Wine Club tasting: France vs Australia
13 Jan 2012
Presented by Dick Parish on Wednesday 18 January 2012 (5.45pm) in Second Floor Common Room, Stopford Building, Oxford Road campus.
This University of Manchester Wine Club tasting is a comparison of single-variety wines from the two countries. Notes are mostly from the labels. Prices are those paid; all are from Majestic except the French Cabernet Sauvignon, #5 from Hawkshead. Majestic prices include the usual 15-20% discount on multiple purchases.
RIESLING
1. Turkheim (Cave Co-operative) Riesling, 2009, 12.5% £6.99
A bright fresh dry white wine, with some citrussy (sic) flavours and a crisp fruity backbone.
2. Knappstein, Hand-Picked Riesling, Clare Valley, 2010, 12.5% £7.59
Shows lifted citrus fruit aromas with distinct floral notes……fresh lemon and lime flavours are framed by the wine’s classic Clare Valley mineral structure.
CHARDONNAY
3. Mâcon Villages, Les Pierres Blanches, Lugny (71), 2010, 13% £6.99
Crisp and elegant, with apple and citrus flavours, beautifully balanced, a hint of minerality.
4. Wakefield Estate Chardonnay, Clare Valley, 2009, 13.5% £7.99
Fresh flavours of peach, citrus and tropical fruit overlaying the silky palate. Quality French oak maturation provides subtle savoury characters.
CABERNET SAUVIGON
5. Jean Balmont vdP d’Oc, 2010, 13% £6.49
Lovely intense garnet red colour and a powerful bouquet with notes of spice and liquorice. [no mention of the taste!]
6. McGuigan “Shortlist” Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009, 13.0% £11.99
From the Gourmet Traveller: powerful, rich and concentrated, with blackcurrant and black olive flavours, plush, silky smooth tannins and some complexity
SYRAH
7. Crozes Hermitage (Cave de Tain), 2008, 12.5% £8.99
Spicy, medium bodied, full of ripe fruit flavours.
8. McGuigan Classic Shiraz, SE Australia, 2010 , 13% £7.49
Generous flavours of plum and raspberry are bursting out…. a hint of chocolate and oak… a versatile wine.
Hawkshead Wines in Northampton have interesting lists and are good value for medium-priced wines (up to £7-8) – above this they are less discerning and overpriced (for my taste).
Tasting charge: £6.50
Guests welcome
If you would like to attend, please email: