Thursday, May 23, 2013

Wine tasting Video: Italian reds from Veneto and Tuscany + a red from Armenia

Posted by Simon on October 8, 2012

Guerrieri Rizzardi Valpolicella Classico 2010, Veneto, Italy (£15.99 The Wine Alley)
The smoky vanilla oak sheen and the ripe berry fruit veering towards the slightly baked and overripe may appeal to some, but I want my Valpol to be fresher and perkier than this. C+

Tenuta I Collazzi ‘Collazzi’ Toscana 2009, Italy (N/A in the UK)
Can’t fault it for its fresh, ripe blackcurrant, blackberry and cherry flavours, but I’m not so keen on the slightly too-sweet vanilla oak influence, and I miss a backbone of tannin and acidity. Good, but feels like it’s been made for a certain style of US drinker. S-

Piccini Sasso al Poggio Toscana 2007, Italy (£12.99 Morrisons)
Think Chianti for Shiraz lovers, this has the classic aromas of Cola and sour cherry, with a warm, hearty finish. Not all that subtle, but soft, mature and tasty. S-

Zorah Karasi 2010, Armenia (£22.99 Philglas & Swiggot, Sipp London, The Old Bridge Wine Shop, Vin Neuf, Wined Up Here)
Refreshing open-hearted style of wine, generous and soft, but never too ripe, with notes of cola and wet clay to its violet-scented berry flavours, and a refreshing minerally finish. Good lunchtime glugging fare, could almost take a chill. S

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Filed Under: Armenia, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, Tuscany, Veneto, Video, wine, Wine Education

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Wine Tasting Video: Valpolicella – the perfect summer red?

Posted by Simon on May 15, 2012

Alpha Zeta V Valpolicella 2011 (£8.99 Noel Young Wines, Stainton Wines, Corks Out, Richard Granger Wines, Noble Green Wines, Flourish & Prosper, Dalling & Co, Valvona & Crolla)
Crunchy young style, has succulence, bite, notes of raspberries and dark cherries, and alongside the classic Valpol bruised sourness, something like a dusting of cocoa. B+

Allegrini Valpolicella 2011 (£10.99 Highbury Vintners, Edward Parker Wines, Aitken Wines, Richard Granger Wines, Free Run Juice, Red & White, Chester Beer & Wine, Martinez Wines)
Fresh but quite gutsy style, still has succulence and tang, but there’s a weighty marzipan/nut kernel richness to the sherry and red berry flesh. If the Alpha Zeta is for lunchtime, this is for the evening. S(-)

Bertani Villa Novare Valpolicella Classico 2010 (£9.95 Great Western Wine, Slurp.co.uk)
Decent berry fruit and notes of spice and pepper, but there’s a slightly bitter, unripe streak running through the wine that dampens the pleasure. C

Secco-Bertani Valpolicella-Valpantena Ripasso 2009 (£15.25 Great Western Wine, Agwines.com, exelwines.co.uk)
A more concentrated style than the previous three, but still has bounce and life. Plush berry, red and black cherries and a touch of blackcurrant, a note of almond, and that refreshing sour twang on the finish, more autumnal than summery, but very tasty. S

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Filed Under: Veneto, Video, wine, Wine Education

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