Richard and Sylvia presented their choice of wines for 3 courses for a picnic while attending an outdoor screening of The Last Night of the Proms to a smaller than usual group of about 10. This was referencing the times when they got together with friends in Kent at Leeds Castle.
The wine challenge for the attendees was to identify the country and the grape. Accompanying the wines on the evening were crackers and 3 really nice cheeses - Gruyère, Manchego, and Extra Mature Cheddar.
Below are Richard and Sylvia's food choices for the picnic and details of each wine to accompany the food.
Starter
| Food Avocado Mousse |
| Cheese Unpasteurised Gruyère Reserve made from cow's milk and matured for 6 months or more. Deliciously sweet and nutty with a firm dry texture. Made in Switzerland. |
| Wine Grüner Veltliner |
Main Course
| Food Coronation Chicken |
| Cheese Manchego, a full fat hard cheese made with pasteurised sheep's milk from Spanish Manchega ewes and matured for up to 9 months. Rich and nutty. |
| Wine Chenin Blanc |
Dessert
| Food Strawberries and crême fraiche |
| Cheese Extra Mature Cheddar. Made with British milk and matured for at least 15 months. |
| Wine Cinsault |
| Country | Austria |
| Region | Traisental |
| Producer | Markus Huber |
| Grape | Grüner Veltliner |
| Year | 2022 |
| Price | £11.00 (Sainsubry's) |
This wine has white peach and lively, lemony fruit flavours backed up by subtle white pepper and spicy notes. Its complex flavours go particularly well with asparagus and perfectly suits salmon in a creamy sauce.
The Huber family has been making wine for 10 generations and today the winery is run by award-winning winemaker Markus Huber, one of the industry's rising stars. Grüner Veltliner is Austria's foremost white grape variety and this is a classic example: typically aromatic on the nose with superbly structured fruit and a mineral edge.
| Country | South Africa |
| Region | Coastal |
| Producer | Corlea Fourie |
| Grape | Chenin Blanc |
| Year | 2023 |
| Price | £8.50 (Sainsbury's) |
This deliciously zingy and fruity wine is packed with the mouthwatering flavours of tropical fruit and citrus zest. The Bosman and Appollis families have farmed side by side for generations, both having the dream of creating wine that captures the diversity of South Africa's natural beauty, while reinvesting in the community through Fairtrade.
The fresh, fruity flavours go brilliantly with grilled fish, chicken or Asian cuisine.
| Country | South Africa |
| Region | Breedekloof |
| Producer | Willem Visagie |
| Grape | Cinsault |
| Year | 2023 |
| Price | £10.00 (Sainsbury's) |
This vibrant and fruity red is packed with delicious strawberry, raspberry and morello cherry flavours. The finish is long and smooth with a hint of white pepper. South Africa's breathtaking Breedekloof Valley is home to some of the country's oldest bush vines which produce elegant and characterful wines. Winemaker Willem Visagie's philosophy is to make artisanal wines which reflect the region's unique heritage.
This juicy red makes a great match for beef bourguignon or rich stews.