The Business Leaders Wine Club

On Wednesday 18th March, I was invited along to The Business Leaders Wine Club. It was a great evening and brilliant to have such a strong mix of people in the room.

The March Burgundy tasting from The Business Leaders Wine Club was a really enjoyable night, with a relaxed atmosphere, great wine, cheese and conversation. Held at Flex @ Tide in London, with Silverstone Communications as event sponsor, it was a warm and welcoming setting from the start – the kind of event where you could simply enjoy yourself without needing to be an expert in Burgundy wines.  With a clear intention of bringing Sussex and London businesses together, the evening balanced discovery and connection, using wine as a natural way to spark conversation and build meaningful connections.

The evening was kindly supported by Silverstone Communications as our event sponsor, Flex @ Tide as our venue sponsor, and Michael Cheetham who captured these fantastic photos on the night. The event also raised just under £400 for the BLWC London charity partner, Prept Foundation.

The tasting itself was a real highlight of the evening. We began with a glass of Champagne Daniel Leclerc et Fils Tradition Brut NV, which was light, fresh and easy to drink. It paired beautifully with the Dorstone goat’s cheese and Yoredale Wensleydale, both of which provided a gentle and welcoming start to the evening.

The white wines that followed were both excellent in their own way. The St Romain La Perrière 2020 was crisp and refreshing, while the Pouilly-Fuissé 1er Cru La Marchande 2020 offered a richer, smoother style. Both worked particularly well with Baron Bigod, which stood out that night as a favourite: rich, creamy and an ideal match for the white Burgundy styles.

The reds each brought something different to the table. The Côtes de Nuits-Villages 2019 was light and fruity, the Givry Vieilles Vignes 2019 was very approachable and easy drinking, and the Marsannay Les Mogottes 2020 showed a bit more depth and structure. The stand-out red of the evening was the Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2010, noticeably more complex and elegant, and it paired especially well with the stronger cheeses, particularly the Cashel Blue.

The cheese selection from Neal’s Yard Dairy added a huge amount to the experience. Dorstone was fresh and light, Yoredale Wensleydale brought a subtle tang, Baron Bigod was rich and indulgent, and Cashel Blue provided a stronger, more expressive element. Having suggested pairings made it easy to experiment and find combinations you actually preferred.

What really made the night work was the balance of a well organised but still relaxed and social networking event. There was a great mix of people chatting, tasting and exploring without any pressure, whether you were deep into Burgundy already or just curious.

Upcoming events from The Business Leaders Wine Club (BLWC)

• 29th April – Henfield, West Sussex

• 14th May – Online tasting

• 26th June – Hove

For more information about upcoming events and how to get involved with The Business Leaders Wine Club, visit www.businessleaderswine.club.