Lockdown WIne #3 - Sinano Grand Deluxe, Japan

My Daughter got me this from her recent trip to Japan (late January) as a gift. Its a half bottle, bought from a gift shop. You will not find it for sale anywhere in the UK, as far as I can see.
Sinano Winery is in Nagano, the kikyogahara valley.

http://www.nagano-wine.jp/english/visit/kikyogahara/shinanowine.php

Red Wine
12%
Grapes: Merlot and Muscat Bailey A.

It is "unusual" It has considerable residual sugar, although not sweet as such - a bit like those cheaper californian wines. It gets an online rating of 2.5/5.0 so not that great. Without the sweetness it might be OK, but I'd really give it a miss. I mean, its drinkable, but....

The interesting thing about it is the Muscat Bailey A grape variety
Muscat Bailey A is a deep pink-skinned grape variety used to make light red wines in Japan. It was bred in the 1920s by Kawakami Zenbei, the "grandfather" of Japanese wine.
Muscat Bailey A is a hybrid with a complex genetic heritage. It was created by crossing Muscat of Hamburg with Bailey, itself a little-known crossing whose family tree includes Triomphe and two interestingly named American hybrids, "Big Berry" and "Extra". Muscat of Hamburg (also known as Black Muscat) is a dark-skinned variety used more commonly for table grapes than wine production.
Today, Muscat Bailey A is one of Japan’s most popular wine grapes. It is most often used to make light-styled, fruity reds, low in both tannins and acidity. It is planted in roughly 370 acres (150ha) of vineyard, mostly in the Yamanashi Prefecture, immediately west of Tokyo. Very little is to be found in Niigata Prefecture, the variety’s homeland.

This, of course, explains the sweetness.

S

Lockdown Wine #2 Las Maletas Malbec

And this ones is from Robert W.

Sampling a nice drop of Las Maletas Malbec while cooking dinner.

2015 vintage with specially selected grapes from the Mendoza region of Argentina. 14% fruity nose, damson and a touch of blackcurrant on the tongue with pronounced tannins and reasonable length..

Lockdown Wine #1 - Sangue di Giuda, Croatina Grape

Given the interruption to the regular activities of the UWS, I thought I'd revert to my story of the Wine Century.

I've done the 100 – and have a very nice certificate, and have gone past the 200 now..I have sort of stopped, but if something comes up. Well. Why not? .

So, I have a number of bottles of wine of obscure grape varieties which need drinking. This is one of them. I will be posting weekly on this until I run out.....

I bought this for the Croatina grape, but as an added bonus it has some Uva Rara in there. Nope, I've not heard of either before.

Croatina Grape: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croatina

Uva Rara: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uva_Rara

The Wine: Sangue di Giuda 2017, Bruno Verdi.

Region: Pavese, North East Lombardy - City of Pavia

Grapes: Croatina, Barbera, Uva Rara

The interesting thing about this wine is that it is a sweet red wine, low in alcohol at 8.5%, lightly sparkling. Quite like Lambrusco.

I've actually been putting off opening this bottle, as in Sweet Red Wine - really?

 But, it is really nice! Very deep red, light but powerful at the same time, and not that sweet.

The website says:

Intense ruby red with violet tinges, it has a large and complex nose rich in fruity olfactory sensations with a clear memory of typical aromas of wine at a young age. Sweet, slightly moved, fruity, soft, slightly tannic, long, with a very pleasant persistence. Try it with salami or young cacciatorino, fruit tart, homemade donut.

 You will not see it in the supermarket - but it is not too expensive online at <£10 from various sources.

I bought it from Turton Wines,

https://www.turtonwines.co.uk/products/bruno-verdi-sangue-di-giuda-paradiso?_pos=1&_sid=14d455724&_ss=r

Also available from other suppliers

Coronavirus -COVID 19. Meetings Cancelled

Due to the most recent government advice we have decided to cancel the next meeting. It is likely that more meetings will need to be cancelled.

Feruary 2020. Pippa Hayward, Sicilian WInes

This month we had Pippa Hayward, Wine Educator and also of the The Good Wine Shop in Kew, presenting Sicilian Wines.

The wines were:

1. Mandarossa Vermentino 2018 Cantine Settesoli, Menfi. IGT Sicilia. Grape: Vermentino. From: The Wine Society £6.95
2. Regaliali Case Vecchie 2017. Tenuta Tasca D'Almerita. DOC Sicilia. Grapes: Inzolia, Greciano, Catarratto, Chardonnay. From: Majestic £8.99
3. Grillo 2018. DOC Sicilia. Grape: Grillo. From: Marks & Spencer £7.00
4. Frappato 2018, Cantine Paolini, Marsala. IGPT Siciliane. Grape: Frappato. From: The Good Wine Shop in Kew, £9.50
5. Fondo Filara Etna Rosso 2016. Tenuta Nicosia, Catania. DOC Etna Rosso. Grapes: Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio. From: The Wine Society £12.50
6. Nero d'Avola 2017. Tenuta Rapitale, Camporeale, Palermo. DOC Sicilia. Grape: Nero d'Avola. From: Waitrose £9.99
7. The Society's Sicilian Reserve Red 2015. DOC Rosso Sicilia Reserva. Grape: Nero d'Avola. From: The Wine Society £8.50
8. Marsala Superiore Dolce 5 Anni. Cantine Vito Curatolo Arini. DOC Marsala Superiore Dolce. Grapes: Grillo, Catarratto, Inzolia. From: Waitrose £11.99

The eagle eyed will spot several uncommon grape varieties in there, all native to Sicily. With the Frappato – a light red – Pippa introduced us to the smashing concept of the “school night red” - a light, lowish alcohol red wine, ideal for a “school night”. A terrific idea!

The first 3 whites, all well made, clean, fresh, showed that there is nothing to be scared of from these less common grape varieties, although as Sicily is a massive wine producer, they aren't really that “uncommon”at all. Sicily produces more wine than Australia.

2 of the 3 reds are Nero d'Avola, a Scilian grape variety we've not seen that much of in the UK until recently. I remember early versions were somewhat challenging, but they are improving in leaps and bounds, and certainly the Wine Society version can hold it's head up at the price.

The last wine, the Marsala has a bit of a story. The rules for Marsala were “relaxed” which meant almost anything went, so much Marsala was just not Marsala, and quite often wierd. The Italians have put some effort into tightening the rules, with the rsult of a much improved and consistent wine. Try it.

January 2020 - New Years party.

In January, we had the New Years Party. It was good.

December 2019. Wines by the Members - Personal Selections

This month we had Wines from the members – their favourite wines, in whatever shape or form, and for whatever reason.

So, we had:

Les Figurettes 2018 Picpoul de Pinet. Marks & Spencer. £8 – Keith & Sandy M. They rather nobly forced themselves to try 4 or 5 versions of picpoul and decided this one was the best!

Marques de Almeida Rias Baixas Albarino. Sainsbury's £8.50 – Keith D. A touch lightweight – needs sunshine and food.

Domaine Saint Ferrol Viognier 2017. Majestic £9.99** Anne J. A very solid white – full bodied Viognier.

Undurraga Cauquenes, Estate Maule, Chile. Viognier-Roussanne-Marsanne 2018. The Wine Society. £7.95. John D. Much lighter than you might expect, in a good way.

Majestic Loves Merlot 2018. Majestic £6** Nigel & Maria C. A very dark Merlot and good value at £6

Desire Lush & Zin 2018 Primitivo [Zinfandel] Italy. Majestic £8.99** Harry K. A hefty red – pretty good.

Brazin Old Vine Zinfandel Lodi, USA. Waitrose. £11.25 Mike P. An even heftier red.

Peter Lehmann Barossa Hill and Valley. Shiraz 2015, South Australia. Various. About £10. Peter H.

** Majestic prices are all for the “Mix Six” price. (Does anyone buy single bottles from Majestic?)

As you would hope and expect from a Wine Society, all were good choices, no duff ones here! I can only give my own personal choices, and of the Whites, I'd go for the Picpoul, and the Reds – The Primitivo as slightly better value than the Brazin Zinfandel.