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Our wine tastings are designed to appeal to people who appreciate fine wine. They are informal in style. The tutor will give some background information and then simply introduce each wine and encourage discussion. A wine tasting sheet and, where appropriate, maps will be provided but not detailed notes. Unless otherwise indicated, 8 wines will be tasted. There will be mineral water and water biscuits to refresh your palate between the wines so please, no snack foods, cheese etc. PROGRAMME FOR FEBRUARY TO MAY 2010
Top of the range
Chianti Classico from such great estates as Fattoria di Felsina,
Fontodi, Isola e Elena, Poggerino, Querciabella, Riciene, and Ricasoli.
A chance to
compare and contrast 8 mature vintages from this highly regarded
Bordeaux property. The line up will be ’00, ’99, ’98, ’97, ’96, ’95, ’93,
and ’91.
An opportunity
to taste some of the classic matches - Champagne and Chaource, Gewurztraminer
and Munster, Riesling and Cantal, Sauternes and Roquefort, Red Burgundy
and Brie, Red Bordeaux and Reblochon etc.
A new
generation of winemakers is going easy on the oak and placing
greater emphasis on purity of fruit, re-energising this most
traditional of Spanish wine regions. We will taste a selection
of wines from some of the leading lights of this "new
wave", including Roda, Ysios and Zaco.
In
the late Victorian and early Edwardian years, Rieslings from Germany
commanded the same esteem and the same high prices as
the finest red wines from France. Although many leading authorities
still regard Riesling as the greatest of the white grape varieties,
the wines are out of fashion and, as a consequence, undervalued.
In this tasting we will compare and contrast examples of old and
new style Rieslings from some of Germany's best producers.
For red wine
makers around the world, creating the perfect Pinot Noir is the ultimate
challenge. We will taste fine examples from Australia, California,
Chile, Italy, New Zealand, Oregon, South Africa and, of course, Burgundy.
A selection
of Village, 1er Cru and Grand Cru wines from the most northerly of
the Burgundy appellations.
A selection
of wines from some of our favourite Californian producers including
Bonny Doon, Ravenswood, Ridge and Saintsbury.
The British,
it seems, are in love New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. One major retailer
near you currently lists 22 white wines from New Zealand of which
no less than 18 are made from Sauvignon Blanc. We think that's a
pity because the Kiwis make great whites from Chardonnay, Gewurztaminer,
Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Viognier - wines with more
subtlety and staying power and much more food-friendly than than
most of the Sauvignons. We hope, in this tasting, to re-dress the
balance.
A selection
of wines from top independent Rhône producers – a rare
Saint-Péray
Mousseux, white and red Crozes-Hermitage from Graillot, Condrieu
from Vernay, Saint-Josephe from Chave, Cornas from Clape, Côte
Rôtie from Jasmin and Hermitage from Pascal Frères.
To mark St George's Day, we have a tasting of English wines for you.
Wine making in England is now a serious business and wines of real
quality are being made. Join us in tasting 2 traditional method
sparklers, 4 fragrant whites and 2 surprisingly rich and robust
reds. We think you will be pleasantly surprised.
A selection
of white and red Bordeaux wines served with a selection of charcuterie,
cheeses and other regional specialities.
Dry white, red
and dessert wines from some of Austria's top producers.
Another chance
to taste a range of mature wines from this world famous Lebanese
property. This time, we will show two vintages of Serge Hochar's
distinctive white wine and the '02, '01, '00, '99, 95 and '89 of
his warm, spicy, Rhône-like red.
Light, fruity, refreshing and very food friendly, a glass of well
chilled rose rosé is our favourite summer drink. We will taste
a ‘pink’ Champagne, two classic wines from the South of France -
a Tavel and a Bandol - and a selection of characterful examples
from Spain, Portugal, Greece, Australia and New Zealand.
KEY: VENUES
GLASSESYou will need to bring 6 wine glasses to each session. If you really want to sharpen up your taste buds, a set of the International Standards Organisation (ISO) glasses used by the professionals is recommended (the tutor will have boxed sets of 6 crystal ISO tasting glasses for sale at £15). TUTORSThe tastings will normally be introduced by Vivienne Franks, Lena Inger or Sandy Leckie. All have extensive lecturing experience, are members of The Association of Wine Educators and/or Circle of Wine Writers and travel widely to keep up to date.
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