[spireitetoo]

Seen a few of yous discussing different wines, so thought I'd start another dedicated thread...
Mainly because I don't drink the stuff ( too much of my father's homebrew when I was young, and not cos it was nasty)
I need a bit of advice, I'm off to see a mate of mine next week and always take him a bottle for Xmas, now I have no idea what's
a good un or not, so let's say around a 10er a bottle available in tesco what's good ??
Tia.

[azul]

Nice red from Chile (say Cabernet Sauvignon) generally good value

Nice white from New Zealand (say Sauvignon Blanc) bit more expensive than some regions but always highly regarded

Should get decent bottle of either from Tesco, but why limit yourself to Tesco?

[spireitetoo]

azul, on 23 November 2023 - 03:55 PM, said:

Nice red from Chile (say Cabernet Sauvignon) generally good value

Nice white from New Zealand (say Sauvignon Blanc) bit more expensive than some regions but always highly regarded

Should get decent bottle of either from Tesco, but why limit yourself to Tesco?

It's just on the way there... saves messing if I call ont way..

[azul]

spireitetoo, on 23 November 2023 - 03:57 PM, said:

It's just on the way there... saves messing if I call ont way..

I also like Portuguese/Spanish reds from the Duero region or Spanish Penedes - harder to get hold of and can be a little expensive but a little more unusual and more variable.

Don’t tell Mercury

[Mr Mercury]

azul, on 23 November 2023 - 04:01 PM, said:

I also like Portuguese/Spanish reds from the Duero region or Spanish Penedes - harder to get hold of and can be a little expensive but a little more unusual and more variable.

Don’t tell Mercury

Footbolt (not barefoot) Shiraz from Tesco is a good one..approx £11-£12 maybe or Villa Maria for a New Zealand Sav Blanc, similar price.

This post has been edited by Mr Mercury: 23 November 2023 - 04:07 PM

[frearsghost]

spireitetoo, on 23 November 2023 - 03:43 PM, said:

Seen a few of yous discussing different wines, so thought I'd start another dedicated thread...
Mainly because I don't drink the stuff ( too much of my father's homebrew when I was young, and not cos it was nasty)
I need a bit of advice, I'm off to see a mate of mine next week and always take him a bottle for Xmas, now I have no idea what's
a good un or not, so let's say around a 10er a bottle available in tesco what's good ??
Tia.

There's a lot of snobbery in the wine field so please don't think I'm being snobby. I can write through the experience I have. You may want to look at the 'Classification 2020 Crus Bourgeois du Medoc' where you might find a bottle under £20. Some may be available from Lay & Wheeler.

At £10 a bottle they're all much of a muchness. It's down to personal taste, so best ask what his favourite is and buy that. Then again, he might be happy with anything. After all it's the thought that countd. A thread on wine is a good idea. Mr Mercury says he doesn't like French wine and I attempted to send him a personal message about the stuff some time ago but my board messaging doesn't work. So where would a wine thread take us? The reality is, wine bought at supermarkets is for early consumption. That is perfectly acceptable but has a short shelf life and will never get better with age. That's why supermakets don' t sell wine like Chateau Rosthschild, a wine that will mature around 2055-60 and would be criminal to drink immediately.

Some of the world's finest wines (red) are still French Bordeaux, closely followed by Italy, matched only by the Napa Valley in the USA.


French wines were classified by Napoleon into five 'growths' (like league tables) and have rarely changed. e.g. (First Growth): Chateau Latour. Margaux etc. (Fifth Growth:) Chateau Lynch Bages etc. Other French areas have their own classification e.g.'Pomerol,' 'St Emillion' etc and there is also the 'Classification 2020 Crus Bourgeois du Medoc'. All can be downloaded. Evolution has meant that some fifth growths are now better than some second.

People buy quality wine in bond, a bonded warehouse is where you don't pay the purchase tax. They do so for a variety of reasons. to drink later or to invest. Learning about wine is a long learning curve but I'll be happy to advise anyone who who has an interest in quality French wine and wishes to hand down a bottle long after they have gone.

This post has been edited by frearsghost: 23 November 2023 - 06:17 PM

[clarevoyant.]

frearsghost, on 23 November 2023 - 06:16 PM, said:

There's a lot of snobbery in the wine field so please don't think I'm being snobby. I can write through the experience I have. You may want to look at the 'Classification 2020 Crus Bourgeois du Medoc' where you might find a bottle under £20. Some may be available from Lay & Wheeler.

At £10 a bottle they're all much of a muchness. It's down to personal taste, so best ask what his favourite is and buy that. Then again, he might be happy with anything. After all it's the thought that countd. A thread on wine is a good idea. Mr Mercury says he doesn't like French wine and I attempted to send him a personal message about the stuff some time ago but my board messaging doesn't work. So where would a wine thread take us? The reality is, wine bought at supermarkets is for early consumption. That is perfectly acceptable but has a short shelf life and will never get better with age. That's why supermakets don' t sell wine like Chateau Rosthschild, a wine that will mature around 2055-60 and would be criminal to drink immediately.

Some of the world's finest wines (red) are still French Bordeaux, closely followed by Italy, matched only by the Napa Valley in the USA.


French wines were classified by Napoleon into five 'growths' (like league tables) and have rarely changed. e.g. (First Growth): Chateau Latour. Margaux etc. (Fifth Growth:) Chateau Lynch Bages etc. Other French areas have their own classification e.g.'Pomerol,' 'St Emillion' etc and there is also the 'Classification 2020 Crus Bourgeois du Medoc'. All can be downloaded. Evolution has meant that some fifth growths are now better than some second.

People buy quality wine in bond, a bonded warehouse is where you don't pay the purchase tax. They do so for a variety of reasons. to drink later or to invest. Learning about wine is a long learning curve but I'll be happy to advise anyone who who has an interest in quality French wine and wishes to hand down a bottle long after they have gone.

I trust you enjoyed the glass of 'House Red' I got you in The Railway, Prittlewell pre match Saturday!!!

[Mr Mercury]

frearsghost, on 23 November 2023 - 06:16 PM, said:

There's a lot of snobbery in the wine field so please don't think I'm being snobby. I can write through the experience I have. You may want to look at the 'Classification 2020 Crus Bourgeois du Medoc' where you might find a bottle under £20. Some may be available from Lay & Wheeler.

At £10 a bottle they're all much of a muchness. It's down to personal taste, so best ask what his favourite is and buy that. Then again, he might be happy with anything. After all it's the thought that countd. A thread on wine is a good idea. Mr Mercury says he doesn't like French wine and I attempted to send him a personal message about the stuff some time ago but my board messaging doesn't work. So where would a wine thread take us? The reality is, wine bought at supermarkets is for early consumption. That is perfectly acceptable but has a short shelf life and will never get better with age. That's why supermakets don' t sell wine like Chateau Rosthschild, a wine that will mature around 2055-60 and would be criminal to drink immediately.

Some of the world's finest wines (red) are still French Bordeaux, closely followed by Italy, matched only by the Napa Valley in the USA.


French wines were classified by Napoleon into five 'growths' (like league tables) and have rarely changed. e.g. (First Growth): Chateau Latour. Margaux etc. (Fifth Growth:) Chateau Lynch Bages etc. Other French areas have their own classification e.g.'Pomerol,' 'St Emillion' etc and there is also the 'Classification 2020 Crus Bourgeois du Medoc'. All can be downloaded. Evolution has meant that some fifth growths are now better than some second.

People buy quality wine in bond, a bonded warehouse is where you don't pay the purchase tax. They do so for a variety of reasons. to drink later or to invest. Learning about wine is a long learning curve but I'll be happy to advise anyone who who has an interest in quality French wine and wishes to hand down a bottle long after they have gone.

Thanks for,thenatta,pt. Happy for you to put any recommendations here and where to purchase from.
BTW for anyone interested in Champagne the Coops offer at £22 has, once again, come out as a best buy and better than many that are at least double the price.

[It's bolted]

People seem to enjoy their wine of choice that suits their taste, what one enjoys the the other might not ,me personally I like a tonic wine . My tonic wine of choice is Buckfast and is origin of Devon.Eldorado is a Scottish tonic wine from Glasgow.I find that both these wines go down well with any meal ie Fish Meat or Veggie or just to drink without food .

[hilly81]

I’m off the booze for the foreseeable future but I like a bottle of Jam Shed Malbec. Nothing fancy.

[frearsghost]

Mr Mercury, on 23 November 2023 - 06:39 PM, said:

Thanks for,thenatta,pt. Happy for you to put any recommendations here and where to purchase from.
BTW for anyone interested in Champagne the Coops offer at £22 has, once again, come out as a best buy and better than many that are at least double the price.

It works like this this. Most French Chateaus in the classification have first and second wines. First wines have the word 'Chateau' on the label e,g, 'Chateau Durhart-Milon'. These wine are made from the best grapes grown on the best terrain. The second wine of 'Chateau Durhart-Milon' is called, simply, 'Moulin De Duhart'. This wine is made from grapes of a lesser quality. Another good example is 'Chateau Palmer' whose second wine is called 'Alter Ego'. Some Chateaus will actually add first quality grapes to their second wines but you have to do the research.

Don't be put off by these second wines. Some of them are excellent quality and will lay down, under the right conditions, for ten years or more. They can be bought from places like Waitrose for around £30+ but they sell out quickly. Still expensive but a treat for a special occasion. If you buy these wines, check the vintage. A poor harvest usually means an inferior wine and not necessarily a cheaper price. Leave it on the shelf. You will need to download the official '1855 Bordeaux Classification' to acquaint yourself with the five divisions (growths).





.

[frearsghost]

4

clarevoyant., on 23 November 2023 - 06:36 PM, said:

I trust you enjoyed the glass of 'House Red' I got you in The Railway, Prittlewell pre match Saturday!!!

I did and always more enjoyable in good company.

[Mr Mercury]

frearsghost, on 23 November 2023 - 07:58 PM, said:

It works like this this. Most French Chateaus in the classification have first and second wines. First wines have the word 'Chateau' on the label e,g, 'Chateau Durhart-Milon'. These wine are made from the best grapes grown on the best terrain. The second wine of 'Chateau Durhart-Milon' is called, simply, 'Moulin De Duhart'. This wine is made from grapes of a lesser quality. Another good example is 'Chateau Palmer' whose second wine is called 'Alter Ego'. Some Chateaus will actually add first quality grapes to their second wines but you have to do the research.

Don't be put off by these second wines. Some of them are excellent quality and will lay down, under the right conditions, for ten years or more. They can be bought from places like Waitrose for around £30+ but they sell out quickly. Still expensive but a treat for a special occasion. If you buy these wines, check the vintage. A poor harvest usually means an inferior wine and not necessarily a cheaper price. Leave it on the shelf. You will need to download the official '1855 Bordeaux Classification' to acquaint yourself with the five divisions (growths).
.

Thanks for the lesson, I’ve had a few chateauneuf du pape before, I’ll look into the above.

[dart in the crossbar]

Many years ago I invited my boss round for a meal. I asked him advance what he drank; red wine. I had no idea; literally not a clue. I went into a shop and bought two bottles of red wine. No idea what they were. But they weren't dear.

During the meal I drank beer whilst my boss, his wife and my girlfriend drank the first bottle. I opened the second bottle. It occurred to me that I probably ought to have some wine rather than carry on with the ale.

I drank some of the red wine. It was horrible. I said ' This is a bit rough don't you think?' He said:

'You should have had some of the first bottle; that was even worse.'

Thing is I'd been a wine waiter at a pub on the outskirts of Clay Cross about ten years earlier when I was still at school. When folks would ask for a recommendation I was told to tell them that 'Rocamar Red' or 'Rocamar White' was nice. I can't confirm that it was or wasn't. Nobody complained. Some folks did go relatively upmarket and asked for Blue Nun or Mateus Rose. The era of Phelan, Barlow, Winstanley, Kowalski, and Stott to name a few. Not that any of the team ever came in to sample the wares.

[It's bolted]

dart in the crossbar, on 23 November 2023 - 09:22 PM, said:

Many years ago I invited my boss round for a meal. I asked him advance what he drank; red wine. I had no idea; literally not a clue. I went into a shop and bought two bottles of red wine. No idea what they were. But they weren't dear.

During the meal I drank beer whilst my boss, his wife and my girlfriend drank the first bottle. I opened the second bottle. It occurred to me that I probably ought to have some wine rather than carry on with the ale.

I drank some of the red wine. It was horrible. I said ' This is a bit rough don't you think?' He said:

'You should have had some of the first bottle; that was even worse.'

Thing is I'd been a wine waiter at a pub on the outskirts of Clay Cross about ten years earlier when I was still at school. When folks would ask for a recommendation I was told to tell them that 'Rocamar Red' or 'Rocamar White' was nice. I can't confirm that it was or wasn't. Nobody complained. Some folks did go relatively upmarket and asked for Blue Nun or Mateus Rose. The era of Phelan, Barlow, Winstanley, Kowalski, and Stott to name a few. Not that any of the team ever came in to sample the wares.

what was the name of the pub on the outskirts of clay cross you was a wine waiter at ?

[s42blue]

If Tesco is your shop and under £10 is your budget I think Porta 6 is a decent wine. A decent Portuguese red for the money.

Avoid Yellow Tail, Barefoot, Jam Shed, Hardy’s. Too manufactured and synthetic. But it’s all subjective I guess 😂.

If no Porta 6 someone said Footbolt which is good. Cover Drive is good too. New World wines typically are better value.

If you fancy spending a bit more £16 Clubcard you can get Penfolds Max’s Shiraz Cabernet. Well worth a bit extra and comes in a fancy gift box.

The way I look at it is comparing what I’d spend on three pints in a pub…£15 min?

[Mr Mercury]

s42blue, on 23 November 2023 - 11:21 PM, said:

If Tesco is your shop and under £10 is your budget I think Porta 6 is a decent wine. A decent Portuguese red for the money.

Avoid Yellow Tail, Barefoot, Jam Shed, Hardy’s. Too manufactured and synthetic. But it’s all subjective I guess 😂.

If no Porta 6 someone said Footbolt which is good. Cover Drive is good too. New World wines typically are better value.

If you fancy spending a bit more £16 Clubcard you can get Penfolds Max’s Shiraz Cabernet. Well worth a bit extra and comes in a fancy gift box.

The way I look at it is comparing what I’d spend on three pints in a pub…£15 min?

I know I receive scorn for this but I really enjoy Yellow Tail Shiraz..snip at the price, but all subjective I know.

[s42blue]

Mr Mercury, on 23 November 2023 - 11:23 PM, said:

I know I receive scorn for this but I really enjoy Yellow Tail Shiraz..snip at the price, but all subjective I know.

No scorn, it’s all down to taste. For me there’s better elsewhere for a few quid more but each to their own. I find it too sweet and synthetic.

[azul]

s42blue, on 23 November 2023 - 11:35 PM, said:

No scorn, it’s all down to taste. For me there’s better elsewhere for a few quid more but each to their own. I find it too sweet and synthetic.

Many Aussie, Californian wines, especially the mass produced stuff are too fruity and too alcoholic for my taste. It almost like they have been blended within fruit juice after fermentation.

[Mr Mercury]

I’d agree Californian stuff is awful