BAWLS (Bude Area Wine Loving Society) met for their monthly tasting event at the home of Simon Fry on Friday, February 20.

The group formed over a year ago, with a mission to learn about and taste a wide variety of wine.

Prior to the commencement of the meeting, the group unanimously agreed that all wines would be drunk rather than the somewhat surprising practise of tasting and 'spitting.'

This month six wines were tasted; two whites and four reds. The whites were both of the Sauvignon Blanc grape, one from New Zealand and a more traditional French wine from the Loire. Of the four red wines, a 2004 vintage Chateau Caronne St Gemme was particularly noteworthy giving plummy autumn fruits to the nose with a rich warm and soft texture to the mouth.

Members of the society brought along some 'eats' to help the wine down, ranging from burnt sausages to sheeps eyes, crispy bacon and cheeses including a gently warmed camembert.

Conversation as usual was wide ranging, revealing that two of the members were born abroad in Yemen and Iraq. A group spokesman said at times, the discussion resembled that of some 'grumpy old men.' The credit crunch, various sports, education and politics were covered in some detail. Having put the world to rights, the meeting closed sometime after midnight, and members wobbled home.

Present were: Nick Gleed, Steve Copeland (guest), Alan Muller, Richard Long, Andy Latter, Peter La Broy and Simon Fry (host).