Dear SPWC Members
It suddenly feels very autumnal, doesn’t it? The mornings are becoming misty and chilly and the leaves are starting to turn. There’s a horse chestnut tree close to where we live and one morning, after a windy night, the ground was strewn with fallen conquers. I don’t recall seeing so many. In my younger days I would have collected them and used the better ones to play conquers in the school playground. Apparently, kids can’t do that these days on health and safety grounds. How ridiculous!
Last Month’s Meeting
Last month’s meeting was a change from the norm but I thought that Andrew and Richard dovetailed really well together. Andrew’s experiences as a cartographer working with, amongst others, Oz Clarke proved to be fascinating and Richard’s choices of ancient, old and new wines worked excellently alongside the maps. Thanks to both of them for a highly enjoyable evening.
This Month’s Meeting
This month we have a presentation on English wines from our own Bob Shambler which, given the success of such wines both nationally and internationally, is going to be another excellent evening.
Wine of the Month - Vina del Cura Gran Reserva Rioja, Spain
This intensely concentrated Rioja has been barrel-aged for a minimum of 2 years before maturing for a minimum of 3 years in the bottle at the award-winning Baron de Ley winery. Hand harvested Tempranillo grapes create this premium wine, full of mellow black fruits, hints of vanilla and exotic spice, producing a creamy texture. It pairs well with roast lamb and beef as well as hearty winter stews. You can pick up a bottle for just £8.50 at Tesco.
Wine of the Month - Vina del Cura Gran Reserva Rioja, Spain
Pub of the Month – The Royal Victoria Pavilion, Ramsgate
Who doesn’t like a Wetherspoons? Well, if ever you find yourself in the Kent seaside resort of Ramsgate, you can visit the biggest ‘Spoons in the country in this striking old building. Built as a concert hall and assembly rooms in 1903 on a design by architect Stanley Davenport Adshead, it was based on a style of a Robert Adam orangery. The interior is said to be derived from the Little Theatre at Versailles. A grade II listed building, it became a nightclub, then a casino but closed in 2008. It became a public house in 2018. Of course, you can find all the usual Wetherspoons food and drink in the pub at the usual low prices.
Christmas 2025
Several members have already signed up for our Christmas meal which takes place on Monday December 8th at The Agra Indian restaurant at Eden Park. The restaurant will be ours for the evening so we can make as mush noise and merriment as we like. The menu for the evening appears below (I apologise to the grammarians amongst you for the dreadful insertion of unnecessary apostrophes – not of my doing I can assure you). I believe the cost is going to be just £20 per head and that includes entertainment for the evening as well. Absolute bargain. Please add your names to the list if you haven’t already done so.
On A Lighter Note……
I’ve trained my dog to bring me red wine – it’s a Bordeaux collie.
Sometimes we all need a little Riesling to be cheerful.
What wine makes you drowsy? Sauvignyawn blanc.
I’ll fetch my coat
Very best wishes,
Goff