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Category: sparkling wine

March 27, 2018April 22, 2019

Grape Britain: Hattingley Valley – a warm ray of sunshine on a bleak wintery day…

Continue reading "Grape Britain: Hattingley Valley – a warm ray of sunshine on a bleak wintery day…"

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Whilst on holiday recently. Had the fabulous pleasure of visiting @10xtractor and had a tasting with a fabulous host ,Jasmin . If you would like to read the article in the magazine I write for please go to @aspectcountymagazine or go to my website. (Link in bio). TASTING NOTES 2017 Wallis Chardonnay: lovely evidence of nectarine and oatmeal together with white peach. This is a very vibrant and fresh white Would perfectly suit scallops or white fish drink till 2029. 18/20. 2017 McCutcheon Chardonnay Has a delicate citrus to this wonderful Chardonnay Touches I’d clean fruit. Melon and grapefruit and a Granny Smith apple Lovely long finish Drink till 2029 Suits crab dishes very well. Hard to get hold of. 17/20 2017 Judd Chardonnay flint white peach with grapefruit. Only 233 cases of 12 made If you want some you have to look hard drink till 2029 Suits sashimi and tuna very well 18/20 2017 McCutcheon Pinot Noir. Dark fruit with some welcome acidity Prob needs more time to grow into an adult. Pair with aubergine 🍆 (acidity ) drink till 2027 18/20 2017 Wallis Pinot noir dark red fruits Think of forest floor fruits black brambles and loganberries. A big smack of cloves hits you. Finished off with pomegranate and cherry. Wpuld suit bresaola and some cheddars till 2027. 18/20 2017 Judd Pinot noir Sour cherries and a delicate spice to this wine It is not an smack in the chops’ but more.a gentle stroke on the face tulle 2029, pair with Turkey 🦃 and cranberry 18/20 2017 coolart road raspberries and black cherry good balance between fruit and structure Good use of oak. Drink till 2029 Pair with venison.and blackberry sauce 19/20. 2017 Wallis Tasmanian pinot noir Black berry jam and vanilla imagine a jam sandwich In your face. Powerful and weighty Drink till 2029 PIr with red meat 🥩and lamb 🐑19/20 #tasmania #pinotnoir #chardonnay #fruits #succulentredwinejus #freshness #austrailia #morningtonpeninsula #winewithfriends #winetime #scrummyyummywine @10xtractor LOOK FOR THESE GUYS. EVERY ONE OF THEIR WINES WAS A JOY TO TRY. USE @winesearcher TO FIND YOUR NEAREST MERCHANT.

Not only is the wine a stand out wine but you have to delve more into this winery. David Walsh ( the owner) is a character in himself. -worthy of research his estate house @monamuseum architectural gems from the company @fenderkatsalidis Truely a spectacular place .... having tasted some of the wines the wine that really stood out was 2009 Muse Pinot Noir ,Tasmania Too much to take in quickly. This has to be savoured. Aromas of berries cherries and violets together with sandlewood ( my fav wood ) and mushrooms 🍄 it’s bold and elegant - like Jessica Rabbit with attitude ! Will soften over time as the fruit was pretty evident I even caught cranberries on the palate such is the delicate finesse of this wine. If you can be patient this wine will only get better It’s a cross between fruit and oak - something that is never done well very often The palate even shows notes of leather and tobacco. For Pinot noir lovers. This is a must. Although the 2009 is sold out. @thospeatling 🇬🇧 and @moorillawinery 🇦🇺 have it use @Wine-Searcher to find it else where I believe this is a bucket list wine and although sold out I would rate this a grape wizard score of 20/20 rare score indeed. ( last one was @cvnevino imperial 2015 from @coopuk ) pair with 🥩 🦌 🐓 🦃 but too bold for salmon ! Hunt and buy 😉 (not available in USA 🇺🇸) 😔 Will last till 2027 #pinotnoir #tasmania #redfruit #lightreds #winewithfriends #pepperiness #savourywine #wineilike #winewithfood #austrailia #canon6dmarkii #cameradiditsjob

Nearly finished. 6 th on the list was this fabulous 2014 Pinot noir Laurene touch of spices of anise cardamon and fenugreek ! Red cherries 🍒. A little tight in structure but with time@will open up Smooth tannins and good acidity for this red. Earthy flavours allow this wine to be paired with red meat 🥩 and darker meats good till 2023. £54.95 from @berrybrosrudd @veronique_drouhin GW score 18/20 #berrybrosrudd #redwine #pinotnoir #winewithme #winewithlove

5th wine to be tasted. This was the star of the show for me 2016 Roserock Zéphirine Pinot noir Pale to medium in colour (ruby/purple ) on the sniffy sniff 👃 was black fruit Blackcurrents and black cherry 🍒 violets and maybe a touch of bramble berries. The palate carries the same characteristics and does@produce some slightly grippy tannins. Long finish Can stand up to heavier red meats and would accompany white meats perfectly 1400 cases produced. £47.50 from @berrybrosrudd @veronique_drouhin For me I would give this 19/20 only loosing one on the unsexy label 🏷!#berrybrosrudd #redfruit #redwine #oregon

De Bortoli La Bohème Pinot Noir Rosé is one of the most interesting roses I’ve come across. @bws_northsydney and airlie beach had this salmon pink on promotion. Aus $ 26 or approx £13. Subtle aromas of strawberry, pomegranate and marzipan. crisp and very refreshing. This will do for a holiday for 3 weeks when every day is sunny 😎. If I lived here this would certainly be a favourite rose. Great with friends and great with light foods salad 🥗 chicken dishes and some light fish dishes. #rosé #yarravalley #paradise #airliebeach #itsabeachlife #roséallday @debortoliwines #crystalclearwater #austrailia #crispandrefreshing Australia 🇦🇺 @bws_northsydney and others stores Uk 🇬🇧 #thewigglytinwinecompany @georgehillofloughborough ( search online ) sorry 😐 no USA 🇺🇸 at present. 17/20 GW score

After a hard day on the beach and a cooling gin and tonic from @capebyrondistillery and an arduous journey as a passenger then I had to go to @colessupermarkets #liquorland and try to figure out what wine to buy. (1st time in a week I had to choose a wine to taste 🙄. ) tried this local Melbourne winery from full of pear 🍐 and melon 🍈 and citrus 🍋 great with people great with 🐓 turkey 🦃 and pork pig 🐷 very refreshing and full of acidity on a hot day #healesville @ibwine Innocent Bystander Pinot Gris 2018 ( approx Aus $ 25 £12 or USA $16 #peach #healesville #wine with friends #winetasting #winelover available in 🇬🇧 Australia 🇦🇺 and USA 🇺🇸 ( hooray ) download a free app @winesearcher to find your nearest stockist. Or contact me on here with location. #usa #uk #australia Well worth a try ! Hunt it out !

Ever find yourself in this part of the world. You have to visit this distillery @capebyrondistillery It has its own sub tropical rainforest. Has its own eco system and has valleys of botanicals. Set up approx 35 years ago in the family and set up 2016 for the distillery it now produces 3 amazing products. A dry gin , a slow gin and a coffee liqueur Signup today to my newsletter to receive an upcoming article ( link in bio ) The distillery is also through 1 year of a three project. To distill and produce whiskey 🥃. Not only can you get their products in Australia 🇦🇺 but also the UK 🇬🇧 @whiskeyexchange @hedonism_wines #ginwithoutsin #gin #botanicals #beachlife #ginwithfriends #subtropicalrainforest #slogin #coffeeliqueur #byronbay #surfsup #austrailiangin #copperstill @capebyrondistillery @thebotanistgin Lots more to tell about this place. Stay tuned !

AUSTRALIAN DRY GIN If you ever put your nose in a bottle and smell the scent of a fresh breeze coming off the sea then this fabulous home is the mine for you. Not only is it available in Australia 🇦🇺 but also in the UK 🇬🇧 (🇺🇸 sorry ) try this neat as it’s so well rounded over ice 🧊 or add @fevertreeaustralia @fevertreemixers to enhance flavours A bold well rounded gin for a refreshing G&T. @manlyspirits uses only the finest Australian native and marine botanicals Including Sea lettuce, Pepper Leaf, Anise Myrtle, Finger Lime, Orange Peel yum 😋 Sniff : Fruity pepper notes. Juniper and delicate citrus Palate 😋 Soft spice and approachable pepper. A juniper core with a lingering complex finish. #gin #cocktailsandgrits #gin #tonic #sydney #spirits #seagin #refreshinggin #manly @fevertreeaustralia @fevertreemixers @manlyspirits @thegrapewizard #botanicals #seakelp #lettuce #coriander #juniper

If youve never tried @mentzendorff_co kümmel then this is a must. This spirit is made from carroway seed and is one of the cleanest cocktails you could ever have. Have this as a perfect cocktail over the Xmas period and enjoy the sweetness of the kümmel with maybe the saltiness of @sanpellegrinodrinks sparkling water + a sprig of rosemary and some ice 🧊. This will be refreshing and invigorating and will leave you wanting to take on the world 🌍! #kummel #mentzendorff #carrowayseed #pellegrino @sanpellegrino_official @mentzendorff_co. Enjoy with friends or just relax and watch the word go by. £22 from @berrybrosrudd @corneyandbarrow ( not available in 🇺🇸 😭) Barons bracer 1 part kümmel 4 parts pellegrino Sprig of rosemary Ice 🧊

Great wine for the festive period and from the #hamiltonrussell family and at a great price. Has to get some GrapeWizard scores for the ‘sexy’ label. A mix of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Chardonnay with no oak. So should please everyone. 2018 vintage was a good year for the producers around #walkerbay and as such expect this wine to show vibrancy and freshness of fruit. Available from @harveynichols and @villeneuve_wines £10.99. Pairs well with most white meats 🐓 🦃 and lighter@style foods #sauvignonblanc #chardonnay #winewithfriends #xmasdinnertable #xmas #festivedrinks #walkerbay #hemel-en-aardevalley @villeneuve_wines @harveynichols

2014 Anwilka Petit Frére In a shared ownership between @chateauangelus and @kleinconstantia comes this 65% Syrah 34% cab sauv and 1% petit Verdot The estate is situated in #stellenbosch with views of the Atlantic Ocean. 2014 was a cool wet growing season followed by a warm summer given the grapes just the right amount of time to ripen. Not too fast. Not too slow. ! Expect spice dark fruit and plums with smooth tannins. Elegant medium bodied. Drink now up until 2020 works perfectly with that Xmas beef 🥩 🐄 GW score 15/20 #xmasdinner #redwine #cabsauv #petitverdot #syrah #anwilka #stellenbosch #winewithaview #winewithfriends @kleinconstantia @chateauangelus

Get ready for something different. From the land that brings you #toblerone and @rogerfederer and lots of snow ❄️ Switzerland 🇨🇭 this white grape in 2009 only had 154 hectares planted (380 acres )or 154x @twickenhamstadium this is a high class grape. Expect the grape to be wearing a pin striped suit rather than Pinot Grigio that wears dungarees can be dry,medium dry or sweet In this instance the 2017 Valais petit Arvine from @oddbins was fragrant and fruit. Caught notes of lemon 🍋 peel salted almonds and stone fruit with a hint of ginger. Thought I also picked up grapefruit and limes. If you imagine a fresh breeze that leaves you invigorated then this wine is just for you. Leaves you wanting more. Price is a little high for every day drinking £27 but your not going to drink this every day. Drink till 2024 and pair with 🦞 🦀 🍤 oysters and 🍣 - you get the idea. Gw score 3,3,2,6,3,2 (19/20). Go buy it just not every day. #petitarvine #switzerland🇨🇭 #whitewine #winewithfriends #grapefruit #saltedalmonds #invigoratedwine #limes #freshbreeze #rogerfederer #toblerone🍫 #oysters #lobster #crab @chandrakurt

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