Thursday, 23 May 2013

Wine Review: Pietrariccia Fiano 2012 Surani

8The worst thing about working in retail is the fact that you rarely get a weekend off. My weekends happen during the week, so having a couple of glasses of wine on a Thursday night becomes the norm. Even when, like this week, I am trying (failing) to be healthy.
Well this is my excuse antsy way when I feel a bit guilty about a cheeky tipple when I'm trying to be good.                    

Tonight I am drinking a wonderful white from Italy. This wine is made from the Fiano grape, a grape native to Italy and  exclusively grown in Italy, Sicily and Greece. In fact, a large amount of wine grown in Italy seem to be made from native grape varieties.  
 
From discussion with colleagues I have gathered that often Italian whites are pretty..... Boring. Seems a harsh judgement seeing as almost all the italian whites I have tried I have really enjoyed. I can see where this view comes from, the most infamous of Italian whites, the Pinot Grigio, is a pretty average party pleaser. Good at an event, 
but no real wow factor.

This too is very subtle, fruity and pleasant with no over complex flavours on the palate. However, it has an an added complexity that gives it an extra kick.

There is lovely honeyed nutty note which gives a great texture to the wine. Allows it to slide down you throat with some well balanced acidity.

This is not a boring wine but an easy one, perfect for aid week tipple. A colleague once described Italian whites as 'like water, but in a good way' as in its so good and subtle style goes down as quick as a glass of water. Too quick when you consider the alcohol content! 

Overall I give this wine 3.5 out of 5 (cheating with an extra half mark) a lovely. Easy drinking wine perfect with fish and white meat. Or for just drinking in the sun. 

Make sure you are sharing a bottle as it would be too easy too drink to yourself! 

Wednesday, 22 May 2013

Wine Review: Fetzer White Zinfandel, California.

My first wine review!


Now, bearing in mind that i've only been trying wine for the past 6 months i am by no means an expert. These reviews are for the average person, who is interested in wine but doesn't know much about it (like me!)

Since starting working with Wine what has become overwhelmingly clear is how complicated the wine world is. So many different varieties, processes, styles and tastes. Its all so bloomin confusing! at the minute i can't even comprehend all the information I'm going to have to learn to gain some level of understanding, so for now i'm going to focus on the best part.... the drinking!


My first wine up for review is the Fetzer white Zinfandel from California.  Maybe not the best one to start with as this is the first, and maybe last, white Zinfandel I have ever tasted. 



On the nose it smells sweet of strawberry's and cherries, very in-your-face fruitiness! on the palate too there is an overwhelming cherry flavour, with a harsh citrusy sweetness. It tastes too much like cherry sweets or cherryade that one (small) glass is all you could really handle! (of course I drunk more, didnt want to waste it...)



Saying this, my housemate who i shared it with absolutely loved it! by her own admission she doesn't really like wine (i'm converting her) so i have concluded that this is a wine suitable for those who don't drink it often, and like really sweet wine. Its one I'd recommend to customers who say they 'don't like dry wine' and like 'sweet wine but not dessert wine' shunning all other wine in the store.



Conclusion: the perfect wine for people who don't like wine but love cherry Lambrini. Its probably a very popular wine choice for summer drinking, wouldn't recommend it with any fancy food though! would go well with some spicy crisps.




I give it 1 out of 5 and probably wouldn't recommend it, especially with an RRP of about £8.99, you can get better for cheaper. I'd rather have the Lambrini....