Translation: Mary disassociates herself from these random notes of dubious accuracy. Any remaining errors are the my responsibility.
Another enjoyable evening of wine tasting at the Charteris Wine Society. This time a varietal canter round New Zealand including an introduction to the wine growing regions.
- Cloudy Bay Pelorus Sparkling NV (£12.76) - apple notes and very tart; a bit too brut for me.
- Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Pinot Gris 2006 (£11.06) - to me it smelled of midori but the flavour appealed to my sweeter palette. More enjoyable than a number of disappointing Italian efforts but too sweet for Mary.
- Delta Vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (£8.59) - the aroma was a nasal assault of the most overwhelming gooseberry; on the palette - clean and crisp. The tartness was right up Mary's street but too sharp for me.
- Pegasus Bay Chardonnay 2005 (£13.27) - I got warm bread and putty on the nose. A fairly heavily oaked old world style
- Wild Earth Central Otago Pinot Noir 2006 (£15.31) - sharp maraschino on the nose and unripe cheery on the toungue with a hint of strawberry.
- Saint Clair Pioneer Block 14 Doctors Creek Pinot Noir 2007 (£15.06) - warm wood smoke on the nose and soft red fruit in the mouth. My preference of the two PN.
- Ata Rangi Celebre 2006 (£17.45) - So called Bordeaux blend but a bit of a misnomer with all that Syrah (50% Marlot, 30% Syrah, 20% Cab Sauv) - soft leafy forest nose and gentle tannins
- Villa Maria Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot (£13.61) - to quote someone there "a glass staining monster". Not so impressed myself, I got the faintest hint of mustiness on the nose and palette.
After which we went for supper at Vinoteca just the other side of Smithfield Market for a very fine supper of an aubergine based starter and pappardelle with wild mushrooms which was the best thing I have eaten in ages.
2 comments:
Hi there, Villa Maria UK Brand Manager here. I'm glad to see you've been trying some of our wines! Judging from your comments, I'd like to recommend you try one of our wines that I think both you and your wife would enjoy. Villa Maria Private Bin Riesling 2008 - it has the freshness and crispness that is so appealing in Sauvignon Blanc but has just a touch of off-dry sweetness that I think you would enjoy. You can find it from around £7.99 in Waitrose, Threshers, Wine Rack, Majestic and Sainsburys. I hope this helps!
Blimey, that's some impressive (and quite scary) customer targeting. By the way Mark, I'm curious to try anything that's "unripe cheery on the toungue"
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