{"id":4061,"date":"2026-01-23T14:18:46","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T14:18:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.costablancawinesociety.com\/CBWS\/?p=4061"},"modified":"2026-01-27T16:31:49","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T16:31:49","slug":"newsletter-february-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.costablancawinesociety.com\/CBWS\/newsletter-february-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Newsletter February 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Dear Members,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A very warm (and slightly belated!) Happy New Year to you all \ud83c\udf7e I hope 2026 has started well and that your glasses have never been empty for too long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019re delighted to tell you that our 2026 programme of events is now live on the website and promises a wonderful mix of tastings, locations, and wines.  Highlights include a sparkling wine tasting from Spain \u2014 it\u2019s been a few years since we last explored Cava, so bubbles will once again be firmly on the agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We also have two bodega presentations to look forward to: one later this month featuring wines from the DO Montsant, and another in September with a much-anticipated evening dedicated to wines from the DO Rioja.  In addition, we\u2019re reviving the Regional Grape Variety Challenge, last held a few years ago.  The big question is: who will be crowned champion this year and take home the coveted trophy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our AGM was held on 16 January at MR Hotels in D\u00e9nia, where we reviewed last year\u2019s tastings and elected your new committee. Neville Richardson presented a review of what was a highly successful year and warmly thanked the committee members who are stepping down: Mike Granville (Treasurer), John Sloggie (Webmaster), and Sara Richardson (Tasting Registrar). All three will be a hard act to follow, and we thank them sincerely for their dedication and hard work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I was then honoured to be elected as your new President, and my first task was a very enjoyable one \u2014 to thank Neville for the outstanding job he has done over the past two years. Under his leadership, membership has grown from 93 at the beginning of 2024 to a very healthy 144 this year, while also becoming more diverse in nationality, age, and region.  At the AGM, we agreed to set our sights on reaching 160 members during 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the end of the AGM, two of our newer members, Steve and Helen Houssant, very kindly offered to organise a shared taxi or minibus for members travelling from the Jal\u00f3n, Calpe, and Benissa areas. If this would be of interest to you, please email me at helen_granville@outlook.com, and I will happily pass your details on to Helen and Steve. Many thanks to them both for such a thoughtful and generous initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The AGM minutes will be posted on the website within the next week or so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Following the AGM, 56 members and guests enjoyed a relaxed and sociable tasting at the hotel\u2019s Punta Negra Restaurant, featuring the highest-scoring wines of 2024 as voted by CBWS members.  This is our traditional start to a new year by revisiting the standout wines from the previous one.  We were also delighted to welcome two new members, Andrew and Renate Paszkowski, and two guests, Denise Masters and Ray Lee, who have since joined the society \u2014 a very warm welcome to you all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This was very much an evening focused on enjoyment, conversation, and great company rather than scoring, and the full report is available on the website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our next tasting takes place on 19 February at Restaurante Los Amigos, J\u00e1vea, hosted by Tim Fawle, with guest speaker Albert Jan\u00e9 of Ac\u00fastic Cellars (DO Montsant).  Albert is a highly respected figure in Montsant, known for his \u201cacoustic\u201d (unplugged) style, minimal intervention, and old vines.  We\u2019ll enjoy a welcome cava at 19:30, followed by dinner at 20:00. The cost is \u20ac50 for members and \u20ac60 for guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Welcome tapa<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>ENTRANTES para cp[artir<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gambas al ajillo<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Capaccio de ternera con virutas de foie<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Verduras de tempura con salsa romesco<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>PRINCIPAL A ELIGIR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lenguado a la planca con verduras<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;or<br>Entrecot a la brasa con patas lux, salsa pimienta y verduras a la planca<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;or<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vegetarian option<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>POSTRE&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Huevo de chocolate casero rellenos de mousse de chocolate<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Please book directly on the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.costablancawinesociety.com\/CBWS\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CBWS website<\/a>&nbsp;or via the link below.  Our maximum capacity for this event is 64.  Booking is now open and will close at midday on 14 February, after which no more bookings can be made and there will be no refunds for cancellations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.costablancawinesociety.com\/CBWS\/events-booking\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"175\" height=\"175\" src=\"https:\/\/www.costablancawinesociety.com\/CBWS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/cropped-cropped-cropped-0F712988-5259-4A27-AD0E-42A1B2B1A0D1-e1679758468372.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1131\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.costablancawinesociety.com\/CBWS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/cropped-cropped-cropped-0F712988-5259-4A27-AD0E-42A1B2B1A0D1-e1679758468372.png 175w, https:\/\/www.costablancawinesociety.com\/CBWS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/cropped-cropped-cropped-0F712988-5259-4A27-AD0E-42A1B2B1A0D1-e1679758468372-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.costablancawinesociety.com\/CBWS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/cropped-cropped-cropped-0F712988-5259-4A27-AD0E-42A1B2B1A0D1-e1679758468372-75x75.png 75w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 175px) 100vw, 175px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.costablancawinesociety.com\/CBWS\/events-booking\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A gentle reminder that our dress code for tastings is <strong>smart casual<\/strong> \u2014 no jeans, and jackets are optional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking ahead, on 19 March at Javea Golf Club Fergus &amp; Joan Fitzpatrick will present \u201cExploring Garnacha\u201d. Then on 16 April, Tony &amp; Gro Salter will host what promises to be a lively and entertaining evening titled \u201cMy Favourite Wine\u201d, where five newer members will present their chosen wines. Each table will vote for their Best Presenter and Best Wine of the Evening, with surprises in store for the winners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A number of members have asked me whether we could run an informal workshop session covering our wine scoring methods. This could serve both as an introduction for newer members and a refresher for longer standing members. This could benefit member of CBWS.  We only ever serve wines which are good or better, so any score below 65 should be an absolute exception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Neville revised our scoring system a few years ago based loosely on the Wine and Spirits Educational Trust (WSET) system of assessing wines.  As many of you will know Neville holds a WSET Diploma (Level 4) and he has agreed to run this workshop for us.  You can see find more information on the WSET system <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wsetglobal.com\/knowledge-centre\/wset-systematic-approach-to-tasting-sat\/\">here.<\/a>  Please email me at <a href=\"mailto:president@cbws.eu\">president@cbws.eu<\/a> if you would be interested in attending such a session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, a reminder that the annual membership subscription of \u20ac30 per person was due by 31 December 2025.  Anyone who has not renewed by 30 January will automatically be removed from the membership list, so please do renew if you haven\u2019t already.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019re very much looking forward to an interesting, enjoyable, and wine-filled year ahead, and hope to see you at many of our events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Helen<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dear Members, A very warm (and slightly belated!) Happy New Year to you all \ud83c\udf7e I hope 2026 has started well and that your glasses have never been empty for too long. We\u2019re delighted to tell you that our 2026 programme of events is now live on the website and promises a wonderful mix of tastings, locations, and wines. Highlights include a sparkling wine tasting from Spain \u2014 it\u2019s been a few years since we last explored Cava, so bubbles will once again be firmly on the agenda. We also have two bodega presentations to look forward to: one later this month featuring wines from the DO Montsant, and another in September with a much-anticipated evening dedicated to wines from the DO Rioja. In addition, we\u2019re reviving the Regional Grape Variety Challenge, last held a few years ago. The big question is: who will be crowned champion this year and take home the coveted trophy? Our AGM was held on 16 January at MR Hotels in D\u00e9nia, where we reviewed last year\u2019s tastings and elected your new committee. Neville Richardson presented a review of what was a highly successful year and warmly thanked the committee members who are stepping down: Mike Granville (Treasurer), John Sloggie (Webmaster), and Sara Richardson (Tasting Registrar). All three will be a hard act to follow, and we thank them sincerely for their dedication and hard work. I was then honoured to be elected as your new President, and my first task was a very enjoyable one \u2014 to thank Neville for the outstanding job he has done over the past two years. Under his leadership, membership has grown from 93 at the beginning of 2024 to a very healthy 144 this year, while also becoming more diverse in nationality, age, and region. At the AGM, we agreed to set our sights on reaching 160 members during 2026. At the end of the AGM, two of our newer members, Steve and Helen Houssant, very kindly offered to organise a shared taxi or minibus for members travelling from the Jal\u00f3n, Calpe, and Benissa areas. If this would be of interest to you, please email me at helen_granville@outlook.com, and I will happily pass your details on to Helen and Steve. Many thanks to them both for such a thoughtful and generous initiative. The AGM minutes will be posted on the website within the next week or so. Following the AGM, 56 members and guests enjoyed a relaxed and sociable tasting at the hotel\u2019s Punta Negra Restaurant, featuring the highest-scoring wines of 2024 as voted by CBWS members. This is our traditional start to a new year by revisiting the standout wines from the previous one. We were also delighted to welcome two new members, Andrew and Renate Paszkowski, and two guests, Denise Masters and Ray Lee, who have since joined the society \u2014 a very warm welcome to you all. This was very much an evening focused on enjoyment, conversation, and great company rather than scoring, and the full report is available on the website. Our next tasting takes place on 19 February at Restaurante Los Amigos, J\u00e1vea, hosted by Tim Fawle, with guest speaker Albert Jan\u00e9 of Ac\u00fastic Cellars (DO Montsant). Albert is a highly respected figure in Montsant, known for his \u201cacoustic\u201d (unplugged) style, minimal intervention, and old vines. We\u2019ll enjoy a welcome cava at 19:30, followed by dinner at 20:00. The cost is \u20ac50 for members and \u20ac60 for guests. Welcome tapa ENTRANTES para cp[artir Gambas al ajillo Capaccio de ternera con virutas de foie Verduras de tempura con salsa romesco PRINCIPAL A ELIGIR Lenguado a la planca con verduras &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;orEntrecot a la brasa con patas lux, salsa pimienta y verduras a la planca &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;or Vegetarian option POSTRE&nbsp;&nbsp; Huevo de chocolate casero rellenos de mousse de chocolate Please book directly on the&nbsp;CBWS website&nbsp;or via the link below. Our maximum capacity for this event is 64. Booking is now open and will close at midday on 14 February, after which no more bookings can be made and there will be no refunds for cancellations. A gentle reminder that our dress code for tastings is smart casual \u2014 no jeans, and jackets are optional. Looking ahead, on 19 March at Javea Golf Club Fergus &amp; Joan Fitzpatrick will present \u201cExploring Garnacha\u201d. Then on 16 April, Tony &amp; Gro Salter will host what promises to be a lively and entertaining evening titled \u201cMy Favourite Wine\u201d, where five newer members will present their chosen wines. Each table will vote for their Best Presenter and Best Wine of the Evening, with surprises in store for the winners. A number of members have asked me whether we could run an informal workshop session covering our wine scoring methods. This could serve both as an introduction for newer members and a refresher for longer standing members. This could benefit member of CBWS. We only ever serve wines which are good or better, so any score below 65 should be an absolute exception. Neville revised our scoring system a few years ago based loosely on the Wine and Spirits Educational Trust (WSET) system of assessing wines. As many of you will know Neville holds a WSET Diploma (Level 4) and he has agreed to run this workshop for us. You can see find more information on the WSET system here. Please email me at president@cbws.eu if you would be interested in attending such a session. Finally, a reminder that the annual membership subscription of \u20ac30 per person was due by 31 December 2025. Anyone who has not renewed by 30 January will automatically be removed from the membership list, so please do renew if you haven\u2019t already. We\u2019re very much looking forward to an interesting, enjoyable, and wine-filled year ahead, and hope to see you at many of our events. Helen<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[54,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4061","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-newsletters-2026","category-posts"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.costablancawinesociety.com\/CBWS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4061","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.costablancawinesociety.com\/CBWS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.costablancawinesociety.com\/CBWS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.costablancawinesociety.com\/CBWS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.costablancawinesociety.com\/CBWS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4061"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.costablancawinesociety.com\/CBWS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4061\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4067,"href":"https:\/\/www.costablancawinesociety.com\/CBWS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4061\/revisions\/4067"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.costablancawinesociety.com\/CBWS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4061"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.costablancawinesociety.com\/CBWS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4061"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.costablancawinesociety.com\/CBWS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4061"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}