The next meeting is on Tuesday 4th August 2026.
We meet on the first Tuesday of the month ('The Kitchen', 198 Watford Road) to sample a variety of reasonably priced wines, potentially with a theme:
e.g. Wines from a specific region, vegetarian wines,
Same grape from various regions, kosher wines,
Same wine various prices, wines from ALDI etc etc
Ideally, we want to have a group size of 24 members who will be divided up into 12 groups of 2, with each pair running approximately one session per year. Don’t worry if you don’t bring a partner along, we will pair you off with someone; it will not be onerous and we don’t want long winded descriptions!!
Each taster will be of 30ml, giving a total of 180ml (if you actually drink it all!).
The idea is to have some fun and be sociable.
The costs will be £5 paid in advance. Please note that there is an initial joining fee of £5 to cover equipment etc.
Each pair will be allocated the same budget for their 6 bottles and can spend it as they wish.
Due to the costs involved we really need you to attend most if not all of the sessions.
The group is currently showing as full (waiting list) but please don't let that deter you from applying to join it. We don't know if you are interested in joining unless you apply - and we will do our best not to keep you on the waiting list for very long!
LAST MEETING:
July 2026
It was another warm, sultry evening when 13 members of the Wine Group descended upon ‘The Kitchen’ for their monthly samplings; luckily the air conditioning was on and was appreciated by one and all.
Karen and Ruth had chosen as their theme one grape for both their white and red wines; the grape in question Sauvignon Blanc is the parent grape of both Sauvignon Blanc (white) and Cabernet Sauvignon (red). Refer to the end of this document for the differences between the two.
The evening started with three white wines:
- CHAMPTELOUP SAUVIGNON BLANC TOURAIN, France, 11.5%, RRP £12.50
- SAINT CLAIR SAUVIGNON BLANC MARLBOROUGH, New Zealand (WAIRAU VALLEY), 12.5%, RRP £16.25 we paid £12
- PICOS y RIOS SAUVIGNON BLANC, Chile (VALLE CENTRAL), 12.5%, RRP £9
Voting was 6,5,2 which rather matched the price!
Onto the reds:
- Kleine Zalze Cabernet Sauvignon2024, South Africa, 13%, RRP £8.50 we paid £7.75
- The Green Road 2023, Chile (Curico Valley), 13.5%, RRP £10
- Shannon Ridge 2022, California, 13.5%, RRP £16
Voting was 0, 7, 6 with the medium priced red just edging the vote!
A great theme, with lots of information, enjoyed by one and all.
Tasting notes can be found on the Wine Group page.
The differences between Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon
Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, acidic white wine, while Cabernet Sauvignon is a bold, tannic red wine. They differ in grape colour, flavour, body structure, food pairings, and aging potential.
Sauvignon Blanc is a light-bodied, highly acidic white wine featuring citrus and grassy notes. Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied, heavily-tannic red wine with bold dark fruit and oak flavours.
Despite the stark contrast in the glass, these two grapes are closely related. Genetic testing has shown that Sauvignon Blanc is actually one of the parent grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon (the other being Cabernet Franc).
Key Differences at a Glance
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Feature
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Sauvignon Blanc
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Cabernet Sauvignon
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Wine Colour
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White (pale straw to yellow light green bright and clear)
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Red (deep ruby to purple dense and opaque)
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Body
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Light to medium
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Full-bodied
|
|
Acidity & Tannins
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High acidity zesty, minimal tannins
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High acidity, which helps cut through rich fatty foods high/bold tannins
|
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Flavor Profile
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Grapefruit, green apple, lime, grass, and bell pepper
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Blackberry, black cherry, leather, cedar, and vanilla
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Oak Aging
Aging Potential
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Usually un-oaked (crisp)
1–5 years (meant to be enjoyed young).
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Often aged in oak barrels (rich)
1–5 years (meant to be enjoyed young).
|
|
Food Pairings
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Light fresh dishes-Seafood, (oysters, white fish) salads, goat cheese
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Rich dishes-Red meat, steak, hearty stews, aged cheeses, grilled or smoky foods
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Origin
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France (Loire Valley, Bordeaux)
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France (Bordeaux)
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Alcohol
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11–13%
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Higher on average
|
Why They Taste So Different
- Sauvignon Blanc: Primarily grown in cool-to-moderate climates like the Loire Valley in France or Marlborough in New Zealand. It is meant to be consumed young and fresh, usually fermented in stainless steel to retain its crisp, zingy character.
- Cabernet Sauvignon: Requires a warmer climate to fully ripen its thick, colour-rich skins. It is almost always aged in oak barrels, which softens its astringent tannins and adds vanilla and baking spice notes, making it ideal for aging in the bottle.
Price Range
- Sauvignon Blanc: –$ (generally affordable).
- Cabernet Sauvignon: $–$$$$ (can reach luxury levels).
Overall:
- Sauvignon Blanc = Fresh, zesty, vibrant.
- Cabernet Sauvignon = Powerful, structured, complex
Where Cabernet Sauvignon is Made
- France: Bordeaux (often blended with Merlot and Cabernet Franc).
- USA: Napa Valley, Sonoma County, and Paso Robles in California.
- Other key regions: Tuscany (Italy), Coonawarra and Margaret River (Australia), Colchagua Valley (Chile), and Stellenbosch (South Africa)
MEETING HISTORY:
- Click on 'Meeting date' to view meeting details'
- Right click on Wine Bottles and select 'Open Image in new tab' to view the full size.
- Click on Wine information' for more details on the actual wines
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