This update reflects the 2018 vintage. Dog Point has a 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 at relatively low temperatures. The winemakers employed the ‘reductive method’ (very…
Tag: Sauvignon Blanc
Château Vartely Dealu Nucului Feteasca Regala & Sauvignon Blanc 2019
My most recent delivery from Laithwaite’s had this, nicely presented in a paper wrapping. It is from Moldova… It retails at £10.49 a bottle. The winery looks modern and impressive. This wine receives rave reviews on Laithwaites website. It is a typical Laithwaites wine – slightly aromatic. Tasting notes: Its appearance is pale straw in colour….
Chevalier de Fauvert, Pays d’Oc, Sauvignon Blanc 2019
This Sauvignon Blanc is from Lidl. It regularly retails at £4.49 (cheap) but from time to time it is reduced to £2.99 when it is the ‘wine of the week’. This is unnaturally, suspiciously cheap… there must be a catch; it must be awful, right? Wrong; it’s perfectly acceptable plonk. Buy 6 for under £18 and…
Santa Macarena Sauvignon Blanc 2017 – Virgin Wines
This Sauvignon Blanc is from the most coastal site in all of Chile; the Aconcagua Valley is just 5km from the ocean. Morning mist, sea breezes and lower temperatures provide ideal conditions for Sauvignon Blanc. Tasting notes: Pale straw colour. Stone fruits and some vegetal notes. Short, crisp finish. Balanced, medium/high acidity. Not especially complex or…
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:…
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…
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…
Peter Yealands Sauvignon Blanc
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, like South African Chenin Blanc, has a distinct ‘New World’ taste to it. Invariably this is of tropical, exotic fruit – and is achieved by fermenting it at lower temperatures than in the ‘Old World’ (ie France). I find many Loire Valley Sauvignon Blancs to be rather ‘pinched’ – however this…
Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc
I thought that this was good Sauvignon Blanc. Very good value at £6.75 at the moment and in my opinion gives The Ned a run for it’s money in this category. This had none of that ‘pissy’ aroma that some prize in Sauvignon Blancs, but which I (understandably, I think) find revolting. Tasting notes: Initially…
Domaine Reverdy Ducroux Sancerre ‘Beau Roy’
Domaine Reverdy Ducroux Sancerre ‘Beau Roy’ is one of my favourite Loire Valley sauvignons; more supple and less pinched than most Pouilly Fumes… Tasting notes: Light and soft, with notes of apple and balanced acidity. Refreshing, fruity and ready to drink. Wine Colour – White Price – £13 – from Sainsburys Current Vintage – 2016…
Winter whites for the festive season
These are the white wines for the festive season – and they’re all French. They’re not all Chardonnays from Burgundy, however – there’s a lovely Sancerre on the list! First up (left)is Signe Bourgogne Montagny Tasting notes: Notes of tropical fruits. Some minerality & creaminess on the palate. Elegant for the money. Good texture. Wine…
A Time for Wine 