Sunday, May 28, 2017

May 2017 - Desert Island WInes

As usual, we had 8 wines, this time presented by members of the society. Wines which had some meaning for the individual member, or just highly recommended, or had a story behind it

We had

Tio Pepe Sherry, £10 - £12 – Tim
Muscadet Sur Lie, Aldi - £4.99 – Sue
Marques de los Rios Rioja blanca reserva – Esther
Gewurztraminer, £7, Leclerc, Boulogne – Tim
Ramon Reserva £7.49, Majestic – Tim
Valpolicella Ripasso – La Cassetta £13.99, Majestic – Tim
Mas de Daumas Gassac Red - £15+ - Keith
Kommandaria St John, Cyprus. £14, Winesupermarket.com - Phil

The stories:

Sue brought along the the Muscadet because its a wine she (and the rest of us) remember with affection from the 1980's. It then disappeared from view for maybe 15 – 20 years, but in the last 5 years the French producers have picked up there game and now its back and as good as it should be. This ones's a steal at £4.99 from Aldi 

Esthers Rioja brought back memories for her of some excellent early UWS meetings at the late lamented La Giralda Spanish restaurant in Pinner.

Keith's Mas de Daumas Gassac is a special wine which he saves for best – buys a case per year (or something like that) en-primeur from the vineyard, being the only way he dares to afford it – at retail it can be easily north of of £30. He very kindly shared 2 bottles with us.

Phils Kommadaria St John has childhood memories in south Wales in the 1950s/60s of a well loved cousin who travelled to Cyprus regularly and brought this Dessert wine back. ' the oldest named wine in the world apparently – a fortified dessert wine. 

Tim, the ex-chairman presented 4 wines – 1.Tio Pepe, as probably the best Fino you can buy, and a must have in anyone's fridge. 2. Gewurtztraminer, his long time favourite white, best bought in France as you get much better choice and price. 3. Ramos Reserva Portuguese red, one of his brothers (in the wine trade) best wines, excellent VFM, and someone has to drink the family into profit! 4. Valpollicella has a similar story in this country as the muscadet. We all remember the alcoholic Ribena, easy drinking wine from the 1980's, which also disappeared. Again, it's back , and the Ripasso variant has much more body and substance. Worth paying a little extra for.


Monday, May 1, 2017

April 2017 - Wines from Waitrose

PRESENTATION OF WINES FROM WAITROSE BY TONY HOOPER & JEAN STEPHEN
AGM 20/04/2017

Terre Di Chieti - Pecorino Abruzzo, Italy 2015 13% £7.99

Arnaud De Lassalle - Pouilly Fume Loire, France 2015 13% £15.99

Hunky Dory ‘THE Tangle’ Marlborough New Zealand 2015 14% £11.99 (Blend Of Pinot Gris 55% Gewurztraminer 35% Riesling 10%)

Cave De Beblenheim - Pinot Gris Alsace, France 2014/15 13% £9.99

Cave De Tain Les Hauts De Pavieres N. Rhone, France 2014 12.5% £11.49 (Croze Hermitage - Syrah)

The Hedonist Shiraz Mclaren Vale, Australia 2015 14% £13.99

Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Suavignon Aconcagua Valley, Chile 2014 14% £12.99

Chateau Jolys - Petit Marseng Juracon, S.W. France 2014 13% £12.79 (50cl)

NOTES
To me the best white was the Pecorino & at a good price. Fresh tropical fruits with delicate florality &minerality.
The Pouilly Fume I thought was overpriced especially as it did not match my need for a little more bite.
Of the reds, The Hedonist Shiraz was outstanding. It was delicious & excellent with intense dark fruit flavours.
Closely behind was the Errazuriz Cabernet Sauvignon. Rich fruit tones enhanced by the blending of Petit Verdot & Cabernet Franc brought a frim finish with a hint of smokiness.

A very good evening enjoyed by all members.