I was contacted by the police this week to inform me that a gang of Romanian criminals in West London had insured 6 cars using my details. They had even stolen my card details to pay for one of the policies. One of the cars had triggered a speed camera – a car which I…
Tag: wine
Chapel Down – Flint Dry
I’ve tasted my way through the Chapel Down range twice. I’ve visited the vineyard and several others in Kent and genuinely believe that English wine can be excellent. Hush Heath produce delicious fizz. Denbies, whilst a beautiful vineyard, are not my favourites… Chapel Down are the best, in my opinion and this blend – available…
Gavi – Terre da Vino
I’ve been to Piemonte (Piedmont) a few times and first tried Gavi di Gavi 20 years ago (in a restaurant in London). I love Gavi and the Cortese grape and I’m pleased and surprised that a supermarket like Sainsburys can offer 4 different bottles ranging from £7.50 to £15.50. Clearly I’m not the only fan…
Santa Julia Malbec.
Malbec is everywhere, and here is yet another – however this one bares the name of Zuccardi (albeit discretely); excellent producers of Argentinian wines. Their wines are produced responsibly, organically and fairly – which is important in what is essentially a developing world economy. Tasting notes: Notes of cherry, plum and spice. Excellent velvety mouth-feel. Full…
Grande Reserve Bergerac, Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon
Britain retains a love for single variety wines; there is real wine-making skill in creating a blend which is more than the sum of its’ parts. This one works well… Tasting notes: an interesting, harmonious blend of Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon; dry with citrus and floral notes. Good wine, fairly priced. Region of Origin –…
Macon-Villages, Cave de Lugny, Co-Op
Had to grab a bottle in a hurry, to go with our planned chip supper; Chablis seems a bit excessive for battered haddock – although I like the juxtaposition… An alternative to the more expensive white burgundies, which goes well with fish – even the battered type – is this good chardonnay from Co-Op. They…
Picpoul de Pinet, Oramarine
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 a few hundred views, is Sainsbury’s Baron…
Vire-Clesse, Bouchard Aine et Fils, Tesco Finest
‘Bring your own wine’; love those words, wish more places did it! We had a booking at ‘Rocky Bottoms’, a good lobster/crab place near Sherringham, which inexplicably has no alcohol licence. 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…
Marques de Almeida, Godello 2015 – Sainsbury Taste the Difference
My wife brought this home. I might not have spent £9 on a mid-week bottle, but I’m glad she did. This wine was really good; it was intriguing to drink and was delicious – definitely try it! Tasting notes: Fresh & refreshing, very good summer drinking. Complex, slightly creamy, lime notes, floral notes. I really…
Puglia Rosso – Marks & Spencer
I fully expected this Pugliese red to be a Primitivo, however according to the label it’s a Negroamoro, although one newspaper reviewer said it was a blend of the two grapes… Who to believe? Well the review was in the Daily Mail… I like Puglia – with its witches hat trulli houses, olive groves and…
Picpoul de Pinet – Baron de Guers
This is the Sainsbury’s offering; is it better than Waitrose or Tesco? No – because it’s the identical wine as the other two from the same co-operative producer, (but with a different label) but can be bought for £5.60 at Tesco… Tasting notes: Fresh & refreshing, very good summer drinking. Green apples and lemon and…
Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes de Nuits
An attractive bottle from a well respected producer, Bouchard Aine & Fils. Carrying the Tesco finest label, currently reduced to £9.60. Pinot Noir is my favourite red wine grape, so my hopes were high… This was good wine for the price but when it reverts to £12? I’m not sure… Tasting notes: Light, soft…
A Time for Wine 