The October meeting was a little earlier than usual due to the Brownies extravaganza. This meeting was on unusual, none classic grape varieties, to find some uncommon wines for us to try.
We began with a very nice Vega de la Verdejo 2008 from Spain. The grape variety the Verdejo, from the Rueda region of Spain, this was a popular wine with a light green citrus flavour, very good in the summer months with out door eating, from Majestic £5.99 for 2 bottles or more. The second white was a Marsanne from the Paul Mas Estate 2009, this retails again, from Majestic for around £7.99 for 2 bottles or more. A very floral intense flavour, almost waxy at times, the Marsanne grape is normally used as a blend in Cote du Rhone, and is unusual to find on its own, but very nice.
The reds were as interesting a straight Grenache from Naked wines Domaine Crista Vin de Payes Grenache Organic 2009. I personally love this grape and enjoyed this wine – a long finish and a bit liquorish in flavour, but good. The next wine to mention was the Araldica Albera 2007 Barbera d’Asti Piedmont, the grape variety Barbera an Italian grape, I used to drink this in my youth in Manchester, in a very nice little Italian Bistro. This was a bargain at £4.99 from Waitrose, very popular on the evening. Fiona who has an excellent palate recommended that it may well benefit from another year in the bottle and if sampling now to open quite a while before serving to let in breath. However if I know Uptonites, it won’t last the week never mind a year!
The November meeting offers us a new perspective; a French grower is coming to talk to us about his wines from the Carcassonne, Languedoc Roussillon region if he lands in time hope to see you all then.
Chris Traynor