The Wine Circle were pleased to welcome Robert and Carolyn Cumming for their presentation of wines from their “Partners’ Selection.” Robert pointed out that the more you pay, you get disproportionately better wine. This is because the cost of packaging, delivery, VAT and excise duty is the same on the cheap bottle of wine as it is on the most expensive. In the UK we currently pay an of average £5.39 per bottle. Of that 60p is for the wine. Buy a £10 bottle and you get £2.76 worth of 
Bordeaux region is one of the largest wine producers in the world. Unlike most other wines they are ‘designed’ to go with food. Bordeaux wines have an active secondary market.
We tasted the wines in pairs so that a comparison could be made between the wines. The Domaine du Gouyat, Bergerac Rouge 2015 was used as the “base” wine throughout the evening. The first comparison was with the Domaine’s 2015 Blanc. They then introduced a couple of Bordeaux rivals Guigal, Cotes du Rhone 2014 and Maison Jaffelin, Cuvee des Chanoines de Notre Dame 2016. The latter was a Burgundy, sometimes described a “pure” wine because it is made from a single grape rather than a 
The final wines to be tasted as a pair were Chateau Chantemerle, Medoc 2012 (from the left bank, so in the left glass) and Chateau de Fonbel, St Emilion 2009.
The evening, with its different format, proved very entertaining.
Terry
Serbian Wine Tour 13—17 September 2018
I have always felt our English language with its abundance of superlatives would be more than adequate to describe a wealth of momentous occasions. However, will there be adequate words to cover our amazing trip, of which every aspect was perfect.
I believe, that generally, our group collectively went with an open mind. With no preconceived assumptions as to what we would be experiencing, nothing could have come close to the reality.
The majority of the group started their journey by coach to Heathrow, meticulously organised by Sally. That set the perfect ball rolling. Thank you Sally.
Our flights were on time, and we landed, albeit rather tired at Nikola Tesla Airport, Belgrade, where we were met by Andrew, Ken, Maree, Barbara, Mike and our guide for the tour Boško KrstoviÄ who was very keen to impart the history of his country to us.
We were then taken to MilnoviÄ winery, where wines are produced from four
We then went down into the cellar to partake in our first wine tasting.
From here we travelled onward to Novi Sad to our first hotel, Hotel Prezident. By now very tired, we retired to our respective rooms for a good night’s sleep.
Day 2
After a very gratifying breakfast we boarded the coach to be taken to the centre of Novi Sad, where immediately you could feel the relaxed atmosphere. After a leisurely stroll taking in the sights, i.e., City Hall, Trg Slobod, ( Freedom Square), Crkva imena Marijinog ( the Catholic Cathedral, the Church of the Name of Mary), the home of Albert Einstein’s wife Mileva the Synagogue; Matica Srpska – the oldest institution in Serbia, we then crossed the Danube to go to Petrovaradin Fortress. Known as the “Gibraltar of the Danube” which is now the venue for summer musical festivals.
After visiting the castle we then travelled to Sremski Karlovci. Our informative guide pointing out places of interest, not least of which the stunning architecture of the Patriarch’s Palace, the Congregational Church of Saint Nikola and the Holy Trinity. Also, the first Serbian Grammar School started in 1881, to gain a place here, you have to be an exceptional student.
We arrived at the ŽivanoviÄ winery in the town, which also houses a bee keeping museum.
We were given a very interesting talk on the history of the bee keeping, and shown the different methods by which they kept the bees. We then proceeded down to the 200 year old wine cellar.
The wine tasting consisted of 2 white wines, 2 red wines, a golden dessert wine, not unlike mead, and a red dessert wine. We were also given a taste of their superb honey.
We then rambled our way through the village to climb 400 plus steps, (at least it certainly felt like that), up to a platform where we were met by an amazing view. Well worth the climb in 30 degree heat. Phew!!! A cold drink in the village square was very welcome.
Back on the coach to one of the most prestigious wine makers in Serbia, the KovaÄeviÄ winery. Here we had a 5 course lunch, again accompanied by appropriate wines. The lunch included, a chicken dish, followed by a fish dish, followed by a pork dish, then beef cheek, dessert of cherry strudel and poppy seed cake.
On our journey to our hotel in Belgrade, Andrew presented each member of the group with a bottle of wine, chocolates, and a paste typical of Serbia. Thank you Andrew, so very thoughtful.
We booked into the Envoy Hotel, for the next 3 nights. A beautiful hotel.
Day 3
After a good night’s sleep and a breakfast that catered for all tastes, some of the group went on the guided tour with Jelena ŽivkoviÄ. Those who had chosen not to join the guided walk, were free to explore Belgrade at their leisure.
The guided walk took in the main sites such as Kalemegdan fortress complex, the main pedestrian street Knez Mihailova, Trg Republike (Republic Square) and the oldest area of Belgrade, around KosanÄiÄev Venac.
Later that afternoon, some of the group partook in an optional wine tasting.
A group dinner had been organised for Saturday evening at one of Belgrade’s finest restaurants, the Le Teniza. Another very enjoyable meal, (as long as you don’t mind your beef still with a pulse)!!!
Day 4
All too quickly we arrived at our last full day. We travelled further into Serbia, to Topola through very scenic countryside, to the heart of Šumadija, the homeland of Serbian national hero Djordje PetroviÄ, better known as ‘Karadjordje’, or Black George who led the first Serbian uprising against the Turks in 1804, and subsequently established the present royal dynasty of KaradjordeviÄ.
We visited a church built in 1811 next to which there was a museum. From there we went on to the complex of buildings owned by the royal family. These included Crkva Svetog Dorda (the Church of St. George) in Oplenac, under which lies the awe-inspiring royal family mausoleum. Its beautiful interior decorated by a spectacular glass mosaic that consists of 40,000 pieces of over 15,000 different shades of colour and took seven years to complete. We then visited the museum of King Peter I. The treasures housed here were spectacular, together with portraits of the royal family, with links to our royal family. We were informed by our guide that the museum held a small part of a hoard that had been stolen from them. Originally, there had been seven boxes of treasures, of which the Serbians now have only half a box.
We then visited the Royal wine Cellar – now also a museum – to taste the best royal wines from the dynasty’s vineyard.
Leaving Topola we travelled to VinÄa and to the AleksandroviÄ winery, which is one of Serbia’s most renowned wine producers, with a growing international reputation. On entering the winery you could see instantly why it had gained its reputation. We were met by floor to ceiling vats covering one wall. Displayed on a circular table were vintage wines.
The vast wine cellar housed huge oak barrels of wine. Through into another chamber a further 200 new barrels of this year’s vintage. We then returned upstairs and up a further flight of stairs, to where we were shown a film of the history of the AleksandroviÄ winery.
A further wine tasting ensued, together with Serbian cuisine. So hospitable.
At this point it seemed appropriate for huge appreciation to be made to Andrew, Ken, Maree and Boško for the most amazing few days we had had the good fortune to experience. 
Ken then proceeded to slip in two other winners. The two ‘lushes’ who shall remain nameless. But, well done you. You know who you are!!!
We returned to our hotel for our last evening in Belgrade.
During our travels through Belgrade you could see evidence of it having been bombed three times in the 20th Century. Notwithstanding this, much progress has been made in rebuilding.
In the morning we said our fond farewells to Andrew,
On behalf of the group. Every meal, every restaurant, every wine tasting, both hotels, every church, every museum, guided walk, travel arrangements, the hospitality of the Serbians, were absolutely first class.
Julie
Greek and German Wine Tasting - 18 October 2018
Sue and Steve during an extensive tour of Germany and Greece had selected six of their favourite wines for us to sample. Since the wines had been purchased directly from the winemaker they were not generally available in the UK. The vineyard gate price ranged from 4.60€ to €11.
They started off with Gerovassilou Malagosia, a Greek white wine. This wine is entirely produced from the Greek grape variety of Malagousia, which was saved from extinction by the winemaker Gerovassilou.
This was followed by three German wines. Though primarily a white wine producers, red wine production has increased from the 1990s fuelled by domestic demand. Spätburgunder, the local name for Pinot noir, is used for these red wines. We tried Blanc de Noir (white), Spatburgunder Weissherbst (a very pale rose) and Spatburgunder trocken (red).
The evening was a great opportunity to taste some personal favourites of Steve and Sue which they entertainingly introduced by with personal recollections their visits to the various vineyards.
Terry
Social, Wine tasting and AGM - 15 November 2018
AGMs can be boring so many members decide not to attend. By making it a social event, with wine of course, it becomes a pleasant evening. The usual reports were received, and, the Committee for 2019 elected.
Christmas Dinner - 8 December 2018
Our Xmas event took place this year at the Duke’s Restaurant, Villiers Hotel.
26 members attended the meal and a very convivial atmosphere abounded, as is always the norm amongst our members.
During the course of the evening we bade farewell to two longstanding members, Leslie and Geoff Suggate, who over the years have contributed to the continued success of the Wine Club.
We are looking forward to 2019 whereby the Wine Club calendar is full of exciting events, including Wine and Cheese with a mini meal, in May, hosted by Ron Gleeson. Also by popular demand a visit to the illustrious wine cellars of Waddesdon Manor, and much, much more.
To conclude, a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Julie