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September 2022 WineUncorked Newsletter
It’s autumn already and many fruits are almost ready for harvest and the UK’s grape harvest is promising well after those hot, hot days during the summer (better than last year!). And if it’s going to be anything like our apple harvest, which usually starts around the same time of late September into mid-October, then we’re in for smaller fruits due to the lack of rain with a really sweet flavour inside but the outside still lacks colour due to what is known as physiological ripeness (listen to today’s Radio 4’s Farming Today programme).
This shouldn’t be too great a problem for the white grapes that make up most of the UK’s harvest, where much of these go into sparkling wine where lack of colour is seen as a virtue, but it will make the small amount of still red wine harder to turn into something appealing to the eye. The Pinot Noir grapes that are the mainstay of the reds here in the UK are, even when ripe, not that given to turning into deeply-coloured vino. So 2022 may mean more Pinot Noir rosé or English and Welsh reds promoted as summer fun drinking with bottles (or cans) kept in the fridge.
On the reviews front, I reviewed the original Tuffer’s Tipple wines just over a year ago and these wines from cricketer Phil Tuffnell have recently had three new additions to the range – a French sparkling that isn’t Champagne, a Shiraz and a Chardonnay. Samples of all three have arrived at WineUncorked HQ so look out for the reviews in next month’s newsletter.
For more suggestions on what to drink right now then head over to the wine reviews section of the website or read on further in the newsletter for the choicest wines.
And if you live in Buckinghamshire then why not take advantage of my next online wine course with Buckinghamshire Adult Learning which starts next month and I’ll be tutoring. Book now if you want to get ahead. Course starts Tuesday 4 October and is 8-weeks long.
If being online is something you enjoy then why not take a look at the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) free Virtual Open House days on Wednesday October 19th and Thursday October 20th. Listen live to the sessions on wines, spirits and sake and the WSET exams or watch the recordings afterwards for up to 30 days (but you’ll need to register for access).
Latest wine reviews
Booths £7.25 The Hidden Sea Shiraz 2021
Many supermarkets £12 Graham Beck’s Vintner’s Selection Brut NV
Co-op £13 La Negly La Natice rosé 2020
The Wine Society £8.95 Flaminio Negroamaro 2018
Asda £6.50 La Corriente Sauvignon Blush 2021
Saicho Drinks £15.99 Saicho Hojicha Sparkling Cold Brewed Tea non-alcoholic
Latest articles
How to choose a red wine you’ll like
BOOKING NOW: NEW Autumn 2022 online wine appreciation course
How is an online wine class different to the classroom?
What’s it like to take a WSET exam online
My latest blog posts for homebrew equipment shop KegThat.com
Forager’s Favourite: Blackberry wine
More wine reviews and educational articles follow in our next newsletter. In the meantime let us know what you think of the wines you've been quaffing recently or ask us your wine questions: Email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or find me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest as @wineuncorkeduk
Cheers!
