Taste Great Wines & Spirits From Around The World
Due to the restrictions in place to control the spread of the Covid 19 virus, we are only able to run on-line tastings at the present time. You will find details of the tastings we are running between now and the end of March below.
For each tasting, we suggest wines you might like to buy to enjoy whilst taking part.
In order to stay in busness, we are having to make a modest charge for participation – £10.00 – but this is per household and not per person.
We hope you will enjoy joining in from the comfort and safety of your home with a glass or two of good wine to hand.
To Book Places For Your Household
Against the descripton of each tasting in the programme, you will see a little drop down menu. To book a place for your household at that tasting, select “1” from the drop down menu. When you have selected all the tastings you wish to book for, enter your personal details in the form at the foot of the page and press “submit”.
May 2021
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The Wines of Chile in London
Tuesday, 11th May
Over the last few years, pioneering grape growers and wine makers in Chile have been busy seeking out new vineyard locations to take advantage of the country’s special geography and climate. We are now seeing the results of their work and very impressive they are too.
Presenter: Vivienne Franks with Malcolm Franks.
Availability: Good.
Wine Suggestions:
From The Wine Society – Corte Ignacio, Sauvignon Blanc, Concha y Toro, 2020 (£8.95), Vetas Blancas Cabernet Franc, Tabali, 2017 (£11.95), Los Lingues Single Vineyard Carmenère Reserva, Koyle, 2019 (£8.50).
From Waitrose Supermarkets – Costa Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Errazuriz, 2020 (£11.99), ‘Loved And Found’ Pais, 2019, Waitrose & Partners (£7.99), Carmenere Reserva, Mont Gras, 2019 (9.49).
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Chablis in London
Thursday, 20th May
Chablis, the most northerly of the Burgundy appellations, produces some of the France’s best value, dry, white wines.
Presenter: Pippa Hayward with Sandy Leckie.
Availability: Good.
Wine Suggestions:
From The Wine Society – Chablis ‘Sainte Claire’, 2019, Jean-Marc Brocard (£14.95) and Chablis 1er Cru ‘Butteaux, 2019, Jean-Marc Brocard (£26.00).
From Sainsbury’s Supermarkets – ‘Taste The Difference’ Petit Chablis, 2019, Union Viticole (£10.50) and ‘Taste The Difference’ Chablis, ‘Vieilles Vignes’, 2019, J. Moreau (£15.00).
From Marks & Spencer Supermarkets – Petit Chablis, 2019, Union Viticole (£11.00) and Organic Chablis, 2018, Les Domaines Brocard (£15.00).
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Roman Wines in London
Tuesday, 25th May
While winemaking did not originate in Rome, the Roman Empire was responsible for advancing the viticulture practices and spreading the enjoyment of wine across Europe and beyond. The effects of the role played by Ancient Rome can still be seen in winemaking today, as many of the techniques and ideas used then continue to be undertaken now when producing wine.
As we don’t think you would have cared very much for the wine styles enjoyed by the Ancient Romans, we will tell you about the wines the people of Rome drink today.
Presenter: Pippa Hayward with Sandy Leckie.
Availability: Good.
Wine Suggestions:
From Majestic Wines (Mix Six prices)– Orvietto Superiore, Agrillae, 2019 (£8.99), Falanghina, 2019, Terredora (£10.99), ‘La Casetta’ Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore. 2017 (£12.99), Vin Santo dei Chianti, Castello di Fernetella, 2015 Half Bottle (£16.99).
From Waitrose Supermarkets – ‘La Piuma’ Orvieto, 2019 (£7.99), Fiano del Salento, Paolleo, 2019 (£9.99), Ripasso Vin Santo de Montepulciano, Crociane, 2016 Half Bottle (£20.49)
Jun 2021
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Rosé de Provence in London
Thursday, 3rd June
Vin Rosé is produced in every region of France but in Provence, they have made it a specality. 79% of their producion is rosé, which accounts for 40% of the national total. And the combinaton of soil types, grape varieties and expertise built over 2,000 years ensures Provence produces some of the world’s finest rosés.
Presenter: Vivienne Franks with Malcolm Franks.
Availability: Good.
Wine Suggestions:
From the Wine Society – Coteaux d’Aix en Provence Rosé, 2020, Château Vignalure,(£13.95) and/or Côtes de Provence Rosé, 2019, Clos de l’Ours (£13.95).
From Waitrose Supermarkets – ‘La Folie’ Rosé, Mirabeau (£14.99) and/or Côtes de Provence Rosé, 2019, Château de Berne (£13.99).
From Majestic Wines (Mix Six Prices) – Côtes de Provence ‘Pure’ Rosé, ‘2019, Mirabeau (£11.99) and/or Côtes de Provence, ‘M de Minuty’ Rosé, 2019, Château de Minuty (£11.99)
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The Languedoc in London
Tuesday, 8th June
Earlier this year, we organised a webinar on the wines of the Roussillon, the western end of the Languedoc-Roussillon area of Southern France. We now look at the wines of the Languedoc, the eastern end.
Presenter: Pippa Hayward with Sandy Leckie.
Availability: Good.
Wine Suggestions:
From The Wine Society – Picpoul de Pinet, Domaine Féline Jourdan, 2020 (£9.50), Saint-Chinian, Côte d’Arbo, Mas Champart, 2018 (£12.50), Carignan Mont-Baudille, Domaine Aupilhac, 2017 (£21.00).
From Waitrose Cellar (www.waitrosecellar.com – no minimum order and delivery to your door for a small fee) – Le Marin Blanc, Domaine Sainte-Rose, 2017 (£8.99), ‘Les Vieilles Vignes’, Château Maris, 2019 (£10.99), Terrasses du Larzac, Calmel et Joseph, 2018 (£13.99).
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Italy – Piemonte in London
Thursday, 17th June
The mountainous north-western province of Piemonte produces some of Italy’s finest wines. Indeed, it boasts more DOCG’s than any other region of the country. We’ll take you on a virtual tour of the vineyards and talk about the different wine styles and wine and food matching.
Presenter: Pippa Hayward with Sandy Leckie.
Availability: Good.
Wine Suggestions:
From The Wine Society – Piemonte Cortese, 2020, Araldica (£6.50), Dogliani, Luigi Einaudi, 2019 (£12.50), Nebbiola d’Alba, Manfredi, 2018 (£10.95).
From Majestic Wines (Mix Six Prices) – Gavi di Gavi, La Toledana, 2018 (£10.99), Dolcetto d’Alba, de Forville, 2020 (£9.99), ‘Definition’ Barolo, 2017 (£17.99).
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Riesling From Around The World in London
Tuesday, 22nd June
In Jancis Robinson’s opinion, Riesling is the noblest of the white varieties. Who are we to argue?
At this webinar, we’ll take you on a tour of the key Riesling producing countries of the world.
Presenter: Vivienne Franks with Malcolm Franks.
Availability: Good.
Wine Suggestions:
From The Wine Society – Columbia Valley Riesling, Château Sainte Michelle, 2018 (£10.50), Polish Hill River Riesling, Pauletts, 2019 (£11.50), Grauschiefer Riesling, Alte Reben, Trocken, Willi Haag, 2019 (£12.50).
From Waitrose Cellar (www.waitrosecellar.com – no minimum order and delivery to your door for a small fee) – Columbia Valley Dry Riesling, Château Sainte Michelle, 2019 (£9.99), Polish Hill Riesling, O’Leary Walker, 2016 (£12.99), Magdalenenkreutz Riesling Kabinett, Leitz, 2020 (£13.99).
