Good Wine...

[Skeptic]

Op: cuvée chasseur from waitrose. Only a £5 and about the best at that price point. I've a preference for Croatian wine at the mom but you're looking much higher than your budget.

In fairness, you could just sign up to the wine society and get their 'under £6 case' and all are pretty decent.

 

[bsoltan]

Little thread resurrection.

A friend of mine is hosting a big christmas party and it is my job to arrange the booze. He has specific taste in wine so can't just turn up with 2 for £10 shiraz.
Beer and spirits I'm comfortable with but I don't know enough about wine.

Red: Suggestion for 'Good Wine' is: Clos Fantine Faugeres.
However it doesn't appear to be available in normal wine shops. Googling it provides some places I could order from. Anyone had experience of anywhere that would stock it?

White: I know my host is a fan of Chablis but that's about all I know. I can of course ask him for advice but thought I'd try and surprise him if I can.

So a person who likes the above two wines, any recommendations around £10-15 mark.

 

[oHUTCHYo]

White: for our weekly little tipple we really enjoy either casillero del diablo or wolfblass chardonay, both good wines and cam be had for £5-7 a bottle. A higher price doesnt always equal a better wine

 

[Quartz]

I'm unfamiliar with Clos Fantine Faugeres or indeed wines of that area. I have, however, spent a little time in Burgundy and the Loire valley area. For a red - or indeed white - Burgundy, try Pernand Vergellesses. It's up the hill from Aloxe Corton. It tastes just as good but doesn't have the name so it's cheaper. You might also try Pouilly Fume for a white wine. Both are firm favourites of mine. Both should be at the lower end of your price range. Another good one is Santenay 2008. Be careful with Burgundies from 2011-2013 as they had hail in some areas.

Take the opportunity to buy several wines and have a tasting session with friends.

 

[taB]

Little thread resurrection.

A friend of mine is hosting a big christmas party and it is my job to arrange the booze. He has specific taste in wine so can't just turn up with 2 for £10 shiraz.
Beer and spirits I'm comfortable with but I don't know enough about wine.

Red: Suggestion for 'Good Wine' is: Clos Fantine Faugeres.
However it doesn't appear to be available in normal wine shops. Googling it provides some places I could order from. Anyone had experience of anywhere that would stock it?

White: I know my host is a fan of Chablis but that's about all I know. I can of course ask him for advice but thought I'd try and surprise him if I can.

So a person who likes the above two wines, any recommendations around £10-15 mark.

For Clos Fantine, I haven't had it but all 3 stockists on wine-searcher.com are reliable in my experience. D&D are a little more expensive but it's a great set up just by Liverpool St Station (for the wine shop, they have restaurants everywhere). Awesome Charcuterie too.

For Chablis-esque, it may be the name that's quite important but otherwise you're looking for a fresh, un (or lightly) oaked Chardonnay. Best to visit a wine shop and see what they recommend.

 

[PapaLazaru]

Op: cuvée chasseur from waitrose. Only a £5 and about the best at that price point. I've a preference for Croatian wine at the mom but you're looking much higher than your budget.

Was just going to post the same thing. Can't really beat it for a fiver.

 

[randomshenans]

For Clos Fantine, I haven't had it but all 3 stockists on wine-searcher.com are reliable in my experience. D&D are a little more expensive but it's a great set up just by Liverpool St Station (for the wine shop, they have restaurants everywhere). Awesome Charcuterie too.

For Chablis-esque, it may be the name that's quite important but otherwise you're looking for a fresh, un (or lightly) oaked Chardonnay. Best to visit a wine shop and see what they recommend.

I find Chablis, like a lot of French wine, can be a bit of a minefield. You can get such a variation in quality. More so than I've had with Sancerre to be fair. I love a good Chablis, but it's finding a good one

 

[nst68]

Little thread resurrection.

A friend of mine is hosting a big christmas party and it is my job to arrange the booze. He has specific taste in wine so can't just turn up with 2 for £10 shiraz.
Beer and spirits I'm comfortable with but I don't know enough about wine.

Red: Suggestion for 'Good Wine' is: Clos Fantine Faugeres.
However it doesn't appear to be available in normal wine shops. Googling it provides some places I could order from. Anyone had experience of anywhere that would stock it?

White: I know my host is a fan of Chablis but that's about all I know. I can of course ask him for advice but thought I'd try and surprise him if I can.

So a person who likes the above two wines, any recommendations around £10-15 mark.

When you say he has a "specific taste in wine", does that mean he's just as concerned with the label as taste?

If so then I would only stick to his suggestions, if you get something else (esp New World) then chances are he'll have a downer on it before even tasting it.

 

[taB]

I find Chablis, like a lot of French wine, can be a bit of a minefield. You can get such a variation in quality. More so than I've had with Sancerre to be fair. I love a good Chablis, but it's finding a good one

Totally true. There are good producers and bad. It's been bloomin difficult with Chablis over the last few years. 2011 for example had low yields for anything of quality. 2012 was 40% down in volume but a good year. 2013 had a major rot issue. 2014 back on track...

As with any Burgundy, find a producer who makes wine you like and follow them. We generally drink entry level wines from producers who make excellent premier and grand crus.

 

[Jolteh]

19 crimes, a really nice aussie shiraz, is currently on sale at Asda for £6.50 (normally £10).

Try it.

 

[HazardO]

19 crimes, a really nice aussie shiraz, is currently on sale at Asda for £6.50 (normally £10).

Try it.

Shiraz Durif rather than straight shiraz. Looks like good value at £6.50, not so much at £10 (for an 85 pointer). My go to Aussie shiraz is Tim Adams claire valley (currently 2012) £11 from Tescos. 90+ pointer IWC silver medal 2015.

 

[bsoltan]

When you say he has a "specific taste in wine", does that mean he's just as concerned with the label as taste?

If so then I would only stick to his suggestions, if you get something else (esp New World) then chances are he'll have a downer on it before even tasting it.

Basically. Yes. He will indeed turn his nose up at New World wines.

I'm going to get his suggestion for the red, thanks for taB for the confirmation that the sellers on wine-searcher.com are ok. Just got to try and find the best price.

I'm likely to buy 6 bottles of red and 6 of white so trying to watch the cost a little bit as everyone else in attendance isn't nearly as picky with their wine choices.

un-oaked chardonnay is the key with the white, I remember that bit now. Any recommendations in that area would be great. Or if you think the safer option is to ask I'll do that.
Cheers!

As for all the other suggestions - I am certainly taking them on board for my own consumption and will try and pick some of them up.

 

[Jolteh]

Shiraz Durif rather than straight shiraz. Looks like good value at £6.50, not so much at £10 (for an 85 pointer). My go to Aussie shiraz is Tim Adams claire valley (currently 2012) £11 from Tescos. 90+ pointer IWC silver medal 2015.

Ah, so it is - I'd forgotten.

What are the points you're referring to there? Parker Points?

I'll give the Tim Adams stuff a try. I'd given up on Tesco for wine up to now, they seem the worst for selection.

 

[HazardO]

Ah, so it is - I'd forgotten.

What are the points you're referring to there? Parker Points?

I'll give the Tim Adams stuff a try. I'd given up on Tesco for wine up to now, they seem the worst for selection.

I was looking on winesearcher at the 2013 19 crimes, although it seems 2014 is the current one on sale at ASDA..
http://www.wine-searcher.com/wine-406649-2013-19-crimes-red-south-eastern-australia

Tim adams claire valley shiraz 92 points from the wine front.. (not Parker)
http://www.wine-searcher.com/wine-8653-2012-tim-adams-shiraz-clare-valley-australia

Sliver IWC 2015:
http://www.internationalwinechallenge.com/canopy/beverage_details.php?wid=78464

I'm having a sneaky bottle of this for supper this evening though.
http://www.internationalwinechallenge.com/canopy/beverage_details.php?wid=78422

 

[Housey]

I can recommend The Black Stump Durif Shiraz 2013 if you like a Shiraz, if you can find it it's a lovely bottle. I tend to buy in bulk so bought a load a while back and they were lovely.

http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/product/The-Black-Stump-Durif-Shiraz-2014/65762 (2014, seems 2013 is gone)

I also recommend a Pillastro Primitivo which again is good all round wine, though if I am honest the 2013 version was not the best I've had, but that is what I also bough a load of and still have some left.

http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/product/Pillastro-Primitivo-2013/65829

This too, Pillastro Selezione d'Oro 2012

http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/product/Pillastro-Selezione-d'Oro-2012/66351

 

[Housey]

however my firm favourite for a treat is Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Wine is subjective, but for me this is over hyped beyond all recognition.

 

[HazardO]

I can recommend The Black Stump Durif Shiraz 2013 if you like a Shiraz, if you can find it it's a lovely bottle. I tend to buy in bulk so bought a load a while back and they were lovely.

http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/product/The-Black-Stump-Durif-Shiraz-2014/65762 (2014, seems 2013 is gone)

I also recommend a Pillastro Primitivo which again is good all round wine, though if I am honest the 2013 version was not the best I've had, but that is what I also bough a load of and still have some left.

http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/product/Pillastro-Primitivo-2013/65829

This too, Pillastro Selezione d'Oro 2012

http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/product/Pillastro-Selezione-d'Oro-2012/66351

Yeah the 2013 black stump was tasty. So was their reserve shiraz.

 

[randomshenans]

Wine is subjective, but for me this is over hyped beyond all recognition.

I don't think you can say that though. It's again, like saying you like all Chablis or any other type. There are so many, that it's impossible to do. I'd agree that they became "popular" and as such the market was flooded with monterous amounts of rubbish, but there are some absolute stunners out there.

This, or the 2012 in fact, are both simply stunning.

http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/o...ape+chateauneuf+du+les+choregies+rhone+france

 

[Jolteh]

I was looking on winesearcher at the 2013 19 crimes, although it seems 2014 is the current one on sale at ASDA..
http://www.wine-searcher.com/wine-406649-2013-19-crimes-red-south-eastern-australia

Tim adams claire valley shiraz 92 points from the wine front.. (not Parker)
http://www.wine-searcher.com/wine-8653-2012-tim-adams-shiraz-clare-valley-australia

Sliver IWC 2015:
http://www.internationalwinechallenge.com/canopy/beverage_details.php?wid=78464

I'm having a sneaky bottle of this for supper this evening though.
http://www.internationalwinechallenge.com/canopy/beverage_details.php?wid=78422

I tried the Tim Adams with some friends last night - it's good stuff.

We took it alongside a few bottles of 19 Crimes and surprisingly everyone (except me) preferred that to the Tim Adams, especially taking into account that it's getting on for half the price.

I definitely preferred the Tim Adams though.

 

[HazardO]

I tried the Tim Adams with some friends last night - it's good stuff.

We took it alongside a few bottles of 19 Crimes and surprisingly everyone (except me) preferred that to the Tim Adams, especially taking into account that it's getting on for half the price.

I definitely preferred the Tim Adams though.

Glad you liked it. I just bought 18 bottles of the stuff (Had 10% off voucher). At £9.90 a bottle it's a steal!