York - January Tasting Wine of the Month
The wine name: Dornier Equanimity Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2020
Region: W.O. Stellenbosch
Grapes: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
ABV: 14.5%
Price: £20-£25
Stockist: RAKQ Ltd and Cellar Door Wines
Tasting notes: If you’ve ever wondered where Cabernet goes to feel fabulous, it’s the Upper Blaauwklippen Valley’s “Golden Triangle,” home to the family‑run Dornier estate. They keep things simple in the cellar — minimal intervention, maximum expression — and the results speak (or rather, purr) for themselves.
Their single‑varietal Cabernet Sauvignon shows why the Helderberg slopes are the Cape’s happy place for this noble grape. It pours a deep, inky purple that practically winks at you, then delivers a full‑bodied, luxuriously unctuous mouthful that reminds you why Cabernet has such swagger.
A proper crowd‑pleaser, and a delicious excuse for a second glass.
Leeds - January tasting wine of the month
The wine name: Domaine Philippe Gilbert Menetou Salon
Vintage: 2023
Appellation: Menetou Salon Controlee
Region: Upper Loire
Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc
ABV: 12.5%
Price: £23.50
Stockist: Le Bon Vin, Sheffield
Option for notes: Organic and biodynamic. Clean and crisp on the palate. Enjoyed by one of our members who doesn't usually like white wines! Will be gorgeous with sea food.
YORK - FEBRUARY TASTING WINE OF THE MONTH
The wine name: Heida
Vintage: 2024
Producer: Maison Varone
Region: Valais
Grapes: 100% Heida
ABV: 13.5%
Price: £26
Stockist: Yorkshire Vintners
Tasting notes: Heida doesn’t get out much — most of it stays happily tucked away in Switzerland — so when a bottle turns up on our table, it feels a bit like spotting a rare alpine creature. This one is bright, fresh, and wonderfully self assured. Clean fruit, a confident structure, and a finish that hangs around just long enough to remind you it was something special. A quietly stunning Swiss charmer. If you see it, don’t hesitate.
Leeds - FEBRUARY TASTING WINE OF THE MONTH
The wine name: The Society's Exhibition Rioja Reserva
Vintage: 2020
Producer: La Rioja Alta bodega
Region: Rioja
Grapes: 100% Tempranillo
ABV: 14%
Price: £18.50
Stockist: The Wine Society
Tasting notes: A smooth and exotic Exhibition-label bottling from La Rioja Alta. The 2020 is classic displaying full and rich savoury notes, with gentle spice making this traditional-style Rioja so appealing. This comes from the famous La Rioja Alta bodega, whose wines are known for their finesse as well as depth of flavour. Released only after long ageing in barrel and bottle. This results in a complex, lengthy wine with fine, delicate texture
BINGLEY - FEBRUARY TASTING WINE OF THE MONTH
The wine name: Liatiko
Vintage: 2024
Producer: Lyarakis
Region: Crete
Grapes: 100% Liatiko
ABV: 13.5%
Price: £15
Stockist: Majestic or Chez Vin
Tasting notes: From high in the Cretan hills comes one of the island’s most characterful native grapes: Liatiko. Grown at 650 metres, where cooler mountain breezes help the fruit retain its freshness, this “queen” of Crete shows its charm straight away. Aromas of dark cherry and wild berries lead into an intense yet beautifully balanced palate, framed by fine tannins and a juicy, expressive finish.
It’s a wonderfully versatile food wine too — equally at home with pizza and pasta as it is with fish cooked in rich red sauces. A delicious reminder of how exciting Crete’s indigenous varieties can be.
YORK - MARCH TASTING WINE OF THE MONTH
The wine name: Höpler Grüner Veltliner
Vintage: 2024
Region: Burgenland
Grapes: 100% Grüner Veltliner
ABV: 13.5%
Price: £12.50
Stockist: Derventio Wines
Tasting notes: Höpler’s Grüner Veltliner brings a refreshing lift of citrus, yellow apple and the grape’s signature white pepper sparkle. Light, mineral and quietly expressive, it shows the clarity and charm that make Grüner such a versatile favourite. A crisp, food friendly white.
Section 2
Each month is a clickable link which takes the user to a page with that month’s wines.
Chairs (or nominee) will be asked to submit one wine from each monthly tasting. Months drop off as the year progresses. Entries have the following information:
The wine name
Vintage
Appellation
Region
Awards
Grapes
ABV
Price
Stockist
Picture
Option for notes