So the plan was to create live feeds, tweets and blogposts keeping you up to date on all the action in our collaboration with Casa Valduga at Taste of London 2013. Whilst the good intentions remain, unfortunately time was not on my side, the crowds simply couldn't resist the opportunity to whet their palate with something truly new and unique in the wine industry. This made for a rather fast paced, never-off-my-feet, weekend. Over the four days we tasted and sold our way through what must have amounted to three or four dozen cases of the best of Brazilian wines. Feedback all round was incredibly positive with many new converts to this new niche in wine. I was particularly impressed with the crowds braving the best of British summer weather (wind and rain) to come and join in the occasion at Regents Park. Again you ask what happened to all the live stories and news? Well with the constant crowds interested to learn and try some new wines from Brazil there was not much opportunity to do so at the show. The days were unbelievably long too, Thursday kicked off with a 5am departure for my flight, having arrived in London in good time to get settled and plan for the day ahead things seemed to be progressing rather smoothly...alas the gods of Gatwick airport had a surprise in store when they managed to take over an hour and a half to get our bags from the plane a mere 100 yards away to the baggage reclaim belt, I mean how hard can it be? From that moment onwards there was just no chance to catch up. I arrived at the fair at 10am and was there until the last of the crowds ebbed away at 10pm, by which point there was nothing this wine enthusiast could manage but get back to my little apartment room and collapse for a few hours kip before doing it all over again the next day! So what has changed now? Well I write this sitting at Edinburgh Airport embarrassed as a boy could be, having left my keys at London City Airport Security and not realising until I got to my car. I mean really, of all the times for my silliness to manifest itself, 10pm on a Sunday night at the end of the longest weekend in a long time before the start of yet another manic week in the life of Exel Wines.
Ah well for those of you that haven't had the tasting pleasure, here is a quicker than quick run down of those tantalising Brazilian wines. Alisios White, a devine if unusual sounding blend of Pinot Grigio & Riesling. Mmmmm sweet floral Riesling cutting through the acidity of the Pinot Grigio, this was the white highlight. Amongst the reds the Marselan proved popular as always, this cross between Cabernet Sauvignon & Grenache is a perfect balance of body, oak and depth of flavour. Casa Valduga's range of sparkling wines always prove to be the show stopper though. Traditionally made and lightly oaked, Blush and White versions please even the most hardened of Champagne fans. We even found a hoard of new followers for the high-end Vintage bubbly of Casa Valduga Extra Brut. A dusty dry, oak blend with a solid 60 months ageing on the lees makes this a wine that is simply not for everyone. The Marmite effect is apparent for the select few that find themselves in love with this rather unique wine.
With that, there is nothing left to say but what are you waiting for? Get yourself over to Exel Wines, in-store in Perth or online and be amongst the trend setting early adopters of Brazilian wines.
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