I’m a fan of both the physical and virtual wine tasting. Unfortunately, it seems that our next physical wine tasting could be some time off and most certainly online tasting makes the class more accessible and less time consuming.

I’ve joined many virtual tasting over lockdown, tasting and hearing from wine makers across the world, joining in tastings from Prosecco to Lidl’s choice. Last week I joined a wine tasting with an Edinburgh wine institution, an Independent Scottish Wine Merchant operating in Edinburgh since 1999, Great Grog.

As with a lot of businesses during Covid, many have had to adapt their usual operations including Great Grog. With the bars and restaurants being shut and restrictions on alcohol sales, Great Grog have turned their focus on to their retail. They offer next day delivery in Edinburgh and within 3 days deliveries for mainland UK.

REVIEW : CANTINE RIONDO ITALIAN WINE TASTING WITH GREAT GROG

And they have also jumped on-board with virtual tastings using both Zoom and Facebook. They have hosted approx 20 virtual tastings to day and I had the opportunity to join one of their Italian Wine Tasting evenings with Cantine Riondo. We had the delight of being joined by Claire Roxnin, Export Manager for Cantine Riondo live from Veneto, Italy.

Every wine tasting involves tasting three wines which once you sign up with Great Grog will be delivered to you well in advance of your tasting (and then hopefully you don’t drink them before the event).

Claire introduced us to Collis-Riondo who were established in 2008 and are one of the largest and most important wine producers in Veneto and Italy. They have over 6,000 hectares of vineyards in Veneto that are managed daily by more than 1.800 associated farmers.

The wines coming from Collis vineyards are bottled by Collis-Riondo under various brands, each one with a precise identity and a quality profile.

The main brands are: Riondo (sparkling DOC and varietal), Casa Burti (generic sparkling), Casa Lunardi (still Veneto wines), Castelforte (premium still Veneto wines) and i-Spritz (cocktails).

During this tasting we sampled and learnt about

• Riondo DOC, Collezione Prosecco

• Castleforte, Garganega

• Castleforte, Valpolicella

Riondo DOC. Collezione Prosecco, Spumante Extra Dry

Prosecco must be made from 85% glera grapes and 15% other grapes. Other permitted varieties (up to 15%) are both local (Verdiso, Bianchetta Trevigiana, Perera and Glera Lunga) and classic international grapes (Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco/Blanc, Pinot Grigio/Gris and Pinot Nero/Noir). The grapes are harvested at night when its cooler and the perfect time to harvest these white grapes. Most prosecco grapes are machine harvested although some DOC Prosecco require still for Glera grapes to be hand-picked.

This prosecco is very light and fresh. It’s nice and crisp on the palate with lots of apple and pear. It’s fairly fizzy but the bubbles settle quickly. Very very easy to drink.

Castleforte, Garganega

Garganega is the grape variety and is best known as the white grape used to make Soave wine. This wine is totally underestimated and overlooked after Soave wine shot to fame in the 1950’s when Frank Sinatra made Soave wine popular as it was the only wine he would drink. Due to the demand, they increased production which meant the quality suffered and so by the time the 1970’s came around no-one was drinking Soave anymore and as such, to this day Garganega still suffers and is often found on the bottom shelf.

Whatever you do, don’t leave it on the shelf. This is a fantastic wine that is dry and full-bodied varietal white wine, characaterised by an intense perfume of almond blossom, citrus and vanilla. Fruity and richly textured with a clean mineral finish.

Castleforte, Valpolicella Ripasso

I’m a massive fan of Valpolicella although I am more drawn to the Amarone Della Valpolicella.

During the winter, Valpolicella wine (made from 60% Corvina, 30% Corvinone and 10% Rondinella grapes) is passed over the skins remaining from the production of Amarone using the traditional “Ripasso” technique, which increases the alcohol, body and perfumes of the wine. Aged in oak, this wine is dry and full-bodied with a complex perfume of cherries, red fruits and spices. It’s plummy with a good structure, rich, big and juicy. Loved it!

I enjoyed the wine tasting. It’s very informative and so nice for them to arrange for a brand ambassador of the wine company to take you through the tasting. Their knowledge is phenomenal and you really get a sense of the wine and a feel for the company ethos. The evening is very laid back and easy going; plus you get to taste some truly fabulous wines.

Great Grog host Zoom and Facebook wine tastings. The Zoom tastings have finished for 2020 but there are still 2 Facebook live events you can attend in the lead up to Christmas. The tastings start from around £30per session which includes your bottles of wine. For more information, follow Great Grog on Facebook or visit their website