NPR

Posted: **Wed Oct 21, 2020 8:26 pm**

Quite a few to catch up on:

Love, Love me Dão: 2 fantastic Portuguese blends

Posted: **Fri Oct 23, 2020 8:19 am**

The best Riesling in the world outside Alsace? Grosset Polish Hill Riesling

Posted: **Thu Oct 29, 2020 9:42 am**

The Frankly Wines & Friends Wine & Music Series #13 – Sharon L

Posted: **Fri Oct 30, 2020 9:42 am**

The Frankly Wines & Friends Wine & Music Series #14 – Lee Isaacs including The Rolling Stones – Gimme Shelter and Domaine Jones Fitou

Posted: **Sat Oct 31, 2020 10:56 am**

The Frankly Wines & Friends Wine & Music Series #15 – Liam Mycroft featuring Eric Clapton's Bad Love and Bodega Garzón Albariño

Posted: **Tue Nov 03, 2020 8:39 am**

New post up this morning: Dynamic Douro Duo

Posted: **Tue Nov 10, 2020 10:59 am**

Two very different wines from "The Baron of the Barossa": Peter Lehmann Shiraz & Botryitis Semillon

Posted: **Fri Nov 13, 2020 11:31 pm**

Five Festive Flagons (OK, OK the alliteration is getting a big much...)

Posted: **Sun Nov 15, 2020 9:31 am**

I am no wine expert but have been a member of Virgin Wines for the last couple of years. I've got a couple of hundred quid in the account and was planning spending it on a reasonably decent self selected case for xmas. I would just rely purely on their star rating so I am just wondering if you have ever had a look at their selection and would recommend anything in particular.

Posted: **Sun Nov 15, 2020 10:54 am**

Blackmac wrote: ↑Sun Nov 15, 2020 9:31 am I am no wine expert but have been a member of Virgin Wines for the last couple of years. I've got a couple of hundred quid in the account and was planning spending it on a reasonably decent self selected case for xmas. I would just rely purely on their star rating so I am just wondering if you have ever had a look at their selection and would recommend anything in particular.

Volume or quality as a priority?

Because the £200 ish luxury box is bloody excellent and excellent value.

Posted: **Mon Nov 16, 2020 12:26 pm**

The Frankly Wines & Friends Wine & Music Series #16 – Brad Horne featuring Champagne Supernova and Petaluma Hanlin Hill Riesling

Posted: **Mon Nov 16, 2020 8:27 pm**

Bimbowomxn wrote: ↑Sun Nov 15, 2020 10:54 am
Blackmac wrote: ↑Sun Nov 15, 2020 9:31 am I am no wine expert but have been a member of Virgin Wines for the last couple of years. I've got a couple of hundred quid in the account and was planning spending it on a reasonably decent self selected case for xmas. I would just rely purely on their star rating so I am just wondering if you have ever had a look at their selection and would recommend anything in particular.

Volume or quality as a priority?

Because the £200 ish luxury box is bloody excellent and excellent value.

Quality. Obviously you have to buy minimum of 12 so looking to get the nicest self mixed case I can for about £200 to £240. Neither of us like Chardonnay or any really heavy reds.

Posted: **Tue Nov 17, 2020 1:56 pm**

The Frankly Wines & Friends Wine & Music Series #17 – Mitchell Young featuring the Manic Street Preachers' "Motorcycle Emptiness" and Domaine Montirius "Garrigues" Vacqueyras

Posted: **Tue Nov 17, 2020 2:50 pm**

Dear Frankster et al.

Recommend a stunner for goose on Christmas Day. Pinot Noir looks the obvious bet (and I have some good ones). Maybe go off piste for a bit of fun.

Budget, say less than £50.

Posted: **Tue Nov 17, 2020 2:58 pm**

http://content.email.thewinesociety.com ... iew_online

Posted: **Tue Nov 17, 2020 4:27 pm**

Globus wrote: ↑Tue Nov 17, 2020 2:50 pm Dear Frankster et al.

Recommend a stunner for goose on Christmas Day. Pinot Noir looks the obvious bet (and I have some good ones). Maybe go off piste for a bit of fun.

Budget, say less than £50.

Had goose every Christmas for the last 20 years or so.
It really depends on the trimmings and accompaniments you're having, red cabbage and apple sauce and fruit based stuffings can be killers.
Pinot Noir is fine, wouldn't neccessarily match with any fine Burgundy though. The best we've had is the Otago Felton Rd Pinot and a Russian River US Pinot whose name escapes me. Barolo and Barbaresco also go well
Though I reckon the best we matched was an off dry Grand Cru Alsace Riesling/ and a Pinot Gris A Gewurtztraminer can also handle the richness of goose
Frankie's your man for most wines, but Alsace in particular

Posted: **Tue Nov 17, 2020 4:39 pm**

Blackmac wrote: ↑Mon Nov 16, 2020 8:27 pm
Bimbowomxn wrote: ↑Sun Nov 15, 2020 10:54 am
Blackmac wrote: ↑Sun Nov 15, 2020 9:31 am I am no wine expert but have been a member of Virgin Wines for the last couple of years. I've got a couple of hundred quid in the account and was planning spending it on a reasonably decent self selected case for xmas. I would just rely purely on their star rating so I am just wondering if you have ever had a look at their selection and would recommend anything in particular.

Volume or quality as a priority?

Because the £200 ish luxury box is bloody excellent and excellent value.
Quality. Obviously you have to buy minimum of 12 so looking to get the nicest self mixed case I can for about £200 to £240. Neither of us like Chardonnay or any really heavy reds.

https://www.virginwines.co.uk/wine/Z385 ... ir-Reserve

A good start on the reds.

Posted: **Tue Nov 17, 2020 4:41 pm**

SaintK wrote: ↑Tue Nov 17, 2020 4:27 pm
Globus wrote: ↑Tue Nov 17, 2020 2:50 pm Dear Frankster et al.

Recommend a stunner for goose on Christmas Day. Pinot Noir looks the obvious bet (and I have some good ones). Maybe go off piste for a bit of fun.

Budget, say less than £50.
Had goose every Christmas for the last 20 years or so.
It really depends on the trimmings and accompaniments you're having, red cabbage and apple sauce and fruit based stuffings can be killers.
Pinot Noir is fine, wouldn't neccessarily match with any fine Burgundy though. The best we've had is the Otago Felton Rd Pinot and a Russian River US Pinot whose name escapes me. Barolo and Barbaresco also go well
Though I reckon the best we matched was an off dry Grand Cru Alsace Riesling/ and a Pinot Gris A Gewurtztraminer can also handle the richness of goose
Frankie's your man for most wines, but Alsace in particular

Or if you’re spending champagne matches with goose as well.

Posted: **Tue Nov 17, 2020 4:41 pm**

Ideal Bimbo. If you see any more, feel free to stick them up.

Posted: **Tue Nov 17, 2020 4:43 pm**

Blackmac wrote: ↑Tue Nov 17, 2020 4:41 pm Ideal Bimbo. If you see any more, feel free to stick them up.

What grape do you like for whites ? Yes / no to oak.

Posted: **Tue Nov 17, 2020 5:02 pm**

Bimbowomxn wrote: ↑Tue Nov 17, 2020 4:43 pm
Blackmac wrote: ↑Tue Nov 17, 2020 4:41 pm Ideal Bimbo. If you see any more, feel free to stick them up.

What grape do you like for whites ? Yes / no to oak.

We mainly stick to Sauvignon, Semillon, Pinot Gris. Definitely not keen on oaky chardonnays.

Posted: **Tue Nov 17, 2020 5:36 pm**

Not wine , but sherry however this is cracking value.

https://www.virginwines.co.uk/wine/Z370 ... Manzanilla

I’ve drunk and love this.

https://www.virginwines.co.uk/wine/Z358 ... erre-Silex

Hopefully Frankie can help you out with Alsace whites and other grapes.

I’m a burgundy white O phile so not much Help

That sherry btw served ice cold with slices of Ham or even chorizo I’d fucking wonderful.

Posted: **Tue Nov 17, 2020 5:42 pm**

Bimbowomxn wrote: ↑Tue Nov 17, 2020 4:41 pm
SaintK wrote: ↑Tue Nov 17, 2020 4:27 pm
Globus wrote: ↑Tue Nov 17, 2020 2:50 pm Dear Frankster et al.

Recommend a stunner for goose on Christmas Day. Pinot Noir looks the obvious bet (and I have some good ones). Maybe go off piste for a bit of fun.

Budget, say less than £50.
Had goose every Christmas for the last 20 years or so.
It really depends on the trimmings and accompaniments you're having, red cabbage and apple sauce and fruit based stuffings can be killers.
Pinot Noir is fine, wouldn't neccessarily match with any fine Burgundy though. The best we've had is the Otago Felton Rd Pinot and a Russian River US Pinot whose name escapes me. Barolo and Barbaresco also go well
Though I reckon the best we matched was an off dry Grand Cru Alsace Riesling/ and a Pinot Gris A Gewurtztraminer can also handle the richness of goose
Frankie's your man for most wines, but Alsace in particular

Or if you’re spending champagne matches with goose as well.

Demi-sec, Rose?

Posted: **Tue Nov 17, 2020 5:46 pm**

Biscuity ——- Bolly grand Anne would he kick arse.

Posted: **Tue Nov 17, 2020 6:03 pm**

Bimbowomxn wrote: ↑Tue Nov 17, 2020 5:46 pm Biscuity ——- Bolly grand Anne would he kick arse.

Yes righty ho! I bet it would

I'm not a huge champagne fan but I reckon my missus would be into that big time

Posted: **Tue Nov 17, 2020 6:50 pm**

SaintK wrote: ↑Tue Nov 17, 2020 6:03 pm
Bimbowomxn wrote: ↑Tue Nov 17, 2020 5:46 pm Biscuity ——- Bolly grand Anne would he kick arse.
Yes righty ho! I bet it would
I'm not a huge champagne fan but I reckon my missus would be into that big time

You’re right though Goose is a nightmare with Xmas trimming.

I’ve got to actually buy some of the Alsace stuff recommended here.

Posted: **Fri Nov 20, 2020 12:37 pm**

My take on six wines from the @lidl_ireland Xmas 2020 collection

Posted: **Tue Nov 24, 2020 12:28 pm**

The Frankly Wines & Friends Wine & Music Series #18 – David Crossley

featuring Talking Heads – Road to Nowhere

Posted: **Mon Nov 30, 2020 8:33 pm**

Time to catch up on a few wine posts!

SuperValu Ireland Xmas part 1

SuperValu Ireland Xmas part 2

Offley Drinkable Port

Posted: **Thu Dec 17, 2020 2:13 pm**

Some of the short articles I did on GrapeCircus wines:

- Champagne Laherte Frères

- Whites From Off The Beaten Track

- Fresh Italian Reds

Posted: **Thu Dec 17, 2020 2:41 pm**

Laherte Frères is just across the valley from La Maquerie, the home of the Taittinger family, where we had a lovely meal. Courtesy of our local wine shop - Amps.

The family always have their marriage there.

Philip has always promoted them.

Posted: **Thu Dec 17, 2020 3:01 pm**

And here it is. Lovely facade but it is very narrow. Unoccupied.

Posted: **Thu Dec 17, 2020 3:34 pm**

Correction. It's La Marquetterie

Posted: **Mon Dec 21, 2020 6:09 pm**

Xmas sparkling is from Lidl

Clairette de Die

Bought it because
Mid 70's on the way back from S of France trip we stopped for lunch and aged mid teens I was allowed a glass or 2.
Its always stuck in my mind.

Hope it lives up to my memory.

Posted: **Mon Dec 21, 2020 8:24 pm**

What do you think of the ratings on vivino frankster?

They a decent indicator or a load of shit?

Posted: **Mon Jan 11, 2021 3:48 pm**

Random1 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 8:24 pm What do you think of the ratings on vivino frankster?

They a decent indicator or a load of shit?

TBQFH I've not read much of them at all. I'd expect them to be very broadly ok, but different people rate wines on different criteria.

If you find a reviewer on there whose tastes appear to match your own, then that person's scores might be a good guide

Posted: **Mon Jan 11, 2021 8:41 pm**

Scored some Pol Roger for the cellar :D

Posted: **Thu Feb 04, 2021 8:48 am**

After a rest for January, I've just posted my first wine review of 2021:

Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay

Posted: **Sun Feb 21, 2021 5:11 pm**

Found a cracker for anyone that wants a big red.

https://www.majestic.co.uk/wines/mayu-c ... ento-39407

Not going to try and get all frankster on this, as I don’t have the ability, so I’ll just say this; this wine tickles the side of my tongue. In a nice way.

Strongly recommend.

Posted: **Mon Feb 22, 2021 12:14 am**

Random1 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 21, 2021 5:11 pm Found a cracker for anyone that wants a big red.

https://www.majestic.co.uk/wines/mayu-c ... ento-39407

Not going to try and get all frankster on this, as I don’t have the ability, so I’ll just say this; this wine tickles the side of my tongue. In a nice way.

Strongly recommend.

Interesting wine! Does it have any green bell pepper notes? Somewhat sweet?

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