26/06/2026
June 2026
Simone the Horsham Majestic branch manager was our speaker for June, thirty five members and guests were treated to an excellent speaker and some very nice wines.
Our first white was a Gruner Veltliner Riesling from Austria, for many years, Austrian wine was rarely sold outside the country`s borders, which is why Grüner Veltliner took a while to catch on – until now… This classic example comes from Winzer Krems, a small winery in the town of Krems, with over 2,000 years of winemaking history. Situated on the River Danube, clay soils and limestone soils bring unique textures and flavours to this delicious wine. It’s crisp, refreshing, with flavours of peach and pear, and a mineral, peppery finish. The perfect accompaniment to wiener schnitzel or spicy Asian cuisine.
12.5% and £10.00
Following on was a French Sauvignon Blanc from Touraine, lovers of Sancerre will recognise Touraine as a source of equally superb Sauvignon Blanc. And customer-favourite Domaine du Vaux St Georges craft some of the region’s best wines. Their vines sit close to the banks of the Cher River, where sandy and flinty soils help to bring richness and minerality to the finished wines. This bottling is vibrant with notes of citrus, elderflower blossom and a note of cedar. Its crisp acidity and freshness make it an ideal choice for any fish or shellfish.
12.5% and £10.00
This was the favourite white on our table.
Our last white before the half time break for refreshments and the raffle was a Beaujolais Blanc Chardonnay, Domaine Trouillet sits in the hamlet of Pouilly at the foot of the Roche de Solutré, and has been family-run for four generations. Today, William and Caroline Trouillet manage the 20-hectare estate with a clear focus on quality, sustainability and site expression. Their vines average 45 years old and span six communes across southern Burgundy, from Solutré-Pouilly to Davayé, on a patchwork of clay-limestone soils and varied vineyard exposures. Organically farmed and ecologically managed, the estate uses minimal treatments and extensive soil work to promote vine health and underground biodiversity. Grapes are delicately pressed using a modern pneumatic press, then cold settled for 24 hours to ensure clarity. Fermentation takes place in low-temperature stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and finesse, with lees ageing adding subtle weight and complexity. Expressive and mineral-driven, with bright citrus, white blossom and a gentle creamy texture. Drinking beautifully now but will age gracefully for another 2–5 years. Perfect with grilled fish, soft cheeses or light, creamy risotto.
13% and £16.00
Our first red was a Georgian Triblvino, which aims to become Georgia's premier winery, crafting exquisite wines from ancient indigenous grapes while honouring the timeless Qvevri winemaking method, rooted in an 8,000-year-old tradition. Its wines draw their essence from the vineyards situated in Kakheti, Georgia’s most celebrated winemaking region, renowned for its lavish terroirs. It is in these precious, fertile lands that the legendary grape, Saperavi, finds its origins and thrives. Nurtured in a stony area where grapes accumulate a high amount of sugar, these grapes are then hand-harvested to delicious result. Made in a fruit-forward style, expect floral aromas alongside bold flavours of forest fruits followed by an elegant, fresh finish. Enjoy now with barbecued pork, veal, or fried vegetables, or age for 10 years.
13% and £12.50
Mixed reviews on this one, some thought it very nice others it tasted of blood ! each to their own.
Next up was a Tenacity Australian Shiraz, Two Hands founders Michael Twelvetrees and Richard Mintz had an ambition to make the best possible Shiraz-based wines from Australia's finest regions. They ensure this by only buying grapes from specialist growers. This way, they source the cream of the crop every harvest – and it’s paid off. Australia has some of the oldest vines in the world. Tenacity shows how the lower yields from old vines intensify all the flavours. If you like a full-throttle Australian Shiraz, you're in for a treat. This is full of ripe black-fruit flavours. Discover a juicy, velvety texture, with notes of chocolate and spice. Its intensity and richness mean it’ll complement hearty dishes like a beef stew.
13.5% and £14.50
Excellent reviews on this wine, liked by the majority.
The last wine of the evening was a Grande reserve AG from the Languedoc region in France. Château Grand Moulin is located in the Occitane town of Lezignan-Corbieres and founded in 1988 by Noël Bousquet on the on the site of an old mill, with his son Frédéric at the helm since 2014. With a vast sourcing network stretching all the way across the South of France, LGI works with the best co-operatives and private estates to source the highest quality Carigan grapes. The wine is aged in stainless steels vats with 30% of this wine having been aged in French oak barrels. This rich and complex wine bursts with ripe blackberry, mulberry, and black cherry, layered with notes of garrigue, clove and black pepper. Partial oak-ageing adds warmth and silky tannins. This wine is perfect as an aperitif or with tapas, cold cuts of meat and cheeses.
14,5% and £14.00
A red persons dream wine !
A very entertaining evening, many thanks to Simone, so much so we went to see him instore on Sunday morning to purchase a few bottles !
Sue White
