Monday, April 27, 2020

Lockdown Wine #7 - Bostovan Dor Feteasca Neagra And Pinot Noir

Another wine from my Wine Century stocks (which are nearly running out!) - another VERY obscure grape variety
Wine: Bostovan Dor Feteasca Neagra And Pinot Noir
Country: Moldova
Grape: Feteasca Neagra And Pinot Noir
From: Turton Wines: £10.50

Value for Money – 8/10
Quality/Flavour – 8/10

A thoroughly decent full bodied and smooth red. Quite reminiscent of a Merlot. Soft tannins.
Would I buy it again – Yes

From the Turton Wines blurb
Grapes: 51% Feteasca Neagra 49% Pinot Noir.13% Alcohol 

A Moldovan red wine matured for up to 12 months in oak barriques for intense aromas of dark fruit and forest floor. The rich palate shows a fine flavour of wild berries, tones of blackcurrant and black cherries with herbal nuances and subtle cranberries, candied fruits and vanilla.

From Wikipedia

Fetească Neagră (Romanian pronunciation: [feˈte̯askə ˈne̯aɡrə]); English: Black Maiden) is an old pre-phylloxeric variety of Romanian - Moldovan grape,[1] cultivated mainly in several areas in the Romanian regions of Moldavia, Muntenia, Oltenia, Banat, Northern Dobruja[2] and also in the Republic of Moldova.
These grapes produce dry, demi-dry or sweet wines, with an alcohol content of 12-14%,[3] a deep red colour with ruby shades, and a black currant flavour, which becomes richer and smoother with aging. 



Sunday, April 19, 2020

Lockdown WIne #6 - Badacsonyi Kéknyelű, Sabar 2018. Grape - Keknyelu

A very rare grape variety from Hungary; only 50 Hectares.

From the Wine Society: A true delicacy made from kéknyelu, an almost mythical Hungarian white grape variety grown in a mere 50 hectares of vineyard in the Badacsony region, next to the stunningly beautiful Lake Balaton. The wine is crisp, medium-bodied and with delicious pear, stone fruit and red apple freshness.


Wine: Badacsonyi Kéknyelű, Sabar 2018
Country:Hungary
Grape: Keknyelu
From the Wine Society, £12.50
Value for Money – 5/10
Quality/Flavour – 7/10

For me, it was just another half decent well made white, but not outstanding and quite pricey.  So, interesting, but not worth crossing the road for.








Sunday, April 12, 2020

Lockdown WIne #5 - Prince Stirbey 2018, Romania. Grape: Tamaoioasa Romaneasca

Another wine from my Wine Century collection - a VERY obscure grape variety

Wine: Prince Stirbey 2018.
Country: Romania
Grape: Tamaoioasa Romaneasca (Muscat family).
From the Wine Society, £11.50

Value for Money – 6/10
Quality/Flavour – 8/10

A very pleasant white wine, but quite pricey for what it is. The grape variety is a relative of the Muscat, and you can taste that in the wine. It is something more than the everyday well made, clean fresh whites that we are all used to.

From the Wine Society listing: - The indigenous Romanian tamâioasa româneasca grape produces an enchanting dry white with delicate white fruit, citrus and white-flower aromas and rounded flavour.



Thursday, April 2, 2020

Lockdown wine #4 - Mantinia, Moschofilero grape.Greece

Another one from my collection - an unusual grape from Greece, but this one you can get from the Wine Society

Semeli Estate: Mantinia, Moschofilero grape.Greece
The Wine Society £10.95

From the Wine Society Webpage:

This exceptional Greek white beautifully captures the lemon and rose-petal bouquet of the moschofilero grape, with an added hint of spice. Its fresh dry palate makes this is a natural with Greek-style mezedes or as an aperitif.

This estate was launched by the Kokotos family in 1980, beginning with 7 hectares of vineyards in Attiki, outside Athens. Initially they planted just international varieties – namely cabernet sauvignon, merlot and chardonnay – but nearly 20 years later the family also invested in vineyards in Nemea, planting more indigenous varieties like moschofilero and roditis on well-drained slopes, 450 metres above sea level. The vineyards are now certified organic.

From me:

A very nice white – very similar to Viognier, but without that oilyness. Lots of flavour and body – very definitely something to this wine. If you like Viognier, but find it a bit much, this is a wine for you

Value for money – 4/5.
Flavour/Well made etc: 5/5.