A Tour de France . . .  Italy and Portugal, by way of their wines

This year’s hotly anticipated Wine event is Tuesday evening at the Hall, and is a little different this time as we won’t have a competitive element. Let Alan explain:

Hello all,

Tuesday’s wine tasting is more of a wine tour.  It will explore three general areas – Northern Portugal,  Southern France and Southern Italy – whilst introducing a local white and red wine from each.  There will be no marking or accumulation of points.  I cannot tell whether a wine has any of the wondrous & bizarre characteristics that wine snobs attribute to them & so neither will you be required to.  What I can tell is whether I like it,  whether I feel food will improve it and whether I am prepared to pay the price asked for it & that is all that is expected of you.

This time all will be revealed up front.  Name,  location,  grapes,  bottle blurb and price

As usual with me there will be no chardonnay,  no cabernet & none else of that ilk.  Europe has a vast array of grapes,  all of which respond to local conditions and,  because of that,  winemakers are presented with fascinating challenges and opportunities.

We will be trying minute selection of how winemakers respond. 

Regrettably the accompaniments will not be as suggested on the bottle.  So,  where suggested,  wine will not be served with delights such as seafood.  Sauternes will not be served &,  even if it was,  there would be no Foie gras served alongside.  There will however be substitutes that should complement the wines

So come along with your £3 cash,  enjoy a taste,  contemplate and perhaps be persuaded to visit to the environs these wines come from.

Note that £3 cash please! I’m sure you’ve got some at the bottom of a drawer somewhere.

Turn up and enjoy!