Wine Reviews

[Sean]

Morning Sean, I picked up a bottle of this after repeatedly seeing the name being mentioned on another forum I post on, still to open the bottle but after buying it heard that it can be a rather sweet red? 16g of Sugar per Litre if memory recalls correctly

Just had another bottle of this mate and really did the bottle i had overly sweet by the end of the bottle it was sickening

[RobustoClubHavana]

Think I will start posting in here I normally post all my wine notes to Vivino.com an app on my iphone
today's little lovely is a South African Gewurtztraminer from Stellenbosch made by Simonsig from 2011
rich and full flavoured lychee nose a touch of residual sugar undertones of black pepper and spices to taste but a little short on the finish considering the pronounced upfront fruit on the nose and palate
overall 3.5/5 good value at ?7 from a wine auction

[JoeyGunz]

still haven't cracked open my bottle Sean but sure the situation will come when I'll need a red wtih a bit of sweet to it

[Sean]

still haven't cracked open my bottle Sean but sure the situation will come when I'll need a red wtih a bit of sweet to it

Its not that its horrible its delicious mate just over sweet which i used to like for example the german dornfelder was a great sweet red but my palate had developed a bit more and not that much into it 1 glass i think would do me in future

[RobustoClubHavana]

Polished of a nice little 1/2 bottle of James Halidays Griffith Botrytis Semillon 1996 10.5% alc with some dessert tonight
Rich deep dark burnt orange in colour slightly closed raisiny nose but rich luxury semillon fruit of Lychee , orange marmalade & elderflowers full flavoured and very long a fantastic match with some chocolate tasting club chocolates 5/5

[Simon-JG-hr]

Sadly no cigar for me today. However, in the closest I will likely come to breaking my unstinting indifference towards the World Cup, I am currently knocking back some lovely and unusual Italian wine in honour of this evening's opponents.

Graci Etna Rosso 2011

This is a very interesting 'natural' wine made with Nerello Mascales grapes. There is no added sulphur, the fermentation is not temperature controlled, and only natural yeasts (found on the skin of the grapes) are used. The aroma is floral and fruity, and at the same very reminiscent of some of the more unusual porters I have drunk. Flavour is rounded - lots of berries and red fruit, with a nicely balanced acidity and soft tannins. There are notes of mint, and even - proving how offbeat and quirky this wine is - something which brings bananas to mind (yet somehow it works).

Jolly nice. I'd highly recommend it if you're into wines that challenge you to think a little.

[cohibaIV]

Where can one purchase from Si?

Live to give it a go,

CIV

[Simon-JG-hr]

Small independents seem to be the way to go for this one. I got it from Oeno in Cirencester (they sell online too). A brief look on wine-searcher seems to show that you can get it from AG Wines too. Berry Brothers had a few bottles in the shop when I was there in the week - but it's no longer listed on their website, so stock must be low (but should still be able to phone in an order).

[cohibaIV]

Cool, many thanks.

Will have a search and let you know how I get on..

[Simon-JG-hr]

Please do - always interested to find out how other people find these left field field finds. I actually first tried this at a tasting I arranged, it was one which everyone liked, but certainly provoked some interesting discussions!

[ValeTudoGuy]

Would it be possible to make a list of well thought of wine retailers? I am interested to start exploring wine more properly.

Also is there any good information about storing of wine some one could point me towards? I always tend to buy one or two bottles and move on, but I'm starting to think about buying cases when I find something I like.

Heres two retailers I like:

http://www.dbyrne-finewines.co.uk

http://thewhalleywineshop.wordpress.com

[Simon-JG-hr]

Basics for storage:

• 10-15 C is ideal. Exact temperature is actually less important than one might expect - the primary consideration for temperature should be consistency and the avoidance of extremes. If the wine gets too warm or too cold then it can affect certain compounds, but the temperature swings is most likely to cause issues. Stasis is the best thing to aim for with wine - in much the same way as cigars.
• Store the bottles on their sides if they're being stored for any length of time. This ensures that the cork does not dry out, thus keeping a tight seal. Obviously not such an issue for bottles with stelvin caps (screw-tops).
• If possible, and essential for long-term storage, is the reduction of light. Light can severely damage wine over time.

A good article by Jancis Robinson on wine storage, which expands on some of these points: http://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/20061126_1

As for wine shops, I think that's a great idea! I'll copy and paste suggestions into the first post of the thread for a reference. I would go with Oeno in Cirencester (as previously mentioned). Nick who owns the shop sources more unusual wines - small producers, interesting stories, natural approaches etc. There is a distinct preference for the old world, but a few creep in from elsewhere. A couple of really interesting wines I've had from their recently include - the Etna Rosso above, a Cab Franc red from the Loire, and a Hungarian red from Sopron region on the Austrian border. (The shop is also one of only a couple of places one can pick up cigars in Ciren). http://shop.oeno.co.uk/

[Budgie Smuggler]

I buy my wine from http://www.nakedwines.com

I'm no wine buff and find the reviews helpful, as is the "Angels" scheme that let's you lay money away every month until you decide to either spend it, or ask for it to be refunded to you.

[Simon G]

Great thread!
Here are a couple that I HIGHLY recommend…
Honestly, for wine lovers out there, you will NOT be disappointed with these recommendations.
I ordered from this shop over in West London. Ideal if you can pop in, however I had to order online,
and they only deliver in batches of 12 - which is a bit of a bummer, but never mind:

Agoston Red 2009 (Spain) ?5.49

http://www.thewinereserve.co.uk/store/red-wine/-agoston-red-/

Review: Very fruity, full of flavour, EXCELLENT value.

Grant Burge Benchmark 2012 (South Australia) ?7.49

http://www.thewinereserve.co.uk/store/red-wine/grant-burge-benchmark-shiraz/

Familia Schroeder Alpataco 2012 (Argentina) ?9.99

http://www.thewinereserve.co.uk/store/red-wine/familia-schroeder--alpataco--malbec/

Review: A hearty 14% malbec. Smooth. Hints of coffee and espresso. Divine.

Store: http://www.thewinereserve.co.uk

Bought a batch to try, the list above is what I am about to REORDER

[JoeyGunz]

Sadly no cigar for me today. However, in the closest I will likely come to breaking my unstinting indifference towards the World Cup, I am currently knocking back some lovely and unusual Italian wine in honour of this evening's opponents.

Graci Etna Rosso 2011

This is a very interesting 'natural' wine made with Nerello Mascales grapes. There is no added sulphur, the fermentation is not temperature controlled, and only natural yeasts (found on the skin of the grapes) are used. The aroma is floral and fruity, and at the same very reminiscent of some of the more unusual porters I have drunk. Flavour is rounded - lots of berries and red fruit, with a nicely balanced acidity and soft tannins. There are notes of mint, and even - proving how offbeat and quirky this wine is - something which brings bananas to mind (yet somehow it works).

Jolly nice. I'd highly recommend it if you're into wines that challenge you to think a little.

Reminds me of a drop I had in Franco Manca's a little while back, these places are well worth the visit should you be passing, beautiful sour dough pizza and unbelievably good value!

anyway here's the blurb;

OTTAVIO RUBE’S ORGANIC WINE
This is the full organic experience, wines made with little
or no sulphur and without the aid of temperature control
or selected yeasts. They are minerally driven and the soil
has the upper hand over the fruit content.
ROSSO
(Barbera)
or
BIANCO

(Cortese)

http://www.francomanca.co.uk/