Our November meeting proved to be one of the best we have had. Kevin and Frankie Jacklin arranged for Ryan O’Connell, a Franco-American winemaker from the Languedoc, to come over to speak to us and introduce his family’s wines. Ryan’s presentation, whilst very informative and entertaining, was very laid back and totally in keeping with the relaxed “Village Social” format that nearly all of our members prefer. The vineyard he and his parents own, O’Vineyards near Carcassonne, is some 60 miles inland and they produce wines of both the Southern France and Bordeaux blends but with a New World taste. One of the wines tasted was 100% syrah and was very rich and spicy and certainly would have been on equal terms with many from the more prestigious Northern Rhone. Ryan also provided three wines made at the same time and in exactly the same way except one was matured in stainless steel without any oak, one was matured in new American oak and the other in new French oak; the differences between them were very interesting and quite marked. As Ryan and his parents only make red wines one white aperitif was added plus a dessert wine, both of which came from neighbouring vineyards and Ryan is very keen to act as an ambassador for the Languedoc wines in general.
For a small village wine club to receive such a visit is quite a triumph and we are indebted to Kevin and Frankie for visiting the vineyard and arranging it.
Our next meeting will be on 8th December as we always bring the December meeting forward a week to steer clear of the Christmas build-up of commitments. Fiona and William Betts will be running this one. Fiona is going to start with a tasting of champagnes and other sparklers for Christmas and William will follow with a selection of dessert or pudding wines. The meeting will be heavily subsidized by the Club and at £5 will be fantastic value as was the November meeting. The meeting is open to Club Members and Guest Members and new members are always welcome. Anyone interested in joining should contact me at Manor Lawns, High Street or phone 850989.
Mike Collins