Previous Events 2012
Saturday 8th/Sunday 9th December - all stores - FREE CHRISTMAS GRAND TASTING -a top weekend's tasting where we showcased 40 odd wines. Really well supported as usual and all of you that came seemed to enjoy yourselves. Very brisk business done as well, which is always nice.Looking forward to the next one.
Wednesday 14th November - Tunbridge Wells - Isole e Olena Dinner with Paolo diMarchi- we were absolutely thrilled and honoured to have one of the world's top winemakers, Paolo diMarchi of sensational Tuscan estate Isole e Olena, join us to host a wine dinner. A fantastic public speaker, hugely passionate about wine, we tasted through all of Paolo's beautifully crafted creations, including the iconic Cepparello and his Piedmont estate Sperino. Great food as well and a superb group of customers.
Thursday 4th October - Tunbridge Wells - Jaboulet Dinner with Marie Cordonnier- yet another iconic producer joined us for a wine dinner at The Black Pig. Jaboulet's UK Commercial Director, Marie, presented a range of outstanding wines from white & red Cotes du Rhone, through a pair of Thalaberts (2009 and 1990), up to a mature vintage of one of the world's top wines, La Chapelle 1989. A stunning evening with the top wines showing their true worth.
Thursday 20th September - Tunbridge Wells - Argentine Dinner with Eduardo Pulenta of Pulenta Estates - a terrific evening where Eduardo Pulenta took us through almost their whole portfolio, accompanied by some excellent food from The Black Pig team - a good a menu as I think we've ever had. The star wine amongst a stellar cast was undoubtedly the stunning Gran Corte. Thanks to Eduardo, The Black Pig and all that took part.
Thursday 6th September - Tunbridge Wells - Discovering Beaujolais with Rob MacCulloch- a small but well informed group of us were treated to an in depth and very interesting tasting courtesy of Rob from shipper Domaine Direct. Stunning wines from tiny producers across the Cru's of Beaujolais, all hand-made from fruit of vine up to 100 years old. Star wines included a 6 year old Cote de Brouilly from Chateau Thivin and a sublime Chenas from HuberyLapierre. Look out for these wines on the shelves very soon.
Friday 15th June - Hotel du Vin (Tunbridge Wells) - Summer Wine Festival - our annual summer festival was as exciting as usual with nearly 100 wines on show. We had the most enthusiastic and appreciative group yet enjoying the wines and asking lots of questions. Thanks to all that made the evening a huge success (customers & suppliers alike).
Thursday 17th May - Tunbridge Wells - Malt Whisky Tasting - we'd been asked many times to do a whisky tasting, and this did not disappoint. Ben Ellefsen from whisky specialists Master of Malt joined us to present a fine range of malts, book-ended by a delicious Bathtub G&T to begin with and a lovely Old Fashioned. I don't think we've ever had so many questions from a group and Ben answered everything that was thrown out there. Star of the show had to be the 1953 Glenfarclas at £6k a bottle!!
Thursday 19th April - Tunbridge Wells - The Wines of Sicily with Sergio De Luca - Massive thanks to Sergio who thoroughly entertained an enthusiastic group with not only some fantastic wines, but also with a potted history of wine in Sicily. Some real gems including the excellent Zisola Nero D'Avola and the sublime sweet marsala from Cantine Florio.
Thursday 29th March - Juliets (Tunbridge Wells) - Quinta do Crasto Wine Dinner with Manuel Lobo - A wonderful evening was enjoyed by all at our first Dinner to be held at Juliets. Manuel flew in specially to show 5 of his sensational wines alongside a delicious menu prepared by chef Simon that was finished off with a chilled 2008 Vintage Port coupled with 3 incredible British cheeses, a combination to remember. Thank you to Manuel for his knowledge and insight into Portugal's top estate.
Friday 16th March - Hotel du Vin (Tunbridge Wells) - Top Australian Wine Tasting with Matthew Jukes - Huge thanks to wine writer and presenter Matthew, who joined us to present a stunning range of top Australian wines to an enthusiastic audience. I think that people were genuinely amazed by the range and diversity that Australia now offers and the free Dartington tasting glasses went down a storm. A great night and we look forward to doing the event again with Matthew next year.
Saturday 3rd March - Tunbridge Wells - Saturday Masterclass - Up & Coming Reds - an enthusiastic group joined The Wine Teacher, David Timmons, as he presented his top picks for the reds that all the savvy people will be drinking in the near future. Some real gems amongst the line up.
Thursday 1st March - The Old Vine (Wadhurst) - Urlar Dinner with Angus Thomson - a fun evening where we were entertained by the owner of premium New Zealand winery Urlar as he presented his fine range of biodynamic wines. The team at The Old Vine prepared a wonderful meal to complement the wines and Angus was very informative, as usual. Thanks to all who attended