Wine Appreciation

If you want to see what's been going on in the last couple of years do have a look at the archive pages

 

We will continue with a regular fixture of 3pm on the last Monday of the month. The location will be either in a members home or the Cafe of the Community centre. We plan to go to other locations for visits to tastings and vineyards, to be advised.

2026	Host	Location
26 Jan	Michael Furminger	3 The Terrace
23 Feb	Francoise and Andrew Currie	Community Centre Café
30 Mar	Alison and John Hurst	Community Centre Café
27 Apr	Judy Dixon	Community Centre Café
25 May	Victoria Nelson	Community Centre Café
29 Jun	Cancelled	Community Centre Café
27 Jul	Michael Furminger	Community Centre Café
24 Aug	Wendy Coop	Community Centre Café
28 Sep	Helen Mills	Community Centre Café
26 Oct	Christine Walton	6 Old Orchard
30 Nov	Sue and Carl Watts	Community Centre Café

 

2026

August Meeting

At the Community Centre with our host this month Wendy Coop who gave the event a popular feel with a choice of wines that had links to famous people in the show business world.
We started with a Sauvignon blanc from South Africa branded by "Gary Barlow", I much preferred the second selection from Sicily a Grillo white which we all seemed to enjoy.
The reds came next with a south Italian red from Sainsbury - I certainly likes. The finally was a Gordon Ramsey blend again from Italy. Wendy told us it was her favourite red. 

 

The usual suspects....

July Meeting

Back in the Community Centre we had my choice of summer wines.

There was also a South African red a Roodeberg

The first wine Cyril et Virginie, Côtes de Provence Rosé is a dry, pale copper rosé crafted from a classic blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah. It offers bright flavours of strawberry, peach, and citrus. 

• Tasting Notes: Peach melba, citrus, and plump strawberries

Second wine a fizz,  Marquis de Plagne Crémant de Loire Brut is a Chenin Blanc-led sparkling wine made using the traditional Champagne method. It offers fantastic value, delivering crisp green apple and pear flavours alongside a refreshing, toasty finish. 

• Aroma & Palate: Expect aromatic notes of orchard fruits (green apple, pear, and peach) alongside lemon zest and a subtle hint of brioche or toastiness. 
• Texture: Thanks to the traditional bottle fermentation method, it features fine, persistent bubbles and a lively, crisp acidity. 
• Value: Widely praised by critics like Decanter and community reviewers on Vivino as one of the best budget alternatives to Champagne.

 

The third was Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut No. III. It is a highly acclaimed, award-winning sparkler that over-delivers on both flavours and complexity. The blend is crisp, citrus-driven, and slightly toasty, with notes of baked apple, pear, and hints of flaky pastry, brioche, and hazelnut. It has delicate, lively bubbles and a crisp, refreshing finish. 

Finally Roodeberg celebrates over 70 years of craftsmanship. A true icon of the South African wine industry. Upfront summer berry aromas, complemented by subtle notes of cedary and spicy oak. The fruity palate is balanced by soft, integrated oak flavours. Enjoy this wine on its own, or as an accompaniment to roast, grilled and barbecued meat and chicken dishes.

 

 

 

The Challenge is to price these wines.

Also to identify what grapes are used in each

1. 50% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 20% Syrah
2. Chenin Blanc (60%), Cabernet Franc (20%), and Chardonnay (20%). 

3.       Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay

4.       Shiraz (Syrah)35%, Cabernet Sauvignon35%, and Tannat 10%, Durif 8%, Merlot 7%, others

 

Visit to Camel Valley Vineyard

A grand day out organised by Francoise . Our host and guide was Duncan who did an outstanding job.

The wines were good too!

May Meeting

It was a hot day in the Garden of the Community Centre. Victoria was our host with a choice of wine all found on the internet.

The first and the last were the stars of the choices. The Barefoot Merlot was given to the weeds!

April Meeting

At the Community Centre with our host this month Judy Dixon who gave the event a Spanish feel with a choice of wines and food from Spain.

The favourite turned out to be the Vinasol available in many places at around £8 and the pink Clamor.

March Meeting

At the Community Centre with our host this month Alison and John Hurst. The theme was Sherry!

We probably all know that Sherry originates in Jerez ( He – rez) , Southern Spain. Under Spanish law, only fortified wines produced in the ‘Sherry Triangle’ can be labelled as Sherry. This area in the province of Cádiz is framed by three towns – Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa Maria.

Sherry is an Anglicisation of the Arabic word ‘sherish’ ( which itself came from Jerez). The drink was first made fashionable after Sir Francis Drake introduced it to the court of Queen Elizabeth I.

Most Sherry wines are made with the Palomino grape. The base wine is then fortified with grape spirit. For Finos or Manzanillas it is fortified to about 15% alcohol. Sweeter sherries can contain up to 19% alcohol.

The unique ageing process for Sherry is known as the Solera System, which involves continuous,  fractional blending across a series of barrels. Wine is extracted from the oldest barrels ( solera) and replaced with slightly younger wine from the tier above . This continuous process ensures a consistent flavour and style year after year.

WAITROSE BLUEPRINT FINO SHERRY £10.50.  15%

An attractive pale lemon hue, beautiful clean, crisp flavours and a welcome dry, crisp finish.

ÁLVARO DOMECQ LA JANDA FINO SHERRY £16.75.  15.1%

‘The one for Sherry lovers’

‘Mouthwateringly dry and light, with bags of flavour. Pair it with a p,atter of picky bits and the company of fellow sherry fans.’

PEDRO’S AMONTILLADO MEDIUM DRY £13.50.   19%

‘A fine Amontillado Sherry aged in Garcia.’

Produced from Jarana’s family run bodega in Jerez. Honey and toasted almond aromas, nutty flavours and a fresh finish.

CROFT PARTICULAR £15.75 Litre.  17.5%

‘Amontillado with a tangy finish’

In order to make a light coloured blend with a sweetness level akin to traditional cream sherries, Fino replaces Oloroso here as the base wine.

Medium sweet

 

February Meeting

 Back at the Community Centre with our host this month Francoise and Andrew Currie with a theme of Home and Away

 

1. Green Elderflower Wine

From Hampshire, our previous home! Adgestone Brewery, Isle of Wight. Oldest vineyard in the UK, similar to Cornwall apparently. Vegan and very low sulphite. Aromatic, light and refreshing. Suitable for warm weather but was originally developed for the festive season! Between £9.99 to £10.99.

2.      Camel Valley ‘Cornwall’ Brut Sparkling White Wine

From Cornwall, our new home! Run by the Lindo family. Fresh and fruity traditional method sparkling wine, perfect for all celebrations. Fresh yeasty aromas. English hedgerow scents, with good acidity and a touch of honey on the palate. Served in Michelin starred restaurants and British Airways first class, and described by the press as a national treasure. £32.95

3.      Camel Valley Still Rose

A beautifully balanced , luscious rose. Intense aromas of strawberries and raspberries. Perfect for sipping al fresco. Jilly Goolden said that this lovely rose has enough dryness and depth of flavour to compliment every style of food and that she can’t believe it’s English! £16.95. Camel Valley offer tastings and canapes and do vineyard tours.

Something we might wish to consider. Fire up that minibus!

4.      Fleurie Red Wine

Moving a bit further away to France now with this highly regarded, elegant red wine from the Beaujolais Cru region of France, made from 100% Gamay grapes. The ‘Queen of Beaujolais’ is known for its light to medium body, vibrant floral and red berry aromas, silky tannins and a fresh smooth finish. Versatile with most foods. Can serve slightly chilled. One of our real favourites and available from Sainsbury’s for around £14.

5.      DV Catena Argentinian Red Wine

We finish our wine journey with this superb red wine brought back all the way from Argentina, where we first sampled it over a family holiday in December 2025. It comes from one of the foremost wine estates in Mendoza , Argentina, founded in 1902 and family run. Made from a blend of grapes from high altitudes and described as a silky smooth wine with an intense flavour. An original Malbec icon, our piece de resistance is perfect with steak, preferably Argentinian. The best news of all is that you can buy it at Sainsbury’s for £14.25.

( My favourite! )

 

New Year started - January Meeting

The New Year started with my Christmas leftovers. A good Fizz from Aldi, two Giordano wines from South Italy and a classy Margaux declassified.

Aldi Fizz £13

Veuve Monsigny Brut, receives consistently high praise for its exceptional value, often beating pricier brands in blind tests and winning numerous awards like the 2025 World's Best Champagne. Reviewers highlight its complex aromas of ripe apples, citrus, red fruits, and brioche, with fine bubbles, citrus zest, minerality, and a clean finish, making it a top budget choice for everyday enjoyment or celebrations, despite being lighter and sometimes less intense than luxury options. .

• Surprising Quality: Many are initially sceptical but are won over by its sophisticated taste.
• Light & Zesty: Described as fresh, zesty, and bubbly, though some find it lighter or less pronounced in flavour than more expensive Champagnes.
• Blind Test Success: Often mistaken for more expensive brands in blind taste tests, surprising testers with its quality. 

 

Giordano Wines

Nebbiolo Langhe DOC 13% £16.49

2024

Important red wine, made from Nebbiolo grapes, that are harvested by hand and vinified in a traditional way. The aging process is in oak barrels in underground wine cellars at a constant humidity, temperature and light. 

Characteristics

Light ruby red colour with coppery shades from aging. The nose reveals an intense bouquet of vanilla and violet. Clean and frank taste with pleasant tannin. It is harmonious and equilibrated with pomegranate aftertaste. 

I didn't rate this wine - too thin for me!

 

Rosso Puglia IGT Appassimento  15% £13.29

2024

Characteristics of a land of passion and strength are evident in our Appassimento (rasinate): Apulia. The grapes, traditionally grown in Apulia are not harvested like the others but are left on the plant. In this manner, the ripening process continues, the grapes overripen and wither on the vine; the flavour of the grapes is strengthened, consolidating the traits that characterise it. Admirable blends of grapes selected by the skilled hands of our Winemakers, the Appassimento creates a unique and irresistible character.  

Characteristics

Ruby red colour with marked highlights; a rich bouquet with notes of matured and dry fruit, dried plums. Harmonious, balanced flavour with right acidity and a pleasant bitter aftertaste.

This was the favourite of the group

 

Aldi "Margaux Declassified" 2023 £20

"The 2023 Margaux, with fragrant notes of azaleas rung dry after the rain, is serious fare. Early hints of redcurrants give way to blackcurrants and blackberries, all soft, juicy and smooth. This is a class act and can only get classier as it matures."

The Aldi "Margaux Declassified" 2023 isn't from a single famous Château but rather a wine sourced from various top estates in the Margaux appellation, sold under a generic label by Maison Sichel, offering pedigree Bordeaux character at a budget price, a strategy to provide premium taste without the high cost of Grand Cru wines. It's a classic Aldi move to offer accessible luxury, giving a taste of the renowned Margaux region's style. 

What "Declassified" Means:

• Quality, Not Name: The wine comes from reputable estates, but some of its production (perhaps younger vines or barrels not meeting Grand Vin standards) is "declassified" to a lesser label.
• Region, Not Estate: It represents the style of Margaux (elegant, complex) rather than a specific famous Château's top bottling, which can cost hundreds of pounds.
• Maison Sichel: Maison Sichel is the négociant (wine merchant) behind this bottling for Aldi Grapes