Wine

[nautilus]

I've tried the Long Flat red moscato before. A friend gave me a bottle. It is sweet, and it drinks like ribena. Very appealing to most girls out there (but my wife hates it cos she is a heavy red drinker).

 

[Beta_Tester]

the Long Flat label can be found at many supermarkets and provide very affordable entry level aussie wines. i have not tried the moscato red, but it should be more towards a dessert style of wine, so it will be sweet.

why don't you try other types of wines or even other types of sweet wines?

someone gave it to me. lol.. i just take it.

The pink ones look sweet to me..

 

[ikileo]

went to a wine store near my house on a whim as I decided to drink something last night since most of my wines i have at home are intended for short to medium term aging. The wine in question is something that you can drink now but I would recommend it as a 5-7 year investment as it is still very young. While it may not be the cheapest wine available but it will be worth your money.

i've had my eye on this bottle for a while: 2007 Pierre Amadieu Domaine Grand Romane Gigondas. First of this was a half bottle (375ml) since only I was drinking it alone. It costs $28, so their 750ml bottle would be double that price. It is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mouvedre that are all grown on their estate in the Grand Romane, which is part of the region of Gigondas situated in the Southern Rhone Valley.

The 2007 vintage was a stellar vintage in the Rhone valley, especially in the southern rhone and prices across the board for these wines have increased globally; especially for wines from the region of Chateauneuf-de-Pape.Thus for $28 for a half bottle and $56 for a full bottle is still affordable for something of this quality given the market situation; in addition the aging potentiial that this wine has that will indeed reward in 5-7 years time.

I decanted this wine for about 45 minutes and drank it over a 3 hour period and it is indeed an excellent wine. The profiles on the nose and palate are still quite primary due to its youth, but you can indeed experience the power and richness and finesse in the wine. Dominant and pure dark fruits that feels like liquid velvet on the tongue. As the hours passed, more notes of stewed beef and herbs such as thyme were revealed. I drank about half of the bottle and finishing up the other half this evening to see how this wine has developed over 24hrs.

I will definitely go back and purchase another half bottle to keep for several more years as i have another 2007 gigondas in a half bottle that i am aging for the same purpose. So in 2017 I will do a side by side tasting of these wines. I will update the tasting notes for the 24hr tasting later this evening.

If you want to purchase this wine you can get it at Le Vigne - 38 Holland Grove Road. They open 7 days a week from 12 - 6.30pm. One other thing, if you cash and carry at their store is an instant 10% off, including sale items. They bring in other nice stuff as well at good prices. So my wine essentially cost me just over $25 for a half bottle.

DISCLAIMER: I am not from Le Vigne, nor am I affiliated in any way to them.

 

[Beta_Tester]

Any place got wine workshop for noobs? i wanna start appreciating these wines..

 

[Wryer]

Imperial Treasure does not charge corkage


sigh so sad, seems like only myself and you post stuff on this thread...not enough vino quaffers here i guess.

I am interested in picking up the appreciation for wine. Just started recently.

Somehow I prefer whites to red. I find it less 'murkier' in taste, and somehow less complicated. And I like it that way. Or maybe I haven't had the chance to meet a good red. I distinctly a white that my friend brought over from Australia - Dog Leg. I can't remember what exact white was it. But I just remember it being good. Anyone knows where I can find it in SG?

Also, anyone knows where can I find a list of restaurants that do not charge corkage? Or maybe we can start a list here. I love pairing my wines/liquors with great food, but the corkage charges sometimes turn me off. Didn't know Imperial Treasure does not charge corkage. Thanks for the share!

 

[ikileo]

i used to condust wine appreciation classes in NUS but I just graduated so i can't do anymore...for now. but i know that community centres do hold such classes from time to time so maybe you can drop them an email or something.

if you can get a group of people together, some local wine retailers also do such wine education classes.

if all else fails, you can always ask me i don't charge money one...haha

 

[ikileo]

Places with Free/Cheap Corkage

Imperial Treasure Group Restaurants (Free)
Tonkichi (Orchard Central Branch - Free)
Jumbo Seafood (First two bottles free)
Ming Kee Crab Beehoon (Free)
Buono Italian Restaurant (Free)
Bistro One Zero Three ($5 a bottle)
Fine Cuts ($5 a bottle)

If all else fails, my friends and I take our glasses (sometimes plastic glasses) to food courts/hawker centre and order zhi char. People will stare but it's my right to enjoy wine pairings

 

[nautilus]

Went to Carrefour's fair over the weekend. Damage was 2 x Chateau Brillente 2005, 2 x Chateau Puy Guilhem, 1 x Chateau Gazin Rocquencourt. Was trying to lookout for leftover batches of Reserve de la comtesse 2005 but didn't find any unfortunately. Heard that there's going to be another fair with fresh stocks on 27 Jul at PS branch. Hoping there will be more 2005 batches and new 2008 stuff coming over.

 

[ikileo]

i think they're trying to clear their wine stocks...i think those are the hardest to move in a supermarket...especially the higher end stuff. the suntec outlet has a whole stack of Latours going for $2220

were your bordeaux all 2005 vintages?
just my personal opinion, while it may be from the legendary 2005 vintage, i feel that the 'Reserve de la comtesse' has quite a poor showing and not worth the buy considering the price point.

 

[Beta_Tester]

Ya, long flat is sweet.. i think starters will like it..

Hmm.. Maybe u can gather the newbies and we go try them some day.. of coz we will pay for the wines..

 

[nautilus]

i think they're trying to clear their wine stocks...i think those are the hardest to move in a supermarket...especially the higher end stuff. the suntec outlet has a whole stack of Latours going for $2220

were your bordeaux all 2005 vintages?
just my personal opinion, while it may be from the legendary 2005 vintage, i feel that the 'Reserve de la comtesse' has quite a poor showing and not worth the buy considering the price point.

All of them are 2005 except Chateau Gazin Rocquencourt. I was joking with my wife about the "1 minute shopping spree" contest by Carrefour. If I were the winner, first place i would run to is to the cellar and whack all the Latours........provided they unlock the section.

 

[nautilus]

Ya, long flat is sweet.. i think starters will like it..

Hmm.. Maybe u can gather the newbies and we go try them some day.. of coz we will pay for the wines..

The other famous moscato is by Brown Brothers. Sometimes NTUC has offer going at <$20 each.

 

[Beta_Tester]

i cannot finish the wine alone. Store in fridge with the special cork can tahan how long ar?

 

[nautilus]

i cannot finish the wine alone. Store in fridge with the special cork can tahan how long ar?

For whites, the trick is to take it out of the fridge, open, pour and put it back immediately. It will last about 1 day with or without special cork.

 

[Beta_Tester]

wah too much to lim in 2 days man.lol..

 

[nautilus]

wah too much to lim in 2 days man.lol..

Get a partner. You'll down 2 bottles in one night w/o any problems.

 

[ikileo]

can one...usually my friend and i finish one bottle over dinner.

 

[ikileo]

Isetan supermarket in town is have some wine promotion. you can get that gigondas wine at discounted prices there as well. if you don't wanna fork out so much ($28) you can get a half bottle of Cote du Rhone from the same producer (Pierre Amadieu) for about $19.90 and it's good for drinking now. let it breath for about a half hour to an hour and start quaffing.

 

[Beta_Tester]

i seriously dunno what is good or Bad. It is always the French/Portugese who pass me a glass and say good.. they say i should learn how to appreciate it. Where do i start,how to look for one and such.. Got anything to read up or tips?

Thanks.

 

[twtan14]

i seriously dunno what is good or Bad. It is always the French/Portugese who pass me a glass and say good.. they say i should learn how to appreciate it. Where do i start,how to look for one and such.. Got anything to read up or tips?

Thanks.

Remember to jio me along for the wine appreciation if the price is not too high.