I do believe that within 30 years the mega brands will all but completely wipe out the finer wines. Only at places like Berry Bros and Rudd will wines from the likes of Bordeaux and Burgundy remain.

It happened in the tobacco industry....there's hardly a single old style tobacconist left now. In South Wales, in the last 2 years, 7 fine wine stores have closed and Threshers have turned themselves into Thresher Locals selling Blossom Hill, bread and newspapers. Only those stores sold as franchises remain and the only one within 20 miles of me has dumbed down in line with Thresher Local.

A very sad state indeed.

As for Kumala rose, good idea, GK. Kumala is mostly pinotage and pinotage rose, apart from the odd pale coloured one from a good producer, is mostly rubbish anyway. So, if you give your guests Kumala rose you really will be giving them the best of it's type.

The height of fashion, indeed.

And it will signal the end for Ocean's bloody Edge. Btw Tesco in their latest offers have Wairau Cove down to £3.80. Looks like Curious Cove to me.

http://www.tesco.com/winestore/controll ... Btk=P_List

Good grief !

It would appear that the stats disagree with you Goo, and so does Jancis-
http://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/20070521

Off Licence News, in conjunction with the thoroughly on-the-ball Wines of Chile generic promotional organisation, has just conducted a survey of 512 independents (wine) and found ‘spectacular growth’ in the sector, with 35 per cent of them having opened since 2000, and 10 per cent in 2005 alone.


Mel- this article is almost two years old, can you speak to JR and see if she has looked at this situation recently? Do you have any current info?

I think GK makes a valid point here. I have inlaws who are very unadventurous and stuck in their ways and refuse to venture outside of Hock/Liebfraumilch (the same applies for food too). Being smokers also has probably lessened any ability to taste too.
There is no point trying to explain or convince them what they are missing out on. Best to let them stick with what they enjoy (and leave me with more of the good stuff )
Also the point about the shipping costs is a good'un too



Yup Goose, I think that is Curious Cove. I did a google search for Curious Cove and it comes back with Wairau Cove at Tescos for the results.

Can't see finer wine producers being totally wiped out by the larger brands. Worst case we may see some of them bought up by them but hope that if so the worst that they do is go on to make them their more limited release premium wines.
I still see there being a demand for fine wines and hope that supermarkets go on to have buyers like the guys at Waitrose in Canary Wharf who make a point of having a very great fine wine section

There is something to be said about the demise of the wine merchant. It is a great loss.
I guess fators to be considered include the prominence of the web based merchants, the supermarkets inclusion of fine wines, the economic climate meaning a lot of people are now cutting back etc.
The service that can be provided by local mercahnts who can recommend and discuss wine is a great loss

Oh well, must just be my part of the world then. I must admit I am increasingly drawn to online merchants who let you mix and match 12 bottles.

For Marlborough these boys look to be about the best..

http://www.winedirect.co.uk/index.php?c ... y=&Expert=

Scroll down for the better ones

did you manage to get the 2008 Crossings on discount the other week? think the code ran out not long after I mentioned it?

I have, in my glorified broom cupboard of a wine celler, the following in dire need of tasting..

1x The Crossings 2007
2x The Crossings 2008
6x Dashwood 2008
6x Kim Crawford 2008
5x various Bourgeois lesser Loire sauvignons from 2007 and 08

I cannot as yet find the 2008 Jackson Estate - Sacred Hill - Sileni the Straits. Tesco and Sainsbury seem awfully slow to change vintages on their better wines.

I also have the remnants of a shocking cold and cannot smell or taste a thing so am on the wagon until I can smell the potpourri from at least 5 feet away.

I do so hate potpourri. Yet it comes in handy after a cold..

Reading through your debate today -

There will always be those who will get bladdered regardless of taste - Some of them will come round eventually, others don't care. Of course one should serve affordable wines at a BBQ or a Party of some kind, so the sensible option is to find the best value within your budget, by using the information here, and independant postings elsewhere on the web.

We try and help folks sift through a minefield of claims and offers.

I must admit I am increasingly drawn to online merchants who let you mix and match 12 bottles I could not agree more, however.....
Folks on a limited budget are caught by in store singles buying at full retail, it is those folks that I feel are the most vulnerable to exaggerated and embelished claims about quality and flavour.

Having said that, I have almost given-up on buying singles unless you guys tip me off. My most recent 'finds' have been prepared, or are from multi purchases that are researched.

_________________
Duncan

Bought JE at Sainsbury's yesterday for £7.99, but it wasn't marked as a special offer, just the normal ticket colour. Is there something I don't know about?

Impossible, surely!

_________________
mel

Yes Mel, that is the lowest price for JE Sauvignon Blanc today. And a single to boot!

After Chabod's experience with the 2007 Moulin a Vent from M&S, I notice that Waitrose have knocked off £3 (from £10.99 to £7.99) from their co-op MAV version by cave du Chateau Chenas.

We are now finding out the true value of these 2007 bulk produced Beaujolais Crus ! Did I buy it ? - NO

The jolly press comments from Jane MaQ and Co. were for the 2005 vintage.
Anybody going to try it ?

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Duncan

The offer expires today unfortunately. Might treat myself to a bottle as I'll be going to waitrose at lunch time
picked up a couple of bottles of St Hallett's Poacher's Blend the other day along with a bottle of the Gamekeeper's Reserve as had never given it a go. As a Rhone-a-like nice quaffer - the greache element softens any spiceiness in the shiraz and with it not being barrel aged it is quite fresh and fruity - doesn't feel like a 14.5% bottle. Goes down well on its own and even better with grilled Lamb chops. Good BBQ red. Again, the offer there ends today

They have a whole new batch of wine on offer to 17th May so will have to see what there is. Find it difficult not to get enticed by discount on the wine at times altho a lot of the time it does tend to be on the run of the mill stuff I wouldn't usually get anyway. All the same there are usually a few good 'uns there altho I also have my eye on some of their upper end new world Pinot Noirs that they have on display at the moment....
must....resist....spending..........

Duncan,

I stopped off at waitrose and asked about the MAV. The guy there said he didn't rate it that highly (appreciate a bit of honesty) Said their Beaujolais selection is a bit of a let down (more so coz the guys in france seem more keen to keep the good stuff to themselves) and that you'd more success going to more specialist suppliers. Recommended if I wanted to go for something gamay from their range I try a 2008 Te Mata Estate NZ Gamay Noir instead

Duncan,

I stopped off at waitrose and asked about the MAV. The guy there said he didn't rate it that highly (appreciate a bit of honesty) Said their Beaujolais selection is a bit of a let down (more so coz the guys in france seem more keen to keep the good stuff to themselves) and that you'd more success going to more specialist suppliers. Recommended if I wanted to go for something gamay from their range I try a 2008 Te Mata Estate NZ Gamay Noir instead[/quote]

Many Thanks Shezza - We are now finding out the true value of these 2007 bulk produced Beaujolais Crus Indeed I have been suspicious of these bulk crus for a while, and the problems for 2007 were that lazy bulk growers could not be bothered to de-folliate their vines to make riper and more dimensional wine - Sadly - Beaujolais in the wrong hands can be green, bitter and twisted. Full marks for honesty - thank you Waitrose.

Shezza, before I post a tasting note: This wine scores a Good in anyones Beaune book, and against 2006/07 prices and discounted tat in the big four, it is a positive star for the dosh.




Lupe Cholet 2005 - Tastes like a narrower spectrum Beaune 1er with a Volnay cherry streak (that streak is good) . Decant (splosh into) in a 1.5 ltre carafe as it is not quite ready, and leave while you indulge in a SB with a first course or as an aperatif with friends. Lovely vermillion / regal red velvet in the glass no sunset rim yet. Lovely, not over oaked as some Lupe Cholet Burgundies seem to be, nicely balanced and 12.5% vol - everything is right, and it gets the Tasteviné badge at the haut cotes level . A proper Cote d'Or Beaune taste for £9.99 at Laithwaites. I was going to keep this to myself, but you could do with some

I know, you said money was tight, why not share with a mate, 6 Stonewall from the Forrest Estate and drink by September - you won't find a more tropical 2007 MSB and this wonderful for value and flavour Haut Cotes de Beaune.

http://www.sundaytimeswineclub.co.uk/ar ... BD49361EC3

They say drink end 2010 - if you have good / reasonable storage conditions, this wine is "A Point" in 2010 and will go on nicely for a year or so.

Just 2 more quid than that rotten MAV. When 2005's are gone they are.....

Cheers

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Duncan

you're a true gent ! Will take a look in a sec....

Noticed your tasting note on the Stonewall the otherday. Good to hear you found one. Do we know if Leyda Valley SBs have more tropical notes than MSB ?

You have to check with Goose.

I shared a bottle of good limited edition 2006 Alta Tierra, Elqui Valley last week with a wine buddy - Elqui valley definitely does not - but has great mouth feel though. Leyda ??? sorry.

Bob Cambpell places 2007 Forrest Estate near the top, his note is October 2008. I don't know if Stonewall is a UK label for the same wine, or different vineyards within the Forrest Estate.

_________________
Duncan

looking now to pick up some of the Lupé cholet (without the Mrs finding out ) How did you happen to come across this ?