Talking Wines

Buying wines has, over the last couple of decades, become less embarrassing for those of us who don’t know much. In supermarkets nobody’s going to bother us and ask us to pronounce anything or ask questions we may not be able to answer. In a supermarket you have time alone to pick a wine made from a variety you’ve heard of, or a brand you’ve tried before. This is the best way to buy wine isn’t it, because independent wine shops are terrifying, aren’t they? You’d need to be a real expert to go to an independent wine shop.

The days of the snobby, Hooray Henry wine merchant sniggering as you try to sound as if you know what you’re looking for, are over. I recently visited Talking Wines in Cirencester. If you pass Lidl on your left and turn left at the T junction, it’s a little further along on the left (01285 650250). I have never met more immediately friendly and non-scary people in the wine trade. The shop is comfortably set out and makes you want to look at everything. Added to this, they have wines to taste on Saturdays. Not something you’d find in a supermarket. Simon Thomson, the proprietor, is interested and interesting and the wines I tried are very good indeed. Clearly hand-picked by someone with good taste. I went to taste wines and ask a few questions and found myself buying a great big box of wine. Not because of any hard selling but because I wanted to drink more of the wines I’d tasted.

I tried Tabali Sauvignon Blanc 2006 from Limari in Chile (£6.99), which had a very interesting herbal smell and a fresh, clean and very long taste. Certainly not gooseberry juice, but tangy and delicious. Tabali Reserva Especial Pinot Noir 2005 (£8.99) wasn’t typical for Chile, in that it wasn’t terribly fragrant. The flavour was of warm, baked fruit, almost to the point of caramel. It felt gentle in the mouth and ended with refreshing acidity. Very good indeed.

Tabali Shiraz Reserva 2005 (£8.49) was a very intense colour. It smelt like baked ripe fruit and tasted of ripe blackberry. As we chatted, the wine got better and better and despite having 14% alcohol it didn’t burn. They also make a Viognier, but it sells out immediately, so I couldn’t get hold of any. The last four bottles were leaving the premises as I scribbled.

Tabali Late Harvest Muscat 2005 (£5.99 for half a bottle) has the most beautiful smell. So, so attractive. I stocked up on a few bottles for home.

They also run a Wine Club where you put aside an amount each month on a standing order and they choose wine to suit your taste, the price of which is slightly discounted.

If you really don’t know a thing about wine, I’m starting an absolute beginners’ wine course in mid/late September. There’ll be another 6 week course from the end of October, for those of you who know just a little bit. This’ll be in Rodborough, Stroud on Wednesday evenings. Email me on www.QuaffersOffers.co.uk for details. Replies may be slightly delayed due to holidays.

Talking Wines

© Copyright 2007 Mel Jones