Filed under: wine

Aged Riesling

I had a nice bottle of Clare Valley Riesling last night (with room service Fish & Chips). I noticed it on the wine list of Ryan Duffy's so ordered it, though had not heard of Hungerford Hill before.

Photo

What I hadn't noticed was the vintage. The list made no mention, but when I opened it the colour was a dark golden colour and the nose was honeyed and showed the classic "rubber & diesel" notes.

I am tempted to think that Nova Scotian Canadians have a mature palate for more evolved wines ... But I guess the reality is that it probably has sat on the list unloved for quite a while!

It is real shame, because by the time someone buys the better bottles they can be out of condition, so people think "I don't like these expensive/unusual wines" so never trades up again.

I intend to help some if these lists turn over their wines a little while I am here. I'm on a mission

;)

[Insert Rosé Wine Pun Here]

OK, it is almost impossible to come up with a Rose/Rosé pun that has not already been tried, so I won’t try.

Earlier this week Bibendum co-hosted a tasting of 17 not-red-and-not-white wines at 101 Pimlico Road (read Willie's post on this event here, and @winewomansong's interpretation here).

First, the wines. I say “not-red-and-not-white” because in truth, there is such a variety to Rosé/Pink wines that it is hard to clarify exactly what the category means. I think a few of the other tasters would agree. Since the explosion of rosé consumption in the UK in 2003, the category has grown from around 3% of wine sold to over 10% (and probably much more). That’s a lot, but what KIND of wines are they?

The truth is that most of the Rosé category is still in the blush style – off-dry, relatively deep coloured and pretty simple stuff. You know what I mean. White Zinfandel/Grenache/Syrah bottlings from California mainly.

However, the good news is that although most of the stuff sold is not that great, it is encouraging other producers, importers and restaurants to look at the category and innovate.

Of the 17 wines (6 Sparkling and 11 still) on offer, I could honestly say I enjoyed almost all of them (I suspect one wine was faulty). The stars were those you might expect; Bruno Paillard Brut Rosé Premiere Cuvee NV (Champagne) and a Lafon Roset 2009 (Bordeaux). However, the interesting results were elsewhere:

  • Balfour Brut Rosé 2006 (England) – a sparkling wine from the UK. Not cheap, but a very nicely balanced, complex wine. I personally think this has improved dramatically in the last couple of vintages (I never used to like it TBH)
  • Bisol Jeio Rosé NV (Italy) – not expensive, but a very enjoyable tipple. The bubbles are very elegant and the taste is just right – just off-dry enough to make you want to drink lots of it
  • Agustinos Syrah Rose 2009 (Chile) - The most red-wine-like of the rosé category on offer. More herbal and full-bodied than most others. A good BBQ wine I think.

Despite enjoying these wines, I am still left wondering how we are supposed to really enjoy rosé wine? On its own, with food, as a cheap & fun wine or one worthy of serious contemplation? I guess it depends on each individual wine. I think someone suggested that next time we actually sit down and drink ONLY rosé wine throughout a whole meal to show its versatility. Count me in!

Now, on to the food.

I won’t say too much, but will share some photos. There were lots of different tasters to try throughout the tasting, unfortunately I did not get a photo of all of them. My favourites were the foie-gras burger (with quail egg on top), the slice of beef (interesting match with the wines) and a tuna dish whose details I did not catch but tasted heavenly.

The quality of the food we tasted was VERY good and I definitely need to head back to 101 Pimlico Road. Keith Goddard and Will Guess who run this were both very engaging company and I’m sure will make a great success of this place. I believe they are even planning a BYO evening where you can bring (and share) your own bottles to match Keith’s cuisine. I think that is a great idea as my own cooking is simply not up to the expectations I have for a few of my bottles.

Thanks Bibendum and 101 Pimlico Road.

Now, where’s my summer gone?

STA travel Buzz & d'Arenberg wines

Last night’s wine event was lots of fun.

STA Travel (http://www.statravel.co.uk) was bringing together some friends to talk about travel to Australia and Queensland in particular, so they asked me to help with a tasting of wines. Unfortunately Queensland wines are very hard to find outside of Australia (if you know of one, do let me know), so instead I suggested that we involve a great Australian wine producer from elsewhere in the country.

Travel is a lot more than getting from A to B (and back), just as enjoying wine is a lot more than finding the cheapest way to get inebriated. I wanted this event to showcase that Australian wine, and wine culture, was a lot more than the brands that grace the discount bins in the supermarkets most weeks, and includes some amazingly creative and skilled individuals.

One of the most charismatic is Chester Osborn of d’Arenberg (http://darenberg.com.au). Not only are these great wines to taste with this group, but they also have a presence on twitter (@darenberg) and have been creating some interesting content during this year’s vintage:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/dArenberg/137564966465?ref=ts

The folks who came along to the event organised by @statravelbuzz seemed to enjoy the wines and learning to taste and enjoy them. Thanks to Claire Scott (@clairelsscott) for her help in presenting them too. I hope to hear from them again as their new travels around wine take off (leave me a comment here if you were there)


The wines we tasted, for the record were (tasting notes from @clairelsscott):
(for more info on the wines, go here: http://darenberg.com.au/the-wines)

d’Arenberg The Stump Jump Riesling Sauvignon Blanc Roussanne Marsanne 2008
Aussie summer in a glass. A delightfully refreshing and dry white exhibiting citrus and lovely floral notes with a hint of spice.
Available from any All Bar One

d’Arenberg The Olive Grove Chardonnay 2007
Classic fruit driven Australian Chardonnay. Appealing aromas of peach and melon with subtle notes of oak, good length of flavour and lacy acidity.
Available at Oddbins and Sainsbury’s Fine Wine (from May)

d’Arenberg The Money Spider Roussanne 2008
Elegant fine herb tea notes of dandelions, lavender, floral fragrance with a very fine, pointed finish. Just great with seafood, it will reward those who challenge their senses.
Available at Oddbins and The Wine Society

d’Arenberg The Stump Jump Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2008
Sensational value but not simple; rich, savoury, and brimming with ripe, spicy fruit flavour. Endearingly honest and unpretentious, the ideal everyday red.
Available from any All Bar One

d’Arenberg The Love Grass Shiraz 2007
McLaren Vale shiraz with a twist. Bold, dark red and black fruits but with vitality and elegance that sets it apart.
Available from any All Bar One

d’Arenberg The Galvo Garage Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot 2006
Complex, flavoursome, full bodied Cabernet with the addition of classic Bordeaux partners. Concentrated cassis bomb, savoury undertones and ripe tannins makes this the perfect candidate for mid-term cellaring.
(My favourite on the night)
Available at Oddbins, The Wine Society and Majestic (from May)

d’Arenberg The Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier 2007
Exuberant purple hue. Opulently flavoured and perfumed with firm texture and ripe tannins. Viognier lifts the rich, ripe Shiraz fruits and gives them resonance.
Available at Oddbins, Coop, The Wine Society and Majestic (from May)