What are you drinking right now?

quote:

Originally posted by markah:
[QUOTE]Yes, you may well be right King Size. I probably should have said the best I have had, but again there are others I have tried that come very close for a lot less money. I got that Cloudy Bay at a bargain price though, which maybe influenced my judgement (as in I was getting a bit carried away!). If you know of any other very good ones then please let me know. My wife is not very keen on Sauvignon Blanc so I get the bottle to myself!

Glad to be of service. Like you, I love Sauvignon Blanc and think Cloudy Bay is particularly good too (although I think they are even better marketers). The funny thing is since living in NZ, i've only had it a few times as I think they try to focus on the export market. Certainly its reputation and name outside of NZ is synonymous with Marlborough Savvie. Anyway some suggestions:

Saint Clair Wairau Reserve
Palliser Estate
Clos Henry
Hunters
Villa Maria Reserve

The Saint Clair is probably my favourite; the Clos Henry is very refined/quite European in style and the Hunters is probably the one I drink most often as it is under NZ$20 and an excellent everyday wine. By comparison, Cloudy Bay is about NZ$35.

I spent most of my life in South Africa and they also make some fines SB's. While I can't vouch for current quality, names to look out for would be:

Vergelegen (their Reserve is excellent)
Mulderbosch
Springfield Life From Stone
Steenberg Reserve
Durbanville Hills Biesjes Craal
Spier Private Collection

I have no idea which, if any, of these wines are exported but I hope you may find something to try. Let me know how you get on, i'll be glad to offer some more pointers too. Have fun

My first alcoholic drink for 17 weeks - sounds like an alcy saying that, I know; but simply to express the joyment in simple things...

quote:

Originally posted by David Leedham:

quote:

Originally posted by MilesSmiles:

quote:

Originally posted by David Leedham:

quote:

Originally posted by David Leedham:

"Classic pale amber mid strength bitter with distinct hoppy overtones. A beautifully balanced quaffing ale. Serve chilled if preferred. Contains Cornish malted barley and wheat."

A very good independent local brewery, have had a tour and like their use of local sourced product. several very nice beer, better from cask but the bottled beers are nice for home drinking. The brewery will fill up larger containers for parties/ barbecues.

Award winning ales, include Cornish Knocker, my favourite.

Great, many thks - will try it the next time I'm in Cornwall.

Let me know if you are in the county! We could show you some Cornish hospitality

Will do.

quote:

Originally posted by munch:
3.8 Is it worth drinking man?
You might as well just drink water.

One of the few session beers that actually tastes like a 'proper' beer...you can't go wrong with Oakham Ales (or you can go VERY wrong)

Another of these tonight.

quote:

Originally posted by King Size:

quote:

Originally posted by markah:
[QUOTE]Yes, you may well be right King Size. I probably should have said the best I have had, but again there are others I have tried that come very close for a lot less money. I got that Cloudy Bay at a bargain price though, which maybe influenced my judgement (as in I was getting a bit carried away!). If you know of any other very good ones then please let me know. My wife is not very keen on Sauvignon Blanc so I get the bottle to myself!

Glad to be of service. Like you, I love Sauvignon Blanc and think Cloudy Bay is particularly good too (although I think they are even better marketers). The funny thing is since living in NZ, i've only had it a few times as I think they try to focus on the export market. Certainly its reputation and name outside of NZ is synonymous with Marlborough Savvie. Anyway some suggestions:

Saint Clair Wairau Reserve
Palliser Estate
Clos Henry
Hunters
Villa Maria Reserve

The Saint Clair is probably my favourite; the Clos Henry is very refined/quite European in style and the Hunters is probably the one I drink most often as it is under NZ$20 and an excellent everyday wine. By comparison, Cloudy Bay is about NZ$35.

If you can find it, try either Mount Nelson or Ram's Hill - NZ Sauvignon Blanc with an Italian twist (Italian winemaker Antinori own the estate in the Wairau Valley). Tried some at my local Italian and jolly fine they both were, but require deepish pockets. The Ram's Hill is interesting as it is aged in French oak, which somehow seems to enhance the bouquet without fattening the taste. I am hoping to order a case tonight.

Ardbeg Uigeadail - very tasty

[IMG:left] [/IMG]

Thanks King Size and Huwge for your Sauvignon Blanc recommendations. I have managed to track most of them down so will look into ordering a few to try. The Saint Clair and Palliser Estate in particular get very good reviews.

Mark

just got into a nice bottle of Woods Navy rum

Parker Estate Terra Rossa Cabernet Sauvignon

A bottle of Brains SA.

steve

Just found an off-licence that sells the returnable pint bottles you get in pubs. Guinness therein is unpasteurised and unsurpassed.



SJB

****

brakspear bitter

quote:

Originally posted by Stuart M:
****

How does it taste?

quote:

Originally posted by henley boy:
brakspear bitter

Now that takes me back to Berkshire Road sunny summer days!

quote:

Originally posted by Stuart M:
****

I wouldn't give a XXXX for that.

Watching

A Knight's Tale

drinking this!

ATB from George

Tea

quote:

Originally posted by GFFJ:
Watching

A Knight's Tale

drinking this!

ATB from George

I agree!

Beer from Poland is fine, I just had a bottle of Zywiec. I like Tyskie as well, Lech is not so my cup of tea.

All the best

Manfred

Dear Manni,

My friend Pawel [from Jaslo in South East Poland, and with whom I used to work up till two and a half years ago here in Worcester] and I dispatched 12 [0.5l] bottles of Zywiec last evening, and then I rode my bike home and perfectly left locked in the garage with no memory of this at all.

I was in bed in time for the ten o'clock news.

I prefer Zywiec too, though Krolewski is also really fantastic!

Tyskie is found in my nearest beer-shop where-as the treat of Zywiec does require a two mile cycle ride each way ...

Very best wishes to you Manni, from George

PS: Email will come to you tomorrow ...

**** - sounds like Watneys to me...

steve

2004 d’Arenberg The Dead Arm