November 2021 - Wines from Jeff Carrell

 

Wines by JF Carrell in the Languedoc Roussilon. Presented by Bill and Margriet.

JF Carrell (Jeff) is a new wine maker in the Languedoc and is ploughing his own furrow, so to speak. Experimenting, seeing what works.

All available through The Real Wine Company.

 

Whites/Roses

1. Domaine d’Ansignan, Les Grenadine, 2020 13% Grenache / Maccabeu / Carignan / Syrah / Pellut. £13 (This is a Rose/Light Red)

2. Plein La Vue, 2019. Sauvignon Blanc 2019, 12.5%. £12.50

3. Domaine St. Roch, 2019. 13.5% Viognier. £11.50

4. Morillon Blanc, 2019. 14.5% Chardonnay. £13.50

Reds

5. A Vue de Nez, 2019. 14.5% Cabernet Franc/ Syrah. £13.50

6 Les Darons, 2019 14.5% Grenache (70%), Carignan (20%), Syrah (10%). £11.50

7 Le Grenache Under my Skin, 2018. 15.5% Grenache (80%) Syrah (20%). £15

8 Maison Carrel Corbieres, 2019. 14.5% Grenache(40%), Syrah(30%), Cinsault(20%), Carignan(10%). £15

One notable point is the alcoholic strength of these wines – all the Reds are 14% +. And one at 15.5%? - Crikey!

October 2021 - WInes from Lidl and Aldi

 

Presented by Tony Hooper, a long time UWS Member

Aldi and Lidl are relatively speaking the new kids on the block for supermarket wine. But are they any good?

Tony got these wines for the Septemer meeting which was cancelled, so some of them may no longer be in stock – Aldi and Lidl (in particular) have very fast changing ranges

As per usual, 4 whites, 4 reds, with range of countries and grapes.

Whites.

1. Feteasca Regala – Romania. 11.5%. £4.79. Aldi

2. Assyrtiko 2020 – Greece. 13%. £6.99. Aldi

3. Val de Salis Viognier 2020– Pays d’Oc, S France. 13.5%. £7.99. Lidl

4. Jurancon 2019 – France. 12% £7.99. Lidl

Reds

5. Morgon (Beaujolais cru) 2019 – France. 13.5%. £7.99. Lidl

6. Domaine Coutougno 2019 – Fougeres, Languedoc, France. 13.5%. £6.99. Lidl

7. Canyon Springs Old Vine Zinfandel 2017 - Lodi, California. 13.5%. £6.99. Aldi

8. Rasteau, Domaine de la Combe Dieu 2019 – France. 14.5%. £7.99. Lidl

Tony had done his research – of the 8 he’d tried 7 (I think) and not a duff one amongst them.

The first – excellent VFM – light fresh, that little bit different. The Assyrtiko and Viognier, both perfectly good modern whites, while the Jurancon is a sweeter wine.

Of the Reds, the Domaine Coutougno is a Carignan/Cinsault/Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre blend – classic S French varieties – and none the worse for that. The Zinfandel is a steal – a 2017 Old vine Zin for £6.99? Buy it.

And the Rasteau similarly – a powerful, well balanced red. 14.5% can often overpower the wine – not this one. Buy this as well.

There are none of these that I would not buy. Just popping out now…..

September 2021 - NOT back at the Library

 Sadly, there was a mess up, and our Key monitor got given the wrong keys by the library. So we all turned up at 8pm and couldnt get in!