April 2026 Sheffield Section News
WINES i LOVE TODAY: A NIGHT WITH DAVID LAWSON OF CHEZ VIN – Matthew Swallow, Sheffield Section Chair There’s something quietly brilliant about a Chez Vin tasting. On paper, it’s a list of wines, a room, a few glasses. In reality, it’s David Lawson doing what he does best: sharing what excites him right now. And…
Read more April 2026 Hull Section News
“BATTLE OF THE GIANTS.” AND THE WINNER IS… – Joanne Maxwell, Section Chair Well it was always bound to happen. Our presenter, Nigel Green, the current Guild President, offered up a tasting billed as the “Battle of the Giants.” And as Sommeliers, we know that two of the real giants are wines from Bordeaux and…
Read more April 2026 York Section News
A TWIST ON THE CLASSICS Our April tasting in The Courtyard at Hotel du Vin became a wonderfully spirited journey across Central and Eastern Europe, led by the infectious enthusiasm of Abbie Wafer from Jorvine and Alex Bassick from Betton Wines. Their theme, A Twist on the Classics, came alive through a line‑up they personally…
Read more March 2026 Sheffield Section News
A Personal Reflection on an Evening of Wine With the Wonderful Gill Young – Matthew Swallow, Sheffield Section Chair The Sheffield section of the Yorkshire Guild of Sommeliers enjoyed a warm, lively, and wonderfully engaging tasting hosted by Gill Young, who brought both knowledge and charm to a line‑up that travelled across Greece, Australia, Spain,…
Read more March 2026 Whitby Section News
WHITBY’S MARCH 2026 MATCH REPORT BY JAMES R CARSON Our meeting was, as usual, held in Sanders Yard Bistro in Church Street, Whitby. We had in the region of 30 attendees in total – slightly down on our usual turnout. Unfortunately our planned presenter was unable to attend due to matters beyond his control so…
Read more March 2026 Hull Section News
Yes, we should be drinking English wines! – Joanne Maxwell, Section Chair In a first for us, we devoted an entire evening to tasting English wines. In another first, our speaker, Alfie Smith, debuted as a presenter to a group of wine drinkers rather than his usual audience of wine buyers. Alfie, an engineer by…
Read more March 2026 York Section News
A showcase of Austrian and German wines in a historic Yorkshire setting This year’s AGM took place at the elegant Middlethorpe Hall, where guests enjoyed an evening that combined the society’s annual review with a curated exploration of Austrian and German wines. Following the formal session, wine specialists Paul Tate-Smith and Alex Danson led a…
Read more February 2026 Bingley Section News
GREEK WINE: WHY DON’T WE KNOW MORE ABOUT IT? Despite being one of the world’s oldest wine‑producing regions, Greece remains surprisingly under‑the‑radar for many wine lovers. With hundreds of indigenous grape varieties — most rarely seen outside the country — Greek wine can feel both ancient and undiscovered at the same time. Six of us,…
Read more February 2026 Hull Section News
Preet’s new selection of South African Wines by Joanne Maxwell, Section Chair February’s meeting saw the return of Preet Sahota from Edgmond wines who showcased a new selection of South African wines. Preet’s easy yet informative style made him something of an “in demand” speaker at Guild events in 2025 so Hull were more than…
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February 2026 York Section News
ALPINE WINES, YORKSHIRE CHARM There was a lovely buzz in the room last Monday as we settled into a new venue, a new presenter, and a line‑up of Swiss wines that instantly reminded us why the Swiss are fourth in the world for per‑capita wine consumption — and why they keep the vast majority of…
Read more January 2026 Whitby Section News
WHITBY’S JANUARY 2026 MATCH REPORT BY STEVE BREMNER January’s meeting at Sanders Yard Bistro was both reflective and warmly engaging, setting an appropriate tone for the first gathering of the year. With Chairman Robert unable to attend, Malcolm took on hosting duties for the evening. In his opening remarks, Malcolm paused to remember Gillian, whose…
Read more January 2026 Hull Section News
Hull section AGM and Committee’s Personal Choices by Joanne Maxwell, Section Chair Hull section members came together for what was promised to be (and was!) a very brief AGM. Chair Joanne Maxwell encouraged everyone to continue to introduce prospective new members. Secretary Jo Coupland reported that the section ended the year with 62 members, but…
Read more January 2026 York Section News
A LAZY SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT PAIRINGS It was great to see so many members and their guests come out for a really enjoyable Sunday afternoon at Pairings Wine Bar to kick off the new year. We spent a few relaxed hours tasting wine and picking at charcuterie and cheese boards, and the atmosphere couldn’t have…
Read more December 2025 Whitby Section News
WHITBY’S DECEMBER 2025 MATCH REPORT BY NICK HUTTON The Whitby Group met for its annual black tie Christmas Dinner on Monday 15th December at the Saxonville Hotel. It is the one occasion in the year when we do not meet at Sanders Yard which looks after us so well for every other meeting. This has…
Read more Wine Society Dinner Merchant Taylors Hall 12th December 2025
A Christmas outing to London! Established in 1874, The Wine Society is a member owned organisation providing excellent wines and related services to its membership ‘The Wine Society, owned by its wine-loving members, is famous for value.’ Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com David and I are long term members of society having joined back in the…
Read more November 2025 Whitby Section News
WHITBY’S NOVEMBER 2025 MATCH REPORT BY FRED RICHARDSON This month we enjoyed our annual treat of a splendid evening sampling superb wines (mostly) exclusive to Corney & Barrow presented, as usual, by James Long. James is of course well known to all of us as a thoroughly entertaining and very knowledgeable presenter. Corney & Barrow…
Read more September 2025 Whitby Section News
WHITBY’S SEPTEMBER 2025 MATCH REPORT BY JAMES CARSON Our meeting was held at our usual venue of Sanders Yard Bistro in Church Street, Whitby with 34 members and guests attending on what was a rather dark, cold and gloomy evening – it certainly felt like autumn had arrived. Due to a slight mix up with…
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Health Benefits of Moderate Wine Consumption
Health Benefits Cardiovascular Advantages Wine, particularly red wine, is renowned for its cardiovascular benefits. Rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, including resveratrol, it aids in increasing the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or “good cholesterol”) and protecting against artery damage. Moderate consumption can lead to a healthier heart, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke,…
Read more Mastering the Art of Blind Tasting
Developing Sensory Evaluation Skills Blind tasting is a revered skill in the world of sommeliers, requiring a refined palate and a keen sense of smell. It involves evaluating wine without any knowledge of its origin, grape variety, or producer, focusing solely on the sensory experience. This practice hones the ability to identify subtle nuances in…
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The Intricate Dance of Terroir and Flavor
Unveiling Terroir’s Influence Encompassing the soil, topography, and climate of a wine-producing region, Terroir is pivotal in viticulture, imparting unique characteristics to wines. The soil type significantly influences the flavour profile of the wine, with variations like limestone leading to high acidity and mineral notes, and clay resulting in fuller-bodied, fruity wines. The harmonious interaction…
Read more Deciphering the Longevity of Wines
Understanding Wine Aging Potential The ageing potential of a wine is a complex interplay between acidity, tannins, alcohol, and residual sugar, with well-balanced, structured wines exhibiting greater longevity. The incorporation of meticulous winemaking techniques, such as oak barrels and controlled fermentation processes, further enhances a wine’s ability to age, allowing it to develop complexity and…
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