The 2015 Somerset Wine Fair was the Wine Shop’s third event held at Sidcot Arts Centre. The doors opened at 6pm and the atmosphere was buzzing from start to finish!

The wine fair is an ideal opportunity for exploring and discovering, learning about wine in a relaxed and friendly environment.

I love seeing people taste different wines, speaking to the importers, winemakers, producers and finding out stories behind the wine. Along side that it is great to see guests chatting to each other sharing their finds and recommendations, making comparisons and ultimately finding the styles they enjoy.

What was new this year?

Two talks that were held in the auditorium which were a great asset to the evening and a great honour to hear Andrew and Maxime speak

Andrew Stewart MW is one of only 340 Masters of Wine worldwide. He will be presenting wines from the Rhone Valley produced by Maison Brotte, a third-generation family business that he first visited over 25-years ago. Brotte is based in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, with their own vineyards in and around the region. They have built a high quality reputation for their wines.

Maxime Mann, winemaker from The Wunsch et Mann winery in Alsace. The winery has substantial holdings in the Grand Crus of Hengst and Steingrubler. The wines are sensitively produced, following principles of “viticulture raisonée” and reflecting the particular characteristics of each vintage. Organic methods have been practiced for several years and the 2011 vintage was the first to be certified as fully organic.

What wines stood out.

Sparkling

Fresh and perfect! Lamberti Prosecco £9.99 In the top 20

Vilarnau Cava £11.99 – In the top 20

Foissy Cuvee Prestige 2011 Champagne £31.99 – Organic Grower own Champagne

Whites

The brand new 2015 vintage of Two River Sauvignon Blanc £13.99 – In the top 20

Great to see one of favourites! Vondeling Babiana £12.99 – In the top 20

Another South African hit was Babylonstoren Viognier £10.99

Always a winner from the Loire Grolleau Gris £8.99

Under £7 hit was Pecheron Chenin Blanc/Viognier £6.99

Red Wines

California Troublemaker £18.99 – In the top 20

Rich Magnifico Primitivo di Manduria £14.99

The recent new find powerful organic Dominio Basconcillos Ribera del Duero £13.99

Argentinian Chakana Malbec £12.99 – In the top 20

Sprits category has grown at the wine fair over the last three years, it is great to have continued support from Bramley & Gage with 6 0’Clock gin, Chase Distillery and Somerset Cider Brandy. Going further a field we find gins from Holland, Italy and Washington Island, beautiful Sambuca, Fina Plum Sake from Japan tradition golden rums from the Caribbean.

Thank you for everyone who attended and made it another successful year.

Date for your diary, Friday 11^th November 2016, same venue Sidcot Arts Centre