December 07

Weekly Blog Monday 10th December

For the 3rd consecutive year, we were Royally entertained by Sommelier in Training,
Mr Bollinger, a.k.a David Rankin.
This year David brought along a selection of truly magnificent wines which represented either good value or good taste or both!
We kicked off with a French Sauvignon Blanc at £4.99 a bottle. We came to the conclusion that there was a deal of grapefruit and lime in evidence with this wine and it was generally enjoyed.
Next was a Chilean Chardonnay 2006 at £4.98 which had a ring of mango and pineapple about it and wasn't enjoyed quite so much as the Sauvignon by the 'experts' in the room.
This was followed by a rather splendid South African white table wine which cost £6.98 and came from the Diamond Coast. With a long smooth after-taste, this wine carried lots of peach, apple and citrus flavours.
After a break and a visit to a crowded 'boys room' we continued with David's selection of red wines, the first of which was French. It was a Syrah grape from Chateau De Jau in the Rousillon region, recommended by Robert Parker and Hugh Johnson, this wine will be drinkable up to 2010. It cost £11.00, was universally admired and offered by David as tonight's Star Prize for the person guessing the price of a bottle.
David then presented us with a South African red form Table Mountain. A Merlot grape wine, silky smooth, medium bodied with a taste of raspberries, cherries and vanilla. It cost just £3.98 and was a joy!
The finale was a French Claret from Bordeaux. A Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon wine it brought an abundance of red fruits and blackcurrants to the pallet and was recognised as being an ideal accompaniment to meat dishes, pasta and cheese. All for £3.78!
Great evening once more David. Roll on (hic) next year.
Oh! yes. And it was Ron Roberts who got the nearest with the price of the Chateau De Jau and went home cradling his prize. Lucky so-and-so.

Rtn Brian Holt