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Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz

30/9/2015

 
What makes the decision for a supermarket or other retailer to put a wine in the "fine wine" section? I've often wondered, but never really figured it out. It's probably no more scientific than a price cut-off.  Nevertheless, whenever the new special offers are released, I always peruse the fine wine sections, in the hope that something fabulous has been heavily discounted.  Given the margins our supermarkets operate on, I try not to buy any wine there that isn't discounted.
My video review gives my first impressions on my very first tasting of this medal winning wine.  I apologise for my rather croaky voice. Having a head cold probably isn't the best time to record oneself, but for those that prefer to watch than read, it'll tell you what you need to know.
PictureSourced from Waitrose while on a special offer. 2013 vintage is 14.5% alcohol
So why this wine?  
While perusing the changing special offers at my local branch of Waitrose, I got talking to Jacqui, their Wine & Spirits specialist. I always see the special offers as a chance to indulge in discounted fine wines. Jacqui convinced me to try Jip Jip Rocks, although at it's normal price of £10.99, it doesn't make it into the Fine Wine section.  
With 20% off until 13/10, it seemed like the right time to try it - given that it's now just £8.74.  
Grown and family made in the the Padthaway region of South Australia's Limestone Coast, Jip Jip Rocks is named after the large hunks of pink granite that are part of the Terra Rosa terroir which makes the region special.  Traditionally Padthaway was recognised as a grape growing area only with no wine making facility. Grapes produced were transported from the region to nearby Coonawarra and other wineries managed by the larger wine companies.  That's now changing, and a number of small wineries have opened up, although some grapes are still grown for others, including the prestigious Penfolds. 

Picture
The Hedonist (from the McLaren Vale region) is a favourite South Australian Shiraz at Chateau Purple Teeth, and among our friends and followers. Now retailing at £13.99,  it's become a little rich for our blood, particularly on a Tuesday night. The price has risen steadily from £8.99 since the 2008 vintage when we started to buy it, due to a combination of duty increases, currency fluctuations, and doubtless, it's popularity. Given it's in the fine wine section, I wasn't sure how Jip Jip Rocks would measure up.  

My first impressions were favourable. A huge chunky smack in the mouth at 14.5% abv, this is not a subtle wine. That's probably why Mr Purple Teeth absolutely loved it. Spicy, woody notes, even a hint of something herbal and lifted like mint on the finish, and a whack of deep blackberries, topped off with some bitter coffee. I have instructions to buy more.  It's full bodied and has an almost chewy viscosity, but the tannins are smooth and well integrated, so it doesn't feel at all drying on the teeth.  
If you like your wines light and fruity, this isn't for you.  But if you like a strong, deep wine that broods in the corner like a sullen but handsome teenager, do try this one. Great with steak, or even with strong cheddar, it is definitely a sipping wine if not consumed with food. 
​Other advantages of this wine, are that it's suitable for Vegetarians, Vegans and claims to have minimal sulphur dioxide.  I'm not sensitive myself, but some of my readers are, so I'd love your impressions on this wine.
And if you love The Hedonist, please do take my advice and try a bottle of this for comparison.  One day, we might even try them side by side and report our findings. 

Mr Purple Teeth summed it up nicely.  He asked the name.  "Jip Jip Rocks."  "Yes it does!"  He doesn't do subtle.  I'll have my Northern Rhone Syrahs when he's out.

Great value on this discount offer, try it and let us know what you think.
Cheers!

Finca la olma

26/9/2015

 
Picture£5.50 from The Wine Society
Short but sweet, here's my first attempt at a video wine review.

The key fact I forgot to mention about this pleasing, simple wine is that it's 12.5% alcohol. That makes it a bit lighter than many New World Wines and is achieved by early harvesting.

The lower alcohol means you can feel less guilt about the second glass you'll surely want.

At this price, a good mid-week wine for most, a simple aperitif, or, like me, an accompaniment to Chinese beef salad with a mandarin and ginger dressing.

It's available from The Wine Society  (£40 one-off membership fee). You'll find other Verdejos around for £7 and up.  
Cheers!

Pinot Noir in the spotlight

12/9/2015

 
PicturePinot Noir in Neuchatel
We've enjoyed some unexpected warm days this week, but autumn looms, and the nights are drawing in. We now begin to take on a cosier mood in the kitchen. We look forward to mushrooms aplenty, and game dishes such as duck, venison and pheasant, ore even wild boar sausage and mash.  

My favourite red at this time of year has always been Pinot Noir.  This noble red grape reaches its finest (and most expensive) expressions in France’s Burgundy (Bourgogne) region, and is also a key component in many wonderful sparkling wines from Champagne, Franciacorta, and further afield. In fact, there is more Pinot Noir grown in the Champagne region than in Burgundy itself.  You’ll also find great Pinot Noir from the Sancerre region of France (much more commonly known for its white Sauvignon Blanc wines), and some of it is even transformed into stunning pink wines.


Thanks to the film Sideways, a Hollywood movie that sung the variety’s praises, as well as singlehandedly causing a massive drop in street credibility for Merlot, demand has grown in the early part of the 21st Century. 
Pinot Noir is no new kid on the block, though. Thought to have existed in some form or other for around 2000 years, it’s name is said to come from the resemblance of the tightly packed grape bunches to the shape of pine cones. (See photo above).
It's known as a finicky grape to grow, being susceptible to spring frosts, having a thin skin meaning grapes get sunburn in particularly hot climates, while it’s also not a fan of too much rain which can cause rot.  A bit like Goldilocks’ porridge, the conditions for growing Pinot Noir have to be just right. This, perhaps explains why it often produces some very expensive wines indeed. For example, a Cotes-de-Nuits wine from Domaine Romanée-Conti sold for the equivalent of over $14000 (US Dollars) per bottles in Hong Kong in July 2014.  Fear not.  It is still possible to enjoy great Pinot Noir without taking out a second mortgage. My mission is to encourage you to try some!
PictureI wrote a version of this article for Vivid magazine Sept/Oct 2015
Known for flavours of strawberry, perhaps cherry or other red berries, its soft tannins and refreshing acidity, it’s an easy grape to like.  Don’t imagine, though, that this is just a simple fruity red.  Depending on where your bottle is from, you’ll find a range of autumnal flavours, ranging from savoury truffle, mushroom or even undergrowth.  Generally light, to medium bodied, and a far paler red than most Cabernet Sauvignons or Syrahs, it can seem a more delicate or even esoteric wine.  It is worth trying as different styles to find your particular favourite, since it’s one of the most versatile reds when it comes to food matching.  

This versatility makes it a great wine to choose in a restaurant, since Pinot can pair perfectly with a variety of fish, meat and vegetarian dishes at the same table.




We don’t have the space for the book it would to detail all the regions growing Pinot Noir and their variations. Several volumes could be (and probably have been) written just on the regions of Burgundy’s Cote d’Or.  I’ve highlighted below a few of my favourites, along with their best food matches. And if you're interested, I've also written many blog posts on my favourites. 

Light, and inexpensive styles can be found from Romania, Moldova and other eastern European countries. These go particularly well with rabbit, or cold meats and autumnal terrines.  If you’re adding garlic, or serving spiced charcuterie such as salami, you won’t want to break the bank. Start here and you’ll find drinkable wines for around £5. Spend a couple of pounds more and you can also put a basic Burgundy on your table.  A very inexpensive Hungarian version made a decent showing at a Purple Teeth Tasting Party.
Picture A couple of decent new world PNs from Waitrose & M&S


Fruity and almost sweet, slightly “jammy”
styles can be found from Chile and California.  These can range from around £7-15. Ideal with seared salmon or tuna dishes, they also pair wonderfully with autumnal duck or partridge dishes, particularly those with a fruity or sweeter sauce. These work really well with Chinese styles of duck and pork dishes too.




Silky, elegant, rich, and complex

Moving up in price from £15 - £50 and beyond, Burgundy areas such as Gevrey-Chambertin and Nuits-Saint-Georges, or wines from Oregon’s Willamette Valley or New Zealand’s Central Otago region, become silky and elegant, and with the right vintage conditions, can even be rich and full bodied.  They’re not only capable of ageing, some may demand it to soften and be at their best, when they’ll develop more savoury flavours. These wines pair perfectly with autumnal fare, such as mushroom risotto, pigeon or partridge. My personal favourite pairing is venison loin served pink with a wine sauce, of course made from Pinot Noir.  These wines will also take you through to Christmas, working brilliantly with roast turkey, beef wellington, roast hams and soft cheeses.

There’s a Pinot Noir out there for every budget and every palate, so what are you waiting for?
Peruse the Pinots till you find your perfect pairing.
And please do let us know about your personal Pinot preferences.  I've got several on my wine rack at the moment, so I'm sure I'll be sharing more very soon.

    Purple Teeth

    My name's Heather and I've been enjoying wine for over 20 years. I'm the 2013 winner of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust Rhone prize for oustanding students at the advanced level.
    My mission is to share my passion for the myriad varieties of fermented grape juice, hopefully inspiring you to try something new, or to host  a Purple Teeth wine party in your own home or business.

    My blog mainly features wines you should be able to find on your local high street or online, and occasionally, I will review restaurants, travel and other forms of alcohol, since my qualification covers spirits too.  I believe it's important to enjoy the calories and the cash we spend on alcohol, and I hope my guidance can help you reduce the risk of making a bad buy.
      
    When I'm not drinking wine, you'll find me on the dance floor where West Coast Swing is my dance of choice. Socialising with the friends I've made there from all over the world has also brought me new adventures in alcohol!  And just in case you're interested, I also write a blog called Confidence Within.  You'll find it at heatherharrison.weebly.com


    Remember to enjoy wine sensibly...
    For a woman, 2-3 units per day is the recommended maximum allowance.  This equates to around one standard "pub measure" glass of wine:
    175ml of 13% alcohol wine is 2.3 units (and a scary 140 calories).  
    You'll find all the facts you need about safe, moderate drinking at the www.Drinkaware.co.uk site. 
    Purple Teeth supports safe drinking. Never drive or operate machinery after drinking alcohol.

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