Bodegas Callia
Last Saturday (10th September) I enjoyed a few hours explaining the quality of our Argentinian producer (Bodegas Callia) to Decanter attendees, at a special tasting of Argentinian wines at Vinopolis.
The real star on the table was the Reservado Torrontes 2010, which we sell into Matthew Clark, and therefore is appearing in hotels and restaurants (HORECA) across the UK.
This wine is regularly punching above it’s weight, and certainly one to look out for when you are out and about! It also has a partner red…Reservado Malbec 2010. Argentina, sometimes referred to as the sleeping giant. Fifth largest producer in the world, could easily move up to fourth or event third position, but struggles with getting itself noticed.
Producing better quality wines these days, and should come through in the next few years if it carries on the same path!
Been in contact with an old friend lately whose village is starting up a wine club. Great idea, and one that should hopefully flourish. I have pledged my help in the future to conduct a tasting possibly Spring 2012. I have been doing this sort of event for a few years now, and we normally show 6-8 wines (that are readily available in a retailer), and I don’t charge for my services. Instead, I ask the Organisers to give any money they would pay me to their nominated charity.
All the Organisers have to do is give me plenty of advance warning, as to what they would like to do, and also if they want to purchase the wines, or ask me to do it on their behalf, and I just settle up with them before the event.
In the past at these events we have covered lots of topics, including New World v Old World; specific grape varieties; unusual grape varieties; part blind tasting; cheese and wine matching, and other topics. I normally throw in a Fun Quiz based on the wines tasted, to ensure the attendees keep awake, and attentive!
It’s normally a fun event, and hopefully gets the audience in the mood to find out more/ purchase with confidence in the future. It’s always light hearted, and the aim is to get people with an interest in wine to explore further.
I don’t sell wine on the night, there’s no pressure to buy specific products, and sometimes we match a wine to supper/cheese at the event.
