Events

Since the vine was first planted in Uruguay by Basque immigrants in the 1870’s, the wine industry in Uruguay has made massive progress. Many of the estates are now focusing on Reservas and Gran Reservas and are making impressive wines which points to an exciting future for Uruguayan wine.
Most of the vineyards are centred in the cooler south around Montevideo which is home to many of Uruguay’s most important estates, such as the Pisano family who first started planting vines in 1914 and now export top quality wines to a number of international markets. Another of the top Uruguayan producers is Juanico whose vineyards are in neighbouring Canalones where the ocean moderates temperatures and encourages a prolonged growing season.
The tannat grape, which originated from the South of France, is the most widely planted here and is responsible for some of the country’s most distinctive and impressive wines, typically with deep colour, firm structure and rich black berry fruits. However other grape varieties such as Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are grown successfully in Uruguay and make some very good wines indeed.
Jeffrey Benson who leads tonight’s tasting has visited many of the vineyards and has long been a champion of Uruguayan wines. Some years ago he convinced the organiser of their quality which resulted in them buying a selection to cellar for a tasting. Together they have put together an interesting selection of some of the better wines from Uruguay this evening.
The wines tonight have been deliberately chosen to reflect the ageing potential of Uruguayan wines and the older ones will not be available on the market now as they were bought a couple of years ago. Because of this, the event can only be a one bottle tasting. Moreover prices have now risen but because the wines were bought some time ago, we are able to offer the event at this very reasonable cost.
We will taste the following ten wines:
2009 De Lucca Sauvignon Blanc
2009 De Lucca Marsanne Reserve
2008 Bodegones Viognier Reserve
2008 Casa Filgueira Tannat Classic
2009 De Lucca Syrah Reserve
2007 Marichal Reserve Collection Pinot Noir/Tannat
2007 Casa Filguera Tannat Reserve
2006 De Lucca Rio Colorado Reserve
2006 Juanico Benteveo Merlot Reserva
2003 Vina Progresso Reserve Pinot Noir, Les Domaines Boisset / Familia Pisano (Pascal Marchand/Gustavo Pisano)
Carole Goldberg will provide suitable food to accompany the wines and Jeffrey has challenged her to produce a Uruguayan platter! However whilst a complete Uruguayan platter may prove too difficult, she will attempt to produce a couple of Uruguayan specialities!

The Information Technologists are a modern Livery Company with the Information Technologists’ Hall as its headquarters. It was opened in September 2001 and is the first new livery hall to open in the City of London for over 50 years. The Hall is centrally located near to the Barbican, St Paul’s and Farringdon stations and is tucked away in the medieval alleys of old London with its links to the history and heritage of the City of London.
Back in the early 1980s’ two IT professionals approached the City of London with the idea of starting a livery company for people working in IT, reflecting both the changing nature of work within the City of London, and the increasingly important contribution of the IT industry.
In 1986, the Company of Information Technologists was made a City Company without grant of livery. Six years later, they were awarded full livery company status, becoming the 100th Livery Company in the City of London and in 2010 were awarded a Royal Charter, one of only 1000 awarded during the last 800 years.. They are now one of the largest, and certainly most active, Livery Companies in the City.
Several members of our Society are also members of this Livery Company (known internally as WCIT). These include our Deputy Chairman, Alan Shepherd and Past Chairman, Roger Ellis. We therefore thought it might be nice to hold a dinner on “home ground” for a few of us.
To do the Catering for us, we have engaged “the Cook & the Butler Company”, thought by many to provide the best catering in the City. The company is headed up by Mark Grove who has designed the tempting menu especially for us.
The evening will begin with a sparkling wine reception followed by a four course dinner in the Livery Room.

Sauté Scallops on a bed of stir fried vegetables with a light coconut drizzle
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Roast Breast of Goose & Confit of Leg with a lavender & ginger crust, red currant jus, chateau potatoes, sugar snap, braised red cabbage, broccoli and baby carrots
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Dark Chocolate Cylinder with Pistachio Nut & Winter Berries Mousse, White Chocolate Ginger & Malt Whisky Ice Cream and Blackcurrant Coulis
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Chicken Liver & Streaky Bacon “Pirozhki”
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Rich Roast Coffee & Mince Pies, Brandy Butter
and mini Christmas Chocolates
Barāo de Vilar Rich Ruby Port or VS Cognac

The dinner will be accompanied by Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine 2011 and Corbières Domaine Rerolle 2008 - and naturally still and sparkling water and freshly squeezed orange juice.

A vegetarian option can be provided if specifically requested well in advance.