A scientific experiment held at the Edinburgh Science Festival recently saw 50% of testers unable to pick the expensive wine from the cheaper plonk!
This story is all over the news at the moment. I have found the full story at the BBC website if you wish to read it, but it basically puts emphasis on what I am trying to do with this site: Prove that there are good tasting wines out there that will not break the bank!
All of the supermarkets constantly stock wines on offer, as do the likes of Majestic and other wine merchants. Whether or not you believe that they should ever be full price is perhaps open to another debate, but without doubt there are some good drinkable wines to be had. That is what I am trying to do. Point you in the direction of some good tasting cheap wines. However, I also want feedback from other wine drinkers that may have found something. I am afterall only one man, and there is a limit to how much wine I can drink!
Thursday 14 April 2011
Tuesday 1 February 2011
Hardy's - Stamp of Australia. Semillon Chardonnay 2008 Vintage.
Blog number three, and as promised it has come quicker than the last.
This latest bottle was one sitting in the fridge that was shouting at me to be opened when I got home from work on Friday. It hadn't been a horrible week, like some can be, but sometimes that first cool glass of white wine on a Friday evening can make all your cares simply vanish.
It is that effect that I think a good glass of wine can give that other drinks simply cannot match. Yes, there is nothing better on a Saturday than having a freshly poured pint with friends, whilst watching the football. Or sitting out on a summers evening after work and having that first cider on ice. They are good for their own reasons and their own occassions. To simply unwind though, nothing beats wine.
Anyway, to the wine in question.
Hardy's - Stamp of Australia. Semillon Chardonnay 2008 Vintage.
What the bottle says:
Hardy's - Stamp of Australia. Semillon Chardonnay 2008 Vintage.
Hardys Stamp realises Thomas Hardy's vision of creating vibrant wines reflective of the Australian style and enjoyed around the world. This wine displays lively citrus fruit characters, subtle oak and a crisp dry finish. It is suited to seafood, white meats, mild cheeses and salads.
What I say:
Whilst some people might stick their nose up at a Hardy's wine, thinking that it is common or cheap, this bottle of white is probably the best I have had in a while. It is very smooth drink with a very subtle oak flavour. It is true that you get a nice taste of fresh citrus as it hits the tongue leaving you wanting more.
What should be pointed out, is that normally I always try to aim to have a wine that I think would accompany my evening meal. That is of course when I have wine. It's not something I do every night. On this occassion the wine was not what I would have picked to go with slow cooked gammon in cider, but nothing else was cold, and after the first sip, I felt that I wanted to enjoy at least a couple of glasses.
Where to buy it:
Hardy's wine is available in most supermarkets and wine merchants. Tesco have the 2008 on special as I write this, whilst Waitrose are selling the 2009. Personally I would highly recommend picking up a case from Tesco whilst it is under £5 a bottle.
So that is it for another blog.
Bottoms Up
The Average Plonker
This latest bottle was one sitting in the fridge that was shouting at me to be opened when I got home from work on Friday. It hadn't been a horrible week, like some can be, but sometimes that first cool glass of white wine on a Friday evening can make all your cares simply vanish.
It is that effect that I think a good glass of wine can give that other drinks simply cannot match. Yes, there is nothing better on a Saturday than having a freshly poured pint with friends, whilst watching the football. Or sitting out on a summers evening after work and having that first cider on ice. They are good for their own reasons and their own occassions. To simply unwind though, nothing beats wine.
Anyway, to the wine in question.
Hardy's - Stamp of Australia. Semillon Chardonnay 2008 Vintage.
What the bottle says:
Hardy's - Stamp of Australia. Semillon Chardonnay 2008 Vintage.
Hardys Stamp realises Thomas Hardy's vision of creating vibrant wines reflective of the Australian style and enjoyed around the world. This wine displays lively citrus fruit characters, subtle oak and a crisp dry finish. It is suited to seafood, white meats, mild cheeses and salads.
What I say:
Whilst some people might stick their nose up at a Hardy's wine, thinking that it is common or cheap, this bottle of white is probably the best I have had in a while. It is very smooth drink with a very subtle oak flavour. It is true that you get a nice taste of fresh citrus as it hits the tongue leaving you wanting more.
What should be pointed out, is that normally I always try to aim to have a wine that I think would accompany my evening meal. That is of course when I have wine. It's not something I do every night. On this occassion the wine was not what I would have picked to go with slow cooked gammon in cider, but nothing else was cold, and after the first sip, I felt that I wanted to enjoy at least a couple of glasses.
Where to buy it:
Hardy's wine is available in most supermarkets and wine merchants. Tesco have the 2008 on special as I write this, whilst Waitrose are selling the 2009. Personally I would highly recommend picking up a case from Tesco whilst it is under £5 a bottle.
So that is it for another blog.
Bottoms Up
The Average Plonker
Thursday 27 January 2011
McGuigan Signature 2006 - Shiraz
Well here I am again, blog number two, later than planned but these days time seems to not be my best friend.
In fact, since my first blog I have been recruiting trusty helpers to aid me in my writing (and of course drinking) of wine. Where better to start than with my Dad. A person known by all to enjoy a good glass of wine with a meal and to have a good knowledge of grape types and flavours. It is from him that my appreciation of wine came about, and I know that he wants to be involved in The Average Plonker. What you will note is that he tends to buy a slightly higher quality of wine than me, mainly due to what I can justify spending!
For this first blog, I have only let him write his review of a bottle (in fact he has already reviewed a whole varied case for me, but they will be posted gradually), but in time I might just let him introduce himself properly and waffle on a bit as I like to do.
So to the wine:
McGuigan Signature 2006 - Shiraz, McClaren Vale, Australia 16%
What it says on the bottle:
Smooth full bodied red wine with smoky blackberry flavours and a hint of spice given by time in American and French oak.
What Dad says:
A stunning smooth tasting deep red wine with a heavy fruit bouquet and flavours of blackberry and blackcurrant which leave a wonderful aftertaste. At 16% alcohol by volume this is a very strong wine with an alcohol content approaching that of a fortified wine such as Port and should therefore be drunk with caution.
Where to buy it:
The other problem I have with the wine that Dad drinks, is that it is much harder to locate. If anyone can find where to buy this stunning wine then please let me know. Personally I tend to drink the McGuigan Grey Label (which I will be reviewing at some point). This is a much more common wine that is also very enjoyable. It like the last wine can be found in most supermerkets such as Tesco, and wine merchants.
So for now I will sign off, and hope that I might start to get the odd bit of feedback. I will also do my best to post a couple more 'buyable' bottles over the weekend.
Bottoms Up
The Average Plonker
In fact, since my first blog I have been recruiting trusty helpers to aid me in my writing (and of course drinking) of wine. Where better to start than with my Dad. A person known by all to enjoy a good glass of wine with a meal and to have a good knowledge of grape types and flavours. It is from him that my appreciation of wine came about, and I know that he wants to be involved in The Average Plonker. What you will note is that he tends to buy a slightly higher quality of wine than me, mainly due to what I can justify spending!
For this first blog, I have only let him write his review of a bottle (in fact he has already reviewed a whole varied case for me, but they will be posted gradually), but in time I might just let him introduce himself properly and waffle on a bit as I like to do.
So to the wine:
McGuigan Signature 2006 - Shiraz, McClaren Vale, Australia 16%
What it says on the bottle:
Smooth full bodied red wine with smoky blackberry flavours and a hint of spice given by time in American and French oak.
What Dad says:
A stunning smooth tasting deep red wine with a heavy fruit bouquet and flavours of blackberry and blackcurrant which leave a wonderful aftertaste. At 16% alcohol by volume this is a very strong wine with an alcohol content approaching that of a fortified wine such as Port and should therefore be drunk with caution.
Where to buy it:
The other problem I have with the wine that Dad drinks, is that it is much harder to locate. If anyone can find where to buy this stunning wine then please let me know. Personally I tend to drink the McGuigan Grey Label (which I will be reviewing at some point). This is a much more common wine that is also very enjoyable. It like the last wine can be found in most supermerkets such as Tesco, and wine merchants.
So for now I will sign off, and hope that I might start to get the odd bit of feedback. I will also do my best to post a couple more 'buyable' bottles over the weekend.
Bottoms Up
The Average Plonker
Thursday 13 January 2011
Tasman Bay - Chardonnay, Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc Blend
So this is the first blog, and I questioned whether to start with a bottle that was something a little bit special, but that just defeats the point of what I am trying to do. Perhaps at some sort of milestone, if there is any, I will treat myself to a nice French red, but for now, and with no shame I want to introduce:
Tasman Bay - Chardonnay, Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc Blend. An Australian white wine from their Reserve Collection.
What it says on the bottle:
Region: South Eastern Australia
Character: Our fresh and fruity Winemaker's Reserve Selection from South Eastern Australia shows crisp lime and fresh peach notes on the nose, opening up into delicious melon flavours on the palate. A perfect party wine, as well as a great accompaniment to pork, chicken and meaty fish dishes.
Cellaring: Best enjoyed within 12 months.
What I think:
A very crisp white with enjoyable flavours. I am not going to claim to be an expert and describe every element, but there clearly are peach and melon notes to this bottle. This is one which will go well with lighter meals, or simply as a wind down glass after a long or tough day.
Hopefully as I drink more wine and publish more blogs, my thoughts should become longer and my palate better.
I would also hope to start some sort of rating system, but it is almost impossible to rate the first few.
Where you can buy it:
Well I have managed to get the first link up. Sainsburys, is where I bought a case as it was on special. I'm sure it is also available in Tesco, ASDA and wine merchants.
Regular price seems to be around £8.99, but I managed to pick it up on a half price offer.
Tasman Bay - Chardonnay, Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc Blend. An Australian white wine from their Reserve Collection.
What it says on the bottle:
Region: South Eastern Australia
Character: Our fresh and fruity Winemaker's Reserve Selection from South Eastern Australia shows crisp lime and fresh peach notes on the nose, opening up into delicious melon flavours on the palate. A perfect party wine, as well as a great accompaniment to pork, chicken and meaty fish dishes.
Cellaring: Best enjoyed within 12 months.
What I think:
A very crisp white with enjoyable flavours. I am not going to claim to be an expert and describe every element, but there clearly are peach and melon notes to this bottle. This is one which will go well with lighter meals, or simply as a wind down glass after a long or tough day.
Hopefully as I drink more wine and publish more blogs, my thoughts should become longer and my palate better.
I would also hope to start some sort of rating system, but it is almost impossible to rate the first few.
Where you can buy it:
Well I have managed to get the first link up. Sainsburys, is where I bought a case as it was on special. I'm sure it is also available in Tesco, ASDA and wine merchants.
Regular price seems to be around £8.99, but I managed to pick it up on a half price offer.
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