Once & Future
Happy New Week Club Members!
Hope you all had a great weekend and managed to enjoy a little bit of sunshine after the rain and wind in the last few days.
Wine bar plans have changed, we are off to visit them in a couple of days and I can’t wait! And don’t worry, I will share every moment with you, especially about all that jazz.
And what about the wines today you ask? Well, some are a bit lighter, some a bit heavier but I am sure you won’t regret trying them. Oh, and they are all Pinot Noir!
Not ready for winter yet and still reaching for some vibrant whites? Why don’t you visit our Home page where you can find reviews, tips and our favourite wines, all in one place.
Today’s mood calls for ….
Some Pinot Noir
Apart from the rain and wind, early Autumn is my favourite time of the year. Cosy jumpers, golden-coloured leaves and Pinot Noir. Of course, I would drink red wine any time of the year but Pinot is always the one I reach out to as soon as the nights are getting darker.
Te Pa Signature Series Pinot Noir from Tesco is something I haven’t tried before. I have been eyeing it up for a few weeks now but to be honest, it was over £16 so when I saw the offer I thought it was time to give it a go.
It was worth waiting for. A classic New Zealand Pinot Noir, rich with a ton of ripe fruits. Such welcoming notes on the nose, cherries and a touch of sweet oak and vanilla. The palate carries on with the complex aromas: savoury earthy tones and cloves join the forces. Plums and bramble fruits, cinnamon and star anise; it reminds me of the French dessert I often make, clafoutis. A fruity goodness that’s so smooth and tender, you have to be careful so it makes it to your dinner table.
Yes, it is not the cheapest Pinot Noir out there but worth a try when it is on offer.
Name: Te Pa Signature Series Pinot Noir
Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand ( Te Pa Family Vineyards )
Grape: Pinot Noir
ABV: 13.5%
Notes: Ripe cherries, oak and vanilla on the nose, followed by plums and bramble fruits. Earthy notes, complex aromas and silky tannins. Well balanced with a medium finish
Price: £16.50 BUT, only £12.50 with Tesco Clubcard
Recommend with: We tried it with a Mushroom and Smoked Bacon Risotto and it was delicious. Would also go well with some nutty cheeses or venison
Where: Tesco Nationwide
Te Pa Signature Series Pinot Noir 75Cl - Tesco Groceries
That German Pinot Noir
Andreas Bender Pinot Noir, from Pflaz, Germany was a huge surprise. The first time I tasted it I was rather sceptical; I never had Pinot Noir from Pflaz before. Rieslings, lots, all fantastic but this one? Honestly, best decision I made when I went for it.
It’s just incredible! It’s sweet, light, full of fresh and ripe fruits. An array of redcurrants and raspberries. Only lightly oaked but it’s enough to add a touch of caramel to these vibrant aromas. Medium-bodied with silky smooth textures and a lovely, long finish. A fantastic acidity makes this wine such an easy-drinking one.
It is quietly elegant. Classy. Almost makes me feel like I have to deserve it to open it.
Name: Andreas Bender Pinot Noir 2019
Origin: Pfalz, Germany
Grape: Pinot Noir
ABV: 13%
Notes: Ripe redcurrants and raspberries, a hint of vanilla and caramel. Very lightly oaked, medium-bodied, smooth, silky tannins and a great, long finish.
Price: £19.75
Recommend with: Creamy, ripe cheeses, lamb dishes but also great with chicken
Where: Andreas Bender Pinot Noir, fruity light German Pinot Noir | (wineswithattitude.co.uk)
Once & Future: that little dream to invest in wine
I have more than one dream. Yes, the vineyard would be amazing( I miss my harvest days, canopy management, here I come!) but to be able to invest in wine would be pretty cool too. It is not just about having those necessary funds, although, I have to admit, it is a rather important factor.
For me, it is about having that deep, undeniable knowledge, that confidence and certainty that will lead you to the precious bottle.
I keep reading, learning, and researching, in the hope that I might stumble across something brilliant, for a very small price. I bought a few bottles in the past but there is one that I have higher expectations for than the others. It wasn’t expensive. And it only has a slight chance that it will improve in the next decade. Weeks of going through the history of the vines, reading about recent rainfall and wildfires. I decided to go for it and bought 6 bottles.
This was 3 years ago. We looked at it every week, imagining those aromas and characters I was trying to guess it would have. Gave that little girl one for her 1st birthday, at least we are safe from her verdict on it for a while longer.
And then one night, about a month ago, we had a thought. We have to taste it, still have 5 bottles. At least we have an idea, right? It only took us seconds to make the decision and I reached for the bottle. We both stood there, silently, when chef moved the glass closer to me. I had a sip and passed the glass to him instantly to do the same. We kept looking at each other, still in silence. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, we laughed. It was a burst of laughter, followed by a sigh of relief.
Not long until next time, a few more years. Even if it turns out to be something with absolutely no value, it was very good once and we laughed.
Next time…
White wine Tuesday, the size of our wine glasses and more fabulous wines
Have a grape day!
The 4pm Club