The Wine & Whisky Thread

[Marco]

Just checked... The nearest Booth's to me is in Knutsford, Cheshire (about 40 miles away), so not exactly practical!

I'll check it out though next time I'm out on business in the area...

I like their ethos on wine (from their website):

We pride ourselves on searching out wines from smaller producers who do not have the capacity to sell to the larger supermarkets. For example we stock a number of biodynamic and organic wines.

We offer tastings in store to give you the opportunity to try something new and different and we hold an annual Wine Fair in the autumn to highlight our award-winning range.

Our knowledgeable staff will advise you on your choice and help with any questions you may have be it a wine for a special occasion or a food recommendation.

Quality - and a world apart from bloody Asda or Tesco!

Marco.

[The Grand Wazoo]

Marco,
While you're there you should check their cheese counter too! I'm like you - I hate the poncey new cheeses with everything from fruit to Marmite chucked in to make it appealing to folks who don't actually like cheese. They have some fantastic produce.
More generally, each store has a range of core items they stock but the managers have to buy a large proportion of their stock from local sources, so you can get some really fantastic stuff.
I reckon they're perhaps the best supermarkets I've ever been into in the UK - fantastic!

[Marco]

Hi Chris,

While you're there you should check their cheese counter too! I'm like you - I hate the poncey new cheeses with everything from fruit to Marmite chucked in to make it appealing to folks who don't actually like cheese.

I guess it's a personal taste thing but it does nothing for me whatsoever - I don't even like garlic or herbs in cheese, never mind some of the other bollocks they put in it now!

They have some fantastic produce.
More generally, each store has a range of core items they stock but the managers have to buy a large proportion of their stock from local sources, so you can get some really fantastic stuff.

I don't doubt it, matey - it's just a pity there isn't a branch nearer me... More supermarkets should operate with the same ethos

Marco.

[Alex_UK]

...never mind some of the other bollocks they put in it now!

Crikey, they put THOSE in cheese now! Camemballs?

Had some very nice wine over Christmas - although I try lots of different countries and varieties, my favourite is still a decent Rioja - it is the oak-ageing I think that does it for me. Anyway, last night we had a lovely 2005 Bodegas Primicia "Mazuelo" - I learned something buying this wine, because I always thought a Rioja was made from Tempranillo grapes, but this is from the Mazuelo variety. Very nice, and good value, for a treat. As the link below says, "full of smouldering black fruit swathed in creamy oak" - perfect!

http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/article...A380D80A7.aspx

[Marco]

Nice one, Alex - I'll check that one out

If you like Rioja, have you tried Marques de Riscal? It's one of my absolute favourite Riojas... Massively powerful and full-bodied (a real mouthful of fruit!), with that vanilla-like creamy 'oakiness' that you love!

Check it out (available in most good independant wine stores):



More interesting info here: http://www.cellartours.com/spain/spa...al-winery.html

Marco.

[Alex_UK]

Cheers for that Marco - I do recognise the label, but can't recall trying it - Majestic carry it, so I'll give it a whirl and report back!

[Marco]

No worries, Alex - let me know how you get on

Another one you'll love, if you haven't tried it already, is Faustino I Gran Reserva:



More details here: http://shop.purewines.org/1996-faust...a-13-571-p.asp

Don't mix it up with ordinary Faustino - the Gran Reserva is something a bit special, especially the 1995 or 1996 vintage. I love it to bits!

Marco.

[Alex_UK]

Thanks Marco - Yep, Faustino is a fave, especially the Gran Reserva - I used to frequent a Spanish restaurant in Norwich, knowing the owner very well (sadly now passed away) and he and my then father-in-law introduced me to good Spanish wine in the late 80's. One of the Rioja stalwarts I still love is the famous Siglo Saco in it's hessian bottles - the Crianza is amazingly quaffable and great value... http://www.ndjohn.co.uk/siglo-saco-r...za-3052-0.html

[Marco]

Yep, I know of that one and like it

Another of our favs from Spain is Condado de Haza Reserva Selección:



That is a really beautful wine.

Marco.

[Barry]

Wines quaffed over the Christmas period


In no particular order (since I can’t remember) it has been:

FamiligiaTerraccia, 2006 Chianti Riserva, Tuscany Sangiouvese and Canailo grape.

Maison ‘de Michel’, a Bordeaux from Tesco.

Château Marzin, 2007 Premières Côtes de Blaye AOC, Merlot.



Château Moulin de Pillardot, 2006 Bordeaux Supérieur AOC.



Château Castelbruck, 2004 Margaux AOC,

Château Castelbruck, 2005 Margaux AOC.



Château Mayne Guyon, 2004 Côtes de Blaye AOC.



Patrizi, 2005 Barolo.


Château Simard, 1995 Saint Emilion.


Château Blason, 2008 Hautes Côtes de Beaune AOC, Pinot Noir.


Cuvée du Vatican, 2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC.


Castel di Jesi, Verridiccio.

Regards