Summer Newsletter July 2023
Dear Members
We concluded the first half of the year with an excellent tasting hosted by Andrew & Kathy Johnson at the delightful setting of Puerto Blanco in Calpe attended by 51 members and guests. Their sommelier Alex presented some interesting wines which were paired with the food offering. Many members have commented on what an excellent evening this was. Our thanks go to Andrew & Kathy and of course Puerto Blanco Restaurant for a superb evening. For the full tasting report please click here.
In July and August there will be no tastings, but I am sure everyone will be enjoying excellent wines wherever they are, probably with an emphasis on whites and rosados due to the summer temperatures.
As we enter the Autumn season we have an exciting number of activities which you will see below.
September Picnic – September 21
Our September meeting will be a unique “informal picnic” hosted by Tony and Cherry Cabban. This will be held in the riurau in Jesus Pobre and will concentrate on local traditional foods and wines. We plan to taste olive oils as well as wines. We will also taste the grape varieties used to make the wines we are tasting.
The presenter will be Santiago Signes (Santi) owner of El Celler de la Marina, Gata, supported by Tony & Cherry.
Booking information and further details will be in the September Newsletter which you will receive at the end of August.
Autumn Wine Trip – October 2-3
Our Autumn Wine Trip to DO’s Jumilla and Yecla will take place on October 2nd and 3rd. We will be visiting 3 interesting bodegas all producing excellent wines from the Monastrell grape for which this region is famous. Accommodation will be in Yecla in the centrally located Hotel Avenida where we will also be dining. Lunch will follow a visit to Bodegas Barahonda whose Michelin recommended restaurant is famous throughout the area.
Online bookings for the Trip will open on August 1st and you will receive a reminder with further details a few days before. You CANNOT book before this date.
We will aim to take a total of 34 participants on this Trip. If over- subscribed places will be offered to those with the highest attendance of CBWS meetings. Priority will also be given to those who were unsuccessful in securing a place for the Nodus visit
October Meeting – October 19th
Bookings open Friday 21st July at 10.00am (CET) – Places strictly limted
Tasting Team members Neil Robertson and Vicki Wyatt have arranged something rather special for our 19th October Tasting. This is a dinner bed and breakfast event at one of the most beautifully situated Bodegas in the countryside of the Utiel Requena region, west of Valencia. Most of you will know of NODUS wines which feature on the wine lists of many good local restaurants. They also have, on site, the Hotel Rural Entreviñas, which will accomodate our house party of up to 28 people.
The bodega is situated approximately 90 to 110 minutes drive from Javea and everyone will be required to make their own travel arrangements by car. Directions will be supplied to those who book.
The accommodation comprises 10 double or twin rooms and 2 apartments. The 2 apartments each have 2 double bedrooms and I shared bathroom. There are no single rooms so some of you may wish to plan to share a room and we will allocate you a twin room.
The programme will include a guided Bodega Tour, a Tasting of 3 Nodus Wines, a cava reception and a three course dinner of barbecued local meats accompanied by Nodus wines. (There will be a fish or vegetarian option). Additional wines may be purchased on the evening as you wish. Breakfast the following morning is included in the price.
The price will be €220 per room in a double/twin room or €200 per room if you are in one of the apartment rooms with shared bathroom. Places will be offered on a first come, first served basis and, if successful, your booking will be confirmed immediately. After you receive confirmation that your booking has been successful you will be required to pay a deposit of €100 per room with the balance payable at the beginning of September.
When you book you will need to book a complete room so if it’s a couple or 2 singles sharing it will be one booking.
During the booking process you will be asked if you are prepared to share one of the apartments with another couple.
Bookings will open on the website on Friday July 21 at 10am (CET) when anyone wishing to attend this event should book. Please use the link below or go to the event booking page on the website.
Please note you cannot pre-reserve a place and will not be able to book before the booking system opens.
If you are unsuccessful in securing a place but would like to be added to the waiting list please email Vicki Wyatt on Vickiwyatt@gmail.com
Further details on the bodega can be found here
Enjoy the summer wherever you are and of course those beautiful wines, and we look forward to meeting up in September!
Best regards
Tim Fawle
President