We thought it would be fun to occasionally review the wine offerings of our local hostelries as she calls them. So off we went to The Rose and Crown on the Common for a tasting with landlord Jeff Hall. Nice work if you can get it.
It’s such a cosy, friendly pub and the bar was packed, mainly with beer drinkers, early doors.
So what’s Jeff’s philosophy on wine? What does he look for and what does he want to offer his customers? There is no doubting Jeff’s passion for wine and he enthusiastically tells us that he is looking for wines that are out of the ordinary or ‘off-piste’ as he puts it.
He feels that most people want a decent range of affordable wines and that a pub will be judged on its house wines.
“A house wine dictates how good the house is”
The R&C acquits itself well at that level, but also has terrific wines if you pay just a tenner more.
Prices per bottle and for a medium glass (175ml) where available
Il Caggio Pinot Grigio2015 £18/£4.40
Fresh, clean and simple. Rather neutral but what PG drinkers expect.
Verdicchio Classico Moncaro 2015 £18/£4.40
Deliciously different. Fragrant aromas, texture on the palate, balanced. * A Jeff and WB favourite.
Torres Gran Vina Sol 2012 £23/£5.70
Defying its age. Buttery nose, fresh and nice weight on the palate.
One for food.
Chablis Domaine N&G Fevre £29.50/£7.60( By bottle only)
Well balanced citrus and mineral. Top quality from one of the best winemakers in this iconic region.
Reds
Little Rascal Shiraz Australia £18/£4.40
Plummy, soft, round and spicy. Typical and good.
Claro Carmenere 2014 Chile £18/£4.40
Bright, lifted fruit and graphite bouquet. Sweet ripe fruit on palate. *WB Favourite
Baron de Baussac Carignan 2014 £18/£4.40
Old vines transform this grape variety. Light and deliciously fruity. Different, and another *Jeff favourite.
Alpatago Malbec Patagonia Argentina 2014 £23 (By Bottle only)
Deep colour, spicy nose full and concentrated. Lovely red.
Rampant Red Margaret River 2010 £29.50 (By Bottle only)
Stunning. Mellow, velvety fruit-driven red from cool-climate Australia.
WACKUS BACCHUS