On a true gastronomical adventure yesterday I found myself spending the afternoon in the luxurious ‘Dubai Marina’ – though I just couldn’t bring myself to prep myself up in heels and spend the afternoon in all the boutiques – I had a true calling and it involved my trusty diamonte jandals (ultimate comfort factor with a splash of chic).
In true Kiwi fashion i needed a good feed and what’s better than BurgerFuel? Their second international store has opened and oh I thank the gods that they decided to put it right here in Dubai. So after my BF Monster (you didn’t think they’d call it the Bastard burger over here, did ya and of course no pork bacon either – beef will have to suffice) some friends decided we hit one of the bars in the Hilton across the road.
After much trepidation about my ‘relaxed’ outfit, I figured what the heck and hit the Studio One bar. Everyone knows what you should expect from a bar in the Hilton but I must say I wasn’t prepared for this. The colour scheme consisted of all primary colours, whilst a cheesy 80s tune played in the background and we were served up popcorn with our drinks. I was half expecting Baby and Johnny to be lurking in the corner.
After a long week of night shifts I was in the mood for a good glass of wine. Low and behold my decision was going to be made very easy with a total of 6 wines to choose from on the wine menu and two of those being described as simply ‘red’ and ‘white’. After much umming and arrring I settled for the ‘Caliterra Sauvignon Blanc’ thinking it would be pretty safe, a nice easy-drinking Chilean Sauv which is what a lot of the restaurants will serve up over here, they are cheaper than other alternatives yet still drinkable.
My glass came out, a rather large one and it was served to the brim – nice and chilled, though I would have to drink that baby fast to keep it that way. Even for something which sells at approximately US$13 a bottle I would steer clear of this in future as it didn’t live up to my knowledge of Chilean Sauv’s or did it appeal to my taste buds one bit.
Now half of this is due to the soapy residual still in my glass, I really didn’t ask for my mouth to be washed out with soap at the same time as I ordered. Though on my second glass (who can just have one glass!) I realised perhaps the soap improved the wine?
It had some of the typical Sauvy characteristics; herbaceous, a bit of tropical fruits and a pinging sharp streak that kept vibrating around my mouth. The citrus coming through was more on the very bitter grapefruit side of things and the herbs were a mixture of eating flowers and grass straight from the ground.
After investigating Caliterra a bit more I am surprised by the wine, seeing as it was originally a joined venture between Robert Mondavi of the US and the Chadwicks of Chile, however now it is 100% Chilean owned. It would be very interesting to try their reserve range rather than their standard line – but whats in the word ‘reserve’ these days anyway.
If I were to drink this wine again I would make sure I was eating a nice creamy pasta to hopefully cut through its astringent acidity or then again knowing me I would probably just opt for my old faithful – nice chilled glass of Kiwi Sauv.
Casey started Travelling Corkscrew in 2010 and has been wine blogging ever since. She has completed her WSET level 2 and 3 and is currently based in Tasmania, Australia. When she's not drinking wine and blogging, she runs an SEO & Google Ads company and hangs out with Mr Spittoon, her two kids and two furbabies.
From the highest vineyards in NSW on the slopes of the extinct volcano Mt Canobolas, an elite range of sparkling wine has been handcrafted by Printhie Wines. I was recently sent this sample bottle of their Swift NV Rosé (thank you) to give a whirl which Mr Spittoon and I enjoyed with a cheese and meat platter. This…
On the 6th day of Christmas, The Wine Gallery sent to me, a bottle of Beklyn 2016 Shiraz from McLaren Vale, SA. It also came with a sample of the Vino Bites Christmas Coulis which I can’t wait to try. Any suggestions on how I should use it? I’m thinking either on turkey or with…
Sauvignon Blanc, yay or nay? I find people have very strong opinions about wines made from Sauvignon Blanc. Personally I enjoy a glass of Sauvy B, for me it makes me think of the beach and seafood. I also love the diversity you can find, for instance Aussie Sauv can be so different from New…
Having spent the last 6 weeks in London I was eager to get out of the city and explore further a field. Of course being the obsessed oenophile that I am, it just had to be an adventure that involved wine. So after bending Mr. Spittoon’s rubber arm we decided to take his snazzy rental VW…
On the 4th day of Christmas, The Wine Gallery sent to me a bottle of Domaine D’Estienne 2016 Rosé from Provence, France. Behind today’s number 4 door on my wine advent calendar was also a wine vacuum pump and stoppers. This handy little gadget helps you to extract air out of a bottle of wine to preserve…
My Dad helped me taste this sample bottle of Curtis Family Vineyards 2017 Heritage Shiraz from McLaren Vale in South Australia recently. Curtis Family Vineyards is owned and operated by Mark, Thomas & Jenna Curtis, with guidance from their father, Claudio Curtis who lives on the vineyard.