Events: Trinity 2012

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

Ridge Vineyards

Wednesday 1st Week (25 April)

The Judgement of Paris in 1976 shocked the wine world. This blind taste competition between Californian and French wines was widely expected to reveal the "natural" superiority of French winemaking over new world styles. Ten Chardonnays and ten Cab Sauv Blends (6 of each set being Californian) were tasted blind by the most respected wine judges of the time. The new world wines did more than just compare favourably -- a Californian wine won. Ridge Vineyards' Monte Bello placed fifth.

As those of you familiar with this story know, the French loudly claimed that this didn't test the true quality of the wines in a longevity test - and so the same wines were placed in sponsored blind competitions every few years afterwards. Most notably, in 2006 the 30th Anniversary of the Judgement of Paris was an even greater shock to the wine world -- all top 5 wines were Californian, with Ridge Vineyards at the top according to both European and American judges. Chateau Mouton-Rothschild came in sixth.

This week we host the winemaker himself, Eric Baugher, for what will likely be a blockbuster tasting. 60 places available, £5 for members, £10 for guests. 7pm for 7.30pm start, Garden room, St John's College.

www.ridgewine.com

A Red Burgundy Tour

Burgundy

Thursday 2nd Week (May 3)

We're really excited to offer a tour of fine Red Burgundy this week. When critics discuss Red Burgundy they often stretch the limits of their vocabulary --- and if you love Pinot Noir, I certainly won't need to say any more. If you're not already a fan of complex Pinot, you should take this opportunity to compare the delights of the many regions of Burgundy and their varied styles. There will be some very special wines at this tasting, specifically poached from St. John's wine cellars.

30 places available. £5 for members, £10 for guests. 7pm for 7.30pm start, North Lecture Room, St John's College.

Glenelly Estate

Glenelly Estates

Wednesday 3rd Week (9 May)

This Wednesday we'll be tasting the wines of Glenelly Estate (www.glenellyestate.com). In 2003 May de Lencquesaing, once owner of Chateau Pichon Lalande, an excellent 2nd growth Bordeaux, took her wine-making skills to Simonsberg, South Africa.

South Africa's wines are often compared to those of Australia or New Zealand. However, many of the vineyards were planted in the mid-1700's by the French Huguenots, with similar varieties to those found in the Medoc. And so, with these traditionally French blends and stunning French winemaking knowledge, Glenelly make wines with both style and substance.

Nicolas Bureau, grandson of May de Lencquesaing, will be taking us through the entire range of Glenelly's wines in the Larkin Room, St John's College, this Wednesday 9th May. We sincerely hope you'll join us for a very promising introduction to South African wines!

30 places available. £5 for members, £10 for guests. 7pm for 7.30pm start, Larkin Room, St John's College.

http://www.glenellyestate.com

Lee Isaacs presenting Spanish bodegas

Spanish Wine Day

Wednesday 4th Week (16 May)

Spain is one of the world's best wine-producing regions, as those who attended Vega Sicilia last term can attest. Often the intense flavours of the Rioja region dominate the discussion of Spanish fine wine, but this in a way benefits those who know where else to look in Spain. Exploring the bodegas of Spain can be very fruitful -- full of zesty Albarinos, spicy Garnachas, aromatic Verdejos and timeless Tempranillos. Spanish wine is a wonderful blend of old world finesse and experience with new world experimentation, and I'm looking forward to a wonderful tasting tonight. Lee Isaacs will be introducing us to some of the best Spanish wines available from the Oxford Wine Company, with a focus on the true delicious diversity of Spain. Fans of Rioja certainly won't be disappointed -- we're bringing out a few blockbusters -- but we'll be sampling the fuller range that Spain has on offer.

30 places available. £5 for members, £10 for guests. 7pm for 7.30pm start, Larkin Room, St John's College.

http://www.winevents.co.uk

La Motte Wine Estate

Thursday 5th Week (24 May)

La Motte Estate in the Franschhoek Valley, South Africa, was established in 1752. Internationally renowned industrialist, Dr Anton Rupert, acquired the estate in 1970 and today it is owned by his daughter Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg and managed by her husband Hein Koegelenberg.

Under their guidance, and true to La Motte's commitment to a culture of excellence, a programme of consistent quality improvement reaching beyond wine production has been established. There is also a strong focus on historic and cultural preservation, as well as the active upliftment of educational and living standards of the workforce.

With its culture of sharing, La Motte welcomes visitors to the estate with an exceptional offering of food, wine, history and art which has seen the estate being awarded as the overall South African Winner in the 2012 Great Wine Capitals of the World Best of Wine Tourism Competition.

40 places available. £5 for members, £10 for guests. 7pm for 7.30pm start, Baring Room, Hertford.

www.la-motte.com

Berry Bros & Rudd: Marvels of the Midi

Berry Bros & Rudd

Tuesday 6th Week (29 May)

Southern and south west France historically contributed disproportionately to the now defunct Vin de Table category and more recently the EU wine lake. The days of bland plonk have long passed - this is now the most dynamic winemaking region in France with a real focus on quality and terroir. Iconic wines such as Mas de Daumas Gassac, together with newly created AOCs of Minervois la Lavinière and Terrasses du Larzac are amongst the leading lights in this focus on quality and character. Traditional AOCs have also seen a marked improvement in quality, including the distinctive sweet vin doux naturel, and the IGP/vins de Pays category has allowed winemakers to express the full potential of this great region without the restrictions imposed by the AOC system. Come and experience in red, white and rosé form Mediterranean sunshine harnessed by innovative winemaking.

Presented by Martin Hudson, Master of Wine, Wine Education Specialist at Berry Bros. & Rudd.

About BB&R: Berry Bros. & Rudd is Britain's oldest wine and spirit merchant (est. 1698), having traded from the same shop for over 300 years.

40 places available. £5 for members, £10 for guests. 7pm for 7.30pm start, Baring Room, Hertford.

www.bbr.com

Annual General Meeting

Wednesday 7th Week (May 6)

Do you love Bacchus? Feel like contributing to the running of the society? Feel like ousting the current committee members? Come and let your voice be heard! Unfortunately the tasting scheduled for this week was cancelled last minute (don't buy their wine) and we will substitute with some cellar wines from St John's to sooth our sorrow (for present or future committee).

There is the issue of the upcoming committee. If you would like to join the committee, either as a general member or as part of the executive, please attend! We will be voting on all positions for the upcoming year, it is a wonderful opportunity to learn about wine and contribute to a fun society! No previous wine-expertise requried, this is also a big learn on the fly job.

20 places available. 7.30pm for 8pm start, please email Stef Simmons at president@oxforduniversitywinesociety.org, let her know what position you would like to run for.

Grand Cru

Grand Cru?

Thursday 8th Week (June 14)

This is definitely the Do Not Miss tasting of the Bacchus year. As such, the sign up will be based on previous attendance. We are experimenting with rewarding the members who have supported us faithfully throughout the year, and will be offering a subset of spots to those first. Afterwards the remaining places will be open to all. Watch your inbox for your invite!

40 places available. £20 for members, £30 for guests. 7.00pm for 7.30pm, Baring Room, Hertford. Booking opens 12:01am Saturday June 9.

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: Trinity 2012

Details

Photos of events

Earlier Termcards