Madame Vin - Wine Discovery

Edinburgh Wine Meet Up Group

2010-02-16T21:27:00.003Z

I've been to two events since joining the The Edinburgh Wine Meet Up Group. The first was a New Zealand tasting held at a members house. I guess it felt pretty daunting turning up at a strangers house, to meet a bunch of strangers..

However, from the first welcome it was clear that the people involved in the group are all just people interested in socialising with the added element of having an interest in wine. Alan the organiser provided a balanced selection of wines giving people the opportunity to try something they probably already knew and have easy access to purchase, along with something a little bit different. It's certainly wasn't an occasion for analysis of each of the wines, but then that isn't what this group is about. Alan is on hand to share his knowledge of the wine region and wine making process and answer any questions group members have in a really relaxed environment.

Tonight's event was different, labeled 'new members night' it gave new (and old) members the opportunity to have a larger get together. The venue, Whighams a place I seem to have frequented a lot of late. Appellation Wines of Dalry Road, Edinburgh (and on-line) provided a choice of red or white as a taster to the attendees. It's a freezing cold night in Edinburgh so I decided to stick with the red to warm me up. The red from Firmament, Minervois 2003 developed nicely as it warmed up in my glass. It's a deep red, a blend of Cinsault, Syrah and Carignan. It's just the ticket for a cold Edinburgh night. Black plums and pepper prominent on the nose and the palate. It's tannic which I like, some may prefer to leave this wine for another few years. It was certainly a winner for the more hardened red wine drinkers of the group.

This group gives me the opportunity to meet a great mix of people, the organisers have some interesting ideas for wine events, I'm looking forward to the "wine in the woods" event planned for next month...

January 2010 - Wine Round Up

2010-02-07T12:53:00.004Z

January 2010 brought snow storms, journeys to my home town of Nottingham to visit hospital bound relatives and a day job that although I thought couldn't get any busier; did..

Fortunately there were some wine moments to get me through the Scottish winter, wine blogs to read, wine articles to ponder over and of course wine in the glass to contemplate.

Jamie Goode's blog about his trip to New Zealand made me feel nostalgic for the place that started my interest in wine. He's visited many an old haunt, such as the Martinborough Hotel where I spent Christmas 2006. This coupled with some reviews on some great wines and fantastic photos made for a really enjoyable read.

The Guardian Newspaper wine section provided some interesting articles. I've added links to my favourites below.

Victoria Moore offered an interesting take on wine selection in supermarkets, listing what not to select

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/jan/30/what-not-to-drink-wine

Alistair Smith seemed to be on a mission to find drinkable wine in theatres, I have to agree with the article, only I've chosen an alternative solution, I drink beer when I go to the theatre.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/theatreblog/2010/jan/26/theatre-wine-bar-drink

The wine of the month for me was a rather lovely Gewurtztraminer (2008) from Zarcillo winery in the Bio Bio Valley, Chile. An elegant wine with a floral, citrussy and spicy mix. This was in the case I received for Christmas, a gift from my husband, purchased from The Wine Society.

Chateau Musar, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon Tasting

2010-02-01T18:54:00.015Z

I'd enjoyed the Chateau Musar, Gaston Hochar, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cinsault, 2000 that I had at Cafe St Honore (my favourite restaurant in Edinburgh). When I received details of the Whighams Chateau Musar tasting event I jumped at the chance to attend.

The restaurant area of Whighams provides a nice (if not a bit noisy) setting for regular wine tastings. This one was clearly a popular event and very well attended.

Ralph Hochar (Grandson of the vineyard founder) shared the history of Chateau Musar. Although a winery has stood on the land since 1857 Chateau Musar was founded in 1930, although in the early days the winery produced enough wine for the family to have with their Sunday lunch. Over the years the vineyard developed and with French influence it grew into a more commercially viable outfit. The turning point for success in the UK was the attendance at the Bristol Wine Show (the wine of the time) in 1979.

Chateu Musar wines we tasted:
Mosaic White £10 (blend - Viognier/Chardonnay/Vermintino, no oak)
Mosaic Rose 2006 £10 - (Cinsault, 30-32 hours skin contact)
Mosaic red 2006 £10 - (blend - Cabernet Sauvignon/Cinsault/Syrah, no oak)
White 2007 £20 - (blend - Chardonnay/Semillon (native equivalent of))
Rose 2004 £18 - (blend - Cinsault/Obeideh)
Red 2002 £31 - (blend - Cabernet Sauvignon/Cinsault/Carignan)
Red 1997 £36 - (blend - Cabernet Sauvignon/Cinsault/Carignan)

Mosaic is a new easy drinking range from the vineyard and they are all fresh and clean on the nose. The rose is a really bright ruby red with fresh red fruit on the nose and on the palate, lovely. The red is smooth and balanced and light too, definitely easy drinking.

The Chateau Musar rose is interesting and reminds me of some Southern France roses. It's a pale/orange. On the nose it's fruity, but on the palate it's quite savoury, unusual and and interesting, I had to order some to try it again.

The 1997 & 2002 reds offer something different too, the fruitier 2002 and has hints of cherry oak. The 1997 is more earthy, nicely balanced tannins but some red current. I ordered some of the 1997, just my personal preference as they are both nice wines.

This event provided great insight into Chateau Musar; a family owned and operated vineyard where vintage variance still occurs and the wines offer a few surprises.

A huge thank you to Forth Wines for organising and to Whighams for hosting, a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

You can visit Chateau Musar (flight to Beruit and then a drive), they can only cope with small groups so don't all turn up at once...

Tour D' Argent auction update - real cost

2010-01-10T17:05:00.003Z

Early last month the Tour D'Argent auction took place. Bidding was fraught with many bottles going for more than the guide price and for more than they were actually worth.

Tour D' Argent restaurant in the heart of Paris, established as far back as 1582 and with a cellar containing around 450,000 bottles of wine went under the happen.

Before the event (see previous blog entry for details) I gave myself an imaginary budget of about €2000, this is what I'd buy.

Lot 523 - because I've never tasted anything that old €900-€1000
1 bouteille CHÂTEAU GRUAUD-LAROSE, 2° cru Saint-Julien 1870 (SE, V, caps. de négociant
F. CAPDEVILLE)1 100 - final selling price €1100

Lot 164 - because it's one (of my many) favourite areas €550-€600
12 bouteilles CÔTE-RÔTIE "La Landonne", Rostaing 2000 - final selling price €1050

Lot 1223 - because it seemed like a nice mix €300-€350
Ensemble de 12 bouteilles
3 bouteilles BEAUNE "Domaine Hippolyte Thévenot", A. Guyon 1978
3 bouteilles BEAUNE "Teurons", Germain 1978 (2 TLB)
3 bouteilles BEAUNE "Grèves", J. Drouhin 1978
3 bouteilles BEAUNE "Epenottes", Parent 1978 (1 coll. manquante) - final selling price €600

Lot 1046 - because it's the vintage I was born in - €60-€80
3 bouteilles RIESLING "V.T.", L. Beyer 1971 (LB) - final selling price €280

Total actual cost €3030

What the BBC had to say about it.

FRESHCASE Part 2/Montegicchi Chianti Classico 4 years on

2009-11-23T21:51:00.004Z

Montegicchi Chianti Classico - 4 years on
I purchased the 2001 Montegicchi, Chianti Classico Riserva back in October 2006, my tasting notes read:

Deep ruby red in colour with lighter red brick edge. Looks like a top Bordeaux. Dusty in appearance. Rich dark fruits on the nose, blackberries and vanilla. On the palate - smooth, fruity blackberries.

Three years on I'd say there is some black fruit on the nose and palate, but not rich, they're more subtle now. It's really lovely, I think I'll be opening the other 3 bottles in the not too distant future!

FRESHCASE at the end of week one
Still fresh and fruity wine

InterRhone Tasting on a Canal Boat in Edinburgh

2009-11-23T20:18:00.006Z

I completed the WSET Advanced Cert in Wines & Spirits with the Case Studies Wine School in Edinburgh, a thoroughly enjoyable experience. When I received an invite for an evening hosted by InterRhone organised by the school I signed up immediately.

It was a truly atrocious evening in Edinburgh, driving rain and blowing a gale. Fortunately I only live a five minute walk from Edinburgh Quay where the Case Studies Wine School canal boat is moored.

Linda Field from InterRhone, a resident of the Rhone Valley, took us through the classification system, appellations and terroir. She did a great job of picking out the pertinent facts of the 58 slide show provided by InterRhone, I learnt a lot.

It was a really interesting selection of wines too.

1) Domaine Magalanne Cote du Rhone AC Rouge, 2008
2) Domaine de Beaurenard Rasteau Cote du Rhone Village AC, 2007
3) Domaine la Monardiere Les 2 Monardes AC Vacqueyras Rouge, 2007
4) Terra Ventoux Terres de Truffes AOC Ventoux Rouge, 2007
5) Cave de Tain l'hermitage Fleur de Roc AC St Peray Blanc 2008
6) Domaine de la Pigeade VDN AC Beaumes-de-Venise Blanc 2008

The Cave de Train l'Hermitage Fleur de Roc, a 50/50 Marsanne/Rousanne blend and it's had some oak treatment. Peachy and spicy on the nose and a delicate buttery taste on the nose, a big wine that would be great with food, perhaps with pork in a creamy sauce.

The contrast between the Domaine la Monardiere and the Terra Ventoux was pretty dramatic. The first being savoury, earthy and spicy, the latter being packed with black cherries. My personal preference was the Domaine la Monardiere a great wine for the €11 price tag.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Domaine de la Pigeade lovely honey on the nose with grapy peaches and apricots on the palate, great length too.

Linda Field also offers accommodation and wine courses in the Rhone Valley at Auberge Du Vin

WiBF Wine Tasting Event with Great Grog, Edinburgh

2009-11-17T22:01:00.003Z

I met a member of the WiBF (Women in Banking & Finance) at a recent wine tasting and figured their next event, a wine tasting, sounded my sort of thing. Just to give you an idea, the group is essentially a networking group which connects professionals from every sector of the banking and finance industry in London, Bristol, Edinburgh and Dublin.

Tonight Great Grog are running the tasting and I quote from their website We are an independent Wine Merchant in Edinburgh (Internet/Warehouse/Wholesale/Retail/Wine Bar/Educators), established in the last century (1999!). We peddle the thrifty... to the rare & ultimate drinking experience. We flog grog that we, as practised drinkers, like to glug, at the price we would like to glug it at.

I'm intrigued to see how this is going to work. Networking isn't easy in a standard seated wine tasting event. Great Grog adapt well and adopt a two pronged attack of Matt manning the tables and filling glasses and Simon pacing the floor with a bottle. This works really well and gives everyone the opportunity to try the wine and network/chat at the same time. Both Simon and Matt are also available to answer any questions about the wine and have a really good back ground knowledge of all of the wines on offer.

They've put on a varied selection too. From the Prosecco (becoming a popular choice for a starting point on many tastings) to the full fruity Murray River, South Australia Nebbiolo (nothing like the Italian Nebbiolo's I've tasted).

Prosecco Ca' Bolani Brut, Italy £7.99
Handmade Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2009 £6.99
Kahurangi Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Nelson, NZ 2008 £7.99
Las Corazas Rosado, La Mancha, Spain 2008 £4.65
Juan Gill Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain 2007 £6.75
Trentham 'La Famiglia' Nebbiolo, Murray River, South Australia 2005 £8.85

They're all pretty good, I like the Monastrell, a nice easy drinking wine, balanced with a savoury edge along with red fruits and a different grape from the norm. Generally the favourite amongst the group seems to be the NZ Sauvignon Blanc a great wine for a reasonable price. It's not too vegetal like some NZ Sauvignon Blancs and has nice white fruit flavours too. It's a great atmosphere and a great bunch of people.

I've been to the Great Grog shop but confess I have never attended one of their tastings, something I have to rectify as soon as possible. So many wines, so little time...

FRESHCASE Part 1

2009-11-16T20:50:00.003Z

After a week of being out and about and a weekend suffering from a stinking cold tonight is the night to crack open the FreshCase wine. For those of you who don't know about FreshCase, it's a different way of transporting and dispensing wine, the key difference being it holds the equivalent of 3 bottles of wine, but the wine stays fresh for 6 weeks.

The instructions are straight forward and easy to follow (no cork screw required) and I'm pouring the wine in no time. The wine is clear and clean on the nose. It's now sitting on the side in the kitchen, let's see how we go over the next few weeks.

Highlights of today's surfing

2009-11-11T22:00:00.003Z

I try and have a 'wine-surf' of an evening, checking out the RSS feeds I've set up and links I've followed from websites I like and newsletters I've signed up to receive by email. I don't get chance to read them all everyday, but I'd like to share with you now and again the highlights of an evenings surfing.

So as I sit with my feet up, mac book perched on my lap, Spooks followed by True blood on the TV and a glass full of 2001 Glorioso Gran Reserva Rioja purchased from Oddbins on my way home from work, here goes.

There's a lot of chatter of Twitter from the US for Thanksgiving preparations and Enobytes followed this theme with quite a nifty little slide show to help guide you through the trials and tribulations of wine and food pairing to make the event as stress free as possible (@enobytes).

A link from the Decanter website led me to the Colchester Wine Company and New Scientist Experience, a short article but I found the scientific overview for each of the wines really interesting, definitely learnt something here.

I also get sent various links from friends and family today Monsieur Vin sent me a link to Fledgling Wine a great way for those of you in San Francisco to combine wine drinking and charity, a rather lovely idea and a great cause too.

A must read for any wine enthusiast comes from the oldest blogger on the block (not in age I hasten to add, but years of service to the blogging world), today the Wine Anaorak introduces me to Chilean cold climate Sauvignon Blanc, now on the hunt to purchase and try...(@jamiegoode)
And as I start to feel sleepy...

The Tasting Note blog were truly desperate to celebrate the 40th birthday of Sesame Street but couldn't find a wine link, so used the Muppets instead, the clip of Steve Martin as the wine waiter is priceless and an excellent note to end the evening's surfing on.
Also realised I'm not following them on Twitter (@thetastingnote) so put that right.

Thanks all and good night.......zzzzzzzz

The Wine Experience - Italy

2009-11-08T15:53:00.006Z

It's been another one of those weeks at work, I'm exhausted. Leaving the office at 7pm I head into the city, I'm off to a wine tasting, a last minute decision and one at this point in time I'm beginning to regret. Queen Street is bumper to bumper and my taxi driver opts for sitting in the traffic rather than taking an alternative route, I ask him to take the quicker route and he turns at the next junction, two minutes later I'm there. The Royal Scots Club, Abercromby Place, Edinburgh is housed in an amazing example of Georgian architecture, spread across numerous floors there's a restaurant, meeting rooms and accommodation, all in traditional Scottish style. I make my way through the bar and down two flights of stairs to the Dumbarton Room.
Ian (@thefinewineman on twitter) offers a warm welcome and I take a seat. I instantly spot a bottle of Masi Campofiorin Rosso del Veronese rowed up for us to try, excellent one of my favourites.

It takes to half way down the rather large taste of Prosecco we have first for me to start to wind down and relax.

It's a really good selection of Italian Wine, I like all of the reds:
Masi Bardolino Classico 2008 DOC
Serego Alighieri Pssessioni Rosso 2005 IGT
Itynera Montepulciano D'Abruzzo 2008 DOC
Tomaresca Neprica 2007 IGT
Masi Campofiorin Rosse del Veronese 2006 IGT
Tasca d"Almeria Camastra 2005 IGT

The Serego Alighieri a Valpolicello blend with Merlot and aged in cherry oak is quite unlike anything I have tried before, it has lovely black cherry aromas and taste. The Masi Campofiorin (an old favourite of mine that I first tried when living in New Zealand) a wine that seems to have black fruits, red fruits, spices......... every time you take a sniff it seems to change.

The cold meats and cheese provided are just right for making a great combination for the palate.

The well thought out selection of wine underpinned an evening that provided a good grounding about Italy and it's wine regions. Ian's enthusiasm and knowledge of wine also made the evening informative but not too serious.

By the time I left the Royal Scots Club to make my way across the city towards home I was really glad that I went and made a mental note to check out the other events the wine experience have on offer.

FreshCase arrived today

2009-11-04T21:31:00.002Z

As a bit of a geek with an interest in innovation when I had the opportunity to check out a new style of packaging I jumped at the chance, FreshCase arrived today.

As a brief introduction to FreshCase, it's a combination of card and plastic packaging that holds the equivalent of 3 bottles of wine. The packaging keeps the wine fresh for up to 6 weeks.

I'll be putting it to the test over the next 6 weeks with regular updates on my blog how things are going.

"Meet Up" Wine Group Edinburgh

2009-11-04T20:41:00.003Z

After signing up for the group at the weekend I attended the first "Meet Up" this evening. Whighams Wine Cellars in the heart of the city, just off Charlotte Square is probably the most well known wine bar in Edinburgh. With its semi dark nook and cranny seating it's an ideal spot for a wind down after work or a secret assignation.

Tonight Liberty Wines, T.M. Robertson Wine Cellars and Forth Wines showcase a selection of 50 wines.

The restaurant area is set up for the tasting and the crowds scramble forward, tasting glass in hand. Around the tables conversations with numerous people, all of whom seem to be here as part of the "Meet Up", so I'm guessing it's a good turn out. Not surprisingly I meet someone who works for same company as me, but she also works in the same office building and only one floor away, I can probably see her from my desk........is there no escape! She's a lovely lady and I get an invite to a Women In Business wine tasting evening - fantastic!

I try numerous wines a Lebanese Chateau Musar, A Mano Bianco from Italy and a Beaumont Mourvedre from South Africa. The Mourvedre is good, but at £30 a bottle a little pricey for what I'm after tonight.

I'm looking to get a few bottles of something white, dry and packed with citrus to fill a gap in the rack and something Monsieur Vin will like too. I plump for the Schloss Vollrads Castle Riesling (Germany), at £12 a bottle and a convenient time for me for delivery. It has the great citrus punch I'm looking for and will go well with the numerous fish dishes we have of an evening.

I also made an impulse buy tonight - A Winter's Tale Amontillado sherry, a great nutty aroma, smooth sweetness on the palate and a lovely warming feel. A great aperitif and winter warmer for the coming winter and festive season. Should have checked the prices on my iPhone before ordering as readily available on the Internet at a cheaper price - you can't win 'em all............

Joining a group of wine lovers Edinburgh

2009-11-02T22:29:00.003Z

I was having lunch in Henrick's yesterday, a quick club sandwich and pint of Belhaven Best before getting back to the day job - yeh I know - on a Sunday........

Anyway I spotted an advert for The Edinburgh Wine Meet Up group, sounds like my cup of tea/glass of wine.

Off to my first event on Thursday at Whigham's Christmas Wine Fair, with 50 wines to taste.......watch this space...........

Check out the website here

The earth, vine and wine

2009-11-02T21:34:00.002Z

I've long been a believer that climate change is fact not fiction. I know people have their doubts, but I look at it like this,
if it's not true and we find in the future that temperatures drop again, water levels don't rise and deserts don't appear across the globe, what have we lost? So we've all cut our fuel bills, we drive smaller cars and businesses have spent something extra to run more environmentally friendly buildings. If it's true and environmental catastrophe ensues, well at least I can say I did my bit to try and save the planet for future generations.

At the current rate it won't belong before the UK may have the temperatures to sustain a wine industry to compete with the very best producers (although increased rain may be on the cards too). They certainly seem to be anticipating great wines for the future and taking innovation firmly in hand by using cutting edge technology such as the Oenoview system as detailed in a recent BBC article. The system "analyses the images to determine vine leaf density, soil water content and grape bunch sizes"

So as the UK gears up for great vintages of the future what of the wine regions where the risk of the vineyards becoming arid wastelands? Spanish winemaker Torres are taking it very seriously, even going to the lengths of purchasing land in the Pyrenees "just in case", reducing CO2 emissions and taking the time to talk to environmentalists about the issue. The Guardian article goes into further detail about the man behind the Torres label. I think it makes for interesting reading for wine producers, sellers and consumers alike.

Hotel Du Vin, Edinburgh

2009-10-30T20:54:00.002Z

It's been a long time since I visited the Hotel Du Vin in Edinburgh. Another summer and festival has passed since my last visit. That's the trouble with living in a city like Edinburgh, too many places, not enough time.

The sommelier I met early in the year is still there and his enthusiasm hasn't wained. I always take his recommendation, he knows I'm interested in widening my palate and loves to share his enthusiasm for all things wine.

Hotel Du Vin also offers a fantastic rib eye steak and I'm looking for a wine to match.

We have the 2004 Languedoc "Les Bastides D" Alquier" Faugeres Grenache/Syrah blend. The Languedoc seems such a varied region I find it hard to know what's good and what's not. I'm glad to say this one is good. A bright ruby red in colour it's got really meaty tannins with plenty of red fruit - raspberry and a smoky smoothness and a punch of black pepper. Really lovely wine that goes well with the steak. I think it would keep for a few more years too.

The Faugeres appellation within the Languedoc in the south west of France has schistous soil and high altitude and gained a good reputation due a number of quality minded wine growers as the Alquier family.

As the nights draw in and the weather starts to turn the Hotel Du Vin, Edinburgh is the perfect escape.

The wine doctor also has some further information on this Domaine Alquier

What would you bid for - 18,000 to choose from?

2009-10-28T20:51:00.002Z

I can think of numerous reasons to visit Paris, but an opportunity to buy that special bottle of wine or even bag a bargain, from a selection of 18,000 bottles, where every region of France is represented, seems like a pretty good reason to me.

Tour D' Argent restaurant in the heart of Paris, established as far back as 1582 and with a cellar containing around 450,000 bottles of wine has a sale on.

The history behind this restaurant fascinates me, with its tradition, many famous visitors and numbered ducks it's a fascinating story. If you order a duck it is numbered (the 1,000,000th duck was sold in 2003). For the famous the duck will become a personality in its own right: in the visitors' book of famous ducks, no. 328 was served to King Edward VII in 1890, no. 40,312 to King Alfonso XIII in 1914, no. 53,211 to the Emperor Hiro Hito in 1921, no. 667 998 to Thierry Luron and no. 938,451 to President Mikhail Gorbachev. You can find out more on the restaurant website (flying ducks not to be missed)

The wine cellar survived WWII, the proprietor at the time walled up the majority of the cellar, keeping it hidden from the occupying German army. Now, it's getting over crowded and space is needed giving the public the opportunity to bid on some interesting lots.

I've given myself an imaginary budget of about €2000, this is what I'd buy.

Lot 523 - because I've never tasted anything that old €900-€1000
Lot 164 - because it's one (of my many) favourite areas €550-€600
Lot 1223 - because it seemed like a nice mix €300-€350
Lot 1046 - because it's the vintage I was born in - €60-€80

It will be interesting to see what they actually sell for!

The Independent newspaper provides an insight in to the sale and the lot list is here too.

Another sign of the recession

2009-10-27T22:54:00.006Z

Whenever my colleague the Queen of Am-dram is under the lights of showbiz a group of us get together to support and cheer her on. This time it's a production of 'Return to the Forbidden Planet' at the usual venue - the Church Hill Theatre in Morningside, Edinburgh.

It's a small group of us tonight, perhaps the first sign of the recession (and redundancies) impacting the significant financial services business in Edinburgh. I'm excited about eating at Peckham's Underground, buy a bottle of wine at retail price from the shop and drink it with your meal, no corkage. But not any more I'm afraid, you can still buy a bottle from the shop, but it's £5 corkage - real shame and perhaps another sign of the recession. A good home made lasagna accompanied with a mediocre Sauvignon Blanc and a nice piece of Salmon accompanied by a mediocre Chenin Blanc, the remaining members of the group opting for Isle of Arran blonde and soft drinks for the drivers.

Then on to the theatre. I'm not sure why most theatres are unable to think about the wine they buy, maybe they think they don't have to if they think people, not being allowed to take a glass in with them, never have more than ten minutes to drink a glass.

Despite this or as a result of this (I'm not sure) the appropriate audience participation was performed (identities disguised to protect the innocent)

The Queen of Am Dram performed brilliantly.

But the wine disappointed.........................

What's on your doorstep

2009-10-26T21:28:00.002Z

It never ceases to amaze me how some things can be on your door step and you just don't realise it. I dashed back from work tonight to catch the early showing of The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus. I arrived at the Cameo cinema a few steps from my front door with enough time to enjoy a quick glass of wine. Time's short so I ask for a dry white, not even a glance at the wine list.
Monsieur Vin arrives, whilst waiting for a coffee he spots the wine list and throws it over to me. There's some interesting wines on the list including Dinastia Vivanco Rioja, a wine introduced to me by @thirstforwine.
They call the start of the movie, I enter the auditorium with a mental note to pop back as soon as possible.

As for the film, a fairy tale for adults, the wonderful imaginarium of Terry Gilliam.

Claim to fame note - I once sat next to Terry Gilliam on a Rynair flight to Ancona, Italy.

Tomorrow - off to Pekham's Underground, Bruntsfield, Edinburgh where you can purchase your wine from the shop upstairs at retail prices and you can have it with your dinner downstairs and no corkage!

A Night of Fizz & Red from Down Under

2009-10-03T12:53:00.008+01:00

This time of year I usually start my blog with “it was a cold, windy, rainy night in Edinburgh” but on this occasion, that’s just not true. It’s been an absolutely stunning day in Edinburgh, feeling almost summer in warmth (Scottish summer I hasten to add).
We’re expecting J&J for dinner, they’ve been numerous times before, you may remember J1’s comment I posted on my blog back in September last year when we had a Sauternes with desert.
"It's like drinking apricot juice but boozy with honey"

J1 lived in Spain for a number of years and she loves Rioja (red Rioja) and although she would like to try other wines, she finds the choice overwhelming and has found it difficult to find alternatives she likes. Now, when she’s out buying red wine, she spends 10 minutes looking at the shelves but still ends up picking a Rioja...!

I sent out an SOS on Twitter asking for suggestions of alternatives to Rioja. @thefinewineman suggests a Tempranillo, a safe bet sticking with a Spanish grape. @WineUnearthed comes back with the suggestion of a New World alternative, perhaps a Barossa Valley Shiraz from a good producer, which gives me an idea.

There’s a knock at the door, they’re on time. I open the door and a bottle of red is thrust into my hand, for once it’s not a Rioja! J1 grins and says “I took your advice, so you can blame the guy in the off-licence if it’s awful. He recommended it.”

I’ve picked up a bottle of Lindauer (on offer in Waitrose just now) to go with the crab cake starter, this goes down well, but it’s not red and therefore we can’t compare it to a Rioja. Cava is mentioned once or twice.

We discuss the importance of having a good wine merchant. J1 is a great cook and believes in sourcing the best ingredients for her culinary experiments, using the knowledge of a local butcher or fishmonger to enhance a menu. Buying wine should work in much the same way. Small independent wine merchants are able to offer a more diverse selection of wine, and like the butcher, give background and provenance on the producer, whilst at the same time opening you up to more interesting flavours.

We’ve got neck of lamb stack for the main course in a light fruity jus. I’ve got a bottle produced by @teusnerwine called Joshua (2005) it’s a Grenache, Mataro and Shiraz blend, I’ve been saving it for just this type of occasion.

Although it’s less fruity and more full bodied than a Rioja, J1 likes it. It’s a food wine and a great match for the lamb. The aromas of red current and green pepper give way to more black fruit flavours on the palate, but the black pepper persists through out. I tracked this wine down after coming across @teusnerwine on Twitter. Spotted in Harvey Nichols one Saturday afternoon at £18, but this is probably not the best price on the market.

Over the main course the conversation turns towards how with a bit of practice and help you will learn what you like and what you don’t, what to look for on a label (and what to avoid) and how to be smarter in your wine choice.

There are film and book critics that I agree with and some that I don’t, I view wine critics in much the same way.

J1 doesn’t have the time to invest in gaining expert knowledge about wine, so I suggest she finds a good wine merchant and to give them a chance to learn what she likes, if they’re good they’ll move on to challenge her palate. J1 spends a lot of time on-line so by reading reviews in the press, bloggers online and tweeters alike to share their knowledge and listen to recommendations.

In return the least they can do is provide an honest and independent view on the wines they have tasted/write about.

For you chance to meet UK wine bloggers why not attend The Wine Gang Christmas Fair, November 7th, 2009 at Vinopolis. Check out the blog entry for this too.

You can learn what motivates bloggers to go to the efforts of maintaining a blog, usually for no reward (except appearing at wine tastings) and what their particular passion is. It is an easy way to find some great new sources of wine information to complement your own wine buying research and maybe even new friends to share experiences with.

Perhaps you'll find that special wine for the festive season.

If your a UK wine blogger and would like the chance to be a part of the Wine Gang's Christmas Fair then check out the competition on the Wine Conversation blog

A few suggestion of wine merchants in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Wine Merchants (part of Cambridge Wine Merchants)
30B Raeburn Place
Edinburgh
EH4 1HN
Tel: 0131 343 2347
Twitter: @halwilsonuk

The Great Grog
GREAT GROG Retail Shop
2 Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh
Tel: 0131 667 2855

For a good selection of Italian wines:
Valvona & Crolla
19 Elm Row
Edinburgh EH7 4AA
Tel: 0131 556 6066

For a good selection of Californian wines:
Sideways Wine
91 St. Leonards Street
Edinburgh EH8 9Q
Tel: 0131 668 4207

Henderson Wines
109 Comiston Road,
Edinburgh EH10 6AQ
Tel: 0131 447 8580

Madame Vin - Tweeting Up with Rioja

2009-08-31T14:59:00.007+01:00

The phenomena of Twitter has some people hooked (Stephen Fry/Philip Schofield) and some people who claim that they do not understand it as a medium, stating the thought of sharing their thoughts and ideas with virtual strangers is just too much.
I think it's a great way for like minded people to connect, to share their experiences, ideas and opinions. I've been Madame Vin since January, but Twitter was created back in 2006.

I spend a lot of time on-line, but not as much as I'd like (the day job interferes somewhat), but I never thought I would go and actually meet people I had met on line. The horror stories of love affairs gone wrong are all too evident in the papers (and on line). My meet up/tweet up, I'm glad to say was a positive experience.

I'd enlisted the support of my Aussie Mate. You'll have come across her in other blog entries, it's also her hands who, on many occasions have held bottles at the appropriate angle for photo taking.

I received the twitter update from @thirstforwine" confirming they would be tasting Rioja at Bond No.9 on The Shore, Leith. A relatively new bar that has an amazing cocktail list and award winning staff to boot.

I'll admit at first it was strange having read numerous 140 characters tweets from @thirstforwine, @thefinewineman and @whiteandred we were now standing in a bar talking about the Dinastia Vivanco Rioja we were tasting.

Tweets were soon being twittered about the evening and I even got chance to wear my Madame Vin T-shirt!

@thirstforwine provided the chance for us try five wines from the Dinastia Vivanco vineyard. All were quality wines, my Aussie Mate particularly liked the rosé (Tempranillo/Garnacha blend) because on the nose it was quite sweet and fruity, but on the palate it surprised you by being more savoury.
The white Rioja was interesting too and provides and excellent,more interesting alternative to many whites on the market at the moment. The adding of Malvasia giving it that extra something.
The Crianza and the Reserva were good examples of Rioja. I've been disappointed with a number of Riojas of late, it's nice to find a couple of good ones. The Crianza being fruity, sharp and rustic easy drinking wine. Followed by the smoother fuller bodied Reserva for special occasions.

And then something very interesting and a blend that truly works
70% Tempranillo
15 % Graciano
10% Garnacha
5% Mazuelo

Red fruit, black fruit, dark toffee (bonfire toffee) and I think this will change and develop over time too.

Only 14,000 bottles produced, I'm hoping some will make it to Edinburgh............

Conclusion - more Tweet Ups needed!

Twitter - sign up and join the fun

To find out more about the wine
For more from the @finewineman
For more from @redandwhite
For more from @thirstforwine
To check out the venue Bond No.9

Savuto Odoardi (Nocera Trinese, Calabria, Italy), Centotre

2009-08-31T14:32:00.005+01:00

If there's one place in Edinburgh where you can guarantee a warm welcome then it's Centotre. It was one of the first places I ate out in when I first moved to Edinburgh 3 years ago. It has consistently provided excellent service, food and wine ever since. The interesting and ever changing wine list always makes it very difficult to make my choice. The wine has been carefully sourced based on the love and hard work that goes into producing them.

The Odoardi family have been producing wine for centuries, but it is only recently that they have begun to become an award winning producer. I've had some interesting wines from Southern Italy and it's destination that's high on my "must visit" list. The Odoardi vineyards are near Catanzaro in Calabria (the region that forms the toe of Italy) and are called Nocera Trinese. Here the Odoardi family still prune vines in an alberello pattern, the way they have since the 3rd century BC. Instead of being trellised, the plants are clipped to resemble small trees allowing the grapes to ripen more evenly and to produce more powerful juice.

They also still use the traditional blend of grapes (45% Gaglioppo, 15% Greco Nero, 15% Nerello Cappuccio, 15% Magliocco Canino) and a touch (10%) Sangiovese, but age the wine for two years in large oak casks.

The result is unusual to say the least. A deep/opaque red wine with purple hues, stewed black plums and black pepper. It's not similar to anything I've tried before. Each time I taste it I get something else, even stewed red currents.

Truly delicious.....

To check out Centrotre

Calistoga Central & De Loach Wines (Russian River Valley)

2009-08-31T13:47:00.003+01:00

Calistoga is a venue that provides a nice and relaxed atmosphere for a wine tasting, it's a world away from the hustle and bustle of Rose Street/George Street. I'd been looking forward to the De Loach tasting after getting the low down from the vineyard website. The website is extremely well designed and takes you on a detailed tour of the vineyard (link below).
From the De Loach range we tasted:

Chardonnay - Russian River Valley 2007
Pinot Noir - Russian River Valley 2007
Pinot Noir - Green Valley 2005
Zinfandel - California 2006
Forgotten Vines Zinfandel - Sonoma County 2006

Oaked Chardonnay isn't a personal favourite. Although in this one the oak isn't the only thing happening in the glass and I like the ripe white fruit aromas. The 14.5% alcohol is pretty evident on the nose too. It's pretty rounded on the palate and gets a thumbs up from the fans of this type of wine around the table.

There's over £10 difference in price between the two Pinot Noirs (the Green Valley being the pricier of the two). I like them both; the Russian River Valley offers the light red fruit packed option where as the Green Valley offers a spicier, earthier and smooth tannins. It's like moving from a summer lunchtime with friends to a winter's evening with someone special.

The two Zinfandels are worlds apart, the older vines of Sonoma County offering a complex mix of black fruits, tobacco and a long finish, it's crying out for a game meats to try and tame it. The basic Californian Zinfandel is just that, it's a fruity little number that's an easy drinking simple wine.

I would loved to have heard more about the eco friendly/biodynamics approach but the presenter on the night didn't know too much about it, another visit to the website is all that's required though.

Click here to find out more about the wines and the production methods

Click here to discover Calistoga a great place that offers an extensive list of Californian wine in Edinburgh, meals and wine tastings

Bristol, Banksy and Burgundy

2009-08-09T15:30:00.006+01:00

We queued for two and a half hours to enter the Banksy exhibition at the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery, but it was worth the wait. From sculpture to installations to paintings to drawings, the imagination of Banksy is truly inspirational. The familiar digs at the establishment produce giggles from the crowd as they look at a policeman on a play ground ride and MPs in the house of commons depicted as primates. Outside of the main Banksy exhibition the artist continues to entertain as space ships unexpectedly pop up in Constable like landscapes and a briefcase full of money appears in a glass cases, the notes have Princess Diana's head on them. It's on until 31st August - it's a must see - go now!

After a long day on my feet I head back to my hotel, the Hotel Du Vin. I've stayed in a number of this particular chain and haven't been let down yet and I'm pleased to say Bristol continued the excellent service and nice environment I've come to expect.

I arranged to meet up with the Sommelier to share his passion for all things wine and his views on how the current recession is effecting the wine list. Stefan Gorda is originally from Poland, but spent a number of years living in France, before making the move to the UK. Stefan explained that the cellar is a fully functional commercial cellar and although some cellaring wine is stored off site, the wine here is to be sold in the bistro/bar and to be enjoyed by the Hotel Du Vin customers.

The selection of wines available is smaller of late due to the recession. It's becoming harder to continue to keep less popular wines on the list. Which is a shame for those of us who are looking to widen our palates and I, like so many others rely on establishments such as the Hotel Du Vin to provide something a little bit more interesting than the norm.

Stefan has a definite passion for many French wines and has a personal interest in small vineyards that are producing excellent quality wine where the terroir and the people behind the wine can almost be tasted. Although it was extremely difficult challenge Stefan chose Gevrey Chambertin Premier Cru as his favourite in the Hotel Du Vin cellar at Bristol, although I think it is one amongst many favourites.

The ambiance of the bistro at Bristol is very similar to others I have tried, relaxed with excellent food, wine and service. Monsieur Vin enjoyed a great steak and fries. I had superb lamb noissets with potato and pea mash and minted jus. All good quality ingrediants and cooked to perfection.

As for the wine we wanted something simple to accompany it and on a tight budget I went for the Jean Claude Rateau burgundy. Not complex, a straight forward smooth wine, a perfect end to a great day.

Marrakech Mist

2009-06-29T12:42:00.001+01:00

As the heat and dust of the day subsides a little we stroll through the area close the Bahia Palace in Marrakech. The streets and squares are still crowded with families of people and cats alike. The entrance to the Kosy Bar is in a small square surrounded by entrances to shops selling lanterns, rugs and jewellery. Spread across three floors we make our way up the stone floors to the roof terrace. A system of ornate pipes circles the terrace and twists above the seating areas. A gentle cool mist is sprayed above cooling the air, providing respite from the heat. I haven’t tried the local wine yet, under the white wine section I spot a Coteaux d’ Atlas, Morocco, AOC for 3900 Dirham (approx. £30). On serving we find it’s an oaked Chardonnay produced by Château ROSLANE. There’s a strong smell of incense in the air that is mixed in with the aroma of the wine but there are floral notes and vanilla. The acidity is medium/high. As the bottle warms a slight metallic after taste is noticeable but all in all it’s pretty good.

A few notes about Moroccan wine/ Château ROSLANE

AOC LES COTEAUX DE L'ATLAS
In October 1998 order of the Ministry of Agriculture that the first controlled Appellation of Morocco was created. The area includes the districts of Sidi-Slimane, Mjat and Boufekrane, a region known for producing great wines since the Roman Empire. It is within this area that the best soils have benefited from a classification in CRU, another first in the history of Moroccan viticulture.
The Vineyards
The cradle of the greatest civilizations, the Mediterranean basin has always been a land of predilection for vineyards. Thanks to its temperate climate, generous sun and naturally rich soils, Morocco, and in particular the Meknes region is its natural extension.
Les Celliers de Meknès estates cover nearly 2000 hectares of vineyards divided among four of Morocco's most prestigious designations : AOG Guerrouane, AOG Beni M'tir, AOG Berkane and the country's only AOC, Les Coteaux de l'Atlas whose best parcels have been graded as "1st Cru".
The climate of the Middle Atlas in the foothills on which our estates are situated, the elevation ranging from 580 to 700 meters, the moderate rainfall and generous sunshine all provide our vineyards with an exceptional site unrivalled in Morocco.

A little bit of California in Edinburgh………

2009-06-29T12:41:00.000+01:00

Edinburgh Princes Street is closed due to tram works. The shops are open but to negotiate crossing the roads in the vicinity of Princes Street is to be blunt, a real pain. In Shandwick Place you can see where you need to be, it just takes 10 minutes to work out how to get there through bollards, barriers and fencing. Once on Princes Street you have to take long detours up the side streets to get from one end to the other. Needless to say after an afternoon’s unsuccessful and infuriating trip to the shops I found myself on Rose Street. I’ve been following updates on Twitter from Calistoga, Edinburgh for a little while now. I remember their new venture Calistoga Central is somewhere off this very street. With the help of my trust iphone I’m able to find its location and using the same device I’m able to make contact with my Aussie mate, who is not far away and as normal a willing accomplice to in my quest.

Despite the warm and sunny afternoon the small courtyard at the back is in shade, but we decide to give it a try anyway.

The wine list is an impressive list of Californian wines, it’s difficult to choose. We decide on the Dancing Coyote, (Clarksburg) 2006, Verdelho. I haven’t had a Verdelho for sometime. Yellow/green in colour, it’s clear and fresh. Subtle on the nose, white fruits and a little floral too. On the palate honeydew melon and tropical fruits present.

After awhile we move inside, we are the only ones in the bar. The walls are adorned with images of Californian wine areas, Napa Valley, Sonoma County and Bonny Doon vineyard posters. I try and twitter but discover I’m in a dead zone.

As we are leaving a group of ladies arrive for a wine tasting in the restaurant next door.

It’s early days yet but with a great wine list and a great pricing policy I think that Calistoga Central will soon be as popular as the original Calistoga near the Meadows.

A Walk Through Bordeaux - Au revoir Arno

2009-06-29T12:35:00.003+01:00

Nestled in the usual spot in the bowels of George Street my Aussie mate and I are joined for the first time by the Snake Charmer and the Southern Cellarman. We’re here with Arno who shares with us a selection of delights from Bordeaux.

White
Chateau Roquetaillade Graves, 2007 £9.50

Red
Chateau Tour Prignac, Haut Medoc 2005 £14.95
Chateau Potensac Medoc 2004 £17.50
Chateau La Croix Bonis, Saint Estephe 2002 £15.95
Chateau Olivier Graves 1999 £30.00

Sweet
Chateau Loubens, Sainte Croix du Mont 1989 £29.50

Some interesting wines, but for me, based on value for money as well as taste the Chateau La Croix Bonis, Saint Estephe 2002 came out on top. A lovely aroma of burnt wood, prunes and spices followed up with being nicely balanced on the palate. Dried black fruits, tannic with plenty of life still left in it.

The Chateau Loubens, Sainte Croix du Mont 1989 was a huge hit with everyone. Full bodied with fresh acidity coupled with orange marmalade, delightful.

This was the last tasting to be shared with Arno and I will him all the best as he heads home to for awhile to work in a vineyard.

Thanks Arno for sharing some great wines with us!

Rioja and the Blues

2009-06-07T14:48:00.002+01:00

It's Friday, it's been a long stressful week. You can feel that spring is in the air in Edinburgh. Large white fluffy clouds scoot along a blue sky back ground. I'm watching old footage of Son house play the Death Letter Blues. The music is melancholy his voice is deep and earthy, his heart and soul going into the rifts played on his ancient guitar. Son House is an extraordinary perform of the delta blues.

The tesco finest Rioja covers my palate with spicy red fruits, logan berries, raspberry and red plum. It's Woody and earthy too. The tannins are smooth and mouth coating and it has great length. It's pretty well balanced all round.

My senses envelope my surroundings and I feel the stresses of the week evaporate in a swirl of music and liquid comfort.

An Evening in Leith

2009-05-10T16:24:00.003+01:00

Skippers For Dinner

After leaving the Vintners Room it's a short walk to Skippers. It's a small restaurant with a busy feel. We are greeted with a smile and shown to our table. I opt for Red Mullet as a starter and Swordfish Steak in a Parmesan crust as main course. The Muscadet Sur Lie is a nice partner for seafood.

On the wine list is one from La Sablette, Marcel Martin, 2007. It's light fresh lemony with some minerality. It's a food wine rather than drinking it on it's own. But the for the price and the occasion it fits just nicely.

An Evening in Leith

2009-05-10T14:42:00.005+01:00

First stop - Vintners Rooms Leith
I had heard about the Vintners Rooms when I first arrived in Edinburgh and have read about it since but, have never had the opportunity to visit. Tucked away beneath one of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society's numerous Edinburgh venues it is housed in an old wine merchant's auction room in the Vaults warehouse, a beautiful historic building.

The wine list is extensive with some unusual options from less than £20 per bottle through to the higher end of people's budget. We hop onto one of the high bar stools, joining the people sitting around the impressive zinc bar. The patterned carpets on white walls give it a slightly Moroccan feel. There's a large fireplace at the far end which would certainly be inviting on a winter's night. Background music is played softly, soothing tunes to relax to.

The wine list
There's lots of older vintages on offer. Under Italy, Piemonte Number 345 states:
"Barolo, older vintages available, please ask!" starting price £95.00.

There's a very good selection of half bottles at the back of the list
No. 382 - Chardonnay, McLaren Vale, Tyrells, Pkolbin, Hunter Valley, 2002

The new world is certainly in the minority but it's good to see a Martinborough NZ being represented.

There are many delights on the wine list but we have a table booked at Skippers so by the glass it is.

I opt for - Chenin Blanc, Porter, Mill Station, Swartland, South Africa - pale yellow in colour and served at just the right temperature (not too cold). White fruits, peach & pear. Mouth watering acidity with an added lemony touch on the palate.

My companion opts for - Pinot Biancom Kellerel, Terlan, Alto Adige - pale yellow, quite neutral on the nose as expected and clean and fresh on the palate, length falls a little short.

Next time we'll stay for dinner to sample the dinner menu and a bottle of something interesting, but tonight we have a table booked at Skippers fish restaurant around the corner.

If your looking for a venue for that special occasion, that's elegant, traditional and away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, then the Vintners Rooms will fit the bill perfectly.

http://www.thevintnersrooms.com/

Pouilly Fume, Prestige des Fines Caillottes, 2006

2009-05-10T14:10:00.002+01:00

Although the sun shines the chilled wind rushes down westerly facing streets. It rips the delicate pink and white petals from the spring blossom trees in St Cuthbert's church yard. The homeless man I regularly see on Lothian Road struggles to keep his many rucksacks in check. His matted long beard and hair is lifted and tossed by the invisible force of nature.
An enormous digital screen has been erected in Festival Square. The 24 hour feed from the BBC glaring out the news on a massive scale. It's also to watch sports events on the balmy summer evenings. At each junction cars, pedestrians and cyclists fight for right way. Serious glares are cast at those that venture forward out of turn.
Someone has cleaned the graffiti off the main door of my building, another blank canvas for the street artist, I wonder how long it will stay clean for this time. As I pass along the corridors up to the third floor I hear snippets from my neighbours lives, television, radios, laughter and conversation.
Inside the flat the heating has come on reflecting the chill outside even though we're well in to May now. Monsieur Vin is sitting at his desk in the study, deep in his world of creativity and plotting.
"What's for dinner?" I ask.
"Gnocchi, with a creamy tomato sauce."
I make my way to back of the walk in wardrobe and scan the bottles on offer. I settle on the Pouilly Fume, a birthday present from my boss.

It's pale straw yellow, the glass is covered in tiny bubbles, some legs too. Aromas of white fruits and apricot, a little savoury but not as much as some NZ Sauvignon Blanc's.
Dry, medium/full bodied, it's well balanced and has great length.

A great wine that I could have with or without food.

Sharpham Vineyard Visit

2009-04-25T16:30:00.016+01:00

The River Dart is a tidal river that meanders from the moors down to the sea. Above a section of the river, 2 miles of south of Totnes, Sharpham's vineyards are nestled in a sunny spot on red shillet soil that slopes down to the river's edge.
I took the blue route on the "Trek & Taste" tour through the Madeleine Angevine vines, skirting the edge of the Dornfelder, Pinot Noir and Phoenix vines.
The path then takes you along the river and back up through the picnic area to the Winery and Vineyard shop.

Here I was greeted by Laura Armstrong & Lawrence Baulch in the tasting room. I paid the £4.95 charge for tasting, knowing that I had only hand luggage on the flight home with no space for extra items such as bottles of wine. This gave me the opportunity to try all of their wines.

It was the first time I have tried the Madeleine Angevine and I was pleasantly surprised. It's a clear pale yellow to look at and clean on the nose. It's dry, acidic and youthful. Easy drinking with white fruits and surprisingly good length. I think this would appeal to many people and would go well with local seafood especially crab.
Sharpham also offer a barrel fermented (new oak) Madeleine Angevine that is a more complex wine that would go well with stronger flavoured food such as Thai.

The Dornfelder & Rondo blend creates a deep garnet in colour, good tannin and black fruits and only 10.5%abv.

Sharpham has a sister vineyard Beenleigh Manor where Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are grown under plastic. I'm pleasently surprised by the Beeleigh red (70% Cabernet Sauvignon/30% Merlot). The wine is well balanced with smooth tannins, there's plenty of fruit too.

Sharpham have also produced a good sparkling wine in England. Made in the traditional method (from Pinot Noir/Pinot Blanc) it's elegant with citrus flavours on the palate.

After a look at the creamery, where cheese is fully hand-produced from their own Jersey cow's milk and free of GM ingredients I have lunch at the Vineyard Cafe outside in the sunshine.

I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon in Devon.

You can follow the events at Sharpham by becoming a fan of Laura's page on facebook called:
Sharpham Wine & Cheese

You can read more about Sharpham at http://www.sharpham.com/

Le Di-Vin, Working Through The Wine List - #1

2009-04-05T18:42:00.005+01:00

Rosacker, Cave Vinicole De Hunawhir, Grand Cru, Alsace, Riesling 2007

Charlotte Square in Edinburgh, the park at its centre the site for the annual Book Festival in August is usually a quiet spot the rest of the year. This spring once again the many crocuses carpet the edges and the grass has recovered from the rigours of winter and has become a vibrant green once again. But with Princes Street closed every Lothian bus that services the west of the city now takes a detour around the square giving many more people the opportunity to admire the small piece of green surrounded by Robert Adam's (who died before its completion) crowning glory, and the epitome of what Robert Burns called 'the heavenly Hanoverianism' of Edinburgh's New Town with its classic edifices, handsome squares and spacious thoroughfares. Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922) was born at No. 16, Lister at No.9 and Earl Haig at No.34.
Just a stone's throw way is an establishment I've mentioned before (see posting Le di Vin 18/06/08) in my ramblings which I'm pleased to say has become a favourite place to escape to. There are so many wines I would like to try on the wine list I've decided that this entry is the first one of the Le Di-Vin, Working Through The Wine List. A series of tastings, each with a snippet of what can be found in the vicinity of this fine, well run establishment.

On a Saturday evening I join my Aussie mate and my Canadian Mountie mate for gossip, giggles and putting the world to rights. For this we choose a wine that offers something more than the usual dry white wines. Although we didn't solve all the problems of the world that night, that's fine, there's always next time.

Tasting notes
Very pale, almost clear edge. Citrus fruits and peaches. All aromas quite subtle on the nose. Savoury notes too. Blast of citrus on the palate, balanced mouth watering acidity.

Sunday Roast and Alsace Gewurztraminer, Jean Becker, 2006 - Organic

2009-03-15T14:00:00.009Z

The Union Canal begins not far from our front door and it has become a favourite spot for an afternoon stroll. Today there's a mildness in the air that we haven't felt for some time so take the opportunity to take in some fresh air. The tow path is alive with joggers, cyclists and walkers. The Union Canal is one of two Lowland canals in Scotland. After four years' construction it opened in 1822 and was known as the Edinburgh and Glasgow Union Canal. The name reflected the role of the canal, linking Edinburgh with the Forth and Clyde Canal at Falkirk and so providing a through route between Scotland's two major cities. You can still make your way from Edinburgh to Glasgow along the canal, something Monsieur Vin did last summer, on two wheels rather than two legs, in preparation for a charity bike ride.
Along this section of the canal there are rowers, boat trips and dining cruises. Towering tenement housing appears periodically on either side, interspersed with sports fields holding Sunday league football matches. As I duck under one of the many bridges, negotiating the wet cobbles, a bank of bright fresh daffodils come in to view. Four enormous swans leave the water, slowly, wings beating hard take to the air expertly avoiding the low bridge.
The dusk starts to fall as I am reminded that winter's grip still hasn't let go of the world just yet. The temperature drops slightly and I'm glad to be welcomed by the warmth of home. The smell of roast chicken fills the flat as Monsieur Vin puts the finishing touches to a traditional Sunday dinner. The rich fruity gravy inspires me to choose a Gewurztraminer to accompany the meal.
It's an organic one from Jean Becker purchased from Oddbins (for around £10). I don't think I have been let down by an Alsace wine and this still holds true after tasting this one. It's pale, lemon/green in colour. It's intense on the nose with youthful floral, lychees and honeysuckle. It's balanced on the palate with tropical fruit characteristics - pineapple and mango. A good example of an Alsace Gewurztraminer.

Hunter & Hawke - LA FUZELLE Sancerre, La Campagne Syrah Vin de Pays d'Oc

2009-02-28T15:12:00.005Z

A blue light spreads across the arched stone doorway of Hawke and Hunter, Edinburgh. Inside the iron staircase coils the centre of the building connecting the various rooms. Winding corridors take you the secret garden where patrons can relax by the heaters in winter and the open air in summer.
Upstairs on the first floor is the main bar. The bar itself forms a square in the centre of the room, we are greeted by the bar man. The wine list offers a varied choice to suit all budgets. We're in a white, dry crisp kind of mood so choose the La Fuzelle Sancerre. To the right of the bar the rooms are dark with black flock wallpaper and subdued lighting from lamps and candles. Outside the lights and traffic of the city seem some how out of place. Settled on high backed chairs by the fire, the flicker of the candle dances in the reflection of our mirrored square table as the bar tender delivers our wine.
Aromas of green apples fill my nose. On the palate this becomes a mix of crisp green apples, sharp lemon and lime. Medium bodied with good mouth watering acidity it's really rather pleasing.
We decide to stay and have dinner. The dining room is on the ground floor and is dominated by the fire place. Two alcove dining areas provide space for larger groups. The large copper light fittings add a modern touch to the ancient building. La Campagne Syrah Vin de Pays d'Oc, 2006 is recommended by Emma our waitress and it's a good match for the pheasant chosen by my Aussie mate and my venison. Lovely spices, coriander and blue berries with some red fruit.

During the meal a staff member takes to the piano and entertains us with a Norah Jones number too! All in all, a great venue with great staff/service that doesn't charge you the earth for the privilege.

We'll be back I'm sure.

Argentina - La Riojana, Famatina Valley, Shiraz, 2008

2009-02-14T17:57:00.000Z

Winter seems to have been a long old haul and it doesn't feel like it's over just yet. We've been relatively lucky up here in Edinburgh with just a couple of coverings of the white stuff. Temperatures however have been as cold as a polar bears den and the heating has been on more and more. There's nothing better than a spicy Shiraz to keep jack frost away from your door.

The local Scotmid has a number of wines in stock but I seem to find it increasingly difficult to find something to get my taste buds tingling. Wanting to get home and settle on the sofa in front of the fire I go for the Fair Trade option. I love the idea of Fair Trade/Organic/Natural wines, but expect the quality too. The knowledge that the region will benefit from the production/sale of the wine is certainly a positive and for around £5 a bottle the price is very competitive.

La Riojana one of the largest co-operatives in Argentina can be found in the Famatina Valley.

The back label gives a full ingredients list from Grapes (Shiraz) to listing yeast nutrients and Oak staves. It also describes powerful blackberry and oak aroma. I do get blackberry notes but some red plum too. The aroma oak is there from the oak staves and some very subtle spicyness. On the palate the fruits do persist with a slight bitterness. It's quite tannic with medium length.
It's an acceptable wine, designed to be drunk young and to accompany a mid-week evening wind down.

You can find out more about fair trade at:
http://www.traidcraft.co.uk/buying_fair_trade/people_behind_products/wine/

Extract - Guardian newspaper - 2006
"In September 2006 the Co-op launched a project with a second Fairtrade wine cooperative in Argentina, introducing four wines from the La Riojana wine co-operative, which is based in Chilecito, a remote town based in the Famatina Valley in Argentina.
La Riojana received Fairtrade accreditation in May of this year. As part of the accreditation, the growers will receive a social premium from the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation (FLO), which the Co-op is adding to. It means that for every case of wine sold, additional money will go back to the co-operative which will fund a unique project.
The project will help a community of workers in the village of Tilimuqui. 97 people live in this area, and presently there is no regular water supply to the houses. The social premium will be spent on renovating an old water supply with the addition of a well and pump so that each household will have access to regular, clean water."

http://www.famatinavalley.com/
The Famatina Valley Region is situated in the north west of the Province of La Rioja, in Argentina. It is a vast region which includes two areas: the West, nearer to the Andes, known as the Bermejo Valley and the East which is called Antinaco-Los Colorados Valley.

Terra Di Vulcano, Bisceglia 2007

2009-02-07T15:55:00.000Z

I settle in the comfortable chairs in the bar of the newly opened Hotel du Vin in Edinburgh. I must confess I was a little excited when I heard the hotel chain was going to open a place in my home city and even more so when I found out that it was going to be located only a 12 minute walk from my front door.
It's lovely and warm in the new bar and the vibrancy of the bistro below makes for an excellent atmosphere. I've stayed at the Hotel Du Vin in Winchester and Glasgow and eaten at numerous others, the staff have been fantastic, Edinburgh is no exception.
After a warm welcome the sommelier recommends the Southern Italy Falanghina.

It's pale golden in colour and has floral and savoury notes on the nose, it's interesting and fresh, there are apples too. It's dry on the palate and the apple is more prominent with vegetal undertones.

I don't think there is a wine producing country quite like Italy. The vast number of varieties, production methods and terroir coupled with an imagination and creative flair result in a new experience every time I try a new Italian wine.

Falanghina is an ancient variety that can be found in Southern Italy. I've tried a number of Southern Italian wines and have found varying degrees of quality, but I think this one is certainly towards the top end of the scale.

http://www.agricolabisceglia.com/

Rocky Gully, Frankland River, 2007 Riesling

2009-02-01T18:54:00.000Z

After a day of travelling the tube and visits to Cambden Town, St Pancras Champagne Bar and an exhibition at the British Library I'm ready for dinner. It's a short walk from the Hoxton Urban Lodge across the east end of London to the new venture The Boundary. It's a hotel, restaurant and Art base that opened at the beginning of January 2009.
We are warmly welcomed on the ground floor and ushered in to the lift up to the restaurant. Coats, scarves and hats are collected by friendly staff and we are taken to our table. The long open kitchen stretches the length of the dining room, you can see it all, from the prep and cooking to the cleaning up at the end. Above our heads the ceiling depicts the constellations, the pattern of the Great Bear stands out as pin pricks of light.
We are seated side by side in a booth at a kidney shaped table. The menu has fantastic variety and the wine list is huge. The sommelier arrives after I've had a few minutes to peruse the pages and pages of wine available. I'm homing in on a Riesling and he suggests the Rocky Gully as I'm looking for something on the drier side, or may be it's because he is Australian.
I'm not surprised that it is a screw cap and he still offers me a quick taste.
It's pale, almost clear but medium bodied. On the nose I pick up the classic citrus, grapefruit and peach with a floral edge.
It's dry on the palate, fresh lemon and acidity and little salty (in a good way).

It's great and in an establishment where most wines have a lower margin so there are a lot of wines are below £35 it's pretty good value for money. Designed to be drubk young it's definitely on my recommended list.

http://www.franklandestate.com.au/
http://www.theboundary.co.uk/restaurant/food/

Chateau Moulin De Castillon, Cru Bourgeois, 2003

2009-02-01T17:25:00.000Z

I find Bordeaux confusing at the best of times and the classification of Chateau Moulin De Castillon is no exception. Back in 2003 Chateau Moulin de Castillon was one of 77 chateaux that had their Cru Bourgeois declassified after a panel claimed they had failed to meet the necessary requirements. This decision was over turned by a judge after the panel's method of judging was deemed to be unfair, to say the least. Since then further classification changes to avoid confusion with Castillon down in the south of France have happened too. I won't bore you with the details.....
I bought a couple of bottles after a tasting at Edinburgh Wine Merchants in September 2006. My notes from this time were:
Cabernet Sauvignon dominant, deep inky red/purple in colour. Aromas of woody dark fruits such as black currents. High tannins, astringent and has good length.
Not much has changed over the last couple of years except the astringency perhaps isn't as apparent and I'd add dark chocolate to the mix. It's quite savoury so think it's probably at it's peak just now.
I love this mix and for £8.00 s bottle I wish I had bought more!

Europe's Longest Champagne Bar - St Pancras Station - London

2009-01-31T19:32:00.000Z

When ever I head south to London I always expect it to be warmer than Edinburgh, this has not been the case some visits. My most recent visit followed this pattern. There was a bitterly cold wind that day when we decided to drop into St Pancras and to the "heated" bar seats at the longest champagne bar in Europe. I had an image in my head that the actual bar itself would be long, this is incorrect, it is the seating area that stretches the length of St Pancras, it's quite impressive, as long as you don't mind the not so subtle smell of diesel. Monsieur Vin and I climbed on to a bar stool each and could almost feel heat from the small overhead electric heater.
With a decent number of champagnes on the list by the bottle it would have been tempting, had it been warmer, to while away the afternoon but we decided a glass would suffice just now. I chose the Tattinger Brut (£12.20), described as "sweet citrus fruit with a bright lifting acidity." Pale golden yellow with small lively bubbles the description fitted wine, dry, elegant and thoroughly enjoyable.
Monsieur Vin isn't a huge fan of Champagne but not wanting to feel left out tried the Phillipponnat Royal Reserve (£9.50), the bubbles filtered into a central stream and a more subtle fizz and more subtle aromas this too was an enjoyable drink.
We enjoyed watching people come and go, the lady who ordered 2 bottles of champagne and 22 glasses, the couple who asked if they served beer and the many people who just stopped and stared not venturing too close.
All in all an enjoyable experience and I think the vote goes to the Tattinger. As for the venue itself, definitely worth a visit but maybe wait until the spring....

Verdicchio Dei Castelli Di Jesi, 2007

2009-01-31T19:07:00.000Z

It was one of those days at work when I feel I've worked hard but achieve nothing. On the leaving the office feeling exhausted and just a little dispondent the heavens opened and I realised I had no umbrella or hat. The first three buses home were too full to pick me up, after some time I'm able to board a bus at last and sit in traffic before the 15 minute trek up Lothian Road toward Toll Cross and home. At the corner of my street Monseiur Vin calls, he's fogotton a vital ingrediant for tonight's dinner, would I be so kind as to pop to the local Scotmid, I'd be delighted of course.
The shop is busy, the queue stretches back, I join the end. As we shuffle forward I'm adjacent to the wine fridge my eyes wander over the ready chilled whites, I wipe away a rain drop that has slid down my nose and dangles on the end. In amongst the Chardonnays and Pinot Grigios I spot Vedicchio Dei Castelli Di Jesi, that's not something you see everyday I ponder. £3.75 a bottle?
The cashier packs my bag, carefully loading my impulse buy too.
Accompanied by spaghetti with fresh tomato and garlic with a sprinkle of sea salt we try my bargain buy.
It's golden yellow in colour but pale. It's not powerful on the nose but there are definate citrus notes. It has a slightly effevescent feel on the palate and an extra burst of lime and a little grapefruit. It needs the food but all in all for the price and a mid week relaxer it's pretty acceptable to me.

To find out more about the area visit http://www.italianmade.com/wines/DOC10303.cfm
I visited this area many years ago before I had such an interest in learning more about wine. Whilst there we were give a bottle of sparkling deep red wine as a gift, something I'm on the look out for to try again.

Hyland, Penley Estate, Coonawarra, Shiraz, 2002

2009-01-31T18:48:00.000Z

Aussie Mate & Tiger T arrive on my doorstep, slightly out of breath after the 3 storey climb up the old tenement stairway. Hats, scarves and various layers are removed and a naturally chilled bottle is proffered from Tiger T.
The smell of roast lamb and potatoes permeates the air as Monsieur Vin prepares our Sunday dinner. Marlowe rests a comforting paw on Tiger T's knee, he must know she's feeling a little down right now or maybe he's hedging his bets on who might be first to offer a wee morsel from their plate.
Glasses filled we gather around our small dining room table and toast the chef as is the custom in the Vin household.
I take in the aromas of the Shiraz, my senses take in the powerful blackberries laid out on a gentle smoky oakiness. The chatter and laughter increases as relax into the occasion. My palate enjoys the continued intensity of black fruit flavours and the candle light sparkles off the deep red liquid. The rich dark gravy and dark meat compliments the wine is perfect the rich full bodied wine. Oaky tannins linger in the mouth, this wine has pretty good length.

All in all a rather lovely Sunday afternoon.

I'm impressed with the Penley Estate website, it has good detailed descriptions of all the wines and I'll certainly be on the look out for other wines from the Penley Estate.

Epernay - Avenue de Champagne Part 1 - Comtesse Lafond

2008-09-28T16:47:00.000+01:00

We arrived in Epernay on the train from Paris in the late evening. Followed by a quick check in to our hotel, a Kir Royal and dinner.

Saturday morning greeted us with blue skies and sunshine. After a hearty breakfast of hot chocolate and pain au chocolate we headed for the Avenue de Champagne.

The fine houses if Pol Roger, Mercier, Moet & Chandon and Perrier-Jouet line this elegant avenue. Walking, chatting and enjoying ths sunshine we admire the architecture that surrounds us. Eventually we reach the round about the depicts the end and the pavement disappears. The last house we see has the sign Comtesse Lafond. The building is impressive with grand turrets at one end. A small discreet sign points us in the direction of the "boutique."

Inside the 2 tasting tables are occupied, we peruse the surrounding shelves in delightful surroundings. We are approached by a very smart young man who takes through a description of each of the champagnes on offer and leads us upstairs for our tasting. The ceiling is cream with sturdy wooden beams arching across. It's quiet with a n occasional burst of noise from a song bird.

Tasting 1

Extra Brut (NV) 12.5% (Pinot Noir 60% and Chardonnay 40%)

To look at - it's crystal clear with lots of lovely fine bubbles, light straw yellow.

On the nose - elegant and fresh, aromatic fresh white fruits - peaches and melon with a hint of citrus.

To taste - dry, with a great fizz on the tongue that lasts, the freshness is delicate and it has a well balanced finish

All in all a lovely fresh experience.

Tasting 2

Brut (NV) (40% Chardonnay, Pinot Noir 40%, Pinot Meunier 10% and wines in reserve from the previous 2 harvest 10%)

To look at - deeper yellow but still quite a pale gold. Bubbles seem smaller and linger for longer.

On the nose - more toasty, buttery, nutty with a yeasty touch. It's just as fresh with underlying citrus fruits

To taste - again a fresh tasting fizz, it's more rounded and fuller than the extra brut almost creamy and the fruit is riper to taste than on the nose. It has a grand finish.

Tasting 3

Rose Brut (maceration of Pinot Noir, mixed with wine created from 20% Chardonnay)

To look at - lovely fresh salmon pink, fewer bubbles.

On the nose - sweet fresh red fruits, strawberries & raspberries

To taste - fruit flavours continue on the palate but takes on hints of fresh black fruits too

Tasting 4

Brut Vintage 1998 - (60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay with a weak dosage of liqueur)

Just released after 10 years of cellaring.

To look at, pale gold/green with few, fast moving bubbles.

On the nose - caramel, butter, popcorn, toast, lemons, peaches and apricots all fighting for attention

To taste - Nice initial gentle fizz and a balanced sweet taste at first followed by dried fruits. It's smooth and elegant.

I know, I know! I loved them all. For an every day, friendly summer wine, the Rose is perfect. For something a little more interesting and perhaps for a special occasion the vintage is just great.

The bad news is that they only have an importer in Dublin. You can order direct but the minimum order is 36 bottles - maybe not such a bad thing............

Chateau Laville - Sauternes 2003

2008-09-28T16:30:00.000+01:00

I received this as a gift some time ago and have been waiting for the right opportunity to open it. Such an occasion occurred when friends J&J came over for dinner. A rather fine mackerel pate, followed by a sea food paella was nicely finished off with french style home made tarts (purchased from Clarks in Bruntsfield).
Sweet pastry, sweet apple and a coating of syrup was crying out to be accompanied by the Sauternes.

It's clear and sharp, a deep golden colour with tears that cling to the sides of the glass.

On the nose, a clean pronounced aroma, fully developed of cinnamon, honey, lychee, apricots and raisins.

It has a luscious feel and the palate fills with honey, nutmeg and stewed apricots.

"It's like drinking apricot juice but boozy with honey" commented J1

A delightful match and delightful end to the meal.

The Shore - Edinburgh

2008-09-28T16:00:00.000+01:00

After a 17 mile cycle ride we felt a little treat seemed in order. So we decide to venture across the city to Leith and to The Shore (http://www.theshore.biz/). A delightful little restaurant/bar in the heart of this bustling area.
The evening felt strangely warm, probably due to the rather atrocious summer we have experienced this year. There were many people sitting outside and taking a stroll along the cobbled streets of the shore.
The dark wood panelling and soft lighting of the small bar area has a welcoming atmosphere. We choose a table for two set against the mirrored back wall that provides deceptive size to this small area. The dark wood panelling extends ornately around the bar area providing an interesting back drop to the rows of wine bottles. The same menu as the restaurant is available (the restaurant is fully booked) and offers a range of good home cooked food.
I peruse the wine list looking for something light, simple and refreshing on a warm evening.

Castelle Boglione - Pinot Grigio 2007 £14.99
Provincia di Pavia
Lombardy is situated in north central Italy. I've tasted sparkling wines from this area (mostly pleasing) but never a pinot grigio.
To look at - it's hard to say in the subdued lighting
On the nose - floral, elderflower, ripe pears
To taste - Citrus, lemon but savoury too.
It's a simple wine with soft flavours and a medium length. It goes well with my risotto.

Arno's Champagne Tasting - It's a blinder!

2008-08-31T16:27:00.000+01:00

My Aussie mate and I are off to Epernay next month so we felt it only fitting to find out a little bit more about the sparkly wonder....Champagne. Who better than to guide us through the basics than the amazing Arno.

From an underground room in the heart of Edinburgh Arno explains the complexities of fermenting, blending and time it takes to produce a fine vintage and the short sharp creation of a sparkling wine. The background over, we move on to the challenge of the evening.

Arno presented Group A, only described as Wine 1 and Wine 2:

Wine 1
To look at: Very pale salmon pink, the mousse dissipates quickly, leaving large bubbles.
On the nose: Fruity, fresh raspberries and strawberries.
To taste: Dry, with balanced acidity, it's light, the strawberry features too. Not great length.
It's a pretty good, fresh tasting wine.
Wine 2
To look at: Pale again but with a coppery tinge. The bubbles are smaller, the mousse stays a little longer than wine 1.
On the nose: Less fruity, crisp apples and toast.
To taste: Very dry, higher acidity, astringent with bursts of crisp apples.

After much deliberation the majority of the group decided that wine 2 was the champagne and they were correct, a wine from Henriot 2002 (£38). Wine 1 being a prosecco from the Veneto region of Italy. Both wines having a time and a place to be enjoyed.

Arno now presents Group B:

Wine 1
To look at: Bright pale golden straw, a few small slow moving bubbles.
On the nose: Buttery toast, yeast and caramel. Hints of honeysuckle and apples.
To taste: Very dry with a burst of fizz. It feels light and elegant coating the palate with crisp apples and butterscotch. It has amazing length.
Wine 2
To look at: It's paler than wine 1 and has small bubbles and lots of them.
On the nose: Not as strong on the nose, grassy, spicy and lemony.
To taste: Burst of bubbles that quickly fade. A slight sweet but bitter after taste, medium length.

We all picked wine 1 to be the champagne, another success for us! Wine 1 being a non vintage Krug (£129) and wine 2, a 2002 vintage from Chapel Down in Kent. With the same soil as Champagne country the Kent area is getting some recognition for it's sparkling wine although personally I'm not sure I 'd choose this one off the shelf.

Onto Group C

Wine 1
To look at: Pale golden straw yellow with a hint of green, a few small bubbles.
On the nose: Quite green/grassy, butterscotch, spicy and smokey. But all aromas quite faint.
To taste: Dry and savoury. Flat, the bubbles don't last. Has a slight metallic/sulphur taste.

Wine 2
To look at: Similar colour, small fast moving bubbles.
On the nose: Delightful on the nose, elegant orangy, lime and vanilla.
To taste: Dry with balanced acidity. But buttery and astringent too. Fizz is long as is the length.

I think this was a pretty obvious one. Wine 1 was Cremant de Limoux, Toques Clochers (£13.99). Wine 2 Champagne from Taittenger (£31.99), a really nice wine for the price.

And finally, Group D
Wine 1
To look at: Very pale, hint of green, lots of small bubbles.
On the nose: Gooseberries, apples and honeysuckle.
To taste: Dry, crisp apples with a sweet finish. Bubbles don't last.
Wine 2
To look at: Golden yellow, few bubbles that don't last.
On the nose: Honey, kerosene, savoury, a bit like sherry almost medicinal.
To taste: Dry, you feel the sparkle on the palate. It's full bodied and has a nutmeg/honey long finish.

Wine 1 was a little disappointing although drunk independently without a Champagne comparison and with a nice piece of fish who knows? It's a Reme More, Creme d'Alsace, it's a Pinot Blanc, a grape that is never going to dazzle. Wine 2 is a 1993 vintage La Grande Dame from Veuve Clicquot (£109). It's the oldest champagne I have tasted and I like how it as developed into a more vivacious, full bodied wine, a real treat.

My favourite? Based on value for money and enjoyment I would choose the Taittenger .

All in all a fun evening with the opportunity to try some great wine and learn a little too.

Thank you British Airways

2008-06-18T19:36:00.000+01:00

After a rather disastrous journey with British Airways I have received a selection of 3 wines by way of an apology. I'll add them to the cellar and let you know when the cork is popped (or screw cap twisted).
Rosemount - Chardonnay 2006 (Australia)
Ses'fikile Matriarch - Shiraz 2004 (South Africa)
Santa Rita Reserva - Merlot 2005 (Valle del Maipo - Chile)

Le Di Vin, Edinburgh

2008-06-18T18:46:00.000+01:00

We moved to Edinburgh a couple of years ago during the height of the festival. On our walk home we would often pop in to La P'tite Folie for a last glass of wine, a delightful French restaurant upstairs and a haven amongst the madness downstairs. We moved across the city and I haven't had chance to drop in for some time. However last weekend my Aussie mate an I were in the area and so I suggested dropping in for a night cap.
I was expecting to arrive at the little bar but was some what surprised. The small bar is still there and has a 'restaurant' sign on the door. But to the left is the new wine bar Le Di-Vin. Housed in the Tudor building and next door the La P'tite Folie on Randolph Place.
I returned to Le Di Vin on the following Tuesday for a glass of wine after work, this time accompanied by Monsieur and Vin the Man.
It looks new and feels new but at the same time the large glass windows in the ceiling retain the history of this impressive building (formerly a chapel). The decor is tasteful and the bar impressive. There's a ground floor area and a mezzanine balcony from where you have an open view of the fantastic large bar area below. From the mezzanine you can glimpse the rotunda of one of the buildings that edge Charlotte Square.
Now to the wine-list. It's extensive with a good representation of wine from across the globe. There are a few familiar names along with numerous new ones to discover. The list is well presented and organised with lots of great wines available not only by the bottle but by the glass too.

First try:
Cooper's Creek, Marlborough NZ 2006 - I was feeling nostalgic, we spend 18 months leaving in Wellington, I'd received a text from a friend there the day before about how much he missed us. It's a light pinot, some black fruits but not intense, the savoury notes feel stronger on the nose and the palate. 2006 was the year we left and NZ and if my memory serves me right it wasn't a great summer, which probably explains this. It's not the best NZ pinot I've ever had but it holds it's own and takes me back to Wellington, a good start.

We order a mixed plate of cheese and dried meats. There's lots of choice, the salami is outstanding. There's a hard cheese (sorry don't know the name) which is just lovely. This came with a basket of bread too, all was fresh and well presented.

Round two:
Cote de Beaune, Domaine Jessiaume, 2006
I'm sticking to the pinot for a bit of comparison. This one is fruitier than the NZ and works perfectly with the cheeses on offer. The acidity was quite high but with the food that's no problem. I enjoy this little number.

The boys opt for something different:
Marques de Riscal - Rioja at £15.50 a bottle it's a really reasonable price for a great wine. The tempranillo grapes show their true character, it's earthy, mushroomy with dark fruits such a plums and blackberries. The tannins are smooth and balance is good, the flavours lingering on my tongue for some time.

Le Di-Vin is a great place and I'm looking forward to working my way through the fantastic wine list.

Top marks!

Only one suggestion from Monsieur Vin, a couple of comfy sofa's would be divine, although I don't think we would ever leave if this were the case...........

A few recommendations

2008-06-15T18:22:00.000+01:00

I've spent the last few months getting back to the appreciation of wine rather than the analysis, here are a few recommendations from my endeavours:

Luis Cavas, Reserva Fauilia, 2001, Rioja (Alavesa) - had this little number whilst having dinner at Oloroso, Edinburgh. The sommelier was very knowledgeable and helped with my choice. No notes as such just a great match to my ostrich, smooth, fresh and fruity.

Senorio De Cruces, Albarino (Spanish white) - Picking a Spanish white in a french restaurant probably isn't the done thing but Monsieur Vin had never tried this grape and I new he would like it. Mouton Noir is a relatively new French establishment recently opened in the Bruntsfield area of Edinburgh. An easy drinking white, but a bad match for my rich french main course, great wine, wrong food match. Would be lovely with Paella.

Cooper Hill, Pinot Noir, Oregon, USA - believe it or not I had this wine on the in the Oregon Bar and Grill on the 42nd floor of the Detsu building in Tokyo with spaghetti in a tomato sauce with King Crab. Divine, light fresh and a great price this organic little number was a great accompaniment to the food, the view and the company.

Burgundy Wine Tasting - Arno's Wine Club - Edinburgh

2008-06-15T17:50:00.000+01:00

Arno is a man who clearly knows his stuff when it comes to French wine. It's the first tasting session I have been to in Edinburgh that isn't interested in what you purchase but aims to provide you with information about the area the wine comes from (in form of OHP ), a bit of history, terroir and the grapes.
I have my Aussie mate in tow who admits she knows nothing about French wine but is a prolific drinker of Aussie wine and dabbles a little with the odd Italian. She discovers all the reds will be Pinot Noir and all the whites will be Chardonnay as this is a Burgundy wine tasting, a strange concept for an Australian.

I relish the opportunity to try £70 bottle of Burgundy and hope I am not disappointed.

The wines we tried:
The Whites
Domaine Bouchard 2004 Prem Cru £23.95
Puligny Montrachet, Domaine des Lambrays 2005 Prem Cru £52.00
Meusault-Charmes 2001 Prem Cru £70.00

The Reds
Macon Louis Latour 2005
Lavigny Les Beaune 2005 £20
Domaine Faiveley, Clos des Cortons, Grand Cru , 2000 £80

Apologies if these names aren't quite correct, but all the wines were delightful and my notes leave a lot to be desired.

The whites provide various levels of lovely toast and vanilla but it has to be said the Meusault-Charmes had an excellent balance and good length. The cheaper ones are sharper and less smooth but have great qualities at a more reasonable price. My fellow tasters were certainly from the more affluent areas of Edinburgh and it is certainly the first time I have heard the suggestion for a food match "Oh I think this wine would go beautifully with foire grois, what"

The reds are good too, lots of earthy mushroomy aromas to fill the nostrils. The grand cru is a complex mix of all things pinot, but £80? I'm not sure.

If I had to pick a favourite it would be the Domaine des Lambrays 2005 Prem Cru

All in all a fantastic evening and some great discoveries including where the Edinburgh hoy poloy hang out of an evening.

Te Mata Woodthorpe Estate (Hawkes Bay, New Zealand) from the archives

2008-03-24T15:52:00.000Z

In the early hours of East Monday morning I had a call from a friend in New Zealand. It's summer there and although Wellington is never baking hot, it's certainly warmer than the UK just now. This took me back to the time Monsieur Vin and I talk a road trip from the top to bottom of the land of the long white cloud, before settling in Wellington. One of our stops was in Napier on the east coast and we took the opportunity to investigate what was on offer at the local vineyards. We had some delightful wines, one of which I thoroughly enjoyed and have since found for sale in Edinburgh!
The Te Mata estate is one of the oldest, if not the oldest in NZ and dates back to the 1890's. Just to the west of Napier along the Tutaekuri river is the Woodthorpe vineyard. We had the 2004 vintage and as I look back at my notes I described it as:

Deep crimson colour. Red berry fruits, fresh gentle aromas. Peppery spices to both aroma and taste. Smooth balanced fine tannins.

The splash of viognier with the spicy syrah is a traditional wine making technique in France’s Rhône Valley. I think the combination really works and unlike some NZ wines this wine develops over time and benefits from being left in the bottle 2-4 years after harvest.

It's a great wine - if you can find it, give it a go.

Casillero del Diablo - 2006 Carmenere

2008-03-23T19:27:00.000Z

Watch this space.......

Wine Man Insures His Nose

2008-03-23T19:04:00.000Z

There are few wine news stories that I share on this page but there's been one this week that I feel deserves a mention.

Ilja Gort is the Dutch owner of the Bordeaux vineyard Chateau de la Garde has insured his nose against loss of the item and against losing his sense of smell. A policy that is worth nearly £4 million. He took out the policy after hearing about a man who lost his sense of smell in a car accident. The insurance contract includes a list of what Gort considers "old-fashioned rules" to protect his nose. The Dutchman is not allowed to ride a motorcycle or be a boxer, knife thrower's assistant or a fire-breather.

After doing a bit more research I discovered he wasn't the first to do this.

In 2003, the supermarket chain Somerfield insured the tongue and tastebuds of its senior wine buyer, Angela Mount, for a £10m, arguing that the skills of her "olfactory system" were responsible for greatly increasing its wine sales. Lloyd's also insures the taste buds of restaurateur Egon Ronay and the nostrils of perfume specialists.

I'd love to know the annual cost of such a policy...........

Chateau la Noe - Muscadet sur lie - 2006

2008-03-09T20:35:00.000Z

Scotland beat England yesterday in the Six Nations. We stayed at home to watch the game, glad we did now!

I've been hearing on the news all weekend that the worst storm of the winter is heading towards the UK. Fortunately and unusually the worst affected areas are going to be in the south not the north.

I had a text from a friend. A man disaster looms, I feel for her and the run of bad luck she has been suffering for the last few months. Things can only get better for her.

So, I raise my glass to her, may happier times be on the horizon.

The wine shimmers in the vivid spot lights of the kitchen. Sometimes it appears a deep yellow, other times it seems transparent.
The grassy aromas of a Loire Valley (cool climate) wine hits my nostrils. But I can also sense floral undertones, they're subtle but definitely there.
It's sharp, dry and tart on my tongue. It's viscous with body, lemony and herby. It coats my mouth with a mixture of savoury and citrus is full and satisfying.

Muscadet's are a non-complicated, dry wine. For a Sunday night's quaffing, it's perfect.

This wine is available from Nicolas for £6.25

Baron de Hoen - Reisling Burgreben

2008-03-09T20:19:00.000Z

I'm watching last week's Torchwood and need something to calm my nerves as death stalks the corridors of a hospital. My legs ache after a workout at the gym earlier this evening.
Winter is back with a vengeance, a sprinkling of snow on the hills I can see from the office window. It's been a long and decidedly stressful day. Too much work, not enough time.......

Anyway, back to business. I've opened a bottle of Vin d'alsace riesling from the cellar.

It's golden straw in colour, a rich sunshine yellow. It's strong on the nose with tropical fruits, lychee's and honeysuckle.

I take a sip, sucking in air to release the flavours, they burst on to my tongue, nectar and grapefruits. Acidity is high as it slides down my throat. It has great length that leaves a lingering citrussy coating on the tongue.

After a few sips I melt in to the sofa and let my aches, pains and stresses of the day melt away.

Available from Nicolas, £9.25

Cantina Zaccagnini - Montepulciano d' Abruzzo 2003

2007-12-30T17:47:00.000Z

The sky is clear and there's a stiff cold November breeze. We dart from our apartment on Horatio Street to La Foccacia a small bistro in Manhattans meat packing district close to the hum of Village life. The welcome is warm and friendly and the place is full of locals. We slowly take off our layers and settle down to peruse the menu. The wine list has many wines, some familiar but plenty of new faces too.
After a 7 hour flight from Edinburgh and a tinge of jet lag hanging over me I plump for known territory. I don't think I've ever had a disappointing Montepulciano d' Abruzzo. This one is from Cantina Zaccagnini. This cantina produce a great many different wines and have some award winners in amongst them. 2003 was a hot year in Italy but successful as the montepulciano grape can stand the heat with excellent results. The Il vino dal Tracetto was as expected. The solid familiar deep red and the aroma of stewed damsons and suet pudding. It's dry, smooth east drinking wine and I wish there had been a chocolate on the dessert menu, I just love this wine type of wine with dark chocolate.......
It's not fancy or complex and as I said there were no surprises, a perfect wine for this occasion.

As I'm finding with most Italian wine producers Cantina Zaccagnini has a cool website: http://www.cantinazaccagnini.it/

There wines are inexpensive and can be bought from:
http://www.thecellardoor.it/

La Serre 2006 Sauvignon Blanc - defining modern France

2007-10-20T11:42:00.000+01:00

At least that's what it says on the label.

It's Saturday night and friends we haven't seen since leaving NZ arrive for a flying visit, a visit that coincides with the Scotland v NZ game in the Rugby World Cup.
We choose a small restaurant on the Lothian Road that appears to provide every type of eastern promise......Japanese, Chinese, Malaysian...........I'm surprised that a Riesling isn't on the wine list, a great match for this type of food.
At £12.95 a bottle La Serre is cheap but I wouldn't say cheerful, more quite happy.
Originating from Southern France it's not too green and is quite different to the NZ SBs our guests are used to.
We catch up on news and gossip from NZ and predict the scores for tomorrow's match, all in all a great evening. We are last to leave the restaurant and head home amongst the loud and vibrant party goers of the city.

Tasting notes:
It's not a powerful on the nose but you can detect subtle ripe white fruits.
On the palate it's dry but not tart with a hint grass but powerful white fruits such as pear and melon.

Domaine de Salvert - Tasting Notes Part 2 Sweet & Sparkling

2007-07-29T16:13:00.000+01:00

We finished our afternoon's tasting with a delightful semi-sweet that Georges recommended with white meats such as roast chicken. Only produced in 2003 and 2006 it was floral and sweet but not too overpowering. This was followed a semi-sweet rose made from the cabernet franc, a personal favourite of Georges. It's orange tile red (tuille) and the fresh sweetness asking to be drunk with hot and spicy foods. It's a really drinkable wine and I can imagine its appeal to young and old alike, especially ladies.

The 2004 Cremant de Loire we enjoyed in the comfort of the living room. A great crisp taste of apples, citrus, limes and a dryness that compliments the fruit flavours delightfully. The bubbles on the tongue are insistent and vibrant and lengthy.

The final tasting of Rose Cremant, yet to be released and called Esprit de Sophie (Sophie being Georges daughter who is due to be married this September) I guess you could call the icing on the cake. Not too floral on the nose, a perfect balance of fruit and fizz on the tongue. It has a freshness and taste that's hard to describe.

It's available from next year but only to wine partners, perhaps a reason to have the vines for another year at Domaine de Salvert. I can't wait for my order to arrive.

Domaine de Salvert - Tasting Notes - Part 1

2007-07-29T15:57:00.000+01:00

Rose - 2006 70% Grolleau/30% Cabernet Franc
To look at - brick red, changes in the light from red to orange, clear edge
On the nose - fresh strawberries and raspberries
To taste - fresh fruits can be tasted on the palate too with a dry finish loaded with fruit
A fantastic rose, made for summer evenings. Would be great with spicy salads.

White - Chenin Blanc 2006
To look at - clear and fresh, moves freely in the glass
On the nose - white fresh fruits - pears, melons at the peak of ripeness. Also some elderberry and floral honeysuckle.
To taste - fresh and dry, but not too dry with again the fruits clamoring on my tongue
A surprisingly complex wine yet simple wine (if that makes sense?) that would be a great match for fish, white meat salads and seafood such as oysters.

Red - 40% Cabernet Franc/60% Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
To look at - quite a deep red but still has the same freshness as the rose/white
On the nose - dark fruits - black currents, damsons that are fresh and ready to eat
To taste - the dark fruits handle the dry finish well, smooth and lengthy
A great accompaniment to any red meat dish including duck salads

Domaine de Salvert - Georges Bureau

2007-07-29T15:27:00.000+01:00

I think I've mentioned before about renting a row of vines in the Loire Valley. These vines are at the Domaine de Salvert owned by Georges Bureau.
It was a cooler morning as we made our way from Domaine L'Etang our accommodation, a domaine that seems as old and as tired as the old dog that stretches out on the front lawn. The clouds were low and threatening and drops of rain could be felt on the breeze. But the greeting we received from Georges warmed the air delightfully. With the bouncing golden Labrador forever at his side (who was clearly in charge), he lead us outside and we walked along the quiet country rode to the vines.
Monsieur Bureau has owned Domaine de Salvert for 10 years now and has seen the trend for demand change from red to rose. The vines range from just a few weeks old up to 45 years old and are a mixture of Grolleau (for the rose), Chenin Blanc and some Cabernet Franc & Sauvignon. Here is a winemaker who is working with nature and the soil to use less sulphates and chemicals to keep the many diseases in check. He's passionate about quality not quantity and you can tell he loves the challenges being a winemaker brings. Phrases such as "but we do not complain" and "we will be crying" are used when talking about the bureaucracy of the french wine industry or the climate changes. His award winning red and is innovative sparkling are made with enthusiasm and determination in an industry thwart with difficulties.

France, Loire Valley 2007 - Part 2 Les Partanieres Muscadet Sur Lie 2006

2007-07-29T15:16:00.000+01:00

From an area to the east of Nantes, again, I wish this wine had been served colder. I'm in an unusual little restaurant in Nantes called Chez Maman. The walls are covered in every imaginable item, from photos to clocks to lights, you name it, it's there. At only 20 euros a bottle it's probably a little over priced but hey, we are on on holiday.

To look at - again very light in colour, hard to see in the dim light
On the nose - granny smiths, unripe fruits such as gooseberries
To taste - this has a bit of fizz on the tongue and I love the crispness of the apples mixed with pears and hints nectar

Accompanied with some beautiful smoked salmon quite an enjoyable wine, fit for the occasion.

France, Loire Valley 2007 - Part 1 Le Soleil Nantais

2007-07-29T14:58:00.000+01:00

Maybe it was because I had such high expectations (as normal) but the local wine I tasted during my visit just didn't get my taste buds tingling.
A visit to Nantes would not be complete without a taste of Muscadet Sur Lie, meaning on leys, the wine having be left with the leys for a time. I know Muscadet is not a complex wine but I've had a few fruity numbers in my time that have a dryness that makes you smack you lips.
Le Soleil Nantais, Guilbaud Frères was enjoyable but served a little warm. Made from 100% Melon (generally know as muscadet)from selected vineyards of the Sèvre and Maine .

To look at - it's light in colour, almost clear
On the nose - water melon and just a hint of must, perhaps some floral undertones
Taste - it's quite flat and green but also has a quite a nice minerality possibly from the calcium rich soil

Certainly a food wine and due to it's temperature it lacks the bite I love about Muscadet, or perhaps the richness of the food, pork and rhubarb, was just the wrong match.

Sherwood Estate Marlborough New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc 2005

2007-06-16T16:59:00.000+01:00

It’s a cloudy, grey Friday afternoon in June and the Edinburgh streets are full of tourists and shoppers. I step off the train having spent the morning on a course in Glasgow. It’s 2pm and I don’t fancy the planned trip to the supermarket. I get a text from my aussie mate informing me she has managed to secure me and Monsieur Vin the last 2 tickets for the Radio 4s Loose Ends show to be recorded during the festival in August. We’d tried in vain to book them on the internet the previous night whilst enjoying a rather nice bottle of Shiraz/Grenache called Wallace from the Barossa Valley but without success. How cool! This also meant she was in town, I gave her a call.
“Where are you?”
“Princes Street, where are you?”
“Morrison Street, fancy meeting for a cheeky glass of wine?”
“What a marvellous idea” she cried
We agreed to make our way to Wigham’s Wine Cellar and who ever got there first would order a glass of dry white, sauvignon blanc. The stone steps take me to underground Edinburgh, I pull open the large wooden door and I am confronted with a large mirror before turning left in to the bar area. It’s windy outside and my hair looks like it bore the brunt of the easterly blast. I’d forgotten how dark Wigham's is when you first enter; it takes a few minutes for my eyes to adjust. I could barely see my fellow conspirator in the gloom. I spot her tucked away in one of the alcoves in this delightful cellar bar. She hasn’t been here before and comments that if she ever needs a venue for an assignation then this would certainly be it.
She’s due to meet a lady from the Scottish Executive at 3.30pm to complete a social survey she has been randomly chosen for. She’s already purchased 2 glasses of the Sherwood Estate sauv. It’s a New Zealand classic. It’s dry and earthy; you can taste the greenness of the country itself. It’s served really cold, it’s crisp and light, and the acidity is balanced. We start to put the worlds to rights and decide we have time for one more small glass. Outside, but unknown to us, the rain has begun to fall with a vengeance. But down here it’s a haven of wine and conversation. My friend suddenly looks at her watch, it’s nearly 4pm, she’s missed the lady from the executive, we look at each other and smile, time for one more then………………………………………..

Taste Edinburgh - Appellation Wines

2007-06-16T16:58:00.000+01:00

A relatively new wine company that is internet based and delivers to your door. It has approximately 150 wines on offer, the only stipulation is you order minimum of 12 bottles. The wines have obviously been chosen carefully by someone who has a passion and an understanding of the industry. It’s not about the name or a particular area; it’s about what each individual wine has to offer. They also offer tasting sessions, quizzes for all group sizes, basically if it’s to do with wine they can arrange it. Check out there website at www.appellationwines.co.uk
Buisse Method Traditional Sparkling NV (12%). I had to try this one because of the price, just £9.49. It’s got lovely citrus flavours and dry, just how I like it. A great one for weddings etc. A real bargain for a great wine.
Buisse Pouilly Fume 2005 (12.5%) £12.49
A delight, one to stock for summer days to go with salads and salmon. Gooseberries, herbs, green fruits, grasses with subtle honeysuckle, hmmm lovely.
F Schawach Gewurztraminer Reserve 2004 (13%) £8.40
Gewurtz is a grape that I don’t get along with terribly well. On the one hand I love the way it varies so much, each time I try one it’s different again and even the same one develops and changes over time. Now I know this is a good thing but I do find it takes a long time to find the type that suits me and my tastes, but once I have then it’s fantastic. That’s why at these events if there is one on offer I generally give it a go. This is a good gewurtz with strong pink grapefruits and lychees, it has good length and an interesting complexity but it’s not for me. If you like sweeter wines with zesty finish you’ll love it.

Taste Edinburgh Part 6 – Bordeaux Reds – Saved the best until last!

2007-06-16T16:57:00.000+01:00

Chateau Robin from the appellation Cotes de Castillon, one of the most eastern appellations. My favourite by far. It’s a well rounded, well balanced wine with lovely smooth tannins. The dark fruit and spicy oak form a perfect harmony. I don’t know where Earle Wines Ltd is who stock this wine but I intend to find out.

Taste Edinburgh Part 5 – Bordeaux Reds £10-£15

2007-06-16T16:56:00.002+01:00

The Graves appellation is on the left bank of the Gironde but is further south than Haut-Medoc. Chateau Haut Selve produces a 50/50 split between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon I think is a great blend that offers a well bodied wine with blackberries and spices all rolled in to one and this one does not disappoint. The tannins give a good lengthy finish and with lashings of vanilla and hints of red currents, I really like this wine. It’s pricier than some but well worth it.
Chateau la Garde situated in the appellation Pessac-Leognan just outside the town of Bordeaux supplies a blend of Merlot (60), Cabernet Sauvignon (35) and Cabernet Franc (5). Looks similar to the Chateau Haut Selve but has a much drier finish. Its complex wine that I would like to buy and see how it changes from one night to the next once opened. This way of tasting I don’t think did it justice. I could tell this wine has good structure with nice vanilla undertones.

Taste Edinburgh Part 4 Bordeaux Reds £5-£10

2007-06-16T16:56:00.001+01:00

The Haut-Medoc appellation is situated on the left bank of the Gironde, sandwiched between the river and the ocean. Chateau Reysson Reserve du Chateau provided a blend of Merlot (60) and Cabernet Sauvignon (40). Deep red although again not the best tasting glass, it smells of stewed damsons and plums. It’s dry on the palate and rhubarbs join the rich oakiness. It’ well balanced and I’d certainly buy a bottle to go with a Sunday roast.
The appellation Saint-Emilion lies to the east, along the Dordogne. Vieux Chateau Les Jouans provides a blend of Merlot (85) and Cabernet Sauvignon (15). Rich, dark and spicy. To taste: a delightful blend of dark fruits and mint. The tannins are evident but not over powering.

Taste Edinburgh Part 3 – Bordeaux Sweets

2007-06-16T16:55:00.000+01:00

£11.99 (35cl) for Tesco Finest Sauternes a blend of Semillon (85), Sauvignon Blanc (13) and Muscadelle (2). Sweet wines aren’t a personal favourite of mine but here goes. It’s rich and has the sweetness of clear honey on the nose. It’s powerful but not cloying and has quite an intense finish. The bitterness of bonfire toffee is evident too.

Taste Edinburgh - Part 2 Bordeaux Whites

2007-06-16T16:53:00.000+01:00

Bordeaux Whites £5-£10
The two whites in the £5-£10 range were very light. The first Chateau Bonnet from the appellation Entre Deux Merswhich lays south Creon and south of the Dordogne, a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (45), Semillon (35) and Sauvignon Gris (15). Clean and crisp with lemony twist. I don’t pick up much grassiness from the Sauv Blanc as this I think has been tempered by the Semillon. It’s an okay wine for the price.
The Premius from the appellation Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc (90) and Semillon (10). Its colour is very pale; to taste it’s a bit disappointing. It’s clean and fresh like the first but it lacks complexity. There are some fruit flavours such as pear and melon. If you like a very light easy drinking wine then this is for you.
Bordeaux Whites £10-£15
We have Grand Enclos de Cerons from the appellation Bordeaux a blend of Semillon (70), Sauvignon (21) and Sauvignon Gris (9). It’s looks more viscous in the glass (although it’s quite hard to tell in the little plastic cup we are using, a really awful way of tasting) and has a deeper colour. To taste: it’s fresh with a good balance of acidity, ripe summer fruits with a hint of spice, rather lovely I think.
Madlys de Sainte-Marie again from the Entre-duex-Mers is another good example of a light white wine. Sauvignon Blanc (62), Semillon (28) and Muscadelle (10). Definite floral notes on the nose, honeysuckle and nectar. To taste: it’s sweeter than expected and holds the floral aspect, with ripe pears. But there’s also a hint of flint and sulphur. A nice cheeky easy drinking wine.

Taste Edinburgh - Bordeaux

2007-06-16T16:52:00.000+01:00

The ladies on this stand were not from the vineyards themselves but were there because they liked Bordeaux wines and were promoting the region as a whole.
Laura Clay guided me through there tasting with a passion for each and every one. The French wine industry has been struggling against fierce global competition and it’s good to see a region pulling together to increase peoples awareness of what the region has to offer. Bordeaux is located 45 degrees latitude north. It fills the riverbanks of the Gironde Rive and continues south along the Dordogne. To the west is the Atlantic Ocean, the Landes forest provides a natural wind break for the vineyards. Terroir is diverse with clay, gravel, chalk and limestone present across the 57 appellations. Laura provided a booklet A Guide to Bordeaux Wines, a leaflet about the l’Ecole du Vin, a very informative mini guide to the Bordeaux region and a copy of the magazine Bordeaux, Uncork The Potential. All of which have are great sources of information. Further information can also be found at www.bordeaux.com .We’re off the Loire this year but I think a visit to Bordeaux next year is certainly on the list now.
Now for the tasting – there’s a list of 77 wines that includes the name, appellation, vintage, price, blend, stockists, tasting notes and they all have a Decanter 2007 medal at the side of them, all Bronze or Silver. None are more than £15 a bottle a sign perhaps that Bordeaux is going for the easy drinking market. There are 12 available to try.

Taste of Edinburgh, The Meadows, 9th June 2007

2007-06-16T16:50:00.000+01:00

The sun shone and temperatures increased as the afternoon slipped by. Nestled in the Meadows are of Edinburgh (so very different from the Meadows in Nottingham) a number of stands and marquees have been erected. Each one contains food delights from local restaurants such as First Coast and other food and wine companies from River Cottage to Leffe Beer.

I visited a number of the stands and thoroughly enjoyed the Leffe Beer Master Class, matching beer and food.

I have a few highlights to share with you so here goes with a series of summaries from that lovely afternoon.

Valpolicella - Portone 2006

2007-05-16T18:49:00.000+01:00

What do I expect for £4.99? To be honest not a great deal and it's been awhile since I bought a wine for this price. But whilst browsing in my new local Odd Bins I saw this on the bottom shelf. The blend of Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara grapes is a blend I've seen before and liked so couldn't resist.

The label depicts the Portone a lovely church in Verona and is simple red & cream, the cork is plastic!

It's only 11.5% alcohol which based on a lot of current wines, can be a rare thing.

To look at: as it says on the label it's ruby red, it moves freely and looks light and fresh
On the nose: There are definite cherries and a little damp bark
To taste: it's not complex and edges towards savoury and dry with a red berry finish

For the price you can't complain, it's an honest drinkable little number, and we did, the whole bottle and no hint of a hangover. Definitely one to stock up on. We had it with a Monsieur Vin Spanish chicken special - a really good match.

Valminor, D.O Rias Baixas, 2004 -Spanish

2007-04-22T16:45:00.000+01:00

Apologies for the long gap between postings, this is mainly due to moving house and the usual lack of time in a busy schedule. But back I am and pleased to start with a lovely wine experience.
At long last Monsieur Vin and I are settled in our new abode and thought we should celebrate this by going out for a nice meal. It's a tough choice in Edinburgh, there being so many restaurants but we eventually settled on a placed called Iggs. Described as a Spanish establishment with an extensive wine list to boot. Tucked away on Jeffrey Street it's a delightful restaurant with excellent ambiance, with a tapas bar next door too.
The mainly fish based menu drew me towards white rather than red. I know very little about Spanish wine and although it's always nice to find a fruity Rioja, my whites is limited. The wine list is indeed extensive and excellent with wines priced from around £20 up into the hundreds. We were offered advice on our choice too. I chose the Valminor as it's 100% Albarino, a grape I'm pretty sure I've tasted before and enjoyed and at £25.50 the price seemed reasonable too. D.O Rias Baixas is situated in the cooler climes of north-west Spain, close to the Portuguese border.
To look at: It's a deeper yellow than I expect and looks creamy.
On the nose: It has a rich honey aroma, floral notes but an underlying freshness of peaches. It's a complex wine, each time I have a smell it develops and changes.
To taste: Surprisingly light given it's colour and aromas. The acidity is really well balanced and bursts of citrus lemon takes me buy surprise.
Coupled with the starter tiger prawns wrapped in jamon and halibut as a main it's a great match. I'm certainly going to look out for this one. They have a great website too, you can check it out at http://www.adegasvalminor.com/en_bodega.html

Chandon Vintage Brut 2003 (Australia)

2007-03-12T19:27:00.000Z

Purchased direct from the vineyard in the Yarra Valley and transported across the globe by an Aussie friend who had promised me I'd be around when the cork was finally popped and I'm really pleased to say she was true to her word.

Domaine Chandon Australia was established in the Yarra Valley, Victoria in 1986 by Moet & Chandon. On the front of the bottle it states the wine is a "Classic blend of premium Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meurier."

Made using Methode Traditionale (the same as Champagne but in a different region), blended with over 30 individual base wines and aged over yeast for 30 months.

At last on a breezy but mild Edinburgh night, only hours after Scotland had been beaten by Ireland in the Six Nations by only one point (far less than expected) Monsieur Vin and I made our way over Dean Bridge to a delightful apartment on Oxford Terrace.

The flat's bathed in subdued light and is warm and cosy after our walk across town. The bottle of Brut is prised open on arrival. The mousse looks smooth and inviting, I can't wait to try it. We chink glasses. The aroma hits my nostrils and they are filled with apple, pear, biscuits, toast and melons. It's smooth and creamy to taste, the bubbles bounce off my tongue and the taste lingers.

For my Aussie friend it brings back memories of home. Being at home in Melbourne, at the beach house, family occasions and ship launches (she's ex Australian forces). This makes it a top-class wine in my books.

Sincere thanks to my Aussie friend for this opportunity.

If you would like to try this one yourself it retails in the UK under the name Green Point but it's hard to come by. They have a website but it has a few errors on it.
http://www.greenpointwines.com.au/

Varramista - Syrah 1995 (Florence)

2007-03-04T14:53:00.000Z

The history of the Varramista estate is fascinating and dates back to 1300 when it was donated to Gino di Neri Capponi (1350-1421) who led the Florentine militia to victory against the city of Pisa in 1406. Gino di Neri Capponi is said to have built the Villa as a solid outpost against the Pisans. More recently in 1953 designers and manufacturers of the legendary Vespa scooter Dr. Enrico Piaggio purchased the Villa and its land from the Marquis Folco Gentile Farinola, making it his country home and hunting property. You can read more on their website http://www.varramista.it/

I chose this one from the list because it was listed under the 'super tuscan' section of the wine list, it's 1995 (a good vintage for the area), and Monsiur Vin would like a relatively light wine. The bottle appears suitably dusty and has no reverse label.
There's a little bit of sediment when poured so we ask for the bottle to be decantered.

The restaurant Osteria de la Tattoria is tucked away in a street behind Santa Croce. The food was standard Italian fayre but service was a little disappointing e.g. they forgot our starters completely.

The wine
It's savoury and peppery on the nose an added mix of ripe red fruits. After time I sense a hint of woodiness too. To taste the pepperiness is evident and the fruits have become subtle undertones. The smoothness of the tannins make it a pleasant drink and with slices of tender beef cooked rare it is a pleasure.

La Campagne - Merlot (The Tower Hotel, London)

2007-03-04T14:19:00.000Z

I had some reservations about staying at this hotel as reports from my colleagues were less than favourable. But all in all my room was okay, a little tired but certainly fine for my three night stay. All the staff I have had dealings have been professional, efficient and polite. My room is on the 9th floor with a fantastic view of Tower Bridge.

I order room service after a long day at the office to avoid the ritual of dining alone in a business hotel restaurant. I look at the wine list and notice the house wine, £11.95 for a 500ml carafe. There is no indication of the style or country of origin, an unknown entity. I look down the list of wine available by the glass. It's the second time recently where I have been to a place where only a 250ml glass is on offer.

I find this annoying for a number of reasons. Firstly, the lack of choice depending on my mood and time, more often than not it's the 175ml I prefer. Secondly, it could be a large glass of mediocre wine you end up with. Thirdly, I'm sure many people believe that a couple of glasses of wine of an evening is a safe amount to drink. But, if it's two 250ml glasses (13% wine) that's 6.5 units, even over 3 nights that's 19.5units. The guidelines for healthy state 14 units per week for women.

The La Campagne is the cheapest on the list at £5.95. It's described as having lots of plummy fruit and soft rounded tannins.

To look at: It's a really deep red and looks full bodied.
On the nose: Definite black plums, black cherries and a hint of the bonfire toffee my brother used to make when we were kids.
To taste: It's full and rich, it's what the kiwi's would call 'wine with grunt'. The fruit flavours are a little flabby and the tannins cover the inside of my mouth. There's a slight bitter after taste which is a shame but other than that it's okay. It needs a strong food accompaniment. I feel it's trying to compete with the current wave of new world wines that people seem to love. It's big and brash. If you like delicate, subtle wines this one is not for you if not, go for it.

I don't manage to finish the glass, 175ml would have been perfect.

Ca'ronesca - Pinot grigio ( Centotre, Edinburgh)

2007-03-04T13:49:00.000Z

I revealed this evening the name of my alter-ego Madame Vin to a group of work colleagues and it was met with some hilarity, I just don't understand why!

We needed to celebrate a number key milestone of the project and the fact we are almost at the end of what at times has been a hard slog. I chose the fantastic Edinburgh establishment of Centotre that as always didn't let me down (well apart from perhaps the fruit salad, but that's another story).

I was very tempted to choose the Casa Roma offering on the wine list but in the end I decided upon the Ca'ronesca Collio, Pinot Grigio 2005. I do love the way the folks at Centrotre pick their wines. It's all based on small growers who care about the whole wine process and experience and Ca'ronesca are no exception. The first few lines on their website read.

'Our aim is to produce wines of excellence which reflect the character of a terroir with an exceptional vocation for wine growing'

I can't remember the exact price of this bottle but I'm pretty sure it was only around £20, a fantastic price for a fantastic wine.

My tasting notes were not scribbled down as normal, but were typed into my colleagues PDA and them emailed to me direct, how very cool!

Some members of the group felt the wine was served a little warm, I sometimes like this as ice cold can sometimes disguise faults in a wine. A lovely pinot, straw yellow in colour and nice and light to boot. Although not strong aromas a light mixture of pear and apricot was evident. Crisp and dry yet smooth on the tongue, well rounded and has great length.

A fantastic Italian meal to accompany this wine, enjoyable company and nice atmosphere all added up to a great night.

Ca' ronesca have a great website too www.caronesca.it

La Grille - Sauvignon Blanc

2007-01-28T17:29:00.000Z

It's been a quiet weekend in the Vin house. The January blues arrive so we book a week in Italy next month as something to look forward to.
Our fortnightly trip to Waitrose involves stocking up on a couple of cheapies to keep us going. We're in a hurry so I choose quickly.
La Grille has an usual label design, not traditional at all. It has a cream background and a photo of a small boat on the Loire. The name on the label Henry Bourgeois is familiar. After reading the label on the back I realise why, the family have also planted vineyards in New Zealand, I feel sure I have tried one of these wines whilst living in Wellington. This label also explains the picture on the front; the flat bottomed gabarre with its square sail is almost unique to the Loire, traditionally carrying wines down the river to the Atlantic seaports and to clients the world over.
We had this wine on its own and then with chicken the next day. It's crisp and fresh with great lively green fruits.
It's easy drinking and light, a great bottle of wine for only £5.99

Chrismas Day - 2006

2007-01-14T17:01:00.000Z

Henriot Brut (NV)
A gift from Monsieur Vin

I've opened my presents by 9:30am, amongst other things I have received:
2x Denby wine glasses - there lovely, I plan to buy a couple more the same so I have set
Susy Atkins - The Really Useful Guide to Wine - I'll let you know my thoughts on this one
Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book - 2007 (30th Edition)
A bottle of Spanish Red (no vintage noted on the bottle)
A bottle of Henriot Brut Souverain Champagne (NV)

But best of all I am now a a 3D Wines 'wine partner.' This means I have rented a row of vines in a vineyard in France for one year. The one I chose is Domaine de Salvert in the Loire Valley. There's lots of other extras in the pack they have sent me. I'll dedicate a blog to this in due course.

We ope the Henriot Brut before leaving to go to Bellini's for Christmas dinner.

To look at: The bubbles are small and move slowly through the pale yellow liquid
To smell: Biscuits, toast, buttery with a splash of lemon
To taste: The mousse tickles my lips, citrus fruit burst, limes and lemons, a lovely fizz on tongue followed by a savoury buttery flavour

I haven't tasted any fine champagnes, but I know what I like and this is lovely. It's an NV but the maker is listed in my Hugh Johnson Pocket Book. I don't know the cost as it's a gift, I hope Santa pops a bottle in my stocking next year.

Montepulciano D'Abruzzo - Christmas Eve 2006

2007-01-14T16:47:00.000Z

Montepulciano D' Abruzzo, Doc 2005, Umani Ronchi
Waitrose £3.99

A dense fog has been covering most of the UK for the last few days causing travel chaos in the run up to Christmas. Tonight, Christmas eve it reached Edinburgh. We made our way to the National Portrait Gallery to have a look at the Goya Exhibition, you couldn't see the top of the Ferris wheel on Princes Street . The exhibition was certainly worth seeing, a wonderful display of Goya's drawings. After a brisk chilly walk along George Street we arrived at 'Teuchters' for a couple of pints of Landlord and a warm by the fire.
We arrive home and settle down to chicken in red wine sauce pie, gravy and veg. We purchased the wine at the same time as the pie from Waitrose, 3.99 a bottle. The tree lights sparkle and there's festive TV to watch, A Christmas Carol starring Patrick Stewart. A great classical actor but I still find it hard not to picture him on the starship Enterprise.
I chose this wine as it's an old favourite of ours. Sometimes you can get a real lovely wine from this area for a very good price. It's not the best example we have ever had, but it's certainly not the worst either!
To look at: It's deep ruby red, the colour of a precious stone
To smell: Fresh dark fruits, black berries and earthy herbs, hints of tarragon.
To taste: It glides across the palate with ease, the fresh blackberries are prominent. It's a little flabby and not very high in tannins.

Le Chenin des Mulets, Chateauneuf du Pape, Recolte 2000

2007-01-05T16:38:00.000Z

Mis en bouteille per perrin et fils - 84100 Orange, France. Jean-Pierre & Francois Perrin.

It's a grenache & syrah blend. Named after the old mule track which leads from the hill town of Chateauneuf de Pape into eastern hills of the Cotes du Rhone.

I bought this wine for Monsieur Vin's father a couple of years ago, I can't remember where from or how much but I don't think it was more than £15.00.

We'd flown from Edinburgh to East Midlands Airport, picked up a hire car and completed the short drive to Donington le Heath. It's a cold December night and we are here primarily for the delivery and collection of Christmas presents. The log fire burns and Magic the sleek black cat plays on the hearth rug. Monsieur Vin senior served the wine with a cassoulet, a perfect match to be sure.

The wine has a savoury, bitter aroma and the alcohol burns the inside of my nostril. The feint hint of tobacco and light smoke feels calming after our journey. I take a sip, it's smooth on the tongue with a long elegant finish. The ripe dark fruits, tannins, food and company make a perfect occasion.

Corporate Wine UK - Lothian Life Wine Tasting

2006-12-06T22:04:00.000Z

Caledonian Hilton Hotel, Princes Street, Edinburgh
3rd December 2006

I found this event on the Internet and decided to give it a try. I hadn't been to a standing tasting event since living in New Zealand. I like these events but sometimes find I don't get as much out of them as the smaller events. I'm glad to say this was not the case on this occasion. This was mainly due to Stuart's time and patience during the evening.

I tried 14 of the the 40 wines available to try. Although I won't share all of my notes here are a few highlights of the great wines I tried.

Viega Serantes Albarino 2004 (£8.99 on the night)
A single vineyard wine at a great price. It's light and fresh like a lot of the wines I tasted, it's almost clear in colour. It's not powerful on the nose, more white fruits such as melons and pears. It's smooth to taste and not tart or harsh like some Spanish wines I have tasted. It's a great quaffing wine and I can picture drinking this wine on summers day with light savoury snacks.

Bovin, Vranec (£6.99 on the night)
Time was getting on and I knew I had to get to Centotre to pick up the wine I ordered last week. Stuart said that if I was going to finish on a high note then this wine would be the one and he was right. This grape, Vranec is indigenous to Macedonia. It's a light red with lots of red fruit flavours. The tannins are there but manageable due to slight savoury taste.

Jean-Pierre Marniquet Champage
I watched as a group of fellow tasters made their way through the fizz that was on offer. They all tried:
Lenoble Cuvee Intense NV
Pol Roger Reserve NV
Dom Vincent Blanc
Jean-Pierre Marniquet Champagne

Price wise the Pol Roger was the most expensive (£24.99 on the night) and it was enjoyed by all. The grapes are taken from a number of vineyards and mixed each year to create the same reliable taste, if it's what you like it's a fantastically consistent taste that never lets you down.
But the Jean-Pierre Marniquet Champage came out as the favourite. It's a small vineyard and all the grapes come from the estate, it could be said to be unpredictable but I kind of like that idea and at £15.99 (on the night), real value for money.

Part 6 of 6 - Raboso Passito

2006-12-06T21:54:00.000Z

Not a traditionally made wine. This is also made from the Raboso grape but with 120g of sugar per litre. Casa Roma are the first to make wine in this way. This is the 2003 which was a strange year as there was less acidity than in other years. 8 hectares of Raboso were harvested 10 days before the Raboso del Piave and then the grapes were dried, similar to the Amarone style. I'm not a fan of this style of wine but Monsieur Vin is and he loved this wine.

To look at:
Deep ruby red.

On the nose:
Spices and dark stewed fruit such as plums.

To taste:
I though it would be sweet due to the amount of sugar but the high acidity prevents this. Other vintages may differ.

Part 5 of 6 - Raboso del Piave

2006-12-06T21:36:00.000Z

This is the flagship of Casa Roma. Raboso is the oldest documented grape variety in the Veneto region, older than the 17th century Barolla. Raboso is thought to derive from the Italian word rabbioso, or angry. This grape variety is excellent at resisting disease which may explain how it has lasted so long.

The label on the bottle depicts the stones of the Piave river. It was harvested in Nov 2002 and spent 3 years in the barrel before bottling.

To look at:
Very deep bright red, you can barely see through it.

On the nose:
It burns the inside of my nose so it's high in alcohol. Dark fruits - black currents, Logan berries. Rose petals are in there too.

To taste:
Freshness at first followed by the dark plums. Dusty tannins that settle easily and has good length. It's acidity is high but I like this.

It's served with Aberdeen Angus beef which is a perfect match, this is a good Italian wine so it goes well with food. I think because of the high acidity it will keep and only get better, I bought some, so will let you know in years to come.

Part 4 of 6 - Sauvignon

2006-12-06T21:28:00.002Z

I have never seen a Sauvignon that looks like this. The micro-climate around Casa Roma has created a very different Sauvignon. The distinct colouring is due to the maceration, the grape skin has been left in contact for a longer period of time. Experimental, yes. Does it work? Yes, I think it does.

To look at:
Deep golden yellow.

On the nose:
Strong green vegetable, green peppers.

To taste:
Tastes much fresher and greener that it looks. Bursts of gooseberry with every mouthful. Smooth with a good balance. It certainly doesn't taste how it looks.

Part 3 of 6 - Incrocio Manzoni

2006-12-06T21:08:00.000Z

Mazoni is the name of a professor and teacher of Oenology and a friend of Luigi's grandfather. Made from a cross pollination of vines that produce Pinot Bianco and Italian Riesling (an Italian clone of Riesling, not the German Riesling) this vine is not found in any other part of Italy.

To look at:
It looks very similar to the Marzemina Bianca but fuller bodied. Still a slight fizz but again not as much as the first.

On the nose:
Much fruitier than the Marzemina and citrus is evident (perhaps the Riesling influence) but it's not powerful.

To taste:
Very fruity with excellent length, citrus, lemon, lime with sweeter honey undertones.

Part 2 of 6 - Casa Roma - Marzemina Bianca

2006-12-04T19:10:00.000Z

This wine is made of 100% Marzemina grape. There are 2 produces in the region. It's a difficult grape to grow so an attempt at growing this grape is not for the faint hearted. The vines that made this bottle of delight are about 80 years old that cover 80 hectares on the Casa Roma estate.

Wine made from the Marzemina was a favourite amongst the aristocracy of Venice during the Renaissance period but most of the vines were destroyed by Phylloxera. I think it's marvellous that Luigi is bringing back these ancient vines. There's no oak, the grapes are fermented in stainless steel tanks.

To look at:
Golden yellow in colour with a light edge. It sticks to the glass so could be high in alcohol. There's a few bubbles clinging to the glass too.

On the nose:
A real white fruit cocktail, pears, melons.

Taste:
Slight fizz on the tongue with lovely fruity ripe pears and honey. There's a distinct minerality to the taste that's very hard describe. It's like the freshness you taste in mineral water as apposed to tap water. This wine is sweet at first with a long dry finish.

It's served with honey and cheese from the area and it's a perfect match. The sweetness of the honey creates a smooth balance on the tongue; this finished with slight effervescent is very engaging. It's young (2005) and vibrant with definite pizzazz.

I bought couple of bottles for £10.95 each (this includes a discount for buying on the night) of this delightful wine in anticipation of the festive season.

Centotre 26th Nov 2006 “Casa Roma” Part 1 of 6

2006-11-27T21:17:00.000Z

An Introduction
It was such a fantastic and unique night I have decided to share with you all of my notes, instead of just the usual highlights.

Oenologist and owner of Casa Roma Luigi Peruzzetto arrived in Edinburgh only a couple of hours before the event was due to start. He has never been abroad before and rather than staying a few days to look around he is due to fly out of Edinburgh at 10:00am the following morning. Why? To get back to his vines of course.

The Casa Roma estate is situated in the Piave region (Piave is the river that runs through it) north east of Venice and has been in the Peruzetto family for many years. Luigi introduced us to some very unusual wines made from traditional grapes. Luigi isn't afraid to experiment and as a result he has created some fascinating and wonderful wines.

I felt very privileged to have been apart of such a delightful evening and would like to thank Centotre for organising it, and providing a fantastic menu to accompany the wines. I would also like to thank Paul Dwyer (Wine Broadcaster & Speaker) for his company and expert knowledge and advice, a real treat for me.

For further information about Casa Roma please visit http://www.casaroma.com/ the website is excellent and gives you a history of Casa Roma got its name and information on the wines available.

For further information on Centotre please visit http://www.centotre.com/ a place where you always receive a warm welcome, fine food and experience a great atmosphere.

To follow in part 2-6 - The Wines

Vino Rosso Della Casa - Osteria Del Neni, Lucca

2006-11-26T14:45:00.000Z

I've ordered tortellini all' ragu my all time favourite Italian dish and of course a ¼ litre of the house red wine. It sits on my table in a small carafe, illuminated by a solitary candle. This wine is a deep ruby red. The aroma is subtle, savoury, spices mixed with red plums. I take a sip. It's sharp at first but the tannins aren't strong so it feels light and easy to drink. My food arrives and I know it's going to be the perfect match. It's a basic wine with an atmosphere to match. It doesn't leave a trace down the side of the glass indicating that it's not high in alcohol. A classic easy drinking Tuscan food wine and I love it. The tasty home made tomato and meat sauce covered with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese is a true delight. I first visited the Osteria Del Neni some 5 years ago now and it hasn't changed a bit. The meal costs me 12 euros (including service). In summer you have to book a table here well in advance, but tonight I get the place more or less to myself.
The wine is different to the one I had last night in a small bar further up the valley in a town called Barga. The bar is in an ancient square and is run by a man called Marino. The atmosphere is welcoming with passing musicians dropping in to entertain you using the various instruments that hang on the walls. Here the wine is sometimes described as 'brutta'. It's rustic and raw. At the back of the bar hang the cold meats, sausages next to cheeses and bread. To receive a selection of these on a square of paper towel with a glass of the local red served from a large demijohn is simple and to some a little 'brutta', just like the wine.

I raise my glass and proposed a toast to Silvano, a friend and resident of Barga who passed away recently, he will be truly missed.

Sangiovese di Toscana, Le Mire, Tuscany, 2005

2006-11-19T19:23:00.000Z

I would like to have chilled this wine, a personal preference for lighter reds, but forgot. It's made from sangiovese with a small proportion of Merlot. I wasn't surprised to find a plastic cork as this is one of the lower ranges from this particular vineyard. I think plastic corks in young wines are just fine although anything more than a couple of years old I'd have second thoughts. The cork is a stunning red with the web address www.chiantigeografico.it; unfortunately the site is under construction this month so I was unable to check this out.
The bottle has a fantastic label of a bright red flower (research required to find out which one).
We had it with roast lamb which was probably a little over powering for this wine and a pasta dish or meaty fish (perhaps tuna steak) would have been better.

To look at:
A light ruby red.

On the nose:
A mix of raspberries with hints of dark fruits (probably from the merlot) and quite savoury.

To Taste:
Quite high in tannins for a light wine but bursts of plums and the food relax them. It has good length.

Not a complex wine but a cheerful little number for a wintry Scottish Sunday night. After the bottle had been open for awhile the fruit flavours increase delightfully.
In short for the price, a real bargain.

This wine is available from Cambridge/Edinburgh Wine Merchants for £5.99 and is on offer at the moment, 2 for £10
http://www.cambridgewine.com/

Madame Vin - An Introduction

2006-11-12T19:51:00.000Z

I'm a wine enthusiast who is on a journey of discovery. I'm not a fine wine expert but someone who appreciates wine for what it is. This journey is to compare research and learn about the world of wine. The subject is vast and riddled with pitfalls and I know I will make mistakes on the way. I'd like to open up discussions with you out there in cyberspace, to share my opinions and discoveries and to share yours too.

Wine to me is a personal thing, a mood, the company you are with, an accompaniment to good food and the place you drink it and most of all something you like and enjoy. Whether it costs £2.99 from your local supermarket or hundreds of pounds from a restaurant wine list, if none of the above reasons apply to your appreciation then you've missed the point of wine.

Many people who know me I think believe my interest in wine is only about the drinking and to certain extent this is of course true as this is the purpose of wine. Some of them will be surprised to learn that I now own wine that I don't intend to drink for another 10 to 15 years. I don't drink wine to get drunk although sometimes this is an obvious side effect and I guess that goes back to the company I am with.

There are many winemakers who put a great deal of time, effort, thought and personality into their wines and there are those that just, well, don't. Is there a difference in taste? Let's find out together.

There won't be lists of vintage years or what you are expected to smell/taste in a particular wine or not. But a series of thoughts, ideas and experiences and perhaps even a little bit of knowledge too.