Some purchases from Waitrose with 25% off deal

I'm not really the kind of wine person to tell you what you should buy - I have no idea what you like and when you will be drinking the wine.

What I can do, if it happens to interest you, is let you know where I spend my money from time to time in case it gives you any ideas. These are NOT tasting notes as I have not yet opened them, but hopefully I will find time to write about them as and when I do.

On that basis, here are some of the wines that arrived today from Waitrose Wine who always have a very interesting range and happen to be offering 25% off until June 6th:


La Monacesca 2010 Verdicchio di Matelica, Marche, Italy (£8.24)

I've written about this delicious white wine before, and this is the latest vintage. Have loved it before, so have high hopes

Arco de Esporão 2010 Alentejo, Portugal (£7.11)
Yalumba Viognier 2010 Eden Valley, S Australia (£8.99)

Two wines recommended by my friend and great wine writer Sarah Ahmed on her blog, The Wine Detective

Château des Vaults, La Jalousie 2010 Savennières, Loire, France (£11.24)

I have not tasted this wine, but Savennières is an unusual dry take on Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley and at this price it was worth trying. 

Judith Beck Blaufränkisch Alte Lagen 2009 Burgenland, Austria (£10.49)
Bründlmayer Grüner Veltliner Berg-Vogelsang 2010/11 Kamptal, Austria (12.74)

Feeding my love of Austrian wines, a red from my favourite Austrian grape made by what sounds like a very talented winemaker. The white, the Gruner is a classic style from a top wine producer, and something to keep for a special occasion.

Really enjoying this Portuguese white from @UltimateWines

A new one to me,  this wine is from a mystery 6 pack that Paula at Ultimate Wines (www.ultimatewines.co.uk) put together for me.

Siria, Quinta dos Currais, 2008 - £9

Lots of fresh acidity but also a lovely rounded taste that is at certain moments honeyed, sometimes nutty, then grassy and herbal,  but always interesting. This is a slightly older wine,  so it has had the chance to evolve into a tasty treat.

As with so many other wines, it is made from a grape where the general rule is "it doesn't make interesting wines", but I guess this particular winery hadn't heard this before they went off and did exactly that. Rules like that SHOULD be broken as they rely on outdated "accepted wisdom" that takes no account of the skill of winemakers or the circumstances it was made. The grape is Siria (a new one on me, but so are most Portuguese indigenous varieties) and it was made in a region called Beira Interior that I must read about forthwith.

If you also fancy something different for a change, why not challenge Paula to put something together on your budget, she specialises in unusual grapes and countries and I'm certain you'll be impressed.

Cheers!

Wine Cheered the Video Star

I feel I HAVE share this video.

I'm always on the lookout for examples of wine appearing 'naturally' in popular culture. If people feel it is appropriate to include wine in whatever they are doing (films, books, videos, stage shows, ...), then wine culture has taken a small step forward to being more accepted and relevant.

If that is true, then I feel it has taken a giant hop, step and a jump forward in this video - check it out:

I caught a few minutes of an interview with the band - Train (who, it appears are in the UK to promote their latest album California 37). I did not know who they were, but I have heard their previous hit "Hey, Soul Sister" and when I saw a clip of them at a table tasting wine (not drinking, not showering themselves in sparkling wine, not using it as a visual cue of a character's failings) I knew I'd have to share it.

My only concern would be that they had to include wine in a song called "Drive By" with quite so much driving in it? I guess the responsible marketing agenda here is working on me at least. But by the same token it does seem odd that this juxtaposition (wine / pop culture) happens in the US. I have to say I imagine most record labels would be too worried about the US paranoia of marketing of alcohol to underage drinkers. Well done whoever took that decision!

12 million hits on youtube must have some effect, I hope!

Happy wine appreciation. Just don't drink and drive! 

If you enjoyed that, check out the making of video for more nice Napa Valley wine stuff:

Quick sample tasting and a bit of time travel

I was in the area, as you do, and as I had a little cash left on my sampling card I decided to pop into The Sampler in South Kensington.

I found I had just over £5.50 left so had to choose carefully.

First up a delicious Vin Jaune (Benoit Badoz) that was amazingly intense, dry and nutty, and only £1.90. Must explore this area more with my friends Wink and Brett.

Next, a Rioja but a special one. The Sampler is a great place for aged Rioja lovers as they always have some old bottles from the 80s and before. Today I tried a 1983 Monte Real Crianza (!) which was beautiful, cedary, baked fruit and silky smooth. A sample from 1973 for £2.10? A total bargain!

£5 very well spent

 

(edited to fix correct vintage for the Rioja - it was 1973, not 1983)