On 18th of April, we welcomed Pippa Heyward to present to us at NHWS.

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Pippa Hayward is a professional wine educator, a WSET diplomate and Senior Tutor for the Wine Education Service.
She creates and leads wine tours to Spain and is an accredited Rioja Educator, a judge for The International Wine Challenge and the International Wine and Spirit Competition. 

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In her own words she loves sharing her passion and enthusiasm for wine in an accessible, down–to–earth way by giving a clear, jargon-free understanding of what has influenced the taste of the wine in the glass.

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Well that is exactly what we had from Pippa at our last meeting.

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She showed a selection of Catalunyan wines, mainly drawn from the Wine Society's catalogue and with an accompanying narrative to illustrate the history, business success and terroir of Catalunya.

First we enjoyed a fizz: Cava Bodegues Sumaroacca The Societys' Exhibition Cava £12.95 (The Wine Society). 
Our assessment :- a pleasing and elegant method tradionelle.

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Next a white blend of Macaeu, Albarino, Chardonnay & Sauvignon: DO Costers del Segro, Auzuelles Blanco 2024 (the Wine Society £11,95). 
Crisp fresh, fruity, nice bright acidic.

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Third a DO Penedes from Bodegas Loxarel, 2024. From The Good wine shop £16.50
A blend of several grapes and an easy swig

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Fourth a fine wine from old grapes: DO Monstant Acustic cellar Blanc 2023. Leas and Sandeman £22.75
A wine with a beginning a middle and an end.

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Moving on to the reds...

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Fifth a light red DO Terra Alta  "El Mago" Garnache Tinto (much like a Pinot Noir). Also from the Wine Society (£11.95).

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Sixth a Garnatxa blend of Tinta and Peluda. From the Good Wine Shop (£22.50) 
A pleasing light red

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Seventh an old vines low yielding Priorat:  Buif y Gine, Gine Gine.  Wine Society (£23.50).
Fresh with depth and pleasantly spicy,

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And last a Monsant, Albert Jane Acustic Cellar Brao 2021. A rich Bordeaux-like blend of Carinene and Garnatxa. From Lea and Sandeman £30.50
Rich and tasty with a long finish

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All in all an excellent selection well presented by a skillful and knowledgeable presenter.
Well Done Pippa

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Thanks to Sue Rossell for providing the half-time buffet