August 2026, Poland its neighbours by Gosia and Jasia

 

This months meeting was an In house tasting by Gosia and Jasia, both of Polish backgrounds. It was prompted by an Idea by Gosia who had been to a tasting of Polish Wine at one of the Polish centres in London last year, and been impressed. However, it is still early days and the number of Polish wines you can buy in the UK is pretty limited. So they decided to expand the tasting to Poland and its neighbours. Ukraine and Slovakia have a long history of wine production, Czechia a little less so but with a strong German influence does make some wine. Poland does not have a great history of Grape wine, Gosia explaining that in the 1980s her experience of wine in Poland was only of fruit wine – basically apple based and other fruits, but definitely not grapes.

And of course for all 4 countries the dead hand of the Soviet era seriously damaged their wine industries.  

The wines were, 4 from Poland, 2 from Czechia, 1 Slovak, 1 Ukrainian.

White

Riesling 2023 Adoria (Central wines) – Poland 12%, £21.40

Souvi Grigio Sienkiewicz, Souvignier Gris (Gdansk Airport)  - Poland 12.5%, £18

Gewurztraminer 2024 Kamil Barczentewicz Gewurztraminer (Wine Society) - Poland 14%, £18.50

Grüner Veltliner - Winery Thaya 2024.(Wine Society) – Czechia. 12%, £11.95

Red

Dobre Modre 2023 Kamil Barczentewicz Dobre Modre (Blaufränkisch) (Wine Society) - Poland, 12%, £20

Csernus Frankovka Modra selection. Frankovka Modra (Blaufränkisch) (Novel wines).- Slovakia. 13%, £18

Shabo Reserve Merlot 2022. (Novel wines) – Ukraine. 13%, £16.99

Chateau Grand Bari, Royal Cuvee 2021, Tokaj. Yellow Muscat, Hárslevelű,Furmint (The Naughty Grape) – Slovakia. 12%, £19.95

To be honest, most of the wines were OK, but nothing special particularly in view of the prices. Doubtless they will get better.

July 2026 - WInes of Bordeaux by Marjorie Legendre.

 

This Month was presented by Marjorie Legendre, Head of Wine at Leith’s Cookery school and a Wine educator. All wines from Bordeaux.

Bordeaux has had a rough time in the last decades, wine production is only about a half of what it was in the 20^th century due to changing habits, competition and other reasons. About 80% of the wine is Red, 15% White and the rest Cremant.

6 of the 8 wines are from The Wine Society, 1 and 7, from Waitrose. Some of the prices are approximate, and range from £10 to £28 (yikes!).

Sparkling

Cremant de Bordeaux, Ballarin, NV Cabernet Franc, Semillon, Muscadelle 12%. £13

White

Dourthe N1 Bordeaux Blanc, 2025 Sauvignon Blanc 12% £9.95

A de Chateau d'Arche, 2022 Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc 12.5%. £13

Red

Château de la Grave ‘Caractère', Côtes de Bourg 2022 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. 13.0%. £11.95

Château Caronne Sainte Gemme, Haut-Médoc 2020 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. 12.5%. £18

Château Couhins Rouge, Pessac-Léognan 2016. 44% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot. 14.5% £26

Chateau Cantin St-Emilion Grand Cru 2022 Merlot + Some Cabernet Franc. 15.5% £28

Dessert

Ulysse Cazabonne Sauternes. Semillon, + Some Sauvignon Blanc. 14.5% £11.50

 

The Cremant was as most French Cremants are, an excellent fizz, and an excellent alternative to Champage at a much lower cost.

June 2026 - Giusy Andreacchio - Wines of the TriVeneto

 

This Month we had a presentation by Giusy Andreacchio – WSET Diploma and Certified Educator - ‘A Portrait of Triveneto: Understanding the Wines of Friuli, Veneto & Trentino-Alto Adige’

This is the NE part of Italy, Bolzano, Trieste, Verona, Venice are all in there.

There are some well know wines familiar to us all – Prosecco, Soave and Valpolicella/Amarone in there as well as many we’ve not seen before – Italy is such a rich tapestry of Wines that there is always something new, and this is just one corner!

Giusy is clearly very enthusiastic about her wines and did perhaps overload us with information. Nevertheless some excellent wines and and informative evening.

Most of these Wines are not on the High Street, but Available from Woodwinters or Hallgarten WInes (No. 6)

Sparkling –

1.            1     Case Paolin Pietra Fine Extra Brut Asolo DOCG Prosecco Superiore NV. Glera. 12%, £18

White

2.       Tenuta Santa Maria Soave Lepiga DOC 2024. Garganega Veronese. 12.5% £16

3.       Zuani Vigne Collio Bianco DOC 2024. Friulano, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio. 13% £25

4.       Nals Margreid Pinot Grigio Cru Punggl DOC 2022. Pinot Grigio. 13% £20

Red

5.       Tenuta Santa Maria Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOC 2023. Corvina75% Corvinone15% Rondinella 10%. 14.5% £21

6.       Castello di Buttrio Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso DOC Friuli Colli Orientali 2020 Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso. 13% £22.50

7.        Nals Margreid Lagrein Sand DOC 2024. Lagrein. 13.5% £23

8.       Giacomo Montresor Amarone 'La Colombaia' DOCG 2022. Corvina, Rondinella Molinara 15% £30