Why We Drink.

Why? It is often an excellent question, so fine in fact, I doubt we really bother to ask ourselves it all that much. I've been having a bit of a figurative toss about with the idea of 'cultural exchange'. So much so, I thought for a tasting I'd been asked to host, maybe this big eponymous 'why' question might just be an interesting way to frame the tasting. Well, it turns out I was rather wrong about it being a novel idea to frame a tasting with actually. The tone was something much more low key. But, in the spirit of interest, in the closing minutes as everyone swirled their favourite glass, I asked. "Why?"

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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. If you'd like to contact him email: emptyglassie@gmail.com 

Chateau Montelena, Chardonnay 2009

If you are a Chardonnay fan, this is for you, if you hate Chardonnay and think it's over done and uncontrolled and just outright sloppy, grab a mate and go halves on a bottle, pour a glass and watch as your remarks are wiped clean from your face by what can only be noted as a benchmark for legends of the wine world. Coming from an estate draped in history, with an coming first in the 1976 Paris judgement.

The Blueberries (Empty Awards for 2011)

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.

Spirit Hawk; 2009 Pinot Grigio, USA – California

Glaring off with the Eagles stern dead lifeless eyes, a duel is set. A veteran wino bellowing laughs of triumph over naught but a flabby hollow and over branded grape. Well that’s how this scene was set in my head, yet, god knows the world loves an underdog. By god was the earth good to this one. In my wine journey I had encountered one Pinot Grigio, which had turned heads, mine included, now this was an ever interesting thought and I felt that the review at hand might not see the light of empty, and another wine might fail to have merit found in it. 

RRP €9.99