Name: Fat bastard, Thierry & Guy
Country: French Wine
Notes: Thierry Boudinaud is a French winemaker who believes that "the average consumer hated the traditional intimidation heaped upon them by most of the wine industry." He partnered with British winemaker Guy Anderson to produce and distribute FAT bastard wine, which is labeled by the variety of grape from which it is made.
FAT bastard is a French wine produced and distributed by a British and French partnership. A 2005 survey found that 72% of the adult French population finds it difficult to understand French wine labels, and the problem is not unique to that country. Research found many consumers, disliked wine labels that picture chateaux, that appear elitist, and that are difficult to understand. FAT bastard appears to solve that marketing problem. The label reflects the fact that most New World (and many Old World) consumers prefer to buy "brand name" wines that are labeled by the variety of grape from which they are made. (source: Wikipedia.org)
Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2007
Colour: Deep ruby
Smell: Its has very much a black berry, cherry flavour. – There was a kind of vegetal taste as well but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
Taste: : This was as the label said a rich, round full body wine. Lots of tannin and very much on the dry side of taste. It did have good length to it too. Again the flavours were fruity based.
Conclusion: This was a acceptable wine.
WINEDEX: 6 out of 10
Final comments: I bought this because I had never seen a bottle called “Fat Bastard” before and I really wanted to know what this tasted like. I am also have fan of Caberne Sauvignon. This was a young Cabernet Sauvignon and too be honest this bottle may have been smoother had it been a bit more mature. The youngness of the drink (2007) could have meant that the full body flavour wasn’t as smooth as it could be or even as I would have liked. It was on more on the rough side. I would definitely buy this bottle again but leave it a few years to see if letting it sit for a few years helps this flavour. Anyway it will be cool to have a bottle sat there called Fat Bastard…people will remember it!! Good marketing ploy!!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Spain - Navajas Crianza, Rioja, 2005
Name: Navajas Crianza
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja: Denominación de Origen: Calificada
Notes: A "crianza" is wine aged for at least two years, at least one of which was in oak. Navajas is a family-run estate, situated just outside the small town of Navarrete in La Rioja Alta.
Grape(s): Tempranillo 85%, garnacha 15%
Vintage: 2005
Colour: Ruby
Smell: Fruity scent initially but then you start to smell a more sweeter constituation with a vanilla or buttery aroma. Daddy said he interpreted some of the smells as being like oily fish….hmm..interesting.
Taste: A really nice early spring in its taste – real fruity flavours and hints of watermelon were something I picked up on. A nice rounded flavour with an off dry flavour and overall a medium body
Conclusion: This was a good wine –
WINEDEX: 7 out of 10
Final comments: I don’t really know a lot about Spanish wine - I am more of a new world drinker, but I wasn’t disappointed with this wine. It stood nicely on it own and was a great flavour. I would by this again and try more from this region for sure.
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja: Denominación de Origen: Calificada
Notes: A "crianza" is wine aged for at least two years, at least one of which was in oak. Navajas is a family-run estate, situated just outside the small town of Navarrete in La Rioja Alta.
Grape(s): Tempranillo 85%, garnacha 15%
Vintage: 2005
Colour: Ruby
Smell: Fruity scent initially but then you start to smell a more sweeter constituation with a vanilla or buttery aroma. Daddy said he interpreted some of the smells as being like oily fish….hmm..interesting.
Taste: A really nice early spring in its taste – real fruity flavours and hints of watermelon were something I picked up on. A nice rounded flavour with an off dry flavour and overall a medium body
Conclusion: This was a good wine –
WINEDEX: 7 out of 10
Final comments: I don’t really know a lot about Spanish wine - I am more of a new world drinker, but I wasn’t disappointed with this wine. It stood nicely on it own and was a great flavour. I would by this again and try more from this region for sure.
Argentina, Zolo, Mendoza, 2004, Malbec
Name: Zolo
Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Grape(s): Malbec, Red
Vintage: 2004
Colour: Crimson/ruby
Smell: A very pronounced spiciness to this wine – full of cinnamon, gloves, nutmeg. Daddy picked up a touch of petrol!!!! Really lovely aroma – smells like christmas
Taste: The flavour was very berry flavoured, I could taste black berries, cherries – was just lovely. The flavour was very much an off dry flavour with a short length meaning that it the flavour didn’t hang around in the mouth for too long. It had low tannin levels too giving it a lighter body and completely glubable. Very nice indeed.
Food ate with wine: A light cheese fondue. The combination of this light cheese and read wine was really fantastic Conclusion: A great wine.
WINEDEX: 9 out of 10
Final comments: Malbec is clearly one of my favourite grapes in the world. It never lets me down. The spicy/fruity aromas and flavour create a beautiful velvety flavours and lots of movement in the drink. As it sits and the air gets to it I really do think the flavours get better and more intense. I would recommend this bottle and this brand. A great wine. This malbec was 4 years old I would like to try a young malbec and see if there is a contrast and see if age really does made the malbec a better mature drink or a young drink. Watch this space.
Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Grape(s): Malbec, Red
Vintage: 2004
Colour: Crimson/ruby
Smell: A very pronounced spiciness to this wine – full of cinnamon, gloves, nutmeg. Daddy picked up a touch of petrol!!!! Really lovely aroma – smells like christmas
Taste: The flavour was very berry flavoured, I could taste black berries, cherries – was just lovely. The flavour was very much an off dry flavour with a short length meaning that it the flavour didn’t hang around in the mouth for too long. It had low tannin levels too giving it a lighter body and completely glubable. Very nice indeed.
Food ate with wine: A light cheese fondue. The combination of this light cheese and read wine was really fantastic Conclusion: A great wine.
WINEDEX: 9 out of 10
Final comments: Malbec is clearly one of my favourite grapes in the world. It never lets me down. The spicy/fruity aromas and flavour create a beautiful velvety flavours and lots of movement in the drink. As it sits and the air gets to it I really do think the flavours get better and more intense. I would recommend this bottle and this brand. A great wine. This malbec was 4 years old I would like to try a young malbec and see if there is a contrast and see if age really does made the malbec a better mature drink or a young drink. Watch this space.
France, Rhone Valley, Grand Reserve Cairanne, 2005,
Name: Grande Reserve Cairanne, A.O.C Côtes du Rhône" denomination
Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
Grape(s): Grenache white, Clairette white, Marsanne white, Roussanne white, Bourboulenc white, Viognier white, other white grape varieties tolerated 20% maximum.
Vintage: 2005
Notes: Remember that French Wine go by region so Cairanne is a region of the Rhony Valley
Colour: Gold
Smell: Lots of citrus based flavours. I could smell, green apples, gooseberries with hints of grapefruit and a wiff of pineapple just underneath. This was a very light scent and not very pronounced.
Taste: Off dry heading down the road to medium, low acidity. Unexpected different taste to the scent was more floral in nature. Wasn’t a very exciting blend it felt kind of flat in the mouth and didn’t have many high or low notes which would interest me.
Food ate with wine: WE had chicken with a slight Bbq flavour, I added sprinkles of Tabasco sauce to the chicken to give it a kick and that really went well this is wine. My other suggestion for food would have been a nice light flavoured white fish. Hammour I think would work well here with a lemon based sauce.
Conclusion: An acceptable wine.
WINEDEX: 5 out of 10
Final comments: It’s a blend – I am not familiar with all these different grapes apart from the Grenache so I am not in a position say if this is a good blend of these grapes or not. However, I can comment on taste which is probably more important. Personally I thought this was ok…but it didn’t really inspire me. Dad, on the other hand thought this was an excellent wine and commented that this would be a nice drink to have on its own while watching the footy. I thought the wine was bland on its own however with the combination of BBQ chicken and Tabasco it did lift up a bit more.
Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
Grape(s): Grenache white, Clairette white, Marsanne white, Roussanne white, Bourboulenc white, Viognier white, other white grape varieties tolerated 20% maximum.
Vintage: 2005
Notes: Remember that French Wine go by region so Cairanne is a region of the Rhony Valley
Colour: Gold
Smell: Lots of citrus based flavours. I could smell, green apples, gooseberries with hints of grapefruit and a wiff of pineapple just underneath. This was a very light scent and not very pronounced.
Taste: Off dry heading down the road to medium, low acidity. Unexpected different taste to the scent was more floral in nature. Wasn’t a very exciting blend it felt kind of flat in the mouth and didn’t have many high or low notes which would interest me.
Food ate with wine: WE had chicken with a slight Bbq flavour, I added sprinkles of Tabasco sauce to the chicken to give it a kick and that really went well this is wine. My other suggestion for food would have been a nice light flavoured white fish. Hammour I think would work well here with a lemon based sauce.
Conclusion: An acceptable wine.
WINEDEX: 5 out of 10
Final comments: It’s a blend – I am not familiar with all these different grapes apart from the Grenache so I am not in a position say if this is a good blend of these grapes or not. However, I can comment on taste which is probably more important. Personally I thought this was ok…but it didn’t really inspire me. Dad, on the other hand thought this was an excellent wine and commented that this would be a nice drink to have on its own while watching the footy. I thought the wine was bland on its own however with the combination of BBQ chicken and Tabasco it did lift up a bit more.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
New Zealand - Cape Campbell - Sauvignon Blanc - 2007
Name: Cape Campbell
Country: New Zealand
Notes: New Zealand wine really is one of my favourite's when it comes to new world wines. There is just something fresh and invigorating about a new zealand wine. I have never been disappointed with one. I find most New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs do have similiar citrus flavours that sometimes make the wine sooo good I can't help but drink it quickly. Its just so good. They all hold that citrus backbone with a few twists of their own distinct flavouring. Its always nice to open a bottle of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and wait to see what the citrusy flavour is shared with. The other great thing about a New Zealand Sauvignon blanc as I always find a a wine that is an easy introduction into drinking white wine. Very few people do not like the flavour - and so those that aren't sure about what to drink - this is always a good starting point.
So - what have we here? This particular Savvy I had never bought before however, I did start with certain expectations and intended on see them and looking to surpass them. It promise of citrusy, "spark up your taste buds" wine was kept. And I wasn't disappointed. That whole New Zealand flavour came through and with its own unique characteristics as well.
Vintage: 2007
Grape(s) Sauvignon Blanc
Colour: It had a lovely light lemon/golden colour - Very pretty indeed.
Smell: It was very fragrant but it was light and fruity. What I was expecting. You could instantly tell you were going to have citrus flavours of grape fruit, gooseberry...etc.
Taste: Yummy. my expectations were met. Grapefruit flavour was very distinct followed by a gooseberry hint. The citrus flavours were just fantastic. It was definately on the dry side of wine with quite high acidity level as well because the flavours of grapefruit/gooseberries and hints of green applies were quite sharp. But all that was expected from this wine. It had a light taste initally which did pack a wee punch but also sat on the margins of having a medium body. Overall its length was short...its didn't last long in the mouth.
Country: New Zealand
Notes: New Zealand wine really is one of my favourite's when it comes to new world wines. There is just something fresh and invigorating about a new zealand wine. I have never been disappointed with one. I find most New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs do have similiar citrus flavours that sometimes make the wine sooo good I can't help but drink it quickly. Its just so good. They all hold that citrus backbone with a few twists of their own distinct flavouring. Its always nice to open a bottle of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and wait to see what the citrusy flavour is shared with. The other great thing about a New Zealand Sauvignon blanc as I always find a a wine that is an easy introduction into drinking white wine. Very few people do not like the flavour - and so those that aren't sure about what to drink - this is always a good starting point.
So - what have we here? This particular Savvy I had never bought before however, I did start with certain expectations and intended on see them and looking to surpass them. It promise of citrusy, "spark up your taste buds" wine was kept. And I wasn't disappointed. That whole New Zealand flavour came through and with its own unique characteristics as well.
Vintage: 2007
Grape(s) Sauvignon Blanc
Colour: It had a lovely light lemon/golden colour - Very pretty indeed.
Smell: It was very fragrant but it was light and fruity. What I was expecting. You could instantly tell you were going to have citrus flavours of grape fruit, gooseberry...etc.
Taste: Yummy. my expectations were met. Grapefruit flavour was very distinct followed by a gooseberry hint. The citrus flavours were just fantastic. It was definately on the dry side of wine with quite high acidity level as well because the flavours of grapefruit/gooseberries and hints of green applies were quite sharp. But all that was expected from this wine. It had a light taste initally which did pack a wee punch but also sat on the margins of having a medium body. Overall its length was short...its didn't last long in the mouth.
Conclusion: This was a good wine. It did everything you would expect from a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. It was citrusy, you wanted to drink more of it and it had a warmth to it which made it feel comfortable and "feel at home". We had a roast chicken with this meal and had squeezed some lemon over the chicken as well as put the lemon wedges and garlic into the chicken cavity. The wine compliemented this dish very well.
Windex: 7 out of 10
Final comments: My favourite New Zealand Wine is Montana Marlborough and this has remained top of the pile for about 5 years. I enjoyed this Cape Campbell sauvignon blanc but it still not as great as my montana marlborough.
Windex: 7 out of 10
Saturday, November 15, 2008
France - Piper Heidsieck Champagne
We went to the JW Marriott all you can eat champagne brunch. Ken had his best friend out Des and his wife Mary and Tracey, mark, Charlotte, B and I all joined them. It was an excellent afternoon full of eating, drinking, dancing on the stage, just plain sillyness. At the end of the evening having ate tonnes and drunk tonnes we finally found out that between 8 of us we had consumed 10 bottles of champagne. Well......what's new....really!!
The champagne on today's menu was a Piper Heidsieck. Its not one that I would buy regularly I have only drunk it at the JW Marriott. Its a beautiful sight a glass of champagne - everyone smells and yells when the bottle pops...its always synonymous with some kind of momentus celebration. OK we were at brunch - nothing major to celebrate but the thought of great company, good food and you know a great afternoon is ahead.
So what was this champagne like you ask......??
Appearance.
Really pretty light golden colour - filled with bubbles just rising to the surface. To watch the bubbles in motion can be some what hypnotic....you are waiting in readiness for the toast so you can taste this pretty drink...
The bubbles did last a good while another indication of a good champagne.
Nose
I always find it difficult to smell a champagne. The bubbles get in the way and interfere with the smelling. It has rather light smell...but enough to ensure its present was known.
Taste
IT WAD YUMMY!!As the first drink of the day i did find it a tad strong. it kind of kicked up a bit as if to wake up your taste buds and lift them from their hibernating state.
It was definitely on the dry side of life.....but champagne that is dry is always good....its kind of my preference.
No tannin going on....
It held a very grapefruity position..that was what I picked up first...citrus was definitely the flavour of the day. Possibly some hints of green apples and gooseberries too.
It held its own and fairly medium bodied to me..and had a sort of medium length....
Conclusion
I ate primarily fish with this champagne and I have to say it did go very well. I would say this a good quality champagne. Well its history proves it, its been around since 1785. It was great and was also nice as a buck fizz as well. check out the website..the music alone is great and the content is interesting...
The champagne on today's menu was a Piper Heidsieck. Its not one that I would buy regularly I have only drunk it at the JW Marriott. Its a beautiful sight a glass of champagne - everyone smells and yells when the bottle pops...its always synonymous with some kind of momentus celebration. OK we were at brunch - nothing major to celebrate but the thought of great company, good food and you know a great afternoon is ahead.
So what was this champagne like you ask......??
Appearance.
Really pretty light golden colour - filled with bubbles just rising to the surface. To watch the bubbles in motion can be some what hypnotic....you are waiting in readiness for the toast so you can taste this pretty drink...
The bubbles did last a good while another indication of a good champagne.
Nose
I always find it difficult to smell a champagne. The bubbles get in the way and interfere with the smelling. It has rather light smell...but enough to ensure its present was known.
Taste
IT WAD YUMMY!!As the first drink of the day i did find it a tad strong. it kind of kicked up a bit as if to wake up your taste buds and lift them from their hibernating state.
It was definitely on the dry side of life.....but champagne that is dry is always good....its kind of my preference.
No tannin going on....
It held a very grapefruity position..that was what I picked up first...citrus was definitely the flavour of the day. Possibly some hints of green apples and gooseberries too.
It held its own and fairly medium bodied to me..and had a sort of medium length....
Conclusion
I ate primarily fish with this champagne and I have to say it did go very well. I would say this a good quality champagne. Well its history proves it, its been around since 1785. It was great and was also nice as a buck fizz as well. check out the website..the music alone is great and the content is interesting...
WINDEX:8 out of 10
My only complaint and this is purely me...i am still not in love with French wine and champagne. I am definitely a new world wine and sparkling wine drinker....I will continue to tackle the french wine and champagne...I have got to get over this ....xxArgentina - Santa Julia - Mendoza - Cabernet Sauvignon - 2007
Santa Julia was served up with a really yummy chicken wrapped in bacon with a tomatoe and mushroom sauce with a side dish of potato wedges. The meal was compliments of Tracey - who cooked this meal. She is a great at putting on a great meal.
Name: Santa Julia
Country: Argentina
Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon
Colour:It was a lovely ruby colour - nice and deep. On appearance it looked like it would be a light red wine.
Smell: Its smell was light again adding to the thought that it would be a light red wine to drink. Its smelled quite spicy with a distinctively black pepper flavour. The label said black currents but I couldn't identify with that, but we could pick up a hint of cranberry - that was charlotte's suggestions and I thought that was very good. For me it was clearly on the spicy side of life.
Taste: It was definitely a full bodied spicy/black peppery Cabernet sauvignon taste. Lots of vegetable hints - not overly earthy but defintaly on that route. which was surprising given its light scent. Again proving that smell and taste can be distinctly different. It was definitely dry - not doubt about that It was very acidic either given it spicy smell and taste and its tannin levels were high. The taste lasted a while suggesting a some what medium length considering it full body attitude it was unusual.
Conclusion: This was an acceptable wine. I think maybe having it with chicken wrapped in bacon may have not been a good match. the wedges did well particularly as they had a lot of of salt and pepper seasoning. It was fine - it didn't stand out, it tasted average and OK. I think I would probably give this a bash again with a slightly heavier dinner to see if it reacts better. I don't know the price because it was bought by Tracey. But I will check that up next time.
Winedex: 6 out of 10
Final Comments:"Its good, I would drink it again, if there was nothing else on the menu that I liked I would probably have drunk that" I just looked up the wine buyer to see what they had to say about this wine. I was right i think a stronger meat will make this wine perform better. On the first introduction thought I am going to stick with my windex at this time until future notice.
Name: Santa Julia
Country: Argentina
Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon
Colour:It was a lovely ruby colour - nice and deep. On appearance it looked like it would be a light red wine.
Smell: Its smell was light again adding to the thought that it would be a light red wine to drink. Its smelled quite spicy with a distinctively black pepper flavour. The label said black currents but I couldn't identify with that, but we could pick up a hint of cranberry - that was charlotte's suggestions and I thought that was very good. For me it was clearly on the spicy side of life.
Taste: It was definitely a full bodied spicy/black peppery Cabernet sauvignon taste. Lots of vegetable hints - not overly earthy but defintaly on that route. which was surprising given its light scent. Again proving that smell and taste can be distinctly different. It was definitely dry - not doubt about that It was very acidic either given it spicy smell and taste and its tannin levels were high. The taste lasted a while suggesting a some what medium length considering it full body attitude it was unusual.
Conclusion: This was an acceptable wine. I think maybe having it with chicken wrapped in bacon may have not been a good match. the wedges did well particularly as they had a lot of of salt and pepper seasoning. It was fine - it didn't stand out, it tasted average and OK. I think I would probably give this a bash again with a slightly heavier dinner to see if it reacts better. I don't know the price because it was bought by Tracey. But I will check that up next time.
Winedex: 6 out of 10
Final Comments:"Its good, I would drink it again, if there was nothing else on the menu that I liked I would probably have drunk that" I just looked up the wine buyer to see what they had to say about this wine. I was right i think a stronger meat will make this wine perform better. On the first introduction thought I am going to stick with my windex at this time until future notice.
WINDEX
Here is my quick reference WINDEX. Just in case you want to use it.
o - awful...just awful...never touch the stuff again.
1 - Nope...its not worth it really.....
2 - why do people bother to make wine this bad....the smell should be enough to put you off.
3 - I think we got something there but really...there is better...
4 - Its OK...I would drink it again but I would want to mix it with a fruit juice or soft drink just to bring it too life.
5 - Not bad - not my favourite, not my worst choice. Its definately glugable and I would serve this up at a party cos it would suit lots of people and wouldn't hurt them
6 - Its good, I would drink it again, if there was nothing else on the menu that I liked I would probably have drunk that.
7 - We are on to something here. It taste great, and I am impressed. I would buy this again for sure...
8 - Very acceptable. This looks great, smells lovely, the drink is very enjoyable and I am about to open the second bottle on this one...
9 - A great wine. Taste and smelt great. It was such an enjoyable drink. Am not really keen on sharing...people should get their own bottle...
10 - An outstanding wine. These wine folk really know their wine, it smells fantastic, it taste great, it just outstanding. I need to buy more of this...this did it for me..
o - awful...just awful...never touch the stuff again.
1 - Nope...its not worth it really.....
2 - why do people bother to make wine this bad....the smell should be enough to put you off.
3 - I think we got something there but really...there is better...
4 - Its OK...I would drink it again but I would want to mix it with a fruit juice or soft drink just to bring it too life.
5 - Not bad - not my favourite, not my worst choice. Its definately glugable and I would serve this up at a party cos it would suit lots of people and wouldn't hurt them
6 - Its good, I would drink it again, if there was nothing else on the menu that I liked I would probably have drunk that.
7 - We are on to something here. It taste great, and I am impressed. I would buy this again for sure...
8 - Very acceptable. This looks great, smells lovely, the drink is very enjoyable and I am about to open the second bottle on this one...
9 - A great wine. Taste and smelt great. It was such an enjoyable drink. Am not really keen on sharing...people should get their own bottle...
10 - An outstanding wine. These wine folk really know their wine, it smells fantastic, it taste great, it just outstanding. I need to buy more of this...this did it for me..
Friday, November 14, 2008
Chile - Paso del Sol - Valle Central - Carmenere 2007
This was one of those..."never seen - need to try" bottles. I had never heard of the Carmenere Grape so I thought I would give it a whirl.
Appearance
it has a beautiful deep crimson colour and looks like it could be quite full bodied round flavour.
Nose
It smells not too intense but definately has a number of different aromas going on. I could smell cherries, but at the same time at a very vegetal/spicy flavour. It kind of reminded me of a Cabernet Savgignon variety
Taste
- it was a off dry flavour and felt kind of velvety and smooth in my mouth.
- it had low acidity flavours (it didn't have the sensation of the opal fruit sweets)
- it was low in tannin (it didn't make my mouth feel at all furry)
- I was expecting a rich heavy flavour but infact it was more of a medium flavour
- it didnt have much length but the flavour just didn't disappear so I am going to go with medium cos it did hang around a bit.
- It kind of went through a number of flavours, my first thoughts were cherries, black berries type fruit but as I drunk more the flavour became more spicy sort of black pepper and it was also a bit veggy - I couldn't identify a vegetable so I would say it was quite an earthy flavour....not so bad that you felt you were eating the ground..it was nice.
I had never head this grape variety before but I would buy it again...its very similar to a Cabernet sauvignon but from reading up on it it seems to get mixed up with the merlot variety. I disagree I think its more cabernet savgignon than merlot.
I thoroughly enjoyed this bottle. We had a roast beef dinner with it and it was a good match. roast vegetables really matched well with this Carmenere grape. I would recommend this grape variety for sure and I will be looking out of more of it ..... It wasn't that expensive either. I can't remember the exact price but it was around Dhs. 30 - 40 which is a nice price. So, cant find a cabernet then try this ......its stands on it own and had made a great impression on its first introduction... But once again a fantastic wine from Chile....they are unstoppable this chilean wines...
Want to know more about this grape then visit Carmenere Wine on Wikipedia which talks about it in greater detail. It has French origins but is extinct in France and primarily grown in Chile now.
Appearance
it has a beautiful deep crimson colour and looks like it could be quite full bodied round flavour.
Nose
It smells not too intense but definately has a number of different aromas going on. I could smell cherries, but at the same time at a very vegetal/spicy flavour. It kind of reminded me of a Cabernet Savgignon variety
Taste
- it was a off dry flavour and felt kind of velvety and smooth in my mouth.
- it had low acidity flavours (it didn't have the sensation of the opal fruit sweets)
- it was low in tannin (it didn't make my mouth feel at all furry)
- I was expecting a rich heavy flavour but infact it was more of a medium flavour
- it didnt have much length but the flavour just didn't disappear so I am going to go with medium cos it did hang around a bit.
- It kind of went through a number of flavours, my first thoughts were cherries, black berries type fruit but as I drunk more the flavour became more spicy sort of black pepper and it was also a bit veggy - I couldn't identify a vegetable so I would say it was quite an earthy flavour....not so bad that you felt you were eating the ground..it was nice.
I had never head this grape variety before but I would buy it again...its very similar to a Cabernet sauvignon but from reading up on it it seems to get mixed up with the merlot variety. I disagree I think its more cabernet savgignon than merlot.
WINDEX: 9 out of 10.
I thoroughly enjoyed this bottle. We had a roast beef dinner with it and it was a good match. roast vegetables really matched well with this Carmenere grape. I would recommend this grape variety for sure and I will be looking out of more of it ..... It wasn't that expensive either. I can't remember the exact price but it was around Dhs. 30 - 40 which is a nice price. So, cant find a cabernet then try this ......its stands on it own and had made a great impression on its first introduction... But once again a fantastic wine from Chile....they are unstoppable this chilean wines...
Want to know more about this grape then visit Carmenere Wine on Wikipedia which talks about it in greater detail. It has French origins but is extinct in France and primarily grown in Chile now.
Wine and me
I had always enjoyed a glass of wine but I never really knew what to choose or what to drink...it was one of those..you just were served a glass..you either liked it or not. B was usually my wine picker choosing from his knowledge which wine I would like from the menu. Then there were those nights out when you would ask for the house wine and you would be served the equivalent of gasoline. I would happily drink it thinking it was what wine was like and just think this is what "wine connoisseurs" enjoyed to drink. They knew what they were talking about..... God what a idiot I was back then...and I can't believe some restaurants/hotels have the nerve to serve such drink and charge Dhs. 30 a glass.....
Why did I drink it....well, I don't like beer and was going off spirits. I didn't enjoy the "alcopop" drinks as I was bothered by the sugar levels and their high GI content. I had recently also stopped drinking coffee....all in an effort to save my digestive system. So wine was my last hope of an alcoholic beverage. I would always order the chardonnay..cos I was nervous about trying other wine in case I didn't like it. Red wine was just a no no....I hated the fact of drinking a room temperature drink....it always needed to be ice cold...
For me, my relationship with wine began in Perth, Australia in 2002. We were at the Burswood Hotel. Given we were in wine country I thought well I will give the local wine a bash. B did the ordering....cos I had no idea what to choose. So he chose for me an "Evans & Tate, Chardonnay". B did the tasting and checking and then it was served up. OMG...what a beautiful flavour....I couldn't believe wine could taste this good....I finished the bottle...it was like a whole new world opened with that bottle. A few days later we went on the Sandleford wine tour which involved a boat trip down the swan river to the Sandleford vine yard. We learnt all about wine, how its made, how it tasted, what to taste for, characteristics....everything. Infact we had a game on board afterwards to test us on what we had learnt and I was so pleased cos I won and got a free bottle of Sandelford Verdelho. I was so chuft with myself.
I knew from that point..that wine now had a different meaning to me and that there was a whole world of wine out there that I hadn't tapped or even seen. Now, I was prepared to take it on. Chardonnays, turned to Savignon Blanc, then to Chenin Blancs... I took on the red wine world....now I drink more red than white. My favourite grape currently is Malbec...
Earlier this year I took my wine enthusiam to the next level and got myself the WSET - intermediate level. This the the Wine, Spirits and alcoholic beverages education training. Its always a running joke now that I have a qualification in wine drinking but it really was a fantastic course. I wanted to learn more about what I was drinking and expand my knowledge and understanding of what to look for when I am choosing wine and drinking it.
Now I just pick up bottles, read the label and buy it. "Give it a try" I say. If you don't like it you never have to buy it again. You get the pleasure of trying different flavours and types...and since then I have tried not only australian and new zealand wines, but wines from california, from chile, from south africa, from argentina. I have to spread further now and try lebanon, jordan, Indian, European wines all sorts. I recently saw wine from Uraguay..so next time I will buy that. My fantasy choices are english wine and ice wine from canada. Why do I call them my fantasy wines, well because I can never find them and the thought of seeing and trying it is all just in my imagination. One day ...this wine fantasy will come true....
So, what is this blog all about. Well I have decided to document the wine that I drink and hopefully over the fullness of time I will have a diary of my wine drinking adventures. I will write about what i liked, what I didn't like and see how it related to the food I was eating with it. May be even give the wine my own "windex". This is my WIne index rating. It out of 10, pretty simple to rate...its in the end all about the taste. Here the index
o - awful...just awful...never touch the stuff again.
1 - Nope...its not worth it really.....
2 - why do people bother to make wine this bad....the smell should be enough to put you off.
3 - I think we got something there but really...there is better...
4 - Its OK...I would drink it again but I would want to mix it with a fruit juice or soft drink just to bring it too life.
5 - Not bad - not my favourite, not my worst choice. Its definately glugable and I would serve this up at a party cos it would suit lots of people and wouldn't hurt them
6 - Its good, I would drink it again, if there was nothing else on the menu that I liked I would probably have drunk that.
7 - We are on to something here. It taste great, and I am impressed. I would buy this again for sure...
8 - Very acceptable. This looks great, smells lovely, the drink is very enjoyable and I am about to open the second bottle on this one...
9 - A great wine. Taste and smelt great. It was such an enjoyable drink. Am not really keen on sharing...people should get their own bottle...
10 - An outstanding wine. These wine folk really know their wine, it smells fantastic, it taste great, it just outstanding. I need to buy more of this...this did it for me..
So here is my Windex....this what i will rate my wine against. Remember wine is all very personnel, just cos a wine is expensive doesn't mean its good but just cos a wine is cheap doesn't mean its good either.
Buy it, try it and drink it.....is my motto.....
If its a great wine hopefully you will associate really happy memories with it too....
happy wine drinking....
Why did I drink it....well, I don't like beer and was going off spirits. I didn't enjoy the "alcopop" drinks as I was bothered by the sugar levels and their high GI content. I had recently also stopped drinking coffee....all in an effort to save my digestive system. So wine was my last hope of an alcoholic beverage. I would always order the chardonnay..cos I was nervous about trying other wine in case I didn't like it. Red wine was just a no no....I hated the fact of drinking a room temperature drink....it always needed to be ice cold...
For me, my relationship with wine began in Perth, Australia in 2002. We were at the Burswood Hotel. Given we were in wine country I thought well I will give the local wine a bash. B did the ordering....cos I had no idea what to choose. So he chose for me an "Evans & Tate, Chardonnay". B did the tasting and checking and then it was served up. OMG...what a beautiful flavour....I couldn't believe wine could taste this good....I finished the bottle...it was like a whole new world opened with that bottle. A few days later we went on the Sandleford wine tour which involved a boat trip down the swan river to the Sandleford vine yard. We learnt all about wine, how its made, how it tasted, what to taste for, characteristics....everything. Infact we had a game on board afterwards to test us on what we had learnt and I was so pleased cos I won and got a free bottle of Sandelford Verdelho. I was so chuft with myself.
I knew from that point..that wine now had a different meaning to me and that there was a whole world of wine out there that I hadn't tapped or even seen. Now, I was prepared to take it on. Chardonnays, turned to Savignon Blanc, then to Chenin Blancs... I took on the red wine world....now I drink more red than white. My favourite grape currently is Malbec...
Earlier this year I took my wine enthusiam to the next level and got myself the WSET - intermediate level. This the the Wine, Spirits and alcoholic beverages education training. Its always a running joke now that I have a qualification in wine drinking but it really was a fantastic course. I wanted to learn more about what I was drinking and expand my knowledge and understanding of what to look for when I am choosing wine and drinking it.
Now I just pick up bottles, read the label and buy it. "Give it a try" I say. If you don't like it you never have to buy it again. You get the pleasure of trying different flavours and types...and since then I have tried not only australian and new zealand wines, but wines from california, from chile, from south africa, from argentina. I have to spread further now and try lebanon, jordan, Indian, European wines all sorts. I recently saw wine from Uraguay..so next time I will buy that. My fantasy choices are english wine and ice wine from canada. Why do I call them my fantasy wines, well because I can never find them and the thought of seeing and trying it is all just in my imagination. One day ...this wine fantasy will come true....
So, what is this blog all about. Well I have decided to document the wine that I drink and hopefully over the fullness of time I will have a diary of my wine drinking adventures. I will write about what i liked, what I didn't like and see how it related to the food I was eating with it. May be even give the wine my own "windex". This is my WIne index rating. It out of 10, pretty simple to rate...its in the end all about the taste. Here the index
o - awful...just awful...never touch the stuff again.
1 - Nope...its not worth it really.....
2 - why do people bother to make wine this bad....the smell should be enough to put you off.
3 - I think we got something there but really...there is better...
4 - Its OK...I would drink it again but I would want to mix it with a fruit juice or soft drink just to bring it too life.
5 - Not bad - not my favourite, not my worst choice. Its definately glugable and I would serve this up at a party cos it would suit lots of people and wouldn't hurt them
6 - Its good, I would drink it again, if there was nothing else on the menu that I liked I would probably have drunk that.
7 - We are on to something here. It taste great, and I am impressed. I would buy this again for sure...
8 - Very acceptable. This looks great, smells lovely, the drink is very enjoyable and I am about to open the second bottle on this one...
9 - A great wine. Taste and smelt great. It was such an enjoyable drink. Am not really keen on sharing...people should get their own bottle...
10 - An outstanding wine. These wine folk really know their wine, it smells fantastic, it taste great, it just outstanding. I need to buy more of this...this did it for me..
So here is my Windex....this what i will rate my wine against. Remember wine is all very personnel, just cos a wine is expensive doesn't mean its good but just cos a wine is cheap doesn't mean its good either.
Buy it, try it and drink it.....is my motto.....
If its a great wine hopefully you will associate really happy memories with it too....
happy wine drinking....
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