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 |
 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 |
 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 |
 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: |
 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 | Chicken with a bit of cream or Thai chicken | £8.49 |
 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 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
