This tasting is in two parts on THURSDAYS 14 & 21 NOVEMBER 2024
The world’s most famous appellations make wonderful wines, from Bordeaux to Burgundy and from Sancerre to Châteauneuf-du-Pape. But such wines come at a price. This tasting takes a peek over the boundary walls to taste wines from nearby appellations, made using the same grapes and in a similar style. Can similar enjoyment be had, while avoiding the more prestigious price tag?
The six wines for this tasting come from appellations next door, or very close, to their famous cousins including Saint-Emilion, Sancerre and the Napa Valley.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the inspiration for two of our wines. Our red comes from one of the region’s most famous producers, but for this wine Châteauneuf fruit is blended with fruit from surrounding appellations. Our white also comes from a top Châteauneuf estate, with Viognier and Grenache Blanc from the Rhône blended with Picpoul from Provence.
To the Loire next. Neighbouring Sancerre is Tourraine, where Domaine Pré Baron make such a similar wine from very old Sauvignon Blanc. Prosecco has taken the world by storm, but our Brut wine is drier than most and comes from just outside the Prosecco boundary. What’s intriguing is that it made from Durello, a hyper-local variety made by just a handful of producers.
Two reds complete the tasting. Saint-Emilion is one of Bordeaux’s superstar appellations, but immediately east lies Lussac Saint-Emilion, a ‘Satellite’ appellation. Here, similar wines are made from the same grape varieties, in our case a polished and fragrant Merlot-based blend. Finally, Napa Valley Cabernets can also run to the hundreds of pounds per bottle, but our Cab comes from nearby Lodi which enjoys similar conditions, its vineyards cooled by fogs from the Pacific channeled in by river valleys.
The normal price for these six wines delivered is £85.70, but for this tasting they have been reduced to £75, including UK delivery.
You will receive a link to buy the wines after you have purchased your tasting ticket.
The cost of the six wines is reduced to £75, including UK mainland delivery.
