Don’t miss your chance to discover an exceptional selection of wines from top producers along the Mediterranean coast in a tasting highlighting the variety, authenticity and quality of this fascinating region at the Decanter Mediterranean Fine Wine Encounter on Saturday 7 March 2015.
From Château Musar in the Lebanon to Italy’s cult Sassicaia and Sicilian Marsala to dessert wine made in Cyprus, our ninety minute tutored tasting offers you the chance to discover 10 incredible and iconic wines presented by Berry Bros. & Rudd expert Demetri Walters MW.
‘This really is a unique opportunity to taste the diversity of wines produced along the Mediterranean coast, and all under one roof’, Walters says. ‘You’ll not only have the chance to taste authentic and native grapes from Cyprus, Greece and Sicily, some of which are produced in exceptionally small quantities, but also to taste icon wines from Italy, Spain and the Lebanon as well as a rare and intriguing presentation of two desert wines, including one from 1987′.
The 10 masterclass wines and reasons why you have to try each one:
‘An example of excellent winemaking showing the premium quality that Priorat Garnacha wines can produce’ – Clos de l’Obac, Gratallops, Priorat, 2004
‘One of the greatest Vin doux Naturels from a region that’s not as widely known as it used to be’ – Rivesaltes Rouge, La Carbasse VDN, Domaine Sarda Malet, Roussillon, France, 2006
‘This really is a wine of place! With lovely savoury and herbal notes, it’s like walking through the French garrgiue-scented countryside’ – La Pèira en Damaisela, Coteaux du Larzac, France, 2008
‘Premium quality, cult classic from a very successful vintage’ – Sassicaia, Tenuta San Guido, Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy, 2011
‘A really authentic Southern Italian wine, full bodied, lots of extract, ripe tannins and balancing acidity’ – Old Vines Primitivo, Az Agr, Morella, Puglia, Italy, 2007
‘A wine style that has diminished in production but increased in quality – Marco is THE maker and this is one of his best’ – Marsala Superiore Riserva, Marco de Bartoli, Sicily, Italy, 1987
‘A classic style of Santorini Assyrtiko – one of the icons and a must-try’ – Nikteri Assyrtiko, Haridimos Hatzidakis, Santorini, Greece, 2011
‘By far and away the best that’s being produced and one that many will never have tasted’ – Xinomavaro, Earth & Sky, Thymiopoulos, Naoussa, Macedonia, Greece, 2011
‘This is the oldest continuously produced wine in existence (origins can be traced back as far as the late 12th century) and shows a revival of its original, unfortified style’ – Commandaria, Kyperounda, Pitsila Moutains, Cyprus, 2005
‘The ultimate iconic Levantine wine made in an extremely good vintage’ – Château Musar, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, 2003
To book tickets to the Great Wines of the Mediterranean masterclass click here.
Further to the stand-out and more recognisable names, Walters wanted to include wines from regions that may perhaps have ‘declined in fashion but by no means in quality. ‘Cyprus, Sicily and the South of France are all resurgent regions in terms of premium quality but not many know it, or have had the chance to taste it first-hand’.
Walters also wanted to show the complexity of the Mediterranean region; ‘I’ll be giving consumers a good idea of what’s available both mainstream, like Priorat, but also an expression of something different, that’s no less valid but far less well-known, like Santorini and Puglia’.
‘There’s a huge rainbow of wines in this tasting, mixing those that may be too expensive to ordinarily buy (prices range from £17 – £136 per bottle) with some wines consumers probably won’t be aware of’.
As well as the sheer variety of wines on offer, Walters will be presenting the historical context behind each region, evaluating different styles of winemaking, variances in terroir, vintage conditions, and producer profiles, all of which ultimately shape how and why a wine tastes the way it does.
‘It will be quite a race to cover all ten incredible wines in just ninety minutes but for £45, it’s extremely good value. There will be an awful lot of information on a small number of wines, alongside the complexity of tasting a range of styles from across the whole of the Mediterranean basin – I can’t wait’.
For more information about the Decanter Mediterranean Fine Wine Encounter and to book tickets to the Great Wines of the Mediterranean masterclass click here.
Written by Decanter
