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Category: wine reviews

Wildflowers Long To Be Free: Stanlake Park

When I feature a wine on my Socials (otherwise known as The Socials) I always try to pair a song that I can just about play on my guitar. I do this not to show off any form of guitar skill, for in that arena I am clearly lacking, but merely because it’s a fun … Continue reading Wildflowers Long To Be Free: Stanlake Park →

wineman147 English Wines, wine reviews, wine tasting, wines Leave a comment 21st May 202021st May 2020 6 Minutes

Work? In January…

Normally the first full week of January is relatively quiet for a wine merchant. Dry January kicks in, we’re all on the Christmas come down, no one has any money…all culminate into nobody really drinking much grape juice. Apart from wine merchants themselves of course…January for me is extraordinarily busy. Yes dear readers (both of … Continue reading Work? In January… →

wineman147 Uncategorized, wine reviews, wine tasting, wines, wines and spirits 12th Jan 202012th Jan 2020 7 Minutes

A Bunch Of Pictures

#Repost @chattingwine (@get_repost) ・・・ How to buy wine in Bars and Restaraunts can be complicated. But if you listen to @wineman147 on one of our podcasts he talks you through how to debunk the lists. Link in bio #wine #restaurant #bars #winetasting #winelists #wineimages #winephotography #winetime #redwine

Long live the pioneers Rebels and mutineers Go forth and have no fear Come close the end is near Well, I hope the end isn't near, I've still got wine left in the cellar I haven't got anywhere near opening. But if it is near at least I'm going out with a bottle of Renegade. By now, if you've been paying attention, you'll be well aware of the mighty Ken Forrester and that he kindly agreed to a chat with me a couple of nights ago. As part of our discussion I opened his wonderful Renegade Rhone blend. SA is perfectly suited to a number of varieties (stop sniggering about Pinotage you at the back) but the Rhone staples really do thrive in The Cape. This is a blend of 57% Shiraz, 37% Grenache & (I don't have enough fingers) Mourvedre. It's all open tank fermentation, gentle pump over and other winemaking techniques too. It spends 12 months in 2nd & 3rd fill French oak with just a smidge of new US oak. Never mind all that...this is singing right now. This is where most people write a tasting note. I don't do those other than for exams, or clients at a push. What you need to know is this is fandabiedozie. Open this and you'll have a kif time. And talking of kif times, tonight at 7pm I'll be talking to one of my closest friends about his #PourDecisions. Yes...Alice King, South Africa's tallest dwarf, will be in the virtual house. Come and join us* *of you like listening to 2 blokes talk bollocks. #wine #winelover #winedrinker #winetasting #winemerchant #wineeducator #winenerd #corkdork #winetime #wineoclock #instawine #winestagram #winesof2020 #winesofinstagram #drinkbetterwine #wineporn #winereview #wineeducation #winepuns #itsjustgrapes #winesocial #pourdecisions @kenforrestervineyards @fmcwine @winesofsouthafricauk #SouthAfrica #CheninBlanc #redwine @aljoschawright @theoxfordwinecompany

Aloicious MacGlumpher goes by many names. Some call him Kundoo, Keeper Of The Malt. Others call him K'TamanA, Purveyor Of Bootlaces. Most call him Aljoscha, on account that it's actually his name. To me, he'll always be Alice King. Al & I met nearly a decade a go when I was running Oxford's, nay the country's, greatest wine merchant. I needed someone who could make tea and talk nonsense. He was by far the standout amongst an ocean of candidates. By ocean I mean two. We've been firm friends ever since & he taught me everything I know about South Africa, the art of the braai, and confidence. Alongside Seaman Si, we sailed The Pirate Ship for one of the best years I'm ever likely to experience. Most of you will know him another way. Al is of course famous for being the world's tallest dwarf. A feat that is yet to be beaten. When not fending off squirrels, causing trouble in the snow or telling customers' to put their sex toys away he can be found knee deep in the finest wines and spirits known to humanity. At 7pm tonight Al and I will be shooting the breeze & generally having a kif time talking about his #PourDecisions. Disclaimer: there are many themes around The Insta Lives and I can confirm that tonight will very much be in the vein of '2 blokes talking shit' Remember: it's just grapes. #wine #winelover #winedrinker #winetasting #winemerchant #wineeducator #winenerd #corkdork #winetime #wineoclock #instawine #winestagram #winesof2020 #winesofinstagram #drinkbetterwine #wineporn #winereview #wineeducation #winepuns #itsjustgrapes #winesocial #pourdecisions @aljoschawright

# blacklivesmatter #blackouttuesday #imlistening #westandtogether #onerace

I was trying to work out a suitably big riff with which to pair to Ken Forrester's wines, in particular the FMC. Whilst I was busy contemplating this (inbetween reading Sartre & Camus obviously) Ken sent me a playlist. He was listening to one of Clapton's Crossroads Festivals. The decision was made. Written by Robert Johnson, the man who ultimately reinvented the blues, it's an apt piece for the man who reinvented Chenin. So far there are no rumours that Ken sold his soul to anyone in return for his amazing wine making talents...but who needs rumours or legends when you make wine as good as the FMC. The official line is that it stands for Forrester Meinert Chenin. We all know what it really stands for though *winks* Ken bought his estate, which dates back to the late 1600's in 1993 & in 1994 made around 400 cases. Today production nears 100,000 cases & his name is known worldwide. For my money the FMC is the best Chenin Blanc in the new world. Aged in oak, and with a touch of botrytis fruit it delivers layer upon layer of complexity & offers a depth and presence just like those old blues players. I am absolutely delighted that tonight Ken will join me to talk about his #PourDecisions. I hope you can join us at 7pm tonight on the Insta Lives. You can run, you can run, tell my friend Willie Brown You can run, you can run, tell my friend Willie Brown That Ken Forrester is live at 7... Shirt from @vindalwine #wine #winelover #winedrinker #winetasting #winemerchant #wineeducator #winenerd #corkdork #winetime #wineoclock #instawine #winestagram #winesof2020 #winesofinstagram #drinkbetterwine #wineporn #winereview #wineeducation #winepuns #itsjustgrapes #winesocial #pourdecisions @kenforrestervineyards @fmcwine @cheninblancsa @winesofsouthafricauk #SouthAfrica #CheninBlanc #redwine #whitewine @hightimberrestaurant

'Keep your Chardonnay close, but your Chenin closer.' Is not something Ken Forrester has ever said. The Godfather of Chenin Blanc, he is repsonsible for turning around the variety's fortunes in South Africa. Mr Chenin, as he is known, was born in Zambia & moved to South Africa at the age of 10 (with his family, obviously). Studying at the Johannesburg Hotel School he initially went into the restaurant business. After a brief stint in the SA armed forces, he bought his first restaurant, Gatriles, & more soon followed. After a visit to Stellenbosch with his wife, he decided to turn his hand to winemaking & bought the run down Scholtzenhof farm. Dating back to 1689 the house & vineyards needed some work but Ken released his first wine in 1994. Back then Chenin was far from prized & Ken was advised to grub up the block of old vines he had. He refused & alongside his winemaking friend Martin Meinert, this Chenin eventually (after a couple of false starts) became the lauded FMC. Come on...you know what it really stands for. Today Chenin is a king in South Africa & occupies nearly 20% of total plantings. There is no doubt that Ken Forrester has been a huge driving force behind this revival. He founded the Chenin Blanc Association in 1998; now there's a club I'd love to join. Today Ken Forrester Wines are recognised & praised around the world. Back in '94 the first vintage was 400 cases; today it's nearer 100,000. I am absolutely delighted that the great man himself is joining me at 7pm tonight to talk about his #PourDecisions. Get your questions in now & I'll make sure to ask him as many as I can. Ken is truly Lekker. Lekker Beyond The Max. Remember: it's just grapes. #wine #winelover #winedrinker #winetasting #winemerchant #wineeducator #winenerd #corkdork #winetime #wineoclock #instawine #winestagram #winesof2020 #winesofinstagram #drinkbetterwine #wineporn #winereview #wineeducation #winepuns #itsjustgrapes #winesocial #pourdecisions @kenforrestervineyards @fmcwine @cheninblancsa @winesofsouthafricauk @enotriacoe #SouthAfrica #CheninBlanc #redwine #whitewine

It's very far away It takes about half a day To get there If we travel by my, dragonfly No it's not in Spain But all the same You know It's a groovy name And the wind's just right No it's not in Spain. It's in Somerset. And the wind is just right, as are the soils, aspect & everything else about its location. Also, who travels by dragonfly these days? A giant soaring eagle is the way to go. Or you could drive to England's smallest cathedral city, Wells, & then head over to the village of Worth & then you'll find Fenny Castle Vineyard. In 2005 Gill & James Cummings had the idea to plant a vineyard on their land but the day jobs of raising both Suffolk Sheep & a family took priority. In 2009 James finally went to Plumpton to study viticulture & winemaking. They planted their first vines (Bacchus) in 2011 & Pinot Noir & Ortega soon followed. The vineyard itself overlooks Glastonbury Tor & has a unique *rock chat klaxon* composition of tea green & red marls alongside the mineral Celestine. So unique is this that it's officially a Special Site of Scientific Interest. The vines are trained using a combo of VSP & Lyre. If that doesn't mean much to you, don't worry; they're ways of maximising the efficiency of the vines that balance growth of fruit & leaves. I remember tasting the BdN when judging at the IEWA & loving it. As soon as I feel on top form this is the first bottle I'm cracking. I'll celebrate #EnglishWineNight vicariously through you good folks. That Fenny Castle Magic is a really groovy place... Remember: it's just grapes. #wine #winelover #winedrinker #winetasting #winemerchant #wineeducator #winenerd #corkdork #winetime #wineoclock #instawine #winestagram #winesof2020 #winesofinstagram #drinkbetterwine #wineporn #winereview #wineeducation #winepuns #itsjustgrapes #winesocial #pourdecisions @fennycastlevineyard @greatbritishwine @winegb @theiewa @tastebristol #EnglishWine #EnglishWineNight #RockChat #JimiHendrix @winegbwest

I'm gonna run to you I'm gonna run to you 'Cause when the feelin's right I'm gonna run all night I'm gonna run to you To be honest, it's more of a very short walk. My cellar really isn't that far away. I mean, it's far enough away that once I return I need to sit down with my chosen bottle and relax for the rest of the night... It was only after selecting this track that I realised the only thing Bryan & Tim Adams have in common is their surname. But I haven't prepared any other songs so I'll have to run with it. Tim Adams is an icon of Australian winemaking and deservedly so. Tim & his wife Pam first started in 1984 with their friends Bill & Jill Wray, who were Coopers. Well, they were Wrays but Coopers at the same time. They make barrels alright! They started as a small operation making some wine & oak barrels. In '87 they formed separate businesses so each could focus on their specialism & remain firm friends to this day. It was that same year that Tim purchased the winery that is still in use today. The estate covers 150 hectares or so in Clare Valley, 130 clicks north of Adelaide, with some vines approaching 60 years of age. Tim's wines go for more elegance than power & he makes some wines of extraordinary value. This Shiraz spends 24 months in US hogsheads & is beautifully integrated. It still feels young & fresh with a lovely depth of vibrant fruit. Clare itself only accounts for 3% of Aussie wine production & is especially well known for its excellent Rieslings. The region was named by one of the first people to plant vines there, back in the 1840's. Edward 'Paddy' Gleeson named the region after his home county back in Ireland. Well, the feelin's right so I'm off to Zoom up some buddies and chat more Aussie wine. Bonza. Remember: it's just grapes. #wine #winelover #winedrinker #winetasting #winemerchant #wineeducator #winenerd #corkdork #winetime #wineoclock #instawine #winestagram #winesof2020 #winesofinstagram #drinkbetterwine #wineporn #winereview #wineeducation #winepuns #itsjustgrapes #winesocial #pourdecisions @wineaustralia #Australia #redwine #Shiraz @timadamswines #ClareValley

Over the last couple of weeks I have featured some wines from Danebury Vineyards in Hampshire. You may recall me from such hits as Angie and The Chain. Have I got a tune lined up for you for later on...*feels the tension grow* Join me this evening as I talk chalk soil, gold medals and Danebury Vineyards with Caroline Stevens, their sales and marketing manager. Caroline has her professional wine qualifications and many years experience in most facets of the wine trade. She has developed the sales of wine of this long established vineyards, for over the last eight years. Danebury has a fascinating history and it would have held its first Cellar Door day this weekend, but of course the gates are shut. Caroline would have been walking through the vineyards with her visitors and talking though the wines, but instead she is talking to me about this small distinctive vineyard and the delicious white wines it produces. Hope you can join us at 7pm to find out what goes on behind the label of Danebury Vineyards.’ Remember: it's just grapes. #wine #winelover #winedrinker #winetasting #winemerchant #wineeducator #winenerd #corkdork #winetime #wineoclock #instawine #winestagram #winesof2020 #winesofinstagram #drinkbetterwine #wineporn #winereview #wineeducation #winepuns #itsjustgrapes #winesocial #pourdecisions @daneburyfizz @greatbritishwine @winegb @vineyardsofhampshire #EnglishWine #Englishwinenight

Oh, is this the way they say the future's meant to feel? Or just twenty thousand vines standing in a field? And I don't quite understand just what this feeling is But that's okay 'cause I'm all sorted out for seaside Errazuriz. Jarvis Cocker is a man of great taste & sophistication so I have no doubt he would love this Chilean Pinot Noir as much as I do. Chile has built, & maintained, a strong reputation for solid, entry level wines. I'd add strong varietal purity to that too. However, because of this I think Chile is sometimes overlooked when it comes to exciting wines. (Yes, that is a broad generalisation before you feel the need to point it out) Chile is a viticultural paradise. It's clean, healthy & remains free of Phylloxera. That pesky little bastard just can't find a way in. It's such an amazing place to grow vines. We tend to think of Chile as a series of east-west valleys & while this is accurate & important, we also need to think longitudinally. Chile is 3,000km long (roughly, I've not measured it exactly) but only 160km wide. This means that Chile has coastal regions, central, & Andean. These three only increase the diversity & make the wines more interesting. Errazuriz, founded in 1870 by Don Maximiano Errazuriz (Feliz Cumpleaños amigos) are today one of the country's leading producers. Pioneers of Syrah, they also led the way in exploring coastal vineyards. This Pinot Noir is grown only 12 clicks from the Pacific & shows fabulous freshness. It spends 10 months in new French oak but it's beautifully integrated. In the middle of the night It feels alright, but then tomorrow morning...I'll remember drinking a great bottle of Chilean wine. Vamos a Chile! Remember: it's just grapes. #wine #winelover #winedrinker #winetasting #winemerchant #wineeducator #winenerd #corkdork #winetime #wineoclock #instawine #winestagram #winesof2020 #winesofinstagram #drinkbetterwine #wineporn #winereview #wineeducation #winepuns #itsjustgrapes #winesocial #pourdecisions @errazurizwines @hatchmansfield @winesofchile_uk #Chile #PinotNoir @fiona_mottershaw @_.emilysilva._ @theoxfordwinecompany

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