October 2014 meeting

The Wine Club's October meeting saw 20 members being guided by their very knowledgeable fellow member, Francis Dickinson, in the tasting of a varied range of wines.

Francis had selected pairs of similar wines, of similar age, from the Old World and the New, which made for some interesting comparisons. For example, a Sauvignon Blanc from France (Pouilly Fumé 2012 Jean Vincent) was generally preferred to one from New Zealand (Brancott Estate, 2013, Awatere Valley), while a New Zealand Pinot Noir (Saint Clair Estate 2012, Marlborough) was preferred to the Burgundy version (Chateau du Cray 2011, Cote Chalonnaise). Other comparisons were made between a Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot from France (Chateau de Sainte Gemme 2008, Haut Médoc), and one from South Africa (Jordan, 2011, from the Stellenbosch Estate) the latter being preferred, and between a French (Domaine Chapelle de Calamiac Syrah 2007) and an Australian (McGuigan Signature Shiraz 2005), scoring about equal points.

We were also provided with menu suggestions for each of these wines. For example, should you fancy grilled oysters, the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is recommended. Or, more down to earth, the South African Stellenbosch is suggested to accompany a meaty lasagne.

Our thanks to Francis for such an enlightening and enjoyable evening.

Tuesday 4th November is the Club's AGM, 8.00 pm at the Christchurch Centre. If you can't attend, the Committee would appreciate hearing if you have any suggestions or preferences for next year's programme.

September 2014 meeting

September's Wine Club meeting was a very interesting cheese-tasting evening. A well-known cheese expert, Jenny Deeprose, brought a selection of her favourites and told us something of the history of this valuable foodstuff and of her experiences as a cheese judge.

She also gave us one or two tips on choosing and enjoying different varieties. (For example, never drink water with cheese and, of course, let it reach room temperature.) The selection we tasted included Gorwydd Caerphilly, Belton Farm Double Gloucester, Capricorn Goat's cheese, Quickes Oak-smoked Cheddar, Pié d'Angloys, Galbani Dolce-latte and Butler's Blacksticks Blue. Jenny stressed the importance of looking for the manufacturer's name, in order to buy the best. 

We have to agree that those we tasted were of a very fine quality.

The evening was rounded off by a challenging cheese quiz (to test how well we'd listened), which was won by Chris and Maureen.

Having sampled some excellent cheeses this month, it will be the turn of wine-tasting at our October meeting, on Tuesday 7th, at the Christchurch Community Centre, at 8.00 p.m.

August visit to the Royal Albert Hall

A visit to the Royal Albert Hall on a beautiful summer Sunday was August's treat for members of the Wine Club, joined on this occasion by some friends from the History Group. 

Graham got us there in time to have coffee before meeting our guide for an "Inside Out Tour". 

We were given a most interesting, detailed account of the history of the area surrounding the Hall - an area which was once the home of the Royal Horticultural Society - and of the Albert Memorial. 

Filming was in progress on the steps outside the main entrance to the Hall, and we were all delighted to see a full-sized puppet of the War Horse on parade. (He was later to appear on stage.) Inside we were able to watch preparations being made for the Prom concerts later in the day and learn about the many different ways in which the Hall could be adapted to allow for anything from tennis to ice-skating. 

It was then time for a picnic lunch in the park followed by a stroll before gathering at the coach for the return drive. A welcome stop at Wimbledon Common for ice-creams and tea was a pleasant surprise for which we owe our thanks to Graham.

July 2014 meeting

The Wine Club summer party on 1st July was blessed with a fine evening, when twenty-six members were able to take full advantage of the new venue, the Outwood Cricket Club. This was most welcoming and provided all the facilities needed, both indoor and out, for a very successful event. Once again members demonstrated their culinary skills with an appetising buffet supper, which they were able to enjoy al fresco. (And no, there were no clouds of biting insects.)

An interesting selection of raffle prizes rounded off the evening.

This month a small group of members will be visiting behind the scenes of the Royal Albert Hall.

In September we shall be back on home ground, meeting at the Christchurch Community Centre, on Tuesday the 2nd, at 8.00 pm.

June 2014 meeting

The club's Tipplers' Stroll was held on June 3rd, and much enjoyed by the eighteen members attending. It was a fine evening and the Hoskins' garden was greatly admired, as were the wines offered: a 2012 Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon by Prestige & Calvet of Bordeaux and a 2013 Hardy's Crest Chardonnay Sauvignon.

Our second stop was at the Grady's where an Australian Chardonnay by Banrock, a Western Cape Pinotage Merlot by Kumala (2013), and an Italian Shiraz Rose by Veluti (2013) were appreciated.

We owe a big thank you to our hosts for a successful evening.

Our one disappointment was not being able to cheer our long-standing member Ron Chandler on his 90th birthday, as he was in hospital. A toast was drunk to him in his absence, and his birthday cake was shared round. We are told that he was pleased to be able earlier in the day to take a little wine and cake with family members.

July's event is the summer party. It will be at the Outwood Cricket Club on Tuesday 1st, at 7.30 p.m.

May 2014 meeting

In May, the Club's Nature Ramble was blessed with a perfect spring evening. Eighteen members gathered at Bower Hill Farm, some being taken on a tour, while others, less able to tackle the terrain, enjoyed the garden and its fine outlook.

Everyone was able to admire the new-born lambs, and to watch the older ones frolicking in the field. And for us all it was a great pleasure to see the rich, green growth of grass and trees, and the colourful wild flowers. 

We learned that in addition to the cattle, pigs, sheep and chickens on the farm, there is a range of wildlife attracted to the various habitats which have been created under the farmer's diversification programme.

As darkness fell a fish-and-chip supper was much enjoyed in the barn.

On Tuesday 3rd June the Tipplers' Stroll starts at 7.30, our first hosts being the Hoskins.