Dear SPWC Members
Some of you may not know but this year sees the 50th anniversary of the founding of Spring Park Wine Circle. The inaugural meeting took place on December 11th 1975 which, by a quirk of fate, coincides exactly with the date of our December meeting in 2025. Needless to say, the new committee have got their thinking caps on to ensure that this auspicious occasion (and fine achievement) is marked in appropriate manner. Watch this space.
Last Month’s Meeting
No records were broken at our AGM last month but nonetheless the chairman, secretary and treasurer must be congratulated for the alacrity with which formalities were concluded, thus enabling us to get on with the more important business of the evening. And what an evening it proved to be. Martyn and Catrine served up an excellent presentation in “Drinking with the Stars” which included some smashing wines and some cleverly worded clues regarding the celebrities whose names appeared on the bottles. A lot of hard work and preparation clearly went into ensuring a fun and informative evening that was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Thanks again to Martyn and Catrine.
This Month’s Meeting
It is a number of years since wine educator Lits Philippou was last with us. He makes a welcome return offering us the chance to taste some delicious French wines. Many of you will remember his previous presentation on wines from Mediterranean islands but this time he’s concentrating on wines from Roussillon in the south of France.
Wines of the Month
Now that Kevin has kindly taken over the cellar from Phil (thanks again, Phil), we’re slightly changing the format of the wine of the month for The Grapevine which will now feature wines that Kevin has chosen for us to try in the cellar or which will be available in the raffle at the next meeting.
The first is a sauvignon blanc from famous French wine maker Thierry Delaunay. This is a fresh and aromatic wine with intense notes of citrus, blackcurrant and green apple complimented by a fresh and well-balanced finish. Enjoy it on its own or with fish, seafood and sushi.
The next is a Rioja Reserva from Spain created by the family run Criadores vineyard. It is rich, smooth and packed full of concentrated cherry and black fruit flavours enveloped in a veil of vanilla from the extensive oak ageing. The ultimate match for roast lamb.
Finally, we have an excellent Cotes du Rhone which has ripe dark red fruit aromas and characteristic peppery notes. There is a lovely soft finish in the mouth with velvety tannins and confit fruits, hints of tobacco and leather, and nice acidity from the Syrah (shiraz) grapes as well as some spicy blackcurrant fruit.
Pub of the Month – The Golden Ark, 186 Addington Road, Selsdon, CR2 8LB.
This month we’re featuring a micropub in The Golden Ark in the middle of Selsdon. Established just a few years ago by a local couple, The Golden Ark is the first Micropub in Croydon and offers a range of rotating real ales, beers and cider as well as carefully chosen whisky, rum and gin and a selected wine list. The pub offers a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and is open daily from 1200 midday until 1100 pm. Wine by the bottle is really competitively priced – for example a nice bottle of Argentinian malbec will only set you back £13.80 and for the same money you could have a Romanian pinto noir rose. Handy competition for the Wetherspoons just up the road!
Programme 2025
The first half of the year is now complete and details can be found elsewhere on our website. We hope to be able to publish details of the programme for the second half of the year very soon.
Sunday Lunch, The British Queen, 23rd March 2025
Firstly, thanks to all those who have signed up for our Sunday lunch which takes place at The British Queen in Locks Bottom on March 23rd from 2.45 pm. There is still plenty of capacity for others to sign up as well – individual contact has been made with members so please reply to that message if you haven’t already done so. I need to submit final numbers to the restaurant by Saturday 8th March.
Other Events 2025
The new committee will be meeting shortly to decide a programme of events for the coming year so I hope to have further information for you in the April edition of The Grapevine but keep an eye on the website from time to time for updates.
Very best wishes,
Goff
1st March 2025