Newsletter June 2025
Dear Members
I am writing this newsletter in sunny Moraira, with temperatures around the mid 20s. It’s getting to the time of year to decide which wines go best with barbecued food, there is no wrong answer, it’s whichever you prefer.
A couple of matters to update you on
– I am delighted to announce that Sylvie Vande Pitte and Stewart Cusden have accepted our invitation to join the CBWS Committee. I am sure that they will be tremendous additions to your committee.
– We now have 150 members. As this is the maximum number approved at our AGM, we have now commenced a waiting list for future applicants.
In early May, 29 of us travelled to La Rioja for our annual May wine trip, superbly organised by our Wine Trip Team. For a full report click {here}
In response to our members’ survey earlier this year a number of you suggested that we introduce more variety to our tastings. So, on 15 May we held our most popular tasting of the year to date. It was hosted by Patrick Harrild and was a tasting of 5 very different types of sherry accompanied by tapas at Maxim in Moraira which is a new venue for CBWS. For more details click {here}.
Patrick and Helen Harrild are members of our Tasting Team which comprises about 16 of our members who volunteer to organise one of our monthly events. This takes some of the workload off the President and brings variety to our presentations. Anyone can volunteer to be a member of the Tasting Team, so if you have an idea of an event that you think would work well, please let me know and join the team. You will get as much support from the Committee as you need.
On 19 June at Restaurante Puerto Blanco in Calpe we are looking forward to a really special food and wine pairing. This is one of our most popular events of the year. It is a more expensive venue and rather than increase the cost to members, we will be subsidising the price, using some of the funds brought forward from last year. All courses of this Tasting Menu will be served to everyone. If you have any allergies or prefer not to try any of the courses, simply wait for the next one. So, the only choice to make is between the Tasting Menu (below) or a vegetarian option for the whole meal.
Cava – Terrer de la Creu
Nuestro pan con mantequilla
Our bread with butter
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Cremosos de foie-gras con uvas, almendras y Pedro Ximenez
Creamy foie gras “Martini” with grapes, almonds and Pedro Ximenez
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Atun rojo con caldo de miso, sesamo, setas, pepino, algas, jengibre y chilli
Red tuna with miso broth, sesame, mushrooms, cucumber, seaweed, ginger and chilli
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Sorbete de la casa
Sorbet of the House
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Langostinas salteadas, ravioli casero de trufa, picadito mediterraneo, salsa vino blanco con toque de ajo
Sauteed scallop and prawns, homemade truffle ravioli in wine with a touch of garlic
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Mollejas de lechal crucientes con crema de cacahuete, queso ahumado y kumquat confitado
Crispy veal sweetbreads with peanuts, smoked cheese and candied kumquat
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Postre “Chocolate”
Chocolate Dessert
Booking is now open and will close at midday on 13 June after which no more bookings may be made and there will be no refunds for cancellations. Please book directly on the {CBWS Website} or via the link below.
Our events for the remainder of 2025 are as follows;
Summer break – no events in July and August – too hot and too many tourists!
On 18 September at Costa Marco on the Teulada, Moraira, Benissa border, Sara and I will host a ‘Who do you think we are?’ event, showcasing the fascinating backgrounds of a number of our members, that we perhaps aren’t aware of – has any member climbed Everest? Been an international sportsman? A renowned musician? or volunteered for a great charity? Involved in a major diplomatic incident? If so please nominate them or yourself to me. Sara and I will present their story and the wine of their choice.
7 to 8 October will be our Autumn Wine Trip, details of the itinerary and how to apply to join will be issued to you in the next few weeks.
16 October Tony and Cherry Caban will present Vinos de Pago: an important categorisation of Spanish wines. We will be tasting some very interesting wines from around Spain.
On 20 November in Denia, Neil and Vicki will be hosting ‘Tales of the Unexpected’. They have sourced really unusual and excellent wines from their travels around the world: wines from countries and parts of countries which many of us (myself included) didn’t know were wine producers. These will be paired with an excellent menu organised by Sue. This special event will also be subsidised by some of the excess funds which we brought forward from last year.
11 December at Javea Yacht Club – the President’s gala evening with my choice of some of my favourite wines.
Enjoy your month.
Regards
Neville