WineTastrs

The Wines of Montpellier
2021-10-28 19:00 - 21:30 (Europe/Berlin) | Viktoria Luise Platz, Viktoria Luise Platz, Berlin, 10777, Germany
Wine tasting in Montpellier – contact us for details!
The Wines of Montpellier, Crossroads of the Midi
Situated in the north of the Languedoc, near the borders with the Rhône Valley and the Provence wine regions, Montpellier is an amazing city with an astonishing wine-making heritage.
The various climates and terroirs – salt-flats, lagoons, marshland, river valleys, pine forests, mountains, garrigue, coastal areas and dinosaur nesting colonies* – contribute to unique microclimates and biodiversity.
The wine history starts with the wisdom of Europe’s most ancient tribes and continues today with the innovation of our super-connected modern life – and encompasses all periods in-between.
Travelling regularly to this area, I have brought back a range of fascinating and delicious bottles – AOCs, IGTs and even a rogue Vin de France. These reds, whites and rosés tell the story of this spectacular crossroads in the Midi, with its Phonecian, Phocaean, North African, Greek, Roman, British and Antipodean influences.
I will also supply genuine tapenade from the region along with olives, and other typical Mediterranean pâtés!
This event, in an airy penthouse apartment in Schöneberg, will follow 3G protocol and costs just 30€ per head.
Santé ! Sean
* yep, really: Dinosaur Museum

About our wine professional Sean:
With years of experience living in viticultural regions, importing and exporting wine, and running bars and wine shops, Sean has a lifetime of information, opinion and stories to share.
Sean has been hosting wine tasting events for 15 years, which are beloved by the many regular participants. They focus on wine, beer and Cognac tastings, held around a theme such as country of origin, food pairing or finding more esoteric links with wine; for example mythology, art or veganism.
Sean’s wine choices tend towards vegan and organic grower-wines, from small and independent wineries. Typically he likes to combine classics with little-known discoveries within the same tasting activity.

Check out our great reviews from previous events!

Riesling and Pinot!
2021-10-06 19:00 - 21:30 | Viktoria Luise Platz, Viktoria Luise Platz, Berlin, 10777, Germany
Support the Ahr and compare worldwide Riesling and Pinot!
The Ahr valley suffered terrible losses during the recent floods. The vineyards – some of the best in Germany – were not spared. Let’s taste a couple of their signature wines – Riesling and Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) and learn about this great region.
At the same time, we could try something very interesting: compare these varietals with Rieslings and Pinots from around the globe. I have examples from New Zealand, Luxembourg, France and Italy (list not exhaustive) – so we can see how climate, soil and culture affect the wine in the glass.
I will supply the maps and diagrams – as well as the bread, meats and cheese – to make sure that the evening is enjoyable and educational.
Please make sure that you are vaccinated, tested or recovered.
The venue is a beautiful airy apartment in Schöneberg – on the roof terrace weather permitting.

Prost! Sean
0151 71 72 1627

About our wine professional Sean:
With years of experience living in viticultural regions, importing and exporting wine, and running bars and wine shops, Sean has a lifetime of information, opinion and stories to share.
Sean has been hosting wine tasting events for 15 years, which are beloved by the many regular participants. They focus on wine, beer and Cognac tastings, held around a theme such as country of origin, food pairing or finding more esoteric links with wine; for example mythology, art or veganism.
Sean’s wine choices tend towards vegan and organic grower-wines, from small and independent wineries. Typically he likes to combine classics with little-known discoveries within the same tasting activity.

Check out our great reviews from previous events!

Improve your English of the wine industry with these fun and information wine vocabulary quizzes and games.

Portuguese Wine Tasting with English Cheese!
2021-09-02 19:00 - 21:00 | Viktoria Luise Platz, Viktoria Luise Platz, Berlin, 10777, Germany
Join us for our next informative and fun tasting, this time featuring Portuguese wine and English cheese.
Port and Stilton – the perfect combination of Douro wine and English cheese. But are there other great Anglo-Iberian combinations to be discovered?
The range and quality of Portuguese wine is legendary. Regions such as Alentejo, Dão and Bairrada offer amazing flavours and great value for money. Since I have just come back from Blighty with some Cheshire, Shropshire Red, Wensleydale and other delectable dairy produce, we can enjoy a Brexit-busting evening of wonderful wine and delicious cheese.
We will learn all about the unpronounceable grape varieties, stunning landscapes and fascinating history of Europe’s first protected wine regions.
The event takes place on a roof-top terrasse, with cover if it rains. Most of us will be vaccinated, so it should be a safe and happy gathering.
I really look forward to seeing you there! Sean
0151 71 72 1627

About your presenter:
With years of experience living in viticultural regions, importing and exporting wine, and running bars and wine shops, Sean has a lifetime of information, opinion and stories to share.
Sean has been hosting wine tasting events for 15 years, which are beloved by the many regular participants. They focus on wine, beer and Cognac tastings, held around a theme such as country of origin, food pairing or finding more esoteric links with wine; for example mythology, art or veganism.
Sean’s wine choices tend towards vegan and organic grower-wines, from small and independent wineries. Typically he likes to combine classics with little-known discoveries within the same tasting activity.

Check out some great reviews from our previous tastings!
Improve your English vocabulary of the wine industry using our fun games and quizzes on Quizlet.

Loire Valley Wine-Tasting
2021-08-12 18:30 - 20:30 | Viktoria Luise Platz, Viktoria Luise Platz, Berlin, 10777, Germany
The Loire Valley has some of the most fascinating wines, food and history anywhere in Europe. I lived right in the centre of this astonishing region for several years and still have a close connection to the area and its vintners.
It must be the only vignoble with world-class examples of all these wine styles: dry whites, sweet whites, sparkling wines, fresh reds, complex reds and rosés. We will taste one of each type – and 2 of the whites because it is illegal not to host a Loire tasting without both a Sauvignon Blanc and a Chenin Blanc.
The seven sensational bottles will be paired with the traditional cheeses and pâtés from the region. As usual we will learn all about the grape varieties as well as the terroir and history of these sensational vineyards: we’ll be hearing about kings, castles, giants, monks, donkeys, shellfish, Tintin and Leonardo da Vinci.
The event takes place on a roof-top terrace, with cover if it rains. Most of us will be vaccinated, so it should be a safe and happy gathering.
I really look forward to seeing you there!
Sean

Contact us if you would like to organise a private event for family, friends or colleagues.

Improve your English of the wine industry with these fun games and quizzes!

Remarkable Rhône Valley Wine-Tasting
2021-07-08 18:30 - 20:30 | Viktoria Luise Platz, Viktoria Luise Platz, Berlin, 10777, Germany
I have a bunch of extremely interesting Rhône Valley wines to share with you for our first “in-person“ tasting!
We will sample some delicious Rhôdanian blends from Patricia Alexandre’s innovative Domaine des Peyre in the Southern Rhône as well as the lesser-known but super-prestigious Saint-Peray and Saint-Joseph from the north of the region.
The weather is likely to be warm, so we have whites and rosés as well as signature fruity reds.
The event takes place on a roof-top terrace! There is cover if it rains.
As usual we will learn all about the grape varieties – and there are some surprises in store – as well as the terroir and history of these sensational Rhône valley vineyards: we’ll be hearing about Greeks, Romans, Popes, Barons and the Rhône Rangers.
I have also selected some bread, sensational local Alpine cheese and charcuterie to pair with the wines. A lot of us will be vaccinated, so we should be a safe and happy gathering.
I really look forward to seeing you there! Sean
0151 71 72 1627

Check out our great reviews from previous events!
Read the wine notes on my blog to learn more about the tasting themes we have covered over many years.

Online Argentinian Wine Tasting
2021-06-09 19:30 - 21:30 | Zoom Online
Like Chile just over the mountains, Argentina has a wonderful selection of wine styles and grape varieties. The current obsession with Mendoza Malbec can mean that we miss some great discoveries.
If you are not in Berlin, you could find a couple of Argentinian bottles and join us – a Torrontès and a Malbec would be fine. If you can swap the Malbec for a Bonarda and/or a Cabernet Sauvignon – even better!
If you are in Berlin, I have collaborated with the fantastic Atlantik Weine to present you with a special offer – a case of specially-selected wines at a healthy discount! It contains three wines for this event, plus 3 wonderful bottles from Uruguay – for just 80€ postage included.
As well as the sumptuous wines, we will get some unique insights from the wine-makers.
The Argentinian bottles are:
Buenos Hermanos Torrontes – a bone-dry version of this great Argentinian cultivar, bursting with tropical fruit
Mairena Bonarda – better than Malbec! A fresh, lively and beautifully-balanced red
AI Cabernet Sauvignon – finely structured and bristling with berry flavours
The case of 6 bottles will be available at this address:
https://www.atlantikweine.de/weinshop/weinpakete/
As usual, I will prepare loads of research and share maps, photos, and diagrams to help us to understand exactly what we are drinking. In the comments, we can all add suggestions of appropriate food to accompany the tasting.

Check out some great reviews from our previous tastings!

Improve your English of the wine industry by practising these great wine study sets on the Quizlet learning platform.

Fantastic Atlantic Uruguayan Wines!
2021-05-26 19:30 - 21:30 | Zoom Online
Discover the Amazing Wines of Uruguay! Join our online tasting event where we will explore and enjoy some fascinating Uruguayan wines.
This is a great opportunity to taste some exclusive bottles from the only South American wine region with an Atlantic climate.
I have collaborated with the fantastic Atlantik Weine to present you with a special offer – a case of specially-selected wines at a healthy discount!
The idea is that you order the 6 bottles – 3 from Uruguay, and 3 from Argentina – and we hold 2 online tastings on consecutive Wednesday evenings.
As well as the sumptuous wines, we will get some unique insights from the wine-makers.
The Uruguayan line-up looks like this:
Km.0 Gran Reserva Viognier – from the unique microclimate of “the widest river in the world”
Bella Donna Marselan – a gorgeous expression of this newly-sexy grape variety
Ballena Premium Cuvée Tannat Merlot Cabernet Franc – a powerful and elegant blend from the South-East coast
The Argentinian bottles are:
Buenos Hermanos Torrontes – a bone-dry version of this great Argentinian cultivar, bursting with tropical fruit
Mairena Bonarda – better than Malbec! A fresh, lively and beautifully-balanced red
AI Cabernet Sauvignon – finely structured and bristling with berry flavours
The case of 6 bottles will be available to order here:
Atlantkik Weine
As usual, I will prepare loads of research and share maps, photos, and diagrams to help us to understand exactly what we are drinking. In the comments, we can all add suggestions of appropriate food to accompany the tasting.
Book now and enrich your wine experience!
Cheers, Sean

Check out some great reviews from our recent online wine tasting events!

Let's Stop and Smell the Rosé!
2021-05-05 19:30 - 21:30 | Zoom Online
Let’s pretend we’re having lovely spring sunshine and help ourselves to a glass or two of rosé. I will explain the 5 principal ways that pink wine is made, and delve a little into the science of the phenolics.
So buy yourself a couple of bottles and bring them to our online tasting. I will supply a bunch of maps, charts and diagrams to help us to understand better the wines that we are tasting – and we can compare colours and flavours together.
There will be a few tasting and food suggestions in the comments. Spoiler Alert: the best match for rosé wine is garlic…
I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the variety and complexity of this ultimate pink drink – as well as the great science and history behind it.
Join now with other wine lovers from Germany, France and elsewhere.
Cheers, Sean
0151 71 72 1627
Contact us if you would like to sign up, but prefer to pay by bank transfer.

Improve your English of the wine industry with this Quizlet study set. Learn hundreds of wine terms and phrases in a fun and engaging way. Designed by our wine professional.

Irish-Influenced Wine-Tasting!
2021-03-17 19:30 - 22:30 | Zoom Online
As consumers, traders, writers and migrant producers, the Irish have had an amazing influence on the world of wine. Let’s celebrate St Patrick’s day by tasting some fantastic examples of Irish invention.
Find yourself a bottle (or half-bottle) of:
* white (probably Chardonnay) from Australia’s Clare Valley
* red Bordeaux
* and maybe you have a drop of Cognac at the back of a kitchen cupboard?
We will also discuss the celtic connection in Porto, California, New Zealand the south of France, Burgundy, Sherry and elsewhere – including the invention of spirits! There will be photos, maps and diagrams to make everything clear.
I will post some suggestions depending on your location – and also a few food pairing possibilities.
Sláinte, Sean
With years of experience living in viticultural regions, importing and exporting wine, and running bars and wine shops, Sean has a lifetime of information, opinion and stories to share.
Sean has been hosting wine tasting events for 15 years, which are beloved by the many regular participants. While living in the Loire valley he started an Irish bar, where they put a great emphasis on stocking local wines. Sean has spent a lot of time in Ireland and will be combining his love for the country and it’s people with his passion and knowledge of wine.
“Sean was a great and entertaining host and his knowledge of wine lore is encyclopedic! A well spent evening.” Viktor
Learn the English of Wine using fun exercises, games and quizzes.
Checkout our varied and interesting tasting themes or choose your own to book a private party or team event for your employees.

Provence Art and Wine
2021-03-03 19:30 - 22:30 | Zoom Online
Join us for this wonderful event pairing Provence art and wine.
The beautiful weather, sensational flora, stunning landscape, and vibrant villages of the Provence region have given us some wonderful wines – and also a lot of gorgeous art.
So, find yourself up two or three bottles of wine from this spectacular region (see the comments for suggestions) – and I will tell you all about the wines and the painters, and show examples of the masterpieces by Chagall, Dufy, Gauguin, Cézanne, van Gogh and many others.
I will also post some suggestions for fantastic food pairings. For the wines I will choose a full-bodied unoaked white, a classic rosé and a Mourvèdre-based rich red!
You will not want to miss this stimulation of the senses. As well as the glorious paintings, I will share diagrams and photos that help bring the joie de vivre of provençale wines and artists out of the screen and into your weary hearts!
I am very much looking forward to sharing this experience with you all.
Santé, Sean

Learn the English of Wine using fun exercises, games and quizzes.
Checkout our varied and interesting tasting themes or choose your own to book a private party or team event for your employees.

South African Wines | Old World meets New
2021-02-17 19:30 - 22:00 | Zoom Online
A lot of us are have a very difficult time right now, but the wine region that is suffering the most is probably South Africa. Alcohol sales have been banned there until very recently, so Cape producers are in desperate trouble.
We can help a little by buying some of their wine. Not all heroes wear capes – some drink Cape! Luckily a lot of south African wines are delicious and great value.
So grab a bottle (or half-bottle) of South African white, and another of red, and log in so that we can enjoy, compare and contrast them together.
I will send you wine recommendations (look below), as well as food pairing ideas. The wines I have chosen come from Babylonstoren Winery and Diemersfontein Wine and Country Estate.
As we taste we will look at the maps, diagrams and photos that help unlock the secrets of this dramatic and history-laden wine region.
The cost for the organisation, hosting and slide show is just 10€.
Cheers, Sean
0151 71 72 1627
WINE
The iconic white wine of South Africa is a Chenin Blanc (Steen) varietal, but any blended wine with a healthy slug of CB in it would also be a good choice. Alternatives are Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
For red wines, Pinotage is a great option since it is hardly made anywhere else in the world. But Bordeaux-style blends. GSMs and varietals from Shiraz (Syrah) and Cabernet Sauvignon are successful too.
There are also rosés and Champagne-method sparklers (labelled as MCC), or you might even be able to source a fortified wine.

FOOD
South African whites generally pairs well with Asian food, and white meats. The more acidic ones will do a job with fish as well, of course, and cheese too. Chenin and Sauvignon are often drunk with goat’s cheese of course.
The reds can be fruity, dense and complex – ideal for red meats, sausages, game and pâtés. One recommendation for veggies is a chil(l)i sin carne.

South African wines feature in my blog on wine price cheats. I give you our insider tips on how to drink great wines for affordable prices.

Bring Your Own Bottle Online Tasting!
2021-02-03 19:30 - 22:00 | Zoom Online
After Dry January, how about a Fluid February?
Join Faye (a Munich-based wine educator) and me for a Bring Your Own Wine online evening. Just pour yourself a glass of your favourite wine(s) and tune in to meet us and other members of the group. We will tell each other why we love the bottles that we have chosen (and maybe the food accompaniment too).
It’ll be a chance to have an informal chat and to pick up a bit of wine knowledge along the way.
A suggested plan could be: choose one white, rosé or sparkling wine to start, and then a red or fortified wine to follow. If you let us know which bottles you have sourced in advance (in the comments), we can compile a list for everybody’s edification.
This event is a free online tasting, so don’t hesitate to invite friends, family, colleagues and complete strangers!
Cheers, Sean
00 49 151 71 72 1627

German Beers N°1: The South
2021-01-20 19:30 - 22:00 | Zoom Online
Learning about German beers is the key to understanding ale in general.
What’s better than enjoying a beer with some good company? Learning about beer at the same time! We will have to do it by video, of course. Think of it as a Zoombeer class..
I have chosen four brews that are widely available in German supermarkets. Next month we will sample 4 more from the Northern half of the country.
We will taste them together, learning about the grain, yeast, hops and techniques that create the flavours. There are also some great stories to be told – concerning purity laws, bakers, monks, coffee-bans, unification and (of course) Oktoberfest.
You’ll finally fully understand IBU, ale, bottom fermentation, vegan brews, Lovibond/EBC, Gerstenmalz and the whole Weiß/Weizen/Wiesn/Weisse mess!

So please get a bottle of each of these beers below and prepare something to eat (I’ll be getting Allgäuer Käse) and sign up to this unique evening.
They usually cost around 1€ for 500ml – sometimes 330ml bottles are also available.
1) A Pils or Pilsner – for the sake of geography, you could get the Tannenzäpfle Rothaus example (but many others are available).
2) A Weißbier, Hefeweizen or Weizen – you can choose Kristal or Naturtrüb versions from breweries such as Erdinger, Franziskaner, Paulaner etc etc.
3) A Kellerbier, Zwick’l or Zoigl – brands such as Aktien, Mönchshof and Krombach are in most large shops.
4) A Münchener Helles – for example Augustiner, Spaten or the wonderfully-named Hacker-Pschorr.
*Most of these beers are also available in alcohol-free versions.
Cheers! Sean[masked]
If you are more about wine than beer sign up to our next event where you will learn all about the Languedoc area. We will be talking about the exquisite light and climate in this region which makes it special for both art and wine.

Languedoc Art and Wine
2021-01-13 19:30 - 22:00 | Zoom Online
The fantastic duo of Languedoc Art and Wine!
The Languedoc region is famous for wine, and also the dozens of amazing artists that have basked and thrived in its wonderful light and colours. Through the combination of Languedoc art and wine discover the diversity of this innovative and sun-drenched area of southern France.

Let’s pick up three bottles of wine from this wonderful region – and I will tell you about the wines and the painters of this unique countryside, and show examples of the masterpieces by Derain, Cézanne, van Gogh and many others.

I’ll explain how they are all made, let you know what flavours you are supposed to be experiencing, and tell you a bunch of amazing stories about the geography and history of this ancient and gorgeous region. You’ll be able to access the tasting notes, maps and photos on your smartphones.

As a special treat, we will also hear from Languedoc artist Libby page. She will tell us what the area means to her and how it inspired her art.

2016-2020 “It was the vivid landscapes of Southern France in particular the majestic plane trees lining the Canal du Midi that drew me back to painting.
During my studies, the teachers in drawing and sculpture inspired me the most and I completed a BA in sculpture in London.
Life then took me down to the silvery light filled vineyards and tree lined roads where warm, strong light vibrates through everything and colours gain fullness and importance.
I would daydream how to mix that blue sky or distant purple mountains. Could I capture the warm smell of summer evenings or the rustle of the breeze in the plane trees with paint?
Sunshine has a capacity of melting away our troubles and lifting our spirits so I infuse my paintings with the hope-giving light and warmth that the South has shown to me.
I am delighted when I receive feedback from clients telling me that my work has helped them through a hard time or lifts their mood each day. This is exactly why I do what I do!”

Sipping these powerful wines, listening to a local artist and looking at the glorious images will be an antidote for the January blues!

Taste Wine Like a Pro - Online!
2020-12-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom Online
Our isolation tastings have been great fun; but let’s move it up a notch. Join us in Berlin and New York and around the world as we learn how to taste wine like a pro.
Grab your favourite bottle of white. Decant a delicious red. And dig around at the back of the cabinet for a ¼ bottle of brandy (or rum, whisky or whatever). Because we are going to learn a real life skill: how to sample, savour and summarise in a way that makes sense, helps you to catalogue your experiences – and impresses your peers.
I will supply the video clips, print-outs and other information to transform you from to dilettante to connoisseur.
By the end of the evening you will be considerably more knowledgeable regarding how to handle wine and how to taste wine like a pro!
Cheers! Sean

With years of experience living in viticultural regions, importing and exporting wine, and running bars and wine shops, Sean has a lifetime of information, opinion and stories to share.
You can read some of his unique articles on subjects like how to find great wines for cheaper prices and woman in the wine industry.
Sean runs occasional activities which are beloved by the many regular participants. They focus on wine, beer and Cognac tastings, held around a theme such as country of origin, food pairing or finding more esoteric links with wine; for example mythology, art or veganism.

Champagne and Cava Tasting Online
2020-12-09 19:00 - 21:30 | Zoom Online
Sean’s Legendary Festive Bubbly Tasting!

Time for the world’s most festive tipple: joins us as we taste and discuss genuine AOC Champagne and Cava. As this year the tasting will be virtual I recommend you buy 2 half bottles (full bottles if you are feeling thirsty!)
– A classic Cava from Catalonia – for example Flama d’Or Brut
– A genuine Champagne, “brut nature” version (ie drier than usual)
As always I will employ photos, maps and diagrams to help explain everything about these delicious tipples. This is an amazing chance to really compare and contrast styles and flavours.
I’ll explain how they are all made, let you know what flavours you are supposed to be experiencing, and tell you a bunch of amazing stories about the geography and history of these fascinating regions. You’ll be able to access the tasting notes, maps and photos on your smartphones.
Along the way you’ll learn the crucial differences in these bottles and discover your preferences: Reims or Troyes? Majority Chardonnay or Pinot? Malo or not? Maison or Grower-Champage? Brut or zéro dosage? Oak or steel? Rosé saigné or assemblage? So many questions! So few liver cells…
You should set yourselves up with some accompanying food – my suggestions are:
– Salty snacks like crisps and nuts
– Seafood, e.g. smoked salmon or prawns
– Double or triple fat cheese, such as Brie or Brillat-Savarin respectively
– Salami or pâté
– Strawberries, fruit tarts or buttery biscuits
Cheers! Sean

Our previous bubbly tasting was a super event – we met in Tiergarten in Berlin.
With International Champagne Day just gone (Oct 25th) and Business Women’s Day just a couple of weeks ago, it’s a good time to reflect on the fascinating story of the “veuve” Champagne houses.

Vegan Wine Tasting
2020-12-02 07:00 - 21:30
You probably know that most wine is not vegan – and you may have a few questions! Mine would be:
How can I tell if a wine is free of animal-derived products?
Does anyone have any great recommendations for vegan wine?
What about organic, natural, and bio-dynamic processes?
Which wines pair best with plant-based food?
As a wine expert and 30+ year vegetarian, I am well placed to answer these questions, and many, many more.
I will recommend 3 vegan wines which you can find in Berlin and elsewhere. You prepare your food, and join me online. We’ll taste, discuss and enjoy! At the same time I will answer the questions above, plus any others you may have. There will be photos, maps and diagrams to help explain things.
Cheers, Sean
0151 71 72 1627

Vegan wine recommendations:
If you are in Germany, Bio Company has a good selection of wine – all of it is organic, and much of it is vegan.
These bottles are available in Berlin:
Albet i Noya Curiós Xarel.lo (white)
Régis Boucabeille “Les Terrasses” (red, medium weight)
Domaine de Brau Syrah (red, heavy and fruity)
In general, look for a green “V” logo, or the words “suitable for vegans” (obviously…). Unfiltered red wines, and cloudy Ports etc. will always be vegan.
And remember – (almost) all sparkling wine, and spirits (eg brandy such as Cognac or Armagnac) are vegan.

Check out some of our other tasting themes and plan your own private event.

Beaujolais Nouveau
2020-11-19 19:00 - 21:30 | Zoom Online
Beaujolais Nouveau will be released on Thursday 19th as planned, and no stupid virus is going to stop us tasting it!
Of course the REAL Beaujolais wines are much more interesting – with their unique fermentation method, mouth-watering flavours and extraordinary geographical location. So buy yourself a bottle of Nouveau, plus one of delicious, quality Beaujolais*, and log in so that we can learn all about this fascinating region and its unique wines. For the full experience, pick up an example of its close neighbour Burgundy Pinot Noir as well, so that we can compare and contrast. I will put suggestions in the comments. Half-bottles are often available too, of course.
*The quality Beaujolais are: Brouilly, Côtes de Brouilly, Morgon, Chenas, Juliénas, Fleurie, Régnié, Moulin à Vent, Chiroubles and St Amour.
As we taste we will look at the maps, diagrams and photos that help unlock the secrets of this gastronomically blessed but tragically under-rated wine region. I will also post food-pairing ideas.
Santé, Sean
With years of experience living in viticultural regions, importing and exporting wine, and running bars and wine shops, Sean has a lifetime of information, opinion and stories to share. Sean has been hosting wine tasting events for 15 years, which are beloved by the many regular participants. They focus on wine, beer and Cognac tastings, held around a theme such as country of origin, food pairing or finding more esoteric links with wine; for example mythology, art or veganism. Check out the tasting notes from the previous tasting for this region. Learn the English of Wine using fun exercises, games and quizzes.

Grüner Veltliner and Merlot!
2020-10-29 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom Online
The Austrian day of independence is on the 26th October, and International Merlot Day is on the 7th November – so let’s split the difference and celebrate these two sensational grape varieties together at the end of October – a kind of Hallowine!
The plan is that you buy yourselves a bottle (or half-bottle) of each. Here are my suggestions:
Grüner Veltliner
Although Grüner Veltliner is now being planted all over the world, I suggest that we all get a version from Austria – most of the bottles available in the shops come from Niederösterreich, which is probably the best region for what we’re looking for. It’s nearly always made in a still, dry style so I don’t think you can go wrong there. Try to get a bottle from 2015-2018.
GV works well with fresh or slightly acidic cheeses – try a goat’s cheese or a mature Cheddar.
Merlot
Nearly all wine that is 100% or majority Merlot is made in a still, dry, red style – so I guess we will all be getting one of those. The classic option is to get a Right Bank Bordeaux – especially from Saint-Émilion, Pomerol or slightly cheaper versions from nearby villages (Lussac Saint-Émilion, Lalande de Pomerol…), However you will be able to find examples from many regions including the Languedoc, Italy, California, and even Germany.
Merlot combines beautifully with pizza, charcuterie/salami and semi-hard cheeses such as Camembert or Chaumes (from Bordeaux).
Then join me on Zoom at the appointed time, and we will taste together. At the same time, I shall explain all about the history, techniques and geography of these grapes and their wines – as well as a bunch of fascinating stories and factoids. I will also share maps, diagrams and photos to help make everything clearer.
See you online!
Sean +49 151 71 72 1627
Learn the English of Wine using fun exercises, games and quizzes.
Checkout our varied and interesting tasting themes or choose your own to book a private party or team event for your employees.

Spectacular Wines from Southern Italy
2020-10-07 19:00 - 21:00 | Sagrantino 136, Linienstraße 136, Berlin, 10115
Italy offers a vinicultural tour like no other, so join me as we discover the tastes, history and sumptuous countryside of the southern regions of what the Greeks called “the land of vines”.
The likely list of wines looks like this:
– A couple of stunning whites from the vineyards around Vesuvius, so beloved of Pliny the Elder before the birth of Christ
– A fabulous Italian rosato from the sun-kissed south
– A varietal from the elegant Magliocco grape from Calabria
– A pitch-black Aglianico wine from its home region
– A sumptuous red from the heel of Italy, Puglia – not Primitivo, but the more interesting cultivars of Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera
The tasting will take place in the beautiful Sagrantino 136 restaurant in Mitte, and the deal is that you commit to ordering at least a main course.
They serve delicious authentic dishes from southern Italy and receive great reviews:
Sagrantino 136 Reviews
We’ll sit at a couple of tables outside or next to their floor-to-ceiling windows, and I’ll limit numbers so that we can stay a responsible distance from each other.
The cost of the 6 wines in the tasting is 20€, and you should settle your food bill (as well as any other drinks) with the restaurant.
See you there! Sean
Checkout our varied and interesting tasting themes or choose your own to book a private party or team event for your employees.
