February saw one of our favourite speakers, Mike Collins (village resident and founding Chair of Upton’s Wine Appreciation Club), return to present wines from Australia.
Mike explained that Australia is a significant exporter of wine worldwide, both in bulk and bottle, with the UK representing Australia’s second most important market by value after the US. Having reassured us that Australia is experiencing strongest growth in the export of premium and ultra-premium bottled wines, Mike then settled to the arduous task of leading us in tasting a carefully conceived selection of whites and reds. With wine produced in every state, from an impressive selection of grape varieties, grown on different soil types and benefitting from a range of topographies, we were introduced to Eden Valley Riesling (a personal favourite for its vitality, extract and punchy lime notes) and Barossa Semillon (still too often underrated and overlooked as a pure varietal). Cool climate Tasmanian Chardonnay was well received, before we moved on to taste four reds including an exceptional Victoria Shiraz from the Wine Society and a massive Shiraz / Mourvedre blend produced by the ever-reliable Penfolds wine company.
If you’ve wondered about joining us, please do contact an existing member or anyone from the committee – you’re very welcome to try your first meeting as a guest, and the more the merrier.
Looking ahead, our meetings continue on the third Wednesday of each month. Subject to final confirmation, we intend to enjoy:
16 March: Popular visiting wine professional, Lee Isaacs, introducing wines from Italy.
20 April: A flying visit from winemaker, Katie Jones, from the Languedoc in France.
18 May: Your committee presenting some of their favourite food and wine matches.
Cheers!
William Betts, Chair