I am going to start separating wine and beer stuff I'm blogging on, so I have started up http://beeradvice.blogspot.com/ where I am going to put my beer musings.
Wine stuff remains at http://blog.wineadvice.co.uk/ so long as the bandwidth allows!
Thursday, 27 October 2011
Sunday, 23 October 2011
Wine Recommendation
San Gimignano Sangiovese 2008
Another one from Majestic that's on a deal at the moment (2007 is advertised on the web site) - £8.99 if you buy two.
One of the first places I visited in Tuscany. A slightly unusual area in so far as it does have its own DOCG (DOC 1966-1993) for whites, under the guise of Vernaccia di San Gimignano, from a local strain of Vernaccia thought to be unrelated to any other, but at the moment is awaiting DOC status for Rosso di San Gimignano despite it having had success with Sangiovese for quite some time, and more recently with super Tuscan style international blends.
But, given all of this red-tape means the price might well be more competitive, enjoy this one at the deal price! Fruity enough to be approachable, lots of characteristic cherry flavour, but balanced with enough oak and savoury tannins to make it a more satisfying drop.
Another one from Majestic that's on a deal at the moment (2007 is advertised on the web site) - £8.99 if you buy two.
One of the first places I visited in Tuscany. A slightly unusual area in so far as it does have its own DOCG (DOC 1966-1993) for whites, under the guise of Vernaccia di San Gimignano, from a local strain of Vernaccia thought to be unrelated to any other, but at the moment is awaiting DOC status for Rosso di San Gimignano despite it having had success with Sangiovese for quite some time, and more recently with super Tuscan style international blends.
But, given all of this red-tape means the price might well be more competitive, enjoy this one at the deal price! Fruity enough to be approachable, lots of characteristic cherry flavour, but balanced with enough oak and savoury tannins to make it a more satisfying drop.
Saturday, 8 October 2011
Trinity Hill 'Trinity' 2002
Dug this one out of the depths of the wine cabinet this evening. It's a
Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah blend from Trinity Hill in Hawke's Bay.
I had the chance to look round some of Hawke's Bay's wineries in 2005 courtesy of another ex-Oddbins staff member Greg Beachen at Grape Escape - it's a diverse and interesting wine area often overlooked because of Marlborough's dominance, although Stonecroft wines used to pop up in Oddbins and CJ Pask wines are available from my local independent, Weavers.
The brick red rim of the wine gave an indication of its age but there was still plenty of fruit on the nose, lots of Plummy Merlot. The palate was more lifted, red currants mixing with leather and earthy flavours, all supported by the oak ageing. Not sure there was much more life left in it so it's probably a good thing it got drunk this weekend - but an enjoyable drop, and one that brought back a few kiwi memories to add to the brand new one brought about by Wales' fine victory this morning!
Interestingly, according to my New Zealand Wine Atlas, these guys grow Montepulciano, as well as the grapes Hawke's Bay is rather better known for.
I'm not sure where I got this one from or how much I paid for it but similar blends from more recent vintages seem to be around £12-£13. (Label)
I had the chance to look round some of Hawke's Bay's wineries in 2005 courtesy of another ex-Oddbins staff member Greg Beachen at Grape Escape - it's a diverse and interesting wine area often overlooked because of Marlborough's dominance, although Stonecroft wines used to pop up in Oddbins and CJ Pask wines are available from my local independent, Weavers.
The brick red rim of the wine gave an indication of its age but there was still plenty of fruit on the nose, lots of Plummy Merlot. The palate was more lifted, red currants mixing with leather and earthy flavours, all supported by the oak ageing. Not sure there was much more life left in it so it's probably a good thing it got drunk this weekend - but an enjoyable drop, and one that brought back a few kiwi memories to add to the brand new one brought about by Wales' fine victory this morning!
Interestingly, according to my New Zealand Wine Atlas, these guys grow Montepulciano, as well as the grapes Hawke's Bay is rather better known for.
I'm not sure where I got this one from or how much I paid for it but similar blends from more recent vintages seem to be around £12-£13. (Label)
Friday, 23 September 2011
Wine Recommendation
Domaine de Villargeau 2010 Côteaux du Giennois
Currently on a deal at Majestic, this was in Decanter a couple of years ago as one of France's top wines for under £10, so now, at £9 each if you buy two, it is a real bargain.
A Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire's Central Vineyard areas, bargain price I suspect because this relatively young appelation (est. 1998) simply doesn't have the reputation that its more prestigious neighbours in Pouilly and Sancerre do - in a similar way to Mentetou-Salon.
Don't expect a kiwi tropical fruit bomb, this is Sauvignon at its most graceful - a glass of elegant, steely finesse.
Currently on a deal at Majestic, this was in Decanter a couple of years ago as one of France's top wines for under £10, so now, at £9 each if you buy two, it is a real bargain.
A Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire's Central Vineyard areas, bargain price I suspect because this relatively young appelation (est. 1998) simply doesn't have the reputation that its more prestigious neighbours in Pouilly and Sancerre do - in a similar way to Mentetou-Salon.
Don't expect a kiwi tropical fruit bomb, this is Sauvignon at its most graceful - a glass of elegant, steely finesse.
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Beer and Wine Labels
Bit of a blog about blogs. I came across some articles today about beer and wine labels. The beer label one seemed almost to be the antithesis of what the guys at Pumpclip parade are up to*, but still, it's quite amusing to see what some people find 'inspiring.' Brace yourself for Badass Redneck Lager:
Showcase of Over 45 Inspirational Beer Logos and Labels
Moving swiftly on, and hopefully more interestingly, a couple of articles (well, a load of pics really) from a graphic design blog on wine labels. Interesting to look at this through the perspective of a graphic designer rather than a wine drinker. Some of these are held up as 'exquisite' examples of graphic design, and indeed that might be a perfectly valid comment, but I'd question whether many of them actually make good labels for wine - however talented the creator.
40 Wine Labels That Will Delight You
On the other hand, this, for me at least, seemed like a better selection:
12 Wild Wine Label Samples
* Incidentally, not entirely confined to UK brewers, shame on you Lindemans!
Showcase of Over 45 Inspirational Beer Logos and Labels
Moving swiftly on, and hopefully more interestingly, a couple of articles (well, a load of pics really) from a graphic design blog on wine labels. Interesting to look at this through the perspective of a graphic designer rather than a wine drinker. Some of these are held up as 'exquisite' examples of graphic design, and indeed that might be a perfectly valid comment, but I'd question whether many of them actually make good labels for wine - however talented the creator.
40 Wine Labels That Will Delight You
On the other hand, this, for me at least, seemed like a better selection:
12 Wild Wine Label Samples
* Incidentally, not entirely confined to UK brewers, shame on you Lindemans!
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