The Wine & Whisky Thread

[Mark Grant]

The wine in question is Rustenberg John X Merriman 2007 Stellenbosch from South Africa (2005 vintage shown below):




Info here: http://www.rustenberg.co.za/

UK availability here: http://www.waitrosewine.com/230404972/Product.aspx


Marco.

This was a while ago We tried two bottles from waitrose .

I really liked it, Tracey not too keen on it, (too accustomed to Supermarket offer Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon etc )

I am no wine expert (although I do try) but I would say slightly spicy, fruity, Tannins are soft but evident and a soft finish that is sort of 'fresh' if that makes sense.

I prefer a longer finish ideally.

I would buy it again but there are so many to try....

Mark.

[Marco]

Hahaha.... Speak for yourself!

Btw, did you get around to trying that Amarone and the other red I got (I forget what it was now - a Chianti-type, I think)?

Marco.

[Mark Grant]

Hahaha.... Speak for yourself!

Btw, did you get around to trying that Amarone and the other red I got (I forget what it was now - a Chianti-type, I think)?

Marco.

Picture of the actual bottle tried, the other one is in the wine cellar*



Amarone 2006 by Mark G. in England, on Flickr

We tried try the Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Bolla 2006, fantastic !

Even the father in law that was visting that night who is a bit sceptical about some of my more expenisve wines was suprised.

Fist few sips not too impressive even after an hour or so of breathing, almost a dissapointment after the expectation, then it hits you on the next mouthfull.

Rich, full bodied, various intense fruity flavours, something spicy happening and then such a long and elegant finish

Without doubt the best wine we have ever tried, even my wife agreed

So thanks Marco

Seen some online here:
http://www.thepurveyor.com/amarone-d...mpaign=product


( * = our wine cellar is just a cuboard)

Mark.

[Marco]

Excellent, Mark - glad it hit the spot!

What was the other one again. Maybe you could ask the butler to bring it from the cellar and take a picture of it?

It was a Chianti-type, I'm sure, but I forget which one....

The problem with buying Italian wine in the UK is that the really good stuff is very hard to find, and only really available in specialist shops. Now and again though the better supermarkets get hold of some of it, which is where I obtained the Amarone (Bolla is about the best you can get).

Another rare gem to find in the UK is Morellino di Scansano, which is what is often referred to as a 'Super Tuscan'. It's a medium-bodied red, made mainly of Sangiovese grapes, so Chianti-like in style, but with bags more depth and finesse.

We're just about to enjoy a bottle of this with some home-made spinach crespelle with a fresh tomato and basil sauce, accompanied by garlic and rosemary infused toasted ciabatta, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil - yum yum!



We got it from one of our favourite wine shops, Gales, in Llangollen: http://www.galesofllangollen.co.uk/wineshop.htm

It has a good selection of quality Italian wine:







Marco.

[Marco]

We're just about to slurp a bottle of this Médoc with Sunday lunch (roast rib of Welsh beef from our local butcher, hung and matured, served with a rich red wine and redcurrent jus, home-made Yorkshire puddings, red cabbage, asparagus, celeriac mash and purple sprouting broccoli):





More info here: http://www.lafragette.com/uk/chateau-loudenne/

Much later, chaps!

Marco.

[The Grand Wazoo]

Neither wine nor real ale, but a crackin' drop of stuff all the same, I've just broken the seal on one of these.



It's an Aberlour 16 Year Old Double Cask single malt. Bought as a Christmas snifter - I had to check that it was at least drinkable, hence the glass in front of me now!

If you're lucky enough to live anywhere near a Booth's supermarket, then this is £22 at the moment (normal price £44).

[Barry]

Have just returned from a visit to Tunisia, and am pleased to report I drank some very good red and white wines there.



Vieux Magon 2002, produced within the appellation Mornag, Tunisia.

“Raised in barrels this wine is full of fruit with a lovely ripe nose, probably just past it’s best, but still drinkable. It feels more alcoholic than the 13.5% on the bottle, coming through the palette with lovely warmth, bringing to mind warm, hot summers. The tannins are slight with most of the body coming from the ripe core of fruit, splattered with hints of chocolate and plums. Within the glass you can pick up ripe blackcurrants, vanilla and a touch of toffee.” (Locally ~ £13 a 75cl bottle)

For about 1/4 less, at £10 a bottle, there is the 2006 Magon Grand Vin de Mornag. Not quite as good as the 2002, but enjoyable nonetheless.

Ce vin rend hommageau célèbre agronome carthaginos Magon, auter au VIIIeme avant J.C. d’un traité sur agronomie, la vinticulture et la vinification don’t certains préciptes sont encore utilises de nos jours. Il est issu d’un Assemblage de cépages nobles la Syrah et le Merlot qui ont été cuillis manuellement et vinifés selon la method tradittionelle. La robe est rubis peu soutenu, brilliant,avec des notes d’évolution. Les arômes de fuites rouges (framboise, cerise) côtoient ceux de fleures (lias, violette) et des d’eucalyptus, annoyance d’une bouche fraîet fine, aux tannins soyeux.

For white, there was the Ugni Blanc, light and crisp.


About a couple of months ago I was in Turkey where again there are some excellent wines. Buzbag is still being made from the Bogazkere grape, but the highlights for me were:

Kavaklidere Angora Red


Grape: Sauvignon, Merlot, Carignan, Alicante
Colour: Lively, bright ruby
Aroma: Intense red fruits, cherries, plum
Flavour: Round, well balanced, with long lasting red fruit flavours and soft tannins

Angora Red is the blend of Carignan, Alicante, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes grown in Aegean region.

And:

Villa Doluca Red
A full-bodied red wine, with strong character made from Cinsault and Karasakiz grapes grown in the Marmara region. A certain amount of Bogazkere grape from eastern Anatolia is added to make it more rich and robust.

[Marco]

Polished off today with our Christmas lunch of Gravadlax and fresh langoustines, accompanied with a light salad of rocket, tossed in lemon juice and fresh mint, to start, followed by roast goose (sourced locally) wrapped in organic streaky bacon in a light port and red wine jus, with free-range pork sausagemeat, sage, apricot, pistachio and chorizo stuffing, chipolatas, roast potatoes, boiled potatoes with butter and fresh parsley, peas, broad beans, French beans and savoy cabbage in a mint butter sauce, red cabbage with raisins and apple, Brussels sprouts with pancetta and chestnuts, cauliflower and broccoli with a wholegrain mustard glaze, and honey-coated carrots and parsnips (yes, Del is a veggie and likes a nice selection of veg!!):





Now just about to have Warre 1977 vintage port with some local cheeses and biscuits....

Merry Christmas, everyone!!


Marco.

[Reid Malenfant]

It's a good job i have already eaten or i'd get pretty hungry just thinking about that meal you ate earlier Marco biggrin.gif

I opened & polished off a nice bottle of Ernest & Julio Gallo - Sycamore Canyon Brut sparkling wine earlier with a touch of Orange juice, it went down a treat I might just get another bottle

Meal to follow was an Indian - chicken Madras & Pilau rice Tbh i'm more impressed with my home made efforts, much more flavour & consistency

Meal tomorrow will be Sirloin steak, fried onions, potatos, steamed vegetables including cualiflower, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, sprouts, sliced peppers & mushrooms, petits pois & green beans I'm not a veggie but i also like a variety


Onto the hard stuff again now, snakebite

Enjoy the remains of the day

[DSJR]

Polished off today with our Christmas lunch of Gravadlax and fresh langoustines, accompanied with a light salad of rocket, tossed in lemon juice and fresh mint, to start, followed by roast goose (sourced locally) wrapped in organic streaky bacon in a light port and red wine jus, with free-range pork sausagemeat, sage, apricot, pistachio and chorizo stuffing, chipolatas, roast potatoes, boiled potatoes with butter and fresh parsley, peas, broad beans, French beans and savoy cabbage in a mint butter sauce, red cabbage with raisins and apple, Brussels sprouts with pancetta and chestnuts, cauliflower and broccoli with a wholegrain mustard glaze, and honey-coated carrots and parsnips (yes, Del is a veggie and likes a nice selection of veg!!):





Now just about to have Warre 1977 vintage port with some local cheeses and biscuits....

Merry Christmas, everyone!!


Marco.

...And there's only two of you as well