A Personal Reflection on an Evening of Wine With the Wonderful Gill Young - Matthew Swallow, Sheffield Section Chair
The Sheffield section of the Yorkshire Guild of Sommeliers enjoyed a warm, lively, and wonderfully engaging tasting hosted by Gill Young, who brought both knowledge and charm to a line‑up that travelled across Greece, Australia, Spain, France, the US, and Italy. It was one of those evenings where each glass told its own story—and Gill stitched them together beautifully.
Gill’s thoughtful curation made this tasting more than just a flight of wines—it was a journey through climates, cultures, and winemaking philosophies. The discussions sparked by the Assyrtiko comparison and the Grenache trio highlighted just how much personality each wine can display, and the closing pair of bold reds rounded the night off in comfort. A relaxed, educational, and thoroughly enjoyable evening – everything a section tasting should be.
Opening With Assyrtiko: A Tale of Two Continents
We began with two very different expressions of Assyrtiko, and the contrast was a perfect illustration of why comparative tastings are so rewarding.
1. Thymiopoulos Assyrtiko 2023 – Macedonia
From the first swirl, this felt bright and invigorating.
On the nose, we picked up lemon zest, green apple, and that characteristic saline lift that makes Assyrtiko so exciting.
On the palate, it was clean, crisp, and linear—citrus peel, pear, and a refreshing mineral line. A brilliant value wine and a pure Old World expression of the grape.
2. Jim Barry Assyrtiko 2022 – Clare Valley
Placed alongside the Greek version, the difference was striking.
Aromatically, this offered riper stone fruit—nectarine, lemon curd—and even a little floral richness.
In the mouth, it was rounder and more textural, almost waxy, yet still carrying that zesty acidity Assyrtiko refuses to let go of, regardless of climate. A fascinating New World alternative and a great talking point around the table.
A Tour Through Grenache/Garnacha: Three Wines, Three Personalities
Gill then led us into a trio of Grenache/Garnacha, each revealing a different facet of this expressive grape.
3. Lopez de Haro Garnacha 2022 – Rioja
This was soft and gentle, a nice easing-in to the reds.
Nose: red cherry, raspberry, a hint of sweet spice.
Palate: light-bodied, smooth, and comforting—red fruit with a touch of vanilla. A charming everyday Rioja.
4. Vanguardist Oeno Grenache 2023 – Maclaren Vale
This one immediately turned heads.
Nose: perfumed and lifted—rose petal, redcurrant, wild strawberry.
Palate: elegant, silky, almost ethereal, with fine tannins and a herbal savoury thread. It’s Grenache with a modern whisper, beautifully made and much admired around the room.
5. Domaine Jones Old Vines Grenache 2023 – Tuchan
The old vines made themselves known instantly.
Aromatics: black cherry, plum, garrigue herbs, a dusting of cocoa.
Taste: fuller, richer, more concentrated than the previous two. Layers of fruit and spice with a warm, generous finish. A favourite for those who love depth and vinosity.
Closing With Boldness: Zinfandel & Primitivo
To round off the evening, we moved into darker, richer territory.
6. Brazin Old Vines Zinfandel 2023 – Lodi Valley
A classic Californian hug-in-a-glass.
Nose: blackberry jam, mocha, sweet baking spices.
Palate: plush, warming, and velvety with a generous wave of ripe black fruit. Lots of smiles at this point in the tasting.
7. Paololeo Primitivo 2023 – Manduria
This offered a slightly more rustic, earthy charm.
Nose: dark plum, fig, chocolate, and a little Mediterranean spice.
Palate: rich, smooth, full-bodied but approachable, with soft tannins and sweet, dark fruit that lingered gently on the finish. A satisfying conclusion.
