Circle of Wine Writers

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG trade & media tasting
2023-10-10 10:30 - 16:30 (Europe/London) | Icetank, 5, Grape Street, London, WC2H 8DW
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG is a category that is an underexploited opportunity for the trade. Conegliano Valdobbiadene represents the historic area for Prosecco production and it is the most important source of premium Prosecco Superiore. As Champagne prices rise, Prosecco Superiore offers an accessible alternative. The nuance and diversity of the finest wines of the region are waiting to be discovered by the UK market.

Meet 15 producers and taste the wines of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG in a walk around tasting and attend one of two Masterclasses hosted by Sarah Abbott MW:
11.00 – 12.30: Artisanal producers of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG
A masterclass exploring the wines of seven small growers over a wide range of styles, including Sui Lieviti, Extra Brut, Brut, Extra Dry and Dry.
14.00-15.30: Rive and Cartizze: the terroirs of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG
A masterclass exploring the soil and climatic zones of the region, with wines from single vineyard Rive and Cartizze
REGISTER TO ATTEND

Bordeaux Grands Crus Classés 2019-2022
2023-10-11 10:00 - 16:00 | Church House, Dean's Yard, Westminster, London, SW1P 3NZ
Join some of Bordeaux’s finest Grands Crus for a rare opportunity to taste 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 vintages.
Château Branaire-Ducru, Saint-Julien
Château Canon, Saint-Emilion
Château Canon La Gaffelière, Saint-Emilion
Château Gazin, Pomerol
Château Guiraud, Sauternes
Château Léoville Poyferré, Saint-Julien
Château Montrose, Saint-Estèphe
Château Pontet-Canet, Pauillac
Château Rauzan-Ségla, Margaux
Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Léognan
Please register here by Friday 6th October: https://bgcc23.smartreg.co.uk/Visitors/Visitors/register
Admission to wine trade professionals and the press only

Neusiedlersee DAC x IWSC Austrian award-winners
2023-10-17 10:00 - 16:00 | Institute of Contemporary Art (Brandon & Nash room), accessed via 12 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AH
On behalf of the producers of Neusiedlersee DAC Spritz Marketing are delighted to invite you to a tasting of the most recent vintage releases on Tuesday 17 October.
They are collaborating with the IWSC who will be showcasing the recent gold and silver medal winning wines from the IWSC’s wine judging in Austria.
Press and trade are invited to register to attend the event on Eventbrite.

Let's talk about... The wines of Tokaj, with Agnes Herczeg and András Győrffy
2023-10-17 17:00 - 18:00
Let’s talk about… The wines of Tokaj, with Agnes Herczeg and András Győrffy
Hungary’s renowned Tokaj wine region – is the subject of the Circle’s next online session. Our expert speakers Agnes and András will provide a general introduction covering such topics as grape varieties and wine styles, then move on to current challenges, including global warming and market changes, and hot topics in the region, from sustainability to sparkling wines. They will conclude with discussion of the Grand Tokaj company, best known for its sweet Aszú wines.
Together, they aim to celebrate the extraordinary world of Tokaji wines.
To join this seminar, please register now or at any time before 5pm BST on Tuesday 17th October. The session, including Q&As, will last for approximately one hour. To register, follow the link below. Guests will be very welcome, but please let Andrea know their names.
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsf-mtpzMiE9RgNiWjjdGXThDaqBLxUjKu

Sud de France Top 100 Discovery Tasting
2023-10-26 10:30 - 17:00 | The Royal College of Surgeons of England, 38-43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3PE
All will be revealed for the new 11th edition of the Sud de France Top 100 best wines from Languedoc, Roussillon & the South-West. Please come and meet visiting producers who will also show their extra choices to reflect the breadth of their production.
Registration is now open: www.suddefrancetop100.co.uk/discoveryshow
Notably, a rise in wines of £20 and over: 37% compared to 23% in 2022.
Also a surge in winning wines from co-operatives highlights the steady rise in quality in that sector: 22% in 2023 compared to 15% in 2022.
New this year, our judges recognised many strong contenders for the top trophies and added a second tier of ‘wines of distinction’ after the trophy wines.
Trade judges at the blind tasting this past July included senior buyers from Co-op, Jeroboams, Majestic Wine, Marks & Spencer, Tesco, Waitrose, and specialist retailers Ellis, Jeroboams, Tanners and Wine Society.
Please contact Su-Lin Ong for further details

2023 D.O. Penedes – Focus on Xarel.lo Tasting
2023-10-30 12:00 - 16:00 | ASIA House, 63 New Cavendish Street, London, W1G 7LP
At 11am guests will have the opportunity to attend a masterclass led by Álvaro Ribalta MW and Sarah Jane Evans MW, titled “Unveiling the Essence of Xarel.lo”. This class will highlight some of the unique aspects of Xarel-lo and explore the diverse variety of wines it produces. Places for the masterlcass must be prebooked in advance.
From 12 noon until 4pm the doors are open for pre-registered guests to enjoy a self-guided walk-round tasting featuring over 50 wines from around 20 wineries in the Penedès, all made from varieties native to the region. Guests will meet winemakers and representatives who will answer questions and taste with you.
The DO Penedès is well-known for its long history of winemaking, stretching back more than 2,700 years. Despite this history, the DO Penedès has managed to strike a balance between preserving their heritage and embracing modern innovations. This commitment to both old and new has given the region significant prestige and recognition within Spain and beyond.
Today, more than 60% of DO Penedès wines are organic and their goal is that by 2025, all wines released as DO Penedès must be organic.
#dopenedès
Please note that attendance at this tasting is restricted to bone fide members of the wine and hospitality industry. The event organisers reserve the right to deny admission or request evidence of professional qualifications.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/2023-do-penedes-focus-on-xarello-tasting-tickets-703314722267?aff=oddtdtcreator

IWSC x Margaret River Award-Winning Wine Tasting
2023-11-01 10:00 - 16:00 | St James’s, 67 Pall Mall, London, London, SW1Y 5ES, United Kingdom
Following on from the “Save the Date”, please find here full details for the day.
You can register to attend directly via the link here or feel free to just drop Astrid and the team at Spritz a line directly and they’ll add you to the guest list.
Trade and press only.

Winemaker dinners - Bangkok, Hong Kong, Singapore
2023-11-06 19:00 - 22:00, 2023-11-07 19:00 - 22:00, 2023-11-08 19:00 - 22:00, 2023-11-09 19:00 - 22:00, 2023-11-10 19:00 - 22:00, 2023-11-11 19:00 - 22:00
Crurated are offering an exclusive group of wine lovers to have the chance to experience winemaker dinners in either Bangkok, Hong Kong, or Singapore with Vincent Dancer of Domaine Vincent Dancer and Charles Lachaux of Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux and Charles Lachaux. More details about these exclusive events will be available in the coming weeks.
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 tbc.

Let's talk about... Greek Wines with Florence Tilkens Zotiades
2023-11-07 17:00 - 18:00
Let’s talk about… Greek Wines with Florence Tilkens Zotiades
Greece, one of the oldest of wine regions yet also one of the most modern, will be the subject of our next online seminar, presented by Greek expert Florence Tilkens Zotiades. Florence will lead us through the historical reasons behind the decline of Greek wine over the ages and on into its revival at the beginning of the 21st century.
To join this seminar, please register now or at any time before 5pm BST on Tuesday 7th November. The session, including Q&As, will last for approximately one hour. To register, follow the link below. Guests will be very welcome, but please let Andrea know their names.
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpdu2tpjMrHdcbBYdiNufw2FP_fqCasEpR
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux tasting
2023-11-08 13:00 - 17:00 | Lindley Hall, Royal Horticultural Halls, Elverton Street, London, SW1P 2QW
Join the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux and its members for an exclusive tasting of the 2021 vintage. Created in 1973, the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux is a group of 131 top châteaux based in the finest appellations in the Gironde including the Médoc, Graves and Pessac-Léognan, Sauternes, Barsac, Saint Emilion and Pomerol.
A list of exhibitors will be available on ugcb.net late October.
Please register here: https://ugcb23.smartreg.co.uk/Visitors/Visitors/register

Crus Bourgeois du Médoc Tasting 2023
2023-11-15 10:00 - 17:00 | One Great George Street, London, SW1P 3AA
Franck Bijon, President of Les Crus Bourgeois du Médoc will be presenting a selection of wines from across the 2019, 2020 & 2021 vintages from the 3 tier system: Cru Bourgeois, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur and Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel.

The tasting will be split into two different sessions:
Morning Session: 10am to 1pm
Afternoon session: 2pm to 5pm
To register (or for more information) please contact jo@bellevillemarketing.com or louise@phillips-hill.co.uk indicating your preferred time slot including your full name and mobile number.

Let's talk about... Meeting viticultural challenges in Stellenbosch with Nic van Aarde
2023-11-21 17:00 - 18:00
Let’s talk about… Let’s talk about… Meeting viticultural challenges in Stellenbosch: high altitude winemaking in the Banghoek Valley and the continuous fight against leaf roll virus, with Nic van Aarde
Full details to follow.

Let's talk about... Jordan Wine Estate's answer to climate change
2023-12-05 17:00 - 18:00
Let’s talk about… Jordan Wine Estate’s answer to climate change: Assyrtiko in Stellenbosch and cool climate chardonnay and pinot noir in Sussex, with Gary and Kathy Jordan and Sjaak Nelson
The Jordan family’s wine enterprise spans two very different locations: Stellenbosch in South Africa and East Sussex in England. Gary and Kathy, with head winemaker Sjaak, will link the two in a presentation that will emphasise sustainability and planning for a greener future.
Following an introduction to their estates, they will pose two questions:
Why assyrtiko? An unexpected decision, surely, when they have won numerous Decanter and IWSC trophies for their chardonnay and Bordeaux blend. It will, they say, show how the past is shaping the estate’s future.
Why Sussex? Here, they will discus challenges and opportunities in the UK from a South African perspective.
The now 164-hectare Stellenbosch estate has a 350-year grape-growing history. Kathy and Gary began making wine there 30 years ago, their raw material the result of Gary’s parents implementation of a replanting programme of classic varieties chosen to best exploit the varied soils and slopes. The more recent story of assyrtiko is especially fascinating, and a lesson in planning for the future.
Mousehall farm was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Its revival under Jordan ownership began in 2017, with planting of botanicals as well as vines. Its first product was a dry gin.
The presenters will be speaking from Mousehall, where they are preparing their first Sussex chardonnay and pinot noir for bottling.
See:
X/Twitter: @Gary_Jordan | @Jordan_Wines
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jordanwines
Instagram: @jordan_wines | @jordanrestaurant
Online: www.jordanwines.com
To join this seminar, please register now or at any time before 5pm BST on Tuesday 5th December. The session, including Q&As, will last for approximately one hour. To register, follow the link below. Guests will be very welcome, but please let Andrea know their names.
Register in advance for this webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIld-mvqzMoE9O0Zc9FTaKOHqR1ub57qAGQ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
The Let’s talk about… presentations will start again in the New Year, with topics including ice wine and old vines on the schedule. More information will be circulated soon.

CWW - Festive Party - Monday 18 December
2023-12-18 18:30 - 20:30 | China Exchange, 32A Gerrard Street, London, W1D 6JA
CWW – Festive Party – Monday 18 December 2023 – 67 Pall Mall, London
Please put Monday 18 December in your diary as we are planning to hold our popular Festive Party from 6.30-8.30 pm GMT – for members, and guests, to attend in person. We would like to thank The Old Vine Conference who have kindly agreed to be our event sponsors.
More details about the London event, including the booking form, to follow very soon. We do hope you can make it and hope you’ll also bring a guest. Our trade ‘Friends’ will also be invited to attend and will be able to purchase tickets to attend.

CWW Let's talk about... Bottle weight - the new green frontier with Jancis Robinson MW
2024-01-09 17:00 - 18:00
© Benjamin McMahon
Jancis, widely regarded as the world’s most influential wine writer, will be talking about why wine bottle weight matters and the current state of play on bottle weight around the world. She will highlight the goodies and the baddies, and touch on various alternatives in wine packaging.
Supported by her team at www.jancisrobinson.com she has long been at the forefront of campaigning for ‘greener’ bottles, forcefully spreading the word that glass-bottle manufacture and transport is the most significant contributor to wine’s carbon emissions. Her website was a pioneer in including bottle weights in tasting notes. This seminar will provide an invaluable overview of a topic essential to all wine communicators.
To join this seminar, please register now or at any time before 5pm GMT on Tuesday 9th January. The session, including Q&As, will last for approximately one hour. To register, follow the link below. Guests will be very welcome, but please let Andrea know their names.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUodOmgqTgiGNcuAhaLp0UZbIQJiZdByK_y
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

CWW Let's talk about... Why are there more old vines in Lodi than any other region in America? with Randy Caparoso
2024-01-23 17:00 - 18:00
The second of the Circle’s 2024 season of Let’s talk about… online seminars will be presented by another expert member, Randy Caparoso. As usual, this year the sessions will continue on Tuesdays at 5pm UK time, normally in the first and third weeks of each month, with advance registration. If you can’t attend the live sessions they are available to watch afterwards on the Circle’s YouTube channel (links in the members’ area of the website).
Remarkably, more than 16,000 acres (6,500 hectares) of existing Lodi vineyards were planted before the 1970s – easily the largest total in California and anywhere in the United States.
Randy, who has studied them extensively and in 2022 published a comprehensive book on the region,will lead us through the history behind these plantings, the grape varieties, how the grapes are used in both premium wines and for the commodity market, and explain the current Save the Old campaign aimed at stimulating industry and consumer enthusiasm for these historic vines. He will also touch on the broader reasons for appreciating old vines and the questions associated with understanding their value.
Randy is a wine journalist and photographer who lives in Lodi, California. He is currently editor-at-large for The SOMM Journal, writes for the Lodi Winegrape Commission and is author of Lodi!, The Definitive Guide and History of America’s Largest Winegrowing Region (KitchenCinco Press, 2022).
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://circleofwinewriters.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e69f39c21a0add50363e2abb8&id=df038f29fe&e=ae8d3bbc62
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
We look forward to seeing you then.

Australia Trade Tasting 2024
2024-01-30 10:00 - 17:00 | The Royal Horticultural Halls, Elverton Steet, London, SW1P 2PB
The Australia Trade Tasting returns to London and, for the first time since 2020, Edinburgh. Running for more than 30 years, it’s the biggest, brightest and most diverse showcase of Australian wine in the UK.
Discover new wines, revisit the classics, meet the makers and catch up with importers. There’ll be 56 exhibitor tables in London and 28 tables in Edinburgh, with producers ranging from the international superstars to the small boutique newbies.
Explore more than 700 wines in London and 300 wines in Edinburgh including:

wines from more than 40 regions across Australia
classic and emerging varieties
sparkling, fortified and sweet wines
alternative wines and new launches – low and no alcohol wines, wine in cans, and wines from celebrities
wines from Sustainable Winegrowing Australia members, and
wines from exciting new producers seeking distribution in the UK.

Taste crisp vibrant whites, standout sparklings, elegant reds and thrilling alternative varieties. From the rogue to the refined, you’ll discover Australian wines that are far from ordinary.
Head to our revamped digital platform, Australian Wine Connect, for more information about the event and to sign up at attend. Browse the wineries, search by importer and connect with wineries seeking distribution in advance. The floorplan, tasting booklet and list of visiting winemakers will be added in early January.
Don’t forget to visit Australian Wine Discovered, the hub for Australian wine education materials. Here you can download comprehensive guides, editable powerpoint presentations, maps, tasting lists, tasting mats and videos to use at events and in training sessions.
If you have any queries about the Australia Trade Tasting, please contact us on uk@wineaustralia.com.
For more details and to register to attend, please visit https://connect.australianwine.com/att2024.

VIN: a French Wine Tasting
2024-02-01 10:00 - 17:00 | Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, 30 Portman Square, London, W1H 7BH
Business France invite you to VIN: a French Wine Tasting
Join us for the UK’s flagship French wine tasting event, VIN!
Immerse yourself in the world of French wine as producers guide you through their curated selection from every French wine region. There will be a mix of wines seeking representation & products that are already available on the UK market. VIN will be the opportunity to discover the unique characteristics of each wine and learn about the regional nuances.
40+ producers will be on hand to guide you through a curated selection of reds, whites, and rosés, and you will also be able to explore the latest in wine tech, with a dedicated section showcasing the best that France has to offer in this emerging sector of the trade.
The tasting will also play host to the French Champion Awards, recognising the contribution of key actors from the British trade in promoting French wines in the UK.
This is a trade-only event and all registrations are subject to approval by Business France UK.
To sign up to the event please register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/vin-a-french-wine-tasting-tickets-699600242157?aff=email
Also, do you know someone in the wine world who deserves to be named a 2024 French Champion? Put them forward!
6 prizes are up for grabs:
· Best importer for France
· Best supermarket for France
· Best indie retailer for France
· Best online retailer for France
· Best voice for France
· Best restaurant for France
You can recommend up to 3 companies or people per category, and join us at VIN 2024 on the 1st February for the awards ceremony to see who will take home the trophies.
By organising the French Champion Awards, Business France is celebrating the role played by British companies in promoting and selling French wines in the UK. ‘Berets off’ to the people at the forefront of building, selling and promoting a great French wine offering to the British public!
Your nominations will be put to a panel of judges who will name the ultimate French Champions!
Please suggest your nominations here: les French Champions Awards

Australia Trade Tasting 2024
2024-02-01 12:00 - 17:00 | The Balmoral Hotel, Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2EQ

CWW Let's talk about... Ice wine: its future in a changing climate, with Michelle Bouffard and Professor Monika Christmann
2024-02-06 17:00 - 18:00
The next of the Circle’s 2024 season of Let’s talk about… online seminars will deal with one wine style which could now be particularly under threat. Our two speakers, Michelle Bouffard and Professor Monika Christmann will discuss the topic from standpoints either side of the globe: Canada and Germany. As usual, the seminar is on a Tuesday at 5pm UK time. If you can’t attend the live session it will be available to watch afterwards, with its 90+ predecessors, on the Circle’s YouTube channel (links in the members’ area of the website).
To join this seminar, please register now or at any time before 5pm GMT on Tuesday 6th February. The session, including Q&As, will last for approximately one hour. To register, follow the link below. Guests will be very welcome, but please let Andrea know their names
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEvd-yqrTMvG9TwVA8J4CeHKsFVrFEDqGva
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

CWW Let's talk about... Maconnais with Cameron Jones
2024-02-20 17:00 - 18:00
Let’s talk about… Discovering the wines of Burgundy’s Mâconnais region – from hidden gems to premier crus, with Cameron Jones
The next of the Circle’s 2024 season of Let’s talk about… online seminars will focus on the southern Burgundy region of the Mâconnais. We’ll look at the numerous villages in the region, the varying terroir and what makes some of these wines worth searching for. We’ll also look at the better-known region of Pouilly Fuissé, including the new premier cru classifications introduced in 2020. If you can’t attend the live session it will be available to watch afterwards, with its 90+ predecessors, on the Circle’s YouTube channel (links in the members’ area of the website).
To join this seminar, please register now or at any time before 5pm GMT on Tuesday 20th February. The session, including Q&As, will last for approximately one hour. To register, follow the link below. Guests will be very welcome, but please let Andrea know their names
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsfuCuqDgoGNY15JfpTsU0Ds4XyOmc3Ve4
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Mentzendorff Portfolio Tasting - 2024
2024-02-28 10:00 - 17:00 | One Great George Street, London, SW1P 3AA
Please note The Portfolio Tasting website has all the masterclass information, event schedule and to details of how to register: https://mentzportfoliotasting.online-rsvp.com

London Welsh Wine Showcase Event
2024-03-05 10:30 - 15:30 | The Welsh Centre, 157-163 Grays Inn Road, London, WC1X 8UE

CWW - Let's talk about... Old vines: viticulture and vinification
2024-03-05 17:00 - 18:00
CWW – Let’s talk about… Old vines: viticulture and vinification, with producers from the Veneto, Rioja and California
Join Sarah Abbott MW, co-founder of The Old Vine Conference, as she talks to three prolific old vine wine producers about how the careful farming of their heritage vineyards is expressed in the wines they produce.
Domenico Veronese, owner of Villa Bogdano 1880 in the Veneto, Andreas Kubach MW, company co-founder and director of Bideona in Rioja Alavesa, and Brenae Royale, Monte Rosso vineyard manager at Louis M. Martini in California will discuss and compare the different viticultural techniques employed by each winery and the micro-vinification projects they are each undertaking that express the unique characteristics of their old vine plots.
If you can’t attend the live session it will be available to watch afterwards, with its 90+ predecessors, on the Circle’s YouTube channel (links in the members’ area of the website).
To join this seminar, please register now or at any time before 5pm GMT on Tuesday 5th March. The session, including Q&As, will last for approximately one hour. To register, follow the link below. Guests will be very welcome, but please let Andrea know their names
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsfuCuqDgoGNY15JfpTsU0Ds4XyOmc3Ve4
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Castelnau Wine Agencies portfolio wine tasting
2024-03-19 10:30 - 16:00 | The Stationers’ Hall, Ave Maria Lane, London, EC4M 7DD
The team at Castelnau Wine Agencies, are delighted to invite Circle of Wine Writers subscribers to their portfolio tasting. With over 80 specially selected wines from their full range, this is a great opportunity to get to know their fantastic wines from our producers around the world.
There will also be a rare chance to taste some older vintages of Castelnau Champagne from the cellars in Reims, in magnums and jeroboams.
You are welcome to drop in any time (there will also be a selection of cheese & biscuits available all day). The Stationers’ Hall is a 5 minute walk from St Paul’s or City Thameslink stations.
Castelnau Wine Agencies is the UK distributor of Champagne Castelnau. They also represent around 40 wine producers from across Europe and from around the world, and have been doing so for over 40 years, since 1981.
CWA’s suppliers include Maison Patriarche in Burgundy, Tiki in New Zealand, Cycles Gladiator in California, Logan in Australia and Oak Valley in South Africa.
To view CWA’s full wine list, please visit https://castelnau.co.uk/ and download a copy from the website home page.
Please email, maria@castelnau.co.uk if you would like to attend.
