The Wine List

[Stillhomewardbound]

I'm not sure why I've never thought of it but I'm sure the forum would be enlightened by a running thread for lovers of the grape. A place where we can share latest recommendations, past gluggable glories, reliable retailers & respositories and blissful bargains out there.

To start the ball rolling. The Sainsbury folk currrently have a Rioja Crianza which they are loss-leading with (at just £6.32). To be precise:

2007 Vinhos Barrihuelo (Rioja Crianza)

I won't go in to details and Goolden-gorge on the OED to paint a picture of this number. Sufficet it to say that it delivers a most pleasing gift to the palette across two hours. Really a wine one can spend time with.

[jayne lee wilson]

Current favourites at Sainsburys are -

2008 Barbaresco (Taste the Difference range) usually 9.99.
2010 La Patrie Cahors (a Malbec) 11.99

These are both "on offer" just now but that might be only local... they're both rich and powerful reds, great with almost any meat dish, with cooked or salad accompaniments, or cheese.

I also regularly buy the Mondelli Torretta D'Avola 2009 0r 2010, similarly priced to above.

I almost always buy Italian since I drink mostly with a meal (and far too much after...) but I find that French wines can be a little fussier about the food match (the Cahors above, from SW France, is a lovely exception). A powerful Italian vintage (ah, remember 2000...) can often stand up well even to hot and spicy dishes.
But all the above are good for mulling (I like to add acacia honey). I love a small mulled red before or after (usually both - any excuse, right?) going out on a cold day.

[Stillhomewardbound]

I always had a downer on Italian wines, finding them too earthy, but I had become very disenchanted with the New Worlds which are now so saccharin that they are wholly undrinkable. A combi of meths and Ribena would have the same effect. However, of late I have been enjoying some very enjoyable moments such as Tesco's Ogio Primitivo. Normally £9.99 but a regular 'special' for month long intervals at £4.99.

[Anna]

Muscat de Beaumes de Venise. Liquid sunshine. There is an expression: A day without wine is like a day without sunshine. Muscat de Beaumes with sweet, sticky, chocolate pudding, or foie gras is like travelling to Heaven with the Angels on your wings, serve it ice cold. It's not cheap, around 15 quid a bottle, but it is truly divine, and you serve in small shots. Bliss!

Otherwise, for everday quoffing, try the Co-Op's cut price 2005 Rioja.

[Stillhomewardbound]

Thanks for the Co-Op tpi, Anna. I fancy we have the makings of a good thread here.

[Anna]

Thanks for the Co-Op tpi, Anna. I fancy we have the makings of a good thread here.

Hic! SmB! Of course, moderation in all thingszzz... Blimey, next we'll be quoting James Joyce, and stuff.

Intersting Food Prog, R4, other day, on gin. Now, gin is deadly when it's rubbish and cheap but those Botanicals, WOW! It's like when you pound juniper, oh, the whiff of it!

[Curalach]

I can see this thread becoming as expensive as the Bargains thread but what a good idea.
Like JLW I buy mostly Italian wines, and for the same reasons, although I also buy quite a lot of French wine come to think of it.
I have decided over the past few years to avoid buying New World or Antipodean wines as my contribution to reducing food (wine) miles and don't regret it.
I tend to buy by the case and have used the ST Wine Club for the past 20 years as a convenient supply. I would quite like to change as I don't like their ever increasing delivery charge. Any alternatives that members can recommend?

[handsomefortune]

A combi of meths and Ribena

Botanicals, WOW! yes the gin programme was decidedly aromatic anna...amazing what fragrances you can conjuer via the radio too!

i have lots of bottles of wine given as gifts this year...several bottles of 2006 pinot noir, a fizzy number in palest pink; and 2009 pillastro puglia primitivo ....tis too, hic! great with (plenty of) food. a strong, rich red at 14% proof.

[Chris Newman]

I agree about air miles, Curalach. I try to stick to French or Italian. And when I occasionally drink bubbly you cannot beat the British. For two years now Cornwall has taken over from West Sussex in the European blind tasting amongst Champagne style producers.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/4244748.stm

If it is good enough for the French.................................

[umslopogaas]

Something from the supermarket? Yes please, anything that is half price. My sense of taste was shot out several years ago, thanks to an unfortunate fall, but fortunately it didnt affect my desire for a bottle of red. There's some white in the fridge, dearie, if that's your fancy. I'll just pull the cork out of another bottle of much reduced rouge, cant taste it but it seems to have the required effect.

Hic.

[marthe]

Since I'm in the new world, I'll stick with the new world wines. My son lives near California wine country and brings home some nice bottles that are not availalble at the local wine store. I do like Portuguese vihno verde in the summer. Winter tastes vary according to mood and menu. Malbec is an all-round favorite chez m&g. G also like Riesling. Now, on to Belgian beers...and I don't mean Stella.

[Chris Newman]

Now, on to Belgian beers...and I don't mean Stella.

Known as "WIFE-BEATER" in the UK

[Stillhomewardbound]

Marthe ... I'm going to be very rude here. Can you recommend a Californian wine that is quirky. Sad to say, I just find too much of this produce balnd and redolent of Ernest & Gallo, or whatever they're called.

[Stillhomewardbound]

I'm a daily Stella imbiber but being single there's only me-self to beat when I get home. Ooops! What have I said??!!

[Anna]

I'm a daily Stella imbiber but being single there's only me-self to beat when I get home. Ooops! What have I said??!!

OMFG. Stella. Rots your guts and your brains. Stay off it! It is worse than Cider