It is Easter weekend and we have had the full range of English weather, from a beautifully warm, sunny Good Friday, that had us drinking coffee in shirtsleeve order in the morning and overspending at an equally sunny food festival in the afternoon, to an Easter Monday that opened with Storm Katie bringing a mix of torrential rain and even snow.
Almost all four seasons in as many days. The One is very fond of the antipodean beat combo, known as Crowded House, who once sang about a city in that part of the world where it is possible to experience 'four seasons in one day'. They were referring to Melbourne which, by happy coincidence, is where the bonus daughter is currently located, having gone there to annoy her significant other who is alleged to be studying 'international relations'. I think we'll leave it there.
Anyway, in tribute the the bonus one, who missed a very enjoyable family day yesterday with her bonus siblings, I have selected today's wine to accompany lunch.
De Bortoli, 'The Astronomer' Chardonnay 2014. Majestic £5.99
I was seduced by a mailing from Majestic that offered me two Dartington crystal wine glasses if I bought any twelve bottles of anything before a certain date. I already had two of the same glasses from a previous shopping trip and rather like drinking from them so, as I was starting to run short of supplies, I found the offer to be well-timed. Sucker? Perhaps.
I chose some Chapoutier Cotes-du-Rhone and some Vasse Felix Cabernet Merlot from Margaret River but was having a dither about a choice of white. I explained to the young (they're all young, just like the policemen) assistant that I was on a cupboard stocking exercise and she recommended this Chardonnay.
It is produced by De Bortoli, who are a well respected if large scale Australian producer with over 35 brands in their stable, and is honestly pitched as 'entry level'. They do have wines that are most definitely not entry level, reaching up into very pricey territory indeed, but that shouldn't be understood to mean that their cheaper ranges are thrown together and flogged to the great unwashed who don't deserve any better.
It is well made, extremely drinkable and is a modern style, fruit-driven wine, with quite intense flavours of warm citrus and tropical fruit. Although off-dry, the intensity of the fruit gives it a sense of sweetness and the 14% abv doesn't really show. Perhaps the high alcohol content adds to the impression of sweetness, as it is capable of doing.
I expect we are not too far off the barbecue season and this wine will do very nicely then. At £6 a bottle and being easy to drink, a dozen of these in the cupboard makes good sense.
Since we last spoke I have once again been to Australia, but this time managed to visit South Australia where I had not been before. I liked it. Quite a lot. This is probably because by chance my visit coincided with the Adelaide Fringe Festival and that gave the place a bit of a buzz, but was definitely because a colleague who had grown up in the area, before she started driving warships for a living, was kind enough to provide a guided tour that took in two wineries (K1, by Geoff Hardy and Mollydooker) and then dumped me by a fabulous beach at Glenelg. My visit concluded at the Adelaide Cellar Door Festival where 180 producers were keen to encourage me to try many of their brands and blends and I also had a very interesting conversation with a lady who teaches people how to make cheese. An excellent day out.
Almost all four seasons in as many days. The One is very fond of the antipodean beat combo, known as Crowded House, who once sang about a city in that part of the world where it is possible to experience 'four seasons in one day'. They were referring to Melbourne which, by happy coincidence, is where the bonus daughter is currently located, having gone there to annoy her significant other who is alleged to be studying 'international relations'. I think we'll leave it there.
Anyway, in tribute the the bonus one, who missed a very enjoyable family day yesterday with her bonus siblings, I have selected today's wine to accompany lunch.
I was seduced by a mailing from Majestic that offered me two Dartington crystal wine glasses if I bought any twelve bottles of anything before a certain date. I already had two of the same glasses from a previous shopping trip and rather like drinking from them so, as I was starting to run short of supplies, I found the offer to be well-timed. Sucker? Perhaps.
I chose some Chapoutier Cotes-du-Rhone and some Vasse Felix Cabernet Merlot from Margaret River but was having a dither about a choice of white. I explained to the young (they're all young, just like the policemen) assistant that I was on a cupboard stocking exercise and she recommended this Chardonnay.
It is produced by De Bortoli, who are a well respected if large scale Australian producer with over 35 brands in their stable, and is honestly pitched as 'entry level'. They do have wines that are most definitely not entry level, reaching up into very pricey territory indeed, but that shouldn't be understood to mean that their cheaper ranges are thrown together and flogged to the great unwashed who don't deserve any better.
It is well made, extremely drinkable and is a modern style, fruit-driven wine, with quite intense flavours of warm citrus and tropical fruit. Although off-dry, the intensity of the fruit gives it a sense of sweetness and the 14% abv doesn't really show. Perhaps the high alcohol content adds to the impression of sweetness, as it is capable of doing.
I expect we are not too far off the barbecue season and this wine will do very nicely then. At £6 a bottle and being easy to drink, a dozen of these in the cupboard makes good sense.
Since we last spoke I have once again been to Australia, but this time managed to visit South Australia where I had not been before. I liked it. Quite a lot. This is probably because by chance my visit coincided with the Adelaide Fringe Festival and that gave the place a bit of a buzz, but was definitely because a colleague who had grown up in the area, before she started driving warships for a living, was kind enough to provide a guided tour that took in two wineries (K1, by Geoff Hardy and Mollydooker) and then dumped me by a fabulous beach at Glenelg. My visit concluded at the Adelaide Cellar Door Festival where 180 producers were keen to encourage me to try many of their brands and blends and I also had a very interesting conversation with a lady who teaches people how to make cheese. An excellent day out.
