Feruary 2020. Pippa Hayward, Sicilian WInes

This month we had Pippa Hayward, Wine Educator and also of the The Good Wine Shop in Kew, presenting Sicilian Wines.

The wines were:

1. Mandarossa Vermentino 2018 Cantine Settesoli, Menfi. IGT Sicilia. Grape: Vermentino. From: The Wine Society £6.95
2. Regaliali Case Vecchie 2017. Tenuta Tasca D'Almerita. DOC Sicilia. Grapes: Inzolia, Greciano, Catarratto, Chardonnay. From: Majestic £8.99
3. Grillo 2018. DOC Sicilia. Grape: Grillo. From: Marks & Spencer £7.00
4. Frappato 2018, Cantine Paolini, Marsala. IGPT Siciliane. Grape: Frappato. From: The Good Wine Shop in Kew, £9.50
5. Fondo Filara Etna Rosso 2016. Tenuta Nicosia, Catania. DOC Etna Rosso. Grapes: Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio. From: The Wine Society £12.50
6. Nero d'Avola 2017. Tenuta Rapitale, Camporeale, Palermo. DOC Sicilia. Grape: Nero d'Avola. From: Waitrose £9.99
7. The Society's Sicilian Reserve Red 2015. DOC Rosso Sicilia Reserva. Grape: Nero d'Avola. From: The Wine Society £8.50
8. Marsala Superiore Dolce 5 Anni. Cantine Vito Curatolo Arini. DOC Marsala Superiore Dolce. Grapes: Grillo, Catarratto, Inzolia. From: Waitrose £11.99

The eagle eyed will spot several uncommon grape varieties in there, all native to Sicily. With the Frappato – a light red – Pippa introduced us to the smashing concept of the “school night red” - a light, lowish alcohol red wine, ideal for a “school night”. A terrific idea!

The first 3 whites, all well made, clean, fresh, showed that there is nothing to be scared of from these less common grape varieties, although as Sicily is a massive wine producer, they aren't really that “uncommon”at all. Sicily produces more wine than Australia.

2 of the 3 reds are Nero d'Avola, a Scilian grape variety we've not seen that much of in the UK until recently. I remember early versions were somewhat challenging, but they are improving in leaps and bounds, and certainly the Wine Society version can hold it's head up at the price.

The last wine, the Marsala has a bit of a story. The rules for Marsala were “relaxed” which meant almost anything went, so much Marsala was just not Marsala, and quite often wierd. The Italians have put some effort into tightening the rules, with the rsult of a much improved and consistent wine. Try it.

January 2020 - New Years party.

In January, we had the New Years Party. It was good.

December 2019. Wines by the Members - Personal Selections

This month we had Wines from the members – their favourite wines, in whatever shape or form, and for whatever reason.

So, we had:

Les Figurettes 2018 Picpoul de Pinet. Marks & Spencer. £8 – Keith & Sandy M. They rather nobly forced themselves to try 4 or 5 versions of picpoul and decided this one was the best!

Marques de Almeida Rias Baixas Albarino. Sainsbury's £8.50 – Keith D. A touch lightweight – needs sunshine and food.

Domaine Saint Ferrol Viognier 2017. Majestic £9.99** Anne J. A very solid white – full bodied Viognier.

Undurraga Cauquenes, Estate Maule, Chile. Viognier-Roussanne-Marsanne 2018. The Wine Society. £7.95. John D. Much lighter than you might expect, in a good way.

Majestic Loves Merlot 2018. Majestic £6** Nigel & Maria C. A very dark Merlot and good value at £6

Desire Lush & Zin 2018 Primitivo [Zinfandel] Italy. Majestic £8.99** Harry K. A hefty red – pretty good.

Brazin Old Vine Zinfandel Lodi, USA. Waitrose. £11.25 Mike P. An even heftier red.

Peter Lehmann Barossa Hill and Valley. Shiraz 2015, South Australia. Various. About £10. Peter H.

** Majestic prices are all for the “Mix Six” price. (Does anyone buy single bottles from Majestic?)

As you would hope and expect from a Wine Society, all were good choices, no duff ones here! I can only give my own personal choices, and of the Whites, I'd go for the Picpoul, and the Reds – The Primitivo as slightly better value than the Brazin Zinfandel.

November 2019. Robin Goldsmith - Southern French WInes

Robin Goldsmith (www.writetaste.co.uk) presented wines from the Pays d'Oc. A wide selection, several of which aren't availble in the UK, and where they are, from Independants only. So I'm not giving prices, as they aren't relevant.

I can say they would be in the range £7 - £20 a bottle

Wines

White

Domaine Les Veuses Vermentino 2018 -13%

Les Domaines Auriol Renaissance de Ciceron Sauvignon 2018 - 12%

Domaine Gayda Figure Libre Freestyle Blanc 2017 – 12.5%

Rose

Calmel & Joseph Villa Blanche Grenache 2018 – 12.5%

Red

Maison Ventenac Pierre 2018 - 14%

Domaine Gayda Figure Libre Cabernet Franc 2017 – 13.5%

Domaine de la Jasse Tete de Cuvee de la Jasse 2016 - 14%

Fortant de France Terroir d'Altitude Malbec 2017 – 14.5%

Favourites were the Vermentino white at £8.95, available from Lea and Sandeman, and the Fortant de France Malbec at 10Euro from the Vinyard.

Almost a full house again, the usual slow start with volume increasing after the 2^nd glass !

October 2019 - Richard Bost, Turkish Wines from TasteTurkey

Richard gave us one of his trademark entertaining and off-the-beaten track evenings presenting Turkish Wines.It is in fact the 8th time he has presented to us over the years.

Many Turkish wineries are moving towards the more standard grape varieties – Cab Sauv, Sauv Blanc etc. However Richard (quite rightly IMO) chose to stick with indigenous Turkish varieties

Wines:

Sparkling:

Kavaklidere Altin Kopuk NV. 13.8% £11.99 – Grape: Emir Grape

White

Kavaklidere Cankaya 2018. 13.5% £8.99. - Grapes: Emir, Narince, Sultaniye

Diren Collection Series Narince 2018. 13.5% £9.99

Vinkara Narince 2018. 14% £13.85

Red

Diren Collection Series. Kalecik Karasi 2017. 13.5% £9.99. Grape: Kalecik Karasi

Doluca Kav 2016. 14.5% £13.49. Grape: Bogazkere, Okuzgozu

Kayra Buzbag Reserve 2013 13.5% £16.99. Grape: Bogazkere, Okuzgozu

Dessert

Diren Mahlep 18% £11.99 (50cl) Grapes: Bogazkere, Okuzgozu , with Infusion of Mahlep (Wild Cherry kernels)

The fizz had mixed responses – I liked it, with that biscuitty taste of decent fizzes, but others complained of an aftertaste.

The whites – quality came with price. The Cankaya – which is the most popular in Turkey is pretty lightweight – clean, fresh, but not a lot to it. The first Narince was pretty decent, a step above, but the Vinkara has loads of character and a thoroughly decent wine.

The reds – The Kalecik Karasi is a pretty light red, sometimes called the Turkish Beaujolais. The Doluca Kav was probably the best of the evening – a full bodied, well rounded red, definitely worth a try. The Kayra was quite tannic and needs time.

The Last wine – the Mahlep – is “unusual” - a dessert wine infused with Wild Cherry kernels. Some liked it, I didn't. If you want something different, this is different!!

All the wines are available from Taste Turkey – www.tasteturkey.net

September 2019. Rob Seddon - Italian WInes

This months wines wer presented by Rob Seddon of Jackson & Seddon  https://www.jacksonandseddon.com/our-story/

I could only get to end of the meeting, but it is very unusual for several other memebers to greet me with "you missed some fantastic wines", and "some of the best wines I've tasted for years"

So, they're good - apparently.  And here's the list

Villa Ligi – Setticolli 2107 – 70% Chardonnay/30% Verdicchio (Pergola, Le Marche) £20

Il Civettaio – Vermentino 2018– 100% Vermentino (Maremma, Tuscany) £18.00

La Valle Del Solle – Pecorino 2017 – 100% Pecorino (Offida, Le Marche) - £18.50

Il Civettaio – Chiu 2018 – 100% Sangiovese (Maremma, Tuscany) - £15.00

Muralia – Manolibera 2016 – 60% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, 20% Cab Sauv – (Maremma Tuscany) £18

Corte Malgiacca – Rosso 2013 - 60% Sangiovese/10% Canaiolo/10% Ciliegiolo/20% Syrah – (Lucca, Tuscany) £22

Il Civettaio – Sangiovese 2014 – 100% Sangiovese (Maremma, Tuscany) £23

San Gabriele Arcangelo – Cuccuvaia 2010 – 100% Sangiovese (Maremma, Tuscany) - £37

August 2019 - Duncan Ross, Berkmann Wines. Spanish WInes

Duncan Ross of Berkmann Wine Cellars https://www.berkmann.co.uk/ presented Spanish Wines.

Berkmann are a wholesaler, so you can't order direct, but you will see their wines in restaurants and in retail shops. Prices quoted are those for the Society to order on the evening.

The Wines Were

White

Serra Da Estrella. Albarino 2018. Rias Biaxas, Galicia - £11.05

Azumbre. Verdejo 2018. Rueda, Castilla y Leon - £9.52

Reventos de Alella. Pansa Blanca 2018. Alella, Catalonia - £11.46

Promessa. Rioja Blanca 2018 (Viura/Macabeo). Rioja - £9.22

Red

Casa Bonita, Malbec 2018 (Old/Bush Vines) Castilla La Mancha. £8.05

Soto Manrique. La Transicion Grenache 2017. Cebreros, Castilla y Leon. £9.00

Rar, Priorat 2017. Catalonia £17.70

Finca Valpiedra. Rioja Reserva 2011. Rioja. £21.66

perhaps the most intriguing wine was the Pansa Blanca – a rare grape from Catalonia, with only about 100 Hectares planted. Many liked it, as it had something about it to separate it from all those pleasant, clean well made whites we all know, but perhaps are a little bored of!

Of the reds, the Grenache was considered to be a good buy at £9.00 and 14% - if you see one, that is..

An entertaining evening, with a full house of 44 members.