PROBUS CLUB of MANDURAH PEEL Inc
Reg No - A1019730Z
WINE & CHEESE GATHERING GROUP
Leader: Michele Cornwell
The aim of the Wine and Cheese Gathering Group is fun and fellowship. It is not for any particular wine person but for all. More a tasting to expand our range with everyone’s views accepted and valued.
We try 3 wines and cheeses over about an hour and a half in a safe environment.
The Gathering takes place on the 2nd Wednesday of each Month from 3:00pm to 4:30pm.
SEE CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR DETAILS.
*********************************
June 2025
John and Liz hosted the June Probus Wine & Cheese tasting group June meeting. The selected wines were all cask wines or bag in a box (BiB) with two whites: a Squealing Pig sauvignon blanc from Marlborough New Zealand and a Walker Grove chardonnay from the Barossa Valley followed by a St Hallett shiraz from the Barossa Valley. These were paired with creamy Havarti and Cracked Pepper Cheddar cheeses. Additionally, in keeping with the BiB theme, a “boxed” cheese (good old Philly) was presented to spread on crackers which was enjoyed by all.
The cardboard box and bladder method revolutionised wine storage and consumption for casual drinkers. Originally a utilitarian solution for cheap wine, it has evolved into a respected packaging format that balances practicality, environmental responsibility, and affordability, with growing interest even from premium wine producers.
John presented some surprising information about BiB wine sales: they are widely used for everyday wines, especially in Australia, Scandinavia, and France. In fact, they account for 40% of supermarket wine sale in France and between 50-60% of all sales in Sweden!
To get the tasters up and moving a game of heads and tails provided the solution. After several spins Phil Huband won and collected a bottle of Squealing Pig which was exactly the BiB wine tasted.
Rob Lea and Frank Hall drew in the wine quiz with several other pairs but won after picking a number closest to the secret number. Rob took home a bottle of shiraz which was the same as the BiB tasted and Frank scored a bottle of the sauvignon blanc.
Everyone was surprised by the quality of the cask wine presented with the sauvignon blanc an overall favourite, and learning that the chardonnay worked out to be less than $5.00 a bottle!
®