It has been a while ago.....

For more than 6 months I haven't updated this site, but soon I will start with new posts. In the last half year I made interesting visits to famous terroirs in France, Italy and Slovenia. These include Champagne, Prosecco, Koper, Lambrusco, Barolo, Barbaresco, Asti and Valle d'Aosta. On our last trip we even managed to take more than 70 bottles with us ! Updates will follow soon...

Amarone della Valpolicella D.O.C. 2001-Corte Giara

Wine: Amarone della Valpolicella D.O.C. 2001
Grape: 70% Corvina Veronese, 25% Rondinella, 5% Molinara
Region: Veneto-Valpolicella
Producer: Corte Giara
Price: € 28.95
Available at: De Gouden Ton
Rating: 3 peppers

Prosecco del Montello e dei colli Asolani D.O.C.-Casa Bianca

Wine: Prosecco del Montello e dei colli Asolani D.O.C. Frizante
Grape: Prosecco
Region: Veneto-Montello
Producer: Casa Bianca
Price: € 5.95
Available at: Margaret Wines
Rating: 3 peppers

Barbera d'Alba D.O.C. 2001-Fontanafredda

Wine: Barbera d'Alba D.O.C. 2001
Grape: Barbera
Region: Piemonte-Langhe
Producer: Fontanafredda
Price: € 4.89
Available at: Interspar
Rating: 2,5 peppers

Blason de Bourgogne Chablis 2005-Philibert Ducard

Wine: Philibert Ducard Chablis 2005
Grape: Chardonnay
Region: Bourgogne-Chablis
Producer: Philibert Ducard
Price: € 10.99
Available at: Gall & Gall
Rating: 2 peppers

It is getting warmer in this "kikkerlandje" so the whites and rosé's can be opened instead of the reds. The Chablis is already for a long time on my list and finally I had enough courage to buy one (knowing it is a overpriced wine). At the Gall & Gall my choice fell on this Chablis, aged in oak barrels. This is noticeable in nose and taste. At the right temperature of 10 degrees, the wine is crisp, has wood and an ok aftertaste. You can't go bad with this one, but the price could be a bit less in my opinion.

Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet South Australia 2005-Penfolds

Wine: Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet South Australia 2005
Grape: Shiraz (50-65%), Cabernet Sauvignon for the remaining
Region: South Australia-Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek
Producer: Penfolds
Price: € 9.99
Available at: Gall & Gall
Rating: 3 peppers

Colli orientali del Friuli Schioppetino D.O.C. 2005-Zuccolo

Wine: Colli orientali del Friuli Schioppettino D.O.C. 2005
Grape: Schioppetino
Region: Friuli
Producer: Zuccolo
Price: € 4.99 (Exact price unknown)
Available at: Coop Ipermercato
Rating: 2,5 peppers

Vinceller Pinot Blanc Tolna 2005-Danubiana

Wine: Vinceller Pinot Blanc Tolna 2005
Grape: Pinot Blanc
Region: Tolna-Minőségi bor
Producer: Danubiana BT
Price: € 3.50
Available at: Grapedistrict
Rating: 2 peppers

Gavi D.O.C.G. 2005-Fontanafredda

Wine: Gavi D.O.C.G. 2005
Grape: Cortese
Region: Piemonte-Colline del Monferrato
Producer: Fontanafredda
Price: € 7.99
Available at: AH XL
Rating: 2 peppers

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano D.O.C.G. 2004-Fattoria del Cerro

"Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby !!!!!!". This song of the Kaiserchiefs is constantly in my mind since I met this robust "cagefighter" from beautiful Toscana. Its ruby red color, intense aroma in combination with 18 months ageing in Slovanian oak casks produces an excellent after taste. It is advisable to decant this wine first, to let the tannines go a bit. Great with meat dishes.

Wine: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano D.O.C.G. 2004
Grape: Prugnolo Gentile (Sangiovese)90%,Colorino 5%,Canaiolo Nero and Mammolo 5%
Region: Toscana-Montepulciano Cerro
Producer: Tenuta Fatorria del Cerro
Price: € 11.99
Available at: AH XL
Rating: 2 peppers

Verduzzo Friulano Delle Venezie I.G.T. 2005-Giorgio Rigonat

It must have been the 1st of February 2007. After a very interesting day of visiting WWI and WWII monuments, the hunt for a proper Enoteca became our mission. Unfortunatelly we didn't succeed in finding one and ended up at Azienda Agricola Rigonat in Ruda. This was a gift from God, as otherwise I would not have been introduced to the Verduzzo Friulano !

This sweet and dark yellow coloured wine with an everlasting fruity after taste is harvested very ripe from the eastern area of Friuli where the climate on the hills favours grape growing. I was in heaven when I drank a glass in the lovely Rigonat shop. In this shop you can also bring your own watertank and have it re-filled for a mere 1.80 per liter ! Too bad I only brought 2 bottles with me, but soon I will be supplied with new stock (grazie a Fam. Scarazzato !). For me this is a definite 3 peppers wine, as the price-quality value is outstanding.

Wine: Verduzzo Friulano delle Venezie I.G.T. 2005
Grape: Verduzzo Friulano
Region: Friuli Venezia Giulia-Colli Orientali del Friuli, Ruda
Producer: Giorgio Rigonat
Price: € 3.50
Available at: Azienda Agricola Rigonat, Ruda-Italia
Rating: 3 peppers

Salice Salentino D.O.C. 2004-Feudo Monaci

Whenever I go to my Paperina there is always wine available and today there is no difference. Accompanied by a superb steak "alla Fabiana", we almost finished the bottle. She was very enthusiastic about the wine (Her score was 1,5 pepper), I wasn't. The aftertaste disappears quickly and it all tasted a bit bitter to me. The aromas were nice in the beginning, but tend to be weakening pretty fast (Being a "fresh one" in the wine world, I still can't provide you an aromatic description). The azienda is located in the beautiful Castello Monaci. Although this producer is known as one of the best in Puglia, it will take some time for me to try this wine again.

Wine: Salice Salentino D.O.C. 2004
Grape: Negro Amaro, Malvasia (up to 20%)
Region: Puglia-Salice Salentino
Producer: Feudo Monaci
Price: € 4.05
Available at: Carrefour and Coop Ipermercato in Italia
Rating: 1 pepper

Describing wine the Dutch way...

These hilarious descriptions of wines, were taken from a Dutch wine encyclopedia !
source: http://www.reisomdewereld.nl/zuideuropa/spanjev6.html

-Zwart-witte wijn die niet aarzelt een beslissing te nemen. Smaak doet denken aan een slowmotion film. Afdronk van een stille tocht tegen zinloos geweld.

Black-white wine that doesn't hesitate to take a decision. The taste reminds that of a slowmotion movie. The after taste feels like a march aginst pointless violence.

-Wijn met het koppig karakter van een Pakistaans-Indiaanse grensconflict. Vol emotie en geschiedenis. Denkt aan zichzelf. Geur doet denken aan een hazenlip.

Wine with the stubborn character of the India-Pakistan border conflict. Full of emotion and history. An egoïst. Aromas that remind you of a cleft lip.

-Zure wijn die taferelen van inteelt in een fries herfstdorp oproept... Gastvrij maar met een verneukte uitstraling...

Acid wine that recalls the scenes of inbreed practicized in a Frysian autumnvillage...Very much welcoming but with a fucked up attitude...

Gran Reserva Valdepeñas D.O.1999-Baron del Cega

A few weeks ago I was wandering through the Lidl to score some cheap icecream and meat, until my attention got caught by a billboard with the text "Beste keuze Consumentenbond". Are they testing wines besides refrigerators these days ? Curious as I am, I decided to buy a bottle of this wine as a week before I drank a nice Berberana Dragon Tempranillo from AH.

It looks like the labels and barcode were printed on an Epson Stylus from 4 years ago. The wine doesn't taste bad, but after a few glasses, the headache starts to kick in. When my nose inspects the wine, I tend to first perceive the smell of chemicals and then nothing. Also the aftertaste disappears fast with every sip I take. For me this will be the last Aldi/Lidl wine I spent my money on. The Consumentenbond can better restrict themselves to babyseats and refrigerators....


Wine: Gran Reserva 1999 D.O.
Grape: 100 %Tempranillo
Region: Valdepeñas-Espana
Producer: Baron del Cega (I doubt if this producer exists !)
Price: € 3.99
Available at: Lidl-Delft
Rating: 1/2 pepper

Chianti Classico Riserva D.O.C.G. 2002-Piccini

After a not so good experience with a AH Chianti, I was very sceptical about a new encounter, but this time I was amazed ! Perhaps it had all to do with the use of some "refreshing" cigarettes. Credits must go to Jesus, who bought this as a present for Fabbss.

Wine: Chianti Classico Riserva D.O.C.G. 2002
Grape: Sangiovese
Region: Toscane-Chianti Classico
Producer: Piccini
Price: € 8.99
Available at: Dirck III
Rating: 2 peppers

Villa Antinori Toscana I.G.T. 2002-Marchese Antinori

Wine: Villa Antinori Toscana I.G.T. 2002
Grape: 60% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 5% Syrah
Region: Toscana-Chianti Classico
Producer: Marchese Antinori
Price: € 12.49
Available at: AH XL
Rating: 3 peppers

Lois Grüner Veltliner Kamptal Qualitätswein 2006-Fred Loimer

When I think of Austria, I think of Mozart, Schnitzels, Chocolate, Dutch people dancing on Frans Bauer music during their ski holidays and beautiful palaces. But there is of course more and I just found out they have excellent white wine...Today, I was walking through my local wineshop to find a good French Chardonnay and couldn't make my mind up so I asked the owner if he could recommend me something. After showing me a few expensive bottles, he ended the tour with an Austrian Grüner Veltliner. For € 9,50 it was worth a try, I thought. And man, it turned out this was an excellent choice ! The screwcap has the Austrian flag on it and the simplicity of the bottle is very inviting. Lois is fresh, juicy and has a fruity aroma. In other reviews they are even mentioning a pepper tone, but maybe I need to have more experience to taste this. It doesn't matter anyway, this one deserves 3 peppers. I think this will be an ideal drink to accompany asian dishes or just as a thirst quencher.

Wine: Lois Grüner Veltliner Kamptal Qualitätswein 2006
Grape: Gruner Veltliner
Producer: Fred Loimer
Price: € 9.50
Available at: De Gouden Ton
Rating: 3 peppers

Villa Antinori Bianco Toscana I.G.T. 2006-Antinori

Wine: Villa Antinori Bianco Toscana I.G.T. 2006
Grape: 70% Trebbiano and Malvasia, 30% Chardonnay Toscano and Pinot Bianco
Region: Toscana-Centrale
Producer: Antinori
Price: € 6.49
Available at: AH XL
Rating: 3 peppers

Beringer Chardonnay California 2005-Beringer Vineyards

Wine: Beringer Chardonnay 2005
Grape: Chardonnay
Region: California-Napa Valley
Producer: Beringer Vineyards
Price: € 5.79
Available at: AH XL
Rating: 1 pepper

Cabernet Sauvignon D.O.C. 2004-Crevatin

Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon D.O.C. 2004
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Friuli
Producer: Crevatin
Price: € 3.90
Available at: Coop Ipermercato
Rating: 3 peppers

Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 D.O.C.-Valle

Wine:Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 D.O.C.
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Friuli Venezia Giula-Colli Orientali del Friuli
Producer: Valle
Price: € 3.90
Available at: Coop Ipermercato
Rating: 2 peppers

Pinot Grigio Aquileia D.O.C. 2005-Giorgio Rigonat

Wine: Pinot Grigio Aquileia D.O.C. 2005
Grape: Pinot Grigio
Region: Friuli
Producer: Giorgio Rigonat
Price: € 3.50
Available at:
Rating: 2 peppers

Pinot grigio Alto Adige D.O.C. 2005-Alois Lageder

Wine: Pinot grigio Alto Adige D.O.C. 2005
Grape: Pinot Grigio
Region: Trentino Alto Adige-Tòr Löwengang
Vineyard: Benefizum Porer
Producer: Alois Lageder
Price: € 16.95
Available at: De Gouden Ton
Rating: 3 peppers

Negroamaro I.G.T. 2005-Feudo Monaci

Wine: Negroamaro I.G.T. 2005
Grape: 80% Negroamaro, 20% Malvasia Nera
Region: Puglia
Producer: Feudo Monaci
Price: not available
Available at: Coop Ipermercato
Rating: 2 peppers

Il Grigio Spumante-Eugenio Collavini

Wine: Il Grigio Spumante
Grape: Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio
Region: Friuli
Producer: Eugenio Collavini
Price: € 12.99
Available at: De Gouden Ton
Rating: 2 peppers

Chianti Classico D.O.C.G. 2005-Cecchi

Wine: Chianti Classico D.O.C.G. 2005

Grape: Sangiovese

Region: Toscana-Chianti Classico

Producer: Cecchi

Price: € 6.99

Available at: AH XL

Rating: 1 pepper

Prosecco delle Venezie