Being There

Even in this hi-tech world of virtual tours and interactive maps, nothing beats seeing for yourself. So Joanna and I met at the Theale office early yesterday and headed out on a recce up the M6.

First stop was the Racecourse at Chester. The Long Room will make a fantastic space for us with its view of the winning post, the lush green track and the room’s light, airy feel. They’re a professional bunch at the Racecourse so I know it will be a pleasure to organise – a drop of September sun will make it glorious.

After a punctuated trip through the Mersey Tunnel (NB. Credit cards not accepted at the Toll, if you’re passing that way!) and a brief lunch at an old student haunt, we walked up to one of Liverpool’s most impressive edifices and our second venue of the day, the Metropolitan Cathedral atop Mount Pleasant (currently being scrubbed and cobbled).

A massive contrast to our first venue, the vast, vaulted Pontifical Hall in the Crypt will be a stunning backdrop to our event – I suspect our Spanish suppliers who are booked to join us there in September, Bodegas Ramón Roqueta and Martínez Bujanda will surely approve.

Important details noted, it’s straight back behind the wheel, homeward bound. 450+ miles in a day, 6 soulful CDs played, 3 tolls paid, 2 great venues visited, 2 superb events eagerly anticipated ...

Ian Dunn, Events Manager

Visit laithwaites.co.uk/events

Welcome to the Events Team's first blog

Wow! What a tasting we had earlier this month onboard HMS Warrior in Portsmouth.

HMS Warrior was launched in 1860, and was Britain’s first iron-hulled warship. She was the largest, fastest and most powerful ship of her day, and soon became the pride of Queen Victoria’s Navy. Now permanent resident at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, HMS Warrior is a wonderful setting to enjoy a fun and relaxed wine tasting, on a warm July evening.

The gates were flung open at 6pm to the patiently waiting crowd, and within what felt like seconds we were boarded by 250 customers (many veterans of previous visits to HMS Warrior) who were greeted on the top deck by smiling faces, and a glass of champagne (in stark contrast to the reception prospective boarded would have received 150 years earlier!).

After the Champagne, guests made their way down onto the gun deck to sample wines from the 35+ available to taste. Sam Lockyer from Forrest Estate was swamped with customers who wished to try the ever popular Stonewall Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2009, DK Sauvignon Blanc 2009 and Stonewall Riesling 2007.

Bruno Prieur from Domaine Prieur in Sancerre also joined us. This was a rare treat indeed as he very rarely travels far from his beloved estate; his La Damnée des Prieur Rosé in particular seemed to be very popular amongst our guests, with several people describing it as their favourite wine of the evening.

Ruth Chavarri from Pagos de Tahola flew over from Rioja especially for the evening as she enjoyed it so much in previous years. Her three wines, including the Pagos de Tahola Gran Reserva 1999 are always amongst the favourites whenever shown, and the HMS Warrior tasting didn’t let us down.

Guests were also given the opportunity to taste barrel samples from the excellent Bordeaux 2009 en-primeur selection, and then compare these too older wines from the same estate (almost a ‘look what we made earlier’ experience some customers mentioned).

The atmosphere created in such a wonderful location was electric, and this resulted in scores of customers requesting that we return as soon as possible! Especially if we took the Andresen 10 year old White Port & Andresen Royal Choice 20 year old Tawny Port again which many people enjoyed an extra sample of whilst making their way down the ‘gang way’ and heading home after an evening afloat.

We look forward to seeing you all again next near, and should you wish to join in the fun at another tasting then please do click on the following link to find your next closest tasting.

www.laithwaites.co.uk/events