The first wine of 2021 to be sent back. This was faulty. I think the agglomerate cork had failed, let in oxygen and the wine was becoming vinegar. The failure rate of this closure is less than a natural cork (7% – or approx 1 bottle per case). On returning it to Sainsbury’s, they no…
Tag: Italy
M&S Classics Chianti, Riserva 2017
With its ‘Classics’ range M&S set out to produce wines which are the epitome of a grape, blend or region. It includes repackaged wines from existing suppliers as well as new wines that their buyers had to go out and hunt down. Sue Daniels set out “to find and redefine those lovely well-known regions and…
M&S Classics Pinot Grigio 2019
With its ‘Classics’ range M&S set out to produce wines which are the epitome of a grape, blend or region. It includes repackaged wines from existing suppliers as well as new wines that buyers had to go out and hunt down. Sue Daniels set out “to find and redefine those lovely well-known regions and iconic…
Franciacorta, Castel Faglia, Italy
Italian fizz rose from nowhere about 12 years ago when the prosecco boom began. Demand was huge for cheap fizz, and it was less harsh than Cava. The backlash began a few years ago in response to the acidic, insipid £6 stuff on sale – and it’s image as a drink to get you drunk….
Corte Vigna Chardonnay, Italy
I’ve rated this chardonnay as ‘acceptable’; this may seem like I’m damning with faint praise, however it is perfectly good everyday drinking. It doesn’t have the ‘wow’ factor by any stretch of the imagination but at its price point it is fair value for money and is enjoyable enough. Tasting notes: Medium intensity, pale lemon colour….
Roca Murer Pinot Grigio 2019 – update
I receive a lot of hits for this wine. Let me know in the comments what you think of it because people generally read about a wine because they like it and want to know if others do too or because they are unsure whether to buy it or not… There are as many as…
Freixenet Pinot Grigio
I visited the Alto Penedés region near Barcelona to try cavas and when I pulled up at the Freixenet winery (in a brand new Mercedes) they told me, rather rudely, to go away. So I did – to Codorníu, the region’s other major producer. I was warmly welcomed, given a tour and a tasting… I…
Grüner Veltliner – Adler
This is one of three Grüner Veltliner stocked by Lidl – and this is unusual as it’s Italian, albeit from the mountainous north near Austria. It’s Lidl’s most expensive Grüner Veltliner – but is it their best? Sadly not… Tasting notes: Medium intensity, pale lemon colour. Primary apple and citrus notes. No secondary or tertiary…
Provobis Vino Frizzante Secco – 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 as usual very vague about details. Giordano took just under a month to deliver my last case. Laithwaites and Virgin take 2-3 days. This wine is decent enough and as part…
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…
A Time for Wine 