|
|
 Italy as we all know is a country with a rich and long heritage of producing fine wines. It’s history, like it’s wine, shares a lot of similarities with neighbouring France, but there are a number of differences, mainly in the wine classification approach.
First a history lesson:- Italy’s wine classification system began in 1963 after the Italian Government decided they wanted a system similar to the French Appellation Controlee regime for recognising great wines & preserving quality for exported wines to the European Union. The system originally introduced 2 categories, these are the following:-
Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) was introduced to preserve local wine making customs & produce good quality wine. Wines had to be produced in specified ways, with specified grapes in a specified area, and that area was defined by the Government. Any wines that didn’t meet these strict standards were labelled as “Vino Da Tavola” (VDT), and had to be labelled as such.
Unfortunately, a number of producers of blended wines (something that was frowned upon by the new system) and these were reduced to label their wines as “Vino Da Tavola”, whilst still being charged at an expensive rate. Furthermore, any wine that matched the DOC standard was given an award as such. Often, a great VDT was more expensive and higher quality than a terrible DOC. The system needed to change, and it did in 1992.
In 1992, the Italian Government introduced two new classifications, the Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) for wines that matched both the DOC requirements & passed a blind taste test by Governmental officials. This was the premier wine in Italy, and was sold as such (often with a security label around the head of the bottle). There were also Indicazione geografica tipica (IGT), wines that are produced within a specific region of Italy, yet do not match the same levels of standards decreed by DOC. Many great Italian wines, such as Super Tuscans, are IGT wines.
So how do you fine a Good Italian Wine? Well, DOCG are widely regarded as being excellent wines, but you do pay for them. DOC & IGT wines are very good in most cases, and there are even some great VDT wines. Speaking to a local wine merchant, or doing research on the wine (such as Industry Awards & Wine Reviews), can help you make an informed choice on which wine to have.
Good Wine Online is an online retailer that specialises in Italian White Wine from throughout Italy. Each wine before being placed on the site is individually scored. Wines ordered are shipped UK wide.
W: Good Wine Online
T: 0845 6432 551
 For just 2 days only (8-9 March 2010) Waitrose Wine Direct is offering up to 25% off its 40 Best Selling wines and spirits - and there are more offers running to midnight on Tuesday 16 March 2010 – with up to 21% off Champagne, and up to 33% off red and whie still wines!which offers an amazing selection – from my personal favourite Malt Whisky (Caol Ila Cask Strengh!), some excellent Champagnes, down to a more modest Stones Ginger Wine by way of a super range of wines from both the Old World and New World – France to Chile via Australia and Chile!!
Click on the banner below for more details:
Evuna, Manchester’s Spanish-focussed Wine Bar/Restaurant/Wine Club will be celebrating St Patrick’s Day (17 March 2010) with an organic wine tasting.
 Why Organic ?
Organic wines are made from grapes which are cultivated without recourse to synthetic fungicides, herbicides or fertilizers.
We believe that to produce quality wine you need quality grapes, and organic grapes do not have dependencies on chemicals, therefore they often have a head start.
This will be an opportunity to sample wines from the new list.
Tickets are £25 a head and include tapas
Evuna – 277-279 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EW
T: 0161 819 2752 E: enquiries@evuna.com
| March 26, 2010 | | 2:00 pm | to | 5:00 pm |
Fareham Wine Cellar is holding a tasting of en-Primeur Burgundies from Louis Jadot on 20 March 2010
 …we are holding a tasting of all of the Louis Jadot 2008 Burgundies we are buying en primeur. There are four (possibly five) red and three white wines and they will all be available to purchase either by the bottle or case for delivery later in 2010.
The tasting is the of usual informal style at our shop.
Acording to Jadot “The whites are pure and precise with a great character; The reds are dense and full, they should age very well.”
Time: 2pm to 5pm
Fareham Wine Cellar, 55 High Street, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7BG
E: Dominic@FarehamWineCellar.co.uk
| April 6, 2010 | | 6:30 pm | to | 8:30 pm |
For many people the matching of food and wine can be an anxiety, these Food & Wine matching workshops help you make the best combinations effortlessly. The workshop starts with an explanation of the principles behind food and wine combinations; which work and which don’t. Then the practical work begins, tasting examples of various food components – acidity, protein, spice, smokiness and sweetness – and finding out how, in practice, they react and interact with various wines.
The Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) is the august body which awards the main qualifications for the wine business in the UK – but they also run courses and events for everyone interested in wine.
On 6 April 2010 the Trust is running a wine and food matching course in London.The venue is London Wine & Spirit School, 39-45 Bermondsey Street, London, SE1 3XF.
For more info see www.wsetglobal.com
For many people the matching of food and wine can be an anxiety, these Food & Wine matching workshops help you make the best combinations effortlessly. The workshop starts with an explanation of the principles behind food and wine combinations; which work and which don’t. Then the practical work begins, tasting examples of various food components – acidity, protein, spice, smokiness and sweetness – and finding out how, in practice, they react and interact with various wines.
 Many people are keen to learn more about the wine they are drinking – and choosing. Of course the best way is often to be a little disciplined about keeping track of what you like or don’t enjoy about an individual wine – building up a memory bank which helps you to understand your preferences and to identify grapes, styles, regions etc that you like. There are no right answers (unless you are looking to invest rather than imbibe) – everyone has their own likes and dislikes – and of course the price of the bottle does not always indicate quality! Fortunately the answer is usually just to keep on experimenting – try different wines – in the UK we probably have the widest choice of wines in the World – and don’t be swayed by wine snobs who would sneer at anything less than top notch (and top price) Bordeaux or Burgundy.
Of course there are many wine courses on offer – from the academic (e.g. the Wine and Spirit Trust’s qualifications) to glorified marketing opportunities for particular wines or merchants. Tutored tastings can be great, especially if hosted by the winemaker or a wine buyer who knows the producer well).
Another approach is an evening at the Roberson Wine School – part of the respected west London wine merchant.
This single evening course aims to give those with little or no knowledge of wine a good grounding in the basics. It is ideal for anybody who is interested in wine and would like to learn more about it, or for those who would like to improve their basic knowledge before coming to our regular Thursday night tastings. Our aim is to inform without pretension or talking down in a relaxed, convivial atmosphere with some great wine.
The evening is built around a tasting of eight different wines
The course runs on 22 April 2010 and costs £50.
Roberson Wine, 348 Kensington High St, London W14 8NS
T: 020 7371 2121
enquiries@roberson.co.uk
 Reputable independent wine merchant Yapp Brothers hold their Spring Bin End sale on Saturday 27 March 2010.
Based in Mere in Wiltshire they are especially strong in the Loire and Rhone but many other regions and countries on offer – often from lesser-known vineyards – you can be guaranteed to find something interesting here.
Yapp Brothers, Mere, Wiltshire, BA12 6DY
T: 01747 860423 E: sales@yapp.co.uk
 Waitrose, part of the John Lewis Partnership, often offers some of the better ranges of wines from any of our supermarkets – i.e. a list that is not dominated by big brand names and often includes some interesting , lesser-known, small production regions and vineyards. I usually manage to come away with a bottle or two when I am not close to a “proper” wine merchant or want to avoid delivery charges and don’t always want to commit to 6 or more bottles in one go. Also being a “Partnership” owned by its employees it feels less like some global marketing machine than some more anonymous companies which turn out to be owned by some distant corporate behemoth.
Until 16 March 2010 Waitrose online offers 30% off wines from Chile – a region that seems tove developing a reputation for good and good-value wines. Inevitably Chilean selections tend to be somewhat dominated by increasingly familiar names, names which have the resources to deliver a marketing campaign whilst the country’s reputation is established – and which will eventually lead to smaller producers gaining entry to the UK wine scene.
The current offer features 4 wines (3 of each) including Mont Gras Carmenère Reserva 2008 from the Colchagua Valley. “An excellent red made from one of Chile’s more unusual grape varieties. An interesting, spice and black pepper nose precedes a deliciously full, soft, fruity palate, benefiting from the added depth and complexity of nine months in French oak barrels.” plus a Malbec and 2 CabSauvs. This case of 12 normally costs £95.88 – unti 16 Mar 10 the price is just £66 including delivery.
For more info see www.waitrosewine.com
 When you pick up a bottle of wine from your favourite merchant (or supermarket) do you ever wonder what it is that you are drinking ?
Unfortunately, the hangover you receive in the morning may not be due to drinking the wine, but what’s in it. Sulphites are naturally occurring in all wines, as well as present in a number of beers & processed food. However 1 in 10 UK residents have at least a mild sulphite intolerance (bad headache the morning after), with some sulphite intolerances leading to individuals risking rashes & anaphylactic shock.
Wine, especially “commercial” wine, is a usual source of these sulphites. As stated, sulphites are present in all wines, it’s just that “commercial” wines (particularly cheaper brands), have a much larger amount. Wine labels now include “contains sulphites” – as wine has more than 10ppm (parts per million) of Sulphites. Good quality wine has around 40ppm (which is safe for most people to drink), whereas some branded wines have up to 350ppm of sulphites.
Good Wine Online was set up in 2008 by John Lang, an independent wine merchant in North Wales. John’s partner, Jane, had a severe sulphite reaction to wine whilst on holiday in Prague. As a result, the wines sold by Good Wine Online are tasted first both for quality & sulphite reaction, as stated on the site:-
Virtually every recommended wine on our list is fine for Jane to drink. She has a very mild reaction to one or two and we mention this in the description, but for all the others Jane has no reaction whatsoever. This doesn’t guarantee that it will be safe for anyone else, but if you suffer from the same symptoms, it could be worth trying one or two of these wines to see how you get on. We’ve had great success recommending our wines to various people with sulphite intolerances, and they’re delighted to be able to drink wine again.
Good Wine Online is the only known online retailer that specialises in low sulphite wine and has prepared specialist cases for those with an intolerance It is also specialises in Argentine & Italian White Wine as well. Wines are shipped UK wide.
GoodWineOnline.co.uk
t: 0845 6432 551
Leeds-based Italian specialists and enthusiasts Italyabroad.com is hosting a wine and food tasting in Harrogate on 23 February 2010.
 Join us for an evening of fantastic wines made by small Italian producers and delicious food at Luigis, Harrogate. The theme of the evening is Latium, the native region of Luigi, and will celebrate a region full of fantastic food and wine. Each wine will be introduced by a talking about its origin and characteristics and how to taste and what to look for when drinking wines in general.
The meal is accompanied by wines such as an Organic Frascati Superiore, a Lazio Rosato and a Passito Organic Tre Grome.
Italyabroad.com is the place to look for some really interesting Italian wines from small producers – plus they have a range of authentic Italian gourmet items such as Olive Oil, coffee, pasta, balsamic vinegar, food and wine hampers etc
Italyabroad.com, Oak Mill, Topcliffe Lane, Morley, Leeds LS27 0HL
t: 08452 69 4324
e: info@italyabroad.com
A Frenchman in North Wales has established a French wine business -FrenchWines_Direct as part of Bernard’s wine route Ltd:
 Our French Wines are traditionally made by skilled producers from the most notorious French Wine Regions. The passion for wine runs in the family. “Grand Pere Lambert” my great-grandpa, used to make “Pineau des Charentes” and red wines from his small vineyards in the old town of Villedieu de Comblé (region of Poitou-Charentes). For helping their Grandad working in the field, the grandchildren would receive a glass of Pineau des Charentes.
We have been living in the UK for the past 8 years now. Bernards wine route Ltd. is a family owned shop, and we take great pride in supplying a selection of exclusive French wines to businesses as well as individuals. Our warehouse is located Nr Wrexham (North Wales), and we have our head-office established in Gwersyllt.
Many French wine regions now have an acknowledged Wine Route (Route des Vins) to help you to explore the wineries of a specific region. Alsace wines (mainly dry whites) naturally feature in a list created by an Alsatian ( including the good quality wines of Cave de Turckheim) – Turckheim is of course on the Alsace Wine Route!.
Other regions include, Provence, Rhone, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, the Loire and Languedoc where the exciting wines of la Sauvageonne are featured (French vineyard, English winemaker)
Free delivery on orders over £99 – otherwise £6.99 a bottle.
www.frenchwines-direct.co.uk
t: 0845 43 99 800
e: sales@bernardswineroute.co.uk
| February 26, 2010 | to | February 27, 2010 |
If you really want to extend your knowledge and appreciation of whisky, then Whisky Live 2010 is the place to head for on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 February 2010. Being held at South West London’s Hurlingham Club
 Whether you are a whisky enthusiast, newcomer to the world of the dram, or just want a day out at one of the most entertaining events of the year, Whisky Live has something to offer everyone. For its 10 year anniversary Whisky Live London returns to the Hurlingham Club in west London.
Bordering the Thames in Fulham, and set in 42 acres of magnificent grounds, the Hurlingham Club is a gem of international renown. The striking Georgian Clubhouse mixes timeless elegance with up to date facilities and services, and its easy access to tube and train make it the perfect setting for a celebration of the very best whiskies of the world.
In addition to an impressive programme of masterclasses, entry provides access to some of the top names in the world of whisky exhibiting in London – your ticket provides 4-8 sample vouchers to select your choice of tipple from stands featuring individual distillers, big brands and allied products from Scotland, Ireland(Whiskey), USA (Bourbon), Japan – many famous names and others less well-known. Not sure if there will be any Tasmanian whiskies on offer?
The opportunities to taste and compare Whiskies are few and far between – and inevitably rather expensive – but this should provide an ideal way to seek out something interesting!!
For more info see www.whiskylive.com
| February 24, 2010 | | 6:30 pm | to | 8:30 pm |
The Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) is the body which awards the main qualifications for the wine business in the UK – but they also run courses and events for everyone interested in wine.
On 24 February 2010 the Trust is running a wine and food matching course in London.
For many people the matching of food and wine can be an anxiety, these Food & Wine matching workshops help you make the best combinations effortlessly. The workshop starts with an explanation of the principles behind food and wine combinations; which work and which don’t. Then the practical work begins, tasting examples of various food components – acidity, protein, spice, smokiness and sweetness – and finding out how, in practice, they react and interact with various wines.
The venue is London Wine & Spirit School, 39-45 Bermondsey Street, London, SE1 3XF.
For more info see www.wsetglobal.com
For many people the matching of food and wine can be an anxiety, these Food & Wine matching workshops help you make the best combinations effortlessly. The workshop starts with an explanation of the principles behind food and wine combinations; which work and which don’t. Then the practical work begins, tasting examples of various food components – acidity, protein, spice, smokiness and sweetness – and finding out how, in practice, they react and interact with various wines.
 Valentines Day on 14 February 2010 is an opportunity for wine merchants to promote wine and wine-related gifts, and most do offer something more or less suitable.
However Sparkling Direct has an interesting and varied offering for (wine) lovers – and (despite the name) not always involving Champagne or other fizz. For example they are offering a small range of French wines ( e.g. Chablis, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, a Sauvignon Blanc) attractively packaged (wooden boxes) some of which are offered with a selection of gourmet foods, or handmade chocolates, or even Chablis and a teddy bear!
At least these should not look like an afterthought purchased at the local garage on the day!!
For more info see Sparkling Direct
 A strange but interesting offering from France arrived in my inbox today – a spectacular wine decanter called “Big Heart” Made by a French sculpter named Etienne Meneu from Bordeaux, this artistic piece is offered for a mere $2500 plus shipping.
The health police will probably disapprove of an image showing wine rather than blood coursing through the heart – but at least it should be effective at removing any fatty deposits! However, I can already hear the ladies tut-tutting along the lines of “all very well, but how do you clean it??” However at that price I doubt if you would really risk using it as a decanter!
This is not Etienne’s first foray into creating some spectacular and unusual carafes – see the-strange-decanter.blogspot.com/
Personally I like to use a decent decanter especially some bigger, more tannic reds – and they can enhance a dining table – and improve the wine up to a point. However, ideally the decanter of choice would have quite a wide neck which allows the wine to aerate (breathe) – although often just the process of decanting a wine into the decanter can have a beneficial effect. A decanter should be regarded as a temporary storage and pouring aide – long-term storage is not really recommended – and evidence suggests that even spirits and port wines are kept too long in an open bottle or decanter.
|
|
|
Italy as we all know is a country with a rich and long heritage of producing fine wines. It’s history, like it’s wine, shares a lot of similarities with neighbouring France, but there are a number of differences, mainly in the wine classification approach.
