What's the occasion Barry?Quote:
Decadent? Don't care - I'm in celebratory mood.
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What's the occasion Barry?Quote:
Decadent? Don't care - I'm in celebratory mood.
Hi Barry,
Indeed I have, and both were excellent! :)Quote:
PS Marco, when are we going to hear of your views of the 2005 Château Castelbruck Margeaux, or the 2007 Cuvée du Vatican Châteauneuf-du-Pape? You must have sampled one or both by now.
The reason for the delay is that I've had a lot on my plate recently with one thing and another (give me a ring tonight and I'll fill you in) and so I've not had much time to post.
Rest assured though that when I get a minute, I'll do a write-up. Good news on the financial advisor front, the reason for which I believe we discussed when you visited, so well done old chap! :cheers:
Marco.
Me again! :o.
This time to let you know that Tesco now have a white vin de table to accompany their red in the 'Maison de ...' range. The white is called 'Maison de Charlotte', and very acceptable it is. Oh, and yes Andre (if you're still watching), you can buy any combination of three bottles for £10.
Have just enjoyed a couple of glasses with baked tuna steak, braised celery and red pepper, boiled new potatoes, asparagus, brocolli, and petits pois.
A votre santé
That's a new one on me, Barry! I suspect it may have a rather metallic edge :eyebrows:Quote:
van de table
Marco.
Good News!
Tesco have reintroduced their offer on:
Berberana, Etiqueta Negra Rioja Reserva, 2005.
This time the offer is even better - half price, so now only £4.99 a bottle. Before it was a 'three for two' offer.
You will easily find it, just walk into your local Tesco and you will be confronted by a wall of wine cases (stack 'em high, sell 'em cheap?).
Buy some now - I don't know long the offer will last. Mind you, if the forum is as slow as it has been of late, the offer might have passed by the time you read this!
:cheers:
I meant to post on this too, Barry - I bought a dozen last week... (not many left!) This really is a bargain Rioja, especially if you are a fan of the oakiness - (I know that's not a real word, but it should be!) - you'd have to spend a lot more to better this by much of a margin - enjoy!
Snap! I might buy some more; there seemed to be plenty at my Tesco's. It really is a very acceptable rioja. Not quite as good as the Rioja Torre Aldea, Reserva 2005 but unfortunately the superb offer at ~£5 a bottle didn't last long.
It sort of makes up for the withdrawal of the 'Any 3 for £10' offer on the 'Maison de ...' vin de table wines; just as I was starting to really enjoy the 'Maison de Charlotte' vin blanc. And now that summer is a comin' ...!
A votre santé
Well as from last Sunday i have stopped drinking completely.No word of a lie.
Apart from pounding the weight on with Larger, i came to the realisation that i actually don't enjoy drinking anymore, you get pissed & waste your time off & all the money i spend on booze i can buy more Classic Junk.I don't do moderation so i'd rather not do it at all..:)
sounds like a good plan Andre
Those of you lamenting the loss of the 'any three for £10' offer on the Tesco vin de table 'Le Masion de Michel' (red) and 'Le Maison de Charlotte' (white), might be tempted by the same offer on the Viña Albali 'Smooth Red' Tempranillo, be advised!
http://img.tesco.com/wine/UIAssets/p...ot_126x150.jpg
This is the 2009 Cabernet Tempranillo Valdepañas. Described as medium bodied with plum and damson flavours and despite it winning the International Wine Challenge Bronze Medal for 2009 it is to be approached with caution.
My initial reaction was of an 'uncouth' wine with harsh unsubtle tannins, followed by an over-fruity finish of the aformentioned plum and damson. Definitely not a wine to drink on its own, but also a doubtful accompaniment with a meal.
In my opinion best to avoid and much better to go for the excellent 2005 Berberana Etiqueta Reserva Rioja, still on offer at £5 a bottle.
Regards
Attention fellow oenophiles,
As Alex has mentioned, the half price offer being made by Tesco on the 2005 Berberana Reserva Rioja, ends on 11 May. My local Tesco has completely run out; not only of this but of the Torre Aldea as well.
You can still buy the Berberana on Tesco on-line, but alas not the Torre Aldea.
Regards
Some Cloudy Bay SB for the weekend
Just bought a few bottles of these:
2005 Château L’Argenteyre, Médoc AOC Cru Bougeois
http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/DWBase/...ype=smallImage
“… the wine has rich aromas of cassis, and ripe fruit flavours with notes of green pepper and spicy oak.”
Laithwaites ~£12 a bottle
2006 Château Camail, Première Côtes de Bordeaux AOC
http://www.bawineclub.co.uk/images/products/61501.jpg
An early ripening Merlot with great suppleness, though not quite as good as the 2005.
Laithwaites ~£8.50 a bottle
2008 Château Maucru, Bordeaux AOC
http://i780.photobucket.com/albums/y...G_0001-3-5.jpg
60% merlot, 30% cabernet sauvignon, 10% cabernet franc
Similar to the 2007, turning out better than expected, “ it has all the qualities that make an excellent vintage”. “Deeply coloured red exudes aromas of cherry and raspberry with powerful flavours of smooth juicy berry fruit.”
Can be drunk now or kept for another few years. Best drunk by 2014.
Laithwaites ~£7 a bottle
Regards
Me again,
My local Tesco have the following on special offer, half price at £5 a bottle:
2002 Marqués de Caranó, Gran Reserva
http://img.tesco.com/wine/UIAssets/p...ot_126x150.jpg
http://img.tesco.com/wine/UIAssets/p...el_126x150.jpg
Cariena, Garnacha and Tempranillo grape. ABV 12.5%. "Richly flavoured, full-bodied with cherry and raspberry fruit flavours combining with gentle spicy notes."
2008 Promenade Plan de Dieu, Côtes du Rhône Villages
http://img.tesco.com/wine/UIAssets/p...ot_126x150.jpg
http://img.tesco.com/wine/UIAssets/p...el_126x150.jpg
Grenache, Mouvedre and Syrah grapes. ABV 13.5%. From vineyards established in the Middle Ages: “This full bodied wine is deep ruby in colour with powerful aromas of dark cherries balanced with silky, gentle spicy notes.”
Regards
:(
‘Summer is a coming’
Now that summer is a coming and the weather is getting warmer, an oenophile’s thoughts turn to vin blanc, so I’m pleased to tell you that Tesco have on offer, at half price (£4.49), the 2009 Dino Pinot Grigio Valdadige (delle Venezie).
http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/Image...67/098567.jpg?
“… characteristically crisp and refreshing. This premium version is both and hails from selected alluvial and hillside vineyards in Northern Italy. This provenance lends this wine more intensity and flavour with delicious white peach and Williams pear character and a clean dry finish.”
Have just enjoyed half a bottle with baked salmon steak, accompanied by new potatoes, fresh garden peas (now that they are in season – why is it that ‘shelling’ peas is such a therapeutic activity?), sweetcorn, asparagus and broccoli.
Recipe for the baked salmon:
Place the salmon on a sheet of baking foil, brushed with olive oil. Finely chop fresh parsley, oregano, basil and chives. Sprinkle the chopped herbs onto the salmon, add a few capers and wrap the salmon steak. Bake in an oven at Mark 5 for 20 – 25 minutes.
Simple enough, even I can do it.
Enjoy
Pinot Grigio is lovely, Barry, and one of my favourite whites, along with Viognier....
Just steer clear of 'oaky' Chardonnay! :spew:
We've also quaffed a few none too shabby rosés recently, whilst dining al fresco, so I must dig out the bottles and pop the details on here :cheers:
Marco.
Please do Marco. My knowledge of rosé is lamentable. Apart from the (in)famous Mateus Rosé, the only rosé I have consumed of late (well, towards the end of 2009) was a 2008 Pinot Grigiot 'Prospetti'. Pleasant enough, but I'm sure there are better rosés.
Back to vin blanc; I have trouble with these and am still on the lookout for reasonably priced examples. Actually my trouble is that I find a lot of the whites taste slightly sharp or sour. Those that I like are limited to the white Burgundys and Chablis (both expensive), Gewrütraminers or Pouilly Fumés (both expensive and so distinctive in taste that their accompaniment to food has to be carefully considered).
I'm not particuarly knowledgeable about German whites, nor, I'm ashamed to say, Italian whites. Until now I would have cited a Verridiccio 'Castel di Jesu' as acceptable, reasonably priced, but not really my favourite.
I must say that I'm rather taken with this Pinot Grigio, but will investigate the Viognier you mention.
Regards
Coming upto 29 days without a drink, you guys are killing me here..
:(
Doesnt upset me just make my tonugue dribble all over mi keyboard
:lol:
Hi Alex,
I'm sure you are aware of the Tesco offer (half price, at £5.00 a bottle) on the 2002 Marqués de Caranó Gran Reserva (see above posted 14.05.10), but I think I ought to draw it to your and other's attention.
When I posted, I had not actually tried either reds, but thought them good enough (at the price) to recommend. I have now tried both and my recommendation stands.
Tonight had a couple of glasses of the Marqués de Caranó with a boeuf bourguignon with boiled new potatoes, carrots, sugar-snap peas, fine green beans, asparagus and broccoli.
Now that Tesco no longer have the 2005 Berberana on offer, the above is a very acceptable alternative. Fortunately I bought another dozen bottles before the offer ended.
Regards
Hi Barry,
Are they related to asparagus and broccoli, old chap, or some weird cosmo-organic alternative of such? :eyebrows: ;)Quote:
aparagus and brocolli...
I'm loving the boeuf Bourguignon, though! I'll round up the rosés we've been slurping later for your delectation :)
Marco.
Done it again haven't I ? Well at least I spelt boeuf bourguignon correctly! Or are you going to question the spelling 'boeuf' rather than 'bœuf'?
Corrections made - we should of course aim for the highest of standards here on AoS! I'll stay behind and write them out 500 times.
Regards
No, Miss Whiplash has an alternative form of punishment awaiting you, which I know you'll enjoy.......
http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/8288/904572.gif
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/1...ilgrin0036.gif http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/1...ilgrin0036.gif
:eyebrows:
Marco.
No, I suspect you're more an 'M&S' sort of chap! :lol:
The smileys are from my 'private collection', held within a secret vault in my dungeon ;)
Marco.
Piccini Chianti Riserva is half price at £5.49 in Sainsbury's. I picked up a couple of bottles at the weekend, and will be back for more!
Y-fronts or boxers? Don't spoil the illusion! :eyebrows:Quote:
:lolsign: Well I suppose you could say they're my outfitters - I do buy my underpants from them (but not in packs of 12)!
Marco.
Ok, those delicious summer Rosés....
Sainsbury's currently have a very nice 'Taste the Difference' Côtes de Provence Rosé at £7.99. It comes in the traditional 'skittle'-style bottle, which has a shape that is between an amphora vessel and a bowling pin. Sorry, couldn't find a pic of this particular wine...
It is typically pale in colour and bone-dry on the palate, exhibiting good structure with delicate fruity and floral notes, which marry nicely in combination with white meats, fish, and in particular a lovely Salade Niçoise - enjoy :cheers:
The other one worth mentioning is Campo de Borja Campaneo Rosado Selección 2009, available from Asda for £6:
http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/2144/056620.jpg
This wine is deep salmon-pink in colour and much richer and more full-bodied than the above Côtes de Provence Rosé. It is vibrant and fresh and positively bursts with intense fruit flavours, such as raspberry, cherry and peach.
Try it with some pork chops, infused with fresh rosemary and lemon, grilled on the barbecue, or as we had it on Sunday with Côtes de Porc Vigneronnes - a French classic which is basically pork chops with a mustard-cornichon sauce - yum yum! http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/235/party0036.gif
Marco.
Not strictly speaking on the topic, but not unadjacent to it either:
A good few years back, I bought my wife a nice bottle of port for her birthday. She decided that it should be stowed away for a special occasion when we have company.
We went back to our house in Lincolnshire today to attend to some domesticals and chucked a few things in the back of the car. One of them was that bottle (though not actually chucked, I promise).
Out of idle curiousity, tonight back here, I Gurgled it only to find that it's now worth significantly more than what I paid for it back then. Not that any of us would think of selling such a thing.
It's a bottle of Delaforce Vintage 1975
A description:
.............decanted off very little, sludgy sediment. Pale auburn in colour, with a rose rim. Floral honey on the nose, pleasant but not strong. Dusty sweet redcurrant jelly on the tongue, with the tannins showing through as a gentle dusty persistence. Floral and rose-water flavours in the mouth, not a heavyweight, but perfectly pleasant drinking. Nice redcurrant aftertaste, with an enjoyable slight bitterness to the finish. More evolved than you would hope from a 35 year old port, but very pleasant drinking and a decent example of the 1975 vintage. 85/100. Drunk 12 May 2010 after 30 minutes decanting.
However, the stopper in our bottle remains firmly in place for now!
http://www.vintagewineandport.co.uk/...Thumbnail1.jpg
The half price offers on the 2009 Dino, both the Pinot Grigio Valdadige (delle Venezie) as well as the Sangiovese, also the 2002 Marqués de Caranó, Gran Reserva and the 2008 Promenade Plan de Dieu, Côtes du Rhône Villages, ends on the 1st June.
Hurry down to Tesco tomorrow, you might be lucky and find some bottles left.
I bought a few more bottles of the Pinot Grigio - it's an excellent summer white.
Regards
Not so much a recipe as a stand alone delicious thing! :)
Wild Boar & Pear sausages - to die for! :eek:
No Idea where you're gonna get 'em though. :lol: Mine came from a fantastic butcher in Bedale! :ner:
Damn tootin' - I bloody lurve Yorkshire! Del and I are going back to the Star Inn again in Harome, in July, after attending Flatpopely's bake-off :)
Marco.
Aye stars a real nice place
Yup - it's not just the Star though, dude - there are loads of lovely pubs all over the place in quaint little villages, and the countryside is truly beautiful!
People go for holidays in the lakes - a nice but vastly overrated area of the country, IMO. Yorkshire is far more diverse and interesting, and it's not stupidly commercialised and overcrowded with tourists and walkers getting in your bloody way! :rolleyes:
Marco.