Jilly Goolden Fan Club

'Plumduff'

2011-11-06T13:04:00.000Z

'Plumduff', a ruby ale from the Wychwood brewery in Oxfordshire is described on the bottle as a 'hearty Christmas ale, a seasonal brew with plum and spice'. It's colour is deep, like a strong, un-milked tea, with an almost whisky like translucency. It makes you feel warm inside just looking at it.

Flavourwise it's very malty, with a tangy Christmas pudding aftertaste. It's as if they've taken a moist Christmas pudding, or maybe the centre of a large mince pie, and wrung it out over the vat of ale to drip the essence of the festive season into every bottle. To top it off, it's finished with a mistletoe kiss to the back of the tongue.

If you're looking for a winter warmer to enjoy over the holiday season then I would heartily recommend this fine ale.

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Gallo, White Grenache (California) 2010

2011-11-05T14:34:00.001Z

It's been a long time since I tasted anything that wasn't a white, so I thought I'd treat myself to something that had a little colour to it. As it's fast approaching the holiday season the gorgeous red pinkish hues of this tipple immediately caught my eye on the shelf.

This wine has such a vibrant colour that it looks luminescent in the glass and just begs to be imbibed. The nose is light with the merest hint of summer fruits, which makes a change from the usual pungent heavy whites that I normally enjoy. The nasal journey that the nose invited me to take reminds one of a summers day spent picking strawberries to fill my hand woven punnet.

At first taste this wine is sweet on the tongue with a gentle bite and a lingering aftertaste of fruits. As I have already said, this wine is VERY fruity and so would be equally perfect drunk on a Mediterranean beach lounger or at a festive gathering. It gives one such a positive feeling as the sweetness, colour and bite combine to lift the spirits through more that just the taste.

I thoroughly enjoyed drinking something so different and fresh and would heartily recommend this to anyone looking for a wine that will bring a smile to their lips.

Hardy's Crest Chardonnay-Sauvignon Blanc (2009), South Eastern Australia

2010-02-17T01:47:00.001Z

This one is a special treat for anyone looking for an everyday drink. Something to sip when you're relaxing with nibbles.
The colour of this wine is an interesting one, it's typically light for a chardonnay-sauvignon blanc, but with a mild green tinge.
The nose is deceptively light. It's reminiscent of planted watercress, but watercress which has been waterlogged by a heavy shower of acid rain. Imagine walking outside on a damp autumnal day and you'll get the idea.
On the palate this tipple is creamy, giving one a story of soft strawberrys topped off with a gooseberry finish. Go back to that woodland walk, reach into the overgrowth, and find a four leaf clover to chew on, That's the flavour I'm talking about.
Who would drink a wine like this, Well, as I said it's an easy to drink everyday mouth lubricant, so think of an ex-member of the pop group 'Steps'. With there light, no nonsense approach to the world of party pop it would suit them to a tee.
I heartily recommend this wine to one and all.

Keep on drinking,
Jilly X

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La Gioiosa et Amorosa, Pinot Grigio, Veneto (2008)

2010-01-22T09:00:00.007Z

This ones another heavy tipple. It's nose belies it's inner strength, being of fresh almonds that have been stored in peach trifle. Meanwhile it's appearance is almost crystal clear, albeit with an emerald glint.

This pinot has an earthy, almost gravel like palate. It taste is strong enough to have jaws, like a pit bull jumping down your throat and gnawing at your adenoids. A good thing when your looking for a snifter with a little more bite than the average pinot.
Finish wise, it doesn't let up. It leaves one with a bitter aftertaste, and is very nasal. It keeps the strength of it's flavours going to the last breath, and is very heavy overall on the senses.

All in all a heavy weight on the taste front, and a tipple which I for one would heartily recommend.

Keep on drinking...
Jilly X

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Caves Saint-Pierre Cotes du Rhóne Blanc (2008)

2010-01-15T09:00:00.002Z

This cheeky little French number is from the Saint-Pierre 'preference' range of throat lubricants, and boy did I 'prefer' it.
To the eye, the wine appears pure and clear, with a slight golden tint. It provides one with a vision of crisp refreshment.
On the nose it reminds one of pink Turkish Delight. Not the chocolate covered blocks, but the classic jellied chunks coated with a dusting of sweet powder.

Now to the tasting. This tipple has a deep, resonant spine that suggests bitter pears and frosted marshmallows. It's a tough little bugger, and it tries to take your tonsils down your throat with it as you swallow. It's an interesting mix of these heavy winter fruit flavours overtured by a light sweetness, and I thouroughly enjoyed ploughing my way through the bottle.

All in all a good choice if your planning on spending some time in deep contemplation over a hearty drink or two, but probably not so good for a summer party. I for one would heartily recommend it to anyone.

Keep on drinking...
Jilly X

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Sainsburys Taste The Difference South African Sauvignon Blanc (2008)

2009-12-19T19:01:00.005Z

As I've written before, don't let the fact that this tipple is part of the Taste The Difference range at Sainsbury's put you off.

Let's start with the nose, first impressions were of a chicken releasing gas from it's back end directly into my nasal cavity. This impression didn't change however much I stuck my nose into the glass.

I certainly could 'taste the difference' with this offering, the difference being that it had a texture on the palate reminiscent of cream cheese. It has a well focussed flavour, with lots of bite and undertones of white chocolate. The lingering aftertaste reminded one of the fluid used in an old fashioned barber shop's comb steriliser, yummy. One downside of this wine is that it leaves a claggy feeling on the back of the throat, but I suppose some will like that.

Overall this was an enjoyable drink and I would highly recommend it to anyone wishing to sample something from the southern cape of South Africa.

Keep on drinking...
Jilly x

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Yorkshire Terrier Bitter

2009-11-17T23:08:00.007Z

Yorkshire Terrier Bitter, from the York Brewery, is a truly confident tipple. It's flavour is one of concentrated parma violets and lavender petals, with an aftertaste of a metallic chunk of classic turkish delight. It's bronze colour belies an extremely focused palate, while it's nose reminds one of pre-packed, pre-sliced Monterey Jack cheese. A truly enjoyable quaff, which I heartily recommend...

Keep on drinking,
Jilly X

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Wells Banana Bread Beer

2009-10-26T18:34:00.008Z

This tipple really does do exactly what it says on the tin. It's spritely on the tongue, and has a real essence of banana's, with a soft hint of soda powder. It's finish is reminiscent of a chilled emulsion paint freshly applied to a new build house, crisp and fresh.
If your the kind of girl, and I am, who enjoys an old style pastoral picnic, then this is the perfect refresher to take with you in your wicker pickernic basket.

Keep on drinking...
Jilly X

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Sainsbury's Mácon Villages Chardonnay 2007

2009-02-04T23:08:00.005Z

Don't be put off by the fact that this is part of Sainsburys 'taste the difference' range, it's actually an excellent tipple. Produced by Georges Duboef, this chardonnay has a classic pale colour that just craves to be drunk. It's nose is well balanced, with almost a hint of menthol, almost. Think Vic's Vaporub. Sharp citrus and peach notes, with a finish that reminds one of the deep blue ink in a bic biro, mmmm. All with that lovely warming feeling as the wine wings it's way down your oesophogus.

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Blason de Bourgogne, Burgundy Chardonnay, Cuvée 2007

2009-01-24T15:08:00.006Z

This is a true gem to drink. It fills so many of the requisites I have for a good wine experience. Good strong flavours, but each well balanced to allow every one the time to be acknowledged by the palate. This is a slightly more challenging drink than it's contemporaries in this price range, but challenging in a good way. It bites your tongue in all the right places, and leaves you with the feeling you've just gorged on a basket full of bitter plums. Yummy.

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Touraine Sauvignon Blanc (Paul Boutinot) 2007

2008-12-31T20:25:00.002Z

This fruity little number comes from the Loire region of France. It's full of grapefruit, lime and gooseberry overtones, all with a citrus nose. It's finish is reminiscent of the liquid drip from the end of a car exhaust on a hot, humid summers morn.
All in all a truly rounded tipple, and one which I would heartily recommend...

Keep on drinking,
Love Jilly X

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