Once again, thirty of us met at Sanders Yard in Whitby for what proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable dinner and a tasting of some unusual but delicious wines. The presentation was given by Mark Chapman of Concept Fine Wines in Harrogate, who has joined us several times before.

We began with an English sparkling Charmat from Flint Vineyard in Norfolk. This was a delightful wine that surprised many people who were not expecting it to be English. It proved to be one of the most popular wines of the evening and, at £20.95 a bottle, very affordable.

Mark gave us a general overview of the wines we were to be served, saving the tasting notes until each wine was in front of us. The starter course was a choice of Crab Bisque or Beetroot Bon Bons served with a tomato and chilli chutney, interestingly partnered by three very different white wines.

The first was a 2025 Grüner Veltliner Klassic, Weingut Nastl, from Kamptal in Austria (£15.75). This was a light, dry wine that proved very popular. The second was a 2024 Blender White from Greece, made from a 65%/35% blend of Assyrtiko and Malagouzia grapes. Quite different and much heavier, it was an excellent example of how Greek wine is developing, and at £12.95, very good value. The third wine was a 2025 Select Pinot Grigio Bolgrod from South Odessa in Ukraine (£12.75). Ukraine is now growing wine in new areas since Crimea became so difficult, and producers are using more western methods to regulate quality. This was another light white, but very acceptable.

The main course offered a choice of Roasted Butternut Squash, Sage and Three Cheese Gratin; Creamy Wild Mushroom, Rosemary and Pancetta Pancakes with salad; or Mackerel Fillet on crushed chilli potatoes with a marinade. Two wines were served with this course: a 2024 Barbera d’Asti from Piedmont, Italy (£12.95), and a 2022 Valley of the Sun, Domaine des Tourelles, from the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. The latter was outstanding and, at £12.50 a bottle, exceptional value. A blend of Cinsault, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignan, it was quite delicious and the evening’s most popular wine.

Dessert was a choice of Apple and Blackberry Crumble or Cheese and Biscuits, properly accompanied by a 2023 French Monbazillac (£12.50 for 50cl), which perfectly rounded off another lovely evening with the Whitby Sommeliers.