Newsletter April 2025

Dear members

For those of you Spanish based members who have been travelling during late February and early March, well done on avoiding the cool wet weather. Those vineyard owners who have been hoping for rain may be questioning what they wished for. Vines, like humans, really don’t like standing in water.

On 20 March, Tim and Sandy Fawle hosted the tasting at Los Amigos in Javea. Nicholas Hammeken presented a selection of his wines to 59 members and guests. For the detailed report click {here}.

Our next tasting will be on 24 April ( please note that this is the fourth Thursday of month to avoid Easter) at Denia Yacht Club. Tony and Gro Salter will be presenting their hugely popular wine challenge ‘Pour my Bluff’. Three people provide a plausible description of the wine that you are blind tasting. Your table has to decide which one is telling the truth. Though remember that Tony is an accomplished author of fiction novels!

The menu is as follows; 

 Copa de cava, cerveza ó refresco 

Croquetas de calabacín  

Embutidos  

                                             APPETIZERS

Ensalada con tomate del terreno. queso fresco, cebolla roja, aceitunas bañado en salsa de albahaca  

Pluma en escabeche de zanahoria 

Bacalao en tempura con verdura y salsa de pimientos asados 

MAIN COURSE

Corvina en salsa de espinacas y verduras salteadas, OR 

Carrillada en su jugo con parmetier de patata  

DESSERT 

Pan de Calatrava con manzana al caramelo  

Please book directly on the CBWS website or via the link below. Our maximum capacity for this event is 72. Booking is now open and will close at midday on 18 April after which no more bookings can be made and there will be no refunds for cancellations.

      On 15 May Patrick Harrild will be presenting a sherry and matching tapas evening at Maxims in Moraira. Experience the variety and versatility of this iconic Spanish wine which is often misunderstood by many wine drinkers. The range and styles of sherries is exceptional with a different type to match most food choices.

On 19 June we return to Puerto Blanco for our summer gala wine and food pairing.

I also want to mention, way in advance, the theme of the September tasting ‘Who do you think we are’. We come along to our monthly events, sit next to different people but don’t know much about their backgrounds, passions or hobbies. In September we will feature 5 of our members – suggested by other members and give a brief talk about their fascinating past experiences (have you climbed Everest, been an international sportsman, musician or politician, or volunteered for a great charity)? In return, the member spotlighted will choose their favourite wine. So – be inquisitive, ask your table members what they’re proud of in their life and let me have your suggestions.

Your feedback in our members survey was that you prefer to keep our dress code at our monthly tastings as ‘smart casual’, with jackets optional and no jeans.  

Please only take one glass of cava at our welcome drink and do not order coffees and brandies, etc after the meal unless you wish to pay for them yourself.

So let’s hope that the weather in Spain starts to improve over the next few weeks.

Enjoy your month

Regards

Neville