Shabo Wines from Ukraine

Help support Ukraine and at the same time discover the country’s top wines!  This is a first for Red Herrings.  We are delighted that Giorgi Iukuridze, Chief Executive of Shabo, will fly to the UK to tutor a stunning range of nine wines.

Ukraine has a tradition of winemaking since the 8^th century BC.  The Carpathian Mountains lie to the west and Crimean mountains to the south.  Most of the land has a continental climate with a risk of frost in the early spring.  It has several noted indigenous grape varieties.

Shabo was established in 2003 on the base of the oldest winery in Ukraine.  It is the country’s most stylish producer, securing over 500 awards at international competitions.  It has 1,200ha under vine with 20 different varieties.  Its family vineyards lie on the peninsula between the Black Sea and Dniester estuary with predominantly loamy soils with limestone and sand.

Classic Blanc de Blanc Brut Grand Reserve 2019 will open the tasting.  This sparkling wine is traditionally made (like Champagne) from Chardonnay vines averaging 19 years old.  The grapes are hand-harvested and only the highest quality free-run juice is used; the bottles are aged on their lees for at least 67 months.

Chardonnay Grand Millesime 2017 has real elegance.  The wine was fermented and aged in Austrian (56%) and French (44%) oak.  This wine alone shows the international standards obtained by Shabo.

Qvevri amphorae

Rkatsiteli-Chardonnay Limited Edition 2021 has complex aromas of dry apricot, tea leaves, white cherry, acacia and honey; its well structured palate shows the balance of these two vines which were fermented in clay amphorae (known as qvevri) which were imported from Georgia.  This is known as an ‘orange’ wine.

A second ‘orange’ wine follows: Rkatsiteli Limited Edition 2021, one of just 2,400 bottles.  Rkatsiteli is an ancient Georgian white variety and in the early 1990s was the world’s third most planted vine; today it can be found as far afield as Australia and upper New York State.  Its wine is known for its vibrant acidity and good sugar levels.  The vines were grown on limestone, clay and yellow sand.

Deep-red and purple hues are the hallmark of Saperavi-Merlot Limited Edition 2022 which was also fermented in qvevri.  The grape balance is 38% and 62% respectively.  It would partner duck well.

Cabernet Sauvignon Grande Reserve 2020 was fermented and aged entirely in French oak, using 225 litre barrels, 60% of which were new.  This wine would accompany beef brilliantly.

A trio of hand-harvested grapes was used for our next red: (Cabernet Franc 66% - Merlot 21.6% - Saperavi 12.4%)  Grande Reserve 2019.  All three juices were aged in French oak.

An indigenous variety to Ukraine will then be revealed: Telti-Kuruk Grand Millesime 2017.  This was introduced by the Greeks in 6^th century BC; they founded the colony of Tira along the northern Black Sea coast, called Odessa today.  Its yellow-green grapes are known as ‘fox-tail’ because of the shape of the bunches.  Made from 43 year old vines, the wine was fermented and aged half in Austrian wood and half in French of which 60% was new.  Expect to be delighted by the rhubarb jam aromas and elegant fruity palate.

Finally, some of the very limited bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon Iukuridze Family Grand Millesime 2014 have been secured.  The grapes were harvested manually and placed in boxes which had previously been refrigerated to 7C.  De-stemming and sorting ensured the perfect grapes were processed.  This powerful wine (14.6%alc/vol) shows subtle tannins and a long finish – great with beef!

Panter & Hall at 21-22 Pall Mall, SW1 is our attractive venue.  This leading art gallery is the brainchild of Tiffany Panter and Matthew Hall, both Red Herring members.  Our visit will coincide with works from such artists as P.J. Crook, Hannah Woodman, Simon Laurie (such as his highly apposite Carafe and Red Pear), Michael Kirkbride and sculpture by Sophie Dickens.

Hound I - Edition 1 of 9

(sculpture)

Sophie Dickens

As usual, doors open at 6:30pm; please do NOT arrive earlier (as the Cpmmittee needs time to set up).

If you arrive earlier, there are plenty of coffee shops / wine bars in the area (eg Sofitel Hotel on Pall Mall).

The tasting ends at 8.30pm.

For admission, please either print off the numbered ticket or have it available on a mobile telephone.

Date:      Wednesday 13^th December 2024

Time:      6:30pm

Venue:    Panter & Hall,  21-22 Pall Mall,  London,  SW1Y 5LP

Dress:    Jacket and tie for men  (please advise your guests)

TASTING COSTS

HOW TO BOOK

Options:

• Via the on-line form below  (preferred method)
• or
• E-mail your tasting request to tastings@redherringwineclub.co.uk (NOT to the membership secretary) and make a payment

Enquiries can be made by telephone on 020 8947 5082 or by e-mail to tastings@redherringwineclub.co.uk  but bookings will only be allocated when funds have been received.

HOW TO PAY

By on-line banking only (details below) 

Your reference should be as follows:

Bookings will only be allocated when funds have been received.

Payment of membership subscription(s) should preferably be made via the online form on the Membership page of the Club's website.

(If membership payment is still made together with a tasting application, please ensure the membership secretary is advised via membership@redherringwineclub.co.uk.

Please remember to advise the Club (membership@redherringwineclub.co.uk) of any home or e-mail address changes

Tasting Application

Diary Dates: