Saturday, July 29, 2017

July 2017, South African Wine, Phil Miles

Phil, our current chairman, travels a lot to South Africa, and has a great love for the country, and its wines. South African wines are often, incorrectly called “New World” - which isn't really correct, as wines have been grown there since the 1600's – that's well over 300 years, so not so new!

We had

Graham Beck, Robertson Valley. Sparkling Brut Chardonnay/Pinot Noir. 12.5%, £14
Zalze Estate, Stellenbosch. Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2016. 13%, £7
Springfield Estate, Robertson Valley. Special Cuvee. Sauvignon Blanc 2016. £12.50
Diemersdal Estate, Durbanville Hills. Gruner Veltliner 2016. 14%, £12

Paul Cluver Estate, Elgin Valley. Pinot Noir 2015. 13.5%, £12
Morgenhof Estate, Simonsberg. Merlot 2012 £14% £14
Beyerskloof Estate, Bottelary Hills/Papegaaberg Pinotage Reserve Selection 2015. 13.5%, £9
Journey's End Estate. Hottentots Holland. Cabernet Sauvignon 2015. 14.5%, £15


All these wines are available in the UK – Majestic, Waitrose, M&S, Morrisons

Monday, July 3, 2017

June 2017 - Laithwaites

This month we had a wine quiz, presented by Dan Guyte of Laithwaites, who is the Beaconsfield store manager.

It took the form of a blind tasting, combined with call my bluff – so each wine was served blind, and then 3 members of the audience opened an envelope which described the wine. 2 of the 3 descriptions were bluffs (false) and one correct.

Dan had chosen the wines to be untypical of their grape variety, so it was quite a challenge. I can certainly remember saying of one wine - “If this is a Gamay, it's unlike any Gamay I have ever tasted before.” Of course, it was a Gamay.

The wines were:

Insight Gewurztraminer, NZ, 2014 - £15.99
Lobo e Falcao Brance, Portugal, 2016 £9.99
Groote Kaap Viognier, SA, 2016 - £9.49
Sata Rita Chardonnay Reserve, Chile, 2016 - £9.99

Tomahawk Sprkling Red NV, Australia, NV £13.99
Domaine Pardon Veilles Vignes, Gamay, Fleurie - £13.99
La Braccesca, Monepulciano, Italy 2014 - £18.99
Ascension Malbec Reserve, Argentina, 2014 - £19.99