Flavour, sun and rain in equal measure

Laying out in the sun today, trying not to become a raisin. But the thought occurred to me that when a vintage is apparently not great.

The best example of this is Bordeaux 2003, the year that Le Pin didn’t make a vintage and everyone said it was too hot.

Well in 8 years a lot can change when the wine is in the bottle, the wines became rich and round and very flavoursome, it even confused a Frenchman when tasted blind.

15 years on the 2003 vintage put on another hat, it had evolve into something beautiful and to cherish. Unfortunately when this became apparent the price increase peat came along and spoilt the party. This didn’t only affect the upper chateaus but the lower ones as well to a extent.

The point I am try to make, is when a vintage is heralded one of the century and prices are high just remember the vintages marketed as too hot or too cold or too wet, sometimes it’s worth buying 2 or 3 bottles and be patient.

Then you can enjoy it before anyone changes their mind and herald it a great or good vintage.

You know your tastes and don’t be afraid to buy 2 or 3 bottles and then buy more when it has evolved before the prices go up.

Better go playing cat and mouse with Bob.

TTFN

First Impressions

Ever wondered about first impressions whether it be a trying a new wine, or new food. This is always a challenge with the anticipation of something new and exciting.

Remember the days when you would get up on your birthday wondering what gifts you would whether it be a jumper from your nam or a crumpled card and fiver from your best friend. It’s the thought that’s the important aspect and the anticipation.

When you open a new vintage of your favourite wine you wonder whether it will be the same, worse or better than previous vintage. Our tastes are forever evolving so weather can impact the experience or the environment you are in.

Here at escapedgrape HQ(nothing fancy, just a comfortable kitchen where I experiment with food and drink), I try to make sure my first sip of wine is where I feel most comfortable and relaxed which is the kitchen. In the past have drink my favourite wine and it had lost its lustre, it’s not the wines fault or that of the producer, it’s your frame of mind.

Over the coming weeks I will trying the same wine in differing environments and will give my honest opinion however it’s a start of a guide to help fellow grapes find your feet to get the most out of your wine.

I will detail wine I tried and where and what happened during the day as well as this can have an effect on your experience. I will also be doing the same with food.

Next will be in 7 ish days.

TTFN, better scarper as I am hiding from Bob at the moment

I’m back….those pesky winemakers

Hi my fellow grapes, I am back from depths of the amazonian rainforest.  It was a very long trek however being back in UK has made think about things closer to home.

Just the other day I tasted Nyetimber Classic Cuvee, there is nothing coming back home and having some refreshing, after 12years of drinking the quality has always stayed the same. This got me thinking about the newly formed WineGB, and having so many varied vineyards in England, Wales and Scotland(yes there is a vineyard in Scotland). Over the coming weeks I am going to be having a chat to make new friends and reconnect with old ones.

As ever the guarantees of removing flowery Wine Trade speak which is a language I am well versed in will be avoided at all costs. Wine is a journey that you take with friends and also having regional food makes the experience a whole lot more enjoyable.

My first stop is Cornwall, and see if our staunch defender of the Union Jack Bob Lindo’s wines are having fun as well as the grapes. I think a Cornish Pasty is on the cards paired with the Camel Valley Cornwall Brut.

Watch out for the next post for my thoughts news and experiences and of those who I have met as well

Champagne and Marshmallows

I recently met up with Champ, and we started chatting.

She was starting to get bored being matched with smoked salmon, which is nice but to much of a good thing put you off.

We start to think about what foods she could try. It is apparent early on the conversation that she likes sweet foods, this got me thinking(dangerous I know) but I had a wild and whacky idea. What about marshmallows, so we have been talking to other grapes too see what they think, shop bought ones have been crossed off the list, however homemade one may be the key.

Gotta run need to get some sugar to start experimenting in the kitchen.

Toodles

That was a close call

That was a close call –  I almost got caught by my arch nemsis the winemaker. Fortunately I was helped by one of my friends woodsy(he’s an oak barrel) to help avoid capture.

Whilst we were chewing the cud we heard someone enter the wine cellar –  fortunately we were well hidden. We realised it was some winos doing a tour around the winery and cellars, so we decided to eve’s drop.  What can I say: the amount of deliberation about how the wine tasted was simply idiotic, boring and geekish. The wine was likened to a fresh zesty plum with a slice of lime giving a well structure acidity…………Blah Blah Blah(sorry I got bored listening to all the superlatives used). So I decided to go and interview the wine in question myself.

Her name was Gree from New Zealand, she was contained in a tall elegant bottle which made her look very attractive. When I introduced myself I noticed that she was somewhat upset with the tasting that had just happened. So rather than dwell on what had happened I decide to cheer her up – well, it worked a treat, and she soon perked up and gave me the inside track.

We start with her likes: she likes seafood and poultry, they lend themselves as beautiful partners with each other. I asked why and she in turn told me she has a certain sweetness with something tropical about her. She has a certain sharpness to her, however this only happens when you meet her for the first time.

To finish off I asked what her dislikes were: she doesn’t like red meat, desserts and birds.

As it was getting late I decided to say cheerio and move on in the world, but I promised Gree that I would came back soon. Another friend made, and definitely one to come back and see in a few years time to see hows she’s getting on.

TTFN EG

Gree’s Vital Statistics

Winemakers Name – Kevin Judd

Wine Brand – Greywacke

Country – New Zealand

Region  – Marlborough

Grape – Pinot Gris

Vintage – 2012

Price – £17.50

Memoires of an Escaped Grape

Memoirs of the Escaped Grape,

I am the escaped grape. I was in the unfortunate position to have jumped out of the basket before I was pressed with my brothers and sisters to make wine or vinegar. So I had to think of a new future, and I had a eureka moment: rather than get trod on in a supermarket or spend my time sun bathing, I decided to explore the world of wine. Over the coming days, weeks, months or maybe years (if I can stay out of the reach of the winemakers), I will be exploring this strange fruit called the rotten grape and uncover their weaknesses to make the drinking of wine more of a pleasurable one.

Don’t worry, my vocabulary is limited, so I won’t be using big, complicated or just plain stupid descriptions: it all about fun and what you can taste.

Sorry gotta go, there is a winemaker on my heels…………I will make contact next week