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What we Offer
Recent Tastings
Recent Tastings
Monthly tutored tasting, in person largely around AWC stock acquired in the past and lovingly aged; and on Zoom (dependent on Covid rules) - members bring your own wine
Recent Tastings
Recent Tastings
Recent Tastings
Events we have successfully held, descriptions in Newsletters and Reports
Upcoming Events
Recent Tastings
Upcoming Events
Events we are planning. Please contact us if you are interested in attending
What we Offer
Wine
Food with Wine
Conviviality
Each month we meet to taste around 8 wines tutored by an expert. You don't need any prior knowledge as the objective is to learn. Many of the wines come from the Association's Cellars, and the cost reflects the original purchase price of the wines. In consequence we offer tremendous value enabling you to taste wine that is very rare and at a fraction of its true value.
Conviviality
Food with Wine
Conviviality
We are a diverse bunch of people with one thing in common - a love of good wines and a desire to learn more about them, how and where they are produced. You can be sure of a warm welcome.
Food with Wine
Food with Wine
Food with Wine
We now serve a simple buffet with the food, typically, bread, cheese, tomatoes and pate. Afterwards there is a second opportunity to partake of your favourite wines from the tasting.
From time-to-time we hold a food with wine event, where we try different wines in a restaurant setting
About Us
Our Story
The Association of Wine Cellarmen was founded in 1966 to provide education to those handling wine. In those days, wine was delivered in wooden casks, and it was felt necessary for those handling the wines to know more about them and to learn to appreciate their subtleties. The association has evolved to its present-day formation where it welcomes anyone with an interest in learning about wine.
Why do we do this?
"There is absolutely no substitute for the best. Good wine must be appreciated "
In Summary
Quality Wines - Tutored Tastings in London
EVENTS - PAST AND PRESENT
SOME RECENT TASTINGS
Tasting generally start at 18:30. At St Peter's we have food with the tasting and have to vacate by 21:00
Rhones 2017
Monday 4th November 2024 at St Peter's Church Hall, Eaton Square
Following our two successful dives into our maturing cellared wines, our November tasting reverses that trend. We bought a number of Rhone wines en-primeur from the 2014 through to 2017 vintages. Having tried the earlier years during the post-Covid era, it is time to see how the heralded 2017 wines are progressing.
Australasia
Monday 7th October 2024 at St Peter's Church Hall, Eaton Square
From cellared stocks we have selected nine wines – three white and six red – from various Australian and New Zealand regions. Vintages range from 2012 to 1998, so we can expect some fun seeing how those primary flavours, so obvious when bought young, have developed the secondary, even tertiary elements. Renowned producers represented are Clos Henri, Neudorf, Torzi MaZhew, Seifried, Mitchell, Pikes, Taylor Wyndhams and (of course) P
Clarets 1990 and 1995
Monday 2nd September 2024 at St Peter's Church Hall, Eaton Square
Our first tasting after the summer break showed us superb evidence that prime wines benefit from cellaring to show their true potential. It also presented a good opportunity to check the progress of the two featured vintages of Claret – 1990 & 1995. Both stood the test well, showing, if you’re lucky enough to hold such wines, that there is no rush to pull the corks.
Garden Social - 6th July at 12:30 onwards
Venue: SW19 @ John and Jane's
UPCOMING TASTINGS
Tasting generally start at 18:30 and finish by 20:00. After food etc, members/guests can leave any time up to 22:30. Venue variations may apply.
Xmas Dinner - 13th December
Venue: Boot & Flogger, Redcross Way, Southwark SE1 1TA
The meal will be held in the Red Room at the Boot and Flogger and, because of the size of the room and to provide comfort for those attending, numbers will be restricted to a maximum of 24. A deposit has been paid for 20 but we can just about accommodate up to 24 people at a push.
The evening will start with our traditional pre-dinner reception and we will continue the tradition of having a couple glasses of sparkling beginning at 18.30pm
Members Wines of the year - via ZOOM Wednesday 18th December
Venue: Zoom
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer, mobile app or room deviceClick here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 263 833 101 105
Passcode: cnxxbe
Contact Us
Visit us in person or join a Zoom tasting
We look forward to introducing more folk to the pleasure of wine!
Next event:- St Peter's Church Parish Hall
SW1W 9AL, London, Greater London, England, United Kingdom
To attend please contact: The Secretary, Nick Seymour tel: 07754 108662 email: nick.seymour@outlook.com
NEWSLETTERS & REPORTS
Oregon and Washington
Monday 12th June 2023
1. 2018 ARA RIESLING, Willamette Valley, Brooks (Oregon)
Pleasant citrus and slaty Riesling nose, reminicent of young Saar wine. Dry yet piercingly mineral-rich due to 14%. Real Riesling in mouth, long and fruity – lime fresh. At post-event tasting this really shone.
2. 2019 CHARDONNAY, WILLAMETTE VALLEY, Flâneur (Oregon)
Steely nose, described by producer as being in the Maconnais style, which was agreed, as the acidity was quite striking. Seashells and herbs noted. Lightweight palate with little of the 13% new oak apparent. Being from a cool year this had limited scope for improvement, but was fresh with good late texture.
3. 2018 QUEENS ROAD WHITE, Reynvaan (Washington State)
A creamy looker with a strong aroma of lees, plus a touch of oak giving way to a savoury tang. Ripe but certainly not overdone - this was a stunner. That savoury element noted on palate too. Quite restrained – more to give with time. Aftertaste of yellow fruits and good spice, but overall real balance.
4. 2017 CAHIERS PINOT NOIR, Brooks (Oregon)
Light though purple shade. Nose shouted pomegranate seeds, though the genuine Pinot grape flavours shone both on nose and on palate – a definite endorsement as to why the Bourguignon producers were so keen on Oregon in the ‘80s. No aging vegetal touches noted, so plenty of life left. Added complexity on palate made this a real find.
5. 2018 CUVEE CONSTANTIN PINOT NOIR, Flâneur (Oregon)
Deep shaded Pinot in the mould of Californian examples. Like 4), had hints of pomegranate but with raspberry and a mature leathery backdrop. In Burgundy terms this was similar to the white from Flâneur, being like a fruity Macon, or even an Occidental, with aging twist of black tea and cedarwood. Quite sweet and rich from the high alcohol level.
6. 2019 THE SPELLBINDER, Sleight of Hand (Washington State)
Very deep shade and young looking. Initial tarry aroma with a background of wild herbs. Palate had soft tannins; pronounced cherries – red and black – with ripe plums gave a sweet finish. Ready now, and enjoyable.
7. 2019 Bordeaux Blend, UNNAMED SERIES, Reynvaan Family Vineyards (Washington State)
Dark purple shade. Despite being declared only 42% in the blend, this was very « Merlot » on the nose, akin to immature Pomerol but sweeter and a deal less tannic. Velvet but disappointingly lacking real substance. Palate high on cassis yet notably lower acidity than expected. More Cab.Franc and less Merlot would have made better balance. Probably the best was reserved for the main Reynvaan label.
8. 2017 LES COLLINES SYRAH, W T Vintners (Washington State)
Deep with no age rim. Solid and lush nose yet quite laid-back. Violets and some spice, but overriding impression that this was a real youngster. As impressive as many Cote Roties with gentle tannins on palate. Ripe fruit with plenty of flesh and acidity to ensure a long life. The enduring aromas in an empty glass spoke volumes. 10 year plateau, no doubt.
Champagne Tasting
Monday 22nd May 2023
1. N/V CHAMPAGNE, CUVEE de RESERVE 1er Cru, MARC HEBRART
Hebrart wines are heralded as being full & generous without being weighty; complex without being demanding. Our samples confirmed this. Amazingly lively mousse with gentle persistent stream. Still pale shade. Subtle mineral chalky element under a creamy nose, not dissimilar to neighbour in Aÿ, Bollinger. Gentle bubbly on the palate, fresh and alluringly dry with a slight nuttiness to the finish. Excellent.
2. N/V CHAMPAGNE, LAURENT PERRIER
Mousse showed age, decreasing with time in glass, yet still quite lively. Meaty nose after the elegance of Hebrart with a higher dosage. Chardonnay characheristics, albeit aging. Walnuts and lemon tart palate with a musty aging edge. Some thought this out-of-condition, but samples were star-bright. Just old.
3. N/V CHAMPAGNE, 'R' DE RUINART
Retained its pale golden shade and small bubble. Delicious mature yet subtle fruit with a brioche back. Later a good elderflower hint. Palate fresh as a daisy without being gassy, citric base with golden fruit overlay. Super wine.
4. 2004 CHAMPAGNE, NICOLAS FEUILLATTE
Last year Feillatte N/V disappointed, but this 2004, with a high Meunier element, shone. Golden and lively; larger bubble than most. Hint of confection (nougat suggested) but led to good ripe citrus fruits and cream. Palate light and frisky, certainly fresh. Lasted well in glass with increasing tertiary flavours. Very good from underrated year.
5. 2005 CHAMPAGNE, GOLD TOP MONOPOLE, HEIDSIECK & Co.
Lively and very pale. Very different nose from others. Muscular, hinting at high Pinot in blend, thus not as expressive as the 2004. Cream and grapefruit with little breakdown but quite advanced and lacking precision. Palate gave pleasing mouthfeel with good acidity balancing ripeness, Finished a tad short.
6. 1996 CHAMPAGNE, GOLD TOP MONOPOLE, HEIDSIECK & Co
A more mature looker though fizz still in good shape. Aging nose but not musty. Similar Pinot prédominance and quite toasty. Remarkably alive on palate but flavours short-lived ; fruit without depth. Good, but not for 1996.
7. 1996 CHAMPAGNE, TAITTINGER BRUT
Absolutely super ripe amd rich nose. Spicy yet dry and very long. Equally, palate showed spicy éléments, but fruit was the winner. Succulent, subtle and lingering aftertaste that suggested years left to further develop. Superb.
8. 1992 CHAMPAGNE, PERRIER JOUET BRUT
Only wine with bottle variation. The better bottle was lively but had the same dark straw shade. Pinot red fruits with balanced acidity but waning aromas in glass. Palate low on primary flavours but attractive finish.
ANNUAL BLIND TASTING
Monday 27th FEBRUARY 2023
The 2023 renewal of our popular Annual Blind Tasting, where we try to unlock the taste buds. Tasted eight wines representing eight styles with three options promoted for each of the categories. Tasters were guided towards eight correct answers in the form of Call-My-Bluff. Correct wines were –
1) N/V FLINT VALLET, SURREY, Denbies
Lively lime zest aroma. Just off-dry with citrus and riper fruits yielding to steely mid-palate. Tad short on finish.
Options – Coeur de Domaine, Valais, Dom.Rouvinez & Monsignori, Santorini, Estate Argyros
2) 2017 DESTINEA SAUVIGNON BLANC, LOIRE, Joseph Mellot
Pale gold. Good leesy nose with a touch of gooseberry leaf. Perfect balance from brisk acidity. Aromatic finish.
Options – Goriska Brda, Primorska, Klet Brda & Plot 101 Sauvignon.B., Marlborough, Rimapere
3) 2018 PECORINO, TERRE DI CHIETI, ABRUZZO, Ortona CoOp
Bright straw yellow. Rather mute nose of white peach needed a good swirl. Lightweight with green apple aftertaste.
Options – Arinto, Amores Encruzado, Bucelas, Casa de Santar & Koshu, Ajimu Moroya, Kyushu, Sanwa Shurui
4) 2014 TERRE DE FRANCE, JURANCON, Domaine de Montesquiou
Creamy yellow shade. Good herb and brushwood nose with lees leading to tropical fruit wrapping. Weighty; off-dry palate of considerable stature. Gentle acidity with a very fresh fruity finish.
Options – Terre Siciliane Fiano, Sicily, Mandrarossa & Vat 1 Semillon, Hunter Valley, Tyrell’s
5) 2014 ESTATE RED, CABERNET/SHIRAZ/PETIT VERDOT/MALBEC, WESTERN CAPE, Klein Constantia
Deep plum red. Very juicy fruit driven nose – blackcurrant with spicy hints. Soft tannins made it easy in the mouth but power asserted on mid-palate suggested plenty of mileage left to full maturity.
Options – Frontera, Cabernet S./Merlot, Central V., Concha y Toro & Merak, Vranec/Merlot, Povardarje, Tikves
6) 2014 MARGINAL, COSTIERES DE NIMES. Terre des Chardons
Quite pale garnet shade hinted Grenache. Lean-meat aroma with a gentle charming floral brush and mature fruit texture. Palate confirmed nose; ripe and quite forward but latent tannins balanced that soft fruit.
Options – 100 Days, Zweigelt/Shiraz, Burgenland, Keringer & St Andrews Grenache, Clare V., Wakefield Taylors
7) 2007 THE RED MULLET, CLARE VALLEY, Pikes Wines (screw cap)
Bright ruby with lighter rim. Hint of eucalypt over solid ripe fruit. Mulberry with spice – broad spectrum. Little hint of age on palate; still vibrant and full-bodied with late flush of soft tannin. Amazing.
Options – Gran Montana Reserve Malbec, Mendoza, Zuccardi & Imperial Autor, Rioja, Bodegas Cornelio Dinastia
8) 2005 CORNAS LES EYGATS, RHONE VALLEY, Domaine Courbis
Rich velvety ruby shade with slight pink rim. Beautifully light classy nose; hints of leather under ripe succulent berry fruit. Alluring palate, initially soft and understated until airing in glass. Sensual with underlying maturity but perfectly balanced. Long aftertaste.
Options – Shiraz Faith, Barossa, St Hallet & Shiraz Unfiltered Reserve, Yountville, Newton Vineyard
Congratulations to John Badley who won this year’s cup and a bottle of Champagne on a tie-break question
COMPARISON of PORTS from THREE TOP PRODUCERS
Monday 30th January 2023
1) TAYLORS, CHIP DRY & TONIC in cans 5.5%
An improvement on earlier tasting last spring. Fresher, crisp and zesty because of new drier tonic now made in-house. Took the edge off the 34 g/l residual sugar of the Chip Dry.
2) CROFT, PINK & TONIC in cans
Also better than when previously tasted. Berry fruits abounded on nose, but tasted rather superficial. Trendy drink.
3) FONSECA, TERRA PRIMA (ORGANIC)
Based on the 1992 vintage this is classed as “ruby reserve” but is far superior to general ruby ports. Very floral but not over sweet. Palate fleshy and full of ripe grape and berries. Excellent value.
4) 2015 CROFT, LATE BOTTLED VINTAGE
Unlike unfiltered Fonseca’s LBV, this did not need decanting prior. Hefty shade and nose yet surprisingly approachable. Quite sweet with violets aroma. Started rather short but blossomed on aftertaste with more florality.
5) TAYLORS, 20 YEAR OLD TAWNY
A ruby-red hue from maturation in 600 litre barrels. 3% loss p/a to angels, so regularly topped-up. Balance between texture and sweetness just right. Hazelnut tang had improved with light chilling before serving. Poise on palate; soft and gentle from the aging with assimilation of alcohol complete. Spice and chocolate from 108 g/l residual yet finished dry.
6) 2013 TAYLORS QUINTA DE VARGELLAS, SINGLE QUINTA VINTAGE
Surprisingly little crust pre-decant, yet very deep shade. Nose a creamy fruit basket, especially ripe damson and fig, with dried fruit and leafy middle. Quite lush with a considerable tannic bite. Blackcurrant liqueur – a baby; top notch.
7) 2008 FONSECA GUIMARAENS, SINGLE QUINTA VINTAGE
Heavy deposit, but retained deep purple/garnet hue. Plush plum and black fruit aromas, far more “feminine” than Vargellas with a great dry, even slaty, middle. Super concentrated palate; seductive with medium length. Although a lesser year, this would undoubtedly improve with cellaring (10 years?).
8) 2004 CROFT QUINTA DE ROEDA, SINGLE QUINTA VINTAGE
Very heavy deposit. Rosy rimmed, and far more advanced than 6) & 7). Still robust nose, slightly burnt with black cherries to the fore. Opulent palate and drank well with the softer tannic structure. Touch of alcohol noted on aftertaste.
9) 2003 CROFT, VINTAGE
Annoying! When decanting, this smelt woody with hint of corked-ness. This was subdued with airing leading to a soft, floral and lightweight palate. However, a day later at the tasting this was definitely corked, with no amount of airing helping to shift it. Bizarre, from the best producers of cork, that it affected a fortified wine so markedly.
10) 2003 TAYLORS, VINTAGE
Less deposit than Croft, yet looked lighter. However, a real fruit cake nose – currants, cassis, plums and dried fruits. Youthful sweet palate with soft ripe tannins to balance. A true vintage port that will not need decades to be ready.
What we will drink for Xmas - Zoom tasting
Friday 23rd December 2022
Xmas Tasting at The Boot and Flogger
Friday 9th December 2022
South African Selection from Mentzendorff
Monday 5th September 2022 at St Peter's Church Hall
Mentzendorff Post tasting notes (doc)
DownloadNoughty Tasting of Wines from Bordeaux
Monday 28th February 2022 at St Peter's Church Hall
Newsletter 2202 pdf (pdf)
DownloadWines from the Loire and the Loir
24th August 2021 via Zoom
Newsletter 2110 pdf (pdf)
DownloadBurgundy including Beaujolais
21st June 2021 via Zoom. A really interesting tasting with many varied wines many acquired from UK supermarkets
Newsletter 2107 pdf (pdf)
DownloadAustralian Wines bottled in Oz
24th May 2021 via Zoom. Members took care to source wines actually bottled in Australia. Not so easy!!
Newsletter 2106 pdf (pdf)
DownloadWines from United Kingdom
26th April 2021: The eleventh Zoom Tasting and a subject a bit off-field
Newsletter 2105 pdf (pdf)
DownloadWines from Eastern Europe
29th March: the tenth Zoom Tasting with some interesting wines all locally available
Newsletter 2104 pdf (pdf)
DownloadInterested in Membership? Cost is £20 per year payable 1st October for the next 12 months
Contacts: Secretary - Nick.Seymour@Outlook.com
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