The tasting with Charles Derain about White Burgundy wines was extremely interesting. It was a great opportunity to discover and rediscover the multitude of facets of white Burgundy wines.Charles, previous Head Sommelier from Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud and now owner of “Nomad wines company” demonstrated the importance and impact of terroir throughout Burgundy wine regions. Charles’ knowledge is second to none when it comes to Burgundy wines and it was a privilege to have him share his knowledge and passion with the Guild.
A masterclass about red wines from Burgundy should be taking place during the new year as Charles kindly offered to share more of his knowledge with the Guild. (Date to be confirmed)
1st November
The tasting on Tuesday given by Barbara Boyle MW from Mason Wine company was extremely interesting.
Barbara talked to us about the impact of temperature of service on Rubis Port and tawny Port. This topic was her research paper for the Master of Wine.
It was fascinating to see how different the perception of aromas/flavours/tannin/alcohol/acidity/sweetness, etc was with the different temperatures of service. This is was an especially interesting topic for the trade as having access to such knowledge could help customers’ experience of Port wines be improved in restaurants and hotels.
17th October, 2016
Campania, Basilicata and Sicily with Enrico Fantasia
The tasting on Monday 17th October went very well and was extremely interesting. 12 members attended the tasting.
Enrico Fantasia, who owns Grapecircus wine company and Piglet wine bar in Dublin, gave a fantastic talk and tasting about indigenous grapes of Campania, Calabria and Sicily. We got the chance to discover and rediscover grapes such as Falanghina, Greco Bianco, Fiano, Nerello Mascalese, Magliocco, Frappato. Enrico’s knowledge is incredible and not only he talked with true passion about these wines but he also had plenty of anecdotes and historical references to keep things entertaining and interesting.
The wines tasted on the day were :
Falanghia Irpinia DOC “insania” Bambinuto 2015,Fiano Cilento “Cumale”Casebiancho 2014,Greco di Tufo DOCG “Picoli”, Bambinuto 2013,Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, Judeka 2015
Etna Rosso DOC, Guardoilvento, 2014, Calabria Rosso IGP, Chora, 2013,Calabria Rosso IGP, Toccomagiocco 2008
The tasting concluded with a sparkling Aglianico from Campania called “Il Fric” and produced by “Methode Ancestrale”
15th September,2016 Masterclass with Alex Starey, South Africa. This was an excellent tasting
Tim Aiken regards Keermont as a “first growth” level in South Afica in his classification. Alex Starey is in charge of viticulture and winemaking at Keermont, a boutique winery set in an amphitheatre between the Helderberg and Stellenbosch mountain ranges. This masterclass was organized by Barbara from Mason wines.
19th September, 2016
Masterclass with Harriet Tindal 0n Climate change and its influence on alcohol levels in classic regions. This was an excellent tasting.
Reports on tastings submitted by Julie Dupouy
Thanks
A big thank you to Ely CHQ and in particular Ian Brosnan for their support with the organisation of the tastings. There was no charge for the room this year and this was extremely generous of them.
