I visited the Loire Valley and stayed at La Demeure de la Vignole just outside Saumur (https://www.demeure-vignole.com/). It’s a complex of ‘Troglodite’ caves, once home to a poor community of farmers, now home to a luxury hotel. The two sparkling wines I liked most were Bouvet-Ladubay in central Saumur and this one, towards Turquant where…
Tag: wine
M&S Wave Break Pinot Grigio
An unusual proposition and one I’ve never come across before; American Pinot Grigio. But containing French Colombard. And bottled in Germany. I thought it was good – if rather on the pricey side for Pinot Grigio. Tasting notes: Light, fruity, dry white. Flavours of fresh pear and lime. Wine Colour – White Price –…
Cono Sur Reserva Especial Riesling
I’m a big fan of Riesling. To me it has a gentle, aromatic character. It is regarded as one of the three most important grapes, after Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, however its UK sales don’t reflect this. Demand for it (and planting) are both increasing. Chile is a minor player in Riesling production. Riesling is…
Chablis Vieilles Vignes Pierre de Prehy – Brocard
Chablis Vieilles Vignes Pierre de Prehy – Brocard is good wine from another well respected producer – not cheap, but for a few pounds more than many other Chablis you get more complexity & minerality – better wine for your money. Tasting notes: Crisp, elegant Chablis with flavours of citrus, white peach and some minerality….
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…
Domaine les Marroniers Montmains Chablis Primier Cru
Domaine les Marroniers Montmains Chablis Primier Cru is another good looking bottle, and came in a wooden box. It was good, but rather pricey… Tasting notes: Initially detected some mineral notes. Hints of tropical fruits. Some creaminess on the palate. Good texture. Wine Colour – White Price – £14 Current Vintage – 2016 Producer –…
Signe Bourgogne Montagny
This Montagny is good, if not exceptional Chardonnay. Good value for money though, and in an attractive bottle, it makes a change from Chablis. Tasting notes: Notes of tropical fruits. Some minerality & creaminess on the palate. Elegant for the money. Good texture. Wine Colour – White Price – £9 Current Vintage – 2016 Producer…
Santa Rita Chardonnay, Chile
Another attractive looking bottle… This chardonnay from the Limarí Valley (the northernmost vineyard district in Chile) is produced quite close to the equator however the valley is cooled by sea breezes. This gives many ‘old-world’ wines a run for their money… Tasting notes: Bright, golden colour. A full-flavoured Chardonnay. It displays citrus aromas and apple…
Picpoul de Pinet, Ormarine
A flinty alternative to Muscadet, Gruner-Veltliner or Pouilly Fume, 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, with hundreds of views, is Sainsbury’s Baron de…
Tesco Finest Pinot Grigio, Cantina de Monteforte
‘You get what you pay for.’ Not always with wine, I’m afraid. I saw an interesting clip on YouTube this week of some Dutch wine Vloggers who took 3Euro wine into a wine tasting and offered it to experts who pronounced it good and worth up to 80Euro a bottle… I’ve had plenty of disappointing,…
Passerina – Tesco Finest
When we were in Abruzzo, we walked to a beautiful hillside restaurant and ate langoustine and drank the local wine. It was excellent. The entertainment was provided by the spectacle of the only other diners; a very elderly mafia-don type and his very young, very glamourous girlfriend. When his phone rang the ringtone was the…
Santa Julia Reserve Malbec
Robert Parker gave this wine 91 points. But he’s like Craig Revel-Horwood on Strictly come Dancing (in the sense that he marks harshly, I hasten to add). I’ve scored it 92 – and would add extra marks for an attractive bottle (good for dinner parties & prospective in-laws) but that would be stupid… Tasting notes:…
A Time for Wine 