Previous Seasons: 2021-22

Here you can find a recap of our tastings for this season. Maybe you might like to join us next time.

1st July 2022

Due to the resurgence of COVID, we had a last minute change of speaker for our last meeting of the 2021-22 season. Thank you to Gilbert Winfield for stepping up to take us to the Mediterrean at 24 hours notice!

10th June 2022

It was good to welcome Jeremy Pearson for his “What’s in a name” challenge. He took three highly popular grape varieties – Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, and we  compared and contrasted three examples of wines made by each of these classic varieties and find out which ones we preferred and why. Although we all recognized these grapes, he demonstrated that they can each be made into highly individual styles of wine.

6th May 2022

It was great to catch up with Nicholas Corfe, owner of Go Brazil Wines, the UK’s only specialist Brazilian wine importer, for our May tasting. He presented eight well-differentiated wines, including reds, whites and a sparkling rosé, from his company’s extensive portfolio. Encompassing a wide range of producers, regions and grape varieties, the tasting demonstrated the strength and depth of contemporary winemaking in Brazil.

1st April 2022

In April, we were happy to welcom back local wine educator Gilbert Winfield, presenting a good selection of reasonably priced wines.

This was a good insight into less well-known wines from around the world, which represented good value for money! They certainly revealed the quality of sometimes inexpensive wines produced in both historic and newer wine regions.

4th March 2022

For our March meeting, we welcomed back Victor Maguire, who some of you may remember from his presentation on “To Oak or Not To Oak”, a couple of years ago. This time he introduced us to a selection of four whites and four reds made from well-know grapes, but from countries that might not be the first to come to mind, such as a Chilean Grenache and an Australian Petit Meunier.

4th February 2022

“The tiny country of Moldova is so often overlooked, yet with 81,000 hectares of noble vines it is bigger than Bulgaria, Hungary and even New Zealand. It grows more vines per person than anywhere else on earth and many people depend on grapes for living, which is great motivation to get it right.” – Dr Caroline Gilby MW

To say that Moldovan wines are steeped in history is a bit of an understatement. Fossils of vine leaves have been found in Moldova dating from over 6 million years ago, and winemaking can be traced back five millennia. Irina showed us why Moldovan Wines UK is so proud to represent this lesser-known wine region here in the UK.

7th January 2022

We started the year with a taste of the sun, as Ian McLaren of Central London Wine Society introduced us to Modern yet Ancient Wines from Greece.

The Greek mainland and islands have been a source of wine for at least 4,000 years, and while they do grow some international varieties, we tasted a selection of wines made from indigenous grapes, some of them very rare. Vineyards in Greece are at a sea-level for some of the smaller islands, rising to ski-resort levels on the mainland, with these many micro-climates, adding to the range of flavours.

3rd December

For our Christmas Tasting, we welcomed back Douglas Harrison, presenting a selection of Swiss wines and seasonal nibbles. Sadly, it didn’t include either fondue or chocolate, but a selection of unmelted cheese was on the menu!

5th November

In November, we welcomed David Carter, who took us on a tour of the Loire.

The Loire Valley is the heart of France, famous for its natural beauty, magnificent châteaux, rich history and culture, and great wine. It is France’s most diverse wine region, producing excellent wines in every style. They’re so good that the restaurants and wine bars of Paris can’t get enough of them. Their moderate alcohol, refreshing ripe fruit acidity and minerality make them ideal wines for food, or just for quaffing. They’re perfect for contemporary tastes.

We tasted and compared wines from three of its major grape varieties, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc, from vineyard appellations between Sancerre and Angers.

1st October 2021

For our first meeting back this season, we welcomed Will Parker, who helped us celebrate our return, and then took us through the seasons from the end of summer to Christmas. It was lovely to meet in person again in October.