Wines from around the world at Edinburgh Uncorked with Susy Atkins part 2
- diana0833
- May 29, 2024
- 6 min read
Our recent Insta Live with this year’s Edinburgh Uncorked host, wine expert Susy Atkins, was great fun and provided a snapshot of what visitors to the event on 1st June can expect.
For anyone who didn’t manage to catch our chat on Instagram – you can still find it on our grid if you are an Instagram user. We published part 1 of the conversation here on the previous blog so this is Part 2.
Renowned wine & drinks writer, broadcaster, and events host, Susy joined us online from her Devon home, while sampling a few wines destined for Edinburgh Uncorked. We pick back up with Susy in Europe.
Wines of Ukraine
The origins of winemaking in Ukraine date back to the 4th Century BC in Crimea. The Russian war in the country has obviously had an enormous impact, but Ukraine, a wine-growing region of Old Europe, continues with a search for lost terroirs, the discovery of new local varieties, experimentation, and the rethinking of traditional methods of wine production. Returning to Edinburgh Uncorked, the Wines of Ukraine stand was never empty last year.
‘I cannot wait to try these wines,’ Susy says. ‘This is an amazing thing to do considering what is happening in the country. There are some intriguing flavours here. I’ve tried, and really liked, the Albarino – Ukranian Albarino, who knew? Broadly speaking, it’s fruitier than the Spanish style, broader, not as snappy a saline as Galician style. Make sure you check this stand out. There are some unusual styles, so you might not like everything, but there are things you will absolutely love.’
USA
Vineyard Cellars
A specialist merchant working with small Californian producers and wines from New York, Vineyard Cellars brings some very special wines that are going to be a great treat.
‘We get a lot of big-brand Californian wine in the UK, selling by the ocean load,’ Susy says, ‘but this is premium, top-end, wine, which we don’t often get in the UK. Grab the opportunity to try this, because when Californian wine is good, it’s really good.’
Chile
Errazuriz
A great producer with wines from the renowned Aconcagua Costa region. Situated by the coast, the cooler breeze from the Pacific Ocean tempers the Chilean sun, resulting in lovely, elegant, wines.
‘The sauvignon blanc here is not as acidic as sauvignon you might be used to,’ Susy explains. ‘If you feel New Zealand sauvignon is too full on, too exuberant, this is a fascinating variation on the theme. Sauvignon really picks up the terroir and expresses a sense of place. New Zealand is grassy and tropical, France has citrus notes, but Chile is rich, elegant, pungent, and beautiful.
‘The same grape can taste incredibly different, and Edinburgh Uncorked is the place to compare and contrast those differences.’
Australia
Robert Oatley
Larry Cherrubino, winemaker at Robert Oatley, picked up the accolade of IWSC Winemaker of the Year last year. This producer aims to make classic wines that speak of the regio.
‘These wines made in Perth, Western Australia, are fantastic. It is so interesting to try styles from different parts of the same country,’ Susy says.
At Edinburgh Uncorked, make a point of trying the Wildflower Brut Cuvée, produced in tribute to the thousands of flowers that grow around the vineyards. This lovely fizz has toasty, nutty notes with lots of personality, and a creamy finish. ‘People don’t always equate Oz with fizz,’ Susy says, ‘but there are some really good sparklers made in Australia.’
South Africa
Bruce Jack
A super producer, lots of wine lovers will be familiar with his great collection of wines in supermarkets priced at less than £10, but at Edinburgh Uncorked visitors will be treated to wines higher up the range. Try the lovely sparkling wine ‘Bumble Bee’ from Muscat, 8%, which will make a great palate cleanser mid-way through the event. This is a wonderful lower-alcohol wine that isn’t too sweet – perfect for picnics.
Cap Classique‘
It’s time to get busy with the fizzy on this stand,’ Susy says. ‘Cap Classique is great and Graham Beck produces fine fizz from the Cape, made in the traditional Champagne method and aged on the lees. Try the Pinot Noir Rose; it has all the sophistication of a Champagne, but is fruitier. A really versatile wine, I’d love to have this with charcuterie, spicy salami, or seafood canapes – it tastes great and has plenty of personality.’
Stellenbosch Cabernet
Stellenbosch probably needs no introduction and we have a particularly exciting collection at Edinburgh Uncorked. The region produces fantastic wines and put South Africa on the wine map. Visitors will have the chance to contrast and compare lots of different producers from the Stellenbosch region.
‘They make amazing Cabernet in this region, the same grape from the same area,’ Susy says. ‘This is a generic stand with wines to taste from lots of different producers from this historic South African region, where the conditions are perfect for making cabernet. A truly wonderful way to compare and contrast the same variety of wine.’
Kleine Zalze
Another fabulous producer from Stellenbosch making fantastic wines at great value for money.
‘This producer consistently punches above its weight, particularly for its price point,’ Susy says. ‘If I was stocking up for a party, I would look at the entry-level wines from here. The Kleine Zalze Chenin Blanc, which will be at Edinburgh Uncorked, gives plenty of apples, pineapple, guava – which is quite a unique flavour, pear-like but fruitier – quite racy acidity, succulent and delicious.’
Portugal
79 North
‘Portuguese wines are finally starting to take the world of wine by storm,’ Susy says. ‘There is a great selection to sample on this stand. I feel it’s been a long time coming for Portuguese wines. They quite often have very obscure and unpronounceable grape varieties, which is also just what makes them great. I love both Portuguese whites and reds.’
Esporao
Truly dynamic and forward thinking, this is one of the largest organic wine producers in the world. This is a fantastic winery, situated in the very hot climate of south-east Portugal. Particularly well known for Alentejo and Douro, this is a must-visit on Edinburgh Uncorked’s whistlestop wine tour.
Exhibitors showing wines from around the World
Lidl
Expect a few Italian wines from the new Lidl tour collection. Look out for the tour’s Crémant d’Alsace and the Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Lidl’s wine tours are only on the shelves for a few weeks, so come to the event, taste, find your favourites and stock up on what you want for the summer.
‘Look out for the Assyrtiko,’ Susy says, ‘this wine is going to be even more popular and trendy this year; fresh acidity and ripeness, it’s a perfect summer wine.’
Vegan Tipples
Back for a second year, this fantastic, local, Edinburgh company returns with an incredible selection of vegan wines to explore. Vegan Tipples started in 2018 as a one-stop shop for quality drinks with the use of no animal products, which are often used in the fining process of wine. We discuss vegan wines in our previous blog here. A lot of the producers this company works with are small, family owned, businesses, who have complete control over production. Whether you are vegan or vegetarian, these wines are spectacular.
Great Grog
Another Edinburgh local – celebrating 25 years in business this year – Great Grog is a superb, fiercely independent, company showing a large range of wines from Chile to New Zealand and lots in between. They have two shops in the city, at Newington and the Pleasance, and know lots and lots about wine. Pick their brains and get some top tips.
If you don’t have a ticket to Edinburgh Uncorked yet, it takes place on Saturday 1st June at the Assembly Rooms, George Street. Tickets cost £30 – you can purchase masterclass tickets separately once you have an event ticket – and there are two sessions to choose from, 12-3pm and 4-7pm. You can buy tickets hereBoth sessions sold out in advance of the event last year, so please don’t delay if you want to meet Susy and taste some of these wonderful wines. We hope to see you there. Where else can you taste your way around the world under one roof?
