There were a couple of changes in the UK retail wine market this month. Firstly, Tesco has decided to reduce the number of different wines it sells and to stop 'discounting' wines. That is, they will abandon the irritating practice of telling customers that their £6 bottle has been reduced from £9.99 (or similar). This is very welcome, although I think the result is that the wine in question will now always cost you £6.50. Swing:Roundabout. Banana:Pyjama, you choose.
The other move was by Majestic, who have removed the six bottle minimum purchase rule and again, this is very welcome. The downside on this one is that you do, in effect, pay a premium for not by six bottles, because that's when the discounts kick in. Had I popped this week's selection in the trolley on November 1st, when I picked up a total of 22 bottles, it would have cost £9.98, but as I didn't, it cost almost a third more all of four days later. Irritating, but my fault through poor planning.
Week K (2015) Kangarilla Road Shiraz, McLaren Vale, 2013. Majestic £13.32
McLaren Vale is a varied wine-growing region of South Australia that was first planted with grapes in the 1830's, along with other famous regions in the same state. One of the early growers in these parts was Mr Thomas Hardy, but as with another vinous pioneer, Sam Smith, it's not that one. This Mr Hardy didn't have anything to do with Tess of the Madding Crowds in Casterbridge, but did go on to establish the eponymous Australian wine brand which produces countless millions of bottles of the jolly swagman's favourite tipple. I only mention that to fill space, as if that wasn't obvious.
I expect you know that Shiraz is the Australian name for Syrah, the red grape variety with a Persian name famous for its role in the wines of the Rhone valley, and that in Australian hands it can produce very 'big' wines that are full of jammy fruit and so much spicy, pepper character that it makes you cough. Well, this one doesn't.
The producers report that the rainfall in the winter of 2012 and the late summer in 2013 set up the vines perfectly and that together with the long warm autumn days and cool nights this has helped them produce a very nicely balanced wine.
I would agree with that. There is the fruit that Australian wines are noted for, dark berries and prunes today, and also some spice, but not of the aggressive variety. There are some floral aromas, too, and some gentle oak induced softness that comes form 25% of it spending 16 months new French and American hogsheads and the rest relaxing in older barrels.
It was bottled in December 2014 by winemaker Kevin O'Brien and unbottled in November 2015 by li'l old winedrinker me. I was at school with a Kevin O'Brien in the 1970's but although his nickname was 'cobber' on account of his initials he wasn't one, so I doubt this is the same man. Cheers to him, or them, either way.
The other move was by Majestic, who have removed the six bottle minimum purchase rule and again, this is very welcome. The downside on this one is that you do, in effect, pay a premium for not by six bottles, because that's when the discounts kick in. Had I popped this week's selection in the trolley on November 1st, when I picked up a total of 22 bottles, it would have cost £9.98, but as I didn't, it cost almost a third more all of four days later. Irritating, but my fault through poor planning.
Week K (2015) Kangarilla Road Shiraz, McLaren Vale, 2013. Majestic £13.32McLaren Vale is a varied wine-growing region of South Australia that was first planted with grapes in the 1830's, along with other famous regions in the same state. One of the early growers in these parts was Mr Thomas Hardy, but as with another vinous pioneer, Sam Smith, it's not that one. This Mr Hardy didn't have anything to do with Tess of the Madding Crowds in Casterbridge, but did go on to establish the eponymous Australian wine brand which produces countless millions of bottles of the jolly swagman's favourite tipple. I only mention that to fill space, as if that wasn't obvious.
I expect you know that Shiraz is the Australian name for Syrah, the red grape variety with a Persian name famous for its role in the wines of the Rhone valley, and that in Australian hands it can produce very 'big' wines that are full of jammy fruit and so much spicy, pepper character that it makes you cough. Well, this one doesn't.
The producers report that the rainfall in the winter of 2012 and the late summer in 2013 set up the vines perfectly and that together with the long warm autumn days and cool nights this has helped them produce a very nicely balanced wine.
I would agree with that. There is the fruit that Australian wines are noted for, dark berries and prunes today, and also some spice, but not of the aggressive variety. There are some floral aromas, too, and some gentle oak induced softness that comes form 25% of it spending 16 months new French and American hogsheads and the rest relaxing in older barrels.
It was bottled in December 2014 by winemaker Kevin O'Brien and unbottled in November 2015 by li'l old winedrinker me. I was at school with a Kevin O'Brien in the 1970's but although his nickname was 'cobber' on account of his initials he wasn't one, so I doubt this is the same man. Cheers to him, or them, either way.
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