Dear SPWC Members
We’re now officially into meteorological autumn and the evenings are starting to draw in but there’s still some decent weather around so there’s no need to batten down the hatches just yet. Quite often, September can bring some decent weather so let’s hope this September does just that. The summer rain and recent sunshine have produced a bumper crop of blackberries so now’s a good time to go out and pick a few and who doesn’t like a free meal?
Last Month’s Meeting
Another really good turnout, especially for August, enjoyed an interesting presentation by Alexandra Badoi and her colleague (whose name I have forgotten) from Maltby and Greek. The wines were all pretty good but I’m sure, like me, you found them all a tad on the expensive side. Thank you to everyone for arriving half an hour earlier than usual and for helping set up and clear away afterwards.
This Month’s Meeting
We revert to our usual starting time of 8 pm next Thursday (12th) for the return of another of our favourite presenters in Carrie Winton, of Sparkle and Spirit, who is always informative and highly entertaining. She invariably has a great selection of wines for us to try and I am sure that these will also be available for purchase at very affordable prices, after the presentation.
Wine of the Month - Tesco’s finest Floreal, France, 11% ABV.
Tesco is the first large retailer in the UK to sell a white wine made from the floreal grape variety, a new hybrid developed to withstand fungal pests. The supermarket claims that its natural resistance can lead to an 80 to 90 per cent reduction in the need for chemical sprays, decreasing tractor use, CO2 emissions, and soil compaction. This remarkable grape strikes a harmonious balance, offering bright freshness and delightful notes of gooseberry, citrus, and exotic fruit, culminating in a luxuriously smooth finish. Developed by passionate vine growers and viticulturalists committed to sustainability, the Floreal grape variety is now grown in idyllic French vineyards, nestled amongst flourishing wild flora. The wine is excellent with Greek salads, chicken skewers or stuffed courgettes. Currently it’s on sale at Tesco for £8.
Restaurant of The Month – The Fox Pub & Dining Keston BR2 6BQ, Keston.
Set in the heart of Keston sits The Fox gastropub which has recently been refurbished and serves a really good selection of top-quality pub grub. Meat, fish and veggie eaters are all more than adequately catered for and there is a pizza den open on Friday evenings, Saturday till 8.30 and Sunday lunchtimes. On Sundays there is a separate roast menu available that includes beef, chicken, salmon and cauliflower steak, all at very reasonable prices. Needless to say, as a pub it also has an extensive wine list. Booking is recommended, particularly at the weekend.
Garden Party
More than 40 members and guests enjoyed a fabulous afternoon in Sue and Dennis’s lovely back garden last month. Once again, a massive thank you to them is due from us all. Thanks are also due to Tony Cavey for helping Dennis with the cooking, to Heather and Sue for all their hard work in preparing to food and drink and to everyone else who helped make this such a great afternoon.
Social Events
At present, we don’t have anything definite for your diaries but the committee will be meeting this week to discuss one or two events for the autumn and also a date and venue for our Christmas meal. Please watch the website for further announcements.
Did You Know?
For the first time in over 90 years, the French have decided to add a new grape variety to champagne in order to future proof production of this sparkling wine. Most people will know that champagne consists largely of three main grape varieties – chardonnay, pinot meunier and pinot noir but did you know that there are four others and that soon there will be a fifth? The four currently permitted are arbane, petit meslier, pinot blanc and pinot gris. The fifth will be voltis. It is one of a new generation of hybrid vines, developed to resist fungal diseases that threaten to hit wine production around the world as the climate changes.
Unfortunately, Heather and I will not see you next week as we are away on holiday but I’m sure you’ll all have a super evening.
Best wishes to all,
Goff