Newsletter Summer 2024
Dear Members
On June 20 in the beautiful setting of Puerto Blanco, Calpe, 54 members and guests enjoyed the last of our Tastings for the first half of the year. Gonzalo Lainez of Grupo Principe de Viana presented five very different Rioja wines, which were supplied by Bodegas Blasco in Teulada. More details on the wines tasted can be found here. I have already written to all members offering the opportunity to purchase the wines tasted at substantial discounts.
The experience at Puerto Blanco was enhanced by using our new microphone/speaker system for the first time. Our very grateful thanks go to John Sloggie for researching and sourcing the system and to Patrick Harrild who has agreed to coordinate the storage, transport and setting up of the new kit at future events.
Since the beginning of the year members have enjoyed six very varied Tastings at a wide range of venues (two in each of Denia and Javea, one in Moraira and one in Calpe). In addition, we had a highly successful four day wine trip to Costers del Segre D.O., visiting five wineries and purchasing as much wine as the bus would hold. In June we held our first ever Wine Education Workshop presented by Mark O’Neil (DipWSET) from The Wine Place in Valencia. 18 members advanced their wine knowledge, covering areas such as tasting techniques, storage and tasting temperatures and wine and food pairing.
As usual, there will be no Tasting Dinners in July and August as the region is taken over by the heat of summer and peak tourist season and many of us are either travelling away from the area or have friends and family visiting. However we already have the second half of the year planned.
On 19 September we will be at Montesanco winery in Teulada. This winery marks one of the most exciting new developments in the wine industry in the Costa Blanca. The owners, who are successful wine producers in Utiel Requena have bought and planted a very large area of vines and will use their experience and knowledge of sustainable wine production to make high quality wines. Our visit will include a tour of the winery and vineyards, tasting of Montesanco wines and al fresco dining. Booking details will be sent to members in August.
On 8/9 October we will be having our Autumn wine trip, visiting bodegas in the Yecla and Jumilla regions. Planning for this trip is currently underway so details of how to book will be available shortly. As these trips are usually oversubscribed it is important to book as soon as the details become available.
On 17 October, Patrick and Helen Harrild will be presenting an evening of music and wine at Les Rotes in Denia. As many of you know, Patrick is an internationally renowned musician, so this is an evening not to be missed.
On 21 November Paul and Helen Nichols will be presenting a fun competition, testing our knowledge of Spain’s wine regions in a fun, relaxed style. This will be at a new venue: Costa Marco Restaurant in Benimarco, close to Teulada, Benissa and Calpe.
Our ‘Christmas’ meeting will, by popular demand be held on the earlier date of 5 December at Javea Yacht Club. Sara and I will be presenting the President’s choice selection of wines.
Please remember that we have a very good website with all the information you need including the dates of our upcoming tastings and trips. The address is simply cbws.eu.
Thanks to everyone who has been involved in delivering our activities so far this year, particularly my fellow Committee members and the Tasting Team. If anyone feels that they would like to contribute to our programme of events for 2025, or has suggestions for future events, please contact me. (president@cbws.eu).
I hope that everyone has a great summer and look forward to seeing you in September.
Regards
Neville
President