I’ve had an idea. Each month, we’ll hold a wine surgery. More sit-down-and-grab-a-glass than walk-in, but it’s open to all wine questions. I’ve started it off with something someone asked me last week, about the difference between blends and single varietal wines. So if you have a question about wine, simply post it here in the comments bit below (or tweet/email me) and I’ll do my best to help. I’ll then post the answer here and on the KMWC YouTube channel. In the meantime, usual weekly wines below.
Current white in the fridge: Tesco Finest Chateau Palatio Muscadet Sur Lie 2013, £7.69, Tesco
Muscadet might have been around for a while, but like ugly shoes, the wines are suddenly looking really attractive again. Naturally lower in alcohol (this one’s just 12%), it comes from the Loire region in northwest France. Made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape, the ‘sur lie’ bit means that the wine spends a bit of time ageing on its lees (that’s the post-fermentation yeasts). This gives it more flavour as well as a very slight spritz in some wines. Actually, the citrus and apple flavours are pretty subtle but that’s what makes it work so well when you just want something light, refreshing and needing nothing more than a bowl of salty crisps.
Current red in the rack: Chateau Gillet 2012, £6.99, M&S
Bordeaux is a vast area of vineyards, making as much wine as the whole of Australia. But you have to forage to find the good stuff. This one’s a classic Bordeaux blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, but the fact that it’s got more Merlot than Cabernet explains it’s softness. It comes from the Entre-Deux-Mers region between the rivers Garonne and Dordogne, where the wines tend to be lighter in style than the bruisers from the big name Bordeaux regions. Still, there’s lovely black fruits and pepperiness to make it Bordeaux enough for me. Smart looking label, too. Always good.
Peace out, winos x
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My question is; what would be good buys if you are going to France on hols this summer and want to bring back a truckload of vino? I normally walk around Carrefour slightly clueless, what are the gems that we might be missing out on over here but which are good value in France.
I love that…to be stuck in the hat for the next surgery. Thank you!
Ooh love a surgery! I have one: Mr English and I are very partial to an American Pinot Noir, in fact, American big reds in general, but recently tried a Chilean Pinot and didn't like it at all. Why the big difference (and what else do you recommend we try?) x
Oh no, you had Pinot envy…there are some fab Pinots in Chile but you've got to head to the cooler climates to get the really good ones, otherwise you just get a ripe fruit-bomb. Email me the name if you have it and I can give you some others to try. Think a Pinot Surgery is in order x