pastry. Notes of toast on the palate. This also had bite as…
Prosecco Conegliano, Sainsbury’s ‘Taste the Difference’ 2018
Good prosecco costs a little more, and this is good sparkling wine and good value at £10. Currently it’s £8 a bottle which is a bit of a steal. Tasting notes: Lively, crisp, aromatic. Pale lemon colour. Frothy mousse. Easy-drinking due to well balance acidity. Fresh with lemon, stone fruit and apple flavours and a floral…
Louis Jadot – Macon Villages 2018 UPDATE
I last reviewed this wine 3 years ago, when I used a point system and I rated it pretty highly. At upwards of £10 a bottle it’s not quite everyday drinking. The label still confers quality – but what of the contents? Winemakers go to great pains to ensure that their products have a degree…
Tesco Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie
Pinot Grigio remains the World’s favourite white wine grape. Is Tesco’s entry level offering any good…? At £4.50 – not really. Tasting notes: Its appearance is pale lemon in colour. Citrus notes on the nose. Balanced. Medium length, oddly unpleasant finish. Medium body. Region of Origin – VenezieWine Colour – WhitePrice – £4.50Where do I…
Zalze ‘Bush Vine’ Chenin Blanc 2019 – Update
This is decent Chenin Blanc and fair value at £8.99. It is significantly cheaper at Morrisons if you have one near you. Once again I must express my wish that it had ‘Fairly Traded’ credentials… Tasting notes: Primary notes of stone fruits. Balanced acidity. A little length of finish, a little complexity, Crisp, dry wine….
Picpoul de Pinet 2018 – Aldi ‘Exquisite Collection’
This is not the ‘ubiquitous’ Picpoul de Pinet from the huge Costieres de Pomerols co-operative; this is from Paul Mas a well-respected producer. Tasting notes: Initial nose of green apples and citrus. Fresh & refreshing. Green apples, white flowers and citrus notes. Balanced acidity; Picpoul works best with food. Short finish, little intensity, little complexity,…
Picpoul de Pinet 2019 – Baron de Guers – Update
This is the ubiquitous supermarket Picpoul de Pinet: ‘ubiquitous’ because they pretty much all stock the identical wine from the same co-operative producer, but with a different label. Tasting notes: Initial nose of green apples and citrus. Fresh & refreshing. Green apples and lemon and lime notes. Balanced acidity, this wine works best with food….
Picpoul de Pinet 2019 – Tesco Finest – Update
This is the ubiquitous supermarket Picpoul de Pinet: ‘ubiquitous’ because they pretty much all stock the identical wine from the same co-operative producer, but with a different label. Tasting notes: Initial nose of green apples and citrus. Fresh & refreshing. Green apples and lemon and lime notes. Balanced acidity, this wine works best with food….
Elisa Gavi 2018 – Virgin Wines
The white wine Gavi (if you look at the bottom of this page you will see links to reviews of several other Gavis) is made from the Cortese grape and comes from the foothills of the Alps in Northern Italy. When it’s good, it’s very good. But when it’s bad – it is awful. Virgin’s…
Vitalita Pinot Grigio 2018 – Virgin Wines
Pinot Grigio remains the World’s favourite white wine grape. Is Virgin Wine’s offering any good…? At £8.99 – I’m afraid not really… Tasting notes: It’s appearance is pale lemon in colour. Citrus notes on the nose. Balanced acidity. Short finish. Medium body. Citrus and pear notes. No intensity, no complexity. Meh… Region of Origin –…
