There are also regular free wine tastings, usually held in a local hotel. These are not in any way formal or intimidating, we just put out the wines we have selected, give you a glass and let you work your own way around. We are there to talk about the wines (or anything else) but we do not make a formal presentation or try to preach about them, we prefer to let the wines speak for themselves.

Most times we arrange an optional fixed price meal in the hotel afterwards to make the whole evening more special, and usually most people do stay for the meal which makes a very pleasant social event. The wines are offered at a special discount for orders placed on the night.

We also put on regular promotions for Tasting Club members offering special deals or discounts, details of these in the newsletters.

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Newsletter - 03/03/2009

Rothbury Wines Tasting Club
Newsletter March 2009


Bush Fires in Victoria

Some of you may know that I have family living in Victoria, so I have taken an extra interest in these fires. The devastation of they have caused is truly shocking. A B&B that we stayed in not long ago in Marysville was destroyed along with all but four buildings in the town, 100 people were killed there in one day.
The fires have also taken out twenty nine vineyards in the Yarra Valley wine region, about 5% of the area under vines, not so much as might have been feared, but the question now is over smoke taint of the remaining grape crop. It is too early to know how much they may be affected, but there are fears that the whole crop, already smaller than hoped for owing to very dry January weather may be affected.
My Sister tells me that even in the Melbourne suburb where she lives the smell of smoke hangs in the air the whole time.
Some vineyards in Stellenbosch in South Africa have also been devastated by bush fires, including Vergelegen a very well-known high quality producer.

Tasting

On a happier note do not forget our tasting at Embleton Hall on Thursday 12th March.
We have two really good Chilean wines from Finca el Picador, a Sauvignon Blanc and a Merlot which at £4.99 each are extraordinary value, we also have a pair of wines called Racers and Rascals from Yarra Valley, a Chardonnay and a Pinot Noir which retail at just over £6.50 each, and we will show a new Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand which is fantastically fresh and vibrant and just a tad over £8, and a succulent French red from the Languedoc region which I have been drinking very enthusiastically at home at just under £8.
Stay on for the meal if you can, Trevor always does us proud and the atmosphere is always very friendly. Ring Lindsey in the shop on 01669 620965 or e-mail me to book your place.

Fabulous Malts

If you are an enthusiast for special Malt Whiskies then you should try the ones we have in stock from Adelphi. I learned about this company when I presented a Malt Whisky tasting at the Felton Wine Society, they bottle single cask malts at cask strength, and they are very clever at selecting superb casks. We have a Macallan and a Caol Ila and one called Breath of Islay which they are not allowed to name but I think is Lagavulin. They are all very mature single casks, I have been drinking the Breath of Islay at home and it is one of the best malts I have ever had, I aim to taste the Macallan next. They are expensive but remember at 50-60% abv you pour less so they last longer. If you are into your malts these are not to be missed.

All the best

Jon

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