The speaker this month was Ray O'Connor http://www.rayoconnorwine.com/ who is (apparently) Irelands best wine export - well one web site I read said so, and as we all know, everything on the web is true.....
A great speaker, and well worth the fee, we had a good turnout, very good wines and a good evening. We were in our new venue for the summer while the Library is being renovated, and it was ...OK.
The Evening was based around unusual or less common grapes & wines - some weren't that unusual but there was at least one I had not actually heard of, so OK, something new....
In Order we had
Fefinanes Albarino - Rias Biaxas
Gruner Veltliner, Kamptal
Faldeos Nevados Torrontes, Argentina
Vouvray (Chenin Blanc) Haut Lieu Sec
Curto Barbera d'Alba La Foia
Koyle Reserva Carmanere, Chile
Guimaro Mencia, Ribiera Sacra
Saumur-Champigny, Clos de Cordeliers (Cab. Franc)
All from the Wine Society. It would be invidious to select a best wine as they were all very good, but the votes on the night as far as I can remember, was the favourite white was the Albarino, and the favourite red, the Ribiera Sacra.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Thursday, February 28, 2013
February 2013 - Waitrose Fine Wines
Well, we were desperate - Esther had drawn a blank and been let down by several speakers, so I decided to give it a whirl, and present Waitrose Fine Wines between £10 and £15 per bottle. The logic being that its the kind of price we might not normally pay, but would spend on a special bottle
All were selected from the racks at Waitrose Ruislip, although I did cheat on one.
The wines were
Hahn St Lucia Highlands 2010 (California) Chardonnay 14%
Gewurtztraminer – Paul Blanck 2011 13.5%
Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore. - Recchia 2009 14% Vol
Chateau Reynella 2008 Shiraz 14.5%
Blason du Rhone - Chateauneuf du Pape 2010 14%
Brazin Zinfandel Lodi (California) 2009 15%
I cheated on the Reynella, as it was £15.99, but I like it..
Generally, all good, but the De Grendel was a touch dissappointing, as was the Blason de Rhone - which was reduced from £21 to £14.
The star wine was the Reynella - very worth grabbing if you see some.
All were selected from the racks at Waitrose Ruislip, although I did cheat on one.
The wines were
Leitz
Rudesheimer Rosegarten Kabinett (Rheingau) - Riesling 2011. 9.5%
DeGrendel
Cape Town.- Sauvignon Blanc 2011 13.5%Hahn St Lucia Highlands 2010 (California) Chardonnay 14%
Gewurtztraminer – Paul Blanck 2011 13.5%
Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore. - Recchia 2009 14% Vol
Chateau Reynella 2008 Shiraz 14.5%
Blason du Rhone - Chateauneuf du Pape 2010 14%
Brazin Zinfandel Lodi (California) 2009 15%
I cheated on the Reynella, as it was £15.99, but I like it..
Generally, all good, but the De Grendel was a touch dissappointing, as was the Blason de Rhone - which was reduced from £21 to £14.
The star wine was the Reynella - very worth grabbing if you see some.
Monday, February 4, 2013
January - New Years Party
A good do, excellent turnout, and several new members.
Tony stocked up on the wines (except the stickies) before Christmas, to get some great deals - A Cordonieu fizz to start, then a Zalze Chenin Blanc and a Gerard Bertrand Viognier. For the reds, a Gerard Bertrand Minervois and a Portillo Malbec were good.
Pudding wines were a little more difficult, as Tony found that post-xmas, the range of stickies is much reduced, so we had to put up with (??) a very nice Elysium and that old standby, Mavrodaphne of Patras, which is always great value.
Tony stocked up on the wines (except the stickies) before Christmas, to get some great deals - A Cordonieu fizz to start, then a Zalze Chenin Blanc and a Gerard Bertrand Viognier. For the reds, a Gerard Bertrand Minervois and a Portillo Malbec were good.
Pudding wines were a little more difficult, as Tony found that post-xmas, the range of stickies is much reduced, so we had to put up with (??) a very nice Elysium and that old standby, Mavrodaphne of Patras, which is always great value.
Friday, December 28, 2012
December - Wines of Uruguay
Well, what do YOU know about uruguayan wines? I expect you knew they made wine, but have you ever tasted any? Me neither. Well, my wife had some uruguayan fizz before Christmas at a wine bar in the city, but can't remember the name. So that doesn't count.
Anyway, Carla of Wines of Uruguay www.winesofuruguay.co.uk brought along 8 wines - and they were good.
Some very different grapes and blends, starting with the whites -
VDV Estival 2009 - Gewurtztraminer/Chardonnay/Moscatel - £11
A very unusual blend - similar to the Torres Vina Esmeralda - went down very well. The Gewurtz is picked ripe, with the Chardonnay picked only just ripe, to give a fresher taste. Unoaked
Bodegones Fume Blanc - Sauvignon Blanc/Sauvignon Gris - £12
Very Oaky, aged in new Oak, would go very well with food. Reminiscent of those big Australian/Californan Chardonnay in the 90's
Marichal reserve - Pinot Noir/Chardonnay - Slightly pink, basically a still champagne. Very clean and Fresh
And the reds
Bodegones Cabernet Franc 2010 - £9.
An absolute steal at this price. I did buy 3 bottles - which vanished on Christmas Day. I cannot recommend this one highly enough!!
De Lucca Tannat Libero 2010 - 95% Tannat, 5% Nero D'Avola £12
Quite Chewy, Fairly, but not excessively tannic. Very dark, almost black
Marichal Reserve Tannat 2011 - £13
Wines of Uruguay's best seller.
De Lucca Rio Colorado 2008 - Cabernet Sauvignon/Tannat/Merlot - £19
Very powerful, very tannic. They only make this wine in good years. 2009/10/11 are missing. Made again in 2012.
Alcyone Tannat Dessert £19/500ml. Another best seller.
Made by the Marsala method, infused with herbs
All in all, an excellent evening. The wines, great quality, fantastic value...
Anyway, Carla of Wines of Uruguay www.winesofuruguay.co.uk brought along 8 wines - and they were good.
Some very different grapes and blends, starting with the whites -
VDV Estival 2009 - Gewurtztraminer/Chardonnay/Moscatel - £11
A very unusual blend - similar to the Torres Vina Esmeralda - went down very well. The Gewurtz is picked ripe, with the Chardonnay picked only just ripe, to give a fresher taste. Unoaked
Bodegones Fume Blanc - Sauvignon Blanc/Sauvignon Gris - £12
Very Oaky, aged in new Oak, would go very well with food. Reminiscent of those big Australian/Californan Chardonnay in the 90's
Marichal reserve - Pinot Noir/Chardonnay - Slightly pink, basically a still champagne. Very clean and Fresh
And the reds
Bodegones Cabernet Franc 2010 - £9.
An absolute steal at this price. I did buy 3 bottles - which vanished on Christmas Day. I cannot recommend this one highly enough!!
De Lucca Tannat Libero 2010 - 95% Tannat, 5% Nero D'Avola £12
Quite Chewy, Fairly, but not excessively tannic. Very dark, almost black
Marichal Reserve Tannat 2011 - £13
Wines of Uruguay's best seller.
De Lucca Rio Colorado 2008 - Cabernet Sauvignon/Tannat/Merlot - £19
Very powerful, very tannic. They only make this wine in good years. 2009/10/11 are missing. Made again in 2012.
Alcyone Tannat Dessert £19/500ml. Another best seller.
Made by the Marsala method, infused with herbs
All in all, an excellent evening. The wines, great quality, fantastic value...
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
November 2012 - Brian Oakley, Auswineonline
Brian Oakwell of auswine online www.auswineonline.co.uk presented a set of boutique wines from Western Australia.
In order we had
Flametree NV Sparkling - £18
Mishmash Margaret River White - £15
Forest Hill 2010 Chardonnay - £18
Forest Hill 2010 Riesling - £15
Embers Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 - £13
Forest Hill 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon - £18
Amelia Park 2010 Shiraz - £18.50
Amelia Park 2010 Cabernet merlot. £20
The Flametree sparkling was pretty good, and around about a fair price. The Mishmash - a blend of Sauvignon, Semillon, Chardonnay was OK, but I think one can do better att that price. The Chardonnay was quite interesting, as its the new unoaked, fresh crisp style, but still 14% Alcohol, without the in-your-face old style heaviness. The Riesling - I'm still looking for a good non German Riesling. I love the good German rieslings, but cannot find them outside Germany!
The reds however, were terrific. All well balanced, fruity, but still up at 14% alcohol (so presumably no cheating by dealcoholisation) For me, the star was the first one - fruity, fresh, but still full bodied and well balnced. I may even buy a case!. The others were also pretty good, but for absolute VFM the Embers Cab Sauv gets the vote.
In order we had
Flametree NV Sparkling - £18
Mishmash Margaret River White - £15
Forest Hill 2010 Chardonnay - £18
Forest Hill 2010 Riesling - £15
Embers Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 - £13
Forest Hill 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon - £18
Amelia Park 2010 Shiraz - £18.50
Amelia Park 2010 Cabernet merlot. £20
The Flametree sparkling was pretty good, and around about a fair price. The Mishmash - a blend of Sauvignon, Semillon, Chardonnay was OK, but I think one can do better att that price. The Chardonnay was quite interesting, as its the new unoaked, fresh crisp style, but still 14% Alcohol, without the in-your-face old style heaviness. The Riesling - I'm still looking for a good non German Riesling. I love the good German rieslings, but cannot find them outside Germany!
The reds however, were terrific. All well balanced, fruity, but still up at 14% alcohol (so presumably no cheating by dealcoholisation) For me, the star was the first one - fruity, fresh, but still full bodied and well balnced. I may even buy a case!. The others were also pretty good, but for absolute VFM the Embers Cab Sauv gets the vote.
Monday, October 22, 2012
October - 30 years of UWS
So, the big event. All ticket, a full 50 people showed up to taste wines at £30 quid a bottle. Who's brilliant idea was that? Mine as it happens - was it a success - I'm not sure, it was a top of my head, spur of the moment thing.
Anyway, after the 25th celebrations when classic world wines turned into top french wines, I was wanting to get great wines from around the world - you know - Argentinian Malbec, a top Riesling, or a late harvest Gewurtzraminer perhaps. We didn't quite get that, as we were limited by who we could get to speak, and although we were lucky enough to get Mike Ritchie MW of Morenos, it did mean we got a Spanish dominated selection, with wines from Sicily, Australia and Chile to finish
Vino Tondonia Bianco Reserva 1992 - £23.07 + VAT
V3 Vinas Viejas Verdejo 2008 - £22.50 + VAT
Cosme Palacio "1894" Bianco 2008 - £37.33+ VAT
Mauro 2009 - £24.00 + VAT
Cosme Palacio "1894" Tinto 2007 - £37.33+ VAT
Duca di Salaparuta Duco Enrico Nero d'Avola 2006 - £37.33+ VAT
Penley reserve Cab Sau 2004 - £31.52 + VAT
Altazor 2006 - £22.65 + VAT
Although it was an excellent evening, I'm afraid my taste buds just aren't £30 a bottle ones. I did struggle to taste the difference - as Sainsbury's might have said. Don't get me wrong, some of them were very good, but for me, not worth £30.
If I were to choose, I'd go for the Mauro 2009, the Penley reserve and the Altazor - good tasty reds.
The Nero d'Avola was still quite tough. The Vino Tondonia is a classic Old style oxidised Rioja - quite sherry like - but definitely a particular taste.
Anyway, after the 25th celebrations when classic world wines turned into top french wines, I was wanting to get great wines from around the world - you know - Argentinian Malbec, a top Riesling, or a late harvest Gewurtzraminer perhaps. We didn't quite get that, as we were limited by who we could get to speak, and although we were lucky enough to get Mike Ritchie MW of Morenos, it did mean we got a Spanish dominated selection, with wines from Sicily, Australia and Chile to finish
Vino Tondonia Bianco Reserva 1992 - £23.07 + VAT
V3 Vinas Viejas Verdejo 2008 - £22.50 + VAT
Cosme Palacio "1894" Bianco 2008 - £37.33+ VAT
Mauro 2009 - £24.00 + VAT
Cosme Palacio "1894" Tinto 2007 - £37.33+ VAT
Duca di Salaparuta Duco Enrico Nero d'Avola 2006 - £37.33+ VAT
Penley reserve Cab Sau 2004 - £31.52 + VAT
Altazor 2006 - £22.65 + VAT
Although it was an excellent evening, I'm afraid my taste buds just aren't £30 a bottle ones. I did struggle to taste the difference - as Sainsbury's might have said. Don't get me wrong, some of them were very good, but for me, not worth £30.
If I were to choose, I'd go for the Mauro 2009, the Penley reserve and the Altazor - good tasty reds.
The Nero d'Avola was still quite tough. The Vino Tondonia is a classic Old style oxidised Rioja - quite sherry like - but definitely a particular taste.
Monday, October 8, 2012
September - Wines of Virginia
Yes, that's Virginia in the USA. James Dare of New Horizon Wines (jamesdare@newhorizonwines.com) presented a bunch of quite pricy wines from Virginia. Apparently its quite a decent sized wine area - there are something like 200 wineries on the guide he gave us, and I assume there must be more.
Anyway, the wine - 3 Whites, all Viognier, and 5 reds, Cabernet franc x 2, Petit Verdot and 2 blends. Prices ranged from £15 to £21 per bottle. I'd like to say it was all great, but I can't say as I'd just hd my Tonsils out the previous week and could not really taste a thing. However, from all the slurping and general yum yum sounds, I think they hit the spot generally.
Are they worth the money? Thats for you to decide - they are available through new horizon wines, so if you want to try some, contact them direct. www.newhorizonwines.com
Anyway, the wine - 3 Whites, all Viognier, and 5 reds, Cabernet franc x 2, Petit Verdot and 2 blends. Prices ranged from £15 to £21 per bottle. I'd like to say it was all great, but I can't say as I'd just hd my Tonsils out the previous week and could not really taste a thing. However, from all the slurping and general yum yum sounds, I think they hit the spot generally.
Are they worth the money? Thats for you to decide - they are available through new horizon wines, so if you want to try some, contact them direct. www.newhorizonwines.com
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