February 2015 - Slovenian Wines by Stasa Mozetic

Presented by Stasa Mozetic Flauto of Blice Wines, we had some excellent Slovenian Wines as follows:

Whites

Winery - Hlebec Sipon,  2012, Ljutomer--‐Ormoz 14%

£15.59

Winery - Bregar Pinot Grigio,2010,Brda,13.5%

£18.98

Winery - Reja Rebula, 2009, Brda, 13.0%,

12months in Acacia wood barrels;

Bronze Decanter World Wide Award 2011, London
£23.99

Winery - Bregar Malvasia, 2010, Brda, 13.5%

Silver medal at Malvasia Festival Isola, Slovenia, March 2013
£18.98

Winery - Reja Rose, Pinot Grigio Rose, 2012, Brda, 13.5%

£20.99

Reds

Winery - Hlebec Zweiglet, 2012, Ljutomer--‐Ormoz, 12%;

£15.59

Winery - Lisjak Merlot, 2007, Vipava Valley, 12.1%,

12 months in wood barrels
£19.99

Winery - Persolja Pinot Noir Barrique 2008, Brda, 13.7%,

5 years in barrique,
£26.99

The Whites were excellent, the reds good - although I'm not convinced by the Zweigelt. Its  a German/Austrian red grape hybrid, which we don't see often here - probably with good reason.
Overall, good stuff - but they are expensive!!

December 2014 - Supercherry Italian WInes

Supercherry was set up by Rob & Jane Stephany a couple of years ago. Their original intention was to specialise in Cherry based comestibles from the Le Marche region of Italy, which is known for its cherries. Somehow they never got past the alcohol based stuff. Odd that... They have a stall at the monthly Duck Pond market in Ruislip, but also have an on line presence.
They brought along 2  regional wines, a dessert wine blended with sour cherries, 3 liqueurs, and an eau de vie.

The first two wines were straight forward enough, from a small producer, Cantina Broccanera
Asco - a 50/50 Syrah/Cab Sauv blend
Cantaro - a Verdiccio.
Both perfectly fine wines

The 3rd wine, Viciolata del Cardinale from Cantine del Cardinale, was a blend of Visciola sour cherries and Montepulciano/Conaro rosso grapes, in a mix approx 33% cherry and 66% grape

Liqueurs - All produced by Major Liquori
Meloncino - 17% alcohol - a very sweet melon liqueur
Nocciolino - 17% alcohol - hazelnut cream - think Baileys with nuts
Limoncello - 28% alcohol - lemon

Opinions were mixed on these four. We've had a cherry mix wine before, from Turkey, and its an acquired taste. Of the 3 liqueurs I wasn't keen on the Melon or Nut, but the Limoncello is a very good example of its type. Others did like them, so its very much a question of try it and see.

The Aqua Vitae is again cherry based, basically an Eau de Vie from the Visciolata del Cardniale - Acquavite del Caridinale. Again, like all these spirits they are very personal, with some liking it, some not.

All I can say is try for yourselves - these drinks are out there.




T

Romanian Wines, Presented by Richard Bost.

Richard always brings along something unusual – Turkish, Mexican, etc. This time it was Romanian Wine. Romanian wine is at the budget end of the scale – the question – is it any good?

As always, 8 wines

1. Rhein Extra Brut Rose 12.5% NV.
2. La Catina Viognier Tamaioasa Romaneasca 2013. 13% - Laithwaites
3. La Umbra Chardonnay 2013 12.5% - Waitrose
4. Theia Chardonnay 2012. 14% - Laithwaite
5. Paris Street Pinot Noir Rose 2013. 13% - Laithwaites
6. Waitrose Pinot Noir 2013. 13%
7. La Catina Single vineyard Pinot Noir 2011 13% - The Wine Society
8. Burebista Shiraz Feteasca Neagra 2013 13% - Laithwates

Most (all??) of the wines are produced by Halewood Romania,, and Richard was presenting on their behalf. As always highly entertaining and the evening went with a swing.

I'll be honest here, Pinot Noir is not my favourite grape, but these were all drinkable and the pinot freaks were reasonably impressed, and all 3 are excellent value.

The Rhein Rose sparkling is, apparently, the “state” sparkling wine of Romania and gets served at state banquets. Apparently if it were on sale in the UK – which it isn't , it would be only around £12 a bottle – competitive with other good sparkling wines.

I really liked the Viognier blend and at £7.49 its well worth a try. The same goes for the other whites – good stuff, good value, and worth a punt.

 

The best was kept until last - the Shiraz blend - at £8.49 a bottle is something of a bargain. Certainly the 2 we tried were. Looking at online reviews it looks to be somewhat variable.

October - Portuguese Wines, Nick Oakley

This month was presented by my lovely brother Nick who trades as Oakley Wine Agencies in Colchester. I've been told he's known as "Mr Portugal" in the Industry. Nick doesn't sell direct, so the wines can be got from a variety of places.
Anyway, he brought along 4 Vinhos Verdes and 4 Duoro reds. You may not know, but Vinho Verde comes as varietals from half a dozen different grapes - so we had

Casal de Ventozela – Arinto 2013 - £8.50, Halifax Wine Company
Casal de Ventozela – Loureiro 2013 -  £8.50, Halifax Wine Company
Quinta de Curvos - Alvarinho 2013 - Not available in the UK - Yet.
Cazas Novas – Avesso 2013 - £9.99 - Red Squirrel Wines

These were not typical Vinhos Verdes, as VV is evolving, away from the rather astringent, effervescent green wines we are familiar with, to much more rounded wines - and these are great examples.

 

Tons de Duorum 2012 - £8.50, Tanners
Pomares, Quinta Nova 2010 - £8.99, The Wine Society
Quinta Nova Colheita 2011 - £10.50, The Wine Society
Duorum 2011 - £12.99, Tanners

Of the Reds, the Quinta Nova appeared in the Times last Saturday, recommended by Jane McQuitty no less..

September - Spanish Wines from Valladolid

Earlier this year, several members of the society went on a 6 day trip to Valladolid to investigate the vinyards & food of the region. Valladolid is at the centre of 4 different wine areas, so the group got to see a couple of producers in each region.
They brought back a selection of wines, plus managed to source some others from the UK - Majestic and Berry Brothers were mentioned. Some of the wines are NOT available in the UK.
The talk and the wines were presented by Phil Miles with a selection of photos of all the producers and vinyards and restaurants.

The wines were:
Cordoniu Seleccion Raventos - Sparkling, Catalonia (W)
Group Yller 2013, Rueda, Verdejo (W)
Jose Pariente 2012, Rueda, Sauvignon Blance (W)
Alfredo Santamaria Valvinoso 2013, Cigales, Rosado (Ro)
Alfredo Santamaria Crianza 2008, Cigales, Tempranillo (R)
La Legua Roble 2012, Cigales, Tempranillo (R)
Alfredo Santamaria Trascasas 2010, Cigales, Tempranillo (R)
Groupo Matarromera Crianza 2010, Ribera del duoro, Tempranillo.(R)

The Rosado rose is well worth trying, as are the 3 Cigales reds. It may be my tasebuds, but the last red - a £25 per bottle job, available from Majestic, was way too tannic for me. There were those who really like it.

August - French wines, Paul Roberts of PLB group

Once again, I wasn't there - Holidays....

I'm told it was an excellent evening, very well attended. the wines were:

 

Chateau Des Eyssards Merlot-Cabernet Franc

Chateau Des Eyssards  Sauvignon-Semillon
Picpul di Pinet Domaine Montrouby
Laurent Miquel Privee Viognier
Laurent Miquel Privee Syrah
Sancerre Les Princess aux Collines
Jerome Quiot Cotes du rhone
Ch Dupray St Emilion
Chateau Partarrieu "Le Mayne" Sauternes 2012

Mostly available from Monopol a new wine shop on the Farnham road nr Slough (opposite the Sainsburys)

 

July, Majestic Uxbridge - Australia & New Zealand.

We had wines from Australia & New Zealand presented by Kevin, the excellent manager from Majestic Uxbridge.

I couldn't be there due to my Daughters graduation, but I'm told it was a good evening.

For the record, the wines were:

Whites -

Invivo Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, £9.99

De Marisco 'Kings Thorn' Pinot Gris, £9.99
Peter Lehmann Clare Valley Riesling, £8.92
Wakefield Eden Valley Chardonnay £9.74

Reds -

Peter Lehmann 'BVS' Barossa Shiraz, £9.99

Hamilton Block Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, £9.74
Mud House Central Otago Pinot Noir,
Mt Difficulty  'Roaring Meg' Central Otago Pinot Noir - £18