Fine wine thread

[Lancs Harp]

Whats your favourite?

Enjoying one of my faves a fine bottle of Barolo, a birthday present this week.

Favourite white NZ Sauvignon blanc.

[ErinGoBraghHFC]

Buckfast, partial to a wee magnum sometimes as well, heats ye right up with all they fancy Jamaican spices. The eldorado reboot is rotten though, ruined it with about 9 bags of sugar.

[Moulin Yarns]

Lock keepers shiraz from Marks and Spencer. Fruity and easy to drink.

[Rattler]

Really into big Italian reds just now and this one must be one of my favourites
https://www.virginwines.co.uk/wine/Z37042101434/Eghemon-Passimiento?_gl=1*qoiwjf*_up*MQ..&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxuLqp5-i9gIVTLDtCh31_gGREAAYASAAEgKkBvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

For whites - not too fussy, but tend to find that Picpoul de Pinet is really easy drinking and won't break the bank

[easty]

I’m not keen on red wine, but love a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

[hibsbollah]

When I think fine wine i think limited production and high prices. Its been a while since I spent more than £20 on a bottle of wine, id much rather find bargains that i know i like. Theres a portuguese wine called Porta 6 at £8 that Majestic have been doing for years and now the supermarkets have it, both the red and white are delicious, bright painting of a lisbon street scene on the label. I dont even know the grape variety, i assume its a blend of local grapes.

[Jones28]

4 wine makers Malbec is very nice. Kaiken is another one - more expensive but it’s one of those ones that really shows it’s price. £12 or so for the Kaiken and the other about £6.

[Viva_Palmeiras]

I do like a good Malbec.

like the dude in Sideways said “I’m not drinking any effing Merlot!”

[Paulie Walnuts]

When I think fine wine i think limited production and high prices. Its been a while since I spent more than £20 on a bottle of wine, id much rather find bargains that i know i like. Theres a portuguese wine called Porta 6 at £8 that Majestic have been doing for years and now the supermarkets have it, both the red and white are delicious, bright painting of a lisbon street scene on the label. I dont even know the grape variety, i assume its a blend of local grapes.

I’ve had that. It’s really nice.

I’m not a big fan of spending a fortune on wine. I find my pallet sort of stops sensing any differences when I get to about £12 :greengrin

I like a lot of the red wines off Laithwaites and you get some cracking deals.

[overdrive]

For white, I like a good Viognier or Gewürztraminer.

For red, I like a Zinfandel/Primitivo or Shiraz. Malbec with steak.

Naked Wines do a really nice South African Shiraz-Viognier which I now have quite a lot of as I didn’t realise I hadn’t unticked the please send me a case every vintage when I rated it :faf:

[Pretty Boy]

I'm not really a fan of spending huge amounts on wine.

When I worked in hospitality the head somelier in a hotel I worked in said that any fool can spend £100s on wine and find something good. Someliers were judged on their house wine because sourcing something of high quality at a relative low price took skill.

I generally won't go above about £12 a bottle. There are a couple of exceptions though. Greywacke Wild Sauvignon Blance at about £28 a bottle. It's made with wild yeast and is a real cracker. In terms of red Gusbourne, which is an English Pinot noir and is brilliant. It's not easy to come by but hits about £35 a bottle. They also do a couple of amazing sparkling wines.

[oneone73]

Anyone tried Naked Wines? Worth signing up?

[Wilson]

Anyone tried Naked Wines? Worth signing up?

No point dressing up.

[overdrive]

Anyone tried Naked Wines? Worth signing up?

I like it. Probably a slightly expensive way of buying wine but a lot of the pre mixed cases are decent value and you get a freebie most orders.

It is a good way of trying different things too.

Their customer service is decent too. The Yodel delivery driver told me that something had smashed in the van but he wasn’t sure which box it had come from. I opened the box and everything was fine.

He obviously reported back that my box had a bottle smash, so Naked told me to keep whatever was salvageable (everything), sent me a replacement box and 2 free bottles as an apology. I was quids in!

Edit: it’s worth doing the trial even if you don’t continue.

[ACLeith]

When I think fine wine i think limited production and high prices. Its been a while since I spent more than £20 on a bottle of wine, id much rather find bargains that i know i like. Theres a portuguese wine called Porta 6 at £8 that Majestic have been doing for years and now the supermarkets have it, both the red and white are delicious, bright painting of a lisbon street scene on the label. I dont even know the grape variety, i assume its a blend of local grapes.

Drunk so many bottles of Porta I can't remember how many 🥳

Also really like Lifili (Italian) from Majestic

[oneone73]

I like it. Probably a slightly expensive way of buying wine but a lot of the pre mixed cases are decent value and you get a freebie most orders.

It is a good way of trying different things too.

Their customer service is decent too. The Yodel delivery driver told me that something had smashed in the van but he wasn’t sure which box it had come from. I opened the box and everything was fine.

He obviously reported back that my box had a bottle smash, so Naked told me to keep whatever was salvageable (everything), sent me a replacement box and 2 free bottles as an apology. I was quids in!

Edit: it’s worth doing the trial even if you don’t continue.

Thanks for this

[JeMeSouviens]

When I think fine wine i think limited production and high prices. Its been a while since I spent more than £20 on a bottle of wine, id much rather find bargains that i know i like. Theres a portuguese wine called Porta 6 at £8 that Majestic have been doing for years and now the supermarkets have it, both the red and white are delicious, bright painting of a lisbon street scene on the label. I dont even know the grape variety, i assume its a blend of local grapes.

£6.50 (clubcard price) in Tesco atm. :wink:

Portugese wine is pretty underrated I think. Aldi do a really nice Alvarinho (aka Albarino in Spain) for £7. Bargain. I love Aldi for wine.

[HibbyDave]

Amarone is my favourite Red.

[hibsbollah]

Amarone is my favourite Red.

:agree: Mine too. If I’m in that kind of mood. 14.5%, they let the grapes wizzen on the vines to give a sweeter flavour with more depth. Not one for knocking back, I like it either with as an accompaniment to some sort of rich stew or drunk like a port I think, after letting it breathe for an hour or two. A serious wine.

[Jim44]

Cabalié Laithwaites £10 A Grenache based blend. 13%
Cabalié Grandes Vignes Laithwaites £14 A Grenache based blend. 13.5%
Both very smooth, deep red ...... my go-to Reds They’re often on good case discounts.
Langue D’oc France.

16 Little Black Pigs Cabernet Sauvignon 14% Virgin Wines £10
16 Little Black Pigs Shiraz Virgin Wines 14% Virgin Wines £10
16 Little Black Pigs Shiraz Cabernet 14% Virgin Wines £10

All excellent, smooth, deep red. Australian Reds.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Cabalié Laithwaites £10 A Grenache based blend. 13%
Cabalié Grandes Vignes Laithwaites £14 A Grenache based blend. 13.5%
Both very smooth, deep red ...... my go-to Reds They’re often on good case discounts.
Langue D’oc France.

16 Little Black Pigs Cabernet Sauvignon 14% Virgin Wines £10
16 Little Black Pigs Shiraz Virgin Wines 14% Virgin Wines £10
16 Little Black Pigs Shiraz Cabernet 14% Virgin Wines £10

All excellent, smooth, deep red. Australian Reds.

Cabalie is probably my favourite wine all things considered. Superb.

I really like Lobo E Falcao, Stones and Bones and Black Stump off Laithwaites as well.

laithwaites.co.uk/heroes22

I used this deal a month or so back. 12 bottles of wine for £65 and then they threw in a free bottle of Cabalie instead of the Prosecco for some reason (wasn’t complaining at all) and also 4 tumblers for free. All the wines are more than drinkable in the offer.

[Jim44]

Cabalie is probably my favourite wine all things considered. Superb.

I really like Lobo E Falcao, Stones and Bones and Black Stump off Laithwaites as well.

laithwaites.co.uk/heroes22

I used this deal a month or so back. 12 bottles of wine for £65 and then they threw in a free bottle of Cabalie instead of the Prosecco for some reason (wasn’t complaining at all) and also 4 tumblers for free. All the wines are more than drinkable in the offer.

…….. add Waxed Bat, XV President and Pillastro Primitivo + quite a few others and you have some great wines at sensible prices.

[Paulie Walnuts]

…….. add Waxed Bat, XV President and Pillastro Primitivo + quite a few others and you have some great wines at sensible prices.

I’ll need to try Waxed Bat and XV President. I’ve got a few of the Primitivos waiting to be drunk :aok:

[WeeRussell]

Cabalié Laithwaites £10 A Grenache based blend. 13%
Cabalié Grandes Vignes Laithwaites £14 A Grenache based blend. 13.5%
Both very smooth, deep red ...... my go-to Reds They’re often on good case discounts.
Langue D’oc France.

16 Little Black Pigs Cabernet Sauvignon 14% Virgin Wines £10
16 Little Black Pigs Shiraz Virgin Wines 14% Virgin Wines £10
16 Little Black Pigs Shiraz Cabernet 14% Virgin Wines £10

All excellent, smooth, deep red. Australian Reds.

That’s mental - I was literally just searching cabalie online as had a bottle with friends last year and thought at the time it’s maybe my favourite I’ve ever had. First post I see when click on here is stubbsy’s reply to you both advocating it.

At least I know I’m not the only one that thinks it’s top class. Time to get the other bottle I’ve got stored away popped open I think!

[He's here!]

I'm not really a fan of spending huge amounts on wine.

When I worked in hospitality the head somelier in a hotel I worked in said that any fool can spend £100s on wine and find something good. Someliers were judged on their house wine because sourcing something of high quality at a relative low price took skill.

I generally won't go above about £12 a bottle. There are a couple of exceptions though. Greywacke Wild Sauvignon Blance at about £28 a bottle. It's made with wild yeast and is a real cracker. In terms of red Gusbourne, which is an English Pinot noir and is brilliant. It's not easy to come by but hits about £35 a bottle. They also do a couple of amazing sparkling wines.

An English Pinot Noir? I'm amazed such a thing could be created given how sensitive a grape it is but then I guess temperatures in the far south might just allow for it. Not surprised it's a rarity.

[Pretty Boy]

An English Pinot Noir? I'm amazed such a thing could be created given how sensitive a grape it is but then I guess temperatures in the far south might just allow for it. Not surprised it's a rarity.

Pinto Noir seems to do relatively well in the English vineyards. There are a few really good English sparkling wines that are heavy on the pinot too.

[Jim44]

A few years ago, I had an expensively, indulgent and extravagant meal (tasting menu) at L’Enclume , Cartmel. The food was fantastic and the accompanying wines were outstanding, some of which, to my surprise were English.

[Lancs Harp]

On a slightly different slant but still wine related, on visiting Cape Town (watching England v SA at cricket) me a couple of mates did the Stellenbosch wine trail. Pretty amazing and the best wine trail Ive been on. Visted 4 vineyards, the quality of the tour, service and quality of wine was fabulous, they werent excatly stingy on the samples either. We arrived back that night in Cape Town suitably oiled. A really fab day, would highly recommend.

Also did a champagne tour in France, that too was a great experience.

Chilean Cab Sav tonight.

[EskbankHibby]

When I think fine wine i think limited production and high prices. Its been a while since I spent more than £20 on a bottle of wine, id much rather find bargains that i know i like. Theres a portuguese wine called Porta 6 at £8 that Majestic have been doing for years and now the supermarkets have it, both the red and white are delicious, bright painting of a lisbon street scene on the label. I dont even know the grape variety, i assume its a blend of local grapes.

Tried Porta 6 last night on the back of the recommendations on this thread.

Very nice, under £9 in Sainsburys.👍

[alhibby]

Been buying from these guys in Italy, can honestly say i haven't had one I dont like, either red or white, usually get the mixed case offers, free delivery, they also sell some Italian foodstuffs etc

No subscription

https://www.giordanowines.co.uk/

[overdrive]

On a slightly different slant but still wine related, on visiting Cape Town (watching England v SA at cricket) me a couple of mates did the Stellenbosch wine trail. Pretty amazing and the best wine trail Ive been on. Visted 4 vineyards, the quality of the tour, service and quality of wine was fabulous, they werent excatly stingy on the samples either. We arrived back that night in Cape Town suitably oiled. A really fab day, would highly recommend.

Also did a champagne tour in France, that too was a great experience.

Chilean Cab Sav tonight.

I love that sort of thing. Done a couple of them in New Zealand, one in Napa Valley and one in Italy. One of the ones in NZ was a cycling based one in Hawkes Bay and we were absolutely pished by the end of it - probably shouldn't have been cycling on the roads by that point. The woman running it, got us to miss off 2 vineyards as you really needed to be a strong, experienced cyclist to get to them, so god knows what we'd have been like at the end of it had we done the full thing.

[Caversham Green]

It's worth considering joining The Wine Society. It's a co-operative with a one-off fee of £40 for a share and there are no commitments after that. I've been a member for ages now (I'm sure it was only a quid to join back then) - I get a mixed case for £85 every other month through their Wine Without Fuss scheme and the wine is always decent at the very least.

The best one I've had recently was the Baccolo Apassimento Rosso Veneto which is made in a similar way to that described by Hibsbollah a few posts back - £6.95 a bottle and just a bit too drinkable.

Here's some details: Join The Wine Society (https://www.thewinesociety.com/become-a-member/join)

[green leaves]

When I think fine wine i think limited production and high prices. Its been a while since I spent more than £20 on a bottle of wine, id much rather find bargains that i know i like. Theres a portuguese wine called Porta 6 at £8 that Majestic have been doing for years and now the supermarkets have it, both the red and white are delicious, bright painting of a lisbon street scene on the label. I dont even know the grape variety, i assume its a blend of local grapes.

Normally a 19 crimes man but took a punt on Porta 6 and thank you very much its really nice.

[hibsbollah]

Normally a 19 crimes man but took a punt on Porta 6 and thank you very much its really nice.

:aok: Chuffed you and others are enjoying it. Weepleasures are important:greengrin

[Jim44]

When I think fine wine i think limited production and high prices. Its been a while since I spent more than £20 on a bottle of wine, id much rather find bargains that i know i like. Theres a portuguese wine called Porta 6 at £8 that Majestic have been doing for years and now the supermarkets have it, both the red and white are delicious, bright painting of a lisbon street scene on the label. I dont even know the grape variety, i assume its a blend of local grapes.

I think Portuguese wine is underrated. A few years ago I had a week in Oporto and tried a lot of the local Douro wines…… they were excellent. I keep an eye open for Douro wines these days. Lidl had a cheapie called Animus Douro, only a fiver a bottle, but very drinkable. I haven’t seen it recently, however.