Events: Hilary 2011

Bottles Bacchus are very excited to have some fantastic wine producers and wine merchants coming to speak to the Society this term. We hope that you will be able to join us to discover, learn about and enjoy some exceptional wines.

See below for more details and to book your place at some of our events. (Booking opens seven days in advance. Please cancel your place if you cannot attend a tasting for which you have booked a place.)

Details

Bacchus Introduction to Alsace

Alsace

Wednesday 1st Week (19 January)

Following in the spirit of our introduction to Sherry last term we're going to delve into the spectrum of fine wines that Alsace produces - and introduce you to the region using the most exciting wines we can get our hands on. Alsace is a comparatively under-explored region of France so now is the time to learn more about the wines from its best producers and most renowned vineyards. (I'm an Alsace nut so am seriously pushing the quality of wine in this tasting. I guarantee it'll be a steal at a fiver.)

60 places available. £5 for members, £10 for non-members. 6.45pm for 7pm start, Mure Room, Merton College

Concha y Toro's Fine Wine Portfolio

Concha y Toro

Monday 2nd Week (24 January)

Concha y Toro are one of the world's larger wine companies - though they certainly don't match the scale of Gallo or Pernod Ricard, they do produce a great variety of wine across South America. Their investment in Chile and Argentina has not only helped the two countries assert themselves in the world wine market, but has also led the way in developing fine wine production in both these countries. This should be an interesting tasting - an opportunity to try wines from Chile and Argentina that sell for as much as classed growth Bordeaux.

60 places available. £5 for members, £10 for non-members. 7pm start, Room TBC

www.conchaytoro.com

CVNE - Fine Aged Rioja

Rioja

Thursday 3rd Week (3 February)

After the glorious 1985 Vina Real from CVNE that we enjoyed at last term's Grand Cru I felt it was important that Bacchus gave fine aged Rioja the attention it deserves. I thought you might be willing to join me in said task so decided that we should explore the effects of age, terroir, and winemaker in Rioja, as demonstrated by one of the world's top wine producers. This tasting will be one of the term's most exciting events so make sure you finish your essay/problem sheet early and come and taste some exquisite wine.

60 places available. £10 for members, £20 for non-members. 6.45pm for 7pm start, Mure Room, Merton College.

A Wine World Less Explored

Wine World

Wednesday 4th Week (9 February)

With the world's top wine producing areas being well established, the wine market is constantly on the search for the next big thing. Australian in the 70s, New Zealand in the 80s and South America in the 90s. So what now? We'll be trying wines from countries that are often overlooked and also comparing wines from emerging wine regions; from Uruguay to India and China to Eastern Europe. Go on, be brave enough to expand your horizons...

60 places available. £5 for members, £10 for non-members. 6.45pm for 7pm start, Mure Room, Merton College

Exploring Burgundy with Tim Stanley Clarke

Burgundy Castle

Tuesday 5th Week (15 February)

This is a not-to-miss tasting for two reasons. One, good Burgundy is some of my favourite wine and Bouchard Père et Fils certainly make good Burgundy. They are a top negociant and their wines are highly regarded throughout the wine world. Two, Tim Stanley Clarke, our presenter for the evening, has forgotten more about Burgundy than you are likely to know. He is phenomenally knowledgeable about wine and, more importantly, is a highly engaging, top quality speaker. It's going to be a good evening.

60 places available. £5 for members, £10 for non-members. 6.45pm for 7pm start, Mure Room, Merton College.

Domaine Jones Dinner with Katie Jones

Katie Jones

Tuessday 6th Week (22 February)

Katie Jones took a rather brave leap into wine making in the Languedoc a few years ago and has been outrageously successful in a very short time period; her wines have been excellently reviewed and she is now increasing production to satisfy demand. We're going to hear more of KatieÕs story and try her wines (along with a couple of other regional highlights) alongside four fantastic courses specially prepared for Bacchus by The High Table Restaurant.

40 places available. £30 for members, £40 for non-members. 7.30pm, The High Table, The High Street. Tickets can be reserved by emailing Alex Linsley and payment by cash or cheque is due by Thursday 17th February.

An Introduction to French wine sans hype - A Bacchus-French Soc collaboration

French Wine
Regions

Thursday 6th Week (24 February)

France. Home to many, probably the majority, of the world's very best wines. A leading light of the wine world. However, in making sense of France's diversity it's easy to get carried away in the hype surrounding a few famous regions and multiple "vintages of the century". It's also easy to get disillusioned with their pricing. I don't imagine many of us are buying Lafite 2009 en primeur... at around £1500.

That said, there are parts of France which go unrecognised and produce great wines at absurdly good value for money. Rather than push you one way or another, tonight we'll explore a variety of France's top wine regions and you can let your palate be your guide. This tasting is a joint event with the French Society and will introduce tasting and will teach as much about your palate and its preferences as it will teach you about French wine. The wines will be good enough to impress our old hands and the tasting will be a great introduction to wine if you're just getting to grips with it.

17 places available. £5 for members, £10 for non-members. 6.45pm for 7pm start, Mure Room, Merton College.

South Africa's Icon Wines

South African Vineyard

Wednesday 7th Week (2 March)

South Africa has a bit of a bad name for wine in some quarters - given their attachment to Pinotage, some would say it's deserved. Tonight, we dispel that myth. We're not going to attempt to resurrect the reputation of Pinotage, but under the guidance of Lee Isaacs we are going to explore the new wave of South African wines. Wines made with care and skill from great fruit and excellent terroir. These wines are South Africa's Icons. And it should be well worth tasting them.

60 places available. £5 for members, £10 for non-members. 6.45pm for 7pm start, Mure Room, Merton College.

Champagne Gimmonet Tasting

Champagne

Wednesday 8th Week (9 March)

People always tend to get pretty excited about the opportunity to taste Champagne and tonight there will be good reason to be excited. Champagne Gimmonet are renowned for being one of the best growers in Champagne and have a highly devoted following. Including me. We'll be tasting a variety of their wines from different Cru vineyards, providing a great illustration of Champagne terroir. The tasting will be led by Andrew Johnson of armit who you may remember as the excellent host of our Gaja/Sassicaia tasting last year.

60 places available. £10 for members, £20 for non members. 6.45pm for 7pm start, Mure Room, Merton College.

Photos of events

View photos of previous tastings and events on our alumni page.
If you have any photographs of events to submit please email web@oxforduniversitywinesociety.com.

Events: Hilary 2011

Details

Photos of events

Earlier Termcards