New Years Party

What's to say. It was a party. The wines all went - more needed next year methinks... Food excellent, many thanks to Jean, Freda, Sybil, Esther, Mark, Christine and also Margaret and Carole.

The wines had all been sourced by Tony in December, to take advantage of the many 25 or 33% off offer there are before Christmas.  I have no idea what each cost,

In some sort of order

Fizz
     Sparkling Burgundy, Blanc de Blancs - cave de Lugny 11.5%
White
    Torrontes, Cafayet-Salta 2011 - 13.5%
    Wickham Fume 2011 - 12%
Red
     Vina Eguia, Gran Reserva Rioja 2004. 13%
     Cuvee Balthazar, Syrah 2011 (IGP Pays d'Oc) 14%
     Vinalba Reservado Malbec 2011/12 14.5%
Dessert
     Vistamar Late Harvest Moscatel 11.5%

December - Spanish Wines by Phil Miles

Sorry this one is a bit late, but you know, Christmas and all that… The skiing was very good by the way..

Our very own Phil Miles presented this set of wines and promised some slightly off the beaten track Spanish wines. There were 3 whites, 5 reds, from a good variety of Spanish wine areas..

The whites were fine, the Albarino being very good, and oh so trendy right now. However, the white Rioja was way too oaky for me, but many others really liked it.

The reds had some absolute gems in there, and for me the Castilla La Mancha and the Artazuri Red both hit the spot. Both excellent value at the £10 mark.

The final wine, the Ribiera del Duoro Crianza 2009 was truly superb – and at £17.49 so it should be. Worth the money? Probably, but I’d rather have a bottle of both the Castilla la Mancha and the Artazuri red.

An excellent set of wines, and a very good evening .

The Wines

Caixas Albarino 2012 Martin Codax Rias Baixas. Galicia - 12.5% £9.99. Majestic

Rueda Blanco 2012 Marque de Riscal. Verdecho/Viura  - 13% £8.99. Majestic

Rioja Blanco 2012 Muga. Rioja. Malvasia/Viura – 13% £11.99 Majestic
Castilla La Mancha Torre de Barreda 2009. Tempranillo – 14.5% £9.95. Berry Bros & Rudd (BBR)
Artazuri Red 2012 Artadi. Navarra. Garnacha – 14.5% £10.25 BBR.
Laderas De El Seque 2010 Artadi. Alicante. Monestrel 14% £9.95 BBR
La Legua Crianza 2010. Cigales. Tempranillo. 13.5% £13.95 BBR
Cillar de Silos Crianza 2009 – Ribiera del Duoro, Tempranillo. 14.5% £17.49 BBR