Are you ready for May, London? It’s a busy month for wine lovers. Whether you want to learn about the basics of wine, find something a little more quirky or experience some of the most vibrant minds in the wine world, there’s a tasting here that will put a spring in your step. Here are my choices for the five best wine tasting events in London in May.
All are open to the public – but with limited spaces, booking ahead is essential.
1. If you want to start a cellar
Decanter Bordeaux Fine Wine Encounter – St-Julien Masterclass
Decanter magazine’s Grand Tasting is now sold out but tickets are still available for the masterclasses. If you want to start a cellar then this masterclass will have you up to speed with the wines of St-Julien – the favourite appellation for traditional English “claret’ drinkers. Hunters and tweed optional.
Date: Saturday 9th May, 11am
Address: Landmark Hotel, 222 Marylebone Road, London NW1 6JQ, UK
Price: £85
2. If you want to go with the flow this summer
Vagabond Wines – Rivers, Vines and Wines
“The influence of rivers on vineyards is well documented. We only need to mention such fluvial names as Loire, Rhone or Mosel and our thoughts turn to grapes, glasses and good times.Taking inspiration from some of these rivers we’ll present you with an incredibly wide-ranging array of wines. If eclectic drinking is what you like then there’s a definite need to attend this session.”
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 7pm
“We pit the two against each other, tasting Greece’s liatiko against Italy’s nebbiolo, fruity agiorgitiko alongside tangy sangiovese, while zippy xinomavro goes up against herby Bardolino. A winner will be announced!”
Date: Tufnell Park – Thursday 14 May; Greenwich – Thursday 14 May, 7.30pm
Address: Tufnell Park shop: 124 Junction Road, N19 5LB; Greenwich shop: 75 Trafalgar Road SE10 9TS
Price: £28
4. If you want to know what the cool kids will be drinking this summer
Tutto Wines Spring Tasting 2015
“Features dozens of tiny growers from across Europe, some of whom you will rarely see outside of their own vineyards. We are bringing along Antonio and Daniela from Cantina Giardino, Nadia from Cascina Tavijn, Cristiano Guttarolo, Filippo from Lamoresca, Gianmarco from Le Coste, Marco Buratti of Farnea and Manuel from Vinyer de la Ruca. Gergovie have folks like Bouju, Babass, Calek, Klinec, Petit Gimios, La Sorga, Aurelien Lefort and plenty more coming along. There will be food from the guys at 40 Maltby Street, cold beer and good times for all.”
Date: Saturday 16th May
Address: “The tasting will take place in an old business park in Bermondsey.” Visit Tutto Wines website for more details: Spring Tasting
Price: £10
5. If you want to know everything about natural wine but without the headache
RAW Fair
“More than 1000 different (natural) wines from 195 producers… With new wines launching and unrepresented producers attending, RAW will be the only place in the UK to taste a number of the wines at the fair… As well as wines, you’ll find like-minded artisan producers of spirits, beers and cider.”
Date: Sunday 17th May, 10am-6pm
Address: F Block, The Old Truman Brewery, 83 Brick Ln, London E1 6QL
Price: In advance – £30 (1-day access)