Nutfield Wine Club Reviews

These 'reviews' are by Kent Sandiford, and published in a local 'Nutfield Link' magazine.

2006

January 06

We had our New Year lunch at The Castle, Outwood on the 17th.

February 06

At our February meeting, six members brought a bottle of their favourite wine of ‘under a fiver’ to our event call “Members Favourite Wine Night”. This gave us the opportunity to sample some new and old friends. Starting the evening with blind tasting, this was followed by a cheese and patia with crusty bread.

The wine club the like to send its condolences to family and friends of Jack Aston, who judged wines at special events for many years.

March 06

At our “Skittles Evening” at the British Legion Club in Limpsfield on the 21st March – was a great success. Five teams took part with the following results: 5th team C; 4th D; 3rd B; 2nd and the wining team of Carol, Pam, Peter and myself with 120 points. Lowest score of the night was Janet (sorry) and highest – to my surprise was me!

At this months meeting “An Introduction to Wine”, we went Italian! Wine and food was on the menu, music and with a final quiz to round off a great evening. With white, red and green tablecloths, it was just like being at our own little Italian restaurant. Derek served up some great food, with decorations and raffle by Carol and Mary. Our other Derek organised the quizzes throughout the evening, which was won by Chris.

April 06

At this months meeting “An Introduction to Wine”, we went Italian! Wine and food was on the menu, music and with a final quiz to round off a great evening. With white, red and green tablecloths, it was just like being at our own little Italian restaurant. Derek served up some great food, with decorations and raffle by Carol and Mary. Our other Derek organised the quizzes throughout the evening, which was won by Chris.

May 06

At our May meeting I was asked to organised a horse racing night, using my laptop and a projector (thanks to Derek), we had a race card of 12. After 6 races we enjoyed a lovely fish & chip supper. Betting on first, second, third and our top tipster was Paul Renault, with Derek Freeman following up on the outside.

This months meeting on 6th June, is our ‘Treasure Hunt’ 7.30-8pm, at the pond car-park near the cricket green, Godstone. Everyone is welcome.

We are also visiting ‘Reigate Caves’ this month, 20th June at the south end of the tunnel – centre of town, 7.30pm (£3.00 entrance fee).

Summer Party – 5th July tickets will be available at the ‘treasure hunt’ £5.50 per person, including a lovely spread of cold meats, home produced salads and summer puddings, followed by some party games – all washed down with a summer fruit punch. (Members who can donate raffle prizes please bring along to treasure hunt – thanks)

June 06

June was our ‘Treasure Hunt’ we met at the pond in Godstone. Paul Renaut and myself had been out earlier and set the questions, which as usual finished up at a local watering hole. With a wonderful June’s summer evening, we all had a fun time.

We also visited ‘Reigate Caves’ in June, meeting at the south end of the tunnel – centre of town. We spent a couple of hours underground popping out to see how the England match against Sweden was doing – 2-2! Thanks to Malcolm Tadd for the tour.

July 06

This years Summer Party in Julywas a great success, we invited members for the Dorking Wine Club, which we were please to see. We enjoyed a lovely spread of cold meats; home produced salads and summer puddings, which was followed by party games – all washed down with a summer fruit punch.

In August we have a summer break. But for the few who just can’t go without – we had a special trip to “Nutbourne Vineyards”, near Pulborough, West Sussex. Set in 18 acres, they grow 7 varieties of grape; Bacchus, Huxelrebe, Reichensteiner, Schönburger, Muller Thurgau, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

All going to make a distinctive range of dry white wines, and the acclaimed sparkling “Nutty” (champagne). The vineyard total production is between 25,000 and 50,000 bottles per year.

Near the lower lake are a family of Llamas and Alpacas, which kept an eye on all of us when we walked around the vines.

September 06

At Septembers meeting we held a Pub Quiz Night, we all had great fun and yes! some of those questions were hard! Also we sampled a couple of good white wines from Denbies, Flint Valley and Chalk Ridge, members seemed to perfer the Flint over the Clarlk.

October 06

At our October meeting we had guest speaker Lesley Burnett, who once again gave us a wonderful insight in to the life and times of a lady called ‘Fanny Burnet’. This one part of series of talks which she has made over the year. The member would like to thank Lesley and look forward seeing her again.

November 06

The November meeting was our AGM. After a review of a busy year, our new Chairwoman is Val Large with Derek Large as Treasure and Gill Lansley as club Secretary were duly elected. All the committee and members would like to give a BIG thanks to Malcolm for this commitment and support as chairman over the past years. We also thanked Godfrey Akehurst for his passion and skills as competition officer and as wonderful wine maker over the years by duly electing him as a Honorary Life Member.

This year' nominated wine ‘Ginger’, was won by Colin Dalton, who set the challenge this year – is now considering next year’s wine!

December 06

The following reviews will be published second week of the each month

Up-to-date information on events & venues, are listed in our diary page.