With an attendance of 45 members we started with the Bronelli Ortrugo 2012 12.5% Italy (2012). Light, crisp, fruity with gentle bubbles – and a great alternative to Prosecco. From the Emilia Romagna region this is made from a local grape found exclusively in the area of Colli Piacentini. Nice and light and at 12.5% would make a nice aperitif or spending an afternoon drinking in the sun. Next up was Gaia Notios White 2012 Greece 12% (£13.50) Greek wines still tend to raise a snigger. But this crisp, aromatic shows just how drinkable they can be. A blend of two local pink-sinned grape varieties from the Peloponnese has produced a wine with floral aromas with grapefruit flavours, a steely core & a dry finish. Gaia, the producer, has two wineries, one on the mainland and one on Santorini. The company is at the forefront of showcasing indigenous Greek grape varieties to wine lovers worldwide. El Supremo Torrontes 2012 13.7% Argentina (£9.50) The grapes for this are grown 650 metres above sea level in the Maipu region of Mendoza. Aromas of wildflowers & honeysuckle, but with a dry, grassy palate & light spicy finish. It avoids the hard and oily texture that overripe Torrontes can suffer from. Lupin Frangy Rousette de Savoie 2012 12.5% France (£13.50) Roussette de Savoie is a French appellation near the Swiss border, where the late-ripening Altesse grape grows. Which is also known as Roussette, just to confuse you. It produces a mellow, soft and rounded wine lifted by a lively acidity. Domaine Lupin is run along organic lines by Bruno Lupin and this wine, is made from grapes grown in one of the best cru in the region, Frangy. Great with Vacherin and baked cheeses, it also works very well with freshwater fish like trout.
The reds began with Eduardo Miroglio Soli Pinot Noir 2011 13% Bulgaria (£10.95). Produced by an Italian Eduardo Miroglio from the village of Elenovo, Thrace, Bulgaria. A medium-bodied Bourgogne Rouge in style, this has red fruit and a fresh finish. Gran Cerdo (Big Pig) Tempranillo 2012 13% (Biodynamic) Rioja Alta, Spain (£8.75). Produced by Gonzalo Gonzalo Grijalba. The Tempranillo grapes are organic and the wine is not fined or filtered and minimal sulphur added. All enjoyed the winemaker’s dedication to Bankers on the back label but the wine was not to everyone’s taste. Could have done with decanting beforehand as there was lots of sediment. Moric Blaufränkisch 2012 12.5% Austria (£21.00). Weingut Moric is considered to be the best producer of Blaufrankisch in Austria. Blaufränkisch (German for blue Frankish) is a dark-skinned variety of grape late-ripening variety, producing red wines which are typically rich in tannin and a spicy character. The majority of members liked the wine but found the price a bit off-putting although a couple of members would pay it. And finally, Chateau Ksara Reserve du Couvent Bekaa Valley, Lebanon 2011 13.5% (£10.50) A blend of Cabernet Franc (25%) Cabernet-Sauvignon (20%) and Syrah (55%).A complex aroma of cloves, vanilla and mulberry. Château Ksara Founded in 1857 by Jesuit Priests has been producing wine in the Bekaa Valley Lebanon for over 150 years. This was more to the member’s price bracket and taste. A nice well balanced Bordeaux/Rhone style.
Overall the wines were well received and everyone had an enjoyable time and there was a lot of positive feedback on the night and lots of enquiries about the evening’s wine supplier – Park & Bridge from Acton. Who knows perhaps “Off the Beaten Track” could become a regular theme at the Club?
Kevin Jacklin
Feb. 2014