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.

15th April

This month it was my turn to present the wines and I chose a selection of Iberian wines i.e. Spanish and Portuguese. Fortunately Tesco were having one of their 25% off for 6 bottles promotions which, combined with some Clubcard discounts, produced some real bargains. Prices quoted are for the combined discounts.

We started with Porta 6 White 2024 12.5% which was reduced from £9 to £5.44.
This brand is quite well promoted but we’d not tried the white before. It comes from near Lisbon but close to the Atlantic coast. It is a blend of local and more famous grape varieties including Chardonnay and Viognier. It was a very pleasant surprise. Aromatic, fresh and crisp. An ideal aperitif or to drink on its own on a sunny day. We all liked it and thought it great value at the discount price. It scored 7/10 on average.

Next was Marietta Albariño 2024 11.5% £13 -> £8.63
This is made in Galicia, NW Spain. Apparently it is deliberately made slightly off-dry which is not typical for Albariño. However it is delicious. Fruity and gently citrus it is ideal for shellfish for which Galicia is also famous. It scored 7.5/10. Only its price stopping it scoring more.

On to the reds.

Altano Rewilding Edition Douro Red 2022 13.5% £11.25 -> £6.75
This wine is made far up the Duoro river near to the Spanish border by the Symington family who are best known for Port producers and uses some Port grape varieties. We found it to be dark and fruity, quite drinkable but without a lot of character. Similar to many other reds out there but a little pricey.
It scored 7/10 on average but one of us didn’t like it at all.

Care Grarnacha Nativa 2022 14.5% £12.50 -> £9.38 100% Garnacha
This wine comes from Cariñena in NE Spain near Zaragoza which is where Garnacha is originally from. It is used extensively in Rioja wines. At 14.5% it had a good strong body, dark cherry flavour and a smooth taste. Quite a step up from the previous wine, it scored 8.5/10. A good recommendation.

Last but far from least, Vina del Cure Rioja Gran Reserva, 2018 14% £15.25 -> £11.44
A blend of Tempranillo and Graciano from the Rioja Alta, high up in the foothills of the Ebro Valley. It is made by award-winning Baron de Ley winery and has a 2 years in oak barrels and several more years in bottle to mature. Note that it is 8 years old. On first taste two people said ‘That’s a serious wine!’ Lots of mellow black fruits, a hint of vanilla but no tannic bitterness. Very smooth and a good spiciness. This is a wine to go with roast lamb or beef or a game stew for a special occasion.

Five of us scored it a 9, the others 8.5. On average 8.8/10. One of the best wines we have tasted in quite a long time.

So our wine of the month? The Rioja is an obvious choice for a special occasion but it is still £11.50 after discount so we would recommend the Care Garnacha which is £2 cheaper and very nearly as good. Or the Porta 6 White for a real bargain at £5.44 if you can get it at a discount.

Mike