Forecourt Tasting - Weekend 5
Tour of the Americas
Up next for the Forecourt Tastings we have a Tour of the Americas. This menu will showcase 6 wines from across North and South America. 2 wines from the USA, 2 wines from Chile and 2 wines from Argentina.
With the close proximity of big wine producing regions, such as France, Spain, and Italy, sitting just on our doorstep. It can sometimes be forgotten that across the pond there are three very big wine producing countries that hold a quality level equal to their European friends. These countries have there most common grape varieties which contribute to the majority of wines produced. Such as Clarksburg, California is known for its Chenin Blanc production. This menu showcases a new wine from this area for £18.00 Mixed 6.
Come along on Friday and Saturday evening to taste these amazing wines and see why they are so popular for people looking for New World wines. The wines that will be open for you to taste will be:
- Burlesque Zinfandel
- Pine Ridge, Clarksburg Chenin Blanc Viognier
- El Grano Carmenere
- Tabali ‘Pedregoso’ Gran Reserva Viognier
- Caballero de la Cepa Malbec Reserva
- Colome Torrontes
Open on Friday from 4pm till 7pm and on Saturday 2pm till 7pm. There’s no need to book, just turn up and member of staff will be there to guide you through the tasting of these amazing American wines.
Tour of the Americas
by Debbie Buckley
On the weekend of the 18th & 19th November, we jumped into the tasting Touring the Americas. We had 6 bottles of wine open to taste, 3 reds and 3 whites. These included wines from America, Argentina, and Chile. Some of these wines really surprised people with the high quality of wines available for lower prices.
Starting in America, we had a white Chenin Blanc and Viognier wine from Pine Ridge in Clarksburg California. On the high side price-wise, this wine defiantly shows its higher quality. Coming from a warm area of America, the wine is fuller in body and full of tropical ripe fruit. The blend with Viognier adds balance to the wine, this was the preferred white of the weekend. The red open was the Burlesque Zinfandel also from California. This state is best known for its high-level Zinfandels and this one didn’t disappoint. This is a wine that packs a punch, with full body texture and intense dark fruit flavours. At under £10 (Mixed 6 price) this wine is great value for money.
Next, we moved down to Chile, for a white wine we have open Tabali ‘Pedregoso’ Gran Reserva Viognier. Chile is a great producer of Viognier wines; the climate is well-suited to this grape variety. This style of wine is greener, with more acidity on the palate. This was enjoyed best by people that like the crisper fresh white wines. We also had open El Grano Carmenere, this is the most planted grape in the country. This wine adds an element of herbaceous flavours to the line of reds this weekend. At £11.50 (Mixed 6 price) this is a great weekend wine to crack open with friends.
Lastly, we moved over to Argentina, for a white wine we have open Colome Torrontes. This wine comes from the northern region of the country and uses the most common white grape planted. The resulting wine is elegant and fruity, and at £13.00 (Mixed 6 price) a great option if you’re trying this grape variety for the first time and want a soft introduction. Now we couldn’t go to Argentina without trying a classic Malbec. This one we had open is a very new addition to our range. The Caballer de la Cepa Malbec Reserva, priced at £8.00 (Mixed 6 price), yes you read that right, is a great representation of this grape variety from this region. Now it’s not one that will blow your brain up with its complexity, but it is a classic style and it’s done well. The most popular red of the weekend by all that tried it.
