Best of 2011 - My case of the year

Hi all!

2011 was a year of change. And a very exciting one!  Not every day do you go from being a professional & amateur of wine into an amateur wine professional. ;))

TippleTips had a great year too. After a hush-hush launch mid-October, the page views have more than doubled every month, reaching more than 500 page views just before Christmas. Most popular post: the Christmas Prosecco.  Tipple Tips has also just started on Twitter with a daily TippleTip and has counted at least 1 new follower every day!

To celebrate 2011 and best prepare for 2012, here is my TippleTips case of the year. Total 6-case price: £60.

!!!! SPECIAL LIMITED OFFER!!!!  Interested in getting it shipped to your door?  I will get the wines for you and ship them at request. Please contact me for conditions and details.

Wine	Key characteristics	Food to match	Price / UK merchants
Makutu 2010 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc	Kiwi wine first tried at Number 18 brasserie in Wales. What I loved about it: the hint of tropical fruits behind the classic grassy and gooseberry flavours You’ll like it if you like: refreshing white wine, tropical sauvignon blanc	Feta cheese salad; Scampi or prawns; Chicken Caesar salad	£8.50 Talking wines
Marques de la Concordia 2006 Rioja Reserva	A surprisingly soft & smooth Rioja. Tried it at the counter in Majestic Cirencester. Thanks Olly. What I loved about it: the delicate build of powerful fruit aromas. You’ll like it if you like: Rioja, Chilean Merlot, Bordeaux	Roast beef & gravy	£7.99 Majestic
Tenuta Ulisse 2010 Pecorino Terre di Chieti IGT	An Italian aromatic rococo-esque white wine discovered @ the Zurich Vinexpo ’11 with Andreas. It blew us both away! What I Ioved about it:  the exotic and floral perfumes on the nose and the finesse on the palate; the superb bottle . You’ll like it if you like: Papaya, white peach, white wines with floral character	I tried it on its own and it’s already very quaffable. Italian salad or Fish dishes	~£12 The Secret Cellar The Sampler
Allegrini 2010 Valpolicella	Mamma Mia! Another Italian beauty! I haven’t tried a wine from the Allegrini famiglia that I don't like. What I Ioved about it:  it’s light, velvety soft with juicy red fruits (cherries & berries). Dangerously easy to drink. You’ll like it if you like: juicy cherries, berries, light smooth reds.	Had it with a home-made pizza, a little rocket salad e basta! Pouf!	£9.99 Loads of wine merchants offering this wine. Try: The Secret Cellar Bennetts
Marques de Riscal 2010 Rueda	A Spanish delight. Discovered with Kerry & Alistair around a nice piece of chicken. What I Ioved about it:  the delicate of white flowers and white fruit; a spring blossom perfume. You’ll like it if you like: floral wines; pear, white peach TippleTips review	Chicken with a bit of cream or Thai chicken	£8.49 Majestic
Villa Caffagio 2006 Chianti Classico Riserva	Visited the vineyard after I bought the non-Riserva in Tesco and expected a factory. Most intimate and simple visit ever! AAA!  What I loved about it: full body but incredibly smooth with gorgeous concentrated morello cherries. You’ll like it if you like: smooth & powerful wines; black cherries	Had it at Christmas with roast beef after Chateau Méaume and everybody loved it. Try with a beef fillet and a hint of white pepper.	£14 House of Townend Non Riserva in Tesco for £12.29

Enjoy your New Year's Eve and hope to hear from you in 2012!

Cheers! Skoll! Santé! Prost! Salud! Salute!

:@lex