WanderCurtis Wine

Wine tastings, corporate events, reviews and recommendations

Category Archives: past events


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Waterkloof wines Stellenbosch, South Africa, November 21st, 2019, 7pm at Frederick’s Restaurant with Paul Boutinot

We were  delighted to welcome Paul Boutinot founder of Waterkloof.
Paul is originally from Manchester and started Boutinot Wines. He founded Waterkloof in 2004. It is a family owned, organic, biodynamic and WWF Biodiversity Champion farm overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, False Bay near Stellenbosch, South Africa.
I had met Paul recently at a South African wine tasting at Hammer and Tongs 
We instantly hit it off being fellow Mancunians, also I spent a lot of my childhood in Heald Green where his family ran La Bonne Auberge.
His wines took my attention with their meticulous balance and beautiful tannins. After tasting them I found out that the wines are from  Biodynamic vineyards, this didn’t surprise me as they stood out from the crowd.
At other tastings I have recently attended I have marked my favourites, Domaine Zind Humbrecht, Chateau Pontet Canet and Felton Road all produced biodynamically.  I believe there’s something very special about looking after the land in this way.
It was an honour to have Paul talking about himself and his wines. He’s an incredibly humble down to earth chap who is very easy to warm too. Being a Man United fan helps too!
The wines displayed a beautiful balance.
I loved the Circle of white for its great texture balance and length. The Mourvedre with its characteristic savouriness went very well with the Welsh lamb.
Aperitif
Cape Coral Mourvèdre, Rosé 2018
Starter
Salmon duet; smoked & avocado; rillettes & pickled vegetables
Circle of Life White 2016
Main
Roasted Welsh lamb rump, potato dauphinoise, spinach, rosemary jus Circumstance
Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Circumstance Cabernet Franc 2016
Dessert
Apple & blackberry crumble, vanilla ice cream
Seriously Cool Cinsault 2018

 

Recent review of Circumstance Mourvedre

Waterkloof, Circumstance Mourvèdre 2017 Stellenbosch

17/20

“Aged in old 600-litre barrels.
Deep crimson. Not what I expected on the nose – peppery and fragrant, almost floral. Then shows the reductive character of the variety on the palate, but in a good way – smoky, dark and savoury. Even a hint of char. Blind I might have thought this was Syrah. Compact, fine and dry in texture. Lovely but embryonic. Julia Harding


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Familia Torres wine dinner hosted by Lucas Gailhac on September 17th 7.00pm at Frederick’s Restaurant

 

Torres started producing wine in 1870, they are one of the best known wine families in Spain. Their estate is based in Penedes near Barcelona however they have Vineyards in Priorat, Ribera Del Duero, Rioja , Costers Del Segre Conca de Barbera and other areas. They also produce premium wines in Chile and California.

 

Aperitif

Torres Esplendor by Vardon Kennet 2013

Loch Duart salmon & avocado tartare, edamame beans

Torres Milmanda 2016 (chardonnay)

Duck breast, dauphinois potatoes, diced butternut squash & peas

Torres Perpetual 2015 (Priorat) Torres Mas La Plana 2013 (Cabernet)

Selection of cheese from The Cheese Plate

Torres Mas Borras (Pinot Noir)

The evenings favourite was the fruit driven Mas La Plana 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, closely followed by The Perpetual Priorat which was more restrained.


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Wine Quiz Night for The Village School, Belsize Park, 7th February 2019

WanderCurtis Wine Quiz Night, Belsize Park, 7th February 2019

 

Getting together 100 people on a cold winter’s night was a formidable task. Lindsay and her excellent team were up to it.

We hosted at the Village School Belsize Park, raising money for Friends of Della and Don in support of Ratmalana in Sri Lanka devastated by the 2004 Tsunami.

We carefully selected wines to show of varietal qualities for the blind tasting quiz part of the evening and amended our wine quiz to compliment the evenings themes.

It featured an art auction with a collection of fine work from artists such as Grayson Perry and delicious homemade Italian cuisine by Riccardo of TortelliniCup.

The following wines were served-

 

Aperitif – Prosecco La Gioiosa et Amorosa NV DOC Treviso

 Wine 1 Viñalba Selección Torrontés 2018 Lujan de Cuyo

Wine 2 Grand Ardèche Chardonnay 2016 Louis Latour

 Break for Italian buffet

 

 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi 2017 Monte Schiavo

Alain Grignon Carignan Vieilles Vignes 2017 PGI Pays de l’Hérault

 

Wine 3 Edna Valley Pinot Noir 2016

Wine 4 Valpolicella Ripasso 2016 Villa Borghetti

 We used the local Majestic Wine in Chalk Farm. The Torrontes exhibited great typicity with floral fragrant notes of lychee and white blossom. This was in stark contrast to the buttery rich Chardonnay from Louis Latour.

The reds were similarly rewarding. To find a Pinot Noir of this quality from California for under a tenner was an achievement. The Edna Valley showed earthy qualities with a good red fruit core. Villa Borghetti’s Valpolicella Ripasso fermented on pomace from Amarone production displayed a richer wine with blueberry and spice aromas.

The winning table  was ‘Chardonnay’  who leapt up in joy and around £11,000  raised for Charity.


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Famille Hugel Wine Dinner with Charlotte Hugel – Thursday November 1st

 

Hugel & Fils were founded in 1639 in picturesque Riquewihr, Alsace, France. The Hugel family are pioneers of winegrowing in Alsace and their distinctive yellow label has commanded world-wide recognition for excellence. They are still run by the same family. This evening was hosted by Charlotte Hugel who is Thirteenth generation! Over a matched three course dinner, we tasted a range of the brilliant Hugel wines, from the best-selling Gentil range, Classic range, Estate range, and Grand Cru “Grossi Laüe”. The wines showed off their purity and precision and demonstrated why Hugel are one of the most respected wine family’s in France

 

 

Aperitif

Hugel Gentil 2016

Starter Prawn and Avocado Cocktail

Hugel Pinot Gris Estate 2015

Main course Pan fried Hake, Smoked garlic mash, French beans & beurre blanc

Hugel Riesling classic 2014
Hugel Riesling Grossi Laüe 2011

Dessert Blue cheese and exotic fruits

Hugel Vendange Tardive Gewürztraminer 2009

 

 

 


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Leah Seresin from Seresin Estate, Marlborough, New Zealand on June 21st at Frederick’s.

 

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New Zealander Michael Seresin is a well-known cinematographer. In 1992 he set up Seresin Estate on the Wairau river terraces of Marlborough, which has New Zealand’s longest sunshine hours. Their wines are some of the first to be farmed organically and biodynamically.

‘This is pinot noir at its best. Incredibly expressive, pretty but also savoury, a smell that leaps out of the glass and wraps itself around you, blooming like a peony.’ Victoria Moore, Wine Correspondent.

Michael’s daughter Leah Seresin presented the following fantastic wines with dinner at Frederick’s on June 21st.

Aperitif- Seresin Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2016

Starter- Seresin Estate Marama 2014

Mains-  Seresin Estate Leah Pinot Noir 2016

 Rachel Pinot Noir 2016

Dessert-Seresin Estate Chiaroscuro 2013

 

 

 


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Louis Jadot Wine Dinner at Patron Restaurant April 24th 2018

Maison Louis Jadot is a family owned business based in Beaune, Burgundy  established in 1859. They also have substantial vineyard holdings throughout the Cote d’Or as well as the Maconnais as well as producing  wine from a number of other appellations throughout Burgundy.

The winemaker, Jacques Lardière, has been with the company for over 30 years and together with Pierre-Henry Gagey and his father André before him, has built the company to be one of the finest in Burgundy.

 

We  hosted at the excellent French  Patron Restaurant in Kentish Town with Maison Louis Jadot’s  Export Director Sigfried Pic.

A three course dinner was matched with some of the finest Burgundies from the Louis Jadot range.

 

Aperitif, we compared Chablis and Saint-Véran.

The Chablis was a favourite with lees ageing adding to texture and complexity with a lovely mineral/oyster shell note typical of Chablis grown on  kimmeridgean soils

First course: Foie Gras with brioche served with Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru La Romanée 2013 – beautiful rich textured lovely vanilla from oak ageing nicely balanced with ripe stone fruit

Main course : Duck confit and Gratin Duaphinoise served with Beaune 1er Cru Theurons 2009

Dessert a selection of artisanal cheese  served with Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cazetiers 2007 and served blind the  Moulin-à-Vent La Roche 2007 in magnum


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Dinner with Champagne Taittinger – December 5th 2017

Following our brilliant evening a few years ago with Kevin McKee, UK Director of Family Taittinger, we had another treat  at Fredericks with a marvellous Champagne selection.

The evening included a tasting, hosted by Kevin, of a range of their finest Champagnes matched with a delicious three course dinner in Frederick’s private club room.

We tried their signature Cuvee of the house through to their prestigious cuvee Comtes de Champage 2006 made in tiny quantities and only in exceptional years, the ultimate expression of Taittinger.

Alongside Comtes we had the unique opportunity to try Domaine Carneros Le Reve 2007, from Taittinger’s joint venture in California. Le Reve (“The Dream”) is Domaine Carneros’ masterpiece. A prestige cuvee made from almost 100% Chardonnay grapes. This is arguably America’s greatest sparkling wine.

 

 

Aperitif – Taittinger Non-Vintage in Magnum

 

Starter – Taittinger Prelude Grands Crus

 

Main – Comtes de Champagne 2006 + Domaine Carneros Le Reve 2007

 

Dessert – Nocturne Sec Rosé NV