January 2003

Our January meeting was a wine tasting presented by John Hargreaves of the Cotegreen Wine Company in Marple Bridge. Over thirty members enjoyed an entertaining talk and tasting.

John set about comparing the virtues and vices of wines found in New World wines with those from the Old World. The task, as John admitted, requires a lifetime rather than an evening. Rather than like for like comparisons John selected examples of characteristic of wines from various regions. We tasted Chilean reds with lots of ripe fruit, and enjoyed sophisticated refreshing French whites. We ended the evening with a full bodied and complex wine from Spain.

NEW WORLD WINES.

Mismel Torres Cabenet Sauvimon.

This Chilean red is an excellent example of the grape. Full- bodied though not heavy. Lots of black fruit on the palate, blackcurrant, blackberries and plums?. A big wine at a small price; -£4.99.

Santiago Carmenere.

This gorgeous red from Chile is made from the Carmenere grape, a Bordeaux varietal long thought to be a Merlot. It is medium bodied and suprisingly refreshing for a red. Its inky appearance belies its fresh light taste. An adventure for the wine lover and brilliant value. £3.99.

Casablanca Sauvivnon Blanc.

A fresh, crisp and fruity white, very typically Sauvignon Blanc. What makes this wine exceptional is it's refreshing no-nonsense drinkability and modest price. £4.99.

Mimel Torres Cabemet rose.

This is a revelation as a Rose' wine. Light, yet demonstrating that this is a 'grown up' wine with the black fruit of the Cabernet grape married perfectly with the lightness of a rose'. £4.99.

OLD WORLD WINES.

Pesqucra.

This voluptuous red from the Ribere del Duero region in Spain is big, warm and full of the promise of satisfaction a full bodied wine gives the wine lover. A veritable feast in a bottle and Well priced. £8.99.

Chianti Leonardo

Voted 'Red wine of the year' by 'Wine' magazine international wine challenge 2002. Well deserved it is too. A classic wine at a very modest price. £4.99.

Cotes de Gascogne Domame de Rieux.

The combination of the Ugni Blanc and Colombard grapes results in a fruity. Friendly and refreshing white wine with all the coolness and sophistication of the South of France. Taste it, love it!. £3.99.

These wines available from

'Cotegreen Wines' of Marple Bridge.
45-47 COMPSTALL ROAD,
MARPLE BRIDGE, STOCKPORT. SK6 5HG
.Tel; 0161 426 0155.

Our February meeting combined a review of some of the best and most interesting wines tasted in the last year with our AGM. The business of the AGM was dealt with quickly, while we revisited the tastes of a dry sparkling Pinot Noir - Chardonnay wine from Australia.

We sampled white wine from Southern France whilst reviewing the results of a recently undertaken survey. We tasted red wines from France and Italy, which had been introduced at recent meetings. Our final wine was a sparkling red Australian wine, which consistently polarises opinions.

The wines we tasted were: -

• Jacobs Creek Sparkling Chardonnay - Pinot Noir
• Cotes de Gascogne Domaine de Rieux
• Old Git - Cote De Ventoux
• Tre Uve Ultima (Italy)
• Bannock Station Sparkling Red

Our March meeting was a tasting of Eastern European wines, presented by Pete Scott from Morgenrot-Chevaliers. The company are specialist importers based in North Manchester with strong links to the catering trade.

The wines we sampled - two white and four red - were all from Austria, Hungary and Romania. Whilst some of the wines were made in the German or French tradition, the remainder followed the native tradition. Some of our members found the sweet style of these more appropriate to an aperitif, or dessert wine. There was a lively debate regarding these unfamiliar characteristics, although no consensus was reached.

White Wines

Gruner Veltliner, Wolfgraben - Austria

A fresh zesty style of Gruner from 20 to 30 year old vines. Crisp and spicy with a hint of peachy richness on the finish. - £7.99

Gewurztraminer, QbA, Nagyrede - Hungary

Intensly aromatic sweet white wine, full-bodied with hints of honey and tropical fruit. £4.99

Red Wines

2000 Chateau Serati Pinot Noir - Romania

Bold rich mouthfuls of cherry and raspberry characterise this wine which is wonderfully reminiscent of good quality Burgundy. - £5.49

2000 Chateau Serati Merlot - Romania

An unusual merlot wine soft s it traditionally should be but with a zesty spicy finish. Bordeaux style. - £5.49

Blaufrankisch QbA Matraberg - Hungary

Medium bodied sweet red wine from Hungary's most favoured region for Kekfrankos the Hungarian name for Blaufrankisch. - £4.99

Vollreiflese Merlot, Cotesti - Romania

Again another merlot but altogether different than the above, full-bodied and unusually sweet. A highly tannic finish to this wine. - £6.49

About forty members and guests enjoyed a tasting of wines from Portugal and Madeira at out April Meeting. Jane Combes and Chris Norbury gave a highly entertaining presentation of the wine which they selected.

Jane and Chris chose wine made from indigenous grape varieties, although they pointed out that there are many excellent wines made from imported varieties. We were welcomed with dry Madeira served, in the traditional aperitif manner, with ice. We learned how the style of Madeira came about by a combination of meteorological conditions, trade conditions and a returned shipment. We sampled three red wines from different regions within the Portuguese mainland. We finished the evening with two fortified sweet wines, one each from mainland and island.

The wines we drank were:-

Blandy Dry Madeira

A Dry mediera from the Sercial Grape

SegaedaVinho Tinto 2000

From SE Alntejo region. Made from Trincadeeira Preta and Castelao grapes.

Grande Arte 2001

From the Estremaduta Region made from the Touriga Franca Grape. A wine with deep colour, rich tannins and Juicy fruit.

Douro Reserva 2001

A selection from M&S safe but not stunning at £7.99

Blandy Sweet Madeira

Made from the Malvasia grape. Packs a punch (and drowns Dukes) all for £8.99

Grahams 1996 LBV Port

Ready to drink by the time it gets onto the shelves. At 20% treat with caution. On offer at Sainsbuty at £7.99ABV wath for

Our May meeting was a Port tasting led by George Milburn, who shared his enthusiasm, and the benefit of personal research into this wine variety.

George guided us through the history of port production and shipment, whilst we tasted the less well known White Port. Information on geography and geology of the Port producing region accompanied tasting of Ruby and Tawny Ports. Details of the production and aging process were illustrated by contrasting tasting of Late Bottled Vintage and First Estate, Ports. The evening was finished by a three way contrast tasting, this time of a Ten Year Aged port against a 1998 vintage and a 1988 vintage.

The ports we sampled were:-

• Dow's White Port - £9.00
• Silva and Cosens Regimental Fine Ruby Port - £4.80
• Silva and Cosens Regimental Fine Tawny Port - £4.80
• Silva and Cosens Regimental Late Bottled Vintage - £10.00
• Taylors First Estate Reserve - £10.00
• Taylors Late Bottled Vintage 1997 - £12.00
• Taylors 10 year aged Port - £12.00
• Dows 1998 Vintage - £15.00
• Taylors Vangellis Vintage 1988 - £22.00

Middlewood Wine society held their Summer Barbeque in the grounds of Middlewood House on a perfect summer evening.

The evening started with chilled sparkling wine. After the initial drinks, a splendid array of food was presented including joints of beef which had been cooked slowly in red Burgundy wine. The meal was rounded off with plates of fruit and cheese. The sampling of various wines continued until the light had faded. The evening concluded with a firework display.

Thank for a splendid evening are due to the committee and all the team of helpers but particular thanks are due to Mrs Brough and Mrs Hardy.

Our first meeting after the summer break was a wine quiz set by Derek Irving. Members and guests had their brains and palates challenged in response to both general questions, and requests to pick out characteristics of wines.

The white wines which we samples were Bordeaux, Burgundy and Chablis. The reds were a Portuguese Estremadura, Rioja, and Beaujolais Village. Having tasted each wine blind, the teams were asked to identify the country and region of origin, the strength of the wine, and estimate the ideal serving temperature.

After a close contest a winning team claimed their prize and the glory of victory. Everyone enjoyed a very pleasant evening, and many felt they had learned new facts about wine.

Our October meeting was a tasting of wines made from grape varieties originating from Germany. Mr Peter Ellinson introduced the wines and showed how the style of wines varied with location.

We sampled two dry wines made from the Riesling grape, one of these from a German maker and one from Australia. The contrast was remarkable. A comparison between Grauburgunder from the Pfalz region and the same grape from the Veneto region of north eastern Italy was equally unexpected. We also sampled a Spätlese, and a Chilean Gewürztraminer. Mr Ellinson described how the styles of new world were now being incorporated into German winemaking and marketing.

The wines we drank were:-

Bend in the River 2001

£4.98 a modern German wine created to compete with the New World Whites.
This wine from the Mosel region made by Reh kendermann

Dry Riesling Jacobs Creek

A crisp elegant wine.
Displays attractive lime & lemon flavours and a clean finish.
Serve chilled as a pre-dinner wine or enjoy with white meats, seafood and summer salads.
Bottled using a stelvin capsule, stelvin, a bonded circle of foam and foil produces a perfect seal eliminating chances of spoiled wine by taint or oxidation.
Tesco & others £5.49

Pinot Gris 2002

Fresh dry white wine with wonderful pure fruity character. Ripe pears and green grapes combined with hint of yellow apple and subtle note of spiced peaches.
Grape variety Grauburgunder, known in France as Pinot Gris and in Italy as Pinot Grigio. Grapes from the Pfalz region.
Fermented at a cool temperature to retain their fresh fruity character. Unoaked
Wine maker walter Brahner, produced by Vier Jahreszeiten winzer E.G.
Will keep for up to a year after purchase.
Natural cork, 13% abv
M & S £4.99

Connubio Pinot Grigio 2002 Dellevenezie

Connubio is produced from grapes grown in the rolling vineyards of the Veneto region of north eastern Italy. Created to be light and fresh and accessible. Our Pinot Grigio is pale straw yellow in colour with delicious citrus flavors and a hint of hazelnut in the finish. Ideal partner for fish, white meats, starters or simply on its own.
12% ABV - Sainsburys £5.99
Bottled by Cantina Delibori Calmasino of Italy

Sierra Los Andes - Gewürztraminer from central Chile 2002

A wonderful fresh lively dry wine with an exotic floral aroma. Look for crisp notes of lychee, melon, peach and even a touch of ginger on the palate. A refreshingly different style of white.
Serve as an aperitif or match with light mildly spicy fish or seafood dishes, or try with Thai or Chinese cuisine. Dishes with coriander and lime are good with it.
Enjoy while young and zesty. Drink within 6 months of purchase.
The Gewürztraminer grape is grown mainly in Europe and is prized for its unusual spicy aromatic qualities. This is a modern new world take on the variety, made in Chile from fruit grown in the Rapel Curico & Casablanca regions. Grapes are hand picked and fermented at cool temperatures in stainless steel tanks to retain their natural perfume and fruitiness.
The wine is unoaked
The wine make was Pilar Gonzalez of Vina Carmen.
M & S - £5.99

Steinweiler Kloster Lierbrauenberg Spatlese

From the Pflaz region - Qualititaswein Mit Pradikat.
A rich sweet white wine, tropical fruit aroma with a honeyed apricot flavour.

Our November meeting was an introduction to systematic tasting, presented by Mr Paul Green, the Off Licence Manager at Sainsbury’s Hazel Grove Store.

Paul introduced us to approaching all wines in a similar manner. Using characteristics of appearance, smell and taste it is possible to make an assessment of a wine, and to compare it with others, even though they may not be of similar type or origin. In addition to guiding us through a tasting of six diverse wines, Paul spoke of his own background and gave us an insight into wine and spirits retailing. He produced anecdotes regarding wine, vineyards, vintners, and négociants to give us all an amusing and instructive evening.

The wines we drank were all sourced from Sainsbury's: -

Cava Brut Mas Tauler (bottled Movisa) Spain

Made in the traditional manner using native grapes. A good example of budget Fizz.
£3.99

Canepa Winemaker's Selection Gewürztraminer Chile

With a distinctive nose exhibiting both flowers and musk this wine presents a robust flavour which would stand up against oriental cuisine.
£5.29

Sainsbury's Classic Selection Chablis

Unmistakable buttery nose. Well balanced crisp and chalky with plenty of fruit and a long finish.
A wine this good will not be a cheap wine - but still value at £7.99. Even better its currently on offer at £6.99

Clancy's Peter Lehman - Barossa - shiraz cabernet sauvignon merlot

A deep red wine almost tawny in colour. A nose full of dark berries, A mouth full of baked fruit with enough acidity and oak to provide a balance.
A wine which may not be to everyone’s tastes. Could be drunk with or without food.
Excellent value at £7.03

Sainsbury's Classic Selection St-Emilion, Dourthe

A bright full red wine with no signs of age. A nose of plums and dark fruit. Well Oaked with a balance of acidity. this wine shows flavours of cedar wood and spice and hints of smoke.
A wine to complement a good roast meal - £8.49

Bonterra Muscat, Mendocino County. Organic desert wine.

Paler than most desert wines but with a characteristic viscosity. Honey sweet on the nose with hints of tropical fruit and passion fruit. A well rounded wine without the cloying sweetness found in many desert wines. Could be served as an aperitif.
£4.03 for a 37.5 cl bottle

Our December meeting, a light hearted tasting entitled ‘Slurping with Santa’, was presented by Jane Combes and Anne Smith.

Jane and Anne led us through a selection of festive tastes in a jovial and lively style. We started with an imaginary Christmas-eve joining Santa and Rudolph for sherry and carrot cake. We were guided through Christmas morning breakfast (bucks-fizz and smoked salmon) into a red, a white and a desert wine to complement the main meal. A taste of suitable savoury or sweet food accompanied each wine. The presentation was completed with port and stilton cheese.