Rossa Piceno - Something new from Italy

So it's been a long time since I bought a wine in Donnybrook Fair, a long time. The problem being that I don't shop in Donnybrook, since I moved away (sob) and the Baggot St branch is right beside Baggot Street Wines. However, being dinnerless, wineless and in Stillorgan this afternoon I ended up purchasing the wine above in DF #3, Stillorgan.

It's Brecciarolo Rossa Piceno Superiore €14-99 from Velenosi.I had never heard of the Rossa Piceno DOC and indeed there is no English Wikipedia page on it (there is an Italian one, if that floats your gondola). The wines are made predominantly from Montepulciano and Sangiovese with a little of local varietals added.

It was a little tart in the beginning but it's a bit smoother now with some nice acidity and a little fruit. It's perfectly fine but I'm not sure I'd spend 15 notes on it again.

BTW I have been posting a lot of beer-related posts of late, if you're fine with this, give me no sign whatsoever. Seriously, I have been contemplating starting a separate beer blog - negotiations are ongoing.

Experimental Wines 101

I've been reading a lot recently about Austrian wines and as I found myself in Donnybrook Fair this lunchtime, doing some more tasting for Lil Sis's wedding, I decided to avail myself of a Gruner Veltliner and a tasty "Negramaro" from Puglia.

The Gruner Veltliner I got is from Hopler, in my ignorance I don't believe I have ever had any Austrian wine so I am looking forward to this. It's not a cheap wine at €13-99, but it was recommended by Damien, DF's buyer so here's hoping.

The "Negramaro" is part of the Donna Marzia range from Conti Zecca in Puglia, the heel of Italy. I do like wines from this region, earthy reds made from Primitivo and Negro Amaro. I did taste this and while my palate was polluted with various Sauvignon Blancs and Cotes Du Rhones, I did like this (€11-99)

On a related note I spotted one of my recent favourite wines the Chateau Phelan Segur 2003 which is a gem, at €55 though it's a bit rich for my pocket.

BTW - anyone know how to do umlauts (the two dots over certain vowels in German) in Blogger?

Pimenta 2007

On Wednesday, Herself was going to Donnybrook Fair to get a few bits so I asked her to pick up a bottle of Pegos Claros, unfortunately there wasn't any so she picked up a bottle of the wine at left. Pimenta from the Alentejano regions of Portugal.

I have had a good few Portugese wines of late and they have been consistently good. This one was made with Touriga Nacional, Aragones and Trincadeira grapes, none of which I have heard of.

Name: Pimenta

Year: 2007
Price: €11-99
Notes: Like the Pegos Claros this wine was quite delicious. Surprisingly complex, a little fruit, lots of structure, complexity and a lingering finish. It tasted like a much more expensive wine. DF comes up trumps again.

Tomorrow I shall wax lyrical and OT on the Glenmorangie tasting.

Portugese Wines at Donnybrook Fair

Went to a "do" last night in Donnybrook Fair (the Donnybrook version with the restaurant above it), apart from some very tasty food the two wines supplied were both Portugese and both very nice.

The white was from the Bucelas region of Portugal made from the Arinto grape, a uniquely Portugese grape.

Name: Prova Régia

Year: 2007
Price: €11-99

From: Donnybrook Fair / O'Briens
Notes: Cool, dry and crisp. Described on the menu as the Portugese Muscadet. Either way, great wine at a bargain price.
Rating:

 7/10.

**Update** - The menu said "The Muscadet of Portugal. Better possibly,  with delightful rich aromas of red apples, rounded and lightly textured with a dry nutty finish"

The red was from the Palmela region of Portugal made from the Casteláo grape.

Name: Pegos Claros
Year: 2002
Price: €12-99

From: Donnybrook Fair / O'Briens
Notes: On the nose I thought this resembled a Bordeaux or even a big expensive Californian Zinfandel. On the palate, however, it was not at all like these. There was cherries, some good fruit and also, fittingly some Port-like flavours, all followed by a long, lingering finish. This wine is an absolute steal at €12-99.

Rating: 8/10.

**Update** - The menu said "Medium to full bodied red with lovely raisined fruits reminiscent of port. It has a lovely balance and a savoury twist on the finish"

Another of the guests drew this pen and ink drawing for Herself on the night and another drawing was auctioned on the night.

Note: Tonight I will be mostly drinking the €8 Grenache from Superquinn, which I only tasted last week - full review tomorrow.