A highly entertaining and informative event was enjoyed by fourteen Wine Club members, on the 3rd of February, under the guidance of a very professional Wine Presenter and Educator, Faye Edwards. Faye's enthusiasm and her wide knowledge of wines and the wine industry ensured a successful evening during which members were able to taste and appreciate an interesting variety of wines, some from familiar grapes and some less well known. There were three white wines: Araldica Moscato Secco from Northern Italy; Bel Olivier Sauvignon Blanc from the Pays d'Oc; and a Hummingbird Vervelho, which is a Portuguese grape grown in Australia. One rosé, a Grands Chemins Cinsault from the Pays d'Hérault, was followed by four reds: a Mr Noir Pinot Noir from Australia; a Grands Chemins Old Vine Carignan from the Pays d'Hérault; a Tierra del Corazon Carmenere from Chile, and - Faye's "piece de résistance" a Gran Villa Gran Reserva (2004) from Spain.
Faye also challenged us with a "fun quiz", and some questions did indeed raise a smile. For example, did you know that Prince Charles' Aston Martin runs on bioethanol made using wine wastage? Or that scientists believe that a champagne cork can exit the bottle at up to 62 miles per hour? Can you guess which French appellation has a law that forbids the landing of flying saucers in the region's vineyards, Cotes du Rhone, Bordeaux, or Chateauneuf du Pape? And which of these is a real wine - Pinot cchio, Brigitte Bordeaux, Goats do Roam? A hearty round of applause was awarded to the highest scorer, Heather.
Our March event is skittles at The Haycutter, Hurst Green - 7.30 pm on Tuesday 3rd.
