Sweet Wines from Four Hemispheres

It is not usually appreciated that some wine areas, such as England and the Loire, spread into two hemispheres. We shall have 7 examples from the Northern Hemisphere, 4 from the Southern Hemisphere, 7 from the Eastern Hemisphere and 4 from the Western Hemisphere, including a little liqueur. The ten wines vary from light medium-dry to fully luscious. They include rare and expensive classics such as the 1978 Quintarelli Recioto and the 2000 Alsace Sélection de Grains Nobles, the legendary Vin de Constance, and surprises like a late-harvest Pinot Noir and a 1985 sweetie from New Zealand. Most of the wines are no longer available.

Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Riesling Spätlese 1983, C. Prüm-Erben, Mosel-Saar-Ruver. N,E.

Tokay Pinot Gris Grand Cru Kloerkelberger 1983, Koeberle-Kreyer, Alsace. N,E.

Recioto della Valpollicella Classico 1978, Quintarelli Guiseppe, Veneto, 14+4%. N,E.

Les 3 Demoiselles, Coteaux de L’Aubance 1997, Loire, 12.5%. N,W.

Château Rieussec 1^er Grand Cru Classé Sauternes 2005, 14%. N,W.

Vin de Constance 2000, Klein Constantia, South Africa, 14%. S,E.

Late Harvest Gewurztraminer 1985, Matua Valley, New Zealand, 14.2%. S,E.

Tokay Pinot Gris Sélection de Grains Nobles, Altenbourg “Le Tri” 2000, Albert Mann, Alsace, 12.4%. N,E.

Pinot Noir Tardio 2010, Saury’s, Patagonia, Argentina, 16%. S,W.

Rutherglen Liqueur Muscat, Stanton & Killeen (before 1990), Victoria, Australia, 19.5%. S,E.

“Religious” liqueur. N,W.

Brenda Lamb will provide a light meal afterwards, including puddings.

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Venue: The Naval Club, 38 Hill Street, London, W1J 5NS.

Nearest tube: Green Park or Hyde Park.

Mobility rating: 5 (steep stairs).Time: 7.00 p.m.

Dress:  Respectable.

Price:    £55 members/joint members; guests £59.

Organiser: Bernard Lamb  Tel. 020 8876 0505