Name: Chantilli – Chateaux indage
Country: Maharashta, India
Grape(s): Merlot
Vintage: 2005
Colour: reddish with with brown tinge around the edges
Smell: very clean, light, fruity scent, very pleasant. 1st hint is black current but on another 2nd level there is a ck ppery scent….very nice. Quite a friendly smell.
Taste: Off dry, low acidity, low tannin, light body and a medium length.
Conclusion: A good wine…one that could compete well with other new world wines.
WINDEX: 7 to 8 out of 10.
Final Comments: I was surprisingly impressed with this wine. I had set myself for sharp, bitter tasting urine which was going to completely unpalatable however, the complete opposite was experienced. This was a very impressive wine. I would happily serve this up at a dinner party. The initial thought of ‘indian wine’ would be a negative set of words but I am sure on smell and taste the drinker would be surprised. This was back on my wine shopping list for round 2 as I only bought one bottle…however, on returning this wine was sold out. If folk have caught on to this quiet surprise then at Dhs. 15 a bottle…it’s a hot seller. Hmm…may be I should keep this too myself. Have bought the Indian white from this same vineyard….I am looking forward to opening that bottle.
Showing posts with label 8 out of 10. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 8 out of 10. Show all posts
Monday, April 6, 2009
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Chile - Villard - Merlot - 2006
Name: Villard
Country: Chile, Casablanca Valley
Grape(s): Merlot
Vintage: 2006
Colour: Dark ruby colour
Smell: Lots of things happening here. I found it fruity, yet spicy and vegetable levels of the aroma and then a buttery scent would also come through. It was quite pronounced aromas which made me think that this would be a much heavier merlot.
Taste: Dry, medium acidity, medium tannins with a long length. As predicted it was a heavy merlot with lots of body but still tasted velvety. Its thicker denser body made it very smooth and not a rough wine.
Conclusion: An good wine
WINEDEX: 8 out of 10
Final comments: Well we couldn’t hold out too long challenging a Uruguayan Merlot to a Chile merlot. Both very distinct flavours. I really liked this merlot I loved the full body of this wine and really fancied a nice piece of steak to go with it. This was my type of merlot and thoroughly enjoyed drinking it.
If I was to compare them, well they were very different. You could tell that the Chilean merlot came from a cooler climate and the Uruguay was from a warmer climate.
We intend to challenge a few merlots from this region …so let’s see how that goes down. Watch this space.
Country: Chile, Casablanca Valley
Grape(s): Merlot
Vintage: 2006
Colour: Dark ruby colour
Smell: Lots of things happening here. I found it fruity, yet spicy and vegetable levels of the aroma and then a buttery scent would also come through. It was quite pronounced aromas which made me think that this would be a much heavier merlot.
Taste: Dry, medium acidity, medium tannins with a long length. As predicted it was a heavy merlot with lots of body but still tasted velvety. Its thicker denser body made it very smooth and not a rough wine.
Conclusion: An good wine
WINEDEX: 8 out of 10
Final comments: Well we couldn’t hold out too long challenging a Uruguayan Merlot to a Chile merlot. Both very distinct flavours. I really liked this merlot I loved the full body of this wine and really fancied a nice piece of steak to go with it. This was my type of merlot and thoroughly enjoyed drinking it.
If I was to compare them, well they were very different. You could tell that the Chilean merlot came from a cooler climate and the Uruguay was from a warmer climate.
We intend to challenge a few merlots from this region …so let’s see how that goes down. Watch this space.
Uruguay, Ariano, Merlot, 2005
Name: Ariano
Country: Uruguay, Canelones Province
Grape(s): Merlot
Vintage: 2005
Colour: Crimson /ruby colour on the light side of these colours
Smell: Very berry aromas which were quite light. It smelled very clean and had fresh crisp finish.
Taste: Dry, low acidity, low tannin with a light body to it. Flavours were more on the vegetable flavour and oaky touches. Mummy mentioned that for her they had a buttery/creamy finish.
Conclusion: An good wine
WINEDEX: 7 out of 10 for Muscat grape but 8 out of 10 for Uruguay
Final comments: This was my first Uruguayan Red and I have to say I was impressed. This was a light bodied merlot which would be great drunk on its own or with a poultry dish. The label advises that it has a more herby scent so we pulled out some sage, thyme and mint to bring back those smells but to be honest my nose picked up the fruity berry area. Again as a Uruguayan wine I was impressed…it does stand out and was very glubable. I also want to challenge this wine to its neighbouring countries….I think a South American Merlot drink fest is on the cards. Well Done Uruguay.
Country: Uruguay, Canelones Province
Grape(s): Merlot
Vintage: 2005
Colour: Crimson /ruby colour on the light side of these colours
Smell: Very berry aromas which were quite light. It smelled very clean and had fresh crisp finish.
Taste: Dry, low acidity, low tannin with a light body to it. Flavours were more on the vegetable flavour and oaky touches. Mummy mentioned that for her they had a buttery/creamy finish.
Conclusion: An good wine
WINEDEX: 7 out of 10 for Muscat grape but 8 out of 10 for Uruguay
Final comments: This was my first Uruguayan Red and I have to say I was impressed. This was a light bodied merlot which would be great drunk on its own or with a poultry dish. The label advises that it has a more herby scent so we pulled out some sage, thyme and mint to bring back those smells but to be honest my nose picked up the fruity berry area. Again as a Uruguayan wine I was impressed…it does stand out and was very glubable. I also want to challenge this wine to its neighbouring countries….I think a South American Merlot drink fest is on the cards. Well Done Uruguay.
Uruguay - Ariano, Muscat Ottonel 2005
Name: Ariano Muscat Ottonel
Country: Uruguay, Canelones Province
Notes: This grape is a member of the muscat grape variety. Originally from France it was first cultivated in the Alsace region of the Loire valley. This is commonly a dessert wine due to its perfume aromas.
Grape(s): Muscat Ottonel
Vintage: 2005
Colour: Dark gold colour – sort of like the colour of 22 Karat gold. Mummy said it looked like beer which it does actually.
Smell: The first scents were the flloral aromas, sort of like a bouquet of young roses. Very typical of the Muscat family. Smelling more deeply you could pick up the mild aroma of a fruit cocktail…a mixture of tropical fruit flavours.
Taste: Off Dry and acidic with prounounced grapefruit/citrus base at the same time you did think you were drinking roses!!! This had a short length to it.
Conclusion: An acceptable wine
WINEDEX: 6 out of 10 for Muscat grape but 8 out of 10 for Uruguay
Final comments: This was my very first Uruguay wine I had EVER had. I was really looking forward to opening this and see what the Uruguayans had to offer considering their neighbouring countries offered excellent wine. Comparing it to other Muscat wine I gave this 6 out of 10 because I am not keen on the floral aromas and tastes. I love roses but not in my mouth. However, it was a nice wine and I can see why it works well as a dessert variety. I commented that this was an off dry taste but I think really it heads towards being more medium in flavour. It is quite deceptive and it does confuse you….you can think about it one way and then you sip it again and it gives you something else to play with. However, given that this was a Uruguayan wine I was impressed. I would buy this again….and try others. It was surprisingly good. I want to try another Uruguayan wine and compare it to chile and argentina….its going to be good.
Country: Uruguay, Canelones Province
Notes: This grape is a member of the muscat grape variety. Originally from France it was first cultivated in the Alsace region of the Loire valley. This is commonly a dessert wine due to its perfume aromas.
Grape(s): Muscat Ottonel
Vintage: 2005
Colour: Dark gold colour – sort of like the colour of 22 Karat gold. Mummy said it looked like beer which it does actually.
Smell: The first scents were the flloral aromas, sort of like a bouquet of young roses. Very typical of the Muscat family. Smelling more deeply you could pick up the mild aroma of a fruit cocktail…a mixture of tropical fruit flavours.
Taste: Off Dry and acidic with prounounced grapefruit/citrus base at the same time you did think you were drinking roses!!! This had a short length to it.
Conclusion: An acceptable wine
WINEDEX: 6 out of 10 for Muscat grape but 8 out of 10 for Uruguay
Final comments: This was my very first Uruguay wine I had EVER had. I was really looking forward to opening this and see what the Uruguayans had to offer considering their neighbouring countries offered excellent wine. Comparing it to other Muscat wine I gave this 6 out of 10 because I am not keen on the floral aromas and tastes. I love roses but not in my mouth. However, it was a nice wine and I can see why it works well as a dessert variety. I commented that this was an off dry taste but I think really it heads towards being more medium in flavour. It is quite deceptive and it does confuse you….you can think about it one way and then you sip it again and it gives you something else to play with. However, given that this was a Uruguayan wine I was impressed. I would buy this again….and try others. It was surprisingly good. I want to try another Uruguayan wine and compare it to chile and argentina….its going to be good.
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 ....xx
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