The April Wine Tasting at Restaurant Gemisant, Moraira generated a strong attendance of over 60 members and guests. Members enjoyed an excellent selection of food at this new venue and the theme of the evening, “Sherry, the first quality Wine of Spain”, was ably presented by our Vice President, Tim Ladd, who has spent a lifetime working in the sherry business.
There was a fairly wide variance of scores covering the 6 wines that were presented. Comments from members indicated that this was a very interesting tasting, particularly as preferences for unfortified wines have overtaken the popularity of sherry. It was therefore of great interest to experience a 100% sherry tasting.
Members awarded the following points:
La Gitana, Manzanilla, Bodegas Hidalgo, Bodega Luis, Ondara 75.5 Points, €4.73
La Ina, Fino, Domecq, Bodega Aguilar, Ondara 78.5 Points, €5.59
Escuadrilla Amontillado, Emilio Lustau, Bodega Aguilar, Ondara 73.1 Points, €13.89
Palo Cortado, Emilio Lustau, A Catarlo Todo, Teulada 81.9 Points, €18.05
Néctar, Pedro Ximenez, Gonzalez Byass, A Catarlo Todo, Teulada 80 Points, €9.50
Bristol Cream, Harveys, Bodega Luis, Ondara 83.6 Points, €10.06
No members scored the full six points, but there was a 4-way tie on 5 points. This was reduced by shortening the tolerance to 3 points above or below the average mark, instead of the usual 5, resulting in two members sharing the prize for Sherry Taster of the Year, which will be awarded at the December meeting.
Our next meeting will be take place on Thursday May 15 at Restaurant Ca La Iaia, Teulada, a favourite venue for many members. Please make a special note of this date as it is, in keeping with our normal practice, the third Thursday of the month, although it may appear early. The fact is that May 1 is a Thursday.
We have the pleasure of welcoming a young Managing Director of the progressive Bodega Luis Alegre, from Rioja, who will present his wines and their uniqueness in this region. He is extremely busy and is currently in South America promoting his bodega. We are fortunate to welcome him to our Society as he is travelling especially to present to us and I would ask you all to make a special effort to attend – you will not be disappointed. As usual the evening will commence at 19.15 with an aperitif. Please do not arrive too early The menu is:
A selection of starters:
Jamón Ibérico de Guijuelo
Espencat
Croquetas de jamón ibérico
A choice of Main Course:
Pluma Ibérica (Pork) a la brasa with two sauces
OR
Dorada a la espalda with vegetables
Dessert:
Tiramisú
The price for members will be €35 and €40 for invited guests. Please make bookings and choice of main course to Sandy Fawle by phone 646 956 986, or by email to Sandy Fawle, who will confirm your reservation. A reservation not confirmed means she has not received it. Deadline for booking is noon on Monday May 12th. Late cancellation charges apply. We welcome any guests or potential members you may wish to bring to this tasting.
Radio Onda Cero
Tim Ladd and myself enjoyed a very humorous wine tasting on air with the Onda Cero team in which we promoted the CBWS. Feedback from the radio station was positive and Tim's L's pouring skills next to the microphone produced an excellent glug, glug!
Website Contributions
We would like to thank Andrew & Kathy Johnson for their very interesting article entitled “A Taste of Chile” which has been posted onto the website. Such articles are of great interest to our members, so if you have tasted wines on your travels please send photographs and details to Rod Anderton for inclusion on the website.
Wine Trip
Those members participating in our Wine Trip should please make sure that you visit our website where full details of the meeting place and time, together with the itinerary for the trip, are clearly listed. We all look forward to a most enjoyable visit to Aranjuez.
Remember all the information you need to know about the society is on our web page, for details see the top of this newsletter.
Wine Society Members were resplendent in their dinner jackets and evening dresses for the annual party. President Gaby was able to guide members unfamiliar with the location of this restaurant to this venue so the evening could proceed on time. We assembled for our usual aperitivo, and when seated were presented with various tapas of the house, a choice of dorado, entrecot or cochinillo and a postre of the casa.
The food was beautifully presented and we all enjoyed the generous supply of somontano wines which accompanied the meal.
The raffle (tickets were included in the price of 35 euros) enabled nine members each to win a bottle of wine and the highlight of the evening was the presentation of prizes – six in all. These were awarded to:-
The Wine Taster of the Year – Alan Dixon
Fine Wine Tasters of the Year - Colin Harkness and Renate Pluis
Cava Tasters of the Year - Ana Vicente and Janet Dixon
Presidents Prize – Sandy Fawle
Only Colin Harkness was unable to collect his present on the night.
This meeting concluded the Presidency of Gaby Ferenczy, elected in January – this event was the only one during the yearly programme when wines were sampled but not assessed. All participants enjoyed the relaxed and enjoyable evening, and Gaby kept us amused and informed throughout.
During a break in proceedings Mary Anderton played the keyboard and we all joined in singing some Christmas carols. Gaby made a point of thanking his committee, with special mention of Jane Colebrook who was responsible for the menus and venues , and reminded us of some of the memorable events during the year. Prior to the conclusion of the evening he and President elect Tim Fawle informed us of the Annual General Meeting to be held on January 24th at Las Brisas Restaurant in Javea, and the first tasting of the 2008 year which will feature a selection by Rod Anderton from our favourite wines of 2007.
Attached are a few photographs taken during the evening showing presentations and some of those present.
