Umberto Cantele third generation of Cantele Wines of Puglia hosted this memorable evening at Fredericks a day before Burns night 2024.
Adam, his father and brother visited Umberto at Cantele winery in Salento a few years ago and have been long planning this dinner.
The whole family is involved in the business. They have 50 hectares of their own vineyards and manage a further 150 hectares. Their primary focus is on local native grapes of the region, including Primitivo, Negroamaro and Susumaniello for the red wines, and Verdeca and Malvasia Bianca for the whites. The winery also produces pure expressions of international varieties such as Chardonnay.
Aperitif
2022 Verdeca, Cantele, Puglia Stone fruit with ice texture and medium acidity
With Starter
2021 Teresa Manara IGT Salento Chardonnay
2021 Teres Manara Vendemmia Tardiva Chardonnay The star of the show tonight
rich textured beautiful oak integration caramel vanilla butter stone fruit
With maim
2021 Amativo, Cantele, Puglia lovely blend of NegroAmaro and Primitivo delicious rich black fruits hints of smoke and choclate
2022 Primitivo Puglia IGP, Cantele
Thanks to the crowd of 31 who braved dry January. Special thanks to Umberto who gave us great insight into his family winery and brought his Italian warmth to a London January.
Olivier captivating the crowd of 34 at Frederick’s
We were so impressed by the wines of Errazuriz at our last dinner with Magui Chadwick that we have decided to host another dinner with some of their new releases.
The Errazuriz Estate was founded in 1870 in the Aconcagua Valley in Chile. Don Maximiano Errazuriz, the founder, planted the first French vines in this region and it is widely considered as the premier family wine estate of Chile.
The Aconcagua valley’ is affected by cool ocean breezes, hot sunshine and rocky soils, this provides the ideal conditions for growing high-quality grapes such as Chardonnay,Pinot Noir Carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines have intense flavours and a perfect balance of acidity and tannins.
We tasted 6 of their wines including their premium selections from a variety of grapes and vintages over a three course matched tasting dinner in Frederick’s private room.
A fine selection tasted over the course of the evening, not a drop leftMy Junior Doctors enjoying some extracurricular education
Apéritif
Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs NV
Lovely Zesty and biscuity 100% Chardonnay 4 years on Lees
With starter
Tomato & mozarella arancini
Aconcagua Costa Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Nice texture taught capsicum notes hints of passion fruit
Aconcagua Costa Chardonnay 2021
ripe fresh great balance and some vanilla notes
Steak, chips, chimichuri sauce
Aubergine parmigiana
With main course
Max Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 vintage in magnum
Blackcurrant fruit and leaf
Don Maximiano Founders Reserve 2018
Rich layered and complex delicious now but built to Mature
Pinot Noir is a difficult grape to grow. There are only a few places in the world which can express the secrets of Pinot. Burgundy of course, Central Otago in New Zealand and Oregon.
Oregon’s Willamette Valley offers the perfect conditions for growing the delicate Pinot Noir grape, combining the elegance and complexity and of Burgundy with the benefit of American sunshine. This leads to the most beautiful perfumed red fruited wines.
In April 2013 Jacques Lardière who was leading winemaker at Maison Louis Jadot for 42 years formed a collaboration with Thibault Gagey whose family had operated Maison Louis Jadot since 1962.
Résonance is Maison Louis Jadot’s first wine project outside of Burgundy since their founding in 1859
Resonance Wine is sourced from two vineyards: the 20 acre Resonance vineyard planted in 1981 and the 18 acre Decouverte vineyard located 10 miles from Résonance Vineyard in the Dundee Hills AV
We will be tasting the following six wines including their excellent Chardonnays with a matched 3 course dinner in Frederick’s Private club room.
Aperitif
Resonance Decouverte Vineyard Chardonnay 2019
Starter
Beetroot cured & horseradish cream salmon, mixed leaves or Stuffed courgette flower tempura, beetroot carpaccio, pine nuts, balsamic dressing (vegetarian)
Esporão was founded in 1973 by José Roquette and Joaquim Bandeira,
They are one of the leading wine companies in Portugal and one of the largest organic wine producers.
They have three wineries – Herdade do Esporão in Alentejo,
Quinta dos Murças in Douro and Quinta do Ameal in Vinho Verde –
In Alentejo, all of their vineyards are certified organic, as well as those at Quinta dos Murças, Douro. They own 623ha of organic vineyards – the biggest ownership in Portugal, representing about 18% of total organic production in the country.
We tasted a selection of their wines from their three regions, Vinho Verde, Duoro valley and Alentejo with a matched three course dinner in Frederick’s private room on Tuesday February 7th 2023. Hosted by Pedro Lopes Vieira Sales Manager at Esporao Wines
Aperitif –
Quinta de Ameal Loureiro
From the Lima sub-region of Vinho Verde, the birthplace of Loureiro, this vibrant wine really shows the huge potential for this eminently approachable variety. Reminiscent of lemon sherbets, zingy, fresh and lively, yet intense and balanced wine, that will evolve well over the next 15 years
Starter –
Smoked salmon with potato & beetroot salad Frederick’s Waldorf salad
Monte Velho white
A blend of Antão Vaz, Roupeiro and Perrum from 18-years-old vineyards planted on granite, schist and clay soils. Fresh and balanced, with a firm body, citrus and white fruit characters and no oak.
Herdade do Esporão Reserva white
An organic blend of Antão Vaz, Arinto and Roupeiro, fermented and matured for 6 months in a combination of tanks and new American and French oak barriques. The calling card for the range with an elegant, creamy palate, notes of peaches and nutmeg.
Esporão Reserva Red was the first wine launched in 1985 and it still represents the estate’s diverse winemaking history. A true Portuguese blend of native varieties that are fermented separately, then blended together and aged for 12 months in American and French oak barrels, with a further 8 months of ageing in bottle before release. Black fruits, nutty and black pepper notes intermingle on the rich and complex palate that doesn’t disappoint.
Quinta dos Murças Reserva red
This Reserva is from some of the oldest vineyards of the estate, located between 150m and 280m with a south and westerly exposure. Its special terroir gives the final wine its complexity and longevity. Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Sousão, Tinta Amarcela, Tinta Barroca and Tinta Roriz combined with 12 months in oak result in an intense, balanced beauty dominated by black fruits and spice
Dessert
Pear & almond tart, clotted cream
Quinta dos Murças Tawny port
A wine with gravitas and history, from the first vertical vineyard planted in the Douro Valley in 1947. One hectare of vines is planted on schist soils at altitudes greater than 262m, with a southeast exposure. The highest expression of the estate terroir, characterized by great harmony and elegance, with fine mature tannins and balancing acidity, with a great ageing potential.
Alberto Zuccardi, planted the first Zuccardi vines in a small plot in the Maipu region in 1963. Located in the Uco Valley, Mendoza which is at the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Argentina
They were voted The World’s Best Vineyard in 2020. Sebastián Zuccardi the third generation of the family, continues the family business and is one of South America’s finest winemakers. He added a Research and Development Wing in the family winery, to learn and analyse more about the terroirs.
They are known to produce some of the highest quality of wines in South America. The vineyards enjoy the benefits of altitude and a cool dry climate throughout the year. They are high-altitude wines (from grapes grown at least 500 metres above sea level). At high-altitudes, vines get more sun during the day and are cool at night. This diurnal variation intensifies the flavour of the grapes. Zuccardi’s San Pablo vineyards are situated 1500m above sea level. Their Paraje Altamira vineyards are at 1,100 metres altitude.
We had a selection of their brilliant wines including their single-varietal estate wines primarily made from Malbec with a matched three course menu.
Our next Wine Event with Zuccardi wines October 27th 2022
Nico had flown in that morning from Mendoza. Zuccardi had been elected for the Hall of fame the night before. He gave a great introduction into Zuccardi and amongst other things discussed ageing in new concrete eggs.
Zuccardi Blanc de Blancs 2017 Delicious, very Champagne like, autolytic with a lovely freshness
Zuccardi Valles Torrontes 2020 Beautiful florality and fruit. A perfect match for the gentle spice of the prawn piri paparadelle
Zuccardi Q Chardonnay 2018 lovely mouthfeel balanced oaked influence and good length
Zuccardi Tito Malbec Cabernet Franc 2017 Concrete then oak aged, plenty of ripe fruit nicely balanced with a touch of spice and vanilla
Zuccardi Concreto Malbec 2019 delicious Malbec with rich fruits and no oak influence
Zuccardi Malamado Fortified Malbec NV well matched with Tiramasu brought out hints of chocolate and mocha.
Tedeschi is a family-owned and run winery producing renowned classic Veronese wines, including Valpolicella, Amarone, Ripasso and Soave.
The Tedeschi family has been making wine in the Italian Valpolicella Classico wine region since the Seventeenth Century. They produce four types of Amarone and five Valpolicellas
The Tedeschi estate is comprised of four main vineyards : Fabriseria, Monte Olmi, Tenuta Maternigo and Lucchine.
Over a three course matched dinner we tasted 6 of their wines.
This was a great chance to try Amarone della Valpolicella. This is an intensely flavoured red wine made from grapes which have been dried on racks to intensify flavour. It is made in the Veneto region of north-eastern Italy, and is one of Italy’s most prestigious red wines.
We held a small auction of a few select wines from our wine cellars and extremely generous wines fro Tedeschi and raised nearly £2,000 for charities supporting Ukraine.
Founded in 1879 Bodegas C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinicola del Norte de España) is still owned and run by the Real de Asua family.
There are four brands under C.V.N.E umbrella.
CVNE – (coonay) the flagship brand , made every year,classic Rioja made in the traditional style.
Imperial-rich, full-bodied Riojas, with the Reservas and Grand Reservas being some of the most long-lived in the region today. Excellent for aging and only made in the best years.First made in the 1920’s benchmark style of classic Rioja.
Vina Real- more fruit forward with a stronger new oak component more modern in style with a higher percentage of Garnacha made in a state of the art no expense spared winery outside Logrono
Contino- single vineyard brand established 1973 in Rioja Alavesa more fruit forward than Imperial or Vina real
This was a great way to welcome in 2022. We had a packed crowd of 34 wine lovers for this wine dinner hosted by Quentin Sadler. The wines were fabulous. Favourites were the deliciously textured delicately oaked Contino Blanco. The Rioja Reserva’s were fantastic with the Welsh lamb and the Contino Gran Reserva 2011 finished things off in style.
There was no better way to celebrate our first wine dinner since the start of the Covid pandemic than with the inimitable wines of Michel Chapoutier.
Maison Chapoutier was founded in 1808 and Michel Chapoutier took charge in 1988, he became the seventh generation of his family to run the Domaine. All his vineyards are farmed biodynamically.
We were lucky enough to meet the eccentric and amiable Michel at a party in his Maison when we arrived in Tain Hermitage some years ago. His wines are extremely high quality.
They have vineyards in the best sites including Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, St Peray, Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu and Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
They also produce in other areas of France such as Roussillon and outside France including Australia Portugal and Germany
Guillaume Lafragette, Brand Manager of M.Chapoutier presenting excellent wines
The atmosphere in the Club room at Frederick’s marked the occasion. A packed crowd on 34 wine lovers included new recruits including a cohort of wine enthusiasts, currently doing their WSET exams. We started with an introduction of Chapoutier. Guillaume Lafragette Chapoutier brand manager was equally as excited to be back to live events as our attendees
The wines showed incredibly well. Stuart’s Tasting notes below-
Esteban, Domaine de la Combe Pilate, VDF, Sparkling, White
Made using methode ancestralle where there is only a single fermentation which is stopped while the wines are put in a capped bottle to finish without any added yeast or sugar (unlike methode champenoise/traditionelle).
Light bubbles, bready, with a faint apricot nose. Opened up as it warmed up to expose more Viognier character. 9% ABV, very drinkable, not overly complex.
M. Chapoutier Les Tanneurs, Saint-Péray, White
100% Marsanne made in stainless steel. Apples, citrus fruit, mineral nose. Body medium +, acidity med +, very good balance between the fruit and acidity, with a lingering saline and slightly bitter finish. Very elegant, long and worthy of its place.
M. Chapoutier Mathilde Duché d’Uzès Southern rhone blend
A fuller wine made from a blend of Viognier, Grenache blanc, Marsanne and Roussane, fermented and aged in stainless steel, from clay-limestone soils. Apricots and other ripe fruit, some white flowers (Viognier), balanced with the cut of acidity from the Marsanne and Roussane, creating a beautiful blend that somehow balanced all the different weights and flavours.
M. ChapoutierSicamor, Crozes-Hermitage, Red
100% Syrah from Crozes Hermitage, made in concrete tanks. A very typical Syrah nose of leather, spices, pepper, and black fruit, with great balance. Showing some meaty notes as the wine opened up, with a penetrating fruit concentration, fine tannins and lovely overall balance. A very classic example of Crozes.
Bila-Haut Occultum Lapidem Cotes de Roussillon
Blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan from Roussillon. A brute of a wine, dark in colour, exploding with garrigue and dried dark fruit, very herbaceous and spicy nose. On the palate, the wine overwhelms, with a bit of fiery bite, biting tannins as you get a sense of the individual parts of this wine as well as a good dollop of the 14.5% ABV. The wine is still quite primary, not quite knit, but based on experience, will evolve into a balanced beautiful expression of the terroir. Give it 5-7 yrs same to tame and settle.
M. Chapoutier Bila-Haut Banyuls
Made from 100% Grenache noir, fermentation stopped by the addition of alcohol to create this 17% sweet and elegant dessert wine. Chocolate powder notes with kirsch, liquer dipped cherries. Smooth and delicious with both the chocolate pot and surprisingly, the Stilton. From 500cl bottles
My favourites on the night were the St Peray 100% Marsanne for it smooth full body and texture. Stuart was more of a fan of the Clos d’uzes Mathilde and the fruit packed well balanced Sicamor Crozes Hermitage.
I was pining for mature cheese with the Banyuls rather than the chocolate dessert. True to form my father delved into his travel bag and delivered a selection of mature cheeses including Michel Chapoutier personal favorite Blue Stilton.
We would like to especially thank the excellent Hatch Mansfield for their great assistance with this dinner.
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.
“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
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.
WanderCurtis Wine 