Wine Recommendations

[Point]

Ok, we need to bring all the wine recommendations together. Just post here and I will update this message.


Note : STW = Sunday Times Wine Club


FRANCE C/M/E% Type Stars Price (aver)





AUSTRALIAN&a mp;n bsp;&a mp;n bsp;C/M/E&am p;nb sp;% Type Stars Price (aver)


Tesco Aussie Shiraz Chp13.5 Red 3+ 4.70 May 04


Lidl Aussie Shiraz Chp&nb sp;13.5&nbsp ; Red 3+&amp ;nbs p;5.79 May 04


Nude Estate Shiraz Chp&nb sp;14.5 Red 3+&amp ;nbs p;5.49 May 04


McPherson's Full Fifteen (STW) Chp&am p;nb sp;15.0 Red 4+&amp ;nbs p;TBC May 04


Rosemount Shiraz Mod&nb sp;13.5 Red4+& amp; nbsp;11.80 May 04


Wyndham Estate Bin 555 (Shiraz)Mod1 3.5 Red4+& amp; nbsp;11.30 May 04


Penfolds Grange 1997 Exp Red5&a mp;n bsp;180.00 May 04


Wally's Hut Shiraz 2001 Chp 13.5 Red 4 21 (3lt box) July 2004


Peter Lehmann Reisling Mod XXX White 4 8-10 July 2004


[b]SPANISH C/M/E% Type Stars&nb

[SpringPOC]

NEW ZEALAND C/M/E& amp; nbsp;% Type Stars


Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc White 4* 14.99

[Corker]

Spain Rioja Beronia 4*


No idea if it can be got here - was a pressie from Donostiarra who has a share in the vineyard.


Yum.[img]smileys/thumb-up.gif[/img]

[Bitter As A Lemon]

Anyone recommend a nice Merlot?

[Old Dog]

Anyone recommend a nice Merlot?

Any Merlot from Chile is likely to be tasty. You couldtry either of these widely available brands: Anakena, Caliterra or Errazuriz. A "Reservado" will be slightly dearer and should taste nicer. [img]smileys/smile.gif[/img]





This one is recommended in the post above - it's like Merlot, but even nicer (imho):


CHILEAN C/M/E% Type Stars Price


Anakena Reservado CarmenereChp Red 3+&amp ; ;nbs p; 7.99 May 04

[dipstick]

Can't drink red any more. Hangovers too severe. I like Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc though. Hangovers only occur if preceded by Murphys.

[mike11]

Just found out that O'Briens have opened in Limerick (Parkway). had a quick nosey there last nite. Some lovely Chianti's (var. Ricasolis, San Felices/Il Grigios, Antinori's best (Peppoli), etc), the usual N. Italians (incl a Barbera), and a Torgiano. Also a load of new world (guy was waxing lyrical about his Cloudy Bays.....).


Must start saving up the pennies to grab a few nices ones for over the Xmas.....

Cloudy Bay [img]smileys/thumb-up.gif[/img]

[deaf ear]

Anyone recommend a nice Merlot?


Winemakers Lot Merlot (a Concha Y Toro range onlyavailable in Oddbins)- 8.50-9.00 and the Syrah in the same range is also lovely.

[Deise Doll]

Supervalu has a special offer on Aresti Reseve Cab. Sauv. Merlot for 7.99, worth stocking up on a few bottles. Tesco have a nice NZ Pinot Noir for 12.99

[Concept]

Anyone recommend a nice Merlot?

South Africa

Douglas Green 2003

Had it Friday night............tasty

[Ovalball]

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Guys,


Coopers on Dock Rd have a superb 2003 Calefornian Zinfandel/Shiraz cross, by RoundHill - 7.49 a bottle, by the case. Higly recommend it as best value in a calefornian red, or red in general. Its a strange mix, 70% Zin and 30% shiraz in the cross, but it really works. I only took the case on the agreement if I didnt like it it was going back - I went back followingweek and bought two more cases. It tastes like it says in the "tin" Zinfandel flavour of plums, berries compliment the peppery shiraz taste.

[Point]

An opinion I saw on a spanish/english website, just to give an idea about Spanish wines



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<TD =quote>If you're looking for wine to lay down, then go for French. I'm afraid only the best Roajas keep and then you have to be careful over the vintage.</TD></TR></T></TABLE>@@@@SPAN =post>

Total Rubbish.

Firstly the French have lost the plot when it comes to wine making these days, unless you spend crazy money, the Bordeaux and Burgundy I've had recently have been akin to coloured battery acid, and not cheap.

For years the French have relied on the loyalty of the home market, and the myth (fostered by the French) in the UK and US that all things French are the best, ok to be proud, but pride comes before a fall and French wine consumption is down by almost 50% in the last few years, even they wont drink the bloody stuff now.

As for only "the best" Rioja's keep, I will go halfway with you on that, but the Joven (young) ones are for drinking young and are not intended for laying down, drink while fresh and enjoy.

Crianza wines (look for the red D.O label on the back) have already had at least one year in oak barrels and one year in the bottle before sale, and most of these will keep, and improve, for around 10 years if stored correctly, and good quality will cost you between 5 and 8 € or less if you look around.

Rioja Reserva's have an extra year in the bottle before sale (dark red DO label) and will go on for at least 10-15 years and many peak at around 20, expect to pay 10-15 € for a good one but you can find some for less than that.

The Gran reservas are a bit of an aquired taste, you either like the extra oak ageing or you don't, but some of these will keep for 20-30-40 years and still be excellent, I still have a couple of bottles of 1964 Faustino I and only opened one last year and it was fantastic, also the 1970 which I opened only a couple of months ago.

Also now some of the more modern single estate wines from La Rioja are well worth a look, try Torre Muga, or Valsacro if you can find it.

Bodegas to look out for: Muga, Ramon Bilbao, Martinez Lacuesta, C.V.N.E (or Cune) Bodegas Escudero, Larchago, Marques de Riscal, Valserrano, Bodegas Lan, and if you like the Faustino style try Campillo, owned by the same family and regarded as thier premier bodega.

Also from Spain, don't forget the Ribera del Duero, and some of the Navarra and Penedes reds are improving all the time

I will agree that Spain is still playing catch up when it comes to white wine, but give the Rueda's a good coat of looking at, some of the Verdejo from there is superb value at around 5€. and for Rosado look no further than Navarra.
@@@@/SPAN>

[Old Dog]

A personal Spanish favourite and strongly recommended are Raimat wines especially the Reservas and Crianzas - if ye can find any.


(And if anyone canfinds some on sale somewhere, please let me know where - I can usually only get them in Northern Ireland, or occasionally in Verlings.)





Peter Lehmann Barossa "Futures Shiraz" 2002 14.5% ***** very highly recommended- the second best wine I've had this year - only the Aldi Amarone was nicer.


(I can't remember where I bought it though)





Here's a review of the 2001 vintage:-
<DIV>"Wine Review - Peter Lehmann The Futures Shiraz '01 *****

Peter Lehmann, wine god of the Barossa, makes a totally stunning wine called Eight Songs, which sadly costs about 25 quid a bottle, but, when he thinks his shiraz grapes are not quite up to the standard of Eight Songs, he makes them into The Futures shiraz instead.

Whereas Eight Songs is a huge inky, smoke tinged monster that will dwell in your cellar for a decade or more, The Futures is a huge, inky, smoke tinged monster that is much more accessible at a younger age.

Very dark in colour, good on the nose, The Futures is steeped in dark plums with a hint of smoke, dark chocolate and pepper, very drinkable, perfect with game or richly flavoured casseroles.

The price, less than half that of its big sibling, you can pick up a bottle of The Futures at Booth's for ten pounds. "</DIV>

[i_like_cake]

never ever ever ever... drink Como Sur....Cabernet Sauvignon...chilean wine...[img]smileys/thumb-down.gif[/img]

[Sailor]

Came across a beautiful Muscadet last week. 2002 Chateau Jousalain. €7.99. Highly recommended!

[Pablo]

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Cloudy Bay - New Zealand Sauv Blanc is indeed superb 5*- if you can get it. If not tesco carry a vg sub- Oyster Bay -- Lovely jubbly[img]smileys/thumb-up.gif[/img]


Lindemans Shiraz Bin 555- Da Bomb 4*

[Dawn Run]

Ref Point's post of 15.11.2006 would agree entirely and would also add Marques de Caceres Reserva ( Red) and Martin Codax Albarino ( white)


Have been drinking Spanish wines since the early 70s( unfortunately ) and they are still probably the best quality at a reasonable price.

[SecondRowGal]

Having trouble sourcing some good Beaujolais Nouveau. God a lovely one in Poland but the only one I've seen here is that Georges Duboeuf one. Anyone tried any good ones and where can I get them?


Ta very...

[The Word Is Born]

A personal Spanish favourite and strongly recommended are Raimat wines especially the Reservas and Crianzas - if ye can find any.


(And if anyone canfinds some on sale somewhere, please let me know where - I can usually only get them in Northern Ireland, or occasionally in Verlings.)





Peter Lehmann Barossa "Futures Shiraz" 2002 14.5% ***** very highly recommended- the second best wine I've had this year - only the Aldi Amarone was nicer.


(I can't remember where I bought it though)





Here's a review of the 2001 vintage:-
<DIV>"Wine Review - Peter Lehmann The Futures Shiraz '01 *****

Peter Lehmann, wine god of the Barossa, makes a totally stunning wine called Eight Songs, which sadly costs about 25 quid a bottle, but, when he thinks his shiraz grapes are not quite up to the standard of Eight Songs, he makes them into The Futures shiraz instead.

Whereas Eight Songs is a huge inky, smoke tinged monster that will dwell in your cellar for a decade or more, The Futures is a huge, inky, smoke tinged monster that is much more accessible at a younger age.

Very dark in colour, good on the nose, The Futures is steeped in dark plums with a hint of smoke, dark chocolate and pepper, very drinkable, perfect with game or richly flavoured casseroles.

The price, less than half that of its big sibling, you can pick up a bottle of The Futures at Booth's for ten pounds. "</DIV>



<DIV>

</DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>On Spanish wines; I tasted an Ebano 6 Ribera del Deuro at a wine fair recently. it's around €14 a bottle. It certainly punches above it's weight. It was also recently voted red wine of the year.</DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>I recently managed to find a bottle of the Futures Shiraz, €18. It would benefit from a good bit of breathing. It got better with each glass. A rival for the Torbreck Woodcutter's Shiraz. I would need to have another bottle or two before making a definitive judgement between the two.</DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>I also tasted some Craneford Allyson Parsons Shiraz and their Grenache, which tipped the scales at 15%. The Shiraz was around €18 and the Grenache was €23. I bought a bottle of each a few days later and wasn't disappointed. The Grenache certainly packs a punch and the Shiraz is a belter.</DIV>

[SecondRowGal]

bumpety bump...

[Old Dog]

Mod Edit - post too intellectual for a Munster Rugby site!

[SecondRowGal]

Thanks OD, explains why it is so hard to find!!


Frankly, I don't care about "trends"- I like good wine, and I found one, which happened to be BN. Looks like I'll still be looking unfortunately...

[thejamesonkid]

Oi, Chicken Lickin'... Anyone who knows you, knows you're more a Buckfast and Brown Paper Bag Girl![img]smileys/biggrin.gif[/img]

[SecondRowGal]

Oi, Chicken Lickin'... Anyone who knows you, knows you're more a Buckfast and Brown Paper Bag Girl![img]smileys/biggrin.gif[/img]

Ha! Says the red-faced whiskey drinking alco!! [img]smileys/lol.gif[/img]

[Old Dog]

Well I sashayed up to my local Super Value through the driving rain and hurricane-force winds this afternoon to buy the Sunday Papers and discovered a new blended wine on sale for a competitive €6.99. A mixture of Cab Sauv and Shiraz it's frommy favourite French wine maker, Paul Mas, is 13% and went down so fast that you'd think it was a high class hooker.


While not a winefor the engagement dinner with the in-laws, it's a good wine for lashing into or feeding to visitors over the Christmas/New Year.Also, if anyone is getting married in the next few months, then this is the red wine for your reception!


Subject to the above, it gets a 6.5/10 on the Old Dog scaleand is highly recommended. I'm going to buy a couple of cases for the servants and estate staff and I'm sure they'll be thrilled.


Belle Rive2005 VdP d'OcVignobles Paul Mas 13% €6.99 in Super Value

[Gaillimh]

I did a full day wine tour around Marlborough last year, sampling many many sauvignon blancs, and I have to say that Cloudy Bay was the worst of them, as well as which, it is at least twice as expensive as every other kind.

Our wine guide said that almost every tour he has, people ask to go there, and if it was left to him he wouldn't bother, claiming that they have spent alot more money on their marketing then on their wine.

Would be inclined to agree, as it was definitely the worst of the bunch we tried. Would recommend Nautilus or Babich as much cheaper, better tasting alternatives. After that, Hunters or Mudhouse are alright. Wouldn't think much of Oyster Bay, Montana or Stoneleigh.

If you like NZ sauv blanc, try some Sancerre from France, it's alot more subtle, without the explosion of fruit, but very very tasty!

[mike11]

........ I'm going to buy a couple of cases for the servants and estate staff - you mean it's for your good self! and I'm sure they'll be thrilled.


Belle Rive2005 VdP d'OcVignobles Paul Mas 13% €6.99 in Super Value

Not in varietal wines that much. If the blender gets it right then they can create masterpieces. Have yet to beat some I sampled in France and Italy years ago and in one place when I dared ask what varieties of grapes were used-I was rebuffed with the answer - "Ours....!"

[dobbs]

Looking to order a case of wine forsomeone in Ireland in time for Chrmbo,


a) Can someone recommend a good vendor, and


b) Is it too late to make delivery in time for the Christmas nosebag?

I have bought from here a few times, and they have a very good delivery services