September

We are delighted to welcome Pierre back for at least his third visit to us. Pierre is The Wine Society's Head of Buying and specialises in Spain and Lebanon. With a claret-loving father his Damascene moment came at university when instead drinking a glass of the usual Hungarian red stuff he found he had a glass of Léoville Las-Cases 1982. Encouraged by our friend Steven Spurrier he embarked on a wine course with Christie's and then progressed via the Antique Wine Company and Berry Bros & Rudd to the Wine Society. A music fan as well, he admits to liking Radiohead and Underworld - but we will not be using those as background on the 16th!

Pierre has chosen his own favourite region, Rioja, as his topic and selected a very interesting selection of both white and red wines to illustrate the great products it produces, ranging from the everyday to the sublime - from £8 a bottle to over £40. He has been hands-on in Rioja and been involved on some serious blending sessions, so this is a great opportunity to hear a Spanish and Rioja specialist and to taste some excellent wines.

Many WSWS members belong to the Wine Society - with its strap line - Passion Before Profits - so a chance also to learn more about the organisation, and most of us are committed Rioja fans and can never have enough of it - so there could be a rush - please book early!