This month we are joined by Will Parker, who many of you will know from his days at Waitrose in West Ealing or from the many tastings he’s done since then. He is extremely knowledgeable, full of stories and always very entertaining, and what better way to start a new season than looking at the great strides that have been made in the quality and variety of the wines made on our shores. Below is more detail about what’s in store for us.
The Vineyards of England and Wales
When I first attended Plumpton College to learn about winemaking in a cool climate, the industry was looked upon as rather eccentric and the 100 or so vineyards as largely run by hobbyists.
Now, there are over 900 vineyards in Great Britain and more than 200 of these are open to visitors, offering tastings, catering, events and accommodation.
The vineyards of England and Wales are now internationally recognised as producing top quality wine, regularly winning prestigious international awards. Our cool climate is ideal for growing grapes to make world-class sparkling wines and impressive still whites and rosés, while our warming climate is certainly benefitting our red wines.
Over the past decade, English and Welsh sparkling wine producers have gained a world-class reputation for ultra-premium quality, and international producers, especially from the Champagne region, have been rushing to buy up and establish their own vineyards.
Will Parker will be joining us to kick off the new season on Monday 16th September with a selection of exciting wines to tantalise our tastebuds. There will be sparkling delights from Gusborne and Nyetimber to round out a fine pick of flavoursome whites and reds. We will also be offering a choice of fine cheeses to reflect the origins of these wines.
Monday 16 September
Upstairs at The Forester, 2 Leighton Road, W13 9EP
Start 8pm
£25 per person payable on the door – cash preferred.
Please bring your own tasting glasses if possible
Details on attending CWC tastings can be found on our About CWC wine tastings page.