August 2017 Meeting

On 5th August sixteen Wine Club visited the country's oldest organic/biodynamic vineyard, the Sedlescombe, near Hastings. Blessed with glorious sunshine, the drive through East Sussex and Kent was much enjoyed. 

On arrival we were greeted by the owners, Irma and Roy Cook, who in turn led a tour of the vines and a visit to the winery. Apart from the story of the vines it was interesting to see the concrete Dragons' Teeth anti-tank obstacles. 

In the winery Roy explained the procedures followed in producing his wines and we then sat down to a tasting of some of these, accompanied by a selection of cheeses which we were encouraged to match to the wines. 

The wines were a sparkling white Premier Brut, the vineyard's white First Release from German vines, a red Corymbus, a Rubellite rosé and a cherry red. This last was a rich, sweet wine to be drunk with a black cherry marinading in your glass, and perhaps used in a Black Forest Gateau, or other such delights. While the rosé was on the dry side, the others were unanimously approved. 

The excellent cheeses - a cheddar, a Duddleswell sheep's cheese and an Ashdown Foresters smoked - were the products of the High Weald Dairy in Horsted Keynes.

After lunch we drove to the lovely village of Tenterden, where some enjoyed the shopping (and the pub) and others explored the steam railway station with its museum and adjoining micro brewery.

For more information, these websites are full of interest: www.EnglishBiodynamicWine.co.uk and www.olddairybrewery.com.

We must thank Suzanne and Peter for organising such an interesting outing, and Graham for driving us.

Our next meeting is in The Station Pub for Quiz Night on Tuesday 5th September. They expect to be busy so it would be a good idea, if you possibly can, to arrive early, especially if you plan to eat there, say 7 – 7.15pm, and grab table space.