Monthly Newsletter
Volume 27 No.9
November, 2009
REPORT ON THE OCTOBER MEETING
Meal at the Thai Restaurant, Fenstanton
by Margaret Fountain
For our autumn meal out, 11 members took a minibus to the Tudor Hotel Restaurant in Fenstanton who serve Thai food, where we met John and Val. We all chose very tasty and interesting dishes; some were very hot and spicy. I particularly enjoyed my meal: Thai mixed salad with cashews & sweet corn, followed by stir fried chicken with chilli & ginger. The food is very fresh and stir fried when ordered.
There is, however, plenty of choice for those of you who do not care for spicy meals and the restaurant has a very pleasant atmosphere; we all enjoyed the evening.
REPORT ON THE CASTLETON WEEKEND
in September
By James Wigglesworth
It was a dark and blustery evening in early September that the Needingworth Wine and Beer Society explorers took to their cars for their weekend away. They travelled up north to the picturesque village of Castleton in the Peak District, well anywhere north of Lincoln is up north.
Some could not find their accommodation and had to sit in a car, talking to another in the society on the mobile phone, whilst looking at them through a window as they sat in a warm pub supping their drink. Blinking Sat-nav is all I can say.
Friday night entailed of a meal out in a pub and a few ales and wines talking of the day ahead. Saturday morning arrives and we all meet up for the trip to Speedwell cavern, clustered around Winnat pass . We walk from the village to the cavern and don our hard hats and coats. The trip was in Speedwell Cavern by boat, looking at where the miners had dug the tunnels. The tunnels are filled with water; hence the boat, and were created in the miners search for lead. We all enjoyed a 30-minute trip underground ending up at a large spectacular cavern where we all alighted to the cavern floor and wondered around the large open space.
Saturday afternoon saw us do our own thing. Some went for a walk round lady bower lake whilst others walked up to Peveril castle to look at the 11th century ruins. Saturday evening saw us all back together for a dinner in a pub and for some a short trip across the road to another pub to sample the range of ales on offer.
Sunday morning wakes and we all gather again for breakfast in the B & B followed by a walk around Castleton, past the devil’s arse and through limestone way. The walk took in the ruins of Peveril castle rising up out of the hill top. Some people took short cuts at various places along the walk back to the village, whilst others completed the whole walk, up and down the hills and through the valleys back to the village. Sounds harder than it really was.
We all met back in the village for a pre-ordered lunch in the “Castle Pub”, an ancient pub in the centre of the village. Some then were staying a further evening whils others departed for the south and their homes.
All in all a GREAT weekend was had by all, with stunning views, great walks, ancient buildings and pubs, some fine ales, wines and best of all… great company, fun and laughter for
Annual Wine Show
at Danny & Sally’s,
Friday, 20th November at 8.00pm
This is the club’s own Wine show, in which you have the opportunity to bring your very best wines to be judged by the other members. There are certain rules which have to be observed, and these are set out below.
There is a prize of a wine glass for each class, and the “Best in Show” will receive the Chris Slee Memorial Shield, currently held by Mike Beaumont. There will also be a raffle and nibbles.
Rules of the Competition:
1. One bottle per person per category may be entered. No kits allowed.
2. Categories are: Dry white, Dry red, Sweet white, Sweet red.
3. Labels, white, size 1in. X 2in. (stating category only, written in capital letters in black ballpoint pen) to be placed one third up from the bottom of the bottle, and mid-way between the ‘seams’.
4. The wine should reach ½ – 3/4 the way up the neck.
5. Bottles should be clear glass, and clean. Screw tops should be avoided.
6. Wine will be judged on: Presentation; colour & clarity; bouquet; flavour, balance & quality, in accordance with the rules.
You can get some tips on judging wines here: http://www.bacchuswinecellars.com/judge.html
Plenty of judges are needed, so do please come, even if you’re not entering any wine
DECEMBER MEETING
The Safari Supper
12th December
Our Christmas event is the ever-popular Safari Supper. Starting off at Sue & Arthur’s, we then go to Roy & Margaret’s for the Main course. After that, we walk to Danny & Sally’s for the yummy Deserts. Then, our last port of call is Debra & Jamie’s for Cheese and biscuits, Port and Coffee.
Please give your name to Margaret, Tel. 496636 or email roy@rjfountain.com by 4th December if you would like to join us. The cost of this amazing feast is just £9.00 per head all inclusive, and there is a choice of meal for each course. Just bring your own wine. Partners are welcome too.
Forthcoming Events
Dates for your diary:
15th January 2010 – Spanish Evening at Roy & Margaret’s. Bring your own Spanish drinks, eg. Wine, beer sangria or sherry. A variety of home-cooked tapas will be served.
26th February 2010 – Annual General Meeting in the Pavilion.
March 2010 – Meal out at a Cambridge restaurant on the guided bus, if available.
April or May 2010 – Mini-comp. Which is “Wine from Green or White Fruit.” Ideas: Apples, pears, grapefruit, green grapes, etc. Make sure you get your wine started! Kits may be used.
OTHER CLUB NEWS
Equipment (free for members’ use)
The Saftborn juicer is available free to members, as is the wine press. Margaret and Roy have several demijohns available if of interest to anyone. Tel: Roy and Margaret to arrange collection for any of the equipment.
Website
I need contributions of the following:
Members’ favourite recipes
Please share your favourite wine and beer recipes with us.
Photos of past events (please send in JPG format if possible)
Any interesting article, information or observation on the subject of beer or wine you would like to share with us all.
Send your submissions to: Sue (email address is on your printed newsletter)
Members’ Suggestions
Remember, the success of the club depends on it being well-attended to keep the meetings social and fun for everyone. Therefore we would welcome any and all suggestions for something you would like to do at the monthly meetings. All ideas will be considered.
Contact any member of the committee with your ideas, or send them to Sue.
Contributions for the Newsletter
Items for the Newsletter from members are always welcome. So if you have a good recipe, interesting facts, snippets of information, anecdotes, etc. on the subject of beer and wine, please send them to Sue Chappell .
RECIPE OF THE MONTH
Canned Pineapple Wine
Here is a recipe for Canned Pineapple wine. It looks fairly easy to make, so why not have a go for the April Mini-comp?
Ingredients
- * 2 (16 oz.) cans of pineapple(crushed pineapple in it's own juice)
- * 3 1/2 quarts water
- * sugar
- * 1 tsp. acid blend
- * 1/2 tsp. pectic enzyme
- * yeast and nutrient
Heat the water. Drain the pineapple juice, put pineapple in a strainer bag and place in fermenter.
Add pineapple juice, 1 1/2 lbs sugar to warm water. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Check specific gravity. The goal is 1.90 (or 12% alcohol)add more sugar if needed.
Pour this mixture over pineapple in fermenter.
Add acid, yeast nutrient, pectic enzyme and tannin. When cool add yeast. Let ferment 5 days then remove strainer bag of pineapple.
Let ferment until done.
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