Ballymena wine society seeks new members

Do you ever think to yourself I wonder what wine to choose to accompany a meal or for a present? Do expensive wines taste better than one cheaper ones? This open night is the perfect way to help answer your questions, the guest speaker will be Peter Wilson, Vice President of the NI Wine and Spirit Institute.

The Ballymena Wine Society was formed 23 years ago in 1988 and has met regularly ever since during winter and spring. The aim of the Society is to foster an increased awareness, knowledge and appreciation of wines. At each meeting a guest speaker will help you select wines for different occasions, how to read the label, how to taste the wine and describe where and how the vines were grown. It can be a geography, history and cooking lesson all rolled into one as you sample 6-8 wines each evening often with cheese.

Guest speakers have come from across Northern Ireland representing some of the major retailers as well as the independent wine sector. Often members are able to purchase, at discount, wines sampled during the evening. However each year there is a members’ night when a member introduces a selection of their choice – it may be wine they discovered when on holiday or different wines from the same grape variety.

A popular highlight is the annual blind tasting when all bottles are carefully wrapped in newspaper and teams try and describe, or more often guess, the nose or fragrance, its “legs” or alcohol content, the flavour, country, grape and also the price.

Joint meetings and weekends have been held with other wine societies, most recently with the Enniskillen Wine Society. The emphasis is on a good night’s craic and at the same time to learn some more about wine in good company.

If you are tempted then contact the BWS secretary Philip Burnside by Thursday 19 May on 25653548 to reserve a place. Places are limited and cost £10/person.