Saint-Chinian tasting: in pictures

See the highlights from the Saint-Chinian wine tasting, held at Vintners' Hall this week, which included a blind tasting, trade and consumer tastings and a masterclass.

The blind tasting with Tim Atkin MW held during the morning of the event was the fifth consecutive year of the AOC Saint-Chinian ‘Vins Virtuoses’ blind tasting. The ‘Vins Virtuoses’ are the best wines from the Saint-Chinian AC, to showcase the best of the appellation, and are part of an ongoing project aiming to secure official regonition for Saint-Chinian’s best quality. In 2014 it was held in Paris and in 2013 in the Saint-Chinian area, lead by Decanter’s Andrew Jefford.

The 36 judges in the blind tasting tasted their way through 65 wines submitted across three vintages each time, so a total of 195 bottles (red and white wines), with entries submitted from 45 producers.

• SEE: Tim Atkin MW’s five top wines from the tasting

11 Saint-Chinian producers participated in the event, where they judged the ‘Vins Virtuoses’ competition along with fellow panel members, including wine importers, buyers, writers, educators, sommeliers, restaurateurs, MWs and other wine trade members. They then poured their wines in the afternoon for the trade, and in the evening, for over 100 members of the public.

• BOOK: Sunday grand tasting tickets for November Fine Wine Encounter

In the afternoon, Tim Atkin MW held a masterclass for members of the trade, tasting their way through 10 Saint-Chinian wines.