tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42710863171510971322024-03-13T19:24:56.753+00:00Grapes of JoyThis is a great new wine blog to help you find the best wines for the best price as wine made by the people for the people. It will have posts about news from the wine world. Pluss wine post on the countries,regions,people and the wine it self. All in a fun and non-pomp way!Nic Connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14957485820058067972noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271086317151097132.post-52162285205477231482009-05-23T12:36:00.004+01:002010-06-16T17:21:24.831+01:00A Glass With: Jancis Robinson OBE MW<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/ShfpmyOJURI/AAAAAAAAAGg/-UVrfhz8R3o/s1600-h/Jancis+Robinson.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 215px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338992735796416786" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/ShfpmyOJURI/AAAAAAAAAGg/-UVrfhz8R3o/s320/Jancis+Robinson.jpg" /></a><br /><div>This weeks 'A Glass with' is with the queen of wine Jancis Robinson. She dues not just advice the Queen on her wine cellar but writes weekly for the <a href="http://www.ft.com/arts/columnists/robinson">FT</a> and other publications. She written the infinite wine encyclopedia <a href="http://www.winepros.com.au/jsp/cda/reference/oxford_index.jsp">The Oxford Companion to Wine</a>. She has joined up with Hugh Johnson in the war of the critics against the wine scorer Robert Parker. She also co-writing the infinite wine Atlas <em>The World Atlas of Wine</em> with Hugh Johnson. Jancis has now taken her knowledge to the net by becoming one of the first to explore what can be done on the web with the excellent <a href="http://www.jancisrobinson.com/">jancisrobinson.com</a> a must for any wine lover. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This is what she had to say to GoJ:</div><br /><div><span style="color:#000099;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#000099;">Tell us what are you up to?<br /></span>See <a href="http://www.twitter.com/JancisRobinson">www.twitter.com/JancisRobinson</a>! </div><br /><div><span style="color:#000099;">Why wine?</span></div><br /><div>Because it tastes so delicious – and is quite magical in that it can provide such a wide range of sensations and flavours yet depends on a single fruit.</div><br /><div><span style="color:#000099;">How did you get involved in the wine world?</span></div><br /><div>Long story. Had a seminal glass of Chambolle Musigny Les Amoureuses 1959. Spent a year in Provence. Got taken on as asst editor of a wine trade magazine to replace the first editor of Decanter. Did the Wine & Spirit Ediucation Trust courses at speed.</div><br /><div><span style="color:#000099;">Who your wine hero?</span></div><br /><div>Hugh Johnson and Gerald Asher for literacy. Robert Mondavi for openness. Edmund Penning-Rowsell for humility.</div><br /><div><span style="color:#000099;">How much do you think you can pick up a decent bottle for?</span></div><br /><div>Occasionally less than £5 or $10 but you have to look very hard.</div><br /><div><span style="color:#000099;">How do you think Internet effects the wine world?</span> </div><br /><div>Vastly, mainly by giving consumers much greater power, thereby keeping us writers much more on our toes. No bad thing!</div><br /><div><span style="color:#000099;">What is your desert island wine?</span></div><br /><div>Madeira because it is refreshing if the desert island is hot, warming if it’s cold, and an open bottle can be eked out over months. </div><br /><div></div>Nic Connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14957485820058067972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271086317151097132.post-70896821547888714792009-05-23T12:21:00.009+01:002009-05-23T12:34:37.519+01:00Parish Notice<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/ShfefGp3qBI/AAAAAAAAAGY/CNZ-HXWiopY/s1600-h/parish+notice.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338980509214550034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 145px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 108px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/ShfefGp3qBI/AAAAAAAAAGY/CNZ-HXWiopY/s400/parish+notice.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I am sorry I have not put up a wine review for some time. I have been on a health kick where I stop drinking the sweet, sweet juce of the grape but will be off the wagon soon GoJ readers.<br /><br />.Nic Connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14957485820058067972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271086317151097132.post-68433257017103722692009-05-23T12:13:00.004+01:002009-05-23T12:20:56.664+01:00More Wine Darling?<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/ShfbcAJ6cRI/AAAAAAAAAGI/_Y14GcrcLuA/s1600-h/IMG_0180.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338977157395411218" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/ShfbcAJ6cRI/AAAAAAAAAGI/_Y14GcrcLuA/s320/IMG_0180.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>To jump on band wagon here I fought I will highlight what the House of Commons wine cellar and bars are like. When Labour puts up the tax on our wines they have a wine cellar worth just over £800,000 and 500 bottles of spirits worth around £792,00. <a href="http://www.decanter.com/news/news.php?id=281670">Decanter</a> said on it web page that “Official figures revealed last year showed that ministers spent £5m of taxpayers' money on wining and dining. More than £100,000 went on maintaining the Whitehall wine cellar”. In the bars in Parliament they can pick up cheep tax free bottle of the best tipple from around the world (on there expenses most likely). This is when they make it that a bottle of wine will cost us more with there tax hikes which will put thousands of jobs in the wine industry at risk.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Enjoy a glass on us Darling!</span><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/ShfbCbvykUI/AAAAAAAAAGA/Av77791S5d4/s1600-h/darling.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338976718125437250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 199px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/ShfbCbvykUI/AAAAAAAAAGA/Av77791S5d4/s200/darling.bmp" border="0" /></a> </div>Nic Connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14957485820058067972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271086317151097132.post-21107162506273836962009-05-09T10:54:00.004+01:002009-05-09T11:26:09.238+01:00A Glass With: Tim Atkin MW<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SgVYo5vCDDI/AAAAAAAAAF4/qz5PPqIiXZE/s1600-h/Tim+Atkin.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333766793406319666" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 96px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 145px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SgVYo5vCDDI/AAAAAAAAAF4/qz5PPqIiXZE/s320/Tim+Atkin.jpg" border="0" /></a> For the first of our <em>'A Glass With'</em> I happy to say we have Tim Atkin. <a href="http://www.timatkin.com/">Tim </a>is one of the top wine writers about with columns in <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/timatkin">The Observer</a>, Off Licence News, Woman and Home, The World of Fine Wine, The Economist to name just a few. He is co-founder of the excellent <a href="http://www.thewinegang.com/">The Wine Gang</a> a online wine mag. As well as his writing and the odd TV appearance he chairs and judge one of the biggest and impotent wine tasting in world the <a href="http://www.internationalwinechallenge.com/">International Wine Challenge</a>. This is what he has to say to GoJ:<br /><p><span style="color:#000099;">Tell us what are you up to?</span>I've just about to make some wine for a kit, for a piece I'm writing about ethical drinking for The Observer. This is my first ever wine. I suspect it may be my last...</p><p><span style="color:#000099;">Why wine?</span> Because it's fascinating. Wine is not just about the liquid - although that can be delicious. It's about geology, climate, politics, economics, sensory perception and, most important of all, people.</p><p><span style="color:#000099;">How did you get involved in the wine world?</span> I was given a job on Wine & Spirit magazine by Joanna Simon. I knew nothing about wine, but spoke good French having done a degree in modern languages. That was my big break. In those days we were still sticking bits of paper down on layout boards. Computers were in their infancy.</p><p><span style="color:#000099;">Who your wine hero? </span>I have several. Paul Draper of Ridge, Eben Sadie in South Africa, Paul Pontallier at Chateau Margaux, Peter Lehmann in the Barossa Valley, Sylvain Cathiard in Burgundy, Tim Finn at Neudorf. Basically anyone who cares about great wine.</p><p><span style="color:#000099;">How much do you think you can pick up a decent bottle for?</span> Depends what you mean by decent. It's getting harder to find anything I'd want to drink under £5, thanks to the chancellor </p><p><span style="color:#330099;">How do you think Internet effects the wine world?</span> It's a great source of information. It keeps wine writers on their toes. And it allows punters a say . All three things are positive.</p><p><span style="color:#000099;">What is your desert island wine?</span> 1961 Chateau La Fleur Petrus</p><p> </p>Nic Connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14957485820058067972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271086317151097132.post-12497099600015174992009-05-06T18:02:00.006+01:002009-05-06T18:43:45.902+01:00Cook With Wine: Lamb, Leek and Plumb Pie<div align="left"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SgHKuzOwnVI/AAAAAAAAAFw/cmi4xwwca8g/s1600-h/cooking+with+wine.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332766339158285650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 141px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 141px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SgHKuzOwnVI/AAAAAAAAAFw/cmi4xwwca8g/s400/cooking+with+wine.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p align="left">I have a lovely leek and lamb dish I made for St Davids day I will share with you but it has a wee twist I used plumbs. I cook the dish in a Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah wine as it is a plumy wine with a sharp fruit flavors, which dose not just blend with the stock to make a rich mouth watering source but also cut throw the lamb with a suttle bash of the cherry's and tanings. </p><br /><p>You will need:</p><ul><li>500 grams of diced lamb </li><li>2-3 tablespoons of oil </li><li>2 large leeks sliced in round</li><li>2 medium onions chopped</li><li>3 dried plums cut into quarters </li><li>500 ml stock</li><li>4-5 sprig's of thym</li><li>A packet of puff pastry</li><li>2 <span style="font-size:78%;">1/2</span> glass <a href="http://www.majestic.co.uk/find/category-is-Wine/category-is-Australia/keyword-is-Oxford+Landing/product-is-19299">Oxford Landing Cabernet Shiraz</a></li></ul><p>How to make: </p><ul><li>Heat oil in pan.</li><li>Add onions and cook until soft and see through.</li><li>Add meat and toss quickly so the meat is a paler colour. </li><li>Toss all ingredients in pan,</li><li>add the wine (two 1/2 glasses), </li><li>add stock and bring to boil .</li><li>As soon as it starts to boil lower heat to simmer and simmer for 1 hour to 12 1/2 hours until meat is soft, </li><li>add leeks and plumbs</li><li>add more stock and wine</li><li>and cook for a further 15 mins.</li><li>Heat oven to 225o or gas mark 8.</li><li>Put stew in a casserole dish </li><li>roll out pastry to the size of the dish and then place on top of the stew</li><li>put dish in oven and cook for around 20 minuets until pastry is golden brown.</li></ul><p>Serve with a glass of the <a href="http://www.majestic.co.uk/find/category-is-Wine/category-is-Australia/keyword-is-Oxford+Landing/product-is-19299">Oxford Landing Cabernet Shiraz</a> from Majestic for £6.49 and Enjoy!</p></div>Nic Connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14957485820058067972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271086317151097132.post-3719020997809461162009-04-28T17:54:00.008+01:002009-04-29T10:43:54.707+01:00English Wine Producers Tasting on St George's Day<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/Sfc130S_BsI/AAAAAAAAAFg/HKtO3BVz-68/s1600-h/IMG_0186.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329787917063620290" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/Sfc130S_BsI/AAAAAAAAAFg/HKtO3BVz-68/s200/IMG_0186.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I have here a report I wrote on English Wine Week last Thursday. Sorry I have not posted it sooner I have been running around with dinners, cricket, politics etc the last couple of days but here it is:<br />.<br />I have just attended the English wine week preview tasting. It was set to be a good one this year with events all over the country from Cornwall to Yorkshire. Today’s launch is a mouth early as they thought it would be a prohibited to hold it on St George Day, but the English Wine Week itself is from Saturday 23rd till Sunday 31st of May. So if you’re keen on your wine I would say take a couple days off to go up or down to a vineyard. You can even sleep over at some of them, have a good meal and enjoy some exciting wines. You can find out what going on where <a href="http://www.englishwineweek.co.uk/whatson.htm">HERE</a>.<br />.<br />The same week our Celtic brothers in Wales are have their wine week so why not take a break at <a href="http://www.ancrehillestates.co.uk/">Ancre Hill Estates, Monmouth </a>where they are launching their first release of a white wine made primary from Seyval Blanc.<br />.<br />Today’s fun was at the <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/page/Home/0,,10268,00.html">Chelsea Football Club</a>, Stanford Bridge. Stalls were set out separated by region. The main table was for the mass wines separated into sections of wine type. I feel today event sums-up English wine as it was a professional operation featuring a mix of slick commercial wine houses mixing in with amateur small wineries. There was still a lot of wine being made with off-dry Germanic grapes. They might be interesting grapes but they are still and I think always will be wines for people in the know.<br />.<br /><strong>The pick of the whites for me today where:</strong><br />The two <a href="http://www.wickhamvineyard.co.uk/">Wickham's from Hampshire</a>, Special Release Fume 2008, £8.50; could be French.<br />The other Wickham is there Vintage Selection Dry 2008 for £6.75; it is a simple wine with a lot going on.<br />Two from Leventhorpe from right at the top of England in Yorkshire, £7; this little powerful dry white has hints of apple and other green fruit it would turn even the syncs of English wine to lovers.<br />.<br />I went over to the nation’s favourite wine in the summer months, <strong>Rose</strong>. If any country should be able to make a rose it's England, as it is the most popular wine in pubs. We have seen what the new world bland pub rose' do and I was hoping for something new and exciting. I just found that we are making boring bland wines. There was one wine which stood out and gave me hope for our roses:<br /><a href="http://www.ickworthvineyard.co.uk/news.html">Lady Geraldine's Blush 2006 from Ickworth,</a> a National Trust estate in Bury St. Edmunds, and well worth a visit during English wine week or in-fact any time if passing. There Lady Geraldine's Blush is 100% Rondo and is a dry rose which is pack with subtle flavours of blackberry, damson and redcurrant's. The flavours come together instead of insulting your pallet with bold, over powering, almost article flavours you might find in other English roses.<br />.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/Sfc4ykcK9jI/AAAAAAAAAFo/9N9nt3J2t6E/s1600-h/UK+wine.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329791125442721330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 85px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/Sfc4ykcK9jI/AAAAAAAAAFo/9N9nt3J2t6E/s200/UK+wine.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong>Reds </strong>have never been the English strong point there is a lot of heavy imbalance wines but I did come across some gems:<br />.<br />There two wines from <a href="http://www.welcombehills.co.uk/">Welcombe Hills</a>, Stratford. This vine yard on land once owned by Shakespeare’s family is worth a look at. Their experimental Pinot Noir Special Reserve £10.95; don't read to much in the reserve bit, that is just there to make it sound good but do read the special as it is a special as it was aged in 3 oaks it comes out with an extremely pale colour which might put of a traditionalist who will judge a book by it cover (or wine by it colour) but they did not muck around with it, they kept it with a pale red, almost see-through. When you drink the wine it does something most English reds don't do, that is to make you think. There is a lot going on, with cherry flavours and a smoke taste coming off the oaks. Their other wines which are worth a look at is the Pinot Noir, Precoce blend they can boast to be one of two in the country to grow Precoce. This wine has a lovely soft red cherry flavour to it.<br />.<br />Going back to Wickham there is a Special Reserve Red 2006, Pinot Noir, £11.99; is worth a buy and keep back for Christmas 2010 as by then it will be a great well balance wine with its dark cherry and blackberry to make perfect with you Christmas dinner.<br />.<br />Two from <a href="http://www.bookersvineyard.co.uk/">Bookers</a> in West Susex, their Pinot Noir, £10.95; is a new world flavoured Pinot Noir. It could have been take off the ship for New Zealand with its red cherry and red plum. The other one is there Dark Havest 2006, £8.95; its packet with light fruits like a fruit salad bar, a great one if you’re not normally a red drinker not to dissimilar to a Italian Primitivo.<br />.<br />England might be on the up with their whites, learning about Rosa and finding out that Pinot Noir should be the grape of choice for UK Reds. But our <strong>sparkling is just brilliant</strong>. There are so many I could pick.<br />.<br />The <a href="http://www.ridgeview.co.uk/">Ridge View</a> wines are and have been, as long as I have been tasting them, a first class wine. I have written about them before <a href="http://grapes-of-joy.blogspot.com/2009/03/england-vs-france-in-wine-rivels.html">HERE</a>. There whole range is worth a couple of glasses. I was happy to find out that they are expanding and will be even better place to take the French on at there own game.<br />.<br />There were other big boys present like <a href="http://www.englishwinesgroup.co.uk/">Chapel Down</a> and the excellent <a href="http://www.nyetimber.com/">Nyetimber</a> but, I found my self drawn to the new guys, wines which will be household names in 5 years who came with a well presented package. They had pro PR guys running their stalls, I was ready to demise these houses, as Barack Obama once said as “a pig in lipstick” but, I was wrong.<br />.<br />The <a href="http://www.hushheath.com/balfour-brut-rose">Balfour Brut Rose </a>is by far UK's best sparkling rose it could almost be Champaign Gosset. A good balance of flavours, redcurrant, strawberry and pears which can all be found on the nose, a perfect wine for the 'season' of Ascot, Wimbledon and Henley. Now don't think this is a small guy making good, this is a slick well organised operation, but who said this is a bad thing if they can make the wine to match their slick PR. It comes from the <a href="http://www.mwb.co.uk/mwb/directors.jsp?ref=2">Richard Balfour-Lynn </a>who is responsible for Hush Heath apple juice, Hotel Du Vin, Malmaison Hotel, Liberty’s of London and other luxury companies. You won’t find this wine in supermarkets just yet as they are starting in indie wine shops around London first, as well as in all their hotels, but in time they will be the sparkling rose of chose for middle England.Nic Connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14957485820058067972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271086317151097132.post-24973937213339598972009-04-22T18:17:00.005+01:002009-04-22T18:27:17.256+01:00What The Street Thinks<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/Se9TJQK8ZyI/AAAAAAAAAE0/QaWMd7VLOX8/s1600-h/David_Cameron+pub.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327568302627383074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 117px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/Se9TJQK8ZyI/AAAAAAAAAE0/QaWMd7VLOX8/s200/David_Cameron+pub.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>So today we have had the budget and if you been on GoJ in the last 48 you can tell we have gone all out on this but you'll be happy to know as </div><div>tomorrow is the beginning of English Wine week we will go all out on English wines.<br /><br />So a recap of today the Rt. Hon Darling has increaser duty on alcohol to 2% which works out to be 2p on every pound you spend on a drink and combined with last year’s 17% leap in excise duty, will raise duty on alcohol by around 40% by the time of the London Olympics in 2012. It gos into action at midnight to night.<br /><br />The WSTA; who represents the whole of the wine and spirit supply chain including producers, importers, wholesalers, bottlers, warehouse keepers, logistics specialists, brand owners, licensed retailers and consultants. Have come out with a statement 'In its first ever joint budget submission the major drinks industry trade associations warned a total of 75,000 jobs would be at risk if the plans to increase taxes further went ahead.' WSTA Chief Executive Jeremy Beadles said: “At a time when the Government is offering other industries a helping hand it is extraordinary that it wishes to hurt the drinks industry with further tax increases.'<br /><br />In light of this I went out to Reading, a town which I would not call middle England but average Briton. I first went to a pub in the leafy suburb of Caversham called The Crown on the Bridge. There I spoke to the landlord. I ask what affect the 2% increase would do to there prices they told me that they expected that it will in fact end up being something like 5% or 10p extra on the pump after the price has filtered throw down from the brewery's.<br /><br />With rent and now the increase it is a hard time for pub as Caversham has seen 4 pub close in the last couple of mouths. With this increase which will drive costumers to buy drink for home and bypass the pubs and head straight for the High Street bars after overloading on booze at home or force people to stay at home and have a quite drink from the supermarket, it looks like tough time ahead for the pubs.<br /><br />I went and look at the other end of the market and went of to the middle of Reading financial business district. I went into a empty wine bar and ask what do they think about the 2% duty increase, they told me that they have gone into administration as they can not get people through the door. This once thriving Bar is now on course to close down.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/Se9SXvzlJhI/AAAAAAAAAEs/Vi6nDNwVGwY/s1600-h/IMG_0182.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327567452125865490" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/Se9SXvzlJhI/AAAAAAAAAEs/Vi6nDNwVGwY/s200/IMG_0182.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>Walking throw the town I stoped by a couple of pub where people where siting enjoying a drink I ask them if the price increase would stop them coming out they told me they would still come out but drink less and leave there local pub and head to a chain pub like Weatherspoons where the drink would be cheaper. They told me they would prefer to stay at there local but they could not afford it and that they would be forced to stay at home when 'on Saturday the cheaper pubs are taken over by youths bing drinking'.<br /><br />As as Conservative leader David Cameron later said the extra tax on beer would affect "every drinker in every pub" This increase would make £200 million but is it worth it when we are £160 billion in debt? Is it the 200 million worth the 75000 jobs at risk? Is the 200 million worth community pubs closing? Is 200 million worth people to start bing drinking at home to save money? Well Brown and his Darling think so. I guess they have been in a cosmopolitan London government to long and lost touch.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wsta.co.uk/Guidance-and-Research.html#Rates03">Cost of drink brake down. </a><br /><br />Rant over now back to the wine! </div>Nic Connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14957485820058067972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271086317151097132.post-70179598455140388232009-04-21T16:15:00.009+01:002009-04-21T17:34:47.342+01:00Darling Would You Like A Drink?<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/Se3kpFphbhI/AAAAAAAAAEM/crjKvaZDtt0/s1600-h/darling.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327165328791268882" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 319px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/Se3kpFphbhI/AAAAAAAAAEM/crjKvaZDtt0/s320/darling.bmp" border="0" /></a>After weeks of bad press and headaches over what to do with the economy Brown and his Darling need a drink, but tomorrow they just might make that even harder as tomorrow Darling will go before the house to give his second Budget speech and one which will not be happy reading for any one who likes a tipple now and then.<br /><br />I here on the grape vine (and the grapes are not at all in joy with this) that tax will go up on our Wine, Beer and any thing which responsible grown ups like to drink after a long day. If the Pre-Budget any thing to go by our drink is going to be hit. In the Pre-Budget we had a 15% VAT cut but our Drink dutty was increase to sub the VAT cut.<br /><br />36% of adults drink more than 4/3 units of alcohol on at least one day of the week. So it no wonder why they won't to put up tax. £400.60 billion we have spent on bail outs so far. Brown happy to have mass bail out for failed bankers like 'Fred the Shred' but to do this they take money out our pockets, throw drink tax .<br /><br />There a reason why 90% of licensees believe that the Chancellor will once again ignore the pleas of the pub trade and increase duty which will kill of villege pubs nation wide. If the pubs go, so do 59,000 jobs and that not including the people who make the drink, the people who inport,sell and market and of cource write about it. I would like to know if whisky a drink made in Brown and his Darling constituency's will once agin be exempt for a tax increase? Or whether it will affect the price of the cheap drinks in the Commons in there non-licence bars?<br /><br />So tomorrow we will find out if it is doom's day or just a budget day.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/Se3ugOAZM9I/AAAAAAAAAEU/qtylfSN4g28/s1600-h/brown.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327176171532137426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 315px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/Se3ugOAZM9I/AAAAAAAAAEU/qtylfSN4g28/s320/brown.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/Se3jw11tQfI/AAAAAAAAAEE/y4-llDOl5d4/s1600-h/darling.bmp"></a><br /><br />I will be in a pub in Westminster for the Bugget to get the latest news and the reaction of people in the pub from landlord to puber.<br /><em></em><br /><em>If you like a go at making your own Brown and his Darling South Park pic click <a href="http://www.sp-studio.de/">HERE</a></em>. <em>If you like to do something to stop any tax hikes on drink click </em><a href="http://www.drinkersalliance.com/">HERE</a>.Nic Connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14957485820058067972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271086317151097132.post-29573296688123828382009-04-17T19:26:00.008+01:002009-04-17T20:57:23.373+01:00Easter Wines<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/Sejb-QncrRI/AAAAAAAAADc/6qOEgtJatbQ/s1600-h/easter.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325748422024408338" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 93px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 93px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/Sejb-QncrRI/AAAAAAAAADc/6qOEgtJatbQ/s320/easter.jpg" border="0" /></a> So It Easter (or it was when I wrote it) the Birds are sing, the Bees are buzzing and the house need a good going over. Spring the season before summer and the one after winter. So what wine should we be drinking with our legs of lamb and Easter eggs; all of which in 3 mouth we wish we did not eat as our bathing suit don't look as good on us than the model in the catalog.<br /><br />For those of you who are fans of a good roasted leg of lamb with leeks and all things spring I would have to say it be hard to find a more perfect match than a Spanish wine and of thous, wines from Rioja are just perfect. If you look at Spanish food you see there food is dry, rich but salty like our roast lamb. So to add to the tender, dry, juice succulent flavors get a bottle which is pack with ripe fruit and dark cheery.<br /><br /><br /><p><strong>For me this is:</strong><br />Familia Martinez Bujanda Reserva 2001<br />Its a rich ripe tipple with dark blackberries, bilberries come over like a dry fruit salad.<br />£12.99 from <a href="http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/article~id~36407~brand~LAIT~mscssid~7C90000C4F6B4E71A0D0AB91FC31B1EC.aspx">Laithwaites</a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SejcRqDeBLI/AAAAAAAAADk/UOQClvCe5S4/s1600-h/1.jpg"></p><p></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325748755270337714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 56px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SejcRqDeBLI/AAAAAAAAADk/UOQClvCe5S4/s200/1.jpg" border="0" />Still in Rioja but in the south in Borja you got the 2006 Vineyard X Spanish Garnacha<br />It pack with ripe, plump, peppery fruit you can not go wrong for £4.49 from <a href="http://www.threshergroup.com/">Thresher/ Wine </a>Rack; or what ether name your shop from this group gos as.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SejczoYvJaI/AAAAAAAAADs/mZWQWUADwjE/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325749338938221986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 55px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 132px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SejczoYvJaI/AAAAAAAAADs/mZWQWUADwjE/s200/2.jpg" border="0" /></a> Right so now you had your dinner and you are about to have your Easter eggs. So you wont a wine to go with it but you are beginning to fill a wee bit guilty that on this religious day you have not dune any thing to do with Jesse. So let kill two birds with one stone how about this wines from the Middle East from <a href="http://www.waitrosewine.com/230511849/Product.aspx">Waitrose </a>(and <a href="http://www.waitrosewine.com/230201117/Product.aspx">here</a>).<br /><br />First up we have the Rimon Winery, Pomegranate Dessert Wine, Black Label from the land of Jesse Israel. £14.24<br />Its lightly fortified with pomegranate brandy which gives us a sweet, sweet fruit taste be warned do not drink with out the aid of a big bite of chocolate as it will over power you.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SejdSCdeKXI/AAAAAAAAAD0/yIIP51TMTOM/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325749861333477746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SejdSCdeKXI/AAAAAAAAAD0/yIIP51TMTOM/s200/3.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p>Next to the Border to Israel on the Lebanon side we have the Chateau Musar 2001 Bekaa Valley.<br />Made by my wine hero Serge Hochar who literary doggedes bullets to bring you this (I did a little write up of him and Lebanon on <a href="http://www.thesecondglass.com/">TheSecondGlass</a>) </p><p>Its soft, velvety, peppery, spicy ready to melt and blend it self with a bight of dark chocolate to produce a sensation of lust. £17.09 <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SejdlCJcxYI/AAAAAAAAAD8/aZDSA0xr95o/s1600-h/4.jpg"></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325750187667015042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SejdlCJcxYI/AAAAAAAAAD8/aZDSA0xr95o/s200/4.jpg" border="0" /></a> </p><p>So happy Easter (sorry it late) from GoJ.<br /></p>Nic Connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14957485820058067972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271086317151097132.post-21350821640952367952009-04-17T19:11:00.005+01:002009-04-17T19:17:36.670+01:00Ow what is going on cant laptops take a cup of tea?!I am sorry to all, after my laptop just died before Easter I could not bring you my Easter treet.<br /><p><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SejGg_WXk0I/AAAAAAAAADU/EqGYj2DNvno/s1600-h/bluescreenofdeath.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325724829428978498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 123px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SejGg_WXk0I/AAAAAAAAADU/EqGYj2DNvno/s200/bluescreenofdeath.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><br /><strong>But I back and ready to go!!!</strong>Nic Connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14957485820058067972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271086317151097132.post-73663316903424369322009-04-06T15:45:00.008+01:002009-04-06T17:35:20.725+01:00I am sorry for the lack of activity on the blog in the last week I have been quite a busy chap, but I seem to be back on track so I am all yours. If you like to read a bit of my political activity's you can do <a href="http://www.conservativefuture.com/2009/04/02/counter-revolution/">HERE</a>.<br /><br />It is now spring time, so open those cobwebbed windows and let the fresh spring air in and enjoy some spring wines; to go with your lamb and leeks. In the next week I bring you some of my receipts where wine is the main ingredients. Also as it Easter weekend I will give you the load down on the best buys to go with your Easter dinar and on the wine which will go well with that chocolate taste from your eggs Mr Easter Bunny <span style="font-size:85%;"><em>VC Phd OBE</em></span> kindly give you.<br /><br />So keep your eyes open over the next couple of day for those.<br />In the mean time check out my latest blog post on the excellent American blog/mag <a href="http://www.thesecondglass.com/features/they-make-wine-there-switzerland">TheSecondGlass.com</a>Nic Connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14957485820058067972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271086317151097132.post-84906220944170295652009-03-24T17:08:00.004+00:002009-03-24T17:23:00.785+00:00They Make Wine There?! Great Britain<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SckWa4kG0YI/AAAAAAAAADE/oS-dFazpUoo/s1600-h/o.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316805486203818370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 124px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 93px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SckWa4kG0YI/AAAAAAAAADE/oS-dFazpUoo/s320/o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SckV8CHwYrI/AAAAAAAAAC8/fsXg9qZioNc/s1600-h/usa.jpg"></a><br />If your one of the regular readers of GoJ you will know that I am a patriotic chap. Promoting Britain's wine to all is more than a hobby it's a crusade.<br />.<br />So here a treat for you, if like me, you like British wine. A post I have written for the cool Blog/Mag Boston USA based 'The Second Glass'.<br />.<br />Enjoy: <a href="http://www.thesecondglass.com/features/they-make-wine-there-great-britain">Read It Here </a></div>Nic Connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14957485820058067972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271086317151097132.post-73086785978083530212009-03-23T15:17:00.002+00:002009-03-23T15:41:04.490+00:00Happy B'Day Hugh JohnsonA 70 birthday birthday message from the great man of wine writing on <a href="http://www.decanter.com/news/278895.html">decanter.com</a>.<br />.<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LkIuu_RiKko&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LkIuu_RiKko&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />.<br />I know like most wine lovers the way Hugh Johnson writes about wine is a great guide throw the pomp and complex world of wine making it fun and interesting. He battle with the american Robert Parker is some thing which legends are made from.<br />.<br />Happy Birthday Mr Hugh Johnson OBENic Connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14957485820058067972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271086317151097132.post-32346029994226700422009-03-16T20:07:00.005+00:002009-03-16T20:31:00.661+00:00EU Thinks Mixing Red&White Wine Make Rosé<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/Sb628zVF72I/AAAAAAAAAC0/VqIKbCXkwFo/s1600-h/EU.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313885766030847842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/Sb628zVF72I/AAAAAAAAAC0/VqIKbCXkwFo/s400/EU.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>A draft EU plan would allow wine makers to blend red with a splash of white to create rosé. They say 'the method is holding back French, Spanish and Italian producers in new markets such as China.' </div><br /><div>.</div><br /><div>When we our trying to stop cheap nasty stuff made poorly and high in alcohol the EU show they dont care what the industry, winemakers or us the market wants just so what they think we should want. Show me one wino who thinks this is a good idea. If China want to make rosé that why let them, just dont make the historic French application control to adopt this sudo wine making method.</div><br /><div>.</div><br /><div>Hat Tip- <a href="http://www.decanter.com/news/news.php?id=278812">decanter.com</a></div>Nic Connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14957485820058067972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271086317151097132.post-6525060834588876142009-03-15T17:40:00.004+00:002009-03-15T18:01:14.874+00:00Wine Whining:They just dont get it!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/Sb0_Sn8PV-I/AAAAAAAAACs/J2hGp7E7YIM/s1600-h/girl+drunk.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313472724558895074" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 128px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 78px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/Sb0_Sn8PV-I/AAAAAAAAACs/J2hGp7E7YIM/s320/girl+drunk.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Right you lot I know I said I stopped writing about politics but after waking up this morning; yes hung over, to the news of the Labour governments plans to tax alcohol on a unit based quasion, I felt I had to point out this silly, silly proposal faults. The government has stolen a Conservative idea to have higher taxers on the cheap nasty stuff, I have written about and like it I also like the <a href="http://grapes-of-joy.blogspot.com/2009/03/snp-are-right.html">SNP plans in Scotland</a>. For some reason the government have decided to put a tax on all your tipples. They just don't get it, the government spoil perfectly good idea and have change it to make it into something stupid. The only reason I can think they would do this, because of revers snobbery in the scene if they are going to tax they are going to tax all as they might lose face if they did not tax wine drinkers. What I ask is if this new tax is going to be on whiskey? Like heck they would!</div><div>.<br />The government just don't get it they are totally out of touch with normal people they are asking the equally out of touch advisers who see photo in news papers and make there judgment on it. Both the government and there advisers tell us they want to make us like the French. But why should we be like the French? I do fell at this time under years of this current government things have got out of control because of laws they bring in to make us 'more French'.<br />.</div><div>The problem lies with the cost of drink being so high so people who are looking to save money drink at home with cheaper drink, then hit the town later and make the most of late licensing. Bring in the new tax would still make going out more expensive and the cheaper nasty stuff will still be the cheaper option. Unlike the out of touch government I don't sit on the high horse and say these young people going out getting drunk blur blur blur.... in fact last night before I went out I had a couple of G&Ts at home to save money on a good night out with my rugby mates. </div><div>.</div><div>I know what the problem is as I live with it, work with it and I can see the government is clearly wrong and so keen to be seen to be taxing wine lovers as well as plastic artificial cider tasting drinkers. If you tax the high alcohol, high sugar drinks, the good drinks will end up not be cheaper but the same as the bad stuff. Alcohol is not the only problem. The reason people are so hyper is because of the drink is so high is sugar it make pepole loopy; I would love to see a study of the after effects of the sugar has on the drinker.There should be high taxation on drinks which don't fall into a application band and lower taxes (like with whiskey which is made in the PM and chancellors constituency) on good drink which has a proven application and is made in the idea of taste first.<br />.</div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">Sorry I will try to stop my rant but we can't let Labour do this to us!</span> <span style="color:#33cc00;">I am happy to let you know I am not that sad to sit in a dark corner inside stewing over this I happen to be outside in the lovely spring sun stewing over this.</span></div>Nic Connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14957485820058067972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271086317151097132.post-82058999072139642592009-03-11T16:52:00.017+00:002009-03-11T17:50:13.229+00:00England Vs France in the Wine Rivels<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/Sbftq_7XtbI/AAAAAAAAACk/zVc1JARX0LQ/s1600-h/love+wine.jpg"></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/Sbftq0qdRZI/AAAAAAAAACc/UY50jGUNfhA/s1600-h/Me.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311975605453800850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 131px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 112px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/Sbftq0qdRZI/AAAAAAAAACc/UY50jGUNfhA/s320/Me.jpg" border="0" /></a> This weekend England and France battle out century of war and political dispute. In a 80 mins game of rugby. We will see the French and English reenact the battles of: Agincourt, Trafalgar, Waterloo; I can not not think of a battles France won with my selective memory. </div><div>.</div><div></div><div>So in light of this rugby game; which like most 6 nation games have more to do with historic rivalry than on current forum, we have a new 'Wine The Rivals'. It be unfair to put the hole of France wine production against England's s we put up a French region and as I wont England to do well I put up our best tipple, fizzy pop, but is seems that the frogs do fizzy pop as well in a place could Champagne. This puts England on the back leg as Champagne has 33,500 hectares of vineyards around 319 villages that are home to 5,000 growers who make their own wine and 14,000 growers who only sell grapes. Where there are only 362 registered vineyards comprising of 923 hectares in England and Wales.</div><div>.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Don't write of the English just yet in 2007 the Theale Vineyard Sparkling Chardonnay 2003 beat off stiff competition from fine Champagnes and top sparkling wines to make it into the world’s Top Ten Sparkling Wine at the world’s only dedicated sparkling wine competition, French-based Effervescents du Monde (sparkling wines of the world). The Theale Vineyard it self is a 50 meters by 20miters vine yard in front of a massive warehouse office block on a industrial estate which is surrounded by the M4 motorway, the A4 and a busy train line. I know a lot about this as the office was my old office in fact I helped with the 08 vintage by doing a bit of pruning and I own the last bottle of the amazing 03. So English wine can hold there own.</div><div>.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>So today the challenger is from Champagne, France we have the Bredon Brut NV and the defending champ from West Sussex, England we have the South Ridge Cuvée Merret 2006.</div><div></div><div><span style="color:#009900;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#009900;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#009900;">.</span></div><div><span style="color:#009900;">Top Trumps.</span><br /><strong>Price:</strong> Bredon £14.24 from <a href="http://www.waitrosewine.com/230201785/Product.aspx">Waitrose</a> Vs South Ridge £15.99 from <a href="http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/article~otbprefix~SEARCH_FOUND_ENGLISH%20QUALITY%20SPARKLING%20WINE_~id~50415~brochure~MLW0205~brand~LAIT~mscssid~5D3AB05403134BE9BF08BD5D2A26FB02.aspx">Laithwaites</a>. <span style="color:#33cc00;">Bredon wines</span>.<br /><strong>Vintage:</strong> Bredon NV Vs South Ridge 2006. <span style="color:#33cc00;">South Ridge wines</span>.<br /><strong>Alcohol:</strong>Bredom 12% Vs South Ridge 12%. <span style="color:#33cc00;">Draw</span>.<br /><strong>Awards:</strong> Bredom Silver IWC Vs South Ridge Silver IWC, <span style="color:#33ff33;">Draw</span>.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>.</div><div>So it all square after the Top Trumps. Now let put them to the taste test. The Bredon Brut NV is a full flavored crisp wine but with a creamy richness with touches of fruit. What you would expect from the guys behind Piper & Charles Heidsieck. A cracker of a wine. A good party or reception tipple. The South Ridge Cuvée Merret 2006 has a fantastic ripe melon and honey taste to it with just a hint of creamy mousse to it. What can I say but it under prised!</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>.</div><div>It a close one both are class wines I will have to give it to....... Well I am biased it is England with South Ridge Cuvée Merret 2006! Go out and buy a couple of bottle of both wines and see if you think I am right.</div>Nic Connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14957485820058067972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271086317151097132.post-29717355414496527322009-03-10T14:25:00.003+00:002009-03-11T17:13:33.152+00:00They Make Wine There?!? - Moldova<a href="http://www.thesecondglass.com/features/they-make-wine-there-moldova">Read it here</a> at the excellent Mag/Blog <a href="http://www.thesecondglass.com/">The Secend Glass</a>!<br /><br />Enjoy!Nic Connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14957485820058067972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271086317151097132.post-82597978225342060692009-03-08T16:36:00.009+00:002009-03-08T16:49:33.912+00:00My Desert Island Wine<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SbP1MUCLm7I/AAAAAAAAACU/HUuw-8OH6Zw/s1600-h/desert+island+wine.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310857977485040562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 124px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 94px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SbP1MUCLm7I/AAAAAAAAACU/HUuw-8OH6Zw/s320/desert+island+wine.jpg" border="0" /></a> Sorry all, I know I said that I put up my desert wines but I did say only if your good, and I know you have not been good you had that last peace of chocolate when no one was looking I know.<br /><br />Well here we go, first I too am a bit greedy and can not take just one wine on the Island I will have to have 3 as it a desert island I would have to have a red to go with the wild boar. A white to go with the fish I catch and a desert wine to go with? well to keep me sweet.<br /><br />There is only one red for me and that is a Pinot Noir and the best Pinot Noir comes from Burgundy; even though the wine from Oregon are come close and that properly because most of the Oregon wine house are owned by Burgundy chateau. After watching the BBC Four program 'Wine' which feacherd the Scotsmen Certainly David Clark who gave up being a F1 race-side engineer to run to make and own a small domain in Burgundy. His wine the 2005 Bourgogne Passetoutgrains, which you can get your hands on from <a href="http://www.bbr.com/db/product/65115B/Bourgogne-Passetoutgrains-Domaine-David-Clark#">BBR</a> for £13.65 is a great example of what a red Burgundy should be it a wine which in it complexity is so simple with its great black cherry and blackberry flavors well balance with the tannins with the add of little bit of a Gamay give it a rail soft, fresh nature solidity to it.<br /><br />My white I would have to go to the new world and to a county who don't just play good rugby but also make good wine. New Zealand and the Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2008, £8.54 from <a href="http://www.waitrosewine.com/230201609/Product.aspx">Waitrose</a>, is a classic from a bad year in NZ (and the rest of the world) it just what I look for in a Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc with its aromatic citrus fruit with a under tone of passion fruit. A true crisp wine for the land of the long cloud.<br /><br />My sweetie, no not you, but the wine is not from Sauternes as you may think but Australia. I know many of you wont be fans of the sweet stuff but I hope in a couple of weeks when I write about desert wine I can change your mind but in the mean time give this a try. Three Bridges Botrytis Reserve 2005, £10.99 from <a href="http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/article~id~26885~otbprefix~SEARCH_FOUND_australian%20sweet%20wine%20~brand~LAIT~mscssid~95B37FE7D79C49CB8B96D36988845FAC.aspx">Laithwaites</a>. It has a fantastic peach and citrus flavors combines with the honey taste gives it a warming melting flavors in the mouth.<br /><br />So if I sent to a desert Island and with a couple of case of they s wine don't bother send the rescue plane. Let me know you desert Island wine and what you think of mine down below.Nic Connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14957485820058067972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271086317151097132.post-34012179381350520392009-03-06T00:03:00.003+00:002009-03-06T00:14:28.820+00:00Back To Business<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SbBq0-R3Q9I/AAAAAAAAABk/bYhvHGpNmes/s1600-h/stop+wine.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309861418973479890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 135px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 109px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SbBq0-R3Q9I/AAAAAAAAABk/bYhvHGpNmes/s320/stop+wine.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Right you all that it... I promise that be the last of my wine whins! Well at least untill the budget.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I will start writing about wine again. I read last week in my coppy decante mag about some of the top wine buffs Desert Island wine you can read it <a href="http://www.decanter.com/specials/277378.html">here</a>. I will put up my Desert Island wine if your good tomorrow. </div>Nic Connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14957485820058067972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271086317151097132.post-31156394773222678752009-03-02T13:15:00.008+00:002009-03-02T14:52:07.364+00:00SNP are right?<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SavdAxfez3I/AAAAAAAAABc/3ezNGUabbN0/s1600-h/girl+drunk.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308579591141379954" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 128px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 78px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SavdAxfez3I/AAAAAAAAABc/3ezNGUabbN0/s320/girl+drunk.jpg" border="0" /></a> I would normally be against any government involvement in the way we live our lifes and especially one witch is high in bureaucracy but it has come apparent some thing has to be dune about binge drinking to save the liberty of other drinkers. If we follow a socialist lead with Labour we will see all drinkers penalized with the governments <a href="http://grapes-of-joy.blogspot.com/2009/02/brown-and-his-darling-wine-tax-hike.html">planed tax hike</a>.<br /><br />Some thing witch is embed into the social conscience and culture of this nation alcohol is; as the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/02_03_09_alcohol.pdf">Scottish Parliament</a> reports, is a 'complex relationship with alcohol' there is no doubt we need to change the culture of drinking especially with underage drinkers but also uphold the traditional culture of Scot's and the rest of Briton drinking.<br /><br />I welcome the proposal by the SNP to day. It is simply to put a limit price on all alcohol now the idea to this would be to price out the cheep nasty drinks witch not only taste like poison but also high in alcohol. I do think if people where given the choice they would buy the better drink if it was of equal in price. This drink limit would also go into the pub and bar witch would stop the happy hours which we see on high street bars. The happy hours are on the cheep and nasty drinks it dues takes the Mick out of a smaller independent bar/pub happy hour who are behaving responsibly.<br /><br />Now this is open to not only stop the people who abuse the luxury of alcohol but also the honest chap who might wont a pint of bitter after work. I do fill as much as I do welcome the min prise on booze that a more complex system working on each individual drinks and placing them in catagree. For example a bottle of wine at the supermarket witch is at the £5 mark if this bottle fills the right standard to be on a low tax band it should but if it has found out to be of low querty of drink it should be higher tax. Now I don't wont this to be a snob thing on good/bad wine it should be as easy as compeering a 2 letter plastic bottle of white lighting with a bottle of Pedigree but this is some thing whitch should not be dune by bureaucrats but by the W&S industry with the health pros.<br /><br />What ever happens this is short term. To take some thing what has grown out of 12 years of Labour I cant help think we need to educate children not just by nagging them of the danger of alcohol but of what acceptable behavior of drinking and its etiquettes. Also the fact we seen our police tide down with red tape witch stops them getting on the street to stop bad behaver and when they are not being back up by the law. If some one found with a hand gun they can get 3 mouth what are the courts going to do with drunken kids smashing windows a finger shake? It is not as easy to just slap new laws down we need to change the way some people drink.Nic Connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14957485820058067972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271086317151097132.post-65794140512009564632009-02-26T18:03:00.003+00:002009-03-02T13:43:02.029+00:00Brown and his Darling wine tax hike<a href="http://www.decanter.com/">decanter.com</a> have got a great story in the same line as <a href="http://grapes-of-joy.blogspot.com/2009/02/internet-sales-up-but-wine-sales-down.html">my post </a>last week about how the Government is taxing out the W&S industry and 7500 W&S jobs are at risk. Read it <a href="http://www.decanter.com/news/news.php?id=277596">here</a> and <a href="http://www.decanter.com/news/news.php?id=277596">here</a> and <a href="http://www.decanter.com/news/news.php?id=277596">here</a>.<br /><br />If you work in the industry or just enjoy a wee tipple now and then sign the petition by the <a href="http://www.drinkersalliance.com/">drinkers alliance</a> to save you some pennys and save some jobs.Nic Connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14957485820058067972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271086317151097132.post-18364752371037497012009-02-22T15:14:00.013+00:002009-02-22T19:12:54.623+00:00Its a New World in the Old World<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SaGiSL8QQMI/AAAAAAAAABU/xBgVaqoHUAE/s1600-h/miss+Languedoc.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305700269346013378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 85px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 127px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SaGiSL8QQMI/AAAAAAAAABU/xBgVaqoHUAE/s400/miss+Languedoc.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />France and it wine is tide down with traditional and bureaucracy. To achieve the Appellation Contrôlée (AC) for most region you have to follow the strict rules which govern them. It works and has dune for hundreds of years. Just look at a bottle of Bordeaux it can be the best tipple money can buy. It is like a tall hansom Frenchman in his tailor cut suit. Siting in a café in Paris sipping a glass of Burgundy reading Moliere. He a romantic man who is passionate but constrained with a classic knowledge. Now compare him with the new world wine I like to see them a a Californian surfer siting on the beach watching the sun going down over the sea whilst he played his guitar with his long blond lock flowing in the wind. A non-conventional romantic who take some thing as normal as the sea and adds a surfboard to make it fun and existing. But there is surfers in France as well.<br /><br />Down in the South of France by the Med is the region of Languedoc <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languedoc">Wikipedia </a>tells me <em>'The traditional provinces of the kingdom of France had no official existence. A province was a territory set up by tradition and customs, and which people regarded as a unit, but provinces had no political organization.'</em>. This might explain a lot about them as wine wine region. In the old day the grapes where used to for blending else where and the region would not even been seen on maps of French wine. Not any more since the battle of New Vs Old world has happened the French been looking for a way to show they can surf as well. Languedoc with is cheep land was bought up by some existing wine houses and makers with there experience of Bordeaux and Burgundy to Languedoc using the favorite grapes of the new world Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. They stop using the stick AC ans started using the vin de pays d'oc appellation which gave them the freedom to experiment with the wines. Using traditional French recipes with new world methods.<br /><br />With clever PR and marketing it has gone strength to strength hitting the bars and restraints of Toulouse and Montpellier and with there air port our bars and restraints. Chancer are if you are in a bar and have a glass of red from France it be from Languedoc as it is now responsible for more than a third of France's total wine production that more than the enter of the USA can produce in the year.<br /><br />Here at Grape-of-Joy we look at the mid price wine which taste good and Languedoc ticks all the boxers for us. Good price, good taste and wine witch make us fill fine the next day. There is plonk in Languedoc like most regions but that not the story of the region it is the most unappreciated wine region in the France.<br /><br /><em>My picks from Languedoc:</em><br /><br /><strong>-Merlot Réserve de Villecours 2007</strong> from the <a href="http://www.sundaytimeswineclub.co.uk/article.aspx?id=60786&mscssid=1698CBB45F2F469598F581962A8BEC56&brand=CLUB&cid=SEARCH%7cGOOGLE%7cZT53">Sunday Times Wine Club</a> at £5.99. I found this wine in a blind tasting which I said was a Chilean merlot from the great Chile wine region of Casablanca. It could be with its Bright cherry-red colour with ripe damson and plum flavors and a plummy peppery nose. It made by Benoît Blancheton who made the Clos de l'Oratoire who scored a 93 out 100 by the American wine critic Robert Parker (some would say is god I would say is no Hugh Johnson).<br /><br /><strong>-Cremant De Limoux Cuvee St Laurent 2006</strong> from the <a href="http://www.thewinesociety.com/shop/shop.aspx?section=pd&pd=SG981">Wine Society </a>at £9.95 it a fantastic fiz with a lovely golden colour, lemony white fruit with a strong toffee coming through, an incisive bite of freshly cut grapefruit with straw and apple touches to the flavor.<br /><br /><strong>-Domaine de Félines Picpoul de Pinet 2007</strong> from <a href="http://www.waitrosewine.com/230396924/Product.aspx">Waitros</a> for £6.64 its a lovly simple white wine great with sea food and is a favorite of Rick Stein's it uses the 17th century grape, Picpoul witch gives it a distinctive lemony flavor, with a herb and a mineral edge. It has mineral and limy nose.<br /><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:times new roman;color:#ff0000;"><em>When I was looking for a photo to represent Languedoc I found miss Languedoc as it is the sexy wine region I fought she does it justice.</em></span></div>Nic Connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14957485820058067972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271086317151097132.post-70589587999423493032009-02-17T01:10:00.006+00:002009-02-17T11:55:11.514+00:00Internet sales up but wine sales down!Just read on <a href="http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Business/Internet-Shopping-Online-Sales-Up-19-In-January-Compared-To-2008-As-Shoppers-Try-To-Beat-Recession/Article/200902315223834?lpos=Business_First_Home_Article_Teaser_Region_2&lid=ARTICLE_15223834_Internet_Shopping%3A_Online_Sales_Up_19%25_In_January_Compared_To_2008_As_Shoppers_Try_To_Beat_Recession">SkyNews</a> that wine sales are down after the Christmas boom by 62%. This is what we fought would happen as the post Christmas figures are always high as people seem not to spend on luxury goods after the festive time due to diets and gilt. This year its a bigger fall due to the rotten recession as people put wine lower and lower on there shopping list.<br />Will Gordon Brown have a Wine and Spirits bell out? Maybe for whisky if it ever needed due to it in the PM and Chancellor constituencies. Even that all we ask for is to drop big duty on W&S (apart from Whisky as it already has it). The lower VAT was canceled out by the increase of duty you pay for your favorite drop. Aswel it keep your Saturday tipple down it will also save hundreds of jobs.Nic Connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14957485820058067972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271086317151097132.post-85053835774609308932009-02-14T14:29:00.004+00:002009-02-15T15:49:32.468+00:00Wales Vs England in the Wine Rivels<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SZbVVz3xaAI/AAAAAAAAABM/ft10WpHz_nA/s1600-h/Me.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302660181953439746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 131px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 112px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SZbVVz3xaAI/AAAAAAAAABM/ft10WpHz_nA/s400/Me.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />To day is one of the longest rivalry in world sport Wales Vs England in rugby this is some thing more than a game for the Walsh it 80 miners worth of rugby to play out 1000 years worth of epression. For the English it is chance to put one over there neighbors and beat the one of the best teams in the world.<br />So to help celebrate this game of games I dug throw my tasting notes to find the best wine from England and Wales to see who win the in the first Wine rivels- England Vs Wales.<br />The south east coast of England has perfect terroir for the Champaign grapes Pinot Noir Chardonnay Pinot Meunier with it chorkie rich sole and good distance from the equator. The Fizz come from they parts are making head lines in the winey world. For what they make it well priced and excellent wine. Take the South Ridge Cuvée Merret 2006 from <a href="http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/article~id~50415~brand~LAIT~mscssid~6C8754B85D794A66898B2286C8543EF5.aspx">laithwaites.co.uk</a>. Made by the old pro of English wine Mike Roberts it retails at a delightful £16.49 per bottle it has a fantastic ripe melon and honey taste to it and a toast and biscuit nose with just a hint of creamy mousse to it.<br />Wales has been perdition wine since the time of the Romans and with the rolling hills and rich ground it is a great place for growing grapes found in German or northern France. So from the valleys we have the fantastic Ty-Hafod a lovely drop of a off dry white blend whitch has hints of apple and white stones on the nose with crisp apple fruit and a hint of lemon. You can get your hand on it from <a href="http://www.tesco.com/winestore/controller.aspx?N=4294966889&catTitle=Wales&Nr=70002">Tesco</a> for £5.22.<br />I think it hard to find a winner here so I leave it up to up and as alway please comment on the wines and tell me which one you think wins.Nic Connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14957485820058067972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271086317151097132.post-59438710283453790862009-02-12T18:12:00.008+00:002009-02-12T20:53:47.160+00:00A Glass of Love<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SZRqFSLxZUI/AAAAAAAAAAM/SZ5_WlDDn1s/s1600-h/love+wine.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301979300335019330" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 76px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 131px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nY-pv0SHe3k/SZRqFSLxZUI/AAAAAAAAAAM/SZ5_WlDDn1s/s320/love+wine.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Wine and love has been imbibed with each other as long as any one can trace. Wine is the natural partnership for humans’ deepest and pure of emotion’s with its smooth flavoursome juice of grapes that blends the passion and lust of love with a flowing savoury of ecstasy. This partnership of wine and love can been seen throughout our culture and heritage. The ancient Greek god of wine and ecstasy, Dionysus was the farther to the goddess of love, Aphrodite. The Greeks knew that love and wine were interconnected with family links on a divine scale. Even in the world of fairy tales wizards would serve their love potion with wine. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>I would like to think the reason the two nations renowned for love, Italy and France, had something to do with them being the power-nations of the wine world. If that is true there is hope yet for us Brits. If the perditions of global warming is correct we will have the same climate as Champaign in 10 years time, still a bit too soon to call myself Nic Casanova.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>So what makes wine the drink of love and lovers? Which wine is the wine to start the chemical reaction of passion with the sensualism of love? </div><div>Tim Atkin MW of the Guardian thinks 1961Château Lafleur-Pétrus is the drink of seduction. The 1961 Château Lafleur-Pétrus might set you back a couple of penny's but it has the attributes of a lovers wine with its chocolate and plum on the nose and ripe tannins with lots of good fruit. There is other Pomerol which still has the same attributes, take Tony Laithwaite's Le Grand Chai Pomerol 2004 grown by him in his Bordeaux Château is £19.99 per bottle it has a lovely deep purple colour, plum and cherry fruit flavours and a firm oakie structure. Château Segonzac 2006 Premières from Côtes de Blaye is the fantastic Waitrose Bordeaux for £8.54 it, like the other two, has great plum and cherry fruit flavours and a firm oak base. All these wines would be perfect if you combine them with the other seductive treat, dark chocolate; a bite of dark chocolate with a sip of wine would set off the sensations of love.</div><div>Love can be described as passion in a bottle ready to explode. Maybe this is why a glass of fizz is the most romantic drink of them all. There a lot of names out there and some times buying a bottle for it name is the best option, something like Laurent Perrier or Veuve Clicquot which you can pick up from most shops. If you are after a bottle with a name and a great taste go to Nicolas and pick up a bottle of Pol Roger for £29.97, Winston Churchill’s favourite tipple. Alternatively Ruinart for £35, it was served on the first flight of Concorde, here you have a name appeal mixed with a supine taste. Moving away from Champagne and into Alps you'll find a passionate fruity Italian, Val D'Oca Prosecco 2004 it has great light refreshing fizz with plenty of fruit a great alternative to Champaign from the Wine Rack for £9.99.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>The drink for me this valentines day is not a 'name wine' but if you after a bottle of Champaign for its taste and not to fuss about the name have a couple of sips of Tesco Finest Premier Cru Champagne for £14.99 it has a lovely floral taste with creamy strawberry flavours that creates an extremely balanced bottle of fizz to make it pound for pound the best bottle of fizz in Britain this Valentines day.</div>Nic Connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14957485820058067972noreply@blogger.com1