PRESS WINE SERVICES
WINE EVENTS
February, March, April etc. 2020

Wine Tables

An evening exploring a selection of 8 wines, with some light bites, based around a theme. All Tables are set in the Goods Shed, Canterbury. We pour the first wine at 7.00pm and aim to pour the last at 8.30 pm. The cost is £ 27.00/person.

This spring we will be exploring six grape varieties which are to be found growing around the world. This is an ideal opportunity to experience the same grape grown in different environments and made in different ways to create distinct characters within the range of the grape.

Friday 28th February

Riesling and Syrah/Shiraz

The delightful Riesling is perhaps the ultimate ‘terroir’ white grape. Its fresh acidity delivers a fine structure and the aromatic nature of the variety produces wines of fruit, floral and spice complexity. The Syrah is one of France’s great noble grapes and can successfully make single varietal wines. Like the Riesling, the wines speak of their origin, especially the key factor of climate. We will taste examples of these two fabulous varieties from Germany, France, South Africa and Australia as well as other parts of the world.

Friday 24th April

Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon

These two grapes share some D.N.A., Sauvignon Blanc is one of the parents of Cabernet Sauvignon, and it will be interesting to see if we can pick out any similarities as we taste the wines. Sauvignon Blanc seems to evoke thoughts of green fruits, apple, gooseberry, grapefruit and kiwi fruits, always supported by a fresh brisk acidity but it can also display complexity, texture and minerality. Cabernet Sauvignon, possibly best when blended, delivers black fruits, complexing with age and marries well with oak so creating complex, handsome creatures. On this evening we will enjoy wines from France, New Zealand, and Argentina amongst others.

Friday 22nd May

Meet the Pinots

An opportunity to taste the Pinot Noir and the family of varieties which have evolved from this extraordinary grape. So, we will taste Pinot Blanc and Gris, the Pinot Precoce (aka Fruhburgunder) and Pinot Noir. The evening will include sparkling, dry and sweet wines and show the terrific versatility of this exciting family with examples from France, Italy, California and other fine regions.

Dinners

We arrange a number of Wine Dine events each year and are delighted to have such close relations with a number of local good quality establishments.

Each evening will have a range of wines chosen to accompany the dishes. Some evenings have wine themes, some are food led. Either way you should expect a great evening of food and wine.

The dinners are individually priced and generally we will aim to sit at the table at 7.30 pm.

Harbour Street Tapas
Wine Dinner

Thursday 12th March

The Wine Dinner at Whitstable’s finest Tapas bar comprises of a five course dinner created for the evening and matched to a selection of Iberian wines. The menu has not yet been created but will comprise of four savoury dishes and one dessert. We will enjoy seven wines with the meal.

To treat yourself to this superb evening book places by contacting Clive at clivebarlowmw@gmail.com or phone 07778 640381. Tickets are £65.00 per person, to include wine and food. Arrivals from 7.15pm and we aim to sit down at 7.30pm; carriages, taxis etc. should be for around 10.15 pm. Payment details will be given once your place is confirmed. Tickets are limited so please book early to ensure your place at this superb evening of food and wine.

The Sportsman, Seasalter

The dinner will consist of an aperitif with ‘snacks’ followed by a four-course meal, with two selected wines to taste and to complement each dish. The menu is determined by what ingredients are in season and what the kitchen has decided to create. So, whilst we know that the dishes will be exceptional the pairing can be ‘experimental’ but will always be with great wines and good company.
Each evening there will be a wine theme and this Spring we will focus on wine regions or countries. We will explore classic wine styles and contemporary approaches within the region. There will be an aperitif, poured 15 minutes before the meal begins, and two wines will be served with each course so as to compare styles and food pairing.
Dates, to-table times and themes

February 6th 7.45 pm Wines of New Zealand
March 5th 7.30 pm Wines of Portugal
April 2nd 7.45 pm Northern Italy
April 30th 7.30 pm The Chalonnaise, Maconnais and Beaujolais
May 21st 7.30 pm West Coast USA
June 18th The Rhinelands

The price of each Sportsman’s dinner is £100.00/person. Book places by contacting Clive at clivebarlowmw@gmail.com or phone 07778 640381. Tickets include wine and food. Carriages, taxis etc. should be for around 10.45 pm. Payment details will be given once your place is confirmed. Tickets are limited so please book early to ensure your place at this superb evening of food and wine.

Events with Canterbury Wine School

WINE EVENINGS AT CAFÉ DU SOLEIL

The wine evenings at Café du Soleil offer a fabulous chance to experience wines from either regions or grape varieties with like-minded people who enjoy and have a passion for vinous pleasure. During the evening’s tutored tasting we look at at least eight different wines and enjoy a mixed food platter. Whilst the wines and information are taken seriously the overall atmosphere is relaxed and informal, with questions and discussion encouraged.
The tastings start at 7.30 pm, the last wine poured at around 9.00pm, and taxis, carriages etc, are best booked from 9.15pm to 9.30pm.

Thursday 30th January
Duero/Douro wine evening
A chance to taste your way through the wines of the longest Iberian wine river. There will be classics such as Ribera del Duero and the Douro reds plus whites from Rueda and Portugal. The major red grape is the Tempranillo and we will see how the different terroirs of the river effect the final wines. The cost of the evening, wines and food is £ 35.00/person or £65 for 2 people.

Wednesday 4th March
Rhone Valley wine evening
This evening will feature the great Syrah and Grenache based reds of both the North and South Rhone and we will explore the growing number of white and rosé wines too. This is a great chance to compare the north and south of the region as well as tasting the different characters of the wines in each area. The cost of the evening, wines and food is £ 35.00/person or £65 for 2 people.

Thursday 26th March
Saone Valley wine evening
This evening will feature the wines from the western part of the Saone Valley, which is really a way of us creating a tenuous link to rivers and wine and the region of Burgundy. The southern part of Burgundy lies in the Saone Valley and we will use this connection to look at the wines from across the wider Burgundy region. So, hold onto your hats as we taste from Chablis to Macon and from prime Beaujolais Cru to the Cotes de Nuits.

Clive will be joined on this evening by Sean Burbridge, life-long lover of Burgundy, of the wine merchants Bancroft Wines. Given that we will enjoy some star wines from this pricey region we have had to charge a little more for the evening and the cost of the evening, wines and food is £ 45.00 per person.

Please contact Ann Morris at Canterbury Wine School to book your place(s) on canterburywineschool@gmail.com

WINE TABLES FOR AUTUMN 2017

Friday, October 27th and December 1st
At a Wine Table we enjoy a themed tasting of 8 wines, supported by light bites through the evening. The tasting takes place on the market floor of the Goods Shed, Canterbury, and so is a less formal, casual event. We start the tasting at 7 pm prompt and aim to pour the last glass at 8.30 pm-ish. This a great opportunity to taste interesting wines with interesting, like-minded people. The cost is £22.00 per person, and places are limited so please book early.

October 27th To Oak or not to oak?
A tasting of 8 wines, 4 grape varieties, one oaked example and one unoaked. We will taste Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Malbec. The tasting will be blind so as to test your oak sensing skills.

December 1st Christmas Goodies
A chance to taste some wine chosen to partner traditional Christmas dishes. And, as usual, we will be tasting classic wines such as claret and Chablis, fizz and port.

October 20th, Friday
Bordeaux Dinner at Café du Soleil
We have teamed up with Café du Soleil, Pound Lane, Canterbury, to put on a fabulous evening of food and wine based around the wonderful wines of Bordeaux. We will try the dry whites, fine reds and delicious, sweet white wine. There will be a four-course dinner, and six wines to accompany the meal. The cost of the meal, including wines and coffee is £ 65.00.
Arrive at 7.15 pm for a start of 7.30 pm and we intend to pour the coffee at around 10.15pm.

Tempura Salmon and Crab “sushi” roll with ponzu dipping sauce

Chateau Bonnet, Blanc, Entre Deux Mers 2016
Chateau Bonnet Reserve Blanc, Entre Deux Mers 2015

Wood roast garlic and parmesan portobello mushroom with spinach and herb pancakes, beluga lentils, feta and mint salsa

Chateau Haut Grelot Rouge, Blaye, Cotes de Bordeaux, 2014

Twice cooked brisket of beef, with Bourguignonne sauce and truffled macaroni cheese

Chateau Grand Bert, St Emilion Grand Cru, 2012
Chateau La Louviere, Pessac Leognan, 1989

Spiced roast fruits with rum baba and coconut ice cream

Chateau Filhot, Sauternes Gold Reserve 1998,

Coffee to finish,

All events are ticketed and therefore need to be booked. Please reserve your place(s) by emailing Clive Barlow at clivewine@aol.com. You will receive notification and payment details by return.

Looking ahead to the spring of 2017 we have set the new dates for our Wine Table evenings. During every Wine Table we will taste a range of eight wines whilst enjoying some lights bites. Each event has a different theme with wines of interest and quality.

We start each evening at 7.00 pm and aim to pour the last wine around 8.30 pm. .Whilst the food served will temper your appetite it will not be the equivalent of an evening meal, so you may wish to book a place at the Goods Shed restaurant, or use the evening as a starter for a meal in the city.

The cost of a seat at the Table is £ 22.00 per person and can be booked by emailing Clive at clivewine@aol.com . The venue is the Goods Shed, Station Road West, Canterbury CT2 8AN. Places are limited so please do get in contact as soon as possible.

The dates are as follows;

January 27th, Friday; this evening we will be tasting a range of Italian beauties, focusing mainly of the northern areas we will explore Valpolicella, Piedmonte as well as the Alto Adige and Friuli.

February 17th, Friday; this evening’s theme will be South America with a look at three whites, including Argentina’s torrontes, and five reds. The red selection will include pinot noir and syrah from Chile and some of the formidable malbec from Argentina.

March 24th, Friday; as we move into warmer climes of spring we shall look at the wines of the Loire Valley and Beaujolais. So creatures made from sauvignon blanc, chenin blanc, chardonnay, gamay and cabernet franc will be on offer.

April 14th, Friday; the Wine Table will look at a range of wines from northern Spain. This will include the crisp whites of the west coast, the whites of Rioja and Navarra as well as the reds of the Duero, Navarra and Rioja.

If you are interested in attending any other of our events do email Clive for details. Alternatively, if you would like to arrange a bespoke Wine Table do get in touch, Tables can be arranged at the Goods Shed or other venues around Canterbury, or even in your home.

The new dates for the Autumn Wine Table dates have been set and are as follows September 30th, October 21st, November 18th and December 9th. Full details of the themes are to be found of the Events section of the site. The evenings promise to show an interesting range of wines from around the globe with some light bites to help us along.

The Wine Tables have taken the concept of casual dining and applied it to wine tasting. The evenings are an opportunity to taste good to great wine in a relaxed ‘non-formal’ environment. Information about the wines will be given but the aim is to enjoy the wine, food and company.

Details regarding the themes, timings, prices and booking can be found on the Events page.

Wine tables:

Once a month Press Wine Services runs a “Wine Table” evening at the Goods Shed, Canterbury, at which a selection of 8 wines are opened and tasted. Corks are drawn and the first wine is poured at 7pm; we aim to serve the final wine at 8:30pm. There are also a range of tapas-style dishes during the evening.

25^th October Non Sulphited wines

We will taste a range of wines which have had little or no Sulphur Dioxide added to them. SO2 is widely used as a preservative and antiseptic in wines around the world. To maintain wines without this chemical takes great care and skill, and the wines can take on a different character. This tasting will give you an opportunity to experience wines without SO2.

29^th November Viognier and Syrah

This is a superb chance to taste these two fine varieties from the northern Rhone which are now spread around the globe. So we will taste examples from the homeland such as St Joseph and Condrieu as well as wines from Australia and the USA.

13^th December Wines for the Christmas Table

There will be a collection of interesting, well made and characterful wines to see us through the Christmas period. Bubbles, classics, sweet and fortified will all feature in this hamper of vinous joy.

Places are limited to a dozen guests so please book as soon as possible. The cost is £ 15 per person, payable with your booking.

More details about the wines to be tasted will posted on www.presswineservices.com as we approach the dates so do keep looking on line.

Wine Dinners:                                                                             

Rafael’s Restaurant

Thursday 21^st November

Rafa Lopez, of Rafael’s Restaurant, The Goods Shed, and Clive Barlow MW of Press Wine Services will present a gastronomic evening to celebrate the produce of the season with matching wines. Tickets are £55 per person and include a four course dinner with aperitif and wines to partner each course. Book your place with Press Wine Services.

The planned menu is as follows

 Warm salad of seasonal fruits, walnut and goat’s curd

Shoulder of Iberico , with Russet apples and  parsnip mash

Baked Vacherin with braised celery

Poached quince, cobnut biscuit and vanilla ice cream

Includes an aperitif and wines with each course, and tea and coffee. Service is not included. The aperitif will be served from 7.15 pm and we aim to go to the table at 7.30pm. Carriages should be arranged for 10. 45 pm.

The Sportsman, Seasalter

Thursday 28th November

There are still a few places left for the November Wine and Dine at the Sportsman. The theme for the evening is the wine of Piedmont and the north west of Italy.

Chef Stephen Harris will create a number of dishes according to the season and, if he thinks it appropriate, to match the wines of the region. The evening will consist of an aperitif with a selection of snacks followed by a four course dinner with two wines served with each course, and an additional two wines of special interest will be introduced during the meal. Coffee and tea is served at the end of the dinner. Carriages best booked for 10.45 p.m.

Tickets £ 87.50/head. Aperitif from 7 pm to sit down at the table for 7.30 pm.

Book through Press Wine Services, by email or on 07778 640 381

I am delighted to announce that this Autumn I will be teaching at the new Canterbury Wine School, offering the opportunity to study WSET (Wine and Spirits Education Trust) courses, as well as enjoy bespoke events and training.

There will be two WSET Level 2 courses in Canterbury. The evening course will commence on Tuesday, September 24th. It will comprise 9 two hour sessions, including examination.  Canterbury on the following dates: September 24th, October 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th, November 5th, 12th, 19th. From 7.30pm to 9.30pm. The course will be held at the Main Campus, Canterbury Christ Church University.

And there will also be a WSET Level 2 tought as six 1/2 day sessions on Mondays on the following dates: September 30th, October 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, November 4th. From 9am to 1pm. This course will be held at the Hall Place, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury.

The cost of each course, including course material, tasting wines, use of glasses and examination fees and marking is £365.00. If you have any questions regarding the course or would like to request an application form please contact Ann Morris by email on canterburywineschool@gmail.com

or Visit

www.canterburywineschool.com