I did it - and survived!

So I opened the French wine, and was surprised at the colour. It's held up well, still a hint of red freshness with browner overtones.

The cork simply fell to bits.

On tasting, was like being punched in the mouth by a Port; it has fortified, with a short flat finish. Not too bad, really.  OK, it's shite, and I only had 3 sips, shuddering with each one, but I was happy to put my body on the line for the sake of this blog.

Needless to say I ate my dinner with a glass of water. 

Coming up, Rockfords, Charles Melton and more. Will they be drinkable? Have they survived my garage?

Choices, choices! (and not a drop to drink!)

So I found these two this afternoon. One is vintage 1991 French, and seems to be ok in regards to the cork and bottle.

The second bottle is a sad case, vintage 1976 -  half the bottle has leaked out via the rotten cork and even I don't think I can be bothered opening it. We'll see, it might kill my cold-germs!

Corked, or not, there's always my teeth.

For my second bottle I choose a Hardys Nottage Hill 1990 Cabernet Sauvignon, mainly because once again it's the only bottle I can reach in the garage. Ignoring the dust I wrestle with cutting the top off, and my heart sunk when the wine puller went in too easily. Too easily! Yes, it was crumbly and the cork disintegrated under my hand. Not beaten, I pushed and pulled harder, with cork confetti showering around my feet in the kitchen. I suppose I should push the cork down, but I can't be bothered. Grabbing 2 fine sieves, I strain the dark reddish brown wine into a glass, before tasting. Nuh, it's not going to happen. It's gone off, and I'm not drinking it. Back to the clean-skins for tonight. Cheers!

My second bottle looks ok if you like dust

Must learn to stop and read the label

Even I can't be bothered trying to get the cork out

Penfolds = quality

We recently visited the Barossa again and of course Penfolds is a must-do. We took our sons and their partners to show them the area, teach them what little we know, and to make new memories.

Such an old winery, and always stunning, we loved the changing autumnal grapes leaves

Tables set up for private tastings of the famous Penfolds Grange

When tasting, look at the wine, note the colour and clarity, then swirl, sniff (get your whole snoz in there!) then sip, holding the wine in  your mouth whilst breathing out. Swirl it in your mouth, and swallow.

In the foyer of Penfolds - ask questions, and build on your knowledge

Take the time to really understand the wines, ask questions, learn and enjoy.

And the first bottle is...

I thought I'd start with the nearest bottle I could physically reach in my messy garage, a Penfolds Kalimna.

"A soft, elegant well-developed wine that will continue to further bottle age"

I should have read the bit about decanting and not disturbing the crust!

After a fruitless search for the vintage date, my son found it to the top left of the label - 1988. Considering it's now 2011, I figured it's time to open the bottle!  At 23 years of age, the wine colour is beautiful, a deep ruby-red, clear, and holding it's own.

Pure quality. I pulled the cork easily, and it's fine. A quick sniff and then it's time to pour. I'm surprised as I really thought this would be no good, but I managed to drink this over 2 nights and was sorry to finish it.

Yes, there's sediment on the bottom, of course, and sediment on the back of the bottle where it's rested undisturbed for the past two decades. A great success for my first bottle.

Drinking through my cellar, one bottle at a time.

My wine collection has grown over the years mainly through my love of wineries and the whole industry of wine-making. Yes, I love my wine, but better, I love the wineries, and love to see the grapes growing, chat to the wine-makers and taste their special products.

After our recent visit to the stunning Barossa, South Australia, I realised it's time to start drinking my cellar, one bottle at a time.
This blog will be a random collection of whatever I have dragged out and managed to open. Wish me luck!

Patty