Wine Circle tastings will start promptly at 8pm, unless otherwise stated, and doors will open half an hour in advance. The first tasting is always very busy, so we recommend you arrive early, as members will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. You will however be able to book for subsequent tastings at each event.
20th January: Averys, Ozzies vs. Frogs
Limit: 60 Members, £5. Venue: The Orangery.
Please Note: This tasting is being held at the earlier time of 7.15pm
Having given us a truly splendid Champagne tasting last term, Averys will be kicking us off this term with what promises to
be a very amusing tasting indeed: Ozzies vs. Frogs! This will be a great opportunity to decide for yourselves whether the
Australians deserve their share in the market or whether the stubborn, Austerlitz-beaten English simply choose to ignore the
undeniable quality of French wine. The tasting will be given by, indeed, an Ozzie, defending Australian wines and Mathew,
I believe, defending French wines.
27th January: John E. Fells, Wines of Etienne Guigal.
Limit: 45 Members, £10. Venue: The Orangery.
We are delighted to welcome back John E. Fells for one of this term's Fine Tastings! Etienne Guigal is undoubtedly one
of the most well-known growers in the Rhone Valley and many would agree produces some of the very best wines of the region.
Guigal's wines are something of a gem and Richard Girling who will be hosting the tasting is a specialist in Guigal.
This is definitely not one to miss! For those of you who are Robert Parker fans, Guigal is the single producer who Parker
has awarded most 100 point scores to – he obviously knows how to make good wine!
3rd February: Bristol Wine Company, Blind Tasting Competition.
Limit: 45 Members, £5. Venue: The Orangery.
Yes, this is as fun as it sounds! The Bristol Wine Company will be giving us a brief introduction and some insight into the
very exciting and often disastrous art of blind tasting and remind us of some basic tasting techniques. Eight different
wines in turn will then be tasted blind in groups. Each group will put down guesses for the vintage, grape-variety, country
and price-range of each wine. At the end, sheets will be tallied up and the team with the highest score will be presented
with a lovely bottle of fizz!
10th February: Australian Wine Bureau, Australian Wines.
Limit: 45 Members, £5. Venue: The Orangery.
The Australian Wine Bureau have been giving us tastings for years, always giving us insight into Australia's potential for
producing superb wines. We seem to have become accustomed to the staple Jacob's Creek and Yellow Tail these days, but do
not be fooled! This tasting will be a unique opportunity to get to know what Australia is truly capable of achieving.
Sarah will also be introducing us to the different wine-producing regions of Australia and the different styles of wine
found in each one – and of course supporting her views with wine! Downloadable Tasting Sheet (31Kb)
24th February: Averys, Riesling Wines.
Limit: 45 Members, £5. Venue: Avery's Wine Cellars.
Please Note: This tasting is being held at the earlier time of 7.15pm
The Riesling variety produces some of the very best whites of Germany, France and Australia, amongst others. Rieslings are
very fruity and exotic and have excellent ageing potential – many critics would agree it is a better grape variety than
Chardonnay! Averys will be showing and comparing different expressions of this variety from around the world, promising to
be truly special examples. This is often an overlooked variety and one that is definitely worth getting to know well – you
may well find this will become one of your favourite varieties!
3rd March: Clifton Wine Cellars, Rioja.
Limit: 45 Members, £5. Venue: The Orangery.
Alan gave us an outstanding Spanish wines' tasting last term! This time he will be concentrating on the well-known,
velvety-smooth Rioja wines. Riojas tend to be relatively early-maturing providing a good drink even for younger vintages
(which is what you tend to find in off-licenses). Come and taste for yourselves the differences between the crianzas,
reservas and gran reserves – with Alan you’re always guaranteed good wines!
17th March: Bill Baker, Fine Claret.
Limit: 18 Members, £20. Venue: TBC
The man returns! Given England’s historical claret-drinking tradition, we've decided to make this a knock-out event.
These will undoubtedly be the best wines tasted in the society this year and very possibly some of the very best wines you
will ever taste. Baker has a truly outstanding selection of Clarets in his cellar and with a £30+ average bottle price
budget to work with, he will be picking out some rather amazing bottles indeed! This will no doubt be one of Baker's
extravagantly entertaining evenings and well worth booking up for early.
Bookings and Reservations:
If you wish to reserve a place for a tasting, please email us at
president@bristolwinecircle.co.uk with your name, membership number and the tastings you wish to book for. If you
would like to book and pay for a tasting, please send a cheque (made payable to: "University of Bristol Wine Circle") with the correct amount to the address below, with your
name, membership number and the tastings you are paying for.
James Lewis (Society Treasurer)
Flat 1
61-63 Queens Rd
Bristol
BS8 1QL
You are off course welcome to drop it off at this address; it is the set of double-doors to the left of Wagamama on
the Triangle. As usual, it is also possible to book for subsequent tastings at the end of each tasting evening.
Please Note:
