WHITBY'S JANUARY 2026 MATCH REPORT BY STEVE BREMNER
January’s meeting at Sanders Yard Bistro was both reflective and warmly engaging, setting an appropriate tone for the first gathering of the year. With Chairman Robert unable to attend, Malcolm took on hosting duties for the evening.
In his opening remarks, Malcolm paused to remember Gillian, whose funeral took place that day. Many members of the Sommelier community were in attendance, and a glass was raised in her memory, with our thoughts very much with Bob and his family at this difficult time.
The evening marked the return of a familiar face, as Malcolm welcomed back previous speaker Geoff Walker, now working in collaboration with York Wines. Geoff introduced a line-up that leaned predominantly towards Italy, offering a varied and well-paced exploration of regions and styles.
Overall, the evening struck a pleasing balance between reflection, education and enjoyment. With thoughtful hosting, a well-judged Italian focus, and wines that were both approachable and characterful, it was a fitting start to the year, and a reminder of the pleasure found in shared experience around the table.
We began with an arrival wine, Le Coccole Rosato from Il Botolo (NV, Piemonte, 13%), served with canapés. Made in a fresh, dry style typical of northern Italy, the rosato showed bright acidity and red-fruited charm, providing a welcoming and sociable start to the evening.
This was followed by the intermediate white, the Sapuri Inzolia / Pinot Grigio 2024 from Sicily (IGT, 11%). (IGT – Indicazione Geografica Tipica – identifies a wine’s origin while giving producers greater freedom over grape varieties and style). Light and refreshing, the blend combined the gentle body and almond-citrus notes of Inzolia with the crisp lift of Pinot Grigio. Its restrained alcohol and fresh profile made it an easy and well-judged transition into the whites that followed.
The first white wines served with the starters were the Versare Sauvignon Blanc 2024 from Veneto (IGT, 11%) and the Zibibbo Moira 2022 from Alcesti in south-west Sicily (IGT, 12.5%). The Sauvignon Blanc, offered citrus and subtle herbaceous notes, while the Zibibbo, Sicily’s expression of Muscat of Alexandria, brought aromatic lift, citrus zest and floral character drawn from its warm coastal setting. Both wines worked particularly well with richer starter dishes such as the smoked salmon and black pudding, where freshness and aroma helped balance savoury depth.
For the main courses, attention turned to two Italian reds: Corte Fresca Merlot 2024 from Veneto (IGT, 12.5%) and Primitivo Passione 2021 from Varvaglione in the Salento region of Puglia (IGP, 14%). The Merlot showed soft tannins and ripe plum fruit, making it an easy, food-friendly partner, while the Primitivo offered a fuller, riper expression, with warmth and generosity typical of southern Italy. Both wines sat comfortably with the main dishes, offering an easy and agreeable match at the table.
The evening concluded with a dessert red, Malamado Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina (18%). A fortified expression of Malbec, it delivered richness, warmth and concentrated dark fruit, and was particularly successful alongside cheese, providing an indulgent close to the tasting.
