Circle of Wine Writers: seminar to raise money for 3 wine regions hit natural disasters

Charles Metcalfe tasting Madeira

The organisers of the London International Wine Trade Fair give the Circle of Wine Writers the opening spot in the master class seminar programme. This year we decided that we should hold a tasting to raise money for three wine regions hit by recent natural disasters – so Chile, Madeira and Turkey. Each region had 30 minutes to present a range of wines.

 

Charles Metcalfe kicked off with five Madeiras. Not the most logical order you might argue but our seminar started at 10am and Charles had a seven-line whip to be on the International Wine Challenge stand to help present the 2010 results. I very much doubt if there is a better wine presenter than Charles and his presentation was characteristically brilliant. 

 

Susan Hulme MW     

Next up was Turkey with Susan Hulme MW and Daniel O'Donnell, winemaker for Kayra Wines in the  Anatolia region giving a very good, quick overview of the developing Turkish wine scene.

Daniel O'Donnell (Kayra Wines)

We finished with a fascinating presentation of the newly formed Chilean Carignan Club by Eduardo Brethauner, one of Chile's leading wine writers. 

  Eduardo Brethauner

Next posting will I promise be on the Loire. I'm presently operating on less than ideal conditions as I'm in a mild Inverness but without regular internet access. I have to keep crossing the road to the local pub which has free wi-fi access. So my apologies.