Tickets Now Available on the Door
After its success in 2009, The Wine Gang is thrilled to be back in London with its fabulous Christmas Wine Fair on November 6th 2010 at Vinopolis. Perfectly timed for the run-up to the festive season, the mood of the event will be lively and fun, but will focus on showing distinctive, quality wines from passionate retailers. Over 600 wines will be available for tasting, and you will meet the Gang (Tim Atkin MW, Tom Cannavan, Anthony Rose, Joanna Simon and Olly Smith) who will conduct a series of free Wine Walks, leading you on a journey round some of their favourite wines.
New for this year, we also have four amazing masterclasses: tutored tastings by some of the world's top winemakers:
1. Understanding Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc with Dr Damian Martin of Ara, New Zealand
2. The Sélections Parcellaires of Maison M. Chapoutier with Michel Chapoutier, France
3. Languedoc, the Rubik's cube of wine with Jean Claude Mas of Domaines Paul Mas, France
4. Champion of Chenin Blanc with Ken Forrester, South Africa
We believe this is the best wine event of the year - and the best value too. So come along to meet The Wine Gang and sample an extraordinary line-up of wines.
TICKETS AND TIMINGS
Session One
12.00 noon - 3:00pm, tickets £20
Masterclasses sold out; tickets still available for this session
Session Two
4.00pm - 7:00pm, tickets £20
5:00pm - Masterclass 3: - SOLD OUT
6:00pm - Masterclass 4: Champion of Chenin Blanc. £10
Promotion
Members of The Wine Gang may buy maximum four tickets @ £15.00 each
Subscribe to The Wine Gang at http://www.thewinegang.com Annual membership costs £19.99
MASTERCLASS DETAILS
SESSION ONE
Masterclass 1: 1:00pm - 1:40pm
Understanding Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc
with Dr Damian Martin of Ara, New Zealand.
So you think you know your Sancerre from your Marlborough Sauvignon? Your Pommard from your Otago Pinot? Well, you might find some wine surprises as Dr Damian Martin, GM of Viticulture and Winemaking at Ara in New Zealand, helps you understand the differences that exist between Old World and New World styles of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Some of the best wines of France and New Zealand will be on show, and Damian suggests wines that meet somewhere in the middle might just provide wine lovers with the best of both worlds.
Masterclass 2: 2:00pm - 2:40pm
The Sélections Parcellaires of Maison M. Chapoutier
with Michel Chapoutier of M. Chapoutier, France.
Seventh generation Michel Chapoutier has been at the head of this famous Rhône Valley domain since 1990, and describes himself as "wine-grower, winemaker and wine lover." Ever inventive, Michel's initiatives since taking charge have included conversion of the entire estate to biodynamic farming and the introduction of the Braille language on his labels. This masterclass needs little introduction: in it we will taste wines from his single vineyard ' Sélections Parcellaires' range, produced in limited quantities from very old vineyards planted on outstanding terroirs.
SESSION TWO
Masterclass 3: 5:00pm - 5:40pm
Languedoc, the Rubik's cube of wine
with Jean Claude Mas of Domaines Paul Mas, France.
It would be overstating things to say that Jean-Claude Mas has single-handedly revolutionised winemaking in the southern French Languedoc region, but his brilliant portfolio of wines has certainly turned a whole generation on to the quality and value on offer. In this seminar he will demonstrate through tasting that the Languedoc is capable of the most powerful expressions of varietal and terroir character. Many different dimensions must work in harmony to make great wine, and this tasting sets out to prove the Languedoc has all it takes to do so.
Masterclass 4: 6:00pm - 6:40pm
Champion of Chenin Blanc
with Ken Forrester of Ken Forrester Wines, South Africa.
Ken Forrester is renowned for single-minded passion for one grape variety: Chenin Blanc. He has carried this through into wines of extraordinary quality, and his Chenins have spearheaded a movement to transform the Cape's most planted grape into the upper echelons of fine wine. In his masterclass we will taste six examples of top Chenin Blanc wines, which Ken says will show the attributes and versatility of Chenin with examples from different soils and climates, as well as demonstrating the ageing potential of these wines. Wake up and smell the Chenin!