In vino veritas - what wine are you drinking?

odyssey06 · 24-02-2018 10:02pm

L1011 wrote: »

As a wine luddite who only drinks white due to 'drinkability' - yet drinks whisk(e)y which is similarly difficult to get in to - is there a recommended set of mid-range reds to try for variety? Feel like I've excluded an obviously huge area of drinking for too long
Actually, I probably need to do that for white too, divide them to 'sweet' and 'sharp' and very little else and generally buy by price and country alone rather than varietal or anything else.

I think there is an overlap in taste between whiskeys and some white wines (e.g. those from burgundy, riesling). If you look at the tasting notes for whiskeys and white wines you get a lot of mentions of things like honey, apricot etc, especially those whiskeys that have been matured in ex-sherry casks.

Actually if you shop in LIDL their red wine weekend offer is a great place to sample a variety... assuming you are up early!
On another thread a Sunday Times sample offer on 12 reds was mentioned, that'd be a great place to start.

You probably want to tick the boxes on these and then dive deeper depending on which ones grab you...
Pinot Noir (from Chile or New Zealand) compared against a Red Burgundy
Chilean Merlot, Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Australian Cabernet-Syrah blend
French Bordeaux (this usually has both Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon)
Malbec
Rioja and Rioja Riserva from Spain
Cotes du Rhone
Chianti (I find Chianti tastes nicer after a chance to breathe)

dudara · 25-02-2018 5:14pm

From a French perspective, the classic red grapes are Pinot Noir, Gamay (Burgundy and Beaujolais), Cabarnet Sauvignon, Merlot (Bordeaux), Syrah, Grenache & Mourvèdre (Rhône) and to lesser degrees Cabarnet Franc, Cinsault and Malbec.

Other great grapes are Tempranillo (used in Rioja), Sangiovese (Chianti), Nebbiolo (Barolo) and Touriga Nacional (Port & Douro Wines)

But it’s so much more than just the grape. The climate, viticulture and wine making techniques used will have a huge impact. Syrah from France is a different beast when compared to Shiraz from Australia. Or compare a Bordeaux Cabarnet Sauvignon to a California version.

When it comes to picking reds that *most* people would like, I tend to find that Right Bank Bordeaux, Rioja & Chianti hit the spot. They tend to be more mid-range in terms of body & flavour. Not too strong, not too light. However, I think there’s also a strong swing to juicier, fruitier reds, like those from the south of Spain.

limnam · 25-02-2018 5:16pm

dudara wrote: »

French wine never really caught my interest when I was "younger". Other regions appealed to me because they simply tasted better. However, over time, and especially as I studied for my WSET Level 2 and Level 3, I learned (and tasted) more and more about French wine. I think everyone has a "lightbulb" wine moment, when you taste one that makes you think "this is what all the fuss is about". For me, that lightbulb wine was a white Burgundy from Puligny-Montrachet. I just went....mmmm.

France is one of the homes of winemaking and understanding French wines (to any degree) will greatly help you appreciate wines and winemaking in any other country.

Any decent books you would suggest on reading about French wine?

dudara · 25-02-2018 5:26pm

Most of my books are at the fairly detailed level, don’t think I have any specifically on french wine. Jancis Robinson’s Oxford Companion to Wine is a detailed resource.

In general, I think the Wine Folly website & books are a good resource, although there’s an Anerican slant to it. Jancis Robinson has also written some good mass-market books too.

odyssey06 · 25-02-2018 6:06pm

If, like me, you drink wine with food then the ideal book is Victoria Moore's "Wine Dine Dictionary"... it is split in two, first half is listed A-Z by food with suggested pairings; then the second half it is reversed, look up a wine and see what food suggestions she recommends.

For general introduction, Oz Clarke is pretty good.

Putting wine into its historic context, Hugh Johnson's The Story of Wine is a wonderful work of history.

Ps I borrowed them through the public library system which is now integrated nationwide.

limnam · 03-03-2018 3:07pm

Luigi Righetti Valpolicella Campolieti

I picked this up in karwig wines in Cork. 18e

Oddly I can't find it anywhere else in Ireland. Surprising.

This for me is one of the best ripasso's under 20e. that I managed to find in Ireland.

Really silky smooth with a great balance. Some really nice baked winter fruits pop out of the glass. If you like your ripasso I'd strongly recommend giving this a spin.

dudara · 05-03-2018 1:40pm

Il Capolavoro Appassimento, €15 from SuperValu.

Was given this by a house guest, not one I'd normally pick up myself. I was pleasantly surprised by this - nice deep ruby colour, lot of sweet cherries, dried grapes/raisins, balanced by some peppery spice. Not overly complex, but smooth and very decent for the money.

corvus4906 · 07-03-2018 9:39pm

occasionally on special for 10er too from Supervalu. Solid Appassimento!

Melendez · 09-03-2018 2:08pm

This post has been deleted.

limnam · 11-03-2018 6:15pm

odyssey06 wrote: »

I am a big fan of the Guigal Cotes du Rhone, think it's about €16 in Supervalu and off licences.

I had this last night with a nice bit of rib eye and enjoyed it.

The only issue I had with it is while I tend to like wines that are 13.5%+ I felt the alcohol over powered slightly. But for a 16e bottle of wine I'm probably been too critical.

Definitely one I'll try again

dudara · 11-03-2018 10:40pm

Aldi’s Limoux Chardonnay from Les Domaines Paul Mas Astélia in the Languedoc-Roussillon is one of my regular favourites. I think it’s about €12 and has a lovely full body, nice acidity and buttery oak. It’s really reminiscent of a quality Burgundy but much cheaper

odyssey06 · 12-03-2018 1:12pm

limnam wrote: »

I had this last night with a nice bit of rib eye and enjoyed it. The only issue I had with it is while I tend to like wines that are 13.5%+ I felt the alcohol over powered slightly. But for a 16e bottle of wine I'm probably been too critical.

That's ironic because I usually look for wines under 14% and while I thought it was powerful I didn't think it was overwhelming.
Probably best to steer clear of the €6 LIDL Cotes du Rhone then as I thought that was overpowered and a bit rustic.
Or maybe it'd make an interesting blind taste test for you

anthony4335 · 12-03-2018 2:39pm

This is one of my favourite wines, but at full price ,a bit too much ,currently on offer for 19.95. Full bodied and no need to decant.

100% Merlot from bardolino

https://www.obrienswine.ie/wine/current-offers/italian-wine-sale-85/rizzardi-clos-roareti.html

dudara · 12-03-2018 6:20pm

^^ I actually visited that winery last summer, on Lake Garda, if anyone finds themselves in that area. They also have a lovely little tasting room and restaurant in the town of Bardolino

limnam · 12-03-2018 7:36pm

At one of my favorite places in Cork at the moment Elbow Lane. Which If you're not from Cork but happen to be down for a weekend it's an absolute must visit. The only problem is you can't book it and it can be difficult to get a table.

Truffle Hunter Leda Barbera d'Asti

This relatively light/floral with some baked jam/winter fruits Would suit a casual mid-week tipple. I had it with a T-Bone and it held up well against it.

It's 29.50 in Eblow Lane, but can be picked up in Curious Wines for about 13e

Melendez · 12-03-2018 9:02pm

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anthony4335 · 13-03-2018 5:44pm

Melendez wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

I visited the Ca Dei Frati winery in Lugana last year and the Rizzardi restaurant in Bardolino as well, second time actually really nice place for a drink. However the first year I was there you could have the Calcarole Amarone by the glass but unfortunately this was not the case last year.

schemingbohemia · 15-03-2018 3:58pm

Stellenbosch/Franschhoek advice? - Heading there next week. Myself and my wife prefer white wines - lately been drinking a lot of Godello and Gruner Veltliner when eating out - any recommendations for vineyard visits or wines from those two areas?

dudara · 15-03-2018 11:50pm

Cabarnet Sauvignon would be the main grape grown in the Stellenbosch, but you’ll get Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay & Viognier also. Look for barrel aged Chenin Blanc.

Franschhoek, I’m not too familiar with. But ZA has a thriving wine industry and vino-tourism. You’ll get trips and tips while there.

limnam · 18-03-2018 4:14pm

I'm heading to Valpolicella for a couple of weeks

Anyone any recommendations for vineyards to check out?

anthony4335 · 21-03-2018 12:00am

limnam wrote: »

I'm heading to Valpolicella for a couple of weeks

Anyone any recommendations for vineyards to check out?

I am heading out there myself during the summer. 2 years ago on our first visit to verona we booked a tour with Pegasus wine tours ,it is a little expensive but I found it quite good. Out of that tour we visited a small winery near negrar with the most amazing Amarone which they called Forlago. I think with most wineries you can just rock up during the day and purchase wine, some will even give tours for free, one such place was Ca Dei frati near sirimone. So it is worth picking some of your favourite wines and checking on their websites to see if they do tours, and when. Another place worth mentioning which has been posted earlier is to visit the Rizzardi winery/restaurant in Bardolino town by the lake.
Lastly if you are staying in Verona I will only suggest having a drink at the Antica bottega del vino ,you can try lots of different excellent Italian wines by the glass.

https://www.vogadorivini.it/en/amarone-della-valpolicella-classico/

http://www.bottegavini.it/bottegavini/index.php?option=com_content&view=featured&Itemid=784&lang=en

Enjoy your trip

dudara · 01-04-2018 7:25am

Opened a bottle of Insight Single Vineyard Gewürztraminer from O’Briens last night. Very nice, slightly thick, oily mouthfeel. Flavours of rose petals, lychee and other soft tropical fruit, some lemony zestiness for balance. Lovely example.

dudara · 01-04-2018 1:45pm

Easter Sunday lunch of roast leg of lamb and roast potatoes. I wanted a wine with a nice bit of body, so I tried this Rinforzo Salento Primitivo (O'Briens, reduced to €16 from €21).

Straightaway you can tell this wine is from a warm climate (It’s made in the heel of Italy). It's full-bodied, jammy and juicy, which is as a result of the grapes being dried for 4 weeks before winemaking. Blackberries, some vanilla and herbs, plus some drying tannins. Great value for money.

anthony4335 · 10-04-2018 8:58pm

Picked this up at the weekend, rich and full bodied

https://shop.supervalu.ie/shopping/wine-beer-spirits-italy-barone-montalto-ammasso-75-centilitre-/p-1436900000

CastielJ · 11-04-2018 6:53pm

I prefer homemade wine

That’s really no help to anyone, is it? If you make your own wine then please expand, red or white? Grape variety? Tell us more please!

The Gloomster

anewme · 12-04-2018 7:51pm

Signed up for the Wines Direct monthly wine explorers club.

1st case on the way and will arrive tomorrow or Monday - took the cheapest option €69 per month - looking forward to it...

the beer revolu · 13-04-2018 9:12am

Very nice Barberesco in Lidl reduced to (I think) €10.
Offputtingly cheap for a Barberesco but this is just a really drinkable wine.

padraig.od · 13-04-2018 1:59pm

anewme wrote: »

Signed up for the Wines Direct monthly wine explorers club.

1st case on the way and will arrive tomorrow or Monday - took the cheapest option €69 per month - looking forward to it...

I am interested in signing up for this too. Do you have any experience of the quality? Its a pity you can't specify the mix of r/w in each case.

anewme · 13-04-2018 2:05pm

I only signed up yesterday......happy to do the mix 3 red and 3 white, havent arrived yet so no idea of quality, looking forward to getting it

PHG · 14-04-2018 12:03am

For the Wine Direct is the postage and packaging on top of the monthly fee?

anewme · 14-04-2018 1:30am

PHG wrote: »

For the Wine Direct is the postage and packaging on top of the monthly fee?

No, it’s included in whichever pack you choose and every 3 months you get an upgrade to the next level up for that month only

padraig.od · 14-04-2018 11:31am

anewme wrote: »

No, it’s included in whichever pack you choose and every 3 months you get an upgrade to the next level up for that month only

Signed up myself, all reds. Looking forward to my first delivery.

dudara · 15-04-2018 5:36pm

Last August, we visited the Priorat in Spain for a long weekend. While we were there, we ate lunch at Clos Figueras, a winery and restaurant. Anyway, we were out for dinner last night in Nightmarket in Ranelagh, and they had a wine from Clos Figueras on the menu.

It's a blend of Grenache, Carignan, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Strong red fruit and berries, a little herby even. Not as strongly mineral as you'd typically expect in Priorat wines but very pleasant. €45 in Nightmarket for the 2015 vintage.

limnam · 17-04-2018 8:32pm

I've mentioned before I don't drink a lot of white wines. So I'm looking for a recommendation for something that would go well with scallops.

They'll most likely be served with a slice of Jack McCarthy's black pudding and some apple.

On the whites I tend to lean to very fruit forward wines. A lot of the more "modern" wines from NZ. But I feel they probably wouldn't work very well with the dish.

Any pointers?

Slaphead07 · 17-04-2018 9:30pm

limnam wrote: »

I've mentioned before I don't drink a lot of white wines. So I'm looking for a recommendation for something that would go well with scallops.

They'll most likely be served with a slice of Jack McCarthy's black pudding and some apple.

On the whites I tend to lean to very fruit forward wines. A lot of the more "modern" wines from NZ. But I feel they probably wouldn't work very well with the dish.

Any pointers?

NZ wines can be a little unsubtle. Maybe a Riesling from Alsace? Or a prosecco or champagne? It works!

odyssey06 · 17-04-2018 9:41pm

limnam wrote: »

I've mentioned before I don't drink a lot of white wines. So I'm looking for a recommendation for something that would go well with scallops.

Maybe Albarino?

I read an article recently suggesting pairing scallops with syrah (red)... curious about that one.

limnam · 21-04-2018 5:00pm

Slaphead07 wrote: »

NZ wines can be a little unsubtle. Maybe a Riesling from Alsace? Or a prosecco or champagne? It works!

odyssey06 wrote: »

Maybe Albarino?

Thanks for the suggestions!

I'm not long back from two weeks in Italy so I was all procesecco'd out :pac:

I went down the Albarino route and picked this up in Dunne's I think it was 12e. Went really well with the dish. One of the reasons I don't drink a lot of white is I find it a bit flimsy in the mouth. This had a really nice well rounded feeling in the mouth with apple and some citrus. If I blinded the wine I would have assumed this was a much more expensive wine.

dudara · 21-04-2018 6:49pm

Any white from a seaside region would probably work - Albariño, Picpoul, Muscadet, Rias Baixas etc. Champagne is always good with shellfish too.

limnam · 22-04-2018 2:03pm

Had some friends over yesterday who travel a lot to SA and love SA wine so I tried to play to the crowd and picked up a bottle of Paul de Villiers Shiraz 2015 from Curious Wines.

I really enjoyed this some really nice dark fruits big solid body with some very well balanced spice and a finish that seems to go on and on. This was a massive hit with our guests too. Comes in at 16.99 from Curious.

dudara · 04-06-2018 1:32pm

Was in M&S recently and came across this Duval-Leroy Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru NV champagne reduced to clear at €30 (down from €50+)

Light and crisp, some apples and soft fruit. A little touch of autolytic flavours, but fairly restrained. People who say they don't really like champagne would probably quite like this.

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dudara · 09-06-2018 7:32am

Ate at Mr Fox restaurant last night and had to order this Raisins Gaulois from Beaujolais wine product Lapierre.

From what I can tell, it’s Gamay and made in Morgon, so I’m not sure why it’s categorised as VdF. Lapierre must be doing something a little different. Either way, it’s a great example of a classy Beaujolais, lots of red fruit and a touch of aniseed.

Currently available at Green Man Wines €19

limnam · 09-06-2018 9:57am

Goru 'Mad Hairy Fella' 2016

"Sumptuous blend of Monastrell, Syrah and Petit Verdot from the Spanish DO of Jumilla. Aged in American oak for 4 months."

Picked this up in curious wine 14.99. One of the things I loved about this was the nose it's massive. Really nice balanced and smooth mouth feel. Nice black fruits I got some pepper on it but that might have been influenced by what I was eating.

Decanted for about 30 minutes before drinking

goru.jpg-1375887016.jpg

dudara · 09-06-2018 10:19am

^^ that’s a great wine for the money. One of my favorites at CW

anewme · 09-06-2018 12:09pm

I’m three months into my Direct Wine Explorers Club and I’m loving it. Only one wine I did not like out of the previous 2 boxes and yesterday’s pack was my upgrade pack so looking forward to trying these.

limnam · 09-06-2018 2:48pm

anewme wrote: »

I’m three months into my Direct Wine Explorers Club and I’m loving it. Only one wine I did not like out of the previous 2 boxes and yesterday’s pack was my upgrade pack so looking forward to trying these.

Do you want to name them here and tell us about them as you go through them?

fionawong · 12-06-2018 11:46am

Will raise my hand for Hakutsuru Plum wine, Japanese one.

the beer revolu · 13-06-2018 1:52pm

fionawong wrote: »

Will raise my hand for Hakutsuru Plum wine, Japanese one.

I tasted an amazing plum sake in Ichigo Ichie in Cork. Really beautiful but €90 for a 50cl bottle!

odyssey06 · 19-06-2018 6:54pm

Júlia Florista Tinto - a soft, smooth fruity unpretentious Portugeuse Red Blend from O'Briens currently on offer at €7.95.

Ideal for a summer evening, perhaps even chilled if temperatures perk up again. Would work well at parties & bbq.

dudara · 19-06-2018 9:19pm

£^^ Sister wine to the famous Porta 6 IIRC

dudara · 23-06-2018 8:47pm

It’s a birthday weekend in our house, so I took one of the vintage champagnes down from the shelf. I chose the 2006 Moët & Chandon simply because it’s the oldest and the one I thought was most in need of drinking. It’s in fabulous condition and could definitely age some more.

In vino veritas - what wine are you drinking?

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