LIWF: What’s on?

There is an army mantra (one of many) that emphasises the five essential Ps to ensure operational success: “Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance”.

One might not need to organise one’s approach to the London Wine Fair quite like a military campaign but having some idea of what you want to see and taste will help you make the most of the industry’s yearly gathering.

Plan ahead, make sure that the tasting you want to go to doesn’t clash with that meeting you have and if it does just double check that it isn’t happening the following day as well.

Listed here day by day is a complete list of the seminars, masterclasses and tastings that are going on at this year’s fair. Please note that some are by invitation only.

Tuesday 22 May

Wednesday 23 May

Thursday 24 May

Tuesday 22 May

Reception: 10:00 – 10:30

IWSC

Northern Hemisphere Results Release and Award Winning Sparkling Wine Reception.

Stand G25

With Mauricio González Gordon (IWSC President 2012).

 

Tasting: 10:00 – 11:00

Wines of Lebanon

Overcoming the cliché: Positioning Lebanese wine on the international market.

Stand N11

A tutored tasting featuring five wines with Lebanese wine expert Michael Karam, author of Wines of Lebanon.

Places are limited and will be allocated on a strictly first come first served basis.

To book your place please visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk

 

Masterclass: 10:00 – 11:30

Circle of Wine Writers

Niepoort Seminar.

Masterclass Theatre (Y10)

Dirk Niepoort will be presenting a fantastic range of his Ports dating from 2009 back to 1912 (and possibly even earlier). By application only. Tickets for non-members are £15.

For further details contact Andrea Warren on + 44 (0) 1753 882320 or via email at: administrator@winewriters.org

 

On-trade seminar: 10:30 – 11:30

Nicolas Joly, La Coulée de Serrant

The Real Deal.

On-Trade Theatre (G70)

According the Nicolas Joly, the definition “Best of the Best” belongs to the past. This is what has pushed many winegrowers into using technology to the point of obscenity. This process obscures the natural beauty of winemaking in the vineyard which should respect hierarchies at different stages. Joly insists that a wine should first come from the matrix which brings life to our planet. It is what is called “the expression of nature”. Many so-called natural wines are still using herbicides which kill the living agents of the soil and prevent the roots from feeding. Many are still using methods which disturb the photosynthesis and taste processes. The consumer has the right to know if the “red fruit” flavour of the wine is achieved through nature or aromatic yeast genetic alternation.

Nicolas will do a talk. No wines. Invitation only.

 

Tasting: 11:00 – 12:00

Wine Australia

A Taste of the One Day Wine School.

Stand N32

The One Day Wine School is aimed at industry professionals wanting to gain a deeper understanding of Australian Wine; with the course covering history, terroir and climate along with the latest industry updates and an afternoon tasting 50 wines from across the country. The session provides an opportunity to taste wine flights of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Katherine, Caroline and Emma Brown from Brown Brothers will be talking through these wines.

Tasting: 11.30am – 12.30pm

Australian First Families of Wine

Room 8, South Gallery

Speed tasting and a chance to meet the family members.

 

Tasting: 12:00 – 12:30

WSET

Blind Quality Tasting (white).

Stand P75

With Michelle Cherutti-Kowal AIWS.

 

Tasting: 12:00 – 13:00

Wines of Lebanon

Introducing Lebanese wine – a tutored tasting with Tim Atkin MW and Michael Karam.

Stand N11

Atkin and Karam will talk through nine wines showcasing the different styles, grape varieties and terroirs within this small country and briefly outline Lebanon’s rich winemaking history from 5000BC to the present day, showing how centuries of tradition have been harnessed with modern winemaking techniques to create what is arguably Lebanon’s greatest export. Places are limited and will be allocated on a strictly first come first served basis.

To book your place please visit:

www.eventbrite.co.uk

 

Masterclass: 12:15 – 13:00

Wines of Turkey

The origin of wine: a tasting of Turkey’s indigenous & international varieties.

Masterclass Theatre (Y10)

With more Turkish wines finding listings in the UK, Tim Atkin MW will give an introductory talk on Turkish wines using nine different varieties.

For Further details contact Taner Ögütoglu at: tanero@winesofturkey.org

 

Industry Briefing: 12:15 – 13:15

Union Of The Oenologists And Winemakers Of Russia

The Russian wine market: inside and outside.

Briefings Theatre (Q75)

General trends in the wine trade and production in Russia will be discussed at the briefing, with wine experts, top managers from Russian wine trading companies, consortiums and governmental authorities all attending.

To register or for further information please email: wine@astigroup.ru

 

Tasting: 12.30pm – 4pm

Australian First Families of Wine

Room 8, South Gallery

Open pour tasting with two regional tables showing examples of the families’ Chardonnays and Shirazes that best illustrate the variety from their regions.

 

On-Trade Seminar: 12:30 – 13:30

Paul Beavis, managing director of Lanson International UK in association with

The Academy of Food and Wine Service

The Lanson Champagne Category Report.

On-Trade Theatre (G70)

The briefing at LIWF will focus on the on-trade relevant findings in association with Lanson International’s partnership with AFWS and will be relevant for all sommeliers, on-trade buyers and consultants. The session will finish with a tasting of different styles of Champagne and a look at the Champagne flavour map developed by Lanson and an independent expert.

Attendees will be presented with a hard copy of the category report on departure. To register to attend email Sarah Peters at Sarah@afws.co.uk detailing the name of the session, name, company and job title.

 

Masterclass: 13:45 – 14:30

Yarra Valley Wines

Australia Yarra Valley Chardonnay evolution or revolution.

Masterclass Theatre (Y10)

After four decades of wine production, Yarra Valley winemakers are starting to feel comfortable in their region. With time has come an understanding of climate, soils and importantly their own plot of dirt. This knowledge is breeding a confidence to let their wines express the site and deliver something unique.

For details, contact Richard Howden at: rhowden@wineyarravalley.com.au

 

Tasting: 14:00 – 14:30

WSET

Blind Quality Tasting (red).

Stand P75

With Michelle Cherutti-Kowal AIWS.

 

Tasting: 14:00 – 14:30

IWSC

Unchill-filtered: Single Malts (the natural aroma and flavour).

Stand G25

With Ian MacMillan (head of distilleries & master blender at Burn Stewart Distillers).

 

Industry Briefing: 14:00 – 15:00

Wines of Portugal

Portugal’s place in the UK market.

Briefings Theatre (Q75)

Peter Richards MW will lead a panel of some of the most influential members of the UK’s wine trade. Buyers from some of the largest retailers, both on- and off-trade, together with a top sommelier and a leading Portuguese wine importer will both challenge Portugal’s current position and explore its plans for the future. The briefing will be covering key areas surrounding Wines of Portugal that includes the following topics:

• Where should Portugal be focusing its resources?

• Why is Portugal perceived to be under achieving?

• Is Portugal’s diversity of grape varieties a strength or a weakness?

• What should the role of a generic office in the UK wine trade be?

To reserve your place email Abbi at: winesofportugal@cubecom.co.uk

 

Tasting: 14:00 – 15:00

Wines of Lebanon

Lebanon: the terroir, grapes and people that make Lebanese wine culture.

Stand N11

A tutored tasting hosted by Michael Karam featuring five wines. Places are limited and will be allocated on a strictly first come first served basis.

To book your place please visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk

 

Tasting: 3.30pm

The Family of Twelve

Rooms 23 and 24, South Gallery

Join a panel debate and tasting with Tim Atkin MW and the representatives of top New Zealand producers from The Milton Vineyard, Nautilus Estate, Villa Maria and Craggy Range analysing the diversity of the country’s Pinot Noirs. Featuring the wines of 12 Pinot producers from across the country, the panel will taste and discuss the impact of New Zealand’s many terroirs on the variety, using examples all the way from Auckland down through to Central Otago.

 

Tasting: 15:00 – 15:30

WSET

Blind Sparkling Tasting.

Stand P75

With Antony Moss MW, AIWS.

 

Masterclass: 15:15 – 16:00

Boutinot

The Southern Rhône – A different route.

Masterclass Theatre (Y10)

Boutinot Rhône winemaker Eric Monnin presents wines from the southern Rhône and specifically wines of the villages moving out of the shadows of the classic giants of the region. Wines from Séguret, Sablet, and Cairanne feature and in particular the exceptional 2009s recently released from the Boutinot estate.

For further details contact Lee Middleton at: leem@boutinot.com

 

Tasting: 16:00 – 16:30

WSET

Blind Spirits Tasting.

Stand P75

With Michael Walpole.

 

Tasting: 16:00 – 16:30

IWSC

Lebanon: Land of Hope and Opportunity.

Stand G25

With Tom Cannavan (Wine writer and broadcaster).

 

Industry Briefing: 16:00 – 17:30

Marketing Wine Brands.

Standing out from the crowd: new approaches to marketing wine.

Briefings Theatre (Q75)

With wine shelves presenting consumers with a baffling array of labels and messages, how are brands to stand out from the crowd? Moderated by Dr. Jamie Goode, and presented by Nomacorc’s Select Series, this discussion will examine these issues, with the help of expert panellists including those from outside the wine industry who have experience of successful innovation in their own fields.

For further information contact Katie Myers at: kmyers@nomacorc.com

On-Trade Seminar: 16:30 – 17:30

With Charlie Holland , winemaker, Ridgeview Wine Estate.

On-Trade Theatre (G70)

A tasting of the 2009 vintage Ridgeview sparkling wine range exploring what the different grape varieties bring to the wines from blanc de blancs, blanc de noirs and traditional blends. Ridgeview will also be showing its new Pinot rosé using the saignée method. With each of the wines there will be a discussion on food matching, illustrating the fact that sparkling wine can be served beyond aperitif. There will also be a examination of English sparkling wine in general and what makes it so unique.

For further information contact Mardi Roberts at: Mardi@ridgeview.co.uk

 

Masterclass: 16:45 – 17:30

Wines of Hungary

Masterclass Theatre (Y10)

For further details contact Jozsef Urban at: jozsef_urban@amc.hu

 

Tasting: 17:00 – 17:30

WSET

Blind Fortified Tasting.

Stand P75

With David Hunter AIWS.

Wednesday 23 May

Masterclass: 10:30 – 11:15

Treasury Wine Estates

Penfolds

Masterclass Theatre (Y10)

For Further details contact Peter English at: Peter.English@tweglobal.com

 

Tasting: 11:00 – 11:00

Wine Australia

Old Vines, New Wines.

Stand N32

Thanks to the lack of phylloxera in many parts of Australia, the country is home to some of the world’s oldest vines, which produce tiny yields of highly concentrated fruit. This tasting will showcase this unique Australian heritage alongside fresh winemaking approaches and philosophies.

Join Marc Allgrove from Chapel Hill and Andrew Kay from Wirra Wirra on stand who will be talking through these wines.

 

Seminar: 11:00 – 12:00

Wine Intelligence

The Science of Choice in the Wine Category.

South Gallery Room 7

For further information contact Stefanie Forster at: Stefanie@wineintelligence.com

 

Tasting: 11:00 – 12:00

Wines of Lebanon

Introducing Lebanese wine – a tutored tasting with Tim Atkin MW and Michael Karam.

Stand N11

Atkin and Karam will talk through nine wines showcasing the different styles, grape varieties and terroirs within this small country and briefly outline Lebanon’s rich winemaking history. Places are limited and will be allocated on a strictly first come first served basis.

To book your place please visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk

On-Trade Seminar: 11:30 – 12:30

UK Sommelier of the Year Competition presented by The Academy of Food & Wine Service.

On-Trade Theatre (G70)

The finest sommeliers in the country have only six minutes to pour a magnum of Champagne into 16 glasses. Each glass must be filled at precisely the same level. Once the sommelier has moved to another glass he or she must not return to a glass already filled and the bottle must be empty at the end. Can it be done? And on stage in front of an audience? Academy judges will award marks for skill of service, accuracy and performance of the pour within the time limit.

To register to attend email Sarah Peters at: Sarah@afws.co.uk detailing the name of the session, name, company and job title.

 

Industry Briefing: 11:30 – 12:45 

The Harpers Debate.

Briefings Theatre (Q75)

Harpers will give visitors the chance to hear advice on how to understand and get closer to the “changing consumer”.

 

Tasting: 12:00 – 12:30

WSET

Blind Quality Tasting (white).

Stand P75

With David Hunter AIWS.

 

Masterclass: 12:00 – 12:45

ASTI Group

New look at Russian wines.

Masterclass Theatre (Y10)

For the second time, Russia presents the best Russian wines in London. Diversity, quality, freshness and tradition are the key definitions of the modern Russian wines. The uniqueness of Russian wine through its grape varieties, relatively cool climate with the differences between day and night temperatures, small precipitation during vegetation and peculiar terroirs. The achievements of the Russian winemakers and foreign consultants will be demonstrated at the unique master-class.

To register or for further information contact: wine@astigroup.ru

 

Tasting: 13:00 – 14:00

Wines of Lebanon

Overcoming the cliché: Positioning Lebanese wine on the international market.

Stand N11

A tutored tasting featuring five wines with Michael Karam. Places are limited and will be allocated on a strictly first come first served basis.

To book your place please visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk

 

Masterclass: 13:30 – 14:15

Grands Vins & Terroirs d’Exception du Languedoc

AOC Languedoc Masterclass.

Masterclass Theatre (Y10)

Languedoc expert Matthew Stubbs MW will take participants through a selection of AOC wines, highlighting the variety of the region’s reds, rosés, sparkling and sweet wines (VDN).

 

For further details contact Chloe Nury on +44 (0) 208 682 9020 or via email at: Chloe.nury@westburycom.co.uk

 

Tasting: 14:00 – 14:30

WSET

Blind Quality Tasting (red).

Stand P75

With David Hunter AIWS.

 

Tasting: 14:00 – 14:30

IWSC

Germany: Young and Wild.

Stand G25

With Joachim Binz and Christine Parkinson, wine buyer for Hakkasan.

 

On-Trade Seminar: 14:00 – 15:00

Maximilian Riedel, Riedel Crystal

On-Trade Theatre (G70)

Wine and glass comparative tasting with Maximilian Riedel, who leads a seminar all about the effect that glass shape has on a variety of wine styles.

For further information contact Gemma Simcock at: gemma@riedel.co.uk

 

Seminar: 14:30 – 15:30

Wine Intelligence.

Building Brand Loyalty in Wine.

South Gallery Room 7

For further information contact Stefanie Forster at: Stefanie@wineintelligence.com

 

Masterclass: 15:00 – 15:45

WSET

The New Food and Wine Pairing Workshop.

Masterclass Theatre (Y10)

The new workshop developed by the WSET aims to equip staff with a basic understanding of the principles of food and wine pairing that can in 45 minutes, when partnered with even the most basic wine knowledge, enable your staff to make succesful recommendations.

For further details contact Chris Kelly on +44 (0)7850 881 782 or via email at: ckelly@wset.co.uk

 

Tasting: 15:00 – 16:00

Wines of Lebanon

Lebanon: the terroir, grapes and people that make Lebanese wine culture.

Stand N11

A tutored tasting featuring five wines, hosted by Michael Karam and Christina Pickard who has recently returned from a wine trip to Lebanon. Places are limited and will be allocated on a strictly first come first served basis.

To book your place please visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk

 

Tasting: 16:00 – 16:30

WSET

Royal Tokaji Tasting.

Stand P75

With Chris Donaldson MW.

 

Tasting: 16:00 – 16:30

IWSC

Award Winning South Africa.

Stand G25

With Lynne Sherriff MW.

 

Seminar: 16:00 – 17:00

Wine Intelligence

The Future of Wine in 60 Minutes.

South Gallery Room 7

For further information contact Stefanie Forster at: Stefanie@wineintelligence.com

 

On-Trade Seminar: 16:00 – 17:00

Frank Martell, director of Fine and Rare Wines for Heritage Auctions.

Buyer be Aware.

On-Trade Theatre (G70)

Frank Martell, director of Heritage Auction’s Fine Wines will lead a candid discussion about what to look for to help ensure a wine’s provenance and condition. If you think that counterfeit wines and the importance of a wine’s provenance affect only Pétrus and DRC wine buyers, think again. The trickle down effect tremendously impacts the everyday consumer. This discussion will encompass a relevant tasting component, as well as an interactive demonstration of how counterfeiters tamper with wines.

Invitation only.

 

Industry Briefing: 16:15 – 17:30

just-drinks.com’s “State of the Nation” survey – The UK’s wine market in 2012 Briefings Theatre (Q75)

just-drinks’ annual survey of the wine market in the UK hosted by managing editor Olly Wehring.

To reserve your seat, email: kate.varvedo@aroq.com

 

Masterclass: 16:30 – 17:15

Wines of Hungary

Masterclass Theatre (Y10)

Tasting: 17:00 – 17:30.

WSET

Blind Sparkling Tasting Test.

Stand P75

With Antony Moss MW, AIW.

Thursday 24 May

Industry Briefing: 10:30 – 11:30

UkVine

What’s the future for English wine? Briefings Theatre (Q75)

This industry briefing panel will consist of some of the most well-known and influential personalities in the English wine industry: Neil Philips, the Wine Tipster; Mike Roberts of Ridgeview Wine Estate; Julia Stafford from The Wine Pantry; and Susanna Forbes from drinkbritain.com.

Each will bring their expertise and insight to the topic of the future of English wine. They will look at the current state of wine production in England, the state of the market at home and abroad for English wine, the medium-term opportunities for growers and how changing consumer tastes can be translated into retail sales leading to greater investment over the next decade. Pertinent questions that will be pondered are whether there is a limit to English wine’s growth prospects, how to convert reluctant drinkers to English wine and whether climate change will turn out to be a help or a hinderance to the sector over the next decade.

For further information contact James Graham at: jg@ukvine.com

 

On-Trade Seminar: 10:30 – 11:30

Dave Powell, Torbreck Vineyards, Barossa, Australia.

On-Trade Theatre (G70)

David is a passionate believer in the Barossa Valley, its viticultural heritage and the value of traditional wine making practices. He has fused his love for the cuvees of the northern and southern Rhône with the outstanding raw materials and terroir of the Barossa Valley. David will be hosting wine flights, representing two of the most iconic straight varietal (Grenache and Mourvedre) examples of their kind in the world followed by Shiraz and Viognier as a blend.

Invitation only.

 

Tasting: 11:00 – 11:00

Wine Australia

Beyond Shiraz and Chardonnay.

Stand N32

Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon together represent well over half of all plantings in Australia. But there is a world beyond these three wines and innovative winemakers are experimenting with a host of alternative varieties, adding excitement and diversity to Australia’s wine landscape.

Join Andrew Peace from Andrew Peace Wines and Peter Schulz from Turkey Flat on stand as they share the duty of talking through these wines.

 

Tasting: 11:00 – 11:30

IWSC

The Wines of Somontano (sponsored by Viñas del Vero).

Stand G25

With Bernaldo Hualde (Viñas del Vero).

 

Tasting: 11:00 – 12:00

Wines of Lebanon

Introducing Lebanese wine: a tutored tasting with Tim Atkin MW and Michael Karam.

Stand N11

Atkin and Karam will talk through nine wines showcasing the different styles, grape varieties and terroirs within this small country and briefly outline Lebanon’s rich winemaking history – from 5000BC to the present day. Places are limited and will be allocated on a strictly first come first served basis.

To book your place please visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk

 

Tasting: 12:00 – 12:30

WSET

The New Food & Wine Pairing.

Stand P75

With Russell Dent AIWS.

 

On-Trade Seminar: 12:30 – 13:30

The Academy of Food & Wine Service

The Diversity and Excitement of Portuguese Wines.

On-Trade Theatre (G70)

Wines of Portugal invite you to participate in a training seminar and tutored tasting by Peter McCombie MW, who will provide an insight into the Portuguese wine industry, its unique grape varieties, heritage and winemaking.

To register to attend email Sarah Peters at: Sarah@afws.co.uk, detailing the name of the session, name, company and job title.

 

Tasting: 13:00 – 14:00

Wines of Lebanon

Overcoming the cliché: Positioning Lebanese wine on the international market.

Stand N11

A tutored tasting featuring five wines with Michael Karam, author of Wines of Lebanon. Places are limited and will be allocated on a strictly first come first served basis.

To book your place please visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk

 

Tasting: 14:00 – 14:30

WSET

Blind Quality Tasting (red).

Stand P75

With David Hunter AIWS.

 

Tasting: 14:00 – 14:30

IWSC

Food and Wine Matching.

Stand G25

With Ewan Lacey (from Channel 4’s Cookery School).

 

Tasting: 15:00 – 15:30

WSET

Blind Sparkling Tasting.

Stand P75

With Antony Moss MW, AIWS.

 

Tasting: 15:00 – 16:00

Wines of Lebanon

Lebanon: the terroir, grapes and people that make Lebanese wine culture.

Stand N11

A tutored tasting hosted by Michael Karam featuring five wines. Places are limited and will be allocated on a strictly first come first served basis.

To book your place please visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk

 

Tasting: 16:00 – 16:30

WSET

Blind Fortified Tasting.

Stand P75

With David Hunter AIWS.

 

Tasting: 16:00 – 16:30

IWSC

Open Tasting of Gold Medal Winning Wines.

Stand G25