Tasting Wines and Rums finished in the equivalent wine cask
Peter Holland and Martin Hudson, who is a Master of Wine, held a special tasting event over Sunday Lunch in the Library of Liquor (Southbourne) matching rums with wines. The approach was to first taste a wine, fortified or otherwise, and then sample a rum that had been finished in the equivalent cask. In one case this was even matched down to the actual specific wine casks.
A very interesting event indeed, based on an idea that probably hasn't been tried in the UK until now or at least not to this depth. Steady as she goes, as there was a lot of hefty booze that afternoon what with six wines and six rums. Whist I call Peter Holland Mr Rum, Martin Hudson is literally a Master of Wine, so we were in very good company.
(1) First up to kick us all into touch was the Fernando Castilla Antique Oloroso sherry that was then matched to the Doorly’s XO rum, which has been finished in Oloroso casks. You get the picture now of the proceedings?
Having a Master of Wine, and I will call him a Master of Rum, talking you through the history and processes of wine and spirit production is fantastic. Their passion and enthusiasm is infectious, and were happy to answer questions from the group.
(2) Moving swiftly on, next was a piece of classy red wine in the shape of Chateau Marquis de Terme, a Margaux. We tried a young version from 2014 as a group. Being on Martin's table had its benefits as he pulled one out that was another 7 years older for us to try. The older red was much rounder and less initial fruit.
The matching rum was a rum that was matched down to the wine producer themselves. It was the HSE Chateau Marquis de Terme finish. This rum actually uses the casks that stored the equivalent wine, from the same wine maker whilst for the other tastings tonight the pairings are based on more generic casks. It had been aged for 11 years in the casks.
(3) It was the turn of a Hungarian Dessert Wine now from Tokaji - we tried one from Berry Brothers that actually bore Martin’s name and another from Lidl. I think I have got this down right, but I found the older one from Lidl was really nice. The matching rum was the Plantation Guadeloupe 1998 Tokaji finish, which I liked as it was similar to Johnnie Walker Black. Smoky in notes.
(4) Moving onto another dessert wine, or should I call them sweet wines instead, it was a French Sauternes. The rum was the HSE Sauternes finish, aged 10 years.
(5) Moving to the island of Madeira, we tried the D’Oliveira 1993 Boal. The matching rum for this was the Criterion from Four Square, which was aged in ex-bourbon and ex-Madeira casks. Very punchy little number that deserved some respect in its sipping. This is a huge drink for rum aficionados.
(6) The final pairing of the day was a sherry called El Candado, which translated means the lock and there is a little plastic lock attached to the cork. This sherry uses the Pedro Ximinez grape and is a luscious thick sweet raisin tipple. The matching rum was from HSE with PX finish, aged 8 years.
This was an exceptional tasting session as the range of wines and rums we had would take some getting hold of for average Joe like me. And to be guided by the Master Duo was great fun as well. The next day I was flying to Spain so this truly kicked my holiday off, which was a trip of food and drink anyway.
