London SITT Tasting 2013

@ The Royal Horticultural Halls 27th February 2013

I had a very rare day off and we closed Fareham Wine Cellar to visit the London SITT Tasting at the Royal Horticultural Halls, London. The SITT tasting is the The Specialist Importers Trade Tasting and has gone from strength to strength in recent years. There are are now three SITT tastings in the UK, a Spring tasting in both London and Manchester and an Autumn tasting London. There are also plans for an Asian SITT tasting in Singapore in 2014.

There were loads of fantastic wines there and it is always great to meet up with old friends, try new wines, new vintages and remind oneself of wines one hasn’t tried for ages. The venue was good, there was enough room to get around and get to most of the tables and it didn’t get too hot – common complaints at other venues. Quite a few of my key suppliers were in attendance including Burridge of Arlington Street, Awin Barrett and Siegel, The Wine Treasury, Hatch Mansfield and  Mentzendorff, Louis Latour and McKinley Vintners.

Highlights of the day for me were probably Tahon de Tobelos Rioja, the new range of Plan B Wines from Western Australia, Rodney Strong Vineyards from Sonoma, California, Mahi Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, La Brancaia Tre from Tuscany and Chateau La Mascaronne Quat’Saisons Cote de Provence Rosé. I was also very impressed by Champagne Ayala Blanc de Blancs and Champagne Pol Roger Brut Reserve, both of which I tried for the first time.

Fareham Wine Cellar Photographs the SITT Tasting 2013