Extra Special Nero d’Avola 2012, Sicilia (£7 Asda) Warm, friendly winter wine, with a slightly raisinny edge to its heart plummy flavours, and a touch of savoury complexity on the finish – classic stew wine. B+ Barone di Bolaro Cirò Rosso Classico Superiore 2011, Calabria (£7.25 The Wine Society) Ah, […]
Yearly Archives: 2013
You know those Tom & Jerry cartoons when Tom has an angel on one shoulder whispering something in one ear and a demon on the other telling him the opposite? That’s how I used to feel about wine and Christmas. Yes, I know it’s the season of peace on earth […]
Three wines for Christmas
Luis Pato Maria Gomes Sparkling Metodo Antigo, Beiras, Portugal (£12.99 Corks of Cotham, Highbury Vintners, Wright Wine Company, Raymond Reynolds) Interesting style, not hugely fruity, although there is a touch of grated apple, but there are attractive characters such as ginger and rose petal, with floral and creamy notes in […]
Wine Tasting Video: Sparkling wines from England, Portugal & Champagne
Cour-Cheverny Le Petit Chambord 2010, Loire, France (£8.95 The Wine Society) Has the lightly nutty ripe apple note of Chenin Blanc, but there’s also a more herby character – fennel – along with something that reminds me (in a good way) of singed hair. Manages to be rich and almost […]
Wine Tasting Video: Sauvignon Blanc from France, New Zealand & ...
The Liberator “Francophile” Syrah 2012, Stellenbosch (£10-£12 Corks Out, Dorset Wine Company, Dropwines Ltd, George Hill Ltd, The Wine Reserve, SA Wines Online, Villeneuve Wines, The Wright Wine Co) Crunchy young wine, vibrant and punchy with floral scented dark berry and blackcurrant fruit tinged with spice and a roasted note, […]
Wine Tasting Video: South African Syrah
Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve Chardonnay 2012, Western Cape, South Africa (£9.99 Tesco) Reasonably fresh with a touch of oak, but the lime jelly cube flavour is a bit simple and confected, and I taste processes rather than a place. C+ Viñalba Reservado Chardonnay 2012, Mendoza, Argentina (£11.99 Majestic) 14.5% alcohol, but […]