Sunday, August 9, 2009

GREAT WINE, GREAT DINNER - NO HANGOVER



We opted for Lanson Black Label NV starter and Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz 1992 last night.
The Lanson was good as usual. It has some age on it (I bought it 2 years ago) and it is rounding out a bit - not oxidative but has a richer character than when it is first released. Lanson is one of the few non-malolactic fermentation Champagnes and when new is very crisp and fresh.

The 1992 Hill of Grace was stunning. This wine is 17 years old and still very rich and alive. It had a deep crimson colour suggesting a much younger wine. The aroma was very fragrant and almost heavy with cherries and blackcurrants. The taste was very fruity suggesting a wealth of dark fruits (plums blackberries and cherries. There were no rough edges to it and the soft tannins made for a lovely full finish. No wonder people pay so much for this wine. The current sell price for the 1992 is between 400 and 500 dollars.

Her Indoors excelled with the meal. I like simple foods and opt for Schnitzel for special occasions. Often buying good schnitzel is difficult and we don't like to opt for the milk-fed veal variant. H.I. chose a piece of beef fillet which she sliced thinly and coated in egg, breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. It was delicious and very, very tender. I won't waste time trying to buy schnitzel from now on. I will buy the best piece of fillet and slice it very thinly like she did.
For dessert H.I. mad a Napoleon cake (layers of pastry and sponge cake with jam (cherry) and cream in between. Scrumptious.

No hangover this morning - a mark of both moderation and good wine.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad the birthday went well, but please remember next time before the long wine descriptions that "Wine is for enjoyment and not to be taken too seriously." Your words, I think.
Ben The Motor Mower
ps. Had a nice oil last night. Been in the shed for a while, but a nice brown - almost like a newly bought oil...

Anonymous said...

Don't listen The The to him The The, The Wine Guy. I The The enjoyed your description. I'm The The thinking of The The making some The The home wine The The - thought I'd The The call it The The "The The The Guy's Chardon of Temptation". The The The The What do you The The think?
The The The Guy

Anonymous said...

Well, this post was a bloody yawn! How did you ever think that anyone would bloody care about what bloody wine you drank? Please, if you must write a post, leave out the detailed crap about the wines. Concentrate on other things like what was on TV.
Akish The Philistine
ps. I'm assuming that the good lady turned on the TV in an attempt to block out your wine rant.

Anonymous said...

I just went back to a more interesting time zone after reading your post about what wines you drank and why. I'm glad you're not The Go To The Toilet Guy because then we'd get all those details! If you insist on writing posts like this, I might not be back for a while. Next time you have a celebration, double the wine intake and shut up.
Different Time Zone Bill

Anonymous said...

Actually a good read in a self indulgent sort of way.

The vague beat around the bush guy that enjoys North and South.

ELMA said...

Great post Wine Guy. It inspires me.

THE CURMUDGEON said...

Its nice to see some sensible writing and advice for a change.

JESSICA said...

Groovy. Nice mellow tones and sweet sensations. We like it.

GOOD KIWI BLOKE said...

A really, really interesting post Wine Guy. My only criticism is that it was too short. I would have liked some more detail. What colour were the labels? Were they in good condition" Were the tops cork or screwcap? Did they come off OK? What sound did the cork make as it came out.? What did the wine smell like before it was poured? How much did you pour in each glass.? Did you swirl it clockwise or ant-clockwise?
There is so much more I'd like to know. Can you do a follow-up?