Christmas Virtual Wine Tasting 2022

For our pre-Christmas 3-week virtual wine tasting we have some wonderful, classic wines from around the world.

Week 1 - 7th December

We start with a classic sparkling wine, a Cava Reserva from top Rioja producer, Muga.

This traditional method, bottle fermented, sparkling wine displays a clean, very pale-yellow colour and fine, delicate bubbles. The nose is subtle with discreet fruit aromas of apple together with notes of white flowers and biscuity hints. Both refined and refreshing on the palate, creamy notes come through with crisp acidity and an elegant finish.

Next, we have a fortified wine.  We’re all familiar with Sherry and Port, but what about a Marsala from Sicily?  Dried fruit on the nose with aromas of nuts, dates and herbs. Dry and rather light with nice balanced acidity. Nutty and leathery complimented by beefy and leathery aromas as well as some coffee-like flavours.

• Muga, Conde de Haro, Brut Reserva Cava, 2017 – Retail Price £18.65
• Marsala Lombardo Superiore Ambra – Retail Price £15.65

Week 2 - 14th December

Two Bordeaux-type wines to compare this week.  We start “down under” in Margaret River with a superb wine from Vasse Felix; 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec.

On the nose a powerful lift of exotic floral, red fruits, ocean and forest. Notes of blackcurrant and red cherry intertwine with Aussie forest floor, cedar, nori, hot granite and lavender. An open and vibrant palate with lovely raspberry, blackcurrant, wood spice and sweet tobacco leaf, leads into a rich volume of fine terracotta tannins that are long, allowing the perfume to extend. Fine acid freshness, beautiful fruit succulence and a dark chocolate finish add to this elegant but powerful wine.

Next, we have “the real thing”, a 2015 Listrac-Médoc from Chateau Fourcas Hosten; 54% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc.

An excellent vintage giving strong colour and fruit with velvety aromas and very elegant tannins.  Deeper and more complex than most 2015 Listrac wines, this has a serious mineral core that gives the finish considerable impact. Impressive length and vitality. You can drink it now, but this will expand as it matures at least through 2025.

• Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 – Retail Price £31.50
• Chateau Fourcas Hosten, Listrac-Médoc AC 2015 – Retail Price £35.00

Week 3 - 21st December

For our last pre-Christmas virtual tasting we samples two classic “after dinner” styles.  We start with a wonderful, mature 5 Puttonyos Tokaji.

A rich honeyed raisin flavour with a long lingering finish.

Tokaji Aszú is known as one of the oldest botrytised wine types all over the world. Favourable parameters are offered to the formation of noble rot caused by Botrytis cinerea by the climatic conditions, soil circumstances and grape-varieties of Tokaj-region. As the result of noble rot aszú-berries represent the most important raw material of the world-wide known Tokaji Wine Specialities.

Finally, a true Christmas classic, a vintage Port from Fonseca.

Ripe raspberry and cherry jam aromas, with lovely aromatic dimension. Vibrant berry fruit flavours. Plump, rounded tannins giving good weight and texture. Finish with lots of flavour and length. 

Each year the finest wines produced at the vintage are selected. If, after two years in wood, those from a particular harvest are judged to be above average in quality, the best may be blended together and bottled as a Fonseca or a Guimaraens Vintage Port. 

• Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos Tokajbor Bene 2013 – Retail Price £25.00 (50 cl)
• Fonseca Guimaraens 2008 Vintage Port – Retail Price £26.00

As ever, our virtual wine tastings are delivered via Zoom.  Enjoy a tutored wine tasting experience from the comfort of your own home.

We do not sell wine, so these wines are available to buy from Frazier’s wines, at the discounted price of £130, see link below.

Buy Wines Here