The new WI year started with a bang! We were pleased to welcome Andy Minto from Waitrose who gave a presentation of world wines.
The evening began by sampling Champagne- hence the ‘bang/pop’. This was compared with less expensive alternatives of Prosecco from Italy and Cava from Spain. We were told how different production methods were used with Champagne being the only one bottled on site before the ‘fizz’ develops rather than the alternative of ’tank fermentation’.
We were pleased to sample and compare well chilled New and Old World Chardonnays- generally having a creamy vanilla oak flavour.
The speaker explained that ‘Old World’ wines are produced mainly in France, Germany, Spain and Italy, while ‘New World’ wines come from South America, USA, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa with new countries being added all the time.
We were told that the taste, quality and distinctiveness of wine depends not only on the grape variety but on the particular soil and microclimate of the area in which the vines grow. New World wine was preferred by most. After a break for cheese and biscuits members then sampled red wines made with Cabernet Sauvignon grape from South Africa, Chile and France.
At this stage we decided we liked them all!
It was a most enjoyable evening – and everyone arrived home safely.
Our next meeting on 14th February is the Annual Meeting.