Travelling the world a glass at a time…
Made a wonderful discovery while travelling in Penedes, Spain. A region famed for Cava, Spain's alternative to Champagne except with more of a twist using native varietals like Xarel.lo, Macabeo and Parellada. Each contributes it's own unique quality to the blend, with Xarel.lo giving freshness and acidity, Macabeo giving delicate florals and texture when aged …
I have been very much into the burgundian grapes lately, my chardonnays and pinots have come from Australia, New Zealand and their homeland Burgundy. Nothing too flash like DRC (who can get one, let alone afford it?) but plenty of beautiful expressions with diverse styles and totally hedonistic delights. Some have been young, some much …
Barolo. Barbaresco. Langhe. We know these names well, some of us better than others. We speak of unbelievable beauty and elegance, power, finesse, tension, etc. etc. Nebbiolo is one of the great grapes. Unlike cabernet and chardonnay it has not travelled well across the globe. There's no other "other home" for it. Only the hills …
A: pale vibrant gold with persistent fine beading N: yeasty toasty creamy richness on the nose of medium intensity. Hint of caramel and white florals. P: dry and full bodied style of medium intensity with rich cream notes with caramel and buttered toast notes. A hint of autolysis with a zesty lemon drizzle to …
Beautiful day in Sydney, towards the end of winter with the sun shining and some shopping to do I headed out to the markets with a french braid and bright red lippy! My new favourite local bakery, very French, make these amazing parisien sourdough baguettes right on the premises throughout the day. Sometimes you get …
A: deep ruby N: medium+ intensity of red plums and spice with vanilla and milk chocolate P: medium bodied, medium intensity of plums and heather and savoury crusty herbs on home baked bread. Lovely spice notes with very ripe and high tannins. Milk chocolate notes on the palate. Delicious but needs food. Great food wine …
A: deep ruby N: inviting medium intensity of dark forest berries, hint of oak spice and blue flowers (lavender) as well as some earthy beetroot (cooked) notes. Over time opens up... so perfumed! Red and blue flowers with a heady scent. Ripe fruit on the verge of turning. P: medium+ intensity of rich forest berries, …
A: ruby but showing age with amber notes N: medium intensity with savoury herbs, tar and plums and cherries with earthy forest notes P: medium bodied with fine high tannins, flavours of sour cherry and herbs, savoury, tar notes, quite high acid making the wine tart. Rustic goodness. C: good quality wine of possibly 2013 vintage. An …
A: vibrant ruby N: medium intensity of red cherry, tar, wet earth floor aromatics with some herbal notes with sage and elements of cola P: medium intensity with high acid, medium tannins with a bitter back end of scorched pork skin, sour red cherry, tangy acidity, pencil shavings and cola notes. Spicy but short finish. …
Not too long ago I got the chance to attend the Malbec tasting of mostly Argentina versus a lonely Australian example. The variety of styles of one grape is incredible. This is also a great reinforcement of how well Malbec does at higher altitudes, and with more sunlight than native France allows. Malbec is very …
