Wine. Vino. Red, white, rose, chances are you like it, I know I do! This week I had a most unusual and welcome phone call asking me if I’d like to receive a case of wine from Laithwaites to review and write about. I know, it’s the stuff of dreams. But this isn’t just wine – this is Wine Relief wine.
I know what you are thinking – hold the phone, Wine Relief? I haven’t heard of it before now myself. Wine Relief started back in 1999 and has since raised over £4 million for Comic Relief. On March 15th, Red Nose Day, some of the UK’s biggest wine retailers will be donating 10% from the sale of specially selected wines to Comic Relief. Good idea ey? People can but the wine they love and try some new varieties whilst supporting Comic Relief in the process.
Confirmed retailers to date include Waitrose, Majestic, Laithwaites, Marks & Spencer, Farr Vintners, Odd Bins, Naked Wines, Virgin Wines and Selfridges. To support Wine Relief, until March 15th, Laithwaites are selling a special Wine Relief Case , which contains 12 bottles of wine, 6 red and 6 white for £95.88. That’s a rather nice *counts fingers and toes* £9.59 to Wine Relief per case.
Let’s take a look at the wines shall we…
Includes:
- The Waxed Bat Shiraz Cabernet Malbec, 2012, £8.99, Mendoza, Argentina
- West Cape Howe Shiraz, 2009, £10.99, Western Australia
- Le Prince de Courthezon Côtes du Rhône, 2011, £8.49, Rhône, France
- Palacio de Verano Oak-Aged Rioja 2010, £8.99, Rioja, Spain
- Le Grand Chai Castillon Cotes De Bordeaux, 2010, £11.49, Bordeaux, France
- Champ des Etoiles Pinot Noir, 2010, £9.99, Midi, France
We chose Le Grand Chai Castillion Cotes De Bordeaux at random to drink on Monday evening. Now I’m not going to tell you how I thought it was full bodied with undertones of plumy berries because that would be so far removed from what I would normally say about wine. However I did say ‘Ooo crikey, it’s like the cheaper Merlort we usually drink of an evening only it tastes richer…and stronger’ and then I picked up the bottle and checked the percentage and was overly impressed to see 14.5 %, can you believe I thought it tasted stronger and it was. They’ll make a wine tasting pro out of me yet…. *polishes halo* 
Includes:
- Palacio de Menade, 2011, £8.99, Castilla y León, Spain. (White)
- Gooseberry Bush, 2012, £6.99, Breede River Valley, South Africa (White)
- Laithwaites Sauvignon Blanc 2011, £8.99, Bordeaux, France (White)
- Gran Valle de Niebla Riesling, 2011, £8.79, Bio Bio Valley, Chile (White)
- Visionario, 2011, £9.99, Venezie IGT, Italy (White)
- Kora Sauvignon Blanc, £10.99, South Island, New Zealand (White)
Tuesday evening we indulged in a tipple and opened the bottle of Kora Sauvingnon Blanc, again chosen at random. I have no idea why both times Papasaurus managed to chose the most expensive bottle but he did. Obviously a man of high standards *points to myself and grins*. First off I’m going to fess up and admit something, I don’t generally like white wine. Very rarely do I drink white wine because very rarely have I drunk some that I actually like. But I did like this one. A lot. It’s not got that sharp taste that I dislike with many whites, it’s smooth and sweet. Not so sweet that ‘mister-I-don’t-like-sweet-wines’ who I was drinking with complained either, really nicely balanced wine that was, how can I put it, easily drinkable. I’m honestly chuffed to have found a white wine that I like and am now looking forward to trying some of the other whites in the case!
And so there you have it, I have managed to ‘sort of ‘ review a couple of wines, Helen from Knackered Mother’s Wine Club will have a little tear in her eye when she reads this!
You can check out the Laitwaites Wine Relief case by clicking here.
I'm Annie and I live in the depths of the New Forest. Mother to many, wife to one, blogger, creative type, lover of real books and a bit of a lush.
You had me at Pinot noir! Enjoy xx
I’m a bit of a Merlot wine myself but then I always have stayed within my comfort zine which I am deciding having tried a few other types is boring – I am a born again wine hound!
Mammasaurus recently posted..Wine Relief and a spot of wine reviewing
Oh this is a fab idea! I adore Sauv Blanc.
Mummy Glitzer recently posted..Wednesday Words
I love the idea that it lets people give whilst buying something they are likely to be buying anyway – and it’s wine! Winner!
Mammasaurus recently posted..Wine Relief and a spot of wine reviewing
You do get the tough review jobs don’t you? They sound fab x
Nikki Thomas recently posted..So what am I supposed to eat now then?
It makes a very welcome change to being asked to review, and politely turning down, kids shampoo that’s for sure!
Mammasaurus recently posted..Wine Relief and a spot of wine reviewing
Australian Red is my fave! You jammy sod getting wine sent to you to review!! Can i also just say i’m really sorry that i won’t be there to support you all up Snowdon this weekend. It turns out with husband working away etc. that i won’t be able to make it! All the very best to you all. And the Welsh Oggy at the top in the cafe? The best you will ever eat! Have fun! X
Mascara and Mud recently posted..get your coat…
Jammy is my middle name!
Mammasaurus recently posted..Wine Relief and a spot of wine reviewing
Erm. Those white wines that you don’t like..? *points to St Albans on the map*
Actually Mummy… recently posted..Agenda: Wot so Funee?
Sorry I can’t look at a map right now I am scoffing the ‘flu toffee’ some kind soul just sent me…
(thank you for that by the way – lovely!)
Mammasaurus recently posted..Wine Relief and a spot of wine reviewing
You have no idea how much I hate you right now *jealous face*
Mum of One recently posted..Easter Craft: No-dye Spotty Easter Eggs.
I am doing you a favour you pregnant thing you!
Mammasaurus recently posted..Wine Relief and a spot of wine reviewing
You have undoubtedly reached blog review nirvana and I worship you Madam lol!
Little Rascal Reviews recently posted..Brattius Maximus
It doesn’t get better than this I feel!
Mammasaurus recently posted..I’m Not Climbing up Snowdon with TeamHonk
Great idea!
I love red wine… although white wine, not so much, but only for the reason that it gets me so absolutely steaming drunk that I turn into a complete psycho and start abusing the Greek God(zilla). I am not allowed to drink white wine anymore…
Sarah Pylas (Grenglish) recently posted..Growing Up
I am the same with mixing wines!
Mammasaurus recently posted..I’m Not Climbing up Snowdon with TeamHonk
Ooh I am a white girl, hubby loves the red,only reason he is allowed to stay!
Great idea, tippling and giving!
Jo Bryan recently posted..Spam, Spam Spam
Ah so no arguing in your household then – wicked!
Mammasaurus recently posted..I’m Not Climbing up Snowdon with TeamHonk