Much as I love a glass of the proper priced stuff, I've found a shop 2 minutes from my student house which sells five bottles of wine for £10 and have been living off that stuff! Considering how cheap it is, it's actually good wine! I've turned to more of a rose drinker now, which is bizarre since I really didn't like rose before I went to university =P But yeah, just thought I'd add my little bit about the cheap wine =P
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Heaven in a glass
@ 2008-02-27 – 16:37:50
Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you the marvellous, the sumptuous, the deeeeluscious...
Quinta de la Rosa 2004!
A big, warming red wine, full of berry flavours and a chocolately richness on the finish, some elegant tannins and plenty of acidity to balance it all out.
And I have two bottles sitting waiting for me at home....
Sourced from a small Portuguese vineyard, it can be hard to find, but is definitely good to find. Selfridges is probably the biggest retailer in the UK, or have a hunt online.
Just keep your mitts off mine...
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The Wines of France
@ 2008-02-18 – 15:35:25
I thought you might like to know a little about French wines.
All common styles of wine - red, rosé, white (dry, semi-sweet and sweet), sparkling and fortified - are produced in France. In most of these styles, the French production ranges from cheap and simple versions to some of the world's internationally most famous and expensive examples. The possible exception is French fortified wine, which tend to be relatively unknown outside France's border.
A very large number of grape varieties are cultivated in France, including both internationally well-known and obscure, little noted local varieties. In fact, most of the so-called "international varieties" are of French origin, or became known and spread because of their cultivation in France. Since French appellation rules generally restrict wines from each region, district or appellation to a small number of allowed grape varieties, there are in principle no varieties that are commonly planted throughout all of France. Most varieties are therefore associated with a certain region, such as Cabernet Sauvignon in Bordeaux and Syrah in Rhône, although there are varieties that are commonly found in two or more regions, such as Chardonnay in Bourgogne (including Chablis) and Champagne, and Sauvignon Blanc in Loire and Bordeaux.
As an example of the rules, although climatic conditions would seem to allow them to be produced, there are no Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Rhône, Riesling wines from Loire, or Chardonnay wines from Bordeaux. (If such wines were produced they would have to be declassified to Vin de Pays or French table wine, and would not be allowed to display any appellation name or even region of origin.)
ps - Don't miss this from our wine expert - Will Merlot survive global warming?
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In honour of Valentine's day
@ 2008-02-12 – 19:34:19
A pink sparkler.
There are plenty around, especially at the moment - the supermarkets appear to have gone particularly mad for them this year and there are quite a few decent deals on.
Going for traditional champers rather than the sparkling wine option, I'd pick Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Rose, which is made by
lovingly?combining the usual VC Yellow Label champagne with Pinot Noir.Strawberries and cream in a glass. Bubbly fun with a nicely rounded finish.
And if anyone fancies buying me a bottle, I won't say no...
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Have you seen this?
@ 2008-02-12 – 18:44:55
Jane Anson (a fellow blogger)
Wine and travel writer based in Bordeaux, France. Shortlisted for Glenfiddich Wine Writer of the Year 2007, Bordeaux correspondent for decanter.com. Wine educator for the Ecole du Vin Bordeaux wine school.
Jane's blog can be found here.
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A rosé afterglow!
@ 2008-02-11 – 18:11:56
On Saturday I told you about the rosé wine I was planning to drink. Click here for a quick reminder.
Well a slight change of plan and I opened a bottle of white instead - I'll tell you about that another time!
Anyway back to the rosé
- I did promise to give you all some feedback 
Well, I've just had two glasses to accompany a chicken curry and can tell you it was a good choice! A red would have been too heavy and a white too light!Sorry I can't stay around I've just got to check out that "hint of liquorice"!
Santé
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A rosé glow!
@ 2008-02-09 – 17:36:57
Tonight I will be drinking a rosé wine. It is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
This is what the bottle says
"Les Récoltes d’Adrien" 2006
Vin de Pays de l’Atlantique
Robe : Pétales de roses pales
Nez : Fruits rouges, notamment de fraise avec des notes réglisses, caramel et menthol.
Bouche : Souple et ronde
So roughly translated:
"The Harvests of Adrien" 2006
Wine from the countries of the Atlantic
Colour: Pale rose petals
Nose: Red berries, including strawberries with notes of liquorice, caramel and menthol.
Mouth: Soft and round
So cheers! I'll report back tomorrow!
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Sauvignon Plonk?
@ 2008-02-08 – 18:24:45
Plonk, this most certainly isn't.
Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc. From the Wairau Valley in New Zealand.
if you like your SBs, this one is fantastic. It's packed full of really ripe flavours - the traditional gooseberry, but also lots of tropical fruits, passion fruit, a touch of peach melba and a beautifully refreshing, crisp, herby finish.
Fab.
Available reasonably widely, too - check your local supermarket.
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Unfinished Sinfully
@ 2008-02-08 – 18:15:35
Oh, wine.
You are so fine.
Will you be mine?
And... *glug*Now this is my kinda group...
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Red, Red Wine
@ 2008-02-08 – 17:39:32
My favourites;
1. Any French red wine - Bordeaux, Beajolais, etc. I seem to prefer French wines to everything else.
2. Rioja, or any other Spanish wine.
3. California. Some wines, like Gallo (I've given you free publicity, now give me free wine!) taste just as good as the European wines. One day I'd like to do a wine tour of the Californian vineyards.
I don't mind Aussie, NZ, Chilean or South African, but none of them appeal to my palette as much as the three types mentioned above.
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