Lostwithiel Area U3A
Wine Appreciation
In the past few years we have tasted wine from all over the world as each month a different member hosts the group and chooses which wines we should taste - sometimes by country or region, and sometimes by grape variety. We have all enjoyed trying wines which we would not normally have chosen so we like to feel our tastes have widened through belonging to this Interest Group. Whenever we can find a teetotal driver we love to take the Lerryn Minibus out for a spin to a local vineyard or wine merchant.
SADLY THIS GROUP IS NOW FULL BUT WE WOULD WELCOME A SECOND GROUP BEING SET UP TO SHARE TRIPS OUT AND ABOUT
Group contact: Lindsay Southgate
Telephone: 01208 873371
2020 schedule
| 27 Jan | Nick |
| 24 Feb | Sue & Carl |
| 30 Mar | Jenny |
| 27 Apr | tba |
| 25 May | Jean & Eric |
| 29 Jun | Helen |
| 27 Jul | Lindsay & Keith |
| 31 Aug | tba |
| 28 Sep | Alan |
| 26 Oct | Christine |
Wadebridge Wines Christmas Tasting
We enjoyed another lovely tasting at the Cornwall Showground this year. Thanks to Wadebridge Wines for a great event as ususal.
October wine tasting
Christine's plan for our latest tasting involved, a wine she hasn't had before, a wine she wants to like more, and a bottle on which she liked the label - and why not indeed!
The first was The Botham 76 Series Margaret River Chardonnay - a Wine of Margaret River, Australia. This full bodied, creamy Chardonnay has delicate white peach flavours and subtle hints of citrus. These are combined with a toasty vanilla oak to give an elegant structure and a refined finish. This wine can be enjoyed now but will also benefit from being cellared for 4-5 years. Waitrose £10.99. This wine was approved of by the whole group who commented on the mildness of the oak.
We then moved on to Grant Burge Chardonnay from South Australia. Grant Burge is an award-winning 5th generation South Australian winemaker. The Burge family have a long association with winemaking in this renowned region, which can be traced back to March 1855. It was then noted tailor, John Burge, immigrated here with his wife Eliza and their two sons Meshach and Henry. Grant Burge Chardonnay combines aromas of yellow peach and pineapple with hints of butterscotch and crème brûlée. A medium-bodied wine, it has a crisp finish and is a perfect accompaniment to creamy fish dishes, chicken salads, or just on its own. This was even more popular than the previous wine asn was a definite favourite of the afternoon. Waitrose £9.49
Lastly we moved back to Europe for Cune Barrel Fermented White Rioja from Spain. Cune Barrel Fermented Rioja is produced by the fifth generation of CVNE from a careful selection of Viura grapes. This wine is fermented on its lees in new American oak casks for up to 4 months adding depth and complexity. It is then aged in bottle for some months prior to release. Waitrose £10.99. This one split the room - those who enjoyed its dryness and those who didn't!
As the clocks changed last weekend we wended our way home happily through the dark after another very enjoyable afternoon!
September tasting
Todays' tasting was billed as HELEN’S RANDOM SELECTION. All the wines were sourced from Wadebridge Wines and selected for an unusual grape variety or name.
1.OROPASSO ORIGINALE - White wine from the Veneto region of Italy (£11.25)
Grape: 60% Garganega 40% Chardonnay
"Intense straw yellow with greenish reflections. Delicate with floral notes and hints of citrus fruits and yellow flesh fruits. Fresh, mineral, very well structured and well balanced. No oak treatment.
A lovely partner to pasta, risotto, soups, fish, shellfish, white meats and mature cheese."
A lovely partner to pasta, risotto, soups, fish, shellfish, white meats and mature cheese."
This proved a very popular opener with unanimous thumbs up.
2. MAD DRY FURMINT – White wine from the Mad village region of Hungary (£14.15)
Grape:Furmint
"Somewhere between Loire Chenin and Chablis in style, this refreshing white wine expressing both the varietal character of the Furmint variety and the typical minerality of the vineyards of Mad village. Well structured and well balanced, wonderfully elegant blend of apricot and peaches with a warming ginger spice. Just off dry in style with great structure and minerality.
Beautiful with roast pork."
Beautiful with roast pork."
Again deemed very pleasant by the assembled tasters but perhaps not worth the extra cost.
3. ODJFELL ARMADOR CARMENERE –Red wine from the Maipo Valley region of Chile (£11.95)
Grape: Carmenere
"Deep, dark and black, the first impression of this Carmenere is one of toffee and caramel with notes of jasmine. After agitating the wine new aromas emerge such as blackberries and raspberries, together with liquorice, coffee, black pepper and tobacco. Everything flows naturally and elegantly in the mouth, resulting in a ripe and well structured wine with refreshing acidity highlighting the black fruit."
"Deep, dark and black, the first impression of this Carmenere is one of toffee and caramel with notes of jasmine. After agitating the wine new aromas emerge such as blackberries and raspberries, together with liquorice, coffee, black pepper and tobacco. Everything flows naturally and elegantly in the mouth, resulting in a ripe and well structured wine with refreshing acidity highlighting the black fruit."
A popular choice, particularly amongst the red wine drinkers who were quick to go for seconds!
Another great afternoon, introducing ourselves to new grapes, regions and flavours.
