I’ve read a lot about Naked Wines over the past few months. Naked are a relatively new online retailer with a novel concept – you can join up as a “angel”, pay £20 a month and then get Naked’s exclusive wines at a considerable discount (33% or more) when they’re released. Naked use the money
A Balkan take on Burgundy – Matošević Alba Barrique 2008 (Obscure white grapes, Part 3)
It’s not every day you get the opportunity to try a Croatian white wine, without troubling the budget airlines. There is no shortage of high quality wine to be found throughout Dalmatia and Istria, but close to nothing reaches the UK. Therefore, when I saw the Matošević Alba Barrique 2008 on sale at Cartwright Brothers
Protesting, followed by feasting at Barrafina: Urbina Selección Crianza Rioja 1999
The Morning Claret is not an anarchist or a public sector worker, but cannot stand by and see this government wreak vandalism on every area of our society still standing. Therefore I marched through the streets of central London for several hours on Saturday March 26th, enjoying a good natured and peaceful protest with some
A Bordeaux blowout – Lagrange 2001 and Chasse Spleen 1985
Considering the title of this blog, you might have expected a bit more action centred around the Medoc. Just as well then, that a happy dinner with family last Saturday night provided the occasion to unleash some serious clarets. We kicked off with Chateau Lagrange 2001, a charming St. Julien from a forgotten vintage. What
Lunch at Brixton Cornercopia (Obscure white grapes, Part 2)
Brixton Village used to be a forgotten corner of the market, depopulated and unloved, until 18 months ago when the spacemakers project started persuading artists, philosophers, foodies and other madmen into the once empty units. Fast forward to March 2011, and it’s crammed full of interesting new eateries and shops, and in danger of becoming
Rotgipfler and Scamorza (Obscure white grapes, Part 1)
Mrs. Claret arrived back at the house yesterday evening clutching an intriguing looking black bag. Had she indulged herself in a new dress or pair of shoes I asked? Absolutely not, it was actually a present for me – and a consumable one at that! She had happened across a stall at the South Bank
Friday night at Green and Blue – Bressan Schioppettino 2004 and Pintia 2006
Someone said to me recently that Friday night was all the excuse they needed to celebrate with a fine wine. I decided to put this excellent philosophy into practice last night and recruited a few friends to repair to Green and Blue, an exceptional wine bar in East Dulwich. For those not familiar, Green and
Musar fireworks
Chateau Musar is an utterly unique, beguiling wine from the Lebanon, which could be said to have a cult following in the UK and internationally. Its uniqueness stems, I think, from a perfect combination of old world finesse and restraint, with new world ripeness and fruit. Particularly impressive is how the Musar character – exotic
Pinotage, without a lick of paint
The Morning Claret tends to steer clear of the new world, being a lover of the more classic, restrained styles of wine making. But the other night I was searching around for something to match with a south-east asian influenced curry, and settled on a South African Pinotage which had appeared in the house after
When Beaujolais gets serious
There are several tried and trusted ways to mess with the minds of those less experienced in wine. Treating a supposed Chardonnay hater to a flinty, bone dry Chablis is an old favourite. The revelation that sauternes is a better match for soft cheeses than a hefty red might be another. My favourite is the