February 2015 Meeting - New World Wines

Martin and Auriol hosted this meeting with a fine selection of wines from the new world, including a dessert wine to finish. The wines were... 

1.  MiruMiru Hunter’s Marlborough Brut NV 12.5% Wine Society £14.95

A blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier, made by the traditional method. Mirumiru means bubbles in the Maori language. Plenty of green apple, lemon and brioche on the nose; the bubbles are tight and firm giving great texture and balancing the intense citrus core.

Food suggestions: Cheese Straws, Salmon and Spinach Lasagne, Smoked Salmon

 

2. Fable Jackal Bird Chenin Blanc Blend 2011, Western Cape South Africa

13% Wine Society £9.95

A great example of a Cape white blend. 55% Swartland chenin for backbone, with layered complexity, individuality, freshness and length added by Grenache blanc, chardonnay, viognier and rousanne.

Food suggestions: Pasta with Blue Cheese and Walnut, Prawns, Hog Roast

 

3. Concha y Toro Corte Ignacio Litueche Rapel Coastal Sauvignon Blanc 2013, Chile 13.5% Wine Society £7.95

This fresh, gooseberry-infused sauvignon comes from vines perched high above the Rapel river, just seven miles from the ocean. Ignacio harvests his grapes ripe but not overripe, resulting in wines that have an appeasing freshness and vitality. The vineyard is in a cool climate, making lovely crisp, gooseberry flavoured sauvignon. Made exclusively for the Wine Society.

Food suggestions: Cheese, Mussels, Prawns, Sushi, Asparagus

 

4. Edna Valley Central Coast Pinot Noir 2012, California 14.5% Majestic £8.65

Edna Valley is one of the few valleys in California to enjoy an east-west orientation. This allows Pacific mists to drift inland and cover the whole length of the valley, cooling the vineyards, thereby creating a longer ripening season ideal for temperamental Pinot Noir. This wine has flavours of plum and pomegranate that are nicely complemented by hints of spicy oak. Fine yet ample tannins provide a mouth-filling texture and plenty of length.

Food suggestion: try with Peking duck.

 

5. Beringer Founder’s Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Central California                                       13.5% Majestic £8.99

Beringer source their grapes mainly from Central California, with a small percentage coming from selected vineyards in the cooler North Coast region, to achieve a more elegant and balanced style. The wine is aged in seasoned French and American oak barrels for 8 months.

A lush and deeply coloured wine, which is also soft and easy-drinking. A backbone of intense   cassis-like fruit is complemented by notes of baking spice and cedar, held together by polished tannins.

Food suggestion: pair with anything from duck breast to barbecued pork ribs.

 

6. Parrilla Malbec 2013, Vinalba, Mendoza, Argentina 14.5% Majestic £7.99

Sourced from mature vineyards located high up in the foothills of the Andes. 50% of the wine has been aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, to achieve a fruity yet complex flavour profile.

A deep ruby colour, this Malbec is crammed with damson, blackberry and plum flavours, accented by touches of oak toast. Smooth, ripe tannins offer a silky finish.

Food suggestion: pair with juicy steaks or sausages.

 

7. Blind Spot Rutherglen Muscat, Australia 17.5% Wine Society £6.95 half bottle

Wine making has been a family tradition in the Rutherglen region of Victoria since the 1850s. Today the region produces crisp whites, rich reds and world-famous fortifieds. It remains the unchallenged capital of fortified wines in Australia, with Muscats and todays internationally recognised as some of the world’s richest wines.