Sometimes it’s ok to have ME time…
After 8 solid weeks of twice a week videos – both Cocktails and Wine Tasting; I decided to take some time off. As it happened it also coincided with my wife returning to full time employment and becoming a little run down and unwell (NO, it wasn't COVID in case you were worried).
I having talked with some of my friends (and taken the advice of my wife), some of whom have been furloughed and some who are continuing to work. All of whom have extolled the virtues of taking a rest day, a duvet day or just plonking yourself in front of the telly for 2 days. It is ok, every now-and-then and can have real benefits to you physical and mental health.
I currently don’t have a job but I have committed a lot of time, energy and planning into creating content for my channels, writing and working on potential business plans. To cut a long story short, I just need to take the time to catch my breathe and enjoy some time that was not all about building my brand, delivering on content or focused outside my own home.
I did a lot of sleeping, I exercised and spent time with my son. I also got a taste of what it is going to be like being a FULL-TIME HOUSE HUSBAND too, which will be intense and certainly not a role to be underestimated in its difficulty and time consumption.
After 2 weeks off - I feel refreshed and ready to start with the next few weeks of tastings; I think we have a really fun and enjoyable video for you this week.
NEXT WEEK – We are trying a Dry Red Hungarian Wine from the Eger region called “Egri Bikaver” – this is also known as ‘Bulls Blood’ Wine – From the Producer ‘Thummerer’; link attached.
THE WINE
Negreiros 2016
Douro DOC
Douro Superior
From Naked Wines – kindly gifted by Clayton & Nikki White
MY NOTES
Colour: Intense Purple
Nose: Bright nose of Red Fruits & Cherry, on the way to being slightly confected but the bittersweet aromas of Chocolate really help to balance the nose. Little minerality is present with a light toasty note, it’s fruit characteristics sing in perfect harmony.
Palate: It’s full bodied – with Baked Strawberries & Raspberries with the acidic hint of Cranberry presenting at first tasting, followed by an enjoyable and almost overripe Blackcurrant flavour. The texture of the wine is incredibly silky which makes it very enjoyable to drink, the lower presenting tannins with a light black olive touch / salinity makes it balanced without the need for excessive ageing it would seem.
Verdict: Powerful and rich, the softness of the overall wine makes it a very different style of wine than some of the Italian and French wines we have had in the last few weeks and it iswhat I have come to love about Portuguese wines in the last few years. It does not feel forced or over produced, just quality grapes transformed with love into a delicious and approachable drink.
PAIRING
Pot Roasted Brisket w/ White Bean Pureé and Cabbage & Smoked Paprika Sausage
Brisket’s undeniable effectiveness at slow cooking may ensure its place as the pinnacle of slow cooked meats. It is perfect poised to compliment this wine with meat that is buttery, savoury and bursting with meaty intensity
The pairing is more contrast in flavour than congruent. The acidity and fruit are positioned to ease the rich flavour of the hardworking brisket muscle and the fat covering renders to produce an intense sauce.
In cooking with red wine the acidity and the sugars become more intense – which required a wine that retains enough fruitiness to counteract this palate filling meal.
I love bean pureé as a replacement to a mashed potato, they have a flavour all of their own and I personally believe it is a lighter way to enjoy an evening meal. The starch of the bean feels less heavy on the palate and compliments the silky notes of the wine.
Smoked Sausage, Paprika & Cabbage are an almost perfect combination for this wine as a dish on it’s own. Let alone in combination with everything else, it’s hard not to find this dish immensely satisfying regardless of the wine, it just so happens to make this whole meal and pairing complete for me.
I hope you all had fun reading this blog, I’m glad to be back and I look forward to sharing next weeks Bull’s Blood wine with you soon.
Don’t forget to Eat & Drink With Love.
All the best
Goose