Swiss wines have true style and quality.  From the land of watches, banks, mountains, cheese and chocolate, their wine should be better known but little is exported.  The Club is therefore delighted to have the opportunity to taste the wines of Chateau de Luins which lies in an exceptional setting on the Cote Vaudoise between Geneva and Lausanne. 

It has been owned by the Bächtold family for over a century and family member Gianfranco Bächtold will tutor our event.

Vines are cultivated on 10.5ha at Luins with all the grapes hand-harvested.  Chasselas is by far the best known vine whose synonym, Fendant, was recorded by monks in the Valais region before the 16^th century.  “The Swiss undoubtedly make the finest examples today”, says wine critic Jancis Robinson, Master of Wine.

In the hands of a noted estate like Luins, Chasselas develops lively fruit aromas of peach, lime, lemon and even saffron; it can be equally enjoyed as an aperitif or to accompany a raclette or fondue.  Gianfranco has shipped four vintages to see the harvest differences: 2014, 2016, 2019 and 2020.

All the wines at Luins are fermented in oak barrels which are over 70 years old on average.  The oldest vessel is 150 years old!  The wines go through the malolactic fermentation and all the Reserve ones are bottled at the property.

 Chardonnay 2017 follows and then Pinot Noir 2017.  The lovely light fruity character of the latter grape makes it a natural choice with lamb.

 A unique Swiss crossing of Rouge de Diolly and Pinot Noir in 1970 resulted in the Diolinoir variety; we shall taste the 2017. 

 Finally, Bollicino will make for a great finale!  This is a sparkling wine made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes.

Our exciting new venue is St Katharine Cree at 86 Leadenhall Street EC3A 3BP.  Simon Jenkins says, “This is the City’s most curious church” (England’s Thousand Best Churches).  It was rebuilt in a classical style, possibly by Inigo Jones, in 1632 after the partial collapse of the original priory church, and luckily it survived the Great Fire of London.  It is a rare English hybrid 17^th century church.

Why not introduce a friend to membership?  To encourage new members, there will no restriction on the number of guests who can be applied for.

As usual, doors open at 6:30pm.  Please do NOT arrive earlier as the Committee needs time to set up.  The tasting will conclude at 8:30pm.

The Club anticipates huge demand for the tasting.  Please apply early to not be disappointed!

Date:      Monday 20^th June  2022

Time:      6:30 pm 

Venue:    St Katherine Cree,  86 Leadenhall Street,  London,  EC3A 3BP

Dress:    Jacket and tie for men please

Tasting Costs

HOW TO BOOK

Options:

• E-mail your tasting request to tastings@redherringwineclub.co.uk and make a payment; or

• Via the on-line form below

Enquiries can be made by telephone on 020 8947 5082 or by e-mail to tastings@redherringwineclub.co.uk  but bookings will only be allocated when funds have been received.

HOW TO PAY

Options:

• By cheque (made payable to The Red Herring Wine Club) to:

The Red Herring Wine Club

4 Church Road

Christian Malford

Chippenham

Wiltshire

SN15 4BW

• By on-line banking (details below) 

Your reference should be as follows:

Bookings will only be allocated when funds have been received.

If using this method to pay your membership subscription(s), please advise membership@redherringwineclub.co.uk.

Please remember to advise the Club (membership@redherringwineclub.co.uk) of any home or e-mail address changes

Tasting Application

Diary Dates: