…AND TO DRINK?
I have become addicted to a wine website called Cellar Tracker. It lets you store all your notes in one place and then order wines by country, grape variety, etc. There is even an element of social networking as other users can befriend you and comment on your notes.
From this site it’s easy to see where my wine prejudices lie. I drink a lot of Burgundy, in fact half of what I drink is French, a lot of Spanish wine and then a long way down the list comes New Zealand. This makes me abnormal because most British people love New Zealand wine. It’s the default choice for the middle classes. So this year I aim to drink more from New Zealand. It’s not the most ambitious resolution but at least it’s achievable. Here are some that I’ve enjoyed recently:
Rippon Sauvignon Blanc 2012, £17.95: www.leaandsandeman.co.uk
Perhaps the best New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc I’ve ever had. It has a subtle intensity that reminds me of really good Sancerre. I bet it will age well too.
Craggy Range Chardonnay Kidnappers Vineyard 2011, £14.49: www.hailshamcellars.com
Very dry, citric and serious, with just a hint of oak. Another one that will get better with age.
Villa Maria Pinot Noir Cellar Selection 2011, £14.99: www.majestic.co.uk
Villa Maria wines are so common that you probably don’t notice them. Which is a shame, because this one is rather good: very fruity but no jam and some real fragrance.
The Ned Pinot Noir Southern Valleys 2012, £12.49: www.majestic.co.uk
Another ubiquitous brand, the Sauvignon Blanc is madly popular but I much prefer this simple juicy Pinot Noir.
From this site it’s easy to see where my wine prejudices lie. I drink a lot of Burgundy, in fact half of what I drink is French, a lot of Spanish wine and then a long way down the list comes New Zealand. This makes me abnormal because most British people love New Zealand wine. It’s the default choice for the middle classes. So this year I aim to drink more from New Zealand. It’s not the most ambitious resolution but at least it’s achievable. Here are some that I’ve enjoyed recently:
Rippon Sauvignon Blanc 2012, £17.95: www.leaandsandeman.co.uk
Perhaps the best New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc I’ve ever had. It has a subtle intensity that reminds me of really good Sancerre. I bet it will age well too.
Craggy Range Chardonnay Kidnappers Vineyard 2011, £14.49: www.hailshamcellars.com
Very dry, citric and serious, with just a hint of oak. Another one that will get better with age.
Villa Maria Pinot Noir Cellar Selection 2011, £14.99: www.majestic.co.uk
Villa Maria wines are so common that you probably don’t notice them. Which is a shame, because this one is rather good: very fruity but no jam and some real fragrance.
The Ned Pinot Noir Southern Valleys 2012, £12.49: www.majestic.co.uk
Another ubiquitous brand, the Sauvignon Blanc is madly popular but I much prefer this simple juicy Pinot Noir.