The beginning of October saw the first two CBWS “At Home” Tastings which were designed to allow small groups of members to meet with each other and enjoy a structured wine tasting in safe surroundings.

The first tasting was hosted by Neville and Sara Richardson at their home and was attended by eight other members:  Caryl & Gordon Sellars, Paul & Carolynn Smithard, Tony & Cherry Cabban, Maureen Holliday and Gillian Ashworth.

The second tasting was hosted by Tim & Sandy Fawle at their home and was attended by:  Mike & Helen Granville, Martin & Veronica Dunkley, Andrew & Kathy Johnson and Penny & Ted Floodgate.

The theme for both tastings was “Do you get what you pay for?”  Six wines were offered:  two whites, two rosados and two reds, each pair from the same region and of the same grape variety.  The pairs were tasted together so that comparisons could be made.  This was a blind tasting, so all the bottles were covered and members were asked to identify the grape variety and region, if they could, but more importantly decide which of the pair was their preferred wine, and whether it was the higher priced wine.

 

Neville & Sara’s Tasting

 

White	Pazo das Bruxas	Albariño	Rias Baixas	2019	€11.10	2 Votes
White	Lolo	Albariño	Rias Baixas	2019	€7.35	7 Votes
Rosado	Aurora d’Espiells	Pinot Noir	Penedes	2019	€8.30	5 Votes
Rosado	Jean Leon 3055	Pinot Noir	Penedes	2019	€11.50	4 Votes
Red	Vicente Gandia BO Bobal Unico	Bobal	Utiel- Requena	2017	€5.90	0 Votes
Red	Murviedro Sericis Cepas Viejas	Bobal	Utiel- Requena	2017	€9.90	9 Votes

 

Of the White wines, members preferred the 2^nd wine, which was also the less expensive.  It was the same result for the Rosados.  Wine number 6 came out as a clear favourite with the members, perhaps showing the popularity and familiarity with a decent Bobal.

Tim & Sandy’s Tasting

White	Finca la Colina	Verdejo	Rueda	2019	€9.90	7 Votes
White	Oro de Castilla	Verdejo	Rueda	2019	€4.78	1 Vote
Rosado	Caprasia	Bobal	Utiel-Requena	2019	€10.00	2 Votes
Rosado	El Miracle	Bobal	Utiel- Requena	2019	€5.99	6 Votes
Red	Mayor de Castilla Crianza	Tempranillo	Ribera del Duero	2016	€5.99	1 Vote
Red	Abadia de san Quirce Crianza	Tempranillo	Ribera del Duero	2016	€14.32	6 Votes

The first white wine was felt to be more complex and therefore probably more expensive than the 2nd, although members felt the second wine was good value for money.  The 1st Rosado was generally marked lower than the 2nd in spite of its higher price tag.  The 2nd red received most votes for the best wine of the two, although some of the scores from members were quite close, which was surprising in view of the large price difference.

In conclusion, as always, wine appreciation is shown to be very much a personal preference, but also should not be guided or influenced by the price tag on a bottle.  There are many good wines on the market at very reasonable prices.

Feedback from all members was that they thoroughly enjoyed this New Normality for wine-tasting, as well as the opportunity to meet again with old friends and enjoy the tapas and lunch which followed the tasting.  Further At Home tastings will be arranged in the future, always bearing in mind the need to be in well ventilated, open surroundings with groups of no more than 10 people.