Summer Sunday Sessions

It’s summertime! Get out there, catch up with friends and family and enjoy the sunshine! Our Thursday Lockdown Live! events continue throughout the summer (19h00 BST).  But for now we say “Cheerio” to our Sunday Sessions, giving you time to get out there and explore.

A huge thank you to everyone who has joined us for our sessions.  It’s been a great way to learn and explore the world of wine. Let’s take a look back and reflect on a few wine facts we’ve shared thus far…

Tickled Pink (3rd May) & Rosé – Part Deux (14th June)
• Rosé used to be the result of failed red wine making
(to get the good stuff, go for a producer who set out to make a good rosé)
• Some countries are allowed to mix red and white wine to make rosé!
• France produce 30% of the world’s rosé
• One of Hannibal’s favourite rosé wines to drink this summer is Château D’Ollières (also available in magnums!) (wine in pic.)

Mad about Malbec (10th May)
• Malbec used to be one of the main red grapes in Bordeaux
• Argentina produces 75% of the world’s Malbec

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie (17th May)
• It is possible to get Burgundian styles of wine from producers in cooler areas of Australia (think Philip Shaw in New South Wales – ‘The Architect’ Chardonnay)
• Bordeaux produces three times the amount of wine than the whole of Australia!

Sparkling Sunday (24th May)
• Due to fantastic conditions 2018 England produced roughly the same amount of sparkling wine as the whole Champagne region.
• Method Cap Classique is South Africa’s answer to Champagne. Try tasting ‘Jacques Bruére Blanc de Blancs 2011’ (wine in pic.)

English / Welsh / Scottish but not ‘British!’ (31st May)
• England’s wine production has quadrupled in the last 10 years
• The Davenport Vineyard were the first in the UK to get organic status, in the year 2000
(they also have a winery dog called Marvin!)

Orange Wine (7th June)
• Orange wine is produced using the method for producing red wine with white grapes (the ‘skin contact’ gives the colour)
• Best paired with food, we invited you to try some delights from our friends, Russian Revels who specialise in foods from the ‘new east’. Georgian aubergine rolls & their legendary cheesy bread were a hit!

Sweetie Sunday (21st June)
• There are x3 categories of dessert wine – Fortified (Sherry, Port, Madeira), Late Harvest / Noble Rot (Sauternes, Tokaji, Late Harvest Riesling) and Passito – Raisin Wine (Vin Santo del Chianti, Recioto della Valpolicella)
• Our featured wine this week was from the popular Casas del Bosque winery in Chile. Best served chilled, this ‘Late Harvest Riesling’ pairs really well with goats cheese or a zesty lemon tart

Bordeaux explained…a little (28th June)
• The left bank of the river is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon and the right bank, Merlot – if you like soft and fruity go right bank (Pomerol, Saint Emilion). More structured wines are from the left (Haut-Medoc and Graves).
• Pam’s rule of thumb in Bordeaux – good ‘recent’ vintages end in a 5 (1985, 1995, 2005…)

Don’t mind if I Douro (5th July)
• Portugal was the first country to have DOC status, way back in 1755
• Ripanço is a soft and fruity wine, but also a traditional process in wine making

That’s a lot of learning! All of the sessions are available to watch back on our YouTube Channel. Don’t forget to check the website and keep an eye on our social media channels for upcoming events so you can be prepared with your wine and canapés.

Thanks everyone. We’ll be back with our Sunday Sessions later in the year. So for now, tune in every Thursday 7pm for wine and food pairings galore – see you there!

TTFN

Pam, Jude & Finn