RHWine Tasting Tastings Tuition Tours Summer Wines S. Alban s Ilford 7 June 2013
Wines for Summer Sparkling Cool refreshing whites Rose for lunch times Light reds BBQ red
Chardonnay The Nike grape Grown everywhere Entry level to Grand Cru Best in limestone, chalk and clay soils Early ripening - prone to frost High acidity Good in sparkling wines Green apple - tropical flavours
Cremant du Jura Cremant - sparkling wine made in traditional method Jura - between Burgundy and Switzerland Cool and wet Use slightly unripe and young grapes
Let s Taste Wine Number 1
Sauvignon Blanc White aromatic grape Best in a cool climate Loire Valley, New Zealand, South Australia, Chile, S. Africa Green fruit flavours and vegetation High acidity Not suitable for ageing Sometimes oaked
The Ned Sauvignon Blanc Maritime Climate Glacial soils, deep fine alluvium and gravels = fertile soil 106 wineries 455 grape producers Largest NZ wine producing area - 60% of harvest Produces 90% of NZ Sauvignon Blanc harvest First vines planted August 1974
Let s Taste Wine Number 2
Fiano Small, thin-skinned berries Produce little juice Low yields Can be unprofitable to produce Produces wines which can age Develops spicy and nutty notes
Asda Extra Special Fiano 2011 Cantine Settesoli leading Sicilian co-op In Menfi 2,300 partners Some of the grapes extended skin contact to extract flavour and body Stainless steel Lees ageing
Let s Taste Wine Number 3
Pinot Noir The Burgundy Grape, Extremely fussy and difficult to grow well Key Characteristics Pure fruit vibrancy and expression red to dark fruit Secondary herbal, spice and game characters Fine tannins, elegant structure Intense and complex Soft and seductive with perceived sweetness on palate Berries sensitive to heat
New Hall, Chelmsford Dates back to 1120, now produces 20% all English grapes. Dry, cool. Danbury Hill acts as rain break Frost is biggest danger 75 ha 12-24m above sea level Heavy clay soils Mostly Germanic Varieties
Let s Taste Wine Number 4
Gamay The Beaujolais Grape, Loire Valley, Switzerland, Eastern Europe Light character; high acidity, low alcohol, low tannin Thrives on granite soil Pear drop, banana, raspberry, black pepper, cherry, peach aromas
Duboeuf Beaujolais Fluerie 2011 Beaujolais, 39 Villages 10 Cru Drink young; some crus will age Southern crus are lighter 2011 was exceptional Fleurie - Roman Legionary
Let s Taste Wine Number 5
Syrah or Shiraz Highly coloured, High tannin, High Alcohol Like hot climates Traditionally northern Rhone valley Now Australia, South Africa, USA Aromatic (raspberry, blackcurrant,violet, black pepper, spice). Makes big wines
The Parcel Series Shiraz Reserve 2012 Various climates and geographies Generally warm to hot Hand harvested in Paarl, Darling and Stellenbosch Old state monopoly KWV Now producing excellent wines Often fairtrade
Let s Taste Wine Number 6
RHWine Tasting Tastings Tuition Tours London - St Matthew s, Westminster June 28 Literary Wines July 26 Last of the Summer Wine Small Group Wine Tours October - Chianti Classico www.rhwine.net