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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  • Aug 2022

    £55.00Bordeaux Wines for a Warm Summer Evening – In-person • Thursday, 11th August, 19:00-21:15 in London

    Around 90% of the wine produced in Bordeaux is red.   Good as much of this is, there are occasions when lighter, crisper, cooler alternatives are required.  We have selected eight wines for your enjoyment on a warm August evening – a crémant, a pair of dry whites, a rosé, a trio of fruity reds and a sweet white.

    Here is the full list: –

    Crémant de Bordeaux, Maison de la Rougerie Brut, NV
    Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux, ‘Les Pierrières, Château Beaumont, ‘19
    Pessac-Léognan, Château de Rochemorin, ‘18
    Bordeaux Rosé, Château Haut-Rian, ‘20
    Bordeaux Rouge, ‘Preius’, Yvon Mau, ‘18
    Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux, Château Montconseil-Gazin, ‘18
    Fronsac, Château de la Dauphine, ‘16
    Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, Château la Rame, ‘18

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

    Time:  7.00 to 9.15 pm.

    Presenter:  Pippa Hayward with Sandy Leckie

    Availability:  Good.

    £55.00Crémants & Other Sparkling Wines From France – In-person • Tuesday, 23rd August, 19:00-21:15 in London

    Champagne is Champagne but sparkling wine, often made in the same way (Méthode Traditionelle) s to be found in every corner of France.

    For this, our last tasting of the summer season, we have selected eight fine examples to share with you,

    Crémant de Bourgogne – Blanc de Blancs, Cave de Lugny, NV (Chardonnay)
    Crémant de Bordeaux Blanc– Etoile de Timberlay Brut, NV (Merlot, Sémillon, Cabernet Franc)
    Crémant d’Alsace – ‘Cuvée Julien’, Dopff au Moulin, NV (Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois)
    Blanquette de Limoux, Réserve, Antec, ’19 (Mauzac)
    Saumur – ‘Saphir’ Brut, Bouvet-Ladubay, ’19 (Chenin Blanc plus a little Chardonnay)
    Crémant de Die – Brut, Cave Poulet, NV (Clairette, Aligoté, Muscat)
    Rosé Frizant (Méthode Charmat) – Mas de Daumas Gassac, ’20 (Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Petit Manseng, Muscat)
    Cerdon de Bugey Rosé(Single Ferment) Renard-Fache, ’19 (Gamay, Poulsard)

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

    Time:  7.00 to 9.15 pm.

    Presenter:  Pippa Hayward with Sandy Leckie.

    Availability:  Good.

    Sep 2022

    £15.00Vermentino aka Rolle – Online • Thursday, 22nd September, 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).

    £65.00Lebanon – Château Musar Masterclass – In Person • Tuesday, 27th September, 19:00-21:30 in London

    A another opportunity to taste a range of mature wines from this world-famous Lebanese estate.

    We will taste the 2014, 2013, 2012, 2002, 1998, 1995, and 1994 vintages of the Hochar family’s warm, spicy, Rhône-like red and finish with two vintages of their quirky white.  All the wines will be carefully decanted before the tasting.

    After the tasting, bread and cheese will be served with any wine remaining.

    Venue:  The Civil Service Club

    Presenter: Sandy Leckie with Pippa Hayward.

    Availability: Good

    Oct 2022

    £15.00Hungary – Tokaji • Thursday, 13th October, 19:00-20:15 in London

    Grapes have been grown and wine made in the part of Europe we now know as Hungary since at least Roman times. Over the last 25 years, the industry has been the beneficiary of substantial inward investment and is now one of the most modern and progressive in Europe. We have tasted great wines on visits to the region and thought we ought to share some of these with you.

    Time:  7.00 to 8.15 pm.

    Presenter:  Vivienne with Malcolm Franks

    Availability:  Good.

    Wine Suggestions:

    From Waitrose Cellar (https://www.waitrosecellar.com) – ‘Patricius’ Dry Furmint, ’20 (£9.99) and, in a 25-cl. bottle, Royal Tokaji Company, ‘Blue Label’ 5 Puttonyos Aszú, ’14 (£13.99).

    From Majestic Wines (‘Mix Six’ prices) – Egri Csillag’ Viognier Blend, Tibor Gál , ’19 (offer £ 7.99) or Dry Tokaji, Royal Tokaj1 Company, 2018 (£8.99) and in a 50-cl. bottle, Late Harvest, Royal Tokaji Company, ’18 (£10.99).

    From The Wine Society – Somloi Furmint, Kolonics,’19 (£12.95) and Kekfrankos Reserve, Heumann, ’16 (£15.50).














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Aug 2022

  • Bordeaux Wines for a Warm Summer Evening – In-person in London

    Thursday, 11th August

    £55.00

    Around 90% of the wine produced in Bordeaux is red.   Good as much of this is, there are occasions when lighter, crisper, cooler alternatives are required.  We have selected eight wines for your enjoyment on a warm August evening – a crémant, a pair of dry whites, a rosé, a trio of fruity reds and a sweet white.

    Here is the full list: –

    Crémant de Bordeaux, Maison de la Rougerie Brut, NV
    Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux, ‘Les Pierrières, Château Beaumont, ‘19
    Pessac-Léognan, Château de Rochemorin, ‘18
    Bordeaux Rosé, Château Haut-Rian, ‘20
    Bordeaux Rouge, ‘Preius’, Yvon Mau, ‘18
    Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux, Château Montconseil-Gazin, ‘18
    Fronsac, Château de la Dauphine, ‘16
    Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, Château la Rame, ‘18

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

    Time:  7.00 to 9.15 pm.

    Presenter:  Pippa Hayward with Sandy Leckie

    Availability:  Good.

    Full details and booking >

  • Crémants & Other Sparkling Wines From France – In-person in London

    Tuesday, 23rd August

    £55.00

    Champagne is Champagne but sparkling wine, often made in the same way (Méthode Traditionelle) s to be found in every corner of France.

    For this, our last tasting of the summer season, we have selected eight fine examples to share with you,

    Crémant de Bourgogne – Blanc de Blancs, Cave de Lugny, NV (Chardonnay)
    Crémant de Bordeaux Blanc– Etoile de Timberlay Brut, NV (Merlot, Sémillon, Cabernet Franc)
    Crémant d’Alsace – ‘Cuvée Julien’, Dopff au Moulin, NV (Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois)
    Blanquette de Limoux, Réserve, Antec, ’19 (Mauzac)
    Saumur – ‘Saphir’ Brut, Bouvet-Ladubay, ’19 (Chenin Blanc plus a little Chardonnay)
    Crémant de Die – Brut, Cave Poulet, NV (Clairette, Aligoté, Muscat)
    Rosé Frizant (Méthode Charmat) – Mas de Daumas Gassac, ’20 (Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Petit Manseng, Muscat)
    Cerdon de Bugey Rosé(Single Ferment) Renard-Fache, ’19 (Gamay, Poulsard)

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

    Time:  7.00 to 9.15 pm.

    Presenter:  Pippa Hayward with Sandy Leckie.

    Availability:  Good.

    Full details and booking >

Sep 2022

  • Vermentino aka Rolle – Online in London

    Thursday, 22nd September

    £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 >

  • Lebanon – Château Musar Masterclass – In Person in London

    Tuesday, 27th September

    £65.00

    A another opportunity to taste a range of mature wines from this world-famous Lebanese estate.

    We will taste the 2014, 2013, 2012, 2002, 1998, 1995, and 1994 vintages of the Hochar family’s warm, spicy, Rhône-like red and finish with two vintages of their quirky white.  All the wines will be carefully decanted before the tasting.

    After the tasting, bread and cheese will be served with any wine remaining.

    Venue:  The Civil Service Club

    Presenter: Sandy Leckie with Pippa Hayward.

    Availability: Good

    Full details and booking >

Oct 2022

  • Hungary – Tokaji in London

    Thursday, 13th October

    £15.00

    Grapes have been grown and wine made in the part of Europe we now know as Hungary since at least Roman times. Over the last 25 years, the industry has been the beneficiary of substantial inward investment and is now one of the most modern and progressive in Europe. We have tasted great wines on visits to the region and thought we ought to share some of these with you.

    Time:  7.00 to 8.15 pm.

    Presenter:  Vivienne with Malcolm Franks

    Availability:  Good.

    Wine Suggestions:

    From Waitrose Cellar (https://www.waitrosecellar.com) – ‘Patricius’ Dry Furmint, ’20 (£9.99) and, in a 25-cl. bottle, Royal Tokaji Company, ‘Blue Label’ 5 Puttonyos Aszú, ’14 (£13.99).

    From Majestic Wines (‘Mix Six’ prices) – Egri Csillag’ Viognier Blend, Tibor Gál , ’19 (offer £ 7.99) or Dry Tokaji, Royal Tokaj1 Company, 2018 (£8.99) and in a 50-cl. bottle, Late Harvest, Royal Tokaji Company, ’18 (£10.99).

    From The Wine Society – Somloi Furmint, Kolonics,’19 (£12.95) and Kekfrankos Reserve, Heumann, ’16 (£15.50).

    Full details and booking >