Wines at Stratford-upon-avon

This is Darren's list of the wines we all brought along and shared. 

White wine

Alongside a clutch of Sparklers including Cono Sur Sparkling Pinot Noir from Chile, Prosecco, Cava and Champagne, our white wine selection included:

• Denis Dubourdieu 2010 Clos Floridene, Grand Vin De Graves (blend of 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 47% Semillon, 3% Muscadelle), France, 13%. A nice chance to try a rare white example of Graves
• Symbiose La Grande Olivette, Cuvee Florence, Piquepoul, Sauvignon Blanc blend, Cótes de Thau 2014, France, 12%. Piquepoul is something of a recent trend in the UK, so this was an interesting one to try
• Karl Pfaffmann 2013 Weissburgunder, Trocken, Walsheim, Pfalz, Germany, 12.5%. The first of three wines sourced exclusively from Germany and rarely seen in the U.K.
• Karl Pfaffmann 2014 Riesling, Trocken, Walsheim, Pfalz, Germany, 12.5%
• Randersackerer Ewig Leben 2013er, Albalonga Auslese, Franken, Germany, 11%
• Luis Felipe Edwards Gran Reserva 2015 Chardonnay, Casablanca Valley, Chile, 14%
• Alvi’s Drift 2015 Chenin Blanc, Worcester, South Africa, 13.5%
• Calvet Reserve 2013 Pinot Blanc, Alsace, France, 12.5%
• The Cup and Rings 2013 Godello Sobre Lias, Monterrai, Spain, 13%
• Ara Single Vineyard 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, 12.5%

Red wine

• Arjona (unoaked) 2014 Rioja (100% Tempranillo), Spain, 13.5%
• Club Des Sommeliers, Morgon (100% Gamay) 2014 Beaujolais, France, 12.5%
• J Opi 2014 Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina, 13.5%. This wine was decanted to bring out the rich flavour
• Marques de Riscal Finca Torrea 2007 (Tempranillo), Rioja, Spain, 14%
• Cháteau Hervé Laroque 2007 (Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon), Fronsac, France, 13%
• La Cantera Reserva 2007 (Tempranillo based blend), Carinena, Spain, 13%, (from magnum)
• Ermita de San Lorenzo 2008 Garnacha based blend, Rioja, Spain, 14%. Another one for the decanter
• Mayu Syrah Reserva 2011, Elqui Valley, Chile, 14.5%. This wine was again decanted to allow the rich flavours to mellow
• Piccini Memoro 2010 (Aglianico, Cabernet Sauvignon, Nero D’avola, Sangiovese blend), Regional blend across Tuscany, Basilicata, Veneto and Sicily, Italy, 14%. Decanted, but perhaps needed more time to open fully.
• Cháteau Valfontaine 2012 (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon) Bordeaux, France, 12%
• Stobi 2011 Petit Verdot Barrique, Tikves, Macedonia, 14%.  A rare opportunity to try this wine.
• Campo Viejo Gran Reserva 2007 (Tempranillo), Rioja, Spain, 13.5%
• Les Vaucorneilles Cuvee Nathan 2005, Touraine, Loire Valley, France, 13.5% (Blend of Gamay, Cabernet and Cot)
• Vox Populi 2012 Bobal, Utiel-Requena, Spain, 14%
• Laurent Miquel L’Artisan 2014 (Syrah, Grenache), Faugeres, France, 13.5%