Wine tasting 2006
It's not easy to move to the other side of the world, and I sometimes find myself wondering if i have made the right decision. I mean, sure, the university is ranked in the top ten in the UK, the department is well funded with excellent technical facilities, and I am able to conduct my research using cutting edge technology in a high powered academic environment. But still, at times, I have to confess I have had my doubts. However when I saw the notice advertising The 6th Annual Biology Department Wine Tasting night, I knew that I'd come to the right place :)
What a great concept! There were four wine merchant stalls, two from local independent retailers and two from (respectable) larger chains, each with around a dozen or so wines to taste. Combining work with play has never been be easier, though rest assured, I had shut down the flow cytometer before quaffing.
Here's a list of the wines I liked:
Vinpromo
Anna De Codorniu - D.O.C. Cava, Spain
I've not really tried cava before, and I was pleasantly surprised. I'm not usually a fan of the chardonnay grape, and while this wine tops in at 85% chardy, and I really like it. It gives the sparkling a lovely dry zing. And of course the bubbles, it's all about the bubbles.
Azumbre Verdejo 2004/05 - D.O. Rueda, Spain
I was trying lots of new things, and this Spanish grape was one of them. If you like the crisp aromatic style of sauvignon blanc, you'll like this. I know I did. Perfect zing for a hot summer's day.
Carta Vieja Carmenere 2003 - Loncomilla
There's a big smiley face and a circle round the words "bouquet of cherries and strawberries". And it's organic. I think I must have liked it. Another eye opening experience, I'm going to seek out more chilean carmenere in the future. Who knows, it might be my next beaujolais.
York Beer and Wine Shop
Albarino do Ferreiro 2004 - D.O. Rias Baixas
It always amazes me how grapes can taste *exactly* like other fruits. Like in this case, it's almost like a glass of pears. Fabulous!
Quinta da Franqueira 2005 Vinho Verde
Continuing on the rainbow of fruit flavours - this one is lemon. Like a yellow fruit tingle on your tongue.
Cuvee a l'Ancienne 2004 A.C. Brouilly
To round off the fruit salad trio it's back to my favourite, deep cherry scented beaujolais! Lush :) I kept going back to the nice man at the stall to just check if I still loved beaujolais the best. Apparently, i do.
Sainsbury's Wines
Gruner Veltiner 2005
Amazing fruity floral grape from Austria. Fresh crisp honey apples with spices on the top. Lovely.
Albaino 2005
I think this was the favourite wine of the night amoungst the gang. However I do wish I had written more notes than "This is the best!!!". I seem to remember peaches, lovely peaches.
Les Chaumes Pouilly Fume 2005
As close to an orchard as wine can get, the apples just leapt out of the glass and kissed me. Truly delicious.
Brown Brothers Tarrango 2005
I've been a fan of the Tarrango since I first had a bottle, slightly chilled, back in the last millennium. I know wine tasting is about trying new things, but this is a reliably drinkable soft spicy red from home that I couldn't walk past without at least saying hi.
Oddbins
Lacrima di moro d'alba 2004 - Italy
I first sampled this wine BwB (Before wine Blog) and was incredibly impressed. It is beautifully aromatic, a perfume that just pulls you into the glass and hugs you tight. It's got good structure, with a soft balance of berries and tannins. Firm but fair, and endlessly lovely.
Overall, a good night was had by all. I am sure there were plenty of other wines out there, and these are probably the worst tasting notes of all time, but it was a SOCIAL occasion, so I didn't want to be too much of a wine geek with my pencil out, holding the glass up to the light in a "look at me i'm posing for a wine tasting brochure".
Well, not much anyway :)
What a great concept! There were four wine merchant stalls, two from local independent retailers and two from (respectable) larger chains, each with around a dozen or so wines to taste. Combining work with play has never been be easier, though rest assured, I had shut down the flow cytometer before quaffing.
Here's a list of the wines I liked:
Vinpromo
Anna De Codorniu - D.O.C. Cava, Spain
I've not really tried cava before, and I was pleasantly surprised. I'm not usually a fan of the chardonnay grape, and while this wine tops in at 85% chardy, and I really like it. It gives the sparkling a lovely dry zing. And of course the bubbles, it's all about the bubbles.
Azumbre Verdejo 2004/05 - D.O. Rueda, Spain
I was trying lots of new things, and this Spanish grape was one of them. If you like the crisp aromatic style of sauvignon blanc, you'll like this. I know I did. Perfect zing for a hot summer's day.
Carta Vieja Carmenere 2003 - Loncomilla
There's a big smiley face and a circle round the words "bouquet of cherries and strawberries". And it's organic. I think I must have liked it. Another eye opening experience, I'm going to seek out more chilean carmenere in the future. Who knows, it might be my next beaujolais.
York Beer and Wine Shop
Albarino do Ferreiro 2004 - D.O. Rias Baixas
It always amazes me how grapes can taste *exactly* like other fruits. Like in this case, it's almost like a glass of pears. Fabulous!
Quinta da Franqueira 2005 Vinho Verde
Continuing on the rainbow of fruit flavours - this one is lemon. Like a yellow fruit tingle on your tongue.
Cuvee a l'Ancienne 2004 A.C. Brouilly
To round off the fruit salad trio it's back to my favourite, deep cherry scented beaujolais! Lush :) I kept going back to the nice man at the stall to just check if I still loved beaujolais the best. Apparently, i do.
Sainsbury's Wines
Gruner Veltiner 2005
Amazing fruity floral grape from Austria. Fresh crisp honey apples with spices on the top. Lovely.
Albaino 2005
I think this was the favourite wine of the night amoungst the gang. However I do wish I had written more notes than "This is the best!!!". I seem to remember peaches, lovely peaches.
Les Chaumes Pouilly Fume 2005
As close to an orchard as wine can get, the apples just leapt out of the glass and kissed me. Truly delicious.
Brown Brothers Tarrango 2005
I've been a fan of the Tarrango since I first had a bottle, slightly chilled, back in the last millennium. I know wine tasting is about trying new things, but this is a reliably drinkable soft spicy red from home that I couldn't walk past without at least saying hi.
Oddbins
Lacrima di moro d'alba 2004 - Italy
I first sampled this wine BwB (Before wine Blog) and was incredibly impressed. It is beautifully aromatic, a perfume that just pulls you into the glass and hugs you tight. It's got good structure, with a soft balance of berries and tannins. Firm but fair, and endlessly lovely.
Overall, a good night was had by all. I am sure there were plenty of other wines out there, and these are probably the worst tasting notes of all time, but it was a SOCIAL occasion, so I didn't want to be too much of a wine geek with my pencil out, holding the glass up to the light in a "look at me i'm posing for a wine tasting brochure".
Well, not much anyway :)
posted by Dr Krystal at 6:45 pm
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