Here at team empty we have decided that we could kick off the new year by having ourselves a little bout of awards just to mention some of the best wines, people, producers, regions and wine businesses that we've come across over the 2011. Our format is very simple, there is a first, second and third place, see simple. That in mind, here are our Blueberry awards for 2011.1. Red
One of those does what it says on the tin categories. We encountered a lot of top quality reds this year which left this a hard contest. One thing to note from our experience this year is the quality for money in Rioja has finally began to show. Crianza's have started to offer up a lot more that little uncontrolled oak bombs, we'll follow this up in 2012 to see if the quality and price stick. Without further delay here are our three favourite red wines of 2011.
1st: Conde De Valdemar, Crianza 2007 (€12.95)
Intense is not the word to describe how this wine asserts itself, one of the finest examples of an oaked wine that has come to our door this year, and at the price of €12.95 an absolute steal.
2nd: Segada, Red, 2008 (€8.95)
This wine was our favourite last Christmas and rightly so, offering a lesson in how to display smooth fruit that integrates well with spices such as cinnamon and vanilla. Textbook and we love it.
3rd: Don David, Cabernet 2009 (€11.95)
New world Cabernet has a name for being a monster and no other sort of a monster than an untamed one. Yet, stick it at around 1000 meters above sea level and watch as elegance appears alongside intense notes like blackcurrant, tobacco and tertiary favours.
2. White
Without dancing around the subject, we were without fail spoiled for whites this year, with a huge surprise for ourselves, all the Riesling we so covet has lost out entirely. More surprises that not only was Riesling out done but none other than the gimp of the wine world, NZ Sauvignon Blanc. Not finished with the double batting of surprise that conjured notions of wooden spoons, we again opened our jaws to New Zealand and a very surprising South Africa.
1st: Seifrieds, Gewürztraminer 2009 (€13.95)
Whoa. This is all. This is all there is to say. A must try, and a must stock, intensity that is normally reserved for dessert wine, while being only off dry and having a finish of Ginger that really left every glass ending in awe.
2nd: Rabbit Island, Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (€9.99)
Well here it is, a Sauv Blanc that we don't hate, worse again a new Zealand Sauv Blanc, well restrained and balanced, exactly why the world fell for NZ, a pity there is not more styled like it.
3rd: Springfield, Chardonnay 2010 (€14.95)
Thobias spins in his grave at the thought of it, the home of the Rubber bandits. South Africa with it's dirty burnt nose offering a wine to the awards, luckily though, this one is white, so our problem of burnt rubber was not on the table. Two words, buttery heaven.
3. Rosé
We offered little time to this section with the exception of Miguel Torres Rosé example there was no rosé that surprised or even ignited a flame for Empty. Quality in this department is poor at best, with of course our aforementioned exception.
1st: Santa Digna, Cabernet Rosé 2010 (€10.95)
An excellent wine and why every rosé maker out there ought to hang their head in shame, a great wine that offered amazing summer drinking, and suited food or banter perfectly. Good balance, only problem was a slight greenness, yet the vines youth accounts for this.
2nd: Tachetto Rizzardi, Rosé (Shane was bold, and didn't say, but Shane has now returned and said it is €11.99)
I am not normally a Rosé fan, but this one was a treat during last years summer. Anyone remember that day? I think it was towards the end of July. Anyways, the wine is rich in colour and flavour, with notes of strawberries and cherry and has a well balanced acidity that leaves a refreshing finish. What more could you ask for in a world awash with cloying and overly sweet Rosé.
3rd: Curious, Sparking Moscato (€5.99)
A product I loath, a creation of the Pinot Grigio brigade, yet as a space filler, it offered nothing offensive, still not a repeat buy.
4. Sparkling
The intros for these very obvious categories are really hard to write. Consider this an Empty wish list if you fancy spoiling us! Bubbles was not a main point of the year for us, however their where some notable wines here, Billecart & Salmon NV is an example of what we mean. Just heavenly.
1st: Billecart & Salmon NV (€46.95)
This is what champagne is all about. Complexity, elegance and style. Walnut, almond and fruit all dancing around the palate to really for Champagne that is worth the money you pay.
2nd: Veuve Clicquot NV (€50)
Runs on the citrus fruit that Billecart dances with, a very rich champagne.
3rd: Jeio, Prosecco Superiore (€18.95)
Under €20 and a really excellent bubbly. Stands up to and betters many Champagnes twice its price. Fine bubbles which go on and on and on, and on.
5. Best Overall Wine
Well this was a pain in the arse of a category to judge. We decided on fairness and left out wines such as a 1981 Shiraz, a 2005 Dead Arm or Two a 1994 Vintage Port, 2001 Alcase Riesling, and none other than a 1995 Opus One to mention but a few. Put simply the quality out there for €10 - €20 is astounding. The New World especially seems to come of age from €15 upwards. Here are three wines that if you have not tried, you must.
1st: Devils Elbow, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (€17.99)
Thobias has had multiple love affair with this wine no doubt. Massive aussie Cabernet, Empty is guessing this won't be long off getting a huge Irish following. Top tip would be to decant the wine for about an hour to really let it open up a bit and let all that Australia has forged it Cabernet name on surge forth. When the nose of eucalyptus enters is where my heart jumps every time.
2nd: Paul Dolan, Zinfandel 2006 (€12.95)
This was narrowly beaten from first, for a single reason, we can find any more of it without going through suppliers, a fantisic wine, elegant and most definitely has swung me to the Zin side of the Zin/Prim argument. From a petit flu youghrat like nose this evloves into raspberry which continously open and become sharp, distinct and almost regal in a way. Finely oaked and an organic wine too to boot.
3rd: Chateau Cluzan, 2009 (€10.95)
Breaker of Thobias and his immovable believe that Bordeaux wine was overpriced or muck. A tour de force on what it means for a wine to tick on the boxes and be allowed linger in the glass. Champion wine from an excellent vintage, for around €10 this is a treat, one to age, one to drink now, one to savour.
6. Producer
This category was up there among the hardest to judge. Some producers offering timeless jewels, and others character, charm and experience, after verging on an hours debate we finally shortlisted and voted, which saw a three way tie and required a more qualitative approach.
1st: D'Adrenberg
Dead Arm 2005, The Copper Mine 2005, Footbolt, D'Arry's Army, The Hermit Crab, The Stump Jump, need I say more? No, however I will offer this picture as a supplement to words.
2nd: Seifried
Not as dramatic as the above, but our krauts turned Kiwi really are something to behold when it comes to wine. If the rest of NZ was following suit with the quality of the wines these guys are offering we'd have seen the death of D2 Sauv-Pinot NZ ages ago, and what we'd have in it's place is, a dedicated wine country that has more than just mass appeal but mass appeal paired with character and flavour. I say this with no hesitation, these are the best whites I have tasted all year by rather a long shot.
3rd: Luigi Bosca
This is a team favourite when it comes to quality wines, moving beyond his obviously fantastic Malbec, Luigi Bosca offers well structured and powerful wines. His Pinot Noir stole hearts here at Empty and is set to feature in a Pinot Battle planned for this year which it is strongly tipped to be a winner. The La Linda range is excellent with indigenous grape single varieties to spice things up. Bumping up the quality, the Gala range needs no word save masterful. Really a man to acquaint yourself to.
7. Region
1st: Barossa
Rob won over to Shiraz by it. Myths produced by it. Peter Lehmann holding a standard only to falter due to the problems of the market, new heroes uncovered continuously. These little and huge stories are what wine is about. Then there's Eden Valley attached, the Riesling, Pewsely Vale, amazing. Wine Australia's display of Peter Lehmann's 1981 Shiraz showing what really is a place that can and has produced legends.
2nd: Argentina
Luigi Bosca, Catena, Del Fin Del Mundo, so many good wines, and they are all reasonably priced, not one encounter so far is too expensive or bad value. Really a region where we need to look beyond the principal grape of Malbec, because we are all missing out!
3rd: Rioja
We like Spanish wines and make no secret of it. Especially, we like a good Rioja, but the problem is until this year the prices really hadn't added up, but with Conde de Valdemar leading the reductions on shelves, even bringing a grand reserva down to the bargain of €20. The other stunner was as aforementioned the crianzas available, truly a great year for the wine region giant.
8. Best Wino of The Year
This award led to a great chat here at Empty recounting the past year, and all the faces and people that have made this year the year it was. We had more than an abundance of people to talk about and people that deserved the award. To everyone that has crossed our paths this year, thank you, it has been a pleasure without exception!
1st: Chris Gifford (The Corkscrew)
The happy head that has often greeted Empty to The Corkscrew Wine Merchants Dublin's Chatham's Street. If you have yet to have something advised to you by this man, remedy that fact without pause. In a burst of words, a gent, knowledgeable, friendly, down to earth. Well and truly Empty's favourite wino of 2011!
2nd: Adrian Hoffman (Barossa grape-grower)
A grape grower met at Wine Australia Ireland Annual tasting in Corker this year, a huge personality that captivated a room, and guided Empty through some of the Finest wine we have yet to taste.
3rd: Berna Hatton (Mill Wine Cellar)
Our local who has offered advice, help and as if that wasn't good enough, Opus One. We are greatly indebted without a doubt. Thanks Berna!
9. Fintan Traynor Award (Best Wine Business)
This award is dedicated to the late and dearly missed Fintan Traynor. Its an award we gave much time and thought to. We considered it a fitting tribute for one of the greatest driving forces behind Empty.
1st: The Corkscrew Wine Merchants
The guys of Chatham Street are really beating people to the polls today. The Selection in the shop paired with the staff, and the great wine ambition really ensure that the Corkscrew is one of Ireland's best wine shops if not the best.
2nd: The Wine Store
Only recently discovered by ourselves here at Empty but already it has nudged it's way into our hearts by helping out the MSU Food and Wine Society. A great old world site that has more than a lot of quality old world goodie up there. Truly what seem to be a great bunch.
3rd: Ely Wine Bar
Wine bars like Ely don't come along every day, and when they do, you never expect them to be on your doorstep or even on your Island. Their blog has recently kick-started again and it's looking great too. If you would contend this award, find their wine list for wines by the glass and then come back to us. Amazing Atmosphere.
10.Website
The Last Category of the Blueberries, and something that shouldn't come as a surprise to those reading this, but the Irish wine web scene is fantastic, this was really another category where we were spoiled for choice.
1st: Wine Ireland
Lar Veale has stolen the award with this simple yet amazing idea of getting everything in one place under the nice simple name of Wine Ireland. In it's baby steps now but genuinely a fantastic idea and project.
2nd: The Corkscrew
No Irish Wine Website has quite managed the look and style that the Corkscrew has. We love it, they also have a huge selection of their wines up to choose from.
3rd: Curious Wines
Our Favourite of the on-line wine retailers. Fresh and lively feel to them, with an appropriate selection of wine to follow that feel-good feeling with!
Regards,
Rob & Shane (Thobias)
For more info contact: EmptyGlassIE@Gmail.com
All prices are not fact, and are from various Merchants at Various times, we hold no liability for them.
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