Usually get a pinot grigio white and maybe a malbec or Shiraz for the red. On the occasions I push the boat out I like a verdicchio, Chablis or white rioja, and a Médoc
Since I've got a wine room in this house (it can't be called a cellar as it isn't fully below ground level), and the retail market isn't as strong and varied as the UK (especially for New World wines) I've spent a lot of time studying to buy "smart" for want of a better word. Right now these are my buying guidelines:
- Portugal and Austria are both under-rated especially by Brits, although the Austrians are also brilliant at marketing their stuff, so seek solid reccos before paying too much for them. - German whites especially are deserving of respect. - English sparking wine is often brilliant. Several times I've organised a blind-taste of a Nyetimber Blanc de Blanc against an NV champagne such as Verve Cliquot orange label, and the Nyetimber always wins. - USA wine is eye-wateringly expensive if you want the good stuff, but a mate bought me a Clark- Caudon Cab. Sauvignon and it was one of the best wines I've ever drunk. - After all these years France still tends to be the no1 country in my cellar - Most retail- sold wines are meant to be drunk quite soon (whatever they say on the label). Several times I've opened a bottle that was past its best. - If you do plan to keep a "cellar" the Cellar Tracker app is excellent for keeping it organised.
Since I've got a wine room in this house (it can't be called a cellar as it isn't fully below ground level), and the retail market isn't as strong and varied as the UK (especially for New World wines) I've spent a lot of time studying to buy "smart" for want of a better word. Right now these are my buying guidelines:
- Portugal and Austria are both under-rated especially by Brits, although the Austrians are also brilliant at marketing their stuff, so seek solid reccos before paying too much for them. - German whites especially are deserving of respect. - English sparking wine is often brilliant. Several times I've organised a blind-taste of a Nyetimber Blanc de Blanc against an NV champagne such as Verve Cliquot orange label, and the Nyetimber always wins. - USA wine is eye-wateringly expensive if you want the good stuff, but a mate bought me a Clark- Caudon Cab. Sauvignon and it was one of the best wines I've ever drunk. - After all these years France still tends to be the no1 country in my cellar - Most retail- sold wines are meant to be drunk quite soon (whatever they say on the label). Several times I've opened a bottle that was past its best. - If you do plan to keep a "cellar" the Cellar Tracker app is excellent for keeping it organised.
Re US wines, had an Opus One many years ago, about a 10th the price it is now, but even then I didn’t think it worth the money. Similarly with Penfold Grange.
The Crusher pinot noir (USA) was one of the best wines I've ever bought. Found it in a wine shop in Cowes of all places. Bought six and wish I'd bought dozens. Also got six of a fabulous NZSB but the name escapes me now, and I was never able to find it again anyway.
The Crusher is still fairly available. I remember it being very rich for a PN, and utterly lovely.
Edit: I delved back into the old wine thread and found the name of the SB. It was Woollaston when I bought it but now rebranded as Mahana. Seems impossible to find here though.
When I was a kid and we visited my dad's family in Italy, my grandmother was a genuine Italian Mamma. She was the best cook ever and from an early age my sister and I drank red wine, made by my grandad, heavily diluted with water. I really enjoyed it and even now I like wine with water so it helps if the wine is a cheaper table wine so I am not being too sacriligeous.
I’m all in on English sparking. Top 3: sugrue wiston blanc de blanc squerrys brut reserve
im also gonna knock out this absolute banger from ridgeview if we win today!
I‘m envious. What do you pay for that?
Edit: oh hang on, it’s a red. Hmm…
I’ve had it before and you serve it slightly chilled. It’s a bit weird at first but it does work. Think it was around £40. Re your post about new world wines, I’ve had some bangers as part of wine pairings, from Slovenia, Georgia, Gran Canaria and turkey. There’s some absolute crackers out there that were only just being exposed to.
I’ve got this one from Lanzarote that I need to open at some point. The bottle itself is enough to make me wanna open it.
Since I've got a wine room in this house (it can't be called a cellar as it isn't fully below ground level), and the retail market isn't as strong and varied as the UK (especially for New World wines) I've spent a lot of time studying to buy "smart" for want of a better word. Right now these are my buying guidelines:
- Portugal and Austria are both under-rated especially by Brits, although the Austrians are also brilliant at marketing their stuff, so seek solid reccos before paying too much for them. - German whites especially are deserving of respect. - English sparking wine is often brilliant. Several times I've organised a blind-taste of a Nyetimber Blanc de Blanc against an NV champagne such as Verve Cliquot orange label, and the Nyetimber always wins. - USA wine is eye-wateringly expensive if you want the good stuff, but a mate bought me a Clark- Caudon Cab. Sauvignon and it was one of the best wines I've ever drunk. - After all these years France still tends to be the no1 country in my cellar - Most retail- sold wines are meant to be drunk quite soon (whatever they say on the label). Several times I've opened a bottle that was past its best. - If you do plan to keep a "cellar" the Cellar Tracker app is excellent for keeping it organised.
Richard old bean…..I am dissapointed that there is no mention of Spanish wines?
I love a drop of wine and have developed a taste for more expensive reds (predominantly) and whites the older I have got. My favourite red in the last 5 years is a Pinot Noir called Belle Glos: Las Alturas. In California or NYC you would pay around $90-99 a bottle for it, but you can get it in the UK for £55-59. Very expensive in general but for special occasions etc, it is absolutely terrific. It has been on my Christmas wish list last few years and the missus has obliged bless her, so I have a couple uncorked and will give those another 2-3 years before opening.
Comments
Barolo
Bordeaux
Bouzy Rouge
Red: New World pinot noir
White: Alsace Gewürztraminer
Sweet: Constancia or Pedro Ximenez
White - Quincy, Sancerre or Vouvray from the Loire region are my absolute favourites. Next is Ned from New Zealand. Then Gavi from Italy.
Fizz? Anything because since contracting Lyme I seem to be able to drink bucketloads of it, so I tend to avoid it now lol
At the cheaper end, Lidl do a nice smooth malbec, reserva privada or something, for about a fiver.
and as for Le Piat D’Or, the French didn’t so much adore it as didn’t have a clue what we were fecking talking about.
- Portugal and Austria are both under-rated especially by Brits, although the Austrians are also brilliant at marketing their stuff, so seek solid reccos before paying too much for them.
- German whites especially are deserving of respect.
- English sparking wine is often brilliant. Several times I've organised a blind-taste of a Nyetimber Blanc de Blanc against an NV champagne such as Verve Cliquot orange label, and the Nyetimber always wins.
- USA wine is eye-wateringly expensive if you want the good stuff, but a mate bought me a Clark- Caudon Cab. Sauvignon and it was one of the best wines I've ever drunk.
- After all these years France still tends to be the no1 country in my cellar
- Most retail- sold wines are meant to be drunk quite soon (whatever they say on the label). Several times I've opened a bottle that was past its best.
- If you do plan to keep a "cellar" the Cellar Tracker app is excellent for keeping it organised.
sugrue
wiston blanc de blanc
squerrys brut reserve
im also gonna knock out this absolute banger from ridgeview if we win today!
Re your post about new world wines, I’ve had some bangers as part of wine pairings, from Slovenia, Georgia, Gran Canaria and turkey. There’s some absolute crackers out there that were only just being exposed to.
Spanish….smooth like liquid silk.
The delicate bouquet greets the nostrils like an old friend.
I say a cautious hello to its hidden personality.