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 been better.
Ellie and Indiana walked us through five fantastic wines, and they did it with the kind of energy and expertise that makes you want to lean in and listen. They took us on a little trip around the world—starting with two unique whites from Japan and Austria, moving on to a Spanish rosé in the Provence style, and wrapping up with a couple of cosy, winter‑friendly reds from Australia and South Africa.
chairman jason's corner...
My aim is still to encourage gentle, steady evolution, supported by a vibrant and imaginative programme of tastings and venues. We’re always trying to strike the right balance between the good fellowship we all enjoy and the wine education our speakers bring to each event. I hope the items and signposts that follow help to highlight that mission in action.
Website
You might have spotted that our website is evolving all the time, and we hope you’re finding the updates useful and interesting. If you have any thoughts or suggestions, Mike Harrison and Jason Valentine would genuinely love to hear them.
2026 programme
Our upcoming events right through to July 2026 are now live on the website. Have a look, pop the dates in your diary, and we hope to see you at as many as you can make. Click the icon at the top for a preview.
And don’t forget — you’re welcome to join events hosted by other sections as well.
Questionnaire
Your committee is working hard to put together a varied and interesting programme of events for everyone to enjoy, as you’ll see in the next section. With our AGM coming up in March, we’d really love to hear a few more of your thoughts to help guide our future direction in a spirit of gentle, steady evolution. If you have a moment, we’ve put together two quick January questions that should take no more than a couple of minutes to complete. Click the icon at the top to open it.
and finally a gentle reminder...
..there are still a few spaces left for the Guild lunch at the Park Manor Hotel in Scarborough on Saturday 21st February. After the meal, we’ll be treated to an exclusive UK launch of a selection from the superb 2025 vintage of South African wines, presented by the wonderful Preet Sahota of Edgmond Wines. If you’d like to join us for an afternoon of great food, excellent wine, and good company, please get in touch with Guild Chair John Atkinson using the details Julie has circulated.
Happy New Year — and here’s to a bright, lively 2026 packed with fun, laughter, and plenty of seriously good wine!
