JN Blog

• Blog Navigation
  Recent Posts

  Search Posts

  Categories

  • Fine Wine
  • Food & Wine
  • JN Wine Brochures
  • JN Wine in the Press
  • Learn about Wine
  • Learn About Wine
  • New World Wine
  • New Years
  • Old World Wine
  • Spirits
  • Uncategorised
  • Vineyard Profiles
  • Wine in the Spotlight
  • Wine on Offer at JN Wine
  • Wine Tastings

  Archive

  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • Older

  Popular

  

  2021 Bordeaux

  Finally after a two year absence due to travel restrictions during the pandemic we finally made it to Bordeaux for the primeur tastings of the 2021 vintage. Its always important to taste before purchase, to make a considered decision based on fact. The 2021 vintage is far removed from the “Deck chair vintage” of 2009. Growers had everything thrown at them, frost, mildew, rain and lack of sunshine. However, despite the vagaries of climate some remarkable wines have surfaced, classic, with refreshing acidity possibly even more typical of what we expect of Bordeaux. Alcohol levels at 13 and 13.5 degrees are the norm which is generally most welcome. Selection is vital and we tasted our way through some 500 wines over the week and visited most of the top Chateaux and many of the smaller properties who generally over deliver. Price will be an issue, those properties who increase prices will fall on deaf ears and its worth pointing out that there are wide variations across the properties. We will be very selective in what we offer and will give full descriptions when we publish prices. Generally we offer wines in small blocks and we receive allocations from most of the top Chateaux although these can be quite limited. Yours in wine, James. Tasting at chateau Lafite Rothschild As usual Francois Mitjavile has made marvellous wines The new state of the art winery at chateau Figeac We had a great morning tasting with winemaker and manager Marielle Cazaux of Chateau Conselliante. Chateau Margaux in all its splendour and a trip to Chateau Petrus is always a great highlight! The barrel room at Chateau Conselliante Chateau Lafite Rothschild - always a great visit & Chateau Giscours stylish lake and garden Jacques Thienpont, after another exciting tasting at Chateau Le Pin. One of the top wines in 2021 Chateau Calon Segur The Barrel room at La Mission Haut Brion. Chateau Haut Brion produced and amazing line up of wines surely competing for wines of the vintage.

  Read More

  

  What to try next if you love New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc...

  New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc has an enviable place in the market, from renowned names such as Cloudy Bay, Oyster Bay, Villa Maria and Brancott, the fresh, vibrant hits of gooseberries, passion fruit and grapefruit leap out of the glass offering instant gratification. It’s no wonder it is so popular at parties when it makes such a forceful first impression. There are, of course, great Sauvignons from New Zealand which buck the usual trend and offer something a little more sophisticated. Producers such as Dog Point make exceptional wines with far more elegance and subtlety than you might expect, but the best bet is to get away from New Zealand in general. But what if you want to branch out a little? What if the dominance of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is getting a bit too familiar? Well, here are plenty of great alternatives to take you away from the same old, same old... A fantastic alternative grape variety would be Riesling. If you wanted to stick with the New World, Australia produces some great dry Rieslings, light and fresh, from Clare Valley, such as Kilikanoon Morts Block Riesling. You can get a slightly off dry style, richer and more luscious, offering a fruit intensity similar to that of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, even if the flavours themselves are a leaner, green fruit style, from Germany, for example Dr Loosen Fruity Riesling. Spain and Italy are both hugely respected wine producing regions and there are some superb wines to give New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc a run for its money. Rueda, in Spain, is renowned for its Verdejo wines, a grape often referred to as Spain’s Sauvignon Blanc. The Dominio La Granadilla Rueda offers superb, fresh acidity matched with an array of Citrus flavours and aromas that offer complexity along with approachability. One of my favourites from Italy, a country where the whites are usually light but full of expression, is the Solo Fiano from Michele Biancardi. Beautifully subtle floral aromas matched with delicious stone fruit, honey and spice flavours. You would be forgiven for switching the holiday plans from New Zealand to Puglia once you’ve tried this! Let’s not forget about France. It offers some superb alternatives for New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Picpoul de Pinet has become a little trendy of late, picking up fans of dry, fresh, crisp whites with classic citrus flavours mingling with more exotic fruit flavours. The Beauvignac Picpoul 2022 is a great example of this style. Jump on board! This is merely a snapshot of what you could try out. New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc may be an easy option, an easy pleasing style of wine which appeals to so many people. But just a little venturing into the lesser-known grape communities can yield some extraordinary surprises which will change your perspective without challenging you.

  Read More