What we tasted in October 2021

In October we returned to St James the Greater church hall for a members tasting, our first in person tasting since March 2020. We were treated to a tasting of wines from Eastern Europe and beyond.

Many thanks to Julian Osborne, Tim Edwards, Isabel Crump, Bernard Crump, John Freeland and John Malpass for presenting the wines.

The wines tasted were:

1. Filos Klet Brda Krasno 2020 (Sauvignon Blanc / Ribolla Gialla), Slovenia

2. Tbilvino Qvevris 2020 (Rkasiteli), Georgia

3. Dveri Pax Sipon 2018 (Furmint), Slovenia

4. Bononia Estate Gomotartzi 2019 (Kadarka/Gamza), Bulgaria

5. Vinkara Warehouse Öküzgözü 2018 (Öküzgözü), Turkey

6. Heumann Kékfrankos Reserve 2016 (Kékfrankos), Hungary

7. Chateau Ksara Old Vine Carignan 2018, (Carignan), Lebanon

8. Chateau Purcari Negru de Purcari 2019 (Cabernet Sauvignon), Saperavi – Rara Neagra, Moldova

9. Royal Tokaji 5 Puttonyos Aszú 2013 (Furmint) Harslevelu, Hungary

Next tasting - Friday 8th October

In October we return to St James the Greater for our first post Covid-19 tasting. As this is our first in-person tasting since March 2020, appropriate precautions will be taken.

Some of the very earliest evidence for winemaking comes from Eastern Europe and the Levant. Although in past decades many of these countries have suffered mixed fortunes, there has been a broad reinvigoration in wine making here in recent years.

We have experienced this ourselves in the wines of Greece, and now we turn our attention to other previously neglected historical wine areas. Society members will present well-regarded wines supplied by The Wine Society, Majestic and others from countries east of the longitude of Venice. This should be an exciting tasting exploring less familiar territories, which will include some truly exceptional wines.

Please note:

• The number of attendees will be restricted, so please sign up early to avoid disappointment.

• New members are welcome on payment of the £15 annual subscription in advance of the tasting along with the tasting fee.

• There will be no supper nor supper wines provided. Members are welcome to bring their own food and implements and all items brought must be removed.

• Members are expected to have been fully vaccinated, please consider whether you should attend if this is not the case.

• Members must not attend if they are experiencing COVID symptoms

• The meeting room will have increased ventilation via opened doors and windows

• Members are asked to wear face masks when not seated unless exempt

• Surfaces will be sanitised before entry. Members are asked to use the hand sanitizer provided on entry

• Members are asked to avoid crowding on check-in and on exit

• Spittoons will not be provided, please bring an empty plastic bottle if you need one

  
  

Note that this is a “Members Only” which must be paid for in advance. Unfortunately, it is not possible for members to simply turn up on the night, and currently guests cannot be d.

What we tasted in September 2021

In September we were treated to a tasting of Unusual Grapes and Wines presented by John Freeland and John Malpass. Thank you for the informative and entertaining tasting.

The wines tasted were:

1. Filos Estate, Aspri Petra Single Vineyard Assyrtiko, Macedonia, Greece 2020

   Decanter: 91 points – ‘an absolute bargain – snap it up while you can’Crisp and dry, great flavour with a mineral character. Great with food.

2. Left Coast Estate white Pinot Noir 2019, Willamette Valley, Oregon

   Wine Enthusiast 92 pts; Wine.com 91 pts. ‘If you’ve not yet tried a white Pinot from Oregon, here’s a great opportunity.’Brilliant and good value.Needed time to reveal itself though.Fairly dry,rich mellow flavour. Good length and a nice drinker – food enhances it.

3. Baron Amarillo Monastrell 2018, Edicion Limitada, Valencia, Spain

   Decanter 91 pts. ‘A great example of the grape for a snip of a price’Rich and fruity nose, becoming plummy/jammy with nice tannins and improving depth the longer you have it in the glass.

4. Durif, The Voyage 2020, Victoria, Australia  (Boutinot)

   Decanter91 pts. This Durif, from Boutinot, is a revelation. Delicious!Deep purple with a big rich nose from the off. Nice tannins and some great jamminess.