Ever Evolving Wine Tasting

This weekend we organized our spring wine event and with the support and help of Andrew Barraclough of the New Zealand Wine company we managed to lay on a tasting with a difference. The initial idea had been to center the event on a dinner with a live web link to New Zealand and one of the wine makers. the concept seemed adventurous and exciting but when we got to the nuts and bolts of the evening and arranging the link we really got cold feet and then Andrew highlighted the pit falls and our feet became freezing so a different approach was called for which did not rely on Eriska Broadband connection speed or time zone negotiation!

So on saturday afternoon we assembled a collection of Sauvignon Blanc, from new Zealand as this is the major export in terms of wine from New Zealand and concentrated on wines easily available in the UK to our guests. the first fact to arise was the huge variety of prices available across the UK depending on source and various promotions and the we started to compare and contrast each style as we were led by Andrew through te various nuances. After some heated discussions and constructive debate everybody had a few moments to prepare for dinner and we reconvened in the hall for stage two which was a concentration on Grove Mill a winery represented by Andrew and famous  for being one of te first Carbon Neutral wineries in the world.

Not only did we have a chance to sample the complete range and enjoy the pairings Robert and his kitchen team had chosen but Andrew was able to guide and assist with the tasting highlighting strengths and styles in the wines. once again it was a fascinating evening and i am certain that all would have left eriska on Sunday knowing a little more and hopefully being a bit wiser next time they were confronted by a choice in the supermarket!