Past tastings

South Africa

Hamilton Russell Vineyards have set the standard in South African wine for quality and sophistication with their hugely successful Burgundian-style wines. 

Produced only from Burgundian Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varieties, their wines are true expressions of the terroir and remain both restrained yet complex. Come join us in welcoming owners Anthony Hamilton Russell and his wife Olive in tasting their wines, which are widely regarded as the best in South Africa and among the best in the New World.

Please note that due to producer availability this tasting is at 11.30am on Friday 6 March.

*CANCELLED*

Unfortunately, due to travel restrictions now in place in Italy, the producer will no longer be able to hold this tasting. We hope to arrange an alternative date in the future.

Tuscany, Italy

Querciabella, ‘beautiful oak’ in Italian, responsible for one of the most acclaimed Italian whites, Batàr, and also many Maremma wines, is one of the most innovative wineries in Italy.  Sebastiano Castiglioni with South African winemaker Manfred Ing spearheads vegan and biodynamic practices on the estate in Chianti to produce some of the purest expressions of Chianti Classico.  Founded in 1974 by Sebastiano’s father, Guiseppe, the Querciabella of today reflects the commitment of father and son to protecting the terroir and traditions of Tuscan wine. We hope you can join us for this exciting tasting!

This event has a very limited number of places available and so will be a balloted event for members only. 

Tickets will be restricted to one per member.

We are co-hosting a joint event with the Cambridge University French Society this term.  Expect all the fun mingling and amazing wines of one of our drop-ins, but this time, there will be French Society members and French cheese!  Yum!

Romania

Located in Southern Romania in the Dealu Mare DOC, S.E.R.V.E., which stands for Societatea Euro Română de Vinuri de Excepţie (The Society for Exceptional Euro-Romanian Wines), is the first independent wine-making company in post-Communist Romania. 

Established in 1993 by Count Guy Tyrel de Poix, owner of Domaine Peraldi in Corsica, S.E.R.V.E. was also the first winery in Romania to make a dry rose. They grow many international grape varieties along with some native varieties, including Fetească Neagră, a rather challenging grape to grow (which the Count particularly admired).  The winery is now under his wife Mihaela’s direction with Louis Herade de Breuil as winemaker. 

Please join us for this special evening!

CUWS invites you to our Lent term Drop-in with the Cambridge Wine Merchants at the University Centre Wine Bar. Whether you are a connoisseur or just wine-curious this is a great chance to taste some delicious wines from the CWM range, reconnect with old friends and meet new members.

Entry is **£5** online or on the door (cash only) and you can stay as long as you wish!

The wine bar is on the Ground floor of the University Centre which is by Scudamore punts near Queens’. The entrance to the University Centre is close to the Doubletree Hilton hotel. maps.google.com

Once capacity is reached, we will be operating a one in, one out policy.  Priority will be given to those who have booked in advance.

Wine List

*10% off all retail prices below with your wine society card

• Deutz Classic Brut NV – £39.99
• Jansz Premium Rosé NV Tasmania – £17.99
• Dom. Gayda Figure Libre Chenin Blanc Pays D’oc 2017 – £17.99
• Kilikanoon Pearce Road Semillon, Clare Valley 2016 – £19.99
• Ch. Rives-Blanques Cuvée Odyssée Chardonnay, Limoux AOC 2018 – £15.99
• Max. Ferd Richter Graacher Domprobst Riesling Kabinett Feinherb 2014 – £16.99
• Ch. La Chapelle D’Espagnet St Emilion Grand Cru 2015 – £17.99
• Gibson Barossa Valley Shiraz 2004 – £19.99
• Luis Canas Rioja Reserva 2014 – £26.99
• Amalaya Gran Corte Malbec/Cabernet Franc 2016 – £16.99
• Roger Sabon Chateauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Reserve 2015 – £32.99
• Disznoko Tokaji Late Harvest 2017 – £15.99

Ukrainian Wines. Have you ever heard anything about them? Ever tried a Telti Kuruk or Odessa Black Grape?  First of all, yes, Ukrainian wines do exist! And secondly, they can be absolutely amazing; sparkling, red, white, and even orange. The country offers a little bit of everything, despite the fact that it has only just started its journey into high-quality wines. This evening will be led by Evgeniya Nikolaichuk, the first person to earn DipWSET in Ukraine and a co-owner of a chain of wine bars. She is especially passionate about promoting local wines and offers a treasure trove of information about them. With her, we’ll be tasting six wines of different styles while learning a bit about the history of Ukraine and its wine industry.

• Uruguay

Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s New World Winery of the Year 2018, Bodega Garzón is a boutique winery located in the Uruguayan coastal province of Maldonado. 

Established in 2007 by Alejandro Bulgheroni and his wife, Bettina, they believed it would become a Tuscany-like wine region. With Italian winemaker Alberto Antonini, they produce limited-production, premium wines from their sustainably-grown grapes. 

Come join us in tasting their portfolio of wines that reflect the vineyards of Uruguay!

Sauternes, France

Château Guiraud is a Premier Cru Classé Sauternes estate, transformed in 1981 by Hamilton Narby into one of the finest Sauternes properties.  Guiraud’s vineyards are planted with 65% Sémillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc. Despite the high proportion of Sauvignon Blanc in their blend, their wines are astonishingly rich with fresh acidity and among the finest in Sauternes.  Come enjoy a sweet wine tasting with us!

Please note: we will be implementing a ballot system for this event. Register below for tickets before 6pm Wednesday 27 November (you will not be charged).

We will then randomly allocate tickets and if successful you will receive a link for payment. Please pay before 10pm, Thursday 28 November, otherwise, your tickets will be reallocated. Limit of 1 ticket per transaction, members-only.