More wines to celebrate the week in which Australia Day falls. This time, it’s Shiraz, with a European version making its way into the line-up… Smart Dog Syrah 2013, Alentejano, Portugal (£8.99 Adnams) Sweet, almost smoky notes alongside the cinnamon and clove aromas, but while there’s no shortage of flavour, […]
Portugal
All of these are just 12% alcohol, not what you expect from a warm region. And very tasty they are too… Sino da Romaneira White 2013, Douro, Portugal (~£18 contact Liberty Wines) Tangy, crunchy style, ripe pear is the thing you notice first (a bit like in Bordeaux Sauvignon), then […]
A trio of Douro Whites from Quinta da Romaneira
Château des Sarrins Côtes de Provence Rosé 2013, France (£15.99 Bibendum, TheDrinkShop.com) A previous bottle of this was extremely awkward and pongy, like it was having a really bad hair day (see here). This one – tasted just a fortnight later – was better. There’s still a light sulphury whiff […]
Three Rosés from Provence, Chile & Portugal
Bit of a bargain… Tagus Creek Shiraz/Trincadeira 2012, Alentejo, Portugal (£4.50 Asda Direct) I think of Trincadeira as being a bit like Carignan, and here, it gives similar peppery violet and blackcurrant notes to the sweet berry-roundness of Shiraz, with a note of vanilla making its presence felt too. B+
Tagus Creek Shiraz/Trincadeira 2012, Alentejo, Portugal
The modern side of Dão but still rather tasty F’Oz Dão 2012, Portugal (£7.99 Tesco) Plummy rose hip and dark berry characters to the fore, with a slightly floral note, some spice, an earthy undercurrent and a supple finish. There are more fragrant and complex wines from Dão but this […]
F’Oz Dão 2012, Portugal
Tried the Tons de Duorum from the same vintage and same winery in this video. Check it out to see whether I thought it was TONS better… (did you see what I did then?) Altitude by Duorum Douro Tinto 2011, Portugal (£12.99 Laithwaites) Has the heady juicy violet-scented fresh berry and […]