Only Connect    Chris and Michele 9th April 2025

1 Bird in Hand Sparkling Pinot Noir Adelaide Hills, S Australia 2024 12.5 15.00 Tesco

2 Albarino Tesco Finest, Albarino Bodega Brisas, Maldonado Uruguay 2024 13 13.00 Tesco

3 Wynn's Coonawarra The Siding, Australia Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra, S Australia 2022 13.4 16.00 Tesco

4 Nederburg Private Collection, Pinotage Paarl South Africa 2020 14 14.00 Cambridge Wines

5 Carnivor Zinfandel California USA 2022 14.5 11.50 Morrisons

6 Mascota Unanime Gran Vino, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Malbec, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot Mendoza Argentina 2020 14.5 17.00 Tesco

7 Marques de Casa Concha, Syrah Maipo Valley Chile 2020 14.5 17.00 Tesco

8 The Chocolate Block 77% Syrah, 9% Grenache, 8% Cinsault, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Viognier Swartland, Boekenhoutskloof, Franschoek South Africa 2022 14.5 24.00 Waitrose

How good is your blind tasting? Find the connection?

12th February Jancis Robinson's recommended winter warmers

Gérard Bertrand Orange Gold Languedoc-Roussillon 2022

Chardonnay 13.0% Majestic £11.87 in 6 mix (£17.99 individual)

Ponte da Boga P Mencía Ribeira Sacra 2023

Mencía 12.0% Wine Soc £11.95

Knipser Blauer Spätburgunder Pfalz 2019

Pinot Noir 13.0% Wine Soc £16.50

Vagabondo South by South West Margaret River 2022

Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 13.5% Wine Soc £14.95

Ciconia Alentejano 2022

Touriga Nacional 14.0% Wine Soc £9.95

Les Sablières Côtes du Rhône 2021

Grenache/Syrah 14.0% Wine Soc £10.95

Nicky and Dave

From our Rack - that's Rob and Judith's ! Wednesday 25th October

Apart from the Piquepoul, the wines are all available from the Wine Society, Stevenage

Piquepoul Rose, 2023. 13%. £9.85 Coteaux d’Enserune. Languedoc

Sauvignon Blanc, Chenonceaux, 2022. 13.4% £14.50 La Renaudie, Touraine

Tempranillo, Rioja Crianza Gloriosa. 2019. 14% £10.95. Bodegas Palacio, Laguardia.

Pinot Noir, Sonoma coast. California 2022. 14%. £17 Wine Society’s Exhibition

Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, Australia 2022. 14%, £17 Wine Society’s Exhibition

Margaux, Cabernet Sauvignon/ Merlot 2019. 14.5%. £24 Wine Society’s Exhibition

Cambridge Wines September 11th 2024 –  Mark Horton

Here are the retail prices of the wines we tasted. Thanks for a great evening, Mark.

Brogo Selene Catarrato Inzolia, Sicily £8.99

Murphy Vineyards Chardonnay 2023 Big Rivers £9.99

Coeur de Raisin 2023 Dom. Gramiller VdF No Additional Sulphites £14.99

Rhône by Roger Sabon 2022 £14.99

Dom. Des Trinité Pech Mege 2021 Pezenas Rouge £14.99

Mountadam 550 Shiraz 2020 Barossa £14.99

Ch Le Peyrat 2018 Côtes de Castillon £10.99

27th March 2024 'Wines of Yesteryear' with Simon and Helen. A look at the Wine Society's Generation Series celebrating their 150th anniversary.

Bucelas from Portugal £13.50

Macon Village from Burgundy £16.50

Portuguese Red £17.50

Primitiva di Manduria from Italy £10.50

Haut-Medoc from Bordeaux £14.95

Rioja from Spain £12.50

Cremant de Loire from France £14,50

13th March 2024 - more delightful wines from the Wine Society with Emma Briffett. Her theme was 'Going off the beaten track in the Rhone Valley'.

Cremant de Die Brut, Cave Poulet £11.31

Viognier Gres du Trias, Vignerons Ardechois 2022 £11.50

Grignan-les-Adhemar Rouge, Gourmandise, Domaine de Montine 2021 £10.95

The Society's Exhibition Vinsobres 2020 £13.50

Saint-Joseph Offerus Selections, Jean-Louis Chave 2019 £22.00

Lirac Rouge La Fermade, Domaine Malby 2021  £14.50

Cairanne, Domaine Roche 2021 £14.50

Taylor and Keith from Majestic, Leighton Buzzard introduced a range of Rioja wines from Crianzas to Gran Reservas. Visit the shop to check out their deals.  22nd November

Fine or Better Wines 25th October 2023 with Rob and Simon

Condrieu, Cave Merlin 2019 .  Viognier,  14%,  £30.

Vilafonté's Seriously Old Dirt, Western Cape 2020, Cabernet Sauvignon,  13.5%,   £22.

Forage Supply Co. 'Rib Tickler' Barossa Valley 2021, Shiraz,  14%,    £22.50.

🥇⚽ World Cup Winners 11th October 2023 

'In no particular order' and thanks to Charles and Trevor:

Brazilian white wine was 13.95 from Vinico (online wine shipper)

French Bordeaux wine was a remarkable 9.99 from Aldi.

Argentina Malbec was 12.99 from Morrisons

Spanish Rioja was 10.99 from Morrisons

Kendemanns Special Edition Reisling  Waitrose

Chiltern Valley Solaris.  This is sold out, but when the next release is available it can be purchased from Chiltern Valley see www.chilternvalley.co.uk

 Composed, a Uruguayan blend, which was from Cambridge Wines, but it was a bin end, so no longer available

Christian Patat Apassimento, Naked Wines

13th September 2023 Cambridge Wines - The Panache of Grenache 

Dom Gayda Flying Solo Rose 2022 IGP Pays D'Oc  £9.50

Cotes du Rhone Rose Regulus 2021 Dom. Clavel £11.99

Cotes du Rhone Rouge Cuvee du Bonheur 2020 Dom. La Loyane  £13.99

Rasteau La Ponce 2019 Dom. des Escaravailles £20.99

Thistledown Gorgeous Grenache 2021 Old Vine South Australia £14.99

Loidana 2020 Priorat MArco Abella  £21.99

La Garnacha Olvidada de Aragon 2021 Calatayud Vintae  £13.99

Many thanks to Mark for sharing his love of Grenache with us.

The Wine Cellar's Summer Recommendations. Thanks Stefan! 14th June 2023

Vistamar 'Single Estate' Pinot Noir, Chile 2020 £13.50

Diamantakis 'Petali' Liatiko, Crete 2019 £19.00

Familia Torres Clos Ancestral, Spain 2021 £21.00

Andrew Peace 'Winemaker's Choice' Riesling, Australia 2022  £12.50

Chateau Montlau Entre-deux-Mers, Bordeaux 2021 £15.50

Bodegas Katxina Txakolina, Basque, Spain 2021 £20.00

Lionel Osmin 'Miramar' Rose, France 2022 £20.00

Colin's 5/6d 24/05/2023

1 Chassaux 2021 France 13% Roussanne Aldi £8

Made by the winemaker Jean-Claude Mas, from the Paul Mas Family Estate in the Pays d’Oc, Languedoc-Roussillon region.

2 Vina Lareira 2021 Spain 12.5% Albarino   Waitrose £13

Hand-harvest our Albariño grapes from vines in excess of 30 years old, rooted in the vineyards of 'O Salnés' in Rías Baixas, Galicia on Spain's NW coast.

3 Montepulciano 2020 Italy 13.5% Montepulciano Tesco £7

"Gold - Int'l Wine Challenge, 2022 CITRA Winery was founded in 1973 in Abruzzo"

4 Barbera d'Asti 2020 Italy 14.5% Barbera    Waitrose £8

"Araldica Castelvero cellar - established in 1954 Piedmont's Asti region. Aged for at least a year in large old oak casks."

5 Blason du Rhône 2020 France 14.5%  "Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre" Waitrose £10

Good, mid-weight S. Rhone, from the same house as a "Pape"

6 Acrux - Sutil 2017 Chile 14% "35% Cab Sauv, 22% Cab Franc, 17% Syrah, 12% Malbec, 10% Carmenère,  4% Petit Verdot" Tanners £25

"Colchagua Valley, Maipo  Bronz - Int'l Wine Challenge, 2017  Oaky, smooth.  Full bodied. 

Aged for 12 months in French and American barriques"

Here are Alan and Geoff's wine selections which accompanied their musical choices for an occasion! 10th May 2023

Samur Brut NV, a sparkling wine from France.  £10.95. Wine Society

Adelaide Hills Pinot Gris from Australia.  £9.95 Wine Society

Primitivo IGT, Organic wine from Puglia. £9.99 Majestic.

Grignan-Les-Adehemar, a Grenache/Syrah blend from France. £9.50  Wine Society

Don David Blend of Terroirs, a Malbec from Calchaqui Valley, Argentina. £8.50 Co-Op

Robert Oakley, Semaphore Series, Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia. £8.35 Co-Op

Bardos Reserva Rib Del Duero, Tempranillo & Cabernet Sauvignon from Spain. £12.99 Majestic

Wine and Water 22nd February with Emma from The Wine Society

A unique collection of Wine Society wines affected by the influence of water on their vineyards whether by ocean currents or steep river valleys:

Hortas do Caseirinho Frisante Vinho Verde, Portugal £7.50

Tabali Talinay Sauvignon blanc Limari Valley, Chile £13.50

Oak Valley Groenlandberg Chardonnay Elgin, South Africa £21.00

Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Feinherb Kabinett, Willi Haag, Mosel, Germany £12.50

District 7 Monterey Pinot Noir, California, USA £12.50

Chateau Haura, Graves Bordeaux France £14.95

The Society's Exhibition Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia £16.50

Wine-ing by Numbers 8th February 2023 with Kevin

Nobel Vines 446 Chardonnay £16.99 Waitrose

8Te Pa Sauvignon Blanc £10.00 Tesco

Pasqua 11 minutes Italian blend £14.00 Tesco

M&S Classic 27 Carmenere £9.00 M & S

M&S No 21 Lomas del Marques Rioja £9.00 M & S

Willunga 100 Shiraz/Viognier £15.50 Cambs Wines

1000 Stories (Batch No 85) Zinfandel £15.00 Tesco

Miolo Lote 43 Cab Sauv £23.80 Fine Wine Company

Here are the wines served at the Christmas bash 2022. They all came from The Wine Society:

Society’s Cremant de Loire 2019   £12.95

Brazin Lodi Zinfandel 2019            £12.95

Navajas Rioja 2017                          £9.25

Society’s Cote du Rhone                   £8.50

Society’s Argentine Malbec               £8.50

Society’s Pinot Grigio 2021                 £8.50

Annas way   Sauvignon Blanc 2021  £9.25

Picpoul de Pinet 2021                             £9.50

23rd November 2022

Here are the tasting notes from Stefan, Woburn Wine Cellar:

Taltarni 'Taché' Sparkling Rose, Pyrenees, Victoria, Australia 2014

Established in 1969, Taltarni Vineyards is a pioneering winery of Victoria's Pyrenees wine growing region, dedicated to making exceptional wines from the unique terroir. Taltarni Vineyard and Winery was founded on the princi-ples of individuality, independence and expression. Combining old-world traditions with innovative new-world techniques, Taltarni produces a diverse range of high-calibre still red and white wines and methode-traditionnelle.

At disgorging, Taltarni Taché is stained with red wine, which imparts the unique taste and elegant salmon colour. 2013 was an exceptional year. The conditions produced fruit that reached maturity while still maintaining bright and lean acid. This balance enhanced the complex flavours of the fruit. The grapes were whole bunch pressed, with the free-run juice and pressings separated as per tradition. It was cold settled and fermented. After primary fermentation was complete, the base wine was aged on lees in tank.

Varietals: Traditional Method, Chardonnay/Pinot Noir/Pinot Meunier  ABV: 12%

 Langham Winery Dry White, Dorset, England, 2020

Part of a sustainable farming business. 30 hectares, planted in 2009. The winemaker Tommy Grimshaw is only 26yrs old. The team at Langham only use the grapes grown at their Dorset vineyard, and with the winery just meters from the vineyard, the grapes that are so carefully nurtured throughout the year are picked and processed within a few hours, avoiding the need to transport the grapes and risk compromising the quality. They take a low-intervention approach to both grape growing and wine production, constantly striving to minimise their environmental impact and produce wines that reflect their terroir. They don’t fine or filter their wines, making them vegetarian and vegan friendly.

Their Dry White is a blend of 82% Chardonnay and 18% Madeleine Angevine.

The grapes for this wine were picked in October 2020 and gently pressed, whole bunch. Press fractions were carefully separated and left to naturally settle for 24 hours. Fermentation, with indigenous yeasts, took place in a combination of stainless-steel tanks and used oak barrels, followed by complete malolactic fermentation. Following around 9 months of elevage, the final blend was bottled in August 2021, with around 80% of the blend being stainless-steel fermented and 20% oak fermented.

Varietals: 82% Chardonnay 18% Madeleine Angevine  ABV: 10.5%

 Domaine Haugarot, ‘Esberit’ Jurancon Sec, Jurancon, Pyrennees, France, 2020

Born to cooperative parents in Jurançon, Jean-Pierre Proharam very quickly became a vine and wine enthusiast. At the age of 18, inheriting the 2 ha of vines from his parents, he set out on his own and chose to become an independent winegrower.

In 2004, he created the Domaine Haugarot, and started his first 100% Petit Manseng vinification. In 2019 he started certification to organic conversion.

At Domaine Haugarot, all the work, from the vine to the wine, is carried out according to the biodynamic lunar calendar. Jean-Pierre applies his own winemaking philosophy, taking into account the evolution of processes and respect for the environment. Privileging respect for the environment while being attentive to new techniques, he delivers an ethical, demanding and warm wine.

As an independent winegrower, Jean-Pierre manages the vines, carries out the vinification and the marketing of the wine, for complete control of the final product.

Varietals: 100% Petit Manseng  ABV: 13.5%

Korona ‘Harmonia’ Red Blend (Blauburger, Cab Sauv, Menoire, Merlot), Eger, Hungary, 2020

The Egri Korona Borház (Crown Wine House of Eger) can be found right in the middle of the wine-growing region of Eger, next to the thermal hot spring of Egerszalók, hence minerality can be found in all their wines. A family owned vineyard where vines are grown on the slopes next to the thermal springs and the family’s mushroom farm.

The founder of the Eger Korona Wine House, the Rácz family, has been engaged in viticulture, winemaking and winemaking for more than 200 years, and is now the 5th generation of the family.

The aim of the family is to combine modern technology with proven, old Hungarian traditions to make high-quality wines that serve cultured wine consumption and enhance the reputation of the Eger wine region.

They have created an open, accessible, close-to-human winery, where today a wellness hotel, wine village, open wine terrace, cooperative shop, wine shop, restaurant, event and conference rooms, sports vineyard and a wine cellar, located in the middle of a vineyard.

The principle of the Rácz family is that excellent wine can only be made from excellent raw materials, and the quality of wines can only be achieved and maintained if even the smallest details are taken into account during grape growing, winemaking and bottling - this is the overwhelming attention given to their wines.

The top-selected wines of the Eger Korona Wine House have achieved outstanding results in a number of domestic and international competitions, while the Rácz family also pays special attention to ensuring that their well-priced wines reach the table of the average family.

Blauburger is a red wine grape variety that is grown a little in Austria, Czech Republic and Hungary. Blauburger is a cross between Blauer Portugieser and Blaufränkisch.

Menoire - The variety is only mentioned in Hungary, where it is grown on a total of 64 hectares. The largest amount by far is found in the Eger wine district.

Varietals: Blauburger 40%, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Menoire and 20% Merlot  ABV:  13.5%

 Monviert Martagona Pinot Nero, Friuli Colli Orientali, Italy, 2020

Monviert is a family owned and run winery in Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC (NE Italy). The winery was first set up under the name Ronchi San Giuseppe shortly after the Second World War , though its roots go even further back, and the family winemaking tradition that started with grandfather Franco has been handed down from generation to generation. And today, we continue to cultivate the land which has always been our home with the same passion. At present several generations of our family are involved in producing wine in our company, from grape to glass.

The wisdom of the past and the ancient manual skills we use in our work form a solid foundation for the modern techniques and new systems which allow us to reach ever higher levels of excellence. The vines are managed using the 'integrated struggle' method, which respects the balance of the plants and minimizes the use of chemicals. In the cellar indigenous yeasts are used reducing the need for sulphites. The ancient value of respect for the earth has also led to equipping the company with an innovative biomass plant, which transforms waste such as dry shoots into a resource, satisfying the 100% of the hot water requirement.

The delicately de-stemmed grapes are macerated for 4-6 days so as to allow optimum extraction of the colouring, tannic and aromatic part from the grape skins (a process that is helped by frequent ‘pump-overs’). At this stage alcoholic fermentation begins. The vinification process continues with the drawing off and pressing of the crushed grapes. Once the alcoholic fermentation is over, we proceed with the addition of selected bacteria to promote the start of the malolactic fermentation. After fermentation, the wine is aged for 3-4 months in stainless steel tanks.

Varietals: 100% Pinot Nero  ABV: 13%

Les Seigneur du Raveil Gigondas, Rhone Valley, France, 2018

Created in 1956 by 7 passionate winegrowers, today that number has increased to 78 across 130 hectares, mostly in Gigondas but now also taking in Vacqueyras and Beaumes de Venise. Here at the foot of the Dentelles the unique microclimate combined with 7 soils types allows the winemakers to craft wines that have complexity and freshness while maintaining hand harvesting and traditional winemaking techniques ensure that quality is always good.

Our cellar is located in the commune of Gigondas, at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail. As for our vineyard, it extends over 260 hectares all appellations combined. Since 1956, our winegrowers, ambassadors of the Crus de la Vallée du Rhône, have been cultivating their vines in a rational way. Our wines reflect these enthusiasts, proud of their values and their personality.

This wine resulting from a rigorous selection and manual grape harvests, of plots harvested at full maturity in the middle and end of grape harvests. The grapes come from the slopes and heights of Gigondas at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail.

Traditional vinification with partial destemming. The vatting is long, about 21 days. Delestage, manual punching of the cap, pumping over in order to extract the aromas and the colour. Aging in oak casks.

Varietals 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre/Cinsault/Counoise ABV: 14.5%

 Schroeder 'Saurus' Late Harvest Pinot Noir, Patagonia, Argentina (50cl btl)

Argentinian Patagonia is the country`s most exciting cool climate vineyard, making elegant wines with balance and complexity in contrast to the more masculine reds of Mendoza.

In 1927 Hermann Heinz Theodor Schroeder migrated from Germany and settled down in Patagonia and began working in the wine industry. The family started from relatively humble beginnings – a wine merchants!

In 2001, his son Hermann Schroeder (junior), the son of this German immigrant, started the vineyards with his sons, who now run it. Over 300m altitude beneath the Andes mountains. Schroeder vineyards are planted on gravelly soils and combined with warm days and cool nights provide near perfect conditions for cool climate varieties including Pinot Noir.

When construction began to build the winery a dinosaur was unearthed and in tribute to this 75million year giant, the name Saurus was given in tribute!

The grapes for this late harvest Pinot Noir had concentrated and raisined in the sun which creates a naturally sweet wine which is then gently fortified.

Varietals: 100% Pinot Noir  ABV: 16%

https://thewinecellar.wine/

Roaming the Rhone 13/10/2021 with Emma from The Wine Society

Viognier Gres du Trias, Coteaux de l'Ardeche 2019  £9.95

Cairanne Blanc, Domaine de l'Oratoire Saint Martin 2019  £14.50

Northern Rhone:

Crozes-Hermitage, Domaine Pochon 2018 £14.50

Cornas, Patou, Domaine Serrette 2014  £27.00

Southern Rhone:

Cotes du Rhone, Domaine Jaume 2020  £8.50

Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Clos du Calvaire 2019  £27.00

https://www.thewinesociety.com/

California Dreamin'  27/10/2021 with Sharon, Sue and Jane

Hands of Time Stags Leap  Chardonnay Majestic £19.99

Purple Paradise Chronic Cellars Zinfandel, Syrah, Grenache, Petite Syrah Majestic £11.99

Brazin old vine zinfandel   Waitrose  £11.24

The Crusher Wilson Vineyards Cab Sauvignon  Cambridge Wines  £14.99

The Whole Shebang Bedrock Wine Co  Zinfandel, Carignan, Alicante Bouchet, Syrah  Cambridge Wines  £18.99

Elysium Quady Winery  Black Muscat  Majestic  £13.99

A Trip Round South America 12/01/2022 with Patrice 

Don Guerino Torrontes 2019 Brazil £12.00  Go Brazil

Los Espinos Sauvignon Blanc 2019 Chile £7.99  Cambridge Wines

De Lucca Reserva Tannat 2017 Uruguay £11.99  Wines of Uruguay

Don Guerino Teroldego 2018 Brazil £17.00   Go Brazil

Nostros Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 Chile £12.99  Cambridge Wines

Brazos Malbec 2019 Argentina £10.99   Cambridge Wines

Los Olivos Malbec 2020 Argentina £10.99   Cambridge Wines

The Sunday Supplement 09/02/2022 John Garnham

Rainer Wess Kremstal 2020  Grunen Veltliner Austria 9.95 Wine society

Leyda Single Vineyard Garuma 2020  Sauvignon Blanc Chile 12 Tesco

Left Field Rose 2020 Merlot Arnies Pinotage New Zealand 10.99 Waitrose

Blind Spot 2020 Dolcetto Australia 11.50 Wine Society

Chateau Jouanin Castillon 2019 Merlot Cabernet Franc France 9 Coop

Indomita Gran Reserva 2019 Carignan Chile 6.5 Coop

Brazin Old Vine Zinfandel Lodi 2019 Zinfandel USA 14.99 Waitrose

 Blends – 9th March 2022   Rob and Judith

1 Alicante      2 Bacchus 3 Cabernet Franc    4 Cabernet Sauvignon

5  Carignan     6  Camaralet    7 Chardonnay      8  Ciligiolo       9  Colorino   

10 Coubu     11 Gros Manseng    12 Grenache      13 Lauzet       14  Malbec  

15 Merlot   16 Montepulciano  17 Mourvèdre   18 Negroamaro 19 Nero d’Avola    

20 Petit Manseng      21 Pinot Blanc     22 Pinot Meunier     23  Pinot Noir   

24 Reichensteiner    25 Sangiovese   26 Siegerrebe    27 Schonburger    28  Syrah

 29 Cinsault                           

Wines

Chapel Down

Flint Dry

2020

Chardonnay 62, Bacchus 18, Pinot Blanc 6 Siegerrebe 5, Schoeburger 3, Reichensteiner 3 Pinot Noir 2, Pinot Meunier 1

13.50

Jurançon Geyser

Domaine

Cauhape2020

Gros Manseng 30, Petit Manseng 30 Camaralet 30, Courbu 5, Lauzet 5

 France

 12.95

St Dune Pyla McLaren Vale 2020

Nero d’Avola, Carignan, MontepulcianoGrenache, Mourvèdre. %  not known

 Australia

14.95

Montpeyroux Domaine Aupilhac 2018

Carignan 33, Mourvèdre 37, Syrah 15, Grenache 10, Cinsault 5.

 France

 15.50

Morellino de Scansano Podere 2019

 Sangiovese 85, Colorino 5, Ciliegiolo, Alicante, Syrah – total 10

 Italy

16.00

De Morgenzon Maestro Stellenbosch 2016

Cabernet Sauvignon 39, Merlot 38, Cabernet Franc 13, Malbec 10.

 South Africa

18.00

Islands in the Sun 13th April John and Kate