If you have ever experienced that nagging discomfort or debilitating pain in your lower back, you understand how it can affect your daily activities and overall quality of life. One tool that can provide relief is a back support belt. These devices, available in various sizes, shapes, and materials, are designed to lend your back the extra support it needs to function more comfortably and to alleviate the stress placed on it, particularly during physical exertion. But not all support belts are created equal, so finding one that’s right for you is crucial. This blog post aims to guide you in understanding the importance of selecting the correct lumbar support belt for achieving effective pain relief and lead you through the key aspects to consider during this process.

Material and Durability

The elements utilized in the manufacturing of lumbar support belts play a crucial role in determining their longevity. A popular material choice is neoprene, known for its flexibility, sturdiness, and excellent fit, ensuring a snug yet comfortable grip on your lower back. Not all belts utilize this material, though, so it’s worth investigating what yours is made of.

Leather belts are also often utilized, especially in weightlifting and heavy-duty jobs, due to their unrivaled toughness and firmness. They are notably stiff and durable and can provide robust support. However, they are less breathable and may not be comfortable for long-term use or those with skin sensitivities.

Nylon is another highly resilient material that is both lightweight and strong, making for a comfortable yet supportive belt. Its high tensile strength guarantees excellent durability, and it is typically more breathable than leather, making it suitable for any activity level. 

Comfort

A back belt that isn’t a good match for your body shape won’t provide the necessary support, possibly leading to uncertainties and discomfort during usage. To ensure this doesn’t happen, selecting a lumbar back support brace that snugly hugs your waist is crucial, offering an effective solution to your lower back pain. 

However, while a snug fit is key, the belt shouldn’t be so tight that it restricts movement or makes you uncomfortable. Here, adjustable straps come into play. Straps that can be tightened or loosened provide flexibility, ensuring the brace fits perfectly while also accommodating differing levels of activity throughout the day.

Level of Support

It’s integral to identify the seriousness of your discomfort, as the degree of pain you’re experiencing often directly correlates to the amount of support you might need. While mild soreness might only require minimal support, severe pain could necessitate the use of a substantial support measure. Different types of lower back support belts offer varying levels of support for your pain relief. Some are designed to apply a small amount of pressure to the affected area, offering gentle reinforcement. Others are crafted to provide more profound pressure or support, perfect for conditions that cause intense discomfort.

It’s also essential to interpret your specific needs for stability and support. This implies considering not only your present pain levels but also your daily activities. Some individuals might only require support during certain activities, while others might need constant reinforcement.

Adjustability and Flexibility

Adjustable straps and buckles on support belts let you modify the belt’s fit, ensuring it snugly wraps around your body. The ability to fine-tune the fit helps to maintain the effectiveness of the belt, providing much-needed support and stability. A balance between flexibility and solidity is something one should look for in a belt. A flexible, yet sturdy belt will ensure that it adapts to your movements, allowing for a comfortable range of motion while still providing sufficient support.

Breathability

Ideally, it should allow air to circulate between your skin and the fabric, minimizing the potential for excessive perspiration and discomfort. A non-breathable belt may lead to skin irritation and discomfort and may discourage its use, particularly during strenuous activities or warmer conditions. Always choose a back brace made from a material that can be washed or wiped clean easily, ensuring your support belt remains hygienic throughout its usage.

Ortorex Back Support Belt Review

The Ortorex Lumbar Support Belt is a versatile, durable, and highly effective solution for back pain, posture issues, and overall back support. I highly recommend it to anyone dealing with similar challenges. You can learn more about this product at https://ortorex.ie/p/lumbar/, where detailed specifications and user testimonials provide a comprehensive overview of how the back brace can alleviate back pain.

Fit

Its elastic fabric immediately molds itself to the natural curve of my spine providing enhanced support and comfort. The inner neoprene fabric keeps my back warm, easing any sudden muscle spasms and persistent aches related to my herniated disc. 

Versatility and Support 

In terms of style and wearability, the belt’s unique curved sides make it a comfortable fit for both men and women. Moreover, be it mowing the lawn or lifting boxes at work, the back belt has proven its mettle time and again. The double pull mechanism effectively distributes weight off my lower back, significantly reducing the pressure on my spine, ligaments, and injured muscles. No matter the task at hand, this brace consistently delivers a reassuring level of support, allowing comfortable movement and a pain-free experience.

Improvement in Posture 

Recognizing how I used to unconsciously slouch, the Ortorex’s belt’s focus on maintaining an upright posture came as a pleasant surprise. Keeping me in an extended position, has, over time, helped rectify my natural tendency to slump, improving my overall posture. This has not only eased my back pain but has also made me more aware of how I hold myself while sitting or standing. 

Durability 

Despite repeated use and washes, the belt exhibits remarkable durability, retaining its shape and elasticity. The moisture-wicking fabric has been excellent for use during physical activity, keeping my back dry and ensuring an even distribution of pressure. 

The post Choosing the Right Back Support Belt for Effective Pain Relief first appeared on sourgrapes.

What determines how long the wine lasts

Several different factors determine how long wine lasts when opened, and it is important to consider all of them before serving.

Firstly, the alcohol content of the wine will impact how long it lasts once opened. For example, wines with a high alcohol content like Port and Sherry will last longer than more delicate wines such as Chardonnay. It happens so as alcohol is a preservative and the higher ABV content slows down fermentation.

Secondly, wines with higher sugar concentrations will have a longer lifespan once opened as they ferment at lower temperatures than wines without sugars added to them before bottling. This means that sweeter reds like Port, Dessert Wines, and Ice Wines last much longer when opened than dryer reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, which are more likely to oxidize quickly if left open for too long.

Thirdly, the age of the wine can also affect how long it lasts once opened. For example, older wines tend to oxidize faster, so they won’t keep as well as younger ones that are still fresh and bright in flavor.

Moreover, the type of closure of a bottle plays an important role: natural corked bottles lose their seal over time, meaning oxygen starts creeping inside, which speeds up oxidation. Meanwhile, synthetic corks don’t let air in. So, keep in mind that natural corks are better for wines you won’t drink up quickly, while synthetic ones are best if you’ll finish your bottle within a week or so of opening it.

Finally, light exposure also impacts the length of the time that your drink remains fresh after opening as ultraviolet rays speed up oxidation within liquids, including wine! Additionally, storing wines on their side or horizontal position slows down fermentation, meaning they stay fresher for longer.

How long do different types of wine last

Red Wine:

Red is probably everyone’s favorite choice – but what about how long it lasts? It will depend mainly on three factors: tannins (which act as natural preservatives), alcohol content, and oxygen. Generally, the tannins in red wine will allow it to last up to five days after opening, while the alcohol content enables some wines – such as Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon – to stay fresh for more than a week.

White Wine:

The acidity level in white wines makes them more susceptible to spoilage than reds because their lower levels of tannins can allow bacteria to grow on them faster than other wines. Furthermore, whites tend not to be as alcoholic as reds, so they don’t provide much of a preservative effect. For white wines fermented in stainless steel tanks or oak barrels (like Sauvignon Blanc), the wine will oxidize very quickly once it’s opened, so you’ll want to drink them within twenty-four hours for best results. When open, Chardonnay lasts for two to three days.

Sparkling Wine:

You can preserve sparkling wines like Champagne for up to ten days if you store them in the fridge once open as the colder temperature slows down fermentation. You can also use this trick with other types of whites that are meant to be served cold!

Rosé Wine:

Rosé wines are meant to be enjoyed fresh and within a few days of opening. If you want to store them for longer, the best option is to pour them into smaller bottles that you can then store in the fridge, where they’ll stay good for up to five days after opening!

Tropical Wine:

For tropical wines, noticeable changes may be seen. These types of wines tend not to have high acidity levels and can already be considered “over-the-hill” by the time they’ve been opened for 24 hours. Still delicious? Yes! But you may want to consider drinking them quickly rather than saving them for another day if you intend to enjoy their fruitier flavors at their best possible quality.

How to make wines last longer

Now that you know how long different types of wine last when opened, you may be wondering how to make them last even longer. One option is simply to drink the bottle over a couple of days, taking your time and enjoying it slowly as you would any other glass of wine. Though, alternatively, if you want that same great flavor for longer, then there are several options available:

– Store bottles on their side or at least not standing upright;

– Keep wines in darkness, so they don’t get exposed to ultraviolet rays from light bulbs or windows;

– Place corks back into opened bottles after drinking;

– Invest in vacuum stoppers that suck the air out of an open bottle and preserve liquids without needing the cork reinserted afterward! These can keep wines fresh for up to two weeks.

So, in conclusion, make sure to store your wine properly and drink it within a specific timeframe. Cheers!

The post How long does wine last when opened? first appeared on sourgrapes.

Different bottles of wine for various occasions

If you’re hosting an event, it’s essential to know different bottles sizes to accommodate different needs. For example, there are different bottle size options when serving red wine at a dinner party versus throwing a casual house party with friends. When having people over for drinks and snacks, the average 750ml sized bottle is sufficient enough. But if guests are sitting down for more extended periods or enjoying larger servings (e.g., full-sized meals), then purchasing multiple standard-sized bottles may be more appropriate than one large bulk purchase. This is because smaller quantities can also make sense depending on how much your budget allows.

Another thing to consider is that different countries have different rules regarding what constitutes a standard-sized bottle of wine. In the United States, a single average 750ml sized bottle is what most people think of what constitutes a “standard” size for red wines. However, in other countries, such as France or Italy, where food plays a vital role in their culture when it comes to drinking alcoholic beverages, buying one large bulk could be more economical if guests are likely to want larger servings or spend long periods sitting down dining together.

How is the number of glasses in a bottle counted?

There are different ways to count glasses in a bottle of wine, depending on the culture and what you consider standard. Some people would say that one glass is equal to four ounces, while others might argue it should be five. These numbers can vary based on different types of wine as well. In general, there are approximately five standard-sized 200 milliliters glasses per 750ml bottle of wine. However, some wines may contain more than ten glasses. Below are some examples of different types of glasses and various amounts in a bottle:

Red wines: the standard wine bottle contains five glasses.

— Cabernet Sauvignon: the larger bottles contain the equivalent of six glasses.

— Pinot Noir: contains approximately the same as the standard wine bottle.

— Port wine: has the most glasses in the bottle – the equivalent of seven.

White wines: the standard white wine bottles contain the equivalent of four glasses.

— Chardonnay: the larger-sized bottles contain the equivalent of five glasses.

— Sauvignon Blanc: shares the same number of glasses in the bottle.

— Riesling: contains the most glasses out of all the white wines – equivalent to six.

— Chardonnay: has the most glasses in the bottle – the equivalent of seven.

Sparkling wines differ from each other depending on the type and color, with styles containing anything between three and ten glasses per bottle.

— Sparkling rosé contains approximately four glasses.

— Sparkling red wine has the equivalency of five glasses.

— Sekt results in about six glasses.

— Magnum has the equivalence of ten glasses.

— Jeroboam contains six glasses in one bottle.

— Crémant has the equivalency of six to nine glasses depending on the color (white or rosé).

What determines the number of glasses in a bottle

The winemaker determines the number of glasses in a bottle. The number of glasses will depend on how long the producer wants their wine to last after opening and how much they want you to drink each time you open it! So if your favorite red needs decanting before drinking (which means pouring out any sediment that has built up at the bottom) or offers richness but with an airtight seal like a cork (which may cause oxidation over time), you can expect less than six servings per standard sized 750 ml/25-30 ounce bottles. Moreover, the number of glasses in a bottle of wine depends on the size of the glass. A bigger wine glass will hold more liquid. Hence you can expect a larger pour from your bottle of wine if you are using bigger glasses! However, there is a widely accepted standard of the size of the glass. To predict the correct number of glasses, you should know from what glasses different types of wines should be drunk.

In what glasses should wine be served

Wine is often thought of as a classy beverage, but did you know there’s more than one type of glass for serving this drink? Each type of wine has its unique drinking vessel! So if you want your guests to get the most out of every bottle poured at your next party, you should be sure to serve the right wine in the appropriate glass. In general, red wine should be served in larger and rounder bowls to warm up before being drunk. White wines are best served cold and straight from the fridge with smaller, narrower glasses to prevent them from becoming too cold, which will result in not tasting their full potential. In addition, sparkling wines are best served in flute glasses as they contain more carbonation which can cause the drink to overflow from a small glass.

So, with all that being said, you should be sure to serve the right wine in the appropriate glass. You can then easily calculate how many glasses you should have for the number of guests coming over to enjoy your party or event!

The post How many glasses in a bottle of wine? first appeared on sourgrapes.

What colour wine has more calories?

Red wine contains the most calories in one bottle. This is because it tends to be sweeter and heavier than white wines, making it harder for you to drink as much without consuming more calories. The calorie count will vary depending on how many calories are found in a glass of alcohol or added sugars. Generally speaking, red wine contains anywhere between 130-220 calories per serving, while white wines have about 80-110 calories per serving. A 750 ml bottle of wine contains an average number of 600 calories.

One serving size can be anywhere from 100ml to 200ml because all wines have different alcohol levels that determine their calorie count per serving size. Below are some examples of calories typically found in a glass of different wines:

Red wine: 130 calories in a typical pour of 150 ml.

— Cabernet Sauvignon has a low-calorie count of 119 calories per pour.

— Pinot Noir also contains about 119 calories per pour.

— Port wine has an average of 250 calories per pour.

White wine: 110 calories in a typical pour of 150 ml.

— Sauvignon Blanc contains 120 calories per pour.

— Chardonnay has an average of 105 calories.

— Pinot Grigio and wines from the Loire valley may contain from 107 to 143 calories based on how many extra sugars are added by the producer.

Rosé wine: around 120 calories in a typical pour of 150 ml.

— White Merlot has fewer calories than some white wines, with an average of 115 calories per pour.

Sparkling wine: around 100 calories in a typical pour of 150 ml.

— Champagne has a fairly low alcohol content of 96 calories per pour.

— Prosecco contains about 99 calories per 150 ml serving.

Sugar in wines

Generally, sugar is one of the primary sources of calories. Dark red wines and dessert wines have the most calories because they are made from black grapes naturally high in sugar.

Red wine contains more calories per serving than white since it’s made from grapes with higher sugar content, and they’re generally aged over time to be smoother in taste with an alcohol content of 12%. Since red wines are sweeter, we don’t recommend them if you choose to drink only one or two glasses because of their high calories.

White wine is typically lower in calories than red or rosé wine due to its sugars being converted into alcohol during fermentation and not having any added sweeteners later on in the process (such as caramel). That’s why this type of wine will not be as sweet or heavy in calories because less sugar was added during production.

Some wines may contain more calories than others, depending on how much residual sugar was left over when fermenting. One can determine if a wine has been bottled with residual sugar by reading its label carefully or asking an employee at a liquor store about this information before purchasing.

Alcohol in wines

The most common alcohol calories per glass range from around 120 to 170 calories, with some wines containing up to 300 calories in one serving. Red wine mostly has a higher alcohol content, which is what makes it this sweet and heavy. White wine, on the other hand, has a lower alcohol content due to fermentation over time. Dark red wine and dessert wine are considered to be high-alcohol wines.

Alcohol can affect how many calories are put away just like anything else will – so drinking light is better for those who want to watch their caloric intake closely. If calories are a concern, stay away from the higher-alcohol wines.

Since white wines have a lower alcohol content, they’re generally easier to drink, so red wine isn’t usually the first choice for most people. That being said, calories still play an important role in wine consumption.

The impact of wine consumption on health

Drinking any type of alcohol is not good for anyone’s health and should only be done in moderation; however, there are benefits to drinking both types during different occasions.

There are some benefits to drinking red wines regularly, though – the antioxidants they contain can help prevent heart disease and cancer while also improving circulation. The downside is that these same substances may increase blood pressure for those who already have high blood pressure levels or are at risk of developing it, so this is something to look out for when deciding whether or not to drink red wine without considering calories.

White wines are more popular these days since they were once considered too “dry” for most people’s taste buds, but that doesn’t mean you’ll find them any healthier than reds. They contain a smaller amount of calories per serving but come with fewer health benefits, such as being heart-healthy or cholesterol-lowering (of course, this varies from person to person).

So with all that being said, if you want to limit calories while enjoying another glass of wine, we recommend that you drink white wine, which has fewer calories.

As mentioned before, there are benefits to drinking both types during different occasions, so keep these tips in mind when deciding what kind suits your needs best.

The post How many calories in a bottle of wine? first appeared on sourgrapes.

The list of Irish wine blogs has been growing steadily, with a greater number of retailers and oenophiles coming online in the last few months. If I’ve left you out, I do humbly apologise. Please berate me in the comments below with a link to your site.

1. Blake Creedon’s Wine Cork Cork’s the place, but there’s nothing corked about Blake’s bibendous blog
2. Bubble Brothers Blog run almost singlehandedly by Julian Alubaidy and one of the originators of wine blogging in Ireland
3. Burgundy Direct blog Blog behind specialist Burgundy importer
4. Curious Wines Blog citizens Kane, Michael and Matt are bringing the thunder to online wine retailing – and blogging too
5. Dermot Nolan (MW) – Master of Wine, Dermot Nolan, runs the WSET Diploma in Ireland – great range of writing
6. Fork n’ Cork Ernie Whalley’s inimitable style and humour with a balanced mix of wine, food and pizza oven building.
7. Free Running with Kevin Ecock great insights from one of the most knowledgible in the wine business
8. Irish Wine Contemplations our very own Burghound
9. Karwigs Wine blog Maurice leads from the from the front with a newly refurbished website and blog for Karwig’s Wines.
10. My Grape Escape Relatively new kid on the block in blogging terms, but already clear there’s plenty to read about
11. O’Briens Blog – another relatively new blog from the well known O’Brien’s
12. On the grapevine blog Gabriel Cooney’s blog is a good mix of industry insight and news on offers and tastings
13. Robert Francis wine Frank O’Brien brings his own thunder all the way from the west.
14. Red Nose Wine – the blog behind Gary Gubbin’s new venture, rednosewine.com
15. Sauce Merchant Colly Murray liked some Italian wine so much, he decided to bring it in and share it with the rest of us via his new start-up retrovino.com
16. Sour Grapes. This guys drinks waaaaay too much wine. Like Winston Churchill, gets far more out of wine that it gets out of him.
17. The Grapefruit – the blog behind Thomas Woodberry’s in Galway
18. The Grapes of Sloth (Paul Kiernan) – Irish blog award finalist, bon viveur and raconteur extraordinaire
19. Tómas Clancy – we’re lucky to have more from Tómas than his Sunday Business Post articles.
20. Vinotheque (Des King) – Des runs the Dublin Wine Academy
21. Wine Buff Ennis – run my David Marra, he has tasted wines up mountains and buses for our amusement. Ireland’s answer to Gary Vee?
22. Willie’s Wine Blog – great value wines tasted with good honest opinions on them
23. Wine and Dine Club, Cork
24. Wine Perv – new blog from a sensational Alsatian. Lately he’s been seeking out good cheap Pinot, should such a thing exist.
25. Wow Girls – Clare, Ruth, Evelyn and Julie, four ladies and friends in the wine business, different ages, different styles, different personalities, but with one simple thing in common. A love of wine.

This all begs the question, is there room for a best booze blog category in the Irish Blog Awards, 2011?

• Paul said…

  “Best Booze Blog” is a fine idea, Lar. It is a scandal and outrage that we have to compete against the food guys.

• Will said…

  Don’t mind the food guys, it’s the beer blogs that i worry about!

  Another couple Irish Wine Blogs:
  http://burgundydirectwines.blogspot.com/
  http://thedineandwineclub.blogspot.com/
  http://blakecreedon.wordpress.com/

• Lar Veale said…

  Thanks Will, can’t believe I forgot Elke and Blake and Burgundy Direct was a new one to me.

• Julian said…

  You’ve prompted me to revisit our blog’s list of ‘Irish wine blog’ links for the first time in a while; but, taking in to account Will’s additions, I’m delighted to discover I haven’t too much work to do to get it up to date should time bulge sufficiently to make this possible.

  That said, the amount of work to do to keep up with the pack is something I’d prefer not to think about. It’s much easier to enjoy reading.

• Matt Kane said…

  Thanks Lar. Humbled to be listed alongside so many great wine blogs

• Michael Kane said…

  “Bringing the thunder…” HOO-YA! Love that, cheers Lar!
  Michael Kay-Ay-Nuh

• Michael Kane said…

  Doesn’t really work as well as Vay-Ner-Chuk, does it?
  I want more syllables.

• Lar said…

  I think you could be better off sticking to one you’ve got the most stick for, presumably, over the years.

  “My name is Michael Kane” and then finish with “..and not a lot of people know that”.

• Michael Kane said…

  You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off…
  Don’t you throw that bloody spear at me…
  Yeah, had a few!
  Gotta be original though, we’ll work out our signature as we go along (like everything else we do!)

The post The most comprehensive list of Irish wine blogs ever published, so far. first appeared on sourgrapes.

• Martin Moran said…

  Di you put this up first or did you see it on HRH Jancis’ twitter

• Lar said…

  I didn’t see on Jancis’s but on someone else’s (can’t remember where). It wasn’t easily “embeddable” so I uploaded the .flv to YouTube

• Joel Christoe said…

  okay – this is awesome! I laughed this morning when I viewed this. Thanks for sharing.

• Sue said…

  At a picnic, forget the shoe. Just hit the bottom of the bottle against a tree trunk. It works just fine,

• Lar said…

  Or even better, just bring a wine with a screwcap!

• Bernard said…

  Hi Laurence,

  A wine bottle opened, as only the French can. I suspect he may have gotten inspiration from this late night/early morning research:

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zv8RvNxy6uM

• Lar said…

  Damn it! Should have posted that one, far more realistique!

The post When you’ve lost your corkscrew, a shoe will do (video). first appeared on sourgrapes.

Following on from an evening in the Barossa and another in Adelaide Hills earlier in the season, John McDonnell of Wine Australia has another treat in store. This time it’s the turn of Yarra Valley, the cool climate area around 40 minutes drive from Melbourne.

The region is fast becoming one of the best producers of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in and elegant, classic style (read into this Burgundy if you will). Some of the big names in the area are De Bortoli, Yering Station, Domaine Chandon, Yarra Yering, Yarra Burn and Coldstream Hills.

Your guide for the evening, Phil Sexton

Phil Sexton, owner of Giant Steps/Innocent Bystander wines, will be the guide for the evening. He’ll be giving us a tour of the area and its wines, not only his but also from some of the other winemakers in the area. It’s yet to be confirmed if he’ll be wearing a shirt.

When, where and how much?

Wednesday, 15th September, 6.45 pm – 8.30pm followed by some tasty bites at Fallon and Byrne, Exchequer Street, Dublin 2

Places cost €20 and can be reserved through Wine Australia (Ireland) on 065 707 7264 or by email: ireland@wineaustralia.com.

The post Date for your diary: an evening in the Yarra Valley first appeared on sourgrapes.

Availability

Just under 1,500 cases made of this stuff, so if you want some, be quick and click on curiouswines.ie to get some (€21).

Points

The wine received 90 points from Stephen Tanzer in Wine Spectator. Jancis Robinson was on Grape Radio recently (worth a listen) and pointed out that points, my dear, just don’t matter in Britain.  Despite this, more and more retailers people are quoting Tanzer, Parker et al.

So, question of the day – in a Ralph Keyes accent – can you turn pleasure into points?

• Paul said…

  True for you, Lar, I haven’t seen a critter label featuring a squid before or, indeed, any cephalopod.

  I wouldn’t get hung up on points but I’d be worried if something ‘scored’ (say) 75/100, and I’d be expecting big-ish things if something got 93/100.

  Anyone splitting hairs on wine points in relation to wine’s drinkability is a dullard. Regarding investment, points can become self fulfilling so I guess they’re meaningful in that sense.

• Michael Kane said…

  Glad you enjoyed, Lar!
  I think points *are* becoming more important to the consumer, despite what Jancis or others might suggest.
  With the proliferation of new brands, new labels and, not least, the amount of smoke & mirror pricing and promotion that’s endemic in the industry now, they offer *some* guide as to the quality on offer behind the increasingly dazzling and showey labels.
  We love the Punks because the wines stand up to the pizazz, but rather than taking our subjective (and ultimately biased – hey, we think all our wines are great, right?) judgement that a wine is 90 points, informing a prospective purchaser that Tanzer, Parker or Halliday reckoned this wine stacked up is as good a way as any of giving an “independent” benchmark.
  All that said, scores, awards, critical opinions and subjectivity aside, it’s the punter who decides on whether we’ve given them value or not. *Sharpens pencil once more*

• Eamon said…

  I had this conversation recently with an American, who uses Parker’s points system as a guide for wine buying and investing. His point was that he prefers the fuller, richer style that Parker also seems to favour, so would be inclined to agree with him. Makes sense really.

  If consumers are unsure and happen to find a critic that has similiar tastes, then the point system can be very useful.

The post The Squid’s Fist by Some Young Punks (video) first appeared on sourgrapes.

Value is a bit of a challenge to me. Does it just mean cheap (sorry, inexpensive)?

Value is “the worth of something compared to the price paid”, and the worth is judged by the buyer not the seller. So, if it’s mentioned anywhere other than a review, I’m a little suspicious.

Anyhoo, the subject of this value for money wine is the Château Boucarut Côtes du Rhône 2009 from Molloys in Dublin who seem to have undergone rather smart rebrand, at least online.

Côtes du Rhône is the basic classified wine from pretty much anywhere within the Rhône area and it’s normally in the range between €7 and €15 and the quality also ranges.

Grape growing & wine making

The winemaker Christophe Valat has set a premium on using natural wine growing methods and respect for the environment particularly by adopting the use of organic manure and natural pest management.

The grapes are Grenache and Syrah

This can, but not always, be coupled with a premium price, but not in this case, the wine is €9.

Tasting note

Bursting with great fruit, a nice fresh acidity, a hint of the rustic and finishes with a very generous amount of pepperiness. After my first glass, I thought the pepper was a little too much, but on going back to the wine the following night, it had opened up nicely and everything was in check, and nicely balanced.

So, back to the question of value.

Would I be happy with the wine, if I paid €9 for it? Definitely.

The post Wine of the week: Château Boucarut Côtes du Rhône 2009 (Molloys) first appeared on sourgrapes.

1. Colly, you set up retrovino last year. An interesting time to start a wine business. Why?

I’ve been interested in the imbibing aspect of wine for many years but felt a draw towards the business side of it.  The reason for setting up a wine business was not because there was or wasn’t a recession, it was because an opportunity presented itself and I gladly grasped it with both hands.  So, in essense the timing was irrelevant as I was unaware of what the wine business was like in the good times, that people keep banging on about.  I’m really enjoying being in the wine business because it gives me a legitimate excuse to talk sh*te about wine to anyone who will listen!

2. It’s not a full time thing, at least noy yet. What are the advantages to starting a part-time business?

This affords one a little bit more flexibility in terms of cash flow.  I am fully intent on becoming a full-time participant in the wine trade as soon as the time is right.  Its difficult to find the required hours to run a business outside of business hours (if you know what I mean?).

3. Do you see that as something we’ll see more of, small importers, focused on quality artisan wines rather than the bigger importers?

I guess the main advantage of a part-time business is that you still have a steady income regardless of whether you are selling wine or not.

Big importers will always have a certain degree of clout with respect to the market because of economies of scale.  Purchasing wine from producers in large quantities drives down the price, and those savings are ultimately passed on to the consumer.  This is a positive situation until the consumer expects every bottle of wine they purchase in the shop to cost half nothing.  But consumers are smart in Ireland, and we as a nation have begun to understand and appreciate quality with the expectation that you get what you pay for.

A lot of smaller importers have come online in the recent past and in many cases have a keener focus on quality and the much sought after, price-quality ratio.  There will always be small importers who’s goal it is to promote artisan wines and further develop the public’s understanding of their wines and where it has come from.  I think we will see more partnerships amongst smaller businesses, and not just with other wine businesses, but with artisan food and independent travel companies as well.  Assuming and hoping that they will all survive.  I have spoken to many retailers, independent wines and restaurants who are happier to deal with small importers because its gives them a level of exclusivety.

4. What’s been the most challenging aspect of setting up the business and where did go for support?

Setting up in business was not a difficult as I thought it would be.  I hired an accountant and he advised me exactly what I would need.  I had to register with the CRO (Company Registrations Office), with Revenue for VAT and with Customs and Excise for Excise Trader status.  Before undertaking any of this I spoke to friends and people I knew who owned their own business.  They were very forthcoming and frank with their advice!  There are tonnes of documents about setting up a business on www.revenue.ie as well

5. You have a focus wines from Italy, why there in particular?

I fell in love with Italian wine whilst on holiday there a few years ago and go back many times each year in search of more.  I have lots of Italian friends who have introduced me to different varieties and regions that I had never heard of before and that wouldn’t be very well known here, like Molise for example.  There are some amazing tiny producers in that region, who’s products never get past the Molisan border.

Last year I got married in my friends vineyard in Tuscany.  I import his wine into Ireland.  I have recently beefed up my portfolio with Italian classics like Brunello di Montalcino, Barolo and Barbaresco which are at the more expensive end of the scale.  Surprisingly enough they are selling quite well.  Clearly everyone in Ireland isn’t broke!

5. What are your favourite Italian varieties?

Falanghina, which is a gorgeous mineraly white variety from Campania.  Vermentino in it’s native Sardinian form, and also Cannonau from the same island.  In terms of reds, I love all the kickass stuff like Barolo, Brunello and some of the Super-Tuscan wines which are generally Sangiovese blended with a “foreign” grape like Cabernet Sauvignon.

6. When you’re not selling your wines, where’s your favourite place in Dublin for a glass?

I really like the wine cellar in Fallon & Byrne on Exchequer St. Lots of interesting wine to choose from, by the glass or bottle and the best value deli food in Dublin which you can enjoy with your wine.

However, my favourite place in Dublin would have to be Pinocchio in Ranelagh which always has a great vibe and true Italian authenticity!  They have recently renovated the restuarant so that part of the room has more of a winebar feel to it.

I really enjoy Trade Tastings where it is possible to sample a multitude of different wines, occassionly something quite rare and with the possibility to directly compare different  vintages of the same wine.  The only downside at the end of the day is black teeth!  I would actively encourage consumers to attend consumer tastings where possible.  They can be very informative and educational, as well of giving an opportunity to find something else that you might like to drink instead of sticking with the same old reliables.  Be adventerous!

Most of all I like to drink wine at home with friends and family.

7. Any unusual or new wines coming in which your customers are responding well to?

I am bringing in some exceptional wines from Puglia like Primitivo and Salice Salentino from a producer called Leone de Castris.  They were the first company in Italy to bottle Rosé and have one of the world’s finest examples in “Five Roses” which has been in production since 1943.  The wines of Pieve de Pitti from Tuscany have been a great success since I started importing them in the Summer of 2009.  The “Cerretello” (Chianti Superiore DOCG) is fine example of Tuscany Sangiovese at an excellent pruice, and the white by the name of “Tribiana” is a wine lover’s wine – to die for!

I am hoping to trial some Brazilian wine in Ireland this summer.  I found a Pinot Noir while I was there in January which is phenomenal!  Could be a difficult sell but I relish a challenge.

8. What changes would you like to see in the wine world?

In Ireland I would like to see excise further reduced.  We still pay a high price for wine compared to our neighbours across the border.

9. Anything else you’d like to add?

We are lucky enough to have wine from every corner of the globe here in Ireland.  It gives us a great opportunity to attain a broad wine knowledge because we have something that wine producing countries tend not to have, i.e. big exposure to wine from other countries.  Let’s embrace that fact and get our wine education moving in the right direction.  Its great to see more wine schools coming online, so long may that continue.

Retro VIno

Contact: Colly Murray

Email: info@retrovino.com

Tel: +353 (0)86 817 0200

Web: retrovino.com

The post Introjuicing: Colly Murray’s Retro Vino first appeared on sourgrapes.