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May

The Bad Beers of Britain

Jacob Gaffney  in News, Beer , , ,

InterWined is no longer much of a beer drinker, especially in London.
A recent jaunt to New York and New Jersey represented the first trip to the United States in six years. And who could guess, that in that time, Americans have become relatively sophisticated beer drinkers?
This isn’t even to mention the superior wines by the […]

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12

Feb

Power Couple

Jacob Gaffney  in Red Wines, Pinot Noir, Shiraz/Syrah, Zinfandel ,

Just thought we’d play along with yesterday’s blackout with today’s title.
But the title is actually topical to today’s review. (Health news tomorrow, we’re a day behind, see yesterday’s post.) See, with normal blends, the objective is to smooth the wine down. To take some fire out it’s belly, if you will, and place a cool […]

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22

Aug

Red Wine Red Fish

Sean Sellers  in Red Wines, Pinot Noir , , ,

In a recent edition of ‘Blow the Bank’, InterWined.com relayed the popular, and mostly accurate, professional dictum that red wine and fish &mash: well, red wine and white fish — go together about as well as red wine and Coca Cola.

So what about red wine and red fish? Is there a difference? In a word, yes. Think about a white fish (cod or haddock, for instance); then, think about a red fish (a salmon or tuna).
The one glaring flaw to the above bit of professional advice is that it glosses over at best and ignores at worse the differences in textures and flavours within fish — something that would never take place with meat or poultry.

Case in point: Summer in the United States, as in many other parts of the world, means outdoor barbecues. At a recent evening barbecue held in honour of InterWined’s journey to the US, the host prepared salmon steaks with a lemon and pepper rub. Since other guests were eating burgers instead of salmon, InterWined opted for a red wine that would compliment both the firmness and flavour of the salmon steak and the juiciness of the burgers.

Enter the 2006 Cloudline Pinot Noir from the Williamette Valley in Oregon. In recent years, Oregon and the Williamette Valley have grown in fame for the quality of their Pinot Noir, and the 2006 Cloudline is very good example. It’s deep-red with a forest gateaux cherry kind of flavour. Left open to breathe for 20 minutes, it softened nicely and paired better than expected with the salmon, helping to highlight the meatiness of the Pacific salmon served at the barbecue.

As its press will attest, Cloudline’s debut vintage was 2002. And, it already sells in some restaurants for $10 a glass — something of an indication of the league of wines with which its makers see it competing. Retailing at just over $20 a bottle, InterWined says save your money and, as is common in the US, buy in bulk, bottle over glass: 8.7.

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13

Mar

Blown Away

Jacob Gaffney  in Red Wines, Organic, Biodynamic, Pinot Noir, Shiraz/Syrah, Carignan, Merlot, Pommard, Sangiovese, Zinfandel , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bonterra 2004 Merlot and Zinfandel, ruby and peppery, respectively. Both full-bodied, but somewhat sweet. Well-priced and easy to drink. The lower blend of Shiraz-Carignan, whatever, cost around £5, and is about as tasty an Organic table can get.

2005 Vida Organica Sangiovese Bonarda blend, from Argentina. This nice little wine sells for £6 at one of London’s more impressive wine shops Planet of the Grapes. It’s peppery and smooth, very ripe with aromas of vine fruits. The label says red current, but InterWined tastes it as raspberry. Fun: 8.5.

2002 Williamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir Pommard: Aromas of blackberry with a hint of vanilla. Tastes of grape lollipop and smoky oak. There’s something floral and vivacious, that is muted out by the folds of jasmine perfume that come and go: 9.1.

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