18th October: French wines evening@Royal Court Theatre, London

Crowd@pre-theatre reception

Sopexa (Food & Wine from France) kindly held an evening at The Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square London to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Circle of Wine Writers back in 1960 by Cyril Ray. A selection of French wines were served before, during the interval and after the performance of tribes by Nina Raine. Tribes features a family who spend their time swearing, arguing, throwing tantrums at each other – doubtless typical of wine writing families perhaps even wine producers, too!

Among the wines served were two from the Loire 2009 Les Nuages Touraine Sauvignon from Paul Buisse and 2009 Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine from Domaine du Bois Bruley (Chereau-Carré). It wasn't the moment to take detailed tasting notes but I was impressed by the balance of Les Nuages – having the richness typical of 2009 but enough acidity to prevent it being cloying, which I'm currently finding is the case with some 2009s. The Bois Bruley was crisp and lemony.

Paul Buisse is now owned by Pierre Chainier and I fancy Les Nuages may be a new cuvée as I don't remember seeing it before. Must check this.  

You can always tell a professional: why everyone else chats, Beverley Blanning (in the background) tastes and notes the assembled wines

The promised Vincent Ogereaqu report has not been forgotten – hopefully later today.