What we tasted in April 2025

In April we were very glad to have Nancy Gilchrist MW to present a range of wines from the Alto Adige region of northern Italy. High altitude and high sunshine levels lead to exceptional wines even from grape varieties that some consider to be of the second rank. We had a wonderful exposition of this relatively poorly-known region which has a rather limited production. It was a great evening.

For more information:

Web: https://www.mattersoftaste.co.uk

The wines were sourced from:

Web: https://www.xtrawine.com/en-uk

Web: https://www.vinvm.co.uk

The wines tasted were:

1. 2023 Cantina Aristos, Valle Iscaro DOC, Sylvaner

2. 2023 Manni Nössing, Valle Iscaro DOC, Kerner

3. 2021 Falkenstein Alte Rebe, Valle Venosta DOC, Riesling

4. 2022 Tiefenbrunner Turmhof, Alto Adige DOC, Pinot Grigio

5. 2022 Cantina Terlan, Terlana DOC, Vorberg Riserva, Pinot Blanc

6. 2022 Cantina Kurtasch, Brenntal, Alto Adige DOC, Gerwürztraminer Riserva

7. 2022 Alois Lageder, Römigberg, IGT Vigneti delle Dolomiti, Schiva

8. 2024 Elena Walch, DO Alto Adige, Lagrein

9. 2022 Franz Haas, Alto Adige DOC, Pinot Nero

   
   

   

   
   

Nancy Gilchrist MW

Next tasting - Friday 11th April

Wines of the Alto Adige with Master of Wine Nancy Gilchrist

On April 11th there will be a tasting at the Grand Union Wine Society of the wines of the Alto Adige. Presenting these wines, we are lucky to have Master Of Wine Nancy Gilchrist: https://www.mattersoftaste.co.uk/

The Alto Adige, positioned in northernmost Italy, is a land of spectacular contrast and diversity, no larger than St Emilion in Bordeaux. It is a frontier region with a particularly sensitive and finely balanced ecosystem; not just politically but geographically, viticulturally, and, more recently, climatically as well. Winemaking here requires a special skill set.

The 5000 or so individual wine growers own, on average, just 1 ha of vineyard each. These range in altitude from 200m to 1000m, and are to be found on soils from sedimentary to metamorphic, to volcanic. The kaleidoscopic diversity in microclimates that results provides the region's winemakers with an enviable range of flavours with which to create their widely respected, high quality wines. Add to this twenty different grape varieties grown and you have a region that produces a delicious complexity of wines of notable quality. 

Nancy Gilchrist MW has spent ten happy years working with the Consorzio Vini Alto Adige as their UK ambassador. Join her for a tasting and presentation on Friday 11th April, 2025, during which she will introduce this beautiful, intricately varied region, and illustrate how Alto Adige’s very diversity is its strength. 

Please make your payment to attend in the usual way, as per the standard instructions attached to the email. Your prompt attention is helpful to us, please pay by the end of Monday the 7th of April. We will be glad if you will consider inviting guests to the tasting. We hope to see you there.

What we tasted in March 2025

In March we welcomed back Preet Sahota of Edgmond Wines, who showed a range of elegant wines from South Africa. Avoiding the most obvious South African varieties, Preet presented some fabulous and hard-to-obtain wines. We had a very enjoyable evening.

For more information:

Web: edgmondwines.co.uk

The wines tasted were:

1. 2024 Cloudskraal Sauvignon Blanc

2. 2024 Pilgrim Weisser Riesling

3. 2024 Pilgrim Viura

4. 2023 Blake Family Wines Malbec

5. 2021 Nederburg WInemasters Merlot

6. 2023 Pilgrim Carménère

7. 2012 Mooiplaas Watershed Syrah

8. 2022 Villa Esposto Straw Wine Muscat d’Alexandrie

1. 

   Two Grand Union pourers, Mark Payne and Tim Edwards, and our presenter Preet Sahota