Pipe of Port – Wine Tasting Review

March 2, 2016 by Rich - Foodie Reviewer

Pipe of Port – Wine Tasting Review!

No food this week folks! Gosh I hear you cry, but panic ye not, there are plenty more restaurants out there who are due a foodie Rich visit! Normal service will be resumed next week. This week however is just a small excursion from the usual stories of me scoffing my face. It's all about my second favourite thing, and that is as important to me as food. One I equally can't live without; Booze! Now I'm guessing most of you who read my weekly gourmet tales share my passion for all things alcoholic? If you don't, this weeks review is not for you. Seriously, I won't be offended if you decide to slope off and read another article elsewhere. Maybe find a blog about the wonderful health benefits of fresh juices? Or the current trend in uber healthy fruit tea! You’ve been warned; this week is an alcohol fest. Actually, to be a little more precise, fine wine!

I'm sure we are all familiar with the Pipe of Port in Southend? I have long been a regular at this quant and cosy restaurant. Lunch, dinner, pop up Sunday's I've done em all. Pop up Sunday's? The pipe is generally closed on a Sunday, but on a few select Sunday's each year, their doors are flung open and you can get yourself a Sunday roast that would rival your own mothers. But, as I said, this week it's not about the food. But the other thing these guys do so well; wine!

Oddly enough, for all the years I've frequented the pipe I have never attended one of their wine tasting evenings. Not sure why really, I just haven't! When we saw they were hosting an Australian evening. Being big fans of the vino down under, naturally, we just couldn't let this pass us by. The tasting started at 8ish. Although Lou and I didn't, you are welcome to eat before or after the event, and plenty of others were taking advantage of the damn fine fayre on offer. We just enjoyed a quick refreshing craft beer at the bar, and you can pick up some great beer, probably one of the best selections in the area.

So we took out seat for the main event. On our table were three glasses, placed on a mat, entitled 'Pauls Australia'. Who's Paul? Well, Paul or as you Twitter folk may know him @Essexwineman was our host for the evening. Paul is a very knowledgeable, young, up and coming sommelier. He plays an integral part designing the concise, varied and creative wine list at the Pipe. A few months ago, he toured around Australia sniffing out some of the finest and more interesting wineries in each of the main regions (what an awful job he has!). So yes, he certainly knows 'his claret from his Beaujolais' (credit: Blur charmless man!)

So Paul took to the floor, and began to explain to the room in great detail each of the wines we would taste this evening. Straight away his enthusiasm and knowledge shone through. Everything from the regions, to the winemakers themselves, I could’ve almost been wandering through the vineyards of South Australia itself. Adding to this tasting experience, Paul had laid out on each table two jars. Each jar contained what we should be smelling in each style of wine. So the white jar contained lots of citrus flavours and kiwi, and the red, liquorice, chocolate, blackberries etc. The idea being, each person on the table took a turn immersing their nose inside the jar, and guessing what it contained. Great fun, as the jars were passed around we all had a good sniff, but more importantly it gave us an understanding of what we should be looking out for when sampling this evenings wines.

On to those all important wines. In the White corner we had three Riesling’s from Penfolds and Mount Horrocks. In the Red corner, a few heavy weights here my friends! Examples from Willunga 100, Mount Horrocks again, and a real bruiser from Dandelion Vineyards.

The whites were poured, and as our table started to taste the real fun began, we all turned in to a wanna be Oz Clarke or Ollie Smith; I’m sure Lou thought she was Jilly Goolden! Swirling, sniffing, slurping, (no spitting!) and all sharing what we could taste, smell and see. Everybody has their own favourites and least favourites, and that's what's wonderful about tasting wine, its personal. So, my verdict on the whites? Number two for me, Mount Horrocks Clare Valley Waterfall 2013 Riesling. It was a tough call as they all tasted great, but this one was just that little more interesting.

To be honest, I’m not really much of a white wine drinker, so when the reds were poured I couldn’t wait to take a few sips. Again, our ‘wine guru’ Paul, spoke about each wine with the same enthusiasm and passion as before with the whites. We had two fine Shiraz examples and a Cabernet Sauvignon. So let the tasting commence! All three were fantastic, but one real stand out for me, and the most expensive I hasten to add! (Clearly I have expensive taste!). The Dandelion vineyards ‘Red Queen of Eden Valley’ Shiraz won the day. This was as a good Aussie Shiraz should be; rich, dark, bold, and as soon as I slurped this wonderful wine my taste buds went in to overdrive; heaven! I’m sure Paul can describe this wine in much greater detail and in a more professional manner than I could ever do, so ill just keep it simple, it was blooming lovely! I just wanted to grab what was left in the bottle, find a quiet warm corner, and polish it off with a hunk of Stilton! What a great night!

If you think wine is complicated and maybe a little pretentious, forget it. The guys at the Pipe just make wine fun, as it should be in my view. What’s better, you get to taste wines which maybe wouldn’t be your normal choice. What’s EVEN better than that is the price! £12 to taste 6 wines and add to your wine knowledge! Whether you're a seasoned wine buff or beginner you'll love it.

The pipe has long been my go to restaurant. If I ever need to escape the high street and grab a quick lunch and glass, or a Saturday night blow out, the Pipe will always deliver. To me this place is a faithful friend; it’s always there for me. Ok, I guess I am a little biased, as I’ve been a regular for years. But trust me folks, if you’ve never been, give em a go. Whether it’s a simple lunch, three courses on a special occasion, or just a simple wine tasting evening as we did, they wont disappoint. Also, don’t forget, its not just wine. I mentioned earlier, these guys serve up some bloody good craft beer too, some of the best in Southend, and we all know how I love my craft beer! Now there’s a thought, beer and food matching is all the rage at the moment? So, how about it Pipe, I challenge you, a beer and food matching evening? I would be down there like a shot for that one!

Read all of @foodierich's previous reviews here https://www.leigh-on-sea.com/tag/listing/blog/restaurant-review