Wine tasting delight

A DELIGHTFUL return to wine tasting has finally been achieved by the MorairaTeulada U3A wine group, albeit not as we have known it.

Coronavirus forced the halting of the regular monthly meetings in the spring and there are no signs of the regulations being changed any time soon.

But wine group favourite Franco Valori, who twice a year presents the very best of Corcovo wines from Valdepeñas, showed that where there is the will, he will find the way.

He has offered to provide private wine tastings at people’s homes, limited to the permitted maximum gathering of 10, including himself.

So it was that, on Thursday last ( October 8), the first such tasting went ahead hosted at their home by wine group organisers Pat and Brian Clarke.

On a beautiful sunny, late afternoon we sat on the terrace overlooking the pool. Seven wines were tasted, three red, three white and a rosé. Between them they picked up eight major gold and silver awards in 2019. Covid19 prevented competition in 2020.

To this taster’s red wine orientated palate, the Reserva Tempranillo was the star of the show, closely followed by the younger Crianza.

But the blood red Syrah, a powerful 15% in strength and served slightly chilled, was a revelation and went down a treat. “Full bodied and fruity, a bit like myself” said the everentertaining Franco.

The rosé prompted an “Ooh, that’s nice” from members, so too did the Moscato and Verdejo whites. The Airen 24 Barricas which, unusually for a white, is aged in the wood, hit the spot.

Difficult choices had to be made and some ended up ordering cases of four of the wines.

Many thanks for a brilliant evening go to Pat and Brian for hosting the event and to all the ladies present who upped the ante on the ‘ nibbles’ front.

Other wine group members wanting to host such an event should contact Franco direct or through Pat and Brian, but the group leaders respectfully ask that you invite guests who have every intention of buying some wine.

Guests do not have to belong to the wine group. All purchases of wine must be made in cash.