The title of this blog may lead you to think that since it’s been a few days (ok, a couple of weeks!) since my last blog, that I’ve spent the time gallivanting around the wine regions of world, sadly, this is not true (although as soon as I am, I’ll be sure to bring you along!) But as far as I’m concerned, if you live in a country where you can buy wine, you’re in Wine Country!
Actually, I haven’t been away at all, instead my Mum came for a visit from Florida (that’s her in the photo – isn’t she lovely?!). She is much more English than I am, having spent most of her life here, but many things have changed in the time she’s been gone, so I had such fun introducing her to all my favourite places around town…and of course, all the wonderful wines!!
If you’ve read previous posts, you may have noticed that I am a huge advocate for trying new wines – I think everyone should try at least one wine a week from a producer, region or grape they’ve never had before! So naturally, this is what Mum and I did! And I’m happy to say, we were extremely gratified in doing so!
We enjoyed a beautiful, supple, integrated 2007 Chinon (100% Cabernet Franc) from the Loire Valley in the intimate Silver Room at Hush. This grape variety is mainly known as one of the components of wines from Bordeaux, but as a single varietal, it can sometimes be a bit too green and stalky, but this one certainly wasn’t, in fact it was so delicious we had to have two bottles!
At the bustling Le Boudin Blanc in Shepherds Market, we opted for their house Burgundy, which may not fall under the ‘weird and wonderful’ category, but a wine list is only as good as its starting point and when you trust the reputation of a restaurant, then you are assured that even their most basic wine will be good – and it was! We ate exquisite Dover Sole and the light, soft Pinot Noir didn’t overpower or usurp the spotlight, but instead perfectly harmonized with the fish. (Yes, you can drink red with fish!)
On Mum’s last night I had to send her off with a bang, so we went to the clandestine Michelin Starred restaurant Hakkasan. The wine tonight had to be something really quite different – a completely new experience – and one that would be as impressive as the food. After admiring the many selections available, I settled on a Blaufrankisch from Neusiedlersee, Austria and it did the trick! Blaufrankisch is an obscure grape, only grown in Austria, and is not unsimilar to Pinot Noir in many ways, but with somewhat more spice, body and tannins.
So the moral of the story is: please, please, please try new wines! Don’t want for your next holiday or your next visit from a relative, do it now, today!
If you need advice or guidance, please ask me, I’m more than happy to help in your exploration of wonders of wine!
There’s always time for wine!
Tara – Wine Passionista
Chardonnay – from the opulent wine of Montrachet to the over-oaked monsters that sparked the ABC (Anything But Chardonnay) trend, this grape can do it all. No wonder so many winemakers work with it as it is so versatile and can be manipulated into a huge variety of styles.
