David Russell presented a beer tasting evening for the Normanton on
Soar Round Table at the Plough, Normanton-on-Soar on 17th September 2015. 11
different beers were sampled, including three French beers brought back from France
as well as a wide selection from Newbury's new beer and wine shop, the Inn at Home.
. You can see a picture of David and Elaine with the Chairman and several bottles
in the Photo Gallery.
IWC 2015 Results
The International Wine Challenge results have now been released.
Learn more at
IWC 2015 Results
Where to buy wine
Lidl has been named the best supermarket for wine in the UK, according to a new study by
Wotwine.
Nearly two-thirds (65pc) of the wines available for sale at Lidl represent good value,
according to a tasting panel who assigned a monetary value to each vintage they tasted
and comparing it to the actual price tag.
Aldi came second with 64pc of the wines on its shelves considered a "true bargain"
and Asda came third with 48pc..
Learn more at
Wine supermarkets
World faces global wine shortage
The world is facing a wine shortage, with global consumer demand
already significantly outstripping supply, a report has warned.
Learn more at
Wine shortage
Why is red wine good for your health?
Red wine is a good source of a chemical known as resveratrol, a compound which destroys
'free radicles', often blamed for everything from the ageing process to the degradation
in heart health, immune response, diabetes and Alzheimer’s.
Learn more at
Wine and health
David invited to Hermitage Officers' Mess
In November 2012 David, accompanied by Elaine, was invited to give a wine tasting at the
Officers' Mess of 42 Engineers Regiment and the Royal School of Military Survey, Hermitage.
David gave a short introduction about wine and how to taste it, illustrated with examples
from a range of white and red wines.
Royal Family to plant vineyard at Windsor Great Park
Last May, 16,700 vines were to be planted in a section of Windsor Great Park.
The vineyard will be planted with champagne varieties – Chardonnay,
Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, the classic Champagne grape varieties
– with a view to making an English sparkling wine.
Learn more at
Royal vineyard
English Wines Win Awards
Denbies Chalk Ridge Rosé 2010 has won the still
rosé Gold Medal prize in the International Wine Challenge (IWC)
competition, beating more than 360 challengers from 21 countries.
Another IWC Gold Award went to Chapel Down's sparkling rosé Vintage
Reserve Brut. (Chapel Down wines were served at the recent
Royal Wedding).
Learn more at
Château Dorking
David's Beer Tasting
David Russell presented a beer tasting evening for the Normanton on
Soar Men's Social Society on 28th March 2011. 11
different beers were sampled, including lagers, weissbiers as well as good English
ales from West Berkshire and Fullers Breweries. You can see
pictures of David pouring a glass of Kwak for the Chairmen on their
website (scroll down the page at their website
Normanton on Soar village)
World's Oldest Champagne
Divers have found 30 bottles of champagne thought to pre-date the
French Revolution on the Baltic seabed. When they opened one,
they found the wine - believed to have been made by Clicquot (now
Veuve Clicquot) between 1782 and 1788 - was still in good condition. >
Learn more at
World's oldest Champagne
World's Oldest Winery
Archaeologists have unearthed the oldest wine-making
facility ever found, using biochemical techniques to identify a dry
red vintage made about 6,000 years ago in what is now southern
Armenia. Carbon dating showed a desiccated grape vine found
near a wine press was grown around 4000 BC. The rich, red
wines produced there are Merlots and Cabernet Sauvignons.
Learn more at
Worlds-oldest-winery