What we tasted in March 2026

Woodthorpe Wines - Matthew Whitaker

On the 13 March we hosted Mathew Whittaker from Woodthorpe Wines. Although this was Matthews’s first presentation to the Grand Union he is no stranger to Leicester having led tastings at the Pheonix where he has built a substantial following. Mathew started his career in hospitality and trained as a sommelier working in fine dining before opening Woodthorpe wines. He brought his wealth of experience of working with wine and food and his stories of the ups and downs of life as a sommelier.

Mathew presented an eclectic selection of wines, each of which represented an aspect of his career. For example, he had championed English sparkling wine taking it from a curiosity for the occasional aficionado to the best-selling sparkling wine in the restaurant. So he opened with the Furleigh Estate Classic Cuvee 2019, which delighted the crowd with its golden colour, brioche nose and lingering red apple notes. He is a fan of sherry, believing (quite rightly) that it represents incredible value for money. We tasted Tio Pepe Fino Enrama 2025 (an unfiltered sherry with a short bottle life) which was fresh, accessible and delicious and, at the other end of the sherry spectrum, Don PX 2003 Toro Albalá Montilla-Moriles, a PX with all the power, length and sweetness of liquidised Christmas pudding. Both sherrys split the audience but each had its fans. For me, the bargain of the night was the Barolo Tenuta La Volta Cabutto 2020: grippy, tannic and tight fruit with great complexity. While good on the night it’s a wine which will be savoured for years to come.

Mathew’s perspective on wine is different from that of a maker or a merchant, a perspective which engaged us all. He got questions from both ‘the usual suspects’ but also from some members I don’t remember asking questions before. All in all, a very enjoyable and informative evening.

For more information: https://www.woodthorpewines.co.uk

The wines tasted were:

1. Furleigh Estate, Classic Cuvée, 2019. England. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier

2. Tio Pepe, Fino en Rama, 2025. Jerez, Spain.

3. Domaine de la Croix Senaillet, 2022. Saint-Veran, France. Chardonnay

4. Zind Humbrecht, Grand Cru Goldert, 2023. Alsace, France. Muscat

5. Judith Beck, 2023. Burgenland, Austria. Blaufränkisch

6. Domaine Chaume-Arnaud, 2021. Vinsobres, France. Grenach, Syrah, Cinsault, Mouvedre

7. Cabutto, Tenuta La Volta, 2020. Barolo, Italy. Nebbiolo

8. Bodegas Toro Alablá, Don PX, 2003. Jerez, Spain. Pedro Ximenez

   
   

   

What we tasted in February 2026

Champagne Verrier et Fils - Emmanuel and Laurence Verrier

On February 13th we were delighted to have a presentation from the Champagne producers Emmanuel and Laurence Verrier of Verrier et Fils in Étoges. This tasting was organised by our deputy chairman Bob McKinley following his many personal visits there.

Étoges is in the Côtes de Blancs, about 10 km just south of Épernay, in the heart of the Chanpagne region. The wines of Verrier et Fils are made by the 5th generation of the family, and are made without herbicides or insecticides. We were taken through their entire range, from the zero dosage Nature, the 5 g/l dosage Ismérie to the 30 g/l Demi-Sec (the others being 7 g/l); the Ismérie and the Raymond Verrier benefiting from some oak.

We had a high turnout for this tasting. It was very well appreciated, not only as a rare Champagne tasting, but also for the first-hand knowledge that Emmanuel and Laurence were able to bring.

For more information: https://www.champagne-verrier.com

The wines tasted were:

1. Brut Nature, NV. 33% Pinot Meunier, 33% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay

2. Tradition Brut, NV. 75% Pinot Meunier, 20% Chardonnay, 5% Pinot Noir

3. Pinot Noir Brut, NV. 100% Pinot Noir

4. Fleuron Brut, NV. 90% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Noir

5. Ismérie Extra-Brut, NV. 100% Chardonnary

6. Raymond Verrier, 2019. 90% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Noir

7. Rosé Brut, NV. 90% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Noir (& Pinot Meunier as red)

8. Tradition Demi-Sec, NV. 33% Pinot Meunier, 33% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay

   
   

   

Emmanuel and Laurence Verrier, with deputy chairman Bob McKinley on the right

Next tasting - Friday 13th February

A tasting of 8 Verrier et FiIs Champagnes presented by the makers

Web: https://www.champagne-verrier.com

On February 13th we will hosting Emmanuel and Laurence Verrier of Verrier et Fils. They  are ‘Récoltant-Manipulant’ or makers of ‘Grower Champagne’ producing their own champagne ‘in house’ from grapes grown in their own vineyards. They produce 30,000 bottles a year across eight cuvées from their ‘Tradition’ to ‘Raymond Verrier’, their vintage champagne. We will taste all eight.

Growers champagnes often represent tremendous value for money: individual, expressive of their terroir and some are much in demand. However, their numbers are shrinking and Verrier is one of only of two left in Étoges, a tiny village of 400 people in the Val du Petit Morin about 20 km south of Épernay. 

Étoges and Verrier et Fils have become a ‘last day before the Channel’ stopover for some society members and as a result, the committee have tried and been has been impressed by the quality and individuality of their champagnes. We hope you and your guests can join us for a stunning tasting celebrating our 40th anniversary.

Please register your intention to attend by paying the standard fee, as described in the attached guide. It will be very helpful to us if you could do this by February 8th.