A Quintessential Quartet for, erm........Quistmas

Greetings, salutations, felicitations and warmest wishes for the festive season!  As the big day steadily marches forward, the time for preparations is starting to wane.  I hope by now, you have the present buying under control and the house suitably decorated?  Good.  Let's turn our attention to the next important job.

This week's review is a little different.  I have been busy sampling tasty tipples in the search of great recommendations in the hope you may be tempted to put one or two down on your Christmas shopping list.  I have taken a pragmatic approach and decided to select wines from the same place so that sourcing these wines doesn't become a chore either.  If you like the sound of them, I could also have the Christmas booze covered from every angle.  So, without further ado, I bring you my very own special Christmas review of four Sainsbury's wines.......

Name:        Sainsbury's Blanc de Noirs 

                   Champage

Grape:       Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier

Price:         c. £21

Country:    France

Region:     Champagne

ABV:          12% 

Whether it is to be opened on Christmas morning or just to be had in the house for whenever the feeling arises, bubbles are an essential festive ingredient.  Finding the right fizz is important as a costly bottle with nothing to offer could make the magic morning a bit flat, whereas a good drink will make the day sparkle.  Have I overdone the bubble based metaphors yet?

 

Made from the two black grapes that make up Champagne, this Blanc de Noirs (meaning White of Blacks) from Sainsbury's is really quite special.  On the nose are distinctive buttery notes, accompanied by fresh dough or hot toast.  Working in parallel is crisp and fresh green apples along with sweet hints of red fruit and strawberry.  A very pleasing combination.  To taste, it is beautifully dry, crisp and refreshing.  The 'Brut' badge earns it's keep but the hint of red fruit sweetens the peripheries of the palate, ensuring the dryness isn't remorseless.  The background contains hints of the buttery/doughy texture and the aftertaste holds well without decaying or turning sour.  For the price, this is reliable, interesting and tasty.  It will please Champagne lovers but may also turn the heads of loved ones who think all sparkling wine is expensive, dry nothingness.

Name:        Ascheri Gavi di Gavi 2011

Grape:       Cortese

Price:         c. £14

Country:    Italy

Region:      Piedmont

ABV:          13%

Christmas is a good excuse to maybe push the boat out a little further than normal and there may be a time when you want to open something a little bit special.  The white I have chosen is just under £14 at full price but this is for a good reason.  It is quite simply delicious.  Refined and well structured, this Ascheri Gavi di Gavi 2011 is perfectly priced to be an affordable Christmas treat and sophisticated enough to take up valuable table space next to the turkey.  A classy bottle for a classy bird.

This bottle is marked with the Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) which is the Italian appellation model that signifies a high quality of produce from a specified region, using defined methods and that it satisfies a defined quality standard.  If that isn't enough, Italian officials also taste and verify the quality before sealing the top with a bonded sticker, ensuring nobody tampers with it.  Gavi is indigenous to Piedmont, being made throughout the entire region with a wide ranging spectrum of quality and drinkability.  Gavi made from within the commune of Gavi has long since been considered one of the best, if not the best place to find the finest examples.  All of a sudden, the £14 price tag seems more reasonable, doesn't it.

On the nose is delicate lemon and grapefruit, accompanied with hints of melon.  Also detectable is almond or walnut notes.  Overall, the smell is refined but quite mild.  To taste, the first hit comes from lemon zest, fresh apple and grapefruit.  As with the nose, a mild nutty texture works alongside the fruit, adding support and structure to this light-bodied, crisp, dry white.  Acidity is noticeably high but well balanced.  It is possible to imagine that other Gavi di Gavi's with a few more years under their cork would produce some outstanding and complex flavours but this 2011 really has a wonderful presence about it and an incredibly enjoyable mouth feel.

Name:          Chateau La Tulip De La 

                      Garde '09

Grape:          Merlot, Cabernet Franc, 

                      Cabernet Sauvignon 

Price:             c. £10

Country:        France

Region:         Bordeaux

ABV:               14% 

My choice for the red wine lovers is a cracking value Bordeaux called Chateau La Tulipe De La Garde.  Heed my warning though, this wine must be decanted and allowed to come up to room temperature.  If this wine isn't given time to breathe, it will not perform and you will feel like you have eaten a pencil sharpener and wasted a tenner.  Pulling the cork out and leaving the open bottle for half an hour won't cut it either.  This bad boy needs at least half a day to stretch it's legs and limber up.  My advice would be to decant in the morning, just after opening presents but before the arguments start.  This wine will be ready for mealtime, three or four hours later but will be at it's best for the start of Doctor Who.

On the nose is bramble fruits and pencil shavings in equal, prominent measures.  In the background is a more discreet layer in the form of vanilla and perhaps also liquorice.  If decanted well, the taste is firstly dominated by warm and smooth red fruits, matching what was detected during smelling.  The grippy tannins balance the fruit well and add power to this full-bodied red but never take the limelight away from the fruit.  The aftertaste is lengthy and provides an opportunity for tertiary flavours of spices and vanilla to make an appearance, however, this is short lived and difficult to detect.  The strong alcohol content is very obvious on drinking and provides that enjoyable warming feeling that extends to your legs.  A great wine to go with food or for playing 'catch-up' once the kids are in in bed.

Name:        TtD Mulled Wine

Grape:       Tempranillo, Merlot

Price:         £6.50

ABV:           12%

My last choice is a true winter warmer.  Some die hard wino's might turn their nose up at this drink but it is slowly winning over the hearts of the masses and is increasingly becoming the drink people look forward to having during the cold autumn and winter months.  There is a clear link between mulled wine and the upsurging of 'german markets' that seem to inhabit most town centres and the best thing about my recommendation is that you can have an entire bottle of the good stuff, for the same price it would cost for a mere mug, served from a shed with faux icicles and a giant stuffed, singing moose head.

The secret of the drink would appear to be focused on the blend of spices, rather than the quality and integrity of the wine, which in this case, provides the warming, pleasant backdrop for the orange, cinnamon and cloves to shine through.  

The orange can be noted from heating the wine up, all the way through to drinking.  The cloves add a very gentle spice but the cinnamon is not detectable at all.  Despite this, it is delightful to drink and the orange makes a well matched but outstanding flavour.  There is simply no red or white wine that could compete when looking for a rich, warm, alcoholic drink to hold during any external celebrations, or for simply curling up in front of the fire as Christmas starts to lose the fight against Boxing day.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.  I look forward to our continued adventures in the new Year.          

Sainsbury's have an enormous presence in the UK.  To find your nearest store, simply walk down a road, any road, it will eventually lead to one.  Alternatively, you can find them on line by pressing this link 'here'...........ha ha, just joking, I meant 'here'........no, 'here'.....or do I mean 'here'.  Ok, I'll stop messing about.  Try clicking 'there' instead.

                     

'Shorn' Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand 2011

Grape:    Sauvignon Blanc

Price:      c £8.50

From:      Legacy Wines

Country: New Zealand

Region:   Marlborough

ABV:        13%

Ever since I have been old enough to buy presents, I have had this sinking feeling when Christmas approaches.  It isn't anything to do with the religion or the holiday itself, but rather, its a feeling of dread that comes with knowing work and effort will soon be required to find suitable presents.  I pride myself on being able to source good presents for everyone and so this adds to the pressure.  Fortunately, once all the buying is done, the feeling completely flips over and like most big kids, I can then focus on the important things, like raiding the house for known pressie hiding places.

This year, I decided it was time to embrace the century I live in and do it all on-line.  Armed with my bank card, I started e-browsing and it wasn't long before presents were bought and ticked off the list. This is great! No crowds to push past, no weather to battle and no waste of time and energy, trudging from shop to shop.  It was going so well that I decided a little libation was in order.  I chose this week's wine, anticipating it was going to be the perfect shopping companion and I was right!

 

First out of the bottle is the distinct scent of tropical and passion fruit which combines with more subtle citrus, apple aromas, and even an element of minerality.  The balance between nose and palate is wonderfully matched, with rich warm passion fruits providing the firm base upon which, lemon and grapefruit hints can be detected.  Towards the backtaste, the sweetness of the tropical fruits play down, allowing the more refreshing elements of citrus and green grasses to play through, giving this wine a drier, more refreshing finish than other NZ Sauv Blancs I have recently tasted.  Almost like the picture of the sheep on the label, the wine has two sides, one that recognises the powerful, aromatic and distinctive taste that comes from grapes ripened in warm climates and the other is a respectful nod to the drier, more grassy/minerally Sauv Blancs of the Old World.  

 

The aftertaste does not degrade but does not linger either, making it a very easy wine to drink with a meal or on its own.  Perfect for sipping while scouring Amazon for the last of the Christmas presents and saluting all delivery drivers who have made our lives so much easier.  There is one obvious drawback to drinking while shopping on line though, and so to the person who ends up with the musical toilet seat; I apologise but I thought it was such a good idea at the time!

 

Legacy Wines currently sell direct to the public through numerous consumer events.  For more information go to their website.  Shorn is available to buy at Nisa stores and selected Spars in the South West.  All Legacy wines are also available to buy on line through www.wearewines.co.uk and at Cash & Carry outlets such as Parfetts & Landmark members. 

TtD McLaren Vale 2012 Old Vine Grenache

Grape:       Grenache
Price:         c. £10
From:         Sainsbury's
Country:    Australia
Region:     Mclaren vale
ABV:          14.5%

Those of you that follow my blogs will know that I have a particular penchant for a varietal wine.  A drink that has come from a single grape variety is, to me, a great way to learn what to expect from a grape and provides an excellent knowledge base upon which to compare other similar wines, be they from a different year, price bracket, producer or country.  This has really helped me to recognise what particular grape varieties I like, where I like them from and the sort of price I am happy to pay.

Learning about varietal wines also helps to identify signature smells and tastes so when you decide to purchase a blend, you can have an idea of the kind of things to expect.  A recent discovery of my own is a Shiraz/Viogner blend.  Amazing!  A tiny portion of the white grape, Viogner, is added to Shiraz, a red, and helps it to add complexity and interest to the nose and palate, rather than taking over.  The reason I mention this now is because Grenache has long since been used in blends, the most common being a Shiraz (or Syrah), Mourvedre (or Monastrell and Mataro) and Grenache (or Garnacha and Cannonau) combination, often abbreviated to GSM.  Each wine in this blend donates their best characteristics and any flaws are covered by the strengths of the other grapes.  Grenache brings soft berry flavours and warmth from the alcohol.

This weeks wine is a Taste The Difference, pure Grenache from Australia where those berry flavours are intensified by the warm climate.   The 'Old Vine' on the label also indicates the produce is from mature, developed vines which are synonymous with higher quality grapes.

On the nose is warm strawberries, raspberries, plums and a hint of Christmas Pudding floating about in the background.  As expected, there is no obvious wood note but instead, gentle spices of the black pepper and clove variety are detectable.  The nose belongs very much to the fruit bowl though.  The first taste echoes the feeling of warmth and quickly follows with smooth, bramble fruit flavours and cassis.  Gentle tannins become more pronounced at the back end of drinking.  Medium to low acidity and the lack of tannins make this a disarmingly easy wine to drink.  The strength of the alcoholic content is apparent through the entire experience and is what provides that warm feeling. 

If this grape had a CV, it would probably say, "Works well in a team but is also able to work well by itself".  A tiresome quality on a human resume but an endearing feature for a fantastic grape.

Sainsbury's have numerous stores throughout the UK and can also be found online at www.sainsburys.co.uk

 

The Big Crush Merlot 2010

Grape:     Merlot
Price:       c. £7 
From:       Legacy Wines
Country:  California
ABV:        14%

If you are a Twitter user, you may have seen the #7wordwinereview hashtag floating about.  This is an easy and accessible way for anyone to tweet about a wine they want to share.  

A few recent examples include @sterlingtalk with "Plums, leather and smoke. Drink with meat" or @1accidentalchef with "Black pepper, red berries, perfect classic syrah!" A few more humerous reviews include @104highst with "Drank it last night so it's gone" and @MajesticStrat with "Tighter than Scrooge before he woke up". 

A mixture between tasting notes and a scoring system, the #7wordwinereview is used by people in and out of the wine trade to describe a wine.  Funny, serious or just plain ridiculous, it doesn't matter, as long as it is done in 7 words.

This movement has gathered momentum and now also manifests itself in the form of wine tasting meals for which I currently co-ordinate the Manchester, UK chapter.  The format is slightly different to conventional tastings as the wine is brought by each participant who then shares it with everyone else at the meal.  The beauty of this is everyone gets to try numerous wines, all of which have undergone careful consideration, and are already firm favourites with the people who brought it.  This informal and fun evening takes place at the Market Restaurant in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where the food provides a high quality backdrop to the numerous liquid stars of the show. 

I was lucky enough to encounter this week's wine at the most recent meal.  The velvety smooth texture and big fruit flavours pushed this unknown contender firmly into the limelight, where it sat out as a favourite for several diners, including myself.  The label is striking and bold in its simplicity and joins the ranks of new thinking wine producers who are aiming their produce at a different generation of drinkers: people who like to drink wine but have no interest in deciphering the confusing and often misleading terminology perhaps.

The nose picks up a light perfumed scent of toasted vanilla which envelops a robust backbone of wood, indicating a bottle with some muscle.  Giving the glass a good slosh releases big red fruits which curiously settle back beneath the wood as the liquid calms again.  On the palate is an immediate sensation of smooth and warming strength with obvious strawberries, blackberries and plums, making this distinctly drinkable.  Despite having a full bodied texture, it is able to hide a high alcoholic content but sufficiently grippy tannins provide a balancing structure which sees the wine well into the aftertaste. The emphasis and lasting impression is firmly fixed on the fun and fruity ease at which this wine can be devoured.

Whether you go for the 'new generation' look of a label or not, it doesn't really matter, as long as there is enough to convince you the content is worth the purchase.  It is like buying Harry Potter books: you know the story inside is the same but you need to chose which cover you want to be seen in public with.

Legacy wines currently sell direct to the public through numerous consumer events.  For more information go to www.legacywines.co.uk.  All wines are available to buy online through www.wearewines.co.uk and at Cash & Carry outlets such as Parfetts or Landmark. 

The #7wordwinereview concept is created by @12x75 and now sees monthly meals taking place in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Oregon and Toronto.  Other cities will follow.

Marco De Pegoes 2010

Grape:  Castelao, Alicante Bouschet, Syrah
Price:     £6 - £7.50
Store:    Majestic Wines
Country:Portugal
Region: Peninsula De Setabal
ABV:       13.5%

The shortening days, turning leaves and drop in temperature has finally taken effect and I am thinking more and more about red wines.  What is it about the change in seasons that brings this shift in desires?  There must be something in the make up of red wine that predisposes us to think how nice it would be to drink it during colder months.  Maybe it is the warming effect it can often provide, whereas crispness and acidity of white wine stirs the need to be refreshed in warm summer months.

This week's wine has quickly found it's way onto my frequent buyers list.  The price of the bottle is very reasonable and the quality of the wine inside certainly stands up to it.  Coming from Portugal, this wine is made from a blend of indigenous and international grapes, all grown in a well established co-operative community.  

 

This wine feels slightly perfumed on the nose before faint woodsmoke comes through and sits nicely alongside warm black cherries.  Very easy drinking with obvious dark stone fruit including black cherry and damsons.  The strong tannins are tempered by the fruit to give a grippy mouth feel which adds a warm, full-bodied depth.  The aftertaste is dominated by tannins which relinquish hints of spice such as cloves in the dying moments.  This is easy to drink straight out of the bottle and with a slight chill gives good fruit, however, this wine performs so much more if allowed to breathe and brought up to room temperature.  The flavours open and provides a nice intensity which makes it easy to match with food, however, the wine stays light enough to be fine without.

This wine is a great winter warmer and eases you in nicely to the approaching colder months.  

See......good things happen when we work together.

Majestic have numerous stores throughout the UK and have extended their reach into France.  

Offering a home delivery service also, Majestic can be found at www.majestic.co.uk

Wild Valley Taste The Difference Chenin Blanc 2011

Grape:       Chenin Blanc

Price:         £9 - £6

Store:         Sainsbury's

Country:    South Africa

Region:      Wellington

ABV:          13.5%

  

The time of change is upon us once again.  The temperature has taken a definite step downwards, the wind has picked up and the rain is more persistent.  The inevitable transformation of trees as they shed their summer coats coincides with my growing urge to leave crisp white wines behind and hunt out full bodied, spicy reds. 

Now, I do appreciate the beauty in this season's change and why for some people, Autumn is their favourite time of year, however, I am not one of those people.  I dislike the short notice we get between light and warm evenings, to dark and wet nights;  I know which one I'd rather walk the dog in.  The problem is, I do love Winter and you can't get there without passing through the dampest, most turbulent season first.  So, my plan to fend Autumn off as long as I can is to keep drinking like it is Summer until things become twinkly and crisp.

This week's, I'm determined to not quite let go of the Summer just yet, choice is a surprisingly good Chenin Blanc from Sainsbury's Taste the Difference range which also comes with Fairtrade accreditation. The Chenin Blanc grape is grown worldwide but is most notable in France, South Africa, New Zealand and USA.  It is very versatile and will respond to different climates by presenting very different flavours (much like Reisling or Chardonnay) and can be made in styles to fit the spectrum all the way from sweet to bone-dry.  This makes confidence in buying Chenin Blanc difficult because there can be confusion with what to expect;  a problem compounded by a market laden with cheap and nasty bottles which gives Chenin Blanc a bad name.

Medium lemon in colour, this wine smells gently of pineapple and soft citrus. Other blended tropical fruits can be detected in the background and the sensation of crispness also comes across. The first attack contains the aforementioned fruit with a pleasant portion of acidity present. It feels medium or even light in body, making it very easy to drink in these, 'late summer months'.  A surprise comes at the end with a slightly oily or buttery texture which adds a touch of depth before the short but well structured aftertaste.

If you aren't quite ready to admit defeat, this wine will make it easy to block out the rain hammering on the window or the growing pile of leaves at the front door.  I am also grudgingly prepared to admit that it tastes just as well in front of a roaring fire.

Sainsbury's have numerous stores throughout the UK and can also be found on line at www.sainsburys.co.uk.

Real Compania De Vinos Verdejo 2011

Grape:        Verdejo
Price:           £4.99 - £6.50
Store:          Majestic Wines
Country:      Spain
ABV:             13%

Paying attention to the wine I drink, I have started to build up a mental map of regions and countries that churn out great tasting wine and the grape varieties they use.  A surprising discovery is the extensive range of red and white grapes native to Spain that previously, I had no idea existed.  My early ignorance saw Spain as 3 or 4 grape varieties, such as Garnacha, Tempranillo and Viura (Macabeo) and to be fair, wine from these grapes do cover a lot of shelf space in supermarkets.  After very little effort, however, I have found and tasted great varieties such as Godello, Monastrell, Mencia and Parellada all of which are easy to come by.  I know I have only scratched the surface too but before you berate me too harshly, I have a question for you.  What is Spain’s most widely planted grape?  I’ll give you a clue, it’s white. 

While you mull that over, have a look at this week's wine, which is yet another amazing Spanish varietal, Verdejo.  Verdejo is almost entirely exclusive to Spain where the Rueda region is reported to create the most notable wines.  Due to the heat of the Spanish sun, grapes separated from the vine are susceptible to oxidisation or browning, much like an apple which has been bitten into and left to one side, and so the harvesting will often take place during the night where the temperatures are lower, preserving all those lovely flavours.

On the nose is immediate fruit with likenesses of gooseberry and pear, although tropical fruits are evident.  Also detectable is a grassy, herb element which gives the smell an inviting crispness.  Upon taste, the first attack goes to fruit with mango being prevalent but a citrus presence quickly takes over and leads into the aftertaste with what the makers describe as, "...its peculiar pleasant slightly bitter finish."  I would agree wholeheartedly.  The structure feels medium bodied and dry but the balance of fruit and herbal influences delivers a soft texture which makes this an easy drink to work through without food.  The slightly bitter finish is not at all unpleasant and provides a refreshing hit.  Anyone who drinks tonic water will understand what I am trying to get at.

Spain’s most widely planted variety is called Airen however, you may find it difficult to get hold of a bottle as it is mainly used to support production of other alcoholic beverages before being one itself.  Don't worry, there are plenty more to choose from and if like me, you owe Spain an apology, you can make it up to them by trying this bottle first. 

Majestic have numerous stores throughout the UK and have extended their reach into France.  

Offering a home delivery service also, Majestic can be found at www.majestic.co.uk

Hay Station Ranch Chardonnay 2011

Grape:   Chardonnay

Price:      £6

Store:     M&S

Country: California

ABV:       12.5%

As far as hazards in wine go, coming across a duff bottle is pretty much as bad as it gets.  Not what you would call disastrous or a significant risk to health, still, it is slightly annoying when you have just settled after a hard day's work to find the wine is corked, or it is in fact something you just simply don't like.  Fortunately, nearly all places you buy wine from will gladly give you a replacement for any defect with a wine, provided you don't persevere through three quarters of the bottle before making this decision.  Being stuck with a wine you simply don't like though is more dangerous because you will look at the label and make a mental note not to buy it again.  Even worse, you might decide not to buy that grape variety again.

Chardonnay is one of the world's most versatile grape varieties and responds positively to nearly every wine making process, from oak ageing and natural fermentation to dessert wines and carbonation.  It is suggested this is because the grape itself is fairly neutral in taste and so the changes in where it is grown and how it is made, can be detected in the tasting.  Chardonnay can be grown in both warm and cooler climates, in fact, every wine producing country has a yield of this grape in one form or other.  It is grown in the UK where it contributes to a growing reputation of world class sparkling wines and is of course a staple of the Champagne region in France as well as Chablis, Burgundy, Languedoc to name but a few of the larger regions.  The cool climate helps the grape to create clear, crisp wines with high acidity, citrus and sometimes mineral notes.  Warmer climates including Australia, New Zealand, Chile and America help to develop softer tastes more akin to tropical fruit and honey.  

This week's choice delivers a middleweight aroma of apricots with a zesty citrus outline.  The taste matches beautifully, delivering first the acidic citrus notes with peach and apricot supporting quietly from behind.  As the taste develops, tangy grapefruit and mild mineral help this medium bodied Chardonnay towards a short but palate-cleansing aftertaste which also sees a surprising return of some residual sweetness.

The previous popularity of Chardonnay has caused the reputation to suffer as mass production to meet demand inevitably lowered the quality of the taste and also people's opinion of the wine.  Despite this, the wine is still one of the most widespread and for good reason too.  The variations in terrior and production mean you could drink a glass of Chardonnay everyday for ten years and still not have the same one twice.  Don't let a poor representation of a wine put you off a grape variety as I guarantee you will miss out.

M&S have numerous stores throughout the UK as well as 300 stores worldwide.  They can also be found at www.marksandspencer.com.

Painted Wolf 'The Den' Pinotage 2010

Grape:     Pinotage

Country:  South Africa

Region:   Coastal Region

Price:       £9

Store:      Portland Wine 

ABV:         13.5%

Pinotage belongs very much to South Africa, just as Carmenere belongs to Chile and Tempranillo to Spain.  Sure, other countries do grow these varietals, some with great success, but it is the home country of the individual grape that understands and is prepared to go to the lengths required to produce the desired effect.

Pinotage is a specifically engineered crossbreed between Pinot Noir and Hermitage, (also known as Cinsault).  Cross breeding took place in South Africa in the 1920's with the aim of producing a grape that had the quality of Pinot Noir but with a more reliable yield.  The first wines were produced around 1940 when the vines developed a maturity, generally recognised as suitable to produce high quality grapes.  Pinotage has grown to become synonymous with South Africa however, it does not appeal to all tastes and attracts criticism for its ability to develop an overly chemical-like taste and smell, similar to acetone or pear-drops.  This is not always an unpleasant taste but it does need managing carefully and effective control can be the difference between palate-bewildering, unbalanced flavours and a bloody good wine. 

Very strong on the nose, the aroma in this bottle comes to meet you, rather than the other way round.  Firstly and most powerfully is a vegetal and smoky smell which has a backwash of acetone.  At the same time, there is an undercurrent of overripe fruits; blackberry, cassis and damson.  The taste is full bodied and surprisingly smooth.  The vegetal influence dominates the start but allows fresh, red fruit tastes to come through, although they struggle to compete with the raw earthen feel.  The effect of the mild but grippy tannins are felt most in the aftertaste where they help to provide a long and sustained note.  This wine is far from unpleasant but may take you by surprise.

The full bodied structure makes this a great contender with food and red meats bind the tannin proteins well, allowing the fruits to open up more and give an almost caramel-like smoothness to the texture.  If you are the sort of person to reach for an Argentinian Malbec to go with your steak, give this puppy a try instead.

Portland Wines have several stores in the South Manchester/Cheshire area and can be found at www.portlandwine.co.uk

Fairhall Cliffs Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Grape:    Sauvignon Blanc

Price:      £7

Store:     Majestic Wine

Country: New Zealand

Region:  Marlborough

ABV:       13%

The mantlepiece in my front room is always the setting for the photographs on my reviews.  I am no expert but I like the light and the backdrop provides a warm and complimentary colour for the bottles.  The thing is, this will all change soon.  The wall behind is actually bare plaster from when Mrs Everyman and I decided we were going to redecorate the entire house and began stripping the walls.  The old wallpaper came off quite quickly but as the weekends fill with other chores and social events, the walls in the living room remain unchanged.  After a while, self-admonishment gets quieter and the state of the walls slowly becomes invisible.  A recent surge in joint effort means it won't be too much longer before changes will be made however, it really surprised me how something that obvious could go unnoticed for such a long time.

That made me think about wine.  Actually, the thought of decorating the entire house made me think about wine but more specifically, about the bottles we buy on a regular basis.  These are the wines that have passed the Everyman household test, great tasting and great value for money but like the front room walls, have been staring me in the face for weeks without me realising.  It didn't take long for this week's choice to move back into focus.

 

This wine delivers on the nose what I enjoy so much about NZ Sauvignon Blanc.  Very prominent and obvious is sweet and tangy passion fruit which carries well and can often greet you before you bring your nose to the glass.  There is a secondary smell, much less pronounced, which is reminiscent of warm straw and at the end is the tiniest hint of diesel.  I wouldn't go as far as cat's pee with this wine but it is close (yes, this is a desirable trait in a Sauvignon Blanc).  The opening taste is straight from the fruitbowl.  Fresh passion fruit, lime and grapefruit dominate the palate in a smooth and crisp fashion, and there is a mineral edge which plays through towards the end, re-enforcing the crisp acidity before a short and unremarkable aftertaste. 

This is a textbook example of a great Sauvignon Blanc from the new world with a very affable pricetag.  It's easy to see the reason why this stops being a wine and becomes part of the furniture.

Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi 2011 (Taste the Difference)

Grape:         Verdicchio(90%)
                     Trebbiano(10%)
Price:           £6.99
Store:          Sainsbury's
Country:      Italy
Region:       Marche
ABV:            13%

What draws you into deciding on a particular bottle of wine?  Do you think the shape of the bottle or aesthetic appearance of the label has anything to do with your decision?  I'm sure you have heard that the shape of Coca-Cola bottles are supposed to mimic the female form, designed to stir primeval senses and influence your choice.  Whether this is entirely accurate, I leave for you to tell me, but I do know that if I am stuck between two bottles, I will start to judge on what I can see.  If the bottle shape is pleasing and the label looks like it has been put together with care, this will score extra brownie points and will most likely tip the balance. This would be wine choosing at it's most superficial as these features contribute nothing to the taste or quality of the wine inside. While a book should not be judged by it's cover, neither should a wine. 

Another new grape for the Everyman, Verdicchio is grown widely in central Italy and is named in part for the green hue it can give some of the wine it produces.  Verdicchio is the principal grape behind two Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) wines in the provinces of Ancona and Macerata, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi and Verdicchio di Matelica.   The other featured grape is Trebbiano which is widely grown throughout the world and is used primarily for blending with other wines as it has a high producing yield but is largely indistinguishable on it's own, making good quality varietals rare.  Interestingly, it is instrumental in the making of cognac.

One of the first things I noted when smelling this wine was the distinct lack of fruit.  Usually, there is a tell-tale sign of something but this wine simply did not have anything there to report.  Instead, a fresh and clear nose which leans more towards grass of the lush, green, dew soaked variety as opposed to dry and dusty, or hay.  The overall sensation is one of subtlety and there is a tinge of sweetness, although too faint for my nose to identify.  Nicely smooth on tasting, the palate isn't offered any significant or dominating taste but rather a notion of neutrality.  Dry but not overtly acidic, the wine keeps within herbal influences and perhaps a tip of the hat towards quince and orange although very difficult to draw on.  The taste remains balanced but sustained right through to the medium length aftertaste where it fades away rather than decaying.  Overall, a balanced and consistent wine that would feel out of place as the centre of attention but would quite easily be a flexible eating partner.  The neutral structure would make it especially good with delicate foods.

On some level, I am sure we have all made a judgement from what we have seen on the surface.  My choice this week was won by the uncommon shape of the bottle.  Now what does that say about the wine inside? Or me for that matter!

Paul Mas Estate Carignan Vieilles Vignes 2011

Grape:        Carignan

Price:          £9

Store:          Majestic Wines

Country:     France

Region:       Herault, Languedoc

ABV:            13.5%

Sitting on a table for two outside his restaurant, I spotted a new friend of mine enjoying the evening warmth and taking in the lively spirit of Manchester's Northern Quarter.  I went over to say hello and on his table was a bottle of red which, after exchanging pleasantries, he offered me a glass to taste.  I wasn't going to say no.  

What he offered me was a glass of 2007 Carignan which was extremely pleasing to taste, being smooth, refined and with an understated strength.  Thanks to him, I had tried a new grape variety I have not consciously tasted before and so made a mental note to ensure my next review would be about the same grape.  Although I have not been able to get my hands on the very same bottle in time, I still have a great example for you.

Carignan is widely grown in the south of France but originated across the border in Spain, where it was once a common component of Rioja.  Having spread a little through Europe, Carignan embedded itself in France and at one point, became the most widely planted grape.  In the 1980's growers were actually given subsidies to pull up some of their vines as significantly more wine was being produced than drunk: a phenomena called the 'wine lake'.  As a high yielding crop, Carignan was picked on and this period saw a dramatic, although not detrimental, decrease of this grape.  With high natural acidity and tannins, it is a good grape to mix with others such as Grenache, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre and Merlot, adding colour and depth.  The qualities that make this wine great to blend however, create difficulties when making a varietal version.  The exception is vines over 50 years of age, which are widely considered to have sufficient maturity to create a grape which is suitable.  The reason I bring this to your attention is because at this point, any of you with sufficient French language knowledge will have noticed the words 'Vieilles Vignes' on the label, which of course stands for 'Old Vines'.

On the nose first is a blend of slightly perfumed spice and gentle wood notes with well combined black currant, blackberry, cherry and maybe fig blended together to give a warm, deep, fruity smell.  

The taste is very enjoyable, delivering what the smell promises.  Immediately smooth and full bodied with the fruit and spice providing a burst of mouthwatering taste and heat, before fine tannins control the aftertaste.  A well balanced and tasty drink throughout.

Learning about the wine lake was very interesting and if the past has just one lesson to teach us, it would be that we should learn from our mistakes.  In today's climate of the enlightened drinker, there is a higher demand on wine which I am sure will pretty much rule out any possibility of the past repeating itself, however, I think erring on the side of caution is sensible and we should all buy more wine straight away and dive right in. 

Mirador Shiraz, Argentina 2010

I've been really looking forward to writing this review as I have been able to legitimately use different descriptive words on this wine.  Even though I have only been writing and reviewing for a short period, I have become conscious of using the same old verbs and nouns to articulate what I smell and taste.  All of a sudden, I feel the need to over-describe in order to keep my reviews interesting.  This would, of course, be at the cost of you, my wonderful readers.

There is a finite list of ingredients one can use to communicate qualities of wine and while this reservoir is undoubtedly massive, certain words will always feature more heavily than others, especially in wine at the lower end of the price bracket as these are either too young to have developed more complex flavours or are specifically blended to please the generic taste of the masses.  The job of the affordable wine critic gradually gets harder and harder as they try more inventive ways to stand out of the crowd and catch your attention without sounding over pretentious.  

So, without further ado, I give you my 'down to earth but imaginatively chronicled' view of a Shiraz (Syrah) from the Finca Mirador Seleccion from Mendoza, Argentina.  Bought from the Co-Operative at £5.50 (off promotion, £6.50), this wine is a little gem and I would still buy it at twice the price. 

On the nose is an immediate, deep and strong smell of cracked black pepper and cinnamon.  Raw wood smoke nicely bridges the gap to oaky tannins that all but mask the single identity of well ripened red fruits.  The taste brings equal measures of punchy and robust flavours which remain consistent throughout and into the lengthy aftertaste.  Very full bodied, the cheek pinching tannins flex their muscles from the very beginning but give way when it matters, making it surprisingly smooth and palatable.  Peppery spice is omnipresent with a faint nod towards sweet liquorice.  This surprises me in a wine so relatively young but is most welcome.  For me, the fruit really stays in the background and while other reviews suggest cherries, blackberries and the like, this wine is all about the spice, the smoke and the tannins.  These are huge flavours for such a little price tag and for the first time I am not recommending a bottle, I am recommending a bulk purchase.

If I can get my message across to you without sounding too flowery then there may be hope for me as a writer and this makes me happy.  In the words of Blackadder, "I am anaspeptic, phrasmotic, even compunctious to have caused you such periconbobulations." Or words to that effect.

Taste the Difference Gruner Veltliner 2011

After last week's great red and unexpected food pairing (see my Pasico Old Vine review), I decided to stay with Sainsbury's and for £8, delved into their 'Taste The Difference' range. My choice is the Austrian Gruner Veltliner.  

Because the decision making process I go through on a bottle of wine is a pleasurable agony, I generally avoid branding which takes the risk out of this process.  In the case of Sainsbury's, it is the iconic purple band of the 'Taste the Difference' range which is emblazoned on the products that Sainsbury's want you to know they've gone the extra mile on.

I appreciate however, that others do not care to spend the same amount of time agonising over what bottles to buy and would rather be in and out of the shop before the parking attendant has realised there isn't a parking ticket in the car, or the kids have worked out how to release the handbrake.  The purple band therefore becomes a beacon of what should be on the whole, a safe but enjoyable purchase.  Considering the hurried purchaser, I bought this bottle.

Gruner Veltliner is the synonymous grape variety associated with Austria and makes up almost half of their plantings.  Like most varieties, it is also grown in other countries, such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia and some other choice 'New Worlds'.  The past couple of decades have seen a real push in the quality and publicity of this grape with some varietals proving their worth by going head to head with comparable Chardonnays and Chenin Blancs, often coming out on top.   

On the nose, this wine faintly retains the characteristic aroma of white pepper with floral undertones.  Taking my time, I could also detect an earthen quality, possibly clay.  The taste is crisp and immediately acidic, bringing grapefruit to the first attack.  What follows is dry with reminiscences of apple and celery.  The aftertaste is short and leaves an acidic note on the tongue.  

A great alternative to try for those of you that love tangy, crisp dry wines.  And are in a hurry!

Pasico Old Vine Monastrell Shiraz 2011

One of the great pleasures of drinking wine is finding the perfect food partner.  It is a staple of the conventional wine consuming populus that white wine pairs with fish, chicken and salad, while red wines goes with steak and smelly cheese.  I won't argue with this as a good starting point but any wine enthusiast will tell you there are numerous exceptions to the rule as well as infinite undiscovered combinations.  Have a curry and tell me whether white or red works better.  

Individual taste is what really matters the most and all experts are really trying to do is give you guidance on a good food and wine combo that enhances and compliments the taste of both wine and food, giving you an enjoyable experience overall. 

It is my turn to do the same with this wine and I believe the pairing itself could be a world first! Read on dear reader, read on.

Firstly, we need the wine.  This week's is a blend of Monastrell (aka Mourvedre) and Shiraz (aka Syrah) from the Jumilla region of southern Spain.  Supplied by Sainsbury's in the region of £6, this wine is young, fruity and blended specifically to be enjoyed almost immediately.

 

The nose delivers a punchy blend of red fruits and old oak.  Concentrating harder, the fruits arrange themselves a little better and come out as dark cherry, followed by ripe bramble, but the almost earthen scent of oak remains a constant in the middle ground.  Taste delivers what the nose promised but in a surprising smooth texture.  Cherry is still very much at the forefront and is given further dimension by the supporting red fruit, but it has to compete with unbalanced tannins which provide the tell tale mouthfeel in the aftertaste. This gives the cherry an almost bitter edge that isn't out of place but the wine would be better without.  

All is not lost though as this wine pairs perfectly with Levi Roots' marvellous Reggae Reggae sauce!  The unbalance of tannins is completely repaired by the warm spice in the sauce, making it almost completely smooth from start to finish.  The spice in the wine is boosted by the sauces own picance, giving it a new warmth.  This food pairing is symbiotic and the wine adds depth and brings the sweetness within the sauce very much to the front.  This, along with the reasonable price, makes it a great wine to take to a barbeque, which is happily also the stomping ground of Reggae Reggae sauce.

Whether you agree or not is down to individual taste and I am happy to be disagreed with, as long as you have given it a try first.  As for me, I know I have something to drink when I open my sunshine kit.

Ca'del Pipa Corvina 2009

The journey a grape will undertake to become a good wine is astounding.  The more I learn about different wines, the more I appreciate why the resulting taste relies on the most subtle of changes in the wine making process.  Every element from the soil, the vine, picking, transportation, crushing, fermentation, temperature control, preserving, filtration, maturation and bottling is meticulously executed to ensure consistency and control for that particular grape or wine.  Each winemaker has their own particular tried and tested method and the smallest modification can impact on the process, changing the taste of the wine (sometimes on purpose, other times not).  Now factor in something that is out of anyone's control: the weather and the fickleness of mother nature.  A late spring, a wet summer, an early winter, too much water, too little water, a touch of rot, fungus or infestation and a viticulturist's entire crop can be wiped out or severely compromised.  

Consider if you will, the grape as a very demanding child.  Love, care and attention must be given unconditionally and every need must be catered for and addressed immediately in order to stop any chance of things turning sour.  Even when everything has been done and the brat is fed, watered and happily playing, an unexpected oversight or mistake somewhere in the process will result in it being well and truly spoilt.  Only when everything comes together perfectly, does the end justify the painstaking journey taken to get there.  That is why winemakers have enormous passion for their own produce because in effect, they are selling you their children.

This week's wine is a North Italian red, made from 100% Corvina grapes.  Bought from Majestic for £9ish, the appellation is Indicazione Geografica Tipica which is roughly the Italian equivalent of the French Vin de Pays.  I chose this bottle to review because the grapes undergo two specific processes which nicely illustrate the point I am making and which are easily detectable within the taste of the wine.  After being picked, the grapes are air dried for two months, allowing the grape to lose water content but intensifies the flavour of the fruit.  Additionally, the wine is matured in oak barrels for at least a year in order to extract aromatic compounds which contribute to richness and flavour complexity.

First to arrive on the nose was a clear and gentle hit of apple and cherry, accompanied by oak undertones.  Concentrating harder, I also detected a very slight hint of tobacco although this hides shyly behind the legs of the aforementioned prominent flavours.  Upon tasting, cherry jumps out as the leading flavour but are complimented by other red fruits.  It is light and fairly acidic in texture but the discreet tannin and oak provide gravitas and an enjoyable mouth feel.  This is a very approachable red which is light and fruity in body but has the right balance of tannin to make it suitable with or without food.

Considering the plethora of mishaps, ailments and contretemps that can readily occur, it is a wonder that good wine even exists.  Fortunately for us, it does and the Ca'del Pipa Corvina is a fine illustration of a good, affordable wine.  Go on, get some and spoil yourself.

Main Divide Riesling 2010

Riesling is a grape variety that I have probably known the longest without actually realising it.  I remember during my childhood, many a Sunday lunch was accompanied by a bottle of Liebfraumilch or Hock.  Occasionally, my parents would allow us children to have a small sample but my memory of what we were allowed to try has faded beyond recall and only four remaining words summarise what I remember of the taste, "Maybe beer is better?"  

If dad brought home a bottle of this to try instead, the taste would have made a longer lasting impression. Let's be clear on this point though, I'm not knocking German wines.  I have bought several in recent years and have immensley enjoyed them.  No doubt I will review them at some point however, I don't think I would get any objection from saying they are a far cry from what I was exposed to back in the eighties and early nineties.  

This particular bottle comes from New Zealand's Waipara Valley on the south island where the Donaldson family collect grapes from nearby vinyards to create their wines.  If this Riesling is anything to go by, the rest of their range is well worth looking out for.  This bottle cost in the region of £12.50 and came from ye olde faithful Majestic Wines.  The price may cause you to think twice and you would be right in doing so.  This isn't quaffing wine but the sort of bottle that goes with you to a nice, sit down meal with friends.  This is also a great wine to try if you feel that all white wines smell and taste the same.

On the nose was immediate and obvious tones of petrol or diesel; the nice smell that hits you sometimes on a petrol station forecourt.  This was combined with a well matched minerality, reminiscent of slate.  Although not unpleasant, this primary smell is strong and overpowers any scent of fruit, limiting it to just a faint whiff of grapefruit which compliments the original nasal assault.

The tasting was equally robust and full of surprises.  A sweetness is immediately evident but is a momentary pre-cursor to the main attack from the petrol/diesel element which also turns dry on the tongue.  Although this sounds a little odd for describing a wine, the Riesling grape is well known to produce a petrol/diesel taste and it is most certainly an endearing feature that creates much buzz and desirability.  Towards the latter end, grapefruit steps up and gradually takes over, providing a great citrus tang without the sourness.  The diesel ends abruptly on swallowing and the citrus continues without decay to provide a lengthy aftertaste.  A well balanced and consistently enjoyable bottle of wine which has an added trick up its sleeve:  The wine is allowed to retain some residual carbon dioxide during fermentation and despite not being immediately evident during visual inspection, contains a very slight fizz (called "spritzig" on the bottle).  This slight effervescence pinches the tongue and wakes up the tastebuds, really complimenting the entire drinking experience.

After all this time, it is great that Riesling is still going strong and while the cruelty of the dreadful eighties wine continues to give Riesling a bad name, I am very happy you can purchase wines from this grape that are superior in everyway.  I am also equally happy that my father's taste in wine has vastly improved.

La Croix Gratiot Roussanne 2011

I don't mind admitting that the French section of wine shops intimidate me a little.  It isn't necessarily the wine itself but rather what is written on the label.  The quality classification system used in France seems an insurmountable and confusing muddle of information that provides no real information or clue as to the quality of the liquid inside.  

I suspect this may be true of more than just me (or at least I hope so) and this may be why people pass on French wine in favour of recognisable and 'safe' wine.  After all, most people now know an Aussie Shiraz or a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is a fairly safe bet.  Who wants to risk a tenner on a French bottle, only for it to taste like terps?

If you do feel like taking a chance or are in need of direction, I would heartily recommend the Roussanne and Marsanne grape variety as a great starting place.  Featuring heavily in the Northern Rhone region in France, these two grape varieties are often blended together to produce full bodied, great tasting dry whites that have a pleasant floral aroma and slightly more advanced structure.  Marsanne/Roussanne blends are available in most wine outlets and even the conservatively priced bottles give you a half decent drink and a welcome rest from the usual suspects.

The word Roussanne is rooted from the French word for red or russet, which is the colour the skin turns when ripe.  This grape is known to be difficult to produce large yields but despite this, also comes as a varietal wine (we have already covered this word in a previous blog) for which the subject of this review is a good example.  Made by La Croix Gratiot and purchased from a well sourced and friendly wine shop in Didsbury called Reserve Wines, this bottle was in the £9.99 region at time of purchase.

On the nose the Rousanne is clean throughout, providing an initial and distinct scent of warm stone, partnered with floral tones and honeysuckle.  On the palate the wine has a smooth and almost oily texture, accompanied by a faintly nutty taste.  Acid is ever present but any potency is disguised by honey and sharp citrus, giving it a dry yet smooth overall taste.  The oily, nutty texture is the last taste to leave but remains balanced right to the last, making this a very enjoyable drop.  I can imagine that older examples of this wine would taste great, having had chance to develop and add further complexity to their flavour.

Chapel Down Vintage Reserve Brut

I would call myself a reasonably patriotic man.  This week saw the end to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations and for once, the incessant noise of the nay-sayers and complainers was drowned out by the noise of a nation full of street parties, park picnics, brass bands, street processions and other 'community considerate' celebrations.  Love thy neighbour is still alive, and it made me proud to be British.  Something we don't get chance at too often unfortunately.

This being said though, I am not the sort to string up bunting or sellotape plastic flags to my front window to openly display my patriotism.  Instead, I prefer to show my appreciation and allegiance to the Empire in more subtle ways.  Like toasting the Queen with an English Sparkling Wine.

Enter Chapel Down Vintage Reserve Brut.  This is a powerful, sparkling wine made by a vineyard based in Tenterden, Kent who use a combination of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Meunier grapes, from nearby vineyards in Kent, Sussex and Essex.

On the nose I could easily detect juicy apple and crisp citrus tones hiding behind the bubbles.  I am advised that other aromas include lemongrass, fresh bread and wild strawberries however, I believe the chilled temperature of the wine, the flute I was using and the fantastically violent effervescence restricted further discovery.  Upon tasting, the first sensation is crisp and almost flint-like.  The bubbles assault the senses and make for a pleasing, dry and refreshing sip.  Further on, I got very subtle hints of raspberries and apple again however, the crisp and balanced acidity remains the star of the show, providing a clear and lasting aftertaste. 

You can get hold of Chapel Down from a number of places including Asda, Waitrose, M&S and good old Majestic Wines.  The price ranges from £15 to £18 and I leave you to draw your own conclusions as to where it costs the most and least.  You will probably be right.

You may still be thinking that us Brits can't produce Champagne, and you would be right - we can't.  We can however, make a world class, award winning, English Sparkling Wine.  That's definitely another thing to be proud of.

Poggio Argentiera, Morello Di Scansano 2011, Italy

Recording my thoughts and thinking hard about what I drink has made me aware that I tend to gravitate towards South American and Spanish wines.  I now know I love the full bodied feel of a spicy or well balanced red and I can identify the grapes I am fond of.  In particular Tempranillo, Mencia, Carmenere, Malbec and Tannat, although this list is certainly not exhaustive

For this week's choice, I purposefully turn my back on the 'comfort zone' and point myself in the direction of somewhere new.  Italy.  

Made from 85% Sangiovese and 15% Ciliegiolo, this Morellino Di Scansano is a perfect example of how a great Italian wine should taste but don't just take my word for it.  The bottle quite rightly states the Italian designation of Denominazione Di Origine Controllata E Garantita (DOCG), the highest appellation that can be achieved by an Italian wine, indicating top level of quality.  Consider that along with the price tag of £8 or £9 and it makes it the bottle well worth trying (source: Majestic Wines).

Sangiovese is a very important grape to the Italians and you are most likely to have seen it on numerous other bottles before, including Chianti, where it is the main component.  Sangiovese is very versatile and is also heavily featured in the wider spectrum of Italian wines.  The other grape variety, Ciliegiolo (from the Italian word for cherry) is a common bed fellow with Sangiovese and I suspect is used to temper the slightly sour twist that can come from the latter grape.

On the nose I get light and clean with cherries being the obvious fruit.  There was another smell on the fringes that I couldn't quite identify.  Other reviews suggest cold tea but I was more inclined towards cloves.  The taste is light to medium body, youthful and acidic.  Fresh and ripe cherries dominate the palate as well as the nose although the acidity and tannin are ever present and retain control of the aftertaste which, while good ends abruptly.

Considering my heavier bodied tendency for red, this felt light and refreshing, making it a fantastic choice to have in warm weather.  It is no wonder this particular wine has achieved greatness and I can certainly imagine sipping this while dipping my feet in lago Maggiore or lying in the grass at Giardino Borghese or admiring the teatro at the Piazza Politeama.  

I'm sure the producer, Signore Paglia will be delighted to know that it also goes down a treat on a balmy evening in South Manchester, with a six pack of Mr Kipling Victoria Sponges.

Errazuriz Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2010, Chile

Shaun of the Dead, starring Simon Pegg was released in the UK in April 2004.  Taking advantage of the momentum that Spaced brought, the film was well received by fans and critics alike.  I included myself in this throng but for one reason or another, I just didn't get to see the film.  Such was its popularity that friends would often re-enact hilarious sections and then enjoy post-recital dissection, discussing at length what was so brilliant about the film and the subtle nuances that made each performance shine.  I felt left out and so made a mental note to see it as soon as possible.  Still I didn't.  There was no reason for my avoidance, I liked Spaced and I found Pegg & co very talented. I knew it would be funny and I knew I would enjoy it however, there was simply no reason for my omission, other than maybe apathy.

I eventually did something about it, and when that empty, rainy Saturday came, a revelation took place.  I loved it!  I laughed hard all the way through and marvelled at the clever storyline and inspiring use of the repeated script.  Of course it was old news to everyone else so I missed out on the detailed post-mortem because everyone had gone through this range of emotion years before. 

I went through a similar experience with this wine.  It has been given numerous positive reviews and recommended by friends but for whatever reason, I simply haven't tried it until now.  Majestic Wines helped me to right this wrong to the tune of about £10.  There are definitely no zombies in this wine but the revelation is the same.

On the nose is a distinctive and pleasant buttery and nutty smell with perhaps a hint of freshly risen dough or even cream soda.  The taste reflects the warm buttery smell and is accompanied by vanilla and light oak textures which come from the brief fling the wine has in French oak.  Balanced, smooth and almost creamy there is no kick, although the power of this wine is always in the background, making no more of an appearance than gentle dryness and the faint but pronounced aftertaste of citrus.    The taste is consistent, balanced and a pleasure to drink from pulling the cork to up-ending the bottle.

This Chardonnay stands out because of the way it is made.  The winemaker advises the grapes ripen slowly because of the cooling influence of the sea breeze and fermentation takes place using only the natural yeast found living on the grape and vine (hence the name 'Wild ferment').  The depth and complexity of the grape is evident in the tasting and makes this Chardonnay a must on every wine-lovers list.