Past tastings

Robert Parker described Roger Sabon as “one of the more intellectual vignerons in Chateauneuf du-Pape”. With some vines dating back to the early 1900s, Roger Sabon follows suit as a traditionalist who places great emphasis on the elegance rather than the power in his wines.

The philosophy of the domaine is to work with long macerations, which, when combined with their other meticulous selection processes, results in wines that retain good freshness and are inclined towards a more ethereal and delicate style of Chateauneuf.

Come experience the deep, expressive notes of these beautiful wines that just don’t seem to hold back!

Please note: Ticket refunds will only be given if the CUWS committee is informed up to 48 hours prior to the event. Please email our Website and Ticketing Officer, Naomi Morris (ncm38@cam.ac.uk), if a refund is required. If you find that you are unable to attend after this time, it is your responsibility to re-sell your ticket.

Producing wines made from organic, traditional Rhone varietals, Chêne Bleu strives to exemplify luxury, couture wines that are made to organic and biodynamic principles. The modern winery is situated at La Verrière, a restored medieval priory in Crestet in the region of Provence, France.

Their meticulously handcrafted wines reflect the special terroir, being the highest vineyard in the region and one of the highest in the South of France. Chêne Bleu’s wines carry the Vins de Pays de Vaucluse designation, and as such, they can be considered the first ever “Super Rhônes”.

Please join us to celebrate this critically-acclaimed winery that sits at the crossroads of four appellation boundaries but represents an original and unique take on the region.

Please note: Ticket refunds will only be given if the CUWS committee is informed up to 48 hours prior to the event. Please email our Website and Ticketing Officer, Naomi Morris (ncm38@cam.ac.uk), if a refund is required. If you find that you are unable to attend after this time, it is your responsibility to re-sell your ticket.

The Cattin family dates back to 1720 in Alsace and now oversees two wineries, one in Steinbach specifically for the making of sparkling wines and the other, the original family cellars in Voegtlinschoff, south of Colmar, including holdings in the grand cru Hatschbourg vineyard.

Joseph Cattin produces every style of Alsace from sparkling cremant, vendange tardive, Edelzwicker, and selection de grains noble wines. In the late 20th Century, Joseph Cattin consolidated the reputation of the local Muscat, becoming known as the ‘King of Muscat’.

Come and taste the variety of special wines from one of the largest family-run estates in Alsace, who, in addition to Muscat, also plant Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris!

Please note: Ticket refunds will only be given if the CUWS committee is informed up to 48 hours prior to the event. Please email our Website and Ticketing Officer, Naomi Morris (ncm38@cam.ac.uk), if a refund is required. If you find that you are unable to attend after this time, it is your responsibility to re-sell your ticket.

Located high in the highlands of Amyndeo in the Macedonian region of North West Greece, Alpha Estate’s premium wines are made from a combination of both indigenous and international varietals.

It is recognised as one of the pioneers of modern Greek wine and is the biggest Sauvignon Blanc producer in Greece. Receiving the highest reviews given to any Greek red wine label by Robert Parker, Alpha Estate’s mission is to make wines that emphasise the characteristics of their region.

Come and meet Mr Angelo Iatridis, co-founder, co-owner, and winemaker, who is considered to be one of Greece’s most promising winemakers!

Please note: Ticket refunds will only be given if the CUWS committee is informed up to 48 hours prior to the event. Please email our Website and Ticketing Officer, Naomi Morris (ncm38@cam.ac.uk), if a refund is required. If you find that you are unable to attend after this time, it is your responsibility to re-sell your ticket.

New Zealand’s Most Awarded Winery, global brand Villa Maria is dedicated to producing quality New Zealand wines.

Starting from just an acre of vines in Mangere, Aukland in 1961, it now spans across vineyards in Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Marlborough, and Auckland. Their wines express real varietal character that are truly reflective of their location and are some of the most popular the country has to offer.

Please join us in tasting the range from this forerunner in Kiwi wine production!

Please note: Ticket refunds will only be given if the CUWS committee is informed up to 48 hours prior to the event. Please email our Website and Ticketing Officer, Naomi Morris (ncm38@cam.ac.uk), if a refund is required. If you find that you are unable to attend after this time, it is your responsibility to re-sell your ticket.

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

This is a public event is open to all – members and non-members!

Tasting Sheet

We are pleased to announce the details for our long-awaited Champagne Spring Dinner! Our special guest will be Simon Stockton, the U.K. Brand Ambassador of Piper-Heidsieck. Prepare to be dazzled by the Champagne of the Oscars paired with a sumptuous five course meal served in the spectacular Dining Hall of John’s College!

We will taste the full range of PH Champagne from the classic N.V to their signature prestige cuvée – Rare. Rare pays homage to the cuvée presented by Florens-Louis Heidsieck to Marie Antoinette, which left such an impression upon the Queen so as to lead her to become the first ambassador for the brand. It has been produced only nine times in the entire history of the house, starting with the exceptionally challenging hot-weather vintage of 1976. Simon has managed to secure for us two vintages that are in their drinking prime: 1998 – “sophisticated and seductive” and 2002 – “classical and prestigious” so get excited!

Piper-Heidsieck will also be raffling off a Magnum of the 1998 Rare, you can find the details here. Please note this offer is only open to those attending the dinner.

Dress Code: Black tie preferred (Oscars attire welcome).

Menu

(food subject to alterations, vegetarian options to come):

– Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Extra Brut N.V. –

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– Piper-Heidsieck Rare 1998 –

Scallops with brown butter vinaigrette, wakame, quinoa and  crisp spinach leaves.

(V) Spinach parcel with coconut harissa sauce and kale and pomegranate salad.

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– Piper-Heidsieck Vintage 2008 –

Grilled red mullet with samphire, crushes potatoes and spring onion butter sauce.

(V) Squash Wellington layered with spinach and mushrooms and puy lentil sauce.

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– Piper-Heidsieck Rose Sauvage N.V. –

Roasted Gressingham duck supreme with roaster aubergine, citrus and red onion, orange sauce and samosa of its leg, Lorette potatoes, Glazed whole butter Chantenay carrots with parsley, Cauliflower with harissa.

(V) Spinach, Lentil and Courgette Shepard’s Pie topped with creamy potatoes and Somerset Cheddar and served with braised spiced chickpeas.

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– Piper-Heidsieck Rare 2002 –

Artisan French cheese: aged comte, soft and blue Auvergne with peeled celery, grapes and wheat wafers.

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– Piper-Heidsieck Demi-Sec N.V. –

Bayleaf ice-cream with rum marinade, warm grilled pineapple, pineapple syrup, passion fruit jellies and lemon meringues.

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Illy coffee or Estate hand picked tea with chocolate truffles.

To complement our Spring Champagne Dinner, Piper-Heidsieck will be raffling off a Magnum of 1998 Rare as well as a bottle of 2002 Rare! The raffle is only open those attending the dinner. The raffle is now open to all!

Rare is the prestige cuvée Piper-Heidsieck  produce only in exceptional years. It pays homage to the bottle presented to Marie Antoinette in 1785 which was the key that opened the doors of royal and imperial courts around the world to the champagne house.

1998 is described as a ‘Sophisticated and Seductive’ vintage, with 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir. It is a blend of 10 Crus including Oger, Villers-Marmery. Avize, Trépail and Chouilly for the Charonnays and Verzy, Ambonnay and Ludes for the Pinot Noirs.

2002 on the other hand is a ‘Prestigious and Classical’ vintage, with 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir. It is a blend of 8 Crus including Oger, Villers-Marmery and Avize for the Charonnays and Verzy for the Pinot Noirs.

You can read more about Rare and the 1998 and 2002 vintages on the Piper-Heidsieck website.

The winner will be announced at the dinner, and by email shortly afterwards.

 

 

To finish the term with a bang CUWS once again invites you to a drop-in tasting with Cambridge Wine Merchants at the University Centre wine bar on Saturday 17th of March, from 3 till 6pm.

Our theme is ‘The Weird and the Wonderful’ and we will be exploring the most unusual wines we can find at CWM!

The wine bar is on the Ground floor of the University Centre which is by Scudamore’s punts near Queens’. The entrance to the Unirsity Centre is close the Doubletree Hilton hotel. https://map.cam.ac.uk/University+Centre#52.201128,0.116362,18

Sparkling and Sweet

Our second drop-in of Lent is Valentine’s themed! Treat that special someone to our range of sweet and sparkling wines, selected by the French half of the co-Presidency. As before we will be taking over the Cambridge Wine Merchants’ University Centre wine bar from 3 to 6pm for an informal afternoon of tasting and discussion.