Tasting Report September 2025
CBWS Tasting held on 18 September 2025 at Costa Marco and attended by 56 members and guests
In the beautiful setting of Costa Marco restaurant, we enjoyed our welcome cava in the sunshine on the errace, taking in the outstanding views of the Mediterranean and surrounding mountains. The theme of the evening was Who do you think we are? Sara and I introduced the unusual, incredible and sometimes laugh out loud stories and anecdotes from 7 of our members (pictured below) . We presented their choice of favourite wines as follows.
| Wine 1 Name and Vintage | Faustino Rivero Ulecia 2024, DO Rias Baixes abv 12.5% 100% Albarino |
| Price per bottle | € 14.95 (Private Celler, online) |
| Presented on behalf of Netty Sayers | Her career was as a ‘high flying’ senior steward working on VIP flights with British Airways. She told us the story of her ingenious way of warming an over chilled bottle of red wine for the late queen, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. |
| Wine 1 Description | Pale straw-yellow with greenish hues, this Albariño opens with intense aromas of citrus, green apple, and white peach, accompanied by delicate floral and saline notes. On the palate, it is crisp and well-balanced, featuring flavours of lemon zest, ripe pear, and a hint of tropical fruit. The lively acidity and lingering mineral finish reflect its coastal origins. |
| Wine 2 Name and Vintage | Oremus Mandolas, 2021(Vega Sicillia) DO Takaj-Hegyalija 2021 abv 13% 100% Furmint |
| Price per bottle | €21 (A Catarlo Todo, Teulada) |
| Presented on behalf of Tony and Cherry Cabban. | Cherry had worked as nurse and translator for the doctor of the president of Zaire. In 1964 he had hitchhiked from the UK to Afghanistan. Only 16 years ago she and Tony enjoyed and endured an extremely rustic, adventurous and dangerous trip from Shanghai through Tibet to Istanbul. |
| Wine 2 Description | This is a really unusual wine. It is from Hungary using the furmint grape which is known for the very high quality and very sweet Tokaji, but this is a dry white. It is dry, crisp and aromatic with flavours of white peach, apple blossom, acacia honey and apricot. It has a bold acidity with a waxy mouthfeel and a touch of salinity on the finish. |
| Wine 3 Name and Vintage | Terra Xabia White 2024, from Coster d’en Sala in DOP Alicante. abv 12.5%, blend of viognier,meseguera and xarel-lo |
| Price per bottle | € 18.72 (La Fontana Javea) |
| Presented on behalf of Sylvie Vendepitte and Stewart Cusden | She was once interviewed by German police, mistakenly believing that she may have been a member of an international terrorist gang. He was the chairman of an important charity based in Spain helping British citizens in financial distress. He was awarded the British Empire Medal by the Princess of Wales. |
| Wine 3 Description | Produced in a very small vineyard next to Javea Golf club, this is a real expression of a Mediterranean white. It is pale yellow with hints of gold. It has aromas of white flowers, citrus fruits, apricot and Mediterranean herbs. On the mouth it has a vibrant acidity with flavours of pears and green apples with notes of salinity. |
| Wine 4 Name and Vintage | Por Ti, 2021 Luzon DO Jumilla abv 15%, blend of 80% monastrell, 20% cabernet sauvignon. |
| Price per bottle | € 23 (Decantelo online) |
| Presented on behalf of Val Peachey | Her incredibly impressive CV ranges from working with a fish farm in British Columbia, being a professor of open education in NSW, Australia and senior positions in other universities around the world. Her non-working life revolved around her love for travel, unusual pets, wine and of course her husband, |
| Wine 4 Description | This is from one of the region’s most historic wineries, producing wine since the 19th century. The wine is fermented and mascerated for 15/20 days. It has a cherry red colour with a garnet rim. Fruity on the nose, aromas of ripe red fruit, spices, cocoa and toasted wood. It is a rich, powerfully structured, concentrated wine with smooth, ripe tannins. A long and pleasant after taste. |
| Wine 5 Name & Vintage | Tinto Pesquera Reserva 2020 DO Ribero del Duero abv 14.5% 100% Tinto Fino (tempranillo) |
| Price per bottle | €35.80 (Decantelo online) |
| Presented on behalf of Alan Linger | …who may or may not have been responsible for transporting dangerous equipment to parts of Africa! On another trip he shared Cuban lobster and whisky with non other than Fidel Castro. A five hour dinner to remember forever. |
| Wine 5 Description | This is a classic wine from Ribero del Duero and from one of the most appreciated wineries in Spain. The founder Alejandro Fernandez is known as the king of tempranillo. This wine is fermented for 2/3 weeks, aged in oak barrels for 24 months and rested in the bottle for 12 months before being released. On the nose it offers aromas of ripe plums and blackberries with subtle spicy notes. On the palate it is silky and full bodied with smooth tannins. It is elegant and complex. |
| Closing Comments | A great evening showcasing the diversity, range of experience and excellent wine choices of a number of our members. One to be repeated? |
| Prepared by | Neville and Sara Richardson |
