To experience terroir in a glass of wine I suggest you try one my favourite whites, Chablis, or “Chardonnay from the North”. The Chablis wine region is considered to be the Burgundy Golden Gate notwithstanding the fact that its specific geographical, geological and climatic conditions have more in common with Champagne than Burgundy.

Without doubt the Chablis region is cold: snow in winter and frequent spring frosts are the main hazards for its Chardonnay vines. Located along the small Serein river valley, vineyards are planted on gentle slopes of marly layers alternating with small calcareous banks, and this peculiar soil -known as Kimmeridgean- is composed of limestone, clay and fossilized oyster shells. In opposition to the Burgundy wine making style which prefers oak fermentation and maturation to create rounder and more mouth filing Chardonnay, Chablis it’s less about oak and more about its ‘terroir’, which provides the crispness and precise austere flavour profile of its wines. For that, the traditional wine maker prefers the use of steel neutral vessels to enhance the natural acidity displayed by the Chardonnay variety in this area.

Chablis is renowned for its mineral refreshing high acidity which is hard to find in Chardonnay produced elsewhere in the world. Although this character is the most important appealing note for connoisseurs, some producers have adapted their production to the new trends, replacing stainless steel tanks with oak fermentation trying to soften the acidity and make the Chablis more palatable for most of consumers.

You must be over 18 years old to purchase wine in the UK. Proof of age and identify may be required.

Located in the heart of the Médoc in the northwest of Bordeaux, Château Lynch Bages belongs to the Pauillac Appellation, and it received the Fifth Growths (Cinquièmes Crus) rank in the 1855 Bordeaux First Crus Classification. The poverty of its soils makes the richness and grandeur of its wines that..always express great elegance and age potential. Possibly everything has been already written about this estate and its wines, so I prefer to explain how such a complex and prestigious wine can match perfectly with simple lamb cutlets as well as exotic spicy kebabs and even a Greek salad.

The 1999 vintage has a garnet tinge, and an incredible mature bouquet with notes of geranium, tamarind, green pepper and slightly foxy aromas which twist towards balsamic chlorophyll hint, wood spice and pencil shavings. On the palate it has flavours of ripe prune and mineral graphite and a light astringency of still persistent velvety tannins on the finish. This classic vintage is perfectly shown on the body which is not as full or lush as the 2000 but it is still a great Bordeaux.

Our gently spiced kebabs matched perfectly with the sweet spices note displayed from this Bordeaux, and their fresh coriander note found a good companion in the balsamic hint of the wine.

The smoky barbecue aromas of slightly burned lamb cutlets were enhanced by the toasty cedar wood aromas, and in both cases the greasiness of meat has been balanced by the good mineral acidity and the still drying tannins. The Greek salad could have been a challenge, but the chlorophyll note of this 1999 has suited at its best the always difficult flavours of the salad, and soft tannins have not ended in a metallic aromas when matched with the Feta cheese.

No doubt: the best way to celebrate at the best the upcoming summer!

Available at

www.noblevines.co.uk at £60/bottle, or other on-line suppliers

You must be over 18 years old to purchase wine in the UK. Proof of age and identify may be required.

The importance of viticulture does not lie solely in the fact that grapes are turned into wine, but also because mountainous and semi-mountainous areas with mainly barren, rocky and steep terrain are utilised. The vineyards are an essential part of the landscape and contribute to its conservation, helping to protect the environment and preventing soil erosion. Also, its soils are among the very few in the world not affected by the vine louse, phylloxera, and in which the original not-engrafted vines are still cultivated.

Today, old tradition and modern technology have combined to create interesting samples of elegant reds and fresh and fragrant whites. I particularly enjoyed an interesting white, Petritis 2012 by Kyperounda Winery, made from the strangely named indigenous grape variety, Xynistery.

With 2200 hectares under cultivation, this is the most widespread white grape variety in Cyprus used in the production of local whites and the most famous Cypriot desert wine when blended with Mavro Commandaria.

Kyperounda Winery, situated in the village of Kyperounda on the southern slopes of the Troodos mountain range is in Limassol region. The four hectares winery at an altitude of 1,400 metres is the highest in Europe with a micro climate similar to that of Bordeaux; in fact Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are also cultivated here. The minerality of the soil and the daily temperature variation are the principal factors in making Petritis (which means “stone”), the top Xynisteri wine in Cyprus.

In comparison to the other whites made from the same variety, Petritis has a darker golden colour and a broader bouquet that displays notes of acacia, ripe peach, oregano and mineral hints with a gentle aroma of butter and vanilla undertones, due to the short oak maturation.

Palate is lingering with rich fruity aromas balanced by a refreshing acidity and a moderate alcohol content of 12.5% abv.  It has an intense and long finish.

Personally, I think it is the most interesting dry white wine that Cyprus has to offer at the moment. It is perfectly enjoyable as an aperitif or paired with the Cypriot specialities, such as souvlakia (chicken kebabs), taramosalada (fish roe salad)) and other fish or seafood mezedes.

Available in the best wine shops or on line at:

www.winesearcher.com

Approx. £11 per bottle

You must be over 18 years old to purchase wine in the UK. Proof of age and identify may be required.

@ The Ship Restaurant

Spring Tasting & Wine Dinner

Friday 12^th April 2013

Arrival 7.30pm onwards, Dinner at 8.00pm

We look forward to welcoming you back to The Ship for our Spring Tasting Dinner; to celebrate the arrival of Spring, and as an appetizer to The Weybridge Wine Festival on Saturday, we will be pouring some fantastic wines with some of Alex’s courses, complementing the dishes he has created. Alex, as usual, will be on hand in the restaurant to explain each of his dishes and the ingredients involved, as well as having Simona Caprioli, of Noble Vines on hand to introduce you to, and entice you with the wines.

We look forward to seeing you all there!

The Menu

Welcome Glass of Prosecco “Bollicine” DOC – Nani Rizzi

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The Amuse -               Chilled Asparagus Espuma & Cornish Yarg

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The Starter -               Heritage Tomatoes, Homemade Ricotta & Wild Garlic Pesto

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The Build Up -               Cod Loin, Sweetcorn Purée, Smoked Bacon Crumb & Watercress

The Wine                               -               Vermentino “Meoru” 2012 DOCG – Cantina Tani

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The Main Event -               Poached & Roasted Guinea Fowl, Broccoli Purée, New Season Peas,

Broad Bean & Red Chard, Rosemary Jersey Royals & Red Wine Jus

The Wine                               -               Cannonau Di Sardegna “Donosu” 2012 DOC – Cantina Tani

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The Cheese -               Proper Stilton, English Honey & Hob Nobs

The Wine                               -               Sauternes Les Garonnelles, Lucien Lurton et Fils 2011

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The Finale -               Vanilla & Buttermilk Panacotta, Rhubarb Compote, Rhubarb Ice Cream & Gingerbread

~~~

Coffee & Petit Fours

£42.00 per person

Including Wines with Dinner &

Complimentary Tickets to www.weybridgewinefestival.co.uk

On Saturday 13^th April.

Reservations essential.

To reserve your table please contact either Reception or the Duty Manager, who will be pleased to make the arrangements for you.

~~~

Our thanks also go to Noble Vines, for providing the fantastic wines with dinner, and who will be exhibiting at The Ship on Saturday 13^th April for the Wine Festival itself; do come and visit them to sample more of their delicious wares www.noblevines.co.uk

The Ship Restaurant ~ Monument Green ~ Weybridge ~ Surrey ~ KT13 8BQ

Tel. 01932 848 364 ~ email shipgm@desboroughhotels.com ~ www.shiphotel.co.uk

All course materials, glasses, wines, exam enrolment, lunches and refreshments are provided for a total cost of £625. See our website for full details or get in touch if you have any questions for us infp@noblevines,co,uk or call 01932 828129

For full details of all WSET Courses and how to book see our website

We are delighted with our 100% success rate on all our daytime courses

Noble Vines Wine School are once again bringing their expertise to Weybridge by organising the second Weybridge Wine Festival in aid of Sam Beare Hospice. The festival takes place on Saturday 13 April, at the BEST WESTERN Ship hotel in Weybridge.

Chris Cowan from Noble Vines explained, explained “This event will showcase some delicious and different wines principally, supplied by members of the Association of Small, Direct Wine merchants. These top quality suppliers offer something different from the usual supermarket selection and they will be available for you to taste, enjoy and purchase. It was such a good day last year, that we are hoping lots of new people will come along to experience a Wine Festival.”

So whether you like sparkling, refreshing whites, delightfully fruity or sweet wines there is a wine style to suit you.  The range extends throughout the traditional wine producing counties in Europe but also includes selections from South Africa and Uruguay.

There will also be free tutored tastings and some delicious food on hand throughout the day.

Chris added “ All proceeds from ticket sales and the tombola go to Sam Beare Hospice and the event has been made possible by the crucial support of The BEST WESTERN Ship Hotel, the ASDW, the Rotary Club of Walton on Thames and Print for all.”

Tickets are £6 each and are available from the BEST WESTERN Ship Hotel, Monument Green, Weybridge, KT13 8BQ or from Sam Beare Hospice 01483 881752 or online at www.weybridgewinefestival.co.uk

Lorraine Weedon

Marketing & Communications Manager
Woking & Sam Beare Hospices
T: 01483 881750

Follow us on Twitter @wsbhospices
Like us on Facebook
www.wsbhospices.co.uk

10% of the proceeds from  any of these wine sales for the Month of March 2013 will go to Sam Beare Hospice

This month’s Superstar Wine of the Month is a wonderful Muscadet that we discovered at the French Wines tasting event in London earlier this month- simply the best we have tasted! See our website for details

Wine tasting event:

Come and join us at Weybridge Vandals on Thursday 7 March for a Charity Wine Tasting Evening in aid of Sam Beare Hospice. Enjoy 6 fabulous Italian wines with tasty finger food to match for just £22 per person

Professional Education and training courses:

Congratulations to our students who passed WSET Level 2 examinations in December and who maintained our 100% record for daytime courses. For those of you ready to take the step up to WSET Level 3 why not enrol for our part time course run over two weeks. This is ideal if your work schedule doesn’t permit you to take a whole week off. Our next course is on Thursday and Friday 18-19 April and Thursday-Saturday 24- 26 April. Click here for details.

We have developed a suite of new Front of House training courses for restaurant, pub and bar staff. Choose the one that best suits your needs- The Art of Serving Wine; Basics on Wines, Beer & Spirits (what your staff need to know but were afraid to ask) or Wine & Food Pairing Essentials. See our website, call 01932 828129 or e mail info@noblevines.co.uk for details.

Weybridge Wine Festival Saturday 13 April at The Ship Hotel:

We will once again be organising this fabulous event showcasing delicious and different wines, supplied by members of the Association of Small, Direct Wine Merchants (ASDW). These top quality suppliers offer something different from the usual supermarket selection, and they’ll all be available for you to taste and enjoy. The entrance fee is just £6, and once inside you can taste as many wines as you like, learn from free tutored tastings throughout the day and try some tasty nibbles too. For more details go to www.weybridgewinefestival.co.uk

Italian Wine Tour:

If you like Italian wines and food you will absolutely love our wine tour to the Langhe Region of Italy with spectacular scenery and fabulous wines such as Barolo, Dogliani, Barbaresco, Gavi, Moscato, Barbera d’Asti and Roero. Through our Italian contacts we have secured good access to top wineries, and magnificent restaurants. See our website for more details.

With best wishes from all of us at Noble Vines

Muscadet is made entirely from Melon de Bourgogne; a grape which DNA analysis has revealed is a cross between Pinot Blanc and Gouais Blanc.

This Burgundian variety was implanted in the Nantes area after the harsh winter of 1709 that destroyed all the existing vines. Frost resistant, the Melon found its vocation by adapting wonderfully to Nantes terroir and its metamorphic rocky soils mainly constituted by gneiss and schists.

Located at the confluence of the two rivers – Sèvre and Maine- Château Clos du Coing get its name from its location as it means Castle at the corner (of the two rivers). Built under the reign of Louis XIII and then embellished during 18th and 19th century, this typical Château of the Loire Valley is located in Saint Fiacre, the most important wine growing district in Nantes. Here the terroir is unique, vines are more than 65 years old and planted on South facing slopes, producing a yield of 50hl/ha.

Muscadet Le Clos du Moulin du Coing comes from a specific cru. It has a pale lemon tinge, displays appealing aromas of orange blossom, lemon grass, jasmine tea  with a touch of incense mixed with an iodine note of sea breeze. The palate is dominated by a lively tangy acidity impeccably balanced by a savoury note and a long refreshing tropical fruit and mint finish.

Despite the light body typical of the Muscadet style, Le Clos du Moulin du Coing displays a roundness in the palate because of the lees contacts. Lees are the natural sedimentation of the dead yeast cells during the winter, and after the alcoholic fermentation the wine rests on these deposits until the bottling at the end of March. As the wine is not racked, it retains a small quantity of CO2 which give the palate the exquisite slight sparkling feeling, so appreciated by Muscadet connoisseurs.

Pleasant as an aperitif, this Muscadet will happily accompany grilled prawns, light poultry dishes or goat cheeses such as Chèvre…..but with seafood it is a perfect match! And despite the traditional view that Champagne is the perfect companion for an oyster platter, let us express our full disagreement to this statement: Muscadet and oysters are a pairing made in heaven. Why to spend more?

Available from Noble Vines at £100/12 bottle case

http://www.chateau-du-coing.com/uk/

You must be over 18 years old to purchase wine in the UK. Proof of age and identify may be required.