Circle of Wine Writers

Whisky Cask Investment: Building Wealth Through Whisky Casks - book launch
2022-12-14 18:00 - 20:00 (Europe/London) | Spink, 69, Southampton Row, London, WC1B 4ET, United Kingdom
Spink & Braeburn Whisky are proud to celebrate their first co-publication, authored by Fiona Rintoul, and with photography by Konrad Borkowski. Join us for a whisky tasting, chance to meet the author, and learn more about the captivating world of whisky cask investment.

Let’s talk about Old Vines: Why Now Is Their Time
2023-01-20 14:00 - 15:00
The Old Vine Conference is galvanising a global movement to nurture and value great old vines and their wines. Alun Griffiths MW will share his insight on old vines and why now is their time, he will update us on the traction this global movement its making around the world and the work that the non-profit he co-founded with fellow Master of Wine, Sarah Abbott, and Leo Austin is doing to contribute towards the socio-economical viability of creating an old vine category. Alun will be joined by The Old Vine Conference Regional Ambassadors and Circle members Michèle Shah and Amanda Barnes who will share the value, the threats, inspiring projects and opportunities held for old vines in their specialist regions of Italy and South America.

34th annual Louis Latour Agencies Tasting
2023-01-25 10:00 - 16:00 | The Haberdashers’ Hall, 18 W Smithfield, London, EC1A 9HQ
This year’s masterclasses (limited places)
11am: Vidal-Fleury Masterclass with Antoine Dupré
Meet Antoine Dupré on his first visit to the UK as Vidal-Fleury’s new winemaker for a tasting tour of the Rhône Valley and a look at the 2021 vintage. Antoine will discuss his working philosophy and highlight developments to the range and Vidal-Fleury’s wine style since he took over.
2pm: Cognac Frapin Masterclass with Thomas Soret
Thomas will be joined by tea specialist Jameel Lalani founder of Lalani & Co in a talk and tasting which pairs Frapin’s single estate cognacs with teas from the Huang family garden in Taiwan. They will explore the similarities in philosophy, production and history of these two iconic drinks.
Still wines: Louis Latour, Simonnet-Febvre, Vidal-Fleury, Michel Redde, Château Sainte Roseline, Château des Demoiselles, Banfi, Morgenhof Estate, Isonto, McHenry Hohnen, Wakefield Wines, Pyramid Valley, Smith & Sheth, Smith & Co and Viu Manent.
Sparkling wines & spirits: Champagne Gosset, Simonnet-Febvre, Cognac Frapin and Cobalte Vodka.
Register at
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/34th-annual-louis-latour-agencies-tasting-tickets-471191896647
The closest stations are Farringdon, City Thameslink, Barbican, St Pauls.
Further information: marketing@louislatour.co.uk

Let’s talk about Survivor Wines
2023-01-27 14:00 - 15:00
Friday 27 January – 2.00pm (GMT) Pierre Wahl, cellar master of Survivor Wines, South Africa. His wines epitomise his country’s heritage and the talk will be an appropriate follow-up to the previous week’s presentation. “This is what makes Survivor Wines so special, we get to choose distinctive grapes from the most expressive terroirs from several of South Africa’s best wine-producing regions,” says Pierre.

Let’s talk about Prosecco Superiore DOCG from the UNESCO hills of Conegliano Valdobbiadene with Sarah Abbott MW
2023-02-03 14:00 - 15:00
details to follow

Let’s talk about current affairs in Saint-Emilion with Tim Hartley (a Saint-Emilion Jurade Chancellor for North England)
2023-02-17 14:00 - 15:00
Tim‘s emphasis will undoubtedly be on the Classification system and will also touch on other developments over recent years include ever increasing land prices and the effect of those on what has always been an essentially family based area.

Wines of Hungary UK returns with Furmint February 5.0
2023-02-20 11:00 - 17:00 | Vintners’ Hall, 68 Upper Thames St., London, EC4V 3BG
Wines of Hungary UK’s Furmint February tasting is back in 2023 for its fifth iteration. Around 150 Furmint wines will be available to taste on Monday 20th February at Vintners’ Hall, London EC4V.
This year’s event will feature a pre-release snapshot of the dry wines from the fantastic 2021 vintage – a world première of this new vintage from Hungary. Some pre-release Aszú wines will also be on show.
The event will continue to build the story of Tokaj’s historic vineyard classification, which remains relevant today, with a range of single vineyard and cru expressions of Furmint from this historic landscape.
Furmint continues its march as the ‘grape to watch’ for fabulous sweet wines and amazing food-friendly dry wines. With over 30 producers presenting over 150 wines, this is a great chance for the UK trade and press to explore this grape in more depth than ever before.
Attendees can also sign up for two masterclasses, led by Caroline Gilby MW:
– 11.30am – New Vintage Showcase 2021
– 2.00pm – Connecting with Place: The Single Vineyard Story
Caroline Gilby MW says, “Once winemaking is good, then place is the next step forward in adding credibility to the story of a grape, and the wine regions where it is grown. Identifying the best sites, down to parcels within a cru location, is a strong direction for Tokaj and other regions who grow Furmint. Hungary’s complex volcanic soils are finding their voice through winemakers who are identifying their very best micro-locations.”
Register for the tasting via Eventbrite HERE
To sign up for a masterclass, RSVP to susannah@randr.co.uk

Let’s taste wines from the House of Pasqua – an immersion in unconventional & award-winning winemaking
2023-02-23 10:00 - 11:00
Please note to join us on a Thursday this week:
Join third-generation family member of the unconventional winery Pasqua Vigneti e Cantine, Cecilia Pasqua, as she takes you on a personal guide through their refreshingly bold and daring range of award-winning wines. Full details to follow.

VINS D’ALSACE LAUNCH 2ND EDITION OF THE MILLÉSIMES ALSACE DIGITASTING®
2023-02-27 - 2023-03-01
Vins d’Alsace launch the 2nd edition of the Millésimes Alsace Digitasting® following the successful 2021 world premiere.
Trade show exclusively for professionals.
To register free of charge for the trade show (27TH, 28TH FEBRUARY AND 1ST MARCH 2023) or to order your tasting boxes from now until 9 January 2023 please follow the following link: www.millesimes-alsace.com

Wines from Spain Annual Tasting
2023-02-28 10:00 - 17:00 | Lindley Hall, Royal Horticultural Halls, Elverton Street, London, SW1P 2QW
Wines from Spain’s flagship annual tasting returns to Lindley Hall, London, on 28 February 2023. This is a rare opportunity to meet producers from across Spain’s 70 DOs, discover new talent, taste the latest UK releases or join a Spanish wine masterclass.
Registration will open in January.
For more information please email: winesfromspain@otaria.co.uk
Digital webinars running in February and March will provide insights into the Spanish wine category. These online sessions will be free for the UK trade and press to access.

Let’s talk about Wines of Georgia with Sarah Abbott MW
2023-03-03 14:00 - 15:00
The wines of Georgia have been a source of interest to our members for a number of years. Join Sarah who will be providing an update on the latest developments and key producers.

The first UK trade tasting & masterclass of wines from Denomination of Origin Toro
2023-03-07 10:30 - 16:30 | 1 Great George St, London, SW1P 3AA
The first UK trade tasting & masterclass of wines from Denomination of Origin Toro – where native grape variety Tinta de Toro stands out.
Spain is one of today’s most exciting winemaking countries and Toro is at the forefront of innovation.
Toro is famed for its inky black, richly textured red wines made from the native Tinta de Toro grape variety – a unique expression of Tempranillo from an exciting region.
Top Toro producers create outstanding wines; full-bodied, structured and with enormous ageing potential, from this unique terroir. And they will be coming together for the first time in the UK to show their very best wines.
Join us to discover these wonderful wines, taken by Christopher Columbus on his voyage of discovery to the Americas.
DO Toro First Showcase Tasting
Twenty outstanding wine producers will be showing their very best wines, a variety of styles from DO Toro’s diverse geographical sub zones – the Tierra del Vino, Valle del Guareña, Tierra de Toro and Tierra del Pan & Tierra de Campos.
Taste some fabulous wines matched with great food from the region. Sarah Jane Evans MW will lead a tasting on award-winning wines from DO Toro – the very best wines tasted never before in the UK in a DO Toro Masterclass*
Register here: D.O. Toro UK Trade Tasting & Masterclass Tickets, Tue 7 Mar 2023 at 10:30 | Eventbrite
*Right of admission reserved

RAW WINE Paris
2023-03-12 - 2023-03-13 | Espace Clacquesin, 18 avenue du Maréchal Leclerc, 92240 Malakoff, Paris
RAW WINE is holding a two day wine fair in Paris, for the first time, this March with 156 natural wine growers in attendance. RAW WINE represents the world’s largest global network of low-intervention organic, biodynamic and natural wines, their growers & makers, and this will mark their 31st in-person fair.
“RAW WINE is a celebration of some of the best wine talent in the world,” says organiser Isabelle Legeron MW. “Our growers all produce natural, or low-intervention organic and biodynamic wines, all with few, if any additives in the cellar. They are pure, kind to the planet, and probably better for your health. RAW WINE advocates transparency — it is about truth, authenticity and frank wine talking, but most of all it’s about showcasing really good, terroir-driven wine.”
For more information and tickets visit: https://www.rawwine.com/fairs/paris-2023
If you wish to attend please email email paola@rawwine.com to be issued with a press pass.

Wines from Spain Annual Tasting
2023-03-13 11:00 - 17:00 | Ibérica Restaurant, Hepper House, 17a E Parade, Leeds, LS1 2BH
Leeds – Monday 13 March, 11am – 5pm, Ibérica Restaurant
If you are based in Yorkshire or the north of England, a special Wines from Spain tasting event will be held in Leeds on 13 March 2023. Ibérica restaurant will provide the perfect setting for a discovery tasting featuring exciting flights, themed tastings and expert-led masterclasses.
Registration will open in January.
For more information please email: winesfromspain@otaria.co.uk
Digital webinars running in February and March will provide insights into the Spanish wine category. These online sessions will be free for the UK trade and press to access.

Let's talk about... The science of wine preservation, with Greg Lambrecht of Coravin
2023-03-17 14:00 - 15:00
Let’s talk about… The science of wine preservation, with Greg Lambrecht, inventor and founder of Coravin
Friday 17th March at 2pm GMT
This discussion will range through the factors impacting wine preservation, including production methods, storage, filling and sealing, shipping, storing and serving. Coravin is the innovative preservation system that uses a non-coring needle to pass through the cork while it’s still in the bottle, allowing small amounts of wine to be poured without damage to what remains – an invaluable aid particularly for wine professionals needing to taste multiple wines.
As the inventor and founder of Coravin, Greg will focus in depth on preservation techniques. He is uniquely placed to explain the technology, the result of a convergence of his passion for wine with engineering degrees and a successful career in medical technologies.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86736909085?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 867 3690 9085
Passcode: [REDACTED]

New South Wales Wine Trade Tasting - "The Birthplace of Australian Wine"
2023-03-22 10:00 - 16:00 | 67, Pall Mall, St James’s Room, London, SW1Y 5ES
52 wines, 13 exciting producers and 6 regions.
From the rogue to the refined, the old to the new, the cool climate to maritime, taste through the wine regions of NSW. Producers already in market and others seeking distribution.
Regional masterclasses on the Hunter Valley, the Orange region and ‘The Path Less Trodden’ – producers experimenting with new varieties & styles.
Masterclass seats limited.
11.00-11.40am Masterclass 1: ‘The Path Less Trodden’
Some NSW wine regions recently started to turn heads. These new areas are early in their journey and still experimenting with grape varieties and wine styles to find their true calling.
1pm-1.40pm Masterclass 2: ‘Hunter Valley Semillon & Chardonnay’
Hunter Valley Semillon is otherworldly and unquestionably unique. Grown on the alluvial flats surrounding the Hunter River, Semillon from this region is almost unfathomably ageworthy.
3.15-3.55pm Masterclass 3: ‘Hunter Valley Shiraz’
A place where the soil dates back 280 million years, and the Shiraz vines are among the oldest on the planet. There’s a personality to the famously silken Hunter Valley Shiraz.
Strictly trade and press. You’re welcome to share details with trade & press colleagues.
Please register on: https://form.jotform.com/EvivaComm/22-march-2023-nsw-uk-trade-tasting

Let's talk about... Terroir and technology - A Guarantee of Origin, with Alastair Maling MW
2023-04-14 09:30 - 10:30
Let’s talk about… Terroir and technology – A Guarantee of Origin, with Alastair Maling MW
Please note early-morning timing
Join Alastair Maling MW, from Oritain, to explore how forensically verified technology can guarantee the origin of a wine down to vineyard parcels that may only be a hundred metres apart. This tecnhology also plays a role in verifying the origin of wines at any time in their life or at any point in the supply chain.
Alastair, one of the first Masters of Wine in New Zealand, will be well known to many members for his former head winemaker roles at Villa Maria Estate and Foley Wines. As part of his current winemaking consulting business he is an advisor to Oritain, a company specialising in traceability, authenticity and provenance.
Learn from him what it might mean for the world of wine when Terroir meets Technology. For an introduction to what’s to come, see www.oritain.com
To hear about this remarkable development please log in on Friday 14th April at 9.30am BST (this timing is necessary as Alastair will be presenting from New Zealand). The session, including Q&As, will last for approximately one hour. To join, follow the link below. Guests will be very welcome, but please let Andrea know their names.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84926467025?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 849 2646 7025
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Lets Taste..... The biological ageing of sherry, with Bodegas Hidalgo-la-Gitana
2023-04-25 10:00 - 11:00
Welcome to the Circle’s third Let’s taste… of 2023
Widely regarded as the definitive manzanilla house, Bodegas Hidalgo la Gitana was established in the coastal Andalusian town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda by the Hidalgo family in the late 18th century and is one of the few remaining family-owned bodegas.
The tasting will be led by Fermín Hidalgo, one of the eighth generation running the sherry house, and will include six samples of different sherry styles, to understand their biological ageing.
Fermín Hidalgo will explore what makes sherry so special and versatile, sharing knowledge passed down over generations, taking you through the history, the unique production processes to create the individual sherry styles, the power of oxidation, the mysteries of the flor, the art of the solera and the influence of the area around the beautiful town of Sanlucar de Barrameda.
The sherries to be tasted will be:
Las 30 del Cuadrado
La Gitana
La Gitana En Rama
Pasada Pastrana Manzanilla
Amontillado Napoleon
Palo Cortado Wellington VOS
As with our previous ‘Let’s taste…’ seminars there will be a minimal charge of £10 to each CWW member wishing to take part with samples (£15 to non-members) to cover our administrative costs. For UK-based members 20 sample packs are available; unfortunately samples cannot be sent outside the UK.
Full details will be sent out by email.
Zoom Meeting link details to follow.

Let's talk about... Tenuta di Arceno with Lawrence Cronin and Pepe Schib Graciano
2023-04-28 14:00 - 15:00
Let’s talk about… Tenuta di Arceno with Lawrence Cronin and Pepe Schib Graciano
We do you hope you join us and please watch this space for more details which will be posted when we have them.

Let's talk about... Wine lexicons & vocabularies – increasing diversity
2023-05-05 14:00 - 15:00
Let’s talk about… Wine lexicons & vocabularies – increasing diversity with Meg Maker
We do you hope you join us and please watch this space for more details which will be posted when we have them.

Domaine Pierre Girardin Dinner, New York
2023-05-17 19:00 - 22:00 | Legacy Records, New York, 517 W 38th St, New York, NY 10018, United States
Crurated will host an unforgettable evening of fine dining and exceptional wines at Legacy Records in New York City. The team, along with the winemaker Pierre-Vincent Girardin, will be serving a variety of wines from Domaine Pierre Girardin all in Magnum size; including Meursault Les Narvaux 2021, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2021, Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens Bas 2021, Vosne-Romanée 2020, Échezeaux Grand Cru 2019, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Pucelles 2018, and Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2020. Participation in this exclusive event is for paying members and by invite only.
Please contact the organisers for availability, they will reserve up to two seats at each event for the press and therefore they are subject to availability.
Also, timings are approximate.

Let's talk about... The diversity of the terroir of the Lebanese Mountains
2023-05-19 14:00 - 15:00
Let’s talk about… The diversity of the terroir of the Lebanese Mountains, with Gabi Rivero and Jad El Esta
Join our presenters from leading new-wave producer Ixsir to explore the ancient and modern story of wine in Lebanon’s exceptional terroir, where vineyards rising to 1,800 metres are among the highest in the northern hemisphere.
As they highlight the country’s 5,000-year vinous history, Gabi, winemaker and co-founder, and Jad, CEO, will explain how Ixsir has undertaken detailed studies of historic vineyard sites across Lebanon and has focused on replanting the best with appropriate grape varieties as well as exploiting existing old vines. It is the complex, multi-faceted terroir, they say, that decides which wines the company makes.
This should be a fascinating insight into the latest approaches in a country re-emerging as an important wine producer.
To learn more please log in on Friday 19th May at 2pm BST. The session, including Q&As, will last for approximately one hour. To join, follow the link below. Guests will be very welcome, but please let Andrea know their names.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82787672318?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 827 8767 2318
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Circle of Wine Writers Annual General Meeting (AGM)
2023-05-23 16:00 - 17:00
Do join us, online, for our AGM when you will get the chance to meet your Committee members and ask any questions that you have. We will run through key features of 2022 and then look at plans for 2023 and beyond. The papers have been emailed so watch out for them in your inbox. These will include the financials for 2022, the budget for 2023 and also the voting papers incase you cannot make it. We do hope you can attend and also join us at the end to share a toast.
Members are invited to stay on for an informal chat afterwards and to share a toast.
Please note the timing of 4pm (BST).
Zoom link will be emailed in advance.

Let's talk about... The alternatives to glass bottles
2023-06-02 14:00 - 15:00
Friday 2nd June, 2-3 pm BST [Image – Cramel Recas – PET wine bottle trial]
We have secured presenters who have first-hand experience of the effectiveness of alternatives to glass. They include Philip Cox on Recas winery’s innovative PET bottle and Nick Taylor of Laithwaites on paper bottles, who will be joined by a speaker on cans. Are they sustainable alternatives? This is one of the many questions you may have. Please join us. More details to follow.

Tim Atkin’s 2023 Chile Report - masterclass & tasting
2023-06-05 14:00 - 17:30 | ASIA House, 63 New Cavendish Street, London, W1G 7LP
“Researching this report – my seventh – was more pleasurable than ever. I’ve had a front row seat to witness the changes of the last decade, and I couldn’t be happier about what has happened. After all, I was the person who described Chile as the “Volvo of the wine industry”, a justified comment that it took me a long time to live down”. Tim Atkin MW – April 2023
Tim Atkin MW dedicated just over three weeks during December 2022 in Chile to compile his seventh Chilean Special Report, his most comprehensive to date, where he discovered new wineries and wines, as well as tasting new releases.
Wines of Chile invite you to attend a masterclass featuring a selection of wines that received accolades from Tim’s 2023 Podium. Each winemaker will join the masterclass (via Zoom) and discuss with Tim their wines, giving a fascinating and anecdotal update from Chile.
Timings: Tasting opens: 14:00 – 17:30 pm
Masterclass: 15:00 – 16:30pm
To compliment the masterclass, there is a free pour tasting of wines that Tim awarded 90 or more points to, the tasting line-up includes:
• Wineries that are seeking representation in the market
• Wineries of all sizes – boutique to large production
• Ancestral, single varietals and blends
• A fortified wine made from Grenache & Monastrell
• A chardonnay-based blend made from vintages between 2017 and 2020
You can register your attendance to the tasting or to both the masterclass and tasting via the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/619018680537
Please let Wines of Chile know if you need any further information on the above event (info@winesofchile.org.uk)
To purchase Tim’s report: https://timatkin.com/product/2023-chile-special-report/
Please note that this event is only open to bona fide members of the trade and press (your trade credentials may be requested).

Trip to Champagne region
2023-06-12 - 2023-06-14
Join Crurated for a special trip for only 10 lucky guests to the Champagne region with visits to top estates. Attendees will also dine at family maisons and exclusive restaurants and meet producers that include Mathieu Roland-Billecart, CEO of Billecart-Salmon, Frédéric Rouzaud, owner of Louis Roederer, Alexandre Chartogne of Chartogne-Taillet, Raphaël Bérêche of Bérêche et Fils, Rodolphe Péters of Pierre Péters. Luxury accommodations will be provided by Residence Eisenhower.
Please contact the organisers for availability, they will reserve up to two places at each event for the press and therefore they are subject to availability.

Let's talk about... Naturally Bordeaux
2023-06-16 14:00 - 15:00
Let’s talk about… Naturally Bordeaux
Naturally Bordeaux is a group of three organic winemakers from Bordeaux, Château Fourcas Hosten, Château Jean Faure and Château de La Dauphine, who are focussed on developing sustainable winemaking. More details to follow.

Let's talk about... Crémant and charmat in the Loire Valley, and reviving an ancient grape variety
2023-07-07 14:00 - 15:00
Let’s talk about… Crémant and charmat in the Loire Valley, and reviving an ancient grape variety
Learn about intriguing initiatives from leading sparkling wine house Ackerman. Confirmation and more information shortly.
Please note the timing of 2-3pm BST (TBC)

Sabina Ibiza lunch
2023-07-11 12:00 - 14:00 | Sabina, Sabina Calle Motril s/n Calle Motril, Urbanización Montecarlos, Balearic Islands, s/n, 07829 Sant Agustí des Vedrà, Spain
Ecologically inspired Sabina Ibiza welcomes Crurated and 16 attendees to their five-star clubhouse for a delicious lunch-time experience. Food will be served from restaurant La Paloma and guests will meet the producers and taste wines from Domaine Vincent Dancer and Domaine Pierre Girardin.
Please contact the organisers for availability, they will reserve up to two seats at each event for the press and therefore they are subject to availability.
Also, timings are approximate.

Kedem Europe wine tasting (trade)
2023-07-11 14:30 - 17:00 | Sheraton Grand Hotel, 1 Festival Square, Edinburgh, EH3 9SR
Kedem Europe, a London-based importer and distributor of specialty wines and spirits are offering complimentary invitations to their afternoon trade tasting (they have a public tasting in the evening – Kosher Food & Wine Experience / KFWE).
The event will be showcasing hundreds of different wines and dozens of different wineries from all across the wine producing world (France, Spain, USA, Israel, South Africa, New Zealand, etc.) as well as some distilled spirits and liqueurs.
More information can be found here: https://www.kfwelondon.com/
Please contact Joshua London direct for further details.
