Wednesday, 18th December 2024
Members: £60
Guests: £65
*Members of the Cambridge Society of London may invite one guest – if you are not currently a member and would like to become one, please enrol via this link.
Britain’s long trading history with Europe, especially neighbouring France, has meant the festive feast traditionally features Champagne, white and red Burgundy, claret, sometimes Rioja and often port and or sherry. But we are all aware how many other countries in the modern wine world can create similar quality wines from the same grapes (excepting the very finest examples at usually extraordinary prices) and also how many new alternatives there are. Even within the traditional areas, there are many recent innovations as younger growers and winemakers make their mark, with improved knowledge and better equipment in a changing climate. So this evening, only one week before Christmas Day, aims to celebrate tradition whilst also exploring the new.
We will taste ten wines, including a sparkling white, three classic style whites plus a slightly less usual one, three classic style reds and again, one that might not normally spring to mind, before finishing with a glass of unfortified nectar. The idea is to find wines that will accompany festive food, that will be readily available in the week leading up to December 25th, but most importantly will appeal to everyone, whatever their normal tipple. So we will taste blind and cast our votes before we find out what the wines actually are, so that you can choose the style that most suits your palate. The wines will be accompanied by some cold meats and cheeses and I dare say a few more festive snacks, but don’t expect a bird and trimmings. I do hope some of you are still available to join me in St James’s in what is a lovely excuse for a proper glass of wine as we say farewell to 2024.
As usual the venue will be revealed to those who have purchased a ticket. But as many of you know it is very close to Green Park.
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About your host
Richard Pearey DipWSET, Chairman of the Society, has been passionate about wine from an embarrassingly early age. He began creating a cellar in 1984 and despite (or perhaps because of) a long career in advertising, film and sports marketing, then men’s luxury shirts, has been drinking steadily ever since. His addiction to the grape has led many of his friends to hand over their wine cellars to his care. He has organised and hosted wine evenings as corporate or staff entertainment for city firms, marketing agencies and private clients, from 8 to 200 people. He has run a wine course for friends, his own wine club – Who Nose – since 1985 and his old school dining society, the oldest in the world, for 23 years. He co-founded a wine event company, We Don’t Spit, in 2013 and learned to spit, at which point he began his official wine qualifications. He completed his Diploma in lockdown and now works at Hedonism Wine in Mayfair, probably the best wine shop on the planet, whilst pursuing his ultimate dream of becoming a Master of Wine, of which there are still only 425 in the world. Part of this 3-5 year course involves blind tasting 48 wines from anywhere in the world. So he is hoping tasting with Society Members will help!
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Cambridge Society of London Transfer and Refund Policy
i) At least 14 calendar days before the event: We will provide full refunds (minus any booking/transaction fees, which are nonrefundable). Alternatively, if you have found a suitable replacement, we can change the name on the ticket on the understanding that you will reclaim the ticket price from them separately.
ii) Between 4 and 14 calendar days before the event: Our arrangements with our hosts are always finalised 4 calendar days before each event. With more than 4 calendar days’ notice we can still change the name to someone named by you on the understanding that you will reclaim the ticket price from them separately. Alternatively, we MIGHT be able to sell it to someone else; there is no guarantee of that but we will do our best and then refund you if successful.
iii) Less than 4 calendar days: We regret that we cannot offer refunds if given less than 4 calendar days’ notice