23 April 2020 A big tidy up of information today, and events are listed in date order as far as that is possible, with the soonest events at the end. Please note that to watch Instagram videos, either live or recorded, requires you to sign up for an account with them.
8 April 2020 A guide to some of the many online opportunities to commune with wine that have emerged recently.
Without sharing, a large part of wine’s appeal is lost. We are social creatures, and wine has always been a way of bringing people together.
When, thanks to the current pandemic, sharing in person becomes impossible – something that would have seemed absurd only a few months ago – the world of wine goes online, where sharing is an integral activity, especially on social media. There are now dozens of ways for wine lovers to connect online, usually in the format of experts (such as Tim Atkin MW, pictured) generously sharing their wisdom. A host of producers and winemakers are also emerging online.
Video conferencing apps (especially Zoom) have made these sessions possible, although enthralling live broadcasting doesn't always come easily, especially when bandwidth restrictions interfere with things. Periods of dead air are not uncommon, as well as technical snafus and muddled interaction. But surely in the spirit of goodwill these shortcomings will be forgiven in such surreal times, especially when the vast majority of these offerings are provided free of charge.
In that spirit, we highlight below some of the video content that self-isolating wine lovers might enjoy. A list follows below (wine professionals may also find Imbibe's events calendar useful). Local times are provided (see this page to check time zone abbreviations and differences), but in many cases it is possible to watch a recorded version after the live event. We have prioritised those sessions that can be enjoyed afterwards.
Feel free to send suggestions for additions to this list to [email protected], ideally in the format below.
Pinot Noir – our global love affair!
Organiser: Curious Vines
Format: 'A global live Zoom! A panel dialling in from around the world - London, New Zealand and Burgundy - join together to talk to us about the Pinot Noir they know best to help us understand the uniqueness of this grape from their region.' This event is in aid of Hospitality Action, and attendees are encouraged to make a donation in order to join the event. Contact Queena Wong for more information.
Platform: Zoom – to obtain the link, make a donation via this page
Times: Tuesday 30 June, 18:30 BST
Virtual three-week wine course with Emma Dawson MW
Organiser: Help 4 Hospitality
Format: 'Buy your way into an exclusive wine experience with Emma Dawson, Berkmann’s senior wine buyer and one of only 394 Masters of Wine in the world. By purchasing this case of six delicious wines, you will automatically be enrolled into a three-week virtual wine tasting club, running every Wednesday from 24th June at 8pm. Each week Emma will guide you through a pair of wines that are selected to showcase a theme; the hour-long session will be fun and informative with plenty of interaction from participants, plus a food and wine matching demonstration to fit the wines of the night.'
Platform: Zoom – details on how to join on their website
Times: Wednesday 24 June, 20:00 BST
#67FromHome
Organiser: 67 Pall Mall
Format: daily masterclasses led by experts such as Tim Atkin MW, Jasper Morris MW and Jane Anson. Sample packs of wine are available to purchase to taste along with the webinar
Platform: Zoom – register here and watch again by checking this list
Times: several take place every day at various times – see their events page for full details
Real Business of Wine
Organiser: Robert Joseph and Polly Hammond
Format: a series of trade-focused conversations covering many topics with various experts, including Jancis
Platform: Zoom – register and watch again via their website
Times: various
Private Wine Tasting
Organiser: Quarantino Vino
Format: unpretentious and informal tastings for groups in the UK, led by MW student Lettie Fardon, with samples of wine delivered to taste together online
Platform: see their Instagram account @quarantinovinouk for details
Times: tastings by reservation – [email protected] or via Instagram
The Wine Show at home
Organiser: The Wine Show with Joe Fattorini
Format: Short, entertaining wine-tastings from Joe Fattorini's attic
Platform: YouTube
Times: daily episodes, available to watch back on YouTube any time
Wine Therapy
Organiser: Honest Grapes
Format: a series of online tastings, with accompanying wines available to buy
Platform: Zoom – see their website for details
Times: various
Napa Valley Wine Academy live online
Organiser: Napa Valley Wine Academy
Format: a comprehensive programme of webinars and classes, both live and on-demand, featuring MW hosts and covering California, Oregon, Italy and beyond
Platform: Facebook and YouTube live – see their website for the full calendar
Times: various
Behind the wines with Elaine Chukan Brown
Organiser: California Wine Institute
Format: Elaine conducts interviews with prominent Californian winemakers live on Zoom
Platform: Zoom and YouTube – see their Twitter feed for the schedule, and their YouTube channel to rewatch
Times: various
JCB Live Happy Hour
Organiser: Jean-Charles Boisset
Format: four times a week, winemaker and showman Jean-Charles Boisset hosts a live-streamed hour of wine tasting and discussion with various guests.
Platform: See their website for full details.
Times: various
The Wine Society
Organiser: The Wine Society
Format: This popular UK retailer is releasing a series of videos covering a broad range of subjects on their YouTube channel.
Platform: YouTube
Times: no live broadcasts; watchable any time on YouTube
CMS advanced lectures
Organiser: GuildSomm and the Court of Master Sommeliers
Format: webinars aimed at wine professionals studying for wine exams
Platform: Vimeo
Times: these videos are pre-recorded, and can be watched at any time. So far, there are two webinars, on deductive tasting and sherry.
Vinous live!
Organiser: Vinous.com
Format: seminar conversations, featuring conversations between Vinous correspondents and 'the brightest minds in wine'
Platform: Zoom and YouTube live, see website for details
Times: daily, at various times
Wine and viticulture education
Organiser: Gus Gluck and Dr Dylan Grigg
Format: conversation between hospitality supremo turned importer Gus Gluck and freelance viticulturist Dr Dylan Grigg
Platform: YouTube
Times: streamed live (check here for times) then watchable on YouTube
Online champagne masterclasses
Organiser: Champagne Every Day
Format: discussions with champagne producers, hosted by Lucy Edwards
Platform: Zoom – register via their website
Times: various
Virtual tastings
Organiser: Wine Training School
Format: personal online tasting session with Raul Diaz when you purchase one of six wine packages
Platform: various, see website for details
Times: various
In The Vineyard With – virtual events
Organiser: In The Vineyard With
Format: Regular online discussions that can be watched live or recorded, hosted by Moshé Cohen.
Platform: Zoom
Date: various, see website for details
Averys at home wine tastings
Organiser: Averys Wine Merchants
Format: Weekly videos from the Averys team, focusing on some of their favourite topics
Platform: YouTube
Times: No live broadcasts. Watchable any time on YouTube with new videos every Wednesday at 7pm
Justerini & Brooks – masters' series
Organiser: Justerini & Brooks
Format: 'a weekly spotlight on an affordable, everyday drinking wine from one of the world’s greatest winemakers'
Platform: Zoom – click here to join
Times: every Tuesday at 17:00 BST
Apéro Bleu Online
Organiser: Chêne Bleu Wines
Format: join Chêne Bleu and bring a bottle for 'a fun way to shoot the virtual breeze and share a bit of escapism while stuck at home'. Every week they alternate French and English.
Platform: Zoom – sign up here
Times: every Wednesday at 17:30 BST
Online Wine Experiences with French Wine Adventures / Château Feely
Organiser: French Wine Adventures and Château Feely
Format: Live weekly classes/ sessions, recorded in depth courses, and private live events. Wine education direct from an organic and biodynamic farm and WSET approved APP in France.
Platform: Experiences and classes, both live and on-demand via zoom and youtube www.chateaufeely.com/virtual for details.
Times: Live events every Friday evening. Online tasting courses and private events available all year round and any day of the week.
The Wine Workshop
Organiser: The Wine Workshop
Format: weekly guided tastings led by experts, with several different packages of wine that can be purchased and delivered in advance
Platform: See their website for full details.
Times: every Thursday at 20:00 BST
After work wine tasting
Organiser: Corney & Barrow
Format: weekly online tastings hosted by C&B staff, featuring three wines from their portfolio
Platform: Zoom – details here
Times: every Thursday at 18:00 BST
The HYO club
Organiser: The Princess and The Pinot
Format: These 'host your own' online tasting webinars feature Amelia Singer from The Wine Show and can be watched both live and on YouTube.
Platform: Zoom and YouTube – see their website for details
Times: every Thursday at 20:30 BST
The Friday Bubble
Organiser: The Finest Bubble with Essi Avellan
Format: Online weekly tastings with Master of Wine Essi Avellan and Nick Baker with guest chefs de caves. Special-offer cases of champagnes can be bought in advance from their website.
Platform: Instagram Live
Date: every Friday at 18:30 BST
Château de Pommard Online Wine Experience
Organiser: Château de Pommard
Format: three different guides to Burgundy, limited to eight participants for a fee of €20 per person. Optionally, a selection of wine can be ordered to accompany the sessions.
Platform: See their website for full details.
Times: every Saturday evening
