The Wine Appreciation Group

Leader:  Annie Scotney - wine@ashbyu3a.co.uk -

WINE APPRECIATION GROUP

The objective of the group is to widen the members’ experience of wines and all matters pertaining to wines. Annie Scotney is the leader of the group and coordinates meetings. We are currently tasting a choice of wines bought by a different member each month, usually with some theme to connect them. Those present at the tasting share the cost.

If you are interested in joining us please contact Annie at wine@ashbyu3a.co.uk.

We currently meet on the third Wednesday of the month at 7pm.

19th August

After last month’s cancellation as only 3 members were available, this month we had an almost full house with 9 attending. Ken provided a selection of interesting wines.

First was an Italian white from Tesco’s Finest range, a Grillo 2023 12% abv and currently £8.50

The Grillo grape is native to Sicily. It was very light almost as clear as water, but with a distinct fruity lemony, appley flavour. Semi-dry and very easy-drinking. We all agreed it would be ideal for sipping whilst sitting in the garden, or somewhere more exotic, basking in the sunshine which seems to have disappeared lately. A good start to the evening and we rated it 8/10

Second was another white but from the other side of the world, New Zealand. Mud House Sauvignon Blanc 2025, from Marlborough region, 12% abv and bought at £7.50 but currently £10.25

This had a slight fizz to it which showed its young age. Again a lemony but sweeter taste. It didn’t taste like a Sauv Blanc to us but we didn’t hold that against it. It wasn’t as interesting as the Grillo but would be ok with fish or prawns etc. We scored it 7/10

On to the reds. First was a San Pedro 35 South Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile, 2025 12.5% bought in Sainsburys. This was delicious. Very smooth, no trace of tannic bitterness but still with some oaky vanilla, black fruits and spice, not overly sweet. There were complex interesting flavours so different from many cheaper wines. We scored it without knowing the price, giving it 9/10, before finding out it was bought at a discounted £6.50. An absolute bargain.

Lastly came a Californian Zinfandel 2022 and a whopping 14.5%, bought in Aldi. This was again very smooth with no tannin but fruity with a hint of cocoa or chocolate towards the end. Very nice but perhaps not quite as complex as the previous wine. We scored it 8/10 but then found out it normally sells at £8.99 but it had been on offer at £4.99!! Probably the best wine you could buy anywhere for that price.

So, wine of the month? The Grillo was lovely and the Zinfandel was astonishingly cheap for the quality, but our favourite was the Chilean 35 South by a long way, regardless of price.