Wine of the Week

[NoMercy]

Miwok Ridge 2010 Australian Shiraz

One of the best reds I've had lately - full to the brim with flavours of berries and cherries with a hint of vanilla and spice, full bodied and soft on the palate. A good wine for drinking or would make an excellent accompaniment to lamb.

Available in Tesco at £4.99 (down from £9.99).


Interestingly, Miwok Ridge also do a Sauvignon Blanc which is also currently half price in Tesco. If anyone has tried this, I would love to hear their verdict!

[joggerjayne]

Sounds yummy.

=0)

[vodkancoke]

That's going on my shopping list! Thanks NoM xx

[sunny-dave]

Thanks NoM - link to website for those of us allergic to "in the flesh tesco shopping"

http://www.tesco.com/...4294964904+4294963739

Super big beefy Rioja on offer from Majestic at the moment - Muriel 2005 - had a bottle with fish & chips the other day - just right

http://www.majestic.c...find/product-is-14448

[NoMercy]

It was actually, JJ. It went down well with OH too.

I'm cooking Paella tonight, so may nip into Tesco for a nice Verdejo or Albarino.

[NoMercy]

That sounds lovely, Dave. Ages since I had a good Rioja!

[NoMercy]

Hi guys. I'm in Tesco now and I've just realised that The Miwok Ridge is Californian, not Australian. Apologies for the error.

On a brighter note, the Palestra Rueda Verdejo is on offer at 2 for £12.

It's the weekend guys, so bottoms up! X

[sunny-dave]

Small(ish) Amontillado & some nuts to nibble I think ... or may pop down The Bull for a teatime pint

decisions, decisions ...

[NoMercy]

It's a tough life, Dave. :-)

[DTCwordfan]

Interesting and I will seek it out.

For me this week, an Old Vines Carignan from El Léon, Chile 2007, and a classic Carignan. Full of fruit, intense, dark and needing a big meat.....better the longer that it was open as it took away that intense muskiness that one gets with some big Italian reds for example. This reflects the long history of the grape and its high yield on poor soils, a grape that can be rough but then softened by the maceration it undergoes. In fact a little more would have turned this wine into a really good one.

For those of you not on the know, this is the grape that got pushed out by Merlot in France and Garnacha in Spanish areas. M&S @ £11-75

Also a Chateau Treytins 06 from Montagne St Emilion....not bad but a little dry perhaps, good nose, some fruit and a little earthy and better than their 2004 and 2001, though I haven't drunk these in a vertical for a direct comparison. (I believe c. £13 as I have had this some time).

And a 2009 Manga del Brujo. I have mentioned this before and excellent it is with its Granacha, Shiraz, Temperanillo and Mazuelo blend, beautifully blended and a lovely wine from Catayud in Spain. Great wine for a tenner.

[NoMercy]

The Chilean Carignan sounds very enticing, DT. Where did you get that one from?

[DTCwordfan]

M&S NoM, - let it breathe for a few hours though.....almost better next day!

[NoMercy]

I find a lot of reds are better the next day.

I will definitely get a bottle next time I'm in there. :-)

[sunny-dave]

My prize oenophilic possession is a lovely simple crystal jug - decant red wine, drop a big freezer bag loosely over the top (keep crap out, let air in). Leave overnight and magically a £6 bottle turns into a £12 bottle.

[NoMercy]

Wow... I must try that. :-D

[sunny-dave]

The trick is to open two bottles - otherwise there is no way the decanted one survives the 24hrs ...

[NoMercy]

Aha ! Good plan Batman ...

Have you tried many good Viogniers lately, Dave?

[DTCwordfan]

lol sunnydave re the two bottles.

I too have never heard of that. Opening a bottle and plonking it on the aga is a waste of time - think of the surface area exposed - at least having a glass out of it is a little better to multiply the surface area significantly.... decanting far better!

[sunny-dave]

Mainly my last order from Majestic :

Laurent Miquel Nord Sud Viognier 2009 PGI Pays d'Oc £7.99

Porcupine Ridge Viognier Grenache Blanc 2010 Coastal Region £6.99

Finca Las Moras Viognier 2010/2011 San Juan £5.99

Viognier Réserve Spéciale 2010 Gérard Bertrand, Vin de Pays d'Oc £6.99

A sort of 'round the world in viognier' trip.

All very good, but nicest by some distance is the Bertrand Pays d'Oc - one of the best whites I've had for ages. Honourable mention for the Porcy Ridge too.

[NoMercy]

I will give your suggestions a wealth of consideration, Dave. :-P

[DTCwordfan]

the apotheosis