The Wine Appreciation Group 3 kicked off September with a delightful visit to Stanlake Park Vineyard last Tuesday.
Nine of us enjoyed perfect weather and had the unique opportunity to witness the grape harvest in action. We observed the entire process, from harvesting to destemming and crushing the grapes, and even visited the fermentation and storage rooms.
Our host, Derrick, guided us through an informative hour-and-a-half tour with seven stops to sample different wines. The tour concluded with a delightful tasting session, accompanied by platters of cheese and salami.
Special thanks to Mark Jacob for organising the visit and finding a public transport route despite the tube strike. The journey back was filled with cheerful passengers, making the day even more memorable.
The trip reaffirmed my thoughts on English wines: while the sparkling wines are excellent, the others tend to be too acidic and overpriced.
Laurence Hanison
Co-ordinator, Wine Appreciation Group 3