Wine Appreciation Group

Meeting December 2024

Meeting hosted by Debbie.

For our Christmas gathering we had five whites followed by four reds, so nine wines in total. There was a higher proportion of seasonal fortified wines. The fifth white, a Pinot Grigio, was a last-minute addition by Debbie (thank-you), and is not listed below.

In general, the wines appeared to be well-received by the group, particularly the ports and sparkling whites, with the "ordinary" wines proving less popular. The group felt that the best wines were the first white (Cockburn's White Port) and the first red (Special Reserve Port).

Wine No. 1

Name: Cockburns (White Port)

Colour: white

Country: Portugal

Grape: Touriga Nacional

Percentage alcohol: 19%

Price/where purchased: £11.50 (£14.00) Tesco

Comments: A refreshing blend of young wines from high altitude vineyards. Has long been served as an aperitif at get-togethers in the Duoro region of Portugal.

Wine No. 2

Name: Cuvee Royale (sparkling wine)

Colour: white

Country: France

Percentage alcohol: 12.5%

Price/where purchased: £14 Waitrose

Comments: The monks of St-Hilaire near to town of Limoux were the first to produce sparkling wine in 1531. A rich dry wine with an attractive biscuity taste.

Wine No. 3

Name: Kopke (White Port)

Colour: white

Country: Portugal

Percentage alcohol: 19.5%

Price/where purchased: £16 Ocado

Comments: Grapes are converted into wine through a process of careful maceration, with constant churning during fermentation. When the right degree of sweetness is achieved, grape brandy is added, which produces the final fortified wine. This is rich and aromatic, with the perfect level of sweetness.

Wine No. 4

Name: Piper Heidsieck (Champagne)

Colour: white

Country: France

Grape: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay

Percentage alcohol: 12%

Price/where purchased: £22.49 (£39) Tesco

Comments: After fermentation and blending the wine is bottled and left to mature for three years. Yeast is expelled in a process called disgorgement then the bottles are topped up with reserve wine, then allowed to rest for six months before being shipped.

Wine No. 5

Name: Special reserve (Port)

Colour: red

Country: Portugal

Percentage alcohol: 20%

Price/where purchased: £11.00 Tesco

Comments: A rich port with intense black fruit flavours and gentle savoury, dried fruit peel and mixed spice notes. Made from local Portuguese grape varieties grown in the Duoro Valley.

Wine No. 6

Name: Duke of Clarence (Madeira)

Colour: red

Country: Madeira (Portugal)

Percentage alcohol: 19%

Price/where purchased: £14.50 Tesco

Comments: This is the richest style of Madeira, full bodied, soft textured, and a superb accompaniment to dessert dishes, especially fruitcakes, chocolate puddings and soft cheese, but also a splendid after-dinner drink.

Wine No. 7

Name: Yellow Tail (Merlot)

Colour: red

Country: Australia

Grape: Merlot

Percentage alcohol: 13.5%

Price/where purchased: £5.50 (£7.75) Tesco

Comments: Soft and smooth, with notes of dark plum, mulberries and subtle spice. Great tasting Australian wine for everyone to enjoy.

Wine No. 8

Name: 19 Crimes (red wine)

Colour: red

Country: Australia

Percentage alcohol: 13.5%

Price/where purchased: £9.87 (£10.50) Tesco

Comments: Inspired by those who were transported to Australia from the late 18th century for a life of hard labour. Rich and round with a soft fruity finish. Sweet aromatics with a note of chocolate.

Wine Appreciation Group

Meeting November 2024

Meeting hosted by Sonia

WINE Meeting - 5th November 2024

This month we tasted three whites (all Chardonnay Grape from Burgundy region) and three reds (all from Bordeaux region). The wines covered three different price bands. We were challenged to classify the wine as Basic, Better or Best. The results show price does not guarantee taste popularity.

WHITE WINES

Bouchard Aine & Fils Grand Conseiller 2023

Grape Chardonnay

Alcohol 13%

Tesco £9.50 Club card price £8.50

This wine was a Basic price, and yet the most popular White wine on taste.

Louis Jadot Macon-Villages 2023

Grape Chardonnay

Character - Bright and balanced with refreshing notes of citrus and crisp green apple

flavours

alcohol 13%

Tesco £13 - Club Card price £11

This wine was a mid-price, and mid popularity in the White wines on taste.

Jermaine Passy le Clou Petit Chablis 2022

100% Chardonnay

Alcohol 12.5%

Majestic £16.99

This wine was top price, and bottom popularity in the White wines on taste.

RED WINES

Calvet Prestige 2022 Grape Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon

Alcohol 14%

Tesco £8 - Club card price £7

This wine was basic price, and mid popularity in the Red wines on taste.

Baron Phillipe de Rothschild - Mouton Cadet 2022

Grape Merlot/Cabernet Savignon & Cabernet Franc

Alcohol 14 1/2@

Tesco £11 Club card price £8

This wine was mid-price, and least popular in the Red wines on taste.

Vieux Chateau Landon Medoc

2012

Grape Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec

Alcohol 13%

Majestic £4.99

This wine was top price, and top popularity in the Red wines on taste.

We selected wines from different price bands – but with common characteristics:-

WHITES

1. Region - Burgundy

• All three wines come from the Burgundy region, which is globally renowned for its white wines, particularly those made from the Chardonnay grape. Burgundy’s terroir and climate are perfectly suited to Chardonnay, with unique expressions emerging from its various sub-regions.
• While these wines are made in different sub-appellations of Burgundy (Mâconnais, Petit Chablis, and a broader regional label), they share a distinctive Burgundian character, often marked by minerality, fresh acidity, and subtle fruit.

2. Grape Variety - Chardonnay

• Each of these wines is made from Chardonnay, the dominant white grape in Burgundy, known for its versatility and ability to reflect terroir. Chardonnay from Burgundy tends to be less tropical than other regions, often highlighting green apple, citrus, and minerality.
• Burgundy Chardonnays tend to emphasize elegance and balance, often with minimal or restrained use of oak (especially at this more accessible level), allowing the natural flavors of the grape and terroir to shine.

3. Production Style - Fresh and Minerally

• Unlike some oaked New World Chardonnays, Burgundy whites generally lean toward a fresher, more mineral-driven style.
• Bouchard Aîné & Fils Grand Conseiller 2023 and Louis Jadot Mâcon-Villages 2023 are likely unoaked or lightly oaked, focusing on clean fruit and acidity, while Petit Chablis wines like Jermaine Passy le Clou 2022 are typically unoaked and defined by crisp acidity and a strong mineral profile.
• These wines are generally light to medium-bodied, refreshing, and made to emphasize the terroir’s minerality rather than oak-derived flavors, showcasing classic Burgundian style.

4. Approachability and Affordability

• These wines are often priced to be more accessible and represent good value within the Burgundy category, making them popular choices for everyday or casual drinking.
• They offer a taste of Burgundy’s high standards and terroir without the price tag of premier cru or grand cru wines, making them ideal introductions to the region.

5. Food Pairing Compatibility

• Burgundian whites like these are known for their food-friendliness, thanks to their acidity, minerality, and restrained fruit profile. They pair well with lighter fare such as seafood, poultry, and vegetarian dishes.
• All three wines would be versatile with food, showcasing the refreshing qualities that pair well with salads, white fish, and soft cheeses, making them excellent choices for a variety of dining occasions.

In summary, Bouchard Aîné & Fils Grand Conseiller 2023, Louis Jadot Mâcon-Villages 2023, and Jermaine Passy le Clou Petit Chablis 2022 represent a similar Burgundian approach to Chardonnay—one that emphasizes freshness, minerality, and terroir, while being accessible and food-friendly.

Reds

1. Location in Bordeaux: All three wines are produced in the Bordeaux region, which means they adhere to the specific geographical and appellation requirements that define Bordeaux wines. They are crafted from grapes grown in Bordeaux’s characteristic soils and climate, with access to the region’s traditional winemaking expertise.
2. Grape Varieties: These wines rely on Bordeaux’s classic grape varieties. For reds, this means primarily Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, often complemented by Cabernet Franc and sometimes Petit Verdot. This consistent use of Bordeaux varietals provides shared flavour profiles, like dark fruit notes, balanced acidity, and structured tannins, which are hallmarks of Bordeaux reds
3. Blending Tradition: Bordeaux wines are traditionally blends, and all three wines follow this approach. Blending allows winemakers to balance the strengths of each varietal, creating complexity and consistency across vintages, and smoothing out vintage variability. This gives the wines a nuanced character, typical of Bordeaux, with layers of flavors.
4. Affordability and Accessibility: These wines are known for their approachable pricing relative to Bordeaux’s more expensive classified growths, making them accessible introductions to Bordeaux for a wider audience. While some Bordeaux wines are priced at a premium, these labels offer Bordeaux quality without the high cost, making them popular for everyday or casual enjoyment.
5. Drinkability: Unlike some of Bordeaux’s top-tier wines that require years of aging to reach their peak, Mouton Cadet, Calvet Prestige, and Vieux Château Landon are generally produced to be more immediately enjoyable, with a good balance of fruit and structure. They can be appreciated relatively young, though they may also develop some complexity with a few years of aging.

These shared characteristics make them solid representatives of Bordeaux wines, offering an accessible taste of the region’s traditions and flavour profile.

Wine Appreciation Group

Meeting October 2024

Meeting hosted by Toni & Mick.

An enjoyable evening was had at Toni & Mick’s whereby the theme of the evening was to decide the cost of each bottle of wine we tasted as well as ultimately deciding where they had been purchased. It was interesting that we generally thought the wines were much more expensive than they actually were. We also scored each wine from 1 (hate) to 5 (like a lot). 

The most favourite white wine was No. 3 Chassaux et Fils Luberon and the favourite red was No. 6 Chassaux et Fils Ventoux both coincidentally from the Rhone Valley in France. 

Towards the end of the night it was revealed that all the wines had come from Aldi and we then watched a hilarious YouTube

“Join Justin Youraldi as he unveils his latest wine collection!”

https://youtu.be/IvLSGtljtYQ

Wines

1 Cambalala S.A. Western Cape 2023 11% Cost £4.79

2 DerKomponist Gruner Veltliner Austria  2023 12.5% Cost £7.69

3 Chassaux et Fils Luberon Rhone Valley France 2023 13% £8.99

4 Buenas Vides Organic Malbec Argentina Mendoza 2022 14% £6.99

5 Chassaux et Fils Coteaux de Beziers Merlot France 2023 14% £8.49

6 Chassaux et Fils Ventoux  Rhone Valley France 2022 14.5% £7.99

Wine Appreciation Group

Meeting September 2024

Meeting hosted by Barbara.

This month Barbara hosted an evening where we explored the effect of pairing food with wine. We tasted six wines, 3 white and 3 red. Each time we tasted the wine first, then ate some pairing food – and then tasted the wine again.

We all agreed that the wine changed (often to the better) the second taste after food. Our favourite effect was from wines 1) and 6) paired with olives and with dark chocolate.

The wines and the pairings:-

1) CASAL DE VENTOZELA VINHO VERDE - Paired with Olives

2) MAIN DIVIDE RIESLING - Paired with Spiced/sweet chili crisps

3) CEPTEMBRE SAUV' BLANC - Paired with Cheddar   

4) PINOT NOIR NAUDIN  - Paired with PATE

5) MATSU EL PICARO TORO - Paired with Chorizo

6) Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon - Paired with Dark chocolate       

Wine tasting notes:-

1) CASAL DE VENTOZELA VINHO VERDE - Paired with Olives

 Vinho Verde is in the far north of Portugal, a cool area with tempering Atlantic breezes and frequent rainfall. This unique climate retains acidity in grapes, giving this wine its bright, crisp finish. Expect aromas of white pepper, green apple and citrus fruit. Its aromatic complexity makes it a superb match for lightly-spiced dishes and seafood.

2) MAIN DIVIDE RIESLING - Paired with Spiced/sweet chili crisps

This wine is named in honour of New Zealand's Southern Alps, known locally as he Main Divide. This striking        scape is where Pegasus Bay vines call home. They are blessed by excellent soil quality and sea breezes from the Pacific. This Riesling is slightly off-dry in style. It has notes of honeysuckle, ripe apricot and, lime, with a mineral undercurrent and zippy acidity. Some grapes affected by botrytis were added to provide a   richness. Try it with duck.

(Botrytis cinerea is a necrotrophic fungus that affects many plant species, although most notable hosts are wine grapes, it is usually called "grey mould")

3) CEPTEMBRE SAUV' BLANC - Paired with Cheddar   

Thieny Delaunay is a Sauvignon Blanc specialist His winery is one of the leading estates in the Loire Valley's          Touraine region and with five generations of winemaking experience behind him, it's easy to see why. To make this crisp bottling, he blends carefully selected cuvees from across France, bringing together different expressions of the grape to create a wine with excellent aromatic complexity. It's then aged on its lees for up to six months, giving it a subtly rounded texture. Discover bright notes of citrus, pear and gooseberry with a touch of tropical fruits Its mouth-watering acidity makes it an ideal match for the richness of goat's cheese.

4) PINOT NOIR NAUDIN  - Paired with PATE

Doudet-Naudin was founded in 1849 and 1s one of the oldest maisons ln Burgundy. Just like their most-expensive bottles, this is made by, the fantastic winemaker and owner, Christophe Rochet. But this time it's from grapes grown all across France. It's your chance to taste his expertise at a lower price. Expect a light, velvety Pinot Noir with flavours of red and black fruits. It has a snappy acidity that's great with roast chicken.

5) MATSU EL PICARO TORO - Paired with Chorizo

Much like Ribera Del Duero, the Tempranillo grape is king in the region of Toro. Since the area is not as well-known as its famous neighbour, you can find excellent wines at a lower price. The region's vineyards strive to survive the fiercely hot, dry climate. In the right hands, hard­working vines create complex and intensely flavoured wines. El Picaro translates as 'the rogue', which perfectly sums up this vibrant, charming wine. With just two months ageing in concrete vats, you can taste its youthful freshness - there's notes of juicy blackberry and blueberry, liquorice and sweet spice. The perfect choice for cuts of roast beef

6) Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon - Paired with Dark chocolate       

Founder Joseph Carr named Josh Cellars after his father, a US army veteran and volunteer firefighter. Since day one the brand has believed in making great wines that are carefully sourced, well balance and - most importantly- delicious. They work with many different grape varieties sourced from throughout the Golden State, including enduringly popular Cabernet Sauv1gnon. This wine is seriously rounded and Juicy, with blackberry, toasted hazelnut, cinnamon and vanilla notes A sure fire winner with beef, lamb and pork but for something a bit different, consider pairing it with chocolate desserts too.

Wine Appreciation Group

Meeting August 2024

Awayday!

We usually meet at one of our member’s homes once a month but August is different as most members are busy or either on holiday. So this August's "Away Day" was organised by Glenda and Colin. A group of 10 attended a wine tasting afternoon at Luckins Wine store in Dunmow High Street. We were greeted by David the owner, and the other David who is a wine expert and given a natural unclarified glass of fizz. We were then led down into the cellar where we all sat around a beautifully laid table to sample a further 8 interesting wines. These consisted of 3 Whites, 3 Reds, a Rose and finally a Port. We also enjoyed a lovely cheese and meat platter followed by delicious shortbread.

Altogether a thoroughly enjoyable and informative rainy afternoon with great company and some superb wines. 

Wine Appreciation Group

Meeting July 2024

Meeting hosted by Vicky.

This months meeting had broadly an Iberian theme with wines from mainly Portugal and Spain together with a Portuguese Blue & Manchego cheeses and a ready prepared Spanish Platter courtesy of Tesco.
Given that it was July, we thought we may be able to use the garden for some of the tasting but given that it's 2024, how wrong can you be!
I took inspiration for some of the choices from columns in the Sunday Telegraph and Sunday Times.

White
Vino Sol - Spain Summer Edition 2023. Aromas of citrus. 11% Tesco. Recommended by Will Lyons Sunday Times. This was a pleasant summery wine which would par well with White Fish Seafood and Risotto.

Trivento - Argentinian White Malbec 2024 11% Tesco. Although not strictly Iberian, they do speak Spanish in Argentina so this was a bit of a random choice of mine but it was recommended by Will Lyons Sunday Times who described it as having "Aromas of cherry raspberry and notes of green apple with fresh acidity" This was however a definite no and nobody liked this wine - don't believe the "experts"?

Alvarinho Vinho Verdi 2023 Portugal 13% M&S. Recommended by Will Lyons Sunday Times. Aromas of floral peach citrus, pars with white fish etc. Another pleasant summery wine.

After a break for cheese and nibbles.

Red

Vineyards Fruity Red Spain 10% (bottom of the shelf Tesco) A light soft, easy drinking red with gentle hints of strawberry and cherry flavours. Pars well with chicken pizza and pasta. Not too bad considering the cost £3.45)

Lisboa Bonita - Portugal 2022 13.5%M&S Wine of the week Victoria Moore Saturday Telegraph. Rich red, with layers of bergamot, ripe berries. Pars well with hearty meats. This wine went down well with the red wine lovers.

Altano (rewilding edition) Douro 2022 Portugal 13.5% M&S Wine of the week Victoria Moore Saturday Telegraph. Ripe berries and vanilla, smooth bodied. Pars well with Red Meats. Another for red wine lovers.

Finished off the evening with a Madeira Wine, purchased at a tasting in Blandy’s Madeira 19% Aromas old toffee and dried fruit.

A pleasant sweet wine.

A break now for the Summer. Normal tastings resume again in September.

Wine Appreciation Group

Meeting June 2024        

Hosted by Jane & Peter Tadman

No and low alcohol wines are getting better and account for some £146 million which is up 17% since last year. The big problem is that when you remove the alcohol, you remove the flavour which is particularly true of the reds!

But they are getting better!?

With help from the experts at The Sunday Times, we chose 6 wines.

2 @ 0-0.5% alcohol

2 @ 3.4% alcohol

2 standard wines

They are difficult to compare as wines but the question was – would we drink them?

In addition, we had a mystery wine which we came across and had not seen before.

During the tasting, we suggest the group try to identify the % wine and as usual, comment on the taste, colour and aroma. Then would they drink the wine? In what circumstances? Is it a good price?

0.5% alcohol – a Sauvignon Blanc at £4.99 from Adnams and a Syrah red from Ocado at £9.95. We thought the alcohol -free wines were getting better and most would be happy to drink them in certain circumstances. We thought the red would be nice as an alcohol -free Sangria.

3.5% alcohol Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot Session wines from Nice-Drinks.co.uk both at £10 including postage. We were not impressed! The white smelt a bit like toilet cleaner and had a very strong citrus taste. We would not drink them!

Standard alcohol - Needless to say the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and Spanish Tempranillo/Syrah blend wines containing 9.5%  and 14% alcohol respectively were firm favourites and reasonably priced at £11 and £8.99 from Adnams.

The Mystery wine was an orange natural wine, again from Adnams. Orange wines are made by leaving the grape skins and seeds in contact with the pressed juice, creating a deep orange-hued finish. 12.5% alcohol and £10.99 to buy.

The verdict was mixed.

Why not give it a try?

Wine Appreciation Group

Meeting May 2024

Meeting hosted by Philip & Jenny.

Wine No. 1

• Name: Vista Castelli Trebbiano
• Year: 2022
• Colour: White
• Country: Italy
• Grape: Trebbiano.
• Percentage alcohol: 11%
• Price and where purchased: £4.75 (Tesco)
• Comments: Bathed by the Mediterranean climate, where the sea and the mountains meet, this is a light, fresh wine made from Trebbiano grapes from the hills of Abruzzo, central Italy. With flavours of citrus, delicate stone fruit with a lime finish, this crisp, dry wine is perfect to enjoy with fish pie or pecorino pasta.

Wine No. 2

• Name: Reisling Mosel
• Year: 2022
• Colour: White
• Country: Germany
• Grape: Reisling
• Percentage alcohol: 11%
• Price and where purchased: £5.29 (Lidl)
• Comments: Mosel Reisling is so well suited to modern lifestyle, naturally low in alcohol, low in calories and highly versatile. Delicate, peach aromas, pure bright fruit and off-dry. Enjoy with chicken korma or chicken with creamy sauces. Matches well with prawn stir fry or prawn and chili pasta.

Wine No. 3

• Name: Barefoot White Zinfandel
• Year: ?
• Colour: Rose
• Country: USA (California)
• Grape: Zinfandel, Symphony, Muscat
• Percentage alcohol: 8%
• Price and where purchased: £5.50 with Clubcard (Tesco)
• Comments: Full of luscious pineapple and strawberry flavours and tastes deliciously fruity.

Wine No. 4

• Name: Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie
• Year: 2022
• Colour: Rose
• Country: Italy
• Grape: Pinot Grigio
• Percentage alcohol: 12%
• Price and where purchased: £4.99 (Lidl)
• Comments: Delicate strawberry aromas, light, clean and fruity. Enjoy with salads and cold meats, or on its own.

Wine No. 5

• Name: Maison Duhard Malbec
• Year: 2023
• Colour: Red
• Country: France
• Grape: Malbec
• Percentage alcohol: 13%
• Price and where purchased: £4.95 (Lidl)
• Comments: Notes of oak, vanilla, tobacco, black cherry, subtle chocolate, hints of raspberry.

Wine No. 6

• Name: Cepa Lebrel Rioja Joven
• Year: 2022
• Colour: Red
• Country: Spain
• Grape: Tempranillo
• Percentage alcohol: 13%
• Price and where purchased: £4.69 (Lidl)
• Comments: If you wonder what Rioja tasted like when not aged in oak barrels, this is your chance! Fresh, fruity and refreshing, The bright black plum aromas make this wine juicy and appetising. Highly versatile, enjoy with anything from pizza to steak.

Average price: £5.03

Wine Appreciation Group Meeting

Meeting April 2024

The April meeting was hosted by Hazel.

The theme of the evening was ‘around the world’. We tasted 8 wines, 4 red and 4 whites. Two grapes were selected, the white grape was Chardonnay and the red grape was Pinot Noir.

Each wine was from a different country. The reason for choosing just 2 grapes was to illustrate how different each wine was even though the grape source was the same and how different climates, soil, methods, etc shaped the wine flavour. The group then guessed what country the wines came from. We also discussed price and strength.

From the whites Catena Chardonnay was the favourite (Argentina, Majestic, £15.99 or £13.99 for 6). The group found it pretty interesting and were surprised by the breath of taste.

From the reds Incanta Pinot Noir (only by a margin) was the favourite (Majestic, from Romania, £9.99 or £7.99 with 6).

We had a break half way through and had a selection of cheeses and flans plus nibbles.

CHARD'BORGHETTI
A lot of Italian Chardonnay sits nicely nestled between Old World and New World styles. They can be a little more generous with ripe-fruit flavour, while retaining as much elegance as a classic white Burgundy. If you've never tried one before, you can put your trust in one of Veneto's most renowned wineries to deliver something fantastic. Founded in 1925, Pasqua has a wealth of heritage and winemaking expertise. This third-generation Veronese estate was built on a love of Valpolicella, the region's signature red. But as this white wine goes to show, it's not all that they're good at. Made in a distinctly Burgundian style, this Chardonnay has flavours of stone fruit, hazelnut and vanilla. Try it with your favourite creamy pasta dish.

CATENA CHARDONNAY
Catena is one of the biggest names in Mendoza. Nicolås Catena is a former Decanter Man of the Year. And the winery, known as Catena Zapata, is largely responsible for putting Argentinian wine on the world map. It's now in the expert hands of his daughter, Laura. And she's living up to the family's widespread acclaim. Her talent shows in this ripe Chardonnay. It's rich and tropical, with flavours of apple, pear, butter and sweet spices. Try it with roast chicken.

WYNNS COONAWARRA CHARDONNAY
Wynn's first produced this estate Chardonnay in 1981, and it has become something of a benchmark for Coonawarra Chardonnay, showing of the fine structure and varietal character that results from this region's long ripening season. Lifted white peach and nectarine aromas, complemented by subtle nut and nougat aromas. Soft stone fruit, citrus and poached pear flavours linger on the fresh, lightly creamy palate.
Enjoy within the next 1-2 years. Best paired with roast poultry.

HONEY DROP CHARDONNAY
Honey Drop is an unapologetically big, bold and rich Chardonnay. It's made about as close to the sea as you can get in Stellenbosch. Grapes here benefit from a luxuriously long ripening period, allowing complex flavours to develop slowly. They get to soak up the sun and be cooled by sea breezes. Most importantly, it brings plenty of flavour to your glass. Oak ageing brings heady flavours of cream, honey, butterscotch and brioche. Decadently rich, it's fantastic with buttery roast chicken.

DUETTE PINOT NOIR
The cooler-climate Casablanca Valley is perfect for the delicate Pinot Noir. Viha Ind6mita believe in minimal-intervention winemaking, which allows the natural beauty of the region to shine. 10 months in French oak have given it a silky texture and softened its cherry, dried fruit and fresh tobacco flavours. Enjoy a generous glass with barbecued chicken.

BREAD & BUTTER PINOT NOIR
Bread & Butter is that thing that you can count on. It's dependable, comforting you know what to expect. That's exactly what you'll get with this wine, a textbook Californian Pinot Noir from the same winery which brought you the sell-out Bread & Butter Chardonnay. Their vineyards are ideally located for classic varieties like Pinot. It's sun-drenched, but cooled by the daily morning mists which roll in off the Pacific. It's exactly the sort of position that pernickety Pinot thrives in. This deliciously silky wine proves our point. It's all about red fruit. Cherries. Raspberries. Cranberries. It's seriously juicy and seriously delicious, with a nice fullness which is classic California. Oak ageing gives it a touch of cedary spice, and woody herb notes. Perfect with roast mushrooms.

PARCEL SERIES CENTRAL OTAGO PINO
Our Parcel Series collection is when top-class wineries need to make space quickly and discreetly. So we pick up their wines at a fraction of the usual price and pass the savings to you. The catch? We can't tell you who makes it. Grapes for this wine come from three of the best regarded sub-regions in Central Otago: Bannockburn, Pisa and Alexandra Basin. Each area brings its own distinct flair to the blend, from fresh fruit flavours to elegant structure. The finished bottling is a classic Central Otago Pinot Noir with vibrant red-fruit flavours and herbaceous hints, plus fine tannins and a bright acidity. You could happily match this with a range of dishes, from pizza to charred vegetables.

INCANTA PINOT NOIR
Romania is where insiders look for great value, great tasting Pinot. It's in the swing of a post-Soviet winemaking renaissance and Englishman Philip Cox and his Romanian wife, Elvira, are ready to sing its praises to the rooftops. Their Cramele Recas Estate is now the most successful winery in Romania, and they continue to set new trends for Romanian wine. This Pinot punches way above its price point — and the 2020 vintage was awarded 90 points by Tim Atkin MW. This is a wonderfully approachable wine with notes of fresh black cherry, raspberry and cinnamon. Try its juicy flavours with a classic charcuterie board.

Wine Appreciation Group

Meeting March 2024

The March meeting was hosted by Peter & Glenda.

It was a delightfully different evening. Having solved the crossword and found that the “swagman” was our clue to the eight countries of origin of the wines we tasted - we set about identifying them. The wines were unusual, and there was some gems amongst them. Fun was had by all.

Swiss Pinot Noir from Valais Region. Glace Rocher. Light Medium bodied with flavours of Strawberry aromas & Tart Red Fruits, high acidity. The finish adds balance with a subtle bitter note. 13%. £11.99

Wales. Glyndwr Dry Wite. The wine has a pale straw colour with fresh spring flowers on the nose, floral and herbaceous with a long savoury finish. A fresh dry wine with a fine hint of apple and peach. Grape Varieties: Reichensteiner and Seyval Blanc . 11.5% £14.49

Australia. This is a real quality wine, which clearly stands out from simpler qualities and so this Australian enchants naturally with all dryness with the finest balance a warm gold, this rich oaked Chardonnay has intense flavours of stone fruit softened with honey, caramel and vanilla notes. delights with its elegantly dry flavour Aged in former rum barrels. Creamy notes of vanilla and butterscotch add a sweet scent with subtle spices concluding to an oaky finish The barrel-aged Chardonnay from the South Australia winegrowing region shows a bright golden yellow colour in the glass. 13% £9.50

Georgia. Qvevris Rkatsiteli. the juice, skin and pips are put into clay amphorae (qvevris), which are then hermetically sealed and buried underground, where fermentation takes place. This wine has rich apricot flavours, alongside notes of beeswax and walnuts. The finish combines a lively acidity with a subtle tannic grip, making it the perfect accompaniment to food. 12.5% £13.99

Germany. Ernst Loosen's family have made fantastic Riesling on the Mosel slopes for over 200 years. But to get the best from Pinot Noir, he headed to Pfalz. Pfalz Pinot Noir has quickly become one of Germany's flagship wine styles - and this really shows why. It has bright notes of red fruit, balancing acidity and smooth tannins. Excellent with roast chicken.13.5 % £14.99

England. Chapel Down Flint Dry. This well-crafted blend of Chardonnay and other local varieties characterised by crisp aromas of green apple, galia melon and kiwi, it is fresh on the palate with a flinty, mineral character. 12.5% £15.99

Romania. Solomonar Reserve Red. It's a blend of Cabernet, Merlot and the indigenous Feteasca Neagra grape made by one of the country's very best wineries. Dark violet, with notes of ripe plum and blackberry on the nose, this is a fullbodied wine packed with dark fruit flavour- blackcurrant, plum and blueberry with a gentle hint of vanilla spice. Rich and soft and juicy It's full-bodied and rich with notes of blackcurrant, plum, blueberry and vanilla. In 2022, this wine won an IWC award 14% £8.99

Slovenia. Colliano Merlot. Subtle nose of leather and chocolate. Full mouth flavour is more expressive, jam or perhaps caramelised red fruit. Long finish, good enough to tempt dedicated Bordeaux fans. 13.5% £14.99

Wine Appreciation Group

Meeting January 2024

Meeting hosted by Sheila and John.

We tasted 7 wines, and were engaged in a quiz battle (ladies vs men). The men just won on a tiebreaker – and fun was had by all.

Wine 1
Valle del Bio Bio VIOGNIER
Sainsbury Chile 13%
This Viognier has a beautiful, heady floral perfume which leads to juicy stone fruit notes balanced by a refreshing citrus acidity.
The Bio Bio Valley is one of Chile's southern-most wine regions and has a made a name for itself by producing crisp, aromatic white wines. Its position between the Andes and the coastal Range gives it a unique climate where Viognier thrives, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly to preserve their aromatic freshness. Perfect with mildly spiced curries, creamy sauces and rich shellfish dishes.

Wine 2
SENTIERO DEI PINI PINOT GRIGIO LAITHWAITES 12%
(ITALIAN £10.49)
Few winemakers have the experience and intimate local knowledge of Guiseppe Secchi, the maestro behind this exhilarating white. It's from the mountain-cooled Alto Adige – a mineral- and citrus-charged Italian Pinot Grigio that's racy and refreshing.
Pinot Grigio is one of the most popular white wine styles in our cellars, loved for its refreshing, delicate flavours. And some of the best examples can be found in Italy. Specifically, the high-altitude Adige Valley. Here, the cooler climate delivers whites with pristine, citrusy fruit. Wines like this latest vintage of Sentiero dei Pini, crafted by local expert Giuseppe Secchi. It's named after a famous local vineyard – on a cone-shaped hill that was once home to a Roman temple, approached by a spiralling path, lined with pine trees. Truly thirst quenching, this wine displays crisp lemon and green apple flavours, with a sophisticated, minerally edge. It’s a 'drink anytime' wine, but perhaps best enjoyed with antipasti and fresh seafood.

Wine 3
Clare Valley Riesling
ALDI 12% £8.49

Australia’s Clare Valley region is a must-try. Higher altitude and cooler temperature make for vibrant, pure fruit flavours in the wines. Refreshingly crisp with an intense lime and stone fruit character.

Always one of the exemplary Rieslings from this classic region, this vintage is one of their best. It offers a glorious Clare Valley nose, perfumed with limes, spices, grapefruit and florals, notably jasmine. Bright, even slightly grippy acidity, with a minerally, chalky texture. Very long and focused. This is superb. Depending on whether you love your Rieslings young and fresh or developed and complex, this is available for drinking any time over the next twenty years. A crisp, dry, zingy, intensely flavoured Riesling that will make you sit up and take notice! Aromas and flavours of lemons, limes and candied grapefruit that are fused together by a laser-like seam of acidity that carries right through to the long finish.
It’s drinking beautifully right now, brilliant on its own or as an accompaniment to seafood, salads or poultry dishes.

Wine 4
Palacio de Primavera Tinto
Tempranillo Waitrose £9.49 13.5%
Wine of Spain. 100% Tempranillo.Spring: The bright sunlight and the gentle rainfall awaken our vineyards in Alfaro. The vines start a journey that will last another six months, showing the fruit of their work and the constant effort of the viticultors. Brilliant cherry red colour with violet tones; aromas of wild blackberries, subtle spices, and mocha. In the mouth, you will find a balanced, intense and long-lasting wine with velvety tannins.

Wine 5
Susana Balbo Malbec
M&S £12 14.5%
A vibrant and expressive wine with notes of dark berries and spice. This extraordinary malbec is made by pioneering Argentinean winemaker Susana Balbo. The grapes are from a unique sub region of the Uco Valley called Los Chacayes, where they grow at high altitude and ripen with excellent balance and mineral freshness.

Wine 6
Blaufränkisch Minosegi Voros Bor
Hungary £14.00 10.5% Thoroughbred Wines
Blaufränkisch (German for blue Frankish) is a dark-skinned variety of grape used for red wine. Blaufränkisch, which is a late-ripening variety, produces red wines which are typically rich in tannin and may exhibit a pronounced spicy character. Blaufränkisch is planted across the globe from Japan, the United States and Australia to Germany, Hungary and Austria. Blaufränkischis often paired with lamb dishes and grilled meats.
Blaufrankisch was long thought to be genetically identical to Pinot Noir, or Gamay Noir, which explains its Croatian and Bulgarian nicknames Borgogna and Gamé. Modern DNA profiling has now shown that it is at least related to both of these varieties, as they are all descendants of Gouais Blanc

Bonus Wine 7
Japanese Plum Wine £17.00 online
Plum wine is a popular Japanese beverage made from distilled spirits and infused with plums. Serving it chilled enhances the refreshing and fruity characteristics of the drink. It is often enjoyed as a dessert wine or aperitif.

Plum wine, often known as Umeshu in Japanese, is a popular alcoholic beverage made by steeping green Japanese ume plums in distilled spirits, typically shochu or sake, and sweetening the mixture with sugar. The result is a sweet and fruity wine with a pleasant balance of tartness and alcohol.

Here are some key points about plum wine:-
1. Ingredients: The primary ingredients for plum wine include green ume plums, alcohol (such as shochu or sake), and sugar. Some variations may include additional ingredients like honey or herbs for added flavor complexity.
2. Production Process:
• Harvesting Plums: The plums used for plum wine are typically harvested when they are still green and not fully ripe.
• Steeping: The plums are washed, pricked, and then steeped in alcohol. The mixture is left to mature for an extended period, allowing the flavors of the plums to infuse into the alcohol.
• Sweetening: After the steeping process, sugar is added to sweeten the beverage. The amount of sugar can vary, affecting the sweetness of the final product.
3. Flavor Profile: Plum wine has a delightful balance of sweetness from the sugar and the natural tartness of the plums. The flavor profile can also include floral and herbal notes, depending on the specific recipe and any additional ingredients used.
4. Serving:
• Chilled: Plum wine is commonly served chilled, especially during warm weather. Chilling enhances its refreshing qualities.
• On the Rocks: Some people prefer to enjoy plum wine over ice, diluting it slightly and creating a cool and refreshing drink.
• Cocktails: Plum wine can be used in various cocktails, adding a unique fruity element to mixed drinks.
5. Cultural Significance: Plum wine has a significant presence in Japanese culture and is often associated with celebrations and traditional events. It is also enjoyed casually as a social or after-dinner drink.