RECENTLY, the ALGARVE Wine Society hosted a series of events featuring world class wine expert Jon Hurley from England. The Telegraph recently wrote about him: “A love affair with wine has blessed Jon with a nose and palate more subtle than a leg-spinner’s wrist. He has the wit, too, to transmit his enthusiasm without wine snobbery”.
The Algarve Wine Society’s members happily got the full benefit of Jon’s talent. On April 20, he conducted a major tasting of seven red wines from different producing areas of Portugal, comparing them with four reds from other parts of the world. The evening at the Hotel Garbe in Armação de Pêra was oversubscribed and members capped off an interesting tasting with a fine meal and a lottery featuring a number of fine wines as prizes.
During the next two days, Jon conducted midday Master Classes for smaller, more intimate groups. On Thursday, the venue was the Vila Palmeira near Lagos and the subject was “New classics”. White and red wines from France, California, South Africa, Chile, Spain, Italy and Argentina were presented and discussed. The next day, the venue was Barringtons in Vale do Lobo, where Jon examined eight white and red wines from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Mexico, Chile and California, under the heading “New world, old vines”.
Jon Hurley’s third book about wine, A Matter of Taste, is due out this month.
Forthcoming Algarve Wine Society events will include a trip to several wineries in the Portalegre area of the northern Alentejo, from May 17 to 19 (the group will be staying in the Marvão Pousada), a tasting of South African wines on May 31 and a special trip to Cortes de Cima, near Vidigueira in the Alentejo, on June 22 and 23, for a presentation of that winery’s latest vintages, a gourmet meal and an evening of music in honour of Hans Christian Anderson’s bicentennial.
For those interested, information about the Algarve Wine Society can be obtained from the Membership Secretary, Larry Hampton, Quinta da Mesquita, Cerro da Mesquita C.P. 310-A, 8150-025 São Brás de Alportel – email: [email protected]
