Wine Drinkers

[Twenty Inch]

I recently discovered that in many South African vineyards, the (poor, black) manual labourers are often paid up to half their wages in wine. This of course has a disastrous effect on their well-being. I'm never buying South African wine again.

 

[ASC1951]

I reckon that the majority of wine from any country is rubbish, but reasonably decent stuff exists in all wine growing nations (with the exception of weirdo countries like England).

We do make some good champagne and in ten years' time we will be making some very good champagne. Far too expensive, of course, but that is HMRC for you.

As to New World/Old World, don't forget that in Chile and to some extent Argentina you can get something you can't get in Europe - wine from pre-phylloxera rootstocks. Keep a lookout for this http://www.cousinomacul.com, for instance.

If you want a rarity, try the top Lebanese grower http://www.chateaumusar.com.lb Their best wines are right up there with Bordeaux Grand Crus

 

[User169]

We do make some good champagne and in ten years' time we will be making some very good champagne. Far too expensive, of course, but that is HMRC for you.

As to New World/Old World, don't forget that in Chile and to some extent Argentina you can get something you can't get in Europe - wine from pre-phylloxera rootstocks. Keep a lookout for this http://www.cousinomacul.com, for instance.

If you want a rarity, try the top Lebanese grower http://www.chateaumusar.com.lb Their best wines are right up there with Bordeaux Grand Crus

Interesting stuff ASC.

I've tried Nyetimber, which is good stuff, but, as you say, too expensive. And I don't think you're allowed to call it "champagne"!

Very good point on pre-phylloxera stocks and I'll try to hunt out your recommendation. I've drunk really top class wine from Chile - Vinedo Chadwick was good one I recall - but found it more difficult to find memorable Argentinian wine.

Chateau Musar I just don't get. I just can't put aside the overwhelming presence of Brett fermentation - it seems to me flawed wine-making, although clearly many wouldn't agree.

 

[walker]

Does Greek wine constitute old world?

Most of it's $hite, but some of the wines from Kefalonia are bordering on superb IMO.


Not that you see 'em much.

the wines from Santorini are very nice too, there is one called Santorini that used to be sold in Fortnum and Mason (is that the name of that shop on Picadilly?) it was expensive to buy here but I remember buying it in Santorini for about £3

 

[661-Pete]

Of course - if we're feeling extravagant (usually at Xmas) there's always a bottle of our local wine to consider - local in England that is, not France! The vineyard is less than a mile away from our house, right here in Sussex. Very nice light sparkling wine, but pricey! (you can get if from Waitrose).

 

[Greedo]

I have drank wine since I was about 14 and was allowed a glass of my Dads homebrew with Sunday dinner.

I'm not an authority on anything other than I am Wine and Spirted Education Trust qualified to advanced level and will be undertaking my diploma after the summer of which 99% of people who go through it are in the trade. It's an avid hobby of mine and spend a lot of time reading about, sampling and tasting.

I have however been lately astounded by the statements some people have made in my company like "I hate Sauvignon Blanc but then they order a bottle of Sancerre, or I don't like Chardonnay but like Chablis.

Sancerre is 100% Sauvignon Blanc and chablis is 100% Chardonnay. People just think because it's expensive it must be good.

The Doctor made a valid point about Cloudy Bay. Nice wine -Yes Over priced- yes. There are places in Glasgow where people flock to when they get their allocation off Cloudy bay and are paying up to £35 a bottle. there's a restuarant in Glasgow charging £110 per bottle. If you gave me £35 to buy a bottle of Sancerre the one I'd buy would blow Cloudy Bay out the water.

The point I was making was to try something different. That's all. Nothing else in it. Simple as that and you'd be pleasantly surprised. Riojas Chiantis, Bordeaux, Burgundies, Alsace Rieslings, Cote du Rhones and Hermitage wines are all worth trying other than a Jacobs Creek or Wolf Blass which are fine but nothing more than blackcurrant juice that gets you pished!

Saying that. I'm away to the pub to drink pints.

See ya!!!!!!!

 

[Greedo]

Old world only for me, as long as it doesn't mention the grape on the front label...
Most new-world stuff is over-priced Ribena.

There's a man who knows what he's talking about

 

[Davidc]

If you're referring to the Austrian Antifreeze Scandal, I think you're wrong - no deaths or injuries at all.

However, some Italians used methanol the following year, which did kill over 20.

You're right - I got the wrong scandal. They recalled it before anyone got injured - except the man responsible, Karl Grill, who killed himself.

 

[Happiness Stan]

"Most new-world stuff is over-priced Ribena."

That's not a generalised statement is it?


Greedo - your sommelier medallion is in the post.

Anyway, I'm off to finish a bottle of Old World Frosty Jack and Blackcurrant.

Far superior to New World White Lightning I find.

 

[Greedo]

"Most new-world stuff is over-priced Ribena."

That's not a generalised statement is it?


Greedo - your sommelier medallion is in the post.

Anyway, I'm off to finish a bottle of Old World Frosty Jack and Blackcurrant.

Far superior to New World White Lightning I find.

save yer money and buy yourself a wine book. You might learn something!!

 

[terry huckle]

Somebody mentioned Rioja! Some wonderful stuff about (but some rubbish too)

Right now I`m going to open a bottle of Argentinian Malbec, from Mendoza province, because I like it.

 

[Davidc]

Any tips on avoiding the sweet reds - obv. read the label - but last time I bought one, the label was all greek to me (no, really it was all in Greek)

Learn modern Greek?

There's a wine merchant near my mother's place in London which stocks Greek wines (and other less usual ones). There's no problem there as they know the wines and are very helpful. Expensive though, but you get what you pay for - good quality and top class service.

 

[Hacienda71]

I love a bottle of claret, nice smooth red and you can pick some cheap examples that are very pleasant.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Riojas

I got given a bottle of Roda II (2000) once from this bodega - it was superb. I have no idea what the RRP is...

Chiantis,

On a residential as part of my Master's degree, we visited a superb vinyard in the Chianti region, Sette Ponti, I think - and tried lots of things I wouldn't normally be able to afford, including one bottle that was almost a century old but had been kept in perfect condition (they don't sell them - apparently no-one believes they would taste any good, and instead they keep them for special family occasions normally)... I still remember the taste... absolutely amazing.

Cote du Rhones and Hermitage wines

Cotes du Rhones is one of my favourite areas. If you want real value, then I particularly like this Belleruche from Chapoutier, which is really very reasonably priced and so is this excellent biodynamic Crozes-Hermitage (for a little more), but then, if you want something that will blow you away for only another jump-up in price, from the same maker, this big, luscious Chateauneuf-du-Pape...

I would recommend that people who like big, Australian wine should try this Madiran from Alain Brumont (who has pretty much single-handedly revitalized this Gascon appelation) or for a bit more money his Chateau Montus and Bouscassé wines... awesome.

You shouldn't overlook the Languedoc either - there's a veritable revolution in winemaking going on there, with some superb organic and biodynamic producers of the Minervois appelation in particular, including my absolute favourite, Borie de Maurel. Their Esprit d'automne cannot be beaten for value, the Cuvee Aude is a rich white of the kind you thought you wouldn't be able to find any more in a world which seems to favour the most minerally dryness, the Belle de Nuit is dark and mysterious and their Cuvee Maxime is quite simply the best red I have ever bought from a shop.

 

[darkstar]

Anyone drink wine from the UK? I can't stand any wine, just interested, is it any good?