Wine Tasting At The Decanter

The Decanter Leeds Wine Bar
One very chilly and sunny Sunday I and some other lovely local bloggers got invited to a Wine Tasting at The Decanter in Leeds. The Decanter is a very cosy and sophisticated wine bar nestled on the Headrow. Their decor is beautiful, classic and timeless and the atmosphere of the bar is really intimate. 
In the last few years, it seems that my taste buds have matured and now I really do enjoy a good glass of red or white wine, however I'm by no means an expert. 

It was really exciting to learn more about the process of wine making, a little history about each bottle we sampled and how to smell and taste it properly (yes there is a method!). It was also really good to try some wines that otherwise I might have not ordered simply because I had never heard of them before the wine tasting. 

Leeds Lifestyle blogger

Here's a full list of wine tasting notes that was kindly passed on to me

Palmer & Co. Brut Reserve Champagne

A rich and wide aromatic palate of white fruits, pear, baked apple, apricot, subtle notes of honey, hazelnuts, dried currants and brioche.
Flavours of apple and citrus fruit with a hint of creamy, subtle biscuit flavours and lots of fine, delicate bubbles
The finish is long, harmonious and structured, with a beautiful freshness.

1st Wine

Cautro Rayas Sauvignon Blanc 2014 vintage
Made by Agricola Castellana who has been producing wines for the last 75 years, and own some of the region’s oldest vines. In a region with extreme variations in temperature and stony, dusty soil, this terroir creates unique characteristics.
Straw yellow colour
This wine comes from north western Spain (Rueda) and is made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes. It is slightly fuller bodied than a standard Sauvignon, with aromas of grapefruit, lemon, peach and some tropical fruit flavours such as passion fruit and pineapple.

2nd Wine

Best’s Great Western Riesling 2012 vintage.
A winery steeped in Australian winemaking history, Best’s has been creating wines in the Great Western region of Victoria for over 140 years. The winery is one of the country’s oldest continuously family owned and operated wineries, and owns some of the oldest vines in the world.
Very bright pale straw colour
Made from the Riesling grape variety that originates in Germany, this wine is an Australian twist on the original. It has aromas of citrus, exotic fruits and white blossom. Flavours of wet slate and plenty of zesty citrus fruit. It is light bodied and refreshing. Intense fresh flavours rounded by a slight sweetness which is restrained by a racy mineral finish.

3rd Wine

Domaine Eric Louis Pinot Noir 2013 vintage.
Based in Thauveney-en-Sancerrois in the Loire valley, Eric Louis produces textbook Pinot Noir from both Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume. The family’s winemaking history dates back to 1860 and is still family owned.
Eric Louis is not only a producer, but a grower committed to organic and biodynamic viticulture in the Sancerre appellation of the Loire Valley. A firm that believes in minimal intervention in the cellar: no altering of natural sugar and acid levels, no coloring added, little to no filtering and in this example no oak is added.
Ruby colour
Strong aromas of red fruits. There is a perceptible soft roundness on the palate with the red fruit flavours contributing to the long length.

4th Wine

La Bastide St Dominique Chateauneuf du Pape 2011 vintage

Eric Bonnet has recently taken over from his parents at this 16th Century estate in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Eric continues his parent’s philosophy of using 100% Grenache and traditional winemaking techniques, including the absence of new oak. Many of the estate’s vines are planted on sandy soils of Pignan near the famous Chateau Rayas, one of the best terroirs in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Robert Parker has called the estate “top flight” – high praise indeed from one of Chateauneuf’s biggest fans.

This wine comes from one of the oldest regions in the Rhône Valley called Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It is made from predominantly Grenache grapes along with some Syrah.

La Bastide Saint Dominique Chateauneuf-du-Pape has a very intense nose of jammy ripe red fruits, pepper, cardamom and black berries. This opulent, full-bodied and elegant wine is big on crunchy tannins, spice and a delicious freshness.

Did I mention that there was also CHEESE? 

A lot of really, really nice cheese. The best thing is that if you have a black card (which is only £10 from Independent Leeds) you get a free cheese board with each bottle of wine that you order. I know what you're thinking and no there isn't a limit on how many cheeseboards you can get so you could drink wine and eat free cheese to your heart's content!

The Decanter Leeds Wine Bar Cheese Board
The Decanter Leeds Wine Bar
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The Decanter Leeds Wine Bar Opening times
photos were kindly provided to me by Louise from Independent Leeds

I han an amazing Sunday afternoon filled with delicious wine, amazing cheese and great company of lots of giddy blogger ladies.  I will definitely be coming back and bringing my friends with me!

Until next time,
You can also find me in all of these places, come say hi!

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4 comments

  1. I'm not a massive drinker but I reckon this would be a great thing to do with your girlfriends! Looks like you had a lovely time xx

    Sam // Samantha Betteridge

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  2. What I would give for some more of that cheese and chutney right now... It was such a lovely venue and I lovely afternoon! Not sure I should drink so much wine on a sunday afternoon though in future...

    Sarah xxx www.whatsasssays.com

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  3. Wine and cheese, you're killing me! Crazy cravings right now. Looked like a lovely afternoon, hope you didnt have too much of a hangover Monday morning!
    Lots of love, Meg xox
    www.megaventurous.com/

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  4. I like wine but I LOVE cheese - will have to put this place on my 'must do' list :) x

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