August is generally a slack month so, for a change, I decided to put my feet up (well, almost), and let the members do some work for a change. Tonight’s participants were encouraged to bring along a bottle of their own choice, and tell us all why they picked it.

The wines were as follows:

1. Cremant de Loire NV Paul Buisse (4.60 euros, purchased at property) - selected by Julia Rosenbloom

This was purchased by Phil Rosenbloom on one of his French excursions with his sports-car club. Paul Buisse is a local grower and negociant in the town/village of Montrichard, an area of the Loire Valley, concentrating on Chenin Blanc. The Cremant is produced using the Champagne method, but uses Chenin, rather than the classic Champagne varieties.

For a sparkler, it was very full, soft and rich, to the point of fatness. There was some lemon and pear fruit, and the finish was medium-dry. Clean, but lacked crispness, and a little too sweet for my palate. (CHP 14)

2. Villa Maria Private Bin Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (£8.99 Majestic) - chosen by Paul Battarbee

Paul’s a big fan of the upfront gooseberry-flavoured Marlborough Sauvignons from New Zealand, and this did exactly what it said on the label. No nonsense, concentrated elderflower and gooseberry, backed up with plenty of spice. A little gauche and OTT for my delicate palate. (CHP 14+).

3. Piwen Vineyard Chilean Chardonnay 2006 Reserva Especial (£5.99 Tesco) - chosen by Megan Jenkins

Megan wanted to make a stand against clumsy, over-oaked New World Chardonnay. Her choice was produced in the cool-climate Casablanca region of Chile, and demonstrated that New World Chardonnay can be restrained in character, too. Clean and crisp apple flavours, developing butter. A little too neutral, though, and lacked character. Pleasant, but a thoughtful choice. (CHP 14, Bin Ends 4 votes)

4. Cabernet Sauvignon d’Oc (Asda £3.49) - selected by Margaret Hale

Margaret chose this as a good glugging and cooking wine, not to be used in the dish, but to help her to keep going whilst she prepares the family meal. It’s produced for Asda by Foncalieu, a giant co-operative group well established in the UK supermarkets at the sub-£5 price-point.

Acidic, fresh and tart, but easy drinking. Just lacking a little Cabernet character (cassis fruit). For the price, though, not bad (CHP 14, Bin Ends 1 vote)

5. Vina Maipo Gran Reserva 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Sainsbury £8 reduced to £5) - chosen by Heather Cannon

Heather likes to buy her wine on promotion at her local supermarket and this is one of her favourites. Cabernet Sauvignon is perhaps the most successful Chilean grape variety, and the Maipo Valley is one of the heartlands.
Good aromas of cassis and vanilla. Rich, full-textured, with a bite of acidity, pleasing blackcurrant and toasty oak characters, but let down by a bitter finish. Eminently drinkable. (CHP 14, Bin Ends 1 vote)

6. Willunga 100 Cabernet Shiraz 2006 Mclaren Vale (£7.99 Liberty Wines, Sainsbury) - a trade sample, brought along by Clive

Mclaren Vale is a leading red wine producing area in South Australia, particularly noted for Shiraz. This was created for Libertys (leading UK trade specialists) who have bemoaned the paucity of good-value Australian wines at this price-point. In Australian terms, the Cabernet Shiraz blend is particularly successful.

This was rich and concentrated, laden with cassis and blackberry fruit, but also with notes of tar and cedar. Full-bodied, spicy and mouthfilling, this was a real crowd-pleaser. A touch short on the finish, but good value, nevertheless (CHP 16, Bin Ends 9 votes)

7. Yaldara Estate South Australian Shiraz 2006 (Tesco £7.99) - selected by Pat Jenkins

Yaldara takes its name from the Aboriginal “sparkling water” and the winery is located in the Barossa Valley, settled by German-speaking immigrants. The fruit for this blend is probably sourced across South Australia. Pat likes this with roast lamb.

I found it quite juicy and acidic, oaky, but a little light. Although it was restrained, it seemed to lack substance or stuffing. A little overwhelmed by the previous example. (CHP 14, Bin Ends 2 votes).

8. Willunga 100 Grenache 2006 McLaren Vale (Liberty’s £7.99) - a trade sample, brought along by Clive

The sister wine to the Cabernet Shiraz. In my opinion, Australian Grenache needs Shiraz or Mourvedre to flesh it out. This was a case in point - big, tarry and alcoholic, without any structure. Not pleasant. (CHP 12, Bin Ends 1 vote)

9. Chateau Ste Eulalie “La Cantilene” 2001 Minervois La Liviniere (Wine Society £9.50) - chosen by Clive

I’ve been a big fan of Languedoc wines for over 25 years, but did not visit the region until 1998, when I met Isabel Coustal, the winemaker, for the first time. I have continued to enjoy Isabel’s wines ever since. La Cantilene is her top oak-aged wine, and is from a blend of 55% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 15% Carignan.

Full-bodied, it had lovely flavours of bramble fruits and spice. The tannins were a touch astringent, and I think the wine is just beginning to dry out. The oak is well integrated, and it shows some complexity. (CHP 16, Bin Ends 6 votes)

10. Domaine Claude Villain 1990 Vouvray Moelleux (from Roche Cabon, near Cour-Cheverny) (presented by Phil Rosenbloom).

This was also purchased by Phil on his recent rally-club trip to the Loire Valley. A medium-sweet style, with flavours of quince pear fruit, honey and nuts, there was a lovely streak of acidity running through the spine, keeping it fine and elegant. Beautiful finish and, personally, the star of tonight’s show (by a country mile!). (CHP 18+, Bin Ends 7 votes)

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I think tonight’s theme highlighted the dangers of a “bring a bottle” evening. It can lack focus and, often, it’s difficult to put the wines into the correct tasting order. Overall, I was a touch disappointed with the quality but, nevertheless, I must thank those members who so kindly brought something along - it made the evening very entertaining.

COMING UP …

Tuesday, 30th September 2008
Discovering Portuguese Reds.
Perhaps the most exciting red wines coming out of Europe are the modern-style Portuguese reds based on indigenous varieties. The quality is going up and up, and this is a real opportunity to assess what’s happening.
Cost: £10 per head

Tuesday, 28th October
Exploring Austrian Wine
Yet another dynamic up-coming wine nation, and this will be a great chance
To sample their spectacular Rieslings and Gruners,
as well as bright, juicy reds and luscious sweet whites.
£15.00 per head

Tuesday, 25th November 2008
Fine Wines from the Lebanon
A specialist importer has been invited to show his portfolio of fine Lebanese wine
There’ll be a selection of Lebanese nibbles to enjoy with the wines

Tuesday, 16th December 2008 (one week earlier than usual)
Fortified Wines - focussing on Madeira

Please note my website link:
www.clives-wines.com