120th Anniversary Wine Tasting
Attendees of our 120th anniversary wine tasting were greeted with a sparkling rosé and canapés made by our Leiths students; pear and parmesan crostini, prawn and avocado wrapped in cucumber, and cream cheese and crab on cucumber discs, as well as mini meringue-topped mince pies later in the evening.
Owner of Tuffon Hall Vineyard, Angus Crowther, gave a talk on how Tuffon Hall Vineyard came to be, his family-inspired wines, and the joys and challenges that he faces creating award-wining wines.
After tasting a variety of award-winning sparkling and still whites and rosés, the attendees voted on which would become the official St Mary’s 120th anniversary wine. The 2017 Pinot Noir, which was awarded the Gold Medal by the East Anglian Vineyard Association 2018, came out on top.
Tuffon Hall’s website describes the 2017 Pinot Noir as being a wine that “lovers of both white and rose will enjoy”. “The nose offers up a cocktail of fruit blossom, pear drop and strawberry […] The summery theme continues on the palate with hints of redcurrant, strawberry and raspberry popping up all over the place. On the finish, however, it moves to a slightly more appley note which gives it a really fresh lift.”
Emma Whittley, Alumni Relations Officer, said: “It was lovely to catch up with lots of alumni, from students who have just started university to Pastonians who left St Mary's decades ago, as well as with parents of current students and friends of the school.”
Take a look at our gallery of the evening.