Anglesey Wine Club: The First Wine Night
Friday 14th Nov ‘25
For the first wine night we took a broad overview and explored different grapes and different regions. We had a modern Pet Nat, which takes a very traditional approach, a beautiful Armenian red from one of the oldest wine regions in the world, and pretty much everything in between.
The snacks, all homemade of course, were pork scratchings, olives, beetroot, and venison. We decided not to match the wines to the food, to keep the wine as the focal point.
It was intended to be an informal night, an excuse to get out and socialise, and an excuse was needed given the torrential rainfall and dip in temperature. Regardless, it was great fun and very relaxed, with some really interesting conversations.
The Armenian Areni Noir was a firm favourite, sparking an interest not just in the wine itself but in the fascinating history of its origin.
The Wines:
The Wine: Ancre Hill Estates Pet Nat
We started close to home with this vibrant, lightly sparkling red wine. Made using the Méthode Ancestrale (Pet Nat) with the Triomphe grape, often with a touch of Chardonnay. It is known for its sour cherry, raspberry, and red fruit jam notes, often with a slightly earthy or herbal undertone and a gentle, natural fizz.
The Vinery
Ancre Hill Estates is a family-owned pioneer of Welsh wine (Monmouthshire), established in 2006. They are a Demeter-certified biodynamic and organic producer, believing great wine is made in the vineyard with minimal intervention
2. The Wine: Château Ksara Blanc de Blancs
Next, we travelled to the Bekaa Valley for a distinguished blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Sémillon. This brought pleasing notes of citrus (lemon, grapefruit) and stone fruit (peach, apricot), with subtle hints of oak, nuts, or spice imparted by the barrel-fermented Chardonnay component.
The Vinery
Founded in 1857 by Jesuit priests, Château Ksara is Lebanon's oldest and most renowned winery. The estate is famed for its high-altitude vineyards (around 1km), which ensures the grapes retain a freshness. They are then aged in a 2km-long Roman-era cave network, discovered in 1898.
3. The Wine: Cullen Wines Amber
We moved to Western Australia for a complex orange wine (skin-contact white). This Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon (2021) spent 10 days on skin contact, giving it a unique golden hue and structure.
The Vinery
Cullen Wines is an iconic, family-owned estate in the Margaret River region, established by Kevin and Diana Cullen in 1971. Under the direction of their daughter, Vanya Cullen, the winery has become one of Australia’s most respected producers of certified biodynamic and organic wines.
4. The Wine: Château Sainte Marguerite
An elegant and refined AOP Côtes-de-Provence Rosé known for its characteristic pale, delicate pearly pink hue. The 2024 vintage, certified organic and vegan, is a blend typically of Grenache, Cinsault, and Rolle (Vermentino) and is celebrated for its aromatic complexity.
The Vinery
Château Sainte Marguerite is a prestigious Cru Classé de Provence estate. Located on the Mediterranean coast near La Londe-les-Maures, its vineyards benefit from the marine influence, imparting a subtle saline minerality to the wines.
5. The Wine: Zorah Wine Areni Noir 2019
The 'Karasi' is an iconic, single-varietal red wine made from the indigenous Areni Noir grape, often called the "Armenian Pinot Noir”. The wine features bright aromas of spiced red berries, cherry, and pomegranate, interwoven with an earthy savouriness and mountain herbs. It is characterised by vibrant acidity, silky yet firm tannins, and a long, mineral-driven finish.
The name 'Karasi' refers to the traditional, locally-made clay amphorae in which the wine is aged, connecting it directly to millennia of Armenian winemaking.
The Vinery
Zorah Wine is a pioneering winery established by Zorik Gharibian in the Vayots Dzor region of Armenia, widely considered the birthplace of wine. Situated at high altitudes (1.4 – 1.6 km above sea level), the vineyards grow ungrafted, native Areni Noir vines on rocky, limestone-rich soils. Zorah's philosophy is a fusion of tradition and modern knowledge. Their winemaking is defined by the use of large, buried Karasi amphorae for fermentation and ageing, aiming to create wines that are authentic ambassadors of Armenia's unique, world-historical terroir.
6. The Wine: Gwin Pwdin - Solaris Dessert Wine 2023
We finished the night back in Wales with a sweet wine from Gwinllan Conwy. Made from Solaris, a hardy and versatile white grape variety well-suited to the cool climate, this wine shows just how versatile Welsh viticulture has become.
The Vinery
Established in 2012, near Conwy, against the backdrop of Snowdonia, the boutique vineyard has expanded to over 3,000 vines. They benefit from a unique, moderating mesoclimate due to their proximity to the Irish Sea and the River Conwy. They focus on cool-climate hybrid varieties like Solaris and Rondo, as well as some traditional varieties like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, creating high-quality still and sparkling wines.
Thank you to all the participants for joining the event, and I’m looking forward to seeing you all at the upcoming ones!
The next instalment is Friday, 12th December. Click below for more information on the December event.
