A Japanese Wine Tasting

In Event Reports by ashepherdiwfs

“The new wave Japanese wines are very much in the same idiom as natural wines, being light-bodied and often relatively crisp’ – quoted in the Financial Times by JancisRobinson. Japanese wine makers are becoming very successful. Wines are now being produced on a par with some of the finest wines world-wide. Many thanks to Christopher Davenport-Jones for organising this London …

IWFS LONDON BLOG August 2019

In IWFS London Blog by ashepherdiwfs

A recent interesting tasting held by London Branch was of fine wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape. We tasted nine wines; vintages from 1955 to 2014. We were able to compare a 1993 and a 1996 from Château de Beaucastel, one of the finest estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Another star wine was the 2004 Clos des Papes from another top estate, a complex and …

RED BURGUNDIES FROM THE 1980s

In Event Reports by ashepherdiwfs

This tasting for IWFS London Branch of Red Burgundies from the 1980s at the Naval Club, Mayfair, was led by Jeffrey Benson, of wines from his cellar, to see how well they had lasted. We tasted the following: A 1988 Volnay from Joseph Drouhin, a consistently highly regarded producer. The good 1988 red burgundies are classic in style, long-lived and …

IWFS LONDON WINE BLOG June 2019

In IWFS London Blog by ashepherdiwfs

Last month we were fortunate in having a second tasting of mature Bordeaux wines from the 2005 vintage. This vintage is regarded as the best so far this century – with prices to match. The growing season in 2005 was exceptionally long, hot and dry, yet with just enough necessary moisture. There was no drought. Indeed there was a welcome …

IWFS LONDON WINE BLOG May 2019

In IWFS London Blog by ashepherdiwfs

Early in May we enjoyed a tasting of wines from Gérard Bertrand, tutored by François Pages, the export manager. Gérard Bertrand was a professional rugby union player who retired to take over the Corbières family estate after his father died. He expanded the business, acquired new estates, and developed biodynamic methods. He now owns or manages 15 estates, all in …

Revisiting The Bordeaux 2005 Vintage

In Event Reports by ashepherdiwfs

The second part of our revisiting of mature Bordeaux wines, all from the great 2005 vintage, was generously provided from the cellar of Richard Jackson. What a treat for those fortunate members of IWFS London Branch who attended! Regrettably, Richard was not even able to be there himself this evening, although his two sons were with us on his behalf. …

IWFS LONDON WINE BLOG April 2019

In IWFS London Blog by ashepherdiwfs

  One tasting this time: the range of champagnes made by the Serge Mathieu champagne house, one of the Côte des Bar’s leading small growers and producers, renowned for extremely fine champagne. Such an interesting tasting, kindly hosted by Christopher and Marigold Davenport Jones at their home. We first had the unusual opportunity of tasting examples of the appellation Coteaux …

New Year Celebration Dinner at Tredwells

In Event Reports by ashepherdiwfs

London Branch held a celebration Dinner at Tredwells – its website by-line: “relaxed contemporary dining restaurant in Covent Garden” – to celebrate New Year, an excuse to lighten up what can often be a drab two or three weeks following Christmas. We had the mezzanine floor to ourselves, seated at two long tables. London Branch members and guests were pleased …