This year's wine-tasting biggest & best

This was the third year of this event, kindly sponsored once again by the Winery on Clifton Road, & balmy temperatures ensured a record turn-out, with more than 150 residents & their guests – not to mention a handful of very well-behaved dogs -- milling around on the lawn over the course of its specially extended two-and-a-half hour duration. Also noticeable this year were a number of individual picnics as people sought to build on the sense of occasion.

Comments from punters ranged from “A wonderful evening” through “The best yet” to “Shimply shuperb” (at least I think that’s what he said). As for the experts who presided it was “very intense”, meaning that the queues to sample the six wines (champagne, two reds, two whites & a rose) seldom abated, with the added attraction of some excellent cheeses from Provisions London to help soak up the alcohol with bread or crackers.

Music was supplied by the Cassandra & Rodrigo Just Two duo who could be seen performing in Regents Park last summer. Cassandra had a most tuneful voice I thought & actually sung several songs that I recognised, which was a bonus!

The event was seamlessly organised by the Chair of the Formosa Board, Sandy David, with excellent back-up on the day from John Gregson & Susanne Labbett (who probably never wants to see another baguette).

The Winery has been a wine shop for over 100 years, situated in a former Victorian pharmacy, & it holds free monthly tastings which are open to everyone. The next one is slated for Wednesday 26th July so do sign up to their mailing list (mailinglist@thewineryuk.com) for further details.