Several members of Leander Club have suggested that we develop a wine club for the benefit of membership.
Objectives would be to create a forum where those interested in enjoying wine together and learning more about it, can meet at the club to develop their wine interests and attend interesting events. These will consist of a variety of wine tastings and dinners (with a well-known wine authority) – as well as the opportunity to buy some interesting wines at discounted pricing on the day. The idea is to be as differentiated as possible to what is available in the high street and online.
There will be no cost to enrol, and tasting events will be free, where possible – but there will be an expectation for members to buy a minimum 12 bottles of wine a year through the Wine Club – otherwise we will need to charge for events.
This is very much a work in progress, and we will welcome feedback from members with ideas about what we should provide, or avoid, or possibly even want to help – pour wines for example!
We plan to partner principally with The Oxford Wine Company which have been supplying us with wine for a number of years. Our contact at OWC is Min Yee Tseu who has a MBiochemistry from Merton College as well as a WSET diploma. OWC have been long-term suppliers of wine to many Oxford colleges, and operate two wine bars and a number of independent wine shops in Oxford. We are hoping to negotiate a discount at their shops and wine bars for our members!
They will be our preferred supplier of wines for the club, but we will not limit ourselves to them, and will offer wines from other suppliers, and potentially from the cellars of Leander Club members who find themselves in the embarrassing position that they have too much wine for their own needs! Some of this may be from long-forgotten vintages, and members may be willing to offer these wines for sale to members.
David Banford, club member for 20+ years and formerly resident of Henley, but now living in Stellenbosch, South Africa, with occasional periods in Oxford, will apply his expertise having formerly created and run The Wine Society of America (no connection to The Wine Society UK) as well as The Wine Society of India – now sold to Laithwaites Wine.
To kick things off, we plan to hold an inaugural launch event on Friday, 2nd February 2024 from 12pm-3pm where Oxford Wine Company will lay on a walk-around tasting of 12 wines, “Wines of The World” indicative of the type of wines we plan to offer. Orders for home delivery can be placed at the event.
We are planning to offer the following benefits:
- Quarterly ‘Taste and Learn’ events – some sit-down tutored events and some walk-around with tasting notes to guide. Wines available to purchase for home delivery, with hopefully some older vintages from members’ reserves. Emphasis on value for money.
Typical tastings: Bordeaux blends from across the world, Champagne & Sparkling wines of the world, Burgundy – where to find value,
South Africa – The Last Frontier for Value, New World vs Old World styles and varietals
- Wine dinners (cost) hosted by a notable winemaker or wine authority – hopefully twice a year.
- Vineyard visits (cost). Once or twice a year, depending on take-up. Local vineyards ie Hundred Hills, Digby Fine English – supplier of Leander Pink, and possibly even further afield.
If you would like to attend our first event, please RSVP by emailing events@leander.co.uk by January 19th. There will be an opportunity for questions and feedback at 1.30pm, when light sandwiches and a cheeseboard will be served (courtesy of Leander).
If you have any ideas or thoughts on this format, please let us know by emailing timma@leander.co.uk
