Private Wine Tasting

I recently hosted a private wine tasting for a very special group of friends. We were a lively mixed bunch with a few of us having been to a wine tasting before, some of us having a little knowledge about wine from their travels and a few who were not wine drinkers 

I had selected the wines to highlight that there are more grape varieties available than the usual go to wines on the supermarket shelves and that wine is a personal preference hence so much choice. As it was a private event I did not take photos of the wines so my images are taken from online; sources credited.

Our evening began with a light rosé Italian wine produced by Freixenet who are well known for their superb sparkling wine so it was a surprise to discover this was a still wine.

This slightly perfumed rose wine is a blend of Corvina and Garganega Bianc from the Veneto vineyards. Its flavours included cherries and strawberries with a light finish, a perfect aperitif for our evening of wine. Everyone enjoyed this with suggestions of adding fresh fruit such as strawberries.

Photo - Morrisons 

White wine is perfect for the summer; with a light lunch, in the garden on a sunny afternoon or watching the sun set on a warm summer night. I selected three wines from differences of country, made from different grapes and having different flavours.

Photos - Majestic, Morrisons, Aneed

Our first wine had the most complexity of the three, Côté Mas L'esprit du Midi. Produced by the superb Domaine Mas this Languedoc white was predominantly Grenache Blanc with Marsanne, Vermentino and Viognier added to the blend. It's nose had floral notes and its flavour was full of peaches and lemons. With a heavier depth and viscosity to the first wine and a lengthier finish it was a little too complex for some although enjoyed by others. 

In a change of style the second white was much lighter and enjoyed by more at the tasting. This single grape Verdicchio wine from Italy had plenty of figs and citrus freshness, a new grape to many and the favourite white of the evening.

Our third white wine took everyone by surprise as Campo Viejo was known as a red wine. Produced in the Rioja region this wine is made from Tempranillo Blanco, Viura and Verdejo. The combination of these three grapes brought an aroma of white flowers and flavours of tropical notes and white fruits but it wasn't to everyone's taste. 

The two red wines I selected were examples of wine to serve with a steak or Sunday dinner, quite the opposite to summery whites. 

The first was a long time favourite of mine, Trivento Malbec. Interestingly one guest, who really enjoyed this red, has previously holidayed in France where they discovered a liking for Cahors which is also made from Malbec grapes. 

Photo - Morrisons 

The slight oak was soon discovered in this wine but it was very smooth and fairly soft. Aromas of dark fruit and black pepper could be detected and most guests commentated on the chocolate under tones in its flavour. Certainly not a summer garden wine but one to definitely be enjoyed with a hearty red meat meal. 

Our final red was a little self indulgence, a superb blend of Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah made by Ogier who are a renown wine producer in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. As with any wine the history behind the grape, the location and the name is always interesting, everyone enjoyed learning about how the famous village and wine appellation got its name. 

This Cotes du Rhone, a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre, Marselan and Carignan, was deliciously complex in its aromas and flavours. There were many suggestions but most discovered cherries, dark fruits, spice and a slight sweetness on the finish. 

Photo - Vivino

It was such a fun tasting, especially demonstrating and others practising the wine tasting mouth washing technique. With such a variety there was a wine for all with some being more popular than others and everyone finding new grapes, wines and styles. 

Thank you to my wine tasting friends for such a great evening ... cheers!