Quote of the Week - WC Fields

I was in love with a beautiful blonde once. She drove me to drink; that’s the one thing I’m indebted to her for.

W.C. Fields

Italy comes to Tortola! One for the BVI's.

Banfi Col di Sasso 2006

$9.73 p/bottle @ Caribbean Cellars, Road Town.

For all you vinophiles in Tortola, here’s a fantastic wine, from the consistently great Italian powerhouse winery, Castello Banfi. After my rather partisan review of the Poggio al Tufo ‘Super-Tuscan’, I must admit to falling for another so-called “Baby Super-Tuscan” – Banfi’s Col di Sasso 2006.

‘Col di Sasso’, a name which translates to ‘Stony Hill’, reflects the area in which the grapes grown for the on the Banfi Estate in Mondalcino, Tuscany. For those not too enamored with the idea of drinking wine from such an inhospitable setting, remember that vines under duress reach deeper for water, and produce undiluted juice and therefore more intense flavor!

Young, fruity and spicy in nature, the wine’s body (‘mouth feel’: light, medium, full-bodied), is provided by the Sangiovese, while the fruit and structure (think tannins) by the Cabernet, in a 50/50 blend. This is a wine to be drunk in its youth, suiting rich, meaty pasta sauces, as well as grilled poultry and game. This is a wonderful, great-value Italian table wine, and, earning itself another plus-point with me; comes with a handy screw-cap for easy opening and storage!

Cin cin!

Glühwein at Christmas Time

While we're on a Christmas roll, here's a great Glühwein recipe that will warm you up after battling the chill this winter.

For those unfamiliar, Glühwein [glue-vine]is the German equivalent of Mulled Wine as we know it in English, Vin Chaud as do the French, and translates literally to 'Glow wine' (no doubt from what happens to your nose and cheeks after a few glasses!) It's best served on the warm to hot side, and is a great way to get rid of those unwanted and undrinkable Christmas bottles of red that 'friends' have brought over and conveniently left for you to enjoy. For a tip or two, use as much sugar as you think the wine deserves, and try as far as possible not to boil the wine itself, but heat gently, thus also allowing the flavours of the added spice and citrus to really come out. It's not essential to add the sherry or brandy if you don't have it to hand, but remember, you may not glow as brightly!

• Peel of one orange (give it a squeeze and ass a tsp of zest)
• Peel of one lemon (as above; squeeze and add a tsp of zest)
• Bottle of red wine (cheap within reason!)
• 30g caster sugar (more, or less - to taste)
• One cinnamon stick (teaspoon of powder as a substitute if not to hand)
• Double measure (50ml) of Dry Sherry
• Double measure (50ml) Brandy
• 5 Cloves

All that's left to say then I suppose is: Prost! and Froehliche Weihnachten!

Christmas Dinner 2009: What's your poison?

During the Christmas period it would be fair to say one hears the pop of a cork more often than at any other time during the year. The celebratory and frivolous nature of the season also gives us the excuse to reach deeper into our pockets and buy the bottle of champagne or malt whisky you've been eyeing the rest of the year; I usually term it: 'my gift to myself'! This has induced me to wonder, in the run-up to the big night - the reason we have to suffer the endless symphony of Carols on every radio station and in every store for two months prior to the date itself - what we'll be drinking when all the family are together for Christmas dinner.

Now, while I've had the wonderful opportunity of having tasted some fantastic wines over the last few weeks: Clos de l'oratoire Chateauneuf du pape 2007 (big, bold and meaty - maybe a year or two too early), Charles Heidsieck NV champagne (nicely balanced yeast and fruit, always fun) and the jaw-droppingly magnificent Banfi Brunello di Montalcino 1998 (beautifully smooth, overriding notes of liquorish and black fruit on the nose and palate) I've had my eye on a certain beautiful, but shy and humble Tuscan wine: Tommasi's Poggio Al Tufo 2006. I have had the pleasure of trying it already, and know it'll be a winner. With powerful notes of violet on the nose, soft, but noticeable tannins and chocolate, plums and black cherry on the palate - it'll work just as well before dinner as an aperitif, as it will with the turkey and trimmings.


Let me now ask all of you readers - and I encourage you to use the Comment function under the article, or to email me at kurtdettman@hotmail.com - what is it that you're thinking about getting for your guests (or just yourself!) this Christmas?

Ricossa Barolo 2004

As promised, here’s a deal I’ve found, for pre-Christmas deal-hunters back in Blighty.


Rush out and buy a case of this wine!

In fact, don’t rush out – avoid the hassle of having to fight the masses who will inevitably be out at your local Tesco wrestling over the last bottle, and click ‘Send’ to have this wine delivered free to your door by the mega store, who this Christmas appear to be trialing a free delivery per case deal, like their competitors, Majestic Wine.

Upon closer inspection however, it does seem that Ricossa Barolo comes not in what I’d initially (and, I feel quite rightly!) perceived as the traditional twelve-bottle ‘case’ size, but rather a box of six – so, though a clever case of contextomy and marketing, let me affirm – before like me, you start picking up the phone to call everyone in your address book – that you are not getting this for ₤5 a bottle!

Still, without splitting hairs, I have to be honest and say that at ₤10 a bottle it’d still make me do a double take! Piedmont’s Barolo, regarded by aficionados of Italian wine the world over as the wine of kings, and king of wines, remains the powerhouse Italian celebrity it has always been. Made from the sensitive and highly tannic Nebbiolo grape, a bottle of Barolo typically takes a few years to ‘smooth out’ after it has been bottled – that is, to allow tannin integration and thus the wine to drink better. However, since this has already been allowed a few years to do so, it is conveniently ready to drink now, and as such I wouldn’t suggest breaking this out at the Christmas table in another five years!

Like so many Italian reds, this is an out-and-out food wine, so pair with rich pasta dishes, game and meaty stews. I’d almost certainly recommend decanting for a couple of hours if you have the facilities to do so (if you don’t ask for a decanter in your stocking this Christmas!), and it’ll come into its own, releasing primary aromas of plum and anise, with secondary notes of black cherry and spice.

Read the small print! All orders at Tesco of a minimum of a case (twelve bottles!), placed before Midnight on December the 13th are free for delivery.

Quote of the Week: Champagne

I only drink champagne when I'm happy, and when I'm sad.
Sometimes I drink it when I'm alone. When I have company, I consider it obligatory.
I trifle with it if I am not hungry and drink it when I am.
Otherwise I never touch it... unless I'm thirsty.

Lily Bollinger of the distinguished Champagne house's reply when asked the occasion during which she drunk champagne.

This Week's Best Buys!

This one's for you Chicago readers:

Over the last week, I've been religiously scanning the net, and here are two deals from Binny's, who are currently doing a pre-Christmas Bin-end clear out, which I think are not to be missed out on!
___________________________________________________________________________

Chateau Petit Gravet-Aine St. Emilion 2006

Here's a wonderful opportunity to grab a top-quality Grand Cru from my favorite appellation in Bordeaux at half the price! This is certainly one I’d recommend buying now to lay down for a couple of years – allowing the wine time to develop complexity and for the tannins to soften – though if like me you probably want to pop one open now to check on your ‘investment’, give it an hour or so in the decanter to open up a little.

Expect chocolate and tobacco to be prevalent on the nose, with secondary notes of dried fruit. Given 80-89 points by Robert Parker, this is an inexpensive bargain not to be missed!

Binny’s Beverage Depot
$37.99 down to $16.99
55% off


Fattoria La Magia Rosso di Montalcino 2005

This half-price Tuscan table wine is a no-brainer! Fattoria La Magia’s Rosso di Montalcino is a DOC classified wine made by the Schwarz family, utilizing modern techniques while placing emphasis on a natural and eco-friendly viticultural approach.


Only different in the wine-making process, this wine is created using exactly the same grapes found in their more expensive Brunello. Rich in color, it exhibits intense fruit on both nose and palate – smoky, with strong black fruit and a hint of violets. This wine was made for food and should be drunk soon.


Binny’s Beverage Depot
$21.99 down to $12.99
41% off

This Week's Top Buys!

This one's for you Chicago readers:

Over the last week, I've been religiously scanning the net, and here are two deals from Binny's, who are currently doing a pre-Christmas Bin-end clear out, which I think are not to be missed out on!

Château Petit Gravet-Aîné St. Emilion 2006

Here's a wonderful opportunity to grab a top-quality Grand Cru from my favorite appellation in Bordeaux at half the price!

This is certainly one I’d recommend buying now to lay down for a couple of years – allowing the wine time to develop complexity and for the tannins to soften – though if like me you probably want to pop one open now to check on your ‘investment’, give it an hour or so in the decanter to open up a little. Expect chocolate and tobacco to be prevalent on the nose, with secondary notes of dried fruit. Given 80-89 points by Robert Parker, this is an inexpensive bargain not to be missed!

$37.99 down to $16.99

55% off