Negroamaro by M&S (13.5% abv) £7.50 Eagle-eyed readers have spotted a preponderance of Marks & Spencer wines being reviewed at the moment.
I make no apology for this, since
a) they're currently offering 20% off any 3 bottles, and
b) on my particular sorry excuse for a High Street, there are no independent wine retailers offering anything like the variety I can find at M&S right now.
Life in the Home Counties - it's all #middleclassproblems and #firstworldproblems
I do buy a fair amount of wine online, but I know most of my readers prefer to pop into a shop and pick up their supplies in ones and twos, rather than by the caseload.
So it's back to M&S for the latest "unusual" varietal.
I make no apology for this, since
a) they're currently offering 20% off any 3 bottles, and
b) on my particular sorry excuse for a High Street, there are no independent wine retailers offering anything like the variety I can find at M&S right now.
Life in the Home Counties - it's all #middleclassproblems and #firstworldproblems
I do buy a fair amount of wine online, but I know most of my readers prefer to pop into a shop and pick up their supplies in ones and twos, rather than by the caseload.
So it's back to M&S for the latest "unusual" varietal.
It isn't often we indulge in Italian wine at Purple Teeth HQ, and when we do, it's usually to pair with Italian food.
Tonight's March rains and the ongoing saga of my lack of a floor had me craving comfort food, so lasagne and garlic bread beckoned.
As far as I'm concerned, garlic isn't a friend to wine. It is delicious but overpowers all that it touches, so I tend to avoid opening "the good stuff" when I'm envisaging a garlic-fuelled meal.
The Negroamaro was the right choice on 3 counts:
1) £7.50 (so currently £6.00 if buying any 3 bottles
2) It's an Italian varietal we've not reviewed before (& one Mr Purple Teeth has probably never tasted)
3) It's Southern Italian. The usually means the wine is a bit more full bodied with black fruits and spice, rather than light-bodied cherry flavours.
This is just what Mr Purple Teeth seeks in a wine, and if I can't pleased the one punter at home, what hope have I got of recommending great wines to you?
Would it pass the taste test?
Tonight's March rains and the ongoing saga of my lack of a floor had me craving comfort food, so lasagne and garlic bread beckoned.
As far as I'm concerned, garlic isn't a friend to wine. It is delicious but overpowers all that it touches, so I tend to avoid opening "the good stuff" when I'm envisaging a garlic-fuelled meal.
The Negroamaro was the right choice on 3 counts:
1) £7.50 (so currently £6.00 if buying any 3 bottles
2) It's an Italian varietal we've not reviewed before (& one Mr Purple Teeth has probably never tasted)
3) It's Southern Italian. The usually means the wine is a bit more full bodied with black fruits and spice, rather than light-bodied cherry flavours.
This is just what Mr Purple Teeth seeks in a wine, and if I can't pleased the one punter at home, what hope have I got of recommending great wines to you?
Would it pass the taste test?
Relatively simple, as you'd expect for a wine at this price point, it's appealing and great value. In fact it's won a silver medal at the International Wine Challenge. Having sat in on judging panels, this made it stand out for me. I know how good a wine has to be to get a silver medal. Even those of us in the know can be swayed by awards...
It was full-bodied yes, but with a really good level of juicy fruit making it feel lighter and more refreshing than many reds. I hate to use the term "easy drinking" , as it was more than just fruity. But the consistency, with not a lot of obvious tannin, felt easier to swallow than some full bodied red.
On the initial tasting there was rich plum and blackcurrant notes & yes, some spice with a hint of bitter cocoa on the finish. It's more than just fruity but easy and cheap enough for Tuesdsy night quaffing. The lasagne was not upset by it's partner in waistline crime. It cut through the rich oiliness of the pasta and stood up to the test of the garlic, and in my book, the silver medal is merited.
Mr Purple Teeth felt it had a smoothness but not the thickness he associates with a full bodied wine. He was seriously impressed with the price point, though - @as drinkable as fruit juice but remarkable if you pay attention.@
His rating: an excellent Tuesday night wine and definitely buy again.
We'd love to hear if you've enjoyed this Negoramaro, or any of the other wines we've recommended. Feel free to leave comments here, or on our Facebook page.
Cheers!
It was full-bodied yes, but with a really good level of juicy fruit making it feel lighter and more refreshing than many reds. I hate to use the term "easy drinking" , as it was more than just fruity. But the consistency, with not a lot of obvious tannin, felt easier to swallow than some full bodied red.
On the initial tasting there was rich plum and blackcurrant notes & yes, some spice with a hint of bitter cocoa on the finish. It's more than just fruity but easy and cheap enough for Tuesdsy night quaffing. The lasagne was not upset by it's partner in waistline crime. It cut through the rich oiliness of the pasta and stood up to the test of the garlic, and in my book, the silver medal is merited.
Mr Purple Teeth felt it had a smoothness but not the thickness he associates with a full bodied wine. He was seriously impressed with the price point, though - @as drinkable as fruit juice but remarkable if you pay attention.@
His rating: an excellent Tuesday night wine and definitely buy again.
We'd love to hear if you've enjoyed this Negoramaro, or any of the other wines we've recommended. Feel free to leave comments here, or on our Facebook page.
Cheers!
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