I’m all for making tasting and drinking wine as easy as possible. And whilst yes, I run a certain wine dinner here in Manchester, I’m not averse to buying a bottle for £5 at the supermarket or just because it looks pretty.
I just like good wine, whatever bottle, box or glass it comes in.
So Proof Wine Club is ideal – forget your worries about being out of your depth – this club is easy, relaxed and perfect for you to dip your toe into tasting wine if you’re feeling unsure.
At their Spanish evening alongside fantastic wine, was a selection of tapas from Victor Mora of Spain Gourmet, a new site offering some beautiful looking (and tasting) products. At the time of writing the site is still being finished, but it’s well worth waiting for.
Starting with a white Rioja (DOC Rioja Genoli Blanco), it was clear that my date Lisa and I were in for a treat. Appley with a lovely oily mouthfeel and a hint of pear drops, perfect to ease our way in.
Second up was a Godello (Terra So Lobo) my favourite of the whites. Fruity, with hints of peach and mango on the nose, on the palate it was balanced by a saltiness and the finish lingered. It went beautifully with the smoked paprika coated cheese and the Manchego enhanced the fruity notes.
From whites to rose and the Pirineos Cabernet-Merlot, which had a vanillin, caramel scent and resinous flavour in the front of the mouth. Fruitier/powdery berry flavours in the roof of the mouth led to a light powdery finish. I’m no rose fan, but this might change my mind.
Before we moved further, we were treated to our second platter of goodies. Chorizo sat side by side with salchichon, pate and a rich warm tomato paste.
Our first red was a Bobal (Red Boar, Rueda) a completely new one for me. With tannins keeping it dry, it was spicy and warm, balanced by redcurrant acidity. This with the hams from the previous tapas platter (we saved some specially) was utterly lovely.
As we drank, Victor brought round a local speciality, a cheese and bread for us to nibble on. Though creamy in texture and very definitely a white cheese, it had hints of ‘blueness’ to the flavour and when eaten with the Bobal, brought out a raisin richness.
Onto our penultimate wine and it was another from Pirineas, their Morestello. This was much heavier, oaked, rich deep and spicy. Hints of pepper and leather lingered with the dry aftertaste.
Our final wine, Vinea Tempranillo Crianza, was a winner – I can tell because my notes include swear words. But the less rude ones describe it as powdery with blackberries and vanilla, a touch of farmyard (think sulphurs, earthiness) and tobacco. Delicious.
With us all tightening our purse strings, we’re more concerned with quality rather than quantity and wine is no exception. But quality doesn’t have to mean expensive and these wines prove that, with the most expensive, still under £20.