Newsletter June 2026
Dear Members,
Welcome to your June newsletter. It feels as though summer has arrived with a wonderful bang, though we might remember that it is still only May and the weather can be a little fickle, even here in our beautiful corner of Spain.
Looking Back: “What’s in a Label?”
On May 21, we enjoyed a comprehensive presentation on wine labels by Sara and Neville Richardson titled, “What’s in a Label: How much does the packaging influence you?” Sara took us on a marvellous rollercoaster ride through the history and marketing of wine presentation. It was fascinating to learn that wines with labels were found in Tutankhamun’s tomb, with ancient hieroglyphics detailing the winemaker, the vineyard location, and the vintage year. Sara explored how mandatory information varies between countries and regions and delved into modern marketing ploys. Illustrations, artwork, unique typefaces, and vibrant colours are all designed to lure us in, even when we aren’t entirely sure what is inside the bottle. Bottle shapes, colours, caps, and corks all play a role in catching a buyer’s eye. However, we are certain our members are far too sophisticated to buy wine based purely on these gimmicks! A huge thank you to Sara and Neville for a very entertaining wine tasting paired with excellent food. You can find the full report available HERE.
Madrid Wine Trip Success
At the beginning of May, we enjoyed another highly successful wine trip, this time to the D.O. of Madrid. Our fantastic wine trip team—Tim & Sandy Fawle and John & Shirley Sloggie—organised an outstanding itinerary, featuring some incredibly unique bodegas hidden deep inside caves. The full report is available for you to read HERE. Thank you all for making it such a memorable trip.
Next Event: “What’s in a Bubble?”
Our next wine tasting takes place on June 18 in the lovely courtyard at La Sènia in Dénia. Val Peachy will present “What’s in a Bubble: Cava and sparkling wines in Spain.”
Time: Welcome Cava at 19:30, Dinner at 20:00.
Cost: €50 for members | €60 for guests.
The Menu:
Welcome: A glass of crisp Cava
Table: Bread with herb butter and tomato
Starters:
o Glass of Salmorejo with Idiazábal cheese foam
o Navy sausage board salad with tuna belly, poached egg, and truffled
parmentier
o Squid with cream of guisantes (peas) and roasted garlic velouté
Mains (Your choice of):
o Low-temperature beef ingot with a Monastrell reduction and potato cake
o OR
o Salmon with sautéed vegetables
Dessert: White chocolate and coffee cappuccino with traditional nougat ice
cream from Xixona
Booking Details:
The maximum capacity for this event is 70 people. You can secure your place on our website or via the link below. Booking is officially open now and will close at midday on June 10. Because of venue arrangements, we are unable to accept bookings or offer refunds for cancellations after this deadline. We are forward to seeing you there.
Looking Forward to the Rest of the Year
After our June tasting, we will take a little break from our evening tastings until September. However, this year we are delighted to try something new with a special social event in July! Our ‘Summer Sip & Mingle’ will take place on July 22 at El Molí in Dénia from 2pm to 5pm, featuring delicious paella and wine. This afternoon offers a wonderful chance for our long-term members to meet with newer members, allowing everyone to get to know each other better. With a glass of wine, a traditional Valenciana paella, and a relaxed atmosphere, it promises to be a delightful gathering. You might like to make a note of the date, as booking opens on June 10 and closes on July 15. We do hope that those of you who are in Spain for the summer will join us for an afternoon of relaxation and friendship. Our autumn season will then commence on September 17 at the Les Rotes Hotel in Dénia. John Sloggie has invited a Altanza bodega to present their wines from Fuenmayor, we had the pleasure of visiting them last year during our May trip to Rioja. Their wines have become a true favourite of ours, and we feel sure that you will all enjoy them thoroughly.
In October there is the eagerly awaited mini-wine trip on the 6th and 7th. The destination is still under wraps. Watch this space! On October 15, Paul & Helen Nicholls will be putting our knowledge of wines and grape varieties to the test with their Regional Grape Variety Challenge Trophy which was won by the table comprising of Myers & Margaret Logan, Bill & Pat Ingram & Glen McDermott & Gisela Boxleitner at Costa Marco, Benimarco. Will these members be in the winning team this year or will there be new champions crowned.
Have a good summer whether you are here in Spain with family or friends, in the UK escaping the heat or off to other cooler regions. Wherever you are doing have fun, taste the local wines and return safely for more wine tasting in the autumn
Regards
Helen