This month's meeting was presented by Alison and Mike, on a theme nobody expects...
THE SPANISH INQUISITION!
The theme tonight is Spanish wines and we are trying something a bit different in that we have 3 Sherries supported by an interesting selection of Spanish wines.
- To kick off proceedings we have a sparkling wine – a Cava from the Catalan region in the NE of Spain. The Cordorniu Seleccion Raventos is made from 3 grapes – Chardonnay, Macabeo and Xarel-lo – the latter two are added to the Chardonnay to provide a more aromatic wine. It is a dry light-bodied wine with a golden colour, lemon and peachy aromas and a crisp mineral acidity. It is an easy drinking Cava that is great on its own or as an accompaniment to seafood or light salads.
ABV - 11.5% PRICE: £7.99
- Now for our first sherry – Manzanilla La Gitana, Hidalgo. Manzanilla is the “driest of the dry” sherries and is made from the Palomino Fino grape. Flor, a layer of yeast in the barrel that protects the wine against oxidisation, thrives in this maritime climate and lends the wine its tangy character. Incredibly fresh, with a salty, tangy character reminiscent of a sea breeze. A complex, nutty palate and crisp, palate-cleansing finish. This should be treated like a white wine and served chilled. A must-have with tapas.
ABV - 15% PRICE: £9.99
- The Pazos De Ulloa Ribeiro is a white wine specially selected for Majestic. Made from the Palomino and Torrontes grapes this is a fresh and crisp white wine with aromatic flavours of white peach and apple and a refreshing minerality. To be enjoyed with fish/shellfish dishes.
ABV - 11.5% PRICE: £5.99
- Pedro’s Almacenista Selection Palo Cortado is a very rare style of sherry made from the Palomino grape. It falls half way between the sweet and dry sherries and comes from the cellar of Cayetano del Pino. It is a truly magnificent sherry and is very highly rated. It can be accompanied by nuts and cheeses. This should also be served slightly chilled.
ABV - 20% PRICE: £15.29
- Vox Populi Bobal. Little known outside of Spain, the Bobal grape is native to Spain and is actually the country's third most planted variety. However production of Bobal today is focussing on quality and the region of Utiel-Requena, inland to the west of Valencia, is its heartland. The hot, arid climate here tends to produce fleshy, powerful red wines. A weighty, muscular red wine, offering a dense core of forest fruit flavours framed by smooth yet abundant tannins. Aromas have a subtle floral character. Good with strongly flavoured smoked meats.
ABV - 13% PRICE: £8.99
- Pedro Ximenez Triana. Referred to as a “Fruit Cake in a Glass” and made using overly ripe Pedro Ximenez grapes dried in the sun on straw mats. This is one of the sweetest wines in the world, and is about as sweet as things can get! Aromas of raisins, molasses, figs, toffee, caramel, nuts, the palate is incredibly thick, dense, with an oily texture, massive concentration and unsurpassed sweetness and prolonged length. The ultimate sweet wine and can be a dessert on its own but also fantastic when poured over ice-cream.
ABV - 15% PRICE: £12.99
