December 2017 - UWS, A History

We were presented with 8 wines by Esther, who is a founding member, to showcase the hitory of the UWS. UWS is close to 36 years old (Feb 2018) and has met EVERY month over those 35 3/4 years - never missing a single month.
Esther chose the wines to illustrate some of the history of the society and the world of wine and how it has changed.

Wine 1 - Cremant de Limoux. Used to be Blanquette de Limoux. In the 1980s the only fizz you really came across was Champagne, and this was one of the first ones that Esther could remenber that wasn't.
Wine 2 - Mateus Rose. A part of our history, familiar to pretty well anyone who drank wine in the '80s . At one point it was >50% of our imports of wine from Portugal
Wine 3 - Gruner Veltliner. Part of the story about Austrian Wines and anti-freeze, plus a long story about an UWS treasurer in the 80's who started a wine buying group, and made off with money (about £2 - 3000 in todays money, so not trivial)
Wine 4 - White Rioja. Again, a piece of society  history involving a coach trip down to Sherston to taste cider and Riojas - A morning of Cider, lunch with (plenty of) Rioja, followed by an afternoon of Rioja tasting. Memories are a bit hazy.....
Wine 5 - Fleurie. The Gamay grape, same as Beaujolais Nouveau... If you were there in the 80's you will remember. Enough said
Wine 6 - Bulgarian Merlot. In the 1980's, Bulgaria was the 2nd largest wine producer. Supported by the communist regime for hard currency, it produced a lot of pretty good wine. After 1989 it all fell apart and is only just now clawing its way back.
Wine 7 - Israeli Cabernet Sauvignon. Back in the day, somewhere in Israel, Esther was browsing the wine shelves, and someone else in the shop asked - "you seem very interested, why?" It transpired the other chap was in wine trade, and lived in Hayes. So a tasting was organised.
Wine 8 - PX Sherry. Black, Sticky, Sweet, Gorgeous. We all have memories of Harvey's Bristol Cream and similar (Emva?). Awful, just awful. But good sherry, real sherry in all its varieties is a marvellous thing. We have had several Sherry tastings, and it's undervalued and marvellous. 

An excellent evening.

November 2017: WInes of Argentina

This month we had Berkmann Wine Cellars, presenting Wines of Argentina: 

• Finca la Colonia Torrontes, Mendoza

• Finca Perdriel Sauvignon Blanc, Medoza

• Passo Bianco, Masi Tupungato. Pinot Grigio/Torrontes, Mendoza

• Norton Porteno Malbec, Mendoza

• Finca Decero Remolinos Vineyard, Malbec, Mendoza

• Finca Decero Remolinos Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza

• Finca Decero Remolinos Vineyard, Petit Verdot, Mendoza

• Norton Privada Family Blend, Mendoza.

October 2017 - The World of Sherry - Charles Metcalfe

An evening of Sherry - The Wines were:


Manzanilla La Gitana, Hidalgo La Gitana. £10 -11 Ocado, Majestic, many independents.

FinoTio Pepe, Gonzales Byass. £10 – 10.50 Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Waitrose Cellar, many independents.

Valdespino Tio Diego Single Vineyard Dry Amontillado. £16.95 Lea & Sandeman.

Palo Cortado Solera, Cayetano del Pino. £14.95 The Wine Society / £11.49 per half Waitrose Cellar.

Lustau Don Nuno Dry Oloroso. £14.69 – 15.95 www.thedrinkshop.com & Noel Young Wines,

Oloroso Medium Dry, Barbadillo. £9.95 – 11.50 Halifax Wine Company, Albion Wine Shippers, Davy Wine Merchants.

Lustau Old East India Solera Cream. £17.99 Oxford Wine Company, Many independents

Sandeman Royal Corregidor 20 year old Rich Old Oloroso. Not available in UK (£14 per half bottle).

September 2017 - Wines of Chile, Lindsay Oram

This month we had Lindsay Oram (http://www.wineeducators.com/awe-members-directory/lindsayoram/) a Wine Educator who we know well, living just round the corner as she does. She was presenting Chilean Wines, supported by Wines of Chile (www.winesofchile.org).

Apparently many people believe that Chile only does cheap wine. Well, we know different, and Lindsay presented a number of wines to prove it.

• Cono Sur Sparkling Rose – Pinot Noir. £10.75 Tesco
• Vina Tabali. Encantado Gran Reserva Cande single vinyard 2015. Viognier £9.99 Waitrose
• Close des Fous Locura. Terroir de Los Andes 2014. Chardonnay £15.99 Waitrose
• Undurruga Cauguenes Estate 2016. Viognier/Roussanne/Marsanne. £7.50 Wine Society
• Vina Maycas de Limari 2016. Pinot Noir £8.50 Wine Society
• Undurraga Cabernet Franc 2013. Cabernet Franc. £14.95 Wine Society
• Koyle Cerro Basalto 2014. Carignan/Syrah/Grenache/Mourvedre. £17.00 Wine Society.
• Concha Y Toro Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc. £7.50 half. Tesco

The Sparkling was a good standard fizz, standig up there with New Zealand fizz, Prosecco etc. at the same sort of price. Worth trying

Of the whites my view was that the Viognier blend was the best – the other grapes taking the edge off the “oily” nature of the neat Viognier, while the Chardonnay was a lot of money for what it was.

The reds were all good, and I'd certainly be tempted by either of the 2 more expensive wines – I personally thought the Cabernet Franc was the better, but its a personal view. And for me at £15 the bottle, that's saying something.

The final wine, the Late Harvest dessert is a very good alternative to other and worth the money.

August 2017 - Peter Freeman, Wines from the Loire

This Month we had Peter Freeman, presenting Wines from the Loire.

We had 40 members turn up – a good attendance

The Wines Were:

Cremant Rose              Majestic               £13.99

Muscadet                     Tesco                   £6.50

Sancerre                       Tesco                   £13.00

Vouvray                        Majestic              £11.99

Gamay Rose                 Sainsbury            £5.50

Malbec                         Majestic              £7.99

Chinon                          Mill Hill Wines    £13.99

Coteaux de Layon        Spirited Wines     £17.50

July 2017, South African Wine, Phil Miles

Phil, our current chairman, travels a lot to South Africa, and has a great love for the country, and its wines. South African wines are often, incorrectly called “New World” - which isn't really correct, as wines have been grown there since the 1600's – that's well over 300 years, so not so new!

We had

Graham Beck, Robertson Valley. Sparkling Brut Chardonnay/Pinot Noir. 12.5%, £14

Zalze Estate, Stellenbosch. Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2016. 13%, £7

Springfield Estate, Robertson Valley. Special Cuvee. Sauvignon Blanc 2016. £12.50

Diemersdal Estate, Durbanville Hills. Gruner Veltliner 2016. 14%, £12

Paul Cluver Estate, Elgin Valley. Pinot Noir 2015. 13.5%, £12

Morgenhof Estate, Simonsberg. Merlot 2012 £14% £14

Beyerskloof Estate, Bottelary Hills/Papegaaberg Pinotage Reserve Selection 2015. 13.5%, £9

Journey's End Estate. Hottentots Holland. Cabernet Sauvignon 2015. 14.5%, £15

All these wines are available in the UK – Majestic, Waitrose, M&S, Morrisons

June 2017 - Laithwaites

This month we had a wine quiz, presented by Dan Guyte of Laithwaites, who is the Beaconsfield store manager.

It took the form of a blind tasting, combined with call my bluff – so each wine was served blind, and then 3 members of the audience opened an envelope which described the wine. 2 of the 3 descriptions were bluffs (false) and one correct.

Dan had chosen the wines to be untypical of their grape variety, so it was quite a challenge. I can certainly remember saying of one wine - “If this is a Gamay, it's unlike any Gamay I have ever tasted before.” Of course, it was a Gamay.

The wines were:

Insight Gewurztraminer, NZ, 2014 - £15.99

Lobo e Falcao Brance, Portugal, 2016 £9.99

Groote Kaap Viognier, SA, 2016 - £9.49

Sata Rita Chardonnay Reserve, Chile, 2016 - £9.99

Tomahawk Sprkling Red NV, Australia, NV £13.99

Domaine Pardon Veilles Vignes, Gamay, Fleurie - £13.99

La Braccesca, Monepulciano, Italy 2014 - £18.99

Ascension Malbec Reserve, Argentina, 2014 - £19.99

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.

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.

March 2017, Italian WInes from Majestic, Ruislip

This month we had Anani, the deputy manager of Majestic, Ruislip presenting Italian wines. I ought to mention, in passing, that Anani is the first black presenter we've ever had. And thats all I'm going to say about that. I just seemed daft to not say something. 

The wines were:

1. Tasca “Regaliali” Bianco di Sicilia 2015.£8.99
2. Falanghina 2015. Terredora. £9.99
3. Pietraticcia Fiano 2015. Surani. £7.49
4. Triplica. Greco di Tufo 2015.
5. Negroamaro 2013. Fuedo Dei Tari. £6.99
6. Dolcetto d'Alba 2015. De Forville. £8.99
7. Aglianico del Vulture 2013. Cantina di Ventosa. £7.99
8. Primitivo di Manduria. Surani Costarossa 2015. £8.99

All prices are the “mix 6” price.

All good wines – none of them stunning, all good. Try any of them, you will not be dissappointed.

On that basis, it seems churlish to chose “the best”, so I wont.

Feburary 2017 - Richard Bost - Wines of Bulgaria

Richard Bost gave us one his excellent evenings, presenting Wines of Bulgaria. I certainly remember those days in the 1980s when Bulgarian Wine was good, and cheap. Unfortunately it all suffered post 1989 and the collapse of communism and is only now starting to pick up again.

We had 8 wines as usual

1. Eduardo Miroglio Brut 2007. 12% £19.85. www.turtonwines.co.uk
2. Soli White 2015 .13.5% £10.50 www.swig.co.uk
3. Bio Viognier/Traminer. 2015. 13.5% £11.50 www.swig.co.uk
4. Soli Pinot Noir 2014. 12.5% £11.95 www.swig.co.uk
5. Eduardo Miroglio. Pinot Nero 2008 13%. £14.95 www.swig.co.uk
6. Eduardo Miroglio. Merlot 2012 14%. £12.50 www.swig.co.uk
7. Villa Melnik Bergule Mavrud 2012. 13.5% £9.95 www.theoldcellar.co.uk
8. Dragomir SARVA, Mavrud/Merlot 2013. 13.5% £14.95 www.theoldcellar.co.uk

Wine 1, compares well with a vintage Champage, but at much the same price. Wine 2 is a curious blend of Riesling/Sauvignon Blanc/Viognier/Gewurtztraminer which, to be honest didn't work. Wine 3 better. Wine 4, not a good example of Pinot Noir, but Wine 5 better.

The last 3 reds were all good, but the best wine of the evening was, for me, the cheapest – the Mavrud.

So, on balance, not one of the best sets of 8, but a few good ones in there.

New Year Party

A good evening, with a good turnout, and excellent selection of food brought along by a great number of society members.

The wines

Sparkling
1. New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc. Split Rock 2014
2. French. Cremant de Limoux, Rose. Roche Lancour 2013

White
3. Peach Stone. Sicily. Grillo/Sauvignon Blanc
4. La Cabalie. French. Viognier blend

Red
5. Porta 6. Portuguese.
6. La Cabalie. French. Grenache Blend

Dessert
7. Lidl Tokay
8. Blandy's Duke of Clarence.