What we tasted in October 2025

Uncover Europe’s Best-Kept Wine Secret - The wines of Moldova

In October we were very glad to have Martin and Galina Flowers from InKnotts Wine Ltd present from their extensive range of Moldovan wines. Situated between Romania and Ukraine, Moldova has had grape cultivation for over 6,000 years. Following Russian embargoes, the EU gave Moldovan wine duty-free access in 2014. Moldovan wines are now regularly winning medals in international competitions, including the coveted title of Best Red Wine in the World (2022). Moldova is the 6th largest wine producer in Europe, making wine from renowned international grapes and indigenous varieties found nowhere else.

Ranging from a delightful sparkling rosé, through highly aromatic whites and excellent reds to a super-sweet Riesling, we had a great introduction to this largely-undiscovered wine-producing country. Martin and Galina also brought small plates of tasty savoury Moldovan snacks for everyone to try.

For more information: https://inknotts.com

The wines tasted were:

1. Corten, Cuvee de Prestige rosé, sparkling; Valul lui Traian, NV. Pinot Noir.

2. Corten, Vin Sec Alb; Valul lui Traian, 2024. Viorica.

3. Divus, Domeniile Vorniceni; Codru, 2024. Floricica.

4. Château Pucari, Orange; Ştefan-Vodǎ, 2023. Rkatsiteli.

5. Château Pucari, Rosé; Ştefan-Vodǎ, 2024. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Rarǎ Neagrǎ.

6. Fautor, Altitudine 310, Valul lui Traian, 2022. Merlot, Rarǎ Neagrǎ.

7. Corten, Vin Sec Roşu; Valul lui Traian, 2021. Feteascǎ Neagrǎ.

8. Château Pucari, Saperavi de Paucari; IGP Ştefan-Vodǎ, 2022. Saperavi.

9. Asconi, Ice Wine; Codru, 2023. Riesling

   
   

   

   
   

Martin and Galina Flowers of InKnotts Wine Ltd

Next tasting - Friday 10th October

Uncover Europe’s Best-Kept Wine Secret

Web: https://inknotts.com

The next Grand Union Wine Society tasting will be on Oct 10th, presented by Martin Flowers of InKnotts Wine in Mansfield. 

Step into the world of Moldova – a country with over 6,000 years of winemaking heritage and a reputation for crafting wines that rival Europe’s finest. In just the last five years, Moldovan winemakers have earned over 7,000 international medals, including the coveted title of Best Red Wine in the World (2022).

As the 6th largest wine producer in Europe, Moldova’s vineyards stretch across 112,000 hectares, producing both renowned international grapes and rare indigenous varieties found nowhere else.

This exclusive tasting is your chance to experience remarkable wines you won’t see on supermarket shelves – authentic, award-winning, and unforgettable.

Join us and taste what the wine world is finally starting to discover.

In addition to wide range of wines to be tasted, Martin will be bring small plates of savoury Moldovan snacks for everyone to try.

This promises to be a great evening, which members and their guests are warmly invited to attend.

Please register your intention to attend by paying in the usual manner, as per the attached guidance. It is very helpful to us if you are able to pay by Friday October 3rd.

What we tasted in September 2025

A new light on Laithwaites?

This month we were very glad to welcome Ross Donaldson and his team (Sam and Dan) from the Laithwaites shop in Nottingham. Laithwaites are a hugely successful wine importer, but they also make their own wines, and these are what we tasted today. These wines all come with their own stories, from the original French vineyard taken over by Tom Laithwaite to the vineyard in Windsor Great Park that resulted from customer feedback. The wines were full of interest too.

For more information: https://www.laithwaites.co.uk/jsp/content.jsp?pg=store_nottingham

The wines tasted were:

1. Windsor Great Park Vineyard, sparkling; Berkshire, England, 2019. Chardonnay Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier.

2. Harrow & Hope Blanc de Blancs, sparkling; Marlow, England, 2020. Chardonnay.

3. Château la Clarière blanc; AC Bordeaux, France, 2022. Sauvignon blanc, Sauvignon gris.

4. La Voûte; VDF, Limoux, France, 2024. Chardonnay

5. Château la Clarière rouge; AC Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, France, 2022. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc.

6. RedHeads Night of the Living Red; South Australia, 2022. Durif, Shiraz, Touriga Nacional.

7. RedHeads 1888; Barossa Valley, Australia, 2022. Shiraz

8. La Presbytère de la Clarière; AC Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, France, 2020. Cabernet Sauvignon.