Food and Drink Tastings - to learn and to mingle!

Name: 11th June: FUN & SOCIAL WINE miniTASTING: (near St Pauls)
Start: 2014-06-11T18:00:00Z
Location: The Red Herring

11th June: FUN & SOCIAL WINE miniTASTING: (near St Pauls)

Jun 11, 2014 · 7:00 PM
The Red Herring

This month's tasting theme is:

Inspired by a women said that she liked trying about wine, but didn't want to learn too much. This tasting will have less learning, and more opportunity to taste some great wines not available elsewhere. I was wondering if there are a few others out there who felt the same. We've been playing around with different formats for this event, and I thought this month we'd do a 'bin end' special. In my cellar I have a lot of rare wines which would be nice to share.

Event details:

Each month is a new learning theme... So, if you're confusing your Pinot Grigio with your Pinot Gris? Get a quick fix and learn a thing or two about wine with Tastour.

As usual... At this tasting you'll learn the difference between three classic wines, and a few tips on how to tell them apart, plus you'll learn a few interesting facts to share at your next dinner party.

Please note: We do not include the name of the wines as it's more about opening your mind and encouraging conversation with the people that come.

The new miniTASTINGS format is a huge success. More quality wine... more food and wine pairing... more laughter and more great people to meet.

Around 50 wine lovers gather at this event – it’s more informal than a guided Tastour tasting and it's just as much fun.

If you're coming alone for the first time, don't worry - I'll be there with a big welcoming smile and make sure are introduced to a fun group of people.

If you would like to join the group in a post-tasting supper, please let your host know on the evening. The cost is £10 cash.

Cost of the wine tasting:

only £12 if pre-paid on-line 24 hours in advance

£15 cash on the door

FREE for Bon Vivant members, why not join today?

great!

CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR TICKETS & PAY

What’s included:

You’ll enjoy a 1 hour guided side-by-side tasting comparison of 3 expensive/unsual wines and some food pairings. And bowls of experimental Popcorn, created just for this event!

Each month is a different learning theme, giving you tips and tricks to help you learn what you like and why you like it so that you can shop smarter and save money.

Attending on your own? Don't worry!! Most attendees will be on their own and our events are designed to make you feel like your one of the regulars as soon as you arrive.

If you would like to pre-pay and receive the advance price, the link above will redirect you to the Tastour website, where your money will be collected via paypal or credit card. It is quick and easy!

Special offer! You can come for free if you get 3 of your friends to book too!
(Pay for all tickets in advance, then we'll give you cash back on the night, email [masked] for details)

Venue: The Red Herring, 49 Gresham Street City of London, EC2V 7EH

Time: The doors open for check-in at 6:45 pm, however we are there from 6, if you would like to have a pre-tasting drink. The tasting starts at 7:00pm and ends at 8pm. However, most people stay on for a bit of social and drink after the tasting.

Nearest Tube: St Paul's

Also nearby, Bank, Moorgate, Mansion House

About Tastour

Tastour, UK Wine Educator of the Year*, makes meeting people and learning about food and drink fun, easy and engaging. With a diverse range of events, priced from £5, there is really something for everyone – from epicurean tastings and exclusive dinners, recipe swaps and walking tours to day trips and social networking nights. Our signature speedTASTING events, filled with one-liners and quirky facts, are all served alongside quality food and drink. Bring a date, your mates or come along on your own, we hope to see you at a Tastour soon!

To buy tickets or for more information about Tastour and our award-winning weekly epicurean events and private parties visit www.tastour.com or phone[masked]
* Awarded by the International Wine Challenge 2010

miniTASTING Experience...

Written by
Sarah, Tastourian

Last Tuesday, I spent the evening meeting and talking to grapes…am I crazy? Was I trolleyed?!

Well, definitely not nuts, nor were the 50 others who were there.

Although it was a social drinks night, there was also a mini-wine tasting – rather aptly named a Tastour Tease! So not just a great night with some fun people, but I learned something as well! At the start of the evening, in small groups, you were guided through 3 different wines. We learnt a few tricks of trade about aromas and tips on how to find a wine that I liked. The guide said that we’ll be tackling a different subject every month. But it’s whet my appetite – they’re running a Champagne tasting on 24th April and I’m going to sign up tonight. The tasting was only hour, so there was plenty of time to get mingling, and test out my new-found smelling skills! All in all, a grape night!!

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Kimmie

I think the tastings are great as without it I certainly wouldn't want to spend lots buying many bottles of wines which I may want to try but run the risk of not liking them, thus not finishing the bottle :) I agree with Matthew, I like the number of wines we get to sample at the tastings. In fact the more the better as that way we get to learn about various wines & there is more chance of finding ones you like.

1 · June 16, 2014
Matthew S.

Personally I think that it is good to experiment with the format because if you stick with the same way then you risk missing out on something that works even better! I also think that it is important as wine lovers to try 'bad' wines, faulty wines and samples to help us to understand quality wines even better.

3 · June 12, 2014
A former member

I like the format. Too many wines though. Fewer wines of better quality would be my vote.

0 · June 12, 2014
- Kelly
  
  Feedback is always welcomed!! I'm not sure what the comment about quality is about, if you didn't like they way they aged or in general the wines were not to your taste. All the wines were over £10 per bottle, besides the Tank samples (which was priceless as it's a rare chance to see that) therefore it's not possible to increase the quality of wine and maintains the quantity for £12.
  
  0 · June 12, 2014
- Kelly
  
  i do agree that smaller number of different wines, and larger pour sizes, like we usually do, is a better format. Thanks for sharing!!!
  
  0 · June 12, 2014
Kelly

You know there was good conversation to be had when two Tastourians who just met are talking about sharing a room on the Portugal trip!!! Lol. Thanks for being so patient whilst we tried something new, and for all the feedback!

0 · June 12, 2014
Roopa

Good fun and a lovely, friendly and sociable bunch of people! Plus some informal wine education from some of the attendees!

1 · June 12, 2014
Larisa

Very good

1 · June 11, 2014
Cindy

Sorry, just realized it's today. I'm still at work & can't make it.

0 · June 11, 2014
Giulia

Sorry something has come up and I can't make it I hope I can be there next time

0 · June 11, 2014
andrew

Angela!!

0 · June 11, 2014
Kelly

Hello Tastourians!!!

Looks like it's going to be another full house, this Wednesday at the Red Herring.

It's an extra special tasting as many of the wines that we will be tasting is truely once-in-a-life time.

Paying:

If you haven't paid already, please do so at http://tastour.com/upcoming-events/?ee=138

Remember, our paid members attend this event for free, for more information on membership please visit: http://tastour.com/member-registration/ Members, please don't forget to register if you are coming along.

If you haven't decided, you can pay cash on the night, £15

On the night:

We'll be downstairs. You can arrive anytime after 6 pm and grab a drink at the bar, however, I will not be ready to check you in until 7pm.

Looking forward to welcoming you and sharing some fantastic wines!

Kelly

1 · June 9, 2014
- A former member
  
  Sorry Kelly but work has intervened so I have to miss the mini-tasting yet again. Hope to see you soon!
  
  1 · June 11, 2014
A former member

Happy Tasting!!!
Sandra x

0 · May 29, 2014

50 went

Kelly

Organizer,

Event Host
Lindsey M.
Charlie S
joel
Cheyne
Nila +2
Dawn
Rene G.
Kimmie
chris m.
Carmen
Ken
Peter
Megan P.
Simon
Matthew S.
andrew
Thomas
Laura
Matt W.
Labyrinth
Deborah
Pete
Guy
Veronica O.
Stuart
Lucas P.
Amanda F
Viviana
Carolyn
zdjemal@aol.com
Cindy
Roopa
Liz
Larisa
Sandra
Alex
Alex
Colleen
A former member
A former member
A former member
A former member
A former member
A former member
+1 guest
A former member
A former member

Food and Drink Tastings - to learn and to mingle!

London, United Kingdom

Founded Oct 16, 2008

About us…

Organizer:

Contact

We're about:

· · · · · · · · · · · · ·

'probably the best meetup in the world' as one member reviewed. 7 years, 400 events... getting better with each one.

bespoke events:

I dream up pop up type concepts, mostly things I would like to do, but there is no where else to find it. Then I post it on the group and keep my fingers crossed that you would like to do it €too! We try to avoid the cookie cutter, 'let's meet at the pub type of events' or standard meetups... I like you to take more from your experience and learn why you are there.

The Art of Wine & Hand Painting wine glasses - This was amazing!!!

What type of stuff do we learn?

'Of all the wine tastings I’ve experienced, this was the most memorable.'

'I went from nervously sipping Prosecco alone to raucously howling laughter''

'I love how Kelly shocked the crowd not with her wine-themed sexual innuendos, but with her assertion as an American (from Vermont!), insisting we try before we buy.'

In this 26 sec video, and see if I can make you laugh twice: https://youtu.be/34FnawK07sY

What is a Tastourian?

Exclusive English Wine Tasting in our Cornwall based Executive Suite. After the tasting we went to a 1940's swing dancing Fish and Chip Ball. We visited wineries, walked on the beach and even took a tracker ride through a apple orchard.

If you enjoy experiences like this, than you are a Tastourian!!!!

What is a Bon Vivant?

A Bon Vivant, is someone who loves the finer things in life. So I guess you could say all Tastourians are Bon Vivants. In the context of this group, a Bon Vivant, is someone who pays a monthly or annual fee. These members are looking to get a bit more out of the events. By attending often, they have created their own social group and look forward to seeing these members as the years go by. Although I place a big emphasis on everyone getting involved, as Bon Vivant's attend between 10-20 events per year, they seem to create their own subgroups outside the meetup, even going on holiday together. In short, it's discounted access to a 'social club' - and you get free food and wine. More info on membership here: http://tastour.com/member-registration/

Pre-Ascot: A lesson on the history of Hats & Vintage Champagne tasting at a Hat hire shop I 

How often are the events? We try to host weekly events. The monthly recipe is: 1 walking tour, 1 wine tasting, 1 society event + 1 Bon Vivant exclusive event = Something for everyone!

I've noticed that a lot of the events seem to repeat, are they the same?

No. No two events are ever the same. There are always different products to taste, different people to meet. And I always improve each event. This year the miniTASTING's are going to feature a different flavour of home made popcorn - how cool is that!!!

It seems that there are often more people signed up on meetup than number of tickets available:

Tastour has become a London network, not just a meetup. Not all of the people signed up on the meetup have paid. For that reason, I do not monitor the meetup, as I am able to get the full list of those attending on the main site, www.tastour.com

There are different prices listed: Because of the commitment to venues and tasting samples, almost all of our events require payment upfront. I try to keep the cost as low as possible, unfortunately, it just seems like the price of everything is going up.

Everyone receives a discount when you book in advance.

Our paid members, Bon Vivant's receive an additional discount. This is to encourage people to attend more, and create a community. Bon Vivant's also receive free tickets to all miniTASTINGs and we distribute the number of free tickets to third party events evenly. Each event has it's own limitations, so do check the T&C before you apply.

To many event reminder emails?

If you rsvp NO, this will remove you from the reminder list. Shortly I will have a bulk of the years events posted, when I do, it's best to RSVP no, all at once, then you won't miss out on the new events. Or you can change your settings in your profile. But you will not receive mails about special offers of spare free tickets.

Having a problem booking or a question about an event:

Please email. I'm always happy to help.

I think that's probably enough for this mail!!! I hope you have a better understanding of how it all works, and that I managed to make you feel that it's an amazing group to be a part of.

I'm so excited for 2016 and hope you are too!

Cheers,

Kelly

PS- Lot's of great events this year, including our 7th birthday party (and we're bringing back the beer events and introduction speedtastings!!!) Stay tuned!!!

A note for Bon Vivants:

Please don't forget to login to receive your discount. And when requesting a free ticket, please post on the meetup page. I am also happy for you to text me last minute to let me know you are coming to an event.

CLICK HERE for a shiny HTML email with most of our 2013 spring/summer events listed.

For a taste of Tastour, check out our videos:

The Floating Classroom 

This meetup organises award-winning food and drink experiences for Londoners who are interested in sampling high quality gastronomic treats.

Events are priced from £5 and range from food and wine tastings to exclusive dinners, day trips and walking tours as well as monthly mini wine tastings and social networking nights. The events encourage lively debate about scrumptious food and drink sampling, making it easy to join a group of friends to laugh, taste and exchange tips with.

Some events are more stuctured than others - we have hosted over 75 different 'themed events, and I keep coming up with new ones every day. The host of the event is usually an expert in the subject and the evening will begin with a fun presentation.

Read what the Londonist has to say about this group:

http://londonist.com/2011/02/review-tastour-food-drink-expereinces.php

Tastourian comments:

</a> <a href="http://www.meetup.com/Tastour/about/comments/?op=all" target="_blank">http://www.meetup.com/Tastour/about/comments/?op=all

“ If you like trying new food/wine but would also like to know a bit about what you are eating/drinking without the teaching being intrusive or snobby. It's a good bet. ”— <a>Angela</a>

"This was my first event and Kelly made me feel very welcome. She is very friendly and the event was very well managed. the people I met were a lovely mixed bunch of ages and interests. I had a fun afternoon laughing and chatting with lots of different people." — <a>annette</a>

About the meetup:

I started the meetup as a hobby 2 years ago, because I love meeting people, and learning about new things. I wanted to mix personal development with socialising. Over 1,000 people have joined us - many new friends have been made (and a few couples too) and lives changed (it's true, I've heard the stories and you'll just have to see for yourself) our unique approach has paid off. In 2010 we were crowned Wine Educator of the Year and shortlisted for Wine Club of the Year by the International Wine Challenge.

I have so many exciting partnerships in the works and new experiences to share with you, I am really looking forward to 2012

Membership fees:

There are no fees to join and attend events. Our events are excellent value and I really pride myself on going above and beyond.

A member commented the other day Tastour’s events are like a strawberry daiquiri – you always finish wanting another one!’ So I decided to introduced a Bon Vivant membership, which gives you up to 70% off our events! You can attend our monthly wine tastings for free, as well receive invites to exclusive dinners and events. See the website for more details.

In the meantime, come along for a fiver and enjoy a mini-wine tasting and social drinks night (You even get a free glass of wine to kick start your night!)

Join us, you'll love it! 

I look forward to meeting you : )  