Thanks to Laura's organisation, Richard and I were invited by Laura and Dan to this delightful event in February 2019, during our visit to London. The event took place in the Berry Brothers premises at 3, St. James's Street, London on a Saturday morning and lunchtime. The four of us went along together.
We had four places saved for us in the front row of the lecture room. Around 20 people were present, and we were welcomed by our wine tutor Barbara Drew, a Master of Wines and a specialist in Wine and Spirits. Twelve empty glasses were set out in front of each of the students, and Barbara engaged the class immediately by offering us all tastes of three white wines.
The scores and comments below are my personal notes made at the tasting. First the three whites:
Wine 1: 2017 Gavi de Gavi, Brie Sassi, Roberto Sarotto, Piedmont. 7/10
Dry, sharp, acidic, becoming fruity, citrus. Cortese grape type, from a cooler climate.
Wine 2: 2017 Vernaccia di San Giminiano, Casale Falchini, Tuscany. 6/10
Rather bland, peachy. Vernaccia grape type.
Wine 3: 2017 SP68 Bianco, Arianna Occhipinti, Sicilia. 5/10.
Cloudy, mineral, less pleasant. Floral scent. Uses the skins.
Then straight onto the reds:
Wine 4: 2016 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Extra Special, Colle del Sole, N. Verga, Abruzzo. 6/10.
A Montelpulciano grape type. Dark, promising colour, slightly bland at first, a 'house wine', doesn't keep.
Wine 5: 2014 La Signora Primitivo, Manduria Morella, Puglia. 6-/10.
A Primitivo (Zinfandel) grape type. Very dark, a berry aroma, fuller flavour but acidic, tanniny.
Said to be 'aged' and 'good value'.
A Cannonau, equivalent to a grenache grape type. Very dark, less aroma, mellow taste, the best so far. Angular, red fruit, good with food. Similar in potency to a Priorat.
Wine 7: 2016 Berry Bros. & Rudd Chianti Classico by Badia a Coltibuono, Tuscany. 6-/10
Sangiovese. Very dark, looks promising, a bit disappointing taste. Very dry, still young.
Wine 8: 2013 Brunello di Montalcino, Scopetone, Tuscany. 5/10
Sangiovese grape. Brownish-red, tanniny, very dry, disappointing. A 'cult' wine. 14% alcohol, needs over 5 years ageing. Price £60.
Wine 9: 2008 Guado al Tasso Antinori, Bolgheri. In its own area of Tuscany. 8-/10
Merlot/Cab Sauv/Cabernet Franc blend. A long finish, super Tuscan, can age well. Costs £70.
Wine 10: 2016 Valpolicella Borgomarcellise, Marion, Veneto. 8-/10
Valpolicello grape. Light, not tanniny, red pepper aroma, cherry, herbal. Pleasing, drinkable.Amarone - leave grapes to dry - concentrated. Ripasso - all dry skins.
Wine 11: 2016 Barbera d'Alba, Cascina Fontana, Piedmont. 8/10
Barbera d'Alba grape. Very dark, berry, mature taste. A bit dry, taste lingers, good with food, vanilla, easy drinking.
Wine 12: 2013 Barolo del Comune di Castigliano Faletto, Cascina, Fontana, Piedmont. 6/10
Nebbiolo grape. Brownish -red colour, very dry, less pleasant. Tanniny, bitter. Acidic.
After the wine tastings, we enjoyed dinner in the Berry Bros restaurant, with wines to accompany the food, naturally!
Julia Newton, 18 March 2019.
