GK wrote:
Goosegogs wrote:
I am just wondering why red Bordeaux is the bees knees of still wine.
Its not. Certainly not sub-£10 high street stuff, its mosty ballast water.
Bordeaux has been living on its name for far too long IMO. Look to the Rhone and Southern French reds (languedoc, roussillon) for QPR.
I was hoping you may respond GK. The best House claret prices are reserved for the residents of France - period.
I have had to suffer a huge amount of angst in recent years to find a charming claret in this price range in the Uk.
2004 Cheap bordeaux blend in our supermarkets was horrid. 2001 cheapo was not very nice as well. Good 2002 PC ones if you looked around hard.
2003 Calvet blends and loads of other petite Petite chateau were quite nice.
2005 Calvet blend and Calvet Medoc blend from Waitrose was nice when ready late 2008, the 2006 in mid 2009 not so good on its own.
In France there are wonderful Cote de Blaye and Bourg, and Graves de Vayres which are lovely for much less that this budget, having tax adjusted by 30%.
The Euro is strong - the pound is pathetic this year.
You have to mature the claret for my enjoyent - people want to buy and drink, people don't drink claret with the right food.
Too Much to say, the comment goes on and on. The UK supermarkets can't be bothered with it these days - which is a pitty. I have no idea what their mark-up is - But judging from old E.Leclerk Foire aux Vins leaflets - you'd be rightly pi**ed off.
IMHO - You cant make Heinz 59 varieties year-in and year-out in Bordeaux.