Wine

[Wardyn]

it's from a wine manga called 'Drops of God'. lots of wine nerds and geeks all over the world are following this manga.

while slightly exaggerated, the manga is actually written by 2 wine lovers and all their wines are real wines in the manga.

Drops of God is poisonous. I watched the live drama version. Makes me want to buy and drink all the expensive wines.

 

[ikileo]

read the manga...it's still ongoing. lots of hyperbole in the manga which sometimes can come across as a bit contrived, but overall still exciting.

i had the opportunity drink wine in very small (literally 2.5m x 2.5m space) wine bar in Tokyo. All curated by the owner's passion and it's all small producers from all over the world that I've never seen before. I enjoy their wine culture, yes there are the big brands but their diversity is huge. Plus the price is very reasonable for an asian country

 

[seianko]

footbolt is no doubt nice for its price. but i feel 2009 produce is abit weak.

I am not sure if 2013-14 harvest will have problem or not as the weather was super crazy hot. 2 weeks for 40's

 

[ikileo]

footbolt is no doubt nice for its price. but i feel 2009 produce is abit weak.

I am not sure if 2013-14 harvest will have problem or not as the weather was super crazy hot. 2 weeks for 40's

i've not had the 2009. heat is usually the norm in that part of Australia.

the one available here is 2011 which is drinking very well.

 

[seianko]

heat yes. but that period was very bad. up in barrosa was at 49deg, whites/moscatos harvest are affected. and lack of rain.

 

[ikileo]

droughts are fairly common in many aussie wine areas. but typically barossa (save for Eden) is not my go-to place for whites. there are other higher-altitude and cooler climate locations more suited.

 

[seianko]

droughts are fairly common in many aussie wine areas. but typically barossa (save for Eden) is not my go-to place for whites. there are other higher-altitude and cooler climate locations more suited.

yup

but some years are nice. this year is ok man. no strong heat. only 2 days at 42. average 25. and it is a rainy summer and last winter was very rainy too

 

[kingcarlos]

anyone can recommend shops that sell ice wine?

 

[ikileo]

anyone can recommend shops that sell ice wine?

fairprice finest and bigger coldstorage/marketplace/jasons carries canadian ice wine.

for the german Eiswein (ice wine) you have to get them from wine importers and German specialists like CellarMaster and Wein & Vin.

Or go to more premium retailers like crystal wines, booze, vinum etc... but be warned that high quality german Eiswein can get expensive.

 

[kingcarlos]

fairprice finest and bigger coldstorage/marketplace/jasons carries canadian ice wine.

for the german Eiswein (ice wine) you have to get them from wine importers and German specialists like CellarMaster and Wein & Vin.

Or go to more premium retailers like crystal wines, booze, vinum etc... but be warned that high quality german Eiswein can get expensive.

thanks for the reply! is there any brand that you would recommend? so far im only aware of inniskllin

 

[ikileo]

thanks for the reply! is there any brand that you would recommend? so far im only aware of inniskllin

in SG, for canadian icewine, inniskillin is the possibly the only canadian icewine that is brought in. it's also easily the most successful wine brand in canada.

the wines are really very good so any icewine from them is good.


if you want the german stuff, all the retailers i listed bring in the top stuff. so whichever one you go to, honestly, is good. ice wine is expensive cos they have to harvest it during the cold cold winter and cos all the water is frozen, you need a very large amount of frozen grapes to make a similar volume of wine as those made from normal grapes.

hence the yields are very very low and the effort is very very high. leading to a high price level. so the stuff SG importers bring in are very good to justify that price. you can drop these retailers/importers an email to inquire specifically about Eiswein. if it's within you price range, just buy it.

they can last a long time in proper storage.

 

[thegodfather]

The HWZ Wine Group had the first wine dinner last night at Imperial Treasure Nan Bei Cuisine in Ngee Ann City with the theme: SUPERMARKET WINES

Our goals was to help intro HWZ-ers to some accessible wines from supermarkets that you may not have purchased or tried before.


Criteria:
- Must be a still red or white wine (no sparkling, rose, or sweet wines)
- Wines must be purchased from a supermarket
- Wines must be no more than $40 each (including discount)

The wines were served blind so we didn't know the producer or country etc...
In total there were 3 whites and 5 reds and here is the lineup.

If you realize there was a repeat of the exact same wine. But served blind there was a different in taste!

2013 TAKU Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand
Gooseberry nose with some kaffir lime and chalk. Lots of limes and citrus on the taste with a rounded texture in the mouth
Available in Fairprice: Promo $19.50

2010 Diamond Creek Estate Chardonnay, Austalia
Lots of mangoes and tropical fruit on the nose with a hint of oak. On the palate the buttery notes from the oak comes through more with ripe starfruit and tropical fruit.
Available in Cold Storage: Promo $26

2012 Ashbrook Estate Verdelho, Margaret River, Australia
New World Riesling-ish nose but with more green apples. A little sweeter on the taste and a very rounded mouthfeel laced with good acidity.
Available in Fairprice

2011 d'Arenberg 'The Footbolt' Shiraz, Mclaren Vale, Australia
Dark coloured wine. Rich and ripe on the smell and on the taste of dark fruits and spicy finish. Elegant nose with gives more floral notes with more air
Available in Fairprice - Promo $26.50

2012 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, California, USA
Lots of blackcurrant on the nose with light hints of chocolate. Quite a classic cabernet sauvignon type of smell. On the palate it's quite big and ripe with a soft and smooth body.
Available in Fairprice Xpress - Promo $39.50

2009 Chateau Fourcas Dupree, Bordeaux, France
Lots of cherries and plums on the smell, giving way to more mineral notes. Has an elegant mouthfeel with lots of structure and an understated power. This one needed more air to show.
Available in Fairprice Finest: $34​

i will update the prices when the rest of the group updates me. but they are all under $40.

How does the 2011 d'Arenberg 'The Footbolt' Shiraz, Mclaren Vale, Australia
compared with our singapore wedding favourite PIERRE JEAN, MERLOT

Recently i have been eyeing this VOYAGER ESTATE, SHIRAZ hmm... not sure if i should bite the bullet.

 

[ikileo]

How does the 2011 d'Arenberg 'The Footbolt' Shiraz, Mclaren Vale, Australia
compared with our singapore wedding favourite PIERRE JEAN, MERLOT

Recently i have been eyeing this VOYAGER ESTATE, SHIRAZ hmm... not sure if i should bite the bullet.

i've had pierre jean merlot on a couple of occasions. it's very entry level and basic red wine.

there is a reason why d'arenberg, despite being a very readily available wine in supermarkets globally, they still retain that quality level and the mindset of a 'boutique' wine producer with lots of focus on quality.

normally mclaren vale shiraz are bigger and richer in fruit but in 2011 it was a wetter vintage during harvest which tempered down the bold fruit to produce a more elegant type of shiraz which reminded me of some of the Northern Rhone style wines. Not so skilled producers will not be able to harvest good ripe fruit, but skilled producers during the wet weather will be able to balance the cooler temp and still somehow achieve the level of ripeness.

for those who want big overly ripe wines may not find the 2011 footbolt to their liking but just like the Northern Rhone style of Syrah (shiraz) wines, they still have the fruit but it's not overt and there is more structure, mineral and dried herb notes to it.

for a $26.50 (on offer) wine, it really punches above it weight considerably.



Voyager is a good producer as well in Margaret River. I've not had their Shiraz but their Cabernet Merlot blends are in high regard across from drinkers and critics.

 

[patryn33]

thanks for the reply! is there any brand that you would recommend? so far im only aware of inniskllin

Singapore easy to find inniskillin but it's not the best. I cannot afford the best http://royaldemaria.com

Pillitteri Estates is the largest producer of ice wine in Canada they make more than inniskillin and today won more awards but some how cannot find in Singapore. They are also one of the 2 besides inniskillin who makes sparkling ice wine.

There are a ton of great ice wine producers imho better than German. I tried a few German though they cost more than a inniskillin they aren't as good as say a cad$40 bottle. I would say the Canadian perfected the art.
Like my Erie lakeshore Vidal it's cheap cad$15 but it's not complex, Sweet didn't leave behind any impression.

 

[thegodfather]

i've had pierre jean merlot on a couple of occasions. it's very entry level and basic red wine.

there is a reason why d'arenberg, despite being a very readily available wine in supermarkets globally, they still retain that quality level and the mindset of a 'boutique' wine producer with lots of focus on quality.

normally mclaren vale shiraz are bigger and richer in fruit but in 2011 it was a wetter vintage during harvest which tempered down the bold fruit to produce a more elegant type of shiraz which reminded me of some of the Northern Rhone style wines. Not so skilled producers will not be able to harvest good ripe fruit, but skilled producers during the wet weather will be able to balance the cooler temp and still somehow achieve the level of ripeness.

for those who want big overly ripe wines may not find the 2011 footbolt to their liking but just like the Northern Rhone style of Syrah (shiraz) wines, they still have the fruit but it's not overt and there is more structure, mineral and dried herb notes to it.

for a $26.50 (on offer) wine, it really punches above it weight considerably.

Voyager is a good producer as well in Margaret River. I've not had their Shiraz but their Cabernet Merlot blends are in high regard across from drinkers and critics.

thanks. TGIF, a few friends jio wine connection today.

Maybe will trying either:

CHATEAU LA ROSE GADIS - Bordeaux 2012
RYAN PATRICK VINEYARDS - Merlot - Columbia Valley Washington 2012

Anyone has experiences with them or any recomendations? budget below $50

 

[ikileo]

thanks. TGIF, a few friends jio wine connection today.

Maybe will trying either:

CHATEAU LA ROSE GADIS - Bordeaux 2012
RYAN PATRICK VINEYARDS - Merlot - Columbia Valley Washington 2012

Anyone has experiences with them or any recomendations? budget below $50

earlier in my wine journey i visited wine connection relatively often as it gives you a very wide range of wines for your to try at decent prices.

plus there's food and the setting is good for friends to drink and have fun together.

progressively i've learnt to identify country, regions, styles, producers that I like. from there i move on to more specialty shops where they carry that specific producer. because of their clientele and demographic, wine connections stocks wines who tastes are generally quite approachable by the masses.

so social drinking and for those just starting on wine wine connection is a good place to start. as for those wines you've mentioned, 2012 is very young for a bordeaux but it's probably an entry level type of bordeaux, so make sure you give it a good decant.

as for the washington state wine, i've never had it but it should quite easy drinking and enjoyment. it will be good to get some cheese and cold cuts and hams to match, unless you are having dinner.

 

[ikileo]

Singapore easy to find inniskillin but it's not the best. I cannot afford the best Royal DeMaria, "Canada's Icewine Specialists"

Pillitteri Estates is the largest producer of ice wine in Canada they make more than inniskillin and today won more awards but some how cannot find in Singapore. They are also one of the 2 besides inniskillin who makes sparkling ice wine.

There are a ton of great ice wine producers imho better than German. I tried a few German though they cost more than a inniskillin they aren't as good as say a cad$40 bottle. I would say the Canadian perfected the art.
Like my Erie lakeshore Vidal it's cheap cad$15 but it's not complex, Sweet didn't leave behind any impression.

i would actually dispute with you on the icewine part, as i the top germans far outclass and outlast other iterations of icewine. BUT we each have our own opinions and experiences.


Actually Pilitteri is sold in SG in FP finest. their dry wines. I can't remember if i saw their dessert wines. I can't remb.

 

[Wardyn]

Voyager is a good producer as well in Margaret River. I've not had their Shiraz but their Cabernet Merlot blends are in high regard across from drinkers and critics.

Totally agreed. I have tried their cabernet merlot twice and also their chardonnay, it sure didn't disappoint. Still waiting to try out their shiraz. If i see it on a good promotional price point, i wouldn't hesitate to grab a bottle.

 

[patryn33]

i would actually dispute with you on the icewine part, as i the top germans far outclass and outlast other iterations of icewine. BUT we each have our own opinions and experiences..

Agree, we each have our own experience. Do recommend me a good German

the most expensive ice wine in the world happened to be Canadian (cad$250,000). May not be good but sure expensive

 

[kingcarlos]

Agree, we each have our own experience. Do recommend me a good German

the most expensive ice wine in the world happened to be Canadian (cad$250,000). May not be good but sure expensive

i rather spent that amt on whiskey haha.

Anyone tried port wines here before?