JANUARY – MARCH 2015 · mecca for syrah, grenache, viognier and marsanne. The range of styles and...
Transcript of JANUARY – MARCH 2015 · mecca for syrah, grenache, viognier and marsanne. The range of styles and...
thewinesociety.com/tastingsthewinesociety.com/tastings
JANUARY – MARCH 2015
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BOOKING INFORMATION
FOR ALL EVENTSTo purchase tickets please telephone us on 01438 740222 or visit thewinesociety.com/tastings
Within The Society’s Tastings & Events programme, there is a whole range of wine-tasting opportunities where together we can discover more about the fascinating world of wine.
Tickets are usually despatched with your invoice. We reserve the right to cancel or postpone any function if insufficient tickets are sold, in which case any purchase will be refunded.
Dress code: unless stated otherwise, all events are ‘smart casual’.
Late cancellation for all tastings
If there is a need to cancel tickets purchased for a tasting or event, refunds will only be given if we are notified at least 14 days before a wine dinner or at least seven days before all other events. Refunds will only be given after this time if we are able to re-sell your tickets.
We offer a 10% discount on the standard price of wines tasted to all members attending and who place an order before 9pm the following evening. In some rare and exceptional circumstances (for instance, where wines are either in low stock or unavailable), we will be unable to offer this discount. Should this be the case, members will be made aware at the tasting.
GUIDE TO TASTINGS An overview of each tasting and event
Pages 3 – 7
INFORMAL, WALK-AROUND TASTINGSRelaxed, fun and very enjoyable
Lively, informal events offering the chance to taste at least 18 wines in a relaxed atmosphere.
Pages 8 – 11
SEATED, TUTORED TASTINGSFlagship events featuring some of the world’s greatest wines
These prestigious events feature at least ten wines, often presented by the owner or producer.
Pages 12 – 13
WINE DINNERS & SPECIAL EVENTSFine food and fine wine
The Society hosts a variety of wine dinners across the country at some great venues.
Pages 14 – 18
THE SOCIETY IN STEVENAGETaste wine and food at The Wine Society’s headquarters
Our lunches are very popular, with an aperitif, a tour of the cellars and a .
Page 19
THE SOCIETY IN FRANCEDine in France and take advantage of the favourable duty rates
The Society hosts a series of popular wine dinners in and around Montreuil.
BUY A TICKETBuy a ticket for a wine-loving friend to any event featured in this leaflet.
If they apply for membership of The Society within a week of the event, they will receive a £20 credit on their account.
Find out more
Visit thewinesociety.com/abouttastings to view a short video about The Society’s programme of tastings, along with an interview with Tastings and Events manager Simon Mason.
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seated four-course lunch
3To order tickets thewinesociety.com/tastings 01438 740222
GUIDE TO TASTINGS An overview of each tasting and event INFORMAL, WALK-AROUND TASTINGS Relaxed, fun and very enjoyable
STOP THE PRESS: A REVIEW OF 2014January is a time not only to look forward to the year ahead but also to reflect on the previous vintage.
2014 was a great year for The Wine Society. For the fourth consecutive year, the International Wine Challenge named The Society Wine Club of the Year as well Specialist Merchant of the Year for both Chile and Alsace. In addition, many of our wines were awarded medals by the IWC and Decanter World Wine Awards panels. On top of these annual awards, we are always delighted to see our wines favourably reviewed by wine experts as this often gives members the confidence to try something new or different.
As a member-owned mutual, by far our most important measure of success is Society members’ satisfaction. With this in mind, we are touring the country with a line-up of vinous highlights for your delectation at a series of informal walk-around tastings. The tastings will include medal winners and wines lauded by the press, spanning Austria to Australia with many more in between. We hope you can join us!
3To order tickets thewinesociety.com/tastings 01438 740222
TWICKENHAM
Clarendon HallYork HouseRichmond RoadTW1 3AA
Tuesday 13th January From: 6.30pm to 8.30pmTickets: £26
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CANTERBURY
The Clagett AuditoriumInternational Study CentreCanterbury CathedralThe PrecintsCT1 2EH
Wednesday 14th January From: 6.30pm to 8.30pmTickets: £26
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ELY
The Lady ChapelEly CathedralCB7 4DL
Monday 26th JanuaryFrom: 6.30pm to 8.30pmTickets: £26
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WORCESTER
Lower HallThe GuildhallHigh StreetWR1 2EZ
Tuesday 27th JanuaryFrom: 6.30pm to 8.30pmTickets: £26
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‘MASTERWINED’: MEMBERS’ QUIZ TASTING
Back by popular demand! Beginners and experts alike are invited to join the fun at our special quiz tasting.
Following a sparkling aperitif, seated teams of six will face a series of multiple-choice questions, mostly based on the nine wines that will be tasted. You can bring along your own team, or we’ll assign you on the night to a team of your fellow members.
Although the evening is for enjoyment – it is, of course, the taking part that counts – the winning team from each event will each receive a fitting prize from The Society’s cellar.
As well as being a novel approach to wine tasting, this is also an excellent opportunity to invite friends along so that they can find out about wine in general, and The Society in particular, in a fun and unusual way.
Will you be a Masterwined champion or The Weakest Drink? There’s only one way to find out…!
INFORMAL, WALK-AROUND TASTINGS Relaxed, fun and very enjoyable
LONDON
Merchant Taylors’ Hall30 Threadneedle StreetEC2R 8JB
Monday 19th January From 6.30pm to 8.30pm Tickets: £26
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CARDIFF
The Whitehall SuiteThe Parc HotelPark PlaceCF10 3UD
Thursday 22nd JanuaryFrom 6.30pm to 8.30pm Tickets: £26
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EDINBURGH
The Assembly Rooms54 George StreetEH2 2LR
Wednesday 25th FebruaryFrom 6.30pm to 8.30pm Tickets: £26
ref TG150225
BELFAST
The Great HallQueen’s University BelfastBT7 1NN
Wednesday 4th MarchFrom 6.30pm to 8.30pm Tickets: £26
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THE AMERICAN DREAM – WINES FROM THE AMERICAS
Join us as we take a virtual voyage across the pond to discover the wines of North and South America, taking in the wines of the USA, Canada, Chile, Argentina and Uruguay as we go.
This line-up will take a close look at the cool-climate regions of Canada and Oregon, whose pinot noir and chardonnay are showing remarkable elegance and complexity. Then it’s over to Washington and California to try some classy cabernets and sumptuous zinfandels.
In South America, site selection is all important with winemakers increasingly seeking cooler coastal and high-altitude vineyard sites. In Chile, sauvignon blanc and pinot noir are proving successful in the Leyda Valley, whilst syrah and cabernet sauvignon do well in the warmer Maipo. Argentina is best known for malbec, but chardonnay grown high above sea level is delicious, elegant and refined.
Our whistle-stop tour of the Americas ends in Uruguay, where passionate winemakers have harnessed the distinctive flavours of the tannat grape and are producing fine wines with plenty of character, which are well worth your attention.
5To order tickets thewinesociety.com/tastings 01438 740222
INFORMAL, WALK-AROUND TASTINGS Relaxed, fun and very enjoyableINFORMAL, WALK-AROUND TASTINGS Relaxed, fun and very enjoyable
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Collingwood RoomRoyal Station HotelNeville StreetNE1 5DH
Monday 2nd FebruaryFrom: 6.30pm to 8.30pmTickets: £26
ref TG150202
YORK
The Great HallMerchant Taylors’ HallAldwarkYO1 7BX
Tuesday 3rd FebruaryFrom: 6.30pm to 8.30pmTickets: £26
ref TG150203
LONDON
Merchant Taylors’ Hall30 Threadneedle StreetEC2R 8JB
Monday 9th FebruaryFrom: 6.30pm to 8.30pmTickets: £26
ref TG150209
SOUTHAMPTON
The Ageas SuiteThe Ageas BowlBotley RoadWest EndSO30 3XH
Tuesday 10th FebruaryFrom: 6.30pm to 8.30pmTickets: £26
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BATH
The Banqueting RoomThe GuildhallHigh StreetBA1 1LZ
Wednesday 11th FebruaryFrom: 6.30pm to 8.30pmTickets: £26
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Virginia is proving a source of increasingly high-quality wines
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ROAM AROUND THE RHÔNEThe Rhône Valley is a viticultural mecca for syrah, grenache, viognier and marsanne. The range of styles and quality of wines produced at both ends of the valley ensure that there is a wine to suit every taste and pocket from this rich and varied region.
In the northern Rhône syrah is king, producing elegant, long-lived, rich red wines including Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage and Cornas. Heady and intense, viognier excels in the appellation of Condrieu, whilst the other main Rhône white grapes, marsanne and roussanne, make an appearance in Saint-Péray.
In the south, grenache takes centre stage, but other grapes, particularly mourvèdre, are not far from the limelight. Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vacqueyras, Cairanne, Lirac and Beaumes-de-Venise all produce satisfyingly spicy, sun-drenched blends, and fascinating whites and rosés can also be found.
In this informal, walk-around tasting we shall take a table-top tour of the vineyards of the Rhône, tasting our way through red, white and rosé gems from this remarkable region. We are delighted to be in the company of winemakers and representatives from many of the estates.
INFORMAL, WALK-AROUND TASTINGS Relaxed, fun and very enjoyable
LONDON
The Thomas Lord SuiteMarylebone Cricket ClubLord’s Cricket GroundSt. John’s WoodNW8 8QN
Monday 16th FebruaryFrom 5.30pm to 8.30pmTickets: £29
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LEEDS
The Victoria HallLeeds Town HallThe HeadrowLS1 3AD
Tuesday 17th FebruaryFrom: 5.30pm to 8.30pmTickets: £27
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The Châteauneuf-du-Pape countryside
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INFORMAL, WALK-AROUND TASTINGS Relaxed, fun and very enjoyable
7To order tickets thewinesociety.com/tastings 01438 740222
INFORMAL, WALK-AROUND TASTINGS Relaxed, fun and very enjoyable
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK‘The weirdos are coming.’ – Wine writer Andrew Jefford
Beyond the vast quantities of cabernet, chardonnay and pinot grigio out there, a thousand other grape varieties are just waiting to be discovered by the adventurous. Whilst nobody can deny the joy of returning to an old favourite, the excitement of discovering a new wine is one of life’s great pleasures.
It seems as though it was only yesterday that albariño and grüner veltliner were little more than curiosities of the wine world. Now few self-respecting wine lists would be without them. Perhaps some of the grapes and regions in this tasting’s 20 wines might enjoy similar recognition one day.
We therefore invite you to join us for a tasting at which the usual suspects will be nowhere in sight, as interesting and delicious wines from oft-overlooked but nonetheless rewarding regions, producers and grapes take centre stage. Small family-run estates, unusual grape varieties and a host of unfamiliar but exciting flavours are what this tasting is all about. We hope that you can come and explore with us.
TORQUAY
The Devonshire SuiteThe Grand Hotel Sea FrontTQ2 6NT
Monday 9th MarchFrom: 6.30pm to 8.30pmTickets: £26
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WELLS
The BallroomTown allBA5 2RB
Tuesday 10th MarchFrom: 6.30pm to 8.30pmTickets: £26
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CHELTENHAM
The Pittville Pump RoomPittville ParkGL52 3JE
Tuesday 24th MarchFrom: 6.30pm to 8.30pmTickets: £26
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NOTTINGHAM
Osborne SuiteThe Albert HallNorth Circus StreetOff Derby RoadNG1 5AA
Wednesday 25th MarchFrom: 6.30pm to 8.30pmTickets: £26
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Albariño grapes growing in Galacia, Spain
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H
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GREAT AUSTRALIAN WINES WITH MATTHEW JUKESThe top wines of Australia are truly world class. We are delighted that renowned wine writer Matthew Jukes, author of the annual 100 Best Australian Wines report, is joining us to present 12 top wines from his most recent report.
Matthew, wine columnist for the Daily Mail, is a world-renowned authority on Australian wines, so much so that he was even named ‘Honorary Australian of the Year’ in 2012 for his services to the country’s wine industry.
At this special tasting, he will lead us on a virtual journey through some of Australia’s finest vineyards with his first-hand experience of this fascinating and vast wine-producing country. The Society’s buyer for Australia, Sarah Knowles, will also be on hand to give The Society’s view.
An evening of top-class wines and the often fascinating stories behind them awaits. We look forward to seeing you there.
LONDON
The Council RoomOne Great George StreetWestminsterSW1P 3AA
Thursday 5th FebruaryFrom 6.30pm to 8.30pmTickets: £90
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Vines in Australia’s Barossa Valley and Matthew Jukes
SEATED, TUTORED TASTINGS Flagship events featuring some of the world’s greatest wines
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SEATED, TUTORED TASTINGS Flagship events featuring some of the world’s greatest wines
9To order tickets thewinesociety.com/tastings 01438 740222
THE RUDIMENTS OF BORDEAUX ‘I can certainly see that you know your wine. Most of the guests who stay here wouldn’t know the difference between Bordeaux and claret.’ – Basil Fawlty, Fawlty Towers
Bordeaux is arguably home to the largest collection of fine wine vineyards and producers in the world. A vast region with wines which range from lesser-known appellations to the crus classés, the diversity in character and style from Bordeaux is second to none.
Now more than ever, the wines of Bordeaux cover almost the complete price spectrum. From approachable early-drinking petits châteaux to the lofty heights of the classed growths, the wines of the region offer something for every drinker. However, many are discouraged from exploring the region as they find its intricacy daunting.
Join us as we attempt to get to grips with the rudiments of Bordeaux: from why the wines of the left bank taste different to those of the right to the difference a vintage can make to the wine. This is a fun and informative workshop designed for those who would like to get to know Bordeaux that little bit better.
OXFORD
Main HallOxford Town HallSt Aldate’sOX1 1BX
Monday 2nd MarchTickets: £50
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Aperitif: 6.30pm to 7pmTasting: 7pm to 8.45pm
LIVERPOOL
The Concert RoomLiverpool Metropolitan CathedralMount PleasantL3 5TQ
Tuesday 3rd MarchTickets: £50
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Aperitif: 6.30pm to 7pmTasting: 7pm to 8.45pm
A view over Saint-Emilion in Bordeaux
SEATED, TUTORED TASTINGS Flagship events featuring some of the world’s greatest wines
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SEATED, TUTORED TASTINGS Flagship events featuring some of the world’s greatest wines
SAUTERNES MASTERCLASS: BORDEAUX GOLD WITH BILL BLATCHThe wines of Sauternes and Barsac are rightly regarded as some of, if not the, very best sweet wines in the world. Benefiting from a unique terroir and a climate that allows noble rot to impart its remarkable flavours to the concentrated grapes, the region produces intensely sweet, complex, luscious and long-lived wines.
Over the course of the evening and via ten wines selected from The Society’s cellars, we shall explore this fascinating region in the company of Sauternes expert Bill Blatch. With over 40 years’ experience in Bordeaux, Bill has built up a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable individuals on the region and its wines. He produces an in-depth Annual Vintage Report that is required reading for anyone in the trade with an interest in Bordeaux.
An extremely enjoyable and informative evening filled with delectable wines awaits.
As we anticipate that demand for this tasting will be high, please note that tickets will be limited to a maximum of four per member.
LONDON
The Council RoomOne Great George StreetWestminsterSW1P 3AA
Monday 9th MarchTickets: £115
ref TG150309
Aperitif: 6.30pm to 7pmTasting: 7pm to 8.45pm
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Château Y’quem, Sauternes and Bill Blatch, Sauternes expert
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SEATED, TUTORED TASTINGS Flagship events featuring some of the world’s greatest wines SEATED, TUTORED TASTINGS Flagship events featuring some of the world’s greatest wines
CHÂTEAUX RAUZAN-SÉGLA AND CANON TUTORED TASTING WITH JOHN KOLASACategorised as a second growth in the Bordeaux 1855 Classification, Château Rauzan-Ségla in Margaux is often dubbed a ‘super second’, such is the current quality of its wine. The 66-hectare vineyard lies in the heart of Margaux on deep gravel soil, ideal for producing wine with the fine bouquet for which the appellation is famous.
Overseeing the château, and also Château Canon in Saint-Emilion, is managing director John Kolasa. Born in Dumbarton, Scotland, John moved to Bordeaux in the 1970s and began work at Rauzan-Ségla in 1994 having worked previously at Château Latour. He is the driving force behind the renaissance of both Rauzan-Ségla and Canon, having undertaken extensive renovations at both properties and brought them, and most importantly their wines, back to their former glory.
During the course of this tutored tasting, we shall taste a selection of wines from both Rauzan-Ségla and Canon, whilst gaining a fascinating insight into these properties and the Bordeaux trade in general.
EDINBURGH
The Assembly Rooms George StreetEH2 2LR
Thursday 19th MarchTickets: £95
ref TG150319
Aperitif: 6.30pm to 7pmTasting: 7pm to 8.45pm
11To order tickets thewinesociety.com/tastings 01438 740222
Château Rauzan-Segla and John Kolasa
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WINE DINNERS & SPECIAL EVENTS FINE FOOD AND FINE WINE
The restaurant (top) and punts (left) at Cherwell Boathouse
GLASGOW
Two Fat Ladies at The Buttery652-654 Argyle StreetG3 8UF
Monday 9th FebruaryTickets: £115
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Aperitif: 7pm to 7.30pmDinner: 7.30pm to c.10.30pm
OXFORD
Cherwell BoathouseBardwell Road OX2 6ST
Wednesday 11th MarchTickets: £115
ref TG150311
Aperitif: 7pm to 7.30pmDinner: 7.30pm to c.10.30pm
VENUES AND MENUS
In the newsletter of October 2013 the Tastings Team made a plea to members to write in with suggestions of local restaurants or venues that they felt would work for a Society function. We are pleased to report an overwhelming response, with members throughout the country writing to tell us of their favourite haunts. For this edition of Venues and Menus, we shall be visiting a Glasgow institution – The Buttery – and an Oxford classic, The Cherwell Boathouse.
At the Boathouse, young and talented chef Nick Welford and his team provide innovative combinations of ingredients designed to surprise and thrill, with some simpler classics too, all based on fresh, locally sourced, seasonal produce. At The Buttery, meanwhile, Scottish seafood and produce is prepared with respect and skill, and enjoyed in a fine setting.
The wines served with the meal will take us on a virtual tour of the vineyards of France, a country blessed with diverse terroir and whose many regions include some of the greatest winemaking areas in the world. Bordered by water on three sides, mountains on two and dissected by mighty rivers, it is no wonder that the immensely varied geography and climate coupled with well-suited grape varieties have given rise to such a wide range of wine styles. Each of the wines will be picked to match the four-course meal to perfection whilst showing the very best of the different regions and the styles they represent.
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WINE DINNERS & SPECIAL EVENTS FINE FOOD AND FINE WINE WINE DINNERS & SPECIAL EVENTS FINE FOOD AND FINE WINE
ROBERT OATLEY DINNER WITH CHRIS HANCOCK MW
Robert Oatley Vineyards boasts a broad portfolio of delicious, expressive and unmistakably Australian wines from vineyards situated in a number of the country’s top winemaking regions. Awarded the highest possible rating by James Halliday in his Australian Wine Companion (2013 edition), the wines are elegant and extremely expressive of their origin.
We are delighted to be joined for dinner by Chris Hancock, one of the leading lights of Australia’s wine scene, and the man who in the words of Robert Oatley ‘basically runs the business’, having worked there for over 30 years. As well as countless medals and trophies, he has acquired the nickname ‘Mr Chardonnay’ in recognition of his role in putting Australia’s efforts with this grape variety on the map.
We are delighted that Chris can join us to talk us through the wines we will be tasting, and to give us the benefit of his years of experience in the Australian wine trade. For this dinner, we are returning to Chez Bruce in Wandsworth, a popular choice with members. Director Bruce Poole and his head chef Matt Christmas hold a Michelin star for their modern take on French regional and Mediterranean cuisine, executed with considerable panache, and we expect this to be a very special evening indeed.
LONDON
Chez Bruce2 Bellevue Road Wandsworth CommonSW17 7EG
Monday 16th MarchTickets: £145
ref TG150316
Aperitif: 7pm to 7.30pmDinner: 7.30pm to c.10.30pm
Sunset over Robert Oatley vineyards (top) and Chez Bruce in Wandsworth Common (above)
To order tickets thewinesociety.com/tastings 01438 740222 13
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THE SOCIETY IN STEVENAGE Taste wine and food at The Wine Society’s headquarters
A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO WINE TASTINGWine tastings are fun, or at least they should be. However, sometimes the world of wine, with its plethora of grape varieties, regions, styles and jargon, can seem overly complicated, intimidating and, at times, offputting.
In this informal workshop we will try a selection of ten wines, covering a range of styles from crisp whites to gutsy reds, with sweet wine also making a guest appearance. We will discuss the best way to get the most out of tasting wines and why different wines taste the way they do, as well as touching briefly on associated topics such as matching wine with food.
From complete wine-tasting novices, to those who would like to learn a bit more about why particular wines taste the way they do, this workshop is the perfect solution.
STEVENAGE
The Wine SocietyGunnels Wood Road
Saturday 24th JanuaryFrom: 11am to 1pmTickets: £39
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Saturday 28th MarchFrom: 11am to 1pmTickets: £39
ref TG150328
The recently refurbished Members’ Room, Stevenage (top)
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THE SOCIETY IN STEVENAGE Taste wine and food at The Wine Society’s headquarters
LUNCH AT THE SOCIETYA warm welcome and a cool glass of fizz awaits you in the Cellar Showroom, where we will learn something of the 141-year history of The Society. A walking tour of the cellars follows, including a chance to look inside our most recently constructed eco-friendly fourth warehouse, which holds more than t million bottles of wine.
After the tour a seated four-course lunch (freshly prepared with seasonal ingredients), accompanied by a tasting of five wines, including a fine and rare example from The Society’s archives, will take us gently through to the early afternoon. At the end of lunch a member of The Society’s Tastings Team will give a short talk on the wines and, just for fun, take a vote to discover the favourite wine of the day.
In a nutshell, far more than your average lunch.
15To order tickets thewinesociety.com/tastings 01438 740222
THE SOCIETY IN STEVENAGE Taste wine and food at The Wine Society’s headquarters
STEVENAGE
The Wine SocietyGunnels Wood Road
Thursday 29th January
ref TG150129
Thursday 26th February
ref TG150226
Thursday 12th March
ref TG150312
Aperitif: Noon to 12.30pmTour: 12.30pm to c.1.15pmLunch: 1.15pm to c. 3pmTickets: £49
Menu from a recent lunch
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THE SOCIETY IN STEVENAGE Taste wine and food at The Wine Society’s headquarters
INTRODUCING NEW BUYER SARAH KNOWLES
When Sarah first joined The Wine Society in March 2014 it is fair to say she wasn’t allowed too much time to settle in. After only a few weeks she was handed the reins to our Australia, New Zealand, North America and Austria portfolios!
Sarah spends a large part of the year abroad in her respective regions sourcing both established favourites and hidden gems for Society members to enjoy.
This informal workshop, however, is a chance to put questions to Sarah and find out what she herself likes to purchase. Will she explore elsewhere, away from the four regions in her brief? Or will she stay somewhere more familiar?
At this workshop, Sarah will guide us through a personal selection of ten different wines and it will be the perfect opportunity to get to know the newest addition to the Buying Team.
THE PUDDING CLUB: A DESSERT WINES WORKSHOP
‘Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart.’ – Erma Bombeck
We invite you to join us as we make a foray into the luscious world of dessert wines.
In the company of self-confessed pudding addict Emma of the Tastings Team, we shall taste a selection of eight delicious sweet wines. From the sumptuous apricot sweetness of Sauternes to the grapy richness of muscat, this decadent workshop offers a chance to explore the methods used to create some of the world’s most renowned pudding wines.
Naturally a tasting of sweet wines would not be complete without a selection of tempting puddings. Accordingly, we will be serving a range of desserts designed to complement the wines and to aid us in our exploration of the often complex, but highly enjoyable world of food and sweet-wine matching.
This is the perfect workshop for all those of us who find it hard to see past the dessert trolley – and would like a wine to match!
STEVENAGE
The Wine SocietyGunnels Wood Road
Saturday 14th FebruaryFrom: 11am to 1pmTickets: £45
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STEVENAGE
The Wine SocietyGunnels Wood Road
Saturday 21st FebruaryFrom: 11am to 1pmTickets: £45
ref TG150221
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THE SOCIETY IN STEVENAGE Taste wine and food at The Wine Society’s headquarters THE SOCIETY IN STEVENAGE Taste wine and food at The Wine Society’s headquarters
17To order tickets thewinesociety.com/tastings 01438 740222
BURGUNDY DINNER‘Wine is bottled poetry.’ – Robert Lewis Stevenson
Stevenson’s analogy certainly applies to Burgundy, whose harmonious and complex wines are undoubtedly worthy of serious thought and consideration; and like a great poem, the sensations created by a great Burgundy will stay with you long after you’ve finished.
Burgundy itself is all about the vineyard. From Chablis in the north to the Mâconnais in the south, the terroir of each commune plays a pivotal role in the style and overall quality of the wine. It is these individual styles and fantastic levels of quality that makes Burgundy one of the most popular wine regions at The Society, producing some of the most sought-after bottles in the world.
With over 29 Michelin-starred restaurants and a number of classic dishes hailing from the region, Burgundy is also a hotbed of gastronomic activity. At this special dinner, we shall be pairing some of the best-known dishes with five classic wines from the region. With premier cru Chablis from the north and reds and whites from the Côtes de Beaune and de Nuits, including the powerful Domaine Drouhin-Laroze, Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2007, this dinner is a must for all Burgundy (and poetry) fans.
STEVENAGE
The Wine SocietyGunnels Wood Road
Thursday 15th January
Aperitif: 7pm to 7.30pmDinner: 7.30pm to c.10.30pmTickets: £90
ref TG150115
Côte de Beaune vineyards, near Pommard, Burgundy
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THE SOCIETY IN STEVENAGE Taste wine and food at The Wine Society’s headquarters
A CELEBRATION OF THE CLASSICS DINNER Start the New Year in style with an evening of classically styled indulgence with a four-course dinner of standard-bearing food-and-wine partnerships.
From modern classics such as Clare Valley riesling, to older, more established examples such as Rioja, the wines we will serve all have an enduring popularity. Likewise within the world of fine cuisine there are certain dishes that have also stood the test of time and the vagaries of popular opinion to become tried and tested favourites which have happily graced many tables over the years.
With a line-up including Château de Puligny-Montrachet, Puligny Montrachet Premier Cru Chalumeaux, Frogs Leap Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Fonseca Port 1983, which will be paired with classic dishes such as scallops, beef Wellington and Stilton, this evening promises to be a great celebration of the classics.
STEVENAGE
The Wine SocietyGunnels Wood Road
Friday 6th February
Aperitif: 7pm to 7.30pmDinner: 7.30pm to c.10.30pmTickets: £95
ref TG150206
Dinner in our newly refurbished Members Room (above) and Puligny-Montrachet is one of the wines that will be paired with classic dishes
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THE SOCIETY IN STEVENAGE Taste wine and food at The Wine Society’s headquarters THE SOCIETY IN FRANCE Dine in France and take advantage of the favourable duty rates
TEN YEARS IN MONTREUILTo celebrate ten years of The Wine Society in Montreuil, we are returning to some of our favourite restaurants that have provided us with the most memorable meals over that period.
Our first stop in 2015 sees us venturing just outside the walls of Montreuil to the Auberge du Cronquelet and dinner cooked by chef David Bardon, who serves traditional French specialities in comfortable and cosy surroundings. We shall enjoy a seasonal four-course dinner accompanied by a selection of wines from The Society’s cellars picked to complement the menu.
With a tenth anniversary to celebrate we shall of course be including something from the 2005 vintage, an especially well-regarded year that demonstrates perfect timing on The Society’s part!
A complimentary coach service will be provided from Montreuil to the restaurant, details of which will be included with your confirmation.
SAINT-JOSSE
L’Auberge du Cronquelet3, rue de Montreuil62170 Saint-Aubin
Friday 20th March
Aperitif: 7pm to 7.30pmDinner: 7.30pm to c.11pmTickets: £95
ref TG150320
19To order tickets thewinesociety.com/tastings 01438 740222
Auberge du Cronquelet, Saint-Aubin
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DIARY PAGE UPCOMING TASTINGS AND EVENTS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13 TWICKENHAMStop the Press
pg3
14 CANTERBURYStop the Press
pg3
15 STEVENAGE Burgundy Dinner
pg17
16
17
18
19 LONDONMasterwined
pg4
20
21
22 CARDIFFMasterwined
pg4
23
24 STEVENAGE A Beginner’s Guide to Wine Tasting
pg14
25
26 ELYStop the Press
pg3
27 WORCESTERStop the Press
pg3
28
29 STEVENAGE Lunch at The Society
pg15
30
31
JANUARY 1
2 OXFORDThe Rudiments of Bordeaux
pg9
3 LIVERPOOLThe Rudiments of Bordeaux
pg9
4 BELFASTMasterwined
pg4
5
6
7
8
9 TORQUAYOff The Beaten Track
pg7
LONDONSauternes Masterclass
pg10
10 WELLSOff The Beaten Track
pg7
11 OXFORDVenues and Menus
pg12
12 STEVENAGE Lunch at The Society
pg15
13
14
15
16 LONDONRobert Oatley Dinner
pg13
17
18
19 EDINBURGHChâteaux Rauzan-Ségla
pg11
20 SAINT-JOSSETen Years in Montreuil
pg19
21
22
23
24 CHELTENHAMOff The Beaten Track
pg7
25 NOTTINGHAMOff The Beaten Track
pg7
26
27
28 STEVENAGE A Beginner’s Guide to Wine Tasting
pg14
29
30
31
MARCH1
2 NEWCASTLE UPON TYNEThe American Dream
pg5
3 YORKThe American Dream
pg5
4
5 LONDON Great Australian Wines
pg8
6 STEVENAGE A Celebration of the Classics Dinner
pg18
7
8
9 LONDONThe American Dream
pg5
GLASGOWVenues and Menus
pg12
10 SOUTHAMPTONThe American Dream
pg5
11 BATHThe American Dream
pg5
12
13
14 STEVENAGE The Pudding Club
pg16
15
16 LONDONRoam Around the Rhône
pg6
17 LEEDSRoam Around the Rhône
pg6
18
19
20
21 STEVENAGE Introducing Sarah Knowles
pg16
22
23
24
25 EDINBURGHMasterwined
pg4
26 STEVENAGE Lunch at The Society
pg15
27
28
FEBRUARY
To order tickets thewinesociety.com/tastings
01438 740222
TL
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