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July 9

9/7/2016

 
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This time last year, I was swanning around Shanghai and enjoying a month of travel. I'd been helping out freelancing at Milton Sandford Wines for about a year and when I left, MD Debbie handed me this wonderful bottle of Malbec as a parting gift.
She knew I was a fan of Catena - the first South American to wine Decanter's Man of the Year.

Today, as I pondered which good bottle of red to open from my wine rack, Instagram advised me that today is Argentina's Independence Day. In fact, it's the 200th anniversary. I took it as a sign that I should open this 2002 Malbec.

A wine of great structure, the tannins physically adhered to my tongue with the first few sips, giving me the trademark purple teeth, and a purple tongue. Despite this, it's actually very supple. Acidity comes next. Despite its age, this is still a fresh and juicy wine, even after an aperitif of rather good Paul Cluver Riesling.
Alcohol is in balance and the punch of dark fruit comes next, quickly followed by meaty, leathery notes of a well-aged wine. The spice lingers on the palate, and a hint of cocoa comes through minutes later.

Mr Purple Teeth is a huge fan. Almost Cabernet blackcurranty rich fruit wins him over for the very first sip.
A wine with layers, and great length, the complexity is just what I had in mind for tonight. It may be summer, but outside it looks more like winter, and who cares about seasonality when the wine is as good as this.

This year, I may be working in the corporate world, rather than voyaging and enjoying daily proximity to wine, but I still know a good day when I see one.
​Cheers!

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PS. The Paul Ckuver Elgin Perricrete was a delightful, light (10.5% abv) Riesling aperitif, served with garlicky prawns. Full of lime and mineral notes, it punched through the garlic and stood up to be heard. (Available from M&S).


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    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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