Our early May tastings of Teddington and Richmond Wine Societies took us up. Setting a challenge to try wines from vineyards of at least 400m altitude (we had to retreat from an initial aim of over 1,000m!), we tasted lovely lineup of aromatic, fresh wines that showed the benefits of bright sunshine (thicker skins so more concentrated flavour compounds) and cooler temperatures (particularly cooler night time temperatures, which encourage the vines to rest, and extend the growing season).
We kicked off with a Crémant de Savoie, made from 85% Jacquère grapes (a first for some of us), which combined a fresh floral noise with a creamy palate and long finish. A first for most of us was a Cypriot wine, made from the native Xynisteri grape variety which was beautifully herbal and fresh, and went beautifully with the asparagus served at the Britannia. A Torrontés Riesling blend from Amalaya in the Calchaquí Valley in northern Argentina delivered the characteristic grapefruit/floral aromas of Torrontés and super acidity of Riesling, while a third new variety presented itself in the form of Prié Blanc, native to the Aosta Valley in northern Italy.
Our reds started in southern Spain, surprisingly close to the coast with a Monastrell (Mourvèdre) from the Yecla DOP – 600m above Alicante, the cheapest wine of the evening and excellent value. Followed by the most expensive wine of the night – an Etna Rosso blend of Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio, which was very classy. We finished back in northern Argentina, with a comparison of two Malbecs from the famous Colomé Estate (the oldest working winery in Argentina). Both really deeply coloured, the 2023 from the La Brava vineyard at 1,600m was fruitier and grippier, while the 2021 from the El Arenal vineyard at 2,200m was meatier (in a good way) and smoother. A fantastic comparison and great exposition of the character – and quality – of high altitude wines.
Main course was a huge pork chop at Britannia, while Mia turned out a Cook cottage pie and Pitchfork Cheddar/Schlossberger cheese course at Teddington.
For details of the wines and pricing please go to our Wines we have tasted page.
Note the picture was taken at the Amalaya winery in the Calchaquí Valley in March this year, on the northern Argentina leg of my South American Wine Tours.
Next month we turn to fizz……
