New manager Marein (prev. @ Lockbottom shop), filled the place to bursting. All v friendly too. No heckling. Laughed at my jokes; I really enjoyed it.
We served the Theale sparkler in black tights... not us - the bottles - a way of disguising them. I hoped to fool them all into thinking it Champagne. But of course they guessed something was up and guessed what it was after a few goes. But all agreed it was up there with Champers.
They loved Jean Marc's extra special sauvignon blanc; 'JMS', and his 'La Voute', the chardonnay from several regions of France which breaks the Appellation rules...
Or did. They've now changed the rules so in future this wine can come under the catch-all appellation; 'Vin de Pays de France' and we can put 'chardonnay' on the label. This is new, this vintage. It is a great victory over the wine dinosaurs, a wonderful opportunity for creative winemakers and at last allows France to compete with countries like Australia and South Africa without having one hand tied behind her back.
The 'PS' gently sparkling pink from Provence was a winner. As was my boy Henry's 'Verniotte' 2008 which is lovely to drink already, (for these tastings I am allowed to choose wines I am close to). So of course I had to follow with my own 'Presbytere' 2005 - not ready yet... still tight but quietly impressive I feel. But then I would, wouldn't I?
'The Moonlighters' from Red Heads finessed off the reds and we finished with the 'Grand Chai Sauternes' which, in half bottles, has come on so beautifully since we bottled it two summers ago. Thanks for a great evening, South Croydon.
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