Cellier des Dauphins - Cotes du Rhone, 2006

A combination of Syrah and Grenache blended in the summer sun at the end of the Rhone. An initially fruity aroma, then becomes earthy and slightly musty. The taste is one of blackberries with some tannins and a slightly acidic after taste. Overall quite palletable.

In my mind its unmistakeably French. Ideal if you are sitting three inches off the ground in a camping chair, waiting for the old guys in the tent across the way to down their Pernod and continue the boules tourney. Equally well suited if you are just thinking about planning your holiday too!

You can find out more at www.cellier-des-dauphines.com

Available from Morrisons - £4.99

Pished!!!

Yes, maybe but it was an interesting evening. Thanks to everyone that took part.

Wine Tasting - Live

It sound like a Channel 4 production! Anyway if you want to join in the wines are listed below:

Pick one and rate it on my Facebook page 'Chablis Charlie and the Grape Adventure'. You can follow the link on the left hand menu.

See you later.....

Can you taste wine virtually?

Interactive Tasting Anyone?

This Saturday evening I am planning to host a wine tasting event.

You are all welcome to join in and post your comments live. I don't expect you to try them all because unless you are having a party too, you will have a lot of open wine bottles. However why not choose one or two and join in.

Here is the list of pre-selected wines:
- Le Dog de Charlotte, Chardonnay 2008, France
- KWV, Chenin Blanc 2009, South Africa
- Picco d'Umbria, Orvieto d.o.c. 2008, Italy
- Nederburg, Shiraz Pinotage 2008, South Africa
- Kiwi Cuvee, Pinot Noir 2007, France
- The Best, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo d.o.c., Italy

They are all available from Morrison's and under the £6 limit (although there was a very tempting Gigondas at a tenner).

You can follow or join the event live via Twitter (@chablischarlie). Tasting notes will also be added to a discussion provided I can still type. Let the fun begin.

Macon Villages (Bourgogne) - Cave de Lungy , Chardonnay

A nice light looking Chardonnay without the darkness you get from oak. It also has that characteristic musty aroma that let's you know a Frenchman has been involved here.

Crisp and quite sharp citrus flavours then mellowing afterwards. Very refreshing.

Certainly lives up to its billing and nice to see a good French white for only £5.50 - Great!

Le Dog de Jean Marc - Merlot

Smooth and silky? A difficult one to describe. Slightly musty aroma, plumbs then followed by a lingering taste of cinnamon. Not a complicated wine, you could almost believe it was Australian.

Not a bad effort. Its certainly true what they say about it being good to drink when eating or watching TV, even it if is the X-Factor!

Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi

Now that’s not a queue for a Kylie song (unless you really want to). Don’t ask me why but the two wines I chose today are both French. I had an urge to try some wines from the supposed experts, lets face it the French have been drinking it for long enough.

The first is a Macon Villages Chardonnay from Bourgogne. It looks very much the part with its classic label and gold badge. Lets hope it tastes as good as it looks.

The second is a very un French looking Merlot called ‘Le Dog de Jean Marc’. The dog apparently loves sausages. The wine is supposed to be a soft and fruity red from the village of Tuchan.

La Finca – Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza - Argentina

This is a lighter ruby colour than you would normally associate with a Cabernet, so it was no surprise that it did not pack a big punch. A slightly must aroma (I do associate this with Argentinean reds) is followed by a sharp taste of red currants. At the back of your mouth you do get that spiciness and for me an aftertaste of raspberries.

Light and easy to drink but it will not have you salivating for more. Mind you what do you want for £3.49!

No Power, only 25% battery remaining

Right, I had better be quick here. I am sitting in the dark as we are experiencing a power cut right now. It does not look like the problem will be fixed any time soon.

So no tasting tonight, although I did manage to upload some images of a few very nice wines I tasted last week. These are on my facebook page. Unfortunately they don't count as part of the adventure. If you fancy treating yourself though, I am sure you can find them here too.

10% remaining, better hit the publish button!

Buenos Aires – Chenin Blanc/Torres 2008, Mendoza

A pale looking white, you could almost think it was an Italian Pinot. Sharp and dry, almost acidic to begin with but then mellows out a little to become almost buttery. There is fruit here but I am not convinced I get the mellon as described on the label.

Not awful but I would not be rushing to buy it again. However that's just my opinion.

Available from Tesco - £5.16 (12.5%)