The Big Fortified Tasting

[Alex Bridgeman]

On Monday 19th April and in defience of an unpronounceable Icelandic volcano, Danny Cameron and Ben Campbell-Johnson organised an extremely impressive trade tasting of Fortified Wines. Attending were producers from many different countries showing many different styles of fortified wine including Madeira, Port, Sherry, Marsala, and Maury.

Although in many cases the people attending on behalf of the producers were changed suddenly and with little notice, the event proceeded very smoothly. Port producers represented included Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo, Duorum, Fonseca, Quinta de la Rosa, Ramos Pinto, Quinta do Crasto, Wine and Soul, Quinta do Passadouro, Rozes, Churchill Graham, quinta do Noval, Barros, Calem, Quinta do Infantado, Maynard's (something of a blast from the past), Niepoort, Sandeman, Offley Forrester and Graham.

A very worthwhile event and one which was well attended, despite the travel problems. Hopefully this will become an annual event.

[Axel P]

where did that take place? Was it just for customers or open?

Axel

[jdaw1]

The Big Fortified Tasting.

[Glenn E.]

an unpronounceable Icelandic volcano

I do not know the proper rules for phonetics, but it is pronounced thusly:

AY-a FYAT-la YO-kutl

And it means, roughly, island mountain glacier. Or something more expressive like "the glacier of the mountain on the island."

Here's a video with one of the 2600-odd people who actually speak Icelandic demonstrating proper pronunciation.

Carry on.

[DRT]

This was an excellent event and a great opportunity for some of the smaller producers and importers to show their fortified wines. It was also great for enthusiastic consumers such as us to be able to taste a wide range of fortified wines that we would not otherwise have access to.

I was able to taste quite a few 2007s that I had not previously encountered, including the Niepoort Pisca, Duorum, Quinta do Nova and Calem. I will dig out my tasting notes when I get home and post some here. Hopefully JDAW and AHB will do likewise

Derek

[Axel P]

Derek, Alex, what is the deal to get into? Just normal entry fee (how much?) or invitation?

Axel

[jdaw1]

You have PM with email address to which request for invitation should be sent.