Aged wines are something of an acquired taste. They set up all sorts of conflicts. Unless you are very fortunate or rich, laying down wines for the future is only for the patient. Buying something that will be at its peak in 10, 20 or more years is extremely counter-cultural. Then, of course, there is
Being an orderly sort of soul, in general, I much prefer to go to a themed tasting, rather than a broad sweep across regions. Comparison is a very powerful tool but I would rather limit the field and try to learn a bit more about an area or grower in depth. Occasionally you get the
Zind-Humbrecht at Coe Vintners Read More »
After Brunello with Banfi, Barbaresco and much more with Angelo Gaja … where does one start? This was simply one of the greatest experiences you can have in Italian or world wine, laid on by Decanter magazine as part of its Fine Wine Encounter. But it was really two related experiences, with an underlying connection:
Some wines have a defining quality. The sharp acidity and mineral quality of Chablis or the big bones of Molletieri’s Taurasi have been commented on in recent posts. The defining character of Roussillon’s wines is sunshine and lots of it. Tucked up against the Spanish border, this Catalan region is literally sun-drenched, with the most
Roussillon – sunshine and big fruit Read More »
Can we talk in a meaningful way about the difference in taste between wines which cost €70 and €35? And why are there differences in taste? The previous post (Talking about wine) throws some light on the general problem of communicating about tastes. In this one, let’s focus on two types of speech about wine.
Two types of wine talk and two Super Tuscans Read More »
Most people get by without a developed language about wine. ‘I know what I like’ is a fairly common response, with a laugh or smile, which probably means, ‘let’s face it, people drink for the pleasure, for the taste, for mild (or more) intoxication ’. The further implication is that talking about wine is for
Talking about wine Read More »
For the English ‘Bordeaux’ means just one thing – claret, the English word for red wine from the part of SW France that ‘we’ used to rule (back in the twelfth century was it?). Somehow we feel proprietorial about it, with a little justification as it was the export trade to England that originally created
Bordeaux Masterclass (2) Read More »
One of the best reasons to start a wine group is to taste wine you would not normally choose or way beyond your normal price level. So for Andover Wine Friends’ second birthday party, there were no candles but a major treat, a tour around Bordeaux with Martin Hudson, MW. When not racing motorbikes, Martin
Bordeaux Masterclass (1) Read More »
After the anticipation, the tasting. Ten members of Andover Wine Friends gathered to try two of Alsace’s great white grape varieties followed by a simple supper. We settled quickly to the task after a taste of Aureus, Cremant de Loire, a bottle-aged single vintage Chardonnay, 2002. Toasty, decent acidity if slightly milder than much Champagne,
Particularly Alsace Read More »
To Sunday evening dinner with long-standing friends, a retired diplomat and wife who was a skilled saleswoman, where you expect quality with a French accent. In this case both literally and in the glass. We knew that the other guests included the chef and front-of-house couple of our excellent local French restaurant (www.closdumarquis.co.uk), not to
Red Burgundy’s contribution to European unity Read More »