28 Days Later

Here I am, nearly, twenty eight days after a perversely prescribed sobriety of the same measure. I scribe from the comfort of a pair of newly acquired beige canvas trousers. You can see, beyond any shadow of doubt, that the re-calibration has been a difficult one and I veer dangerously close to the obnoxious. So profoundly have I missed the clink of mismatched Riedel that my malted pursuits have fallen totally astray and my vinous escapades only intensified, I only fear that I am a step shy from ascending the ranks of the red trousered regiment and regaling you of a quaint 'Bojo' flight I had in the local oeno-café.

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@Rob_Gilmour has been writing for Empty for too long to mention, he is currently working in wine in Edinburgh where he runs @Wine_Edinburgh and somehow has found time to be Vice-President of the @IWSScotland. Being a balanced, multifaceted individual Rob's only interest in not wine, he is also interested in wine education as well having passed with distinction his WSET L3, not to mention Rob has a fondness for having his ego stroked, demonstrated the purring he made while receiving a WSET Scholarship. If you'd like to contact him email: emptyglassie@gmail.com

Ca'Rugate, Valpolicella Superiore, 2007

I have mentioned Valpol before, I have mentioned my infatuation, I have mentioned even my love of it's colour. I think now is the time to admit, I am obsessed with the bloody thing. Now, I am picky however, and have been set on many a rage by attempts that betray the grapes, the style and the very reason for Valpol. That being a wine, that is enticing, fresh and vibrant. This example, well lets say, pricey as it was, didn't disappoint.

Old Ripasso Review

CESARI MARA- Ripasso

I do believe I seen a bottle of this within O'Briens halls and the Wine Mill use to stock it, regrettably no more. This is the first bottle that has managed to be bought twice by myself, more than this, this wine was bought twice, in one week, in first year, and now the owner of the Mill is now hounded to restock with the wine. At €20ish a bottle this is a big ask out of our measily budgets- My defence? This is the bottle that grabbed and dragged me to the world of wine! If my rusty memory serves me right this bottle had a deleciate balance of plum and cherry, the acidity was a little less than a normal Valpol, I would say sweetness, save sweetness is really denying the elegance of this wine. It would be impossible to classify this as sweet, it is yet far from dry. All in all, this bottle has yet to be moved from its place as my favourite bottle, whether it is the nostalgia of the wine that really got you into wine or the wine itself could be debated, however either way the wine is a star. Failing to find this try pick up a Zenato, they are about €16 at the moment a steal if nothing else.

NEW VINTAGE TO BE REVIEWED JAN 2012

Veneto and Valentines - Red

Supposedly the Famous Balcony 

Hello there, Veneto is a bit of a favourite with us here, and I decided I'd throw together all the prices and scores of Venetian wines we've reviewed (If would like any more information on these E-mail us at  theemptyglass@gmail.com) as it's coming up to Valentines and Veneto is after all home to Verona the city of Romeo and Juliet. So enjoy a student take on how to get wines from one of the most romantic regions in the world without burning a hole in the wallet.

All three eventualities of taste are covered here, Red, White and Bubbly, sort of a testimony to the variety this region has to offer in terms of wine.

Here are the Reds from the list there are a lot of wines so we've split the articles up! Enjoy! Hope it helps in finding the right wine for the day!