Competition No comments yet

Win A Free Trip to Vinopolis!!

By on February 22nd, 2012

Something a little bit different on the Jack’s Blog today! Last week we were approached by experience day website Wish.co.uk who offered to team up with us to give away one of their Vinopolis experiences.  If you’re reading this blog, then we’re assuming you like wine and so I’m sure it’s something that may be of interest!

This is the prize that you can win-:

http://wish.co.uk/spirit-of-vinopolis-experience/

Vinopolis

Vinopolis

The perfect day out for budding or existing wine enthusiasts, you will visit London’s premiere wine establishment where you will get to sample a wide selection of fine wines. Included in this experience is a tour of the premises, a ‘How to Taste Wine’ session, six regular wine tastings, two beer tastings, two whisky tastings, two absinthe tastings, a Bombay Sapphire cocktail and two rum tastings in addition to a Vinopolis tasting notebook.

Sound good? It does to us! So if you would like to win a trip to Vinopolis, just answer this question-:

Where in France does winemaker Bertrand Stehelin makes his wine?

A – Champagne
B – The Rhone Valley
C – Bordeaux
D – The Alsace

Simply email your answer to team@jascots.co.uk with ‘Vinopolis Experience Competition’ as the subject title.

Terms and Conditions

This voucher is valid for 10 months and you must pre-book a date for your visit. This voucher is valid for one person and the minimum age is 18. You can purchase additional tastings if you wish, but there’s no obligation. Vinopolis’ opening hours are: Mon-Wed (closed), Thurs-Fri (2pm-10pm), Sat (12pm-10pm), Sun (12pm-6pm). Vinopolis isn’t open on any bank holidays, except for Good Friday. Last entry to the tour is 2.5 hours before closing on all days.

Hannah, New Zealand, Tastings 1 comment

Hannah is Off to NZ for a Month with The Esk Valley Wine Estate in Hawkes Bay

By on February 21st, 2012

By Hannah Gordon.

Less than one week to go and I will start my New Zealand harvest adventure at Esk Valley Wine Esk ValleyEstate in Hawkes Bay.  My wonderful employer Jascots is supporting me and granting me one month to travel to the end of the world and experience full on Southern Hemisphere winemaking.  While currently I do not want to think about my everlasting flight, I do want to think about the daily video wine blog I will be posting live from Esk Valley on Jascots website for all of our clients and whoever else is interested.

Esk Valley, let’s just say Esk, is a boutique winery situated on the north Island of New Zealand in the area of Hawkes Bay in Bay View.  If you know this area then you will understand my excitement and anticipation.  One fact of Esk that amazes me is that the techniques used to create their award winning wines are very traditional and hands-on.  I think that means hard physical work for me….It gives you the feeling that the actual physicality of the winery is dictating the outcome of the wines.  Hardly any modern technology is used; the layout of the buildings is designed to fit into its surroundings and not influence the vineyards and, let’s not forget the old concrete fermentation vats from 1933 that produce these flavoursome honest wines.

Esk Valley vineyards

Esk Valley vineyards

Gordon Russell

Gordon Russell

Of course the wines wouldn´t be the same without the personal influence from senior winemaker, Gordon Russell.  I can´t wait to soak up all the information, experience and knowledge I will be receiving from him and his team.  Gordon was New ZealandWinemaker of the year 2007; I mean come on, this guy is a legend – what an honour!

I already know that I will be flooded with wine topics that I can blog about and how difficult it will

Hannah preparing for the off

Hannah preparing for the off

be to choose what to talk about.  My blog will be covering my experience during the harvest from which grapes make quality wines, what topography has gotto do with grape growing, why the sugar level is so important as well as the winemaking procedure and fermenting grapes, the differences between making red and white wine, how to make rose wine, filtering, ageing, etc.  But this won´t be it!  I will be giving you an insight into the New Zealand wine industry; how it is run, what makes New Zealand wines different to other wines from different regions, etc. And of course we will also taste some of Esks award-winning wines together…..!  Don´t hesitate to let me know if there is something in particular you would like to know and I will do my best to blog about it.

So long e nohorā and goodbye London and see you soon, from New Zealand.

Tastings No comments yet

More photographs from last weeks Trade and Press Tasting

By on February 15th, 2012

Environment, Park Royale Ac No comments yet

Environmental ISO14001 Certificate Awarded to Jascots

By on February 13th, 2012

Andrew Flatt – Chairman of Park Royal presents Jascots with their ISO14001 Environmental Management System Certificate.

ISO 14001 is the internationally recognised standard for the environmental management of businesses. It prescribes controls for those activities that have an effect on the environment. These include the use of natural resources, handling and treatment of waste and energy consumption.

Andrew Flatt - Chairman of Park Royal presents Jascots with their ISO14001 Environmental Management System

Andrew Flatt - Chairman of Park Royal presents Jascots with their ISO14001 Environmental Management System

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nicola Rigelsford Lead Auditor for ISOQAR Limited commented on Jascots recent successful certification “I have been assessing companies for ISO14001 certification for many years and it is always a pleasure to visit a company, like Jascots, where I find a mature system and to see the commitment of everyone to continuous progress and development of their environmental systems and projects. It is far more usual to assess a company during the early stages of implementation where an environmental culture has not yet developed. It was fascinating to hear about some really innovative plans for the future and to see such an infectious enthusiasm for everything “environmental”.  There is certainly a green way of life at Jascots which is refreshing in a difficult economic climate.  All too often the environment has to take a “back seat” and I look forward to future visits and hearing about the latest developments”.

Jack Scott 1 comment

Jascots’ Sales Director – Miles MacInnes – to join panel of experts at SITT

By on February 13th, 2012

Business experts and masterclass line up for SITT tasting

SITT 2012

Written by Richard Siddle

Visitors to next month’s SITT tasting in London on February 29 can look forward to a masterclass on Long Island wine and a seminar offering a “Blueprint for Success” for independent on and off-trade businesses as well as the chance to meet an international line up of independent wine producers.

Wine critic and broadcaster, Charles Metcalfe will, between 12pm and 1pm, go through a masterclass, Fine Wines of Long Island, with five wineries from the New York state. These include: Paumanok, The Lenz Winery, Channing Daughters, Wölffer Estate and McCall Wines all imported by Long Island and New York specialist Wine Equals Friends Ltd.

Later that day at 2pm a panel of on and off-trade experts will give their tips for success in the independent sector. The line-up includes Chris Piper of Christopher Piper Wines, Stephen Finch – Vagabond Wines, Miles MacInnes – Jascots Wine Merchants, Tim Wildman of Winetec and Neil Bruce of Studio Alto.

The SITT tastings take place on February 29 at the Honourable Artillery Company, London 10.30am-6pm. Register online at www.sittastings.com.

Jack Scott, Tastings No comments yet

Wow, wow, wow, wow – what a day….

By on February 10th, 2012

What a day yesterday’s Trade & Press Tasting was at Somerset House. 

There were so many great people there. 

We loved it and we think they loved it.

On our exit pole the top five most favourite wines for the day were:

Best Sparkling/Champagne – Champagne André Roger, Grand Cru, Vieilles Vignes [13%]

Best Northern Hemisphere White – Sancerre ‘Le Rochoy’, Domaine Laporte, France 2010 {13.5%]

Best Southern Hemisphere White – Clarence River Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2011 [13%, SC]

Best Northern Hemisphere Red – Brunello di Montalcino, Villa Le Prata, Italy 2004 [14%]

Best Southern Hemisphere Red – La Chamiza ‘Martin Alsina’ Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina 2007 [15%]

Save the date now guys – the next Jascots London Trade & Press Tasting is on 11 September 2012 at a location near you.

Olly with Jack at the Feb 12 Trade and Press Tasting

Olly with Jack at the Feb 12 Trade and Press Tasting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Will and Jo Simon

Will and Jo Simon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chardonnay, David Round MW, France, Grapes, Grenache, Jack Scott, James MacLellan, Languedoc, Merlot, Muscat, Red Wine, Sauvignon, Syrah, Trips to France, Vermentino, White Wine No comments yet

The ‘sourcerers’ apprentice…

By on February 10th, 2012

The Village of Vias

The Village of Vias

By Jack Scott

Having heard all about the fall in production of the Languedoc and the gobbling up of 15% of the Languedoc’s production by the Chinese, David Round MW, James Fleetwood Mac and I prepared our palates with Côte de Boeuf the night before setting about the mission of blending this year’s House Wines from Mas de la Source.

On the large flat plateau just outside the village of Vais, we crossed the railway line and drove through the winterscape of French Vineyards to this year’s ultra important tasting & blending session.

We sat before the unblended juices including zesty Grenache, nicely tempered, grassy and mineraly Sauvignon, fresh, fleshy Chardonnay with it’s creamy texture, light, vibrant and luscious Vermentino and gorgeously grapey and fruit-drenched Muscat.

Assembling the 2011 Mas de la Source

Assembling the 2011 Mas de la Source

Last year it took hot words and almost a dozen attempts to get it right, this year, it took just three.

We loved the zip and zest of Grenache Blanc so that made up the first 30%. Then in went just 10% Chardonnay to add weight and texture, 30% of bright and mouth-watering Vermentino, then calm the youthful vigour and balance the acidity with 20% Sauvignon and we just couldn’t resist popping in 10% of that gorgeously grapy and aromatic Muscat….and K-E-R-B-O-O-M, were there and what a sensational French House White we will present you with in March.  Precision made stuff this, Mas de la Source.

Now for the Rouge.

Chateau de Preignes

Chateau de Preignes

Last vintage’s Grenache was just sensational with it’s ravishingly spicy, fat warmth and the 2011 juice was absolutely as good, but, softer so we lowered that from 50 to 40%….Grenache is the sort of ‘loud button’ of the blend and tempers the other heroes. In goes the flashy, redcurranty Syrah, 25%, followed by 10% nicely structured, curranty Cabernet and 20% berry-rich Merlot and then, just to darken the mixture and bosh in some lipsmackingthirstquenching fruity juicy, I managed to persuade the ever watchful guardian of quality, Mr. Round, to squeeze in 5% Alicante. That works for the red as the Muscat in the White and is the hidden touch that makes the Jascots’ House Wines some of the best in the business.

Jack Scott No comments yet

It’s going to end in tears!

By on February 6th, 2012

By Jack Scott

Tony Blair

Tony Blair

Hhhhhmmmm…..was it Blair that handed back the £billions relief that our Maggie had negotiated out of the EU Common Agricultural dumpster that allowed Chirac to subsidize the ripping out of 245,000 acres of vineyards in the Languedoc thus crashing production from 20,000,000 hl down to only 11,000,000 hl in the smaller-than-average 2009 vintage but which then rose to 13,000,000 hl in the better 2011 vintage? I think it was.

Quantity down, quality up, prices up but, nevertheless, your average vineyard working simply couldn’t make a living in 2010 so prices went up and pate was back on the bread again.

But, now we’re all slam-dunked into the European meltdown and demand for inexpensive wine is up….and then Chinese buyers pitch up and buy no less that 1,500,000 hl of entry- level juice in December to cut into his rather

China - more than Bordeaux....

China - more than Bordeaux....

below-average home- grown wine thus getting the good people of China off the hardcore, high alcohol grain spirit and wean them onto juice of the grape.

So it’s not just the shrinkage of one of the biggest wine regions on earth that’s put pressure on prices, but, the sale of 15% of France’s entry-level juice that’s disappeared off to the other side of The Great Wall that’s going to put pressure on French House Wine prices.

So, it’s not just Lafite that’s gone East but our jolly juice as well!

Oh dear, didn’t see that one coming.

Beaujolais, Big Bottles, Burgundy, Champagne, France, Jack Scott, January Warehouse Sale, Park Royale Ac, What's hot No comments yet

An Ode to Jo…..

By on January 30th, 2012

Is it you I'm looking for?

Is it you I'm looking for?

By Jack Scott

G’day to my small handful of Blog readers including the dazzlingly gorgeous Jo who I met at our January Warehouse Sale on Saturday….Jo, now we’ve met, I am going to write with rejuvenated vigour and hope to amuse you….oh, and you, too.

Saturday went well although it did hurt to watch our last 5 Magnums of Saint Cosme’s 2003 Gigondas Valbelle fly out the door at close to their original cost but they all went to very good homes so that’s a happy news.

I can see it in your eyes...

I can see it in your eyes...

And, Corton~André’s Puligny Montrachet Premier Cru ‘Les Folatieres’ ’06 was tasting better than ever and flew off the shelves at £33…an absolute steal for the best White Burg I have tasted for a while….if there are any left, you should scoop them…golden and possessing a sumptuous nose that tells you just how good it’s going to taste and there is no disappointment at all when it hits the palate. Fresh, very full and luscious, lovely caressing texture and classic big White Burgundy flavours. More big boy ‘Pucelles’ than the normally elegant, feminine ‘Folatieres’ but ’06 was a rich vintage so no surprise there.

I can see it in your smile....

I can see it in your smile....

Thank you to everyone who took time out of their precious Saturday especially Mike & Kirsty who scooped the last Magnum of Valbelle, proceeded to their butcher to acquire Venison and cooked up a pot that went perfectly with the big Rhone. Lovely jubberly.

And what now? A start at stupid-o’clock to catch the 7.40 to Toulouse and 3 visits to French House Wine providers to blend up our 2010s….what’ll it be this year, more spicy Syrah and classy Cabernet in the 09 vintage, or, will the smoky Grenache Rouge win the day like it did 12 months ago ~ I’ll report back.

you're all I ever wanted....

you're all I ever wanted....

Finally, I’ve just read “Shortlists’s” ‘Six idiotic motorists’ and the funniest was No5…’A 20-year-old Estonian man was arrested twice in 2007 for driving while blind in the town of Torvandi. Oh, and he was drunk too. ‘There were three people in the car with him giving him instructions’ said Marge Kohlta of the Tartu district police. Which is obviously fine.”
Marge clearly got out of the wrong side of the bed that day.

More later…have a lovely day, Jo.

Burgundy, France, Jack Scott, Pinot Noir, What's hot No comments yet

Kissing A Frog?

By on January 27th, 2012

By Jack Scott

Oh Lordy Lord….we’ve tasted some very fine wines in the last couple of years whether they be the most impressive, top-end wines at the end of Challenges, stuff like our weapons-grade Priorat, “Planots” to Yquem and the big boys of Claretville at the annual UGC tasting in Bordeaux….ah, the joys of the biz.

A Frog

A Frog

Then the big old Bombshells, the Beasties from the New World, stuff like La Chamiza’s Martin Alsina 2007 that won all the accolades and was voted Mendoza’s top Malbecs by all the growers and winemakers.
But today, I tasted just the prettiest of Pinot Noirs. By Chevillon~Chezeaux, I’m not talking about his Premier Cru today which is quite exceptional nor even his “Les Saint Julien’ a ‘lieu dit’ (single vineyard), but, just his regular Village Nuits St Georges from the 2008 vintage. Not mad money at £22 and I wanted to give it a go having scooped the entire export production last Spring just to see how it was coming on.

It’s really quite pale in colour but sucking in the bouquet was like falling into a big soft plum. In the mouth, the wine is velvety smooth, really as soft as silk and the mouthfeel and texture are utterly sublime, light but plump and more generous than the colour would suggest. The flavours flow so softly over the palate and the wine has quite the prettiest, most elegant and feminine Pinot Noir flavours I have tasted for absolutely years…delicate plum on the impact and soft, ripe, fragrant raspberries on the finish…like when the fruit is super-ripe and burst its fruit flavours into the mouth.

This is a wine that so seduces the drinker with it’s femininity and charm…it really is as pretty as wine gets.

A Princess

A Princess

Pinot Noir can be like Frogs – you have to kiss a few of them before you get your Princess and, heavens above, this is a Princess.