Our year of tastings at Teddington Wine Society culminated in our Christmas Extravaganza.
We started with one of my favourite wines – the Blanc de Blancs from Boutillez Guer, a producer I have known since the 1990s, and who some of us visited during my wine tours to Champagne this year. In Magnum it was a super start to our evening, followed by a Sauvignon Blanc from another of my favourite winemakers, Kevin Judd. I hope to catch up with Kevin during my wine tours to New Zealand in 2026. A 2020 Chablis Premier Cru from renowned producer Samuel Billaud completed our whites, drinking beautifully.
Our first red was the flagship Pinot Noir from Tolpuddle, in Tasmania. A multi medal winner at this year’s wine awards, and fabulous. As was a very old favourite – the Unacepa from Valduero in DO Ribera del Duero, who put on wonderful visits for us during our tours to Castilla y Léon this year. Another place we have visited many times, and this bottle (made from the equivalent of a single Tempranillo vine’s grapes) offered a great contrast – powerful and rich and very pleasing. A great contrast with the Gran Reserva 2016 from Rioja Alta (who we visited in 2023.
We finished with Sicily – Donnafugata’s Ben Ryé, made from Muscat grapes from the island of Pantelleria. A historic wine, that showed beautifully and would be a lovely accompaniment (or antidote) to Christmas pud and/or mince pies.
Hannah and Tabby did a great job in the kitchen as always and a great evening was had by all.
For details of the wines please go to the Wines we have tasted page.
