Bolgheri Super Tuscan wines part1

This weekend I paid yet another visit to one of my favorite wine regions in Italy, if not Europe. The Bolgheri area famed for its muscular Super Tuscans that fetch prices of up to 700 Euro for a a bottle of this fabulous red wine made from the blending of Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah, and other grapes with Sangiovese, in the Bordeaux tradition, should be on everyone's list of wine-travel highlights.
We visited Guado al Tasso at Belvedere above, which is producing outstanding wines, aged in oak , that are shipped all over the globe. There is a visitors centre and a good shop on the estate, where the wines can be tasted. If you don't find it open, never fear, because there is the great and friendly Tognoni enoteca in the charming town of Bolgheri( pictured above with its tower) which I've written on before, where all the best can be tasted. A 10dl glass will set you back 7 euros and a mere taste from the dispenser on the bar, 3.50 euro. Good Tuscan food is served here too.
This time I'll pick out two SuperTuscan stars one much more affordable than the other.
Here I tasted Guado al Tasso 2005 and the blackberry notes, tannins and finish are really something. This is a wine to pair with a good chianina steak. Surrounded by walls of outstanding wines like Sassicaia, Solaia, Grattamacco and a whole stable of Antinori Super Tuscans in this cantina, most costing from E80 to E120, and having just visited the estate and seen the wine aging in oak barrels (above), I could really appreciate the care and attention to detail that went into the making of this very fine wine.
I realised I was living the dream of so many wine writers who want to experience this place apart.
We chose the enoteca/restaurant Ribotta(meaning hangover in Tuscan) in nearby Castagneto Carducci for our lunch of Tuscan crostini, papadelle cinghiale ( wild boar), and then cinghiale chops on the grill with salad.
Here we chose Michele Satta's Bolgheri Rosso 2007 to pair with the rich game meats. This affordable Tuscan from one of the premier winemakers in the area is worth every cent of the 20 euro we paid for a bottle of the 2007 Bolgheri Rosso (pictured above) a Blend of Cabernet 30%, Sangiovese 30%, Merlot 20%, Teroldego 105 and Syrah 10%. The wine is bottled unfiltered and left to age in the bottle, before being sold.
Ripe fruits, plum and berry flavours are enhanced by very muscular tannins, an exciting wine.
Then after lunch we explored the charming hilltop town and all it's enotecas. Name dropping is unavoidable here.
My tasting notes on all the fab wines I tasted here and more on this special region and its high quality wines and olive oil, will be coming up in parts two and three, so don't miss out.

Vergelegen- Far removed

If you're thinking of visiting undoubtedly the most beautiful wine region in the world, the CapeWinelands of South Africa, then you must have a look at some of the Wine Estates in Stellenbosch, Somerset West and around Paarl/ Durbanville.
I've written on the wines and the fine Pinotage here more than once and also featured Beyerskloof where Beyers Truter works his magic. Now here's a site of an estate that I truly love, for you to explore VERGELEGEN the choice of none less than her majesty the Queen and Nelson Mandela, who both dined there. Known for it's extraordinarily beautiful setting at the foot of the
Hottentots Holland Mountains and it's award-winning wines - The Millrace Red is a standard-bearer and well priced and the Chardonnay, simply fabulous, you will never forget a visit there.
I'll leave you to dream about your next holiday there. All the Cape pictures will take you to a wine estate, enjoy the virtual tour.
The site South African Wine can help you with accommodation, maps, wine sales and anything else you may need to plan your wine trip of a lifetime.

Wine to go with simple Italian food - pasta and pizza

Wine review of the Month

I've been reviewing wines from all around the world recently. So thought I would give you a taste of the "bel paese" and feature a wine from the heart of Tuscany in Castellina to pair with your Italian feast. There are those who love Chianti and those who are luke-warm about it. Which ever camp you are in, here's the perfect accompaniment to an Italian dinner. "Toscana" Sangiovese 2006 100% that comes to you from the Cecchi family, who make very drinkable wine,anything they touch turns to gold. Careful cultivation and maturation, produce wines to celebrate with.
This wine can compliment the spiciest sauces, salsiccia pizzas and pastas and any meat dishes including the famous bistecca Fiorentina.
Best news of all, it's available almost everywhere at an affordable price. It's a good stock cupboard wine to have on hand when friends drop round unexpectedly and you rustle up a pasta, or on those cold, dark winter nights when you order in a pizza.
The wine:
Colour: Intense ruby red wine made from 100% Sangiovese grapes (those beloved of all Tuscan winemakers).
Violet notes and an intense fruitiness.
This wine improves with keeping but is also good drunk young.
Combine it with any meats or meat/tomato based sauces for a good time! Indoors in winter or outdoors around the grill in summer.
Another store cupboard staple that will serve the same purpose is Terrale Nero D' Avola Sangiovese Sicilia Calatrasi 2007 from San Cipirello Sicily Italia. This wine is a deep red with a soft and spicy fruit flavour. Persistant and medium tannins.
Drink eat and enjoy the Taste of Italy.