Ed Gretton, long-standing London branch member and Californian wine enthusiast, explored with us some vibrant and diverse wines from California’s premier regions. From coastal vineyards to sun-drenched valley estates, this tasting showcased the elegance, power and expressive character of the Golden State’s finest offerings in the vicinity of San Francisco, where Ed has spent much time working in recent years. Ed …
Post Christmas and New Year Dinner
Outside it was a miserably dark, cold and wet early January evening. But inside the Information Technologists’ Hall, London Branch members and guests enjoyed light, warmth and a hearty welcome, gathering for a combined post-Christmas and New Year Dinner. The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists is a modern Livery company, one of the more relevant and influential in the City …
Members’ Favourites Tasting – November 2025
This was a new type of event for us, where four well-established members were invited to present two of their favourite wines. The wines were as follows: Richard Pull Hofstatt old vine Pinot Bianco, Alto Adige 2020 La Despensa, Grenache/Syrah, Cochagua Valley, Chile 2020 Graham Lovelock Te Mata Estate Coleraine Cabernet Sauvignon, New Zealand 2021 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir, New …
AGM Dinner 2025
Our London Branch AGM was held at Noizé restaurant in Fitzrovia, central London, starting with a glass of crémant, and followed by dinner. Alan Shepherd presented the Chair’s report. We had held a wide variety of outstanding events during the year, amongst which were superb lunches and tasting dinners, and several interesting and innovative wine tastings led by knowledgeable members; …
WASHINGTON STATE WINES
Member Ian Shane presented wines he had selected from excellent suppliers in Washington State, an up-and-coming US wine region, the second largest in the US after California. Some were from the rare 2018 vintage, and several are unobtainable now, even in the US. Ian provided helpful information on the area. He introduced us to its American Viticultural Areas, AVAs, geographically …
A Garden Party at Cumberland Lodge
Following our highly successful dinner at Windsor Castle, we decided to hold a sumptuous garden party with wines and food at the exclusive Cumberland Lodge, with beautiful vistas over the Windsor Great Park. Cumberland Lodge is a 17th-century Grade II listed country house in Windsor Great Park 3 miles south of Windsor Castle. It is not open to the general public. Some of you will remember …
A tasting of fine and mature wines from the cellar of Richard Duncan
We are fortunate to have several members who have excellent cellars, and occasionally they are prepared to offer us some bottles for a tasting. Richard had very kindly supplied some bottles which were tasted by our members last September, and we were delighted to have another batch from his cellar in May 2025. We started with 2 bottles which he …
Lunch at Noble Rot
The townhouse in which Noble Rot is situated dates back to 1701. As befits a restaurant founded by Dan Keeling and Mark Andrew, of Shrine to the Vine, it has a celebrated wine list which has won many prizes. Their mission is simple – to celebrate the best of wine culture – and they only sell wines that they would …
GREEK WINES – AN EXCITING RENAISSANCE
“For wines that can truly surprise and excite in the glass, Greece really is the place to look.” Decanter wine magazine, July 2024. The 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards highlighted the ongoing ascendency of Greek wines, which were awarded a large number of medals. In a cold January we got together for a tasting from a warmer climate of some …
Christmas Dinner at the Bakers’ Hall
London Branch Members happily gathered at Bakers’ Hall near the Tower of London, for our Christmas celebration. The Worshipful Company of Bakers has owned the site of Bakers’ Hall since 1505 and has lost three previous Halls to fire, the first during the Great Fire of London which allegedly started in a bakery in nearby Pudding Lane. Despite its now …