Upcoming 2025 Tasting Dates
FRIDAY, 16th May 2025 - New Zealand's Best With Kiwi Cru
This evening will surely be a highlight of our tasting year.
Kiwi Cru loves sharing what makes New Zealand wine extraordinary.
From the vibrant, aromatic whites coming out of Marlborough to the sophisticated reds from the world's most southerly wine region - Central Otago, Kiwi Cru has found a whole new world of flavours to bring to the table.
Founder, Pippa, fell in love with winemaking while helping plant a new English vineyard in the picturesque High Weald of Sussex. Following roles at the prestigious Bolney Wine Estate and Berry Brothers & Rudd, it was her travels across New Zealand that truly ignited the vision behind Kiwi Cru.
Each glass tells a story of stunning New Zealand landscapes, clever winemaking, and the endeavour and skill of its winemakers.
Kiwi Cru officially launches online on 11th March. In the meantime, if you want to sign up to hear more, click the photo.
This evening will surely be a highlight of our tasting year.
Kiwi Cru loves sharing what makes New Zealand wine extraordinary.
From the vibrant, aromatic whites coming out of Marlborough to the sophisticated reds from the world's most southerly wine region - Central Otago, Kiwi Cru has found a whole new world of flavours to bring to the table.
Founder, Pippa, fell in love with winemaking while helping plant a new English vineyard in the picturesque High Weald of Sussex. Following roles at the prestigious Bolney Wine Estate and Berry Brothers & Rudd, it was her travels across New Zealand that truly ignited the vision behind Kiwi Cru.
Each glass tells a story of stunning New Zealand landscapes, clever winemaking, and the endeavour and skill of its winemakers.
Kiwi Cru officially launches online on 11th March. In the meantime, if you want to sign up to hear more, click the photo.
FRIDAY, 27th June 2025 - Bat & Bottle's Tour Italia
Our tasting this month is hosted by a great Independent Wine Merchant, Ben Robson from Bat & Bottle.
Ben and his wife, Emma, have spent the last 30 years specialising in importing Italian artisan wines and also run a very personal and informative Wine Club.
Having begun trading in 1994, Ben and Emma caught the Italian bug thanks to a chance meeting with a Benedictine monk at a kissing gate! He introduced them to the late Felicita Pask-Hughes, a charming Italian lady who came to Britain after the war. She had a remarkable eye for quality and was fearless in the wines she imported. In a time of straw-wrapped bottles of Chianti, she was importing Isole e Olena and Sassicaia.
In 1998 Ben was told (by Felicita) that he must buy her business because she was (then) 82. Ben and Emma did, and the die was cast.
Bat & Bottle’s emphasis is mostly, but not completely, on Italian wine. They also ship directly from Matthieu Faniel, a small grower-producer in Champagne, and carry a small selection of artisan gins and other spirits.
Whether from Italy or anywhere else, however, they have developed a taste for wines made by men and women who cherish the history and traditions of their hills and valleys. Such individuals make wines with a sense of place and unique character.
Come and enjoy a little Adriatic sun at this great tasting.
Our tasting this month is hosted by a great Independent Wine Merchant, Ben Robson from Bat & Bottle.
Ben and his wife, Emma, have spent the last 30 years specialising in importing Italian artisan wines and also run a very personal and informative Wine Club.
Having begun trading in 1994, Ben and Emma caught the Italian bug thanks to a chance meeting with a Benedictine monk at a kissing gate! He introduced them to the late Felicita Pask-Hughes, a charming Italian lady who came to Britain after the war. She had a remarkable eye for quality and was fearless in the wines she imported. In a time of straw-wrapped bottles of Chianti, she was importing Isole e Olena and Sassicaia.
In 1998 Ben was told (by Felicita) that he must buy her business because she was (then) 82. Ben and Emma did, and the die was cast.
Bat & Bottle’s emphasis is mostly, but not completely, on Italian wine. They also ship directly from Matthieu Faniel, a small grower-producer in Champagne, and carry a small selection of artisan gins and other spirits.
Whether from Italy or anywhere else, however, they have developed a taste for wines made by men and women who cherish the history and traditions of their hills and valleys. Such individuals make wines with a sense of place and unique character.
Come and enjoy a little Adriatic sun at this great tasting.
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Previous Tasting Dates
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Historic Dates And Topics
Round-Up of 2023
2023 - Our most successful tasting schedule so far, including member hosted tastings and some great external speakers. The group expanded with 10 new members added during the year and many guests coming along to enjoy the fun.
2023 - Our most successful tasting schedule so far, including member hosted tastings and some great external speakers. The group expanded with 10 new members added during the year and many guests coming along to enjoy the fun.
Round-Up of 2022
2022 was a great return to regular tastings.
During the year we tasted 48 different wines, 5 sparkling wines & champagnes, plus 3 liqueurs / ports from more than 15 different countries, across 8 tasting evenings.
2023 will be even better, with an increase in the number of tastings and a wider array of wines.
2022 was a great return to regular tastings.
During the year we tasted 48 different wines, 5 sparkling wines & champagnes, plus 3 liqueurs / ports from more than 15 different countries, across 8 tasting evenings.
2023 will be even better, with an increase in the number of tastings and a wider array of wines.
Christmas 2022 Tasting
Sherry was very popular in the 70's and 80's, but since it has become a drink associated with older people and stuffy toasts. But things are changing in the Sherry world and that's what we explored in our Christmas tasting.
In October 2022 a series of important changes were implemented by the governing body which controls the production of Sherry in Jerez, Spain. It will fundamentally alter how Sherry and the wines made in the region responsible for Sherry production are made and labelled going forward. We chose to try some sherries from one of the best manufacturers, Lustau. Twenty-nine club members met at the hub to enjoy and critique these truly interesting wines. The scores will be posted here at a later date, but for now we reflect on a very enjoyable evening.
Sherry was very popular in the 70's and 80's, but since it has become a drink associated with older people and stuffy toasts. But things are changing in the Sherry world and that's what we explored in our Christmas tasting.
In October 2022 a series of important changes were implemented by the governing body which controls the production of Sherry in Jerez, Spain. It will fundamentally alter how Sherry and the wines made in the region responsible for Sherry production are made and labelled going forward. We chose to try some sherries from one of the best manufacturers, Lustau. Twenty-nine club members met at the hub to enjoy and critique these truly interesting wines. The scores will be posted here at a later date, but for now we reflect on a very enjoyable evening.
2021 - Wine Quiz and Catch-up
We held an online quiz and catch-up call with members while lockdown continued to prevent actual meetings. The quiz questions and answers can be seen in our blog.
November
Our first tasting after our enforced break was a veritable Tour-de-France, exploring the length and breadth of France to sample all that France has to offer.
In December we held our Christmas member's only tasting where we tasted 7different Champagne's plus finished the evening with a nice 0year old Taylors port.
We held an online quiz and catch-up call with members while lockdown continued to prevent actual meetings. The quiz questions and answers can be seen in our blog.
November
Our first tasting after our enforced break was a veritable Tour-de-France, exploring the length and breadth of France to sample all that France has to offer.
In December we held our Christmas member's only tasting where we tasted 7different Champagne's plus finished the evening with a nice 0year old Taylors port.
February 12th 2020 - Australian Wines
After a short break to get over the New Year festivities, we started the year by looking far away to wines of Australia. We found some beauties:
After a short break to get over the New Year festivities, we started the year by looking far away to wines of Australia. We found some beauties:
Looking Back At 2019
December 18th - Festive Tasting
November 20th - Tasty, Full-Bodied & Robust
October 16th - Textured Whites & Cosy Reds
Saturday September 7th - (Visit) The Oxford Wine Festival
No Home Club Meeting
No Home Club Meeting
August - No Club This Month
Sunday July 21st - Private Member's-only Bar-B-Que
June 19th - Opening Up Eastern Europe
May 15th - Douro Supermarket Bake-Off
April 17th - Jerome's Spring Collection
March 20th - Go Brazil
February 20th - Italian Stallions
2018 History
19th September 2018
Our first evening was fantastic! A discussion about white and red wines available locally. There was also a discussion about how to taste wines and what to look for when tasting a wine. |
31st October 2018
Horspath's own Sunnyhill Vineyard provided a discussion about their journey (including the impact of this years weird weather), their wines and ciders, plus a 'New' and exciting sparkling wine which will be ready for the 2019. |
21st November 2018
What a Great Night! Jerome from Trailblazing wines (click on the picture) kindly agreed to come along and provide some guidance to the group. The theme of the evening was hidden gems! |
19th December 2018
This will be a particularly fun meeting in the run-up to Christmas including champagne and other festive fare. |
