Archive | December, 2009
Domaine Huet’s 2008 releases – a triumph over adversity & an excuse for a Demi-sec vertical
During September, I had a fantastic run of vertical tastings – De Bortoli Noble One, Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier, Shaw & Smith M3 Chardonnay and Shiraz. As if things could not get any better, Noel Pinguet (pictured), Domaine Huet’s winemaker, arrived in town to show off no less than 10 different vintages of Huet’s Demi-sec Vouvray, [...]
Continue reading...McHenry Hohnen – from vine to swine
Posted Wednesday 23rd December 2009
Following on from my Howard Park write up here, I’ve posted my second regional report of my Western Australia trip here. It focuses on my September visit to McHenry Hohnen and, as you’ll gather from the picture and the title of this post, there’s more to this family-owned producer than wine. In fact, when David [...]
Continue reading...The X factor, including the new Y-front…quintessential Aussie quaffing
Posted Saturday 19th December 2009
Presented my final tasting of the year last night. A couple of the wines, Innocent Bystander Moscato (pictured) and St Hallett Gamekeeper’s Reserve 2008, prompted this post. The Gamekeeper’s Reserve, a winsome blend of Shiraz Grenache Touriga Nacional, is well nigh perfect for someone who loves Aussie and Portuguese wines like yours truly! As winemaker [...]
Continue reading...HP sauce is delicious of course – a visit with Howard Park
Posted Thursday 17th December 2009
After a full on Portugal-focused month, this week, I’ve finalised my 50 Great Portuguese Wines for the 2010 annual tasting and updated the Portugal entries for Hugh Johnson Pocket Wine 2011 – hurrah! And my thoughts have now magically reverted to my Western Australia trip of September/October. You’ll find here the first of my detailed [...]
Continue reading...Beetroot, horseradish and white wine…a good match!
Posted Monday 14th December 2009
Just thought I’d share a great veggie/wine food match for a salad of beetroot, pink fir potatoes and mixed leaves, topped with a soft-boiled egg. Earthy beetroot, the bite and kick horseradish & mustard leaves together with an unctuous soft boiled egg make for a challenging wine match. I pondered and came up with [...]
Continue reading...The Douro – staying in, eating out
Posted Friday 11th December 2009
En route home from a few days in the Douro, followed by a visit to Esporao in Alentejo, wine report to follow. In the meantime, should you be travelling out that way, oenotourism is progressing in leaps and bounds here. I’ve just added a couple of places to stay that I’d recommend to my September Douro report [...]
Continue reading...A Christmas selection box…naughty and nice!
Posted Monday 7th December 2009
It’s that time of year to go for it on the wine front and, if you’re in need of some vinous inspiration, here are some of my favourite wines of the year for each of my areas of focus and a couple more besides, starting with Champagne of course! Champagne Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 1998 [...]
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Posted Monday 28th December 2009
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