tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90849416862129521032024-03-17T20:03:36.163-07:00The Cambridge Wine BloggerA Cambridge blog. About wine - mostly. By Tom.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251402076802750813noreply@blogger.comBlogger1713125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9084941686212952103.post-8536185926195509742022-09-05T23:54:00.000-07:002022-09-05T23:54:00.843-07:00The Cambridge Wine Blogger Is Dead. Long Live The Cambridge Wine Blogger<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYbGAMBXzbj5RAo2lKzYHSSgvmXo3VOXXuuH6oFXfSKQMW3MCe3hAn2GrooYVhWJMVtPO_U7fLae8Ufs9mOI9tZ1aDe9v644GPEwnUIrjJMGb6FcKMxjAkpO94FWHotahM3n3FUt1nI-79Lm9JUsLeg4H5MXQXPEkEi83i15zt8PzTj2qrrW6CDnT/s1024/Blogger_icon_2017.svg.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYbGAMBXzbj5RAo2lKzYHSSgvmXo3VOXXuuH6oFXfSKQMW3MCe3hAn2GrooYVhWJMVtPO_U7fLae8Ufs9mOI9tZ1aDe9v644GPEwnUIrjJMGb6FcKMxjAkpO94FWHotahM3n3FUt1nI-79Lm9JUsLeg4H5MXQXPEkEi83i15zt8PzTj2qrrW6CDnT/w400-h400/Blogger_icon_2017.svg.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><i>A platform alteration</i><p></p><p>I decided it was time to switch platforms, so this version of The Cambridge Wine Blogger is ending.</p><p>New reviews will appear on <a href="https://medium.com/" target="_blank">Medium</a>.</p><p>You can find a link to my new blog here: <a href="https://medium.com/@tomsk71">Tom Lewis – Medium</a></p><p>Please check it out.</p><p>You can also keep up to date with my wine-related content elsewhere:</p><p>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/CambWineBlogger">Tom Lewis (@CambWineBlogger) / Twitter</a></p><p>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tom.lewis.967">Tom Lewis | Facebook</a></p><p>Reviews on this site will stay up, but my intention is not to publish any more reviews here.</p><p>So long and thanks for all the fish.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qqaFnaVxNhoA-caMbn_oTeFUnD6-YlXcnRSB8wMA2nNpvrb4FSbbd06N3cdDQ8WxOcETgjQnwWvDaHjpoko_nxuketAvdbQ1yVdTNrNOS0K5FLBxdoi4zAheLAG7BHaVUnyrOOjBZGtMkn60bC3UIYJQptIPHsIplpvoG-ItPR5iV-ClKnZQV1yi/s1920/Medium_(website)_logo.svg.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="1920" height="61" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qqaFnaVxNhoA-caMbn_oTeFUnD6-YlXcnRSB8wMA2nNpvrb4FSbbd06N3cdDQ8WxOcETgjQnwWvDaHjpoko_nxuketAvdbQ1yVdTNrNOS0K5FLBxdoi4zAheLAG7BHaVUnyrOOjBZGtMkn60bC3UIYJQptIPHsIplpvoG-ItPR5iV-ClKnZQV1yi/w400-h61/Medium_(website)_logo.svg.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251402076802750813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9084941686212952103.post-87676004229539732302022-08-30T00:01:00.004-07:002022-08-30T00:02:25.093-07:00The CWB Fizz-Off<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vT3g3zeHnk-n2xKQEHpeBmOqMeNN9RlT2KrnTZ-46nnuOQ9IaAwmHqLUAZdhH63MJl9oujTre4ZuSqG6SAqlkTy_HTJLdUZ3SEAVFSpTbl-Ukq0SWStS5cRsqkFV8oouiZN4fZ3Qtn5h1d1IjZi6CSHbYllR-rrf-6i2FkRF_YIgPKudATN_XLMF/s4032/IMG_1370.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vT3g3zeHnk-n2xKQEHpeBmOqMeNN9RlT2KrnTZ-46nnuOQ9IaAwmHqLUAZdhH63MJl9oujTre4ZuSqG6SAqlkTy_HTJLdUZ3SEAVFSpTbl-Ukq0SWStS5cRsqkFV8oouiZN4fZ3Qtn5h1d1IjZi6CSHbYllR-rrf-6i2FkRF_YIgPKudATN_XLMF/w300-h400/IMG_1370.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><i>Three non-<a href="http://cambridgewineblogger.blogspot.com/search/label/Champagne" target="_blank">Champagne</a> fizzes</i><p></p><p><i>Let's get fizzical, fizzical*</i></p><p>- Physical, Olivia Newton-John (1981)</p><p>Cambridge-born <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olivia_Newton-John" target="_blank">Olivia</a>, like the <a href="https://www.beegees.com/" target="_blank">Bee Gees</a> before her, went off to Australia then made it big in the US in the late '70s.</p><p>I'd like to think she would have approved of this <a href="http://cambridgewineblogger.blogspot.com/search/label/fizz" target="_blank">fizzical</a> line-up.</p><p><b>Nozeco (£3.25 - £4.00, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrison and Co-op)</b></p><p>An alcohol-free Prosecco lookalike, it is made from flavoured de-alcoholised wine from Spain; it is vegan and has fewer calories than regular wine. It costs less, too.</p><p>It sits somewhere between a sophisticated elderflower lemonade and a decent entry-level Prosecco, albeit without the alcohol, and has an <a href="https://www.iwsc.net/" target="_blank">IWSC</a> Silver medal.</p><p>foams enthusiastically; elderflower, orange blossom and citrussy bergamot; crisp and refreshing with lemon-lime, sherbet and florality</p><p>Well-balanced and thoroughly pleasant.</p><p><br /></p><b>Tesco Finest Prosecco DOC (£8.50, Tesco)</b><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Made by Cantine Maschio using selected yeasts and aged for around one month at a controlled temperature of 12-15°C to preserves the fruit aromas.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Frothy, floral and citrussy; orchard and white stone fruits, sherbet, refreshing citrus and salinity. Crisp, clean and elegant</div><div><br /></div><div>Well-made and thoroughly enjoyable.</div><div><br /></div><div>Serve as an easy-drinking, crowd pleasing aperitif or with the lightest of canapés.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><b>Gratien & Meyer Crémant De Loire Rosé NV (£12 , Tesco)</b><div><br /></div><div>
Founded in 1864, Gratien & Meyer are one of the leading producers of Cremant (traditional method sparkling wines) in the Loire. These are produced in the same way as Champagne, but sell for much less, making them a great value alternative for celebrations and special occasions.</div><div><br /></div><div>A blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Chenin, Cabernet Franc.</div><div><br /></div><div>yeasty, biscuity brioche, creamy oatmeal and white pepper with citrus, florality and red berry fruits. Adept, with complex, savoury underpinnings.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good.</div><div><br /></div><div>Serve as an aperitif or match with shellfish, lighter curries and picnic foods such as hams, quiches and chicken drumsticks.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>*lyrics may not be 100% correct.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Other reviews:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.openingthebottle.com/the-complete-nozeco-review-nozeco-vs-prosecco/">The Complete Nozeco Review. Nozeco vs Prosecco - Opening The Bottle</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://thelightdrinker.com/product/nozeco/">Nozeco - The Light Drinker</a></div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251402076802750813noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9084941686212952103.post-91355655358676929412022-08-26T14:14:00.000-07:002022-08-26T14:14:10.444-07:00Southern Hemisphere Crisp White and Big Red<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7sp1jrCGhNOEk_a09FxByOFSLm4b54xPvZG-r4umRmYJ0L2X9YpOZPsQYn-b0gA5qIhv9E6X1sMDldt1Z_XrTmNyI2gbqYQgsk8GBHzRjJYW04AQY05wLlG7mvlE50jrTUxn_aW9uvnZeauN2VKmkF3Vjn2QCYQcps-6i68SVQdmNCsDy0GL6-xQ/s4032/IMG_1372.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7sp1jrCGhNOEk_a09FxByOFSLm4b54xPvZG-r4umRmYJ0L2X9YpOZPsQYn-b0gA5qIhv9E6X1sMDldt1Z_XrTmNyI2gbqYQgsk8GBHzRjJYW04AQY05wLlG7mvlE50jrTUxn_aW9uvnZeauN2VKmkF3Vjn2QCYQcps-6i68SVQdmNCsDy0GL6-xQ/w300-h400/IMG_1372.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><i>Crisp White and Big Red from the southern hemisphere - <a href="https://www.wosa.co.za/Home/" target="_blank">South Africa</a>'s <a href="https://www.rustenberg.co.za/" target="_blank">Rustenberg</a> and <a href="http://lovewinelovechile.co.uk/" target="_blank">Chile</a>'s <a href="https://www.monteswines.com/en/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Montes</a></i><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Crisp White and Big Red is a classic dinner combination; starting with France, you might look to the Loire and Bordeaux or Chablis and the Rhône.</div><div><br /></div><div>Further afield, but staying in the Old World, a Riesling and a Barolo or Rioja would work equally well.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is a southern hemisphere / New World take on the same concept using classic (i.e. French) grape varieties; South African unoaked Chardonnay and Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Chardonnay has a classic unoaked flavour profile, just with more warmth and ripeness, so think Macon rather than Chablis, even if some of the fruit has a ripe-yet-green tinge.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Cab is similarly more fruited and riper than Bordeaux, with New World's signature cassis and green pepper.</div><div><p></p><p><b><a href="https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/312211924" target="_blank">Rustenberg Wild Ferment Unwooded Chardonnay</a>, (£12, Tesco)</b></p><p>This is Rustenberg's first ever unoaked Chardonnay; the aim was to create a wine that, without the influence of oak, expresses the varietal character and generosity of Chardonnay when the finest fruit is vinified for this purpose. Lees ageing adds palate weight and complements the wine's citrus fruit profile to create a wine that can be enjoyed on its own or with food. </p><p>Arguably the most famous wine-producing region in South Africa, the vineyards of Stellenbosch take advantage of the area's topography and vineyards sit on the lower slopes of the Helderberg and Simonsberg ranges.</p><p>From the Stellenbosch region of South Africa, this Chardonnay is hand-picked and wild-fermented,
with native yeasts found on the fruit and in the vineyard, in stainless steel tanks; it is then aged on lees for 3 months for more complexity.</p><p>This wine is a blend of different component vineyards, picked at different times of ripeness, some early for freshness and some late for fruit expression. Part of the batches are crushed and destemmed and part are whole bunch pressed, each technique giving a different mouth feel to the resultant wines.</p><p>floral and heady with exotic fruits and perfumed honeysuckle; orchard fruits, yellow stone fruits, greengage, sweet spices and salinity with some rich, leesy underpinnings and mid-palate complexity.</p><p>Drinks nicely on first pouring.</p><p>Good.</p><p>A versatile food wine, match with seafood, white meat and creamy cheese dishes such as tarte flambée.</p><p><b><a href="https://www.coop.co.uk/products/montes-reserve-cabernet-sauvignon-768910" target="_blank">Montes Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon</a>, (£9, The Co-op)</b></p><p>I've reviewed Montes' oaky Chardonnay from Chile previously and been impressed - see <a href="https://cambridgewineblogger.blogspot.com/2022/01/the-cwb-co-op-southern-hemisphere.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://cambridgewineblogger.blogspot.com/2020/09/montes-reserve-chardonnay-co-op.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p>Would their Cab be as good, I wondered?</p><p>Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most-widely planted grapes in the world, but is rarely made into a varietal wine as it often needs some rounding out from another variety, In this case, there is 15% Merlot added for plush, juicy freshness, making this a classic Bordeaux blend.</p><p>45% of the wine is aged for 8 months with 2nd and 3rd use French oak barrels.</p><p>lifted, fruit-forward blackberries and blackcurrants with nutmeg, peppery vanilla spice, pencil shavings and some woodsy undergrowth; juicy, plush and fresh with red and black fruits, coffee grounds and cocoa; supple, well-integrated tannins, mintiness and a supple texture.</p><p>Good.</p><p>Drinks nicely on first pouring but opens up with aeration; will repay some cellaring.</p><p>Match with char-grilled meats, lamb, darker game or tuna steak.</p></div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251402076802750813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9084941686212952103.post-45493644797928341182022-08-20T09:28:00.000-07:002022-08-20T09:28:08.590-07:00Two Wines From New Zealand's Jackson Estate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEY3f05alwvgH5p51moHXMxM2E0eGPLEOBrqY4mKNEa4RdntodAmp5iQMixMYNemtHgwB6sJ_81ObA1rAK_xaJoI0tDX3ZA5aaL65JmqEXkOus1izlCB0ffYEPDOunFvTNtbS5bXARM_a760f434RBl3atKnmYcT--E-Ge0N3PMnWpPBRoKemtDmz1/s4032/IMG_1356.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEY3f05alwvgH5p51moHXMxM2E0eGPLEOBrqY4mKNEa4RdntodAmp5iQMixMYNemtHgwB6sJ_81ObA1rAK_xaJoI0tDX3ZA5aaL65JmqEXkOus1izlCB0ffYEPDOunFvTNtbS5bXARM_a760f434RBl3atKnmYcT--E-Ge0N3PMnWpPBRoKemtDmz1/w300-h400/IMG_1356.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><i>Two wines from <a href="http://cambridgewineblogger.blogspot.com/search/label/New%20Zealand" target="_blank">New Zealand</a>'s <a href="https://www.jacksonestate.co.nz/" target="_blank">Jackson Estate</a></i><div><br /><div>New Zealand's Jackson estate is based in <a href="https://marlboroughnz.com/" target="_blank">Marlborough</a>, at the tip of the South Island, an area world famous for its Sauvignon Blancs.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jackson's website says:</div><div><br /></div><div>Lying at 41.3 degrees south, Marlborough has about the same amount of heat as Burgundy and slightly less than Bordeaux.</div><div><br /></div><div>In these bright but relatively “cool” climate conditions, the grapes have the advantage of a long slow, flavour-intensifying ripening period. The average daily temperatures during summer is nearly 24 degrees Celsius but clear cool nights keep acid levels high in the grapes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Marked diurnal (day/night) temperature variations are a key factor behind the ability of Marlborough grapes to retain both fresh, vibrant fruit and crisp, herbaceous characters. The temperature contrast also helps to enhance the flavour development in the skins of Pinot Noir.</div><div><br /></div><div>Within Marlborough viticulture has been developed primarily on sites with moderate low fertility and a noticeably stony, sandy loam top soil overlaying deep layers of free-draining shingle, as found in the viticulturally developed areas of the Wairau Valley.</div><div><br /></div><div>These shallow, fast draining, low fertility soils help to produce a lush, aromatic ripe wine that results in vines with less vigour.
The region currently has over 27,000 hectares of land planted vineyard, primarily located within the Wairau Valley.</div><div><br /></div><div>Marlborough is now New Zealand’s largest wine region – producing some 79% of the country's wine. </div><div><br /></div><div>When combining the climate we enjoy with our soil profile this is what makes Marlborough unique and providing its distinctive flavours.</div><div><br /></div><div>I first came across Jackson's wines a decade ago and was <a href="http://cambridgewineblogger.blogspot.com/2011/12/jackson-estate-stich-sauvignon-blanc.html" target="_blank">impressed with them then</a> and <a href="http://cambridgewineblogger.blogspot.com/2014/10/jackson-estate.html" target="_blank">on later re-acquaintance</a>.</div><div><br /></div><b>Jackson Estate Stich Sauvignon Blanc 2021
(£14, Ocado, Waitrose, Majestic)</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2JXbQxqSMTiaqcLadtFcWpqqdKJn5WFDXSC64chEJ0iwouBq56PGRExiRQ4MiQHYq0BRScAMRJLevsoBwICD4crPbnaNCFh_V423qoBGiIrIwUKDRXr3XVkWkA4Kosi37BDlJEfPlaJEYQBxNEULZY1Ato9o3xaskhazPIYE-0M8CiVmd3qPplPu/s2400/Jackson%20Estate%20Stich%20Sauvignon%20Blanc%20NV%20-%20TIF.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="2400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2JXbQxqSMTiaqcLadtFcWpqqdKJn5WFDXSC64chEJ0iwouBq56PGRExiRQ4MiQHYq0BRScAMRJLevsoBwICD4crPbnaNCFh_V423qoBGiIrIwUKDRXr3XVkWkA4Kosi37BDlJEfPlaJEYQBxNEULZY1Ato9o3xaskhazPIYE-0M8CiVmd3qPplPu/w400-h400/Jackson%20Estate%20Stich%20Sauvignon%20Blanc%20NV%20-%20TIF.tif" width="400" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Stich Sauvignon Blanc is named in recognition of John ‘Stich’ Stichbury, founder of Jackson Estate.</div><div><br /></div><div>lifted aromatics of lemongrass, lime zest, exotic fruits and herbal murkiness: white stone fruits, melon, and citrussy gooseberry-grapefruit with zippy lime and leesy Brazil nut and cashew underpinnings. Fresh, complex and adept.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good+.</div><div><br /></div><div>Drinks nicely in first pouring; will repay some cellaring.</div><div><br /></div><div>Match with ham hock terrine and parsley, saltimbocca or meaty white fish in a herby broth.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Jackson Estate Vintage Widow Pinot Noir 2018 (£21, Ocado)</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixkwQVqL_DKaGz535FCQArQhC4_PCOINsF8P1PRKd8hwljmplGKskBiaVfxpOyxLhkY5pc23GdIi_kFnQUagprtn-ROaZackFqnNIExldGh2lMUIMLQsTKTff-WOLdeGatfswEthgs8P8erDqhBS2zrl7teEe6K0KUma4JCwBHMjG7Qh8FuKpegHX/s2400/Jackson%20Estate%20Vintage%20Widow%20Pinot%20Noir%20NV%20-%20TIF.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="2400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixkwQVqL_DKaGz535FCQArQhC4_PCOINsF8P1PRKd8hwljmplGKskBiaVfxpOyxLhkY5pc23GdIi_kFnQUagprtn-ROaZackFqnNIExldGh2lMUIMLQsTKTff-WOLdeGatfswEthgs8P8erDqhBS2zrl7teEe6K0KUma4JCwBHMjG7Qh8FuKpegHX/w400-h400/Jackson%20Estate%20Vintage%20Widow%20Pinot%20Noir%20NV%20-%20TIF.tif" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Vintage Widow is named in recognition of the families at Jackson Estate, who are often forgotten at vintage as they strive to make the perfect bottle of Pinot Noir.</div><div><br /></div><div>soft red berries, cherries, dried green herbs and spicy, mushroomy undergrowth; supple and fresh with red fruits, spice, rubbed sage, soft-yet-firm, rounded and well-integrated tannins, toasty-grilled notes and salinity.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good+.</div><div><br /></div><div>Drinks nicely on first pouring; can be cellared to gain further complexity.</div><div><br /></div><div>Match with darker game, such as aromatic duck breast, venison meatballs or a mutton stew.
</div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251402076802750813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9084941686212952103.post-87740660715736901482022-08-19T16:17:00.002-07:002022-08-19T16:17:30.064-07:00New York Chardonnay Show-Down<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YsBzjVGrU2DK5wzOpEiNdUF3QDPDLMtm9gmnDSjpA30m5O3pT5OYeFHopsHGni_1PQYSmuSWxD6zjzbGVCsiGsiS-HJjVmOPq-j10Y9vv8Xl2Xj98mgzLPcC1d5oFdl473Rg8SiTQKsZWPDL7cVScqZoResmPVCV5xgFcMNfLlVNqyIiyACWRFCy/s4032/IMG_1355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YsBzjVGrU2DK5wzOpEiNdUF3QDPDLMtm9gmnDSjpA30m5O3pT5OYeFHopsHGni_1PQYSmuSWxD6zjzbGVCsiGsiS-HJjVmOPq-j10Y9vv8Xl2Xj98mgzLPcC1d5oFdl473Rg8SiTQKsZWPDL7cVScqZoResmPVCV5xgFcMNfLlVNqyIiyACWRFCy/w400-h300/IMG_1355.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><i><a href="http://www.newyorkwines.org/" target="_blank">New York State</a> Chardonnays vs the rest of the world</i><div><i><br /></i></div><div>"Showtime!"</div><div><br /></div><div>- Mr Incredible, The Incredibles (2004)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RGmVVzEmkJQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="RGmVVzEmkJQ"></iframe></div><br /><div><p>Crafted in New York, but inspired from everywhere, New York is a unique community of passionate producers who approach winemaking with a multitude of personalities and backgrounds—they’re not alike, and they like it that way.</p><p>Wine has been made in New York since the 17th century and its unique history of hybrid cultivars paired with an increasing amount of planted Vitis vinifera has positioned the region as one of the most diverse and resilient.</p><p>In New York wines you’ll find subtlety, depth and nuance; it’s no surprise that they’ve found a place on the global stage, alongside other great wine regions of the world.</p><p>These tasting took a look at New York’s star varieties side by side with other great wine regions of the world, exploring the common threads as well as the varied approaches to viticulture and winemaking.</p><p><i>New York wines</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdQTohGre08zo8Sm2PJQyH7vs0S-XGng-_LKnXDcCMlEqObwY1XYEs49RfFj7Msngyb88qyW1k5lmSYlGzXSbz6inkv8b7x-oj-ShHsBvv6fJ8ERZl3sCdkmsJAYFcI5JlhwJb01r53aOS2ImrYftCeATrWWT_eGGRykJuVGlSGvG94t0RxAXL6Wa/s2048/New-York-State-AVA-Map-2021-02-01-scaled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1453" data-original-width="2048" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdQTohGre08zo8Sm2PJQyH7vs0S-XGng-_LKnXDcCMlEqObwY1XYEs49RfFj7Msngyb88qyW1k5lmSYlGzXSbz6inkv8b7x-oj-ShHsBvv6fJ8ERZl3sCdkmsJAYFcI5JlhwJb01r53aOS2ImrYftCeATrWWT_eGGRykJuVGlSGvG94t0RxAXL6Wa/w400-h284/New-York-State-AVA-Map-2021-02-01-scaled.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Chardonnay has a relatively long history in New York state, being one of the first grape varieties planted there and making a name for itself from the 1970s onwards, but today remains somewhat in the shadow of Riesling and Cabernet Franc.</p><p><b>Fox Run Vineyards, Doyle Family Chardonnay 2020 Finger Lakes, NY ($14, seeking distribution in the UK)</b></p><p>Founded in 1990, an hour's flight from the ocean, it has a continental climate; on the same latitude as Rioja and Tuscany, it suffers from spring frosts however bud-break is late. 8% Traminette in the blend for some "fruit salad" character; no oak or lees aging, made from purchased fruit that enjoys afternoon suns.</p><p>Easy-drinking and popular wine that does well in the restaurant trade.</p><p>citrus and orchard fruits; white stone fruits, green apple and pears; lean, sinewy, fresh and harmonious.</p><p>Well-made and thoroughly enjoyable.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8R33y12x6t06VPrhOoKf9Ny4PJrHW3ev547ZbvVktn69F6plehTGH_4k_euIcQeH5TtUe1jZuQ32Qn7VLlCRqVXNONQOjqhqGc8kPE59x1eNCCHgWJtHnCcXt24haZttOOGb3yxPkzbslkFZ6yXNlKn7tEooHSBJh3UsZ_q15NHfm7gRs5eeUQ5ID/s1440/279870739_1073182686600213_2700576355544015123_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1440" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8R33y12x6t06VPrhOoKf9Ny4PJrHW3ev547ZbvVktn69F6plehTGH_4k_euIcQeH5TtUe1jZuQ32Qn7VLlCRqVXNONQOjqhqGc8kPE59x1eNCCHgWJtHnCcXt24haZttOOGb3yxPkzbslkFZ6yXNlKn7tEooHSBJh3UsZ_q15NHfm7gRs5eeUQ5ID/w400-h301/279870739_1073182686600213_2700576355544015123_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><b>Wolffer Estate, Perle Chardonnay 2019 Long Island NY ($32, Seeking distribution in the UK)</b></p><p>Based in The Hamptons, Long Island with a moderate maritime climate; milder winters, no spring frosts and cooler summers. On the same latitude as Madrid and Naples, giving plenty of sunshine for ripening and a long hang time for minerality and elegant fruit.</p><p>Small-cluster vines for even ripening, barrel fermented, canopy management and air flow reduce diseases and give long hang time. Hand picked and pressed immediately with 48 hours' skin contact, fermented in 90% new French oak with around 8 months on the lees and almost no battonage. </p><p>bruised apple, white stone fruits and florality; orchard fruits, creamy-leesy roasted brazil nuts and oatmeal, saline minerality and orange peel; rich, complex and savoury, long and elegant.</p><p>Very Good.</p><p><b>Nathan Kendall, Chardonnay 2020 Finger Lakes, NY ($33, Master of Malt, Whisky Exchange, 9 Elms Wines)</b></p><p>West-side grapes with morning sun, 50yo vines; hand picked and foot-stomped for phenolic extraction, spontaneous fermentation in old barrels with 11m aging on lees and no stirring, partial malo</p><p>bruised orchard fruits, toastiness and florality; fresh with zippy lime, citrussy acidity and spice; saline-mineral with good texture, delicate finesse and elegance.</p><p>Very Good.</p><p><i>Chile</i></p><p><b>Errazuriz Wines, Aconcagua Costa Chardonnay 2019 Chile (£17.50, Ocado, Noel Young Wines, Hop Cellar)</b></p><p>Modern style, full-bodied with reductive winemaking, 45% malo, 100% old oak.</p><p>aromatic minty herbs, zippy lime and struck match; refreshing lime marmalade, gooseberries and greengage with minty vanilla, honeysuckle citrus, orchard fruits and nutty, leesy complexity.</p><p>Very Good.</p><p><i>New Zealand</i></p><p><b>Villa Maria Wines Taylors Pass Chardonnay 2019 (£15.99, nzhouseofwine)</b></p><p>Awatere Valley fruit, 100% barrel fermented, 50% wild ferment, full malo with 11 months on the lees.</p><p>struck match, fresh orchard fruits and bruised crab apple skins; fresh, linear and precise with green apple, lime zest, white stone fruits and broad savouriness</p><p>Very Good.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWVTt7AVoiOWhL0nrAkQliNo8cOaTL0Pxi-74Geg8_P2aobCITi0OORki3H4yu7dyWJa1iCRGfG1BnFpHq4eATioKUtLAX1FQlcwpCP_9wtAoI8mks83iA8TU20Do23fP9yozlWnOVNnobrYN3JhouHG7wJ6UlrXDPKaXgEAlqx3RH4RBru8ELFRV/s1440/279722858_164924952591821_8093688302162859666_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1440" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWVTt7AVoiOWhL0nrAkQliNo8cOaTL0Pxi-74Geg8_P2aobCITi0OORki3H4yu7dyWJa1iCRGfG1BnFpHq4eATioKUtLAX1FQlcwpCP_9wtAoI8mks83iA8TU20Do23fP9yozlWnOVNnobrYN3JhouHG7wJ6UlrXDPKaXgEAlqx3RH4RBru8ELFRV/w400-h301/279722858_164924952591821_8093688302162859666_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><i>France, Chablis</i></p><p><b>Jean Durup, Chablis 2021 (€16, not currently available in the UK)</b></p><p>From the difficult 2021 vintage, no oak influence, cool climate, kimmeridgian soils.</p><p>citrus, lemongrass and rubbed sage; fresh and saline with honeydew melon, white stone fruits, lime zest and honeysuckle; broad and savoury with leesy oatmeal.</p><p>Very Good.</p><p style="text-align: center;">***</p><p style="text-align: left;">Image credits: <a href="http://www.foodwithsusi.com/" target="_blank">Susana Kawai</a></p><p>Further reviews:</p><p>Susana Kawai: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdGq0xYtH-5/">Food with Susi on Instagram: "Chardonnay Show Down - New York State of Wine Have you tried a Chardonnay from New York State? In a glance: The climate is continental…"</a></p><p>The Buyer: <a href="https://twitter.com/TheBuyer11/status/1522146423252344838">The_Buyer on Twitter: "Part 2 @TheBuyer11 importers debate with @NYWineGrapeFdn producers looks at the wine styles that buyers think have the most potential to do well in the UK and why the region has much to offer with cool climate, fresh, pure fruit forward, acid driven wines https://t.co/6gyKZZE5mF https://t.co/hbBn4u3RFJ" / Twitter</a></p></div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251402076802750813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9084941686212952103.post-39946306244561121332022-08-13T13:05:00.000-07:002022-08-13T13:05:59.847-07:00Banfi La Pettegola 2021 Vermentino<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHSJwBwC7cShD1vJHKRKnNBxt3mHxJbQO8SQNO6cXSdy3gB79qucxum3a1kM_DoIyVOFB4Roehxsz__toTUeMW-RiMRZA9kOjxn6eYuHbJxgGCKh8Uk--F3k7EKyOvhiDFRjVtsiXQzMrnYHPeUIKI2k-Vu8SpwGxzn5V3gjPSFw7qcBU_N881jnd/s4032/IMG_1341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHSJwBwC7cShD1vJHKRKnNBxt3mHxJbQO8SQNO6cXSdy3gB79qucxum3a1kM_DoIyVOFB4Roehxsz__toTUeMW-RiMRZA9kOjxn6eYuHbJxgGCKh8Uk--F3k7EKyOvhiDFRjVtsiXQzMrnYHPeUIKI2k-Vu8SpwGxzn5V3gjPSFw7qcBU_N881jnd/w300-h400/IMG_1341.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><i>A Vermentino from Tuscany's <a href="https://www.banfi.it/en/wines/" target="_blank">Banfi Wines</a> via <a href="https://www.ocado.com/webshop/startWebshop.do" target="_blank">Ocado</a> and independents</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Banfi La Pettegola is a fresh and juicy example of a variety that could become a flagship grape for Italy; Vermentino is claimed to be Italy's most fabulous and fashionable wine.</div><div><br /></div><div>This La Pettegola is an easy-drinking style, an alternative to standard white wine choices, placed somewhere between unoaked Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc with a throwback to Albarino, Gruner Veltliner and Godello.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is from coastal Tuscany and thrives on sea breezes with poor soils and some altitude. Crafted from the best grapes from Banfi’s Maremma vineyards in Southern Tuscany, the vines are at around 150 metres altitude in well drained, sandstone soils.</div><div><br /></div><div>The grapes are gently pressed, destemmed and fermented entirely in temperature controlled stainless steel to preserve the fresh, floral and fruity character of the wine. It then spends three months on lees for a more complex texture and finish. </div><div><br /></div><div>Also known as ‘Rolle’ in Provence, it is used as a component in the fashionable white and rosé wines of the South of France. High in phenols, it can be made in a fresh, saline style, or with a creamier, richness, depending on how the wine is handled in the cellar.</div><div><br /></div><div>La Pettegola's name has a double meaning. The coastal seabird that gives its name to this wine is the redshank, ‘la Pettegola’ in Italian. The bird’s chattering call gives a second meaning ‘the gossip’, so it is a wine for gossiping over.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Banfi La Pettegola 2021 (£16, Ocado, Bon Coeur Fine Wines, Penistone Wines</b></div><div><br /></div><div>floral, mint and garrigue herbs, pear drops and white pepper; ripe yellow stone fruits, grapefruit, peach kernels, leesy-savoury cashew and Brazil nut; textured full and supple.</div><div><br /></div><div>Drinks nicely on first pouring and opens up further with some aeration.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good.</div><div><br /></div><div>Drink as a summer sipper or match with canapés, seafood, grilled chicken or roasted vegetable salads.</div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251402076802750813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9084941686212952103.post-80056850742439924412022-08-03T01:31:00.001-07:002022-08-03T01:37:59.491-07:00Two Rosés from Tesco<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKugWaU7VJtAwI7sfh0SyVA8P_EPY1MvCU8X-dllLHSWL_gb76JfX5zi2Y3FibfLnn5GPigLrTazTGKCZhoFUOUTRdD-G9GlgRNKtQ3o-CbJXDw7cJgmWgCl8_Ki8EPEUzE2CjW--wi6JbUlU1zTt5MROGcLVKbrfGs3o7oRT5P9axQaUIjWuypdSn/s4032/IMG_1198.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKugWaU7VJtAwI7sfh0SyVA8P_EPY1MvCU8X-dllLHSWL_gb76JfX5zi2Y3FibfLnn5GPigLrTazTGKCZhoFUOUTRdD-G9GlgRNKtQ3o-CbJXDw7cJgmWgCl8_Ki8EPEUzE2CjW--wi6JbUlU1zTt5MROGcLVKbrfGs3o7oRT5P9axQaUIjWuypdSn/w300-h400/IMG_1198.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><i>Two <a href="http://www.vinsdeprovence.com/" target="_blank">Provence</a> rosés from <a href="https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/shop/drinks/wine/rose-wine" target="_blank">Tesco</a></i><p></p><p>Provence is to <a href="https://cambridgewineblogger.blogspot.com/search/label/ros%C3%A9" target="_blank">rosé</a> as Champagne is to fizz; the standard against which all other wines are judged - for better or worse.</p><p>As a result, Provence rosés can command a significant price premium, especially if they are celebrity endorsed; however, the good news is that these two are keenly priced, albeit you do pay a little extra for the <i>Studio's</i> star credentials vs the Tesco own-label.</p><p>And a note on the power of branding for those who think it is all about the liquid inside the bottle; I offered these around the table in the garden on a sultry summer's eve. "Anyone want want some <a href="https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Brangelina" target="_blank">Brangelina</a> wine?" I asked.</p><p>"Ooh, Brangelina wine, yes please, I'll have some of that!" said Mrs CWB, grabbing the bottled and enthusiastically filling up glasses for herself, her sister and the other ladies around the table.</p><p>In that context, a tasting note is somewhat redundant here - this is an enjoyable pink from a sun-kissed part of France made by a glamorous Hollywood power ex-couple and that's all you really need to know.</p><p><b>Tesco Finest Provence Rosé (£9)</b></p><p>This elegant and refreshing Provence Rosé is carefully sourced from picturesque vineyards that spend the year basking in the Mediterranean sun. Delicious stone fruit flavours are balanced with notes of fresh strawberries and redcurrants to create this crisp, delicate and dry wine with its signature pale pink colour. Pairs perfectly with seafood and antipasti.</p><p>red berry fruits, delicate mint and watermelon; white stone fruits, conference pears and red berries with white pepper, sweet spices and a leesy richness; broad and harmonious with good underpinnings</p><p>Drinks nicely on first opening.</p><p>A summer sipper, it will match well with picnic foods or cold cuts</p><p><b>Studio by Miraval (£12)</b></p><p>Blend of equal parts Cinsault, Grenache, Tibouren and Rolle (aka Vermentino); all the varieties are vinified by direct pressing.</p><p>The Cinsault and Tibouren in Stainless steel vats. The Grenache & Rolle are partially vinified in tulip-shaped concrete vats with a rounded bottom. This ovoid shape gives rise to a natural convection movement that suspends the lees creating the same effect as a batonnage and gives the wine a lot of structure.</p><p>very pale, slightly toasty; soft red-berry fruits, citrus and white fruits, white pepper and leesiness with saline minerality; elegant and pure.</p><p>Well-made and thoroughly pleasant.</p><p>A pleasant sipper, match with picnic food.</p>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251402076802750813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9084941686212952103.post-88051720957712983142022-08-02T09:33:00.003-07:002022-08-02T09:52:04.786-07:00The Regional Wines of Louis Latour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wt98a41rHbim_RW6yzQScm9Jgd7iptujuG2YW3HZlAI4oQVtX8RifSYjnR8YIVU0kAOTrSMd8IxitXZqSOVYhSPJajQCrYbpAaoAljnqrJg2qnYmGlskjhS-E-9Spj1YF5EEwWmiUOCFy6_WKaaEWHYRZvFpJxRG1lR9-Xmi8udCkuzmVrYIuisk/s4032/IMG_1246.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wt98a41rHbim_RW6yzQScm9Jgd7iptujuG2YW3HZlAI4oQVtX8RifSYjnR8YIVU0kAOTrSMd8IxitXZqSOVYhSPJajQCrYbpAaoAljnqrJg2qnYmGlskjhS-E-9Spj1YF5EEwWmiUOCFy6_WKaaEWHYRZvFpJxRG1lR9-Xmi8udCkuzmVrYIuisk/w300-h400/IMG_1246.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><i>Four regional <a href="http://cambridgewineblogger.blogspot.com/search/label/Burgundy" target="_blank">Burgundies</a> from <a href="https://www.louislatour.com/en/wines" target="_blank">Louis Latour</a></i><br /><div><br /></div><div>Maison Louis Latour is a family-owned business, one of the most highly regarded in Burgundy. They have been making excellent value wines in a similar style from their vineyards in regional appellations very successfully for many years.</div><div><br /></div><div>While prices for top Burgundies have increased steadily for many years now, these regional wines are more affordable.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Ardèche Chardonnay and Bourgogne Gamay have plenty of easy-drinking ripe fruit; the Macon-Lugny and Terrasses Pinot Noir are more classically elegant.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Louis Latour Ardèche Chardonnay 2019 (from £12, Ocado, Bon Coeur Fine Wines)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Louis Latour arrived in the Ardèche in the late 1970s, as they looked outside of Burgundy to find alternative sources of high quality, everyday priced Chardonnay. They pioneered the planting of Chardonnay vines here, in what at the time was a relatively unknown area. Attracted by the hillside clay limestone rich soils, a consistent climate, abundant sunshine to perfectly ripen the grapes and a drying Mistral wind eliminating the risk of rot, all proved Ardèche to be the perfect place. Today, they have 350 hectares of vines under contract to local growers.</div><div><br /></div><div>The grapes for Ardèche Chardonnay are treated as if they were grown in the prestigious vineyards of the Côte d’Or and vinified Latour’s winery in Alba. Louis Latour Ardèche Chardonnay 2019 is a fresh and appealing wine with considerable depth of flavour.</div><div><br /></div><div>stone fruits and florality; orchard fruit, apricots, honeysuckle and sweet, slightly toasty spices; leesy brazil nut and good savoury underpinnings. Adept and harmonious</div><div><br /></div><div>Good.</div><div><br /></div><div>Serves as an aperitif; match with poultry, fish, and charcuterie.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Macon-Lugny Les Genievres 2020 (£17.99, Bon Coeur Fine Wines, Hennings Wine, House of Townend, North and South)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Mâcon-Lugny Les Genièvres, one of Louis Latour's best-selling wines, is from the top vineyards in the Mâconnais region. Mâcon-Lugny was introduced by Louis Latour, with the support of the successful Lugny cooperative, offering a very respectable alternative for a white Burgundy. Lugny is in the most southerly part of the Mâconnais where it borders Beaujolais, on land at 235-380m elevation, with limestone soils and the advantage of warmer days which gives the wine a refreshing, but riper fruit profile.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is 100% Chardonnay, made without the use of oak, and produced from grapes grown in Les Genièvres vineyard on the northeast side of the village.</div><div><br /></div><div>stone fruits, melon and honeysuckle; ripe pears, white peaches and melon with creamy-leesy oatmeal and spice; complex, broad and saline; very elegant.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good.</div><div><br /></div><div>Perfect with smoked salmon or simple grilled fish but with enough depth to work with a delicious plate of charcuterie or a simple pasta dish.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Louis Latour </b><b>Bourgogne Gamay 2020 (From £16, Ocado, Majestic, North and South Wines, TheDrinkShop.com)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Bourgogne Gamay became a new regional appellation in 2011, a place that sits between the northern heartland of Burgundy and the sprawling Beaujolais vineyards to the south. Whilst technically part of Burgundy, the lighter, fruitier Gamay used in the wine must come exclusively from the best ‘Cru’ villages of Beaujolais Crus, which are situated on the granite hillsides in Northern Beaujolais. Louis Latour’s approach is to produce a wine which focusses on fruit and freshness with consistent quality, whilst still possessing the attractive characteristics of Burgundy.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the nose this wine is more immediately fruity than a traditional pinot noir. Its light, crisp juiciness also makes it and a fine chillable red.</div><div><br /></div><div>red and black cherries, violets and roasted spices; supple and inky with ripe cherry fruit, savouriness; good underpinnings and rounded, very fine tannins.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good.</div><div><br /></div><div>Match with charcuterie or grilled / roasted red meats.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Louis Latour Les Terrasses Pinot Noir 2019, (£15 Ocado)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Louis Latour have been growing Pinot Noir in the Var for over 30 years, creating, and producing wonderful reds from clones and rootstock imported from Burgundy. The conditions in the South of France are acceptable for this difficult grape variety with plenty of warm sunny days during the summer months and cooler temperatures at night.</div><div><br /></div><div>The vineyards, at 500 metres above sea level, are a similar altitude to the finest Grand Crus and their southern exposure gives the grapes perfect maturity at the same time as the Grands Crus of Corton.</div><div><br /></div><div>lifted red berry fruits, spices and mushroomy woodsiness; red and black cherries with savouriness, peppery spice, minty dried herbs and very fine tannins.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good.</div><div><br /></div><div>Match with ham or turkey, grilled red meats such as lamb, or salmon.</div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251402076802750813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9084941686212952103.post-69302066959702799852022-08-01T01:24:00.001-07:002022-08-01T01:24:36.029-07:00Jade Vineyard Virtual Tasting with Oz Clarke<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaMXgH0Y1AXNSD2rk1SFGwz6c9iBlb1UeRganE9wIySind87UAzCn5t1MA42eowWmE2hDA2vZDU_8g-dj-mPyD7oWoZb600C9TzZupNR1rZ9IyxLiJyZYxmKk84AoTwEY9StinZGT932TO8fjimk6zTEXTV5quUWYn1PbQU-Bba6Ufy-wZAAB7u3k/s700/jadevineyardbb%5B1%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="700" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaMXgH0Y1AXNSD2rk1SFGwz6c9iBlb1UeRganE9wIySind87UAzCn5t1MA42eowWmE2hDA2vZDU_8g-dj-mPyD7oWoZb600C9TzZupNR1rZ9IyxLiJyZYxmKk84AoTwEY9StinZGT932TO8fjimk6zTEXTV5quUWYn1PbQU-Bba6Ufy-wZAAB7u3k/w400-h200/jadevineyardbb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i>China's <a href="http://www.jadevineyard.com" target="_blank">Jade Vineyard</a> with <a href="https://ozclarke.com/" target="_blank">Oz Clarke</a> of <a href="https://threewinemen.co.uk/" target="_blank">Three Wine Men</a></i><br /><div><br /></div><div>If Chinese wines are not yet on your radar, they need to be.</div><div><br /></div>According to Wikipedia, wine has an ancient history in China. These days, long overshadowed by huangjiu ("yellow wine") and the much stronger distilled spirit baijiu, wine consumption has grown dramatically since the economic reforms of the 1980s. Ties with French producers are especially strong and Ningxia wines have received international recognition.<div><br /></div><div>Ningxia's Jade Vineyard is located amongst the eastern foothills of Helan Mountain beside Yinchuan city. At an altitude of 1,180 meters established on a wide spread of virgin land, 15 hectares from an initial 22 hectares were selected to be cultivated as premium vineyards.</div><div><br /></div><div>These promising fields are vital to the winery's vision of producing top quality wines. Using international standards and the highest environmental requirements, Jade Vineyards' dream is to express the vibrant characteristics of the Chinese countryside, crafting premium Jade Vineyard Chinese wines with international flair.</div><div><br /></div><div>As one of the rising fine wine regions in China, Ningxia is attracting ever more domestic and international investors and winemakers.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jade Vineyard, which recently completed its brand-new chateau, is one of the bold new challengers. The estate produces 70,000 to 80,000 bottles of wine each year which have been enthusiastically received by international critics.</div><div><br /></div><div>The IWSC gave the 2017 Hyacinth Cabernet Sauvignon 95 points and praised its harmony and “excellent winemaking”; at the IWSC 2020</div><div><br /></div><div>Jade was awarded the “Wine Discovery 2019” Trophy. </div><div><br /></div><div>Jade Vineyard’s owner is Emma Ding and her winemaker is Shuzhen Zhou. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1WkgKKQY6RVIK028yglMv1Ea4CLE-5CWYecaWgOXSIlPZW0SQomuHWsdcZOlKOa49dRaxga2Y_MM0iTaVYPWyI3ina9V-Y7S4F-H4481D6xG9Fw-SlpRPrcGoRjK8txtIEYEzyO1ITUjrMJ-S5Njr_xjUBm-G-5FHwGA5RxhInIUqzQEwjj2NsnX/s300/emmading_300x220%5B1%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="300" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1WkgKKQY6RVIK028yglMv1Ea4CLE-5CWYecaWgOXSIlPZW0SQomuHWsdcZOlKOa49dRaxga2Y_MM0iTaVYPWyI3ina9V-Y7S4F-H4481D6xG9Fw-SlpRPrcGoRjK8txtIEYEzyO1ITUjrMJ-S5Njr_xjUBm-G-5FHwGA5RxhInIUqzQEwjj2NsnX/w400-h293/emmading_300x220%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>The wines for this tasting were all international varieties in an international style; like a classic rock tribute act, these wines all clearly showed their influences.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyone expecting some "Chinese character" (whatever that may be) in the wines would be been disappointed, but only momentarily as all the wines were well-made from good fruit and technically impressive.</div><div><br /></div><div>Consistency was high and if there was a family resemblance, it was all about the elegance and harmoniousness. For me the stand-out wines were the first (and only) white, an excellent Burgundy lookalike and the final red, a complex and intense oaked Merlot in the style of a top Right Bank Bordeaux.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Aria White 2019 </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Classy Burgundian Chardonnay</div><div><br /></div><div>100% Chardonnay, 13.9%, 8 months in French barrels</div><div><br /></div><div>white flowers, honeysuckle, vanilla and sweet spices, custard and pastries, citrus; orchard fruits, melon and tropical citrus, creamy oatmeal, delicately toasted oak, brazil nut, spiciness and saline minerality; harmonious, complex, elegant and long.</div><div><br /></div><div>Still very youthful.</div><div><br /></div><div>Very Good.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Hyacinth 2017</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Baked, aged Bordeaux blend</div><div><br /></div><div>70% CS, 30% M, 14.6%; 10 months in SS with oak treatment</div><div><br /></div><div>bramble fruits, coffee grounds, tomato leaf, old leather and earthiness, aged savoury complexity and oaky spice; harmonious, supple and and savoury with baked plums, soy, cocoa, coffee grounds, oaky spices and minerality; very fine and well-integrated tannins.</div><div><br /></div><div>In good form, if showing its age.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Marselan 2020</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Fresh, Loire-esque red</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>14.2%, 10 months in SS with oak treatment</div><div><br /></div><div>fresh black cherries and blackberries, raspberry leaf, minty sage and spices; fresh, ripe dark berry fruits, toasty-oaky spices and very fine, well-integrated tannins with saline minerality; supple and inky very good underpinnings.</div><div><br /></div><div>Still fresh and youthful.</div><div><br /></div><div>Very Good.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Messenger 2017</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Mature and Bordeaux-esque</div><div><br /></div><div>100% CS, 14.2%, 15 months in French oak barrels</div><div><br /></div><div>baked bramble fruits, cocoa and coffee grounds, oaky spice and earthy mushrooms; sweet, ripe baked bramble fruits, minty eucalyptus, fresh with very fine, harmonious and rounded tannins; savoury with good underpinnings and saline minerality.</div><div><br /></div><div>At a peak.</div><div><br /></div><div>Very Good.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Aria Reserve 2015</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Medoc-alike</div><div><br /></div><div>100% CS, 14.2%, 80% aged in new French barrels for 14 months</div><div><br /></div><div>primary blackcurrants, black cherries and black olives with grilled notes, toasty spices and dried green herbs; fresh bramble fruits, savoury-leesy earthy mushrooms and old leather; inky, custardy texture, adept and harmonious with fine, rounded tannins and good underpinnings.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ready for drinking but not yet at a peak.</div><div><br /></div><div>Very Good.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Jiangshan Single Merlot 2019</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><i>Right-bank lookalike</i></div><div><br /></div><div>100% Merlot, 18 months aging in French barrels</div><div><br /></div><div>complex and savoury with oaky spice, raspberries, blackberries and black cherries, woodsy undergrowth and <i>sous bois</i>; plush, inky, dense, concentrated and fresh with dark cherry fruit, cool mint and a custardy texture; very fine, harmonious tannins.</div><div><br /></div><div>Still primary and youthful.</div><div><br /></div><div>Very Good.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div><br /></div><div>Further reviews:</div><div><br /></div><div>By Adam Lechmere for Club Oenologique: <a href="https://cluboenologique.com/story/life-lessons-with-emma-ding-of-jade-vineyard/">Life Lessons with Emma Ding of Jade Vineyard - Club Oenologique</a></div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251402076802750813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9084941686212952103.post-90215840491888025292022-07-29T02:42:00.000-07:002022-07-29T02:42:05.280-07:00Two Provence Rosés<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4UcTsrCrUoHG8-IFhOay2xQZQdNq64tqDQlAlb_r6P9rF_v3FCuP-Yb5q6bMduWk24V7N_S83so-QEJGtb0CxwhgleMV0aRt7BAv7hKaMj2HcmLNKYOdi98eQy9AYEuznWzOD4r5T2NVSwZHvjaY4_VzX3ag-KE0P4l54rwMUSC3HPE120amxd7r/s4032/IMG_0963.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4UcTsrCrUoHG8-IFhOay2xQZQdNq64tqDQlAlb_r6P9rF_v3FCuP-Yb5q6bMduWk24V7N_S83so-QEJGtb0CxwhgleMV0aRt7BAv7hKaMj2HcmLNKYOdi98eQy9AYEuznWzOD4r5T2NVSwZHvjaY4_VzX3ag-KE0P4l54rwMUSC3HPE120amxd7r/w300-h400/IMG_0963.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><i>Two rosés from <a href="http://www.vinsdeprovence.com/" target="_blank">Provence</a></i><div><br /></div><div>Sun is in the forecast and
what better way to take your summer
days to the next level than with a glass of
inimitable Vins de Provence rosé?</div><div><br /></div><div>Whether you’re enjoying an al-fresco
lunch in the garden with friends, hosting a
sophisticated dinner party, or celebrating
a special occasion with loved ones, a
bottle of refreshing Vins de Provence rosé
is sure to make summer moments even
more perfect.</div><div><br /></div><div>Crisp and elegant, and
always presented in a chic bottle, these
premium rosés are the epitome of class
and the true taste of style.
Delicious as an apéritif or alongside a variety of cuisines, ranging from fragrant Asian curries
to simple grilled seafood, a sip of Vins de Provence rosé will bring that little bit of Provençal
warmth and sea breeze to wherever you are. </div><div><br /></div><div>Try a wine from each of the
three beautiful appellations – Côtes de Provence, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence and Coteaux
Varois en Provence – to experience all the variety and sophistication that Vins de Provence
has to offer.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Château Saint Maur Cru Classé, Saint M, Côtes de Provence, 2021
(£14.48, Vinatis)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Saint M from Château Saint Maur is elegant and refined, with peach, raspberry and
gooseberry aromas. A well-balanced rosé, from vines that have been grown in clay limestone soil.</div><div><br /></div><div>red fruits, florality and white pepper; saline and broad with red fruits, melon, orchard fruits, some zippy lime and brazil nut creaminess; complex and savoury.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good.</div><div><br /></div><div>Match with salmon tartare or fresh Greek salad</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Domaine de Valdition, Vallon des Anges, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, 2021 (£12.93, Vinatis)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Located in the Alpilles area, this winery covers 240 hectares of breath-taking countryside.
From these organic vines comes a stunning pale rosé, which is highly complex and has
plenty of minerality. </div><div><br /></div><div>delicate red fruits, grapefruit and hints of fennel; saline with white stone fruits, melon and lime; broad and textured.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thoroughly enjoyable.</div><div><br /></div><div>Serve as an apéritif, or match with sushi, marinated fish or prawn skewers.</div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251402076802750813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9084941686212952103.post-83009423431541070212022-07-28T15:35:00.001-07:002022-07-28T15:35:16.891-07:00Two Vasse Felix Wines at Tesco<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLXn6OxPdwooDlzPMXakhBKnkxpiXlgR8oxD2LNc41RFh7f0NOK_7AWraBBdJnbRhu7yae9I01jHdTW2RN4fzfZRdGbow8Hds2dVUTl08UgGOVHyTjdh9aBi_-TTlkXQ22XIaC-OjIoQAWUht8fcq90Eac98cDkfFMOdLSF857GcPKVy55nWtppO_/s4032/IMG_0959.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLXn6OxPdwooDlzPMXakhBKnkxpiXlgR8oxD2LNc41RFh7f0NOK_7AWraBBdJnbRhu7yae9I01jHdTW2RN4fzfZRdGbow8Hds2dVUTl08UgGOVHyTjdh9aBi_-TTlkXQ22XIaC-OjIoQAWUht8fcq90Eac98cDkfFMOdLSF857GcPKVy55nWtppO_/w300-h400/IMG_0959.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><i>A Rhône-style red and Bordeaux-blend white from Western Australia's <a href="https://www.vassefelix.com.au/" target="_blank">Vasse Felix</a> at <a href="https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/shop/drinks/wine/all" target="_blank">Tesco</a></i><p></p><div>There are many things that make Vasse Felix a special place; these two wines, Vasse Felix Classic Shiraz and Vasse Felix Classic Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, owe it all to the incredible environment and climate of Margaret River, family ownership, treasured heritage, and priceless vineyards.</div><div><br /></div><div>Dating from 1967, Vasse Felix is the founding wine estate of the Margaret River region in the furthermost southwestern corner of Australia. The secret to the region’s distinct wines is down to its Mediterranean climate, warm dry summers and a maritime influence from the massive ocean which borders Margaret River on three sides and brings a cool sea breeze which preserves the fruit flavours and aromas.</div><div><br /></div><div>Vasse Felix Classic Shiraz and Vasse Felix Classic Semillon Sauvignon Blanc are made from fruit grown in Vasse Felix’s four Margaret River vineyards, then vinified and bottled within the modern, state-of-the-art winery, overlooking Wilyabrup Brook.</div><div><br /></div><div>With summer comes lighter, crisper whites and Margaret River’s classic blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon is a great wine for this time of year.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Vasse Felix Classic Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2021, (£12, Tesco)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Vasse Felix Classic Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, introduced in 1987, is zesty, fresh and crisp and could easily become an everyday favourite.</div><div><br /></div><div>Made with organically grown fruit and fermented with organic and wild yeasts, from Vasse Felix vineyards which are now certified organic.</div><div><br /></div><div>restrained nose of passionfruit, gooseberries and tropical citrus with some florality and white pepper; fresh and supple with ripe stone fruits, melon, pineapple, candied lemon peel and sherbet; waxy and broad; very elegant and harmonious.</div><div><br /></div><div>Drinks nicely on first pouring; opens up with some aeration.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fresh enough for an aperitif and a versatile food wine. Match with lemony roast chicken, hot smoked salmon, pork rillettes or a green Thai curry.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Vasse Felix Classic Shiraz 2020 (£12, Tesco)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>First made in 1990, it is now one of the most popular red wines for all occasions in Australia. It’s known for its delicate and sophisticated fruit-forward style and is the epitome of modern elegance.</div><div><br /></div><div>Wild fermented, this modern, medium bodied wine is deep and true to its unique environment; there is also a drop of Malbec in the blend.</div><div><br /></div><div>black fruits, dried green herbs and violets; juicy ripe blackberries, blueberries and black cherries with oaky vanilla spice, an inky texture and some leathery-earthy savouriness; supple, ripe and well-integrated tannins; fresh and long with very good underpinnings.</div><div><br /></div><div>Drinks nicely on first opening with plenty of fruit to the fore; becomes more interestingly savoury and harmonious with aeration. Will repay some cellaring.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good.</div><div><br /></div><div>Match with grilled lamb chops and harissa.</div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251402076802750813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9084941686212952103.post-66276421453905694642022-07-24T09:02:00.004-07:002022-07-24T09:02:51.196-07:00Wines from Crete - the Overview<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYugM9CrC5fqpUBz5lP2Ud51pkF1soyr9s7ebFlB1n8ryHNjQRQ8p_5k8OPaSGdrXvQysGKe5S6Cc-u5COmbQpsQbd_wjhGD3z1qyIlhFCAkeMiOIkJPj1_iidS2RfaOikk42Grp_B6RKrGTDMMr4XJTMo2GgBlXEgi30gl-u11GPt4-KUPbesPMST/s1920/JFS_5813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYugM9CrC5fqpUBz5lP2Ud51pkF1soyr9s7ebFlB1n8ryHNjQRQ8p_5k8OPaSGdrXvQysGKe5S6Cc-u5COmbQpsQbd_wjhGD3z1qyIlhFCAkeMiOIkJPj1_iidS2RfaOikk42Grp_B6RKrGTDMMr4XJTMo2GgBlXEgi30gl-u11GPt4-KUPbesPMST/w400-h266/JFS_5813.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i><a href="https://www.winesofcrete.gr/en/" target="_blank">Wines of Crete</a> - the overview</i><div><br /></div><div>If asked, I would have, until recently, confidently asserted that Crete is not a wine-producing island. And I would have been completely wrong; it actually makes a wide range of excellent wines from mostly indigenous grapes.<div><br /></div><div>In my defence, I think I was once told about the no-local-wines-in-Crete by someone who had been there on holiday, but clearly he was not paying attention.</div><div><br /></div><div>Crete's winemaking history dates back around four thousand years, with the Phoenicians and the Egyptians trading wine on the island; later, the Ottomans suppressed wine-making under their rule and the modern Cretan wine industry dates from only the 1990s.</div><div><br /></div><div>With four PGI areas spanning the entire island and up to 35 native grape varieties, Crete has a complex and diverse oenological culture. All these factors makes it difficult to pinpoint a particular "Cretan" wine style or characteristic.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTHFWC6LRVSd8ZvxpgMhGbcRHyu2WBrhHxJ1Rxm7OCoBlRy73cQQ30aRLQHp6uNNifEwB-URPQG2oOArU19Q5PIAvRhE_4pKoxJvXVDdXF0XpYc6BPRmm7iS44avdLaoZh0nOJNZ5xgLa22cB6OiqM8qoQ60JF0AGT6IqWhGmz4etdg-9UQgwe_18/s1920/DSC_7030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTHFWC6LRVSd8ZvxpgMhGbcRHyu2WBrhHxJ1Rxm7OCoBlRy73cQQ30aRLQHp6uNNifEwB-URPQG2oOArU19Q5PIAvRhE_4pKoxJvXVDdXF0XpYc6BPRmm7iS44avdLaoZh0nOJNZ5xgLa22cB6OiqM8qoQ60JF0AGT6IqWhGmz4etdg-9UQgwe_18/w400-h266/DSC_7030.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>In practice, the common features of Cretan wines are:</div><div><br /></div><div>- its indigenous grapes, many of the whites thick-skinned</div><div>- the warm (not hot), dry climate</div><div>- late ripening with freshness maintained, due in part to diurnal variation from the cooling effect of the White Mountains</div><div>- the effects of elevation, from sea level up to 2.5km on the island</div><div><br /></div><div>Historically, many of the grapes were blended into sweet wines, so Crete itself is having to rediscover the character and potential of its grapes; after experimenting with more easily recognisable international grapes, Crete is now focusing on its indigenous varieties.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>A snapshot of Crete</i></div><div><br /></div><div>50% of Crete is at an elevation of more than 500m; it is the oldest inhabited part of Europe and most rivers flow only after rainfall. There is snow on the mountains from November to May and this provides most of the water needed for agriculture (including 30 million olive trees).</div><div><br /></div><div>Phylloxera arrived on the island only in the 1970s and many of the vines are still on original rootstocks.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Cretan wine production is still highly fragmented; there are around 50 significant producers on the island, with no single dominant player and only a few small co-ops.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlw6pmScoMT0vTeNpLcYhfFfC55N_qt6sVnJ-oRMy6akoqfuf3179w4saEjdvEu1vZijgLhKehZl67O7UMzTuYlgo0ZYF0rDvAtgRfLq43ejBw45TymJLvLWmhSZ1-Ua1JYL4eLnZGJ1LGC_E-cR0yuLvi_W4KpGMuiY_5VXWIOP0pvwY6sgS_XfP/s1920/DSC_4075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlw6pmScoMT0vTeNpLcYhfFfC55N_qt6sVnJ-oRMy6akoqfuf3179w4saEjdvEu1vZijgLhKehZl67O7UMzTuYlgo0ZYF0rDvAtgRfLq43ejBw45TymJLvLWmhSZ1-Ua1JYL4eLnZGJ1LGC_E-cR0yuLvi_W4KpGMuiY_5VXWIOP0pvwY6sgS_XfP/w400-h266/DSC_4075.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><i>Crete in context</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Once an ancient civilisation, now just a small sub-region of an obscure country, oenologically-speaking; how to understand and approach Cretan wines?</div><div><br /></div><div>With 4 PGIs and around 35 native varieties, there is no immediately obvious jumping-off point, such as Robola for Kefalonia or Assyrtiko for Santorini.</div><div><br /></div><div>Rather, it make more sense to think of Crete as somewhere like France's Languedoc, as <a href="https://twitter.com/christoswineman/status/1547122921931513859" target="_blank">Christos Ioannou suggests</a>, describing it as one of the most exciting wine regions in Greece; an ancient warm, dry and sunny wine region with varied terroirs and indigenous grapes, yet newly-revived and still discovering its full potential.</div><div><br /></div><div>So don't expect to find a Cretan equivalent of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc or Barossa Shiraz; there are no local takes on international styles. </div><div><br /></div><div>You will find whites, rosés, amber wines and reds; they will be well-made and very elegant; the styles and flavour profiles with be both familiar-enough and yet at the same time subtly different, like a tune you think you've heard before yet can't quite place.</div><div><br /></div><div>The names of the grapes will most probably be completely unfamiliar, so until you know your Vidiano from your Thrapsani, you will likely need a quick chat with the sommelier or a decent tasting note to establish how it will best work with food.</div><div><br /></div><div>Full tasting notes of 8 wines to follow.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Gq_cCpI1U_cCJiY0PLr64B4T_qRZqjHHdzC9oU2GjuKgvMC0n6A7aogvvZcoGI1494rwraaiS3rQ2g9XacImJAU0vgLajcXiehj3B_ZC2Iy34lLm9VfxM7q4jUpLtc3PHasPT5hmPsbwlbWHg2tY7aqahvuwpGAX1uIyxWn145ecp9NS5vJokOuK/s4032/IMG_1084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Gq_cCpI1U_cCJiY0PLr64B4T_qRZqjHHdzC9oU2GjuKgvMC0n6A7aogvvZcoGI1494rwraaiS3rQ2g9XacImJAU0vgLajcXiehj3B_ZC2Iy34lLm9VfxM7q4jUpLtc3PHasPT5hmPsbwlbWHg2tY7aqahvuwpGAX1uIyxWn145ecp9NS5vJokOuK/w300-h400/IMG_1084.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251402076802750813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9084941686212952103.post-78014130627744780882022-07-23T14:49:00.003-07:002022-07-23T14:57:30.044-07:00The CWB Franco-Spanish Production-Method-Off<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZOKWCyJ6YPKIOTI0o3Le42R34IJFTvh_f2Xj5ayyrZ6zfqCs8BOEa0CMdghAnqWRKZ0dMEQ5yLoLap0fmIVijWQEcnZ5RcE0dWt9wvaMYmsbM68kdNk-jpdN7aIq9i8PdxlsUu8qidTOl3gIMSQC43HsMT8HYVH_ge9Is0xHd2af7qK6hr59c2Gh/s4032/IMG_1201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZOKWCyJ6YPKIOTI0o3Le42R34IJFTvh_f2Xj5ayyrZ6zfqCs8BOEa0CMdghAnqWRKZ0dMEQ5yLoLap0fmIVijWQEcnZ5RcE0dWt9wvaMYmsbM68kdNk-jpdN7aIq9i8PdxlsUu8qidTOl3gIMSQC43HsMT8HYVH_ge9Is0xHd2af7qK6hr59c2Gh/w300-h400/IMG_1201.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><i>Four production-method wines from <a href="http://cambridgewineblogger.blogspot.com/search/label/France" target="_blank">France</a> and <a href="http://cambridgewineblogger.blogspot.com/search/label/Spain" target="_blank">Spain</a>, via <a href="http://cambridgewineblogger.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20Co-op" target="_blank">Co-op</a> and <a href="http://cambridgewineblogger.blogspot.com/search/label/Marks%20%26%20Spencer" target="_blank">M&S</a></i><p></p><p>A <a href="https://www.jeanlucbenazet.com/" target="_blank">friend</a> recently asked me for some advice on arranging a wine-tasting; beyond the usual basics, I suggested it might be interesting to have a theme, such as a grape, region or other feature of the wine.</p><p>I have done themed tastings around <a href="http://cambridgewineblogger.blogspot.com/2012/12/on-wines-of-certain-age.html" target="_blank">aged Bordeaux</a>, <a href="http://cambridgewineblogger.blogspot.com/2017/04/iberian-afternoon-tea.html" target="_blank">Iberia</a> and the <a href="http://cambridgewineblogger.blogspot.com/2016/03/americas-tasting.html" target="_blank">Americas</a> as well as <a href="http://cambridgewineblogger.blogspot.com/2015/05/production-method-wines.html" target="_blank">production method wines</a> (i.e. wines whose character derives more from the they they are produced than from grape varieties).</p><p>For this line-up, I pulled out one of my own purchases to compare fizzes from France and Spain as well as two different types of sherry.</p><p>With a few exceptions, production method wines tend to be from either very cool climates (Champagne or England) or very hot climates (Andalusia, Douro, Madeira).</p><p>When asked about my favourite wines, my standard answer is: mature wines, production method wines and cool-climate wines. Essentially, I really like older, cool-climate wines that taste of something more than mere primary fruits.</p><p>All of the wines in this line-up are defined by their production method - for the fizz, it is secondary fermentation in bottle on the lees, which provides a food-friendly leesy complexity (as well as the bubbles).</p><p>For the sherries, it is the blending across years and growth of flor in the barrel which imparts a tangy dryness; in the case of Manzanilla, the flor character is more evident due to the cooler conditions where it is produced. For Amontillado, the flor is allowed to die away and the wine ages oxidatively acquiring complex roasted flavours of nuts and spices.</p><p>We started with the sherries as pretty much the perfect aperitif, matched to simple, tapas-style starters of chorizo, roasted almonds, manchego, olives and bread with home-made mayonnaise.</p><p>The fizzes were opened with a continent-hopping main course of chicken Thai green curry.</p><p><i>The sherries</i></p><p><b>Barbadillo Solear Manzanilla (£10.99, Waitrose, £9.50 Ocado - also in half-bottles, see footnote)</b></p><p>Made in Sanlucar de Barrameda, using both cooling ocean breezes and cool air current from a bend in the Guadalquivir river to grow the flor to optimum thickness and impart more flavour to the wine, Barbadillo is a family company and one of the great names of sherry.</p><p>pungent with pastry shop, camomile, almonds and hazelnuts; fresh and savoury with oatmealy leesiness, saline minerality, white fruits and white pepper; elegant and adept with very good underpinnings.</p><p>Good.</p><p>A versatile food wine, match with Andalusian tapas or any salty foods such as salamis, olives and hard cheese.</p><p><b>Very Rare Amontillado Sherry (£9, marked down to £1,79, 37.5cl, Marks & Spencer)</b></p><p>deep brown, with nuts, coffee, nutmeg, old leather roasted almonds and dried apple, apricot and prunes; charred cedarwood, toasted hazelnuts and exotic citrus peel with fresh acidity. Complex and adept. </p><p>Good.</p><p>Match with roasted almonds or roasted / char-grilled beef.</p><p><i>Fizz</i></p><p>Champagne is the benchmark style of sparkling wine and it commands a hefty premium for the name; Spain's cava, by contrast, is working hard to match its pricing to the improved quality and cost of production.</p><p><b>Cava Sumarroca Gran Reserva 2017</b></p><p>Good cava is one of the wine world's great bargains; this one is made using the Traditional Method with three years' lees ageing for complexity by a family-owned house .</p><p>lemon peel, roasted hazelnuts, white flowers and leesiness; fresh, citrussy and poised with lemons and limes, creamy-nutty leesiness and saline minerality. Harmonious and long, very adept and elegant.</p><p>Good.</p><p>A versatile wines. serve as an aperitif, match with mixed starters or mains such as fish and chips or green Thai curry.</p><p><b>Les Pionniers Vintage Champagne 2013 (£27, The Co-op)</b></p><p>Made only in the best years, Vintage Champagne should be left at least 10 years before opening. On that basis, this one is a little young, but is showing well now and has plenty of life ahead of it.</p><p>golden sandy yellow with complex orchard fruits, bruised apple, citrus fruits, melonskin and toasted brioche; dense, concentrated and fresh with a fine mousse, citrussy lemon curd and lime marmalade, orchard fruits with red berries and savoury-leesy oatmeal, creamy brazil nut and saline minerality. Complex and long.</p><p>Very Good.</p><p>Match with lighter game or seafood-and-pastry such as prawn vol-au-vents or salmon-en-croute.</p><p style="text-align: center;">***</p><p>Half-bottle of the Barbadillo Manzanilla:</p><p>- Wine Society £5.95</p><p>- Loki Wine Merchants £7.99,</p><p>- Banstead Vintners £6.99</p><p>- Latitude Wine Merchants £7.50,</p><p>- Rannoch Scott £6.19</p><p>- Sandham Wines £6.20</p><p>- Vintage Cellars £6.50</p><p>- Gusto Wines £6.60</p><p>- The Whisky Exchange £6.76</p><p>- Mumbles Fine Wines £6.95</p><p>- Oxford Wine Co £7.25 </p><p>plus many other good independents.</p>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251402076802750813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9084941686212952103.post-77701102218558018192022-07-20T11:42:00.001-07:002022-07-20T11:42:57.206-07:00Australia's Oxford Landing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JooI2jGLhi0m1uUvUoqhdJjuHSzWEhJKMa71hCuZV4gs9ShgPtr1esMlIQ-xGUcjfTa9u8dfuV5RaUvGcJUvnQ64hIjoZydzznNjbhvRhaewGkO9dovRl4Y43ynFYvXrniCaZjpWBHe8dsFsOkS-jlZuejrHuYnAXLcYJYiHiP0Zc1NULnQ-fK6b/s4032/IMG_1195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JooI2jGLhi0m1uUvUoqhdJjuHSzWEhJKMa71hCuZV4gs9ShgPtr1esMlIQ-xGUcjfTa9u8dfuV5RaUvGcJUvnQ64hIjoZydzznNjbhvRhaewGkO9dovRl4Y43ynFYvXrniCaZjpWBHe8dsFsOkS-jlZuejrHuYnAXLcYJYiHiP0Zc1NULnQ-fK6b/w300-h400/IMG_1195.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><i>A taste of Australia's <a href="https://www.oxfordlanding.com/en/oxford-landing/" target="_blank">Oxford Landing</a></i><div><br /></div><div>If your budget is not much over the national average of a fiver, and you don't want to make a special trip for your wine, easily-available bottles from the supermarkets risk being a bit hit-and-miss.</div><div><br /></div><div>The good news is that these three wines from Oxford Landing are all well-made, reliable and thoroughly enjoyable.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oxford Landing is the name of the wine and the place in South Australia where the beautiful River Murray runs through the vast, red landscape, filling the community and environment with life, promise and affordable wines that are sustainably produced. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here Oxford Landing wines are nurtured from bunch to bottle using a small-scale approach with methods usually reserved for boutique winemaking, thus guaranteeing the authenticity, provenance, quality and consistency of every bottle of Oxford Landing wine.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Oxford Landing Sauvignon Blanc 2021 (£6 from Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsburys, Morrisons, ASDA)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Oxford Landing Sauvignon Blanc is the number one Aussie Sauvignon Blanc in the UK; its crisp, refreshing style makes it a popular choice, and at just 10.5% alcohol, it is the perfect pick for summer parties, social gatherings or just a cheeky glass after work.</div><div><br /></div><div>This wine has been carefully made using cool fermentation with aromatic yeast strains to enhance the punchy zesty characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc. A percentage of the wine was fermented on skins to add an extra dimension of complexity.</div><div><br /></div><div>The result is a fresh wine with zesty aromas of passionfruit, lemongrass and freshly cut hay, light-bodied and showing layers of fresh citrus and papaya flavours. </div><div><br /></div><div>aromatic with rubbed sage, mint and pepper; ripe, zesty, tropical fruits, with lime, grapefruit and gooseberries; crisp and refreshing with lemongrass, white pepper and some saline minerality</div><div><br /></div><div>Well-made, food friendly and thoroughly enjoyable.</div><div><br /></div><div>Drink as an aperitif or serve with a simple cheeseboard, some olives, dried fruit and crackers or with classic fish and chips.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Oxford Landing Pinot Grigio 2021 (£6.50, Sainsburys)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Don’t let Oxford Landing’s Pinot Grigio’s pale veneer and subtle aromas fool you; there’s plenty of flavour going on in the glass.</div><div><br /></div><div>The wine was fermented with natural yeasts that come in from the vineyard, creating layers of flavour and richness. Following fermentation, the wine was left on its lees for 3 months and stirred weekly to impart a creamy richness to the palate.</div><div><br /></div><div>A refreshing, medium bodied style of Pinot Grigio with lemon pith, apple skin, grapefruit, poached pear and cinnamon flavours with every mouthful.</div><div><br /></div><div>orchard and white stone fruits, white pepper spice; weighty, concentrated, full and supple with conference pears, citrus, white peaches, leesy saline minerality and warming sweet spices.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well made and adept; thoroughly enjoyable.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Enjoy with potato salad and a ‘green’ avocado style dressing, Asian chicken salad with roasted peanuts or tortilla chips and a spicy black bean salsa.</div><div><br /></div></div><div><b>Oxford Landing Merlot 2020 / 2021 (£7.25, The Co-op)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Oxford Landing Merlot will take you through to the cooler end of summer months and into Autumn. It has good depth of colour, with generous red fruit flavours of plums and cherries.</div><div><br /></div><div>Merlot thrives under the warm Australian sun alongside the Murray River and this is a generous and succulent example of a great Australian Merlot.</div><div><br /></div><div>blueberries, violets and spice; juicy berry fruits, cherries, dried green herbs and woodsy undergrowth; gentle tannins.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well made and thoroughly enjoyable.</div><div><br /></div><div>Drink slightly chilled on a hot day or match with grilled red meat, such as lamb seasoned simply with salt, pepper and a squeeze of lemon and seared on the barbecue for a few minutes each side and served with a side order of caramelized roast vegetables, a Moroccan spiced curry or a pasta dish cooked with a creamy tomato sauce.</div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251402076802750813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9084941686212952103.post-39053717789120091982022-07-11T00:48:00.004-07:002022-07-11T00:48:51.861-07:00Wakefield Promised Land<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jU0F6CrnhaXB-oS9tdzccsXvdlTCjteac0Oqoxdc5HR2WBgr5czZqqOXhF18lVh1Rdc-AjsPyP7kjK-sPy_wYxclNvlGnB-L59eu-R2gPu7dgmDtsDyo1aRwtGNS22H3zh3uMAOvCEr5AL6uBDxOigmP1bvYM5WIaizeshMRKjyMLMNuRUR5dTkT/s4032/IMG_0962.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jU0F6CrnhaXB-oS9tdzccsXvdlTCjteac0Oqoxdc5HR2WBgr5czZqqOXhF18lVh1Rdc-AjsPyP7kjK-sPy_wYxclNvlGnB-L59eu-R2gPu7dgmDtsDyo1aRwtGNS22H3zh3uMAOvCEr5AL6uBDxOigmP1bvYM5WIaizeshMRKjyMLMNuRUR5dTkT/w300-h400/IMG_0962.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><i>Three wines from Australia's <a href="https://www.wakefieldwines.com/" target="_blank">Wakefield</a> at <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/cat/beer-wine-spirits/1215685911554" target="_blank">Asda</a></i><br /><div><br /></div><div>In time for summer, Wakefield Promised Land wines from South Australia, including a crisp, refreshing Pinot Grigio, a smooth, soft Merlot, and a juicy Shiraz Cabernet blend, are now available from Asda at just £9 each.</div><div><br /></div><div>They are lively, approachable, and easy to enjoy, making them superb go-to wines for easy summer socials.
When it comes to cooling down this summer, a few degrees can make all the difference, especially important for wines.</div><div><br /></div><div>“Serving wine at the right temperature not only improves the taste and aromas, but leads to a greater appreciation of individual varietals”. Sound advice from Mitchell Taylor, winemaker and third generation family member of Wakefield who adds, “As well as reaching for a crisp, refreshing white, it’s entirely possible to enjoy red wine in the summer once we factor optimum temperature into the equation.”</div><div><br /></div><div>The key to enjoying red and white wines all comes down to temperature and Wakefield have made things easy with their innovative on-pack temperature sensor featured on the back label which changes colour depending on the temperature of the wine. By referencing the temperature guide next to the sensor, wine drinkers will know exactly when their wine is at the right serving temperature.</div><div><br /></div><div>The wines are full of generous flavours, accessible to any wine lover, with a mix of varieties to suit any preference. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Promised Land wines are named after a special parcel of land ‘promised’ for sale in a handshake with a neighbour. The significance of the seahorse icon on the label dates back to the early days in Wakefield Wines history when, whilst digging the first dam on the property, the family unearthed tiny fossilised seahorses.</div><div><br /></div><div>This extraordinary discovery confirmed the Taylor family’s belief in the promise of the land and its rich, fertile soils which have been ideal for crafting award winning, world class wines. Today, seahorses are proudly featured on our Promised Land labels as a symbol of quality. Wakefield’s commitment to seahorse extends beyond the world of wine; the Taylor family proudly supports Project Seahorse, the global experts on seahorse and marine conservation, helping to raise awareness and funds to protect the species around the world, including off the coast of Dorset here in the UK.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Promised Land Pinot Grigio 2021 </b></div><div><br /></div><div>white stone fruits and white flowers; fresh and crisp with salinity, apples-and-pears fruit, good underpinnings and a white peppery finish.</div><div><br /></div><div>Improves with aeration.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thoroughly enjoyable.</div><div><br /></div><div>A versatile wine, match with a summery dinner, antipasti or seafood.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Promised Land Merlot 2020</b></div><div><br /></div><div>red and black berry fruits, blackcurrant leaf, pencil shavings and spices; fresh and juicy berries with an inky texture, savouriness and gentle tannins.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thoroughly enjoyable.</div><div><br /></div><div>Match with salamis, pizza or barbecued meats.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Promised Land Shiraz Cabernet 2019</b></div><div><br /></div><div>red and black fruits, woodsy undergrowth and spice; fresh, with gentle, rounded tannins, dark fruits, grilled notes and spice; good underpinnings.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thoroughly enjoyable.</div><div><br /></div><div>Match with grilled foods, such as bbq burgers. </div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251402076802750813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9084941686212952103.post-47192746400720726132022-07-08T06:48:00.000-07:002022-07-08T06:48:29.436-07:00Calvet Kitchen<p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAz2sWw2i7OnynL08dD-_X7iPYSQxwUUysb4Yqs9bSiDUMlFW4OHbZKnzGktL6erH6MePjd0vMTPt8n8OqZ6-pxM1viJMAkgGEGNjnqTU2zY2JUSRxp1HaqbdzpYEfvcStyqtH74mYy0HKhUynif_A4Bed8SUvaLA_27rMRtttA7WgmzWgAP4MdY_9/s4032/IMG_0930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAz2sWw2i7OnynL08dD-_X7iPYSQxwUUysb4Yqs9bSiDUMlFW4OHbZKnzGktL6erH6MePjd0vMTPt8n8OqZ6-pxM1viJMAkgGEGNjnqTU2zY2JUSRxp1HaqbdzpYEfvcStyqtH74mYy0HKhUynif_A4Bed8SUvaLA_27rMRtttA7WgmzWgAP4MdY_9/w400-h300/IMG_0930.JPG" width="400" /></a></i></div><i>Six wines from France's <a href="http://www.calvet.com/en/home/" target="_blank">Calvet</a> - and the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dskGtyU9Ao&list=PLB3zgDL0oZa3oZtNyt2dzhAA0LWQ75P8N" target="_blank">Calvet Kitchen</a> experience</i><p></p><p>If you know Calvet's wines, it is probably for their range of easy-drinking and inexpensive Bordeaux. And if you don't, you probably should, as they are the largest French wine brand in the UK and the UK is Calvet's largest market.</p><p>But Calvet turns out to be a lot more than just Bordeaux; established over 200 years ago, the company makes wine in almost all of France's major regions.</p><p>Calvet Kitchen is a food-and-wine matching initiative to pair regional French dishes with Calvet wines; which is, after all, when French wine is all about.</p><p>With 64 winemakers in 7 regions, Calvet is a diverse business and yet all the wines here had a family resemblance that reflects Calvet's aims - an elegance and easy-drinking freshness with plenty of food-friendly mid-palate.</p><p>These wines all drink well on first pouring, but also open with aeration and have the body and complexity to stand up to food.</p><p>Loire-based winemaker Pierre-Jean Sauvion explained his approach:</p><p>- quality of fruit</p><p>- balance of fruit and freshness</p><p>- food-friendly salinity</p><p>The wines were all of broadly similar quality and, the Chablis aside, price, so preferences come down largely to personal taste.</p><p>Of the whites, I enjoyed the Chablis most, but given the price difference, the Muscadet makes a good value alternative.</p><p>Of the other colours, the CdRV was the most substantial and interesting.</p><p>The Calvet Kitchen playlist archive is here:</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dskGtyU9Ao&list=PLB3zgDL0oZa3oZtNyt2dzhAA0LWQ75P8N">Calvet Kitchen | Meet Guillaume Lassevils, chef in the Bordeaux region - YouTube</a></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Calvet Muscadet 2020, abv 12%, (£5.95-7 Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Co-op)</b></p><p>Grown on warmer sandy soils, resulting in more ripeness in the wine.</p><p>minty and floral with tropical fruit; fresh, rounded and saline with pear and white stone fruits</p><p>Thoroughly enjoyable.</p><p>Match with seafood and freshwater fish.</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Calvet Haut Poitou 2021, abv 11.5%, (£10.99 Waitrose)</b></p><div>A new appellation to the south of the Loire around an hour from Saumur, it was created in 2011 but has a long history dating back to the 14th century. The soils are part of the same chalk limestone that runs under Champagne and moderates the water table which is key to the condition of the grapes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Loire Sauvignon with a new world nose, but old world palate.</div><div><br /></div><div>expressive and exuberant; gooseberries, exotic fruits and mintiness; juicy citrus, ripe green fruits and herbaceous, minty, zippy lime,</div><div><br /></div><div>Thoroughly enjoyable.</div><div><br /></div><div>Matches well with fresh tomato-based dishes.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Calvet Chablis 2021, abv 12%, (£20 Ocado)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Grown on chalk soils with 80% fermented in stainless steel for freshness and 20% in barrel for complexity.</div><div><br /></div><div>stone fruits, peaches an dapricot; green apple and grapefruit, with lemon zest, fresh coriander and salinity.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thoroughly enjoyable.</div><div><br /></div><div>A versatile food wine, serve as an aperitif or match with starters and lighter mains.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RtaDugsyobhTFOPpmqfrwJs_sY_PRh8EQGI5cyg4UcEokWTUbsFQSivbgwdrDOTDhh23NEr0yiFSg6vK9v4I2SRm52LKvg92rMnJyUQGBmWx1cxOLLOyuVr6v37tsE7z72FtRHOQ1Yk9TwBaomrfYo8xsbYSoznl9T82KgxcbpcPYx9xYUnG9PmM/s4032/IMG_0932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RtaDugsyobhTFOPpmqfrwJs_sY_PRh8EQGI5cyg4UcEokWTUbsFQSivbgwdrDOTDhh23NEr0yiFSg6vK9v4I2SRm52LKvg92rMnJyUQGBmWx1cxOLLOyuVr6v37tsE7z72FtRHOQ1Yk9TwBaomrfYo8xsbYSoznl9T82KgxcbpcPYx9xYUnG9PmM/w300-h400/IMG_0932.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Calvet Murmure de Rose Côtes de Provence 2021, abv 12.5% (new)</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Newly-launched in the UK; night-picked for freshness with a short maceration; fermented in stainless steel for freshness.</div><div><br /></div><div>red fruits, mint and spice; fresh, fruited and textured with red berries and salinity.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sip as an aperitif or match with picnic foods.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Calvet Prestige Bordeaux Red 2020, abv 14%, (£7.50-£8.50 Sainsburys, Ocado, Co-op, Tesco)</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet</div><div><br /></div><div>red and dark berry fruits with vanilla spice; fresh with juicy, ripe and fleshy berry fruits; fine tannins and leafy, savoury, mushroomy flavours</div><div><br /></div><div>Thoroughly enjoyable.</div><div><br /></div><div>Match with red meats, such as bbq burgers or char-grilled steak.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Calvet Prestige Côtes du Rhône Villages 2021, abv 14%, (£7.50 Tesco)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Classic Rhône GSM blend</div><div><br /></div><div>dark fruits and spices with garrigue herbs; substantial, fresh and supple with gentle tannins; harmonious and adept</div><div><br /></div><div>Thoroughly enjoyable.</div><div><br /></div><div>Match the freshness to meaty fish, such as salmon or rare tuna steaks.</div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251402076802750813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9084941686212952103.post-11006023304172457262022-07-07T01:42:00.004-07:002022-08-03T23:31:01.520-07:00Crisp White and Big Red - Antipodean-Style<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqkCHm2j0HUTc6X33d5iMc3oXMlflEIlRYR36m6_oYr9U0HnNmNFfnWdY5RtIVc9XkSG0rQQbGM0mAB472iL1dngHomtd10cR-6mdouWD2FB6ZLgoTeiokUo6TaoEPpD-G5LvX8pT5011HtmHBfrEaI7t_3kDdWCXj88AVwZIFbAoleFwlIsRvXz0/s4032/IMG_0924.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqkCHm2j0HUTc6X33d5iMc3oXMlflEIlRYR36m6_oYr9U0HnNmNFfnWdY5RtIVc9XkSG0rQQbGM0mAB472iL1dngHomtd10cR-6mdouWD2FB6ZLgoTeiokUo6TaoEPpD-G5LvX8pT5011HtmHBfrEaI7t_3kDdWCXj88AVwZIFbAoleFwlIsRvXz0/w300-h400/IMG_0924.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><i>Three antipodean wines: Crisp Whites and Big Red from the other side of the planet</i></div><div><br /></div><div>I've said it many times, Crisp White and Big Red is the classing pairing for almost any meal - begin with something refreshing and zippy as an aperitif-cum-starter wine before moving on to a bigger red to go with a meaty main course. It's food and wine matching 101.</div><div><br /></div><div>In Europe, you can take your pick from <a href="http://cambridgewineblogger.blogspot.com/2021/10/mid-priced-latour-burgundies-at-tesco.html" target="_blank">red and white Burgundy</a>, <a href="http://cambridgewineblogger.blogspot.com/2016/11/chablis-and-rioja-matching-for-dummies.html" target="_blank">Chablis and Rioja</a> or even a couple of <a href="http://cambridgewineblogger.blogspot.com/2022/07/six-centre-loire-wines.html" target="_blank">Loires</a>.</div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Here is a southern hemisphere version of the same pairing, with classic New Zealand Sauvignon and an unusual Australian Tempranillo.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>White: New Zealand</b></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Nelson is New Zealand’s sunshine capital where the Seifried family have been crafting their art for nearly 50 years. Today, Seifried Estate is devoted to sustainable winegrowing and producing the very best Nelson has to offer.</div><div><br /></div><div>Classic South Sauvignon Blanc 2021 and Seifried Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2021 from Nelson are more restrained and balanced than its famous Marlborough cousins. These wines are brimming with everything great about New Zealand Sauvignon and bursting with bright fruit, balanced by the delicate, mineral freshness resulting from sunny vineyards, on the shores of the Tasman Sea.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Seifried family have more than 320 hectares of estate-grown vineyards across 10 properties in the Nelson region.</div><div><br /></div><div>The vineyards relevant to these two wines are Brightwater, 15 kilometres from the coast and sheltered from the south by the Richmond Ranges. Here, the vines grow in rocks and boulders, which, although hard on the farm machinery, are key to holding the warmth of Nelson’s sun and for ripening the grapes. </div><div><br /></div><div>Queen Victoria Vineyard is known for its apple orchards, kiwi and hops, and the grapes grow on stony free draining soils giving the fruit clarity and varietal intensity.</div><div><br /></div><div>Redwood Valley Vineyard is on a gently sloping, north facing clay site where the vines range from 10 to 30 years old and enjoy maximum exposure to sunlight for intensity and optimal ripeness.</div><div><br /></div><div>Seifried Estate was established by Austrian-born Hermann Seifried and his Kiwi wife Agnes when they planted their first vineyard in the Moutere Valley near Nelson, in 1973, establishing themselves as pioneers of modern winegrowing in New Zealand’s South Island.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hermann and Agnes still oversee the business which has grown to include the whole family. Son Chris and daughter Heidi are qualified winemakers, and daughter Anna oversees sales and marketing.</div><div><br /></div><div>Seifried Estate wines are marketed in 26 countries around the world and 60% of Seifried Estate’s wine production and export is Sauvignon Blanc.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hastOebgzYB7feEVH73-Fb39ksSSRKsc8O9eF214pd4ObuuTzyXowGpFtq2JJv5vu3HboGL8W_auYMSwFssH0UZxGd403mrn7N7q3R8jJ4JdPD478nyshvZOHmTFj4JcqIBefcSVxsyYAs2_St3Rxl2TgTvIfeV8LffcRRshurbpe6pOSRcLyrDN/s4032/IMG_0921.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hastOebgzYB7feEVH73-Fb39ksSSRKsc8O9eF214pd4ObuuTzyXowGpFtq2JJv5vu3HboGL8W_auYMSwFssH0UZxGd403mrn7N7q3R8jJ4JdPD478nyshvZOHmTFj4JcqIBefcSVxsyYAs2_St3Rxl2TgTvIfeV8LffcRRshurbpe6pOSRcLyrDN/w300-h400/IMG_0921.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /></div><div><b>Classic South Sauvignon Blanc 2021, (£10.99, Waitrose)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Classic South Sauvignon Blanc is sustainably made and vegan-friendly from Seifried’s Brightwater, Queen Victoria, and Redwood Valley Vineyards.</div><div><br /></div><div>2021 was a cooler year than normal in Nelson, with a warm run of weather just as the fruit was ripening and during harvest, resulting in delicate aromas and bright acidity. </div><div><br /></div><div>expressive lifted aromatics with lemongrass, lime zest, green herbs, tropical fruits, florality and white pepper; citrus, grapefruit and lime marmalade with white stone fruits, melon and pineapple; hints of spicy pungent muskiness; good underpinnings.</div><div><br /></div><div>Drinks nicely on first opening; gains complexity with aeration.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good.</div><div><br /></div><div>Match with herby foods such as mozzarella with basil, tomatoes with rosemary or saltimbocca.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also reviewed by Tom Cannavan here:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAbOyDZ-CFI">Review of Classic South Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - YouTube</a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Seifried Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2021, (£14.99, Waitrose)</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div>Seifried Estate Sauvignon Blanc is made from grapes from the Brightwater and Queen Victoria Vineyards; they were destemmed and pressed immediately after harvest and cool fermented in stainless steel tanks to retain the clean aromatic fruit characters. </div><div><br /></div></div><div>2021 was a cracker vintage in Nelson, albeit the yields were devastatingly light due to spring frost, unsettled flowering weather and Boxing Day hail. </div><div><br /></div><div>citrus and lemongrass with minty chives and white pepper; saline and savoury with grapefruit, citrus, acacia blossom, white stone fruits, white pepper and creamy brazil nut; saline and complex.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good.</div><div><br /></div><div>Match with ham hock terrine and parsley or monkfish with a herby broth. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Red: Australia</b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Running with Bulls is an Australian wine made from Tempranillo, the main grape variety of Rioja. It’s not a traditional variety in Australia but has proven to love it here, and with its feet firmly planted in Barossa soil, it has adapted well.</div><div><br /></div><div>The ideal warmer climate of the region helps to showcase the stylish fruit flavours of this emerging variety and produce some promising wines such as this one.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Hill-Smith family created the Running with Bulls collection back in 2008, unapologetically bucking tradition to produce a wine that was not only new, but brilliant. Running with Bulls is a well-priced Australian interpretation of a Mediterranean classic.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMHWwDCnQwJXhVv5M9ZHm_Uc8rJ6Ol8GKCVQJr5brWkxWRVPdKuG8TI4jcbc5oT9nRTaJqDyY3qyRRiuTgfPnS4MxEzLymmS0ZAEvP5P9OG4cNhQybWVfJXRUAnWu2a4Br3pJEa9XdvzeFnlm4S-l_CrBrnOOgFuF-wB6XTGQEPV71lB63f9xdEaW/s4032/IMG_0923.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMHWwDCnQwJXhVv5M9ZHm_Uc8rJ6Ol8GKCVQJr5brWkxWRVPdKuG8TI4jcbc5oT9nRTaJqDyY3qyRRiuTgfPnS4MxEzLymmS0ZAEvP5P9OG4cNhQybWVfJXRUAnWu2a4Br3pJEa9XdvzeFnlm4S-l_CrBrnOOgFuF-wB6XTGQEPV71lB63f9xdEaW/w300-h400/IMG_0923.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Running with Bulls Tempranillo (£8, Tesco, Co-op)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Barossa-grown Tempranillo is fermented with wild yeasts indigenous to the vineyards, followed by a wild malolactic fermentation in tank which brings out the fruity character and lovely tannins.</div><div><br /></div><div>dark berry and cherry fruits with spice and wild herbs; juicy plums and black fruits with cocoa, cinnamon and cola; concentrated, fresh and supple with gentle tannins.</div><div><div><br /></div></div><div>Well made and thoroughly enjoyable</div><div><br /></div><div>Served lightly chilled as a summer garden sipper or match with a range of Mediterranean foods such as pizza, paella, antipasti or mezze.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div><br /></div><div>Joanna Simon's review of Running With Bulls: <a href="https://www.joannasimon.com/post/wine-of-the-week-running-with-bulls-tempranillo-2020-south-australia">WINE OF THE WEEK: Running With Bulls Tempranillo 2020, South Australia (joannasimon.com)</a></div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251402076802750813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9084941686212952103.post-29348334180742777292022-07-06T13:55:00.000-07:002022-07-06T13:55:00.405-07:00The CWB Co-op Chile-Off<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MYavRm2tai9XvddixnE66Q6FJ_xTzGEeOcIEtcgtmIafa-KPqMgBLlfWmfTIPgjEthUn3DgpqqkQFldF0QqcHVxrRcSjp5hIEuIxG3yUO51v1Tfyrv_Q7b-qQcpSFihuWwgTi-kaBo_IrJDPHuga_raV0fJUevJ3zYQD36b_XLnz2HKmHnzZiVou/s4032/IMG_0950.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MYavRm2tai9XvddixnE66Q6FJ_xTzGEeOcIEtcgtmIafa-KPqMgBLlfWmfTIPgjEthUn3DgpqqkQFldF0QqcHVxrRcSjp5hIEuIxG3yUO51v1Tfyrv_Q7b-qQcpSFihuWwgTi-kaBo_IrJDPHuga_raV0fJUevJ3zYQD36b_XLnz2HKmHnzZiVou/w300-h400/IMG_0950.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p><i>Two <a href="https://www.coop.co.uk/products/wine" target="_blank">Co-op</a> reds from <a href="http://cambridgewineblogger.blogspot.com/search/label/Chile" target="_blank">Chile</a></i></p><p>Chile has always possessed great potential, but it hasn't always produced great wines. Historically, it churned out too much heavy-handed plonk that had an eye on American mass market rather than budget-conscious European palates - over-alcoholic, over-extracted, over here.</p><p>Fortunately, as people like <a href="https://timatkin.com/" target="_blank">Tim Atkin</a> <a href="http://cambridgewineblogger.blogspot.com/2020/10/falling-back-in-love-with-chile-part-1.html" target="_blank">have shown</a>, there is an increasing trend in Chile now to focus on freshness, drinkability and elegance.</p><p>These two wines show what Chile is capable of at UK supermarket prices.</p><p>The Carménère is Chile's signature red grape variety; long mistaken for Merlot, it was rediscovered only in 1994. Its flavour profile, unsurprisingly, is similar to Merlot, but somehow darker and artier with more soy, coffee and dark chocolate.</p><p>The Malbec is another Bordeaux grape that has found a home in South America, but is more associated with Argentina on the other side of the Andes.</p><p><b>A notes on the labels</b></p><p>I've long argued the the role of a wine label is to make a promise to the purchaser that the liquid in the bottle keeps. See here for more on this:</p><p><a href="http://cambridgewineblogger.blogspot.com/2016/12/costly-signalling-peacock-effect.html">The Cambridge Wine Blogger: Costly Signalling - The Peacock Effect</a></p><p>Of the wines bottles here, the Bio Bio Malbec has the more elegant and interesting label, IMHO, but don't let the Carménère label put you off; it's much more adept and sophisticated than the somewhat garish artwork on the bottle might lead you to believe.</p><p><b>Co-op Irresistible Carménère (£7)</b></p><p>From the Maipo Valley, it was awarded a Gold and Value medal at the Decanter awards, with the judges observing:</p><p>“A deliciously peppery style and a lot of wine for the price! There are attractive varietal aromas: roasted red pepper, soy, rich cassis, and a hint of mint. The palate is dense, with firm-ish tannins, yet rounded and showing a lovely freshness. Impressive”. </p><p>soy, iodine and red meat with pencil shavings and dark-berry fruits; juicy dark berries, cherries and peppery vanilla spice; fresh, full and supple with gentle rounded tannins. Well-made with good underpinnings.</p><p>Benefits from some aeration.</p><p>Good and Good Value.</p><p>Match with a plate of salami or a pizza.</p><p><b>Bio Bio Malbec (£8)</b></p><p>Won Silver at the Decanter wine awards, with judges commenting:</p><p>“Plum and blueberry with some ginger, cedar, and dried herbs. Good concentration of fruit, some floral freshness.”</p><p>dark, black fruits, violets, spice, pencil shavings and liquorice; fresh, supple and savoury. Plump and inky yet focused with fine, rounded tannins. Well-made, accomplished and harmonious.</p><p>Good and Good Value.</p><p>Match with roast lamb or rare steak; for a meat-free option, match with griddled courgette and aubergine drizzled with balsamic vinegar.</p>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251402076802750813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9084941686212952103.post-4495948748628831712022-07-01T10:15:00.003-07:002022-07-25T02:03:40.870-07:00Six Centre Loire Wines<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEOVVvXMM5f6Jf7BvhQaNOIn0tr4KLy3mPD1dScjWW2nS7U3WW-pHZJMvSHs1e5_bbM1gCh6_aOJ20Qa_hUefZrMcx05dGeh0l6iaTiOlAblgELhJXI5PtlWEJDYZ8YVMQr1CAmnlYN21Pwml8blCh7Qnl4WEVEnfnoQbyOQDzgLtWoHxZnJ0ugCt/s4032/IMG_0918.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEOVVvXMM5f6Jf7BvhQaNOIn0tr4KLy3mPD1dScjWW2nS7U3WW-pHZJMvSHs1e5_bbM1gCh6_aOJ20Qa_hUefZrMcx05dGeh0l6iaTiOlAblgELhJXI5PtlWEJDYZ8YVMQr1CAmnlYN21Pwml8blCh7Qnl4WEVEnfnoQbyOQDzgLtWoHxZnJ0ugCt/w400-h300/IMG_0918.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><i>Six <a href="https://www.vins-centre-loire.com/en.html" target="_blank">Centre Loire</a> wines</i><div><br /></div><div>There's an old saw in the wine trade about punters who declaim: I never drink Chardonnay but I love Chablis.</div><div><br /><div>I've heard this story many times from retailers and educators but I have never actually heard the statement uttered by anyone.</div><div><br /></div><div>And while it may be fun to laugh at the nonsense that people say, or are reported to have said, there is actually some truth in the idea.</div><div><br /></div><div>Chablis is, of course, made from the Chardonnay grape, so at face value the statement is nonsense. </div><div><br /></div><div>However, "Chardonnay" was for a long time the varietal labelling of many an overripe, over-oaked New World wine, so there can indeed be a valid distinction between a cool-climate, steely wine with "Chablis" on the bottle versus plonk from some antipodean Creek or Gully labelled as "Chardonnay".</div><div><br /></div><div>Today's equivalent to this may well be: I never drink Sauvignon but I love Loire whites.</div><div><br /></div><div>New Zealand Sauvignon took the aromatic potential of the great Loire grape and turning it up to 11 discovered the 21st Century's first proper darling - for a while, at least. The combination of cool maritime climates, extended skin contact and temperature-controlled stainless steel fermentation resulted in a pungent expressive white with as much subtlety as Robin Williams after too many glasses of orange squash.</div><div><br /></div><div>And just as Chablis remains the <a href="https://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/og/" target="_blank">OG</a> for Chardonnay, Loire whites have a timeless, classic complexity and sophistication this is neither as as in-yer-face and thrillingly modern as Marlborough c. 2004 nor as dated now either.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYRbW7_JSAbEuJthBmSXuyaCdULgOjB6cpQmD2hSl_kXE3kZHzZvFtJdyqEMsCZzLW7p0RFYNax_bRLT1fN03mJ3uxc-PM14AdJvBVrUHKnB6Q_j9vB89Dz1VMkR2v4b1akfGIR5wBDDVzSSAFw576jUkLagrOh-f7Sjfq1gqCc1O17NX1XZW5xI8/s1170/image%20(4).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="1170" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYRbW7_JSAbEuJthBmSXuyaCdULgOjB6cpQmD2hSl_kXE3kZHzZvFtJdyqEMsCZzLW7p0RFYNax_bRLT1fN03mJ3uxc-PM14AdJvBVrUHKnB6Q_j9vB89Dz1VMkR2v4b1akfGIR5wBDDVzSSAFw576jUkLagrOh-f7Sjfq1gqCc1O17NX1XZW5xI8/w400-h266/image%20(4).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>These six wines from Centre Loire - the middle section of one of France's great rivers - show what this region can do in terms of colour and price.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of the whites, right now, the entry-level wine from Coteaux du Giennois (no, me neither) is drinking best, but given a couple of years the more ambitious Pouilly-Fumé and Sancerre will round out and become more harmonious. If you must drink them young, match with some food and give them plenty of time in the decanter.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Quincy has a warmth and heft that demands weighty foods.</div><div><br /></div><div>The rosé is an elegant and complex Pinot Gris while the red from Menetou Salon red is an atypical Pinot; darker, leafier and less farmyardy than Burgundy. Tasted blind, I would have guessed Cab Franc.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezilkGp6ydD7OOh4FKQotsuFiwOp3gjKtrBEHkQHpOdUB9NYTDiuDNviBEzwujr2EbPJHDwchaai5CqVH4UnXXBVZuwXKQRCoLShaqn_u4Baf-X9CWO4HYtdZVhhRAFvlnjLeiE6EV_Dc_EIghyEYihXV4cd45CeWF6sjQblI6hin65YuKf8JI8Yd/s1170/image.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="1170" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezilkGp6ydD7OOh4FKQotsuFiwOp3gjKtrBEHkQHpOdUB9NYTDiuDNviBEzwujr2EbPJHDwchaai5CqVH4UnXXBVZuwXKQRCoLShaqn_u4Baf-X9CWO4HYtdZVhhRAFvlnjLeiE6EV_Dc_EIghyEYihXV4cd45CeWF6sjQblI6hin65YuKf8JI8Yd/w400-h266/image.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><b>Coteaux du Giennois, Taste the Difference 2020/2021 £11.00 (Sainsbury’s)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>100% Sauvignon Blance with some aging on fine lees.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>lifted aromatics, lemongrass, mint and fresh green herbs; citrus, melon and orchard fruits with flinty, slatey minerality, leesiness and good underpinnings.</div><div><br /></div><div>Drinks nicely on first pouring.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good.</div><div><br /><div>Match with goat's cheese or seafood starters.</div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Pouilly-Fumé, Domaine Chatelain 2020/2021 £16.99 (Waitrose)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>100% Sauvignon Blanc from vines aged 30 - 45 years; aged on fine lees.</div><div><br /></div><div>flinty herbaceous nose with grapefruit pith; saline mineral with citrus, melon, ripe white stone fruits and green apple; zippy lime marmalade ; elegant, concentrated and very adept.</div><div><br /></div><div>Improves with aeration and will repay some cellaring.</div><div><br /></div><div>Very Good.</div><div><br /></div><div>Match with white fish, seafood or pork terrine.</div><div><br /></div><b>Sancerre, Château de Crézancy 2020/2021 £19.99 or £17.99 mix six (Majestic Wine)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>100% Sauvignon Blanc aged on fine lees until April of the following year<br /><div><br /></div>flinty with stone fruits and honeysuckle florality; white peach, citrus, grass, pear, and yellow bell pepper with wet stone minerality, lemongrass, grapefruit and lime; complex with leesy, brazil nut savouriness and good underpinnings.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Improves with aeration and will repay some cellaring.</div><div><br /></div><div>Very Good.</div><div><br /></div><div>Match with goat's cheese or mackerel paté salad.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Quincy Vieilles Vignes Domaine du Tremblay 2020 £14.50 (The Wine Society)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>100% Sauvignon Blanc with some aging on fine lees.</div><div><br /></div><div>baked spiced apple and lemon meringue pie; warming, weighty and viscous with dried orchard fruits and yellow stone fruit, sweet spices, creamy brazil nut, persistent savoury leesiness and saline minerality.</div><div><br /></div><div>Drinks nicely on first opening, but improves with aeration and will repay some cellaring.</div><div><br /></div><div>Match with weightier dishes such as roast pork or pasta with a creamy mushroom sauce.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5xSggAt2dgqah_cA65JO6mzQBkugVV7QBrglJvq2uaph_8HvquA_qZbMDKofg4SqdRBaTAhh1rJSSihFrN8pQ2GnBEAMHAgAlEahkQOuq84BWYCCipjkRu1XtjcjImqihSppMRs8pALcFkET-4xSLA7TVtTlKaAJJy55OskLsSl97_d2Q8_2DFy2/s1170/image%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="1170" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5xSggAt2dgqah_cA65JO6mzQBkugVV7QBrglJvq2uaph_8HvquA_qZbMDKofg4SqdRBaTAhh1rJSSihFrN8pQ2GnBEAMHAgAlEahkQOuq84BWYCCipjkRu1XtjcjImqihSppMRs8pALcFkET-4xSLA7TVtTlKaAJJy55OskLsSl97_d2Q8_2DFy2/w400-h266/image%20(1).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Reuilly Rosé Les Chatillons, Denis Jamain 2020 £15.95 (BBR)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>100% Pinot Gris with three hours of skin contact and five months of fine lees aging.</div><div><br /></div><div>delicate red berry fruits, florality and savoury leesiness; fresh, citrussy, saline and supple with ripe white stone fruits, orchard fruits, melon and a touch of warming sweet spices.</div><div><br /></div><div>Improves with aeration.</div><div><br /></div><div>Very Good</div><div><br /></div><div>A versatile food rosé; match with weightier picnic foods such as cold cuts, quiche</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Menetou Salon red, Domaine Chavet La Cote 2020 £16.99 (Virgin Wines)
</b></div><div><br /></div><div>100% Pinot Noir grown on Kimmeridgian soil of fossilised oysters; aged in vats and large oak foudres.</div><div><br /></div><div>dark translucent purple; red and black berry fruits, raspberry leaf, and spicy-savoury miso; fresh and minty-herbaceous with juicy red and black cherry fruit, soft berries and spice; concentrated and supple with very fine tannins. Very deft and accomplished.</div><div><br /></div><div>Very Good.</div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div><br /></div><div>Joanna Simon's review of the Coteaux du Giennois: <a href="https://www.joannasimon.com/post/wine-of-the-week-taste-the-difference-coteaux-du-giennois-sauvignon-blanc-2020-france">WINE OF THE WEEK: Taste the Difference Coteaux du Giennois Sauvignon Blanc 2020, France (joannasimon.com)</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Chris Kissak's review of Quincy Vieilles Vignes Domaine du Tremblay: <a href="https://www.thewinedoctor.com/weekend/tremblay_quincyvieillesvignes_2020.shtml?">Domaine du Tremblay Quincy Cuvée Vieilles Vignes 2020 • Winedoctor (thewinedoctor.com)</a></div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251402076802750813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9084941686212952103.post-5766602299303641012022-06-28T03:12:00.001-07:002022-06-28T03:12:25.692-07:00Big White And Big Red From Tesco<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZjSqaHr3eJMxQ7AJqLHueenazkO8ezrVv1dl43eqqVF-pTnCWVVLul_LPlwECWzttyggyU9UTPU50Db7UgZ1m1oGO96bHO6wToZDutr-5DT9EvTKBy_npfYMDExmMFRQUotETjsyRKc/s4032/IMG_0905.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZjSqaHr3eJMxQ7AJqLHueenazkO8ezrVv1dl43eqqVF-pTnCWVVLul_LPlwECWzttyggyU9UTPU50Db7UgZ1m1oGO96bHO6wToZDutr-5DT9EvTKBy_npfYMDExmMFRQUotETjsyRKc/w300-h400/IMG_0905.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div><i>Two summer barbecue reds from <a href="https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/shop/drinks/wine/all" target="_blank">Tesco</a></i></div><div><br /></div><div>If your idea of summer drinking is light sippers for the garden, then look away now; these two wines from Tesco are designed to stand up to griddled foods with strong flavours.</div><div><br /></div><div>With plenty of sun-ripened warmth, they have enough easy-drinking fruit to be crowd-pleasers - in the best sense of the phrase - but they also have the freshness and food-friendly complexity to impress even the most discerning of palates.</div><div><br /></div><div>The white is a classic oaked Chardonnay from California's Monterey County; like much of the new World, California seems to have found the sweet spot for Chardonnay with a bit more fruit ripeness than Burgundy without the overoaked, monolithic pantechnicon thing.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lirac in France's southern Rhône sits opposite the rather more famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, just the other side of the river; it has similar terroir in terms of soil type and sunshine hours, resulting in a bit more of everything in the wines.</div><br />Tesco is celebrating summer by adding over 40 new wines to its
award-winning selection. These exciting new bottles are the perfect
accompaniment to any summer get-together, from hanging out with friends in the
sun or splashing out for a special occasion.</div><div><br /></div><div>Whether you’re sipping on a refreshing white wine in the garden, celebrating with
a bottle of rosé in the park, or looking for something special to serve with your
Sunday barbecue, there are plenty of new wines at Tesco to explore this summer</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Estancia Chardonnay, 13.5% abv, £15.00</b></div><div><br /></div><div>From Monterey County in California, this creamy oaked Chardonnay is medium
bodied with zesty citrus and grapefruit flavours and aromas of vanilla. </div><div><br /></div><div>ripe yellow stone fruits, blossom and honeysuckle with sweet, toasty spices; rich, full and apricotty with citrussy lemon-lime, honeydew melon and creamy-leesy brazil nut underpinnings; savoury, spicy and persistent.</div><div><br /></div><div>Drinks nicely on first opening; can be cellared.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good.</div><div><br /></div><div>Match with barbecue herby pork sausages or griddled peppers.</div><div><br /><p><b>Domaine d’Arbousset Lirac, 14.5% abv, £12.00
</b>This delicious red from the Rhône is made from the highest quality Grenache,
Cinsault, Mourvèdre and Syrah grapes. The result is a velvety smooth wine, with
ripe dark fruits and spices, making it the perfect pairing for grilled steaks and
miso aubergine.</p><div><br /></div><div>baked red and black fruits, eucalyptus, dried herbs and roasted spices; fresh with baked berry fruits, full, supple and inky with rounded, harmonious and well-integrated tannins; savoury, long and persistent </div><div><br /></div><div>Drinks nicely on first pouring and opens up with air; can be cellared for a few years.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good.</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Match with lamb skewers or merguez sausages.</div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251402076802750813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9084941686212952103.post-81078234145709575472022-06-27T01:34:00.001-07:002022-06-27T01:34:20.270-07:00Three Journey's End Wines<p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8skF7iiq-j3u7ulWq8GzDtereDURh3XJkrbliVa4xc9jtFHBVrcwGIC7gk7EK__Zzu1l_gYT_GF2Diiui5iiwFOaMxzBczg3rHypQR_MEAfo3mc0NYts02Ilj3mmmjcezWlOD3nOzZPx1YacfoftuPHINwMezTvDDaB5kJGSHADNUKv_CmnNDlqqx/s4032/IMG_0837.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8skF7iiq-j3u7ulWq8GzDtereDURh3XJkrbliVa4xc9jtFHBVrcwGIC7gk7EK__Zzu1l_gYT_GF2Diiui5iiwFOaMxzBczg3rHypQR_MEAfo3mc0NYts02Ilj3mmmjcezWlOD3nOzZPx1YacfoftuPHINwMezTvDDaB5kJGSHADNUKv_CmnNDlqqx/w300-h400/IMG_0837.JPG" width="300" /></a></i></div><i>Three wines from <a href="https://www.winesofsa.co.uk/" target="_blank">South Africa</a>'s <a href="https://www.journeysend.co.za/" target="_blank">Journey's End</a></i><p></p><p>I have <a href="http://cambridgewineblogger.blogspot.com/2021/01/south-africas-journeys-end.html" target="_blank">written about Journey's End previously</a>; they are based in one of the coolest parts of <a href="http://cambridgewineblogger.blogspot.com/search/label/South%20Africa" target="_blank">South Africa</a> just 6km from the coast in Stellenbosch where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet, bringing moderating breezes.</p><p>The winery's name is a reference to owner Roger Gabb who moved there in the 1980s after founding, building and selling two highly successful and profitable businesses in the drinks trade. Whether the name refers a culmination of his aspirations or is a note-to-self that "this it it and no more" is a moot point; the business is now run day-to-day by son Rollo with Roger as Non-Executive Chairman.</p><p><b>A Bit of Tasting History</b></p><p>The first time I tried these wines, I found them quite closed-up when pouring straight from the bottle. </p><p>I'd been sent four wines to choose for a tasting I was running and was able to allow myself time to try them over a number of days to see which I thought would work best. I found that some of them were only just starting to open up by the fifth day and would clearly keep improving with further aeration.</p><p>At the tasting itself, winemaker <a href="https://www.journeysend.co.za/mike-dawson/" target="_blank">Mike Dawson</a> joined online from South Africa and explained that the wines are made in a very low oxygen environment, which preserves the fruit flavours in the wines; this is done with an eye more on the US and far eastern markets that Europe.</p><p>A year later and with an updated vintage, I found this set of wines showed much more expressively on first opening and wondered if the oxygen regime had been tweaked or adjusted in some way.</p><p>According to Mike, this is not the case and there has been no change in winemaking style to change the way the wines show on opening; the greater initial expressiveness is just a result of climate, vintage and other external variations.</p><p>There are also a few minor variations to some of the blends, a percentage point here or there, but not enough to make a perceptible difference.</p><p>All three wines here were well-made and expressive with food-friendly freshness and complexity.</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Haystack Chardonnay 2021 Coastal Region (Noble Green, Single Price: £14.00, Mixed 6 Price: £13.00)</b></p><p>stone fruits, blossom and honeysuckle; crisp and elegant with saline minerality; white stone fruits, some toastiness amnd warming spice, honeydew melon and citrussy lemon-and-lime; good underpinnings with creamy-leesy brazil nut; long and savoury.</p><p>Drinks nicely on first pouring; can be cellared.</p><p>Good.</p><p>A versatile food wine, match with white meat dishes, white fish and creamy cheeses.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Wild Child Grenache Rosé 2021 Western Cape, Stellenbosch (Noble Green: Single Price: £13.50, Mixed 6 Price: £12.50)</b></p><p>delicate soft red fruits and fresh green herbs; fresh strawberries and cherries, mintiness and leesy brazil nut with a touch of white pepper</p><p>Drinks nicely on first pouring.</p><p>Well-made and thoroughly pleasant.</p><p>A versatile food wine, match with griddled vegetables, mixed starters of antipasti or mezze or any picnic foods.</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>The Huntsman Shiraz Mourvedre Grenache 2020 Stellenbosch (Noble Green, £14.00, Mixed 6 Price: £13.00)</b></p><p>ripe dark-berry fruits, roasted spices and <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fynbos" target="_blank">fynbos</a> </i>aka Mediterranean herbs; cassis and baked black fruits with black olive; supple and inky with very fine, well-integrated tannins; dark plummy fruit and eucalyptus; warming with grilled notes and some pencil shavings</p><p>Drinks nicely on first pouring.</p><p>Good.</p><p>Match with peppery roast beef or spicy barbecued meats.</p>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251402076802750813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9084941686212952103.post-14945716121885496072022-06-26T02:13:00.008-07:002022-06-26T02:38:12.277-07:00Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Mhl-KswQ1XdIo_dTt8B6kDH1Lw7HGSrqbUsDkp0Xf_YL9UZNNOg8PFcRKhk0IImd819K3UYLNOahk8wPSKBJDU0JEeRf8CBs2q6AFNEy-Z3CPhVhwXtSlkSLCosjvb9_x2wtfFK8nsdcvivtDIVSg638NuK-uYhhATRcvzIw61cvHm_byCALsAOF/s6720/Nobilo_Beach0520_JS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4480" data-original-width="6720" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Mhl-KswQ1XdIo_dTt8B6kDH1Lw7HGSrqbUsDkp0Xf_YL9UZNNOg8PFcRKhk0IImd819K3UYLNOahk8wPSKBJDU0JEeRf8CBs2q6AFNEy-Z3CPhVhwXtSlkSLCosjvb9_x2wtfFK8nsdcvivtDIVSg638NuK-uYhhATRcvzIw61cvHm_byCALsAOF/w400-h266/Nobilo_Beach0520_JS.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><i><a href="http://cambridgewineblogger.blogspot.com/search/label/New%20Zealand" target="_blank">New Zealand</a>'s <a href="https://www.nobilowines.com/" target="_blank">Nobilo</a> Sauvignon Blanc from <a href="https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/310113047" target="_blank">Tesco</a></i><br /><p>Many years ago, I was a regional director for a large advertising agency; I was relatively young, it was still good times in the industry and regular business travel was something of a perk rather than a chore.</p><p>Like colleagues with M&A or Internal Audit responsibilities who also had high-travel roles, I got to rather like travelling Business Class most weeks, staying in comfortable hotels and eating out at high-end restaurants.</p><p>Indeed, it was the role that first got me into wine generally; I had progressed from another high-travel job where we had worked in teams for 6-week projects around Europe, so every evening on location had involved going to a bar to eat, drink and goof the night away.</p><p>In that context, curry, beers and a combination of Sky Sports and general banter was the order of the day. Roll forward a year or so and as a solo traveller, I decided I wanted something a little more sophisticated, so I switched from beery curry houses to restaurants with wine lists and sommeliers; I never really looked back after that..</p><p>Mine was an emerging region; I had joined just after a recession and a series of over-investments, so every year, as we gradually restructured one market after another, the economic climate got a little better and achieving budget a little easier.</p><p>Perhaps a result of my own success and a plateauing of the learning curve, I started to spend more time thinking about the perks than about the day job; over time, my focus switched to planning my food-and-drink regime for the trip far more than the negotiations, agreements and decisions that needed to be accomplished.</p><p>For some reason, one of the highlights became afternoon tea on British Airways' early evening service, which involved some kind of quiche, salad and a couple of in-flight sized bottles of Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc.</p><p>This was the early noughties and Kiwi SB was the hottest new kid on the block; oaky Chardonnay was most definitely passé in the view of no less a figure than <a href="https://ozclarke.com/about-oz/" target="_blank">Oz Clarke</a> who opined: that's why Sauvignon Blanc is such a runaway success - that in-yer-face tangy citrus assault is thrillingly modern. </p><p>The Nobilo had been selected for BA, my airmiles flag carrier of choice, by <a href="https://www.jancisrobinson.com/" target="_blank">Jancis Robinson</a>, so between Oz's encouragement and her recommendation, I felt that zingy white wines didn't really get much better than this.</p><p>A couple of decades later and with a more experienced palate, I not only still see what I loved about it back then, but also remain a big fan.</p><p>Yes, fashions have changed and Kiwi Sauvignon is not the urgent new thing it used to be, but this is still a really lovely wine.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49jRJQTwgU8eVVuTiE_nHf3ctHf13S_R8AEUZcX3eAQobaUEoSMHORITbhhNygf-VnRLrehCS7C6FjZaYE6iZ6tLjX5sYNdVxQWZ6bpo9UQ9jGiJjqbdzWn7XTeNEQapuseKASDJ0Lt823IF9b4tyqOxOHQ2qG5kWWmBAPiDsMslXKomi2kAFzWtk/s6689/Nobilo%20Sauvignon%20Blanc%20Bottle%20Shot%202021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6689" data-original-width="1937" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49jRJQTwgU8eVVuTiE_nHf3ctHf13S_R8AEUZcX3eAQobaUEoSMHORITbhhNygf-VnRLrehCS7C6FjZaYE6iZ6tLjX5sYNdVxQWZ6bpo9UQ9jGiJjqbdzWn7XTeNEQapuseKASDJ0Lt823IF9b4tyqOxOHQ2qG5kWWmBAPiDsMslXKomi2kAFzWtk/w116-h400/Nobilo%20Sauvignon%20Blanc%20Bottle%20Shot%202021.jpg" width="116" /></a></div><p><b>Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc, 2021, New Zealand (£9, Tesco)</b></p><p>expressive, aromatic and pungent with passionfruit, lemongrass, grapefruit pith and tropical citrus; fresh and citrussy with sherbet, gooseberry fruit and lime marmalade; fresh green herbs, white pepper and good, savoury underpinnings with a touch of salinity; very harmonious and adept.</p><p>Drinks nicely on first opening; does not need any cellaring.</p><p>Good.</p><p>Sip in the garden or match with picnic foods such as quiche with a rocket salad.</p><p style="text-align: center;">***</p><p><i>A more conventional review with actual technical and historical information:</i></p>The
Nobilo story began in 1943, when Nikola
Nobilo moved from his native Croatia to
New Zealand. Combining over 300 years of
his family’s winemaking tradition, Nikola
was an early champion for New Zealand
wine, recognising that the pristine
landscape, with its expansive sunlit valleys,
rolling hills and mineral rich soils, was ideal
for Sauvignon Blanc and creating its unique
fresh and crisp signature style.<div><br /></div><div>Today, Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc represents the very best of what New Zealand has to
offer with classic tasting notes that showcase the diverse qualities of its Marlborough
vineyards, year after year.
With fruit primarily from Wairau Valley, providing the layers of tropical fruit aromas,
combined with grapes from the Awatere Valley, adding balance with bright, citrus-driven notes, this Sauvignon Blanc is not one to miss.</div><div><br /></div><div>Harvesting at night allows the
winemakers to preserve vibrancy, which is aided further by a long, slow fermentation
at cool temperatures.</div><div><br /></div><div>Each vineyard block is kept separate, so that the winemakers
can blend grapes from different parcels to create Nobilo’s signature sophisticated
style.</div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251402076802750813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9084941686212952103.post-2960981386049141882022-06-25T06:32:00.007-07:002022-06-27T08:54:22.761-07:00Hyper Japan: Curry Workshop with S&B Foods and Kinu Yukawa<p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCdTXdVtQYNUaqePBLy1zeHiB5_gs4k_dq3jPAktOPj0bBvMG3UMgGGiBiffHV9Aq3JWnirsg-kwsKe-dPh5E_1H8pkLZp9Om6HAULdy6WOjAXGkNiTXAsf5Tk1OGAkvNbjFkIPgxvn8x9h8hZf5LtHNsj_aJ8XP5ttJZ6DngUL6i7SYfaqgo8oRx/s2016/IMG_6509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCdTXdVtQYNUaqePBLy1zeHiB5_gs4k_dq3jPAktOPj0bBvMG3UMgGGiBiffHV9Aq3JWnirsg-kwsKe-dPh5E_1H8pkLZp9Om6HAULdy6WOjAXGkNiTXAsf5Tk1OGAkvNbjFkIPgxvn8x9h8hZf5LtHNsj_aJ8XP5ttJZ6DngUL6i7SYfaqgo8oRx/w300-h400/IMG_6509.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><i>A lesson in Japanese curry making with <a href="https://www.sbfoods-worldwide.com/" target="_blank">S&B Foods</a> and <a href="https://www.deliciouslyjapanese.com/" target="_blank">Kinu Yukawa</a> at <a href="https://www.ichibalondon.com/locations" target="_blank">Ichiba London</a></i><p></p><p><b>Understanding Japan</b></p><p>It is something of an oversimplification, if not a cliché, to say that Japan spent two centuries looking inwards before venturing out to the world from the 1860s to discover and bring back the best it had to offer.</p><p>Any student of Japanese culture will explain to you that the reality is both more complex and less clear-cut than this.</p><p>It does, however, give some insight to those unfamiliar with Japan of the country's values and approach; Japan's food and drink culture is not so much a Thing as a Way of Doing. An island nation, historically an empire, Japan imports ideas from the rest of the world and applies a Japanese way of doing them, so that Craftsmanship is refined to the point of becoming almost an Art Form.</p><p>For a European, perhaps the nearest parallel as a country is Germany: innovative, artistic and Romantic with a strong sense of self-identity, a striving for excellence in everything and a love of both high art and high kitsch.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GoR3k7qrV0gCBfht6Bwg00vglvSpq4nieiOTeUu-3WLKQVDS5WQquLbG7b-b1vPFyTad56SQehT5oWvfvL6ttQADB92Phg-4AgnXZO1ArPke3hPhrW-nO1r6hbI8D4bt2kwdZkBj3TeHa07W22y7zEHW2eF9bLk1JxNPTgvhIrkQiChUNf7gzRxm/s4032/IMG_0866.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GoR3k7qrV0gCBfht6Bwg00vglvSpq4nieiOTeUu-3WLKQVDS5WQquLbG7b-b1vPFyTad56SQehT5oWvfvL6ttQADB92Phg-4AgnXZO1ArPke3hPhrW-nO1r6hbI8D4bt2kwdZkBj3TeHa07W22y7zEHW2eF9bLk1JxNPTgvhIrkQiChUNf7gzRxm/w400-h300/IMG_0866.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhQ5VUWaQgUZnSak7G64-X7abYhC1pjFBc7HXyYseBe8Lfb_YihKeJghsiH7Mx7UIYPufJXqMennvJZrY4aQwKq7BvX_-BdbbkCr7LhC2DWss_sMS6luhcdlC7zHeLw5KHe1xbrjecX3Wm1dlJB2lfO2AeYNqeGHcwd80ppb7ZvuxBF9l32yVkP7H/s4032/IMG_0869.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhQ5VUWaQgUZnSak7G64-X7abYhC1pjFBc7HXyYseBe8Lfb_YihKeJghsiH7Mx7UIYPufJXqMennvJZrY4aQwKq7BvX_-BdbbkCr7LhC2DWss_sMS6luhcdlC7zHeLw5KHe1xbrjecX3Wm1dlJB2lfO2AeYNqeGHcwd80ppb7ZvuxBF9l32yVkP7H/w300-h400/IMG_0869.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hruGvxh0gSVQZa7DdUrF6kEadogcNCm5bN-6ZgzOsq0XhefTpX9956DKBb9Jg0wSsRGlJQK8w1-LDJ9_oimNMsEW-cNUAT5DOjiPu3B8OwRIFLWnX6DeHkwjLwtf6TAXqBEZXjksxEF6P89a83T9-o5WU6EEZnTuztqLqSh-7sZcUrb1Z_FjCkcU/s4032/IMG_0871.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hruGvxh0gSVQZa7DdUrF6kEadogcNCm5bN-6ZgzOsq0XhefTpX9956DKBb9Jg0wSsRGlJQK8w1-LDJ9_oimNMsEW-cNUAT5DOjiPu3B8OwRIFLWnX6DeHkwjLwtf6TAXqBEZXjksxEF6P89a83T9-o5WU6EEZnTuztqLqSh-7sZcUrb1Z_FjCkcU/w400-h300/IMG_0871.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdx6xWoGa6OKYWQ6J0brriufMb6QbqNIwia3ap6Zki_PpEN2EjIZ4915wsOqL7NdaFm4l4ioN8ifWG6FnzRaLSQRrkJl94t6BKISRBLISoQh7_9HbltgeZKMllhK2tbvftu165Jnau27nNfFxPzCZVxB28RLtjsebW8FrioM15oxy4RX8EgtW7Rlj/s4032/IMG_0873.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdx6xWoGa6OKYWQ6J0brriufMb6QbqNIwia3ap6Zki_PpEN2EjIZ4915wsOqL7NdaFm4l4ioN8ifWG6FnzRaLSQRrkJl94t6BKISRBLISoQh7_9HbltgeZKMllhK2tbvftu165Jnau27nNfFxPzCZVxB28RLtjsebW8FrioM15oxy4RX8EgtW7Rlj/w300-h400/IMG_0873.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p><b>Some Food History</b></p><p>Japanese curry is based on British curries imported from India; the flavours and spices will be familiar to anyone who has ever been to a traditional British curry house.</p><p>S&B's curry sauces were developed for restaurants in the 1920s and 1930s, becoming popular enough in homes to sell directly to consumers from the 1950s.</p><p>This curry recipe combines influences and techniques from all over the world.</p><p><i>Katsu </i>is the breaded and deep-fried element here using panko breadcrumbs, which are are a Japanese take on standard breadcrumbs; the secret is not so much in the bread used as in the grinding process which results in larger, lighter and more elegant crumbs.</p><p>The flour-egg-crumb-fry approach of katsu is straight out of central southern Europe, be it Escalope milanaise, Wiener Schnitzel or Smažený sýr.</p><p>Wasabi dressing is clearly a take on classic French vinaigrette while the addition of sliced ginger and the bento box-style presentation feel uniquely Japanese.</p><p><b>The Chef</b></p><p>Kinu Yukawa had her first taste of cooking in her hometown of Kobe Japan, where she used to help her grandmother, who also worked as a professional chef Her career led her to Kyoto where studied traditional Japanese cuisine, then Paris where she was enrolled at the Ecole Ritz Escoffier.</p><p>Now a cooking instructor, food stylist and private chef with almost a decade of experience teaching at the Japan Centre London, Chef Yukawa is more than ready to tell you everything you need to know about the perfect Japanese dishes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakzmnGyTKbTlBW2AFQmVYajG3KsJMNspBY6PB9h7lrCp1q0mxTyhsg6j7XymVgrdEwdJIDs5PyH6AKNiUORYVU8rDlRoskc2RLrw8bCdSo7TsRZ6A3zGaowLWQV9eEymUoRpPBc0o5z5dlqAYBeT5a-l_VjVzaKfmmnr5z3KYFqFpkvRTBzr6qR-5/s277/06ce4195-ea5c-48d3-a874-b14c9cba7745.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="277" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakzmnGyTKbTlBW2AFQmVYajG3KsJMNspBY6PB9h7lrCp1q0mxTyhsg6j7XymVgrdEwdJIDs5PyH6AKNiUORYVU8rDlRoskc2RLrw8bCdSo7TsRZ6A3zGaowLWQV9eEymUoRpPBc0o5z5dlqAYBeT5a-l_VjVzaKfmmnr5z3KYFqFpkvRTBzr6qR-5/w400-h400/06ce4195-ea5c-48d3-a874-b14c9cba7745.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><b>Ichiba and Hyper Japan 2022</b></p><p>Ichiba is Europe’s largest Japanese Food Hall; located in the new extension of Westfield London in Shepherd’s Bush, near John Lewis, Japan Centre Ichiba is a 5 minute walk from Wood Lane underground station and a 10 minute walk from Shepherd’s Bush underground station.</p><p>Hyper Japan is the UK’s largest celebration of all things Japanese.</p><p>In 2002, Hyper Japan will once again take over Evolution London, bringing an iconic mix of tradition and innovation to the capital for an experience like no other. Heading into the event’s 10-year milestone, Hyper Japan will celebrate the culture, cuisine and cool of Japan with a party that delivers a true feast for the senses!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-UZxOFVgOOVyNvdxYdOVrnF2cVy27CAwClpCXNinKLHkoG5UPdYntEIkkhnRANUhK-aK5bSaYnaYxs6_BbvyJTdA7FjGru4VT52QtHH-n5fxvt--3FOwdBXx_HxdNJZw1mr6p5Bk1MpdhOhQply53CEHNIEcEXRgdU-AxQcg5y-76zRpG-P8l-_H/s1024/nasuo_artistphoto_main_3622-1-768x1024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-UZxOFVgOOVyNvdxYdOVrnF2cVy27CAwClpCXNinKLHkoG5UPdYntEIkkhnRANUhK-aK5bSaYnaYxs6_BbvyJTdA7FjGru4VT52QtHH-n5fxvt--3FOwdBXx_HxdNJZw1mr6p5Bk1MpdhOhQply53CEHNIEcEXRgdU-AxQcg5y-76zRpG-P8l-_H/w300-h400/nasuo_artistphoto_main_3622-1-768x1024.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p><b>The Method</b></p><p>For the curry base, gently fry onions until caramelised, then add cubed root vegetables and stir to coat in the cooking oil as this will prevent them disintegrating later on.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCkMi8h6hPyvsB37pJWE_JB23Ym2L5krw3DSXIoMotu-j-z79eCVsSfoonuxrejWBXyyqQncpg6WPnjMfLefk941_fTLdEJLzGiISj7t_ImQ0F9giJNfkYVAKoZUJ4LXb38cS3dP807DcxOcBJUjzEfuvOLJNq5sOwY_NkWmjXdgiTwU8uAi-uGEv/s4032/IMG_0842.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCkMi8h6hPyvsB37pJWE_JB23Ym2L5krw3DSXIoMotu-j-z79eCVsSfoonuxrejWBXyyqQncpg6WPnjMfLefk941_fTLdEJLzGiISj7t_ImQ0F9giJNfkYVAKoZUJ4LXb38cS3dP807DcxOcBJUjzEfuvOLJNq5sOwY_NkWmjXdgiTwU8uAi-uGEv/w300-h400/IMG_0842.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>Add plenty of water and a whole block of the S&B curry sauce; the curry is thickened using flour, so simmer for a couple of minutes after adding, then set aside for 15 minutes to thicken.</p><p>Line up three separate bowls of plain flour, beaten egg and panko breadcrumbs; coat slices of aubergine in flour, then beaten egg and finally breadcrumbs. Deep fry until golden.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJx5UQHKTmO4Dp9MMNsvW5VrRj7uqV8MMhGDLW32pQAooOdKjDYol0ZReTJsJfaSXuklvSbjFqNVTcpX7KQw2FnMPRTqvBrb0BPWVJgVh7vSLMrmBRGK9w1gC08TmASVKc2_LNrQgai4179Pu8mZ5mP9WLv9wcI133OaEZqzlylgT7E2kwtYgBSwzn/s4032/IMG_0853.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJx5UQHKTmO4Dp9MMNsvW5VrRj7uqV8MMhGDLW32pQAooOdKjDYol0ZReTJsJfaSXuklvSbjFqNVTcpX7KQw2FnMPRTqvBrb0BPWVJgVh7vSLMrmBRGK9w1gC08TmASVKc2_LNrQgai4179Pu8mZ5mP9WLv9wcI133OaEZqzlylgT7E2kwtYgBSwzn/w300-h400/IMG_0853.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>Plate up with rice, curry sauce, katsu aubergines and the salad with wasabi dressing and sliced ginger.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJ4oO42MrIU2hi6dSSQb6zU81Kne682nFhUV9vxytJbiDFDtimF_ITQ2Ak3lPO43HkP_MVrVqR04CEuFe81di2_cdn3xj9to8OEicYgSqEIwJCRhgc4eKtFNy4uPFXk3O2hoYS4UU4y17mi7i2EO-yp-BqSMkpJgS-eNbC-kF8AuLVQOgFmaeyqxk/s4032/IMG_0855.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJ4oO42MrIU2hi6dSSQb6zU81Kne682nFhUV9vxytJbiDFDtimF_ITQ2Ak3lPO43HkP_MVrVqR04CEuFe81di2_cdn3xj9to8OEicYgSqEIwJCRhgc4eKtFNy4uPFXk3O2hoYS4UU4y17mi7i2EO-yp-BqSMkpJgS-eNbC-kF8AuLVQOgFmaeyqxk/w300-h400/IMG_0855.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>The method here is straightforward enough for any moderately competent chef who can cook a curry; what makes this Japanese is the S&B sauce as well as the combination of katsu, curry and dressed salad.</p><p>For a more-thorough recipe with measurements, see here: <a href="https://www.sbfoods-worldwide.com/recipes/010.html">Japanese Curry | Recipes | S&B Foods Global Site (sbfoods-worldwide.com)</a></p><p>Links: <a href="https://hyperjapan.co.uk/instructor/kinu-yukawa/">Kinu Yukawa : Sozai Cooking School – HYPER JAPAN</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcKEHrCIf2ZwKoPZ9nRp3kZ2j0N-YgXtLbjBZ3RU2M6H-O3NlTG4740uVjgjlfedHB4RCwMARXx6RZKYQ5QkMatSgKsSP4S-2lC7BmGj9NLjz62KoIBGeVvJ3Kf4BgqQz_O--nGEpv5jbv3JZz3iBBITHIMVfH-sDh7Dvv3TgfaLAiJsZDS8KfR0W/s2016/IMG_6505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcKEHrCIf2ZwKoPZ9nRp3kZ2j0N-YgXtLbjBZ3RU2M6H-O3NlTG4740uVjgjlfedHB4RCwMARXx6RZKYQ5QkMatSgKsSP4S-2lC7BmGj9NLjz62KoIBGeVvJ3Kf4BgqQz_O--nGEpv5jbv3JZz3iBBITHIMVfH-sDh7Dvv3TgfaLAiJsZDS8KfR0W/w300-h400/IMG_6505.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251402076802750813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9084941686212952103.post-84486951322330663372022-06-23T14:19:00.000-07:002022-06-23T14:19:12.061-07:00Serious About Sauvignon with Constantia Wine Route and Oz Clarke<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyR4V0y75wXSyoiaWXF2zK8_XeMiNbhU5CcQYl9qAaDQ7wRi5g7vm_wxksywyJPO8HmDy0CkMnoYpPQU70J4jsQ-kok6ikhzSCNONw1Li8K6ZLREhEq5Bg78bmqTalPSQ3GwBISNmRmeZdbOCSPutrts3ia-LVvjekfQfphz_due8i3kBKQzL-NUkr/s800/https___cdn.evbuc.com_images_275576869_298954195441_1_original.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyR4V0y75wXSyoiaWXF2zK8_XeMiNbhU5CcQYl9qAaDQ7wRi5g7vm_wxksywyJPO8HmDy0CkMnoYpPQU70J4jsQ-kok6ikhzSCNONw1Li8K6ZLREhEq5Bg78bmqTalPSQ3GwBISNmRmeZdbOCSPutrts3ia-LVvjekfQfphz_due8i3kBKQzL-NUkr/w400-h200/https___cdn.evbuc.com_images_275576869_298954195441_1_original.webp" width="400" /></a></div><br /><i>Six Sauvignons from <a href="http://cambridgewineblogger.blogspot.com/search/label/South%20Africa" target="_blank">South Africa</a>'s Constantia presented by <a href="https://ozclarke.com/" target="_blank">Oz Clarke</a></i><div><br /></div><div>The Constantia Wine Route is serious about Sauvignon Blanc. And so is Oz.</div><div><br /></div><div>For this tasting, Oz presented six of his favourite Constantia Sauvignon Blancs to explain out why these wines are a firm favourite on top wine lists.</div><div><br /></div><div>Joined on-screen by the winemakers behind each of the wines, they discussed why the unique cool microclimate in the foothills of Table Mountain produces such elegant wines of inimitable structure and finesse that have the ability to bottle-age, developing even further in complexity and truly expressing their terroir.</div><div><br /></div><div>All the wines in this tasting were complex and elegant with savoury saline-minerality.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>History</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The sweet wine of Constantia was historically one of the most highly-regarded in the world, along with Tokaji and Madeira.</div><div><br /></div><div>It fell out of fashion and eventually disappeared completely, but just as Tokaji has reinvented itself with dry Furmint, so Constantia now makes dry wines, and especially Sauvignon, following the template of New Zealand more than Sancerre.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Geography</b></div><div><br /></div><div>A small region of less than 10km by 2 km with ancient soils and views of False Bay, cooled by icy Antarctic winds off the coast, it can be 10C cooler than just a few kilometers away.</div><div><br /></div><div>The focus here is much more on quality than quantity.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Constantia Royale Sauvignon Blanc 2020 – Roger Burton</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>A smaller, newer winery in the area, growing 100% Sauvignon Blanc; lower altitude, in a valley with two banks, one producing steelier wines, the other lusher.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>cidery bruised apple, elderflower and grapefruit; ripe yellow stone fruits with savoury brazil nut and brioche, fresh acidity and saline minerality; very elegant and poised.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><b>Groot Constantia Sauvignon Blanc 2021 – Boela Gerber</b></div><div><br /></div><div>vineyards at between 40m and 280m altitude; their Sauvignon tends to be from higher locations; they add around 5% Semillon to the blend and use some skin contact to extract more flavour</div><div><br /></div><div>aromatic and lifted with orchard blossom; tropical citrus fruits with pineapple and passionfruit, lemongrass, lemon pith and lime zest, herbal and leafy, saline mineral. Intense and complex, can be aged.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Klein Constantia Sauvignon Blanc 2021 – Matthew Day</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Focused on terroir, they make wine in a slightly oxidative style for greater aging potential using wild yeasts and skin contact; their east-facing vineyards ripen much earlier and producer riper, plusher wines vs south-facing.</div><div><br /></div><div>ripe leafy green fruits - apple, greengage and figs - with yellow stone fruit, passionfruit, verbena and hedgerow flowers; fresh, flinty, savoury, saline-mineral and complex</div><div><br /></div><div>Good.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Constantia Glen Sauvignon Blanc 2021 – Justin van Wyk</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>200m - 275m up the hill, 11km from False Bay, historically too difficult to farm and was used for grazing cattle; bought by an Austrian family in 1960, vineyards planted in 2000; a mixture of red Bordeaux varieties plus Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon planted on cooler south-facing sites; cold fermentation to retain aromatics.</div><div><br /></div><div>aromatic lemon verbena and orchard blossom; greengage plums, zippy lime, graefruit and boiled lemon sweets with a concentrated, persistent salinity.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>BuitenverwachtingVineyard Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2021 – Brad Paton</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Blended from a selection of slopes with different aspects, all affected by cooling winds from the Atlantic and with significant diurnal temperature variation; between 2% and 4% RS to round out the acidity with around 12 hours' skin contact</div><div><br /></div><div>herbaceous and leafy with nettles, gooseberry and ripe green fruits; scented, citrussy-minty and textured, savoury and persistent with roasted nut and minerality.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc 2021 – Elunda Basson</b></div></div><div><br /></div><div>The estate dates back to 1682, originally settled by Germans; lower lying site, cooled by south-easterly winds; reductive winemaking, aged on the lees.</div><div><br /></div><div>lemon verbena, spearmint and nettles; grapefruit, brioche, salty roasted nuts with savoury lemon pith complexity and leesiness.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good.</div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251402076802750813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9084941686212952103.post-61211405130791713402022-06-19T09:04:00.003-07:002022-06-19T09:04:54.047-07:00The CWB Inexpensive Co-op Rioja-Off<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMORgU9cjwHQpgfEonpwViHQOAwNHVPUrKLBM1-jUiIUAizv-TZWzBlgMWSoA53BjjaRIeAWAM46iBeBQbp8vtKQK6skrH0L0inNNKqIH9o120qkNrbQC1xoFwnGInNnhbxIOmZI8ojnXDAAG9QvbxTpp7ZOn0MzHehO4RqgeWYBMOnvIw-TqGwB19/s4032/IMG_0791.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMORgU9cjwHQpgfEonpwViHQOAwNHVPUrKLBM1-jUiIUAizv-TZWzBlgMWSoA53BjjaRIeAWAM46iBeBQbp8vtKQK6skrH0L0inNNKqIH9o120qkNrbQC1xoFwnGInNnhbxIOmZI8ojnXDAAG9QvbxTpp7ZOn0MzHehO4RqgeWYBMOnvIw-TqGwB19/w300-h400/IMG_0791.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><i>An inexpensive red and white <a href="https://www.riojawine.com/en/home-en/" target="_blank">Rioja</a> from <a href="https://www.coop.co.uk/products/wine" target="_blank">The Co-op</a></i><div><br /></div><div>Asked to name a Spanish table wine, many people's first suggestion might well be Rioja; for a long time it was that country's most well-known oenological product.</div><div><br /></div><div>These days, Spain produces a dazzling array of different wines of all colours and styles, for reasons I explain here: <a href="https://cambridgewineblogger.blogspot.com/2022/03/the-cwb-spain-off.html">The Cambridge Wine Blogger: The CWB Spain-Off</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Rioja's style of traditional winemaking, with aging in oak barrels, was brought to the region by the Bordelais fleeing the effects of Phylloxera in their homeland in the late 1800s. </div><div><br /></div><div>So it make sense to think of Rioja as akin to a warmer-climate Bordeaux, with plenty of fruit but also the structure and complexity to be food-friendly.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are two well-made and inexpensive Riojas from the Co-op.</div><div><br /><div><b>Muriel Tempranillo Rioja, 2019 (£8:50)</b></div><div><br /></div>From a family owned winery that prides itself on the quality of its Rioja wines. Founded by José Villaverde Murú in 1926 and revived by son Julian Murúa sixty years later.</div><div><br /></div><div>ripe bramble fruits, roasted spices, dried herbs and woodsy undergrowth; sweet, ripe slightly jammy bramble and plum fruit; spices and herbs with very fine, slightly drying tannins.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Thoroughly pleasant.</div><div><br /></div><div>Match with roasted red meats or a plate of charcuterie.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>CUNE White Rioja (£9:50)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>softly oaked, 100% Viura</div><div><br /></div><div>white flowers, orchard fruits, citrus and grapefruit pith with toasty melonskin; supple, citrussy and fresh with with stone fruits; full and savoury.</div><div><br /></div><div>Very adept.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good.</div><div><br /></div></div>A versatile food wine, match with roast white meats or a cheese board.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251402076802750813noreply@blogger.com0