Newsletter March 2023
At our February meeting 51 Members and guests enjoyed a very interesting tasting organised by Tasting Team members, Neville and Sara Richardson at the restaurant in Javea Golf Club. Neville introduced Gonzalo Lainez who is a distributor of unique Spanish wines. Gonzalo presented wines from the region of Castilla y Leon, between the DO’s of Ribera de Duero and Rioja. All those present enjoyed Gonzalo’s amusing style of presentation as well as the informative introduction to these delicious wines. Members certainly enjoyed them as they have ordered a total of 48 cases The restaurant team provided excellent service and we received very positive comments about this venue, so we will plan to return here in the future. For more information and photographs click here
Membership Renewal
A gentle reminder that 2023 subscriptions must be made by March 31, 2023. If any member is having difficulties accessing their Spanish bank accounts from the UK, please contact the membership secretary, Helen Granville: hpgranville@gmail.com
The amount per person is unchanged at €25.
IBAN ES81 2100 9015 2102 0021 8418 Costa Blanca Wine Society
Please check that your name is in the reference section – different banks name this section differently. A significant number of people don’t insert their names here, which does complicate the accounting.
Next Tasting March 16, 2023 – 7.30 pm
Our March tasting will be held at the lovely Restaurante Los Amigos, Cami Cabanes, Jávea and will be hosted by Tasting Team members, Hugh Epsom and Gillian Ashworth who have provided the following introduction:
Are you looking for something different from Spanish wines? Yes? Well, we have some lovely South American wines for you to taste! They include a great Chilean Carménére, an Argentinian Torrontés and a couple of Malbecs, all from well-established Chilean and Argentinian bodegas from the Valle del Maule in Chile, and the Valle de Uco, Mendoza and Tupungato in Argentina. A tasting not to be missed!
Please make your booking with Penny Floodgate and advise her of your choice of main course – meat or fish.
MENU
Starters to Share
Carpaccio de tomate con salmon ahumado
Gambas al ajillo
Crema de verduras
Main Course to choose
Secreto Iberico con alcachofas y ajetes
OR
Lubina a la sal aromatizada
Dessert
Mousse de chocolate blanco con frutas de bosque
Price: €40 Members; €45 Guests
Dress code smart casual with jackets and optional ties.
Bookings will close as usual the Friday before the tasting which, for this month, is 12.00 noon on FRIDAY March 10. Please ensure you make your booking in good time. Guests’ places will be confirmed by the previous Friday.
Any cancellations after the deadline will still require payment to be made for you and/or your guests.
Reservations please to: Penny Floodgate on her new number Tel: 96 529 1824 or email: pennyfloodgate@gmail.com Penny will always confirm receipt of your booking. If you have made a reservation and do not receive a confirmation from Penny you are not booked, so in that case please check with her. Once confirmed please pay the relevant amount into our bank account as follows:
IBAN ES81 2100 9015 2102 0021 8418 Costa Blanca Wine Society
Please remember to include in the payment reference the names of the people being paid for and the event – in this case for example: “John Doe and Jane Doe March tasting”. Do not make a payment until you have received confirmation from Penny.
Members should pay for their guests in this manner so that no payment is received from a non-member. Please do not use a non-Spanish bank for this purpose – the charges can be horrific. If you do not have a Spanish account please get in touch with Mike Granville. Please make your payment as soon as possible after Penny has confirmed your place – don’t leave it until the last minute to make your transfer.
April Meeting – April 20th , 2023
Wine tasting and food pairing at Republic Lounge, Marina de Denia, hosted by Caryl and Gordon Sellars
May Meeting – May 18th, 2023
A tasting organised by Paul and Helen Nicholls with a visit from the prestigious Marqués de Riscal bodega in Rioja at MR Hotel, Les Rotes, Denia.
We have started the year well with some excellent tastings in our first two meetings. I look forward to enjoying more events organised by our Tasting Team. Full details of the programme are available on the website.
Best regards,
Tim Fawle
President