Very impressive wine....Brazil

Wine, usually made in countries that do not straddle the equator, countries that don't boast the worlds largest rainforests or the worlds longest and most famous river but that just goes to show that assumptions are best avoided when it comes wines and wine quality.

The March Wine Club meeting had the very great pleasure and enjoyment in being able to be taken on a journey to Brazil to enjoy wines from that vast country.   Most of us were unaware of the scope and range of the wines produced in Brazil. Unaware that Brazil produces more wine than New Zealand.


How do we know this?  By dint of the fact that we were able to enjoy a very impressive and thoughtful presentation by the commercial director of the leading importer of Brazilian wines to the UK, Nicholas Corfe.  His company  Go Brazil, have a long experience of importing wines from Brazil. On this night we ere able to enjoy a very impressive selection of that countries production.

Many thanks Nicholas both for a very good and well researched presentation but also for the impressive selection of wines.

What were those wines?

We enjoyed 6 wines, three reds and three whites, two of which were made using the 'method traditionelle'

1. CAVE GEISSE EXTRA BRUT TRADICIONAL 2014 12% Abv.    

Trad. Method sparkler, 30 months on lees, 50% Chardonnay-50% Pinot Noir blend. Mid-straw yellow in colour with gold hints. Small persistent bubbles. Very fresh on nose with strong autolytic character – brioche, toast and nutty aromas all showing. Apple and peach prominent on palate, also some lemon or citric notes. Well rounded, highish acidity and dry ( 6gm res. sugar/ltr.).Very long finish, ends with a tiny sherbet spritz. Drink well chilled as an aperitif; makes an impressive party or formal occasion wine.                                    

High quality: awarded 94 points by Decanter magazine ( October 2018 ).

2. SINAIS ITÁLICO RIESLING 2017 13% Abv. 

Produced by the Don Guerino winery from grape of Central European origin, also known as ‘Welschriesling’. Ripe tropical fruit notes on nose, some floral hints. Spends 4 months on lees prior to bottling. Palate is light to medium-bodied with restrained pineapple, melon and peach flavours. Dry, but without the minerality and high acidity associated with German Rhein Riesling. Soft stonefruit and pineapple show on a longish finish. Drink chilled as an aperitif or serve as an accompaniment to hors d’oeuvres, seafood and fish.

3. DON GUERINO ‘VINTAGE’ MALBEC 2017 13% Abv.

From same winery as the ‘Sinais’ above, this is a 100% Malbec, aged in both American and French oak for approx. 6 months, then rests another 6 months in bottle prior to release. Vibrant and youthful fruit on nose with strong varietal violet and mulberry notes, also hint of tobacco. Ripe blackcurrant and plum follows on a super smooth palate, which shows lovely caramel flavours and well integrated oak. Medium bodied, dry, with decent acidity; some ageing potential. Highly versatile: serve with roast chicken, medium flavoured cheeses or pasta dishes.

5. PIZZATO FAUSTO TANNAT 2015 13% Abv.

Produced in the Serra Gaúcha region by the Pizzato winery, which is highly regarded for its red wines, this is a 100% varietal Tannat,  made to be drunk relatively young. Wine is a deep purple-red, with concentration of dark perfumed fruit on nose. More black berry fruit on palate, while other notes of spice, coffee or leather may be discernible too. Soft, well integrated tannins         ( wine is aged for approx. 7 months in 2^nd/3^rd use French oak ) with good, balanced acidity. Already very approachable and drinking well - but will mature further. Recommended with lamb, cassoulet, stews, charcuterie and curries..

4. DON GUERINO RESERVA TEROLDEGO 2017 13.5% Abv.

Seldom seen grape variety of northeast Italian origin, this is a 100% example from 17 yr. old vines. Aged in French and American oak for approx. 6 months, then a further 6 months in bottle before release. Attractive, very deep inky purple in colour. Concentration of youthful dark fruits on nose, overlaid with lighter raspberry or redcurrant notes. More ripe fruity aromas on medium palate, which shows a moreish black cherry and licorice core, with hints of smokiness and vanilla off well integrated oak. Tannins still in evidence but overall wine is smooth, with fairly high acidity and touch of sour cherry on a long finish. Recommended with roast lamb or pork.

6. SANJO NOBRESE SPARKLING MOSCATO NV 7% Abv.

Originating in Santa Catarina, Brazil’s coldest state this is a sweet sparkler - with 74gm/ltr. of residual sugar - but light and fruity nonetheless,  and without a cloying texture. Made using the ‘Asti’ method, the wine is a very pale yellow with lovely orange blossom and citrus aromas. The mousse is gentle and perlage shows plenty of small bubbles. Highish, cleansing acidity means it is not overly sweet on palate, and freshness is accentuated further when wine is served chilled.  Try with meringues, fruit salad or dark chocolate puds, or as a simple digestif on its own.

Nicholas has sent me the order forms on line should members wish to order, if you do I suggest you use my address for the delivery point. Drop me an email too confirm. brucehammersley@gmail.com

I can hear you saying well the tasting notes are very good but what was the general opinion of the wines and which sparkled?

I would say the reds were all well received, a great depth of flavour with a long  finish, None of the massive tannin sometimes experienced with the grape varieties that made up the reds, in fact, while that could not be called soft they could perhaps be called firm and bright.

The first fizz was a surprise, almost effervescent in the mouth but calming to a gentle and dry finish, the last fizz, a sweetie, going well with chocolate or a pudding at home perhaps.

The Riesling, always wine to evoke the best and worst in the taste buds was not universally liked, but a neutral Riesling that would be good with neutral foods, fish for example, or maybe as an aperitif.

Since the meeting Nic has asked me point out that he will be at the Cheltenahm Wine Festival next weekend and also at the Oxford Wine Festival on 6/7 September.

Here are the prices and order form, if you have any problems printing let me know and I will send over.

AOB

The date of the next meeting is June 7th.   Our speaker will be David lloyd

The Rhone and Rhone wines

Beautiful wines and beautifully told, The Rhone Valley.


France, and the Rhone, for so many Francophiles, and Wine Club members, the area holds some of the most enjoyable wines.  Over the years we have enjoyed many French wines, Burgundian Wines, the Clarets and now that wonderful area of France that follows the Rhone from  the South of Burgundy, The Rhone Valley.

Such a joy to have a tour and to be guided by our speaker, Toby Chiles.  Toby spent a number of years working in Lyon in the wine industry.  It's as very clear that his knowledge of the beautiful wines of the Rhone Valley was extensive.

In addition to good wine we also had some very good cheeses matched to the wines, I will give more information about the cheeses later in this blog

First a big thanks to Toby, a great job again.....

And what of the wines?

First the amount, we had 10 tastings, the first of which we enjoyed as the 'welcome wine' as we arrived. This was a sparkling wine, from the tiny AOC, officially known as St Peray Mousseux AOC.   Truth be told not a wine known outside of France and the only sparkling wine made in the Rhone Vally area of production.

The Rhone valley area under wine production  is huge,  the biggest single market the UK, we love these wines. It seems that a bottle of Rhone wine is opened every 19 seconds. a lot of wine!

After the great start we move on to Organic white Cote du Rhone  and a Voignier

Both wines were very easy on the pallet with good levels of fruit from the Voignier particularly, what was very good was the chance to  to taste both wines side by side, the comparison was a good call, this coupled with tow soft cheeses added to the wines lasting impression

Then the reds:

A mini flight of three Cote du Rhone.  And a trick up the sleeve of Toby, all the same grapes, all the same blend but what, one from Aldi and a very low price, then one from,  wait for it, Australia, and then a true Cote du Rhone blend from the Rhone valley.  The classic blend being Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, commonly refers to as GSM (See Tempus two below - Australia)

What do people think, well the Aldi came in a clear third, then the French and Oz wines were just about neck and neck in terms of appeal. As Toby said when you are not sure what you have it's clear that the results of a tasting are not predicable.

Now the big guns, the most expensive wines are from the Croze-Hermitage AOC, so we enjoyed that wine as well a Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and a Vacqueyras, all very good  but how much better they all would be enjoyed with friends and good food.

The concluding wine, a wonderful sticky, a Muscat de Beams De Venise. This available from Waitrose.

Toby chose the wines with his usual expertise, getting supplies from a number of sources, and details fo the wines and prices are attached.

The Cheeses.

At most Wine Club meets we enjoy cheese but normally bought from Waitrose, they have a great selection of cheeses and we bought from them this time as well, but also ventured into the Aldi and Lidl to test some their specialty cheeses. All cheeses were very good indeed. in fact, many comments on the cheeses and their quality.


So they were:

Waitrose:
Vintage Red Liecster
Goat Log
Triple Cream
Low Fat Seeded


Aldi:
Vintage Gauda
Gogonzola

Lidl
Vintage Cheddar.

The members ;

Toby officiates one of two quizzes, this won by John Onslow.

 AOB

The prospect of the second Wine Club tour to France, we hope to run a trip tho the Loire region in France, this will be in the summer, dates to be confirmed but if you are interested call me or send me an email via the Blog, see below,

Next meeting is  March 29.
The wines fo Brazil

Call this a Blog?

More a collection of pictures.

Here we go again, another year behind us and another knees up of the Wine Club.

Rather than the usual run down of what we have tasted more a collection of snaps of a few of the members enjoying themselves.

But maybe just a word about the wines.

We had four wines, three good ones it might be added. But the forth, well to be kind this was not a great wine.  For readers outside of the UK this needs to interpreted, what that means is that the wine was terrible.

First the goodies, members will be aware of the trip made by members to visit the Champagne region in the Summer, photographs were shown and the  Champagne was enjoyed.  All the comments were positive, but this was no surprise, lovely wines that we can drive to in a day.

Talk was made of the possible visit in the coming year to the vineyards of the Loire, more info on this to follow.

The foods were great, it is a surprise, not that the food is good but that we have such a mix.  No lists are compiled of what is needed. and yet we have great and mixed selection of good food to have with our good wines.  Many thanks to all involved in its making.

For the rest of the meal we had a choice of a Chilean red produced in massive quantity and sold everywhere often with big discounts.  Yes its the old favourite, Casillero del Diablo. Seldom disappoints and always highly recommend.  But did you know that the company produce over 22,000,000 bottle each years. Amazing.

 The white was a French Viognier, a real cracker:

 Can I hear asking though, what of the dog? Yes we had a poor wine, but what was it? Well it was a surprise as this was from he same store that supplied the French Viogner, yes Waitrose, their Chilean, box of white wine was thought to be very poor indeed.

 'nuff said!

As one of the highlight of the social calendar in the village it seems only right to add few shots of us all enjoying ourselves:

Our, joint, MC for the night, great job done!

and the foods eaten, what sort of a photograph is that!

Have a great Christmas and see you next year.

Bruce H

Wall to wall quality from the Southern Hemisphere

Late September and the seasons are now obviously changing from the hot, hot summer to the mellow days of Autumn. Sunshine still but that nip in the air as soon as the sun starts to fall.  The September meeting is the last of the year's usual meetings of The Wine Club and what better way than to see and taste wines where for the Summer is about to start,  New Zealand.  Most are familiar with the wines of this country but then mostly that would be Sauvignon Blanc, so this evenings talk '...Anything but Sauvignon Blanc...' was always going one to be looked forward to.

As has become the norm with the Blog I would like start by thanking our speakers, the husband and wife team of Bob and Wendy.

This is not the first time they have spoken to us, on the last occasion the subject was the wines of Southern Spain. That was a great selection of wines that have become favourites in the Bob and Wendy household because of time spent in the country, so it was with the New Zealand wines, wines tasted and enjoyed while visiting South Island.

Bob and Wendy, many thanks, a great talk and great wines:

Before speaking of  the wines, just a note about the overall impression.  Its almost bound to be the case that some people don't care for certain grapes, the infamous ABC people (Anything But Chardonnay), those don't care for Syrah, far too peppery for the me thank you or even Rose´, not proper wines etc.  But here is the thing, all the NZ wines where, without  exception of first class quality.  So even those with aversions to wine types were happy.

One of the issues of buying the wines of such quality is getting hold of them. The supplies are small and the demand tight. So the wine talk's title  was not able to be adhered to, The first wine was a Sauvignon Blanc as the wine types wanted was so limited that the SB needed to be included.  What a good job that was.

I guess we all are aware that NZ Savvy Blanc is often very often available with a high citrus level, fine in the summer in the sun but this grape can be used to produce much more amenable wines with great depth of flavour and with good length without the need wind up the acidity levels.

The first wine of the evening then was the Sauvignon Blanc 2016 from Nelson and available from Laithwaites at £15.99

Then followed the Bete Noire of grape types Chardonnay, oh yes this was lovely classic Chardonnay  taste, nose and length good.  A very impressive wine for the Chardonnay lover or not!

Hunters vineyard from Marlborough at £17.99 at Laithwaites

A surprising wine as this us made from Pinot Gris grape. Bob was able to tell us that this grape is the same as Pinot Grigio but that the terroir is the thing that makes the difference. You may be thinking that is just a load of nonsense, no such thing  anyway as terroir, well one only has to taste the Sauvignon Blanc from the New Zealand vineyards with high acidity levels compared  with a Loire wine made with  the same grape to know that terroir is alive and well and making its presence felt.

So of this wine, yes a lighter wine but very lovely and a pleasant and high quality wine to enjoy with friends as an apero perhaps. That is if you can find it.

Little Angel Pinot Gris 2016
at Hard To Find Wines.

And a great label!

So much for the wine wines and now a Rose´, always a little contentious, as many feel these wines lacks the body of a red and and is too bland for a white. Well, whatever, as they say this was not bland and had depth, maybe a little on the sweet side but all in all a very good Rose´.

Allan Scott Family Winemakers. Marlborough 2106 at £11.99 form Dylans Wine Merchants

If any red wine is a signature wine from New Zealand it has become that of Pinot Noir, given the very high price of Burgandy Pinot this wine is the one that bears comparison. A very good Pinot indeed. Soft, subtle, great length and all the good qualities that this grape can bring to the taste.  To have with suitable food this wine would be a winner for sure.

Walpara Hills Piont Noir 2016
Central Otago and available from The mInistry of Wines, @ £11.99.

And now, sadly the last wine, The La Starda Syrah, not Shiraz you may say, well there we are, all down to the Terroir it seems, and this was not too peppery, in fact a very well behaved wine with strength yes but not overwhelming.

Great wines, great quiz, did I mention the quiz, no I didn't well a very good quiz that kept us all on our toes.

A very good evening

Date of next meeting

November 30th. Further details in your inbox shortly.

B