The Wine & Whisky Thread

[Rare Bird]

Like this one dude.

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/58093

[Alex_UK]

Hi Barry (and everyone) - just ordered some of your recommendations for the return from our holiday, although not the Dino red, as having tried it before I wasn't overwhelmed -Marco will probably have a horse's head put in my bed, but in general I am not a huge fan of Italian wines - Barollo excepted of course, and some Chianti - though in truth I haven't experimented much. Always willing to experiment, so any suggestions will be diligently researched, whilst I still have a liver that partly functions!

[Marco]

Like this one dude.

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/58093

Yup - just my kind of place!

Bollocks to yer trendy bars and overcrowded city centre pubs (where you can't get a table or hear each other speak ) that serve watered down ale at ridiculous prices!

Marco.

[Marco]

Hi Alex,

Marco will probably have a horse's head put in my bed, but in general I am not a huge fan of Italian wines - Barollo excepted of course, and some Chianti - though in truth I haven't experimented much.

Lol - I don't blame you! Most of the Italian wine exported to the UK (out with of specialist retailers) is pish! Although Joe's Piccini Chianti recommendation from Sainsbury's is very good indeed!

There's a reason why even though statistically Italy produce more wine than any other country in the world, the selection available for purchase outside of Italy is generally much less than that from other wine-growing countries.... Because, quite simply, Italians like to keep all the best stuff for themselves!!

Next time you're in a supermarket (or even a specialist wine merchant) observe how much more 'New World' and also French wine there is for sale compared to Italian wine, or when you're in a restaurant, the paucity of Italian wine featured on the wine list compared with, say, French varieties.

However, *if* you know what to buy and where to get it, there is some stonking good (if expensive) Italian wines - particularly reds. You must try a good Brunello di Montalcino, Duca Enrico, Barbera d'Asti, Solaia, Gattinara or Amarone, as trust me, they will blow your mind, although don't expect that 'oaky' vanilla hit you get with Rioja - the flavour is rather different but equally as intense and powerful!

Marco.

[Rare Bird]

Yup - just my kind of place!

Bollocks to yer trendy bars and overcrowded city centre pubs (where you can't get a table or hear each other speak ) that serve watered down ale at ridiculous prices!

Too right you wont catch me in one of those piss holes dude..besides i've completely stop drinking, have done for some time now.. i intend to keep it up.

[Marco]

Wow - best of luck!

I just about manage giving it up for six weeks at Lent, but I couldn't give up drinking beer and wine indefinitely, though not that I ever drink to excess. I rarely have any form of alcohol out with of meal times, apart from the occasional cold beer in the summer months. For me, it's about enjoying it in moderation (quality always over quantity) as an accompaniment to good food!

Here's another place we discovered last time we were in Yorkshire... The food is arguably as good and much cheaper than that at The Star Inn - and the real ales (sorry! ) are superb:

http://www.crowninnroecliffe.com/

Marco.

[Rare Bird]

I used to go here alot when on my Magic Mushroom escapades years ago, not been tho since they made it into a Wine Bar.

http://www.vintageinn.co.uk/thefoxhouselongshaw/

[Alex_UK]

There's a reason why even though statistically Italy produce more wine than any other country in the world, the selection available for purchase outside of Italy is generally much less than that from other wine-growing countries.... Because, quite simply, Italians like to keep all the best stuff for themselves!!

I think that's very true - in my few visits to Italy I've never been disappointed with the wine, and I suspect like Greece, there are many small but very good wineries that don't have the capacity to export in great quantities, if at all.

However, *if* you know what to buy and where to get it, there is some stonking good (if expensive) Italian wines - particularly reds. You must try a good Brunello di Montalcino, Duca Enrico, Barbera d'Asti, Solaia, Gattinara or Amarone, as trust me, they will blow your mind, although don't expect that 'oaky' vanilla hit you get with Rioja - the flavour is rather different but equally as intense and powerful!

Well in the interest of this thread, and purely selflessly I'll have to seek some of those out then!

Thanks for the suggestions!

[Marco]

No worries, Alex. I'd go first for the Amarone, but be prepared to pay around £25 a bottle for a good one!

Please report back when you've tried it, as I'm curious to know what you think

Marco.

[Barry]

Despite it being chilled white wine or rosé weather, I just couldn't resist this:



A 2002 Château Fourcas-Dumont Listrac-Médoc. Château bottled.

Situated in the Médoc region between Margaux and Paullac. 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot.

Tesco, £14.99 bottle.