Tipple Tips

Here's to 2013!

2012-12-24T15:04:00.002+00:00

Merry Christmas everybody!!
2012 has been an amazing year with new wines and changes + 5,000 pageviews hit earlier this December!!
The blog needs a refresh and new material but fear not, TippleTips will be back in 2013!
Cheerie O
@lex

Tippletips on hols

2012-08-10T00:05:00.004+01:00

TippleTips is having a little break at the moment but check out the Twitter feeds for more regular updates on Top Tipple Tips!
@lex

Wines of the week #34: The Jubilee 8-carat Diamond case

2012-06-03T12:49:00.002+01:00

Hi all,

Ok, so maybe the Queen will have to get her royal umbrella out for the Jubilee celebration this weekend but that will not prevent us from trying some jolly good and royally affordable wines!

Here is my 8 Diamond wines for the Jubilee:

- The traditional sparkling wine
I still haven't found anything better value than this Crémant du Jura at £6.99 from Aldi.
It's crisp with persistent but pleasant bubbles that carry excellent baked apple aromas. And no, the bottle doesn't shout 'I am not royal!'

Full review of this wine here

For the English Sparkling, you need to get the South Ridge Cuvée Merret from Laithwaites at £15.99.

- The Family's Italian's best friend: Signore Grigio
My only advice when it comes to welcoming Signore Grigio in your home is not to invite if it comes from half-pricio-di-venezie-di-supermarketo. My pick of Pinot Grigio at decent price is the Alessandro Gallici Pinot Grigio at £7.49 from Laithwaites. It's crisp, it's got citrus and a lot more elegance and charm than his colleagues mentioned above. Have it with your starters or with some prawn cocktail or white fish on the grill.

- The aromatic White garden sipper
Now the sun has got to make an appearance this weekend. It just has. So, when that's finally the case, grab a bottle of Marques de Riscal Verdejo at £6.99 from Majestic. It's got white flowers, white stone fruits and citrus and a bit too easy to drink. Also, very nice with a creamy chicken salad.

Full review of this wine here

- The Sweet summer fruit salad wine
Fancy a tipple of a low-alcohol wine with a little bit of spritz and deliciously sweet Muscat grape flavours to go with your fruit salad? Ponder no more: get the Michele Chiarlo Nivole Moscato d'Asti for £8.99 at Invinitywines.com. It's 5.5% alcohol, full of body and flavours and just delicious!

- The Sunset Rosé
Imagine yourself on a warm terrace looking at the sun setting over the Posh & unaffordable yachts in a small typical Provence port like St Tropez. Now, drift back to reality and have a sip of this simple but elegant Grenache-based rosé with delicate aromas of summer red fruits. You're there, it's the Coeur de St Tropez Provence Rosé at £7.49 from Laithwaites.

Other Rosé wine suggestions here

- The Banquet red
Nothing better than a quaffable red to start with a nice bacon roll, sausage roll, ham sandwich or some good ol' French charcuterie. And for that, there is nothing better than a Beaujolais Villages. Full of red cherry & berry fruit, it's got enough acidity to keep all of you coming back to it and create a jolly good sense of camaraderie. Louis Jadot £7.39 in Waitrose (on offer).

Full review of this wine here

- The elegant Antipasti red
The Allegrini family might not be royal stricto sensu but their wines definitely are. The winter warming red Amarone is a divine beauty and could appeal to the Queen's wallet at £55/bottle. At the other of the spectrum, Allegrini also does a delicious Valpolicella from the Classico area (demoted due to screwtop) that is full of elegance, delicate and soft black cherry flavours and has got a lot of complexity for a wine at £9/bottle from Thedrinkshop.com. Get your prosciutto, grissini sticks and antipasti out, it's Valpolicella time!

ps: the picture is definitely NOT doing justice to the wine...

- The BBQ wine
On to the serious boys stuff now, a real BBQ requires a sturdy fruity Shiraz to go with these grilled steak, lamb chops and burgers. My pick: the Redbridge Creek Shiraz from Sainsbury's at £5.49. It's just got enough body to got with both Aberdeen Angus beef & English pork sausages and it's juicy with some delicious redcurrant flavours.

Full review of this wine here

Whatever wine you try during this long weekend, enjoy it, keep calm and carry on!

:@lex

Wine of the week #33: Beaujolais-Villages (Red/France)

2012-05-25T19:42:00.002+01:00

Hi all,

After a Februaresque April and beginning of May, the Summer has suddenly hit us with a passion! Hooray!
To celebrate these warming rays of sunshine, I have been out to try some 3 reds to sip out in the garden.
3 Beaujolais-Villages from Waitrose, The Oxford Wine Company and Asda. And the winner is:

It is
A dry red wine made from the Gamay grape in the region of Beaujolais, a few dozens miles north of Lyon.

Expect
Appearance: very light purple
Nose: red cherries and a bit of violet
Palate: a lot of fruit with generic red cherries all over, a bit of bubblegum, banana and violets. The texture is light & smooth, the alcohol low (13% that feels like 12%). A very good balance between acidity and fruit. Not complex at all and sometimes borderline on artificial flavours but pleasant overall. No tannins.
Score: 12/20

A VERY FRUITY LIGHT RED TO ENJOY SLIGHTLY CHILLED WITH COLD CUTS & IN THE SUNSHINE.

Have it with:
On its own or with some saucisson (Waitrose's Label Rouge) or any cold cuts like Parma Ham, Mortadella, etc. and soft light cheeses like Caprice des Dieux, a very light brie with a nice baguette.

You'll like it if you like: nibbling red cherries in the sun, picnics, light reds e.g. Valpolicella, Dolcetto, Old world Pinot Noir, not using a knife to 'part' the bread, cheese and saucisson, a table of 24 with 23 people you don't know, etc.

Where to find it:
1) Waitrose - Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages - £7.49 - 12/20
2) Oxford wine company - Beaujolais Villages Frank Besson - £9.99 - More finesse, complexity in fruit with very good balance but slighty dry and chewy tannins on the finish. Would beat Louis Jadot's with food. 11/20
3) Asda - Extra Special Beaujolais Villages - £5 - Yes, it's light, with a good balance and very quaffable but with a clear lack of fruit. A bit too simple and too bland. 7/20

Did you know?
> Gamay, the grape that makes Beaujolais red wine, makes up 98% of the plantings in the region. The other 2% are Chardonnay which makes a great but much simpler wine vs. neighbouring Burgundy.

> Wine has been made in the Beaujolais region since the 7th Century.

> Beaujolais has got a reasonably poor reputation thanks to the Beaujolais Nouveau but there are many quality wines made in the area.

> When considering Beaujolais wines, make the distinction between:
- Beaujolais Nouveau: usually to drink in large quantities when released and forgotten about just as quickly. Avoid.
- Beaujolais Villages: medium quality and 50/50 chance of an average wine.
- Beaujolais Crus: highest quality standard. There are 10 crus in the Beaujolais area: 1. St Amour 2. Régnié 3. Brouilly 4. Fleurie 5. Juliénas 6. Chénas 7. Cotes de Brouilly 8. Morgon 9. Moulin a vent 10. Chiroubles. If you find one under £10 in the UK, jump on it. You shouldn't be disappointed.

> I strongly suspect the Louis Jadot wine to have been made via carbonic maceration, whereby the grapes are left a few days to macerate before the actual fermentation to give the wine a little bit more colour and also these banana, kirsch and violet flavours that turn it into a little fruit bomb.

Enjoy your wine this weekend!

:@lex

Wine of the week #32: Moscato rosé (Sparkling/Sweet)

2012-05-18T19:24:00.000+01:00

Hi all,

After all the fuss that was made about the low-alcohol Moscato mainly in the US and a bit in the UK, I thought I would have a taste at three different Moscato Rosé this week. The perfect ladies' night drink with less than 6% abv, light fruity flavours and lot of sweetness.

It is
A medium-sweet frizzante Rosé made from Moscato grape grown in...Australia!

Expect
Appearance: light pink salmon colour & no fizz visible in the bottle at purchase.
Nose: sweet red berries, hints of flower.
Palate: persistant creamy fizz to start, generic summer red fruits flavours and long medium-sweet finish. Good balance between sweetness, fruit flavours, fizz and acidity.
Score: 10/20

A LOW-ALCOHOL SWEET PINK FIZZ FOR AN UNPRETENTIOUS IN THE SUMMER GARDEN (INSTEAD OF A RIBENA).

You'll like it if you like: sweeties, girly night when you can drink but stay in control, into low alcohol wines, raspberries and strawberries, fruity rosés.

Have it with:
Anything but your main meal. Great for apéritif on ice on a hot summer day with crisps and amuse-bouches.
Try it with bacon, cranberry & brie. Potentially all combined. ;)
Also worth a try with light fruit salads.

Find it in:
1) Laithwaites - Nine Tails Moscato - £8.99. Not a pretty cork but the most decent example tried. 10/20. See above
2) Tesco - Jacob's Creek Moscato Rosé - £7.79. A prettier bottle with surprisingly less fruit and more acidity. 8.5/20. Drink ice cold?
3) Sainsbury's - Banrock station Pink Moscato - £5.49. Less fizz, a lot of sugar & little taste. Also, how can they call this a 'fine wine' on the bottle?? 6/20

Key question: What I do with these now?

Did you know?
> Moscato is Italian for Muscat. The same type of grape you can find in dry Alsace wines or sweet Muscat Beaumes de Venise, some Greek, Australian (Rutherglen) sweet wines.

> Moscato/Muscat is a very aromatic grape that is also suitable for table consumption. It is one of the only grape with dual usage.

> In Italy, the main regions for Moscato are Piemonte (slightly fizzy Moscato d'Asti), Sicilia and Sardegna (Moscato di Cagliari and di Sorso Sennori).

> The Moscato shown above come from Australia. Mhhmm!?

Enjoy your wine!
:@lex

Wine of the week #31: Douro (Red/Portugal)

2012-05-10T23:01:00.000+01:00

Hi all,

Another short week (yeahh!) and a Friday coming sooner than usual!
This week, I wanted to check out a Decanter 4-star rated Douro from Sainsbury's and under £10. And yes, it just about made it ;-p !

It is
A dry red wine made from Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca & Touriga Nacional from Douro in Portugal.

Expect
Appearance: medium ruby with purple tinges.
Nose: a lot of light floral aromas (violets), a bit spice and indistinct berry fruits. Very fragrant.
Palate: a very supple and smooth texture, fresh black & red berry fruits (blueberries) and hints of sweet spices. The wine first feels almost thin but aromas and the alcohol build and gently warm up in the palate to create a round but firm and structured wine. The finish is a little bit dry and more on the spice but with a good acidity and not unpleasant at all.

Score: 16.5/20 (taking into account price)

An elegant, smooth and fairly complex red wine with floral (violet), berry (blueberries) and sweet spice flavours for the price. Definitely a great buy!

You'll like it if you like: blueberries, sweet spices, a change from half sweet Aussie Shiraz.

Have it with:
Herby lamb, grilled chicken or even a creamy red pesto pasta.

Find it:
Sainsburys - Taste the Difference Douro - £8.99 - See above.

Did you know?
> Douro is named after the river 'Duero' that goes from Spain into the Atlantic on the Portuguese side at Porto.

> Douro is also the region where Port is made. In fact, all the grapes is in this particular wine are the main grapes that make usually make up Port. Only half of the region's plantings is used for Port.
> Douro is one of the first and hence oldest wine region in the region to have an official delimitation. The Douro demarcation dates back from 1756.

> There are about 100 different varieties allowed for the making of the Douro DO still wine.

The beautiful scenery with the Douro river
and the steep vineyard terraces along it.

> In Portugal, the DO (Denominacao de Origem) and the DOC (Denominacao de Origem Controlada) are the highest quality levels for wine and are very similar to the French AC and AOC appellations.

Enjoy your wine!!

:@lex

Wine of the week #30: Crémant du Jura (Sparkling Chardonnay/France)

2012-05-04T16:27:00.002+01:00

Hi all,

Unfortunately, no time for a full blind tasting this week but a superb value sparkling wine anyway from a very unusual wine seller (Aldi) and a much better value alternative to entry low quality Champagnes!

Special thanks to Sarah for this tippletip!!

It is

A dry sparkling wine made only from Chardonnay in the region of Jura, in the North-East of France.

Expect

Appearance: pale lemon, relatively thin and numerous bubble strings in the glass.

Nose: apple crumble & some citrus hints

Palate: tonic bubbles that soften up on your tongue to leave delicate pleasant green apple & citrus flavours. Good balance between the crisp acidity and the fruit flavours. Hints of biscuits/crumble give a little bit more complexity and pleasant finish.

IF YOU LIKE A CRISP FRUIT-DRIVEN FIZZ, FORGET DISAPPOINTING CHAMPAGNES ON OFFER @ £15, THIS IS MUCH BETTER AND ONLY £6.99.

Score: 15/20 (taking into account price)

You'll like it if you like: very dry ciders, sparkling wines (not frizzante), a bloody good deal, partying with friends, underdogs, dry Prosecco, Champagne more on the more than the biscuits autolytic flavours, an 'apéro' with the salted peanuts & amuse bouches; cava.

Have it with:

Not sure it's best drunk on its own. Might be a bit too dry.

Would recommend either with salted nibbles before dinner or with creamy fish or even homemade fish & chips. The idea to get something creamy or a little bit oily but not too heavy.

Find it:

1) Aldi - £6.99 - Philippe Michel - Crémant du Jura. 15/20. Also recommended by Jancis Robinson & Sarah.

2) Laithwaites - £9.99 - Roche Lacour - Crémant de Bourgogne. Not tried.

Did you know?

> Jura is not very well known in the wine world. It is tucked between very famous Burgundy and the underdog Switzerland and was once a very big wine region with 20,000ha of wines cultivated in the 19th Century (now down to less than 10% of this).

> Jura produces Crémant but also some vin jaune and vin de paille. Vin jaune ('yellow wine') is made by using the same technique as for Sherry. A wine is fermented from late-harvested local Savagnin grapes and then put in casks where a film similar to flor develops on top of the wine ('le voile') and gives the wine a very distinctive oxidised taste.

Vin de paille ('straw wine') is made from Savagnin grapes traditionally dried on straws, then creating a rich sweet white wine.

> Aldi is probably the best discounter when it comes to wine. They also have award-winning Cava (£4.48) and Prosecco (£6.99) worth considering.

> The appellation 'Crémant du Jura' was created in 2005 and now represents 20% of the Jura wine production. The region is ideal for crisp sparkling Chardonnay with a reasonably wet climate that encourage slightly underripe grapes, best for sparkling wines.

> Crémant is the name for any sparkling made like a Champagne but that is not from the region of Champagne. The method and most often the grapes are the same so you can find, especially in the UK, much better from Crémant vs. Champagne.

> You can find Crémant in Alsace, Bordeaux, Bourgogne, Jura, Die, Loire and Luxembourg. Take your pick!

> I tried this Crémant at 4pm this Friday afternoon and now feel very ready for the Bank Holiday weekend!

Cheers!

Whatever wine you're drinking this weekend, ENJOY!

:@lex

Wine of the week #29: Merlot (Red/Chile)

2012-04-26T23:31:00.000+01:00

Hi all,

Continuing on the top grapes, I have hunted down the Pub's favourite: Chilean Merlots. Four wines under £10, from £3.99 to £8.99 tasted blinded. And the winner is:

It is

A dry red wine made from Merlot grapes in Chile.

Expect

Appearance: deep ruby, sparse thick legs.

Nose: blackberries, black fruits, pepper and spices.

Palate: very fruit driven with red fruits (red currants, raspberries) with some sweet spices and hints of pepper too, medium bodied, warm pleasant alcohol, slight acidity imbalance and relatively long finish with some tannins but relatively fine-grained.

Score: 11/20 (not taking into account price)

You'll like it if you like: red plums, smooth-textured wines, easy drinking wines, relatively low structure and tannins, Beaujolais, young Tempranillo, standard Bordeaux.

Have it with

Almost anything? Merlot is one of the most versatile grape so try it

I would recommend some bacon-wrapped chicken or a roasted pork belly.

Where to find it & scores

1) Laithwaites - The Patriots - £6.99 - See above. 11/20

2) Tesco - Frontera - £6.99 - More complexity (fruits & layers of tobacco) but shorter finish and slightly sticky tannins. 10/20

3) Waitrose - Montgras - £8.99 - Beautiful bottle, smooth wine but slightly sticky tannins and shorter finish. 9/20

4) Tesco - Chilean Merlot - £3.99 - Confected fruit on the nose, easy to drink but bland. 5/20

Did you know?

> DNA research has proven to be the progeny of cabernet franc and another still unknown grape variety.

> Merlot is a black grape that is relatively easy to grow: it ripens easily and produce high yields.

> Merlot can be found in moderate climates (e.g. Bordeaux, Italy) where it tends to produce red fruit driven medium-bodied wines and in hot climates (Chile, South Africa, California) where the black fruit and alcohol dominates.

> In Saint Emilion and Pomerol wines, Merlot is the dominant grape variety, which gives its generally smoother and fruitier flavours.

> There is a white merlot variety which is not a mutation of the black merlot and is still grown in very low quantity in Bordeaux.

Whatever wine you drink this weekend, enjoy your wine!

:@lex

Wine of the week #28 - Unoaked Chardonnay (White/New World)

2012-04-19T23:16:00.002+01:00

Hi all,

After the Shiraz challenge, I've gone for the Chardonnay blind tasting challenge! I randomly selected 4 unoaked Chardonnays under £10 from Chile, Argentina and Australia. The best of the 4 is here below!

It is

A dry white wine made from Chardonnay grapes in the Central Valley in Chile.

Expect

Appearance: a very pale lemon with sparse legs.

Nose: subtle nuances of apple, butter and pears with some toastiness. Slightly reminiscent of mid-range white Burgundys.

Palate: light wine with relatively thin texture and alcohol (12.5%). Medium-strong flavours of apple, pears & cream/butter with a lime zest finish. Very good balance between acidity and fruit.

Score: 12/20

Easy, crisp & fruity white with creamy apples & pears flavours and a zippy lime zest finish. Great simple quaff.

You'll like it if you like: half price Chablis, apple crumble, pears, cream, light dry wines, seafood.

Have it with:

Chicken pasta in creamy sauce or a Creamy Garlic Penne.

White fish in creamy sauce like this Grilled white fish in lemon & basil cream sauce.

Find it or others:

1) Laithwaites - Don Cayetano - £6.99 - See above.

2) Waitrose - Santa Julia - £5.30 (on offer) - Argentinian fruity Chardonnay with lovely apple & pears flavours. 12/20

3) Laithwaites - Long Terrace - £5.99 - Very decent mid-week Aussie Chardonnay. Well balanced. 11/20.

4) Talking Wines - Emiliana - £6.50 - Creamy apples & pears but lack of balance and slightly sour finish. 9/20.

Did you know?

> Chardonnay still was the Number One varietal in the UK with 8.1% market share of still light wines in 2010 (Nielsen).

> Chardonnay's homeland is in Burgundy where it makes some of the finest whites in the world: Chablis, Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault and numerous other prestigious fine white wines.

> Chardonnay is a grape variety that ripens in a wide range of climates, is hardy and relatively easy to grow high yields of.

> Chardonnay is also quite versatile in the winery: it responds well to oak (fermentation and ageing), can be aged on its lees (fermentation by products), is ideal for sparkling wine and blends readily with a variety of white and red grapes.

> Forget the Footballer's wife and give Chardonnay another chance this week!

As always, any feedback welcome!

Enjoy your wine!

:@lex

Wine #27 - Maury (Red/France)

2012-04-12T22:19:00.000+01:00

Hi all,

Hope you had a great Easter! Not hungover on chocolate yet? Well, this wine is the best companion to chocolate and is bound to make you want to have more! Oh, and it's only 84 years old! ;-))

It is
A fortified red wine made from Grenache (Noir, Gris) and Carignan from around the town of Maury in the Roussillon (France).

You can expect
Appearance: deep ruby/garnet (hazy - if unfiltered like this one)
Nose: plum and chocolate.
Palate: sweet with smooth, chocolatey texture, lots of plum.
Dried fruits finish (figs).

GORGEOUS SWEET RED WITH MATURE COMPLEX FLAVOURS OF PLUMS, CHOCOLATES AND DRIED FRUITS. WILL EASILY COMPETE WITH 10-20YR TAWNY PORTS. MOORISH.

Score: 16/20 (based on wine shown)

You'll like it if you like: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, hot chocolate, chocolate bonbons, plums, chocolate eggs, Easter, Port (Ruby/Tawny).

Where to find it:
1) Oxford Wine Company - 1928 Solera - £19.99
2) Laithwaites - 1969 Mas Mouriane - £19.99 - Fruitier style with less dried fruits on the finish. Exceptional.15/20
3) Waitrose - Seriously plummy - £9.99 - Less complexity but excellent value for under £9.99. 13/20.
4) Selfridges - Mas Amiel 2009 - £24.99. Top recommended name. Not tried.

Did you know?

> Maury is a Vin Doux Naturel and unlike its name translation ('Natural Sweet Wine' in Francais), it is fortified i.e. a grape spirit is to the fermenting must to stop fermentation and reach 15%+ abv.

> The wine is nearly always made from Grenache Noir grown on the windy and sunny shistic grounds of the Roussillon.

Can you spot Maury on the map?

> Maury is located in the Roussillon (a few kilometres from the Pyrénées and Spain). It's produced in greater quantity and is still very much in the shadows of other Vins doux naturels like Banyuls or Rivesaltes. It is however gaining popularity (hel-lo!).

25l Bonbonnes that can be used to age the wine.

> Like Banyuls, the grapes are fermented, the wine fortified and then matured. The maturation can be done in bonbonnes (small 25l glass jars), in barrels or tanks, either indoor or outdoor in the sun. The fortified wine can also be under a solera system like for a Sherry. In a solera system, a fraction of the younger wine is blended after a certain period with an older fraction of wine and the same can happen for a fairly long time until the winemaker decides that the wine is ready for bottling.

The Solera ageing system - The younger wine is introduced at the top
and fractionally blended down to the 'Solera' ('ground') where it's bottled
when ready.

> The Maury is dominated by Les Vignerons de Maury. Famous Maury winemaking houses includes Mas Amiel.

Enjoy your wines!

Cheers!

:@lex

Wine of the week #26: Shiraz (Australia/Red)

2012-04-05T22:29:00.000+01:00

Hi all,

If you don't have snow this weekend, you need to get your BBQ season kicked off. To accompany this, what better than a good ol' Aussie Shiraz? I tried 4 wines between £4.29 and £9.99 this week. And the close winner on value is:

It is

A dry red wine made from Shiraz (aka Syrah) from Australia.

You can expect

Appearance: deep ruby colour

Nose: oaky aromas (vanilla), red berries (redcurrants) and hints of dark chocolate

Palate: rich but with a very soft texture, this wine has youthful flavours of fresh red fruits (redcurrants) and spices (hints of black pepper), and is not as heavyweight as Shiraz can often be. Pleasantly low but firm tannins.

Score: 14/20 (taking price into account)

RICH, ROUND & REASONABLY ELEGANT SHIRAZ FULL OF RED BERRIES AND HINTS OF SPICES.

You'll like it with you like: Rioja, redcurrants, spicy wines, powerful reds, Cotes du Rhone wines.

Have it with:

On its own (this one only).

Any red meat or sausages on a BBQ or roast lamb

Find it:

1) Sainsbury's - Redbridge Creek £5.49 - Excellent value for money. Surprisingly good for an own label.

2) Laithwaites - Patronus - £8.99 - Less oak but more body and concentration. Heady, juicy cassis fruit and fine-grained tannins. Serious stuff from the Barossa valley. 12/20

3) Aldi - Kooliburra Reserve - £4.29 - Unpretentious juicy quaff full of eucalyptus & red berries (redcurrant). Excellent value. 11/20

4) Sainsbury's - McGuigan Estate - £4.99 (half price) - Elegant nose but a bit thin texture and a poor finish with very green tannins. A true disappointment. Just about worth the half price!

This week's line up: best to poorest value
(from right to left)

Did you know?

> Shiraz is not from Australia. The grape originates from France and more precisely the Cotes du Rhone where it's called Syrah.

> The Syrah grape is the result of the crossing of Mondeuse Blanche and Dureza.

> Some believe that Syrah was actually imported from the town of Shiraz in Iran, where they produced fine wines in the 9th Century already (although mainly whites). This could explain why the grape was rebaptised Shiraz in Australia.

> Australian Shiraz tend to be slightly sweeter, riper and more chocolatey than the Rhone wines but it's worth giving a try to Cotes du Rhone. Click here for a very elegant example from St Joseph.

> Shiraz is, with no surprise, the most planted grape in Australia with more than 440,000 tonnes produced (a quarter of all grapes produced).

> In 2010, Australian wines were leading the UK sales board with every 5th bottle of wine sold in the UK being from Australian.

> 4 of the top 10 wine brand in the UK are from Australia: Banrock Station, Hardy's, Jacob's Creek & Lindeman's. Ironically enough, none of these brands is actually managed by Australian companies but French or American.

> Due to the looser appellation system, a wine from 'South Australia' could be made from anywhere in the biggest winemaking area in the world i.e. more than a 1/3 of the Australian wine-making area. Unfortunately, the UK is not usually blessed with the better ones so most wines stating South Australia can be hit or miss. The best areas for Shiraz are the traditional Barossa or Hunter valley.

ENJOY THE BBQs!

:@lex

Wine of the week #25 - Pinot Grigio Rosé (Rosé/Italy)

2012-03-29T21:32:00.003+01:00

Hi all,

It's spring time! Sunny weekends, BBQs with friends, ice creams for the little ones and fruity, fresh wines all around!

I've been looking for a Cotes de Provence Rosé ever since I came back from there and was finally taken aback by a very commercial looking Italian Pinot Grigio Rosé!

It is

A dry rosé wine made from Pinot Grigio grape in the Venezie region, north-est of Italy.

You can expect

Appearance: light salmon-pink colour

Nose: subtle hints of strawberry & ripe pear.

Palate: Delicate red fruit flavours (strawberries/raspberries, cherries) nicely balanced by a gentle and relatively medium acidity. The alcohol is very discrete and the wine is, what a surprise, light bodied. The finish is relatively short but soft.

Not complex but an elegant&easy-to-drink-grab&go-to-your-picnic type of wine. Not sure what the Italians would call it but the French call this a Vin de soif ('thirst wine') and this is a perfect example.

LIGHT, UNEXPECTEDLY ELEGANT, EASY-GOING & EASY-DRINKING ROSÉ FOR YOUR NEXT MEAL IN THE SUN.

Score: 8/10 based on elegant balance fruit vs. acidity.

You'll like it if you like: light wines, Cotes de Provence, an easy tipple in the sun, staying away from Zinfandel rosé.

Have it:

Chilled on its own.

At a picnic (no corkscrew required!) with light food: carrots & houmous, fresh tomatoes, light creamy Bries, pear & grapes. Get the picture?

With most things light: salad, white fish

Find it:

1) Laithwaites - Il Pino £7.99. As above.

2) Tesco - Cotes de Provence £6 (on offer). Light and easy to drink but sadly more of a watered down version of Cotes de Provence then the real thing. Will not survive more than a night out of the fridge.

Special - My Provence Rosés
(unfortunately unavailable in the UK)

If you get the chance to go to Provence this Summer, try these beautiful Rosés and bring me some back!!

1) Le Galantin Bandol - Cinsault-Mourvedr-Syrah partially made from Saignée. More around €12-15

2) Les Caves du Commandeur - superb 7€ coopérative Grenache-Cinsault rosé (Cuvée Dédicace). Recommended by Hachette Guide.

3) Chateau Fontcreuse - Ever-rising star from Cassis. Superb light summer drink. Unfortunately too much in demand and price went up to €12-15. Gorgeous whites & big smooth reds too.

4) Domaine Jean-Pierre Gaussen. Historical figure of the Bandol area. Beautiful acclaimed rosé and great, personable daughters running the show. Again, slightly higher prices but you're in for a real treat.

Did you know?

> Rosé can be made in three different ways:

1. Saignée. Literally 'a bleeding' in French; dark skinned grapes are macerated for a short time before fermentation with the skins to extract some colour and then fermented as a white wine.

2. Direct pressing of red/black grapes with limited skin contact for pale wines.

3. Blending red and white wines. This is strictly forbidden in the EU but might be done for cheap New World Rosés. Only EU exception: Champagne rosé as main flavours in Champagne coming from the 2nd fermentation not the first.

> For more info, click for the Pinot Grigio Did you know

Whatever you have, enjoy your tipple!

:@lex

Wine of the week #24: Chenin Blanc Vouvray (White/France)

2012-03-22T21:56:00.000+00:00

Hi all,

I'm coming back to the pre-origins of this blog this week but with an historic favourite of mine: the Vouvray demi-sec!

No specific recommendation this week, except to grab one of this very underestimated wine and try it!

It is:

A medium-dry white wine made from Chenin Blanc and from the area around the town of Vouvray in Loire (France).

You can expect:

Appearance: deep & bright lemon

Nose: green apple, citrus and honey

Palate: slightly but extremely refreshing with fresh ripe green apple and citrus flavours.

It's basically like biting in a Granny Smith green apple: sweet, fruity and with an intense refreshing acidity!

You'll like it if you like: Granny Smith apples, Muscat, Moscato d'Asti; slightly sweet German Rieslings.

Have it:

On its own chilled.

With an Italian salad with feta, celeri and with a sprinkle of lemon in your dressing.

With your main meal e.g. a garlic-lemon-chilli chicken dish.

Find it:

1) Sainsburys - La Couronne des Plantagenets - £6.99.

2) Majestic - La Grille - £6.99 (on offer) - If it's the same level as the La Grille's Sauvignon Blanc, this is bound to be excellent!

3) Waitrose - Vieux Vauvert £8.50 - Award-winning wine.

4) Laithwaites - Réserve Champalou £11.99 - Champalou is known to be one of the best producer of Vouvray so you can't go wrong.

Did you know?

> The Chenin Blanc grape originates from the Loire Valley but it is also the most planted grape variety in South Africa (twice as many ha in South Africa vs. France). Chenin Blanc can be blended with Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

> The Chenin Blanc grape is so versatile and thrives so well in the Loire terroir that you can find Vouvray wines in dry ('sec'), medium-dry ('demi-sec'), sweet ('moelleux') or even sparkling.

> Chenin Blanc has cultivated in the Loire Valley since the 9th Century with monks playing a key role in the development of the vineyards, especially in the middle ages.

> Vouvray is usually 100% Chenin Blanc. The quality is highly dependent on the weather as the grape buds early (when spring frost could still be an issue) and ripens late (needs long and warm growing season i.e. a nice autumn).

Go out, get a bottle & enjoy!

:@lex

Wine #23: Rutherglen Muscat (Sweet/Australia)

2012-03-15T18:00:00.000+00:00

Hi all,

Busy week with Unit 1 (Business of wine) and Unit 6 (Fortified wines) exams yesterday. Thought it'd be nice to (hopefully) close this last two exams of revisions on a sweet note.

My 2012 fortified wine 'coup de coeur'. I love it so much my heart aches (although my teeth will probably drop first): the Campbell's Rutherglen Muscat.

It's:

A sweet fortified wine made from brown Muscat in Rutherglen area in South-East Australia.

Expect:

Appearance: light brown with orange and red tinges and long thick legs

Nose: complex with notes of fruit cake, caramel, toffee, raisins

Palate: round,lusciously sweet, complex flavours of raisins, dried figs. High alcohol

A LUSCIOUSLY COMPLEX SWEET WINE WELL WORTH IT.

Score: 8-9/10

You'll like it if you like: Muscat; sweet, sweet caramelised desserts e.g. Sticky toffee pudding.

Have it:

On its own on one of the nice, warm Spring/Summer days we are bound to have a few of soon.

With a nice Tarte Tatin or a apple, pear or peach-based cake or pastry, Sticky toffee pudding or chocolate

On ice cream e.g. butterscotch and vanilla.

Find it:

1) In your local shop e.g. Oxford Wine Company - £11.99

2) Chris Piper Wines / Slurp / Other online shops - £10-12

3) Tesco - Croix Milhas Rivesaltes Ambré - £8.49 - Same colour, not as complex but still very pleasant. 6-7/10

Did you know?

> Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains is indeed a grape with little berries and pips but isn't only white. It can be any colour from white, pink or brown like the Muscat from Rutherglen.

> The wine's creation is unique: the grapes are left to dry in the hot, dry South-Australian until they become semi-raisin. In this process, the water evaporates, the grape shrivels and the sugar and flavours concentrate.

The grapes are then harvested, pressed and fermentation can start. But contrary to normal dry wines, the winemaker does not let the wine ferments all the sugar and stops the fermentation by adding a spirit that will kill all the fermenting yeasts left.

The wine created is then matured in old wood in hot and dry conditions but also regularly blended to create the best combination and more complexity. The Rutherglen Muscat is essentially baked and blended. This is what creates the delicious baked caramel, spicy notes you can find in the wine.

The more time the wine spends maturing in cask, the more complex and richer the wine:

Rutherglens spend less than 5 years ageing
Classic Rutherglens spend 5 years in oak
Grand Rutherglens spend 10 years in oak
Rare Rutherglens spend 15 years in oak.

> The whole wine-making system does command higher prices but the wine is a relish. Who's up for a rare Rutherglen at $120/bottle?

> Campbell's is a family-owned wine-making company established in 1870 and is part of Australia's First Families of Wine, a group of family-run wine estates meant to represent the Australian terroir.

> This Rutherglen won the Decanter & International Wine Challenge Gold Medal in 2007. Robert Parker, a modest wine critic and occasional trend-maker from the States also scored this wine 95/100.

Here's to all the sweet tooth! Enjoy!

:@lex

Wine of the week #22: Corbieres (Red/France)

2012-03-09T17:56:00.000+00:00

Hi all,

An eventful this week with the Twitter account hacked, the first Diploma exam (1 gone 5 to go!) and another Thirsty Thursday last night. With all this, a slightly belated TippleTips' wine of the week but worth the wait: a bargain Corbieres at £3.49! And yes, it's very good!

THANKS to Liz & John for trying and suggesting this one!

What it is

A dry red wine made from Carignan, Grenache, Mourvedre & Syrah in the South West of France (by the Pyrénées).

What to expect

Appearance: a deep ruby colours & some thick legs

Nose: it's not complex but full of black fruits and spices (pepper) .

Palate: full of fresh black fruits (blackberry) and balanced by a refreshing acidity. The alcohol and tannins are definitely on the upper side but soft and very well integrated. The finish is warm, pleasant and longer than expected.

A SOLID, ROUND & FRUITY WINE FULL OF FRESH BLACK FRUIT. A REAL SURPRISE AND A PERFECT TABLE WINE UNDER £4.

Score: 7-8/10

You'll like it if you I like: full-bodied reds; Minervois and Fitou; Australian Shiraz; Aglianico, Negro Amaro and other Southern Italy or Sicilian reds; Malbec; Carmenere; Rioja Crianza.

Have it with:

Lamb like a Country Lamb Casserole or a good ol' Raymond Blanc Cassoulet.

Cheap alternative: Meat Feast pizza or even BBQ.

Where to find it

1) Tesco - Corbieres 'Selected by Tesco' - £3.49. As shown above.

2) Majestic - Aigues Vives - £6.99 (on offer)

3) JS - House Corbieres - £3.99. Recommended by Ned Halley.

Did you know

> The Corbieres appellation is split in two parts: one along the coast and one more in land.

> Carignan is the leading variety in Corbieres but Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache have to represent minimum 50% of the final wine blend.

> Carignan is a late ripening grape with a poor reputation as it is usually high in tannin, alcohol and acidity but relatively low in finesse. On top of it is also very sensitive to downy and powdery mildew (fungi).

Enjoy your wine!

Cheers

:@lex

Wine of the week #21 – Pino Grigio (White/Italy)

2012-03-02T14:30:00.002+00:00

Hi all,

March is already here (still on the detox regime?) and we're a few days shy of a beautiful Spring. To pre-celebrate the early arrival of Spring this year, I've gone on a quest for some tipples full of spring!

This week, I tested three Pinot Grigio to come up with this week's wine. A real Pinot Grigio with lovely Spring flavours for £9.99 and worth it!

Special thanks to Liz&John, Jehan, Mathieu and Clare for their precious help!

What it is:

A dry white wine made from Pinot Grigio grapes in Fruili in the North-East of Italy.

What to expect:

Appearance: bright lemon-green.

Nose: elegant & subtle nose of flowers (elderflower) and citrus (grapefruit).

Palate: the wine is fresh and youthful with a crisp acidity, medium body and strong flavours of citrus fruits (mainly grapefruit) with a longer and pleasant light tangy finish. The alcohol is well-integrated and the balance between acidity and fruit is great.

Contrary to most supermarket Pinot Grigio, it is 1. Delicate & elegant 2. High in acidity and no sugar-coating, syrupy mouthfeel.

AN FRESH, ELEGANT, TANGY PINOT GRIGIO OF MUCH BETTER QUALITY VS. SOME SUPERMARKET PINOT GRIGIO.

Score: 7/10 (wine shown)

You’ll like it if you like: grapefruit (but not necessarily), dry Italian wines e.g. Soave, Pinot Blanc.

Have it with:

A Salmon tartare or just a mild smoked salmon, parsley and lemon.
A grilled white fish (e.g. hake) with mediterranean vegetables
Some chicken & grapefruit salad or a grapefruit glazed chicken breast.

Where to find it:

Talking Wines (Cirencester or online) - £9.95. Worth investing the few more quids. 7/10
Waitrose - £5.99 (reduced from £8.49) - LaVis Storie di Vite Pinot Grigio. Light-bodied, off-dry wine with generic white peach & melon flavours. Very chilled on a warm Spring day. 5/10.
Tesco - £4.99 (Half price) - Dino Pinot Grigio. Light bodied wine with generic syrupy white peach flavours. Definitely not worth £9.99; more £3.99. 4/10.

Did you know?

> Pinot Grigio is the Italian name for the French grape Pinot Gris, also found in Alsace, New-Zealand, Germany ('Grauburgunder'), Oregon, Romania and Hungary (Szurkebarat).

> In Italy, most of the Pinot Grigio is produced in three different regions of the North-east of Italy: Veneto, Alto Adige and Friuli. The Veneto is where the bulk of it comes from, Alto Adige produces more aromatic Pinot Grigio while Friuli Grave produces the best and richest.

> The plantings of Pinot Grigio have more than doubled since 1990 to face the ever-increasing demand.

> The Pinot Gris grape can take greyish blue to brownish colour when it ripens. The grape is susceptible to drying on the vine and noble rot.

> The dilute, neutral & nearly colourless mass-produced Italian Pinot Grigio have done a lot of damage to a variety that can produce some superb quality and complex wines like in Alsace or Germany.

Enjoy your wine this weekend!

:@lex!

Wine of the week – Pinot Noir (France/Pays d'Oc)

2012-02-24T00:23:00.016+00:00

Hi all,

After a crisp & lively Sauvignon Blanc last week, another classic with a twist.
An excellent Pinot Noir @£8.40 from....Languedoc!

What it is

A dry red wine made from Pinot Noir in Béziers in the Pays d'Oc (South of France).

What to expect

Appearance: pale ruby.

Nose: Violets & red cherries.

Palate: clean, fresh, fruity with this violet & red cherries.

With relatively low acidity and delicate fruit & floral flavours, this wine does not have the usual 'earthiness' that some Pinot Noirs can have. It is also lighter in alcohol and body vs. New World Pinot Noirs.

A FRESH PINOT NOIR WITH DELICATE FLORAL AND FRUITY FLAVOURS.

Score: 13/20 (wine shown)

You’ll like it if you like: red cherries, lighter reds, violets, lighter Pinot Noir, Gamay, Beaujolais (cru).

Have it with
Cumberland sausages & sweet potato mash

Where to find it
1) Majestic - Nicolas Potel Vieilles Vignes - £9.99 – Price has gone up but still great value. This is how a Burgundy Pinot Noir should taste like: red berries, little bit of earthy aromas, soft, refreshing and supple tannins. Lovely.

2) Laithwaites – Champ des étoiles - £8.99. One of Laithwaites' best-selling Pinot Noir. Worth a try.

3) Waitrose – £10.99 - Louis Latour Burgundy4) Three Choirs - At the cellar door Pinot Noir - £16 - A very nice English Pinot Noir but it comes in low volumes and relatively high prices vs. others.

Did you know?

> Pinot Noir is one of the oldest cultivated vines in existence. Pinot Noir was already cultivated in Burgundy in the 4th century AD.

> Pinot Noir shares the same DNA with the other Pinots i.e. Gris, Blanc/Bianco and is proven to be the ancestor to Chardonnay, Gamay Noir, Muscadet (Melon de Bourgogne).

> Burgundy is the homeland of Pinot Noir but every wine-growing country cultivates it. Look out on the label on these more famous Pinot Noir regions: Martinborough and Central Otago (NZ), Yarra Valley (AUS), Oregon and Santa Barbara (US) Casablanca, Alsace (FR), Spatburgunder Baden (GER).

> If you're looking for a wine under £10,000, invest in the prestigious Romanée-Conti. A bottle of the 1995 vintage (good but not exceptional vintage) will cost you just that!! I dare you to click here to order!

> Pinot Noir is a key grape in sparkling wines like along Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay in Champagne.

Enjoy your wine this weekend!
:@lex!

Wine of the week – Sauvignon Blanc (White/Loire)

2012-02-16T20:49:00.000+00:00

Hi all,

Hope you had lots of love on Valentine’s day.

This week, a classic wine but an unconventional Sauvignon Blanc from France @ £5.99!

What it is

A dry white wine made from Sauvignon Blanc in the Loire Valley, between Paris and the West coast of France.

What to expect

Appearance: pale lemon.

Nose: fresh green leaves, nettles & fresh gooseberries. Spot the key words: Fresh.

Palate: the wine is fresh and very well-balanced with a crisp acidity but a lot of fresh herbaceous flavours (nettles) and soft gooseberry fruit flavours to compensate. The finish has a nice but restrained lemon zing and most enjoyed chilled.

A VERY WELL-BALANCED SAUVIGNON BLANC: FRESH, CRISP & FRUITY. JUST LIKE A NEW WORLD SAUVIGNON BLANC.

Score: 7-8/10 (wine shown)

You’ll like it if you like: gooseberries, dry & fruity wines e.g. Gruner Veltliner, Soave, Pinot Blanc, Vinho Verde, Muscadet.

Have it with

Goat cheese on its own, a Feta & rocket salad. I would even swap the rocket for some lamb’s lettuce and/or watercress.
Seafood e.g. king prawns with watercress and Garlic dip
Fish e.g. anchovies & capers or a creamy cod poached in white wine

Where to find it
1) Majestic - £5.99 – La Grille. Only when you buy 2. Otherwise £6.99.

2) Laithwaites – £6.99 - Abbesse de Loire. Also from Loire. One of Laithwaites' most popular and award winner.

3) Talking wines (Cirencester) – £8.99 - Makutu - Another personal favourite. More tropical fruit. Check review as part of 2011 best of selection.

Did you know?

> Sauvignon Blanc is not from NZ but originates from France. Bordeaux to be more precise.

> Sauvignon Blanc has been established –via DNA profiling- to be a parent of Cabernet Sauvignon along with Cabernet Franc.

> The grape buds late and ripens early. The picking time is key to hit the right balance between acidity and sugar ripeness and eventually the right intensity of flavours. If picked early, the wine will tend to have more ‘green’, herbaceous flavours (nettles). If picked later, the wine will develop more fruity characters. Often, winemakers will use a blend of Sauvignon Blanc picked early and late to get to the right balance.

> Sauvignon Blanc is the main grape in some of the greatest white wines e.g. Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé (not Pouilly-Fuissé which is made of Chardonnay) in Loire, Pessac-Léognan (white), Graves in Bordeaux, Fumé Blanc in California and Marlborough in New Zealand.

> Loire valley Sauvignon blanc usually tend to be very delicate on the nose (i.e. less pronounced aromas) and often oaky rather than fruity flavours vs. New World Sauvignon Blanc like those from New Zealand. Why? 1. The fermentation tends to be done at higher temperature in France. This reduces the fruits aromas 2. More of the wines like Sancerre are fermented and/or aged in oak.

> Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most popular in the UK and has superseding Chardonnay as a white wine.

Enjoy your wine this weekend!

:@lex!

Wine of the week – Rioja Reserva (Red/Northern Spain)

2012-02-09T23:22:00.000+00:00

Hi all,

February’s the time to fall in love and share some sparkling, tender, sweet and passionate moments. With the cheese or not!

Week 2: La pasión roja suave with a surprisingly soft, medium and very approachable red Rioja @£5.99 (on offer). Heart-warming wine for the cold weather!

What is it?

A Spanish red wine made from Tempranillo (80%), Garnacha (20%) in the region of Rioja about 200miles North east from Madrid and 80miles south west from the Pyrenees.

What to expect

Appearance: medium ruby

Nose: soft & subtle savoury, leathery notes with hints of vanilla.

Palate: it’s very soft on the palate with very restrained and building flavours of baked generic black fruits, leathery notes and hints of vanilla. With surprisingly gentle alcohol, medium body and tannins, the wine still has a high level of acidity. The finish is relatively short but overall pleasant.

NOT THE FULL BODIED, RICH, PASIÓN ROJA I WAS EXPECTING BUT INSTEAD A VERY SOFT & APPROACHABLE RIOJA.

Score: 6/10 (wine shown)

You’ll like it if you like: concentrated black fruit aromas, soft vanilla, dusty/leathery aromas, Cabernet Sauvignon (e.g. Bordeaux); Sangiovese (Chianti).

Have it with
A roast leg of lamb; Manchego cheese; pheasant and gamebirds, Moussaka or bacon. Personally, I would go for the roasted leg of lamb.

Where to find it
1) Tesco - £5.99 – The D'avolas Etiqueta Negra. On offer at more than half price in Tesco. Not worth the full price but a good deal at £6.

2) Waitrose – £21.99. Muga Rioja Reserva. The real deal and the price to go with it!

3) Majestic – £7.49. Same brand. Slightly different wine.

4) Sainsburys - £10.49. Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva. Not tried.

Did you know?

> Rioja takes its name from the rio (‘river’ in Spanish) Oja, a tributary of the Ebro river that borders the area.

> There three sub-regions in Rioja: alta, alavesa and baja. The best wines are said to come from the the alta and alavesa limestone slopes.

> Rioja is Tempranillo’s heartland i.e. the area where the grape is the most planted in Spain. You will often see bottles that look just like a Rioja but say Tempranillo Crianza or similar. That means the wine is made from the same grape but a different region e.g. La Mancha or elsewhere.

The early ripening, thick-
skinned Tempranillo
is the key grape in the
red Rioja blend.

> Tempranillo is called by many names depending on where you are in Spain or the world: Cencibel, Tinta de Toro, Tinto de Madrid, Tinto del País, Tinto Fino, etc.

> Other grapes that can be found in a red Rioja: Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano.

> With Spanish wines, you will usually see on the label Joven (rarely), Crianza, Reserva & Gran Reserva. The terms relate to the length of time the wine has spent ageing in oak. In Rioja, the wines are required to spend a bit longer in oak to get their status. Joven wines will not spend any time in oak, Crianza wines will be aged for 2 years with minimum 1 in oak, Reserva wines age for 3 years with minimum 1 year in oak and Gran Reserva wines 5 years with minimum 2 years in oak. What difference does it make. The longer the ageing in oak barrels the softer & rounder, the more structured and the more complex aromas a wine will be.

> White Rioja is usually made of Viura, Malvasia or Garnacha blanca.

> Rosé Rioja is usually made from Garnacha Tinta.

Enjoy your wine this weekend!

:@lex!

Wine of the week – Nerello-Garganega Vino Spumante (Sparkling Rosé/Italy)

2012-02-02T22:32:00.000+00:00

Hi all,

February’s the time to fall in love and share some sparkling, tender, sweet and passionate moments. With the cheese or not!

Week 1: Get in the mood with dim lights, Al Green and some (rosé) sparkles...

What it is

Italian sparkling rosé wine made from Nerello Mascalese (black) and Garganega (white) grapes.

What to expect

Appearance: Medium pink. Discrete bubbles in the glass but generous foam at the rim.

Nose: Very subtle fragrance of red summer fruits and roses.

Palate: true, the bubbles are very lively and the fruit flavours a little meagre but the acidity is quite refreshing, the alcohol thin and discrete. Don’t think for a minute this is anything like Champagne but for £5.99, this is pretty good!

A LIGHT & LIVELY SPARKLING ROSÉ. A MUCH CHEAPER, GOOD LOOKING & DECENT-TASTING ALTERNATIVE TO CHAMPAGNE/SPARKLING.

Score: 6-7/10 (wine shown)

You’ll like it if you like: strawberries, roses, Al Green, high acidity wine, Prosecco.

Have it with
Just music: Al Green – Livin’ for you

Some creamy savoury nibbles e.g. Mozzarella bruschetta with shaved fennel and courgette or Vol-au-vent. Strawberries & chantilly!

Where to find it
1) Waitrose - £5.99. On offer. As tested & approved above.

2) Tesco - £6.49 – On offer. Less pink but lots of peach & pear fruits and sweetness.

Did you know?

> Garganega is a white grape originating from Veneto and more precisely Verona, the town of Romeo & Juliet. Pure coincidence of course!

> Garganega is the 6^th most widely planted white grape in Italy.

> Nerello Mascalese is a red wine grape that takes its name from the Mascari plain in Sicily where the grape is believed to come from. You can also find it in the Etna Rosso wine blend.

> It is very likely that both wines were first fermented separately then blended together before their 2^nd fermentation. This is one of the only allowed occasion when a Rosé can be made of a mix of white and red wine (in Europe anyway).

> Al Green was born in 1946 and has sold more than 20 million records so far. Last UK appearance: Jonathan Ross in June 2010.

Enjoy your wine this weekend!

:@lex!

Wine of the week – Corbieres (White/South-West France)

2012-01-26T18:38:00.000+00:00

Hi all,

Last week of January; anybody still on a Detox???
Special focus on healthier wines this month i.e. wines with slightly lower alcohol content.

Ever heard of Corbieres? Surely, a nice full-bodied red. Well, this week, we try a White Corbieres: 12% abv and £4.99! Cheaper, healthier: what else?

What it is

Dry white wine from the South-West of France made from Macabeu and White Grenache grapes.

What to expect

Appearance: Pale Lemon-Gold

Nose: light fragrance of generic white peach and indistinct tropical fruit with a hint of flowers (iris/elderflower?).

Palate: the wine is light but not as light as expected for its alcohol content. The texture is thin but with a stronger fruit intensity on the palate than perceived on the nose. You should get the same generic white peach flavour but building up towards a denser apricoty flavours. The finish is crisp and short.

Again, a relatively simple & lean wine with little flavour complexity, a short length but with a very good balance between the fruit flavours and the crisp acidity. To drink chilled now or within next 24 months.

A LIGHT, CRISP & FRUITY FRENCH WHITE.

Score: 6-7/10 (wine shown)

You'll like it if you like: white peach, standard Trebbiano, Soave, Verdicchio or Pinot Grigio; Bordeaux Blanc.

Have it with

A grilled white fish or again a chicken salad

Where to find it
Majestic - £4.99. As tested & approved above

Did you know

> There is more than 9 chances out of 10 that the next Corbieres you come across is a red. In the Corbieres AOC, the reds indeed represent 95% of the production while the Roses represent 3% and the Whites only 2%.

> Grenache Blanc and Macabeu are 2 of the 10 varieties of white grapes allowed in the Corbieres area.

> Grenache blanc can be found in white wines from the Rhone usually in blend. Famous examples include the white Chateauneuf du Pape and the Cotes du Rhone Villages where it can make up to 10% of the blend or the vin doux naturel Rivesaltes AOC. It is usually low in acidity,high in alcohol and provides fruitiness and structure to the wine. Since the 80s, it has been the most widely planted grape in France. It is also present in Spain where it's called Garnacha Blanca.

> Macabeu is most often the main grape in the white Rioja or as part of the 3 grapes in Cava (with Xarel-lo & Parellada). It creates wine that are mildly acidic and ready to drink young. Macabeu is called Macabeo or Viura in Spain.

Enjoy!
:@lex

Wine of the week – January Detox?? – Falanghina (Italy/White)

2012-01-19T18:10:00.000+00:00

Hi all,

3 weeks into January; the Detox month.
Special focus on healthier wines this month i.e. wines with slightly lower alcohol content.

Another Italian gem this week: a crisp white from Southern Italy. And with 12% abv and £5.99, it’s a healthy bargain!

What it is

Dry white wine from the South of Italy.

What to expect

Appearance: medium Lemon

Nose: delicate and simple scents of Citrus (ripe Lemon, Grapefruit), Stone fruits (white peach, apricot) with floral and mineral hints.

Palate: the attack is fresh, round and fruity with subtle flavours of white peach and apple coming through. Acidity and citrus flavours from ripe lemon to grapefruit then take it to a lovely sharp zingy finish.
Not complex but a nice balance of fairly concentrated fruit and crisp acidity. Perfect to drink now or within next 24 months.

A SIMPLE BUT ELEGANT & ZESTY ITALIAN QUAFF! LIGHT, FRUITY AND SMOOTH.

Score: 7/10 (wine shown)

You’ll like it if you like: grapefruit & citrus in general, standard Trebbiano, Soave, Verdicchio, Pinot Grigio; Alsace Pinot Blanc; dry German Riesling; Bordeaux Blanc.

Have it with
A healthy Caprese salad or a grilled chicken Caesar salad (with or without the anchovies!) Might be a little heavy but would love to try it with a Lemon & Pea risotto.

Where to find it
1) Coop - £5.99. As tested & approved above.

2) Waitrose - £8.99. For a more tropical version: Via Collina Falanghina

3) Winetraders – £12.50. For an IWC-Awarded Falanghina by TerraDora.

Did you know> Falanghina is believed to be a part of the one of the most famous wines the Romans used to drink a few centuries ago.

> The Falanghina grape originates from Campania but can be found in Puglia, Abruzzi & Sardania.

> The grape usually ripens late and requires to be grown on sunny hills to be at its best.

> Most of the Falanghina-based wines come as IGT wines (broadest level of origin certification) but it is also a key part of the Falerno del Massico Bianco DOC wine.

ENJOY!!

:@lex

Wine of the week – January Detox? – Bardolino (Italy/Red)

2012-01-12T22:51:00.000+00:00

Hi all,

It’s January; Detox time.
Special focus on healthier wines this month i.e. wines with slightly lower alcohol content.

This week, a gorgeous red from Italy. 12.5% abv @ £6. Buonissimissimo!

What it is

Light dry red wine from the Veneto region in the North-east of Italy.

What to expect

Appearance: medium Ruby.

Nose: fresh, soft red cherries

Palate: light body and fresh, gorgeously fruity with strong flavours of red cherries and a subtle hint of almonds (maybe walnuts); very smooth texture; lingering fruity finish and great balance between as acidity and fruit.

A SIMPLE, SCRUMPTIOUS & ELEGANT ITALIAN QUAFF! LIGHT, FRUITY AND SMOOTH.

Score: 8/10 (wine shown)

You’ll like it if you like: red cherries, light reds e.g. old world Pinot Noir, Valpolicella, Beaujolais.

Have it with
With a rocket, mozzarella, Prosciutto & sun dried tomato salad for lunch.
With a pizza, a pasta dish with fish or light tomato sauce or a risotto.

Where to find it
1) Majestic - Allegrini Bardolino - £5.99 (on offer). Wine tested & (very much) approved.

2) Waitrose - £6.49 – Recchia Bardolino

Did you know

> Bardolino is also a beautiful little commune 35km from Verona.

> The Bardolino wine is made from pretty much the same grapes as Valpolicella: Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara. However, Bardolino tends to have less Corvina, which contributes to the structure and the body of the wine.

> Light reds such as Bardolino are best served slightly chilled (about 20-30mins in the fridge) to ensure the wine preserves all its fruity characters.

> Bardolino is 12.5% abv which means in contains 9.3 units of alcohol in a full bottle. The UK recommendation is 3-4 units/day for men and 2-3 units/day for women. To be healthy, don’t have more than two 175ml glasses per day.

Whatever wine you have this weekend, enjoy!! Salute!

:@lex

Wine of the week – January Detox - Lower Alcohol White Wine

2012-01-05T18:21:00.000+00:00

Hi all,

Happy New Year to you all!

2 good news to start off 2012:

Ø UK Wine retail prices are believed to stay as they are or decrease in 2012. Cheers to that!

Ø If you're still feeling stuffed from Christmas and New Year and on a detox, you'll be pleased to know that this month, TippleTips focuses on healthier wines! Our first wine: 63kcal per 125ml glass @ £4!

What it is

A 5.5%-alcohol white wine made from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

What to expect

Appearance: Does not look watery at all with nice pale straw colour.

Nose: Does smell like wine. Slightly oaky/smoky; no strong fruit aromas.

Palate: Very simple medium sweet wine with syrupy texture and flavours of tinned peaches, pears and melons. No oak coming through. Light and refreshing. Drink very chilled.

ACCEPTABLE HEALTHIER ALTERNATIVE FOR £4.
LIGHT, REFRESHING AND A 1/3 LESS CALORIES/GLASS.
MY CONCLUSION: STICK TO YOUR NORMAL WINE AND DRINK A THIRD LESS!

Score: 5-6/10 (wine shown)

You’ll like it if you like: tinned peaches; medium sweet wine.

Have it with
Your detox green salad or a fruit salad. Drink very chilled.

Where to find it
Asda - £4 (on offer). Wine shown.

Did you know

> A 125ml glass of ‘normal’ red wine contains about 90 to 100 calories.

> It’ll take you about 15-20 minutes on a cross-trainer to burn 100 calories.

See you next for another healthier wine test.

Cheers! Santé! Salud! Salute!

:@lex

Best of 2011 - My case of the year

2011-12-29T15:12:00.000+00:00

Hi all!

2011 was a year of change. And a very exciting one! Not every day do you go from being a professional & amateur of wine into an amateur wine professional. ;))

TippleTips had a great year too. After a hush-hush launch mid-October, the page views have more than doubled every month, reaching more than 500 page views just before Christmas. Most popular post: the Christmas Prosecco. Tipple Tips has also just started on Twitter with a daily TippleTip and has counted at least 1 new follower every day!

To celebrate 2011 and best prepare for 2012, here is my TippleTips case of the year. Total 6-case price: £60.

!!!! SPECIAL LIMITED OFFER!!!! Interested in getting it shipped to your door? I will get the wines for you and ship them at request. Please contact me for conditions and details.

Wine	Key characteristics	Food to match	Price / UK merchants
Makutu 2010 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc	Kiwi wine first tried at Number 18 brasserie in Wales. What I loved about it: the hint of tropical fruits behind the classic grassy and gooseberry flavours You’ll like it if you like: refreshing white wine, tropical sauvignon blanc	Feta cheese salad; Scampi or prawns; Chicken Caesar salad	£8.50 Talking wines
Marques de la Concordia 2006 Rioja Reserva	A surprisingly soft & smooth Rioja. Tried it at the counter in Majestic Cirencester. Thanks Olly. What I loved about it: the delicate build of powerful fruit aromas. You’ll like it if you like: Rioja, Chilean Merlot, Bordeaux	Roast beef & gravy	£7.99 Majestic
Tenuta Ulisse 2010 Pecorino Terre di Chieti IGT	An Italian aromatic rococo-esque white wine discovered @ the Zurich Vinexpo ’11 with Andreas. It blew us both away! What I Ioved about it: the exotic and floral perfumes on the nose and the finesse on the palate; the superb bottle . You’ll like it if you like: Papaya, white peach, white wines with floral character	I tried it on its own and it’s already very quaffable. *Italian salad* or *Fish dishes*	~£12 The Secret Cellar The Sampler
Allegrini 2010 Valpolicella	Mamma Mia! Another Italian beauty! I haven’t tried a wine from the Allegrini famiglia that I don't like. What I Ioved about it: it’s light, velvety soft with juicy red fruits (cherries & berries). Dangerously easy to drink. You’ll like it if you like: juicy cherries, berries, light smooth reds.	Had it with a home-made *pizza, a little rocket salad e basta*! Pouf!	£9.99 Loads of wine merchants offering this wine. Try: The Secret Cellar Bennetts
Marques de Riscal 2010 Rueda	A Spanish delight. Discovered with Kerry & Alistair around a nice piece of chicken. What I Ioved about it: the delicate of white flowers and white fruit; a spring blossom perfume. You’ll like it if you like: floral wines; pear, white peach TippleTips review	Chicken with a bit of cream or Thai chicken	£8.49 Majestic
Villa Caffagio 2006 Chianti Classico Riserva	Visited the vineyard after I bought the non-Riserva in Tesco and expected a factory. Most intimate and simple visit ever! AAA! What I loved about it: full body but incredibly smooth with gorgeous concentrated morello cherries. You’ll like it if you like: smooth & powerful wines; black cherries	Had it at Christmas with roast beef after Chateau Méaume and everybody loved it. Try with a beef fillet and a hint of white pepper.	£14 House of Townend Non Riserva in Tesco for £12.29

Enjoy your New Year's Eve and hope to hear from you in 2012!

Cheers! Skoll! Santé! Prost! Salud! Salute!

:@lex