The Wine & Whisky Thread

[Marco]

Nice one. Make sure it's well chilled, but not too much!

I'll be interested in what you think of it, but don't for moment think that you'll like it as much as the B&B. It's a different type of wine.

Marco.

[julesd68]

I'm hoping to go shopping tomorrow ...

[User211]

My god what a contrast. The Viognier is almost water like. Clean and refreshing but devoid of character compared to the B&B. It isn't going to offend anyone.

This bottle of B&B is not the same as the last batch. The intense oak flavour is far more obvious than the previous lot.

But hold on. I think it's simply the contrast between the two. After a couple of sips the B&B is tasting more normal again. For B&B.

Nope. It IS different from the last batch.

And like smaller coffee roasters and producers, consistency varies. It's just a fact of life that they don't have labs that concentrate on such things.

Not such a bad thing IMHO. Being the same all the time is in some ways what makes mainstream products bland. Variety is the spice of life as they say.

However, you know when you have a good batch and I don't think this B&B is as good as the last I had. Same year, though. And a nice 13.5% which for a white isn't joking.

I tastes like they got some fresh oak in for this batch of B&B. You can literally taste the sawdust. Not anywhere near as prevalent in the other bottles I have had at various times.

Two very different Californian wines, then. There's no way these two can be stereotyped.

[Marco]

I'll comment more later, Justers, but are you *enjoying* the Viognier (simply for what it is), or to your palate is it simply very much the poor relation in comparison with the B&B?

Marco.

[User211]

The B&B has to be loved for its complexity. The heavy oaking is now disappearing in favour of other subtle undertones. The thing about B&B is your attitude towards it changes as you work your way through the glass. This batch, though the same vintage but oddly different, still has that aspect.

The Viognier reminds me far more of Austrian white. Crisp, clean, fresh and it tastes like it was made using great quality water. Recommended for sure.

[User211]

OK the B&B now tastes of vanilla. It's crazy.

But for a direct answer to your question, Marco, I would say the reason it costs more is because of the complexity. It is better for that reason if that is what you are in the mood for. It's far more of a thinking man's white.

I have always thought wine tasters talk bullshit and I am probably guilty of sounding the same.

[Barry]

Aldi are now targeting "middle-class shoppers" with their Classic Icon premium range including high-end wines from around the world, including Poilly-Fumé and Poilly-Fuissé.

The 2016 La Sogara Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG will cost £17.99 and a 2015 Chateau du Cartillon Haut Médoc will be £11.90.



For those champagne drinkers there will be the Verve Monsigny for £22.99.

Methinks I'll be looking into my new improved Aldi when it opens soon.

[Barry]

OK the B&B now tastes of vanilla. It's crazy.

But for a direct answer to your question, Marco, I would say the reason it costs more is because of the complexity. It is better for that reason if that is what you are in the mood for. It's far more of a thinking man's white.

I have always thought wine tasters talk bullshit and I am probably guilty of sounding the same.

It's not just oenophiles who can talk bullshit about their interest, audiophiles can talk it too.

[julesd68]

I actually made it to Majestic this evening and was in and out in about 5 minutes!
I was immediately approached by a friendly assistant who I asked to find the bottles for me, since I came armed with a list. Excellent service.

The first of my 'mix 6', this Chilean Merlot is boldly labelled as a Gran Reserva but don't make the mistake I did and assume it will have some bottle age like those from Spain. A most cunning piece of marketing because you have to look very, very carefully for the tiny writing that tells you it's only 2018!

That annoyance aside, after half an hour or so it loses its slightly tart and youthful edge and you get some bright, ripe strawberry and plum flavours. Perfectly acceptable at 7.99 (mix 6 price) to glug with some pasta as I am doing, it's a pleasing mouthful as the actress said to the bishop!

[Marco]

I thought you were getting the six Italian wines I recommended earlier, Jules?

Marco.