October meeting of the Wine Appreciation Group

Sue decided that, apart from a Prosecco, she would let Laithwaite’s choose the wines, with some interesting results.  As usual, the scores are mine and do not reflect a wider opinion and the comments come from the group members. I tend to mark low.

Solivi Prosecco (10%) was our starter and views ranged from 'lovely' to 'nondescript'. It was light, medium dry with a fresh finish and good length. 

Score – 13/20

Alta Tierra Sauvignon Blanc 2025 (12.5%) came from Chile and was quite different from either New Zealand or French SBs. It was easy drinking, with a nose of grapefruit and grass and elderflower, minerality and a zing on the palate. Generally agreed to be enjoyable, but quite expensive. 

Score – 14/20

360 degrees Roussanne Marsanne 2024 (13.4%), another Chilean wine which was very different from most white wines we have tasted. The nose was quite sweet, with sherbet lemons but for some the palate was rather sour. 5 quite liked it and 9 didn’t. However, it would taste very different when drunk with food.

Score – 9/20

Loubissou 2025 (12%) was a rosé blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Clairette made in the Languedoc region of France. A slight nose and a smooth dry palate of redcurrants with minerality. Good length with a fresh, drying finish. Some liked this better than almost any other rose they had tasted, but this was not a universal view. 

Score – 13/20

Winser Krems Blauer Zweigelt 2024 (12.5%) was a light red Austrian wine made with the champion local grape of the country. A clear red wine, nose and palate of red summer fruits, nice tannins (grip!) and good length. 'Delicious', not heavy, a hit!

Score – 17/20

Altos Crianza Rioja 2021 (14.5%) made from Tempranillo grapes made our red wine drinkers very happy. Dense and deep colour, nose of damsons and cinnamon, palate of dark fruits, vanilla with soft tannins and good length. 'Really lovely', 'chewy'. Quite expensive (for us) but very special.

Score – 18/20

L’Epervier 2023 (14.5%) was a classic Languedoc wine made from a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan and barrel matured. Another dense wine with a spicy, woody nose and palate, good tannin and good length. 'Less fruity than the Rioja, but interestingly complex'.

Score - 14/20.

Maggie Grimshaw

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Cheers from the Wine Appreciation Group