Wine Matters

Taylor’s is now over 300 years old. It remains a family firm, completely independent, owned still by relations of the original partners.

On the Atlantic coast at Oporto are the ancient lodges where Taylor’s priceless ports slowly reach their glorious maturity. High up in the Douro Valley is Taylor Quinta de Vargellas, one of the world’s truly great vineyards, comparable in quality to Chateau Latour. In between is the complex network of independent farmers, who have supplied Taylor’s for generations, their press-houses and wine making establishments. www.taylor.pt
 
Chris also showed how the often overloked White Port can be used as part of a refreshing long drink, when mixed with tonic water, ice and a spig of mint. Delicious, especialy outside in the lovely April sunshine in East Cork.
 
Out thanks to Colin Downey of Barry & Fitzwilliam for organising this visit. www.bandf.ie

Charlotte Read of Villa Maria Estate, New Zealand www.villamaria.co.nz. We were delighted to welcome Charlotte to the school. Villa Maria has won worldwide recognition for its wines – ‘Consistently excellent’ writes Hugh Johnson, ‘Top 10 ‘Greatest Wine Producers’, and Top 10 ‘Best Value Wine Producers’ New Zealand,  writes The Wine Report 2009
 
The students tasted the famous Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough and a lovely Pinot Noir.
 
Special thanks to Colin Downey of Barry & Fitzwilliam, Wine and Spirit Merchant, Cork, for arranging this visit. www.bfmws.ie

David Ling of Hugel Wines, Alsace, France www.hugel.com. We were delighted to welcome David Ling of Hugel, Alsace to the school. David gave a fascinating talk and tasting of the wines from Hugel, Alsace, established in 1639. We tasted several of their famous wines and David gave a great talk which we all greatly enjoyed and appreciated.
 
Out thanks to Adrian McAleer of Findlater Wine and Spirit Group for organising this visit, and our special thanks once again to all at Findlaters for their continuing sponsorship of the prize for the wine exam of the 12 week certificate course in association with Bollinger Champagne and Torres Wines, Penedes.

Jean Barthelemy Chancel of Domaine Famillle Chancel Chateau Val Joanis, Luberon, France.Chateau Val Joanis, www.val-joanis.com,  is a wine estate set on award winning gardens and olive groves, that has been in existence for hundreds of years. Jean gave a tutored tasting of two white wines, a Rousanne and a Viognier and two reds, a Syrah and a Syrah/Grenache blend. Jean also showed the students a video presentation of how their wines are made, which the students enjoyed.
 
Out thanks to David Dennison of David Dennson Fine Wines, Waterford for organising this visit www.dennisonwines.com

We were delighted to welcome back Anthony Tindal of Tindal Wine Merchants, www.tindalwine.com, to the school. Anthony gave a fascinating wine talk and tasting, covering wines from three Continents, including wines that Anthony blends himself in South Africa and Chile. The students were also treated to Vintage Champagne Champagne Lanson Gold Label Brut Vintage 1998, and Premier Crus from Domaine Bouchard Pere & Fils, Burgundy.

Andrew and Laurel Quady, Andrew and Laurel Quady, Quady Wines, Madera, California,  www.quadywinery.com, left crowded southern California and their jobs in pyrotechnics and merchandising to pursue their dream: a non-urban way of life making wine. Returning to school, Andrew graduated with a Masters in Food Science-Enology from UC Davis and Laurel became a licensed CPA. In 1975, at the urging of friend Darrell Corti, they made their first port from Amador County Zinfandel at the now defunct Lodi Vintners where Andrew was working as an assistant winemaker. In 1977, settled in Madera in California’s Central Valley with Andrew working at Heublein, they built a small winery behind their country home and made port on evenings and weekends.
In 1980 they decided to add a fortified white dessert wine to their line. The wine, from the obscure Orange Muscat grape variety was named Essensia and became a major success. In 1983, opportunity knocked when they were offered a crop of Black Muscat grapes which became the first Elysium.
By 1984 the expanding business needed space and Andrew and Laurel needed help. Fresno State graduate and former Peace Corp member Michael Blaylock, now winemaker, and Cheryl Russell, now general manager, joined and a new winery was completed. With their enthusiasm and dedication the winery continued to grow, developing more unique wines: Starboard (our euphemism for port), Electra (white and red) and VYA vermouth.
Andrew gave a tutored presentation and tasting of their award winning wines including Essensia, Elysium, Electra, Deviation and Starboard.
 
Our thanks to Conor O’Brien of James Nicholson Wine Merchants for organising this visit.

 We were delighted to welcome Jim Nicholson, James Nicholson Wine Merchant , to the school.www.jnwine.com. The Bridgestone Irish Food Guide by John & Sally McKenna in their entry about Jim Nicholson write ‘…the work of Jim Nicholson and his wife Elspeth, is as important to the food culture as the achievement of Myrtle Allen in Ballymaloe’.
 
Jim gave a great talk and tasting with a comparative tasting of Sauvignon Blanc from Touraine and Menetou-Salon in the Loire Valley and a comparative tasting of reds from the Southern Rhone, including the famous Domaine de Vieux Telegraph Chateauneuf-du-Pape (owner Daniel Brunier visited the school in 2009).