FRESHCASE Part 2/Montegicchi Chianti Classico 4 years on

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

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

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...