The new wine thread
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After starting with a couple of Church Rd chardys, it's an Isobel Pinot Noir tonight for me, courtesy of Countdown.
Was thinking how ironic it is that NZ makes such wonderful Pinot, when I really feel like a big-ass shiraz in this 15 degree weather. But back in Oz, where its always 30 degrees, they're the masters of the big bold shiraz, when all you feel like is something lighter.
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@R-L said in The new wine thread:
I don't drink wine often but if I do it's usually sauvignon blanc- chilean as nice and easy. Something like this, any recommendations for a change?
You could try a French Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire. Ideally a Sancerre or Pouilly Fume (which are a bit more expensive). Similar to your Chilean, but much more refined.
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@Catogrande said in The new wine thread:
@R-L said in The new wine thread:
I don't drink wine often but if I do it's usually sauvignon blanc- chilean as nice and easy. Something like this, any recommendations for a change?
You could try a French Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire. Ideally a Sancerre or Pouilly Fume (which are a bit more expensive). Similar to your Chilean, but much more refined.
I enjoy french chenin blanc too
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@canefan said in The new wine thread:
@Catogrande said in The new wine thread:
@R-L said in The new wine thread:
I don't drink wine often but if I do it's usually sauvignon blanc- chilean as nice and easy. Something like this, any recommendations for a change?
You could try a French Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire. Ideally a Sancerre or Pouilly Fume (which are a bit more expensive). Similar to your Chilean, but much more refined.
I enjoy french chenin blanc too
They tend to use Chenin Blanc further along to the west in the Loire with Sav Blanc being the king in the east. I actually struggle with CB pretty much from wherever - it's quite big in South Africa for example. Funnily enough though, I bought a half case of half bottles of a French sweet Chenin Blanc and that was fucking delicious with the right pudding.
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@voodoo said in The new wine thread:
Got a Church Road Grand Reserve Syrah open tonight.
One of those wines that I know is "good", but I'm just not loving like I know I'm supposed to.
Proof that price is BS, and we should just drink the stuff that works for us
I just smacked a $12 bottle of Wynns Shiraz and loved it.
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Do we do wines here too?
Just having a lovely refreshing glass of" Las Mulas Organic Sauvignon Blanc ", first time buying this one but tried it at my friend's over easter and have now finally bought it.
I'm absolutely no wine expert but I do know i prefer Chilean SB to any other countries, why is that!? It's easier to drink and tastes very good... But then i also used to drink Strongbow with lime cordial as student and man that was good.Anyone got any SB recommendations
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@r-l said in Beer thread:
Anyone got any SB recommendations
StrongBow Dark Fruit.
StrongBow Original Dry.
StrongBow ElderFlower. -
@r-l Astrolabe Sauvignon blanc. Can't really go wrong
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@crucial said in The new wine thread:
@canefan said in Beer thread:
@r-l Astrolabe Sauvignon blanc. Can't really go wrong
I think buying that might require slumming it at Waitrose.
Pound for pound it is great though. Pegasus Bay and Kumeu River both make nice whites
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@r-l said in The new wine thread:
Do we do wines here too?
Mostly whines. referees are a favourite.
Alcohol of any description seems to be popular though.
Most of the NZ SBs will be fine (as in not rubbish) esp Marlborough ones. Cloudy Bay talked up a lot, it is consistently good, also not cheap. There really are loads of good ones from here, but a while since I was in the UK and not sure what is available there.
The Pelorus bubbles is as good any other (not SB of course but WTF) and not allowed to call it Champagne. Methode just sounds pathetic, especially given the history of Champagne, but give it a go when you have the cash. It should be cheaper than Veuve for example, and should be available.
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@r-l
SB wines, while all have distinctive similarities there are also some geographical (it seems to me) differences. For me the tops are the Loire SB which in general are very dry, almost flinty. NZ SB are at the other end taste wise and I would describe them as being greener (If that is even a valid description), with much more fruit on the palate. Chilean tends to fall between the two with a little less fruit than NZ and perhaps a little sharper. You could also look at South African SB with my favourite being Buitenverterachting, available from Majestic. Back to France, the other main area for SB is Bordeaux and these tend to be a little less refined than the Loire having more acid.
The thing is though that in general if you pay a bit more than bargain bucket prices you should get something pretty good wherever it is from. Try them all, it should be good fun doing the research. You’ll probably find that you’ll have a go to at an affordable price for everyday and then a more expensive option for special occasions.
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@r-l
Used to drink loads of SB, but my palate has changed a lot and prefer a white Burgundy or Limoux chardonnay these days. @Catogrande has summed things up really well, but why not join an online store like Majestic and order a case of different SB's and have fun trying them out?
@Catogrande Check out Majestic's Definition range for day-day drinking if you haven't already. The Rioja and Limoux Chardonnnay are pretty good,
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@crucial said in The new wine thread:
@canefan said in Beer thread:
@r-l Astrolabe Sauvignon blanc. Can't really go wrong
I think buying that might require slumming it at Waitrose.
17 quid is good value for a wine of this quality. Cato is correct in calling it "green". Grassy, spicy, tastes of gooseberry
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I find my palate changing on a regular basis, atm I’m liking the Loire SBs but will soon get a hankering for a Burgundy. I used to be very much in the ABC club due I think to too much over-Oaked Aussie Chardonnay back in the day but now I take great delight in a decent burgundy but by the cringe they can be expensive. I’ll try that Limoux you mentioned, that might be the thing.
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That Astrolabe I found less green than many Kiwi savs, I really liked it. I think the problem we have in the UK is a preponderance of Antipodean wines that are “ok” and we rarely find the better wines from Aus and NZ.
Kiwi Pinot Noir is a case in point, much of what is available over here is very strongly fruit driven and raspberryish. I got given a bottle of Valli PN though and what a difference. Lovely drop.
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Just forget it, wine is not my friend.
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NZ reds are not good in the UK - I often wonder if the travel has something to do with it. My wife snd I came to the same conclusion when we moved here. Drunk reds in NZ, bought exact same here and it was average.
Fortunately, not the same for NZ peak wine, the Marlborough SB. Can’t go wrong with Villa Maria, especially at 7.99 from Costco.