Taste Great Wines & Spirits From Around The World

in 2022, we are planning to run a mix of in-person tastings at our new London venues and online tastings for those who prefer to take part from the comfort and safety of their own homes.

The in-person tastings will be run in compliance with government restrictions in place at the time.  Currently, this means we can only accept bookings from those who can provide proof of triple vaccination or medical exemption.  Participants will be required to wear masks when moving around tasting venues.  Tasting rooms will be occupied to a maximum 2/3 of their capacity and will be kept well ventilated.  In-person events will start at 7.00 pm and last for about two hours.  Tickets will be priced at market rates.

The online tastings will be presented using Zoom.  To join in, you will need access to the internet via a tablet, laptop, or desk-top computer.  For each online tasting, we will suggest wines you might like to buy and taste while watching.  Online events will also start at 7.00 pm but last for about an hour and a quarter.   we shall continue to make a token charge of per household for online tastings.  We regret however, that to enable us to pay our tutors and stay in business we have had to increase this charge to £15 per household.

You will find descriptions of all tastings planned below. Against each decription you will see a small drop-down menu.  To book places  at an in-person tasting, select the number required from the drop-down menu.  to book a place for your household at an online tasting, just select “1”.  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”.


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  • May 2022

    £15.00Vermentino aka Rolle – Online • Tuesday, 31st May, 19:00-20:15 in London

    Vermentino is a white grape variety grown mainly in the Maremma region of north-western Italy and in Sardinia and Corsica.  It produces crisp, dry wines with aromas of citrus peel and spice and a salty, savoury finish.  Great as an aperitif or with grilled fish or chicken dishes.  It is also grown under the name of Rolle along the Mediterranean coast of France,

    Time:  7.00 to 8.15 pm.

    Presenter:  Malcolm Franks with Vivienne Franks.

    Availability:  Good.

    Wine Suggestions:

    From Waitrose Cellar (https://www.waitrosecellar.com) – Italy (Maremma) Vermentino, Pian del Bichi, ’20 (£9.99) and McClaren Vale, ‘Metal Label’ Vermentino, Berton Vineyards, ’21 (£7.99).

    From Majestic Wine (Mix Six Prices): Sardinia – Vermentino, Eccelsa,’19 (£8.99) and France (Coteaux d’Aix en Provence) Gaia de Fortant,’20 (£9.99).

    From The Wine Society:   Sardinia – Vermentino di Sardegna, ‘Localia’ Melis, ‘20 (£9.50) and Corsica, Corse Calvi, Clos Culombu Blanc, Etienne Suzzoni, ‘20, (£12.50).

    Jun 2022

    £15.00New Zealand – Anything But Sauvignon Blanc – Online • Thursday, 9th June, 19:00-20:15 in London

    Although the bulk of New Zealand wine is made from Sauvignon Blanc (74.8% in 2021), wine of high quality is made from a plethora of other varieties (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Riesling, Syrah and so on).  Time to explore this wonderful diversity, we thought.

    Time:  7.00 to 8.15 pm.

    Presenter:  Vivienne Franks with Malcolm Franks.

    Availability:  Good.

    Wine Suggestions:

    From Waitrose Cellar (https://www.waitrosecellar.com) – Marlborough, ‘Province’ Pinot Gris, Astrolabe, ’20 (£15.99) and/or Hawkes Bay, ‘Private Bin’ Merlot. Villa Maria, ’20 (£12.99)

    From Majestic (Mix Six Prices) – Marlborough, Viognier, Anna’s Way, ’20 (£9.99) and/or Central Otago, Pinot Noir, Mud House, ’20 (£10.99).

    From The Wine Society – Marlborough, Classic Riesling, Framingham, ’20 (£14.95) and/or Hawkes Bay, Syrah, Te Mata, ’20 (£16.00).

    £55.00The Loire Valley – Anjou Saumur – In Person • Thursday, 16th June, 19:00-21:00 in London

    A selection of wines from leading producers in the Anjou – Saumur region, the heart of the Loire Valley vineyard. We will start the evening with a glass of traditional method sparkling wine.  We will then taste a trio of dry whites made from Chenin Blanc followed by a trio of reds made from Cabernet Franc.The grand finale will be a luscious sweet white wine from the Coteaux du Layon.  Here’s the full line-up:-

    Saumur Brut, ‘Saphir’ Bouvet Ladubay, ‘18.

    AC Anjou, Chenin Sec, ’La Chapelle’ Vieilles Vignes, Château de Fesles, ’16.

    AOP Savennières ‘Roche Aux Moines’, Vignoble Branchereau, Domaine des Forges, ‘17.

    AOC Savennières ‘La Croix Picot’, Yves Guégniard, Domaine de la Bergerie, ‘10.

    AC Saumur Champigny, Vieilles Vignes, Domaine Filliatreau,, ’16.

    Chinon, ‘Clos de la Dioterie’, Charles Joguet, ‘15

    Chinon, ‘Les Picasses’, Olga Raffault, ‘08

    AC Quarts de Chaume, Yves Guégniard, Domine de la Bergerie, ‘07.

     

    Venue:  The Civil Service Club, 13/15 Great Scotland Yard, London SW1A 2HJ.

    Time:  7.00 to 9.00 pm.

    Presenter:  Pippa Hayward with Sandy Leckie.

    Availability:  Good.














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May 2022

  • Vermentino aka Rolle – Online in London

    Tuesday, 31st May

    £15.00

    Vermentino is a white grape variety grown mainly in the Maremma region of north-western Italy and in Sardinia and Corsica.  It produces crisp, dry wines with aromas of citrus peel and spice and a salty, savoury finish.  Great as an aperitif or with grilled fish or chicken dishes.  It is also grown under the name of Rolle along the Mediterranean coast of France,

    Time:  7.00 to 8.15 pm.

    Presenter:  Malcolm Franks with Vivienne Franks.

    Availability:  Good.

    Wine Suggestions:

    From Waitrose Cellar (https://www.waitrosecellar.com) – Italy (Maremma) Vermentino, Pian del Bichi, ’20 (£9.99) and McClaren Vale, ‘Metal Label’ Vermentino, Berton Vineyards, ’21 (£7.99).

    From Majestic Wine (Mix Six Prices): Sardinia – Vermentino, Eccelsa,’19 (£8.99) and France (Coteaux d’Aix en Provence) Gaia de Fortant,’20 (£9.99).

    From The Wine Society:   Sardinia – Vermentino di Sardegna, ‘Localia’ Melis, ‘20 (£9.50) and Corsica, Corse Calvi, Clos Culombu Blanc, Etienne Suzzoni, ‘20, (£12.50).

    Full details and booking >

Jun 2022

  • New Zealand – Anything But Sauvignon Blanc – Online in London

    Thursday, 9th June

    £15.00

    Although the bulk of New Zealand wine is made from Sauvignon Blanc (74.8% in 2021), wine of high quality is made from a plethora of other varieties (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Riesling, Syrah and so on).  Time to explore this wonderful diversity, we thought.

    Time:  7.00 to 8.15 pm.

    Presenter:  Vivienne Franks with Malcolm Franks.

    Availability:  Good.

    Wine Suggestions:

    From Waitrose Cellar (https://www.waitrosecellar.com) – Marlborough, ‘Province’ Pinot Gris, Astrolabe, ’20 (£15.99) and/or Hawkes Bay, ‘Private Bin’ Merlot. Villa Maria, ’20 (£12.99)

    From Majestic (Mix Six Prices) – Marlborough, Viognier, Anna’s Way, ’20 (£9.99) and/or Central Otago, Pinot Noir, Mud House, ’20 (£10.99).

    From The Wine Society – Marlborough, Classic Riesling, Framingham, ’20 (£14.95) and/or Hawkes Bay, Syrah, Te Mata, ’20 (£16.00).

    Full details and booking >

  • The Loire Valley – Anjou Saumur – In Person in London

    Thursday, 16th June

    £55.00

    A selection of wines from leading producers in the Anjou – Saumur region, the heart of the Loire Valley vineyard. We will start the evening with a glass of traditional method sparkling wine.  We will then taste a trio of dry whites made from Chenin Blanc followed by a trio of reds made from Cabernet Franc.The grand finale will be a luscious sweet white wine from the Coteaux du Layon.  Here’s the full line-up:-

    Saumur Brut, ‘Saphir’ Bouvet Ladubay, ‘18.

    AC Anjou, Chenin Sec, ’La Chapelle’ Vieilles Vignes, Château de Fesles, ’16.

    AOP Savennières ‘Roche Aux Moines’, Vignoble Branchereau, Domaine des Forges, ‘17.

    AOC Savennières ‘La Croix Picot’, Yves Guégniard, Domaine de la Bergerie, ‘10.

    AC Saumur Champigny, Vieilles Vignes, Domaine Filliatreau,, ’16.

    Chinon, ‘Clos de la Dioterie’, Charles Joguet, ‘15

    Chinon, ‘Les Picasses’, Olga Raffault, ‘08

    AC Quarts de Chaume, Yves Guégniard, Domine de la Bergerie, ‘07.

     

    Venue:  The Civil Service Club, 13/15 Great Scotland Yard, London SW1A 2HJ.

    Time:  7.00 to 9.00 pm.

    Presenter:  Pippa Hayward with Sandy Leckie.

    Availability:  Good.

    Full details and booking >