For our midsummer meeting at our usual venue, Sanders Yard Bistro, we were warmly entertained by Edgmond Wines — all the way from Newport, Shropshire.

Founded in 2013 by Preet Sahota (originally using his parents’ shop), he was introduced by our flamboyant Chairman, Robert, as a third‑generation Punjabi, married to a Geordie girl, and currently celebrating both the birth of a baby daughter and his 40th birthday.

We were more than happy to join in the celebrations, beginning with our Welcome Fizz: a vintage‑style Champagne, an absolute steal at the greatly discounted price of £12.99. This, like all the wines of the evening, was sourced from South Africa.

Our Intermediate Wine was Rebeland Cape White Blend (40% Chenin Blanc), offering lovely fruity notes and ultimately voted Wine of the Month.

Our Starter course was paired with a delightful Grenache Blanc from one of the oldest vineyards in South Africa, followed by a Grenache Gris 2025 from One Movement Wines — from what is considered one of the best vintages of the last 25 years.

The red wines served with our main course (also from One Movement Wines) were a Tannat 2025, nicely oaked for 15 months, and a Petit Verdot 2025. As Preet reminded us, Petit Verdot is often unfairly regarded as “always the bridesmaid, never the bride” — but not so here. This example was superb.

Our evening concluded with Winkelshoek Cape Vintage 2022, a port‑style wine served alongside dessert or cheese and biscuits. As good as any “proper” port, it was a deserving runner‑up for Wine of the Month.

Our midsummer meeting therefore ended on a merry note — as usual — thanks to some superb wines presented by Preet in a witty, engaging manner, somewhat reminiscent of our good friend James Long… Punjabi style.