Past Tastings
Past consumer, trade and press tastings
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Winetraders Italian Portfolio Tasting 2024
On 29 January 2024, Winetraders hosted their Italian Portfolio Tasting in London. Winetraders is an importer, retailer and distributor specialising in single estate wines with their range spanning across Italy, Spain, Germany, Australia and South America. What sets Winetraders apart is their exceptionally rigorous selection process, a meticulous approach ensuring that each wine in their…
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Liberty Wines Annual Portfolio Tasting 2024
On 23 January 2024 I went to the Liberty Wines Annual Portfolio Tasting at the Kia Oval in London. Liberty Wines was established in March 1997 with a founding team of four alongside the backing of leading wine producers from Italy and Australia. In this, their 26th year the team has expanded to more than…
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Rioja Tasting
In the midst of a December devoid of trade wine tastings, I found myself inspired to organise a Rioja wine tasting. Consisting of seven family members and friends, all of whom share my enthusiasm for wine, we embarked on a journey through the flavours of Rioja. Accompanied by an array of tasty Spanish tapas, our…
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Amarone Calling
On 20th November 2023 I attended the ‘Amarone Calling’ tasting, a collaboration between the UK Sommelier Association and the Consorzio Tutela Vini Valpolicella, the Italian organisation dedicated to promoting and controlling the appellation of Valpolicella wines. The event focused on showcasing a range of Valpolicella and Amarone wines, offering a unique opportunity to explore these…
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Top 100 Tasting with Tim Atkin MW
On the 14th of November 2023, I went to a trade and press wine tasting event ‘Top 100 Tasting with Tim Atkin MW’ focussing on Ribera del Duero. The event was a curated selection of wines from Tim Atkin’s recent visit to the region. Ribera del Duero is renowned for its deep colours, complex aromas,…
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Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG Prosecco Tasting
On Tuesday 10th October I attended the Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG Prosecco Trade & Media tasting. The Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG region lies near Venice, in the foothills of the pre-alps. This small area is known for its steep vineyards, which are primarily tended by hand due to the challenging terrain. These labour-intensive practices have…
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Fantini Italian Wine Tasting
On the 29th September I had the pleasure of attending an Italian wine tasting at Morrish & Banham‘s shop in Bridport, Dorset. It was hosted by Illaria Zenaro of Fantini in Italy who are represented in the UK by Liberty Wines. Fantini are unusual for an Italian producer in that the majority, 95%, of their…
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Hatch Mansfield Autumn Tasting
Hatch Mansfield are an agency specialising in wines made by independent, family owned winemakers. The Autumn tasting on 26th September 2023 included wines from Champagne Taittinger, Louis Jadot, Terroirs et Talents, Joseph Mellot, M.CHAPOUTIER, C.V.N.E., Gaja, Esporão, Errazuriz, Arboleda, Seña & Viñedo, Caliterra, Zuccardi, Robert Oatley, Cherubino, Villa Maria, Esk Valley, Kleine Zalze & Visio…
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WineGB Trade & Press Tasting
On the 5th of September 2023, I went to the annual WineGB Trade & Press Tasting, where 312 wines from English and Welsh producers were on display. The event had separate stands for individual exhibitors, stands that represented regional vineyard associations with smaller commercial producers on display and special tables emphasising the diverse wine styles…
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Discover Greek Wine
Last night, I had the pleasure of attending the ‘Discover Greek Wine’ event at Cellar Magnifique in Woking. The event was hosted by Sam Kemp, wine events manager and English winemaker, who is knowledgeable and deeply passionate about wine. We were introduced to five wines, comprising three whites and two reds. It was interesting to…
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Rosé Wine Tasting
This was a wine tasting with family and a few friends, accompanied by the online ‘Everything’s Coming Up Rosé – Rosé’ workshop hosted by The Wine Society. The wines in the online tasting were The Society’s Saumur Rosé Brut NV, Coteaux d’Aix en Provence Rosé, Château Vignelaure 2022, Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, Contesa 2022 and Rosé d’Anjou…
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Laithwaites/Sunday Times Wine Club Festival
This year, I went to the Laithwaites/ Sunday Times Wine Club, Wine Festival held last May at its new venue, Olympia London, which is undergoing renovation and more like a construction site. There was a long queue and, on entering, the unfortunate smell of fresh paint, not something conducive to tasting wines! The event boasted…
