After a Covid-forced absence of three years, on the 24th August the Baltic’s Wine Society swung back into action in celebratory style with a tasting of seven sparkling wines from around the world. The venue was the private room at Factory House Wine bar in Leadenhall Market where 32 of us were charged to sniff, swirl and consume generous measures of each of the seven sparklers on show.  Well actually, they weren’t ‘on show’ as we tasted ‘blind’ with some guiding hints from host David Hughes as to what to look for and match the wine with the country with the ultimate chance of a prized bottle to who could identify the 2012 Vintage Grande Marque Champagne - where 11 (a third) got it right and underwent a knock-out questionnaire with The Baltic’s Samaa winning the bottle - and no, it wasn’t ‘fixed’!

It was intended to be a fun and up-lifting occasion with the wines supplemented by excellent platters of cured meats and cheeses through the tasting and the final flash of occasion was when David removed the top of the final bottle with a sabre - origin of which was performed in front of Napoleon by his sabre-bearing Hussars at the end of a day’s success in the battlefield. After the tasting we moved to the general bar area where some further mini platters were supplied together with some bottles of white and red wine for guests to enjoy. The only downside was we had to say ‘no places left’ to a number of people.

We are delighted with the success of the evening and further tasting events will be forthcoming - so please do keep a watch and….. register early.

An article on Sparkling Wines, including the listing of those undertaken at the above event is shown separately on The Baltic Wine Society’s web listing.
 

Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/thebaltic/albums/72177720301716240