The month of February saw Mike Collins give a tour of eight classic grape varieties – Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. We learnt that whilst a grape variety will be quoted on the label it is that of the dominant variety and can have other, unlisted grapes included; that, by law, the French can’t grow Riesling within 50 kilometres of the German border and that we are not to confuse Petite Syrah with Syrah as this is a name used in California and is not the Syrah grape!
The most popular wines seemed to be Kuentz-Bas Tradition Reisling (£8.95) and J Lohr Sevenoaks Cabernet Sauvignon from California (£12.50)- both available from the Wine Society.
We also found out about the Phylloxera bug that injects a poison to kill grape vines and that no insecticide can kill it. There is still a reward available from the French government on anything found to kill it!! France lost 6.2 million acres to the bug in the late 1800’s (only have about 2.3 million acres now).
Next month sees the committee members and two regular speakers showing some of their favourites wines (within budget!) and with eight speakers in the evening it should be an interesting affair.
New members are always welcome and there is an application form downloadable on the Upton Village website.
Ellie Bunston