Chez Greg Père et Fils Praha

Mike's Tip

The Hachette wine guide is a French main stay of advice. The didn't make a mistake picking this value out of the Languedoc-Roussillon region. This blend of Merlot and Carignan leads to the softer tones of the Rhone than that of Bordeaux.

Mike's Tip

A classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Bold, yet dry and a good does of tannins. This wine will do best with a meal that has a bit of fat included. Be it beef or pork, those tannins do best when they need to cut through....

Mike's Tip

Sauvignon from the Loire valley is becoming a familiar taste to IWCoK members. Fresh, crisp and a fraction of the cost of a Sauvignon from New Zeeland. This wine does better for started than with dinner. Start here and move to something heavier.

Mike's Tip

When you find a wine that is simply delicious, doesn't take itself too seriously, and is affordable, all you can say is YES - MORE. This was that wine for me, loved it, light and fruity and a fantastic value. I couldn’t get enough.

Mike's Tip

I took this wine to satisfy the "Czech" pallets out there. An interesting blend of Mauzac, Len de l’El, and Muscatel (well, we recognize the 3rd one) gives a good dose of acidity and perfume.

Mike's Tip

Think of this as a little chablis. Same grapes from the same general area, just not over the fence in the official zone. Think of chardonay with a firm mineral umbrella, blocking out the exotic fruits that a chardonnay can posses. All together lighter, and more elegant.

Mike's Tip

Purple, Grenache and Rhone to its heart. This medium bodied Rhone is an elegant blend of cherry and red fruit, with a fair dose of tanin to keep it fresh. Let it breath 1 hour before you do anyting!

Mike's Tip

Officially classified as a Bordeaux Superieur, this is a classis regional blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Look for hints of spice in this elegant wine that is suitable for any occasion.

Mike's Tip

A merlot true to form. Medium body, decent tannins and a touch of acidity. Merlot is not everybodies "Go to" wine for relaxing on the sofa, because it needs food to work. Burgers, pork or even chicken as long as it is coming off the grill.

Mike's Tip

Pale red, light tannin and a little spice. This Merlot / Tannat has a very strong cherry flavor, even for it's light appearance and body. Perfect for chicken!

Mike's Tip

Some of what the southern Rhone does best. This blend of Marsalan and Movedre makes for a spicy, smokey, forest fluit blend that makes a statement. Get past the berries and you find licorise and leather. Strong foods needed here, lamb or burgers covered with bacon. Don't be shy.

Mike's Tip

An interesting blend based of a variety I didn't know existed - Grenache Blanc, with carignan and Sauvignon. This is likely where it gets its golden color. Light with medium acidity making it the right wine for opening drinks, salads and white fish.

Mike's Tip

This is an organic 50/50 mix of Viognier and Vermentino - something I have never come across before. Lime and apricot, heavy peach, pear and oils to git a long finish in the mouth. Best with fried fish or toast. Too much for a salad!

Mike's Tip

This wine puts a crisp, lively feeling in your mouth! The freshnes of Sauvignon and the length and complexity of Viognier. This is kind of a camping knife of wines - not a perfect tool, but it goes with everyting ! Quality in a simple package - enjoy!

Mike's Tip

This wine could be a Chateauneuf-du-Pape blanc little brother. Full and buttery, complex and long on the pallet. This will go well with salmon, lasagne or cheese dishes. Expect some intense flavor.

Mike's Tip

One of my favorite winemakers from the French south. This blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan, is a complex arrangement of fruit and tannin. Full enough to stand up to any red meat, Let this wine breath a bit before drinking an you will be overcome with it's smooth, silky presentation.

Mike's Tip

Aged for 6 months in large oak barrels, this blend introduces us to some new varieties. Although based on Syrah and Merlot, 40% of this wine is based on local varieties Braucol and Duras. Look for plums and read red tones with light tannins and moderate acidity.

Mike's Tip

The closest thing to a Chablis you will find at a fraction of the price. Like it's better known cousin, this chardonnay is crisp and full of all the characteristics of the noble Bourgogne white. Chill well and drink like royalty.

Mike's Tip

Strawberry, raspberry and all those red fruits you expect from a southern French rose. This is an exceptionally easy drink wine and is presented beautifully in this carafe like bottle. Been a long time that we dropped a rose in the box - enjoy this one!

Mike's Tip

Something you probably have never tried before, "Terret" is a local variety which grows mainly along the Thau river in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. A fresh nose with floral and citrus scents that has a medium finish.

Mike's Tip

Very similar to a white Chateau Neuf du Pape, this is a gold medal winning blend of six grapes. With so much going on, it is surprisingly round and long in the finish. Mild acidity and great for sipping on its own.

Mike's Tip

Wines coming from Saint Emilion like the other wines areas from the “right bank” are predominately Merlot dominated blends. This is no exception being 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc. Look for a big mouthful of red fruits with a touch of oak on the finish. If you decide to age it, the fruits will turn to a heavier tanning flavor while the wine turn to a rusty red color. Very elegant.

Mike's Tip

This is a smooth, gentle wine with a fresh fruity taste. Although predominately Merlot, the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc add a smooth and very elegant finish. Look for the Cabernet Franc in both nose and finish. It has a very distinctive taste.

Mike's Tip

This wine being from the Cahors appellation, it must have a minimum of 70% a Malbec and a maximum of 30% Merlot. Lucky for us they got the blend just right. The Malbec makes this wine much more “chocolaty” and less tannic than the other wines. It is definitely the easiest wine to drink for an evening on the sofa, or when not pairing with food.

Mike's Tip

Great value and potential. Dark and rusty in color, I found a good balance of tannin and vanilla. Full bodied and really searching for a heavy plate of red meat or stew. Being still quite young, this wine has plenty of time to mature and pick up a few medals. Be ready for this to be your new favorite.

Mike's Tip

This is actually the only blended wine in the whole of Alsace. Literally translated it means “Noble Blend” and can consist of any of the official varieties from Alsace. This is typically what the farmers and locals have on tier table for lunch, and something you rarely see on the shelves in the shops. I found this one to have a great balance of acidity and fruit, making it a particularly easy to drink wine – pass me some formage!

Mike's Tip

The classic Alsace white. Riesling makes up almost 25% off all the grapes grown in the region, given that this is the perfect climate for the variety. Dry and very “green” in flavor, the mineral and citrus flavors are a great pair for fish with fresh lemon, or even a light curry!

Mike's Tip

Without question the most full bodied white in this months offer. Aged for 10 months in a giant, 50 year old wooden “something”, this wine has a rich, complex flavor. Not a relaxing party wine, but something far more refined. A serious wine for a serious dinner. It even looks like gold straight out of the bottle.

Mike's Tip

For those of you who say “You already gave us this wine”, I say “Au contraire mom ami “Although we have had a Colombard from this producer before, this is a young special edition wine that also contains 3 grape varieties. This 2016 vintage is very light, and a perfect companion for lunch in those first days of spring.

Mike's Tip

Even if you don’t think you have tried this grape, I bet you have! It is often found in blends including Chateauneuf-du-Pape. On it’s own it is a delicate straw color with a taste to match. Light and refreshing and not to be taken too seriously. A little fish and salad – perfect.

Mike's Tip

Difficult to find anything closer to original Champagne. A superb Alsatian Cremant with fine bubbles and a crisp mineral taste.

Mike's Tip

Fresh, citrus power. This wine will not leave undecided. It is a "love it / Hate it" wine for sure. You are going to really want to have this with something salty, like calamari or other sea food. Think of it as a wake up call for your mouth!

Mike's Tip

A cuvee of two lessor known red grapes, Tannat and Pinenc or Fer. These are dark purple grapes grown primarily in the South West of France. Although deep in color, the wine is a medium bodied red that will go with just about anything.

Mike's Tip

This deep, dark red is a real mystery. A cuvee of Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault is ink black, and has a lushes velvety fruit taste. I didn't find any rust of mushroom hints, which meant this was one of the first red Bio wines I have had that was great for relaxing with on the couch. Elegant and full - think grilled protein with this one !

Mike's Tip

This 50/50 blend from vines more than 40 years old is a true ambassador of the Medoc. Fantastic balance of tannin and fruit. A little lighter than some of the others in the box, but what it lacks in color it makes up for with a very refined and delicate taste. 4 stars out of 5 in my phone !

Mike's Tip

This is a classic example of a full bodied left bank Bordeaux. Masculine and almost black in color, this is a mix of blackberry and green pepper indeed suitable for vegetarians. Wine Enthusiast award this wine a score of 88, for its rough nature. A real wild spirit.

Mike's Tip

All together the most complicated blend in the box, this very dry red dominated by Merlot also includes the very rarely used (but officially permitted) Malbec grape. This wine comes from Fronsac, which lies just 40km to the north of Bordeaux. It was a strategic location for Charlemagne back in the day because of its market built in 769. Tour du Moulin was probably on his table back then!

Mike's Tip

My suggestion for this wine is to open it in the morning, and drink it that night. Letting this wine breath completely changes the character from a rather dry, tannic wine to one of balance and subtle black fruit flavor. The winemaker practices what he calls "reasonable agriculture", which mean not over working the land. See if this wine puts you in balance with nature ;-)

Mike's Tip

Unmistakably the driest of all the reds this month, I found a mix of black fruit, vanilla and green pepper. Deep red in color, this is still a relatively fresh wine intended to be drank young. Remember this is Bordeaux, so you still have 2-3 years to go.

Mike's Tip

For those who are looking for a happy middle road through the hills of Bordeaux white, this Semillon blend is far less acidic than Sauvignon. Semillon is one of the three officially allowed white grapes of Bordeaux, this is a heavy, oily grape with a dominating flavor that makes for a very balanced wine. Sophisticated, but very approachable.

Mike's Tip

This cuvee of Colombard & Ugni Blanc is a rare combination indeed. Both varieties are grown in very small quantities but produce a balanced and less aggressive flavor. Much more peach than grapefruit. A great wine for ham and salami, or even a lemon tart!

Mike's Tip

This 100% Suavignon Blanc will explain to you everything you need to know about citrus taste in wine! Very fresh with hints of grass, a white with more typical characteristics from the region would be hard to fine. If you don't like aggressive whites, make sure you pair this one up with a meal or white meat and or salad.

Mike's Tip

Think of Châteauneuf-du-Pape but just across the river. Lirac has many of the same qualities as it's better known neighbor and comes from the same rocky ground with the huge quartz stones. This is a tender and fruity wine with a very full nose and flavor. A fantastic sipping one or one with red meat.

(Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre)

Mike's Tip

Think "Pont du Gard". If you have seen it, you will know that feeling of WOW and that was how I felt with this one. Unbelievably subtle for 14.5%, and a fantastic value. It must of been the water from the "Pont" (or just the view). ps. If lost, just GOOGLE Pont du Gard.

(Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre)

Mike's Tip

Very subtle, dirty little bastards at the chateau. I won't go into the translation here, but suffice to say, the definitely had their Libido in gear! The wine was great too :-) Mourvedre makes a very subtle fruity wine that is less spicy than a Grenache. Nothing complicated here, justa great quality that will go with most anything that involves "gaucing".

(winery Chateau de Valflaunes, 100% Mourvedre)

Mike's Tip

Finally something really sexy (literally) Not only is it a fun bottle to put out on the table for your guests, but I found it surprisingly light for the a syrah blend. Far, less spicy than the grenache based wines from this region, this was a good "go with everything" red wine that can be easily be drank under the covers ;-) Even the winemaker says, "Remember that red wine has very surprising virtues..."

(Carignan 50%, Syrah 50%)

Mike's Tip

This is a rich and creamy "American" style chardonnay with big oak flavor and a very round finish. Not at all like a Chablis, this is more long finish and flowers. An easy drink that will please most unless you are more a mineral acidity junky - like myself...

Mike's Tip

Be ready! the grenache and syrah combination delivers a spicy combination. Look for green pepper flavors that may need to grow on you. Bests to let this one air out for an hour or so before combining with a big pork chop. This is not a spicy food wine, take something a bit milder and let the wine spice it up!

(10% Syrah, 10% Merlot, 80%Grenache)

Mike's Tip

You may remember wines from Richemer from the start of this year. Well this one is from the premium vines and delivers a very powerful nose and mouth. A little oak and a lot of fruit, this one lingers in the mouth and is a pleasure to have around. This is one of the premium whites from all over the Marseillan. (Chardonnay - Sauvignon - Viognier - Muscat)

Mike's Tip

I admit I had never heard of the variety bourboulenc before this wine, but wow what an introduction. This is possibly the oldest grape variety in the south of France, dating back to pre-Roman time. Taken from vines more than 40 years old, it gives an impressive fruity and fresh taste that will be requested again and again. A great surprise and a real "Top Drop". (just check the top Michelin restaurants in France if you don't believe me!

Mike's Tip

The first of the "Cabanes" series from winery Christophe BARBIER, this fresh and lightly oak aged chardonnay comes from the hills facing the Mediterranean sea. Not complicated and giving a great value from the region (that we keep going back too!)

Mike's Tip

This is my kind of Bordeaux blend. An 80/20 mix of Merlot to Cabernet Sauvignon for me gives that perfect balance of tannin and flavor perfect for any meat on the grill. Technically, this is not a true Bordeaux but comes from the lands just north in the Cotes de Bourg. And although we have the 2007, this wine is a gold medal winner in 2004 in Paris. Great value for money and very, very classy.

Mike's Tip

There should always be at least one Frenchman in the room, so this time we bring in a “Giesweiler” from France. 100% Chardonnay from Burgundy, this wine was rated 90 pints by Vintage Direct.

Mike's Tip

A much more serious affair with a strong pretense of oak. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is the more tannic of the two Bordeaux, and has a much shorter finish. Look for cedar, vanilla and plum flavor in this Medoc. And you can drop the fun fact on your friends that this winemaker uses the same guidance as the more famous Chateau Latour and Margaux! (like I said - SERIOUS).

Mike's Tip

This was one of the top value for money wines I found this year. This blend matches Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, and Petit Verdot in a light steel tank combo that comes across fruity and exceptionally drinkable (even on it's own). E very elegant presentation and a super bottle to pull out on any occasion as it offers a very main stream taste.

Mike's Tip

The "Re-discovered Vines" is the most refined white in this month's box. Made exclusively from local grape varieties, Gros Manseng, Arrufiac and Petit Courbu. Somebody called this one a "Saugnignon Blanc for intellectuals". I'm not sure about that, but expect a lot of variety in this fresh but rich wine.

Mike's Tip

Some of you may remember one of last years hit wines Colombelle and the red St. Go. This one comes from the same producer and has a bit more refigned mineral taste. There is a lot of rocks in this soil, so look for stone and acidic flavor. (Fun fact - this is supposedly the favorite white wine of the Irish Ambassador in Prague!).

Mike's Tip

I know what your saying "More Sauvignon !?!". Answer is YES because it is a great variety for Christmas because it works well as an aperitif (the acidity cleans your pallet), goes great with sea food (perfect for oysters, shrimp, or marinaded fish) and a top pick for goat cheese. You would be cursing me if we didn't have one in there. The 12.5% content also makes it easier for those who are not so familiar with this grape.

Mike's Tip

This wine maker has his vines right just off a port close to Bezier giving them all an excellent climate all year round. This chardonnay will first impress with the fruit up front, but than comes around with a buttery finish that many of you Chardonnay drinkers love. Simple and an excellent value.