There are many advantages to working for Majestic Wine, not only the amazing training and opportunities to see the wine business in the way it is intended - on a vineyard in Champagne, Chile, Austrailia or Spain - but also the opportunity to go to Excel in London and go to the London International Wine Fair.
I had heard rumours about the greatness of the LIWF and about how suppliers such as Metzendorff who supply Bollinger champagne, or Brown Brothers with their range of red, white and dessert wines or Kangarilla Road who may possibly do one of the best Austrailian Shiraz, well that is my humble opinion anyway, offer free tastings!
I arrived and was blown away, I have never seen so much wine, not even in the biggest Supermarket! It was an alcoholics heaven!
After getting over the shear scale of the operation I jumped in with both feet and started on some Champagne, swiftly followed by some varying vintages of Taylor’s Port, including a white port, something that I had never encountered before. After a quick taste of Madeira I headed off to the American stand. Maybe not the normal way to try things but I like to be unconventional.
After a great conversation with a lovely organic Washington grower and trying the rose I moved onto the Jacquart stand to cleanse the pallet. The Rosé NV was very much enjoyed and cleansed the pallet nicely, just in time for some amazing Switzerland Riesling and Pinot Noir, some of which were outstanding and the Pinot Noir could give Beaujolais a run for their money as far as I am concerned.
Moving slightly unsteadily onto the Viñalba Malbec stand where Majestic staff were greeted with open arms and open bottles of wine I again tried to full range of red wines on offer. It is a great wine, and the Chardonnay, which Majestic don’t currently stock, is also of great quality and we will hopefully have it on our shelves and in our wine racks soon.
I also sampled some absolutely amazing Pinot Noir Eis wine which was out of this world, I am a lover of sweet and dessert wines but have never had the pleasure of this style before. I was blown away! Again Majestic haven’t got this wine on the shelves but hopefully someday soon it will be available, as anyone who has a sweet tooth will know.
I was also lucky enough to be able to be taken through the Kangarilla Road range and was suitably stunned, it may have also been the influence of a range of German Rieslings that I had previously had the pleasure of tasting, but the Kangarilla Road Shiraz still holds a special place in my heart.
Finally after being all tasted out and stopping at a few other stands along the way I admitted defeat and headed home with sore feet and a palate that was still having a party many hours later!
Thanks for a great post! Really interesting stuff, the Wine Fair sounds fantastic. I didn’t realise you could get Eis Wine made from Pinot Noir, I’ll certainly look out for it.