Rustenberg at Waitrose

I make a point of visiting a Waitrose whenever I’m up or down the A1 or M6. Usually, this involves having one of their delicious bacon rolls for lunch (or supper, or whatever really). So I now have a string of them in suitable locations – Sandbach, Newark, Lutterworth, Ashford and recently Great Malvern.

However, on of the benefits of this ‘bacon roll’ search, is that I regularly look at their wine shelves. This week – courtesy of a photo my daughter put on her Facebook site, I’ve discovered that they are selling Rustenberg ‘John X Merriman’ 2008 at £8.99 a bottle, reduced from £11.99, (or £8.54 if you but a dozen on line.)

I visited Rustenberg in 2008 and the John X Merriman was one I really liked. So mush that it was part of the South African tasting I gave to the Cumbria Wine Society. That was 2006 and I haven’t tasted this one yet – but I wouldn’t expect it to disappoint!

Chateau Musar

Its a few years since I tasted some of Gaston Hochar’s delicious Lebanese wine, but on Monday evening we were in Tewkesbury overnight, ready for a visit to the Three Choirs Vineyard the following day. We had supper at the Corse Lawn Hotel, north of Gloucester, and since I wasn’t driving, I chose a half bottle of Chateau Musar 2001 to enjoy all by myself.

I first came across Chateau Musar over 25 years ago, when the thought of anyone producing wine, let alone excellent wine, in the Bekka Valley, sounded like the most extreme anachronism one could get. However, on a visit to Montpellier last year, I discovered a Lebanese restaurant in the city which offered at least four wines from the region – none of them Chateau Musar. But in th UK, Musar is the most well known!

I once had a very rewarding experience when asking for Chateau Musar. Cringletie House, near Peebles, was at one time a regular in the Good Food Guide, and a place we had visited a couple of times for supper and bed. On one of these visits, a request for the cheapest vintage of Chateau Musar on their list resulted in the sommelier apologising profusely that they had none left, but that an earlier (and more expensive) vintage was available, which they would supply at the same price. This was brought, opened, sniffed by the sommelier, who then apologised once more that the bottle was corked. He returned a few moments later to explain that they had no more of that vintage, but could supply an even earlier (and even more expensive) vintage at the same price. That final bottle we enjoyed immensely!

The 2001 was remarkably light in colour, but intense in its nose. So much so I didn’t want to start drinking it, but the flavour was equally good. Maybe not brilliant value in a restaurant (but what is?), but certainly good value if you can get it for around £15 a bottle.

La Hogue

Seems to be an absolute age since I last posted, but that’s because May to July is the peak exam season! Hopefully, I can resume normal service over the next few months – at least until next May!

One of the advantages of the multiple trips to Cambridge is the opportunity to visit Chilford Hall, just east of Cambridge, for the very good wines they produce there. Another is the greater availability of good wine stores, and one such of these is ‘The Wine Store at La Hogue‘. I was reminded of this by an article in the Travel section of last Saturday’s Guardian, which recommended a visit to the La Hogue Farm shop and the ‘…truly impressive Wine Store…‘ near Chippenham just off the A14 between Cambridge and Newmarket.

I went there last month and found the husband and wife owners very helpful and attentive. I was given a tour of their stock, which covers all the normal wine producing areas, but is sourced from small producers only. Just like Shills in Cockermouth they eschew the brands that one can buy in supermarkets, quite rightly because they can’t compete on price with themand

They eventually sold me two bottles that I requested would be good enough to ensure I returned. These were ‘Domaine de Lauriers VdP Rolle‘, from the Languedoc, which, ironically I drove past a couple of weeks later.

The second was ‘Ormeasco Superiore‘ from Durin, in Liguria. Both were good, characterful wines, and will get me back there.

And do note – the Wine Store is a seperate establishment to the Farm Shop – just drive on past the latter!