Stroud Wine Circle: The Wales & West Federation annual competitions

SEVERAL members recently travelled to Torquay to enter wines in the Wales & West Federation annual competitions.

This is an event which attracts wine and beer makers from various parts of the country and it consists of 64 different classes so to get a first is quite an achievement and to come within the first six placements is considered to be very worthwhile.

Stroud did particularly well with the following getting first places: Fred Gilpin, Joyce Meadows, Dave Marlow picked up three firsts and his wife Brenda had two which together with various placings put her in third place as a Master Wine Maker, with Dave coming fourth.

Overall Stroud came second to East Coker missing out on the top spot by eleven points.

On May 7, Stroud held their annual Wine Festival which is a competition involving several Wine Circles.

Out of the five classes Janice Coleman of Stroud was the only member to gain a first with Brockworth taking the honours in both the wine and beer categories, so it’s congratulations to them.

While the judges were sniffing, sipping, swilling and spitting the remainder were dancing the night away to the ever popular ‘Shooting Stars’.