Jump to content

Wine Tasting, 2nd round. A bottle of Chinon from Green and Blue.

Ant

By Ant
in The Lounge

 Share

Recommended Posts

Ant

Ant

Posted
Posted

OK - so I ended up in Green and Blue after all. Threshers weren't able to offer tasting notes, and all the wines that were pointed out to me looked... meh, a bit uninspiring.


Green and Blue to the rescue! I said: red, light, summery, can be served chilled, with tasting notes please. They said: 2005 Domaine Couly-Dutheil Chinon 'Les Graviers'. ?9.85 to you, guv.


Sadly I didn't feel able to talk discounts, given that there weren't that many of us definitely committed to buying a bottle. But if we keep this going and get the nubmers up we should be in a better position to bargain.


I'll post the notes up on Sunday afternoon.

Ant

Ant

Posted
  • Author
Posted

OK, here are the tasting notes. Make of them what you will.




There are really two types of Chinon in the world - the fuller style from the limestone slopes of this appellation and the lighter, scented style from vineyards on sand and gravel. This lovely wine is very much the latter, which means is it juicy, silky and easy to drink right now and can even be popped on ice or into the fridge for 10-20 minutes before you do so.


Jacques, Bertrand and Arnaud Couly run this family Domaine, established in 1921 and now considered to be the leading producer in the appellation. They used to buy in some grapes but now only make wines from what they grow themselves on their 90 hectares. Unpretentious but by no means simplistic, this wine is a juicy delight to drink.


Good with: a red which will go with fish as well as cold meats and small game birds.

Ant

Ant

Posted
  • Author
Posted

OK - have drunk almost the whole bottle now (with help from Mrs Ant, I must stress) - and... well, it's nice enough but I'm not all that enthused. Certainly not as much as I was with the Saint Veran last week.


Although I ought to point out here that I have terrible hayfever, and was eating cheese with the wine. Perhaps it didn't have that much of a chance.

dulwichmum

dulwichmum

Posted
Posted

James is smiling, (he doesn't say much) I believe that is a good sign.


I am seething with jealousy. This could get nasty. Why, oh why, oh why did I get so bloody drunk on Thursday and give up drink?


James likes it, but preferred the Saint Veran. Now I think he is just tantalising me. I am considering having a glass...

Asset

Asset

Posted
Posted

Just tucking into mine now - with cheese aswell. I usually find that cheese makes wine taste better myself.

I heard once that wine dealers buy it with apples and sell it with cheese.

Anyway, I do like this but it's not as nice as the Chinon that I get from Sainsburys (?5.49). I've chilled it but possibly a bit too much and it may get softer as it warms up.

I think this wine goes better with a proper meal rather than just cheese as Ant and I are having it.

Gawd knows what flavours etc I'm supposed to be getting, the Sainsbury's blurb on their bottle says pencil lead!


Mr Asset thinks it's nicer than the Sainsbury's one but then we never agree on wine.

peckham_perkster

peckham_perkster

Posted
Posted

I drank mine last night with some friends over a gentle BBQ tea. I had chilled it but we all thought it was better once warmed up a bit. We felt it was quite woody and really filled your mouth with flavour and had a bit of tannin coating your tongue etc.


I agree, I preferred the Saint Veran from last week.


One saving grace, a real cork :)

Michael Palaeologus

Michael Palaeologus

Posted
Posted

Why dont we try a more commercial Supey new world wine? To compare and contrast old world "haute" wine with the new world competition.


I am fascinated with the battle royal between the French artisnal approach (regionally based - tradition, tradition, tradition) and the new world approach (varietal base and lots of stainless steel).


Personally I am a fan of the latter and find the traditional french approach has a touch of the Emperors new clothes to it (mostly, its a bit tasteless, but nobody will say so) BUT am I being a pleb?


So, how about a Rosemont or a Wolf Blass - stuff I call "quaffing wine"? It might be interesting to stand back a bit and share thoughts.


I am happy to nominate a wine - purchased from Sainsbos for ease.


Thoughts?

Asset

Asset

Posted
Posted

I've had a Wolf Blass red before - nice but v heavy. Aussie isn't it?

Isn't one argument against new world wines that they tend to use a minimal variety of grape? i.e. White - chardonnay and red - Cab Sauv. This means that the other grapes don't get a look in, don't get grown and the punter ultimately has no choice.


Anyway, I'll drink anything so choose away Mr P.

peckham_perkster

peckham_perkster

Posted
Posted

OMG you will make Mr. PP's dreams come true if you pick a Wolfblass, it's his favourite wine! He likes the white label one which I think is a bit more pricey?...I'm not familiar with it but I know the way to his heart, that and a plate of pie and mash from Maureen's.


Anyhoo pick away, I like the Sainsbos idea, always interesting to see what they have.

Michael Palaeologus

Michael Palaeologus

Posted
Posted

I shall go tonight and make a purchase.


Another idea might be a taste-off.


EG - Cahors (french traditional using the Malbec grape) vs one of the new world Argentinian Malbec based wines.


Remember Sainsbos is shutting from 20 June for a week to complete the refurb.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Advertise Here

  • Latest Discussions

    • Sue
      Dawson Heights again

      By Sue · Posted

      Did you try the emergency number posted above? It mentions lift breakdowns over the festive period outside the advertises times. Hope you got it sorted x
    • Sue
      Be careful in local shops

      By Sue · Posted

      People working in shops should not be "attempting to do the bill in their head." Nor if questioned should they be  trying to "get to an agreeable number." They should be actually (not trying to) getting to the correct number. I'm afraid in many cases it is clearly more than incorrect arithmetic. One New Year's Eve in a restaurant (not in East Dulwich but quite near it) two of us were charged for thirty poppadoms. We were quite merry when the bill came, but not so merry as to not notice something amiss. Unfortunately we have had similar things happen in a well established East Dulwich restaurant we no longer use. There is also a shop in East Dulwich which is open late at night. It used not to display prices on its goods (that may have changed). On querying the bill, we several times found a mistake had been made. Once we were charged twice for the same goods. There is a limit to how many times you can accept a "mistake".  There is also a limit to how many times you can accept the "friendly" sweet talking after it.
    • malumbu
      Bitey Fox.

      By malumbu · Posted

      Adapted not forced.  As have numerous species around the world.  Sort of thing that Attenborough features.  Domestic dogs another good example - hung around communities for food and then we become the leader of the pack.  Not sure how long it will take foxes to domesticate, but some will be well on their way.    Raccoons also on the way https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1j8j48e5z2o
    • Jenijenjen
      Excellent Christmas meal at Franklins!

      By Jenijenjen · Posted

      My memory, admittedly not very reliable these days, places the shop on the block on the left hand side just before Burgess Park going towards Camberwell. Have also found a reference to Franklins Antiques being located at 157 Camberwell Road which is on that block. This is a screen shot obtained from Google maps of that address which accords with my memory except the entrance door was on the right hand side, where the grey door is, rather than in the centre.

East Dulwich Forum

Established in 2006, we are an online community discussion forum for people who live, work in and visit SE22.

Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...