Croxley Green U3A

Dates for meeting - last Wednesday of the month

2026 dates 28th January, 25th February, 25th March 

General Information: We meet on the fourth Wednesday of the month at '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

A couple of members will choose the 6 bottles of wine each month -( you are reimbursed for the wine)  so members of the Group will be presenting about once a year with another person. It will not be onerous and we don’t want long winded descriptions!! There's help and support.

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 enjoy a sociable evening.

The costs will be £5 paid in advance. Please note that there is an initial joining fee of £15 to cover equipment etc.

A budget will be decided for the wine buying. 

Due to the costs involved we really need you to attend as many sessions as possible.

Please remember to bring your own wine glass each month.

Cheers!

WAG 2 Meeting 17/12/25There were 14 people at the meeting.

WHITE WINES: Overall winner was Mud House  Chile  Sauvignon  Blanc 2024 12.5% cost £9.50

RED WINE S: Overall winner  was Wrattonbully Cabernet Savignon 2023  by Wakefield wines    14.5%    £11

WHITE WINES

Villa Maria Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2025,  12 %  Cost: £8.50

Most people guessed this was Sauvignon Blanc and some people guessed New Zealand .The majority of people disliked this wine-7 members distinctly saying they didn't like it and 4 saying they liked it-the cost helped-and the rest indifferent

 Marlborough is NZ’s largest and most prolific wine region. 

A versatile wine for food pairing, it’s equally at home with fresh summer salads, fish and chicken dishes. Can   pair beautifully with light, delicate flavors as well, which makes it great for white meats, spring vegetables, and fresh tomatoes. Not generally  recommended  for heavy, meaty dishes with gravy or rich sauces.

Villa Maria Reserve Coastal Awatere Sauvignon Blanc 2024      13.5%       £15.50

This is another Sauvignon Blanc  from Villa Maria in NZ. It was a trick and no one guessed that it was from the same winery as the first one. Despite not knowing the cost or that  this one was the most expensive- nearly double the price- nearly everybody preferred it than the first one. Only two people said  they preferred the first one

Key Awards for the 2024 Vintage (Awarded in 2025): The International Wine Challenge has awarded five Marlborough wines with trophies. The Villa Maria Reserve Coastal Awatere Sauvignon Blanc 2024 won the International Sauvignon Blanc Trophy, and the NZ What makes it a top award-winner? There isn’t a single aspect or feature that puts it over and above so many other Sauvignon Blancs. It’s the way all the elements come together in harmony.

Food Pairings:Fish and seafood: fried, grilled, or in fish pie. Complements shellfish, mild creamy cheeses, and salads

Mud House Chile Savignon Blanc 2024   12.5 %   Cost: £9.50

 This is another  Savignon Blanc from New Zealand but from a different winery (a Chilean company) This was the most popular wine because of its taste and its cost.                                                                                 Only two people did not like this wine with most people feeling it was good to drink and good value.

 While the original Mud House is NZ-focused, the Chilean line provides an affordable option,

Food Pairings: Seafood, grilled fish, chicken, soft cheeses, goat cheese, pesto, chimichurri, green vegetables.

Red wines:

Tesco Finest Central Otago Pinot Noir  2024      13.5 %   £15

  Seven people liked the wine- two disliked it- and five thought it was OK but all felt it was not worth the money and there was much better much cheaper Pinot noir's than this one. People felt it tasted quite weak without much body

  Pairs with - Roast lamb grilled salmon or mushroom dishes

Wrattonbully Cabernet Savignon 2023  by Wakefield wines    14.5%    £11

This one went down very well by nearly everybody  due to its full bodied taste and cost

Located in the Limestone Coast area of South Australia, this wine was made in the up-and-coming Wrattonbully region.

  Pairs with: Beef, chicken and lamb 

BABICH Hawkes Bay Syrah 2024   13.5%    £16

5 liked it  and  5 didn't like it -4  weren't bothered either way- but general view   was there are better wines at much cheaper cost so probably wouldn't buy it.

Syrah and Shiraz are the exact same black grape variety, but the name difference signals distinct regional styles:

It  is a beautiful rendition of Syrah on New Zealand soil! Well characterized, supple and delicious, this wine reveals tasty notes of black fruits and pepper.

Wines below selected for the meeting on the 26th November

The reds. In 1st place the Negroamaro (£10 in Majestic) 6 votes

The Valpolicella (£12 at Majestic. 4 votes

The Chianti (£10.50 from majestic) in final place. 

The white wines. The Gavi (£11.00 at Majestic) 5 votes

The Forchir Pinot Grigio (£14 at Majestic) and the Prosecco (£13.50 at Majestic)  both 4 votes each. 

Wines below selected for the first meeting in October.

Domaine de Villemajou red 75cl 2022 - 15%

• Among the top 2 wines in the world according to Vivino
• Purchased in 1970 by Georges Bertrand - Gerard Bertrand rugby international
• A family home where father and son have shared a passion for wine for over fifteen years
• Spearhead of the Boutenac appellation, the first hierarchical Corbières cru recognized by the INAO.
• Vineyard made up of very old Carignan vines. Combined syrah & Grenache

The grapes are harvested by hand, with a double sorting system, in the vineyard and in the cellar.

Vinification is adapted to each grape variety. Carignan and Syrah are vinified as whole grapes using the carbonic maceration principle (lasting 10 to 18 days). Grenache and Mourvèdre are vinified using traditional maceration after destemming (15 to 20 days).The wine is then barrel-aged for 12 months in our Gasparet cellar.

The dress is rich and sumptuous. It is aromatically complex, with notes of notes of jammy fruit, sweet spices, leather and leather and coffee. The palate is round and smooth, with beautiful fruit framed by fine-grained tannins. With such balance, this is a wine with good aging potential.

Enjoy with grilled red meats, Mediterranean dishes and mature cheeses. Decant and serve at 17°C.

£20 or £16 in promotion VOTES 6

Maison Les Alexandrins ‘Terrasses de l’Eridan’ 2022/23, Côtes du Rhône - 14%

Maison Les Alexandrins produces Northern Rhône wines in a style that is both contemporary and timeless. This Côtes du Rhône is a partnership between Nicholas Jaboulet and Alexandre Caso, with grapes picked from exceptional vineyards unearthed by Caso. It’s a beautiful deep ruby-red with purple undertones, with a velvety texture. Expect ripe black fruit, with a hint of spiced notes. Perfect for pairing with beef, lamb, or chicken dishes.

Shiraz grape

£14 or £12.50 in promotion VOTES 2

La Belle Angèle Pinot Noir 2022/23, France - 13%

For a distinctive taste of what makes French Pinot Noir so adored, don’t miss La Belle Angèle Pinot Noir. It’s made from grapes expertly-selected across several French regions. This means the winemakers can create a wine with the perfect balance of rich flavour and freshness. And because it's not from a single designated area, you can get it for an incredible price. Expect flavours of ripe red cherry, gentle notes of sweet spice and satisfying length. Strawberry, Black Cherry, Dried Herbs, Spice It's a great partner for roast chicken.

Pinot Noir grape

£9 or £8 in promotion VOTES 4

Moillard-Thomas Crémant de Bourgogne Brut, Burgundy, 2023 - 11.5%

Moillard-Thomas is one of the oldest wine merchants in the famous Côtes de Nuits in Burgundy, and has been making wine since the 19th century. This bright and fresh crémant is made using the traditional method and a selection of grapes including Chardonnay (primarily), Gamay, and Pinot Noir, all grown in the Côte Chalonnaise and the Mâconnais. With its fine bubbles and zesty, floral aromas, it’s perfect as an apéritif or served alongside seafood.

£17 or £15 in promotion VOTES 9

Maurice Gentilhomme Mâcon-Villages AOP 2024, Burgundy - 12%

If you’re looking for a crisp, clean Chardonnay, this is it. Using grapes sourced from the Mâcon region of Burgundy, this unoaked wine is all about freshness and elegance. Gentle pressing and cool fermentation helps to retain the vibrant flavours, and nine months ageing in stainless steel brings delicate texture that makes this wine the perfect partner to many different dishes. Expressive and zesty, with flavours of exotic fruits, white flowers and a citrusy, clean finish. Try it with creamy risotto, grilled fish, antipasti, soft cheese, and even sushi.

£13 or £11 in promotion VOTES 0

Denis Marchais Chenin Blanc 2023/24, France - 12%

This French Chenin Blanc is drier and fruitier than those you'd find in South Africa. Made by André Lacheteau, a winemaker that's respected over much of the globe, it's a fresh, balanced cocktail of exotic fruit that's balanced by a flinty minerality.

Grape Chenin Blanc

Pear, Floral, Green Apple, Lemon.

From Loire region

£9.50 or £8.50 in promotion VOTES 5