It is planned for the group to meet every two months.

The inaugural meeting of our new Wine & Beer Appreciation Group on June 2nd – a red wine tasting – has proved so popular that group leader Alastair Curbbuns is going to repeat it on September 29th to fit in all the people on the waiting list!

Alastair has now planned a schedule for the rest of the year.  Spaces are available at all events, except for the tasting on June 2nd.

Thursday July 23rd – English Sparkling Wines / Bishop’s Stortford Bubbly – 3.00pm-4.30pm at the very local vineyard, Bailey Hills Estate, Wickham Hall, Hadham Road, CM23 1JG.

The tour begins with a guided stroll among the vines, to learn about the unique terroir and the grapes they have chosen to grow. There will then be a tasting of the 2021 and 2022 vintages (I understand that the 2022 is excellent) in their nice new and bright tasting room, which also has great outdoor seating overlooking the vines. Cost of this first vineyard visit is £25.00.  Please book by May 31st.  Numbers are restricted to 16 –  if this number isn’t reached they may open the bookings to others. 

Tuesday September 29th – Red Wine Tasting – 2.15-4.00pm at the Thorley Community Centre.

A repeat of the tasting on June 2nd.  Two or three wines will change, but still the same grape variety.  There will be six different wines to sample, trying to guess the vintage, country of origin, variety of grape and cost.  Cost of this tasting is £10.00.

Tuesday November 3rd  – Red Wine Tasting which will include a wine which would cost £500 in a nice restaurant – 2.15-4.00pm at the Thorley Community Centre.

Selection of six wines based on the same grapes to sample to try and ascertain the vintage, country of origin, variety of grape and cost. The last wine will be exceptional and will give you an idea of what a £500 wine from an great vintage in a nice restaurant tastes like.  Cost of this event will be £20.00

Events next year will include a beer tasting at the Belgian Brewer in January and a talk on a wine region or grape in March with a small tasting afterwards.

For more information and booking contact Alastair Curbbun.