Our favorite wines for home, sharing is caring!
We prefer to drink more than less wine and like to try out a new variety every now and then. We are really not wine connoisseurs, but of course we know what we like. And then sometimes a great wine comes along that immediately goes on the wine list and so we collect a hodgepodge of favorites. For home. Then, when the need arises, we can enjoy it to the fullest. Ha!
So here are a number of bottles as a tip, without extensive explanation (because we are not sommeliers) but with the love of true drinkers. The best of the wines, our bottles of the moment:
We hung out with 'our' GrapeJane rang the bell and decided together with her that you should remember these sounding titles well for the better 'bells' at home:
- Fancy white and there is a Sancerre and/or Pouilly Fume available? Do it! Always.
- We are quite delighted with a (possibly slightly chilled) Pinot Noir. It is a bit pricey, but the Gevrey-Chambertin Pinot Noir La Justice is a very nice one (a bottle costs around 50 euros, but then you get something).
- And for your sushi, this white one is in the same category (pricey but oh so tasty): Puligny-Montrachet Les Enseigneres Domaine Chavy-Chouet (this is served at Hotel Okura, among others - recommended).
- And furthermore, to get your attention: Montrachet and Meursault from Burgundy. Do it.
Cool Capetown is Cool for many reasons but especially about The Wine. That's how it is Babylonstoren Wine Estate (and hotel!) in Simondium, about a 45-minute drive from the center of Cape Town. You go to Babylonstoren because of the breathtaking estate, the beautiful hotel, delicious food and the excellent wine. None, absolutely nothing, of these words is a lie. The wine, especially the chardonnay, is a treat. You rarely taste one like this. And if you can't go to Babylonstoren (bummer, we know!) then we will let Babylonstoren come to us. For 25 euros, still cheaper than a trip to Cape Town. Let's just say for an occasion. Or you can make it a moment, just as we like to do at Barts Boekje.
Not even a sip and it was already one personal favorite. Of course, because of 1. the cute name and 2. the simple but beautiful label. Luckily it didn't stop there, because with the first sip we immediately let out an 'oompf' of bliss. What a soft, creamy red this is that you can't get enough of. This Much more is a blend of garnacha, briefly matured in wood, supplemented with tempranillo (of course taken straight from the Gall & Gall website because we don't know that much about wine). Anyway: buying a box is recommended and also trying out the white variant. Both Mucho Más's are simply good drinkers.
With its wonderfully fruity taste, this Tempranillo is a surprising wine for just over four euros. And that's interesting, such a good bottle for little money. That's why, because we love to try, we put it to the test and also tried out the white variant. Anyway, we will of course give our honest opinion: as far as we are concerned, this remains a trial... But of course, feel free to go for it.
'Our' William is a wonderful mineral Riesling. The same name (almost the same name) of our dear house dog, so you understand, the name did it all. In addition, it is a wine for all occasions, drinks, a lunch wine, with dinner. Wherever and for what you open it, you're in the right place with this one. Willm is a friend to everyone just like the dog.
Grüner Veltliner is a favorite here because of the mineral, fresh and oh so sparkling character of the wine. And so there is Weingut Stadt Krems Grüner Veltliner. A real Austrian recommendation, the name alone is appealing, nice and elegant. We order these bottles in bulk from wine merchant Okhuysen in Haarlem, which in turn is also highly recommended. The lovely people of Okhuysen never disappoint us and always come up with the best advice. Go try it out.
Back to our favorite, South Africa, because that's where a lot of delicious food comes from. Of Cannon head, among other things, you are always in the right place. You can go straight away all out go for one pinotage, although you are immediately about three tens lighter (of course a few glasses richer, but hey, you can draw that conclusion yourself). Or you go for the Kanonkop Cadette, which is just over a tenner, and a wine (or so we were told) that wins prizes every year. This 'cape blend', due to the mix of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and pinotage, it is one with a lot of taste. Of course, that leaves you wanting more.
Hello sun, it's time to get the rosé out of the closet again. Which one are we going for this spring (and we're already heading into the summer)? To celebrate their 20th year of harvest, the De Groot family (together with the talented winemaker Jean Marie Quef) an exclusive limited-edition (sounds like music to the ears) called rosé Le Grand de l'Amaurigue. And it is just as tasty as it sounds chic. A touch of peach, a hint of fennel and a hint of raspberry. And There you go, you have a beautiful fruity wine with refreshing acidity and a spicy twist. Your choice is quickly made.
And where do you store all these goodies? Our favorite go to's are among others Chabrol Wines, Grape district, Okhuysen and we still rely on the good old Gall&Gall.
