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Round & About

The West Surrey Wine Society invites you to join them and sip, swirl and taste wines from all over the world

Can you tell the difference between Left Bank and Right Bank Bordeaux? Is there a difference between a decanted wine and one straight out of the bottle? Have you tried wines from Brazil, Georgia or Hungary? writes Max Hubbard. 

These are some of the interesting tastings given by The West Surrey Wine Society (WSWS) over recent years. Other tastings have included titles such as Crowd pleasers, Chic but cheap, Fine wines – are they worth the price? and Matching wine and chocolate. 

In 1988 three friends shared a bottle of wine in a Farnham wine bar and this was the start of WSWS. Currently it meets at The Ivy Lane Club, off Downing Street, Farnham, on the third Thursday evening of the month. WSWS has some 60 members, some with little or no knowledge of wine, or others who wish to increase their knowledge. Speakers are experts in their area, country or wine variety. They are entertaining, informative and often amusing. Occasionally the guest speakers are Masters of Wine and have previously included Charles Minoprio and the late Stephen Spurrier. Stephen organised the famous wine tasting in Paris in 1976 when California and New World wines were unexpectedly elevated.  

The evening starts with a welcome wine when members can socialise before the tasting begins. Some 8 or 9 wines are tasted during the evening with the speaker giving additional information and tasting guidance. After the last wine there is another chance to socialise and enjoy the last of the tasting wines.  

The tastings provide an opportunity to try wines you might not normally experience and to learn more about how the wines are made and the countries they come from. At least once a year a fine wine tasting is organised when members can try expensive top quality wines or rare wines.  

September’s wine tasting will cover wines from Germany and Austria, whereas October’s will feature Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Future tastings include wines from the UK, wines from Portugal and wines from South Africa.  

So, if you wish to appreciate the difference between a Merlot and a Malbec, or a Chardonnay and a Viognier, in a convivial setting, then why not consider joining the West Surrey Wine Society? If you are interested, you can attend a couple of tastings on a trial basis before deciding whether to join. You would be most welcome at the Ivy Lane Club. We usually meet on the third Thursday of the month from 7pm (social) for 7.30pm tasting.